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Murray, the 2012 champion, bowed out in four sets while Jack Draper was in charge against Karen Khachanov before injury struckGreg Rusedski says “Andy is looking good in practice” as he watches the 2012 champ go through his paces. Not sure that counts for much. Could he be looking terrible in practice? I think Greg is filling.Rogers made the quarter-finals here in 2020 and the fourth round last year so she represents a tough test. Jabeur is finding her range now though and wins three games on the spin – two of those breaks – to go 3-2 up. Continue reading...

Biden speaks at White House and takes swipe at former president, but says not all Trump supporters are threat to America

It’s difficult to criticise the politics of someone who has been on receiving end of so much racist vitriol, but there isn’t much substance to the DuchessI’ll be honest: I know nothing about the British royals. I have my plate full managing the shenanigans of my own recently coronated monarch, King Misuzulu, who heads the Zulu Nation, which means I have not paid much attention to the travails of the Markle-Windsor-Sussexes. (What even is their actual name?)Like others, I have chuckled occasionally at Piers Morgan’s weird obsession with them, and I’ve made fun of British people who think Markle – rather than Prince Andrew – is responsible for the demise of the royal family. As a non-British Black person from a former colony, I’ve basically viewed the duo as overhyped celebrities who have inherited privilege and blood money, so I’ve paid scant attention to their family dramas. Continue reading...

US defence official says Iranian navy warship had pulled two sail drones out of water and covered them with tarpsThe US has for the second time this week compelled Iran to release US military sail drones that it tried to seize at sea, according to officials.The US military has not officially commented on the incident. But a US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested the Iranians had sought to secretly seize the drones. Continue reading...

Austin Bellamy has awoken from a medically induced coma after mistakenly cut into a bees’ nest while trimming a treeAn Ohio man who was stung at least 20,000 times by bees – and even ingested some of the insects – during a mishap while he was cutting tree branches is expected to recover, according to his family.Austin Bellamy, 20, climbed high into a lemon tree in Ripley, Ohio, last Friday to help trim it when he mistakenly cut into a bees’ nest, his mother, Shawna Carter, has recounted, in addition to authorities’ accounts of his injuries. Continue reading...

Department of consumer and worker protection says coffee chain violated ‘just cause’ protections in dismissing Austin LockeA New York City agency overseeing workplace affairs said on Friday it sued Starbucks because the coffee chain illegally fired a longtime barista and union organizer shortly after employees in his store voted to join a union.The department of consumer and worker protection called the case on behalf of Austin Locke, a Starbucks employee for almost six years, the city’s first for violating “just cause” protections under a 2017 law meant to protect fast-food workers. Continue reading...

Revelation raises possibility that some of government’s most highly sensitive documents may still be unaccounted forAmong the items the FBI retrieved from Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort this month were 90 empty folders marked classified or for return to the White House staff secretary or a military aide, according to a detailed inventory of items made public on Friday.The inventory – unsealed by a federal judge overseeing the former president’s request to get a so-called special master to determine what materials the justice department can use in its investigation – provided the fullest picture to date of what Trump had retained. Continue reading...

Chicago's mayor, Lori Lightfoot, criticised Texas's governor, Greg Abbott, accusing him of cruelty and racism for expelling dozens of migrants from Texas by bus. 'With these continued political stunts, Governor Abbott has confirmed, what unfortunately many of us had already known – that he is a man without any morals, humanity or shame,' said Lightfoot at a press conference on Thursday. Seventy-nine Venezuelans arrived at Chicago's Union Station late on Wednesday, officials said. 'Last night, we showed our mettle, the best of who we are,' Lightfoot continued, praising the city's effort to welcome the new arrivals.

Aim is to cut revenues for Moscow’s war in Ukraine but keep crude flowing to avoid price rises

Lori Lightfoot offers ‘open arms’ as Governor Greg Abbott escalates political stunt of sending asylum seekers to Democratic-led citiesThe mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, has vowed to welcome immigrants bussed to the city from the Mexican border, as the hard-right governor of Texas opened a third front in his confrontation with the Biden administration and Democratic sanctuary cities.Lightfoot delivered a defiant speech on Thursday in which she accused Governor Greg Abbott of cruelty and racism, and pledged to respond to the Texan’s controversial scheme by greeting the released migrants with open arms. Continue reading...

Hair is part of black women’s identity. Now all swimmers have the right to wear the hair we were born withJust one month before I was due to compete in last year’s Olympics, the biggest achievement of my life so far, I was swept up in an international cultural scandal – because of my hair. A swimming cap to accommodate thicker, longer hair, was banned by the International Swimming Federation (Fina) on the grounds that it did not follow “the natural form of the head”.In the run-up to the competition, I had collaborated with Soul Cap and its black-owned, UK-based creators who wanted to provide a better solution for swimmers with hair that doesn’t fit a “one size fits all” model. Continue reading...

New Yorkers expect faded Trump signs in Long Beach but not the eye-popping sight of Confederate flagsWe take a train an hour east of New York to Long Beach, a beautiful stretch of sand bordered by industry. On the horizon, an endless line of cargo ships waiting to dock in the city; directly above, planes beginning their final descent into JFK. Continue reading...

In a primetime address, the president said the Republican party was ‘dominated, driven and intimidated’ by Trump. Plus, the scientists rushing to find plants resilient to the climate crisis• Don’t already get First Thing in your inbox? Sign up here

In a primetime address, the president further said the Republican party was ‘dominated, driven and intimidated’ by TrumpJoe Biden warned that American democracy was in grave peril by Republican forces loyal to Donald Trump who “fan the flames” of political violence in pursuit of power at any cost.In a primetime address from Philadelphia, the city where American democracy was born, the US president said the United States was in a continued battle for the “soul of the nation”. Continue reading...

Ukraine, Russia, the west – no party has achieved their optimistic goals at the start of this conflictHelmuth von Moltke, the chief of staff for the Prussian army, once made the astute observation that no war plan survives “first contact” with a hostile force. If there was ever a war to validate that claim, it’s the one currently churning in Ukraine. As the conflict in Europe’s largest country marks its six-month anniversary on Wednesday, 24 August, the main protagonists have all experienced their fair share of jolted assumptions, operational mistakes, and misplaced beliefs about what is and isn’t possible. Inflated expectations have been punctured, hopes have been dashed, and strategies crafted to cause the enemy discomfort instead produced unintended consequences that are just as painful.Take Russia as an example. Sensing Ukrainian forces would either flee or fold in matter of days, Vladimir Putin believed a military operation in Ukraine could easily dispose of the Volodymyr Zelenskiy administration with minimal resistance. Putin assumed that Russia’s security services, with assets burrowed within the Ukrainian political elite, had an accurate, sophisticated reading of Ukraine’s internal dynamics and were confident that the Ukrainian people would welcome a pro-Russian government in Kyiv.Daniel R DePetris is a fellow at Defense Priorities and a foreign affairs columnist at the Chicago Tribune Continue reading...

In the year 2022, three multibillionaires own more wealth than the bottom half of American society – 160 million Americans. This is unsustainableLet’s be clear. The most important economic and political issues facing this country are the extraordinary levels of income and wealth inequality, the rapidly growing concentration of ownership, the long-term decline of the American middle class and the evolution of this country into oligarchy.We know how important these issues are because our ruling class works overtime to prevent them from being seriously discussed. They are barely mentioned in the halls of Congress, where most members are dependent on the campaign contributions of the wealthy and their Super Pacs. They are not much discussed in the corporate media, in which a handful of conglomerates determine what we see, hear and discuss.Bernie Sanders is a US senator from Vermont and the chairman of the Senate budget committee Continue reading...

The rightwing group’s workings resemble a media production company more than a classic neo-Nazi group, researchers sayIn June, police in Idaho arrested 31 members of the white nationalist group Patriot Front packed into the back of a U-Haul near a Coeur d’Alene Pride event. The group had planned to riot during the LGBTQ+ celebrations, authorities said, and carried riot gear, a smoke grenade, shin guards and shields.The mass arrest not only revealed the names of members of an extremist group that had long worked to keep those hidden, it provided extremist experts with new insight into how the group is meticulously planning, financing, organizing and publicizing armed demonstrations at public events that celebrate diversity. Continue reading...

As heatwaves ravage the US west, San Francisco plans to use its famously chilly weather to lure visitors to the citySan Francisco’s famously chilly summers have long shocked visitors, made sweatshirts a year-round gift shop staple, and turned its fog into a social media star.Now, as California and the US west face increasingly searing summer weather, the city’s tourism leaders want to turn San Francisco’s frigid reputation into an advantage. Continue reading...

The president has announced plans to cancel $10,000 in debt for millions of borrowers – but has he gone far enough?Joe Biden has announced student loan debt relief of up to $10,000 for millions of US graduates, fulfilling a campaign promise.The US Department of Education will provide up to $10,000 in debt cancellation and up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients. The move pleased many, angered Republicans, and left some feeling it had not gone far enough. Continue reading...

The three-time champion at Flushing Meadows is forbidden from entering the US. Many conservatives have used him to push their agendaAs the US Open got underway this week, one of the more controversial aspects of the event was Novak Djokovic’s absence.The three-time US Open champion was prevented from participating at the final grand slam of the year due to his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid-19. The United States requires non-citizens to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to enter the country, meaning that Djokovic could not travel to New York. Continue reading...

Serena is still alive in the singles draw but the siblings’ appearance in the doubles was a reminder of what they achieved together as a teamSerena Williams often says there would be no her without Venus. So if this was indeed their last tournament together, it is fitting that they went out in the doubles on Thursday night in the same manner as they arrived more than two decades ago: as a team – The Williams sisters.After they retire officially, you’ll find them on the pages of sports, business, health, fitness and fashion magazines. The Williams sisters transcend sports. They’ve obliterated records, broken barriers and precedents to the point that little is left for proteges like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka. The chance to become the first black woman to win a career grand slam? Gone. The first black woman to win Olympic golds in singles and doubles? Gone. The first black women to win grand slam titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles? Gone. The first black women ranked No 1? Gone. Continue reading...

In a rare primetime address, Biden pitched the midterms as a battle for the nation’s soul and directly called out TrumpJoe Biden – who usually makes couched references to “the former guy” and his “predecessor” – explicitly named and called out Donald Trump during his speech. The president warned that Trump and the “Maga (Make America great again)” Republicans “represent an extremism that threatens the very foundation of our republic”. Continue reading...

The president’s primetime speech named Trump and ‘Maga Republicans’ as a threat facing American democracyJoe Biden’s journey from idealist to realist continues. But it is not quite complete.After 36 years in the Senate, he stepped into the US presidency in 2021 as an apostle of bipartisanship, convinced that his authoritarian-minded predecessor Donald Trump would fade away and the Republican party would rediscover its bearings. Continue reading...

The president called out Maga forces as a threat ‘to our personal rights, to the pursuit of justice, to the very soul of this country’Protesters outside Independence Hall were shouting “Let’s go, Brandon,” which Biden was able to brush off.Biden addressed them, saying: “They’re entitled to be outrageous. This is a democracy.” Continue reading...

The former Republican House speaker is believed to have repeatedly contacted White House aides about fake electorsThe House January 6 select committee on Thursday asked former Republican House speaker Newt Gingrich to testify about his repeated contacts with White House aides in Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, even in the evening after the Capitol attack had taken place.

Thomas Webster was given a 10-year prison time for six charges, including assaulting an officer with a metal flagpoleA retired New York police department officer has received a record-setting 10- year sentence for his involvement in the Capitol attack, during which he used a metal flagpole to assault one of the police officers trying to hold off a mob of Donald Trump supporters.Thomas Webster was sentenced on Thursday, and his prison time will represent the longest punishment so far for the roughly 250 people facing punishment for their role in the January 6 attack. Continue reading...

‘I mean full pardons with an apology to many,’ says former president as January 6 rioter sentenced to 10 years for assaultDonald Trump said on Thursday he would pardon and apologize to those who participated in the deadly attack on the US Capitol on January 6 if he were elected to the White House again.“I mean full pardons with an apology to many,” he told Wendy Bell, a conservative radio host on Thursday. “I will be looking very, very strongly about pardons, full pardons.” Continue reading...

Aileen Cannon does not make formal ruling at hearing but appears inclined to appoint official to decide which materials can be usedA federal judge on Thursday appeared inclined to grant Donald Trump his request to have a so-called special master set aside documents seized by the FBI from his Mar-a-Lago resort that could potentially be subject to privilege protections in the investigation surrounding his unauthorized retention of government secrets.The Trump-appointed judge, Aileen Cannon, did not formally rule from the bench on the former president’s request, saying at an hours-long hearing in West Palm Beach, Florida, that she would review the matter further before making a final decision. Continue reading...

Hearing wraps in Florida as judge will enter a written order at some point, but does not indicate timeline

Cameron Norrie became the fourth British player into the third round of the US Open with a straight-sets win over Joao SousaDuckworth 1-2 *Evans (*denotes next server)An impressively dynamic start from the British player is rewarded with an early break. He is already making his variation count against Duckworth, who has a big serve, but is perhaps a bit one-dimensional in comparison. Continue reading...

FBI holds redacted file on 1960s quartet but documents provide few clues as to why band was of interest to federal agentsThe last surviving member of the Monkees is suing the FBI over a “secret dossier” he believes the agency holds on him and his former bandmates.Micky Dolenz, 77, the former drummer and vocalist for the popular British-American 1960s combo, filed the lawsuit through his attorney, Mark Zaid, a freedom of information specialist and music fan who told Rolling Stone magazine it would be “fun”. Continue reading...

Kellye SoRelle, general counsel for the extremist group, was arrested over conspiracy to obstruct official proceeding, DoJ saysA lawyer for the far-right Oath Keepers extremist group has been charged with conspiracy in connection with the January 6, 2021 attack at the US Capitol, authorities said on Thursday.Kellye SoRelle – general counsel for the anti-government group – was arrested in Texas on charges including conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, the justice department said. Continue reading...

Texas’s Republican governor has sent migrants to Chicago, New York and Washington DC, all of which have Democratic mayorsSeventy-five migrants bussed from Texas by the rightwing Republican governor, Greg Abbott, have arrived in Chicago, the latest chapter of the bitter political battle over the immigration policy of Joe Biden’s administration.The migrants are being bussed from Texas as part of a strategy launched by Abbott this year to share the influx of people from outside the United States with liberal cities. The Arizona governor, Doug Ducey, has also adopted this policy. Continue reading...

Mary Peltola’s victory delivers blow to Palin’s hopes of political comeback and prompts concern for Republicans in midtermsA special election for Alaska’s only seat in the US House was won by the Democrat Mary Peltola, delivering a blow to the former vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s hopes of a political comeback and putting wind in the sails of the Democratic party as it heads for November’s midterm elections.Peltola’s victory, by 51.5% to 48.5%, marks a stunning turnaround in a state known for its solid conservative leanings. The single House seat was held for almost 50 years by the Republican Don Young, until his death in March. Continue reading...

A pro-family government would need to embrace a sometimes messy, blurry but realistic concept of what it seeks to supportIt was love, rather than duty, that took a good friend of mine to a funeral last week. But it was the kind of love that can be hard to explain.She hadn’t lost a blood relative, or a friend. Instead, the funeral was for the first wife of my friend’s much-married father, a woman for whom – unlike a cousin or a sibling or even a step-parent – there isn’t an official word. But still, she was family, the beloved mother of my friend’s equally beloved older half-sisters, a fixture in all of their long-interwoven lives, even though they had never all lived together under one roof. As always in grief, it isn’t only love for the deceased that brings us together, but love for the living and bereaved.Gaby Hinsliff is a Guardian columnist Continue reading...