Wrestling Legend Hulk Hogan Dies at 71

Hulk Hogan, born Terry Bollea, who became the face of professional wrestling and an enduring pop culture icon, died at age 71 following cardiac arrest. Rising in WWE’s (then WWF) early 1980s heyday, Hogan’s towering physique, handlebar mustache, and signature red-and-yellow attire became synonymous with the sport. His charisma and “Hulkamania” catchphrases helped propel professional wrestling into the mainstream, culminating in headline appearances at the first WrestleMania in 1985 and subsequent years.

Hogan captured the WWE Championship six times, battled adversaries such as Andre the Giant, Randy Savage, and later The Rock, and played pivotal roles both in the ring and as an ambassador for the industry. His 2005 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame acknowledged his influence on wrestling’s global reach.

Outside wrestling, Hogan crossed over into movies, television, and endorsements, starring in “Suburban Commando,” “Rocky III,” “Mr. Nanny,” and the VH1 reality show “Hogan Knows Best.” His later years brought legal and personal controversies, including high-profile lawsuits and scrutiny over private conduct, but he remained a defining presence in wrestling events and nostalgia circuits. Hogan’s impact extended beyond sport, shaping the marketing and spectacle-driven approach that now defines sports entertainment. He is survived by his family and by generations of wrestlers and fans who cite him as an inspiration and standard-bearer.

 

 

Fauja Singh, Turbaned Tornado, Dies in Tragic Hit-and-Run

Fauja Singh, widely celebrated as the world’s oldest marathon runner, died on July 14 in his native village of Beas Pind, Punjab, India, after being struck by a vehicle, his family reported. He was believed to be 114, though the precise details of his age have long been debated.

Singh, whose official documents list his birthdate as April 1, 1911, spent much of his life in rural India before immigrating to the United Kingdom in the late twentieth century. Birth certificates were not commonly issued at the time and place of his birth, and although his passport and family supported the 1911 date, lack of independent records meant that his athletic feats were never officially recognized by organizations such as Guinness World Records.

Despite the lack of formal recognition, Singh captured global attention for his late-blooming career in distance running. He began competitive racing at the age of 89, following a move to London and the loss of his wife and son. Singh quickly gained a reputation for his stamina and gentle demeanor, regularly completing marathons well beyond standard retirement age. In 2011, he claimed to be the first centenarian to finish a marathon at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In total, he completed nine full marathons between 2000 and 2013, often running alongside much younger athletes and routinely finishing ahead of many.

Singh became something of a cultural icon in both India and the UK, carrying the Olympic torch twice and participating in global advertising campaigns. He was also active in philanthropy, frequently using his growing platform to raise money and awareness for charitable causes.

Singh leaves behind extended family in both England and India. His story inspired runners and non-runners alike, challenging ideas about aging and possibility. While questions about his precise age persisted throughout his running career, there was little debate about the enduring impact of his lifelong example of perseverance.

US Strikes on Iran Spark Ongoing Debate

A week after President Donald Trump ordered U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, debate continues over the legality and effectiveness of the operation. Trump claims the attacks destroyed key sites and ended Iran’s nuclear ambitions, while U.S. intelligence assessments indicate the damage may have set back Iran’s program by only a few months. 

Bipartisan critics, including Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), argue the strikes were illegal without congressional authorization. Proponents of the strikes say that Trump did not need prior congressional approval, with some citing what they view as the imminent danger in Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon.

 

Zohran Mamdani Wins Democratic Mayoral Primary in NYC Upset

Zohran Mamdani, a 33-year-old Queens assemblymember and democratic socialist, won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary last Tuesday, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. With almost all precincts reporting, Mamdani’s lead appears insurmountable.

Mamdani, an immigrant from Uganda, has served in the New York State Assembly since 2021, championing progressive policies like fare-free transit and rent protections. His campaign was noted for energizing young and progressive grassroots voters.

Republicans have quickly framed the win as evidence of a leftward shift among Democrats. GOP leaders warned of what they perceive as his radical policies, while Democratic establishment figures, including Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, have so far withheld endorsements.

Mamdani will face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election, with some Mamdani opponents calling on Sliwa to drop out to help consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote.

 

Sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill” Nears Final Vote

The Senate on Monday entered the final stages of debate over the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” President Donald Trump’s sweeping legislative priority combining permanent tax cuts, increased defense and border security spending, and significant reductions to healthcare and nutrition programs. The bill, which narrowly passed the House last month, is now undergoing a marathon “vote-a-rama” in the Senate, with lawmakers considering a flurry of amendments ahead of a July 4 deadline for passage.

At nearly 1,000 pages, the bill is a centerpiece of Trump’s second-term agenda. It would make permanent the 2017 Trump tax cuts, expand tax breaks, such as exempting tips and overtime pay from federal income taxes, boost military spending by $150 billion, fund mass deportations, and resume border wall construction. To offset costs, the bill imposes cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and eliminates many renewable energy subsidies enacted under the Biden administration.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the bill would increase the federal deficit by $3.3 trillion over the next decade. While the White House argues economic growth will offset these costs, independent analysts and many lawmakers remain skeptical.

Opposition has been fierce and largely partisan. Democrats call the bill a windfall for the wealthy at the expense of working-class Americans, citing cuts to health and food assistance. Even within the GOP, dissent has emerged: two Republican senators voted against advancing the bill, citing concerns over Medicaid cuts and the debt ceiling. The bill’s fate remains uncertain, with Senate passage in doubt and the House needing to approve any Senate changes before it can reach the president’s desk.