It recently emerged that tech billionaire Peter Thiel is running a secret society that brings together fellow CEOs and billionaires with political leaders. Members reportedly include figures like Nato supreme commander Alexus Grynkewich and son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner.

Thiel, a German-American entrepreneur and activist, was a co-founder of PayPal and software firm Palantir. Revelations about the society – known as “Dialog” – have attracted widespread attention. And Thiel himself gave a confidential lecture series in San Francisco this year, in which he framed issues of politics and technology in biblical terms.

Thiel has said he believes that humankind faces existential threats from nuclear war or runaway artificial intelligence (AI) that could lead to “Armageddon”. In such an end-times era, so the thinking goes, only the most ingenious – like those in the secret society – would survive.

Thiel is an extreme, but by no means isolated, case. Other powerful people in politics and technology are viewing today’s world through a lens of civilisational crisis and impending catastrophe.

Politics of the end times

Over the centuries, political leaders have often invoked fears of decline and collapse. In ancient times, Augustus, the first Roman emperor, championed the narrative that Rome faced moral collapse to justify concentrating power in his own hands. Yet the current moment of “end-times politics” is different on several fronts. Threats, both real and imagined, spread faster than ever, diffused through social media algorithms that favour hysteria and conspiracy.

In Silicon Valley, influential figures routinely discuss AI as either humanity’s salvation or an extinction event. Palantir CEO Alex Karp has described the AI race as “our Oppenheimer moment”, when the world’s rich nations must decide whether to halt the development of a dangerous technology or tip the balance of power in its favour.

Yet the phenomenon extends beyond eccentric tech circles. End-times narratives have made their way into the halls of power, as political figures seize the opportunity to propagate radical politics.

US military personnel have filed a large number of complaints, stating that their commanders have been using biblical end-times rhetoric to justify the US attacks on Iran. Their leadership reportedly made reference to the Armageddon, viewing the war in Iran as a necessary step in bringing about the return of Christ.

This occurs in a context where the Trump administration has been catering to the Christian right, particularly evangelicals, as a major constituency for its “spiritual warfare”. The US secretary of war, Pete Hegseth, in particular has been portraying himself as an instrument of god in an existential civilisational battle for Christianity.

Hegseth and other central figures have reportedly been stacking their departments with evangelicals and Christian Zionists. These instances can be viewed as elements of a larger shift, where political and corporate leaders mix their interpretation of Christianity with beliefs about US supremacy.

Radical minds, radical politics

Trump’s threats towards Iran, including his decree in April that “a whole civilisation will die tonight, never to be brought back again”, indicate the consequences of this myth-making. It paves the way for radical politics in the US, and also beyond.

The Trump administration has claimed that Europe is facing continental decline and “civilizational erasure” due to immigration and European integration. In the same vein, Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has sounded the alarm about the UK facing “societal collapse”.

Research has shown that people are more willing to support extraordinary measures when they believe they face an existential threat. It has also been shown that political leaders’ psychological dispositions matter more in times of uncertainty. The unforeseeable effects of technological and environmental transformation create risks and anxiety – and the danger is that leaders treat opponents, social movements or minority groups as mythical foes.

End-times politics then becomes a struggle over the definition of the ultimate threat to humankind. We are in a time when humans face multiple risks. These worldviews eventually determine how national politics and geopolitics evolve.

There is another reason to pay attention. For much of the modern era, the most influential people were elected leaders and state officials. Today, a novel type of leader has emerged: technology executives with wealth and media influence. Their influence can extend deep into the state – symbolised by Elon Musk’s role in the US Department of Government Efficiency and the critical role of SpaceX in US global strategy.

For a long time, scholars explained global politics in terms of institutions and structural relations, and globalisation through business interests. Now, the future of both increasingly depends on the psychology of a small political and corporate elite.

End-times leaders will exaggerate certain threats while downplaying others. Often, technology executives will establish links between a prosperous future and the necessity of disruptive innovation. US venture capitalist Marc Andreessen has been a proponent of “technological accelerationism” – the idea that unregulated technological development is the only way to overcome the world’s existential problems.

The challenge is distinguishing between genuine threats and narratives that amplify fear while obscuring more pressing problems. At a time when the debate is saturated with predictions of collapse, it may be more important than ever to focus on the risks that are supported by evidence – the climate crisis and an erosion of democratic systems, for example.

On the question of whether technology can overcome climate change and bring world peace, it might be wise not to take the word of tech billionaires. After all, Thiel has recently been hedging his bets between a bunker in New Zealand and a refuge in Javier Milei’s Argentina.

By ELINA SHIRAZI, US SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: 16:52 BST, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 17:06 BST, 14 July 2026

President Donald Trump has announced a U-turn on his threat to slap a 20 percent toll on cargo passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The President said on Tuesday that the US will instead agree ‘massive’ investment deals with the ​Gulf states.

Trump wrote on Truth Social: ‘Based on highly productive conversations with Middle East leadership, I have decided to replace the 20% United States Reimbursement Fee with Trade and Investment Deals that the various Gulf States will be making into the United States,’ Trump said on social media. 

He said the investments will be significant though it’s unclear if these would be new commitments relative to what Trump announced after a visit last year to the Middle East. 

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This comes after another round of strikes exchanged with Iran overnight. The US launched strikes earlier in the day, and Iran responded by attacking American allies in the region.

The latest exchange of fire has shattered an interim agreement designed to pause hostilities, reopen a vital global energy waterway and allow time for permanent peace talks. 

Instead, renewed fighting has engulfed the region, threatening the global economy and triggering warnings for commercial airlines.

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In a stunning twist, President Donald Trump has executed a breathtaking U-turn on his threat to slap a 20% toll on cargo passing through the strategic Strait of Hormuz

Vessels at the Strait of Hormuz, pictured off the shore of Musandam, Oman, July 13

Fenland District Council’s cabinet said it was ‘not acceptable’ the building was left ‘rotting for 20 years’

A delay in plugging an eyesore gap on Wisbech High Street has been branded “embarrassing” after the council were not told about issues with the plans.

Fenland District Council’s Conservative cabinet were told a full planning application was submitted for 11-12 High Street, two properties which were demolished in 2020 after lying vacant for years.

Cllr Samantha Hoy, of Wisbech South, said: “I’m sorry, it’s just really not acceptable – this building has sat there decaying for 20 plus years and this district council is responsible. It’s under our ownership and we must not let it carry on.”

She said it had also taken “so long” to redevelop 24 High Street and they “need to get the work started”.

Cllr Steve Tierney, also of Wisbech South, said it is “just not acceptable for this building to have sat rotting for 20 years”. He said if the work is not complete before the council is abolished after local government reorganisation, it “will be remembered, rightly, as a failure of ours”.

He said: “It’s not good enough, we should be getting it done by summer like we said we would.”

Cllr Christopher Seaton, the portfolio holder for Wisbech High Street projects, said the new mayor had asked for a “proper business case”, done by real estate agents Avison Young.

He said: “In all honesty, the officers said to me they did not have the sufficient experience to put forward a business case.”

Cllr Hoy said it had been “ten weeks” since the application was validated on May 13, after being received on April 10 and said “the whole thing is embarrassing”.

She said: “I know there’s a process, but we’ve had other applications – more controversial applications – that have not only been validated but decided and a decision notice issued in six weeks. When we want to do things within the time frame, we can, and this has sat there for ten weeks and we are not any further along on this at all.”

Cllr Dee Laws said the planning application had been rejected and there was an “issue regarding the bat survey, and we can’t overrule ecology”. She confirmed the proposal would be put before September’s planning committee.

Cllr Tierney said: “Having just been told that officers didn’t feel they had enough experience to write a business plan for this building – I think most members of the public watching this meeting will say, what sort of officers are we employing if they can’t make a business plan for something like that?”

Cllr Boden said: “My disappointment is that we’re only now, as members of the cabinet including the portfolio holder, hearing about this bat survey problem and what happened. I’m amazed it hasn’t been referred back to us prior to this.”

Cllr Seaton said: “I’m extremely concerned to find out during a meeting that the planning application is in this position because I haven’t been told that information. That is, to me, extremely bad – it makes me look stupid and it makes us all look a little foolish about it.”

Council leader Chris Boden said it was “astonishing” that there had been a failure to communicate “over such a long period of time”.

He said: “We must have an explanation about how this has ended up happening. It’s embarrassing to the council, to be quite honest, that we should be put in this position.”

The burger chain’s new ‘Big Kids Combo’ is designed as a limited-edition meal deal aimed at families.

This new offering, available until September 1, starts at £15.50 at participating dine-in restaurants across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Unlike McDonald’s iconic ‘Happy Meal’, the Five Guys combo won’t come with a toy.

Instead, the restaurant, which has a branch in Middlebrook, has decided to focus primarily on the food, presenting it as its contribution to the Great British Summer Savings initiative.

Five Guys launches new kid meal that rivals McDonald’s

The new combo offers a regular hamburger (as opposed to the single-patty burger in its existing kids’ menu), with a pick from Five Guys’ range of 15 free toppings.

Mini Fries, available both Cajun and salted, are included in the meal.

To pair with the food, customers have the choice of a Big Kids Soft Drink or a Little Shake.

There is also an option to upgrade to a larger shake at an extra charge.

Furthermore, customers can add cheese and bacon to their burger for an additional cost.

The chain’s intention behind this offer is to make the Five Guys experience appealing for families during the summer holidays, ensuring that quality is not compromised.

John Eckbert, chief executive of Five Guys UK, described the Big Kids Combo as the perfect way to share the Five Guys experience, as well as a way of making Five Guys a more accessible treat in the summer.

The new meal option complements the chain’s existing build-your-own kids’ menu, which includes a choice of a Little Hamburger, Hot Dog or Grilled Cheese Sandwich, all of which come with Mini Fries and a choice of a Mini Soda or Little Shake.

The new Big Kids Combo is available exclusively to dine-in customers while stocks last.

What’s your go-to Five Guys order? Let us know in the comments.

The 78-year-old was found dead at her home in Haytor, Devon, on Thursday (July 9), with “serious injuries.”

A 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of her murder on Saturday and has since been rearrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism.

Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, confirmed the suspect was not known to the Government’s Prevent anti-extremism programme.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday, she paid tribute to Miss Widdecombe, describing her as a “unique figure” in UK politics and a “devoted public servant.”

Ms Mahmood said: “She was a unique figure in our politics, a distinctive and devoted public servant, the likes of whom we will rarely, if ever, see again.

“Ann had a profound faith. Her journey in this life has ended too soon.”

Ann Widdecombe was fearless and forthright. She was a devoted public servant, the likes of whom we will rarely, if ever, see again.

The circumstances of Ann’s murder are extremely distressing. The investigation is now being led by @TerrorismPolice . The police have cautioned… pic.twitter.com/zVie378NTm

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— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) July 13, 2026

Counter-terrorism police are now leading the investigation following the discovery of new evidence.

Laurence Taylor, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.

“We are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.

“Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us.”

He urged anyone with information to contact police and thanked the public and media for their support and patience.

Counter terrorism police are now leading the investigation into the death of Ann Widdecombe (Image: Zoe Head-Thomas/PA Wire)

Miss Widdecombe, who was a former Conservative MP, Brexit Party MEP, and most recently a Reform UK spokeswoman, was found dead at about 11.40am on Thursday at her remote bungalow on Dartmoor.

Police believe she was attacked around 12.30pm on Wednesday, shortly before she was due to appear on Channel 5’s Matt Allwright show.

ITV News reported that Miss Widdecombe stopped responding to WhatsApp messages from a TV producer after the time police believe the attack took place.

Nigel Farage has been offered a meeting with the head of a parliamentary security body following Reform UK’s concerns about the safety of its MPs, Ms Mahmood confirmed.

The Home Secretary said she would also review security guidance for former MPs and members of political parties without representation in Parliament.

Thank you for this offer @ShabanaMahmood.

I will meet with the Chair of RAVEC and discuss the security of all Reform politicians, including those who are not MPs. https://t.co/fkU7QnzuKV

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— Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) July 13, 2026

Footage published by media outlets showed a shirtless man being arrested in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday (July 11).

In cases such as this, investigators will examine the suspect’s devices for evidence of terrorist material and consider factors including mental health.

Police have said that if the investigation continues under terrorism legislation, they could be permitted to detain the suspect for up to 14 days for questioning.

Miss Widdecombe first entered Parliament as the Conservative MP for Maidstone in 1987.

She later served as an MEP for the Brexit Party and became a spokeswoman for Reform UK.

Outside of politics, she became a familiar face in popular culture, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

Following her death, there were calls for caution from Reform UK figures after Devon and Cornwall Police initially ruled out a political or terrorist motive for the killing.

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, said it would be “wise, when considering motivation” for police to keep an open mind “as opposed to ruling things out too quickly that may then end up being ruled back in”.

Gawain Towler, a board member for the party, said changing the line of inquiry risked undermining trust in the police.

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Mr Towler said: “In a time when trust in the police is at an all-time low, this just plays into that they are trying to massage public opinion rather than do the job of investigating a brutal murder.

“By appearing to rule something out and then a few days later bringing it back in, they look manipulative and that’s a shame.”

Miss Widdecombe was widely respected across the spectrum for her public service and outspoken character.

​A passenger hub on the North Yorkshire coast is scheduled to close its car park as part of essential maintenance works taking place next week.

​TransPennine Express (TPE) has asked passengers not to use the car park at Scarborough Station on Monday, July 20.

​The rail operator said that essential maintenance works would be taking place and that vehicles could not be parked at the coastal station’s car park.

Scarborough Station, Current Frontage. Align Property Services

​“It is important that no vehicles are parked overnight from Sunday 19th July into Monday 20th July,” TPE noted.

​It added: “Thank you for your cooperation.”

​The company did not specify what the maintenance works are set to involve.

​Earlier this year, a £14 million project to preserve the Grade II-listed building’s historical character, including a new roof, drainage systems and restored stonework, was completed.

​Roof repairs at Scarborough Station were started after a glazing failure in 2021.

The station was made safe and, after funding constraints were overcome, the full restoration began in spring 2025.

Scarborough’s coastal location meant Network Rail had to take into account local constraints.

Hawks were employed to prevent seagulls nesting during the main roof work last summer, and specific types of tile, paint and timber were used because of the salt-heavy sea air.

Ann Widdecombe was the victim of a ‘targeted attack’, the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing has said.

Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said police are still looking into any ‘motivation’ behind the 78-year-old’s death.

Police believe she was killed in her remote Dartmoor home on Wednesday lunchtime.

A 28-year-old remains in custody.

Mr Taylor said this afternoon: ‘It is clear that this was a targeted attack.

‘We are still working to understand the extent of any planning or preparation, and the motivation that sits behind that attack.

‘I don’t want to comment further on that motivation or preparation at this stage of our inquiries.’

It came as the boss of Devon and Cornwall Police has defended her embattled force over the way it has handled the Ann Widdecombe murder investigation.

Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez hit back at criticism after her officers spent days insisting the Tory former minister’s death had no link to terrorism.

But counter-terror officers were called in yesterday to take over from local detectives as the investigation escalated.

It prompted claims from Reform UK that police misled the public over the death of the party’s immigration and justice spokesman at her home on Dartmoor last Wednesday.

In a robust statement today, Ms Hernandez said: ‘There’s been some commentary about the way Devon and Cornwall police have communicated during the early stages of this case.

‘But, as the Home Secretary (Shabana Mahmood) said yesterday, it is not unusual that in a fast-paced investigation, more information comes to light that changes the nature or the character of what the police are dealing with.’

Counter-terror officers took over running the investigation on Monday following the discovery of the former MP’s body at her home on Dartmoor on Thursday.

The suspect was captured on CCTV leaving his property shortly before 8am on Wednesday with what appears to be a pole in the pocket of his shorts

Forensic officers were seen heading into the house in Rotherham after the arrest on Saturday

Home Secretary Ms Mahmood confirmed yesterday that the British white suspect arrested on suspicion of murder and terror offences, who the Mail is not naming for legal reasons, was not known to the Government’s deradicalisation programme, Prevent. 

Devon and Cornwall Police has faced significant criticism over its initial handling of the inquiry and the fact it was five days in before counter terror officers took over.

Local officers waited more than 24 hours to announce a murder investigation, before Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman said on Friday night: ‘The incident is not being treated as terrorism’, and later said there was no evidence to suggest the crime was politically motivated.

Devon and Cornwall Police also arrested a local labourer in error on Friday before detaining a 28-year-old suspect nearly 300 miles away in Rotherham, south Yorkshire, on Saturday night.

He remains in police custody.

The Mail has learnt that items of varying political ideology, including Russian material, have been found at the suspect’s home and on electronic devices.

In her statement, the Police and Crime Commissioner paid tribute to Ms Widdecombe ‘an exceptionally likeable character’.

A huge cordon remains in place near Ms Widdecombe’s remote home, but Ms Hernandez hinted at an imminent return to normality.

Floral tributes continue to grow near a police cordon in Haytor Vale, Dartmoor, where Ms Widdecombe was killed  

She said: ‘When I visited the scene on Sunday, I was impressed by the efforts being made by the police to speak to residents and address their very understandable concerns.

‘I am sure the impact of this major operation has meant that some people have had to wait longer than they would expect for routine services, or have not yet had their issues resolved.

‘I have been assured officers and staff will be returning to business as usual over the coming days, which are also expected to be particularly busy with two final legs of the World Cup and the start of school holidays.’

Reform UK board member Gawain Towler led the initial criticism of the police, saying: ‘In the past, they’d have said all avenues of investigation are open but this time they tried to close out avenues of the investigation. In a time when trust in the police is at an all-time low, this just plays into that they are trying to massage public opinion.’

The killing has reignited fears about MPs’ safety following the murders of Sir David Amess and Jo Cox.

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The couple’s daughter, Athena, who appeared via video-link from the US, told the court her father was a “jealous, conniving, narcissistic villain”.

“How could you do such an evil, selfish, malicious thing?

“You couldn’t stand the fact she had so many people who cared about her.

“No amount of years rotting in prison will ever amount to what you deserve, because you deserve no life.

“You are a pathetic, unloved man.

“The day you killed my mother, you killed me too. I feel I will never be happy again.

“A dad is supposed to protect their daughter from pain, instead you caused the worst pain of my life.

“I will not let you defeat me, I will show up for her, my mum, and I will continue to make her proud.”

Jurors were told Thompson was aware his wife had started a new relationship and was planning to move out, and she had requested about £65,000 as part of a divorce settlement.

Prosecutor Miranda Moore KC told the jury posts Kimberley shared on Facebook and Snapchat in the early hours of that morning saying she had “drank too much” raised suspicion among her friends and family because it had a spelling error and was not written in the way she wrote.

Shant said Thompson had made a “concerted attempt to conceal” what he had done, and “set about creating a false scene to fool the police”.

“You were literally trying to get away with murder.

“The evidence makes it clear you pretended to do CPR and you feigned distress on the phone to the emergency services.

“You also took her from her family, friends and colleagues – a woman who was accomplished, valued and loved.

“She adored her children and she adored the fact she was about to start a new life.”

Det Ch Insp Torie Harrison, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said Kimberley faced about two decades of domestic abuse.

She paid tribute to her friends and family for “the grace they have shown throughout our investigation and particularly over the last six weeks”.

“The level of abuse Kim was subjected to was horrific, and I want to take this opportunity to say to anyone who may be living a similar life that help is available.”

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