Nation

• Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend has introduced new legislation designed to strengthen primary care access and implement phased-in price caps on hospitals. • Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is utilizing his political influence to launch a coordinated campaign aimed at electing Democrats across the state. • These developments highlight contrasting national and state-level efforts to address healthcare affordability and shift political power.

• Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, has officially taken over as the United Kingdom’s next prime minister. • Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer, who was forced to resign after the Labour Party suffered significant losses in recent local elections. • This transition marks the seventh time the UK has changed prime ministers within a single decade, highlighting ongoing political instability.

• A NOTUS review of Senate voting patterns reveals a decades-long trend where the chamber is focusing more on party-line nominations and less on passing legislation. • Extreme partisanship has shifted the Senate's role, with members increasingly holding party-line votes for judicial and administration nominees rather than engaging in deliberation. • This shift undermines the Senate's traditional reputation as the "world’s greatest deliberative body" by replacing legislative debate with polarized confirmation battles.

Drivers in West Midlands said heat in cabs was ‘unbearable’ and threatened employee and passenger safetyBus drivers in the West Midlands have spoken out about the “horrendous” working conditions they have experienced during heatwaves, which led to 40C temperatures in their cabs.The UK was hit by high temperatures and dry weather in three successive heatwaves, in which temperatures topped 37C in June, when the country recorded its hottest ever June day. Last week, the Met Office warned climate extremes are becoming the “new ‘normal’ for the UK”. Continue reading...

Lee Hanson claims her mother’s comments on Tommy Robinson podcast were ‘misinterpreted’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastBarnaby Joyce says Pauline Hanson does not support the White Australia policy but he has backed her support for “mass deportations” of those overstaying their visas.Hanson and her colleagues have spent days clarifying, explaining or walking back headline-grabbing parts of the One Nation leader’s trip to Europe, including a podcast interview with the far-right convicted criminal Tommy Robinson, her attendance at a Dolce & Gabbana fashion show and downtime by a hotel pool in Italy with the mining billionaire Gina Rinehart. Continue reading...

• The FDA has introduced a new fast-track program for the approval of biologics, which are complex drugs used to treat conditions such as cancer and sickle cell disease. • Traditionally, the agency requires a rigorous process involving an investigational new drug application followed by three distinct phases of human clinical trials. • Experts warn that these political shortcuts could undermine the FDA's international reputation and its standing as a global authority on drug safety.

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards in New Delhi this Saturday. • Major honors include Yami Gautam winning Best Actress for *Article 370*, while Kartik Aaryan and Mammootty shared the Best Actor award. • The awards recognize excellence in feature films, non-feature films, and cinema writing for works certified by the CBFC between January 1 and December 31, 2024.

• The U.S. launched strikes against Iran's Revolutionary Guard, targeting bridges and electrical facilities in response to an attack that killed American troops in Jordan. • Iran retaliated by striking power and desalination plants in Kuwait, directly threatening the essential infrastructure and daily life of the oil-rich nation. • The escalation has prompted the United Arab Emirates to issue warnings as Tehran threatens to further expand its military operations in the region.

• The US-Iran ceasefire is reportedly crumbling, leading to the reimposition of a US naval blockade on Iran. • This escalation marks a significant shift in international affairs, signaling a breakdown in diplomatic efforts to maintain regional stability. • The situation increases the risk of direct military conflict between the two nations and threatens global shipping lanes.

• The US military confirmed a service member was killed in Iraq during a "controlled detonation" of a downed Iranian drone. • This marks the third confirmed troop death following a new round of airstrikes intended to "swiftly punish" Iran for its actions. • A separate attack targeted electricity generation units, forcing the ministry to trigger emergency plans to stabilize the power grid.

• Scientists using Earth's largest particle accelerator have observed a specific phenomenon within a hot, dense particle "soup" that mimics the conditions of the cosmos immediately following the Big Bang. • The discovery is the result of a decades-long quest to understand the fundamental state of matter that existed during the universe's earliest moments. • This breakthrough matters because it provides a rare experimental window into the evolution of the early universe and the behavior of matter under extreme density and heat.

Investors say they will work with Andy Burnham but hire litigation specialists amid reports the firm could enter temporary public ownershipThe group of investors pursuing a rescue bid for Thames Water have said they are willing to discuss greater public control, but are also preparing for a potential multi-billion pound legal battle amid reports Andy Burnham could temporarily nationalise Britain’s biggest water company.London & Valley Water (L&VW), a consortium of 100 institutional investors that hold £17bn of the water company’s £21bn debt, has said it is open to government involvement with Thames Water, but indicated that this does not include public ownership in the struggling company. Continue reading...

• The United States and Iran have escalated their military engagements through a series of strikes across the Middle East. • This surge in hostilities marks a significant intensification of tensions between the two nations and their respective regional allies. • The escalation increases the risk of a broader regional conflict, threatening stability and diplomatic efforts in the Mideast.

• The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced the winners of the 72nd National Film Awards on July 18, 2026. • The awards recognize cinematic excellence for films certified by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) between January 1 and December 31, 2024. • These honors are significant as they celebrate the year's finest performances and technical achievements across the Indian film industry.

• The United States and Iran have escalated military strikes across the Middle East, marking a significant increase in regional tensions. • While specific casualty numbers and target locations were not detailed in the brief report, the escalation follows a pattern of retaliatory actions between the two nations. • This surge in hostilities threatens to destabilize the region further and increases the risk of a broader conflict involving other global powers.

• The 72nd National Film Awards were announced in Delhi on July 18, 2026, honoring excellence in Indian cinema. • The political thriller *Article 370* dominated the event, winning three major categories: Best Feature Film, Best Actress, and Best Music Direction. • Other notable winners include Rajkumar Periasamy for Best Director, *Kalki 2898 AD* for Wholesome Entertainment, and *Srikanth* as the Best Hindi Film.

Government’s food security push is said to rely on animal feed imports with vulnerability to supply chain shocksThe government’s planned poultry sector growth plan is a risk to national security, campaigners have warned.Earlier this month, the environment secretary, Emma Reynolds, told the Groundswell agriculture festival that the key to improving food security was consuming more homegrown produce, and said this was why the government had set up the Farming and Food Partnership Board, whose members include industry leaders such as the president of the National Farmers’ Union and the chief executive of the Food & Drink Federation. Continue reading...

• The 2026 World Cup concludes this Sunday with a final match following a tournament that featured a record-breaking 48-team field. • In a historic first, the event was co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches distributed across 16 different cities. • The competition saw the unexpected elimination of global powerhouses like Germany and the Netherlands, as well as stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

• A joint parliamentary committee (JPC) has decided to defer the adoption of its draft report regarding the 130th Amendment Bill, which concerns the removal of prime ministers and chief ministers. • The decision occurred on Friday while the panel was in the process of voting on five specific recommendations included in the draft report. • Members determined that further consultations with stakeholders are necessary, describing the issue as a "national cause" that requires more extensive discussion.

• The Pharmaceutical Journal reported on several key healthcare developments, including progress toward a single national formulary and the potential introduction of a pharmacy performers list. • The publication highlighted a "stark lack of government response" regarding the valproate redress scheme, signaling ongoing frustration over compensation for affected individuals. • Efforts are underway to establish closer regulatory ties between the UK, India, and the United States to streamline pharmaceutical oversight.

• *Avatar: Fire And Ash* emerged as the most-watched international film on Indian OTT platforms between January and June 2026, securing over 7 million views. • The rankings were dominated by JioHotstar, which held the top spots, though Netflix also maintained a strong presence with multiple entries in the top 10 list. • This data highlights the massive scale of the *Avatar* franchise's appeal and the competitive landscape between major streaming services in the Indian market.

• Donald Trump delivered a national address reiterating his claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent and alleging that China meddled in the process. • During the speech, Trump urged the Republican-led Congress to pass the "SAVE America Act," a controversial election bill that currently lacks the necessary support for passage. • These claims echo the rhetoric that led to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, where supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and forced lawmakers to flee.

• President Trump delivered a national address on Thursday evening, characterizing the current state of U.S. election security as "indefensible." • During the speech, Trump advocated for the passage of the Save America Act to implement changes to the voting process. • Despite the claims of insecurity, the address provided no new evidence or specific proof to support the allegations of widespread vulnerabilities.

• Jay Clayton faced intense scrutiny during his confirmation hearing for Director of National Intelligence (DNI) after refusing to acknowledge Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. • The controversy centers on whether a candidate for a top intelligence role can be trusted to lead 18 agencies and manage national secrets if they question the legitimacy of the democratic process. • This tension highlights a critical debate over the political neutrality and objectivity required for officials advising the president on war and national security.

Move dealt ‘severe blow to Chinese companies’ confidence in investing in the UK’, says Ministry of CommerceChina’s government has said it is “strongly dissatisfied” with the decision to nationalise British Steel this week, 15 months after the UK government stepped in to prevent the closure of its steelworks in Scunthorpe and the loss of 4,000 jobs.On Thursday, British Steel was brought under public ownership to protect “the future of steel production”, the government announced. Continue reading...

• A report from the National Academies confirms the rapid advancement of climate change attribution science, which identifies the specific role of global warming in severe weather events. • Experts like Davide Faranda of France’s National Center for Scientific Research emphasize that evaluating "loss and damage" is now the primary objective for the field. • These scientific findings are significant because they provide the evidentiary basis for potential lawsuits seeking damages for climate-driven disasters.

• The Los Angeles Times has released a curated list of 15 recommended international series to stream in 2026. • The guide is designed to help viewers maintain the global excitement following the conclusion of the World Cup soccer tournament in the U.S. • The recommendations are provided by a Pulitzer Prize-winning critic and former senior culture editor with extensive experience in television analysis.