Wednesday briefing: In a new era of far-right organising, how can we tackle hate?

• Pete Hegseth has launched a series of attacks against NATO allies, questioning the current nature of the alliance. • As part of this shift, Hegseth announced a formal review of U.S. military forces stationed across Europe.

• The text reflects on the historical significance of a 1924 resolution and its relevance to modern geopolitical conflicts. • Dr. Lin emphasizes that policymakers must learn from the limitations of the 1924 precedent to avoid repeating cycles of tension and inefficiency.

• US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian have electronically signed a memorandum of understanding to end a nearly four-month conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. • The 14-point plan mandates an immediate cessation of military operations on all fronts and the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping.

• The U.S. and Iran are negotiating a deal aimed at easing tensions and managing regional conflicts, with both nations seeking strategic stability. • Key details involve potential sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program and a reduction in regional proxy activities.

• The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran persists as one of the most significant and enduring security challenges in the Middle East. • Beyond military confrontation, the struggle has evolved into a multidimensional crisis involving nuclear concerns, energy security, technology, and international governance.

• On June 19, 2026, President Trump signed a new peace deal between the United States and Iran to stabilize international relations. • Tehran responded to the agreement by warning that the cost of violating the deal will be significantly higher now than in previous iterations.

• An Israeli newspaper has condemned the U.S. deal with Iran as a "catastrophic capitulation," contradicting President Trump's claim that the United States is the primary winner. • Critics argue that the agreement fails to address Iran's strategic "chokehold" on the Strait of Hormuz, leaving the U.S. and Israel vulnerable.

• President Trump has met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, signaling a potential strategic reset in U.S.-India relations. • The meeting occurs as India seeks to regain diplomatic momentum while attempting to isolate Pakistan on the global stage.

He lambasted Jimmy Carter during the 1980 hostage crisis; now Trump’s presidency could be similarly blemishedIt began with the fate of hostages.Donald Trump’s first recorded foray into politics was sparked by the 1979 takeover of the US embassy in Tehran, which saw 52 American diplomats held incommunicado for 444 days. Continue reading...

International firm owns up to breach of ethics after staff leaked confidential Optus information while bidding for telco contractKPMG has admitted to another breach of ethics after its staff leaked Optus’ confidential information to colleagues bidding for an audit contract with Telstra.The consulting firm’s executives also surveilled a whistleblower’s laptop and dismissed the individual as someone with “workplace grievances”, a parliamentary inquiry heard on Friday. Continue reading...

Agriculture minister says no evidence of mass mortality or infection in poultry after migratory wild bird tested The suspected first case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu on the Australian mainland is being investigated, after a migratory wild bird was found sick in southern Western Australia.Initial testing at a WA laboratory returned a “suspected positive result for avian influenza”, the agriculture minister, Julie Collins, said. Continue reading...

Exclusive: Napo declares no confidence in probation service managers and threatens industrial actionThe public is “at direct risk” from unsupervised ex-offenders because probation officers in England and Wales are being asked to cope with excessive workloads, a union has said.As ministers prepare to release and monitor tens of thousands more prisoners this autumn, Napo’s executive has declared for the first time that it has no confidence in managers at the probation service. Continue reading...