Epstein client Leon Black threatened with contempt by House panel chair

• Iran's foreign minister stated that Tehran is not interested in a temporary ceasefire, insisting instead on a comprehensive deal to fully end the war. • This stance follows comments from Donald Trump, who downplayed hopes for a deal by noting that there is currently no dialogue occurring.

• A comprehensive revision checklist has been released for UPSC Civil Services Mains 2026 aspirants, focusing on 15 essential International Relations (IR) topics. • The guide highlights critical areas including the India-UK FTA, Arctic geopolitics, UNSC reforms, neighbourhood ties, and the concept of "Pax Silica."

• The UAE has imposed an indefinite trade embargo on Iran following allegations that Iran launched missile attacks against the emirate. • Iran has officially denied the accusations, claiming the incident was a "false flag operation" designed to frame them.

• UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres marked World Humanitarian Day 2026 by warning that attacks on aid workers are illegal and demanding immediate global action. • The campaign emphasizes the need for accountability for those targeting humanitarian staff and urges the world to respect existing protections.

• The UN Security Council received updates on Libya's deteriorating situation, characterized by a political impasse that continues to delay long-planned national elections. • Recent escalations include armed clashes and drone strikes that resulted in a major oil refinery being set ablaze, threatening critical infrastructure.

Overton has said that Congress should strictly regulate abortion drug mifepristone ‘to protect women and children’Donald Trump nominated Dr Heidi Overton – an abortion opponent who stood next to the president as he made false claims about vaccines – to be commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).“Today I am honored to nominate the wonderful Dr. Heidi Overton, MD, PhD, as our next FDA Commissioner. Dr. Heidi has been a ROCKSTAR in my Administration, where she has worked directly with Secretary Kennedy, Dr. Oz, and team, to deliver on the MOST TRANSFORMATIVE Health Agenda in History. She is known to take on the HARDEST issues, and bring me solutions that work best for the Country,” the president wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Bridget Phillipson’s comments show her party feels voters have been alienated by Reform net zero attacksRichard Tice should apologise to firefighters for his comments earlier this week urging British people to “enjoy” this summer’s extreme heat, according to the Labour party chair.Bridget Phillipson has called on Reform’s deputy leader to say sorry to those who have battled wildfires across the country over the last few weeks, forcing evacuations and destroying homes. Continue reading...

The prime minister has announced a £442m plan to get rough sleepers off the streets by Christmas. It solidifies tackling homelessness as a central policy for Andy Burnham’s government, and gives voters a measure by which to judge his success – although without a concrete target for ministers to hit.Nosheen Iqbal speaks to social policy editor Patrick Butler – watch on YouTube Continue reading...

Mykhailo Fedorov’s blistering critique comes at a time of growing pressure for democratic renewal in UkraineFor more than a month, demonstrators have gathered in Ivan Franko Square outside Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office. The protesters have been chanting a name – not that of Ukraine’s embattled president but that of the man he recently sacked as defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov. On Sunday evening, 2,000 people marched along Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s main boulevard, waving cardboard banners in support of their ousted hero.Zelenskyy has refused to reinstate Fedorov, who during his six months in the job was widely seen as an effective and reforming figure. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s parliament, the Rada, voted to approve a successor as defence minister, Yevhen Khmara. The move shows that Fedorov has been shut out from government permanently, and confirms his transition from trusted insider and Zelenskyy loyalist to a potent political opponent. Continue reading...

Senator Jon Ossoff, who is up for re-election, came up with arguably the standout line of the midterm elections so farHello there,Jon Ossoff really struck a nerve. That much is clear. Continue reading...

Nige’s dodgy donations, Dicky’s love of global heating and so much more – what fun it is watching the party implodeYou would need to have a heart of stone not to fall about laughing. There was a time not so long ago when Reform could give a passable impression of a vaguely functional political party. One that knew its audience and had learned how to get its message across through the media. Admittedly this was largely because the party was a one-man band with all its MPs accepting that they owed their entire existence to Nige. They were satellites to his sun. Nigel Farage was Reform, and Reform was Nige.In recent months though, things have been falling apart and Reform now resemble an anarchic end–of-the-pier clown show. And chaos has seldom been this entertaining. The fun started when Nige had an uncharacteristic fit of humility and tried to pretend he was only a first among equals with the grandiose announcement of a “shadow cabinet” of four people. Largely because that’s about as many serious politicians as he had at his disposal. Continue reading...