NEW YORK (AP) — A prediction market reported former U.S. Rep. George Santos to federal prosecutors after he boasted he’d be going to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, then bet against his own attendance, according to a person familiar with the investigation.

Kalshi, the online prediction marketplace, referred Santos to the Department of Justice after detecting suspicious trades made by him ahead of Trump’s Feb. 24 speech, the person said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

Kalshi also reported the trades to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, a federal regulatory body that has vowed to crack down on insider trading in prediction marketplaces.

The Justice Department and the CFTC didn’t immediately respond Tuesday to inquiries from the AP.

Santos also did not respond to text messages or phone calls.

The referral was first reported by NPR. Santos told NPR that he wasn’t aware of the investigation. He declined to say whether he had a Kalshi account.

“I’m not saying yes, I’m not saying no,” Santos told NPR.

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The convicted ex-congressman had repeatedly discussed his intention to attend the State of the Union, which came just four months after he was granted clemency by Trump in a fraud case that led to his expulsion from the U.S. House.

On the eve of Trump’s speech, Kalshi put the odds of Santos attending at close to 75%.

Then, minutes into the speech, Santos posted on X that he had been waylaid at the airport. Immediately, several social media users accused him of running another scheme.

“Santos talking to his accountant and telling him to open his Kalshi account and bet all his money on No,” one user wrote, alongside a meme of Al Pacino counting money in the movie Scarface.

In March, Santos addressed the complaints on his podcast.

“I guess people lost money,” he said. “Some people made unexpected money. That’s to show you how fragile these markets are.”

Santos, who won office as a Republican after inventing a bogus persona as a Wall Street dealmaker, was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to fraud and identity theft in 2024.

After serving just 84 days, he was ordered released by Trump, who called Santos a “rogue” but said he didn’t deserve a harsh sentence and should get credit for voting Republican.

Prediction markets, including Kalshi and its chief rival Polymarket, have drawn scrutiny as their businesses have expanded — with some lawmakers urging the platforms to do more to guard against insider trading.

Both companies have said they are reporting suspicious trades to federal regulators. Some investigations have led to criminal charges. In April a soldier involved in the military operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was charged with using classified information to win more than $400,000 predicting the date of his capture on Polymarket.

In April, the Senate approved a bipartisan resolution to prevent its own members from using prediction markets.

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The story has been updated to correct in the first sentence that Santos is a former congressman, not a current one.

​The Scarborough and Whitby area has the highest relative rate of crime in North Yorkshire, with 87.56 crimes recorded for every 1,000 people in 2025-26, up from 82.44 the previous year.

​The relative crime rate is 38.66 in Ryedale, 69.36 in York, 46.63 in Harrogate, 34.07 in Richmondshire, and 44.70 in Selby.

​Overall recorded crime increased by 8 per cent from 8,267 in 2024-25 to 8,910 in 2025-26.

​In 2024-25, the Scarborough and Whitby area saw a reduction in recorded crime across most categories, with some exceptions, such as shoplifting and possession of weapons, while it still had the highest relative rates of crime in the county.

​There was a 19 per cent increase in thefts, while fraud fell by 39 per cent and vehicle offences fell by 14 per cent, according to a recently published report.

​North Yorkshire Police said that shoplifting continues to place “significant pressure on local services, rising 27 per cent from 957 to 1,259 offences this year”.

​“The command’s shoplifting positive outcome rate was 72.77 per cent, supported by 209 arrests and 30 voluntary attendance interviews.”

​Over the next 12 months, North Yorkshire Police said that its Operation Sun, which runs from July–September 2026, will involve with 12 multi-agency deployments a month targeting anti-social behaviour, retail crime, street crime, night-time economy issues, and violence against women and girls.

​There are also 40 planned deployments linked to Open Air Theatre events to reduce alcohol-related disorder and anti-social behaviour, alongside stronger community engagement through initiatives such as a Beat Bus and improved links with seldom-heard communities to build trust and improve the flow of information.

A man who was holding hostages inside a California office building for about 12 hours was shot and killed by the FBI early Wednesday, police said.

The hostages were found unharmed inside the downtown Bakersfield building that houses a bank and a school district office, the Bakersfield Police Department said in a statement.

The suspect was killed in “an officer-involved shooting” involving FBI personnel, the department said.

The standoff began Tuesday afternoon when officers responded to a call of a bomb threat at the Chase Bank building, a four-story office building with dark-tinted glass windows all around. Police said the man had barricaded himself inside with several people.

The department’s crisis negotiation team talked with the suspect by telephone and eventually two hostages were released Tuesday night, police said.

Nearby buildings, including City Hall and the police headquarters that are just a block away, were evacuated and some roads were temporarily closed during the hostage situation. Bakersfield, a city of about 380,000 residents, is the seat of largely rural Kern County and is about 100 miles (160 kms) northeast of Los Angeles.

A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said the bank branch is on the ground floor.

Officers established a perimeter around the area and warned the public to stay away.

“We have every single resource at our disposal out here to bring this to the safest resolution possible,” Bakersfield police Sgt. Eric Celedon said Tuesday.

Jacob Davidson, a livestreamer known as Dad’s Gone Live, was a block from the bank at his family’s tattoo shop when he started getting calls about the bomb threat.

“I went into the bank’s parking garage and watched the cops enter the back of the bank. This is the biggest police presence I’ve ever seen in this town,” Davidson said.

His livestream captured through a window in the building a woman rocking back and forth Tuesday night before crouching below the window. Later, two hands could be seen waving.

Dressed head to toe in black, he had his face covered and wore thick black gloves.

Police have released CCTV footage showing Natalie McNally’s killer, Stephen McCullagh, wearing rubber gloves as he boarded a bus on his way to murder her.

McCullagh was sentenced to 31 years behind bars on Wednesday for the murder of his pregnant partner, Natalie McNally in December 2022.

Mr Justice Kinney said he was “satisfied beyond reasonable doubt” that McCullagh’s attempt to fake a YouTube live stream was “an integral part” in his planning of the murder.

The Judge also highlighted McCullagh’s attempts to avoid detection, which included attempts to change his appearance on the night of the murder and the “manipulation” of his friends and Natalie’s family in the aftermath.

The footage released by the PSNI shows McCullagh boarding a bus at Redwood in Dunmurry and travelling to Lurgan.

Dressed head to toe in black, he had his face covered and wore thick black gloves.

McCullagh then paid the driver in cash.

After dropping something, he bends down to pick it up and takes off one of the black gloves, revealing a yellow rubber washing up glove below.

McCullagh then proceeds to take his change before moving to the back of the bus.

Ms McNally was 32 years old was 15 weeks pregnant when she was beaten, strangled and stabbed by McCullagh in her Silverwood Green home in Lurgan between 8.50pm and 9.30pm on Sunday December 18, 2022.

A jury of six men and six women found Stephen McCullagh guilty of her murder back in March.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

George Stafford defied his family’s expectations as he completed the 1.3 mile route in Consett in just one hour and 40 minutes when they thought it’d take double that.

Setting off from the Travellers Rest in Consett at 10.30am today (Wednesday, June 3), George reached Greenways Court care home at about 12.10pm raising more than £5,000 for St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

George Stafford, 100, from Consett has raised around £5,000 in total for St Cuthbert’s Hospice (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

You can still support the fundraiser here.

George halfway through his walk (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

George decided to mark his 100th birthday not with a party, but by raising money for the hospice which cared for his son’s wife Judith, who died there in 2022, aged 66, from oesophageal cancer.

George said: “It probably means as much to my son Gary as it does me because they made her last weeks that much more bearable and hopefully this money will make a big difference to a lot of families.”

After crossing the finish line, he said, “It means everything”, but joked he “could’ve done it in ten minutes back in the day”.

While he said he had no immediate plans for another major fundraising feat, he added that “you never know”.

100 year old George Stafford at the start of his charity walk from The Travellers Rest in Consett to Greenways Court Care Home also in the Delves Lane area of Consett. Children from Delves Lane Primary School see him on his way (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

His son Gary Stafford, 67, said: “I am just so proud of him, he’s done so well.”

Children of Delves Lane Primary School waved him off on the walk with banners and birthday cards (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

George said it had “brought some tears” seeing familiar faces cheering him on along the route, as well as all children from Delves Lane Primary School, where he once taught, who created banners and birthday cards to support him at the start of the walk and again as he passed the school.

George said: “They all had the banners up in the air and sang happy birthday as we went past, it was lovely and gave me a tear. Some cars were even tooting and made me feel like royalty.”

100 year old George Stafford halfway through his charity walk from the Travellers Rest in Consett to Greenways Court Care Home passing Delves Lane Primary School (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Residents and staff at his care home gave him a big welcome home as he finished the challenge.

One taxi driver even stopped to hand over change for the collection as he passed.

George on his walk linked with his son Gary and the home’s activity coordinator Tracy (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

After completing the challenge, he said he was looking forward to a lie down.

“It was tough but all completely worth it”, he said.

The challenge was inspired by a desire to give something back to St Cuthbert’s Hospice and help other families facing similar experiences.

George had previously explained his motivation, saying: “I didn’t really plan it, I just woke up one morning and thought that it was something I wanted to do. If it’s good enough for Captain Tom, it’s good enough for me!”

George Stafford, 100, from Consett has raised around £5,000 in total for St Cuthbert’s Hospice (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

His son, Gary, said the family was overwhelmed by the public response.

He said: “My wife spent her last three weeks there and the staff were brilliant. She had also been in for respite care before that, and she was desperate to get back when we knew she was close to the end.

“I still go down a couple of times a year with flowers and chocolates because of what they did for our family meant so much.

“This is my dad’s way of helping other people and giving something back to St Cuthbert’s Hospice after they did so much for us.”

Children of Delves Lane Primary School waved him off on the walk with banners and birthday cards (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

George added: “I’m doing it now, because I’m 100 and if it wasn’t a good effort, it wouldn’t be worth doing.

“I’m doing it in memory of my wife, who died with cancer, and my daughter-in-law.

“St Cuthbert’s Hospice looked after my daughter-in-law and made her last days more pleasant than they would have been if she’d been in hospital or at home.”

George Stafford, 100, from Consett has raised around £5,000 in total for St Cuthbert’s Hospice (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Despite reaching his 100th birthday, George has never regarded his age as a personal achievement.

Asked the secret to a long life, he joked: “I keep away from women.”

Gary admitted he was initially surprised when his dad announced the challenge.

George got a standing ovation and big cheers as he arrived back to Greenways Court care home after his walk (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

He said: “I thought he was stupid when he first said he was doing it.

Born in Ebworth, George later moved to Consett after marrying and spent 50 years living in the town before settling in Shotley Bridge.

George in the middle, getting kissed on the cheek by two of his former pupils (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

He lived with his wife Sheila Mary until her death in 2003 and moved into Greenways Court care home in Consett two years ago.

Before becoming a teacher, George worked in a variety of industries across the North East, including the Thomas Hedley soap factory in Newcastle, the Coal Board and the Consett Steel Company.

Although he left school at the age of 14 and spent years working in industry, he never gave up on his ambition to teach.

100 year old George Stafford at the end of his charity walk from the Travellers Rest in Consett to Greenways Court Care Home (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

George, linked with his son Gary, on the walk passing Delves Lane Primary School (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

In his 40s he retrained at Sunderland Polytechnic, opening the door to a second career in education.

He went on to teach at schools across Consett, including Consett Secondary School and Moorside Comprehensive, inspiring generations of local pupils.

Outside the classroom, he enjoyed gardening and continued playing golf well into his 80s.

A Norwegian teenager was recruited by a Swedish organised crime group used by the Iranian regime to murder someone in England, a court has heard.

Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 19, travelled to the UK on March 17 last year with the plan to “undertake a hit” in exchange for money, it is alleged.

The teenager was allegedly acting for an organisation called Foxtrot Network, but was prevented from carrying out an attack after he was arrested in a hotel room in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire two days after his arrival, the court heard.

Police found a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and 12 rounds of live ammunition in his possession, it was heard.

Prosecutor Alastair Richardson told the trial opening that Natland, from Stavanger in south-west Norway, had agreed to work for the group “in return for some money”.

It was heard that an individual referred to as Agent 47 had contacted a figure with username Generalen to ask for someone to carry out an assassination in the UK.

In the message, Agent 47 told Generalen that there was 25,000 euros (£21,590) “in the pot”.

Jurors heard that Natland was contacted on March 15 by a user, called UnknownHustler, informing him of the job.

Natland later messaged his girlfriend to say: “I’m going on a crazy mission”.

Jurors were shown further messages in which Generalen told Agent 47 in a group chat with Natland: “This is the assassin for EU, brother.”

The defendant flew from Norway to Manchester Airport on March 18, arriving that evening.

It was heard that upon his arrival the defendant was interviewed by Border Force officers over concerns surrounding his age and lack of money.

He told them that he had arrived to the city to visit his gamer friends and see landmarks, the court was told.

The defendant left the airport and took a taxi to a hotel in Manchester. That night, Agent 47 sent him a message reading: “Sleep and when you wake up we start.”

The court heard that the following day, Natland collected the guns and ammunition and messaged his girlfriend to say: “In the bag is bang.”

He also bought rubber gloves and lined up a car, the prosecutor told jurors.

On the morning of March 19, specialist firearms officers attended the Briar Court Hotel in Huddersfield to arrest Natland.

It was heard that as the defendant came to the doorway, he held his hands up “imitating holding a firearm, and pretended to shoot one of the officer”.

The prosecutor said: “You may think that of itself gives you a little insight about what he was in the United Kingdom to do.”

Mr Richardson told jurors: “The group that had recruited him, the Foxtrot Network, is a Swedish organised crime group used by the Iranian regime.

“We do not know who the defendant was planning to murder, but as you will see from his messages, the messages of others, and what he told his friends in Norway before he set out on his plan, it was clear that was his plan.”

He told jurors while it was a Swedish-based group, its leadership figures live elsewhere.

Mr Richardson added: “The Foxtrot network often use perpetrators who are very young, and with whom they have no direct link.

“The use of social media has enabled the rapid increase of cross-border crime.

“The groups used by the Foxtrot network, also known as the Swedish Foxes, can have anything from a few to several thousand members, with group names such as Samurai Children.”

Mr Richardson said that the group operates with several levels of organisation, including instigators which “fits neatly” with Agent 47, and lower end recruiters, such as Generalen.

He added that facilitators are said to be responsible for the logistics of the crime and enforcers are the young men at the “bottom of the chain”.

The prosecutor added: “Recruitment of enforcers is focused on young individuals, often those linked to institutions such as care homes. In general, they have no connection with the intended victim.”

The prosecutor said he is informing the jury of this so that they understand the serious nature of the enterprise the defendant has allegedly entered into.

He told them that it helps them to understand “how an 18-year-old from a foreign country was able to enter into an agreement to murder someone he did not know and did not care about, in the United Kingdom”.

Natland denies a charge of conspiracy to murder.

The Old Bailey trial continues.

With offers available at dozens of resorts, holidaymakers can save up to £300 on a family getaway

Parkdean Resorts is giving the classic UK staycation a fresh new twist this summer with the launch of all-inclusive packages across 45 holiday parks nationwide. Designed to offer families greater value and convenience, the packages combine accommodation, meals and drinks into one easy-to-budget booking.

Aimed at taking the stress out of holiday spending, the all-inclusive option includes three relaxed, restaurant-style table-service meals each day, with dedicated children’s menus replacing the traditional buffet experience. Guests can also enjoy unlimited soft drinks and hot beverages, including unlimited Costa Coffee, helping families make the most of their break without worrying about extra costs adding up.

All-inclusive dining packages start from around £25 per adult per night, with children’s rates from just £10 on selected four-night midweek stays. Combined with a standard caravan booking, a family of four can enjoy a complete holiday including accommodation and meals for under £400, representing potential savings of more than £300 compared with booking separately, reports the Mirror.

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The wallet-friendly holiday offers are available for Monday check-ins outside peak school holiday periods at participating coastal and countryside locations, ranging from Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands. Holidaymakers can conveniently add the package either when booking online or opt to upgrade upon arrival.

Because some of the very best holidays can be found close to home, Parkdean has three unforgettable locations right here in Wales. Camarthan Bay Holiday Park sits right on the estuary, and offers an indoor pool with a waterslide, incredible views and a range of hot tub lodges.

Save with an All-Inclusive break at Parkdean Resorts

From £25 per person

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The food and drink package is now available at 45 parks throughout the UK

Over at Trecco Bay, one of the largest holiday parks in Europe offers seomthing with everyone, close to the South Wales Coast Path. Alternatively, Pendine Sands Holiday Park is a great choice for a more relaxing break for coastal explorers and your four-legged friends.

Beyond the new dining options, guests can still take advantage of the traditional on-site amenities, swimming pools, live entertainment and kids’ clubs that make a Parkdean Resorts holiday so unforgettable. The all-inclusive approach offers a straightforward alternative to overseas trips, without the stress of departure lounges and flight delays.

List of Parkdean Resorts parks offering all-inclusive breaks:

1. Bideford Bay Holiday Park, Devon
2. California Cliffs Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth
3. Camber Sands Holiday Park, Sussex
4. Carmarthen Bay Holiday Park, Wales
5. Cayton Bay Holiday Park, Yorkshire
6. Challaborough Bay Holiday Park, Devon
7. Cherry Tree Holiday Park, Norfolk
8. Coopers Beach Holiday Park, Essex
9. Crimdon Dene Holiday Park, County Durham
10. Grannie’s Heilan’ Hame Holiday Park, Scotland
11. Highfield Grange Holiday Park, Essex
12. Kessingland Beach Holiday Park, Suffolk
13. Lizard Point Holiday Park, Cornwall
14. Looe Bay Holiday Park, Cornwall
15. Lower Hyde Holiday Park, Isle of Wight
16. Manor Park Holiday Park, Norfolk
17. Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park, Scotland
18. Naze Marine Holiday Park, Essex
19. Newquay Holiday Park, Cornwall
20. Nodes Point Holiday Park, Isle of Wight
21. Ocean Edge Holiday Park, Lancashire
22. Pendine Sands Holiday Park, Wales
23. Romney Sands Holiday Park, Kent
24. Sandford Holiday Park, Dorset
25. Sandy Bay Holiday Park, Dorset
26. Sandylands Holiday Park, Scotland
27. Skipsea Sands Holiday Park, Yorkshire
28. Southerness Holiday Park, Scotland
29. Southview Holiday Park, Lincolnshire
30. Sundrum Castle Holiday Park, Scotland
31. Summerfields Holiday Park, Lincolnshire
32. Thorness Bay Holiday Park, Isle of Wight
33. Torquay Holiday Park, Devon
34. Trecco Bay Holiday Park, Wales
35. Tummel Valley Holiday Park, Scotland
36. Ty Mawr Holiday Park, Wales
37. Valley Farm Holiday Park, Essex
38. Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth
39. Warmwell Holiday Park, Dorset
40. Weeley Bridge Holiday Park, Essex
41. Wemyss Bay Holiday Park, Scotland
42. West Bay Holiday Park, Dorset
43. White Acres Holiday Park, Cornwall
44. White Cross Bay Holiday Park, Lake District
45. Whitley Bay Holiday Park, Northumberland

The money-saving rollout coincides with a significant £10 million overhaul at two of the operator’s most-loved coastal resorts. At Vauxhall Holiday Park in Norfolk, thrill-seekers can now take on brand-new high and low ropes courses, alongside a survival-themed Bear Grylls Escape Room. For younger visitors, the park has introduced an exciting “Off-Road Rangers” track and dedicated safe zones for toddlers.

Teenagers and adults can relax in the newly opened Hat Tricks Sports Bar, which boasts interactive darts, shuffleboard, and indoor golf. These improvements are further complemented by new dining outlets such as Thunderbird Fried Chicken, all situated just a short distance from a family-friendly beach.

Meanwhile, at Highfield Grange in Essex, the sweeping makeover also includes high-octane attractions such as high ropes courses, Bear Grylls escape rooms, and an Off-Road Rangers track for children. Adults can equally enjoy a new sports bar featuring interactive darts and indoor golf, all conveniently located close to the iconic beach at Clacton-on-Sea.

The multi award-winning holiday operator has been recognised for its family breaks and holiday parks, picking up prizes at the British Travel Awards as well as the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice awards. Beyond the dining options, guests can enjoy an action-packed staycation across more than 60 parks throughout the UK.

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For families unable to find their ideal getaway with Parkdean Resorts, Haven has also unveiled its 2026 deals, with standard three-night caravan holidays starting from £79. Meanwhile, Forest Holidays is offering nature enthusiasts 10% off a log cabin escape across 13 UK locations.

Guests who have already enjoyed a stay at a Parkdean Resort have been leaving glowing reviews on Trustpilot. One visitor who stayed at Trecco Bay in Wales said: “Magical experience. Had such a lovely stay at the sight this week The surroundings are out of this world with an amazing beach and the different sights around the surrounding areas”

Another who visited Highfield Grange exclaimed: “We’ve had a lovely week away. The entertainment staff have been amazing. Great shows, brilliant interaction with the kids. Becky, Ricky and all the entertainers… can’t fault them.”

Another contributed: “Amazing holiday! Kids has so much much perfect location. The night entertainment was amazing.” At Vauxhall Holiday Park, one visitor described it as a “special place” saying: “It was our first holiday of this kind, but we felt wonderful. The caravan was clean, spacious and warm, the beds comfortable. We went with our five-year-old grandson, who enjoyed a lot of activities, many interactive, in which we, the grandparents, also found a place.”

Not every visitor was equally enthusiastic, though, with one pointing out: “We recently stayed at Camber Sands Parkdean Holiday Resort and overall had a great time, although there were a few areas that could definitely be improved. Our caravan was clean, which we appreciated, but it didn’t quite match the standard we were expecting from the Gold package we had booked.”

Another who visited Vauxhall remarked: “Location was good a few minutes from Yarmouth, but unfortunately, we had to rent a caravan as we have two small dogs. The condition of the caravan was very disheartening.”

Most families relish the entertainment and flexibility that Parkdean provides. Another holidaymaker who visited Kessingland Beach Resort said: “Lovely family stay! The location is perfect – directly on the beach, which is great for walks and exploring. The staff were very friendly, and my children really enjoyed the Craft Hub activities. The pool is a little on the smaller side if you’re comparing it to other Parkdean resorts, but it was still great fun. Highly recommend!”

Find out more about all-inclusive deals at Parkdean Resorts here.

On Down Detector, users can leave comments detailing the issues they are having.

One person, Chery Chadwick, who has reported an issue with Halifax, says: “Nearly had to put our shopping back! Fortunately I had some cash and enough in my account to cover the total bill!

“This is humiliating with a queue of people behind you, watching you not being able to pay for your food!”

The incident, which is being investigated by the policing watchdog, prompted a wave of political reaction on Monday, including a video clip filmed by Farage in which he said the police response was evidence of “two-tier Britain,” and called for an end to “anti-white prejudice”.