Elections in Texas’ most populous county are facing court scrutiny in a civil trial

A German tourist who went missing in a wildlife park in northern Zimbabwe was found alive by rescuers three days later. Andreas Hoberg was found in “good health” on Tuesday at the Matusadona National Park, said the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. Before going missing, he was last seen at a park shop buying a drink before going for a game drive around 3.30pm on Saturday. By 6pm, the car rental company he had hired for the safari was unable to locate him on the GPS tracking system. Tinashe Farawo with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said the rescue involved deploying a helicopter, several vehicles and sniffer dogs to scour the remote wildlife park. “We were gravely worried. We are happy he is well. He says his car developed a mechanical fault. It’s a white car, so we were hopeful we would find it,” he said. The age of the German tourist was not revealed. Zimbabwe’s 1,400-sq-kilometre Matusadona National Park is inhabited by lions, buffaloes, leopards, elephants “and all the expected dangerous wildlife found in the bush”, Mr Farawo said. The park is flanked by Lake Kariba in the north and two perennial rivers – the Ume and the Sanyati. The park gets its name from the undulating Matusadona hills that form part of its water-rich landscape. In 2020, Zimbabwean authorities reported the recovery of two park rangers’ bodies, who, after arresting four poachers, were later thrown into Lake Kariba by the suspects. The rangers had detained the poachers overnight before attempting to take them by boat to Kariba town. Additional reporting by agencies Read More Nine unforgettable experiences any adventurous traveller will love ‘Bigfoot’ has been spotted in a tiny town – and locals have some theories Zoos and botanical gardens find Halloween programs are a hit, and an opportunity

With the new release of Speak Now (Taylor's Version), Taylor Swift surprised fans by bringing out her ex Taylor Lautner, Joey King and Presley Cash onstage during her latest Eras tour show in Kansas City. This wasn't a random guest appearance on Friday night (7 July) as all three also feature in Swift's new music video for her 'From The Vault' track 'I Can See You' which premiered at the concert. In the video, both Lautner and King are burglars, and with help from Cash, they break into a museum filled with dresses and props from Swift's career over the years, where they also show off their fighting skills as security tries to stop them. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter The pair eventually make it to the vault, where they break free Swift (dressed in her Speak Now era look), who had been trapped inside, and she takes with her the framed picture of the cover art for her new version of her third studio album. The three of them bolt out of the museum as explosions set off but make it to the van as Cash drives them away from the scene. As Swift loves giving fans Easter eggs, fans have noted how the three actors have previous connections to Swift's Speak Now era. The two Taylors famously dated back in 2009 for a few months after they starred together in the romantic comedy Valentine's Day, where they played a couple. It is widely speculated that the breakup song 'Back to December' from the album is about Lautner, with the theme of the song about apologising and asking for forgiveness from an ex for breaking their heart. Meanwhile, King and Cash both appeared in Swift's music video for the track 'Mean'. Swift explained in an Instagram post that the music video she wrote and directed was about wanting to "play out symbolically how it’s felt for me to have the fans helping me reclaim my music." Speak Now (Taylor's Version) marks the third re-recorded album from Swift's discography after previously releasing Fearless (Taylor's Version) in April 2021 and Red (Taylor's Version) later on in November of the same year. On stage at Kansas City, Swift and Lautner shared a hug as the audience roared in excitement at the surprise. The Anti-Hero singer then praised the Twilight actor for the impact he had on her life at the time she originally made the album as well as his fighting skills in the music video. @elysemyers This is a fever dream “He was a very positive force in my life when I was making the Speak Now album, and I want to say he did every single stunt that you saw in that music video. "He and his wife have become some of my closest friends, and it’s very convenient because we all share the same first name," Swift joked. In return, Lautner was also complimentary of Swift as the two are clearly friendly exes. “I respect you so much. Not just for the singer you are, the songwriter, the performer — but truly for the human you are. You are gracious, humble, kind and I’m honoured to know you," Lautner said. Speak Now (Taylor's Version) was released on July 7. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Gamers can easily find the majority of Great Fairy Fountains near the Stables despite being off the usual route

Google is temporarily disabling live traffic conditions on its mapping service apps, Google Maps and Waze, in Israel, the tech company confirmed Monday, as the country prepares for a potential ground invasion into Gaza.

Former Manchester United winger and Wales manager Ryan Giggs is “relieved” at being cleared of domestic violence allegations made by his ex-girlfriend after charges were dropped. Kate Greville told police and lawyers she did not want to go through the ordeal of a second trial after jurors failed to reach verdicts in the high-profile first trial last year, Manchester Crown Court heard. Giggs, 49, was not in court on Tuesday as lawyers said there was no longer any realistic prospect of conviction and it was not in the public interest for Giggs to go on trial for a second time over allegations made by Greville and her sister Emma. Peter Wright KC, prosecuting, offered no evidence against Giggs at the 20-minute hearing as the allegations were formally dropped. Judge Hilary Manley entered “not guilty” verdicts on the charges of coercive and controlling behaviour and assault against Kate Greville and common assault of her sister. Giggs had been accused of controlling behaviour over a three-year period involving Greville. He was also accused of assault by “losing control” and headbutting Kate Greville and the common assault of Emma Greville by elbowing her in the jaw, during a row at his home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, on November 1 2020. Giggs denied the offences and underwent a month-long trial, ending last August when the jury failed to reach any verdicts, and a retrial was scheduled to begin on July 31. But on Tuesday, prosecutor Peter Wright KC told Manchester Crown Court that the case had been considered at the highest levels at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and a decision had been made not to proceed with a second trial. Wright said Giggs’ ex-girlfriend Greville had “indicated an unwillingness” to give evidence in a retrial as giving evidence in the first trial had “taken its toll” on her and her sister Emma. Wright said: “This is not a decision taken lightly.” Chris Daw KC, defending Giggs, said: “Mr Giggs is deeply relieved the prosecution has finally come to an end after almost three years in which he’s been fighting throughout to clear his name. “He has always been innocent of these charges – there’s been very, very many lies told about him in court.” At a series of hearings earlier this year, the court was told of difficulties the prosecution had faced in proceeding with the retrial. These included Kate Greville’s reluctance to now go through with a second trial. Earlier this month, Wright, at a court hearing which could not be reported at the time, said: “What she (Greville) has indicated is a wish not to give evidence by reason of her own mental and physical wellbeing, so seriously affected by the process. “You may recollect at the previous trial for example she gave evidence over a considerable period of time, cross-examined for what was three days, and during the course of that process she was both visibly distressed, weary, and expressed the view that she had felt violated by the defendant’s conduct and in giving evidence while maintaining her account, demonstrating a growing frustration in terms of the process. “I make the observation, a general observation, ambivalence on the part of complainants in these circumstances is not an unknown phenomenon to the courts.” Judge Manley told the prosecutor the question of whether Greville was willing to co-operate or not had to be decided. She added: “The position can’t continue indefinitely.” Wright said: “This is a matter that’s been considered at a senior level both regionally and nationally within the CPS, notwithstanding any objective assessment of the seriousness of the allegations. “What is underlying this is the further general principal consideration of the prosecution of the alleged abusive men so far as coercive and controlling behaviour is considered, the wearing down of complainants, is not to be interpreted by the public and by men as a passport to an acquittal – is that underlying question of considerable public interest that we are continuing with.” But Daw, defending Giggs, told the hearing: “As it stands, the prosecution has no case. “The position we submit is: what matters is the interests of justice. “What we have here is an attempt to cobble together a case built on hearsay and an unwilling witness almost three years after the event. “This is not about the public interest.” A spokeswoman for the CPS said: “At all stages we keep cases under careful review, to ensure our legal test is met. This means there must be a realistic prospect of conviction based upon the available evidence and a prosecution is in the public interest. “We have determined there is no longer sufficient evidence available to proceed in respect of the controlling or coercive behaviour charge and that it is no longer in the public interest to prosecute the remaining assault charges. “This decision was made following detailed discussions with Greater Manchester Police and consultation with the complainants. At no stage has she indicated that the account she gave either in her witness statement, ABE interview (achieving best evidence, the police interview during criminal investigation) or at trial, was untrue Peter Wright KC, prosecuting “It is not the function of the CPS to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges for the criminal court to consider.” During Giggs’ time at Old Trafford, Manchester United won 13 Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies, four FA Cups and three League Cups. Giggs stood down as Wales manager following a period of leave since November 2020. He won 64 caps for Wales and is co-owner of Sky Bet League Two side Salford. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Manchester United agree deal with Inter Milan for goalkeeper Andre Onana Can England beat the weather to level Ashes series? Fourth Test talking points England may need weather check and bolder approach in fourth Test – Ben Stokes

Here's a round-up of the various leaks and rumors circulating in recent months regarding the upcoming Assassin's Creed titles.

The NBA free agency period has become boring, according to former superagent David Falk. Does the league even need it anymore?So far this summer, NBA free agency has not delivered as much of a head-turning spectacle as it did, say ten years ago.In 2023, instead of testing the free agency wat...

The Biden administration is canceling $72 million in student loans for 2,300 borrowers who say they were cheated by Ashford University, a former for-profit college that was purchased by the University of Arizona in 2020

J.J. McCarthy is the ultimate teammate. Guess who he gives his NIL money to as the star quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines?

Brooks Koepka gave the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit a landmark triumph and sparked some questions for the US Ryder Cup team by winning...

As the final votes were being cast Sunday in Switzerland's general elections, right-wing populists look set to sweep the polls following a campaign fuelled by anti-mass migration rhetoric...