He’s back: Sam Altman and the chaos at the heart of the AI industry

Melania Trump made a surprise appearance at the White House on Thursday to announce that she ‘never had a relationship’ with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Her address has seemingly put Epstein back on the political agenda when focus had been firmly on the US and Israel’s war in Iran. The intervention came at a difficult time for her husband, Donald Trump, as the fragile ceasefire agreed between the US and Iran seemed to be at risk of falling apart, and as US lawmakers are raising the alarm over the president’s mental stability. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian US editor, Betsy Reed – watch on YouTube Jonathan Freedland on Politics Weekly America with the Guardian’s Washington bureau chief David Smith on whether Trump could be forced out of office – listen here or wherever you get your podcasts. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Lanre Bakare on the UK government’s decision to revoke Kanye West’s visa after Wireless festival booked him as a headliner. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Israel has intensified its bombing campaign in Lebanon, prompting Iran to warn it could withdraw from the ceasefire agreed with the US. Hundreds have been killed since the agreement was announced, after Israeli forces launched mass strikes on densely populated areas. Israel says the strikes are aimed at the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah, while Iran claims they are a blatant violation of the ceasefire. Iran and Pakistan claim the agreement included Lebanon, but Donald Trump called it ‘a separate skirmish’. Lucy Hough speaks to Beirut-based reporter William Christou – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Flora Garamvolgyi on JD Vance’s visit to Hungary in the run-up to the country’s elections on Sunday. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US and Iran have agreed to a two-week conditional ceasefire thanks to a last-minute diplomatic intervention led by Pakistan. The conditions include a temporary reopening of the strait of Hormuz, but Israel’s position was left unclear, with airstrikes continuing on the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Both sides have since claimed victory but who, if anyone, is the real winner here? Lucy Hough speaks to the senior international reporter Peter Beaumont – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus