We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
New York Knicks’ shooting guard, Josh Hart, is finding his footing as a newly minted NBA champion. However, some aspects of his life remain constant, including the comforting rhythm of home with his wife, Shannon Hart (née Phillips), and their 3-year-old twins.
“With so many demands tugging at you, it’s crucial to have a solid foundation — a reliable place to return to,” Hart, 31, shared exclusively with Us on Thursday, August 20, while discussing his new venture as a Scouting America ambassador.
He expressed the importance of his wife’s unwavering support which has been a pillar since his NBA journey began with the Los Angeles Lakers on October 20, 2017. “They stand by your side through everything—whether that’s accompanying you to appearances or working out together. The season keeps us constantly on the move; on game days, it’s basically, ‘Walk through, nap, and get in the car.'”
He emphasized, “Having that consistent support system to rely on provides immense comfort.”
Josh Hart is reveling in a summer full of triumphs, having played a key role in the New York Knicks securing their first NBA championship in over five decades. Among the highlights of this season of joy was attending the lively wedding of his fellow teammate, Karl-Anthony Towns, to Jordyn Woods earlier this month.
Hart and his wife have been together since August 2021 and share 3-year-old twin boys Hendrix and Haze. After joining the Knicks in 2023 after the franchise acquired the guard via a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for three players — Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono and Svi Mykhailiuk — and a future draft pick, Hart helped the Knicks win their first NBA Finals Championship over 50 years.
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Now that he has a NBA ring to go with his NCAA championship hardware (Hart was a member of the 2016 Villanova Wildcats championship team), the athlete is looking to the future while navigating superstardom and keeping one foot firmly planted on the ground thanks to his family.
Gabrielle Union, Ayesha Curry, Jordyn Woods and more stars have settled down with professional basketball players over the years. The Bring It On actress, for her part, met Dwyane Wade in 2007 at a Super Bowl party. The two called it quits in early 2013 due to conflicting schedules and long-distance difficulties, but rekindled their […]
“August has been the most chill time that I’ve kind of had, and I still have stuff that I’m doing,” he said of his post-championship summer. “I’m out east and now I’m able to kind of separate myself from it and appreciate it. But initially, it was just a whirlwind. You’re doing so many different things — you’re doing interviews here, you’re doing brand appearances where. You’re doing — I didn’t go to the ESPYs, thankfully — but you have award shows.”
He continued, “You have all these things that you’re doing, so it’s really just a sprint — you’re just trying to do all these things, and I think that that’s, like, one part that kind of sucks about it because you’re trying to do all these things and then, you know, you pick your head up and it’s almost September … and you’re like, ‘Now I gotta get back to work.’ And they’re gonna crown a new champion — hopefully it’s us — again in June. You don’t want to lose time to actually appreciate it, but it’s tough.”
A new controversy is brewing in Hollywood, as a former Disney star accuses Miley Cyrus of bullying behavior from years past.
Jordan Pruitt, who found fame touring alongside iconic acts such as the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato, and the Cheetah Girls in the early 2000s, has made these claims in a recently surfaced Instagram comment. The conversation, which caught fire on Reddit, has many buzzing.
Her remarks came in response to an old social media clip where Cyrus purportedly mocked fellow Disney alums Lovato and Selena Gomez. In the comment, Pruitt remarked, “This is how Miley treated everyone back in the day, including me lol.”
The revelation spurred a fan to chime in, asking Pruitt to “give us the tea.” This encouragement led her to divulge more about the alleged incidents.
Pruitt recounted, “Miley used to call me and leave mean voicemails with her friend Mandy, telling me I needed a nose job, new teeth, and even a choreographer lol,” further intensifying the discussion surrounding the past actions of the pop sensation.
The singer, 35, ended her comment by calling the “Party In The U.S.A.” artist, 33, “relentless.”
Pruitt’s post about Cyrus’ alleged mean-girl behavior amassed more than 1,000 likes at the time the screenshot was taken.
Cyrus’ rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
This isn’t the first time Pruitt has dragged Cyrus publicly. In March, Pruitt revealed in an Instagram comment that she wrote her song “Boyfriend” about the “Flowers” singer,” according to a screenshot shared on X.
“You’re not gonna steal my boyfriend/ You’re not gonna steal him, not now,” Pruitt sings in the 2008 tune.
At the time, rumors swirled that Pruitt was dating Nick Jonas, though their romance was never confirmed. Meanwhile, Cyrus dated Jonas between 2006 and 2007.
Pruitt is best known for her 2006 song “Outside Looking In,” as well as her hit, “Jump to the Rhythm,” from the 2007 Disney Channel movie “Jump In!,” which stars Corbin Bleu and Keke Palmer.
The teen songstress put out two albums through Disney’s Hollywood Records and toured with several of the network’s major acts.
She took her talents to “The Voice” in 2012, where she competed as a member of Christina Aguilera’s team. Just five years later, she retired from her music career.
In 2019, Pruitt sued Disney, Hollywood Records and former manager Keith Thomas, alleging that he sexually abused her beginning when she was 14 years old and that the record label failed to protect her.
Pruitt claimed that Thomas took her virginity and once drugged and anally penetrated her, according to the August 2019 lawsuit obtained by Page Six.
“Unfortunately, these large companies are primarily concerned with sales, money and charts,” Pruitt said in a statement to Variety at the time. “Too often they fall short of protecting the young talent that they are ‘supposed’ to be caretakers for… I couldn’t be more disappointed in how Disney treats their underage talent like cash cows.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex found their time in the United States to be more challenging than expected.
Prince Harry’s experiences in America did not unfold as anticipated
It has come to light that Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are planning to return to the UK from California with their two children—Prince Archie, now seven, and Princess Lilibet, aged five. Former royal butler Grant Harrold has shared insights on what may be driving this unexpected decision.
Speaking six years after the couple stepped down as Senior Royals in order to move to Meghan’s native USA, Grant told Us Weekly: “It is clear their time in America did not go to plan. We see that through the Netflix deal and some of their other commercial decisions. I think there are multiple factors at play. I suppose the dream life in the US that they imagined didn’t come off.”
Harry and Meghan signed high-profile deals with Netflix and Spotify after moving to the US but their projects for the streamers were met with mixed reviews.
Ryan Giggs and his partner Zara Charles have joyfully announced the arrival of their first child, a baby girl.
The pair made their public debut with their newborn daughter in Trafford on Monday, with former Manchester United star Giggs looking thrilled as he took on stroller duty.
This family outing came just days after Zara gave birth to their daughter, Cora, at a hospital in Greater Manchester.
In a statement to MailOnline, a spokesperson shared: “Ryan and his partner Zara are overjoyed to announce the birth of their daughter, Cora Giggs, who was born on Friday, November 1.”
They also expressed deep appreciation for all the wonderful staff, particularly the midwives at Wythenshawe Hospital.
Ryan Giggs’ has welcomed his first child with girlfriend Zara Charles as the couple enjoyed their first stroll as a family of three in Trafford on Monday
The former Manchester United footballer, 50, couldn’t wipe the smile of his face as he pushed the buggy after becoming a father for the third time
The former Manchester United and Wales footballer, 50, couldn’t wipe the smile of his face as he pushed the buggy after becoming a father for the third time.
Meanwhile the lingerie model, 36, looked positively radiant as she kept it casual in a beige polo neck jumper and black leather jacket.
Showing off her post-baby physique she added a pair of black skinny jeans and trainers for the afternoon outing.
Ryan has yet to announce the birth on Instagram and MailOnline have contacted Ryan’s representatives for comment.
The couple, who have been dating since 2021, announced in April that they are expecting their first child together and Zara has been seen out and about showcasing her growing bump over the past few months.
Ryan already has two children, daughter, Libby, 21, and son, Zach, 18, from his 10-year marriage to Stacey Cooke.
Zara also has a daughter from a previous marriage.
Insiders claim Ryan’s ex wife Stacey – who divorced him in 2017 – has also given her blessing as well as their children.
The lingerie model, 36, looked positively radiant as she kept it casual in a beige polo neck jumper and black leather jacket
Ryan wrapped up in a green zip up jumper and blue skinny jeans
The couple, who have been dating since 2021, announced in April that they are expecting their first child together
Ryan couldn’t wipe the smile off his face as he grinned from ear to ear
She added a designer Loewe bag to complete her look
The couple looked fresh-faced despite recently entering new born life
‘Ryan was nervous about what his kids would think but they’ve got to know Zara over the last few years and really like her’, a source told The Sun.
‘They’re happy because they know he’s happy.
‘But they’ve joked that he might struggle with the early mornings and lack of sleep.
‘Ryan and Zara are thrilled at the prospect of becoming parents again, they have a very solid, loving relationship and are building a long-term future together.’
Another source told the publication: ‘Stacey approves of Zara.
‘Her and Ryan have been through a lot but they have moved on and she’s only interested in him being happy, because that makes him a good dad to their kids. There is no animosity.’
Stacey and Ryan divorced in 2017 after it was revealed he had been having an eight-year affair with his brother’s wife, Natasha.
Members of his family cut ties with him when the news broke, his dad saying he was ‘ashamed’ of his son while his brother, Rhodri, made headlines appearing on a Paddy Power advert mocking the former Manchester United man.
The marriage survived the affair – as well as Ryan cheating with Big Brother star Imogen Thomas – but they separated in 2016.
According to Leiper Gupta Family Lawyers, the divorce could have cost Ryan £20million, but the pair’s lawyers said they remained ‘firm friends’.
Ryan has son Zach, 17, and daughter Libby, 19, from his 10-year marriage to Stacey Cooke (pictured), while Zara has a daughter from a previous marriage
Stacey and Ryan divorced in 2017 after it was revealed he had been having an eight-year affair with his brother’s wife, Natasha (pictured 2010)
In a picturesque mountain region of the United States, a unique parking challenge has hikers sacrificing their sleep, waking at the break of dawn to secure desirable parking spaces.
At Wyoming’s Lupine Meadows Trailhead, enthusiastic visitors fill up the limited parking by as early as 7:30 a.m., causing vehicles to spill over onto grassy verges and transforming single-lane roads into crowded thoroughfares stretching a mile in each direction.
This problem isn’t confined to just one spot; it affects much of Grand Teton National Park as well as the nearby affluent areas of Jackson, Wilson, and Teton Village in Teton County, the wealthiest county in the nation with a per-capita income of approximately $533,000.
Queues to enter the park often begin forming before 7 a.m., and the overflow leads to hikers illegally parking in restricted areas, which in turn blocks other motorists from exiting gracefully.
Officials are increasingly worried, noting that such parking habits could obstruct emergency vehicles from reaching crucial trailheads, potentially risking safety.
Police have been forced to ticket people, and in some cases even tow the most egregious offenders, Teton Park Superintendent Chip Jenkins told Jackson Hole News & Guide.
‘This year, we’re really feeling something different,’ Mr Jenkins told the outlet. ‘We’re seeing a substantial increase in the number of people parking in no parking zones, blocking the lane of traffic, blocking people in.’
Natural attractions such as Jenny Lake, Delta Lake and Death Canyon in the summer, and world-class skiing at the Jackson Hole and Snow King Mountain Resorts, consistently draw millions of tourists to Teton Park every year.
Throngs of tourists visiting Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming are causing lots to fill up as early as 7am. Cars are pictured driving by a full parking lot sign in the park
The situation has led to terrible parking etiquette and cars parking on shoulders for up to a mile outside popular trailheads
Park officials have said cars are blocking roads, stopping people from leaving and potentially hindering emergency vehicles
Grand Teton National Park and mountain range are located in Teton County, which is the wealthiest county in the US
And visitation to the park has grown steadily over the past decade, while the use of trailheads in the region has increased even more dramatically.
Grand Teton National Park experienced a 4.5 per cent increase in visitor numbers in June and July of this year compared with the same period in 2017, and trail use in the park soared by 18 per cent over the same time frame.
The surge has been driven by a post-pandemic interest in reconnecting with the outdoors, National Parks Conservation Association spokesman Kati Schmidt told JH News & Guide.
Meanwhile, viral videos on social media have showcased the park’s small lots filling up shortly after sunrise, advising people to arrive as early as possible if they want to secure spots close to popular trailheads.
That has driven peak visitation levels from 9am or 10am closer to 8am, according to data from traffic counters and revenue collection at entrance stations, Teton Park Superintendent Jenkins told JH News & Guide.
Mr Jenkins said he believes the trend of earlier visitation is here to stay. ‘This is our future. This is not a one-year blip,’ he said.
But solving the issue of parking etiquette and car overcrowding is not expected to be easy.
National Parks are protected land, and simply building bigger parking lots would damage the environment and ecosystem and take from the natural splendor that draws visitors in the first place.
Use of Teton Park’s trailheads has grown tremendously over the past decade, driven by a post-pandemic interest in reconnecting with nature
Peak visitation times have gone from 9am or 10am closer to 8am in Teton Park , according to data from traffic counters and revenue collection at entrance stations
Park officials have been encouraging tourists to explore less popular areas of the park and arrive later in the day
Some parks use shuttle systems to alleviate traffic, but that solution appears ill-fitted for Teton Park, as parking is already so limited and overcrowded that there would be no obvious places for shuttles to pick up and drop off passengers.
Park officials have been studying visitor numbers and patterns to work on a solution, but for now, the strategy has been to promote spreading out visitation.
Tourists have been encouraged to arrive at trailheads in the late afternoon and early evening, and to explore less popular areas of the park.
‘Grand Teton is so much bigger than just Jenny Lake, Lupine and the LSR,’ Jenkins told JH News & Guide.
‘There are many places where people can go where there is capacity – visitors as well as people from the local community.’
Paul Gigot, along with Wall Street Journal columnists Kim Strassel, Kyle Peterson, and Elliot Kaufman, took center stage to scrutinize New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s controversial action concerning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Initially, Mamdani pledged to pursue Netanyahu’s arrest, but later retracted his statement. The panel delved into the legality of this situation, highlighting Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s determination to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC) due to its contentious jurisdiction and perceived threats to U.S. sovereignty.
The Trump administration took a bold step by imposing sanctions on two prominent International Criminal Court officials. This action signals an intensification of efforts to dissolve an institution that has been probing alleged U.S. war crimes in Afghanistan and has issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli figures linked to the Gaza conflict.
In a strong denunciation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan and senior trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal. He labeled the court as “corrupt and fatally politicized,” reflecting a firm stance against its actions.
Rubio condemned the ICC for targeting officials whose governments have not agreed to its jurisdiction. “These individuals have directly engaged in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials,” he declared, accusing the court of “maliciously abusing its authority and exceeding its mandate.”
The ramifications of these sanctions are significant. Akane and Seye face frozen assets in U.S. jurisdictions, and their financial dealings with Americans or within the U.S. financial system are now severely restricted.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio listens as President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable on the American mining industry at the State Department on August 7, 2026, in Washington, D.C.(Eric Lee/Getty Images)
“Our whole of government campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the ICC to national sovereignty will be sweeping and we expect more countries to join our campaign by ending their funding and participation in this politicized and unaccountable court,” Rubio said. “The ICC’s ability to target American nationals and those of other non-States Parties must end.”
An executive order signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025 created the sanctions’ framework.
The Trump administration argues that the ICC lacks the power to investigate soldiers, military commanders and political leaders from countries that are not parties to the court, including the U.S. and Israel.
International Criminal Court President Tomoko Akane speaks to the press after meeting with members of the European Parliament’s Human Rights Committee in Brussels, Belgium on March 19, 2025.(Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The ICC said the Trump administration’s latest sanctions “undermine the rule of law,” adding that they amount to “a flagrant attack against the independence of an impartial judicial institution.”
“Such measures targeting judges, prosecutors and staff who work towards the fulfilment of the mandate that was conferred to the ICC by States undermine the rule of law,” the ICC said in a statement.
The court continued: “When judicial actors are threatened for applying the law, it is the international legal order itself that is placed at risk. Threats and coercive measures also impact the ability of victims to seek justice, as they turn to the Court when all other avenues have been exhausted.”
The ICC maintains that it can exercise jurisdiction over nationals of non-member states when they are accused of qualifying crimes committed on the territory of a state that has accepted the Court’s jurisdiction.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gives a news conference in Jerusalem on June 15, 2026.(RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Qualifying crimes under the Rome Statute include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
Afghanistan and Palestine are both members of the court, which the ICC says allows it to investigate alleged crimes committed on their territories, including alleged war crimes by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan and alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity by Israeli officials in Gaza.
In September 2024, the ICC also issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, the minister of defense at the time.
In a move stirring concern among geopolitical analysts, Donald Trump’s latest overtures to North Korea’s enigmatic leader Kim Jong-un have thrown into question the U.S.’s dedication to its Asian and Pacific allies. Experts fear this dynamic could heighten instability in the already volatile region.
Furthermore, Trump’s actions have rekindled anxieties over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. The burning question remains whether the U.S. might relent in its firm opposition to Pyongyang’s weapons program—a scenario that could have extensive consequences.
This tension escalated on Monday when the United States declared a significant scaling down of joint military exercises with South Korea and Japan. This announcement sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, potentially undermining the robust defense alliances woven throughout the region and leaving many surprised.
Trump took to social media to reveal this decision, labeling the exercises as expensive and “conveying a message that is entirely inappropriate and hostile” to North Korea. Previously, Pyongyang has criticized these collaborative military drills, vowing a formidable response to what it perceives as provocations.
Nevertheless, the timing of this unexpected decision coincides with Trump hinting at a potential meeting with Kim Jong-un, prompting widespread speculation about the true nature of their peculiar diplomatic relationship.
South Korean president Lee Jae Myung said on Wednesday he recognised Trump’s “will and efforts to create conditions for dialogue” with North Korea through the reduction of the exercise.
“President Trump’s message this time feels like a major decision made with careful consideration to create peace on the Korean Peninsula, moving beyond hostility and confrontation,” he wrote on social media.
Joshua Kurlantzick, senior fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia at the US think tank the Council on Foreign Relations, told SBS News the US decision was in one way unsurprising, given its stated foreign policy shift away from global hegemony and toward influence over the “Western hemisphere” alone.
However, he said it was another significant step toward the potential “fading” of the US defence umbrella as allies “no longer feel” that umbrella is as “reliable as it used to be”.
“As a result, and this includes Australia, they are taking various measures.” He said this includes strengthening regional defence ties and increasing military spending.
That said, United States Studies Centre CEO and former National Security Council director for Asia, Michael Green, told SBS News that “the hub-and-spoke” US regional strategic alliance network “survives” the Trump administration as there’s “no other option”.
He said the multi-layered “networking of these traditional US allies is necessary” to counter the risks of a rising China and a loss of US maritime dominance in the Pacific.
“That alone explains 80 or 90 per cent of why you have the Quad [the security alliance between Australia, India, Japan and the US], why you have AUKUS, why you have the US-Japan-Australia trilateral,” he said.
Why Trump wants to meet Kim
During his first term in office, Trump made history as the first sitting US president to meet Kim Jong-un and visit North Korea.
Despite their tumultuous relationship — Kim had previously described Trump as “mentally deranged” while Trump branded him “little rocket man” — the US president later said the pair “fell in love”.
Their three meetings across 2018 and 2019 yielded little, with Trump refusing to accept Kim’s demands for total sanctions relief in exchange for partial denuclearisation.
Relations between the two nations iced over during the Biden presidency, and Trump has had little to do with North Korea during his second term until now.
On Wednesday, Trump announced he would be meeting with Kim later in the year — potentially in November during the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China — but has yet to announce any specific details or goals for such a meeting.
On social media, Trump noted that joint military exercises are expensive and that South Korea has not supported the US in seeking to open the Iran-blockaded Strait of Hormuz as motivation for his sudden change of heart.
“Kim Jong-un has always treated me with great respect and we met on numerous occasions, actually, two primary occasions, spoken and spent time. I understand him. He understands me,” Trump said on Monday as he alluded to the idea that the pair have been communicating.
Professor in international relations and comparative politics at the University of Sydney, Justin Hastings, told SBS News that he would “struggle to think” what the “point” of a meeting between the two would be, but said North Korea was likely to come out of it better off than the US.
In discussing his relationship with Kim, Trump said that North Korea “has 57 very powerful nuclear weapons” and that, while he “should have never allowed it… he’s got them”.
“I get along with him very well. I can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon. And I know Kim Jong-un very well. And he’s going to be fine,” Trump said.
The comments further normalise North Korea’s claims to nuclear weapons, in a significant break from US historic policy, which is to demand North Korea give them up.
“If you’re in a situation where the US actually does drop denuclearisation as a policy goal, this will have long-term ramifications for regional security without North Korea actually giving up anything in return,” Hastings said.
Green, however, does not believe that Trump is focused on any short-term political ambition but is instead “looking for legacy”.
“Trump was very successful as a television performer, as a businessman, and as a politician by dominating the news cycle,” he said.
“Part of the answer is; his political fortunes are failing, he’s stuck with the war in the Middle East, he’s not able to tackle inflation, economists anticipate that prices won’t go down before the midterms, so he’s going back to a playbook he knows well, which is just keep changing the subject.
“It’s worked before … But it’s going to have no impact on the politics right now in the US, and probably no positive impact in world diplomacy.”
For North Korea, circumstances are also vastly different from what they were in 2018. Green argued Kim “doesn’t need Trump as much” now, because North Korea is getting “robust support from Russia and China”. In recent years, the country has strengthened ties with its neighbours and has deployed tens of thousands of troops in the war in Ukraine.
What could happen
On Tuesday, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia remains “very concerned” about the North Korean nuclear weapons program and that missile tests are a huge issue for the country, even if they appear less so to the United States.
“Australia is very concerned about North Korea’s nuclear program, as well as its missile program,” Marles said at a press conference with Japanese defence minister Koizumi Shinjiro. He added that South Korea remained “critically important” for both Australian and Japanese trilateral security.
Former South Korean ambassador Lee Baek-soon recently wrote that the US-led world order — the “Pax Americana” system — is “at a tipping point” following the war in Iran, and that South Korea and Australia should strengthen ties as a result.
“While one can put all one’s eggs in one basket during periods of stable order, it is wise to put one’s eggs in multiple baskets during times of great rupture,” he wrote. “Rather than rely on the power of others for their survival, nations must rely on their own power and the power of solidarity.”
Whether or not Trump and Kim will meet remains uncertain. On Thursday, Kim’s sister cast doubt over talks, denying that there had been any communication between her brother and Trump.
Kim Yo-jong did, however, say that the pair’s relationship is “still excellent” and that Kim still has “good memories” of the US president.
Kurlantzick said that, at the most extreme end, the US shift could hasten nuclear weapons proliferation throughout Asia and could result in Japan and South Korea having atomic bombs.
“There’s already strong South Korean support for greater homegrown defence capacities,” Kurlantzick said. “This is only going to help that more.”
“If Japan and South Korea, which are wealthy countries with the ability to produce nuclear weapons in a relatively short period of time, move towards producing nuclear weapons, it would be incredibly destabilising … but isn’t out of the question.”
US midterm elections
However, he also believes that the upcoming midterm elections could shift support back toward a more globally-looking US, depending on their outcome.
“Congress, in the last few years, has handed over a lot of powers to president Trump and has been pretty compliant,” he said. “That could change after the 2026 midterm elections; there’s a lot of support in Congress for the policy of supporting US partners in Asia and that includes Australia.”
Hastings said US allies like Australia were being forced into hedging their bets: increasing defence spend in a way that is consistent with US demands while building regional partnerships in the belief that the US might not follow through when needed.
“We’re entering a period where there’s a great deal more uncertainty, and it’s one where countries would benefit by finding other sources of security in addition to continuing to rely, to a certain extent, on what the US is willing to provide.”
Green, who served on the US National Security Council and negotiated with North Korea under the Bush administration while advising the US during the 2018 negotiations, said that the US has shocked Asia in the past but that relationships are often quickly patched up.
Opinion polling for US support, including one released by the Lowy Institute in June, shows that trust in the US is the lowest it has been in decades across the globe. However, as Green points out, support for military alliances with the US is “at record highs” in Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines while remaining “pretty steady” in Australia.
“Trump is unpopular around the world,” Green said, but structural support “is quite robust”.
“The worrisome part is, as his political power weakens, his disposition to do things like this South Korea game … might increase.
“His way of doing things is, when the going gets tough, go out there and get publicity and do something shocking. That could get even more wild in the in the next year or so.”
In a delightful twist of fate, a city in Northern California, once infamous for its somber Gold Rush-era executions, is now vying to become one of America’s most festive Christmas towns, courtesy of the Hallmark Channel.
Nestled in El Dorado County, Placerville was established in 1848, initially known as Dry Diggins. It later acquired the grim moniker “Hangtown” due to its darker past.
The gold found in the nearby rivers and mountains during the Gold Rush era attracted a flood of newcomers, and a series of frontier justice hangings during this time cemented the town’s unfortunate nickname until 1854.
Fast forward to today, and this quaint town of approximately 10,300 residents is celebrated for something much more joyful: its vibrant Christmas festivities.
Placerville finds itself among 25 communities nationwide competing in the Hallmark Channel’s Merriest Christmas Towns contest, a highlight of the network’s 25-year anniversary celebration.
The city’s holiday traditions include the Hangtown Christmas Parade, the Hometown Holiday on Main celebration and Christmas Tree Lane, when a stretch along Highway 50 is decorated with Christmas trees and lights.
The public will be able to vote in the contest, while a panel of judges will also help select the “Merriest Christmas Town,” according to the Hallmark website.
The towns will be judged on their “community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm, and goodwill.”
Other communities in the running include Ashland, Oregon; Bemidji, Minnesota; and Berlin, Maryland.
Each of the 25 communities participating in the contest has already been designated an Official Hallmark Christmas Town.
But the grand-prize winner will receive an even bigger distinction: the opportunity to serve as a filming location for a Hallmark movie.
Voting is open online once per day through 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 4, 2026.
President Donald Trump revealed he’s considering a particular individual to step into the role of Press Secretary, as his team sifts through a plethora of candidates eager for this prestigious position at the White House.
This announcement came as he was preparing to board Air Force One earlier in the week. At 80 years old, the President was questioned about the successor to Karoline Leavitt, who had recently disclosed her plans to leave the post.
In a lighthearted moment, he turned to the cluster of reporters and said, “Maybe you, maybe you,” when someone inquired whether Scott Jennings, a frequent television commentator known for his conservative views, was in the running for the position.
“Scott Jennings is good,” Trump affirmed with confidence, humorously suggesting that one of the reporters surrounding him could also be a potential candidate for the role.
“I’ll say this,” he remarked, “Never in my life have I received so many job applications.” His words underscored the intense competition for a spot in his White House team.
‘They all want that job, they love that job,’ Trump said. ‘She’s made that job very glamorous.’
Leavitt, 28, who will be departing at the end of the month, was quite open about the demands of the job when she announced she was leaving the front lines of the Trump administration.
President Donald Trump, 80, said he has ‘never had so many job applications in my life’ as he continues his search to replace Karoline Leavitt as press secretary
When asked if he’d consider Scott Jennings, a conservative commentator, Trump replied: ‘Scott Jennings is good’
‘Being a mother and welcoming a new baby while working in one of the most demanding jobs in the world has been the most rewarding yet challenging season of my life,’ she said.
‘The truth is since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy, and attention required of the White House Press Secretary.’
Her announcement came shortly after Leavitt returned to Pennsylvania Avenue from maternity leave, telling everyone: ‘Let’s get back to work.’
The mother-of-two had returned from maternity leave on July 16 after giving birth to her daughter in May. She also has a two-year-old son with her husband Nicholas Riccio, 61.
One source close to Leavitt, the youngest ever White House press secretary, reveals she had been strongly weighing whether to quit during maternity leave, as the President would contact her often and repeatedly ask when she was coming back.
‘No doubt one of the hardest decisions of her life so far,’ the source told the Daily Mail.
Another source says that, after returning from maternity leave, Leavitt very quickly realized she definitely needed out.
‘First week back she realized she wasn’t feeling it anymore,’ the source said. ‘Trump really didn’t want her to leave as he actually trusts her and doesn’t like having to deal with new people in his circle when he wants to focus on getting stuff done in his time left in office.’
Leavitt became the youngest ever White House press secretary at the age of 27. She will depart the White House at the end of the month
Two sources also explain that Leavitt has been confiding to those close to her over the past two months that she is ready to step down.
‘She was just trying to figure out how to politely step down with his [Trump’s] blessing,’ one of those sources explained.
The President posted on Truth Social that it was ‘a decision I totally understand and respect,’ calling Leavitt ‘one of the best White House press secretaries in the history of the office.’
Trump added that Leavitt would remain a ‘top outside adviser’ and an ‘influential voice’ in the Republican Party as the White House gears up for crunch midterm elections this November.
Rarely has a press secretary wielded the level of access Leavitt has commanded, from sitting in on classified Situation Room meetings to steering crisis strategy around the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
She first entered Trump’s orbit in 2018 and went on to be his press secretary for his 2024 campaign. Leavitt also previously worked as an assistant White House press secretary in 2020.
She took on the role as White House press secretary at the age of 27 when Trump came back into power.
Revelations about ADHD within the Thomas family have unfolded further as Scarlett Thomas, daughter of actor Ryan Thomas, disclosed her own diagnosis. This news comes following her father’s recent public statements on dealing with the same condition.
Known for her role on Waterloo Road, Scarlett shared that she was diagnosed with ADHD three years ago. She opened up about her experiences and how the diagnosis has influenced her daily life.
Posting a candid video on Snapchat, Scarlett, who is also the daughter of Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien, took a light-hearted approach, urging her family to relax regarding her ADHD assessment.
Her father, Ryan Thomas, alongside his brothers Scott and Adam, have frequently discussed ADHD on their podcast. In an insightful episode in March, Ryan shared his journey towards understanding his own diagnosis.
Scarlett expressed her perspective by saying, “The word ADHD, get it away and put it in the bin because what do you mean somebody talks too much?”
‘What do you mean somebody has a different personality and suddenly they’ve got a disorder.
Ryan Thomas’s daughter Scarlett, 17, has revealed she’s been diagnosed with ADHD , after her dad shared his own struggles with the condition
The Waterloo Road star shared she first received her diagnosis three years ago, and in a video shared how she feels she’s treated differently since learning she had the condition
‘I don’t get it. I was diagnosed in year nine, it’s literally just a personality. It doesn’t make sense to me. Anyway, that’s my take on that. I say it because my uncle Adam talks about it and he needs to chill out.’
Scarlett’s uncle Adam has previously shared his own experience with ADHD, and earlier this year Ryan revealed he’d received a diagnosis.
Speaking on their podcast, At Home With The Thomas Bro’s podcast, Ryan said: ‘ADHD for me has been a big problem and I’ve not actually spoke about it yet because If I’m really honest, I was quite embarrassed that I had ADHD.
‘It felt like I had a condition and growing up, as kids, ADHD, I don’t feel like, was ever a thing – or it was loosely spoke about.’
Ryan said he decided to get assessed for ADHD after being told by his fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh that he would repeatedly lose things and struggled to concentrate.
The Coronation Street star continued: ‘After the whole process, I was diagnosed – and I’m on medication.
‘And friends that are on the medication have said it changes your life instantly, like the limitless pill. And it’s been quite disheartening for me because I’m on the medication every day.
‘I’ve been on it for the last three, four weeks. And I still feel overwhelmed. I still misplace things.
In a video posted on her Snapchat , Scarlett declared that her family needed to ‘chill out’ about her ADHD diagnosis
‘There is a part of me that I recognise – that I can sit down and write something on a piece of paper, which is very rare that that happens with me.’
Ryan defended his controversial decision to allow Scarlett to skip sitting her GCSEs.
Scarlett, who appeared in BBC’s Waterloo Road in 2023, recently shared that she did not sit the nationwide exams in a video posted to her TikTok page.
The caption read: ‘I’m watching everyone get there [sic] GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.’
The clip caused much controversy online, with many complaining that it was ‘unacceptable’ for the teenager to forgo sitting the exams and attending school to focus on her budding acting career.
Under one post which criticised the decision from her parents, her father weighed in in the comment section and hit back.
He defiantly said: ‘Is it even anyone’s business or concern though?’
The actress has made it clear that she wants to follow in the footsteps of her famous parents into the entertainment industry, and has a passion for acting and singing.
While most young people in England do sit GCSEs, they are not a legal requirement under the Education Act of 1996. Students can choose to pursue other qualifications or leave formal education at 16.
Her first TV appearance was in Waterloo Road – one of several shows that made her uncle Adam a household name.
In January, Ryan also shared his pride upon learning that Scarlett had signed a record deal, calling it ‘one of the best days of his life’.
WHAT IS ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a behavioural condition defined by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
It affects around five per cent of children in the US. Some 3.6 per cent of boys and 0.85 per cent of girls suffer in the UK.
Symptoms typically appear at an early age and become more noticeable as a child grows. These can also include:
Constant fidgeting
Poor concentration
Excessive movement or talking
Acting without thinking
Inability to deal with stress
Little or no sense of danger
Careless mistakes
Mood swings
Forgetfulness
Difficulty organising tasks
Continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones
Inability to listen or carry out instructions
Most cases are diagnosed between six and 12 years old. Adults can also suffer, but there is less research into this.
ADHD’s exact cause is unclear but is thought to involve genetic mutations that affect a person’s brain function and structure.
Premature babies and those with epilepsy or brain damage are more at risk.
ADHD is also linked to anxiety, depression, insomnia, Tourette’s and epilepsy.
There is no cure.
A combination of medication and therapy is usually recommended to relieve symptoms and make day-to-day life easier.
