Today’s top stories
President Trump announced yesterday that the US will reimpose a blockade on Iranian shipping. The blockade will take effect Tuesday at 4 pm ET. Trump also said the US would impose a 20% toll on goods transported by waterways, while allowing ships from other countries to pass through. The move comes after renewed US and Iranian attacks have brought last month’s ceasefire close to collapse. The strait carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments.
A ship left the coast of Ajman on Friday.
- 🎧 The memorandum of understanding between Iran and America aims to end hostilities and ensure the reopening of the Strait, a key issue for Trump ahead of the midterms, as explained by NPR’s Jackie Northam. first up. Critics say the deal was too vague, leaving both sides open to different interpretations, which helped run the latest battle.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Colombian immigrant tomorrow in Maine. The incident is the second fatal shooting involving ICE in a week and at least the ninth since President Trump began his immigration crackdown. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents were monitoring a location associated with a deportation order when someone walked by, leading to the shooting. Some Maine officials say the victim was not the intended target. Federal and state law enforcement officials are investigating the shooting.
- 🎧 In Bideford, where the shooting occurred, many residents were in shock. Ari Snyder, a reporter for NPR’s network station Maine Public, says something like this would happen in his small town. The victim has been identified as a 26-year-old man, according to immigrant rights groups and Maine’s independent senator, Angus King. Community members told Snyder his name was Joan Sebastian Guerrero. He was married and had a small child. Immigrant rights groups say he was authorised to work in the US. The firing took place in the morning and by afternoon hundreds of people were killed. Protesters marched across the city, Snyder says.
A dozen states have filed a lawsuit to block Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The block could block the possibility of bringing together some of America’s largest film studios, television newsrooms and other entertainment properties. California Attorney General Rob Bonta says the merger will result in “higher prices, lower quality and less content for film and television. ” Paramount says the lawsuit misreads the facts and antitrust law.
- 🎧 Bonta says the merger will eliminate competition among the five largest Hollywood studios. The Justice Department chose not to sue because it believed the merger would be good for competition, especially against streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon, according to NPR’s David Folkenflik. Bonta says that’s why states stepped in.
From NPR Network
We are in the final stages of the World Cup. It seems like just yesterday, international fans were flocking to America and enjoying Buc-ee’s and unlimited free sodas.
The semi-finals are:
⚽ Today: France vs Spain @ 3pm ET, in Dallas
⚽ Wednesday: England vs Argentina @ 3pm ET in Atlanta.
Here’s what you need to know about the last four teams:
🇫🇷France
Last World Cup trophy: 2018
Reaching the final will be an opportunity for France to rewrite history. The team made it to the last match in 2022 but lost to Argentina. This time, France has returned with a vengeance – thanks in particular to Kylian Mbappé, who is responsible for eight goals.
🇪🇸Spain
Last World Cup trophy: 2010
One of the highlights of the tournament has been watching Spain’s 19-year-old star Lamine Yamal take on titan after titan. Now his team is facing the biggest contender so far.
Although this will be the first time Yamal and Mbappé will meet at the World Cup, the two have played against each other before. Most recently, in 2024, when Yamal helped his team come out on top.
England
Last World Cup trophy: 1966
The journey to the final will probably be the most enjoyable for England. The team has not won a World Cup in 60 years – despite reaching the quarter-finals or semi-finals several times since then.
Almost all of England’s goals were scored by Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. I’ll have my eyes on these two and my ears on the fans if they sing “Hey Jude” like they did last game.
🇦🇷Argentina
Last World Cup trophy: 2022
All eyes are on Argentina to see if the team can become the first team in decades to win consecutive World Cups. To do this the defending champion will face England. The two have not competed on the global stage in 24 years. “It will be a special match because I have never played against England,” Lionel Messi told FIFA.
By Wednesday night, we’ll know who is going to the finals, which will take place this Sunday at 3 p.m. in New Jersey.
What we know for sure:
Justin Bieber, Madonna, Shakira and BTS will perform in the final half-time show before the World Cup.
Could a global sporting event bring America and the world closer together? And if so, can it be sustained? In this special episode of GBH’s The Curiosity Desk, host Edgar B. Herwick III and NPR World Cup correspondent Jasmine Garsad spoke with reporters from around the country.
what to watch this week
🙏 The global sleepover is coming to an end at our house. So many international tourists from around the world are visiting cities from coast to coast, making many people feel like we’ve had one big party this summer. For immigrant communities in New York, it’s a welcome relief.
💻 The World Cup has been the perfect distraction for many; it has actually cut into the productivity of the global economy. While some are watching to see if it returns, we’re curious: what will bring us together next and capture our collective attention?
show a picture.
Attendees take photos and admire Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam engine locomotive, during a stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, July 5, 2026. As part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, the steam engine train was on tour for public display in several cities and states across the United States.
Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest operating steam locomotive, travelled from Wyoming to Philadelphia for America’s 250th birthday celebration. Despite the heat, fans camped out at Valley Forge National Historical Park. Many brought chairs, coolers and smartphone apps to track the train’s progress. Take a look at the train and the crowd of fans for this rare sight.
3 things to know before you go
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