Rainmaker has pivoted to frontline leadership amid rising regional and global tensions; current role anchors ongoing governance and policy debates.
Conservative candidates face scrutiny after Joshua Bonehill-Paine, a former neo-Nazi with multiple convictions, is selected to stand for Crewkerne South in Somerset Council elections. Party leader Kemi Badenoch defends rehabilitation and second chances, while opponents call for vetting reforms and criticise the choice amid ongoing concerns about antisemitism and extremism.
Disgraced former BBC presenter Huw Edwards has submitted a poem to Wales’ National Eisteddfod under the pseudonym “Y Gelyn” (The Enemy). The winner, Martin Huws, has been announced as the participant whose work addresses abuse, while Cracroft argues the incident would have been “catastrophic” if Edwards had won. The Eisteddfod maintains entrants perform under pseudonyms and with identities sealed until prize announcements.
Cambridge’s youngest Black professor has faced new plagiarism allegations as investigations continue across multiple institutions. Disputed claims include passages lifted from another thesis and questions over titles on an updated bio.
An ongoing operation into group-based child sexual exploitation in south Wales has led to eight men being charged across Newport, Swansea, London, Birmingham, Lancashire, Edinburgh and Argyll and Bute. The charges involve rape of minors and facilitating sexual exploitation dating from 1985 to 1996. Prosecutions continue.
A roundup of fashion coverage highlights budget-friendly pieces with multi-season wear, from affordable activewear sets to denim-inspired dresses and crochet cardigans. Readers are guided on layering and capsule wardrobes as autumn approaches, with emphasis on value and versatility.
On Tuesday, a crowded migrant boat crossing the Channel caught fire in the French SAR region. French and British vessels rescued 157 people, with 103 saved by French crews and 54 by British crews. Five people initially received assistance before the rest continued; authorities say no fatalities have been reported so far. The incident follows a large-scale effort and a new UK-France agreement aimed at reducing departures.
A wave of paid social clubs is growing, offering curated real-world connections through platforms like TimeLeft, Chirpy Plus, and EatWith. The trend echoes historical private clubs but operates as for-profit digital platforms. Loneliness remains a public concern in Australia as the phenomenon spreads globally and reshapes social interactions.
The White House has convened staff-level discussions with industry on a voluntary AI framework that would govern pre-release government review of advanced models. The framework remains non-public, with details reserved for invited partners, and its classification status remains unclear. Open questions include whether foreign governments qualify as trusted partners and which models will fall under the rules.
Peter Gill has died at 86. The Welsh-born director and playwright transformed British theatre through rigorous realism, championing DH Lawrence and founding Riverside Studios. Tributes highlight his uncompromising honesty, with his York Realist celebrated in 2002 and a lasting influence on the Royal Court and National Theatre.
The Teaching Regulation Agency has found that Tandy L’Enfant, who led health and social care at Joseph Whitaker School, engaged in serious misconduct across multiple classes and examinations. She has been banned from teaching indefinitely, with a possibility to apply for the prohibition to be lifted in 2031. The findings highlight deliberate fraud and dishonesty in handling coursework and grades.
A locum NHS surgeon performing an emergency bowel operation at Royal Oldham Hospital has been found to have carried out a totally unconventional procedure that connected the small intestine to the stomach, creating a closed loop. The patient endured weeks of pain before another surgeon corrected the error; the tribunal has struck the doctor from the medical register for serious professional misconduct.
The rollout of smartphone-free policies in schools is drawing mixed reactions. Some headteachers report calmer classrooms and better pupil focus, while critics warn the measures do not address underlying issues such as online harm and access to devices outside school hours.
Bob Montgomery, who finished a six‑week charity ride from Broome to Bowral with his 18‑year‑old grandson, has died unexpectedly but peacefully at 82, raising about A$105,000 for MND NSW; the journey drew public praise and a final homecoming event.
The Philippines’ $40bn outsourcing industry, which employs about 1.9 million people, is facing pressure as AI adoption rises. Workers report AI-generated material being trained on their writing, with redundancies looming as roles shift toward automation.
Heavy heat and prolonged drought across England and Wales are pushing farmers to adapt, cut yields, and call for more water storage and resilience. Reports show France and Spain facing their own water stress, risking higher food costs and supply gaps in the UK.
A British family’s deaths in a July incident are being investigated as an extradition fight unfolds over a Zimbabwean man suspected of involvement. UK and South African authorities continue to pursue charges while tributes are paid at funerals in Bulawayo.
Conor McGregor has sustained an ACL and meniscus injury in UFC 329, ending his comeback bout with Max Holloway in 69 seconds. He is undergoing surgery and faces a year-long absence, with a potential rematch discussion for IFW 2027.
Chipotle has removed jalapeños from restaurants after public health officials have linked a Salmonella Javiana outbreak to jalapeños served at multiple Mexican‑style restaurants. Minnesota has identified 110 cases tied to the outbreak; the FDA has opened an active investigation and has started sampling but has not issued a recall. Chipotle says it has replaced the peppers from different growers.
Voters have cast ballots in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary between progressive Abdul El‑Sayed and centrist Rep. Haley Stevens. The contest has become a proxy fight over the party’s direction, drawn heavy outside spending and attention from national figures; its winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in November and shape Democrats’ Senate path.
A multistate outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms de Mexico has expanded to Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania, with Michigan remaining hardest hit. Regulators say cases have surged nationwide, prompting recalls and investigations across agencies.
AP News reports that U.S. Attorney Pirro has moved to dismiss the indictment against former Olympian David Hearn, citing newly produced Interior Department evidence showing the pool's damage resulted from a botched installation and contractor rush before America 250 events. Trump remains vocal, arguing vandals caused most damage.
Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to 2,371 this year, the highest in years, prompting renewed calls for vaccination amid political and public health pressures. Outbreaks are intensifying in several states as officials warn that vaccination alone may not curb spread. Health Secretary Kennedy faces scrutiny over his vaccine stance while states push to bolster immunization programs.
New York City aims to open five city-run grocery stores offering a 30% discount on a core basket of goods, funded by a $70 million capital budget. Documents and officials show the plan relies on private operators and a voluntary membership card, with no ID required to shop. The plan has sparked debate among business critics and political opponents.
Malaysia confirms it will repatriate up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya refugees, and finalizes screening at detention depots. Rights groups warn of risks to a vulnerable population amid rising anti-Rohingya sentiment and questions over voluntary returns.
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue has issued notices revoking Brewer’s permits for two Minocqua Brewing Company locations and an Alcohol Beverage Warehouse permit for a third. Owner Kirk Bangstad says the brewery will appeal and fight the action tooth and nail, arguing that the violations are minor and politically charged. The company can operate during the appeal, with August 4 as the deadline for formal action.
A 16-year-old Santa Cruz lifeguard has saved a 10-year-old from powerful surf at Seabright Beach. Video of the rescue has drawn global attention and U.S. leaders have commented on the bravery shown by the teenager and fellow lifeguards.
Colombia reports 119,483 hectares of forest lost in 2025, a 5% rise from 2024, but remains 31% below 2021 levels. Officials cite illegal land grabbing, cattle ranching, and infrastructure as the main drivers while highlighting progress in national parks and community conservation efforts.
Iraq and Turkey have extended and refreshed arrangements for the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, aiming to diversify exports and reduce reliance on Hormuz. A one-year extension is set to keep flows through Ceyhan at about 750,000 barrels per day while broader energy cooperation is pursued. Talks include oil, electricity and water resources, with Ankara signaling a longer-term framework.
Rep. Max Miller has requested a House Ethics Committee investigation to clear his name amid allegations from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, who is Sen. Bernie Moreno’s daughter. Miller denies the accusations and vows to stay in his Ohio district race as lawmakers weigh potential consequences ahead of the ballot deadline.
Alibaba has released Qwen3.8-Max, a 2.4-trillion-parameter AI model with a 1-million-token context window. The model claims competitive performance with Anthropic’s Fable 5 and surpasses rivals on several benchmarks, intensifying the US-China AI competition and signaling cheaper, high-end capabilities for complex tasks.
Monte dei Paschi di Siena faces renewed pressure as Rome weighs offering its 4.9% stake to institutional investors; the Finance Ministry seeks neutrality while defending its governance. Bloomberg and The New York Times report a hostile bid tense with management optimism.
Kurdistan Regional Government president Barzani has met Syria's leadership in Damascus to discuss strengthening cooperation and the integration of the SDF into state institutions, with language and cultural rights on the agenda amid ongoing negotiations.
Three female lions die at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo amid a record heatwave. Ten lions have fallen ill since mid-July, and staff are treating several others while air-conditioned enclosures and cooling measures are being deployed.
Backpacks remain heavier than ideal as families head into back-to-school shopping. Experts say signs of strain include leaning forward and shoulder pain, and there isn’t a universal weight guideline due to differing student sizes. Teachers urge audits of what students truly need, as technology becomes central to learning.
Over the past weeks, 112 bodies have been recovered from a Sabra block in Gaza City, including 40 children, with 157 still missing. funerals have drawn huge crowds as families seek closure amid ongoing ceasefire violations and a staggering death toll.
The full US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has ruled that the EPA cannot freeze roughly $20 billion in Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grants, reversing a prior decision. The money will not be released immediately as the ruling is put on hold to allow time for a potential Supreme Court appeal. The case centers on disputes over whether the EPA can terminate grants and claw back funds on policy grounds rather than fraud.
A massive wildfire in southwest France has forced more than 220,000 people to evacuate in the Gironde region, with authorities expanding evacuations as flames threaten communities near Bordeaux. Across Europe, thousands have fled, and regional shelters are operating to support displaced residents.
The State Department has revoked a senior Brazilian diplomat’s visa in response to Brazil’s failure to approve Donald Trump’s ambassador pick. The move is reversible if Brazil grants approval; a quick reversal could come if Brasília agrees to the nominee, Daniel Perez. Lula’s government faces Bolsonaro’s challenge in October’s presidential race.