Senate Republicans, Bangkok fire, Sam Neill and Iran's music

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]

US-Iran escalation, Blanche grilled, Argentina v Spain and PayPal

The U.S. turns up the heat on Iran with fresh strikes on coastal defenses as Tehran calls it an "existential war." President Donald Trump's pick for U.S. Attorney General – Todd Blanche – has a bruising Senate hearing. Argentina breaks English hearts again to reach the World Cup final. Stripe and Advent offer $53 billion to buy PayPal. And SpaceX shares sink below their IPO price, putting its $2 trillion valuation in doubt. 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]

Hormuz U-turn, ICE vehicle stops and Ukraine government shakeup

U.S. President Donald Trump scraps his Strait of Hormuz toll threat, saying he’s opting for Gulf trade deals instead. ICE suspends most traffic stops after two fatal shootings in less than a week. Ukraine faces another wartime government reshuffle. Two U.S. Supreme Court justices make a rare appearance on the Hill to warn of threats against the court. And Spain dominates over France to reach the World Cup final. 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]