The 2026 Commonwealth Games officially commenced in Glasgow with indoor carpet bowls at the Scottish Event Campus, a day before the opening ceremony. Australian gold medallist Kelsey Cottrell and partner Dawn Hayman secured an early win, marking the first competitive moments of the Games.
Barefoot bowls, typically a casual outdoor activity, officially commenced the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, ahead of the opening ceremony. Held indoors on carpeted greens at the Scottish Event Campus, the event saw Australia's Kelsey Cottrell and Dawn Hayman secure an early win.
The Hundred cricket tournament began its sixth edition on July 21, 2026, in England, featuring new ownership by Indian conglomerates and a significant £520 million investment. The league aims to attract families with affordable pricing and double-header matches, with MI London winning the men's opener.
Morocco faces a "herculean task" preparing to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, budgeting £4bn-£4.8bn for direct football investments and £17bn for infrastructure upgrades. This accelerated expenditure, equivalent to 11.9% of its 2024 GDP, raises public concerns about costs versus long-term benefits, prompting lessons from past hosts like South Africa.
Bereket Abraham, co-owner of Melrose Avenue's Coolkicks, and 11 others, including Jorge Cuellar and Roy Harvey Jr., face federal charges for allegedly stealing over $2 million in Nike merchandise from a Memphis warehouse and selling the stolen sneakers.
Peak Design has launched its new Field Bracket system on Kickstarter, offering an L-bracket, hand grip, and cheese plate with an integrated slot for a dedicated Beacon Finder Tag. The system, starting at $125 for early birds, is designed for photographers and videographers to easily switch orientations and track their gear using Apple Find My and Google Find Hub.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to visit Cyprus from July 27-29, marking the first such visit in 16 years, as part of a renewed UN initiative to revive peace talks for the divided island. This comes 52 years after Turkey's 1974 invasion, with new momentum from the Turkish Cypriot leader's willingness to negotiate a bizonal, bicommunal federation.
Labour's bill to reform UK politics returns to Parliament amid scrutiny of Reform party funding. Experts and MPs urge tougher rules on donations, including permanent crypto bans and lower spending limits, to counter the influence of wealthy donors and tech billionaires.
Michael Olise, a standout player for France and a Ballon d'Or contender, was born in England and developed in its football system but never represented the Three Lions. Early coaches recall his exceptional talent and dedication from a young age, despite rejections from major academies like Chelsea and Manchester City. Olise's journey highlights a missed opportunity for England and his dual heritage, representing France, Algeria, Nigeria, and Great Britain.
Maine oysterman Graham Platner has withdrawn his bid to unseat Republican Sen. Susan Collins following a sexual assault allegation reported by Politico. Prominent Democrats, including Bernie Sanders, urged him to step aside, and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee stated they would not invest in the race if he remained on the ballot.
France begins its World Cup title defense against Morocco in a highly anticipated quarter-final. The tournament has narrowed down to eight teams after a month of exciting matches, with France showcasing strong attacking form led by Kylian Mbappe.
President Trump's long-standing criticisms of NATO, particularly regarding defense spending and burden-sharing, are expected to create a tense atmosphere at the upcoming summit in Turkey. Allies are focused on maintaining the alliance's cohesion amidst Trump's "transactional" foreign policy approach.
Australian PM Anthony Albanese faced controversy after a 'shag, marry, date' game on Nikki Osborne's podcast. Despite initial hesitation, he chose Kylie Minogue for all three categories, drawing criticism and highlighting the risks of engaging with new media platforms.
The first full week of July offers a light schedule of earnings and economic reports, with Levi Strauss, PepsiCo, and Delta Air Lines among the few major companies reporting. Key economic data includes services sector PMIs and existing home sales, while the AI trade faces scrutiny after recent sell-offs.
The Rolling Stones' new album, "Foreign Tongues," showcases their enduring musical versatility and a surprisingly modern, politically charged sound. Following "Hackney Diamonds," the album captures the band's renewed energy and willingness to confront contemporary issues.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is embarking on a tour of Nordic countries, visiting Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway from July 4th to July 8th. He will hold meetings with top government officials and royalty.
A long-held belief that the team taking the first penalty kick in a World Cup shootout has an advantage is being re-evaluated by new research. While earlier studies suggested a significant psychological edge, more recent analyses, including a study in Football Studies, indicate that the perceived advantage stems not from the kick order itself, but from the unequal distribution of high-pressure, elimination-or-victory situations created by the current rules.
Lloyds Banking Group will phase out the Halifax brand, migrating all accounts to Lloyds branding by early 2027. While no branches will close, the move ends the 173-year-old former building society's presence on UK high streets and has drawn criticism from loyal customers.
Millions in England, Scotland, and Wales face a 13% energy price increase from Wednesday. Bill payers without smart meters are urged to submit meter readings to avoid higher rates. Analysts predict prices may persist into winter due to the US-Israeli war's fallout.
As the Socceroos prepare for a potential penalty shootout against Egypt, an academic's research suggests ordering kickers from best to worst can increase win probability by 5-10%. However, player nerves and the difficulty of replicating high-pressure situations in training pose significant challenges.
Germany's World Cup hopes ended in a penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, with several players reportedly refusing to take kicks. US coach Pochettino uses an analytics firm for penalty strategy, while the USMNT prepares for their own shootout challenge.
Millions in England, Scotland, and Wales face a 13% energy price hike on Wednesday. Bill payers without smart meters are urged to submit readings to avoid being charged previous usage at the new, higher rate. Analysts predict prices may persist into winter despite a potential slight dip in October.
South Africa's Rassie Erasmus names a strong lineup including Kolisi, du Toit, and Marx to face England, signaling a serious approach to the Nations Championship opener despite previous suggestions of tinkerings.
Analysis of 320 World Cup penalty shootouts since 1982 reveals trends: Argentina's success, Spain's struggles, and strategic insights on kicker placement and goalkeeper saves.
