'Deeply Appalled': Katy Perry Slams White House for Weaponising 'Firework' in Iran Attack Video Katy Perry has criticised the White House for using her song 'Firework' in a TikTok video showing military strikes on Iran, arguing it distorts the song's intended message of hope and resilience. International Business Times UK · Jul 26
UK PM On Trump, Iran And Defense Spending. Music And Discord In Burnham's Message Andy Burnham says he would not be averse to call out Trump, dodged a question on committing to a date to increase defense spending, and conveyed that he had had concern about the US president starting the conflict with Iran. International Business Times · Jul 26
Johnny Depp Allegedly Mocks Donald Trump Tariffs in Full Scrooge Makeup to Promote New Movie Ebenezer Johnny Depp, in full Scrooge makeup at San Diego Comic-Con, appeared to mock Donald Trump's tariffs while promoting new film Ebenezer, signalling a spiky, very public return to blockbuster territory. International Business Times UK · Jul 26
US Pauses Iran Strikes Again As Blockade Tightens; Brent Crude Near $97 The US paused its almost two‑week run of strikes against Iran for a second night, even as American forces continued Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports. Benzinga · Jul 26
A 50-year radiation safety rule is on the chopping block under Trump’s nuclear agenda The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is proposing to eliminate a foundational safety principle that has for 50 years minimized the radiation people in the United States are exposed to, and that has been adopted around the world The Independent UK · Jul 26
Meet the South Carolina Democrat looking to flip Lindsey Graham’s Senate seat Dr Annie Andrews says her ‘mission remains the same’ as she now aims to unseat Darline Graham, sister of the late Republican senator The Guardian - US · Jul 26
'MAGA Christianity Is a Cult': Ex-Church Members Expose Mass Indoctrination and Political Control Former evangelicals describe how 'MAGA Christianity' fused faith with hardline Republican politics, nationalism and control and why they ultimately walked away from the churches that raised them. International Business Times UK · Jul 26
The U.S. government invested $27 billion in corporate stakes. Good luck finding them The Trump administration’s equity stakes—from Intel to quantum startups—appear in no budget document and are subject to no watchdog. Fortune · Jul 26
Lindsey Graham’s death revives a rare and controversial custom: Keeping a Senate seat in the family Family members can offer name recognition and continuity in moments of disruption, but choosing senators based on bloodlines inevitably courts controversy, experts say The Independent UK · Jul 26
Fight against forced labour or a fight to skip Congress? Dissecting Trump's new tariffs The Trump administration imposed significant tariffs on many nations recently. These tariffs target countries with alleged forced labor import ban failures. Critics argue these tariffs replace previous ones and lack clear evidence. Many nations protested the US claims as arbitrary and unjustified. The US has faced challenges enforcing its own… The Economic Times · Jul 26
US pauses Iran attacks after Trump advised to halt bombing Top military officials say campaign has reached its limit of effectiveness and warn of dwindling stocks of munitions The Guardian - UK · Jul 26
From the strait of Hormuz to the North Sea, a global maritime war rages around us – and more than the price of oil is at stake The collapse of the rules-based order is not confined to the land: we’re imperilled as centuries of maritime cooperation sink beneath the waves, says foreign affairs commentator Simon Tisdall The Guardian - UK · Jul 26
Ukraine strikes Russian Iran-bound cargo as Iran war widens Ukraine says it has struck long-range routes moving Russian military equipment linked to Iran, while Zelenskyy claims Moscow gave Tehran satellite data for attacks on US sites in the Middle East. Euronews · Jul 26
Reason · Jul 26 Trump Says He Believes in Giving People a 'Second Chance.' For 6,000 People, the Answer Was No. The administration this month denied thousands of clemency applications.
The Guardian - US · Jul 26 RFK Jr urges Alzheimer’s screening but blunts key panel that could drive research Experts say evidence for cognitive screening desired by health secretary ‘not great’ as taskforce idle since last year
International Business Times UK · Jul 26 Mitch McConnell Health Controversy: Aides Provide Zero Proof of Life Amid Hospitalisation Mitch McConnell's aides say the hospitalised Senate leader is working as normal, but with no new proof of life and uneasy Republicans demanding answers, questions over his health are only deepening.
Salon · Jul 26 The last gasp of Trump's foreign policy He restarted a war no one wanted and signed a nuclear deal no one read. What's next?
Salon · Jul 26 Hegseth's Iran war math doesn't add up The defense secretary pegged the war's cost at $37 billion. The real total is far higher
We Got This Covered · Jul 26 ‘Why is she on welfare while wearing an $800 Apple Watch?’: A viral Walmart checkout clip reignited the welfare debate after an EBT card was declined The video acted as a thermometer for where public sentiment currently stands.
The Independent UK · Jul 26 Streeting says he is still in ‘first impressions territory’ with Trump IN FULL
The Independent UK · Jul 26 A forced-labor crackdown or an end-run around Congress? Dissecting Trump's new tariffs The Trump administration has levied tariffs on more than 60 countries, using a legal justification that permits the president to impose import taxes and other sanctions against countries found to engage in “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable” or “discriminatory” trade practices
Reason · Jul 26 Bureaucracy, Labor, & Tariffs: How Government Is Making BLTs More Expensive The BLT—a delicious celebration of the power of markets—exemplifies political attacks on the free movement of goods and people.
Benzinga · Jul 26 Samsung Cuts US Jobs, Tariff Wars Escalate and More: This Week in Economics It’s been another eventful week on the economic front, with tariff battles, corporate restructuring and regulatory appointments setting the stage for what’s ahead. Here’s a quick recap of the major economic stories that came in over the week.
The Guardian - US · Jul 26 Republicans head home for the summer after a string of losses in Congress GOP legislative priorities could be at odds with voters as midterms come into view and Democrats attempt a resurgence