Aggregator

A federal prosecutor challenged Gov. Gavin Newsom with just two words to prove California isn't suffering from massive voter fraud.

Trump To Attend World Cup Final

Authored by Zachary Stieber via The Epoch Times,

President Donald Trump plans to attend the final game of the 2026 World Cup, the White House said on July 16.

Trump was traveling on Friday to New York City to attend a FIFA reception at Trump Tower, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in Washington. He is then slated to take in the Spain–Argentina final on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

“His attendance will cap what has been the most watched, more secure, and most successful World Cup in American history,” Leavitt said.

“This is a fitting conclusion to a tournament that showcased America’s ability to host the world on the grandest stage.”

The United States had previously hosted the World Cup once, in 1994.

More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the World Cup final on Sunday, which kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.

Trump regularly attends sporting matches, including an NBA finals game in New York City in July and the Club World Cup final in 2025.

Trump has not attended any World Cup games yet, although members of his Cabinet have watched several in person.

The World Cup featured games in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The U.S. national team earned a spot in the knockout rounds and defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. During that match, the referee handed a red card to American player Folarin Balogun, prompting Trump to call FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

A FIFA committee subsequently suspended the ban that Balogun faced for receiving the red card, enabling the striker to play against Belgium. The United States lost 1–4 in the July 6 game.

Belgium went on to lose to Spain, which then knocked out favorite France. Argentina beat England in the other semifinal.

Argentina won the previous World Cup in 2022 and also has two other triumphs. Spain won the World Cup in 2010 in its sole final appearance.

The two sides have only met once before at the World Cup. Argentina won the 1966 match 2–1.

Infantino said in June that he and Trump would jointly deliver the World Cup trophy to whichever team wins the championship match.

“We will be together with the president enjoying the final and handing the trophy to the winner, of course, together,” Infantino said at the time.

Infantino has praised Trump in the past and awarded him FIFA’s inaugural peace prize in 2025 for the president’s efforts to bring about peace agreements in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Tyler Durden Fri, 07/17/2026 - 10:50

"We are the same Hooters girls that we have been from the start," said a 24-year-old waitress and bartender.

Fridays aren't the same without Dutton drama.

The 20-year-old was accused of "striking the victim, LR, in the head with her fist" during a "domestic violence dispute" on May 14.

The 20-year-old was accused of "striking the victim, LR, in the head with her fist" during a "domestic violence dispute" on May 14.

New Yorkers woke up again Friday to “unhealthy” air quality levels.

The actor claimed he knew the identity of his alleged stalker on the call, which he made sometime before he died by suicide in April.

The actor claimed he knew the identity of his alleged stalker on the call, which he made sometime before he died by suicide in April.

The produce supplier allegedly linked to an outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has sickened hundreds across at least five states also sells products at a number of retailers.

McDonald's has gone gourmet with these two new chef-inspired offerings.

LeBron James gave the Knicks their flowers on Thursday and pinpointed the changes that helped them win the NBA Finals.

Zelensky's Cabinet Reshuffle Backfiring As He Names New Defense Minister

Amid a continuing status of martial law in Ukraine, one European headline underscores that President Zelensky's significant cabinet and defense ministry reshuffling has 'backfired'.

Public outrage and rare protests have ensued in the capital and across various cities after he sacked popular Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, who many Ukrainians see as having turned the tide of the war with Russia, implementing an ambitious tech-focused drone strategy.

Zelensky has now confirmed the dismissal by appointing Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) chief Yevhen Khmara as acting defense minister.

Yevhen Khmara, via RBC-Ukraine

"Once the necessary legal procedures are completed, I will ask lawmakers to support Yevhen Khmara's appointment as defense minister," Zelensky announced.

None of this is being received very well among the public, also days after the forced resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who was merely six months into the job:

The removal of Svyrydenko and swift appointment of Sergii Koretskyi as Ukraine’s new prime minister barely registered in the public debate, but there was uproar around the defence portfolio.

On Thursday lawmakers approved almost an entirely new wartime cabinet and Koretskyi’s nomination – a move largely seen as logical given his track record as chief executive of state energy giant Naftogaz and his crisis‑management roles at Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta.

Inside parliament, Koretskyi vowed to focus on defense, economic stability and EU integration. Outside, thousands of demonstrators made it clear that the real battle who controls the armed forces – and how - had only just started.

Zelensky seemed on the defensive in a Thursday night address explaining his choice for new acting defense chief.

"Yevhen Khmara will serve as acting Minister of Defence of Ukraine. He headed the SSU's Centre of Special Operations Alpha, which has achieved the most effective results in eliminating the occupiers on the front. Alpha consistently ranks number one in the monthly results," he said.

"Khmara was responsible for the long-range operations of the Security Service of Ukraine," Zelensky added. "We agreed that Khmara will also oversee the long-range operations of the Security Forces – this is a priority."

Seeking to put a positive spin on a move which is proving deeply unpopular, Zelensky continued: "He knows exactly what Ukraine needs and is also capable of maintaining control over the internal situation across the components of the defense forces. He has sufficient security experience to prevent disgraceful incidents."

⚡️🇺🇦 BREAKING: Zelenskyy confirms tensions between Fedorov and Syrskyi: “Without me, they won’t sit down together”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed tensions between former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, saying he… pic.twitter.com/olt7DuSalu

— Denys from Ukraine (@GlushkoDenys) July 16, 2026

Chief Foreign-Affairs Correspondent of the WSJ, Yaroslav Trofimov, has pointed out that "Many Ukrainians (and not just Ukrainians) see this as Zelensky putting petty politics ahead of winning the war." If the protests grow rapidly, it could cause Zelensky's external supporters to sour on him.

Tyler Durden Fri, 07/17/2026 - 10:30

UMich Sentiment Extends Bounce From Record 46-Year-Lows As Gas Prices Ease

Having rebounded from record (46 year) lows in June, University of Michigan's preliminary July Sentiment survey was expected to show further improvement as gas prices fell since the US-Iran 'peace' MoU signing (before rising modestly in the last few days of the reignited conflict).

And indeed it did, headline Consumer Sentiment jumped from 49.5 to 54.4 (51.0 exp) - its highest since February...

"With the second straight month of 10% jumps," said UMich Dirctor of Surveys, Joanne Hsu, pointing out that "consumer sentiment climbed to its highest reading since February of this year on the basis of easing price pressures at the pump in recent weeks."

All five index components improved, led by significant 20% increases in buying conditions for durables as well as year-ahead business conditions.

This month’s rise in sentiment was pervasive across the population, seen across groups by age, income, wealth, and political party.

Particularly strong increases were seen among consumers without a bachelor’s degree.

Year-ahead inflation expectations ticked down from 4.6% in June to a still-elevated 4.2% this month. 

However, Hsu concludes by pouring cold water on the bounce by noting that sentiment’s upward momentum may prove difficult to sustain if recent declines in gas prices continue to reverse course.

Interviews for this release spanned June 23 to July 13, with more than 70% completed before the resumption of US strikes against Iran on July 7 and the subsequent increase in gas prices.

credittrader Fri, 07/17/2026 - 10:07

With plans to dig around 6,000 trenches, Court added that archaeologists expect to uncover many more significant discoveries along the route.

The film currently has a 96% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Entrepreneur Brady Bates had promised to “Make Vaping American Again” by founding Fifty Bar, a disposable e-cigarette seller.

OASI is mainly funded through payroll taxes. But Social Security has been increasingly paying out more than it collects – forcing the trust fund to tap into its reserves.

Erling Haaland is turning into a proud American. 

"Didn’t MJ just die and you posting this? WOW," one angry fan had written on her vacation upload.