Republic of Mauritius, Indian Ocean island nation
Nigel Farage has faced renewed questions about a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire and related undisclosed liabilities as Reform UK seeks to regain momentum ahead of Clacton by-elections. Several outlets report that discussions about Reform’s finances occurred before his return to frontline politics, with investigations paused as he stands in the by-election.
Kim Le Court has won stage six of the Tour de France Femmes, launching from a small eight-rider breakaway to beat Cedrine Kerbaol on the Mont Lalouvesc climb in Tournon-sur-Rhône. Marlen Reusser retains the overall lead ahead of Demi Vollering after a 153.4km stage from Montbrison to Tournon-sur-Rhône.
Kim Le Court has claimed stage three victory in Llandudno, moving to the top of the general classification with 26 seconds over Lippert. Lippert finished second, with Wiebes in the chase and Andersson in third as the race heads to the penultimate stage.
A 1,260-pound Atlantic blue marlin has been landed off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in Atlantis Canyon, by charter captain Damon Sacco and client Walter Chapman. Weighing 1,260 pounds and measuring over 11 feet, the fish is believed to be the largest Atlantic blue marlin caught off the U.S. East Coast. The head is being aged at a university lab to determine its age. The catch occurs in a narrow window for blue marlin in the Northeast.
Sir James Cleverly has quit frontline frontbench duties to pursue a 2028 London mayoral bid, stressing London’s need for enterprise and opportunity. He faces a potential contest against Labour’s Sadiq Khan, with Liberal Democrats and Reform UK weighing into the race as the Conservatives court a centrist path.
Maro Itoje has taken a break from England’s Nations Championship fixtures to recover mentally and physically. He has rested during July and is back at Saracens with a full pre-season ahead as England prepare for four Tests in November and a Rugby World Cup in Australia next year.
Prime Minister Burnham has pledged to fully fund the Defence Investment Plan and to meet NATO commitments by 2035, while promising stronger public control over energy and water utilities as the cost-of-living crisis intensifies. He also unveils a 10-year plan to boost living standards and address energy costs.
Marlen Reusser has retained the women's world time‑trial title in Montreal, winning in 50:24.44 and beating Britain’s Zoe Backstedt by 40 seconds. Germany’s Franziska Koch has taken bronze. Backstedt, 21, has stepped up from under‑23 competition and finished strongly on a longer, windy technical course.
Travel pieces reflect on Europe’s summer hotspots, with some destinations gaining calm after peak season and readers weighing where to go next despite mixed experiences.
Britain’s new prime minister has arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly, seeking closer UK-US ties on Ukraine air defences and safeguarding shipping routes, while navigating a fraught relationship with President Trump. Officials warn of economic headwinds as winter looms.
Britain has reached a deal with Mauritius to cede sovereignty over the Chagos Islands, while maintaining a 99-year lease on Diego Garcia and its strategic base. The agreement has yet to gain legal force as the US expressed concerns and opposition from Washington has slowed parliamentary passage.
The UK and US leaders have met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. They have praised their connection, but remain divided over the Chagos Islands deal and the push for global AI safety standards. Burnham has emphasised long-term cooperation on security and AI, while Trump continues to press his Iran stance and criticises the deal.
The UK prime minister has met Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The talks have yielded a cautiously optimistic read on UK-US relations, with Trump praising Burnham as a “natural businessman” while presses over the Chagos Islands and other disputes surface. Burnham is aiming to present a 10-year plan for Britain amid turbulence at home.
The United Kingdom has paused plans to transfer Chagos sovereignty to Mauritius while retaining the Diego Garcia base, with American opposition blocking progress. Prime Minister Burnham says Britain will “work hard” with US partners to find a resolution as Donald Trump reiterates his opposition.
Mauritius has lifted an overnight curfew after days of protests over water shortages and rising living costs that escalated when a police officer shot and wounded a 27‑year‑old woman. Authorities have arrested the officer, detained dozens for looting and arson and reopened schools and roads as security deployments continue.