Bangladesh signals interest in joining Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Türkiye defence framework

Following a retrial at the Old Bailey, 19-year-old Norwegian national Johannes Kongsnes Natland has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. Natland had travelled from Stavanger to Huddersfield in March last year after accepting a €25,000 (£21,500) contract to assassinate an unidentified target in the UK. Counter-terrorism officers arrested Natland in a hotel room two days after his arrival, recovering a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and ammunition concealed under his bed. The plot was orchestrated by the Foxtrot Network, a Swedish organised crime group linked to the Iranian government, and directed by an unidentified controller using the moniker “Agent 47”. While Natland claimed during the trial that he viewed the plot as a “joke” and intended to shoot himself in the foot to avoid executing the hit, prosecutors presented evidence of text messages and bragging that demonstrated his full awareness of the plan. Natland, who previously pleaded guilty to firearms possession, was remanded in custody by Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb and is scheduled for sentencing in October.

The White House has criticised CNN reporter Kristen Holmes after she questioned US President Donald Trump about his relationship with executive assistant Natalie Harp. The confrontation took place during an Oval Office event on Monday honouring 16-year-old lifeguard Ryder Williams, who recently rescued a child from dangerous ocean swells off California. Holmes asked Trump about remarks made by Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who had recently referred to Harp during a campaign speech. The question drew a sharp response from the White House, which accused the reporter of using an event honouring a young hero to raise an unrelated political issue. Trump also confronted Holmes when she later asked a question about North Korea. He called her “very disrespectful” and told her to remain quiet, accusing her of being “fake news.” The White House’s Rapid Response team separately criticised Holmes on social media, describing her question as inappropriate and directing strong personal remarks at the journalist. CNN strongly defended Holmes and condemned the White House’s response. The network said the attacks were inappropriate and “beneath the office” of the presidency. It also said it stood firmly behind its reporter. The dispute comes amid increased public attention surrounding Harp, a former television news personality who has become a prominent member of Trump’s staff. She is frequently seen accompanying the president and has gained attention for regularly providing him with printed information, earning her the nickname “human printer.” Harp was also reportedly among a small group of aides present during a secret Air Force One aircraft change in July, prompting speculation and discussion online. Ossoff recently criticised Trump over his focus on a planned $400 million White House ballroom and his association with Harp. Trump dismissed the senator’s remarks and attacked him personally while defending the ballroom project. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung also criticised Ossoff, calling him a political loser. The latest clash adds to growing tensions between the Trump administration and journalists, particularly female reporters who have faced public criticism from the president and his allies.

In late July, Meghan’s lifestyle range, As Ever, launched a new blackberry spread alongside a softly lit video of her picking the fruit. A month later, she and Prince Harry announced plans to return and live in the UK, just as blackberry season winds down. Whether another such video follows remains unclear, especially since experts say the couple’s wider brand is now at a turning point. Since their departure from royal duties in 2020, most of the Sussexes’ California-based ventures, from streaming deals to fragrance lines, have struggled to draw large audiences. Experts say it’s genuinely unclear what direction they’ll take next. Their UK return has surprised many, and although they will not resume royal duties, questions remain about what comes instead. Oxford marketing professor Andrew Stephen says the couple excelled early at capturing attention and monetising it, but have struggled to turn that into a lasting brand identity. He describes their current portfolio as fragmented, spanning social impact, entertainment and lifestyle, making it hard to define exactly what their brand represents. Their $100 million Netflix deal and $25 million Spotify agreement, both signed in 2020, have delivered underwhelming results by most measures. The Netflix arrangement produced just five shows over five years before being replaced with a lower-commitment, first-look agreement last year. Spotify, meanwhile, parted ways with the couple back in 2023. Branding expert Susan Fournier warns that the couple’s repeated pivots, from royal insiders to critics to media producers to lifestyle influencers, carry real risk. She argues that once a brand shifts direction dramatically, reversing course becomes difficult, and a UK return could look like yet another turn rather than a resolution. Stephen suggests the solution lies in building a focused, coherent set of ventures and credible causes, rather than continuing to diversify. One possibility involves Meghan returning to acting, with reports suggesting talks over a role in Netflix’s “The Gentlemen.” Her lifestyle brand, As Ever, is also expected to continue regardless of the move. A potential relocation to the Cotswolds has also sparked interest, with stylist Laura Stoloff suggesting genuine synergy between Meghan’s brand and English country life. Still, Stephen cautions that a new postcode alone won’t reposition a brand, only consistent action will.