'Al Jazeera: UK Minister Helped Epstein Access Downing Street'

 An Al Jazeera Exclusive reveals that Epstein emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice deepen scrutiny of Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing attempts to facilitate access to senior UK institutions during a period when Epstein was serving an 18-month sentence for sex offenses involving a minor.

The correspondence shows Epstein seeking help from Mandelson in 2009 to arrange visits to 10 Downing Street and the House of Lords for a 15-year-old girl he described as his “goddaughter.”

Mandelson asked, “how old?”, to which Epstein replied “15,” adding that she would be accompanied by her parents. Mandelson responded: “Fine on all,” before later stating he was “trying my best to accommodate” the request.

The exchange occurred while Mandelson was serving in government under Gordon Brown and Epstein was in prison as a sex offender in Florida.

Subsequent emails suggest the visit coincided with access to Buckingham Palace. Glenn Dubin later wrote to Epstein: “Grt time in buck palace…. ….andrew was great. Thx! G.”

Epstein then wrote to Ghislaine Maxwell: “andrew had tea with the dubin kids and glenn.” The references appear to involve Prince Andrew, who later faced a 2021 lawsuit over allegations linked to Epstein, settled out of court.

The files indicate sustained contact between Mandelson and Epstein across multiple years, including after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Mandelson wrote: “I think the world of you,” while also advising him: “You are fighting back so you need strategy.”

Financial records cited in the documents show payments of $25,000 in 2003 and June 2004 to accounts associated with Mandelson, while a 10,000-pound ($13,310) transfer was later made to his husband for course fees, structured as a loan to avoid tax implications.

The disclosures have intensified political pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who appointed Mandelson as US ambassador in 2024. Mandelson stepped down after the first tranche of files in September 2025.

A second release on January 30 alleged he passed sensitive information to Epstein, prompting a police investigation. Authorities conducted raids on Mandelson’s homes in February, and he was briefly arrested before being released on bail.

Officials had previously warned of “reputational risk” during vetting, but the appointment proceeded. The fallout has since forced the resignation of 2 senior aides and renewed calls for Starmer to step down.

Earlier emails from 2002 onward reveal a relationship blending personal, political, and financial ties. Mandelson referred to Epstein as his “best pal,” while Epstein facilitated introductions with senior figures including JPMorgan executives.

In one exchange, Mandelson told Epstein: “You are the only person that knows everything about me.” The correspondence continued until at least 2016, with government assessments suggesting contact persisted until 2019.

https://clashreport.com/world/articles/another-scandal-uk-minister-helped-epstein-access-downing-street-sqmd4r3g7v

Sources:

Al Jazeera

Relay: breast cancer data and multiple analyst price target hikes drives price

 

Momentum from March zovegalisib breast cancer data and multiple analyst price target hikes drives RLAY to new 52-week high.

Relay Therapeutics surged approximately 15% on April 2, 2026, hitting a 52-week high near $11.50–$12.50 (exact intraday levels varied by source) with elevated volume and no new company announcement or press release that day. The move extends gains from mid-March developments, including the March 16 presentation at the ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress of Phase 1/2 ReDiscover trial data for zovegalisib (RLY-2608) + fulvestrant at the Phase 3 dose (400mg BID fed). In 57 efficacy-evaluable patients with PI3Kα-mutated, HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer previously treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors, the data showed median progression-free survival of 11.1 months, 43% ORR (52% in second-line measurable patients), and a manageable safety profile dominated by low-grade treatment-related adverse events. This positive readout, building on the earlier FDA Breakthrough Therapy designation for the combination, prompted several analyst actions in mid-to-late March. Firms including H.C. Wainwright raised targets to $19 (from $14), Guggenheim to $22, Wells Fargo and Citizens to $17, with others reiterating Buy/Outperform ratings. Analysts cited the data’s support for the ongoing Phase 3 ReDiscover-2 trial, potential differentiation of the mutant-selective PI3Kα inhibitor, additional upcoming milestones (e.g., vascular anomalies data in 1H 2026 and triplet data), and external validation such as Novartis’s acquisition of a competing PI3Kα asset. Six analysts had recently revised earnings estimates upward amid the company’s cash runway into 2029 and pipeline focus. The April 2 breakout appears to reflect continued digestion of these events, momentum trading, and investor confidence in the zovegalisib program rather than a discrete new trigger. Prior to today, the stock had already risen substantially over the past year on pipeline progress.

https://finviz.com/quote.ashx?t=RLAY&p=d

'US, UK expand pharma partnership'

 The United Kingdom government announced in a statement on Thursday that it is expanding its pharmaceutical partnership with the United States.

According to the statement, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the US' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will boost cooperation "on medical device regulation, to support faster access to safe, innovative technologies for patients in both countries."

As previously agreed, tariffs on UK medicines exports will also be removed. "By strengthening our working relationship with the FDA, we are allowing cutting-edge medical technologies to reach patients faster and more efficiently than ever before. This is exactly the kind of partnership that enables the UK to stay at the forefront of global life sciences," MHRA Chief Executive Lawrence Tallon remarked.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/US-UK-expand-pharma-partnership/66008423

Israel kills Iran's ballistic missile unit commander

 The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Thursday that its Air Force eliminated the commander of the central ballistic missile unit in western Iran, Makram Atimi.

"Atimi was responsible for the unit's activities in the Kermanshah region in western Iran and carried out dozens of ballistic missile launches towards the State of Israel," an IDF spokesperson said in a post on Telegram.

The Israeli military also revealed that it eliminated several battalion commanders in Iran's ballistic missile unit in order to diminish Tehran's missile capabilities and reduce the scope of attacks on Israel.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Israel-kills-Iran's-ballistic-missile-unit-commander/66008525

Hochul in talks to make fat pork union deal to cut teacher retire age to 55 — staggering taxpayer cost

  Gov. Kathy Hochul is quietly negotiating a possible deal with one of New York’s top labor leaders to allow public workers from teachers to nurses hired after 2014 to retire at 55, sources said.

The age is currently 62 for those hired in the past 14 years.

The potential fat pork deal pact would involve more than a billion dollars in sweetening pensions for the unionized public employees.

Legislative leaders are being kept in the wings of the talks – which could be wed into the state budget package and lead to taxpayers footing billions – with Hochul dealing directly with New York AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on behalf of New York’s heavyweight teacher, healthcare and other public sector unions, whose members top 2.5 million.

The reduction would put taxpayers on the hook for billions.Don Pollard

The unions are pushing a proposal that would include lowering the retirement age from 62 to 55 for employees hired since 2012 known as Tier 6, Newsday first reported Wednesday. Those hired before 2014 can currently retire at 55.

The proposal would also lower employees’ contribution rate from 4.5% to 3.5%, according to details shared with The Post from a source familiar with the situation.

If she goes along with it, Hochul’s handout to the unions could cost taxpayers $1.5 billion, split between additional costs handed down to school districts and local governments including New York City, which could be left with $328 million in additional costs.

The unions cry that the pension boosts are necessary to boost “recruitment and retention.”

“There was a time when public service meant stability and a real path to the middle class. That’s not what people see anymore. If we want to recruit and keep great public workers, we have to fix Tier 6.” New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person posted on X on Wednesday.

https://nypost.com/2026/04/02/us-news/hochul-in-talks-to-make-deal-that-would-lower-retirement-age-for-teachers-nurses-to-55/

'Three LNG Tankers Are First To Cross Strait Of Hormuz Since War Started'

 While a growing number of ships have been traversing the Strait of Hormuz, with Lloyd's List reporting a total of 142 vessels have transited since the start of March, but 67% of that traffic has a direct affiliation with Iran... and the figure rises to 90% when looking at traffic in recent days, as some ships have had to pay fees in yuan or cryptocurrencies before being escorted through the strait...

... one vessel class that has so far failed to make the key crossing are LNG-carrying VLCCs, which are critical to ease the Asian nat gas supply crunch because,  unlike oil, there are no Hormuz alternatives or bypass pipelines to bring LNG/nat gas to gas-starved Asian customers where demand destruction is now rampant. 

But that is about to change: according to Bloomberg, a liquefied natural gas tanker has entered the Strait of Hormuz, and if it successfully navigates the waterway would become the first such vessel to pass through the strait since the start of the war.

The Sohar LNG tanker, which appears not to be loaded with cargo, is moving eastward after changing its destination to the Qalhat LNG export terminal in Oman, according to ship-tracking data. The vessel, which is signaling that it’s an Omani ship, had been circling around the Persian Gulf over the past month, the data show.

LNG ships have avoided the strait since the conflict broke out on Feb. 28, disrupting about a fifth of the world’s supply of the fuel.

According to Bloomberg, which first reported about the crossing, the ship’s manager, recorded as Oman Ship Management on the Equasis database, didn’t immediately respond to calls or an email seeking comment. Its owner, Energy Spring LNG Carrier SA, shares the same contact details as its manager.

More importantly, the Sohar appears to be traversing the southern side of the strait which is unusual because ships have typically taken a northerly route at Tehran’s behest. In other words, it appears that the Omanese ship is making a run for it. 

While the Sohar vessel appears to be empty, the market is closely watching for LNG flows to resume and ease pressure on global prices, as the collapse in supply from the Persian Gulf  - with Qatar's huge Ras Laffan LNG facility damaged and shut-in indefinitely - compounded by outages at Australian facilities due to a cyclone last month, has sent consumers worldwide seeking alternative sources of energy. 

More importantly, the empty LNG tanker is not alone. According to data from Lloyd's List and Hormuz Letter, two other VLCCs, and these are laden with some 4 million barrels of Saudi and Emirati cargo unlike the empty Sohar, are sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, tracking close to the Omani coastline.

All three vessels are indicating they are heading to ports in Oman.

Why does this matter? Well, earlier today, Iran announced the "Oman protocol" which also includes tolls. And now ships are moving, although it wasn't clear if the ships had paid the toll demanded by Iran. 

As The Hormuz Letter notes, "The blockade isn't ending, but is being restructured. Iran is deciding who passes, under what terms, and at what price. This is what controlled access looks like."

Earlier today,  Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister of legal and international affairs, said the tanker traffic through the key oil-shipping route must be supervised and coordinated: “Of course, these requirements will not mean restrictions, but rather to facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships that pass through this route.”

What he really meant is that going forward - all else equal - every ship will have to pay a toll in the millions, either in yuan or crypto. 

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/three-lng-tankers-are-first-cross-strait-hormuz-war-started

Birth Tourism

 by Bill Glahn

It turns out that the Constitution is a suicide pact, after all. You have probably heard the term “birth tourism” around the debate about birthright citizenship this week. The New York Times has an explainer out today on the subject,

The term refers to pregnant women who travel to the United States to give birth so that their baby can have American citizenship. It is most commonly associated with a cottage industry of “maternity hotels” that has emerged over the past two decades and caters to wealthy families from countries like China, Turkey and Russia.

The Times cites a study by the Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) on the size of the phenomenon,

In its most recent estimate in 2020, the Center for Immigration Studies, a group that supports restricting immigration, put the number at around 20,000 to 26,000 babies a year.

The Times assures us that the number is too small to care about. But hang on a minute, let’s do the math. Use 25,000 a year to simplify the figuring. Over ten years, that’s 250,000. Over 40 years, that 1 million. A voting block that size is large enough to sway the politics of just about any state in America. Just look at what roughly 50,000 imported voters has done to upend the politics of just a single midwestern state.

And the birth tourists don’t even have to live here. They can vote absentee for life from overseas. And they get to pick which state to vote “from.” And I can guarantee you, given the nations of origin, none of those absentee votes are coming back marked “Republican.”

The Times tells us the problem can be just outlawed, without tossing out the ancient, bedrock right of citizenship and lifetime welfare benefits for the children of illegal aliens.

The question is do you want to take a cudgel to fix that problem or a more surgical approach?

The Times knows more than anyone the impossibility of getting Congress to vote to prevent the creation of 25,000 new Democratic voters annually. Congress can’t even manage to fund critical parts of the national government, like the Coast Guard.

All it takes is one federal judge (out of the 700 on the bench) to rule in favor of the practice to undo permanently the best work of the other two branches.

But what do I know?

https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2026/04/birth-tourism.php