Houthis' Saudi blockade, oil prices, India's Gen Z and Taco Bell lawsuits

Houthis' Saudi blockade, oil prices, India's Gen Z and Taco Bell lawsuits

Yemen's Houthis announce a Saudi naval blockade, threatening the Red Sea export route and opening a new front in the U.S.-Iran war. Despite one of the biggest oil supply shocks in history, prices haven't soared. Thousands march in India to demand the resignation of the education minister, the biggest confrontation yet for the Gen Z-led Cockroach Janta Party. And Taco Bell faces a wave of lawsuits after contaminated lettuce leaves thousands sick and more than 100 hospitalized. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600634080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78Ppb%2FgS6uiby6qWshbaJDTUn%2Fl8REr7WrXwEh2OZp4%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600673954%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bVY7gCotsBlqaGM9%2BvNVcuniqclEUMjnoY0IiARFW4A%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Spain's World Cup win, new UK PM and US voter fraud claims

Spain beat Argentina to win the World Cup, capping off a record-breaking tournament that U.S. President Donald Trump was quick to claim credit for. So-called "King of the North" Andy Burnham becomes the UK's seventh prime minister in 10 years. The US strikes Iran for a ninth day. And a Reuters investigation undercuts Trump’s assertion that a conspiracy of non-citizen voting is afoot in the U.S. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600634080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78Ppb%2FgS6uiby6qWshbaJDTUn%2Fl8REr7WrXwEh2OZp4%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600673954%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bVY7gCotsBlqaGM9%2BvNVcuniqclEUMjnoY0IiARFW4A%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

World Cup final, US military deaths and Tate brothers arrested

Spain and Argentina are set to face off in the World Cup final. The U.S. has renewed attacks on Iran after the killing of military personnel in Jordan. The U.S. Marshals Service have arrested Tristan and Andrew Tate. Plus, how a teacher answering a question about voting intentions has led to a political storm in Germany.  Watch the latest On Assignment: Data centers: Small town politics turn into a national fight [https://www.reuters.com/podcasts/data-centers-small-town-politics-turn-into-national-fight-2026-07-18/] Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600703027%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=72pn%2BR49pQbWZiUyjCiUxbg6BIWNxe8%2F1ITXf4J6dYU%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600732950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fX87JTBYLBuAmci%2B%2FHjeb8W1bVHtGdZQ%2Bcv5KasL9eY%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement [https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/privacy-statement.html] for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmegaphone.spotify.com%2Fabout-advertisements&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600762287%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=r5x%2BL4%2F6qoa4yP40O1UfyiBlzkKAglq%2F7SacOrB%2F3qI%3D&reserved=0] to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Iran hits Gulf allies, Trump Media and Taco Bell's shredded lettuce

Iran strikes Kuwait's power infrastructure [https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-renews-attacks-gulf-states-after-another-night-us-strikes-2026-07-18/] for a second straight day and claims attacks on U.S. targets in Bahrain, following a seventh consecutive night of U.S. strikes on Iranian military sites. Trump Media is pitching Wall Street firms faster access to Trump's Truth Social posts [https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/trump-media-pitched-100000-monthly-fee-fast-feed-us-presidents-posts-ft-reports-2026-07-17/] for up to $100,000 a month. And federal officials link a major foodborne illness outbreak to Taco Bell restaurants [https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-restaurant-chains-hit-by-foodborne-illness-outbreaks-2026-07-17/] across five states. Watch the latest On Assignment: Data centers: Small town politics turn into a national fight [https://www.reuters.com/podcasts/data-centers-small-town-politics-turn-into-national-fight-2026-07-18/] Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600703027%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=72pn%2BR49pQbWZiUyjCiUxbg6BIWNxe8%2F1ITXf4J6dYU%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/].  Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600732950%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=fX87JTBYLBuAmci%2B%2FHjeb8W1bVHtGdZQ%2Bcv5KasL9eY%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices.  You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Trump's election interference claims, Red Sea threat and wildfire smoke

President Donald Trump accuses China of 2020 election interference, contradicting his own intelligence agencies. His teleprompter operator is fired after allegedly using advance knowledge of his speeches to place bets. Iran asks the Houthis to stand ready to shut the Red Sea gateway which would block both the Middle East's top oil routes at the same time. Scientists warn that wildfire smoke doesn't just harm when fires are burning – the health risks follow for years. And Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth orders mandatory testosterone screening for all U.S. troops over 30. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Freuters.sng.link%2FEng86%2F0flfc%2Fr_b612e09fe6&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600634080%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=78Ppb%2FgS6uiby6qWshbaJDTUn%2Fl8REr7WrXwEh2OZp4%3D&reserved=0]. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://www.reuters.com/newsletters/reuters-econ-world/]. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast ⁠⁠here⁠⁠ [https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flink.chtbl.com%2FAbxd8GDx&data=05%7C02%7CGayle.Issa%40thomsonreuters.com%7Cc612f3251f884fc5e8ed08de5a5d74fe%7C62ccb8646a1a4b5d8e1c397dec1a8258%7C0%7C0%7C639047554600673954%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bVY7gCotsBlqaGM9%2BvNVcuniqclEUMjnoY0IiARFW4A%3D&reserved=0]. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]