BTW Daily News - Jul 15, 2026

Good morning, everyone! Welcome to BTW Daily News, your go-to source for the latest headlines every day. I'm your host, Alex, and today is July 15th, 2026. Let's dive into today’s news starting with politics: Escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran have led to renewed military strikes in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a naval blockade and significant oil price increases. This comes after President Trump's initial proposal for cargo fees was quickly abandoned under pressure from Gulf leaders. Moving on to world news, Spain has triumphed over France in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal with a decisive 2-0 victory featuring goals by Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro. This marks Spain’s return to the final for the first time since their win in 2010. In other world news, a surge of cyclosporiasis cases across the U.S., particularly in Michigan, is linked to suspected contaminated lettuce from Taco Bell. Health officials are stressing food safety and acknowledging potential underreporting of infections across multiple states. Turning now to business news: The American League secured a 4-0 victory over the National League in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, with standout performances by Cody Bellinger and Dylan Cease leading to the first shutout since 2013. This highlights the growing dominance of the American League. In technology news, Stripe and Advent International have proposed acquiring PayPal for more than $53 billion, aiming to reshape the payments landscape amidst ongoing fintech consolidation trends. However, Michael Burry has expressed skepticism about the offer's adequacy. On the sports front: The 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale is underway with top golfers like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy competing for their second titles amid challenging conditions. The tournament promises record prize money while amateur David Howard garners attention with his inspiring story. In crime and law news, Todd Blanche, nominated by Trump as Attorney General, faces intense scrutiny during confirmation hearings over allegations of misconduct, including a controversial IRS settlement. His nomination is met with significant opposition from Democrats and legal experts. Wrapping up today’s sports highlights: The U.S. House has passed the Sunshine Protection Act, making daylight saving time permanent and eliminating biannual clock changes. This legislation aims to enhance daylight for activities and was supported by President Trump. And finally, a lighter note to end our briefing: Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, received her first Daytime Emmy nomination for her Netflix series "With Love, Meghan," marking a significant career milestone in the entertainment industry. That’s all from BTW Daily News today. Thank you for tuning in, and we’ll see you tomorrow with more updates.