WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Wednesday that he survived a leadership vote among his own party’s lawmakers less than three months before an election.

The vote took place during a hastily convened meeting of Luxon’s center-right National Party lawmakers at Parliament in Wellington, which was held behind closed doors and ran for more than three hours. Luxon then emerged flanked by his lawmakers to give a brief statement and departed without taking any questions from reporters.

“There was a confidence vote in my leadership this morning at our caucus meeting,” he said. “I had the full support of our caucus and our caucus is united and it is determined to win this election.”

Luxon didn’t say how many lawmakers had voted for him to continue in the job, although such ballots are usually a secret.

It was Luxon’s 2nd confidence vote since April

The vote was the second Luxon had called about his own leadership since April and leaves lingering questions coming so close to the election scheduled for Nov. 7.

The April vote followed drops in polling for National, while this week’s followed recent public remarks Luxon had made on various issues that some in his party saw as gaffes.

On Tuesday, the leader took the rare step of disclosing on social media that he faced renewed rumblings about his leadership, and announcing he would call a meeting of his lawmakers Wednesday to resolve it.

“It is my firm belief that division and disunity are a major distraction only 90 days out from the election,” he wrote on X. “I also believe this distraction is unfair to the New Zealand people, and dedicated National Party candidates, supporters and volunteers, when there is so much at stake.”

National has led a right-wing coalition government since New Zealand’s 2023 election. Luxon, a former airline executive who entered Parliament in 2000, had led the party since 2021.

Luxon’s remarks in recent weeks prompted fresh speculation

Among the recent remarks that appeared to prompt renewed leadership murmurings were comments Luxon made to a business audience earlier this month, when he said some business leaders in the country had a “parent-child mentality” and too often looked to the government for direction. Luxon, who was once an executive at Unilever when he lived in the United States, has always sold himself as a business expert and has sometimes pointed out where he sees New Zealand as falling short of global trends.

When elected, he pledged to use his experience to reverse New Zealand’s economic woes of recent years. This month’s remarks were lambasted, including by some in his own party, as being out of touch while the economy remained sluggish.

School costs are leaving almost three-quarters of parents in Northern Ireland under financial pressure, with almost two in five saying they have gone into debt to cover the expense of sending their children back to school.

New research from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) found that 71 per cent of parents regard back-to-school costs as a financial burden, up three percentage points on last year.

The survey of 560 parents found that 37 per cent have gone into debt to cover school costs, with the average amount borrowed increasing by £47 to £301.

Families with children at secondary school face the greatest financial pressure, with 42 per cent of parents of secondary-only children saying they get into debt to cover costs. That rises to 56 per cent among parents with children at both primary and secondary level.

The research, carried out by iReach Insights in June, found that parents expect to spend an average of £1,363 on a primary school child across the school year.

That includes £570 in upfront back-to-school costs and a further £793 in running costs.

The figure rises to £2,029 for secondary school pupils, made up of £1,106 in upfront costs and £923 in running costs.

Almost three in five parents (59 per cent) said their overall school costs are higher than they were last year.

Among those who reported an increase, school uniforms were the most commonly cited reason at 56 per cent, followed by branded or crested items at 38 per cent and school lunches and food at 33 per cent.

Trump’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear research facilities in 2025, and this year’s expansive bombing campaign and naval blockade, prompted a new round of Iranian threats against Trump – and a direct warning by the US president in response.

In July, Trump wrote on Truth Social that Iran had made threats “to assassinate, or attempt to assassinate” him and said 1,000 “missiles are Locked and Loaded and aimed at the Islamic Republic of Iran, with thousands more to immediately follow, should the Iranian Government act on its threat”.

The president’s message to Iran was blunt. Many of the recent threats against him have been unequivocal, too.

At the funeral service for Khamenei, held the day before Trump departed Turkey, participants carried a banner that read “#KillTrump”. The following week, in a square in central Tehran, a building featured a large mural of the American president, lying in a black coffin, with the words “We will kill Trump” and “Blood for blood” written below it.

Iran has denied involvement in any previous plots against Trump, but the message – delivered after Khamenei’s death and reports of Iranian civilian casualties in US and Israeli strikes – has been clear.

The war, Iranians are saying, is far from over. And Trump, himself, is a target for revenge.

On the final leg of the journey back to the US from Turkey, as Trump and his travelling media pool were reunited on the same aircraft, the president came back to the press cabin to talk to reporters.

They asked about the unusual journey, which included an order by the Secret Service that the window shades on the decoy plane be closed during takeoff from Ankara.

“I have read all the time I’m number one on their list,” he told them.

“But if I go, you go, right?”

Only Connect was back on BBC Two on Monday evening as teams Double Features and Colonial Geese went head to head

An Only Connect participant has opened up following an episode that viewers of the BBC gameshow labelled the “worst ever”.

The quiz programme originally launched in 2008 on BBC Four and now airs on BBC Two, presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell. On Monday (August 10) evening, the popular show returned as Double Features and Colonial Geese battled it out.

Throughout the series, competing teams participate in a tournament centred on identifying links between apparently unconnected clues. The programme’s title is believed to derive from a line in E.

M. Forster’s 1910 novel Howards End: “Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted.”

The game comprises four rounds in total, with the highest-scoring team declared victorious. Should teams finish level, a single sudden-death puzzle is presented to both team captains, reports the Manchester Evening News.

If a captain buzzes in first with the correct response, their team claims victory, while an incorrect answer hands the win to their opponents.

Nevertheless, viewers swiftly deemed the episode the “worst episode ever” based on the poor performance from both competing teams. One viewer even joked they had witnessed the “lowest score ever” in the programme’s history, the Daily Express reported.

After completing a series of challenges throughout the gameshow, Colonial Geese managed just 16 points in total, while Double Features trailed narrowly behind with a mere 14 points. Throughout the episode, viewers shared countless observations.

One fan remarked: “Think these contestants on #onlyconnect tonight meant to apply for Tipping Point.”

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Another viewer suggested: “I honestly think that this episode is one of the pranks pulled by Ant and Dec to scupper certain hosts and fully expect them to appear shortly lol #onlyconnect.”

Now, contestant Katie Rae Taylor has responded to viewers’ reactions on her TikTok (@wonkytescostrolley) in the most brilliant fashion.

Sharing a collection of photographs from her appearance on the BBC programme alongside some of the social media commentary, she wrote: “Victoria is just as lovely and beautiful in real life either way”.

Alongside an image showing Katie on the panel with Daisy Jeavons and Mia Lewis, she joked: “Took a bit too far and ended up on the ‘worst episode ever’ of a show but at least we had a hoot! ! ! !”.

She went on to share additional images from the recording, adding: “Smile so full of light and joy… little did she know…” and “just happy to be here”.

Katie concluded her response by including a tweet from @fletcherchriss which stated: “This is the worst episode of #onlyconnect ever”.

You can catch up on Only Connect on BBC iPlayer

The 36-year-old man was rushed to hospital to what are described as life-threatening injuries.

A cyclist is fighting for his life following a “hit and run” on the A72. The 36-year-old was riding along the A72 from Skirling towards the A702 at Biggar when he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene before police arrived.

The man was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to what are described as life-threatening injuries. Officers are hunting a Mercedes Sprinter-type van in the area around the time of the incident.

An investigation has been launched as cops try to establish the full circumstances. Anyone who saw what happened or who was travelling on the road and may have any useful information is being urged to come forward.

From timeless classics like Penelope to bold modern choices like Atlas, Greek mythology has inspired some of the most popular baby names

Following the success of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, ancient Greece has once more captured the public’s imagination. But could the resurgent interest in Gods, heroes and mythical stories also be influencing the names parents are selecting for their babies?

Greek mythology has shaped baby names across generations, from enduring classics such as Penelope to striking contemporary choices like Atlas.

Now, new Office for National Statistics (ONS) baby name data analysed by JoJo Maman Bébé has revealed which names drawn from Greek mythology are proving most popular amongst today’s parents.

Anne Varsanyi, head of buying at JoJo Maman Bébé, said: “Choosing a baby’s name is one of the first opportunities parents have to express something about their family, whether that’s honouring tradition, celebrating heritage or simply choosing a name they love.

“What’s particularly fascinating about this year’s data is seeing how quickly tastes can change. Some names that once filled classrooms have become increasingly rare, while others that were barely heard a generation ago are now among the country’s favourites,” reports the Liverpool Echo.

Top five most popular Greek mythological names for girls

• Penelope – The famously faithful wife of Odysseus
• Athena – Goddess of wisdom, courage, and warfare
• Rhea – Titaness and mother of the original Olympian gods
• Persephone – Queen of the Underworld and goddess of spring growth
• Gaia – Goddess of the Earth

Top five most popular Greek mythological names for boys

• Atlas – The Titan condemned to carry the weight of the heavens
• Ares – The God of war and courage
• Apollo – God of music, light, truth and healing
• Artemis – Traditionally, the Goddess of the hunt
• Perseus – The demigod who defeated Medusa

JoJo Maman Bébé examined the latest ONS data, with the analysis covering the most popular names in 2025, names showing the largest rises in popularity since 1996, and names experiencing the steepest declines in popularity since 1996.

The data was drawn from the ONS Baby Names in England and Wales release, published on July 9, 2026.

Penelope, the heroine central to The Odyssey, already holds the crown as the top mythological name, with 1,174 babies given the name in 2025.

Athena (519 babies) and Atlas (355 babies) have made the leap from ancient myth to contemporary playground staples, both proving exceptionally popular among parents seeking a name imbued with strength and presence.

While names such as Rhea and Ares are gaining traction, parents in search of something genuinely distinctive might consider Apollo (39 babies) or Perseus (eight babies) for a truly memorable choice.

People living along the road say they have been woken up by late night crashes

Residents on a busy Cambridgeshire road have demanded urgent action after being woken by late-night crashes. The A10 corridor links Cambridge with Ely but increasing traffic congestion and safety concerns have led to calls to improve junctions and even fully dual the single-carriage road.

Stretham roundabout is one of the areas that councillors have long argued needs improving and residents say traffic “doesn’t stop”.

Laura Jones said the road is “pretty rubbish” and prone to accidents, with many drivers hitting the traffic island in front of her house.

The 32-year-old said: “The amount of drivers that hit it late at night and are stranded has woken us up loads of times – it’s a great big thud when people hit it. We’ve helped multiple people, getting them drinks and things like that.

“The traffic is ridiculous, it doesn’t stop – ever. We’ve lived here for three years and it just seems to get worse every day. I didn’t realise how busy it was until we moved here – otherwise we never would have.”

Tom Coates said the traffic and noise has been the same since he first moved there 40 years ago, but called for the council to fix the potholes. The 52-year-old said: “It’s not just here, it’s everywhere in Cambridgeshire – the roads are s***.

“I went out on my bike the other day and there’s been a couple of times I’ve nearly come a cropper because of the potholes and if you have a car beside you, you can’t move.”

Jamie Setchell also said something needs to be done to improve the roads, with traffic backing up for miles when it gets busy.

The 38-year-old said: “Every morning from six onwards it’s just bumper to bumper from Waterbeach all the way to Ely, so it needs improving. The main problem is the speeding and the noise.”

A motion was passed by East Cambridgeshire District Council in May calling for the council to support full dualling of the A10.

Cllr Lucius Vellacott proposed the motion and said that there was “strong evidence” that this would “reduce congestion, improve safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, and support sustainable economic and housing growth”.

The Conservative councillor said: “The implementation of the project, and the preparation of a more detailed plan, will require a collaboration between Local Councils, Members of Parliament and the Combined Authority, in order to secure the necessary funding from the Government.

“This is why Cllr Denney and I have secured a meeting with the Mayor, Paul Bristow, later in August to discuss how best to make progress towards this objective in the coming years. The Council has also written to local MPs asking for their support. We look forward to hearing what the next steps in the life of this important infrastructure project will be.”

But opposition councillors argued that full dualling is too expensive to be implemented in the short-term and improvements to junctions, such as the Stretham roundabout, should be the council’s priority. Cllr Christine Whelan said these are needed “urgently” and proposed the motion be amended to focus on improvements more generally but this was defeated.

The Lib Dem councillor said: “Full dualling could be part of a long-term answer, but it is expensive, environmentally complex, and currently lacks a clear national funding route. If we make this a ‘dualling or nothing’ debate, we risk waiting another decade while congestion, safety concerns and unreliable journeys continue.”

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority said an outline business case is being worked on for the road.

They said: “The work undertaken to date has developed and assessed intervention options, from dualling of the corridor to more targeted junction improvements.

“This breadth of analysis ensures a clear understanding of the scale, impact and affordability of different delivery scenarios. The aim is to ensure that the work completed provides a robust and proportionate evidence base that can support future progression of the scheme.”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The Golden State Warriors have every indication Stephen Curry would like to stay with the team for the remainder of his career, and they plan to make that happen for the two-time NBA MVP.

The 38-year-old Curry is hoping to play at least a couple more years and has said he wants them to be with the Warriors. He is set to complete a $62.6 million extension he signed for the 2026-27 season in August 2024.

Whether a new contract will get done right away remains to be seen. Curry becomes eligible for a two-year extension Aug. 29, and general manager Mike Dunleavy said, “I’m pretty confident Steph will finish his career here.”

“Ultimately it’s his call, his decision, whether that’s allowing his contract to run out and move on,” Dunleavy said during a video call Tuesday. “Look, if he comes to me and wants to be moved, Joe (owner Joe Lacob) and I will talk it through. We wouldn’t love it. But he’s earned the right to do what he wants, do those things. But as far as the messaging or any idea that he would be anywhere else, that’s not a thing we’re looking at or he’s looking at.”

Curry averaged 26.6 points, 4.7 assists and 3.6 rebounds but was limited to 43 games last season for the Warriors, who will host Denver on Christmas night — playing on the holiday for the 14th straight year.

Closely monitoring his playing time will be a top priority as coach Steve Kerr returns for two more seasons after signing a new contract in May. Curry missed more than two months with a nagging right knee injury before he finally came back in early April.

He had initially hoped to return after the All-Star break.

“I think with the knee, other injuries and then his age, it’s definitely something we have to manage,” Dunleavy said.

The Warriors (37-45) also dealt with season-ending knee injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody that required surgeries and finish 10th in the Western Conference. After beating the Los Angeles Clippers in the first play-in tournament game, Golden State lost 111-96 at Phoenix.

The Warriors missed out on signing LeBron James this offseason but brought back Draymond Green on a one-year contract for $27.7 million, and also Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Gary Payton II.

Dunleavy hasn’t heard any change of thinking from Curry, who is headed into his 18th NBA season still determined to add to his four championships with Golden State. The Warriors last won in 2022.

“That’s always been what he’s discussed. I think that’s tracking quite well,” Dunleavy said of Curry staying put.

“There’s two things I’m confident about with Steph. He really, really wants to win and he wants to finish his career as a Warrior. I don’t think that changes tomorrow, Aug. 29th, the start of the season, middle of the season, the end of next season. I think those things are going to be consistent.”

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

By ELEANOR MANN

Published: 23:42 BST, 11 August 2026 | Updated: 00:26 BST, 12 August 2026

The UK release date for Cookie Queens, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry‘s latest film, has yet to be announced – but judging by the underwhelming reviews it’s had in the US, British audiences may not be rushing to the cinema to see it.

The film opened in America on August 7 and follows US girl scouts selling cookies to raise money over a six-week period, an annual tradition since the First World War. 

US website Variety, which was once a keen supporter of the pair, described the girlhood documentary from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex‘s Archewell Productions as ‘too much of a reality-show ramble’. 

Critic Owen Gleiberman said the film lacked emotion, writing: ‘Cookie Queens is a movie about precocious American girls learning to work the system, not fight it.’

He added: ‘The movie unfolds entirely in the present and never gives you even a fleeting sense of the past, of how Girl Scout Cookies rose in prominence to become the phenomenon they are today.’ 

The San Francisco Chronicle added the film is ‘as staged as it is sweet’ with critic Carla Meyer offering a frank appraisal of the regal executive producers’ efforts, suggesting the film ‘contains the same level of spontaneity as their other media projects. That is to say, next to none.’ 

The film opened in the US on August 8 and follows US girl scouts selling cookies to raise money over a six-week period, an annual tradition since the First World War (Pictured from left: The Duchess of Sussex, Amanda Jones and Alysa Nahmias)

Over at The Boston Globe, there was a more upbeat response; the Massachusetts newspaper said Cookie Queens delivered ‘surprising honesty and more than a little bite’, adding: ‘It puts some hard truths in the figurative mouths of babes, sneaking them in with a spoonful of sugar rather than a sledgehammer.’ 

Real-life audiences liked it more than the critics, although one viewer on Rotten Tomatoes called the 91-minute film ‘one of the worst documentaries I have ever seen’, while another suggested buying the cinema ticket was a ‘waste of money’. 

The film, directed by Alysa Nahmias, fared dismally at the box office though, making less than £250,000 from showings in 446 cinemas and failing to dent the top ten releases. It is Harry and Meghan’s executive producer debut.

Neither Archewell Productions nor its distributor Roadside Attractions have revealed the costs to make and screen the project. 

The film received support from the Sundance Documentary Fund and aired at the Sundance Film Festival in Salt Lake City in January. 

While there was also a special screening of the documentary on July 29, with Meghan posing alongside Alysa Nahmias, there appears to have been limited promotion ahead of its release.

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The documentary fared better on review site Rotten Tomatoes, with a 92 per cent positive rating – but the most recent reviews were a somewhat mixed affair

The lukewarm response is yet another blow for Meghan and Harry’s hopes of becoming big players in Hollywood. 

The $100million (£74million) Netflix contract the couple signed in 2020 was downgraded to a ‘first look’ deal last summer. The streaming giant scored a hit with their first tell-all documentary Harry & Meghan but subsequent projects have fallen flat.

Despite the ongoing relationship, Cookie Queens was not picked up by the streaming platform.

According to movie website Box Office Mojo, the movie generated just £500 per cinema screening and, embarrassingly, was beaten by CatVideoFest 2026, which pulled in £421,334 despite airing in 191 fewer screens than Cookie Queens.

The film, described by Meghan as ‘absolutely irresistible’, follows the highs and lows – including rude customers and stressful deadline – of girls aged five to 12 during Girl Scout Cookies season.

A tradition in the US since 1917, Girl Scout Cookies season sees youngsters fundraising via biscuit sales every January to April – with Cookie Queens covering the sometimes stressful scenarios the scouts face

The film, which follows girl scouts selling cookies, failed to make more than £250,000. The film was beaten at the box office by CatVideoFest, a compliation of cat videos

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The season sees young members of the Girl Scouts Of The USA selling shop-bought cookies to sell. 

During The Apprentice-style challenge, the scouts are tasked with marketing, budgeting and selling the biscuits to fundraise as much as they can from January to April for local charity projects and troops. 

Roadside Attractions told US entertainment website Deadline that the film had performed well with groups of current and former girl scouts.

‘We’re encouraged by the response and believe the film has a long life ahead as it continues to reach its many audiences,’ they said.

The film also has a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 92 per cent approval rating from 49 reviews – although much of the praise focuses on the young stars of the documentary rather than the film-making.  

One offered a glowing five stars, saying: ‘I loved it. The girls were great showing different personalities and perspectives. For those of us who sold cookies ages ago, it is a real nostalgia trip.’ 

Another said: ‘More of a coming-of-age story than a documentary. These girls will melt your heart, but it doesn’t shy away from the mental toll cookie selling has on them.’ 

However, one disappointed viewer raged in a post written on Monday: ‘One of the worst documentaries I have ever seen. It was honestly the most boring film from start to finish. 

‘I did not go into it with a biased opinion and was hoping to see a good film but I was seriously let down. Don’t waste your time or your money. It was terrible.’

Another who paid for her grandchildren to see the film on Saturday, wrote: ‘Absolute waste of money. Took my grandkids and we were bored to tears. 

Meanwhile, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were captured ‘jamming’ at a gala in honour of David Foster on Friday night (Pictured before the event)

‘Also didn’t like that it seemed to make the Girl Scouts and brownies all about sell, sell, sell cookies and didn’t really represent what the Girl Scouts and brownies are really about.’

Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex first dipped their toes in the world of Hollywood six years ago, the couple have found they’ve experienced the film industry’s ruthless nature first-hand. 

In 2025, Netflix had a stake in her Meghan’s lifestyle and cookery brand As Ever, which includes her jam, rosé wine and flower sprinkles, and helped launch the corresponding Netflix series – which aired for two seasons with an additional holiday special. 

However, earlier this year it was announced the brand had split from Netflix and Meghan would instead take complete control of As Ever.

A source told The Sun at the time: ‘Meghan is still on good terms with the Netflix team and close personal friends with Ted [Sarandos], so hasn’t wanted to upset him, but is very happy to have full control of the company.

‘It’s a good time for Meghan to have complete control, given recent successes.

‘Netflix have been a good partner, but she’s wanted to go global with the brand for some time, but has been held back by the more cautious Netflix team.’

Last August, the couple signed a more restrictive, first-look agreement with Netflix.

Meghan described the deal at the time as ‘an incredible sign of the strength of our partnership’, despite rumours the network may be pivoting away from her and Harry.

The latest film development comes months after it was announced that the couple were involved in another Netflix film production, an adaptation of romance novel The Wedding Date by bestselling author Jasmine Guillory.

The book was published in 2018 and became the first in a six-book series.

It is being adapted by screenwriter Tracy Oliver who was behind the 2017 movie Girls Trip, and the couple are producing the movie alongside Ms Ryerson.

A blurb for the Wedding Date book says: ‘A groomsman and his last-minute guest are about to discover if a fake date can go the distance in a fun and flirty debut novel.

‘Agreeing to go to a wedding with a guy she gets stuck with in an elevator is something Alexa Monroe wouldn’t normally do. But there’s something about Drew Nichols that’s too hard to resist.’

The couple’s other major media deal with Spotify ended in 2023 after one season of Meghan’s podcast Archetypes, with one of the streaming giant’s executives later branding them ‘grifters’.