Week 6, 2026: Trump, Epstein & Mandelson Dominate Headlines

Dozens of flood warnings in England after days of non-stop rain BBC • Weather & Disasters Morgan McSweeney’s resignation statement in full as Starmer’s chief of staff quits over Mandelson scandal Independent • Corporate Drama Iran’s top diplomat says nation’s power lies in defying pressure: ‘No to the great powers’ Fox News • Tech Entertainment Starmer’s Chief of Staff Resigns, Citing Role in Hiring Friend of Epstein NY Times • Corporate Drama Can AI Chatbots Write Emotionally Rich Romance Books? NY Times Business • Business I've studied over 200 kids—the happiest ones have parents who do 6 things with them every evening CNBC • Health & Safety City volunteers seek drivers for meal deliveries BBC Business • UK Politics U.S. gave Ukraine and Russia June deadline to reach peace agreement, Zelenskyy says NPR • International Convicted robber who absconded prison is found Sky News • Crime & Justice Killers without a cause: The rise in nihilistic violent extremism Washington Post • Crime & Justice Thinking of trashing a small business on social media? Please, think again Guardian Business • Weather & Disasters UK economy boost set to be announced as budget uncertainty fades Independent Business • Breaking News What a recent executive order from Trump means for housing costs NPR Business • US Politics Influential Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor dies at 90 BBC • UK Politics Starmer-Mandelson latest: Morgan McSweeney resigns as PM’s chief of staff over US ambassador scandal Independent • Breaking News Fetterman expects DHS shutdown amid partisan funding feud, breaks with Democrats on voter ID Fox News • US Politics For $1 Million, Donors to U.S.A. Birthday Group Offered Access to Trump NY Times • US Politics What to Know About Japan’s Economy on Election Day NY Times Business • Tech Entertainment Trump’s 'big beautiful bill' may spur significant changes to higher education in 2026 and the rise of 'un-college,' experts say CNBC • Tech Entertainment Voluntary student loan repayments rise in England BBC Business • UK Politics U.K. leader's chief of staff quits over hiring of Epstein friend as U.S. ambassador NPR • Other When the No 10 operation goes into freefall, it's nearly impossible to stabilise Sky News • UK Politics Moderate Republican willing to break with party is set to lead ICE hearing Washington Post • US Politics Washington Post publisher Will Lewis abruptly resigns amid criticism of staff cuts Guardian Business • UK Politics Disney appoints theme parks boss as its next chief executive Independent Business • Entertainment Trump grants tariff breaks to 'politically connected' companies, Senate Dems say NPR Business • US Politics US news anchor Savannah Guthrie says 'we will pay' in plea for mother's return BBC • Other Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer’s Downing Street chief of staff over Mandelson scandal Independent • UK Politics American Olympian taking social media breather over 'hate' after Trump criticism Fox News • Business Seeking Stability, Thai Voters Decisively Reject Progressive Party NY Times • Tech Entertainment MAGA’s Split Over Israel Extends to a Ship Attacked 58 Years Ago NY Times Business • US Politics Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi's ruling LDP seen winning outright majority in snap election: NHK CNBC • US Politics Google staff call for firm to cut ties with ICE BBC Business • UK Politics Trump administration lauds plastic surgeons' statement on trans surgery for minors NPR • Business D-Day survivor 'dedicated' to 'fallen comrades' dies aged 100 Sky News • Health & Safety Pentagon cuts academic ties with ‘woke’ Harvard to focus on training ‘warriors’ Washington Post • US Healthcare Why has Elon Musk merged his rocket company with his AI startup? Guardian Business • Business Tony’s Chocolonely sales surge despite ‘rocketing’ cocoa costs Independent Business • Other AI, health insurance stocks drove a bumpy week for markets NPR Business • US Healthcare Thai PM claims election victory as early results show conservatives ahead BBC • UK Politics Cabinet minister accused of hiring PR agency to investigate journalists’ sources Independent • Tech Entertainment Kid Rock's Rock the Country festival canceled in South Carolina after Shinedown pulls out over unity concerns Fox News • Other Extreme Cold Persists in the Northeast With Record-Setting Temperatures NY Times • Health & Safety Two Volleyball Leagues Want to Be the Next W.N.B.A. Only One Can Win. NY Times Business • Other Top Wall Street analysts like these stocks for long-term growth potential CNBC • Business Uber ordered to pay $8.5m over claim driver raped passenger BBC Business • Crime & Justice Breezy Johnson's downhill gold is America's first medal of 2026 Winter Olympics NPR • Other Moped rider killed in alleged hit-and-run with car Sky News • Crime & Justice Adam Schiff is a leader of Democrats’ opposition to Trump. He also has to govern. Washington Post • US Politics Trump housing policy is a mess and it won’t fix the US housing crisis Guardian Business • UK Politics