The White House released a factsheet explaining key points of the new India–US trade deal after President Donald Trump said India would cut tariffs on US goods to “zero”. The note says India will “eliminate or reduce tariffs” on many US industrial and farm products, not remove all duties at once. It also says the US will lower its reciprocal tariff on India from 25% to 18%. According to the statement, India will address non-tariff barriers and remove its digital services tax. Both sides also plan wider talks on digital trade and technology goods. The White House called the deal a “historic” step. (PC: NDTV)

Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, refused to answer questions during a US House Oversight Committee deposition and invoked the Fifth Amendment. She appeared by video from a Texas prison, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking minors for Epstein. Lawmakers said the session was meant to gather details about Epstein’s crimes and possible co-conspirators. Committee chairman James Comer called her silence “very disappointing” and said, “We had many questions.” Representative Melanie Stansbury said Maxwell used the appearance to “campaign for clemency.” Her lawyer said she would speak if granted clemency. The White House said no leniency is being discussed. (PC: BBC)

Pressure is rising on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after controversy linked to the Epstein files and the appointment of former envoy Peter Mandelson. Senior aides, including chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, have resigned. As questions grow over Starmer’s leadership, attention has turned to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood as a possible successor. Mahmood has been an MP since 2010 and earlier held key shadow cabinet roles. She became Home Secretary in 2025. She recently defended tighter settlement rules, saying settlement is a “privilege, not a right”. If chosen, she would be the UK’s first Muslim woman Prime Minister. (PC: India Today)

King Charles has expressed “profound concern” as police review new allegations linked to Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein. Buckingham Palace said the King is ready to support authorities if asked. A spokesperson said the claims are for Andrew to answer, but the Palace would assist police as expected. Thames Valley Police confirmed they are assessing whether a complaint filed by anti-monarchy group Republic needs an investigation. The complaint cites suspected misconduct in public office and possible breach of official secrets. Newly released US justice department emails suggest Andrew shared confidential trade visit details with Epstein while serving as UK trade envoy in 2010 and 2011. (PC: BBC)

Freshly released Jeffrey Epstein files include a photograph showing Tesla/SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg at a 2015 dinner linked to the convicted sex offender, even years after his conviction, raising fresh scrutiny over Epstein’s network among Silicon Valley elites. The U.S. Department of Justice documents show the dinner — described by Epstein in an email as “wild” — also involved other prominent tech figures like Reid Hoffman and Peter Thiel. Both Musk and Zuckerberg have denied close ties to Epstein and stressed limited interaction, while the new images have gone viral online. (PC: DOJ & X)

U.S. military forces boarded and seized the Aquila II, a sanctioned oil tanker, in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean Sea for thousands of miles, the Pentagon said. The operation targets vessels believed to be evading U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela’s oil exports and violating a “quarantine” order aimed at cutting illicit shipments. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the ship was intercepted without incident and described the action as enforcement of Washington’s broader maritime blockade against sanctioned vessels. The tanker was reportedly carrying Venezuelan crude oil bound for China. (PC: X)

Bangladesh and the United States have signed a reciprocal trade agreement reducing U.S. tariffs on Bangladeshi exports from 20 % to 19 %, just days before Bangladesh’s general elections. As part of the deal, certain apparel and textile products made with U.S. cotton and fibres may enter the U.S. duty-free, boosting the vital garment sector—which accounts for over 80 % of export earnings. Negotiations spanned nine months and include expanded market access with both countries cutting duties on thousands of goods. The pact is seen as a step toward deeper economic ties and comes after previous tariff cuts from a proposed 37 %. (PC: Z News)

US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor hosted Indian ministers and diplomats at his New Delhi residence after the India–US interim trade framework was announced. Speaking at the event, Gor said the Trump administration is “paying attention” to India and credited the friendship between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for helping seal the deal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal attended the reception. Goyal thanked Gor for supporting closer trade ties. Referring to a recent India vs USA T20 World Cup match, Goyal joked that the US “lost by 18%” and said zero tariffs might have changed the result. (PC: HT)

King Charles has expressed “profound concern” as police review new allegations linked to Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein. Buckingham Palace said the King is ready to support authorities if asked. A spokesperson said the claims are for Andrew to answer, but the Palace would assist police as expected. Thames Valley Police confirmed they are assessing whether a complaint filed by anti-monarchy group Republic needs an investigation. The complaint cites suspected misconduct in public office and possible breach of official secrets. Newly released US justice department emails suggest Andrew shared confidential trade visit details with Epstein while serving as UK trade envoy in 2010 and 2011. (PC: BBC)

Palestinian officials and several Arab states have criticised new Israeli cabinet measures in the West Bank, calling them a move toward “de facto annexation”. The steps were announced by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. They ease rules on land sales and property registration involving Jewish settlers. Smotrich said, “We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state.” The changes remove limits on direct land sales and cut permit needs for property deals. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the measures “dangerous” and urged US and UN action. Israeli rights group Peace Now warned the decision could lead to large-scale land takeover and weaken existing agreements. (PC: BBC)