{"id":6112,"date":"2026-08-04T11:00:04","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T11:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6112"},"modified":"2026-08-04T11:00:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T11:00:05","slug":"first-thing-trump-chastises-oil-companies-for-making-too-much-money-from-his-iran-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/?p=6112","title":{"rendered":"First Thing: Trump chastises oil companies for \u2018making too much money\u2019 from his Iran war"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-gu-name=\"media\" class=\"dcr-14sl0e4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-17l77cs\">\n<figure id=\"96f568b6-0bc8-4948-b3cb-1609dd358e26\" class=\"dcr-191xnya\">\n<div id=\"img-1\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A blurred Chevron gas price sign is seen behind green branches\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/91b9bf7f52671d7181d607183a4ef16b7aa61aac\/318_0_3183_2547\/master\/3183.jpg?width=465&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"465\" height=\"372.0876531573987\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><span class=\"dcr-kogzpx\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-18mnkpm\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1294qmb\"><label for=\"the-checkbox\" class=\"dcr-4sl2vt\"><\/label> <\/p>\n<div id=\"the-caption\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1mfxiaj\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Gas prices on display at a Chevron station.<\/span> Photograph: Mike Stewart\/AP<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><a href=\"#img-1\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"96f568b6-0bc8-4948-b3cb-1609dd358e26\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"dcr-qda0hp\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-1e9iiy9\"><span class=\"dcr-13i4yc9\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Gas prices on display at a Chevron station.<\/span> Photograph: Mike Stewart\/AP<\/figcaption><\/span><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"headline\" class=\"dcr-ql9l8l\">\n<div class=\"dcr-6mja0y\">\n<h1 class=\"dcr-l0wuod\">First Thing: Trump chastises oil companies for \u2018making too much money\u2019 from his Iran war<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"standfirst\" class=\"dcr-1xpojbf\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gm5ptv\">\n<p>US president takes aim at profits as oil companies worldwide benefit from US-Iran conflict. Plus, can you tell if someone is secretly filming you with Meta\u2019s glasses?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"body\" class=\"dcr-x1al2c\">\n<div class=\"dcr-11gq2tx\">\n<div id=\"maincontent\" class=\"dcr-1w2vkyc\">\n<div class=\"article-body-commercial-selector article-body-viewer-selector dcr-ogvvui\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Good morning. Donald Trump has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/aug\/04\/donald-trump-oil-companies-war-iran-us-exxonmobil-chevron\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">criticised oil companies for \u201cmaking too much money\u201d<\/a> from the global energy market disruption caused by his war on Iran. The US president took aim at the windfall profits revealed last week by ExxonMobil and Chevron, and claimed the companies would \u201cgive some of that back to the public\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The US oil companies made profits totalling more than $26bn for the three months to the end of June. Chevron reported its highest ever quarterly profit of $12.2bn, a fivefold increase on the same period last year. ExxonMobil reported a profit of $14.5bn in the second quarter, double what it made in the same period a year ago.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Is it just US oil companies profiting from Trump\u2019s war?<\/strong> Europe\u2019s largest oil company, Shell, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/jul\/30\/shell-profits-double-jump-oil-gas-prices\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">doubled its net profit<\/a> to almost $10bn in the three months to June. The crisis helped Saudi \u2060oil company Aramco to a \u206044% rise in \u200bnet profits, to $32.69bn, in \u200bthe same period, despite disruptions in \u200cthe strait of Hormuz. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/business\/2026\/aug\/04\/bp-profits-iran-war-oil-prices-shell\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">BP has reported<\/a> its highest quarterly profits since the first year of Russia\u2019s war on Ukraine, though its new chief executive, Meg O\u2019Neill, said there was \u201cmore to do\u201d because BP was \u201cnot making the most\u201d of its potential.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>What is happening with Trump\u2019s new trade tariffs? <\/strong>A coalition of 25 US states <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/states-sue-trump-administration-tariffs\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">sued the Trump administration on Monday<\/a> over new tariffs pegged at 10%-12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes that were <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/feb\/20\/trump-supreme-court-tariffs-ruling\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">struck down by the supreme court<\/a> in February. According to the states involved in the action, tariffs on 59 countries and the European Union imposed last month account for 99.4% of US imports.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"immigrant-death-at-delaney-hall-marks-22nd-in-ice-custody-this-year\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Immigrant death at Delaney Hall marks 22nd in ICE custody this year<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"9f1c386b-d7ce-4ded-a7b1-2d74b6cb7a99\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-2\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A protester ties a ribbon on a mesh fence surrounding Delaney Hall, wearing a shirt that says &apos;Abolish ICE&apos;\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/d31d725b4a2929c89193a4f0ec0a7fea756b4fcc\/328_0_2500_2000\/master\/2500.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-2\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"9f1c386b-d7ce-4ded-a7b1-2d74b6cb7a99\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">A protester ties a ribbon on the fence surrounding the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility, in memory of people who have died in immigration custody.<\/span> Photograph: Olga Fedorova\/EPA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">An immigrant being held at a New Jersey ICE detention center <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/ice-delaney-hall-custody-death\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">died on 1 August<\/a>, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, 41, is the 22nd person to die in ICE custody this year, according to agency data.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Lopez-Cornejo, who is originally from El Salvador and first came to the US in 2006, was arrested by ICE agents in Plainfield, New Jersey, on 18 June and sent to Delaney Hall detention facility to await deportation. Less than two months later he suffered an unspecified \u201cmedical emergency\u201d, and was later pronounced dead by University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, ICE said.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>What else has happened in ICE detention this week? <\/strong>Attorneys for a man detained in a California immigration detention center have released footage showing him holding up a bottle of water from inside the facility that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/ice-detention-water-video\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">appeared to be contaminated with worm-like creatures<\/a>. Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Los Angeles man who has been detained for months at the Adelanto Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, north-east of LA, said the water was given to detainees to drink.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"completely-hollow-critics-denounce-blanche-deal-to-halt-trump-slush-fund\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>\u2018Completely hollow\u2019: critics denounce Blanche deal to halt Trump slush fund<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"8e0db42e-4af9-4c2e-babb-596dfd91fc0a\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-3\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Todd Blanche pointing his finger\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/ea75bbc1b742c2b083a5c99ec142f13b44993eab\/0_0_2499_2000\/master\/2499.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.1424569827931\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-3\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"8e0db42e-4af9-4c2e-babb-596dfd91fc0a\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Todd Blanche.<\/span> Photograph: Manuel Balce Ceneta\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/todd-blanche-donald-trump-deal\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">compromise between Todd Blanche and two Republican senators<\/a> that potentially cleared the way for Blanche\u2019s confirmation as attorney general is weak, Democrats and several experts have said, because it makes promises Donald Trump can easily reverse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Blanche, the acting attorney general, posted two documents on Sunday evening showing he was withdrawing an 18 May order that had allowed for the creation of a $1.8bn anti-weaponization fund and clarifying that broad tax immunity the justice department granted to Trump only applied retroactively to the president, his sons and businesses.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"trump-accuses-jeanine-pirro-of-folding-by-dropping-reflecting-pool-charges\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Trump accuses Jeanine Pirro of \u2018folding\u2019 by dropping reflecting pool charges<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"e4f580c4-eba4-4159-878e-d2669ff00e8f\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-4\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jeanine Pirro.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/b4250f8e057f0e8dfd3d157fdd0ee14db9c51600\/1193_0_5937_4753\/master\/5937.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.25484251305375\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-4\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"e4f580c4-eba4-4159-878e-d2669ff00e8f\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Jeanine Pirro.<\/span> Photograph: Brendan Smialowski\/Pool AFP\/AP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Donald Trump accused US attorney Jeanine Pirro of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/trump-jeanine-pirro-reflecting-pool-case\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">having \u201cfolded like an umbrella\u201d<\/a> amid reports he was considering removing her from her post. Trump criticized Pirro on Monday after she dropped vandalism charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said: \u201cFrankly, I think she choked because the judge was really vicious.\u201d He added: \u201cI was disappointed with Jeanine Pirro, really disappointed with Jeanine Pirro. She folded like an umbrella.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Trump refused to answer a follow-up question from a reporter on whether he is reconsidering her role, instead saying: \u201cYou\u2019re fake news. Don\u2019t ever talk again.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"in-other-news\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>In other news \u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"45de9d05-1be5-4455-9b50-9a03af6a45a3\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-5\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US Representative Chuck Edwards.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/4cd4cb556ebe381cfb5a994a9f2d0908f159be74\/652_0_4585_3668\/master\/4585.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-5\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"45de9d05-1be5-4455-9b50-9a03af6a45a3\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">US Representative Chuck Edwards.<\/span> Photograph: Evelyn Hockstein\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>The US House of Representatives ethics committee has recommended that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/house-ethics-panel-north-carolina-chuck-edwards-censure\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Republican congressman Chuck Edwards face censure<\/a><\/strong> after determining he \u201cfostered a hostile work environment and engaged in sexual harassment\u201d by giving gifts and lavishing attention on two young female staffers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/cyclospora-deaths-michigan\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Two people have died from cyclosporiasis<\/a> in Michigan<\/strong>, marking the first fatalities in the largest US outbreak \u2060of the intestinal illness.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Crews building Trump\u2019s border wall in drought-hit New Mexico have been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/trump-border-wall-new-mexico-wells\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">ordered to stop drilling wells<\/a><\/strong> after it threatened the water supply for residents and ranchers nearby.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>The UFC fighter Allan Nascimento <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/sport\/2026\/aug\/03\/allan-nascimento-dies-aged-34-ufc-flyweight-apparent-heart-attack\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">has been found dead<\/a><\/strong> at home at the age of 34, the organisation has announced, after apparently having a heart attack in his sleep.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><strong>Palantir\u2019s earnings <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/palantir-second-quarter-earnings\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">surged past expectations<\/a><\/strong>, with yearly revenue up 93%, even as opposition grows to the company\u2019s role in Trump\u2019s immigration agenda.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"stat-of-the-day-far-right-republican-accused-of-stiffing-student-debate-champion-of-8000\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Stat of the day: Far-right Republican accused of stiffing student debate champion of $8,000<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"1bd398e7-012d-4f35-b5c5-9ba0afe60fc4\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-6\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A dollar in a magnifying glass.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/f704dd51ce20fb91f5fbd6b9221de5fc77710060\/222_27_1036_829\/master\/1036.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.08590733590734\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-6\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"1bd398e7-012d-4f35-b5c5-9ba0afe60fc4\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span> Photograph: Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Student Briana Whatley won $11,000 in scholarship money from a company founded by the Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback. She claims he broke off communication after she questioned why a promised installment was not paid, and is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/republican-james-fishback-sued-student-debate-money\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">suing for the outstanding $8,000<\/a>, plus interest and costs. Fishback has told the Guardian it was \u201can oversight on my part\u201d.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"culture-pick-how-harlan-coben-became-the-king-of-potboiler-tv\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Culture pick: How Harlan Coben became the king of potboiler TV<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"dd02f027-2e7c-4779-9b34-b0646bb0c72b\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-7\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US author Harlan Coben.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/c492210df298b4c6f3fcbe31f37428e5f1fca09a\/0_0_3909_2611\/master\/3909.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"297.23586595037096\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-7\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"dd02f027-2e7c-4779-9b34-b0646bb0c72b\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">US author Harlan Coben.<\/span> Photograph: Reuters\/Alamy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The crime author Harlan Coben\u2019s latest Netflix thriller, I Will Find You, has become one of the streamer\u2019s most-watched shows of all time \u2013 but what\u2019s his secret? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/tv-and-radio\/2026\/jul\/30\/how-harlan-coben-became-the-king-of-potboiler-tv\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Stuart Heritage thinks he knows<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"dont-miss-this-fortnite-on-steroids-the-virtual-gaming-worlds-transformed-to-train-british-soldiers\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss this: \u2018Fortnite on steroids\u2019 \u2013 the virtual gaming worlds transformed to train British soldiers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"be457c55-32c7-4e3d-bbb7-ab5c54695a76\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-8\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Aisha Down taking part in a live VR demonstration.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/aec5d43c6071ccaf153d3ee98f9305fba83966fc\/734_0_6830_5464\/master\/6830.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-8\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"be457c55-32c7-4e3d-bbb7-ab5c54695a76\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Aisha Down taking part in a live VR demonstration.<\/span> Photograph: Graeme Robertson\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">The British army is using virtual worlds to train soldiers on the second-order consequences of battlefield decisions \u2013 how combat might affect logistics networks, critical infrastructure, and the behaviour of a human population. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/uk-news\/2026\/aug\/04\/fortnite-on-steroids-the-virtual-gaming-worlds-transformed-to-train-british-soldiers\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Aisha Down speaks<\/a> to some of the tech companies behind it.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"-or-this-can-you-tell-if-someone-is-filming-you-with-meta-glasses\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>\u2026 or this: Can you tell if someone is filming you with Meta glasses?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"1eb3d179-a1c7-40a8-af52-d55c1e7eb086\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-9\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Guardian journalist Elle Hunt wearing Meta\u2019s smart glasses.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/75fa01cb1f8ec6398c30f40bc8353b65ed84a1e1\/1532_441_2025_1621\/master\/2025.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356.21975308641976\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-9\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"1eb3d179-a1c7-40a8-af52-d55c1e7eb086\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Guardian journalist Elle Hunt wearing Meta\u2019s smart glasses.<\/span> Photograph: Ali Smith\/The Guardian<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">My Australian colleagues have put together <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/technology\/video\/2026\/aug\/04\/meta-glasses-can-you-tell-if-someone-is-filming-you-video\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">this video<\/a> showing how you can determine if you are being covertly filmed.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"climate-check-wildfires-rage-across-washington-as-drought-and-heat-fuel-painful-summer\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Climate check: Wildfires rage across Washington as drought and heat fuel painful summer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"ead8cc30-0772-4182-abf7-014c616b2629\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-10\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A smoke-filled cityscape\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/8e29a1c4e2bf81d5299e43d0065705c99e786688\/252_0_3780_3024\/master\/3780.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-10\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"ead8cc30-0772-4182-abf7-014c616b2629\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">A drone view shows wildfire smoke enveloping the sky over Spokane.<\/span> Photograph: David Ryder\/Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/03\/washington-state-fires-spokane\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Firefighters in Washington state are battling wildfires<\/a> that have forced 60,000 people to leave and destroyed hundreds of buildings as drought and extreme heat fuel an \u201cextraordinary\u201d fire season in the Pacific north-west. David Upthegrove, the head of Washington\u2019s department of natural resources, told reporters: \u201cIt\u2019s not a normal season.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"last-thing-why-are-vinyl-albums-becoming-so-different-from-their-digital-versions\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Last Thing: Why are vinyl albums becoming so different from their digital versions?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"db47267f-6498-44a7-a928-70318f2e9524\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div id=\"img-11\" class=\"dcr-1t7hdmw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Charli xcx and Olivia Rodrigo.\" src=\"https:\/\/i.guim.co.uk\/img\/media\/53a92e411b01c23e5d9ef08b6d125853a39aad26\/0_0_1440_1152\/master\/1440.jpg?width=445&amp;dpr=1&amp;s=none&amp;crop=none\" width=\"445\" height=\"356\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"dcr-up96pv\"><a href=\"#img-11\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-zwabc0\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><button data-element-id=\"db47267f-6498-44a7-a928-70318f2e9524\" type=\"button\" class=\"open-lightbox dcr-1bitgpn\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\"><span class=\"dcr-1shbixy\">View image in fullscreen<\/span><\/button><\/a><\/div><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Charli xcx and Olivia Rodrigo.<\/span> Composite: Harley Weir\/PA, PR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Records are expensive, elaborate \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/music\/2026\/aug\/04\/a-pressing-issue-vinyl-albums-riddled-with-mistakes-charli-xcx-olivia-rodrigo\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">and may not contain all the music<\/a>. After Olivia Rodrigo, Charli xcx and more sent out incomplete or unfinished vinyl versions, fans say it\u2019s a matter of respect.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"sign-up\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Sign up<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"501fd8d6-37f8-4c3a-be3c-d17f67efb386\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.EmbedBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\">\n<div data-testid=\"embed-block\" class=\"dcr-bim5uz\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1uhxjbp\">Sign up for the US morning briefing<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">First Thing is delivered to thousands of inboxes every weekday. If you\u2019re not already signed up, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/info\/2018\/sep\/17\/guardian-us-morning-briefing-sign-up-to-stay-informed\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">subscribe now<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"get-in-touch\" class=\"dcr-8418j6\"><strong>Get in touch<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email <a href=\"mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\" data-link-name=\"in body link | mailto:newsletters@theguardian.com\">newsletters@theguardian.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-print-layout=\"hide\" class=\"dcr-swayiu\"><span class=\"dcr-1xhbmzr\">Explore more on these topics<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-2c03t5\">\n<ul class=\"dcr-p7nd18\">\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/us-news\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">US news<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"dcr-r721ee\"><a href=\"\/us-news\/series\/guardian-us-briefing\" class=\"dcr-856iwi\">First Thing newsletter<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dcr-313bdz\"><a href=\"mailto:?subject=First%20Thing:%20Trump%20chastises%20oil%20companies%20for%20%E2%80%98making%20too%20much%20money%E2%80%99%20from%20his%20Iran%20war&amp;body=https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2026\/aug\/04\/first-thing-trump-chastises-oil-companies-for-making-too-much-money-from-his-iran-war?CMP=share_btn_url\" class=\"dcr-ncybeu\">Share<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-19bkree\"><a data-link-name=\"meta-syndication-article\" href=\"https:\/\/syndication.theguardian.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2026%2Faug%2F04%2Ffirst-thing-trump-chastises-oil-companies-for-making-too-much-money-from-his-iran-war&amp;type=article&amp;internalpagecode=us-news\/2026\/aug\/04\/first-thing-trump-chastises-oil-companies-for-making-too-much-money-from-his-iran-war\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\" title=\"Reuse this content\" class=\"dcr-1c41onw\">Reuse this content<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-gu-name=\"right-column\" class=\"dcr-1kq7f60\"><span class=\"dcr-1ryr20k\"><\/span><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gas prices on display at a Chevron station. Photograph: Mike Stewart\/AP View image in fullscreen Gas prices on<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":6114,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-us-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6112","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6112"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6112\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6115,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6112\/revisions\/6115"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6112"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6112"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usglobalnews.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6112"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}