How Liam Payne's death is addressed in 'Building the Band'

It's game time in the Club World Cup semi-final as PSG and Real Madrid face off at MetLife Stadium. The pre-match buzz centers on Kylian Mbappé’s revenge narrative against his former suitors, and PSG’s flashy new kits (which supposedly honor Parisian architecture—if you squint hard enough). The live coverage is just kicking off, so expect fireworks.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another preseason friendly—it’s a high-stakes clash between two European giants, with Mbappé’s lingering Real Madrid drama adding spice. For football fans, it’s a must-watch preview of elite tactics, egos, and maybe a glimpse of next season’s Champions League drama. Plus, those kits will either be iconic or meme fodder by halftime.

California Governor Gavin Newsom didn't hold back during his visit to South Carolina, launching a sharp critique of former President Trump. He framed the upcoming election as a pivotal moment, warning that another Trump victory would push the country backward. Newsom painted a dire picture of Trump's policies, calling it "America in reverse," and urged voters to mobilize against him.

Editor’s Note: Newsom's fiery rhetoric signals how high the stakes are for Democrats in 2024. By taking the fight to Trump in a red-leaning state like South Carolina, he's not just rallying the base—he's testing messaging that could resonate beyond deep-blue strongholds. It’s a preview of the bitter, high-energy battle ahead.

Oklahoma is teaming up with PragerU, a conservative media nonprofit, to roll out a new test for teachers who move to the state. If they want to keep their teaching license, they’ll have to pass this "America First" assessment, which checks whether their views align with the state’s educational priorities. It’s part of a broader push to shape what’s taught in classrooms—but critics worry it could limit academic freedom.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about a test—it’s a sign of how politically charged education has become. Oklahoma’s move could set a precedent for other states to enforce ideological filters on teachers, raising questions about who gets to decide what counts as "acceptable" knowledge in schools. For parents and educators, it’s another flashpoint in the culture wars over how history and civics are taught.

Terry Gilliam, the iconic Monty Python member and filmmaker, recently vented about how Donald Trump’s presidency made satire almost impossible. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gilliam joked (or maybe not) that Trump "destroyed satire" by being so absurdly over-the-top that parody couldn’t keep up. He even blamed Trump for messing with his latest film project—a satire about recent years—because reality under Trump was already too ridiculous to lampoon effectively.

Editor’s Note: Satire thrives on exaggeration, but when real life feels like a fever dream, comedians like Gilliam struggle to outdo it. His frustration highlights how Trump’s chaotic persona reshaped not just politics but also comedy—making it harder to find the line between mockery and reality. For fans of satire, it’s a weirdly bleak punchline.

The chair of the Republican National Committee, Michael Whatley, says the GOP would rally behind Lara Trump—former President Donald Trump’s daughter-in-law—if she jumps into the race for North Carolina’s open Senate seat. Meanwhile, Donald Trump himself plans to meet with potential candidates to pick someone he believes will best represent the state and the country.

Editor’s Note: This story hints at the ongoing influence of the Trump family in Republican politics, even after Donald Trump’s presidency. If Lara Trump runs, it could signal a continued blending of political dynasties and celebrity influence in the GOP. For North Carolina, a swing state, this could shape a high-stakes Senate race with national implications.