The New York Times

It's star-studded, talent-rich and a matchup of two of Europe's premier modern powers. It's France vs. Spain with a spot in the World Cup final on the line. And it's about to begin: nyti.ms/4aNzVP6

FIFA is targeting half-time during the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium to last no longer than 20 minutes. FIFA has previously said the performance will be 11 minutes long and described it as a “landmark celebration at the intersection of sport, music and global impact.” World football’s governing body, however, is yet to reveal the total length of half-time during the final, although multiple sources have told The Athletic they are targeting it to last around 20 minutes. More from @Dan_Sheldon and @AdamCrafton_ ⬇️ bit.ly/4pkFsm9

From @TheAthleticFC: FIFA is set to wait until after the World Cup to take disciplinary action against outspoken players and coaches. Any sanction will depend on the referees’ reports and other contributing factors. nyti.ms/4aSrWQM

From @TheAthleticFC: Michael Olise, France's balletically brilliant footballer, is truly unique. Quick-witted and smart, the enigmatic player scored 127 on an IQ test in 2024. As for his football intelligence, it’s off the scale. nyti.ms/3QSk0bx

Breaking News: The Trump administration is said to have ordered ICE to halt most vehicle stops after agents fatally shot a man in Houston and another in coastal Maine, both in their vehicles. nyti.ms/4aRBRpN (edited)

Breaking News: President Trump retreated from his plan to charge ships for using the Strait of Hormuz, as he reimposes a blockade of Iranian ports. nyti.ms/4vpGNcJ

Breaking News: President Trump paid E. Jean Carroll $5.6 million after he was found liable for sexual assault and defamation in a civil case. nyti.ms/4wNIIJr

From @TheAthleticFC: Whichever semifinal teams prevail, we will be in for a mouthwatering World Cup final on Sunday. But history suggests England and Argentina are at a significant disadvantage by playing a day later. nyti.ms/4fetMg9

From @TheAthleticFC: Norway star Erling Haaland returned home from the World Cup in North America with an unusual souvenir. The striker bought the raccoon during a visit to Wild Bill’s Western Store, which has been in Dallas for almost 50 years. nyti.ms/4ymMjzB

From @TheAthletic: Needing an improbable late push to beat Kyle Schwarber, Jordan Walker did just that, playing spoiler for Kyle Schwarber and Philly. He launched six consecutive homers — enough to take home the 2026 Home Run Derby championship. nyti.ms/4fhaF4Y

From @TheAthleticFC: Good luck to Spain's goalkeeper, write our World Cup reporters. France have a truly outrageous front line. Their bench is not bad either. These are our experts' predictions for today's juggernaut semifinal between France and Spain: nyti.ms/457Sbz7

Breaking News: U.S. inflation cooled to a 3.5% annual rate in June, when energy prices moderated amid a brief pause in the war with Iran. nyti.ms/4vyuL0S

a bit of news: OpenAI strikes a deal with Kalshi to put prediction market data about World Cup games into ChatGPT nytimes.com/2026/07/13/tec…

Pat Oliphant, who for decades skewered powerful officials with boldness and acid wit, has died at 90. nyti.ms/4wI64Qw

The Taliban’s morality police have arrested dozens, if not hundreds, of people in Herat in recent weeks for clothing deemed inappropriate and beards that are too short. Since then, many women have stayed home, and some parents have stopped their daughters from going to school out of fear of being arrested. nytimes.com/2026/07/12/wor…

EXCLUSIVE: Our investigation into Israel's secret operation to cultivate Ahmadinejad and turn him into an asset. His trips to Budapest were a front to meet Israelis, including Mossad chief David Barnea. Gift link w/ @MarkMazzettiNYT @julianbarnes @ronenbergman nytimes.com/2026/07/13/us/…

From @TheAthleticFC: Developing into a top soccer player requires some degree of privilege in the U.S., as it is expensive. But the primary reason that the U.S. doesn’t produce world-class men’s soccer players boils down to one word: culture. nyti.ms/4fwfXee

The Atlanta Police Department says it will “enhance” its “citywide public safety and security posture” ahead of England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday. There is a long-standing historical tension between the two countries, stemming from the 1982 Falklands War, and videos have already circulated online of England and Argentina supporters clashing in Miami — where England played its World Cup quarter-final against Norway — over the weekend. And for arguably the most high-risk match at the World Cup, the APD is stepping up its efforts to ensure it passes without issue. More from @Dan_Sheldon_ 🔗 nyti.ms/3RhFJJQ

Lorenzo Salgado Araujo loved to belt out mariachi songs and wept whenever his beloved Chivas lost. He ran a construction crew framing homes, and he was the was master of “chiflidos,” the sharp, high-pitched whistling the men often used to signal each other on job sites.

The sister of Senator Graham, Darline Graham Nordone, will finish his Senate term after his death on Saturday, the South Carolina governor said. She does not appear to have previous political experience. nyti.ms/4hb7Gh5