Opposition politician Boris Nadezhdin, who criticized Russia’s war in Ukraine and tried to challenge President Vladimir Putin in the 2024 election, said Monday he has left Russia, a move that follows a crackdown that barred him from a race for parliament this year.

Nadezhdin, 63, shared a video on Telegram, showing him standing in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

“Good news: I’m alive and free. Unfortunately, not in Russia for the time being,” he said, adding that he needs “to look around and figure out life going forward.”

In July, a Russian court fined Nadezhdin about $13 for displaying “extremist symbols,” charges that he rejected as absurd. The accusations stemmed from a 2023 online video that briefly showed a picture of the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, convicted of extremism in a case widely seen as politically motivated.

Earlier that month, Nadezhdin also was designated a “foreign agent” — a label that brings additional government scrutiny as well as stigmatizing connotations in Russia.

That and a fine on an extremism-related charge barred him from running in September’s parliamentary vote, which is expected to be tightly controlled by the Kremlin.

The ruling United Russia party is seeking to preserve its dominance in the lower house of parliament in a race against the Communist Party and a couple of other parties that vote in sync with the Kremlin on key issues. The campaign comes amid signs of growing public fatigue with the war in Ukraine as fuel shortages and economic pain increase, an environment that reduces the authorities’ tolerance for even token opposition.

In January 2024, Nadezhdin collected thousands of signatures in his run for president as he openly called for an end to the war in Ukraine. But he was kept off the March 2024 ballot after Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that more than 9,000 signatures submitted by his campaign were invalid — enough to disqualify him. Putin faced only token opposition in the election and easily gained a fifth term.

A veteran politician, Nadezhdin worked in the government in the 1990s when he was an adviser to Sergei Kiriyenko, now a top Putin aide. He also served as a lawmaker and more recently became a member of a municipal council. He was one of the few high-profile Putin critics still living in Russia.

Earlier this year, Nadezhdin declared his bid to run for the lower house of parliament, the State Duma, and vowed to continue his symbolic campaign even after the Justice Ministry branded him with the “foreign agent” designation.

Emergency services were called to the A172, between Thirsk Road and Little Busby, earlier today (August 3) following a crash. 

North Yorkshire Police said the road is expected to be closed for some time – with AA Traffic News now showing slow traffic on either side of the closure. 

It is not yet known whether anyone has been injured in the incident or taken to hospital.

A force spokesperson said: “We are currently dealing with a two-vehicle road traffic collision between Thirsk Road and Little Busby.

“The road is expected to be closed for some time. Motorists are advised to find alternative routes in the meantime. Reference: NYP-03082026-0290.” 

The Yorkshire Ambulance Service has been contacted for more information.

Fans claim it is one of the best crime dramas on TV right now

High Potential fans have discovered an ideal binge-watch while waiting for the hit crime drama to return.

R.J. Decker has been described as the ‘best detective show‘ by some, as they eagerly anticipate the return of the Kaitlin Olson-starring series.

High Potential is expected to make a comeback with its third season sometime in early 2027. That was after it caused a stir following a double cliffhanger in its final episode.

Production is underway, with new showrunners at the helm promising to deliver more of the crime-solving adventures fans have grown to love. In the meantime, though, the US network has produced another crime drama with a similar vibe, and so far, audiences have given it their mark of approval.

R.J. Decker is aired on the same channel as High Potential, that means that it is also available in the same place for UK based viewers. All episodes of R.J. Decker are accessible via Disney+.

According to its synopsis, the series follows Decker, a former newspaper photographer who is trying to start a new life as a private investigator in South Florida after spending some time behind bars.

Episodes across the first season see him tackling cases that range from slightly odd to outright bizarre, with the help of his journalist ex, her police detective wife, his former cellmate-turned confidant, and a shadowy woman from his past.

The story is based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel Double Whammy and was created for the screen by Rob Doherty. Doherty previously made the Sherlock Holmes-inspired series Elementary.

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Fans of High Potential have been sharing their thoughts on R.J. Decker. One person shared on Reddit: “Has anyone here seen RJ Decker yet. It’s only got one season out so far but has the same feel as High Potential. I don’t want to share too much if you haven’t seen it, but I recommend checking it out.”

One replied with a confession as they said: “I really liked it!! I honestly liked it better than High Potential season 2”

While R.J. Decker has not managed to score as highly on Rotten Tomatoes as High Potential, fans are full of praise for it. One posted: “Best detective show on TV in a long time! I like that there is a mystery that wraps up each week with the underlying story about his conviction. They capture the Florida ambiance well and RJ is believable and you find yourself rooting for him and his family.”

Another added: “There’s nothing to NOT like about RJ Decker. It’s just a fantastic series. Very rewatchable as well. Excellent cast led by Scott Speedman and very well-written. The soundtrack nails it in every episode.”

While someone else commented: “Riveting crime drama that exceeds expectations. RJ Decker is a gripping, brilliantly crafted series that delivers everything you could want in a crime drama, sharp writing, compelling characters, and nonstop intrigue.”

They continued: “The show masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth, with RJ Decker standing out as a complex, charismatic lead whose intelligence and determination keep you invested from start to finish.”

R.J. Decker is streaming on Disney+.

The Met Office has forecast highs of 28C for York on Tuesday (August 4).

It comes as the heat health warning has been issued for York by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) from Monday until Wednesday.

UKHSA has warned the latest high temperatures could put extra pressure on the NHS, with more vulnerable people likely to require medical treatment.

Forecasters expect temperatures in York to peak on Tuesday then sit between 19C and 22C throughout the week and into the weekend.

The Met Office has forecast sunny intervals throughout the week with the chance of showers overnight.

It comes after Met Office statistics revealed England and Wales have recorded their driest July on record.

Just Yorkshire and the North East remain in normal status, with all of Wales and half of England officially in drought.

Met Office experts have warned weather conditions in August are not looking favourable for delivering the kind of sustained rain needed to reverse the dry conditions.

The extreme summer has hit Europe-wide, with wildfires raging across France and Spain, in blazes that analysis shows are made more likely by climate change.

The UK is facing the impacts of increasingly extreme weather such as droughts and heatwaves fuelled by human-caused climate change, which is caused mostly by burning fossil fuels.

Polly Ashmore, of the UKHSA, said: “Periods of hot weather can result in serious health outcomes, especially for older adults, and it is therefore important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.

“We are urging health and social care services in affected regions to ensure they are prepared, and reminding people to look out for elderly relatives, neighbours and those with underlying health conditions, making sure they are aware of the forecast and following the necessary advice.

“Simple steps such as staying hydrated, avoiding the sun during the hottest part of the day, and keeping your home cool are some of the key ways to help keep yourself and others safe during periods of hot weather.”

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The prime minister’s official spokesman has defended Andy Burnham over questions from journalists that the drought was not a priority for him.

He said Mr Burnham had spoken and made announcements on a number of different issues including the cost of living, devolution, social care, migration and defence “but clearly he’s only been in post briefly”.

He said the government took climate change seriously, and was working with farmers, the Environment Agency and the water sector to manage the impacts of the exceptionally dry weather.

And amid rumours Mr Burnham may relax Labour’s stance against new North Sea drilling, the spokesman added that the prime minister had been clear the government will take “pragmatic approach”, with oil and gas a part of the mix.

But the only way to bring bills down for good is by taking control with “clean homegrown power to deliver energy security”, he said.

By CONNIE RUSK, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR

Published: 14:53 BST, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 15:14 BST, 3 August 2026

Ariana Grande has promised fans ‘I’ll see you tonight’ at her Chicago gig after announcing plans to step back from the spotlight.

On Sunday, the singer, 33, said that after her tour, The Eternal Sunshine, wraps in London on September 1, she will take a break following concern over her alarmingly thin appearance. 

Sharing a clip from a previous show, Ariana said: ‘see you tonight Chicago.’ 

Fans wrote in the comments: ‘We love you Ariana !!!! Go slay like you always do queen.’

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‘so proud of you!! keep your head up honey.’

‘So relieved to hear from you Ari @arianagrande I truly truly hope you’re doing ok I hope everyone who goes to your tours for the rest of the shows pours love endlessly for you and that you feel every bit of it.’ 

Ariana Grande has promised fans ‘I’ll see you tonight’ at her Chicago gig after announcing plans to step back from the spotlight

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Sharing a clip from a previous show, Ariana said: ‘see you tonight Chicago’

‘you create so much love for us let us give some of it back this time @arianagrande we love you. always.’

Ariana will perform three nights in Chicago before heading to the UK, where she has a 10-night residency at The O2 from August 15 to September 1. 

The singer has quit her upcoming West End role Sunday In The Park with George in which she was set to star opposite her Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.

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Ariana’s spokesman told PEOPLE: ‘Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine Tour. 

‘She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much-deserved break from public-facing work and appearances, which has led to endless, ongoing public scrutiny.’ 

‘This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much.’

A source close to the singer explained that Ariana’s tour involves a very physical and athletic performance which she performs at a healthy and high level.

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A statement from the producers of Sunday in the Park with George, Empire Street Productions, read: ‘Following this evening’s announcement from Ariana Grande’s team, we can confirm that she has decided to step back from Sunday in the Park with George. 

On Sunday, the singer, 33, said that after her tour, The Eternal Sunshine, wraps in London on September 1, she will take a break and not go on to star in the play, Sunday In The Park

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Fans wrote in the comments: ‘We love you Ariana !!!! Go slay like you always do queen’

‘We know this cannot have been an easy decision, and she makes it with our complete understanding and support. 

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‘We wish her nothing but the best. The production will open at the Barbican in summer 2027 as planned, and casting will be announced in due course.’ 

Ariana’s appearance has come under scrutiny in recent months, especially following the release of her new music video, Petal.

She has publicly insisted that she’s healthy but that didn’t stop fans from airing concern about her alarmingly thin frame. 

Jameela Jamil wrote online: ‘This poor woman is possibly dying right in front of us. This outfit is designed to accentuate the thinness for discourse. 

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‘Her team are thoroughly irresponsible for not guiding her away from this deeply damaging image for her young fans to see so glamorized.’ 

After some were upset with Jameela’s comments she then in a later post defended herself saying she ‘prays that Ariana recovers’. 

A video has emerged of a Spanish socialist politician calling to replace Spanish ‘racists’ and ‘fascists’ with migrants, vowing to ensure they would be allowed to vote only months before 60,000 migrants invaded Ceuta.

Irene Montero, the former Spanish Minister of Equality and member of the hard-left Podemos party appeared in a video from earlier this year pleading for support from ‘migrants’ and ‘people of colour.’

‘Please don’t leave us alone with all these fascists. We absolutely want you to vote. We’ve managed to get you papers, and now we want regularisation.

‘Next, we’re going to get you citizenship, or change the law so you can vote.

‘I hope the replacement theory helps us rid this country of fascists and racists to replace them with with migrants and working-class people.

‘Of course I want there to be a replacement of fascists, racists and freeloaders, and I want us to do it with the working class of this country, regardless of their skin colour, whether they’re Chinese, Black or brown. Together with all the working-class comrades in this country.’

Montero, currently a Member of the European Parliament, was one of the loudest voices in favour of Spain’s regularisation of around 500,000 undocumented migrants.

Migrants try to cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

A vehicle burns at the site of clashes near Fnideq, on the Morocco-Spain border

Migrants cross from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta

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‘Providing rights is the answer to racism,’ Montero previously said.

Spain’s mass regularisation programme came into place in April, with migrants queueing for hours across the country to receive documentation, with some sleeping on the streets as fights broke out in the crowds.

More recently, Spain’s Supreme Court ruled that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla cannot be summarily returned to Morocco.

The new immigration rules led to 60,000 people swimming from Morocco into the Spanish city of Ceuta on Thursday.

The chaos in Ceuta also spread to Spain’s second North African enclave of Melilla on Friday.

The African enclaves have been enduring days of chaos with cars torched and migrants forcing their way into buildings after the unprecedented influx on Thursday.

Extraordinary footage showed huge numbers of people sprinting up beaches, swimming ashore and dispersing into the streets of Ceuta, which borders Morocco, with some shouting ‘Long live Spain.’ 

In response to what citizens of Ceuta have called an invasion, Montero took to her social media on Friday to write:

‘Let’s always treat people as people, even in the most difficult moments, and not like cockroaches or Amazon packages. Neither you nor anyone else would risk their own life, or their family’s, by migrating unless they absolutely had to. They are no different.’

‘Spain and Europe have spent years paying Morocco, Libya and Mauritania so that they are the ones who “deal with” these people, allowing us to claim that we are full democracies.’

‘And if you pay a dictatorship like Morocco to do your dirty work, when Morocco wants more, or when the US or Israel tells it to, it stops doing it in order to blackmail you.’

‘None of this would happen if there were legal and safe routes for people to enter, and if we stopped depending on murderous dictatorships for our migration policy.’

Meanwhile, locals in Ceuta have described living in fear, as shops were closed and people hid in their homes.

Salvador Ortega, a resident of the enclave, told the Daily Mail that locals are accustomed to seeing small numbers of migrants cross the border, but said the latest arrivals amount to what he described as an ‘invasion’, leaving many residents fearful and uncertain.

‘There are helicopters and ambulances and police everywhere. This is an unsustainable situation that has all the marks of a national emergency, but [Sanchez] is not ready to admit fault with this premeditated invasion.

‘We need the military, from all over Spain and also from the EU. We need help from the EU. The situation is disastrous, especially for those of us in the midst of it.’

Sanchez is facing growing criticism for his migration policies, sparking protests against him in the enclave and across Spain. 

Videos from Friday show the PM arriving in Ceuta to boos and jeers from locals chanting ‘Pedro Sanchez, son of a ****.’ 

Meanwhile, some analysts have suggested that Morocco might have allowed migrants to cross the border to put diplomatic pressure on Spain, which has recently improved ties with Rabat’s arch-enemy neighbouring Algeria.

And arrivals in Ceuta alleged that Moroccan police officers encouraged them as they journeyed towards the enclave. 

Spanish National Police officers carrying batons charge towards migrants during a demonstration in Ceuta

Migrants carry a fellow migrant, who they say was injured when the Spanish police and military tried to contain the migrants to an area of a beach

Supporters of the remigration movement attend a protest in Ceuta

Demonstrators hold flags and a banner as groups of hard-right protesters gather in front of the Moroccan embassy in Madrid

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Mohammed Ahmidho, 37, who heard about the surge of migrants into Spain via social media, said he heard officers saying ‘Come to Spain’ as he neared the border.

On Sunday, tensions rose further in Ceuta when police clashed with groups of migrants.

Video footage showed a group of migrants carrying an injured man wrapped in a blanket who they said had been assaulted by police, while shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’.

Clashes followed, with footage showing Spanish National Police officers carrying batons and charging towards migrants during the demonstration.

The EU said it would hold a video call on Tuesday after 22 bloc members issued a joint open letter calling for an urgent meeting to agree a speedy coordinated response, and to prevent further uncontrolled crossings.

Meanwhile, Sanchez, in a letter to EU leaders, blasted the ‘selfish’ reaction of some EU countries.

Following the events on Thursday, Italy‘s government said it was considering ‘extraordinary measures’ including closing the open border Schengen agreement with Spain.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said: ‘The images coming from Ceuta are striking and demonstrate, once again, that uncontrolled illegal immigration poses a concrete threat to the security of Europe’s borders.’

France said it will tighten its borders with Spain, with the interior minister giving ‘instructions to immediately step up controls’ across their borders.

Finland said it backs an Italian call for Spain to be excluded from Europe’s passport-free Schengen area.

‘Spain has completely failed to protect the Schengen Area’s external border from infiltration. This cannot continue,’ Finnish interior minister Mari Rantanen said on X.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz demanded Friday that Morocco ‘take back illegal migrants immediately’.

She is known for her multifaceted work on-screen. 

And Charlize Theron proved she is not only an acting chameleon but also a fashion chameleon as she wowed in a kooky ensemble in South Korea on Monday, while blazing the promo trail for The Odyssey. 

The actress, 50, who plays Calypso in the epic Christopher Nolan film, combined edgy chic with business style as she wore a pinstripe shirt with a wraparound plastic skirt paired with long leather gloves. 

As she posed alongside director Christopher and her co-star Matt Damon, she looked sensational in the look which was given a raunchy edge as she sported polka dot stockings underneath, flashed a hint of bra and wore a lace underlay. 

Christopher was no doubt in a celebratory mood as the event came as the movie hit a whopping $450million in the box office. 

As she posed alongside director Christopher and her co-star Matt Damon, she looked sensational in the look which was perfected with her mussed bob hairstyle

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Her futuristic skirt was a huge contrast to the film in question 

The film is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic the Odyssey, which sees the titular Greek King embark on a perilous journey home after the Trojan War in a bid to reunite with his beloved wife Penelope. 

Matt is starring as the titular hero Odysseus, while Devil Wears Prada icon Anne Hathaway plays his devoted queen, who is forced to fend off potential suitors in her husband’s absence.

While Charlize’s Calypso is the nymph who keeps Odysseus trapped on her island, Ogygia, for seven years after the Trojan War.

Nolan has reached a career high with his epic take on Homer’s The Odyssey, with five star reviews for the star-studded movie flooding in from around the globe soon after it was released.

The Odyssey has achieved a near-perfect score on review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes with a current standing of 99 per cent.

That 99 per cent score places Nolan’s 13th feature film at the top of the pile of his past movies with The Dark Knight trailing behind with a 94 per cent critic score.

She nailed the ensemble as she plugged the huge box office hit 

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The actress, 50, who plays Calypso in the epic Christopher Nolan film, combined edgy chic with business style as she wore a pinstripe shirt with a wraparound plastic skirt paired with long leather gloves

Charlize and Matt chatted on-stage about the epic 

The reviews for The Odyssey are almost universal in their soaring praise and five star ratings.

The Daily Mail’s Brian Viner declared that ‘Nolan’s film – its star-studded cast led by Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Zendaya – is a glorious cinematic experience, a triumph both of story-telling and movie-making.’

Viner added: ‘I rarely say this of movies nearly three hours long – one viewing simply isn’t enough.’

She looked stunning in the kooky look 

The trio spoke to the admiring crowd at the South Korean event 

Peter Bradshaw for the Guardian in another five star review went one step further, writing that ‘Nolan goes god-tier with a breathtaking epic of men, monsters and moral metamorphosis.’

‘This is a film with thrilling ambition, boldness, seriousness, generosity and flair. There are some broad-brush moments in the dialogue, yes, but even these are applied with a muscular flourish.’

Any minor criticisms hone in on Nolan’s choice to modernise the dialogue and deviate from his source material.

John Nugent for Empire writes that ‘it is as elegant and economical an adaptation as it’s possible to make of such a lengthy tome, and you don’t need a Classics degree to understand it. Some purists may bristle at the liberties taken with the text, with significant omissions.’

The eye-popping success of the movie has thrilled the all-star cast 

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‘The dialogue inevitably loses some of the poetry and lyricism of the original text; no dactylic hexameter here. But what it loses in faithfulness, it gains in visual and structural poetry.’

Writing for The Times though, historian Mary Beard said ‘I liked that Telemachus (Tom Holland) refers to Odysseus as ‘Dad’ (though I suspect some viewers may feel differently). This is an epic, and a myth, in the here and now, not set in a hoary past.’

David Rooney for The Hollywood Reporter calls it ‘a meditative action movie both immense and intimate, albeit one whose flow is impeded by the inherently episodic nature of the nonlinear source material and some questionable casting choices.’

Rooney singles out Tom Holland, who plays the son of Matt Damon’s Odysseus, Telemachus, deciding that ‘while he is always an appealing screen presence, he is wrong for the role.’

Matt went for a classic look in a smart blue suit 

She looked sensational in the ensemble 

‘Like [Robert] Pattinson, the Brit actor plays his character with an American accent. But he comes across as, well, Peter Parker in a tunic, sapping the gravitas from Telemachus’ path to maturity.’

Deadline’s Gregory Nussen disagreed though, calling Holland’s performance ‘his strongest one to date.’

‘His performance certainly seems tinged with the courageous naivety of Spider-Man, insisting on trying to influence those much more cunning and physically capable than he,’ he wrote. ‘Holland may be playing a child, but his performance is bursting with a newfound maturity.’

Other critics hailed the female actors.

The South African beauty chatted to British film producer Emma Thomas

She showed off her kooky nail choice by rocking yellow tipped manicure 

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Ahead of the review embargo lifting the film had received heaps of attention for all the wrong reasons – sparking backlash over its ‘bizarre’ casting, being accused of fuelling ‘brutal repression’ and sending Elon Musk into meltdown.

Nolan recently defended his decision to cast Kenyan actress Nyong’o as Helen of Troy, after Musk called the casting ‘historically inaccurate.’

The likes of Clarisse Loughrey in her five star review for The Independent said the film is ‘brought to life by a cast of seemingly thousands – but it’s the women (among them Anne Hathaway and Samantha Morton) who steal the show.’

RogerEbert.com Editor-at-Large Matt Zoller Seitz meanwhile called Nolan’s casting ‘not just defensible but inspiring.’