Experts believe California's decision to default on the $18.6 billion debt would burden employers

Senator Lindsey Graham defended himself after a former CIA head called him a "spineless coward" for refusing to condemn Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents. Mr Graham said his opposition to Mr Trump's second indictment related to the documents and his beliefs that sensitive materials must be handled properly are not contradictory. "I'm very concerned about mishandling classified information," he told The Independent. "I'm also very concerned about ... equal treatment under the law. Those two things are not inconsistent." His comments come after former CIA director John Brennan called him a "spineless coward" for defending the former president. “That is why I find it so, so disheartening and It makes me angry when I hear people like Lindsey Graham make excuses and apologies for Donald Trump," Mr Brennan said during an appearance on MSNBC. “Those are the words of a spineless coward, quite frankly, who is frightened by Donald Trump and is frightened by those individuals who still cling to an image of Donald Trump as being this very strong leader, which he is not.” Mr Graham defended Mr Trump during an ABC News interview on Sunday, arguing his second indictment would make him "stronger" in his re-election campaign. The senator insisted that Mr Trump's investigation is no different than the Hillary Clinton email scandal — despite their being notable difference between those situations — and argued that the former president had been "overcharged" through the use of the Espionage Act. "Did he do things wrong? Yes, he may have. He will be tried about that. But Hillary Clinton wasn't," he told ABC News's George Stephanopoulos. When Stephanopoulos pressed Mr Graham on the audio recordings of Mr Trump discussing the secret information and admitting he had not declassified it when he was in office, Mr Graham claimed ignorance. "I don't know what happened; I haven't heard the audio," Mr Graham said. "But look at who's been charged under the Espionage Act: Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, Chelsea Manning -- people who turned over classified information to news organizations ... or provide it to a foreign power. That did not happen here." Each time Mr Graham was confronted with the evidence against Mr Trump, he deflected to Ms Clinton, prompting Stephanopoulos to tell him that she had been fully investigated and that no charges were brought against her. Mr Graham dismissed that explanation saying "yeah right" and "give me a break." No evidence was found that Ms Clinton intended to "communicate classified information on unclassified systems," according to the investigation's findings. That report also noted that Ms Clinton's emails were not marked in a way that would inform her of their classification status. The evidence against Mr Trump includes the previously stated audio recording, but also allegations that he worked to conceal the records from federal authorities after they asked for their return. Both Joe Biden and former Vice President Mike Pence were also found to have sensitive documents in their personal possession, but they cooperated with authorities to return those documents — a key difference between their situations and Mr Trump's. With reporting from Eric Garcia Read More What time is Trump’s arraignment and will it be live-streamed? Donald Trump arrives at federal court to face 37-count indictment in Mar-a-Lago documents case Trump will not be handcuffed or asked to pose for mugshot at Miami arraignment Ivanka and Jared split over attending Trump 2024 launch – follow live Why was Donald Trump impeached twice during his first term? Four big lies Trump told during his 2024 presidential announcement

New Zealand and South Africa meet in Saturday's Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France with the All Blacks holding a three-two head to head advantage in previous...

By Sruthi Shankar and Shristi Achar A Wall Street futures were subdued on Monday after a solid rally

The Parents’ Bill of Rights includes a provision requiring young students get consent to change pronouns.

A simple mobile-web game taught me a valuable lesson this week: Although I enjoy dishing

Apple has issued an urgent update for millions of iPhone users after two critical security flaws were discovered. The tech giant warned that the latest version of iOS 16, called iOS 16.5.1, was required in order to protect against two vulnerabilities that hackers already know how to exploit. One of the bugs involves a “malicious attachment” sent through iMessage, that allows cyber criminals to gain access to an iPhone’s audio recordings, photos and location data. Security researchers said the security flaw, dubbed TriangleDB, has already been exploited through a campaign called Operation Triangulation, which targeted employees of the cyber firm Kaspersky. “The deployment of the spyware is completely hidden and requires no action from the user,” Kaspersky wrote in a blog post earlier this month. “The spyware then quietly transmits private user information to remote servers: microphone recordings, photos from instant messengers, geolocation, and data about a number of other activities of the owner of the infected device.” The second bug affected Apple’s browser engine WebKit, which leaves users exposed to something known as arbitrary code execution. This could result in malicious third parties stealing data or hacking a device. Both exploits could also impact iPad and Mac users, with Apple issuing security fixes for all of these devices. Apple also released a software update for Apple Watch, which brings new features to its smartwatch. The Cupertino company unveiled its latest mobile operating system iOS 17 earlier this month, though it is not yet widely available. A full public release date of iOS 17 will take place when the new iPhone is announced in September. The iOS 16 update covers more than a decade’s worth of devices, going back to the iPhone 6s and Apple Watch Series 3. “This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users,” Apple wrote in the release notes for iOS 16.5.1. Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and Mac users can update their devices by going to the Settings app and selecting ‘General’ > ‘Software update’, and then following the instructions. Read More Apple seeks trademark of ‘actual apple’, Swiss fruit association says Apple Watch 7 pre-order: How to buy the new smartwatch in the UK Apple introduces new version of Watch with complete redesign iPhone 13 - live: UK contract deals and prices for Apple, EE and O2

San Diego State coach Brady Hoke says he will retire from leading the Aztecs after this season, having guided the program for six years over two stints that included three bowl appearances

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 27, 2023--

United States forward Ricardo Pepi has signed for PSV Eindhoven and will stay in the Dutch league where he impressed last season

Pep Guardiola claims it is inevitable standards will drop at Manchester City following last season’s treble success. The City boss accepts it is unlikely his team will be able to match the intensity that saw them pick up the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies last term as a new campaign begins. The Spaniard wants to make sure City pace their challenge for further silverware and is not even thinking about an end goal yet. “We are going to drop that’s for sure,” said Guardiola, whose side begin their quest for a sixth domestic title in seven years at Burnley on Friday. “It’s inevitable a little bit. We’ll try to avoid it as much as possible. Now it’s (about) not dropping too much – staying there, staying there, (being) close to our rivals. “Then try to, in the last four, five, or six months, try to do what we have done every season. I don’t want to do it now. That is my feeling. “Now, (it would be a) big mistake thinking about trophies and titles – big mistake.” Guardiola also does not want to set any targets for Erling Haaland in his second season at the club. The prolific Norwegian enjoyed an outstanding first year, firing 52 goals in just 53 appearances. Guardiola said: “I will advise him, don’t put much pressure on the goals. I said to Erling, come back at your best, physically and mentally. If you score, fine. If you don’t score, fine. “Try to improve in your details, in your quality and skills, and the team will help you as much as possible to score goals. I don’t want (to ask of) Erling to score 50 or 60. “Try to be happy like he was last season and relax. Afterwards, the goals will come naturally, don’t force it.” Concerns have been expressed this week about the potential impact on players of the edict for referees to be stricter when adding on added time. Guardiola himself felt the amount added in the Community Shield against Arsenal last weekend was excessive. He said: “Why eight minutes, not 12 or four? I don’t know exactly what happened. There was one goal and four or five substitutions but no injuries. “If you want to control it, do it like basketball – stop the clock. “If they are going to play the 10 minutes (extra) we are going to do it but, at the end we are going to play 41 games not 38 this season.” The continuing expansion of the football calendar, along with pre-season tours, is also further limiting players’ breaks. Guardiola said: “Many players asked me, ‘Give me more days off Pep’. I said I can’t. “It’s a problem. It’s getting worse – more games, more games and more than that. Players need to go to the theatre, cinema, park, the gardens, to do other things that aren’t to do with football.” Guardiola insists, however, that when it comes to his side’s additional showpiece fixtures this season – next week’s European Super Cup and the Club World Cup in December – he is honoured to be involved. “I love it,” he said. “I love to play the Super Cup. This club never won the Super Cup and of course to play the Club World Cup you have to win the Champions League. This opportunity is a pleasure.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Tom Pidcock criticised for bronze medal-winning move in mountain bike finale Harry Kane has fantasy managers on tenterhooks – Thursday’s sporting social England coach Steve Borthwick tells Henry Arundell to ‘trust his instincts’

William Byron won the rain-shortened NASCAR race at Atlanta Motor Speedway