Donald Trump's personal revenge campaign against a journalist has become a blueprint for his administration's crackdown on leaks, according to the target of that campaign. The US President reportedly scrawled the word 'treason' on a stack of news articles about Iran war leaks and handed them to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche earlier this year. Within weeks, the Justice Department issued grand jury subpoenas to reporters at the Wall Street Journal, demanding to know their sources.
The journalist, whose identity has not been disclosed, said Trump used the revenge campaign as justification for a new crackdown. The US has launched a second night of strikes in retaliation for Iran targeting tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, hitting about 90 targets across Iran, including more than 60 Islamic Revolutionary Guard small boats. Trump warned the Middle East conflict could 'get much worse' if Iran retaliates again.
Meanwhile, a social media trend called 'testosterone-maxxing' or 'T-maxxing' is encouraging young men to artificially boost their testosterone levels. The US Health Secretary described Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) as an 'anti-ageing protocol', but Dr Jeff Foster likens its use when not medically necessary to doping. Podcaster Joe Rogan has spoken publicly about the benefits of TRT.
In the UK, Scotland Yard has opened an investigation into a political donation of £37,500 made to Robert Jenrick's campaign to become Conservative leader in 2024. The Metropolitan Police is investigating claims the donation originated from a foreign donor, which is illegal under UK electoral law. Jenrick, who defected to Reform UK in January, has repeatedly denied breaching electoral laws and told The i Paper he has had 'no contact with the Met Police whatsoever'.
A Government review has found that the current system of disability benefits is 'no longer fit for purpose'. Sir Stephen Timms's interim report has promised 'bold' reform of personal independence payments (PIP), which can be worth up to around £800 a month and help disabled people pay for extra costs of daily living.
