President Donald Trump posted a ranking of what he apparently believes are the greatest US presidents, and it’s no surprise where he ended up on the list.

The post, featuring portraits of 34 of the 45 individuals who have held the office, ranks them as “the greatest, great, near great, average, below average and failures.”

Trump, naturally, ranks himself as “the greatest” above such famed presidents as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson, all of whom were listed in the “great” category.’

Other presidents in that category included Woodrow Wilson and Andrew Jackson.

The “near great” category included Theodore Roosevelt, Grover Cleveland, John Adams and James K. Polk.

The “average” category surprisingly included Bill Clinton, whom Trump has made a point of attacking over the years.

That category also included John Quincy Adams, James Monroe, Rutherford B. Hayes, James Madison, Martin Van Buren, William Howard Taft, Chester A. Arthur, William McKinley, Andrew Johnson, Herbert Hoover, and Benjamin Harrison.

The “below average” category included John Tyler, Calvin Coolidge, Millard Fillmore, Zachary Taylor, James Buchanan and Franklin Pierce.

To absolutely nobody’s surprise, Trump’s list dubbed Barack Obama and Joe Biden as “failures” along with Jimmy Carter, Ulysses S. Grant and Warren G. Harding.

The list excluded William Henry Harrison, James A. Garfield (both of whom died shortly after taking office), Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Trump had posted the list along with a video from CNN’s Harry Enten, highlighting a poll showing Trump is more admired by Republicans than Lincoln and Reagan.

Miley Cyrus is paying her respects to her late godmother, fellow singer Dolly Parton.

The two performers collaborated numerous times over the years, beginning on the Disney series Hannah Montana, in which Dolly starred as Miley’s Aunt Dolly.

As the Flowers singer’s star continued to rise, she and the country superstar duetted together on multiple occasions, most recently on Dolly’s 2023 album Rockstar, on which they covered Miley’s chart-topping hit Wrecking Ball.

Following the news of Dolly’s death on Monday evening, the entertainment world has been paying tribute, with Miley sharing an emotional post about her Grammy-winning godmother on social media.

“The feeling of losing my Aunt Dolly is beyond what feels right to share,” she admitted. “Our most sacred moments were private and they’ll stay there behind the stage, beneath the glamour and between our hearts.

“What I KNOW is Dolly would want me to feel it, write a song about it, and then continue on and be strong. I have an angel by my side. I always have. One of our last conversations was about music and metamorphosis.”

Miley wrote: “I will always love her and want to make her proud. My heart breaks for the world, her family and friends who will miss her deeply.

“We’re in this loss together and we will see her in all of the most beautiful things.”

Earlier in the week, Miley’s dad Billy Ray Cyrus shared his own tribute, which read: “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TVs, right in our living rooms.

“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologise for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!’.

“Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart. I will always love her in the same way ….. with my whole heart … and I always will.”

The Jolene singer’s team has confirmed that the beloved performer died on Monday at the age of 80, following what they described as a “brief battle with cancer”.

She is to be laid to rest in a small, private funeral attended by family, with fans being encouraged to donate to one of her many charity initiatives as a way of paying their respects.

Higher ups at Netflix are doing precious little to dispel rumours that Meghan Markle is currently in talks about a role in the upcoming third season of The Gentlemen.

Since then, there’ve been conflicting stories in the press about exactly what’s going on behind the scenes – with both Meghan and Netflix keeping schtum about the whole thing.

At the Edinburgh TV Festival on Wednesday, Netflix’s head of scripted shows in the UK, Manda Levin, was asked directly about the rumours, to which she responded with a cryptic four-word response.

“All bets are off,” she said, declining to offer any more conversation than that (as reported by Deadline).

Before tying the knot with Prince Harry, Meghan made a name for herself as an actor, most notably playing Rachel Zane in the legal drama Suits.

Since leaving the show in 2018 to marry her now-husband, she’s not acted since, but is due to appear in the upcoming comedy Close Personal Friends, making a cameo as herself.

The second season of The Gentlemen is set to premiere on Netflix next week, two years after the first debuted on the platform and became an instant hit with viewers and critics.

An official synopsis provided by Netflix has teased: “It’s been one year since Eddie and Susie joined forces to work together in Bobby’s criminal empire overseas. As they drive to expand their enterprise, the decisions Bobby is making seem to be increasingly unsound.

“Now, Eddie and Susie must decide whether to take action or risk losing it all, but unfettered ambition never ends well…”

The Gentlemen’s second outing arrives on Thursday 3 September.

Energy is not a luxury. It’s a fundamental necessity that we all need to stay safe and well.

Yet for too many people, an energy bill is a source of dread rather than simply a cost, and yesterday’s energy price cap announcement, pushing the average bill up by £60, will only deepen that anxiety.

As Colin, a member of Fair By Design’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel, explains: “All too often, people struggling financially are viewed as lazy or lacking ambition, but that’s far from the truth.

“Poverty, poor mental health and barriers to engaging with the workforce carry
significant social and financial costs.”

Colin is currently self-employed and works part time, as he has caring responsibilities for his elderly mum and his older brother. These caring responsibilities mean he cannot work full- time.

“For someone like me a social tariff would return the cost of unpaid care work,” he says. “A social tariff would mean I could keep the lights and heating on, and still have something left over.

“It isn’t simply financial assistance. Making my energy bills more affordable would provide me with dignity and recognition that we all have value.”

The Warm Home Discount is a good step towards an energy market that gives people like Colin breathing space. But at the moment it isn’t providing enough breathing space to make a real difference to people’s lives.

The discount currently provides households on means tested benefits with £150 off their energy bill each winter. But the average affordability gap for a household in fuel poverty is around £400.

That’s why we are calling on Burnham’s government to make the Warm Home Discount much more generous in October’s Budget.

The government must also recognise that some households need more help than others.

The Warm Home Discount does not apply to disabled households unless they are on means tested benefits. However, as a report we jointly commissioned last year showed, disabled households in receipt of disability benefits pay £97 more per year on energy than non-disabled households.

We are therefore asking for all disabled households to receive an extra £100.

Alongside this, we, and other consumer organisations, are urging the government to introduce a booster payment for eligible Warm Home Discount recipients who pay by standard credit.

Households on standard credit tariffs that are linked to the energy price cap
currently pay around £143 more per year for their energy than those who pay by direct debit. A booster payment would help to relieve this extra financial burden.

Ultimately, we need a system of energy bill support that is tiered according to income. This would mean that households on the very lowest incomes could receive support worth as much as £700 a year, while those closer to the eligibility threshold might receive a smaller discount, such as £100.

There is no single solution to fuel poverty. But by building on existing support and targeting help where it is most needed, the government can move closer to an energy system that gives everyone the opportunity to live with dignity.

As Colin says: “Society should judge itself on how it treats its poorest. Judgement erodes self-respect and our potential as people, whereas encouragement, trust and practical support are enablers. They help people to contribute more to society.

“Supporting people is not merely compassionate, it benefits everyone, and the potential for a social tariff gives me hope.”

Maria Booker is Head of Policy at Fair By Design.

Colin Saunders is a member of Fair By Design’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Dolly Parton’s sister, Stella, has claimed that the country music icon had been willing to try “experimental drugs” while being treated for cancer “in the hope of helping others”.

Following the news of the Jolene singer-songwriter’s death at the age of 80 earlier this week, her sister paid her respects in a lengthy Facebook post.

As the world remembered Dolly’s legacy in the music and entertainment business, many have also been pointing to her generosity, kindness and principles while paying their respects, with Stella agreeing: “My sister was one of the most generous, thoughtful and kind people I’ve ever known.

“What the world saw is exactly who she was, so much so, she told me recently that if there was no hope for her, she would still allow her medical team to try experimental drugs in the hope of helping others in the future.”

She added: “My sister was always thinking of others and if you want to honour her legacy, show more kindness, lift others up and give more of your time and resources as she continued to do to the very end.

“I want to personally thank all of you for the outpouring of love and respect you are showing my sister. Your love and respect for her is deeply felt by all of us who loved her first and it helps as we grieve her passing through our lives!”

“Dolly loved the world and everyone in it,” Stella concluded. “I would criticise and complain about it and she would laugh and say: ‘shoot Tedda, we’ve got more important things to do than worry about their silly asses’. She was right and she proved it everyday.

“She left the world a better place by being in it so let’s follow her example.”

Over the course of the last year, Dolly had shared with her fans that she was being treated for “health challenges”, but chose not to disclose the specifics in her lifetime.

After the news broke of her death, her family issued a statement confirming she’d died after a “brief battle with cancer”, also sharing that she would be laid to rest in a “small” and “private” funeral attended by her nearest and dearest.

John Healey has been accused of an “unforgivable” climbdown on defence spending just two months after quitting the cabinet demanding more cash for the military.

The chancellor has refused to commit to spending 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence by 2030.

That is despite attacking Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves for not promising to hit that target when he resigned as health secretary in June.

In his resignation letter to the then prime minister, Healey said: “I am certain that a headmark date for 3% of GDP on defence in 2030 is what Britain must set.”

However, it has now emerged that he will not make that spending commitment himself when he delivers his first Budget as chancellor in October.

Instead, he will set out how the government will plug a separate £5 billion black hole in the Defence Investment Plan.

Decisions on how the government will the achieve the Nato target of spending 3.5% on defence by 2035 have been delayed until next year.

A government source told the Financial Times: “At the spending review we’ll set out a clear path to meet our 3.5% Nato target in 2035 and set a target date for us to hit 3% on that path.

“The spending review is the right place to set a target date.”

However, it remains unclear whether that 3% target date will be 2030, as Healey demanded two months ago.

Former Tory foreign secretary James Cleverly condemned Healey on X.

He said: “John Healey resigned over Starmer’s refusal to properly fund defence.

“We said he was an honourable man and at a time of European war and global uncertainty a step change in defence spending was needed. Now it is Healey refusing to properly fund defence. Unforgivable.”

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “The first duty of government is to keep its citizens safe. The prime minister and chancellor are committed to fully funding the Defence Investment Plan.

“At the spending review we will set out a pathway to meet our Nato commitment of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035 and will set a target date to hit 3% on that path.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

The casting process for the next actor to lead the James Bond franchise seems to be nearing an end.

“While we don’t plan to comment on specific details during the casting process, we’re excited to share more news with 007 fans as soon as the time is right,” a spokesperson said, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Callum Turner and Jacob Elordi all thought to be the hot favourites for the role at that time.

On Wednesday, Page Six reported that the next stage of the process was screen tests, with six actors left in consideration.

According to the outlet’s “insiders” Jack Barton is bosses’ new top pick for the job, after impressing filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and casting director Nina Gold.

Jack is somewhat less well-known than some of the other actors previously tipped for the 007 gig, but he did play John Tonkin in SAS: Rogue Heroes and Kit Connor’s on-screen brother in Netflix’s Heartstopper.

Page Six also claimed that five more stars will be doing screen tests imminently, alleging that the previously-rumoured Jack Lowden, Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson are all still in the frame.

Interestingly, the sixth name on their list was Oscar nominee Paul Mescal, marking the first time he’s been linked with James Bond in the press in some time.

Naturally, these rumours have already sparked a lot of conversation on social media…

HuffPost UK has contacted reps for Jack Barton and Amazon MGM Studios for comment.

Earlier this year, producer Amy Pascal said the studio was looking for “something really different that is… stirring and exciting and different” in their next James Bond.

Little else is known about the next instalment in the spy franchise, other than that it will be written by Peaky Blinders and House Of Guinness creator Steven Knight.

After months of unbearable heat, it looks like we’re set for a long weekend of rain and thunderstorms. Boo!

If you’ve been planning a barbecue this weekend, you might want to rethink, because you’re going to have a lot of indoor time to fill.

If you have children, having the entire family cooped up inside for three days is probably the last thing you called for to end the summer holidays.

Don’t worry, though, because not all hope is lost. You don’t have to hide in separate rooms to get through the weekend, or pop the kids in front of a movie.

While recent research by Playmobil shows that 28% of children turn to screens when they’re bored, we have a better idea: crafting.

What better way to get them in the right headspace and soothe those back to school jitters than by getting their creative juices flowing?

I recently got a Cricut machine, which can print and cut your very own custom designs on your choice of paper, and it sent my imagination into overdrive.

There is so much to be made, and it’s easy enough to use with kids so that they can customise all their worldly possessions before they return to school. Stickers for their notebook? Check. A custom book mark so they don’t have to dog ear library books? Check.

Once you have a Cricut machine (I went for the Joy 2) all you have to do is open the Cricut design space and then the world is your oyster: you can design anything you want together, and they’ll be able to make as much as they want as long as you have the right materials.

If you want to keep them away from their phones this weekend, it’s the ideal tool to play with, and you can even plan ahead to Halloween or Christmas by making custom decorations or cards while you still have the time!

To get your mind whirring, here are five craft ideas to make with kids this back holiday weekend:

If your kids aren’t quite old enough to use a Cricut machine themselves, you can always make fun and customised craft materials for them.

Upload a family photo to Cricut Colouring Pages, and the app will instantly print your photo as a colouring page.

You can even choose the design – from manga, to caricature, or a simple line drawing.

Get your hands on some iron-on Cricut fabric, and you’ll be able to make your very own stickers for your kids’ backpack.

Every kid at school is going to have a brand new bag, but no one will have one quite like theirs.

There are thousands of designs to choose from, from their name (so they don’t lose everything) to flowers, dogs, or your own custom design.

The puzzle books you buy in shops are nice and all, but if you’ve ever wished you could get one personalised exactly to your kids’ interests, this is your lucky day.

You can use the Cricut design space to make an entire activity book with word searches, crosswords, and puzzles that include hints about their favourite interests and activities.

Here’s another idea for little ones: you can make matching cards by cutting out pieces of card using your machine, then cutting out a few symbol designs.

You’ll need to make sure you cut two of each symbol, so you have a set of matching cards, and it’ll be great for their concentration and memory retention.

It’s not just their backpack and water bottle that mark the new school year, refreshing their bedroom might give them a renewed sense of inspiration, too.

Space junkies will love stars, planets, and aliens cut out from glow in the dark vinyl, or you could go for flowers or trees for a more woodland-inspired look.

This week, cyberattacks have taken place in three UK airports: Manchester, Stansted, and East Midlands.

During these breaches, hackers accessed the data of 8.7 million customers, The Guardian reports.

Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which owns all three airports, has assured customers that “at no point has passenger safety or aviation security been compromised”.

The hackers seem to have accessed information regarding “car park, lounge and fast-track bookings and in-airport wifi sign-up”, and not things like customer credit card details.

MAG also said that they acted quickly to resolve and contain the issue, informing passengers about the breach as soon as possible – the company stated it has been “working with specialist advisors and taking appropriate steps to protect our customers and systems”.

Affected customers, they say, have been contacted directly, with involved airports reminding all passengers to follow “standard cyber security good practice,” including remaining “vigilant for suspicious emails, text messages or phone calls”.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has said that people worried about the cyberattacks can access support on its website.

Though information like bank details wasn’t hacked in these cases, IT expert John Pepper, CEO and founder of Managed247, said customers could still face phishing attempts as a result.

“While the fact that payment and banking information was not obtained by hackers will be reassuring to customers, it is important not to underestimate the value of the information that has been accessed. The real risk may be what criminals can do with that information next,” he explained.

“An email address on its own might not seem particularly sensitive, but combine it with a phone number, postcode, vehicle registration and knowledge that someone has used an airport service, and you have a much more convincing basis for impersonation.”

Hackers can use these seemingly small pieces of data to form a more convincing scam email, he added, and may even combine them with information from other data breaches to build a more detailed picture of possible victims.

This, he said, is why customers need to remain “particularly alert over the coming weeks and months.

“A scammer may not necessarily mention the breach itself. They could pose as an airport, parking provider, travel company, Wi-Fi provider or another organisation connected to a customer’s journey, using genuine details to establish credibility before trying to obtain a password, payment information or access to an account.”

Pepper said it’s always a good idea to be cautious of “any unexpected message that uses personal information to make [you] feel that it must be legitimate.

“Don’t assume that because someone knows your registration number, postcode, email address or details about a journey that they are who they claim to be.”

A request that feels really urgent – like telling you to pay for something in the next hour or risk fines – is a serious red flag, he added.

“Don’t click through from an unsolicited message – instead, go directly to the organisation’s official website or use a trusted phone number to verify the request,” the expert ended.

“It’s also important to remember that cyber attacks don’t necessarily end when an organisation contains the initial intrusion. For the organisation, continuous monitoring and prompt investigation are critical to understanding what an attacker may have accessed and stopping any further compromise.

“For consumers, the equivalent is staying alert to what comes next, because the stolen information itself can become the raw material for much more targeted attacks, phishing, social engineering, and fraud, which can result in financial loss or identity theft”.

British actor Tim Curry once recalled an awkward question from Ivana Trump while staying at the then Donald Trump-owned Plaza Hotel during the filming of the 1992 Christmas classic Home Alone 2: Lost In New York, in which the future US leader made a cameo.

In an nterview with The Guardian published earlier this week, Tim said that Ivana, who died in 2022 at the age of 73, asked his opinion of the property’s decor. She had overseen its lavish remodeling.

“She knocked on my door and said, ‘Are you happy in your room? Do you like the way it looks?’” recalled Tim. “And I loathed it actually.”

Read the full interview at The Guardian.

Tim, who passed away at the age of 80, played the Plaza’s concierge in the movie sequel.

In the same interview promoting his memoir Vagabond, which he penned after being left partially paralysed following a severe stroke in 2012, the actor also remembered Donald Trump himself being “very anxious” to get his then-girlfriend Marla Maples (he’d split from Ivana) an introduction to the film’s director, Chris Columbus.

The Rocky Horror star said: “He told me, ‘I’ve got to get Marla to meet Chris Columbus because she’s a brilliant actress.’ And I thought: ‘Yeah, I’m sure.’”

In Trump’s brief cameo, Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister ask him for directions to the lobby. Columbus has claimed Trump’s appearance was a condition of filming at the Plaza.

Trump, though, has insisted the filmmakers were “begging me to make a cameo” and he agreed despite being “very busy” and not really wanting to.

Macaulay Culkin has said he’d be happy if Trump’s scene were to be cut, but Columbus has joked that doing so would spark national outrage: “If I cut it, I’ll probably be sent out of the country.”