Scottish government loses bid to delay gender reform review // The Scottish government has failed in a bid to delay a judicial review of Westminster's decision to block its gender recognition reforms. The review is due to be held at the Court of Session next month. But lawyers for the Scottish government argued it should be delayed until after an appeal in a separate case concerning the definition of "woman" is heard. The request was rejected by judge Lady Haldane, who said the issues in the two cases were different.
Watchdog warns MPs over failing to respond to public // The public are increasingly unhappy about MPs not responding to their inquiries, Parliament's standards watchdog has said. Commissioner Daniel Greenberg said complaints about the handling of constituency casework were among the most common received by his office. However, he said they related to a minority of MPs. Overall, his office received 5,672 written complaints last year - almost quadruple the number the previous year. For 2021-22 the figure was 1,434, while for 2020-21 it was 1,780. The figures were revealed in the commissioner's annual report.
Rishi Sunak most frequent UK flyer among recent PMs // Rishi Sunak has used RAF jets and helicopters for domestic flights more frequently than the UK's previous three prime ministers, the BBC can reveal. Ministry of Defence data show he took almost one such flight a week during his first seven months in office. The prime minister has been accused of hypocrisy for flying short journeys domestically, given his pledges to curb planet-warming carbon emissions.
Jeremy Corbyn to 'have a think' about London mayor bid // Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said he will "have a think" about standing for election as an independent mayor of London. Asked at the Edinburgh Fringe if he would consider running for the mayoralty, he replied: "Well let's have a think about it, shall we?" The next election for mayor of London is set to take place in May 2024. The 74-year-old is the current independent MP for Islington North, a position he has held since 1983. Mr Corbyn was ousted from Labour earlier this year following a row over antisemitism.
GB News: Politicians' shows under scrutiny in new Ofcom investigations // Media regulator Ofcom has launched four new investigations into GB News after complaints that the channel broke impartiality rules. Three episodes of shows hosted by Conservative MPs are being investigated in relation to a rule that politicians can't normally act as news presenters. Programmes hosted by Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, Philip Davies and Esther McVey are among those being examined. It takes the number of active Ofcom investigations into GB News to seven.
Tory Lanez: Rapper jailed for 10 years for shooting Megan Thee Stallion // Canadian rapper Tory Lanez has been sentenced to 10 years for shooting fellow musician Megan Thee Stallion. Lanez shot Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion in the feet during an argument between the pair after a party in 2020. He was found guilty on three gun-related charges in December and has been held in jail since. The shooting, which polarised the music world, left Megan Thee Stallion needing surgery to remove bullet fragments from her foot. The LA District Attorney, George Gascón, said after the verdict that her fame "has brought an important spotlight on the issue of violence against women".
This Morning: ITV employees allege toxic culture following Schofield exit // A "large number" of current and former ITV employees have made claims about a toxic working culture on daytime shows including This Morning, an MP has said. The House of Commons media committee has received allegations of harassment, bullying and discrimination, according to its chair Dame Caroline Dinenage. The claims have been made since the MPs questioned ITV's boss in June.
Lizzo: Lawyers reviewing at least six new allegations against singer // Lawyers representing three of Lizzo's former dancers have said they are reviewing new complaints against the singer. Fresh allegations are reported to have been made by at least six people who said they had worked with Lizzo. Employment lawyer Ron Zambrano said the allegations concern a "sexually charged environment" and failure to pay employees.
Spain beat Dutch to reach first World Cup semi // Teenage winger Salma Paralluelo came off the bench to score a 111th-minute winner as Spain beat the Netherlands to reach the Women's World Cup semi-finals for the first time. Mariona Caldentey had appeared to give Spain the win in normal time when she slammed home an 80th-minute penalty via the post after Stefanie van der Gragt handled in the box. Van der Gragt went from villain to hero by smashing home a stoppage-time equaliser - but Paralluelo found space in the area in extra time to put Spain's women into their first major semi-final for 26 years.
The Hundred 2023: Stevie Eskinazi steers Welsh Fire to victory over Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston // Stevie Eskinazi hit a classy 43 from 18 balls as Welsh Fire claimed a comfortable six-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. Two wickets apiece for David Payne (2-11), Roelof van der Merwe (2-16) and Haris Rauf (2-20) restricted the Phoenix to 112-7 at Edgbaston. The Fire, led by Eskinazi, knocked off the runs with 15 balls to spare. They move level on points with leaders Oval Invincibles in the men's table, while Phoenix stay winless.
Lauren James: England forward given two-game Women's World Cup ban after red card // England forward Lauren James has been given a two-match ban by Fifa for her red card in the Women's World Cup game with Nigeria. James, 21, was sent off for stamping on the back of Michelle Alozie in the last 16-tie, which England won on penalties. The dismissal came with an automatic one-game ban which Fifa has increased, meaning she will miss the semi-final if England get there.
Anthony Joshua: British heavyweight says 'boxing clearly has a doping problem' // Anthony Joshua says boxing "clearly has a problem" with doping after Dillian Whyte failed a voluntary drugs test and was pulled out of Saturday's all-British heavyweight contest. Joshua, 33, will instead fight Robert Helenius at London's O2 Arena, with the 39-year-old Finn taking the fight at just a week's notice. Asked by BBC Sport if boxing has an issue with doping, Joshua said: "I don't know how they're going to sort it out or what their solution is to this problem. But it clearly has a problem." For the third time in 12 months, boxing is facing serious questions about the sport's credibility and its anti-doping protocols.
Luton Airport expansion plans to be heard // Plans to expand London Luton Airport's capacity from 18 to 32 million passengers a year will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate. Luton Rising, the Luton Council company that owns the airport, said it could generate £1.5bn per year and create thousands of new jobs. Pete White, from Stop Luton Airport Expansion, said: "It's the worst thing that could ever happen for east Luton." Luton Rising said capacity needed to grow to keep customers and airlines. The expansion plans include new terminal capacity, an extension to the current airfield and new airside and landside facilities.
Elon Musk to auction Twitter signs and other memorabilia // Multi-billionaire Elon Musk is putting Twitter building signs and other items from the company up for auction just weeks after the firm's rebranding as X. Among the 584 lots on offer are coffee tables, outsized bird cages, and oil paintings of images that went viral. Also listed are tens of desks and chairs, a DJ booth, and enough musical instruments to equip a band. Since buying the social media platform last year, Mr Musk has cut thousands of jobs in an effort to lower costs. The auction has been called "Twitter Rebranding: Online Auction Featuring Memorabilia, Art, Office Assets & More!"
Threat to Irn-Bru supplies as driver strike begins // A union is warning that Irn-Bru "may not get through" as drivers at the fizzy drink's owner go on strike. The first of nine 24-hour walkouts is taking place on Friday at AG Barr's production and distribution centre in Cumbernauld. Unite represents 11 trucker and shunter drivers who work for the company and will be taking part in the strikes between 11 August and 6 October. AG Barr said it had made a pay offer it believed was "fair and competitive". A ballot was held after Unite members rejected a 5% pay deal. Strike action was backed by 83% of members and the series of walkouts were confirmed in July.