Netflix secures US rights to next 2 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments
Netflix announced Friday, Dec. 20, its next move to achieve its goal to be the destination for live sports. It’s a move that will likely include a lot of goals: the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Netflix said the World Cup matches will only be part of its offerings. Leading up to the 2027 tournament, Netflix will produce documentaries centered on players and the sport itself.
Then, Netflix will stream the 2031 Women’s World Cup. That location has yet to be announced.
This is Netflix’s latest venture into the live sports arena. In November 2024, it streamed the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, reaching 108 million people. The event was the most-streamed sporting event ever, despite technical difficulties.
First, the streaming giant is gearing up for an NFL double-header on Christmas Day. Then on Jan. 6, Netflix will begin streaming WWE’s “Raw” weekly television series.
Chaos at Copa America final prompts security concerns for 2026 World Cup
Local authorities in Miami, Florida, vowed to review and improve security protocols after thousands of ticketless fans stormed the gates of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens ahead of the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia on Sunday, July 14. The resulting chaos caused officials to delay the start of the game 75 minutes as police and security fought to get the crowd under control.
As people attempted to access the stadium, security teams removed players from the field and thousands of fans already inside had to wait as a delay ensued. Police reportedly arrested several people, and several others sustained injuries during the incident.
Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava condemned the fans’ actions. Large groups of people pushed through gates, hopped fences and reportedly trampled other people to avoid police and security.
Officials assigned 550 officers to the match with a predicted crowd of more than 65,000 fans. Sunday’s incident during the Copa America final raised security concerns about the venue’s ability to handle crowds during the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Organizers selected the Hard Rock Stadium to host matches during the event.
Eventually, security teams brought the crowd under control and fans could safely enter the stadium. Players returned to the field and the match began.
Argentina ultimately came out victorious, beating Colombia 1-0 to win its 16th Copa America title.
Student protesters take over Columbia building after deadline passes
Student protesters took over a building on the campus of Columbia University. And four law enforcement officers were killed while serving a warrant in Charlotte, North Carolina. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Tuesday, April 30, 2024.
Student protesters take over Hamilton Hall after Columbia’s deadline passes
Student demonstrators at Columbia University protesting the war in Gaza broke into a campus building and occupied Hamilton Hall, just hours after the university’s deadline passed for students to clear their pro-Palestinian encampment. The university sent an email to all students advising them to avoid campus.
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A student protest group confirmed its members have “reclaimed” Hamilton Hall, barricading themselves inside. Students took over the same building occupied during a Vietnam protest in 1968 and hung up a banner reading “Hind’s Hall,” in reference to a 6-year-old Palestinian girl killed in Gaza.
Images from the scene show the maintenance crew confronting the protesters inside the building and students forming a human chain blocking the entrance. The New York Police Department said its officers were stationed near the campus but not on the grounds.
The student protesters said they will remain at Hamilton Hall until the university meets their demands, including withdrawing funds for Israeli institutions.
Columbia President Minouche Shafik issued a statement telling protesters to “voluntarily disperse,” saying the encampment has created an “unwelcoming environment for many” of the school’s Jewish students and faculty.
Protesters are seeking the university to divest from Israel, something Shafik said the school will not do. However, in her statement, she said Columbia has offered to develop an expedited timeline for the university to review new divestment proposals from students and has offered to make investments in health and education in Gaza.
Now in its second week, the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia are just one of several occurring at college campuses across the country. On Monday, April 29, arrests were made at encampments at the University of Texas and the University of Florida.
Meanwhile, Northwestern University announced it had reached an agreement with students to continue protests that comply with university rules and policies.
Four officers killed serving warrant during shootout at Charlotte home
Four law enforcement officers were killed Monday, April 29, in a shootout at a home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Those killed included a deputy U.S. marshal, two members of the North Carolina Department of Corrections and an officer with the Charlotte Police Department.
Authorities came under fire while trying to serve a warrant to a convicted felon for possessing a firearm.
Police said the armed suspect was shot dead after leaving the home. A second person also opened fire on the officers.
The police chief said many questions still need to be answered about what unfolded.
“Today’s an absolute tragic day for the city of Charlotte and for the profession of law enforcement,” Chief Johnny Jennings of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said. “Today we lost some heroes who are out to simply keep our community safe.”
After the three-hour standoff came to an end, a woman and a 17-year-old male were found inside the home and taken in for questioning.
Three Charlotte police officers and a member of the Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force were also wounded in the incident.
FCC fines major wireless carriers nearly $200M for sharing data
A 2020 investigation revealed that the carriers had been distributing users’ geolocation details to third parties, including to prisons. T-Mobile and Sprint merged after the investigation began.
Today, we fined the nation’s largest wireless carriers for illegally sharing access to customers’ location information without consent & without taking reasonable measures to protect that information against unauthorized disclosure. https://t.co/bv65Fr6Dbl
Despite promising to end these practices in 2018, the FCC said the companies took more than a year to actually stop them.
In a statement, AT&T argued that the order is unjustified and lacks legal and factual basis. The company claimed it was unfairly blamed for another company’s violations and that its efforts to rectify the issue were overlooked.
T-Mobile stated that it stopped sharing data with location-based services through third-party aggregators over five years ago. The carrier emphasized its commitment to protecting customer data but called the FCC’s decision incorrect and the fine excessive.
A Verizon spokesperson expressed the company’s dedication to customer privacy, noting that they terminated the offending party, ended the program, and took steps to prevent similar incidents.
An investigation by our Enforcement Bureau found that carriers sold access to location data to third parties without customer consent and continued to do so without reasonable safeguards despite warning from the FCC.
This regulation, part of the 2021 infrastructure law, aims to save at least 360 lives and prevent 24,000 injuries annually. The decision follows a rise in traffic fatalities post-COVID-19 lockdowns, despite a recent 3.6% drop in road deaths in 2023.
Carmakers claimed that NHTSA rules requiring cars with automatic brakes to completely avoid contact with objects or people at high speeds were impractical.
We have a crisis of roadway deaths in this country—and today we’re taking a major step toward addressing this with our new rule on automatic emergency braking. pic.twitter.com/NRS8WJeA6o
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) April 30, 2024
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated that the automatic braking mandate “will save hundreds of lives.”
The new rule also sets performance standards for these systems, requiring them to detect pedestrians in both daylight and at night, and to function effectively at speeds up to 90 mph.
With talks of a merger gaining traction, media giant Paramount has announced Bob Bakish is stepping down as the company’s CEO. In his absence, three Paramount executives will form a committee called “The Office of the CEO” to lead the company.
This committee consists of the presidents of CBS, Paramount Media Networks and Paramount Pictures. Bakish has been with the company for nearly three decades in roles including CEO of Viacom. He will remain with Paramount until October, working as a senior adviser.
U.S. Soccer announced Monday, April 29, the end of its joint bid with the Mexican Football Federation to host the 2027 soccer tournament, despite being one of three finalists as FIFA’s decision is just weeks away.
Instead, the groups will focus their efforts to secure the 2031 Women’s World Cup, saying the two countries will take lessons learned as they prepare to host the 2026 Men’s World Cup along with Canada.
In addition, the U.S. will also host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
This now leaves two remaining bids for the 2027 Women’s World Cup — one from Brazil and a joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.
US launches strikes against Iranian-backed targets 3 days in a row: The Morning Rundown, Feb. 5, 2024
The United States launches strikes against Iranian-backed targets in the Middle East three days in a row. And more than 100 people are dead after devastating wildfires tear through Chile. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.
U.S. launches strikes against Iran-linked groups in Middle East
Beginning this past Friday, Feb. 2, the U.S. launched a series of strikes against Iranian-backed groups in the Middle East for three days in a row. U.S. and Britain forces targeted Houthi Rebels in Yemen on Saturday, Feb. 3, striking facilities, missile systems and air defense systems as the U.S. continues to send a message for the group’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The Houthis vowed to respond to the U.S.-led strikes in Yemen. Shortly after their statement was released, the U.S. launched another attack, destroying a cruise missile on Sunday, Feb. 4, that was said to be posing “an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships.”
The strikes against the Houthis came hours after the U.S. carried out airstrikes against Iranian-backed forces in Syria and Iraq, including those responsible for the deadly attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. troops.
The strikes were aimed at more than 85 targets including command and control operations and other facilities.
“This was the beginning of a response. There will be more steps. Some of those steps will be seen, some may not be seen. But there will be more action taken to respond to the tragic death of the three brave service members,” White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC News’ “This Week.” “And we cannot rule out there will be further attacks from Iranian-backed militia in Iraq and Syria or from the Houthis.”
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Senators reveal $118 billion bill for border security, Ukraine aid
A bipartisan group of senators unveiled a $118 billion package on Sunday, Feb. 5, that includes changes to America’s border policies while providing additional aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies. The 370-page bill includes $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, and $10 billion in humanitarian aid — including for people in Gaza and the West Bank.
As for immigration reform, the bill includes approximately $20 billion for border security.
The bill calls for a mandated border shutdown should the daily average of migrant crossings reach 5,000. The bill also ends the practice known as “catch and release,” where migrants caught crossing the border illegally are released into the U.S. while they wait for their asylum application to be processed.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate would begin the process of moving forward with the legislation this week, but the bill is already facing opposition.
Just hours after the release of the bill’s text, House Speaker Mike Johnson said bill is “worse than expected,” adding if the bill reaches the House, it will be “dead on arrival.”
At least 112 killed in wildfires in Chile
At least 112 people are dead and hundreds remain missing after wildfires broke out in coastal cities in central Chile popular with tourists. The wildfires are believed to be the deadliest in the country’s history.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric says the death toll could rise as rescuers work to locate survivors in damaged homes.
The fires started on Friday, Feb. 2, but high winds along with high temperatures are making it difficult to get the flames under control.
Local officials are investigating whether the fires were intentionally set.
Boric declared two days of national mourning.
“All of Chile is suffering,” Boric said. “But we will stand up once again.”
California bracing for heavy rain, dangerous flooding & mudslides
California is bracing for what could be days of heavy rains and potentially life-threatening flash flooding and mudslides as a severe storm system moved in Sunday, Feb. 4.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in eight counties, including Los Angeles, San Diego and San Bernardino.
Nearly one million people in the state were without power at one point on Sunday. Classes at several universities are canceled.
In Northern California, snow is expected to bring whiteout conditions. The heavy rain is expected to continue in Southern California through Tuesday, Feb. 6.
New Jersey to host 2026 World Cup final
With more than two years to go, FIFA made it official — the 2026 World Cup final will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. FIFA released the tournament’s schedule on Sunday, Feb. 4.
The U.S. will be hosting its first men’s World Cup since 1994. It will be sharing the hosting duties this time around with Mexico and Canada.
The 104-game tournament will feature 48 teams playing across 16 host cities. The opening match will take place on June 11, 2026, in Mexico City. The final in East Rutherford, New Jersey is set for July 19, 2026.
Taylor Swift makes music history at the Grammys
Taylor Swift has made music history once again. This time she did it at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night.
Swift won Album of the Year for “Midnights.” It was the fourth time the “Anti-Hero” singer won the category, which is the most of any artist in Grammy history.
Swift also won Best Pop Vocal Album earlier in the night, when she announced during her acceptance speech a new album would be released in April.
Argentina, Brazil fans brawl with police before World Cup qualifier
Violence threatened to overshadow a historic World Cup qualifier as police clashed with unruly fans. The Brazil vs. Argentina match witnessed a 30-minute delay as police corralled fans at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium on Tuesday, Nov 21.
Fan altercations erupted during the playing of the national anthem, leading Brazilian police to intervene with batons in the away section.
AP Images
Captain Lionel Messi led Argentina off the pitch in an attempt to calm tensions in the stands. After more than 10 minutes, the players returned, and the match was allowed to start.
Nicolas Otamendi clinched a 1-0 victory for Argentina in the contentious World Cup qualifier at the sold-out Maracana Stadium in Brazil, attended by 69,000 fans. This marks Brazil’s third consecutive defeat and its first-ever home loss in a World Cup qualifier.
AP Images
“The truth is that this group continues to achieve historic things, once again,” Messi told reporters. “Obviously, at the beginning it was bad because we saw how they were beating people. You think about the family, the people who are there, who don’t know what’s going on and we are more concerned about that than playing a match. At that point the match was secondary. After that, winning this game like this I think is one of the most important wins that this group has achieved. It is something very nice to be able to win here in Brazil, after how strong they have been at home throughout their history.”
Col. Vagner Ferreira, the highest-ranking police officer in the stadium, blamed organizers for the lack of a barrier between home and visiting fans. He defended the actions of police.
“Every action demands a reaction,” Ferreira told TV channel SporTV. “There is a history of confrontation here. At first we spoke to them. Then, we had to use our batons. There was no lethal force involved, no rubber bullets, no tear gas. This was a very technical approach.”
AP Images
“Beyond the match… I don’t know which words to use, I don’t know which word because I don’t want to be rude but it’s very ugly to see that happen,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “Whether it’s an Argentinian or a Brazilian, it’s very ugly and some (of our players) had family there, they didn’t know if they were there. To play a match in these conditions was difficult.”
Brazilian coach Fernando Diniz echoed his rival coach.
“It’s regrettable and we hope that the fans will be more understanding about coming to the stadium to cheer, that the public authorities will also take care of these situations, that they can act preventively so that scenes like the ones that happened today don’t happen,” Diniz said.
Tropical Storm Hilary hits California: The Rundown Aug. 21, 2023
Tropical Storm Hilary left thousands without power in California, and Russia’s lunar mission ended with a crash. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Monday, Aug. 21, 2023.
Tropical Storm Hilary hits southern California
The first tropical storm to hit southern California in 84 years brought heavy rains to the region, with forecasters telling residents to brace for more flash flooding and mudslides. More than 7 million people were placed under a flash flood warning through the morning of Monday, Aug. 21, as Tropical Storm Hilary, once a category four hurricane, flooded roadways and left thousands without power. The storm was blamed for at least one death in Mexico.
Hilary triggered California’s first ever tropical storm warning. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) declared a state emergency on Saturday, Aug. 19 for much of the area.
Schools were closed Monday for the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the nation.
Just as the tropical storm came ashore on Sunday, Aug. 20, Southern California was hit with a 5.1 magnitude earthquake. Los Angeles Police Chief Kristin Crowley gave an update on the earthquake’s effects.
“As many of you are aware, in addition to our storm, we have experienced an earthquake at 2:41 pm centered in the city of Ojai in Ventura County,” Crowley said. “Our fire department did initiate our earthquake mode which prompts all of our fire station resources to conduct a survey by land, air and sea, in which they will look at their individual districts to identify any potential threats or infrastructure issues. As of now, we have received no reports of any significant damage.”
Trump reportedly to participate in interview instead of debate
Seven contenders are expected to take part in the first GOP presidential debate on Wednesday, Aug. 23. However, the party’s frontrunner will be missing from center stage. Former President Donald Trump confirmed on Truth Social on Aug. 20 that he is skipping the debate.
Those familiar with the matter say a pre-recorded interview between Trump and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson will be released on debate night in lieu of him appearing at the debate. The former president has a healthy lead over his contenders, with a new CBS poll finding more than 60% of Republicans pledging their support. The next closest contender is Gov. Ron DeSantis at 16%.
The CBS poll also asked voters what they want to hear from other GOP candidates during the debate. More than 90% of likely Republican voters said they do not want to hear the candidates criticize Trump, instead wanting the candidates to focus on a case for themselves.
North Korea fires missiles in response to U.S./South Korea military drills
North Korea tested a series of cruise missiles to display its capabilities to defend itself from the sea and carry out an “attack mission” against South Korea in an actual war. The North’s missile launches by ship Monday were largely seen as retaliation, as the United States and South Korea began conducting its annual joint military drills.
South Korea said 2023’s demonstrations would be held on the largest scale ever. Tens of thousands of U.S. troops were set to assist tens of thousands of South Korean troops in a display of defense against any nuclear or missile threat from the North.
Russia rocket crashes into moon; India to attempt landing
Russia’s first mission to the moon in nearly 50 years ended after the rocket crashed into the moon while attempting a historic landing this past weekend. The launch from was highly anticipated, as Russia races with India to become the first nation to land a rover on the south pole of the moon.
Russian officials said there was an abnormal situation that occurred as the rocket prepared to enter a pre-landing orbit that caused the space craft to lose communication with its home base. India is projected to make the same landing attempt on Wednesday, Aug. 23.
Canada asks Meta to reinstate news access during wildfires
The dispute between Meta and Canada that led to the tech giant disabling domestic news access on its platforms has impacted Canadian communities ravaged by wildfires. Residents who used to get news, alerts and information from Facebook or Instagram no longer had access as historic wildfires swept through.
The Canadian government demanded Meta lift its access ban in the country, saying the social media platforms were needed to help provide vital information to people threatened by fast-moving fires. Meta reinstated limited access, with users once again able to use the safety check feature to mark themselves as safe in the wake of a natural disaster. Users can also access official government agency pages for the latest emergency updates on evacuations and wildfire containment.
Meta released a statement standing by its decision to disable access to its social media platforms in response to a law Canada passed that requires social media companies to pay for news content shared on its sites. Meta said being forced to pay for content is not sustainable for its business.
Spain wins Women’s World Cup for the first time
A new champion has been crowned as Spain won its first Women’s World Cup title Sunday. Spain defeated England in the final, 1-nil.
The victory came at a tumultuous time for a Spanish team that saw 15 players step away in 2022 after calling for a more professional environment. Three of those players returned to play in the World Cup.
It was also a range of emotions for 23-year-old Olga Carmona, who scored the winning goal for Spain. The Royal Spanish Football Federation confirmed the star player learned of her father’s passing just after the match.
“I know you have given me the strength to achieve something unique,” Carmona said on social media. “I know you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace, dad.”
Carmona also scored in semifinals, becoming the first player since the U.S.’ Carli Lloyd to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.
Pence says he could be prosecution witness in Trump trial: The Rundown Aug. 7, 2023
Is former Vice President Mike Pence going to be a witness if Donald Trump goes to trial on conspiracy charges? And Barbie makes more movie history. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Monday, August 7, 2023. .
Pence is not ruling out being a witness
Former Vice President Mike Pence says there is a possibility he becomes a prosecution witness if Donald Trump goes to trial on conspiracy charges related to the 2020 presidential election.
Speaking to CBS News on Sunday, Pence said he currently has no plans to testify but would not rule it out.
“But people can be confident we’ll obey the law. we’ll respond to the call of law, if it comes, and we’ll just tell the truth,” Pence said.
Trump’s attorney John Lauro said he would welcome Pence’s testimony saying the former vice president would be one of their best witnesses at trial. Lauro said that anything the former president did after the 2020 election were quote “inspirational asks” protected by free speech.
Pence and Lauro disagree on what Trump asked of his vice president before Jan. 6, 2021. Lauro said Trump just wanted Pence to “pause” the certification of votes to allow states to investigate claims of voter fraud.
Pence rejected that description of what happened saying Trump’s attorneys had asked him to overturn the election. Pence said he had no right to do that. Both Trump and Pence are seeking the republican nomination for president in 2024.
70 missiles fired at Ukraine following attack on Russian port
Tensions have risen in the Russia-Ukraine war over the weekend. Russia launched more than 70 missiles and drones at Ukraine overnight.
It was one of the largest assaults in recent weeks that came in response to a Ukrainian attack on a commercial Russian port. Two ships were hit and damaged by drones in the Black Sea.
In the barrage of missile attacks, nearly a dozen Russian drones were able to evade air defense systems hitting a blood transfusion center in northeast Ukraine along with a grain silo and military air-field west of the Kyiv.
Now, both sides are targeting port infrastructure. Three Ukrainian ports were hit in the past few weeks including the attack on its biggest port of Odesa.
Those attacks came prior to Ukraine’s latest attack on a Russian port that potentially took out one of Russia’s war-ships. Ukraine isn’t letting up on the tactic. Their military declared several Russian ports as new military threat zones, which means any ship carrying goods to Russia can be considered a legitimate military target that can be attacked.
FDA approves first pill to treat postpartum depression
The FDA has approved the first pill specifically designated to treat postpartum depression, a condition that half a million women, or one in eight mothers in the U.S., suffer every year.
Zuranolone is the first drug for postpartum depression that can now be taken at home.
The FDA’s approval comes after two studies found women who took the drug had fewer signs of depression over a four-to-six week period compared to those who took a placebo.
U.S. loses in earliest women’s World Cup exit ever
Soccer fans are still reeling from the United States’ early exit at the Women’s World Cup on Aug. 6. While the U.S. played its best game of the tournament, they could not get past Sweden. Their quest for a third consecutive title ended on penalty kicks following a scoreless draw in regulation and extra time. It was the earliest exit in tournament history for the United States.
After the match, star Megan Rapinoe, one of three players to miss their kicks in the shootout, said it was like “a sick joke” and a “dark comedy.” Rapinoe had already announced this would be her final women’s World Cup appearance.
“While we are all disappointed our journey has ended at the Women’s World Cup, we want to thank the players, coaches and staff for their remarkable effort and to our fans both in the stands and at home for their unwavering support,” U.S. Soccer said in a Aug. 7 statement. “As we always do after a major tournament, we will conduct a review to identify areas of improvement and determine our next steps. As we look ahead, we embrace the hard work necessary to become champions again.”
Global ticket sales for ‘Barbie’ reach $1 billion
The world is mesmerized by Barbie. The beauty icon for generations is captivating the box office and hitting more than $1 billion in general sales. That seals a place in history. Greta Gerwig’s film has become the first one directed by a woman to surpass that milestone.
Volunteers wanted for Loch Ness monster search
The Loch Ness Center in Scotland is putting out the call for those who want to join the biggest search in more than 50 years for the fabled sea creature. The organization will be using thermal drones, infrared cameras and a hydrophone during the late August search to find the mythical monster allegedly lurking beneath Scotland’s freshwater lake.
According to the center, there have been 1,140 official sightings of the Loch Ness monster to date. Volunteers will be called on to help identify any breaks in the water or other inexplicable movements.
