By CHRISTOPHER STEVENS, TV CRITIC

Published: 22:16 BST, 27 July 2026 | Updated: 23:20 BST, 27 July 2026

A federal judge tossed out a lawsuit Monday from an interfaith group that challenged the legitimacy of President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, dismissing claims that its overwhelmingly conservative Christian makeup lacked a legally required balance of viewpoints.

Judge John P. Cronan said that although a federal law requires that advisory commissions have a balance of viewpoints, it didn’t specify how this should be done. The New York judge said Trump has wide discretion in picking members.

The lawsuit was filed by several plaintiffs, including the progressive Interfaith Alliance as well as Hindu, Muslim and Sikh groups. They argued that the commission was imbalanced because it consisted almost entirely of conservative Christians, along with one Orthodox Jewish rabbi, and that several commissioners were on record questioning church-state separation and supporting the idea of America as a Judeo-Christian country.

Critics of the the commission said such fears were borne out when it issued a draft report in June that challenged the understanding of a separation of church and state in recent generations, calling instead for “bridges” between the two.

But Cronan said the lawsuit, which sought a more ideologically and religious diverse commission, failed to meet legal criteria to proceed.

He also wrote that the commission is diverse in other ways, such as including both clergy and lay people. And he said the commission has “adherents of at least five different religions” — by citing the one Jewish member and then members of various Christian denominations and identities.

The Interfaith Alliance argued that the commission lacked balance because members believed “the law should protect the exercise of religious beliefs over the civil rights of minority groups.” But Cronan wrote that because Trump’s executive order creating the commission rejected the idea of “religious liberty as inconsistent with civil rights,” he wasn’t obligated to appoint someone who disagreed with that founding premise.

The Interfaith Alliance has been vocal in criticizing the commission, saying its recent draft report failed to address crucial issues such as anti-Muslim attacks and saying it supports policies privileging some religious groups over others.

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Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Singer D4vd has been formally ordered to stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, who was found dead and dismembered in a car last year.

After five days of preliminary hearings, the judge ruled that the singer, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, must stand trial on charges of murder, continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and unlawful mutilation of human remains.

‘The people have met their burden on all counts,’ Judge Charlaine Olmedo said before ordering that Burke, 21, continue to be held without bail. 

She then went on to emphasize that the probable cause standard for a preliminary hearing like this is lower than the threshold to prove guilt at trial. However, prosecutors asserted the evidence was overwhelming.

‘Based on the mountains of evidence presented,’ Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman said, ‘all of the allegations have been proved way beyond the standard required.’

Burke remained emotionless as the judge handed down the ruling, and his attorneys declined to comment following the hearing on Monday.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said outside court that prosecutors are still weighing whether to seek the death penalty in the case. 

He will now stand trial for the murder of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez

Prosecutors have claimed Burke first met Rivas Hernandez when she was just 13 years old and began sexually abusing her two years later, when she was 13 and he was 18.

When she then threatened to report him and ruin his career, Burke allegedly cut up her body in his garage with chainsaws.

Prosecutors said they have records showing Burke ordered the chainsaws and wading pools that he used to dismember her body in his garage, and that her DNA was found on blood stains when the police served a search warrant.

They said he then drove around for weeks and even months with the body in the trunk. Her decomposing body was found in the Tesla registered to Burke that was towed from the Hollywood Hills in September, a little more than four months later.

Prosecutors said the car was parked around the corner from his house, and surveillance video will show he was the last person to drive it.

Prosecutors claim Burke began a sexual relationship with Rivas Hernandez when she was 13 and he was 18 

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Her chopped up remains were found in the trunk of Burke’s Tesla last September 

Prosecutors on Monday wrapped up their case by giving a moment-by-moment account of Rivas Hernandez’s last night, showing that after a stream of text messages with Burke, her phone went permanently silent when she arrived at his home.

As she neared his Hollywood home shortly after 10am on April 23, 2025, in an Uber he had sent to pick her up, she sent her final text: ‘girly pop i´m almost there open ur door if ur home.’

Burke then allegedly stabbed her to death when she came through the door.

The night before, the two argued via text about his relationship with a woman. She sent him an angry and profane text saying she will tell her dad so many lies about him and ‘i will end ur career and ur life.’

But after the final witness on Monday, the defense argued that the evidence was insufficient and the murder charge should be dismissed.

‘There´s no evidence that Mr. Burke harbored a deliberate intent to kill Miss Hernandez,’ said Burke’s attorney, Marilyn Bednarski.

She said the communications between Burke and Rivas Hernandez showed ‘no threat, no evidence of a history of violence’ and that he had ‘the opposite of homicidal malice’ toward her.

The attorney further argued that a medical examiner ruling that her death was a homicide from two puncture wounds was too vague and inconclusive to be evidence of murder. The defense did not directly give an alternative theory on how she died and isn’t required to.

Burke did not react when the judge announced there was sufficient evidence to bring the murder case to trial

The defense showed several other texts from Rivas Hernandez threatening him about their relationship, and saying she would go to Burke’s mother, talk to his friends and ‘leak’ information about them.

Under questioning from defense attorney Blair Berk, Farrell said he saw no indication that she ever threatened to go to police or pursue any legal action against him.

The defense also established that she had asked seven times to come to see him in the days before her death, and he reluctantly agreed only after she demanded it, and that she had threatened to kill Burke and to mutilate him.

The defense argued that all of the malice had come from her.

Silverman told the judge that ‘the defense tried numerous times throughout these proceedings to dirty up the victim’ despite her being a child.

The detective also said under questioning from Berk that the parents of both Burke and Rivas Hernandez knew about their relationship, that he had attended church with members of her family and that her parents had given their consent for her to go to London with him for a week.

After her phone went silent, Burke sent her several other messages that night asking where she was, and expressing concern. Prosecutors allege those messages were sent as cover after he had killed her.

In earlier testimony, Farrell recounted dozens of sexually explicit photos of Burke and Rivas Hernandez and years of text messages that described the same things, along with conversations that indicated she had gotten an abortion in 2024 at 13 after he got her pregnant.

Farrell described the photos that could not be shown in court, material so graphic that it left Rivas Hernandez’s mother in tears and prompted both parents to leave the courtroom on Friday. They were back in court Monday.

D4vd (pronounced ‘David’) became an online musical phenomenon as a teen with a blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He had huge followings on TikTok, Soundcloud and Spotify, where his top songs, including his 2022 breakthrough ‘Romantic Homicide,’ have more than a billion plays.

In 2024 he played the Coachella music festival and released his first full-length album, ‘Withered,’ two days after authorities say Rivas Hernandez was killed.

Burke is to be arraigned August 31. 

This is a breaking news story.  

A man has been bailed after being arrested for coercive behaviour and manslaughter when a mother died suddenly at home.

A family have paid an emotional and loving tribute to a young woman who was ‘beautiful inside and out’.

Hannah Fry, 29, suddenly fell ill after officers had been called to her home on Meadow Croft, Longridge.

She was taken to hospital but she was pronounced dead.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of coercive and controlling behaviour and was later further arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.

He has been bailed with conditions whilst enquiries continue.

Hannah’s parents Kevin and Sarah Harcup said: ‘We are devastated to announce the tragic and sudden passing of our beloved daughter, Hannah Eidann Fry, on Monday, 13th July.

‘Hannah was our beautiful and only daughter, the light of our lives and the love in our hearts and souls. She was a devoted mother to her two precious daughters, a cherished daughter, granddaughter, sister, and a loyal, loving friend to so many.

‘At just 29 years old, Hannah’s life was far too short. She was not only beautiful inside and out, but also funny, bubbly, witty, and full of life, with a fantastic personality.

‘Hannah had an extraordinary capacity for love, kindness, compassion, and loyalty. She was truly one of a kind, and there will never be another like her.’

‘She will be forever missed, not only by our family but by the countless people whose lives she touched.

‘Her middle name, Eidann, means Gift from God, and she truly was the greatest gift we could ever have received.’

Hannah’s death is currently being treated as unexplained, and enquiries into what led to it are ongoing.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: ‘A mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been made and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

‘We understand that this may cause some discussion in the local area, however, this post is about Hannah, and the lovely tribute her family have paid to her today.

‘We ask that you are mindful of all those affected by Hannah’s death, and please refrain from any unhelpful speculation that could only cause further distress to her family.’

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Taylor Swift getting married to Travis Kelce in New York this summer could easily be described as the ultimate celebrity event. There was hype, intrigue, tight media control and plenty of global attention.

Some described it as being the US’s version of a royal wedding. But there is a key difference.

A royal wedding is a celebration of a monarchy, a long-established institution in many countries. By contrast, the marriage of Swift and Kelce in Madison Square Gardens on July 3 2026 was the latest instalment of a very modern journey. For our research contends that Swift has transcended celebrity and become an institution in her own right, with her own global influence.

This is no mean feat for the 36-year-old from Pennsylvania. Institutions are the building blocks of our social world, providing us with meanings and roles that we embrace or inhabit as we navigate our lives.

The British monarchy, for example, can be one basis by which people in the UK understand the public realm and their role in it. The King has a well defined role in British society, because he is representing a well established institution that comes with a set of rules and expectations.

In a much shorter time, Swift has become an institution in and of herself. And we specifically use the word “institution” because she has become a focal point for rules, roles, relationships and meanings that are used to govern aspects of the lives of millions of people around the world.

For her fans, the values communicated through Swift’s work and actions include a deep sense of authenticity, community and inclusiveness. These then become principles that those fans draw on to navigate their lives.

The simple act of creating and giving friendship bracelets represents the social norms expected of her fans. That is how Swifties behave.

It is a cultural norm that is recognised around the world, and one that, along with several others, binds this group together. There are the shared online interactions about apparent clues from Swift regarding upcoming tours, songs or personal events, and even the language that is used by Swift and her followers. These help to define the relationships that Swifties form with one another, and their interactions with Swift herself.

The life of a showgirl

In a behind-the-scenes documentary Swift explained that the 3½ hour concerts that she delivered during her Eras concert tour (which ran from March 2023 to December 2024) were to “overserve” her fans. They featured rituals such as the giving of her iconic black fedora hat to a young fan during the song 22. Fans dressed up to reflect their own favourite Swift era as a way of reinforcing the meanings, roles and relationships that Swift and her fans have created.

In each concert’s city, donations were made to local charities. And before the couples’ wedding, US$26 million (£19.5 million) was pledged to good causes in places that hold special meaning for the couple.

These tangible demonstrations of kindness and respect help to reinforce the values and norms that Swift attempts to portray – and they may also have contributed to her ability to successfully manage her wedding.

Because from an organisational perspective, the management of the wedding was a masterclass in institutional control. To command a massive public venue, enforce iron clad non-disclosure agreements on famous guests, and then completely dictate the media narrative, required more than just a celebrity. It required infrastructure.

This is a clear demonstration that Swift has transcended mere celebrity to become an institution in her own right. Her empire doesn’t just navigate traditional industry rules. It has its own distinct set of norms and meanings that form the basis for defining new kinds of relationships within the entire music industry and beyond.

And if we think of Swift as an institution that sets outs roles and norms around relations and behaviour, the effects of her wedding may also be consequential.

Given that Swift’s life informs how young people in particular navigate their lives, then her marriage, and how it is expressed through her public persona and her work, may have a profound effect on how young people understand gender and relationships. Observing how the very modern institution that is Taylor Swift may influence some other long-established social institutions, including gender and marriage, will be fascinating.

Kelly took on three roles as she joined the 4,000-plus volunteers, known as “legends”, at the games: welcoming the workforce, meeting Team Scotland netball players before their training session, and later joining the spectator services team to greet the public and help fans find their way around the venue.

The multi-agency response is making progress at dampening the flames.

Police have banned drones from flying in restricted areas as emergency crews battle wildfires at the Cairngorms.

Around 70 firefighters remain at the scene and nine appliances on Monday as progress is being made at dampening the flames due to imrpived weather conditions.

An aerial assessment has revealed that a massive 25 square kilometres area has been affected by the blaze.

Helicopters, funded by Forestry and Land Scotland, have been performing significant water-bombing within the airspace and police have banned drones due to fears they may interfere with their operations.

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While no air restrictions have been implemented by the Civil Aviation Authority at this time, cops have urged the public not to fly drones and similar vehicles within the air space between East of Coylumbridge, South of Nethybridge, West of Tomintoul, North of Glen Avon and Cairngorm Mountain until further notice.

Members of the public, icluding walkers and visitors are asked to continue to avoid affected areas in Glenmore, Abernethy and Loch Morlich.

Highland Council also convened a business recovery group – attended by Park Authority representatives and other public sector agencies – looking at economic support and recovery beyond the immediate incident.

Inspector Douglas Livitt said: “We understand the significant public interest in this ongoing incident and the desire for some to obtain detailed imagery of the current situation, however, in order to ensure that helicopter operations are not stalled or hampered, please refrain from flying unmanned aerial vehicles in the area for the time being.

“This remains a dynamic situation with a significant level of resource from a variety of agencies and we are all committed to returning the affected area to normality as soon as possible.

“Our thanks go to the public for their continued support and cooperation.”

A Scottish Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “Progress has been made in tackling the Cairngorms wildfire as aggressive firefighting operations continue today, Monday, 27 July.

“It is estimated that the fire has affected an area of around 25 square kilometres, following an aerial assessment.

“Improved weather conditions and a targeted effort to tackle the wildfire in key areas has resulted in a reduction in visible flames, however smouldering areas and burning spots in the ground remain.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will maintain a significant presence in the area until the incident is brought to a safe conclusion.

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“Firefighting is ongoing alongside partners and heavy machinery in the North and West of the incident, supported by helicopter waterbombing.

“Around 70 firefighters remain on scene, with nine fire appliances, specialist wildfire resources and Wildfire Tactical Advisors.

“Members of the public, walkers, and visitors are urged to continue to avoid the affected areas within the Cairngorms National Park. The area remains unsafe due to active firefighting operations.”

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Adam Ramsay-Peaty says he is in a good place ahead of tonight’s 50m breaststroke final at the Commonwealth Games.

The three-time Olympic gold medal winner was emotional after he finished third in Saturday’s 100m final in Glasgow. In that race the Englishman’s reign as Britain’s breaststroke king looked to be fading after he was edged out by Australia’s Sam Williamson, with Jersey teenager Filip Nowacki claiming silver.

The 31-year-old was in tears after the race criticising the media which he insisted had written “rubbish” about his personal life.

“I know the s— I’ve been through, which is no fault of my own, to be honest,” said Ramsay-Peaty, who lost his 100m breaststroke crown two years ago at the Paris Olympics. “But it does take a toll. The choices I’ve made over the last few months have been hard ones. But I’m happy at the same time that I can get here. I didn’t quit in Paris, but I deserve more.”

He added: “You don’t know who I am and people who comment, people who see the story because you read a headline, they’ve got to look themselves in the mirror.

“You can’t hurt me. For me, it’s about my family and that does come at a cost. Being able to ignore that and being able to focus on my job – that hasn’t played a part in a sense of what we’re experiencing today.

“I’m still happy with that result. There’s some sense, but it has to, it has to stop. You know, look how many, how many athletes, how many people have to go for this until the media learn [a] lesson?”

Ramsay-Peaty looked in better form qualifying third fastest from the semi-finals, with a time of 26.82secs. That still leaves him a couple of tenths to find on the South African Michael Houlie, who was fastest in 26.61. The 100m champion Williamson also looked good as he won his semi-final in 26.79.

But Ramsay-Peaty said he was pleased with how he bounced back from Saturday’s defeat.

“It felt much better,” he said. “The last 24 hours have been a bit of a whirlwind, but I’m really happy with that. We’re on a great trajectory for tomorrow.”

He added: “People forget that I haven’t done this for two years. And even I forget that. So as you go through heats, semis and finals, it’s quite difficult if you’re not used to it. So I think that perspective is a good thing.”

Stay here to see whether Ramsay-Peaty can win his first gold since the 2022 Commonwealth Games and for all the reaction to what is sure to be an intriguing battle.