The 2026 World Cup Final Deserves Better Than MetLife Stadium Spain and Argentina will clash in East Rutherford, N.J. for the biggest prize in soccer. Sports Illustrated · Jul 18
Bill Maher curses and calls Trump a ‘crazy person’ after he’s pressed on his dinner with president The late-night host claims Trump relies entirely on personal interactions over official intelligence The Independent UK · Jul 18
Meteorologists issue new wildfire smoke forecast for World Cup final Smoke from Canadian wildfires, which has caused unhealthy air quality across the US Northeast, is expected to largely clear from the New Jersey area before the World Cup final on Sunday, thanks to thunderstorms. The Independent UK · Jul 18
Iranian Missile Attacks Kill Two US Service Members in Jordan, One Remains Missing Iranian strikes on Friday killed two US service members in Jordan, as US Central Command and partner forces defended against ballistic‑missile and drone attacks. Benzinga · Jul 18
Khamenei threatens ‘unforgettable lessons’, two US troops killed in Iranian attack Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Majotaba Khamenei on Saturday vowed to teach the US "unforgettable lessons" in a written message broadcast on state TV. US Central Command reported its first troop deaths due to Iranian fire when two service members were killed and an another missing in an attack on a… France 24 · Jul 18
When Pauline Hanson and Tommy Robinson met, hatred was a given. More disturbing was the spectacle One Nation’s polling popularity is proof we live in an upside-down world which surpasses substance and vaults reason The Guardian - AU · Jul 18
Iran just crossed Trump's red line for resuming all-out war as fighting continues to escalate with no end in sight "The collapse of even this minimal understanding could remove the last barrier between episodic confrontation and a forever war." Fortune · Jul 18
The Argentina formula that can defy logic to beat Spain in World Cup final WORLD CUP FINAL: Lionel Messi and Argentina are on the brink of back-to-back titles, while Spain can upgrade from European champions to add a second star in what, Miguel Delaney argues, is a match and a day like nothing else in sport The Independent UK · Jul 18
Texas Democrats Demand Answers as DOJ's Outreach Fuels Fears of a Child-Deportation Pipeline Texas's full Democratic delegation presses HHS on fears migrant kids could be moved to Texas to speed deportations. Latin Times · Jul 18
Republican lawmaker Ralph Norman to join race to succeed Lindsey Graham in South Carolina Congressman to run for seat despite Donald Trump backing Graham’s sister, Darline, should she choose to run The Guardian - US · Jul 18
Mexico's president to attend World Cup final at Trump's invitation Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said late Friday she will attend Sunday’s World Cup final after an invitation from her U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump The Independent UK · Jul 18
Washington Ends Open-Ended I Visas for Foreign Reporters — and Draws a Much Shorter Line for China DHS scraps open-ended press visas for fixed terms — 240 days for most, just 90 for Chinese reporters — reviving a 2020-era standoff with Beijing. Latin Times · Jul 18
Trump wants to stop at smoke at border Wildfire smoke from Canada sparks tariff threats as the president targets pollution crossing into the U.S. Salon · Jul 18
2 US service members killed, 1 missing after Iranian attack on Jordan base, says Pentagon Two US service members died and one is missing after an Iranian attack in Jordan. US and partner forces defended the base against Iranian missile and drone assaults. Iran warned the United States of "unforgettable lessons" if operations continued. US Central Command conducted strikes targeting Iranian surveillance and infrastructure sites.… The Times of India · Jul 18
International Business Times · Jul 18 Iran Officially Buries Remains of Defunct Truce With US. Middle East Flare-up Swallows Civilian Infra Targets The US attacks, which also marked a targeting of civilian infrastructure by the warring parties, also left 10,000 people without water after a desalination plant was hit, Iran said. Iran's retaliation also targeted civilian infrastructure, a war crime under international humanitarian law.
The Economic Times · Jul 18 World Cup 2026 final Argentina vs Spain ticket released last-minute by FIFA on Saturday. Here's how much you will have to spend to witness Lionel Messi-Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi's Argentina are striving to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain are trying to win a second title after their maiden victory in 2010.
The Independent UK · Jul 18 Trump shifts his tone on Jimmy Carter while grappling with Iran war, inflation and his own legacy Trump still frequently mentions Carter, who died two years ago at age 100, but usually to incorrectly suggest that he was wary of mail-in ballots
The Economic Times · Jul 18 Iran's supreme leader warns of 'unforgettable lessons' if US continues attacks Iran's supreme leader issued stern warnings after the United States conducted further strikes. Tehran announced it is suspending commitments to a recently signed interim deal. Kuwait reported significant damage to its water and oil facilities from Iranian attacks. US airstrikes targeted infrastructure in Iran's southern Hormozgan province. Both nations continue…
Bangkok Post · Jul 18 Spain, Argentina tune up for World Cup final in smoggy New Jersey EAST RUTHERFORD (UNITED STATES) - Argentina and Spain fine-tuned preparations for Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey as a persistent, choking smog blanketed the eastern United States.
The Economic Times · Jul 18 'Blood for blood': A billboard in Iran has a chilling warning for Trump and his family A giant billboard unveiled in Tehran's Palestine Square depicts US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and his children above flag-draped coffins alongside the slogan "Blood for Blood". The display marks the latest in a series of state-backed anti-Trump murals amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States.
The Independent UK · Jul 18 World Cup champion pleads for Trump’s help in getting into US for Spain v Argentina The 48-year-old said he wants to be at the game in New Jersey ‘with all my 2010 teammates’ to cheer on the current Spain squad
International Business Times · Jul 18 US Seeks Pledge On Easing Import Norms. EU Not Keen To Play Ball The EU has the largest trade deficit in goods of any trading bloc with the US, at $226.46 billion. Brussels flags Washington's $203 surplus in services.
Sports Illustrated · Jul 18 ‘What Do You Mean?’—Thomas Tuchel Bites Back at President Trump Criticism The England manager’s approach to the World Cup semifinal has divided opinion.
The Economic Times · Jul 18 Iran says it is suspending commitments to interim deal with US as they exchange attacks The United States and Iran exchanged strikes on infrastructure and military targets. Iran suspended its commitments under the interim deal with the U.S. Kuwait saw significant damage to a desalination plant and an oil facility. U.S. airstrikes also hit electricity and desalination plants in Iran. The conflict intensified over control…
The Guardian - UK · Jul 18 ‘Where did they go?’: homeless people feel force of America’s brutality in World Cup clean-up Fifa says football brings the world together but the unhoused in Atlanta feel targeted and completely excluded from the tournament