Bird of the Day, theme 'Firsts'

Today's Bird of the Day; daily community event. Theme: #Firsts.

Sunday Times and Sun columnist Rod Liddle dies aged 66

Rod Liddle, columnist for The Sun and The Sunday Times, has died at 66 after a short illness.

Capital One says it closed hundreds of Trump Organization accounts

Capital One disclosed it closed about 385 bank accounts tied to the Trump Organization after an AML review in 2021.

VGen artists reopen commission slots

VGen creators are reopening commission openings and sharing portfolios on the vgen platform as artists promote paid work.

Ariana Grande withdraws from West End role, to 'step back' from visibility

Ariana Grande pulled out of a planned London West End musical and announced she will step back from public visibility after her tour.

GOP 'deal' collapses in Todd Blanche nomination fight

Senate Republicans' negotiated settlement over Todd Blanche's confirmation fell apart, leaving key changes unenforceable.

House Ethics Committee urges censure of Rep. Chuck Edwards

Two deaths in Michigan linked to cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms

Michigan health officials report two deaths connected to a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms.

Oil prices drop over 5% after Trump pauses planned strikes on Iran

Brent falls toward $83.4/barrel and WTI near $79.6 after Trump halts strikes and OPEC+ approves extra output.

Blue Jays trade Kevin Gausman to Cubs

Toronto traded veteran starter Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs for two minor‑league prospects, per reports.

Red Sox complete trade for Adley Rutschman after medicals cleared

Boston acquired 3-time All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman (with Jake Rogers and cash) from Baltimore for a multi‑prospect package.

Red Sox sweep Dodgers, Ceddanne Rafaela homers in third straight game

Ceddanne Rafaela homered for a third consecutive game as the Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Dodgers.

Wales withdraws support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino

The Football Association of Wales becomes the first nation to publicly withdraw backing for Infantino's re‑election bid.

Comedian Jimmy Cricket dies aged 80

James Mulgrew, Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket, has died at 80 after a short illness, his family says.

VRChat world 'Rhythm Arcade Hiddenbox Alpha' surfaces

A new VRChat world, Rhythm Arcade Hiddenbox Alpha, is linked and shared by creators amid fresh world drops.

Phillies acquire Luis Arraez from Giants

Philadelphia acquires three-time batting champion Luis Arraez and RHP Caleb Kilian from the San Francisco Giants.

Blue Jays acquire José Soriano from Angels for Arjun Nimmala, others

Toronto acquires RHP José Soriano; Angels receive SS Arjun Nimmala, OF Eddie Micheletti Jr., and RHP Angel Rivero.

White House plans overhaul to deregulate Head Start

Administration proposal would loosen federal Head Start standards, shifting more authority to states for 500,000+ children.

Jeanine Pirro seen carrying large white box, presumed box wine

Pirro’s office filed to dismiss the indictment against David Hearn; the article does not report her carrying a white box.

Art Fight 2026 final attack and revenge posts circulate

Artists publish attack and final 'revenge' submissions across the #artfight event as the contest wraps up.

Star Trek marks 60th anniversary with daily comic cover series

Star Trek marks its 60th anniversary with new comics, anthologies, and special issues, not a 60-day daily cover series.

WestJet, CUPE reach tentative deal to end flight attendant strike

WestJet and CUPE reached a tentative agreement that ends a strike which canceled hundreds of summer flights.

John Oliver targets police surveillance technology on Last Week Tonight

This week's segment criticizes widely used police tools, invasive cameras, microphones and license-plate readers, as overreach.

Sigrid Haugset wins Tour de France Femmes stage 3 with long solo

Norwegian Sigrid Haugset rode an ~88 km solo to win Stage 3 and took the yellow jersey at the Tour de France Femmes.

Japanese yen jumps after joint US‑Japan market intervention

Yen strengthens toward ¥155 per dollar after coordinated US‑Japan currency support operations and confirmed intervention.

Astros acquire outfielder Daulton Varsho from Blue Jays

Houston is finalizing a deadline deal for Toronto outfielder Daulton Varsho, sending RHP Spencer Arrighetti to the Blue Jays.

2026 MLB trade deadline day, teams make last‑hour moves

Deadline day brings a flurry of trades and rumors across MLB as teams finalize deals before the cutoff.

Dave Bautista in talks to play Kratos in Amazon God of War series

Bautista is reportedly negotiating to replace injured Ryan Hurst as Kratos in Prime Video’s God of War adaptation.

TCM Party live watch, Dead Reckoning (1947)

Viewers tuned into TCM Party’s Summer Under the Stars screening of Dark Passage (1947), live‑tweeting Bogart moments and reactions.

Newcastle sign goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček from Braga

Newcastle complete signing of Czech international goalkeeper Lukáš Horníček on a five-year deal for ~£25.7m/€30m.

Yankees finalizing deal to acquire Heliot Ramos from Giants

New York is closing in on a trade to add outfielder Heliot Ramos from San Francisco as they seek right‑handed offense at the deadline.

Padres finalizing trade to acquire Robbie Ray from Giants

San Diego is closing a deal to add left-hander Robbie Ray from the San Francisco Giants, sources tell ESPN.

Dodgers acquire lefty Kris Bubic from Royals

Los Angeles reportedly trades for LHP Kris Bubic from Kansas City as part of deadline moves; Bubic has spent time on the IL this season.

Mets trade Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor to Cubs for Jefferson Rojas

New York is sending RHP Clay Holmes and OF Tyrone Taylor to Chicago in exchange for top infield prospect Jefferson Rojas, pending physicals.

Final trailer released for Star Wars: Visions, The Ninth Jedi

The final trailer for Star Wars: Visions Presents, The Ninth Jedi is out; the show streams Aug 5 on Disney+ and Hulu.

MLB homers light up early August slate, including Burleson and Caminero

Across Monday's games Alec Burleson, Junior Caminero and others launched multi‑run homers in early August action.

White Sox acquire reliever Huascar Brazobán from Mets

Chicago landed veteran right‑hander Huascar Brazobán from the Mets in exchange for two pitching prospects, sources say.

Dodgers reacquire Ben Rortvedt from Mets

Dodgers trade RHP Chayce McDermott to the Mets to bring catcher Ben Rortvedt back ahead of the trade deadline.

Big Cass returns to WWE RAW, attacks Je'Von Evans

Big Cass made a surprise return on RAW, laying out Je'Von Evans after Evans' victory over Ethan Page.

WWE RAW sees Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer return to challenge Liv Morgan

Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer return on RAW in a postmatch angle after Sol Ruca vs Roxanne Perez.

Tampa Bay acquires catcher Liam Hicks from Marlins

The Rays are reported to have traded for catcher/1B Liam Hicks from the Marlins in a deadline deal, per multiple outlets.

Rays acquire reliever Tyler Wells from Orioles

Tampa Bay added right‑handed reliever Tyler Wells from Baltimore ahead of the trade deadline; Baltimore received a minor‑league return.

White Sox acquire catcher Joey Bart from Braves

Chicago is getting catcher Joey Bart from Atlanta in a trade that sends RHP Duncan Davitt to the Braves.

Kevin Alcántara hits first Major League home run, gives Cubs lead

Kevin Alcántara belted his first MLB homer, a two‑run shot off Justin Wroblewski that put the Cubs up 4-3.