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Former US congressman George Santos gives a statement after a court hearing where he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Photo: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP By Jack Queen and Luc Cohen, Reuters Former US Representative George Santos pleaded guilty to fabricating fundraising figures, cementing the downfall of a novice politician who was expelled from Congress last year after a brief, scandal-plagued tenure. Santos, a Republican, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft, the latter carrying a mandatory two-year prison sentence. The charges stemmed from inflating fundraising numbers and faking donor names to qualify for financial and logistical support from the Republican party during the 2022 election cycle, when ...

An Italian fire brigade helicopter and Coastguard boats are searching for six people missing after a yacht sank off the coast of Porticello, in Sicily, on August 19, 2024. Photo: AFP / Italian Coastguard Two New Zealanders were on board a luxury yacht that has sunk off the Sicilian capital Palermo in Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says. One person died and six people are missing. Ayla Ronald, a New Zealander working in London as a lawyer survived the capsizing, her father Lin Ronald has confirmed. MFAT has also confirmed a second New Zealander was on board. However, a spokesperson said there was no reason to believe the New Zealanders are among the missing The embassy in Rome was providing consular assistance. The missing include UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and his...

Phil Donahue, former host of "The Phil Donahue Show" has died. Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP Phil Donahue, who changed the face of US daytime television with a long-running syndicated talk show that highlighted topical and often provocative social and political issues, has died at age 88, NBC's Today show reported on Monday, citing a statement from his family. Donahue died surrounded by his family on Sunday following an illness, the Today show reported. Debuting in 1970 when daytime television offered its mostly female viewers a diet of soap operas, game shows and homemaking programs, Donahue's show tackled subject matter once considered taboo for television - including abortion, the sexual revolution and race relations. With his boyish charm, irrepressible energy and thick white hair, ...

" I wouldn't go back. Hands down, it's the worst job I have ever had." Photo: Supplied By Chris Schulz He'd seen the pick-up trucks in the parking lot and the huge American flags hanging from cranes. He'd walked past the beer-drinking rednecks munching on chicken wings and turkey legs wearing MAGA hats that read: "Make America rock again." And he'd heard the constant chants of "USA! USA!" and "F*** Joe Biden" coming from the main stage, along with a pre-recorded video message from Donald Trump playing on repeat. "This is not a subtle environment," he said. "It's a unique experience. It's... just crazy." But it wasn't until he saw the noose that Patrick* fully realised that he was smack bang in the middle of a different kind of music festival than those he is usually employed to work at...

File photo. A search is underway off the coast of Sicily. Photo: AFP/ / HEMIS.FR A New Zealander was on board a luxury super yacht when it capsized and sank off the coast of Sicily overnight. One man has died and six people are missing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed a New Zealander was involved, but couldn't confirm if they were among the dead or missing. They say they're working with local authorities to get further details. The Italian coast guard says the 56-metre-long yacht sank after being hit by an unexpectedly violent storm just before sunrise. Captain Carsten Boerner rescued the 15 survivors from a life raft. The six missing people are understood to be British and American. British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, who is known as the British Bill Gates, is among the mis...