Oil prices surge as Congress splits on Iran war votes: From the Politics Desk
In today’s edition, we examine how the escalating Iran war is playing out in the oil markets and the halls of the Capitol. Plus, Scott Wong and Matt Dixon have a profile of the little-known new senator from South Carolina.
Truth about Joe Biden's dog: Major vanished after biting Secret Service. His fate 'on the farm' was kept hidden... until now
Truth about Joe Biden's dog: Major vanished after biting Secret Service. His fate 'on the farm' was kept hidden... until nowSign up for our DC Insider newsletterBy NICK ALLEN, US NEWS EDITOR (POLITICS) Published: 21:04, 23 July 2026 | Updated: 21:05, 23 July 2026 e-mail View comments
New Zealand names new ferry after Captain Cook and tells 'snivelling wokesters' that 'a mature country does not run from its history'
New Zealand has named a new ferry after Captain Cook and told "snivelling wokesters" that "a mature country does not run from its history." Foreign Minister Winston Peters took aim at critics who view Cook as a "harbinger of colonisation," urging them to develop a deeper understanding of their country's history."A mature country does not run from its history. A serious country does not vandalise its memory to satisfy the latest fashion in whinger politics," he declared before parliament in Welli...
The Hegseth budget: defense secretary’s $1.5tn ask reveals military-industrial chaos
The Pentagon head proposed a 44% increase – to second world war levels – while ‘woke’ programs are guttedUS politics live – latest updatesWhen the ‘“department of government efficiency” was raging unchecked through the federal government in February 2025, the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, ordered his subordinates to find cuts of 8% a year for the next five years, theoretically trimming a total of $340m from the Pentagon budget.The disclosure briefly sent Palantir and defense stocks tanking...
The Hegseth budget: defense secretary’s $1.5tn ask reveals military-industrial chaos
The Pentagon head proposed a 44% increase – to second world war levels – while ‘woke’ programs are guttedUS politics live – latest updatesWhen the ‘“department of government efficiency” was raging unchecked through the federal government in February 2025, the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, ordered his subordinates to find cuts of 8% a year for the next five years, theoretically trimming a total of $340m from the Pentagon budget.The disclosure briefly sent Palantir and defense stocks tanking...
A Game of Double Standards
Qatar 2022: a World Cup that exposed football’s politics, power struggles, and double standards.
‘I got carried away’: Elon Musk expresses regret about Doge and wading into Trump’s orbit
Billionaire in interview with the Economist admits he was too consumed by politics and shares predictions about AIElon Musk has admitted he became too consumed by politics during his volatile alliance with Donald Trump and his brief appointment as the president’s financial axman, running the so-called “department of government efficiency” (Doge).The world’s richest person, and briefly its first trillionaire after his SpaceX company floated on the US stock exchange in June, made the confession in...
US House passes war powers resolution directing Trump to withdraw US military from Iran
Resolution, which comes after similar one in June, is largely symbolic, as Trump administration says it’s unconstitutionalUS politics live – latest updatesThe US House of Representatives on Thursday for the second time passed a war powers resolution directing Donald Trump to withdraw the US military from the conflict with Iran, amid renewed fighting in the Middle East that has driven oil prices to their highest levels in weeks.The resolution proposed by Democrat Pramila Jayapal passed by a 214-2...
DAVID MARCUS: In Middle America, socialist politics ages like milk
Erick was here for a conference on transportation technology when I talked to him about his hometown of Denver, and how socialist Congressional candidate Melat Kiros recently won a shocking Democratic primary win over her more moderate rival."I’m a Democrat," Erick told me. "I lean a bit to the Republican side maybe, but these socialists are crazy."In his 40s, having lived for 15 years in England, Erick is socially liberal, but also patriotic. He has concerns about AI and data centers, but also...
Lindsey Graham's rise from family tragedy to political power explored in Fox Nation special
Long before becoming one of the most influential voices in American politics, Lindsey Graham overcame extraordinary personal hardship on a journey that would take him from rural South Carolina to the U.S. Senate."They say Abe Lincoln was our log cabin president. I guess Lindsey was our mobile home senator," Graham's law school roommate Warren Mowry said in the new Fox Nation special, "The Life and Legacy of Lindsey Graham."Through video clips and interviews from colleagues, friends and former ri...
Republicans in Congress Urge Justice Department to Investigate Former Prosecutor Jack Smith
Politics Republicans in Congress Urge Justice Department to Investigate Former Prosecutor Jack Smith July 23, 202610:12 AM ET Carrie Johnson Former US special counsel Jack Smith leaves after testifying before the House Judiciary Committee about his investigations into President Donald Trump, on January 22, 2026. SAUL LOEB/via Getty Images/AFP hide caption toggle caption SAUL LOEB/via Getty Images/AFP House Republicans are urging the Justice Department to launch a criminal investigation into form...
Outcry after $1.15tn defense bill passes in the House – US politics live
Donald Trump’s decision to attack Iran without first seeking congressional approval has sparked further controversy over the National Defense Authorization ActSign up for the Breaking News US emailHello and welcome to our live coverage of US politics.The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) typically passes in Congress each year with bipartisan margins. But the $1.15tn defense policy bill passed in a near-party-line vote in the House of Representatives on Wednesday has lawmakers on both sid...
Burnham offers 20% cut in business rates for pubs, clubs and live music in England – UK politics live
The prime minister said the £100m package would mean the typical pub would save around £1,100 in the next financial yearAndy Burnham said it was time to support vanishing “cherished local spaces” with his business rates reduction.The prime minister wrote on X:I’m giving thousands of pubs, clubs and music venues a 20% cut in business rates.I won’t stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and ‘For Sale’ signs.For too long, governments have stood by whil...
'P*** Espanya': Spain's Ferran Torres WC mural vandalised in Barcelona
A mural honouring Spain's World Cup hero Ferran Torres was vandalised within 24 hours of being unveiled in Barcelona. Created by street artist TVBoy, it was repeatedly defaced with political graffiti, including "volem seleccions catalanes" ("we want Catalan national teams"), before being removed by city authorities. Despite its brief existence, the artwork highlighted the intersection of football, art and Catalan politics.
Vijay fans burst firecrackers inside packed theatre during 'Jana Nayagan' screening
Fans celebrated Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan' by bursting firecrackers inside a Bengaluru theatre. This unusual celebration drew widespread attention and mixed reactions online from viewers. The incident occurred during the screening of the actor's final film before entering politics. Many moviegoers recorded the moment, which quickly went viral on social media platforms. The event highlighted fan passion and reignited safety discussions within cinema halls.
Jon Stewart presses Mamdani on where he breaks with fellow Democratic socialists on prisons and borders
Talk show host Jon Stewart asked New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani where he disagrees with fellow Democratic socialists who are rising in the Democratic Party during a Wednesday episode of his podcast, "The Weekly Show."Stewart, who has long been a fixture of centrist Democratic Party politics, noted on his show that times have changed, in that "now Democratic socialism is considered the hottest trend in the Democratic Party and there's grassroots energy and all — and these Democratic socialist...
Redistricting pushes incumbents toward the exits: From the Politics Desk
From the Politics DeskRedistricting pushes incumbents toward the exits: From the Politics DeskPlus, Trump’s next big nuclear bet in the Middle East. Listen to this article with a free profile00:0000:00Rep. Cleo Fields, D-La.Allison Robbert / The Washington Post via Getty Images fileShareAdd NBC News to GoogleJuly 22, 2026, 6:40 PM EDTBy The Politics DeskWelcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White...
Hull University tells academic keeping books on shelf is an 'unnecessary storage of combustible materials'
The University of Hull has told an academic that keeping his books on a shelf is an "unnecessary storage of combustible materials".Christopher Fear, the university's programme director for politics and international relations, was shocked to receive a slap on the wrist following a safety check around the institution.He wrote: "Following a standard workplace safety check, I have just received an email from a university administrator in which my custom of keeping books on the shelves in my office...
Salman Khan backs students' protest, says they deserve credit for peaceful movement'
Bollywood star Salman Khan has voiced his support for students protesting against paper leaks, calling the issue "very serious" and urging that the movement remain focused on education rather than politics. Taking to Instagram, Salman praised students for coming together to demand a better education system and also acknowledged the support extended by their parents. However, he expressed sadness over reports that the otherwise peaceful protests had turned violent.
Nigel Farage launches into furious tirade against Andy Burnham after first migrant crossings of PM’s tenure: ‘He’ll do nothing!’
Nigel Farage has launched a scathing attack on new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, declaring he will "do nothing" to stop the small boat crossings into Britain.Speaking to GB News, the Reform UK leader argued Mr Burnham has "no mandate" to lead the country.Sitting down with GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope, Mr Farage said: "He has said explicitly more than one time he wants to make the biggest change in politics in 40 years. That is not the 2024 Labour manifesto. "This man has no mandate w...