Blame game deepens over Mandelson vetting scandal - The Latest

Donald Trump has indefinitely extended the US ceasefire with Iran after talks looked increasingly uncertain between both sides. Trump said he would ‘extend the ceasefire until such time as [Iran’s] proposal is submitted, and discussions are concluded, one way or the other’. The US blockade remains, as does the closure of the strait of Hormuz by Iran, which seized two ships on Wednesday. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube. Read Patrick’s analysis here.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Fiona Harvey tells Nosheen Iqbal why the climate crisis is a threat to national security. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The Foreign Office chief sacked over the Peter Mandelson security vetting scandal has finally given his side of the story in an explosive appearance before MPs. Olly Robbins told the foreign affairs select committee that he faced ‘constant pressure’ to get Mandelson in post as US ambassador as soon as possible, and claimed Downing Street took a ‘dismissive’ attitude to vetting. It came a day after Keir Starmer accused Robbins of ‘obstructing the truth’ about the vetting process in a high-stakes appearance in parliament. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s political editor, Pippa Crerar. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Jonathan Freedland on what Keir Starmer said – and didn’t say – to the House of Commons about the Mandelson vetting failure. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Oil and gas prices have jumped again as shipping through the strait of Hormuz came to a virtual standstill after Iran closed the waterway over the US blockade and Donald Trump announced an Iranian cargo ship had been seized trying to get past. Tehran has accused Washington of violating the fragile ceasefire agreement. With uncertainty over a second round of peace talks, fears continue to grow about the scale of the energy shock caused by the war. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s energy correspondent Jillian Ambrose. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

An exclusive interview with Kezia Dugdale on the charity’s mistakes and the future of the LGBTQ+ movement. With reporting by Libby Brooks. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Keir Starmer says it is ‘staggering’ and ‘unforgivable’ that he was not told Peter Mandelson had failed security vetting before taking up the role of US ambassador. The comments follow a Guardian investigation that exclusively revealed Mandelson had initially been denied clearance after a background check by security officials, but that the decision was overruled by the Foreign Office. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s head of investigations, Paul Lewis – watch on YouTube. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The president’s posting of an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus horrified many Christians. Sarah Posner tells Annie Kelly why evangelical voters still flock to him. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

The US president, Donald Trump, has said Israel and Lebanon will begin a 10-day ceasefire. In a post on Truth Social, he said he had spoken to the leaders of both countries today and claimed this would be the ‘tenth war’ he has ‘solved’. Israel has no plans to withdraw its military from southern Lebanon during the ceasefire, it has been reported. Lucy Hough speaks to senior international correspondent Julian Borger – watch on YouTube Middle East crisis – live updates. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Journalist Will Coldwell tells the story of how a British businessman was imprisoned in Dubai – and how his family finally got him home. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus