Former US President Donald Trump has declined to pay £300,000(approximately $380,000) in legal fees to Christopher Steele, a former British spy. Steele compiled the Steele dossier, which alleged Trump's campaign colluded with Russia in the 2016 US election. The British High Court ordered Trump to pay Steele's fees, but he has not complied. Steele had offered to settle with Trump, but the offer was rejected. Trump has consistently denied the allegations in the dossier, which was published in 2017. The case continues to attract attention due to ongoing interest in Trump's ties to Russia.

Hezbollah, a militant group based in Lebanon, has declared its intention to intensify attacks on Israel following the killing of one of its senior commanders, Taleb Sami Abdallah. Hashem Safieddine, a prominent Hezbollah official, made the announcement during Abdallah's funeral, promising increased intensity, strength, quantity, and quality in their assaults. The escalation comes in response to Israel's strike in south Lebanon that claimed Abdallah's life. The vow signals heightened tensions between the two adversaries, raising concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in the region.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak disclosed in an ITV interview that his parents prioritized his education over luxuries like Sky TV. “There’ll be all sorts of things that I would’ve wanted as a kid that I couldn’t have. Famously, Sky TV,” Sunak remarked. Attending Winchester College, Sunak emphasized, “What is more important is my values and how I was raised. And I was raised in a household where hard work was really important.” Recorded after D-day celebrations, the interview drew criticism for Sunak leaving early. Sunak reflected on his upbringing, saying, “My parents worked very hard for what they had and they wanted their kids to have a better life.”

UK and Schengen countries collectively earned nearly $200 million from rejected visa application fees in 2023, according to the Lago Collective. Known as ‘reverse remittances,’ these non-refundable fees disproportionately affect applicants from low and middle-income nations, particularly in Africa and Asia. With rejection rates as high as 40-50% in countries like Ghana, Senegal, and Nigeria, applicants face significant financial losses. Experts argue this creates a form of visa inequality, draining money from poorer to wealthier nations. The situation is expected to worsen as Schengen visa fees increase from €80 to €90.

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh drew a record-breaking 220,000 fans over three nights. However, some VIP ticket holders were left fuming after discovering their expensive seats had restricted views. Despite paying over £600 per ticket, some fans found their view of the stage was blocked by a tent. The concerts featured a 45-track set list and lasted three hours each night. While the shows were a huge success, the VIP ticket debacle has left a sour taste for some Swifties.

Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has been convicted of three firearm charges. He was found guilty of lying on a form when purchasing a revolver in 2018, claiming he wasn't a drug user despite struggling with crack cocaine addiction. The jury deliberated for three hours before delivering the verdict. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the felony charges, which included illegally possessing the weapon. The trial featured testimony from his ex-wife and sister-in-law, who described his addiction. President Biden accepted the outcome, and his son is considering an appeal.

An Israeli strike in southern Lebanon has killed a senior Hezbollah commander, Sami Abdallah, also known as Abu Taleb. The Iran-backed militant group confirmed his death with "great pride and great honor". The strike in Jouaiyya, near the Israeli border, also killed three others. Abdallah is the most important Hezbollah commander to be killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has fueled violence on the Lebanese border. The exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israeli forces has intensified in recent days, killing at least 458 people in Lebanon and 15 Israeli soldiers.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept a proposed Gaza ceasefire during his eighth Middle East visit since the October 7 attack. Blinken noted that while Israel, the UN, and other Arab nations have backed the six-week truce plan, Hamas remains non-committal. The call for ceasefire coincided with Blinken's participation in an emergency summit in Jordan addressing Gaza's humanitarian crisis. Despite diplomatic efforts, Gaza faced further Israeli strikes, adding to the conflict's heavy toll.

Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, has been found guilty on all three counts in his federal gun trial, marking the first criminal conviction of a sitting president’s child. The charges stem from Biden's 2018 purchase of a Colt Cobra Special revolver, during which he falsely claimed on federal forms that he was not a drug user. Despite his not guilty plea, a Delaware jury delivered its verdict after three hours of deliberation. Biden, who faces potential prison time, expressed disappointment with the outcome but thanked his family and community for their support.

A Pakistani YouTuber, Saad Ahmed, was shot dead by a security guard while filming a vlog about the India vs Pakistan cricket match in Karachi. Saad was repeatedly questioning the guard, who lost his temper and fired at him. Saad was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. CCTV footage shows the confrontation before the shooting. The guard has been arrested by local police. Saad, the sole breadwinner for his family, had called a friend before going to the mobile market to shoot the video.