American financier and convicted sex offender
King Haakon VIII has given his first televised address a day after his father, King Harald V, has died at Oslo University Hospital. Haakon has thanked the public for large crowds at the palace, pledged to defend Norway’s constitution when he takes the oath before parliament on Tuesday, and announced a period of national mourning ahead of a yet-to-be-set funeral date.
E. Jean Carroll has received $5,625,005.48 that a 2023 jury awarded after finding Donald Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation. The funds had been held in a court-controlled escrow account while Trump exhausted appeals and sought last-minute delays; his legal team is continuing challenges tied to a separate $83.3m judgment.
Ofcom has found 26% of UK viewers now turn to Netflix first when choosing what to watch, narrowly ahead of the BBC on 25%, while ITV is first for 15%. YouTube viewing has surged: TV viewing of YouTube has doubled since 2022 to 19 minutes a day and total daily YouTube time is 41 minutes. Traditional broadcasters’ weekly reach has fallen to 70%.
Prince Harry has visited the UK this month for charity and Invictus events and has met King Charles and Queen Camilla at Highgrove. The meeting has allowed Harry’s children, Archie and Lilibet, to see their grandfather for the first time since 2022. The trip has followed his loss in a High Court privacy case and a dispute over state-funded security for his family.
A short film, Echoes, explores how two men confront trauma and mental health while reconciling past events at a former school. The project, led by Walters and Nathalie Emmanuel with director Alex Lanipekun, features on-set mental health support and politicians a reflection on masculinity and violence, drawing parallels with a TV series about toxic culture.
The Oversight Project has released roughly three hours of audio and 117 pages of heavily redacted transcripts of Joe Biden’s 2016–17 interviews with his ghostwriter for Promise Me, Dad. The recordings, obtained during Special Counsel Robert Hur’s documents probe, show Biden discussing retained notes and at times struggling with dates and details; Republicans say the tapes prove decline, Biden calls the release political.
The Gates Foundation has released a three-page summary of a WilmerHale review into its past engagements with Jeffrey Epstein. The review finds no evidence of payments to Epstein or illegal activity, but notes that Gates and foundation staff met Epstein about 30 times from 2011 to 2014, focusing on a donor-advised fund concept and a grant to the International Peace Institute. Gates expresses regret and the foundation says it will strengthen governance and vetting.
The Republican-led EEOC has voted to end the annual demographic reporting requirement (EEO-1) for private employers, prompting a 30-day public comment period and a hearing on August 11. The move argues the data collection is costly and potentially at odds with colorblind employment principles; critics say the data are crucial to uncover discrimination patterns.
Democrats have launched an affordability-focused campaign as 100 days remain before the midterms. Jeffries vows to cut living costs, emphasize healthcare, and crack down on price gouging while Democrats seek to regain a House majority amid concerns about Iran and economic pressures.
The BBC seeks documents from Trump’s trust to prove possible financial damages tied to a Panorama edit of January 6, while Trump’s side fights to limit disclosures. The Florida case hinges on discovery and whether the footage edits caused reputational and financial harm.
Daniel Siad, 69, who is linked to Epstein’s trafficking network, has been found dead in Colombes, France. Investigators are conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death while continuing to examine his alleged role in facilitating Epstein’s crimes.
An independent autopsy on 18-year-old Nolan Wells has found no fractures or deep tissue injuries but cannot rule out foul play due to body decomposition and missing neck structures. The findings, announced at the NAACP convention, leave many questions unanswered as authorities continue investigating.
The Tate brothers face UK extradition on charges including rape and trafficking. U.S. authorities have arrested them in Miami and Britain has sought extradition; the White House says it will honor treaties and will not intervene. Barron Trump’s alleged ties to the case are under close scrutiny as lawmakers push for more transparency.
Barclays’ former chief Jes Staley has testified before the House Oversight Committee as questions mount over his long-standing ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Regulators had previously banned him for mischaracterizing those ties, and new disclosures are raising questions about how Barclays and JPMorgan Chase handled information on Epstein’s relationship with Staley.
The White House Correspondents’ Association re-stages a scaled dinner after a chaotic April event. Trump has attacked the press during the event, amid broader tensions over media access and First Amendment rights. Organisers and critics debate whether the gala can uphold press freedoms while the president remains adversarial.
The CBS News division, led by Bari Weiss, has seen a wave of departures at 60 Minutes, including Sharyn Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega, Tanya Simon, and other veterans. Anderson Cooper has left, and Scott Pelley was fired, as the network faces internal tensions and questions about editorial direction. New hires across the program aim to stabilize coverage and restore trust amid ongoing changes and a larger merger dispute involving Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.
As Labour’s Burnham forms a new government, cabinet changes place Ed Miliband as foreign secretary and Wes Streeting as defence secretary. Debates over arms sales to Israel and Gaza policy intensify, with critics calling for tougher action while supporters urge caution.
Trump has attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner after a postponement due to a gun attack outside the Washington Hilton. He uses the stage to critique the media, tout his resilience, and tease opponents, while noting heightened security and a smaller guest list.
President Trump has attended the rescheduled White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Waldorf Astoria, praised some journalists, mocked others and repeatedly attacked news organisations and named reporters. The event has followed the April shooting that forced the original dinner to be abandoned and featured tighter security and awards for reporters, including a Wall Street Journal team.
Gen Z-led protests over medical exam leaks have compelled India’s education minister to resign. The Cockroach Janta Party has galvanized a nationwide movement pressing for accountability and reforms. The government has conceded some demands, while protests continue to shape political dynamics.
The Tate brothers have been detained in a U.S. federal facility while prosecutors seek their extradition to the United Kingdom to face dozens of charges including rape and sex trafficking. A detention hearing has been scheduled for August 13 as the US and UK pursue the case across multiple jurisdictions.
The Senate has confirmed Jay Clayton as Director of National Intelligence, replacing acting DNI Bill Pulte. Clayton has faced questions about his stance on the 2020 election and national security credentials, while Republicans push for steadier leadership in the intelligence community as major policy debates continue.
Interlochen Center for the Arts has released a 97-page report detailing dozens of allegations of sexual misconduct by faculty and staff across decades, including connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The investigation, led by Sanghavi Law Office, covers accounts from alumni spanning the 1950s to the 2010s. The lodge once named for Epstein has been demolished, and the school says safety policies and culture have since transformed.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed as attorney general in a 50-49 vote, ending weeks of Republican opposition surrounding the handling of Epstein documents and an anti-weaponization fund. Cassidy voted in favor; Collins and Murkowski opposed. Blanche will lead the DOJ, continuing the department’s alignment with the White House while facing scrutiny from survivors and critics.
Lawmakers have advanced a stopgap funding package to keep the government running through Dec. 11, while negotiations over full-year funding and policy riders continue. The measure blocks funding transfers to border enforcement, delays a hemp ban by one month, and avoids a government shutdown ahead of midterm elections.
Independent reports that Trump has shared AI-generated images, including one with Washington and Lincoln signing a map, and others depicting him in various guises. The posts come as he uses Truth Social to fuel talk of a possible 2028 run, drawing mixed reactions from allies and critics.
Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank have welcomed their third child, a baby girl born in Lisbon on Aug. 3. The couple is taking time to decide on a name as details emerge, following previous births of August and Ernest. The royal family has been informed and is delighted by the news.
Victims’ minister says the prime minister has agreed to meet Epstein’s victims and is reviewing a public inquiry into the UK activities of the late financier and related cases. Harrods survivor and Al Fayed inquiries are also under consideration. Authorities say reviews are ongoing and no formal inquiry is announced yet.
New Mexico has filed a federal lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging the U.S. Department of Justice is withholding unredacted materials crucial to state investigations of Jeffrey Epstein’s activities at the Zorro Ranch. The suit seeks judicial intervention to compel disclosure, as state probes press for accountability for survivors and witnesses.
Conservative figures associated with Trump’s circle are weighing a potential third party, citing opposition to the Iran war and frustration with current party leadership. Greene, Massie, Kent and Carlson have publicly signaled discontent, with mass meetings and discussions about a new movement intensifying over the past week.
A federal judge has paused an order that would have forced the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust to hand over detailed financial records to the BBC in a $10bn defamation suit. The stay will last while the court considers Trump’s request to amend his complaint to focus on personal reputational harm rather than business damages.
The Guardian and other outlets report increasing concern over Meta’s Ray‑Ban smartglasses. Pubs, theatres and schools ban or restrict wearables to protect privacy as regulators weigh rules. While advocates highlight accessibility benefits, critics warn surreptitious filming and harassment threaten safety in public spaces.
The UK government has intensified its crackdown on illegal working, with high-profile reforms promising hefty penalties for firms that employ workers without the right to work. Reform UK is pushing a so-called Deliveroo law, proposing criminal liability for bosses and fines of up to 10% of global revenues. The coverage shows a clash between government action and opposition plans as enforcement ramps up.
Sen. Bill Cassidy has announced he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, giving Trump’s nominee a crucial edge as several Republicans oppose him. With Collins and Murkowski opposed and McConnell absent, Cassidy’s stance could push Blanche over the line, though resistance remains among a faction of GOP senators.
Hunter Biden defends his father’s presidential pardon in a BBC interview, acknowledging criticism but portraying it as a necessary move in a fraught political moment. He discusses his father’s health, his own legal troubles, and the broader impact on American public life.
Todd Blanche has been confirmed 50–49 as U.S. attorney general and sworn in at the White House. He has served as acting attorney general since April, previously represented the president, and has rescinded a proposed $1.8bn compensation fund while facing criticism that he is politicising the Justice Department and presiding over mass departures.
Berkshire Hathaway has reduced its cash pile to $365.5 billion and heavily increased stock buybacks and equity purchases in Q2 under new CEO Greg Abel, signaling a shift in capital allocation while Buffett remains involved as chairman.
Hunter Biden has told the BBC that his fathers prostate cancer has metastasized further, reaching his bones and beyond. He has described the disease as painful and debilitating while saying the 83-year-old former president remains active publicly. Biden revealed the diagnosis in May 2025 and has been undergoing radiation and hormone therapy.
Karoline Leavitt has announced she will leave her role as White House press secretary at the end of August to spend more time with her two young children. President Donald Trump has said she will remain a top outside adviser; the White House has not named a successor and senior officials are expected to brief reporters temporarily.
U.S. authorities have charged Melissa L. Farris with depredation of property and destruction of veterans’ memorials after the World War II Memorial fountain was defaced with red graffiti and soap. The incident follows similar vandalism at nearby sites and comes amid ongoing debate over the Reflecting Pool case.
The edited set of interviews and comments from Sue Gray and related sources show a culture of leaks and briefings in No 10 amid leadership changes. Gray says the atmosphere was unbearable and that actions from Keir Starmer’s team were insufficient to curb negative briefings.
Multiple young children have fallen from windows in New York, prompting renewed scrutiny of window-guard laws. New data shows several incidents across boroughs, with city officials reviewing enforcement and safety standards. The latest case in The Bronx involved a 5-year-old who survived a fall from a fifth-floor window; investigators cite improper guards and noncompliant windows.
The 89-year-old monarch has been on sick leave and is admitted to Oslo University Hospital for a bacterial blood infection. Crown Prince Haakon is serving as regent as the palace confirms treatment is ongoing and his condition is stable.
SpaceX has seen its volatility ease since debut, hovering around a $140 level as investors absorb amplified capex plans and a new Louisiana launch base. Morgan Stanley argues the stock could gain from Starship expansion, while some investors remain bearish on valuation.
A federal judge has rejected Ghislaine Maxwell's habeas petition to vacate her 2021 sex‑trafficking conviction, saying her claims are "meritless" or procedurally barred and that recently released Epstein-related documents do not exonerate her. The opinion says new material often reinforces her guilt rather than undercuts it.
Bill Gates has published a 6,000-word memo stressing AI will be either the greatest equalizer or the worst injustice. He has proposed using a robot tax and designating Human Reserved jobs to slow automation and fund retraining, while highlighting the need for global policy coordination.
Transcripts show JPMorgan's Staley disclosed sensitive JPMorgan details to Epstein; lawmakers question if the former Barclays chief exploited access. Staley defends his actions, saying he believed he could share information when appropriate. The panel highlights ongoing scrutiny into Epstein’s elite network.
King Harald V has died at 89. Crown Prince Haakon has become King Haakon VIII, pledging the motto “All for Norway.” Mourners gather at Slottsplassen as the royal household enters a period of mourning; a state funeral date has not yet been announced, and Haakon is set to address the nation in coming days.