Good morning, everyone. I hope you had a great weekend and are ready for a very busy week of news. Excuse any noise from my daughter in the video, it is take your daughter to work day in the Parnas household today.
This morning, we are covering the fallout from the World Cup final as Spain excludes Trump from its official photos, an Australian broadcaster edits him out, and much of the world seeks to erase his presence from the celebration. Meanwhile, new reporting suggests that Trump is rapidly expanding the war with Iran while concealing the true number of American casualties from the public. In the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer has resigned as prime minister.
I am also working on several exciting projects, including a potential nightly live news show, so stay tuned.
Here’s the news:
World Cup:
Spain’s official social media photo celebrating its World Cup victory excluded President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, although both appeared in earlier trophy-presentation images. Many initial photographs therefore showed the two officials alongside the players. Spain’s selected image instead focused entirely on the team that secured the country’s second World Cup title, 16 years after its first. This is the image Spain posted:
Trump remained on the podium as Spain began celebrating after he presented the trophy, prompting Infantino to guide him away.
Argentina defender Cristian Romero declined to shake President Donald Trump’s hand while receiving his runners-up medal after the 2026 World Cup final. Romero shook hands with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who stood on either side of Trump, but passed the U.S. president without engaging him. Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal in the 106th minute. Trump was loudly booed when he entered the field and remained near Spain’s players for the initial trophy lift before Infantino guided him away. The victory gave Spain its second World Cup title, while Argentina failed to defend its 2022 championship.
An Australian broadcaster was caught on a hot mic reacting to President Trump joining Spain’s World Cup trophy presentation. The commentator predicted that Trump would be removed from the official celebration image, saying, “They’re gonna edit him out of that.” The remark reflected surprise at Trump remaining onstage during the team’s moment of celebration.
Iran:
The Pentagon identified two U.S. soldiers killed in Iranian strikes in Jordan as 25-year-old Tyler James Feehan of Hawaii and 19-year-old Isabella Gonzales of Texas. Officials also recovered unidentified remains while searching for a third service member missing after the attack, while another American was killed in Iraq during the controlled detonation of an Iranian drone’s unexploded ordnance. The deaths have effectively ended last month’s interim U.S.-Iran ceasefire, with both countries resuming attacks amid mutual accusations of violations. U.S. Central Command conducted nine consecutive nights of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, including command centers, air defenses, and missile and drone sites. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to diplomacy but insisted that Iran must change its behavior first.
According to the Washington Post, the Trump administration is preparing for a broader conflict with Iran after escalating attacks reportedly killed at least three, and possibly four, U.S. service members. According to The Washington Post, the Pentagon is deploying additional military aircraft to the region while planning expanded operations. However, some officials warn that declining supplies of air-defense interceptors and long-range munitions could constrain the campaign. These shortages may limit both the scale of future operations and how long they can continue.
The New York Times reports that the U.S. military may have withheld information about three Iranian strikes in Jordan that wounded dozens of American troops and damaged several helicopters. Officials reportedly feared that releasing details could help Iran improve its targeting. More than 400 U.S. service members have reportedly been injured during the conflict. The reported military death toll has risen to 16.
Trump claimed that Iran has lost nearly all of its military capacity, although it retains some missiles. He also asserted that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran no longer controls anything. Trump said U.S. forces struck Iran heavily that night. He described the attack as a tribute to two U.S. service members who were killed and a possible third casualty.
A reporter challenged President Trump over his earlier prediction that the war would last four to five weeks. Trump responded that the operation had expanded into a much larger mission. He said the initial objective was to prevent the opposing force from acquiring a particular capability. According to Trump, the goal now is to end the conflict entirely.
The national average price for regular gasoline reached $4 per gallon for the first time since June 17 as conflicts involving Iran and Russia disrupted energy markets. U.S. and international crude prices rose more than 15% last week and roughly 45% since the beginning of the year. Fighting over the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries about 20% of global energy supplies, has sharply reduced shipping traffic and fueled concerns about supply. Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and Russia’s temporary ban on key refined-product exports have placed additional pressure on fuel markets. Jet fuel prices have also climbed about 43% since before the Iran war, potentially increasing costs for airlines and travelers.
Other News:
President Donald Trump said the Qatar-donated jet serving as the new Air Force One will soon undergo about a month of upgrades to “max out” its capabilities. His announcement follows questions about the aircraft’s missile defenses and overall security after he returned from a NATO summit aboard an older presidential plane. NBC News reported that the Secret Service recommended the switch because Trump was leaving a location near the Middle East amid renewed hostilities with Iran. Qatar’s royal family donated the luxury Boeing 747-8 in 2025 as a temporary replacement while Boeing completes the delayed next-generation presidential aircraft. Trump has denied that security concerns prompted the earlier change of planes and did not specify what upgrades the new jet will receive.
Trump administration funding cuts and hiring freezes depleted the CDC team responsible for tracking parasitic outbreaks, reportedly slowing its response to a major cyclospora outbreak. More than 7,000 cases are confirmed or under investigation nationwide, with over 100 hospitalizations and many infections linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants. Former officials say staff losses delayed laboratory analysis, public warnings, data processing, and efforts to identify the outbreak’s source, although the White House disputes that overseas program cuts weakened domestic disease response. The CDC did not alert the public and health care providers until July 14, about two weeks after Michigan issued its warning, and its national figures have lagged far behind state totals. Experts stress that the cuts did not cause the outbreak, but they significantly reduced the government’s ability to investigate and contain it.
New York sculptor Sergio Furnari spent $100,000 of his own money creating an uncommissioned, life-size statue of slain far-right activist Charlie Kirk. Furnari says the sculpture commemorates free speech and democracy, though he also expected wealthy supporters to help him earn millions. Instead, his fundraiser had collected only $1,400, and critics threatened to urinate on the statue. Furnari, who broke his foot while working on it, called his financial situation a nightmare but insisted the sculpture is “blessed,” not cursed. He plans to display it in Times Square on the anniversary of Kirk’s death, hoping to attract interest and recover some costs.
Keir Starmer declared, “My work is done,” during his farewell speech outside 10 Downing Street. He reflected on his government’s achievements and expressed pride in his record as prime minister. Starmer described leading the country as the privilege of his life. He also offered his full support to his successor, Andy Burnham.
Andy Burnham became Britain’s new prime minister after Keir Starmer resigned and King Charles III formally asked Burnham to form a government. The former Greater Manchester mayor, nicknamed the “King of the North,” is the country’s seventh prime minister in just over a decade. In his first Downing Street address, Burnham promised a political “circuit breaker,” immediate cost-of-living assistance, an end to rough sleeping, and a broader 10-year plan. He inherits major challenges involving the economy, the National Health Service, immigration, Europe, Labour Party divisions, and the rising popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK. Starmer defended his record in his farewell speech and said Burnham had his full support.
At least 930 people have died among 2,344 confirmed cases in the Ebola outbreak declared in eastern Congo on May 15. Officials say it is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak on record, and the less-common Bundibugyo virus responsible has no approved vaccine or treatment. The response has been hindered by rebel violence, attacks on health facilities, public skepticism, and health workers striking over unpaid wages. At least 36 infected health workers have died, while the World Health Organization says 80% of new cases come from unknown transmission chains. Congo’s Health Ministry is expanding its response, with 724 patients currently isolated or hospitalized and 22 recent recoveries reported.
The funeral for teenage football standout Nolan Wells will be held Monday at Center Pointe Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, with hundreds expected to attend. The Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy, attorney Ben Crump will issue a call for justice, and Tyler Perry is covering the funeral expenses. Wells disappeared during a July 4 outing with friends on Horn Island, and a park ranger found his body there two days later. His cause of death remains unknown because officials have not released an autopsy report, while his family and Crump are conducting a separate investigation with an independent autopsy funded by Colin Kaepernick. Family and friends plan to honor Wells with a celebration of his life at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.
Israeli Settlement Minister Orit Strock called for rebuilding Israeli settlements in Gaza, claiming the enclave is part of Israel under religious and international law. International law, however, treats Gaza as occupied Palestinian territory and considers Israeli settlements there unlawful. Her comments followed a march by thousands of settlement supporters toward the Gaza border, attended by senior far-right ministers and governing-coalition lawmakers. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also advocated settlements throughout Gaza and the encouragement of Palestinian migration. The calls seek to reverse Israel’s 2005 withdrawal, when it evacuated the Gush Katif settlement bloc from Gaza.
See you soon.
— Aaron
