Americas

‘They made him a defensive player’ – Trump questions Kane role in semi

• Trump criticised Tuchel for using Kane defensively in the semi-final loss
• England lost 2-1 to Argentina after Messi-inspired comeback
• Trump also touted his role in reversing Balogun's red-card suspension

US President Donald Trump has waded into criticism of England manager Thomas Tuchel's tactics after their 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina, questioning why Harry Kane was shifted into a defensive role during the closing stages. England had led through an Anthony Gordon goal before Tuchel switched…

One of Avatar’s Best Sequels Is Officially Returning in 2026

• Avatar film sequels 4 and 5 scheduled for December 2029 and 2031; James Cameron continues writing as technology advances enable faster production
• Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora video game joins PlayStation Plus on July 21, 2026, offering fans immersive Pandora exploration while awaiting the next film

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora will be available on the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog next week, alongside other notable titles.

US strikes hit Iran for seventh consecutive night

• US military conducted seventh consecutive night of strikes on Iran after Trump declared ceasefire agreement ended, targeting military infrastructure
• Strait of Hormuz shipping—carrying ~20% of world's oil and liquefied gas—has largely stopped due to ongoing military escalation
• Iran and US dispute civilian damage claims; BBC verified infrastructure damage to a bridge whilst US denies targeting non-military facilities

The US command says it is conducting more strikes to degrade Iran's armed forces, as Iran reports explosions near the Strait of Hormuz.

7 Years Later, Octavia Spencer Officially Confirms the Status of Her Cult Classic Thriller

• Octavia Spencer confirms her return for Ma 2, a sequel to the 2019 psychological thriller
• Original film underperformed theatrically but became a streaming phenomenon during the pandemic
• Sequel faces the challenge of extending a concluded narrative whilst preserving the original's psychological tension and dark humour

Octavia Spencer’s viral Blumhouse thriller is finally moving toward a sequel, with the team taking its time to bring back the cult favorite.

The furious argument that almost cost George Clooney everything: “I thought that was the end of my career”

• Nearly quit acting after altercation with TV executive; years of minor roles and Bell's palsy made breakthrough seem impossible
• Professional contact and role in Roseanne kept career alive; formal training prepared him for bigger opportunities
• ER in 1994 launched him to stardom; now receiving Venice lifetime achievement award

Confused by ‘The Odyssey’? All the Timelines, Monsters and Greek Myths Explained

• Variety explains the timeline and myths behind Nolan's new "Odyssey" film
• Covers backstory: Helen's abduction, the Trojan War and wooden horse
• Guide also outlines Odysseus's long, monster-filled journey home to Ithaca

Christopher Nolan's forthcoming adaptation of "The Odyssey" retells Homer's epic through a non-linear structure, with the story narrated partly by a bard (Travis Scott) as Odysseus (Matt Damon) recounts his journey home after the Trojan War. Given the film's starry ensemble cast and jumbled timelines, Variety has produced…