American financier and convicted sexual offender
Hunter Biden has told the BBC that his father, former president Joe Biden, has seen his prostate cancer spread into his bones and beyond, calling the illness "very painful" and "very debilitating". The 83-year-old has continued public appearances and is working on a memoir after beginning treatment in May 2025.
Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses face growing scrutiny as privacy concerns prompt venue bans in the UK. Backlash centers on non-consensual filming and surveillance, while governments explore regulations. The debate extends to privacy protections, accessibility, and the balance between innovation and safety.
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.
Eight men across multiple states have been charged in two conspiracies related to plans to provide material support to terrorists and to murder a federal official during a UFC event on the White House lawn. Investigators say they planned explosive drones and sniper attacks, targeting high-profile figures; arrests span Ohio, Missouri, Nebraska, Washington, California and West Virginia.
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%.
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez has reopened a criminal probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s activities at Zorro Ranch. The DOJ has refused to provide unredacted documents, citing federal law and privacy protections. NM officials say cooperation is insufficient as requests have yielded heavily redacted material and few pages.
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.
Federal subpoenas have compelled several New York Times journalists to appear before a Manhattan grand jury over reporting on security weaknesses in the Qatari-donated Air Force One. The subpoenas were signed by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton and follow an FBI review; the Times says the move threatens press freedom and vows to fight the orders in court.
Lindsey Graham’s death triggers an interim appointment and a high-stakes Aug. 11 special primary to replace him. Gov. Henry McMaster can appoint a temporary successor, while Republicans eye potential contenders including Darline Graham Nordone, Nancy Mace and others as the field gears up for a crowded race.
The United Arab Emirates is pursuing a new port and container terminal on Fujairah’s east coast to reduce dependence on Jebel Ali and avoid the Strait of Hormuz. DP World is in talks to develop the site, with plans for a new multipurpose port and a terminal at the existing harbour, amid ongoing clashes linked to Iran’s attacks and U.S. and Israeli actions. Experts say the move signals a push for regional resilience as shipping routes face disruption.
Warren Buffett has redirected about $6 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock away from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to four family foundations and has accelerated plans to distribute his remaining Berkshire shares by Dec. 31, 2034. He has said he reviewed Bill Gates’s testimony about Jeffrey Epstein and has met Gates in Omaha since those documents were released.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is questioning Todd Blanche, acting attorney general, about his past with Trump, the handling of the Epstein files, and a controversial $1.8 billion fund; Republicans and Democrats press on independence and accountability as the nomination moves forward.
Kathryn Ruemmler has testified before the House Oversight Committee, acknowledging a long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saying he used her to legitimize his standing. She has stepped down from Goldman Sachs but remains as senior adviser. Lawmakers are pursuing further depositions and documents as part of a broad probe into Epstein’s network.
Andy Burnham has been confirmed as Labour leader at a special conference in London and will become prime minister on Monday after Keir Starmer formally resigns to the King. Burnham has secured overwhelming support from Labour MPs, pledged a "distinctively Labour" government, and promised to devolve power, tackle social care and focus on growth outside London.
The Epstein files release has become a political liability for the Trump administration. VP has acknowledged missteps in communications, with Bondi’s comments fueling mistrust. Officials claim redactions were necessary and that full disclosure will come, but critics argue the rollout damaged transparency.
JD Vance has told Joe Rogan that he believes figures inside the Israeli government are engineering a long-running influence campaign to derail US-Iran negotiations. He cites funding and leaks aimed at pushing the US away from a negotiated settlement, while defending the latest MOU with Iran. The remarks follow tensions over the Iran deal and recent strikes in the region.
The White House reveals updated perimeter security plans, including fencing Lafayette Park and a new underground screening facility, as part of a broader modernization drive. Projects are advancing amid ongoing security concerns and dramatic architectural changes across Washington.
Epstein survivors have challenged acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during hearings and a closed-door meeting, accusing him of evasiveness and prioritising confirmation over accountability. Senate Republicans are considering whether to advance Blanche’s nomination, with a vote hinging on whether Tillis meets survivors and the handling of Epstein materials.
The Makerfield MP has been confirmed as Labour leader at a London conference and will become Prime Minister on Monday, succeeding Sir Keir Starmer. He vows to deliver a united, purposeful Labour focused on restoring hope and addressing living standards.
The race in Michigan is evolving as candidates confront new stances and scrutiny ahead of the primary, with Democrats aiming to present cohesion and Republicans sharpening attacks. The coverage analyzes how primary opponents frame candidates and the potential impact on November.
Andy Burnham has become Labour leader following a political surge that has installed him as the UK’s prime minister-designate. The transition begins with formalities at Buckingham Palace and culminates in a Downing Street address after polling and a party mandate shaped by recent local elections.
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 Vice President’s family has welcomed Alec Neel Vance, the couple’s fourth child, born at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Usha and the baby are reported healthy, joining siblings Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel. The birth underscores the administration’s emphasis on family growth amid demographic concerns.
Hunter Biden has been leveraging social media, podcasts and art sales to rebrand himself amid ongoing public scrutiny. He has been appearing on far-right and controversial platforms, and his art pieces are selling for high sums, with private video calls included with each sale. Analysts say his strategy is aimed at monetizing attention, not launching a political bid.
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.
Blanche has been confirmed as attorney general by a 50-49 vote after a tense Senate confirmation process. Cassidy provided the deciding support, with Collins and Murkowski opposing on grounds related to the Epstein documents and the anti-weaponization fund. The DOJ now enters a new phase with Blanche permanently leading the department, while lawmakers scrutinize the legality and implications of the fund and immunity provisions.
The Senate has advanced a 90-6 stopgap that funds the government at current levels through Dec. 11 and blocks the White House from transferring funds to the Border Patrol. It delays a one-month hemp ban and would not include money for early work on Trump’s battleships. The House must still approve the measure before it heads to President Trump’s desk.
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 a baby girl in Lisbon. The name is not yet announced; the couple are deciding on a name. The baby weighs 6lb 9oz and is their third child, following two sons, August and Ernest. The birth moves Eugenie into the 15th in line to the throne.
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.
Leaders who once aligned with Donald Trump are meeting in Maine to discuss a new anti-interventionist movement. The group, including Rep. Thomas Massie, Rep. Greene, Joe Kent and Tucker Carlson, is exploring the possibility of a third party to challenge the current system amid opposition to the Iran war. They suggest Carlson could run, though he says he won’t, while acknowledging the hurdles of ballot access and fundraising.
A federal judge has paused an order requiring President Trump’s trust to hand over detailed financial records to the BBC while the court reviews his lawyers’ request to narrow a $10bn defamation suit to reputational harm only. The stay halts a looming deadline and will delay whether the BBC can obtain tax returns and ownership records for hundreds of entities.