The World in Brief from The Economist

Sir Keir Starmer, Britain’s prime minister, said he did not know “the depth and darkness” of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a dead sex offender.

Sir Keir Starmer’s position as Britain’s prime minister looked increasingly insecure as a scandal grew over what he knew about Peter Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Also, tech stocks fell for a second consecutive day, amid concerns about software firms’ vulnerability to AI and worries about chipmakers.

Tech stocks fell for a second day, as investors’ concerns about AI disrupting work mingled with worries about chipmakers.

Shares in software companies fell again on Wednesday after sharp losses the previous day.

Novo Nordisk’s shares plunged almost 20% after it warned that sales and profits would fall this year. Also, America’s navy shot down an Iranian drone that it said “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln.

America’s navy shot down an Iranian drone that it said “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft-carrier in the Arabian Sea, with “unclear intent”.

America’s navy shot down an Iranian drone that it said “aggressively approached” the USS Abraham Lincoln, an aircraft-carrier in the Arabian Sea, with “unclear intent”.

Elon Musk announced that SpaceX, his rocket company, would acquire xAI, his artificial-intelligence startup. Also, America said it will lower tariffs on Indian imports and India has agreed to stop buying Russian oil.