Jude Bellingham scored twice, including a decisive extra-time winner, to send England past Norway 2-1 in a fiercely contested World Cup quarterfinal in Miami on Saturday, pushing Thomas Tuchel’s side within one win of its first men’s World Cup final since 1966.

Norway took the lead in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup’s dipping effort beat England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, with Martin Ødegaard credited with the assist. England responded almost immediately, equalizing in first-half stoppage time when Bellingham, the Real Madrid star, took a pass from Anthony Gordon in stride and beat Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to make it 1-1 heading into halftime. The match remained level through 90 minutes, forcing extra time.

Bellingham struck again just three minutes into the extra period, capitalizing after Nyland could only parry a shot from substitute Morgan Rogers, giving England the lead for good and completing his two-goal performance. The result pushes England into the semifinals to face Argentina, a match set to be broadcast live on the BBC, after Argentina defeated Switzerland in the tournament’s other quarterfinal.

BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty described England’s path through the match as one shaped almost entirely by Bellingham’s individual brilliance. “England stand one win from their first men’s World Cup final since 1966 as Jude Bellingham’s brilliant two-goal display inspired them to come from behind to beat Norway after extra time in Miami,” McNulty wrote, adding that Tuchel’s side “rode their luck in a quarter-final played in fierce heat and humidity, but Bellingham was once again the talisman to send England into the last four.”

McNulty noted that Bellingham’s reaction after his first-half equalizer reflected the composed manner in which he has carried England through the tournament. Rather than an elaborate celebration, Bellingham simply turned and jogged back to the center circle in what McNulty described as “businesslike fashion,” pausing only to rally the crowd of England supporters inside Miami Stadium. Saturday’s extra-time winner brought Bellingham’s tally to six goals across the tournament, continuing what McNulty characterized as “almost looks like a personal mission to bring glory to England.”

Tuchel was forced into changes at halftime, withdrawing Declan Rice, who had been managing illness and injury, along with winger Noni Madueke, and introducing Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka in their place. The substitutions came as England searched for a spark against a resilient Norwegian side that had already produced the deepest World Cup run in the country’s modern history by reaching the quarterfinals.

Norway continued to threaten after the break despite trailing on the scoresheet for much of the second half. A goal from Torbjorn Heggem was ruled out following a VAR review after Erling Haaland was judged to have fouled England’s Elliot Anderson with a shove in the buildup, a decision that denied Norway what would have been a restored lead. Norway also struck the crossbar through a header from David Moller Wolfe later in the match, underscoring how closely contested the game remained even as England ultimately advanced.

Haaland, who entered Saturday’s match having scored seven goals across the tournament and emerged as one of its most talked-about individual stars both on and off the pitch, was unable to make a decisive attacking impact against England. McNulty wrote that Haaland “threatened fleetingly, almost cashing in on a loss of concentration by John Stones in the first half,” and grew visibly frustrated when teammate Alexander Sorloth opted to attempt a solo effort rather than pass to an unmarked Haaland with a clear run on goal. Haaland was ultimately substituted at the start of the second half of extra time. McNulty noted that Haaland “knew what was coming after the video assistant referee intervened” on the disallowed Heggem goal, adding that he “barely” celebrated in the match’s aftermath.

Despite the disappointing result, McNulty wrote that Haaland’s broader tournament had brought “great pride to Haaland and Norway,” reflecting the significance of Norway’s run to the quarterfinal stage for a country making just its second major tournament appearance in more than two decades after missing the World Cup since 1998.

Bellingham was named player of the match, finishing with an average rating of 8.88 according to post-match statistics, well ahead of Norway’s top performer, Ødegaard, who registered a 6.48 rating. Schjelderup, the Norway goal scorer, finished with a 6.14 rating, while Haaland’s rating of 5.32 reflected his relatively quiet afternoon by the standards of his tournament to that point.

Saturday’s match drew an announced attendance of 64,478 at Miami Stadium, played under conditions McNulty described as fierce heat and humidity, factors that appeared to affect both sides as the match wore into extra time. England’s win came just days after a demanding round-of-16 victory over Mexico at Estadio Azteca, and McNulty suggested England looked “understandably” jaded for portions of Saturday’s contest given the accumulated toll of the tournament’s Miami leg layered on top of that earlier match.

With the win, England advance to their third World Cup semifinal since lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy 60 years ago in 1966, a stretch that has included previous semifinal losses to West Germany in 1990 and Croatia in 2018. Tuchel’s side will now turn its attention to Argentina, with Lionel Messi’s side awaiting in the semifinal after eliminating Switzerland in the tournament’s other quarterfinal matchup.

For Norway, meanwhile, Saturday’s exit brings an end to a historic tournament run that captured the imagination of the football world, driven in large part by Haaland’s seven-goal haul and the underdog spirit surrounding a national team appearing on the World Cup’s biggest stage for the first time in nearly three decades. Despite the loss, Norway’s performance throughout the tournament, culminating in Saturday’s tightly fought extra-time defeat to the eventual finalists, is likely to be remembered as one of the standout stories of the 2026 World Cup.

Lionel Messi’s personal goal-scoring streak came to an end at nine consecutive World Cup matches, but the Argentina captain still guided his team into the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup for the second consecutive tournament, setting up a mostly assist-driven performance that helped Argentina outlast Switzerland 3-1 after extra time on Saturday at Kansas City Stadium in Missouri.

Argentina, chasing back-to-back World Cup titles after winning in Qatar in 2022, advanced to face England in the semifinals on July 16, with a spot in the final on the line. The result came after a grueling 120 minutes in Kansas City that tested both squads physically, with the match ultimately decided in extra time following a 1-1 scoreline through regulation.

Messi entered Saturday’s match with a chance to extend his streak of scoring in nine straight World Cup games, a run dating back to the round of 16 at the 2022 tournament in Qatar, to 10 consecutive matches. He attempted four shots over the course of the game but was unable to find the net. Instead, Messi turned his focus toward creating opportunities for his teammates, and Argentina responded by scoring three goals across the full 120 minutes of play.

Messi opened the scoring indirectly in the 10th minute of the first half, delivering a corner kick that Alexis Mac Allister headed home to give Argentina an early lead. The assist marked Messi’s 10th career World Cup assist, making him the first player in tournament history to reach double digits in that category. Switzerland equalized in the 22nd minute of the second half, forcing the match into extra time after Argentina was unable to add to its lead through the remainder of regulation play. Throughout the match, Messi continued contributing in a facilitating role, delivering six crosses, the most of any player on either team.

The deciding moments came deep into extra time. In the seventh minute of the added period, Julián Álvarez struck a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area that curled into the top right corner of the Swiss goal, putting Argentina back in front. Lautaro Martínez added a third goal for Argentina later in the second half of extra time, sealing the victory. Messi, 39, played the full 120 minutes, continuing to direct Argentina’s attack even as the match wore into its final stages without him managing to add his name to the scoresheet.

Messi has worn Argentina’s captain’s armband for the past 15 years, a tenure that began in 2011 and has coincided with the national team’s transformation from a group widely regarded as championship contenders on paper into one that has consistently delivered on that potential. Under his leadership, Argentina won the Copa América in both 2021 and 2024 and lifted the World Cup trophy in 2022, ending a 36-year wait for the country’s third title.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez described Messi’s leadership style as understated despite his standing as the sport’s most accomplished active player. “Messi is the best player in the world, but he does not put up authority in the national team and acts the same as other players,” Martínez said, adding that the squad planned to approach the coming stretch of the tournament with heightened focus. “We will seriously awaken a sense of responsibility and increase the players’ concentration.”

Messi’s approach to leadership has evolved over the course of his international career, shifting from a more reserved, quieter presence in his early years as captain to a more vocal role following a string of difficult losses in major finals, including Argentina’s runner-up finish at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and back-to-back Copa América final defeats in 2015 and 2016. Ahead of Argentina’s 2021 Copa América final victory over Brazil, Messi is reported to have rallied teammates in the locker room, telling them, “We haven’t even seen our families in 45 days. Still, I came for this moment, and there is only one step left now. Everything is up to us. There is no such thing as coincidence. Let’s trust ourselves and be calm. Let’s go get the trophy.” Argentina went on to win that match, capturing its first Copa América title in 28 years.

Álvarez, whose extra-time strike proved decisive against Switzerland, credited the team’s collective belief for pulling out the result in a physically demanding match. “It was a difficult time for us, but I believed that if we all worked together, we would get a goal,” Álvarez said. “I’m so glad that’s what happened in the end. The team members did their best until the end.”

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni offered high praise for Messi’s continued output at 39 years old, an age at which sustained peak performance at the World Cup level is exceedingly rare. “Messi is like a machine,” Scaloni said shortly after the match. “Considering he’s 39 years old, you might think he won’t be able to do his part. But he will always try to be the best, and he will always be at the top.”

Saturday’s win extended Argentina’s run through a tournament that has proven physically taxing across all three of its knockout-stage matches so far, according to figures within the team’s camp, with Scaloni’s side once again relying on Messi’s on-field organization and experience to see the match through despite his personal scoring drought. With the victory, Argentina now has two matches remaining in its bid for a second consecutive World Cup title: the semifinal against England on July 16, followed by either the final or the third-place match depending on that result.

Messi’s sixth World Cup appearance, a milestone in itself for a player who first appeared on the tournament’s biggest stage as a teenager, will continue for at least two more matches, with growing belief inside the Argentina camp that its captain remains capable of delivering when it matters most, even in matches where his name does not appear on the scoresheet.

James Murdoch, the estranged son of media mogul Rupert Murdoch, appears poised to walk away with a fortune from an early investment in Elon Musk’s SpaceX that could dwarf what he ever earned from his family’s media empire, according to new calculations shared with Fortune.

James, 53, invested an estimated $120 million in SpaceX before the rocket and satellite company went public earlier this year in the largest initial public offering in history. That stake could now be worth as much as $7.5 billion, according to calculations by Franco Granda, senior research analyst for private company coverage at Pitchbook. The valuation had not previously been publicly disclosed.

The financial details emerged from public records tied to a 2023 court case brought by a Tesla shareholder challenging Musk’s disputed $56 billion compensation package. That litigation revealed that James Murdoch had purchased three separate tranches of SpaceX stock. Two of those tranches, worth $50 million each, were acquired in 2019 and 2020 through a private investment vehicle believed to be Lupa Systems, the firm Murdoch founded in 2019 where he serves as the primary beneficiary alongside staff and partners. He separately made a personal investment of $20 million in 2019. Combined, those holdings are now estimated to be worth between $6.573 billion and $7.44 billion, according to Pitchbook’s analysis.

While SpaceX’s public offering documents do not mention James Murdoch by name, the filing details stock awards granted to Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen with an expiration date of 2030, valuing the underlying stock at $4.40 per share, figures that offer clues to the value shareholders held before the IPO. Several caveats complicate any precise estimate of Murdoch’s current windfall. He could have sold shares along the way, and the stock has undergone multiple dilutions, including a five-for-one stock split SpaceX shareholders approved in May. The exact dates of his stock acquisitions are not fully public, though media industry executives have reportedly been circulating rumors about the scale of his potential gains.

Fortune reached out to Blair Effron, a partner at Centerview Partners, which has advised the Murdoch family on investment matters. “As a friend of James, I’ll pass on speaking,” Effron said. A representative for James Murdoch did not provide comment before publication.

Any windfall from the SpaceX stake would carry particular significance given the fractured relationship between James and his father. The younger Murdoch’s split from Rupert became final after the elder Murdoch chose his other son, Lachlan Murdoch, to succeed him atop News Corp. The private family dispute later spilled into public view through reporting by The New York Times and The Atlantic detailing the extent of the animosity between father and son. In an interview with The Atlantic, James said he believed his father had fed questions to a lawyer during the family’s internal legal fight, including one that asked, “Have you ever done anything successful on your own?”

Last year, a Nevada probate court examined an effort by Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch to alter the longstanding Murdoch Family Trust, a change that would have stripped voting rights from James and his sisters, Liz and Prue. A probate commissioner ruled against the proposed change, and following an appeal, the parties reached an agreement under which each of the three siblings received a $1.1 billion payout in exchange for surrendering their stock in News Corp and Fox.

James Murdoch stepped down as chief executive of 21st Century Fox after the company sold the majority of its assets to Disney in a $71.3 billion deal completed in 2019, a transaction that netted him roughly $2.2 billion. He went on to establish Lupa Systems that same year, the period during which SpaceX began launching the broadband satellites that would become Starlink, a business Murdoch understood well given his prior experience running satellite pay-TV ventures Sky in the United Kingdom and Star in Asia.

Murdoch’s relationship with Musk dates back decades. According to court filings from the Tesla compensation dispute, the two men first met in the late 1990s, when Musk was building Zip2, an early online city guide for newspapers, while Murdoch ran digital operations at what was then simply known as News Corp. The two reconnected in the mid-2000s after Murdoch ordered an electric Tesla Roadster, and the relationship deepened through family vacations to Israel, Mexico and the Bahamas. Musk later added James Murdoch to Tesla’s board, where he remains listed as an independent director who joined in July 2017.

Murdoch has separately profited from his Tesla holdings. Share sales tied to his JRM Rev Trust have generated roughly $107 million since spring of last year, according to SEC filings. Tesla itself owns roughly 19 million shares of SpaceX, a stake that could indirectly benefit Murdoch further given his continued position on Tesla’s board, amid ongoing market speculation about a potential merger between the two Musk-controlled companies.

Since leaving Fox, Murdoch has built a diversified investment portfolio spanning media, technology and the arts. He recently completed a $300 million deal to acquire a significant stake in Vox Media, owner of New York magazine and a range of niche websites and podcasts. His other holdings include comic book publisher and studio AWA, the Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal-backed Tribeca Enterprises, and MCH Group, the holding company behind the Art Basel exhibition. He also holds an interest in an Indian streaming media joint venture through Bodhi Tree Systems, backed in part by Comcast and the Qatar Investment Authority.

Jon Miller, chief executive of TPG-backed Integrated Media and a former AOL chief executive who previously served as chief digital officer at News Corp, said Murdoch’s apparent SpaceX success reflects a consistent pattern in his investing career. “To me this is no surprise, James has been a savvy global technology investor for decades,” Miller said.

Veteran media analyst Brian Wieser of advisory firm Madison and Wall cautioned that the precise scale of Murdoch’s potential windfall remains difficult to verify but said any gain is likely substantial given the trajectory of SpaceX’s valuation. “Given that James Murdoch has been in the SpaceX orbit for a while, since Tesla, it’s unsurprising that he’s benefited financially,” Wieser said. “And if so, it’s very plausible that someone like James Murdoch could end up making a lot more from the holdings of SpaceX than they ever would from holding traditional media companies. Though that presumes they can get liquid, holding the shares doesn’t mean anything if you can’t sell them.”

LeBron James remains without a team nearly two weeks into free agency, with league sources describing a growing sense that the four-time NBA MVP is leaning toward a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, even as several other franchises insist they still have a genuine shot at landing him.

James, 41, informed the Los Angeles Lakers on June 30 through his agent, Rich Paul, that he would not return to the franchise after eight seasons. Since then, James has taken a notably patient and deliberate approach to what is widely expected to be his final free-agent decision of a career now entering its 24th season. As of Thursday, sources told ESPN there remained “no timetable” for James to make a final call.

According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, a “vibe” has emerged around the league pointing toward Cleveland, the franchise where James began his career and later returned for a celebrated second stint. That sense has been fueled in part by James’ recent activity away from the court, including a nostalgic gathering with members of his 2016 championship Cavaliers roster and additional time spent in his hometown of Akron, Ohio, this summer. The Cavaliers enter the conversation coming off their best season without James in more than 30 years and recently signed guard Donovan Mitchell to a four-year maximum contract extension, positioning the roster as a potentially strong fit around a returning James.

Still, Windhorst reported that several other teams believe they have a legitimate case to land James despite the Cleveland speculation. The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers each believe they have a compelling pitch, according to sources cited in Windhorst’s reporting, even as recruiting communications with James’ camp have reportedly remained largely one-directional, with teams pitching but receiving little direct feedback in return.

Rich Paul offered a rare glimpse into the scope of James’ options during an appearance on his “Game Over” podcast last week, using a whiteboard to list potential landing spots including Philadelphia, Miami, Minnesota, Denver, Golden State and Cleveland. Paul also noted that James would have considered the New York Knicks had the franchise not just won an NBA title, effectively taking that team out of contention. According to Yahoo Sports, Paul separately name-checked the Knicks, 76ers and Boston Celtics during that same podcast appearance as among the fits worth discussing, underscoring how wide the field of speculation has grown even as certain teams appear more central to the process than others.

The recruiting process has taken an unusual form this offseason. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, teams pursuing James have been sending voice memos to Paul, who then relays those messages to his client, with the identity of who records each message viewed by some in league circles as a signal of how seriously a given organization values landing James. Philadelphia may hold a notable edge in that regard after Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the 76ers, appeared directly on Paul’s podcast. It remains unclear whether the Cavaliers or Miami Heat, two other frequently mentioned suitors, have submitted similar voice memos, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

Golden State’s pursuit has drawn particular public attention given James’ friendship with Warriors star Stephen Curry, dating back to their partnership on the U.S. Olympic team in 2024. Speaking to reporters at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, Curry acknowledged what he called the “allure” of teaming up with James and the impact such a move would have on the league. “The pitch is: Do you want to play good basketball and be around people that know how to play the game?” Curry said. “Hopefully raise our floor and our competitiveness this year. There’s good golf in the Bay. We’re an organization that’s been there. He knows that.” Curry’s reference to golf was widely interpreted as a nod to Paul, who has previously said that access to both indoor and outdoor golf mattered to his client. Curry later told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole that James deserves patience as he works through his decision, rather than facing pressure to announce a choice on any particular timeline.

James’ unusually drawn-out free agency stands in contrast to his prior decisions, each of which unfolded differently. His original “Decision” in 2010, announced during a primetime television special, saw him declare he was “taking his talents to South Beach” to join the Miami Heat. Four years later, he announced his return to Cleveland in far less dramatic fashion on July 11, 2014, after also letting that process stretch nearly two weeks. When he later left Cleveland for the Lakers in 2018, he avoided any drawn-out drama entirely, agreeing to a deal on the very first night of free agency.

Analysts have speculated that James may be deliberately timing his eventual announcement around the World Cup, which is nearing its final stages this month, in order to avoid having his news overshadowed by soccer’s biggest stars. The tournament’s semifinals are scheduled for July 14 and 15, and some in league circles believe James could wait until a lull in that coverage, or until after the tournament concludes entirely, before making his decision public.

Beyond James, the broader NBA offseason has continued to take shape around him. Golden State guard Deandre Ayton was traded to the Washington Wizards, Rui Hachimura signed with the Los Angeles Clippers, Luke Kennard joined the Phoenix Suns, and Marcus Smart signed with the Houston Rockets, moves that have collectively reshaped rosters across the league even as James’ free agency continues to dominate offseason attention. San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama also agreed to a five-year rookie max extension worth $252 million during the same stretch.

For now, James appears content to let the process play out at his own pace, a departure from a career defined in earlier years by his desire to control the news cycle surrounding his own decisions with tight-lipped negotiations conducted mostly outside public view. Whether that patience ultimately points toward a homecoming in Cleveland or a surprise move elsewhere remains, as of this week, an open question that league insiders expect to be resolved in the coming days.

Sophie Cunningham took an unexpected turn from the basketball court to the octagon apron Saturday night, surprising fans at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas by stepping in as a UFC 329 ring girl during a night that ultimately became defined by Conor McGregor’s stunning early exit from his long-awaited return fight.

Cunningham, the WNBA guard who has also modeled for Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit issue, grabbed a ring card and strutted around the octagon holding it above her head as fans erupted in shock at the sight of her filling in during the card. The moment came as fan favorite Paddy Pimblett walked out to “Lethal Industry” by Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano, with the 6-foot-1 Cunningham going barefoot around the octagon in a black tank top and shorts, smiling and laughing as she carried out the role alongside the event’s regular ring girls.

UFC president and CEO Dana White confirmed after the card that the appearance came together on short notice. “I love Sophie Cunningham,” White told reporters. White said Cunningham approached him roughly eight minutes before she ultimately walked out onto the octagon apron to take part. “She was like, ‘I want to do that,’” White recounted. “I told her, ‘Then you will do it.’”

Cunningham appeared to embrace the moment fully, pointing and waving toward celebrity row as she circled the octagon before pausing to pose for cameras as Pimblett’s fight got underway. Pimblett made quick work of his opponent, finishing Benoit Saint-Denis via first-round submission after his opponent shot in for a takedown attempt and was caught in a guillotine choke, according to the official result.

Cunningham’s cameo, while a lighthearted highlight, was ultimately overshadowed by the night’s headline story: the abrupt and dramatic end to Conor McGregor’s much-anticipated return to the octagon after more than five years away from competition. McGregor, fighting for the first time since a broken leg suffered in his 2021 trilogy loss to Dustin Poirier, faced Max Holloway in a rematch of their 2013 bout, which McGregor had won by unanimous decision.

The rematch ended almost as soon as it began. McGregor opened the fight with a flying left roundhouse kick that landed awkwardly, appearing to injure his right knee in the process. After attempting two more strikes despite the injury, it became clear McGregor could not continue, and referee Mike Beltran stopped the contest at 1 minute, 9 seconds into the first round. White told reporters afterward that ringside doctors suspected McGregor had torn his ACL, though the full extent of the injury had not been confirmed as of Saturday night.

The finish left the sold-out crowd, which White said Thursday had broken the promotion’s record for the largest live gate, audibly unhappy, with fans booing as the fight was waved off. Holloway, who improved to 28-9, addressed the arena directly afterward despite the muted reaction. “Let’s give it up for Conor McGregor, guys,” Holloway said. “What an absolute animal. When we were in here, I was trying to call the fight off, and he kept asking to fight on. But you guys are lucky because there’s going to be a Holloway vs. McGregor 3 now. Let’s get this money, boys.” Holloway added, “What can I say, I had him weak in the knees, I guess.”

McGregor, who fell to 22-7 with the loss, left the octagon under his own power but was visibly limping and exited the arena without speaking to reporters. The injury struck the opposite leg from the one McGregor broke during his 2021 loss to Poirier, adding another significant setback to a stretch that has seen him go 1-4 across his last five fights after opening his UFC career 9-1 and becoming the promotion’s first simultaneous two-division champion.

McGregor had arrived at T-Mobile Arena earlier in the night sporting a freshly shaved mohawk-style haircut ahead of what was billed as one of the most significant fights of his career, and had expressed confidence in his preparation heading into the bout. The bookmaking market had reflected a competitive matchup entering fight night, with Holloway closing as a -300 favorite at BetMGM Sportsbook and McGregor listed as a +240 underdog.

Saturday’s card featured several other notable results beyond the headline bout. Brandon Royval defeated Lone’er Kavanagh via third-round submission using a rear-naked choke, Mario Bautista topped Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision with identical 29-28 scorecards across all three judges, and King Green stopped Terrance McKinney via first-round TKO by way of punches, rounding out a night that mixed decisive finishes with the shocking early conclusion to the main event.

For Cunningham, Saturday’s cameo added to a growing public profile that has increasingly extended beyond her role on the basketball court. The WNBA guard has drawn national attention in recent seasons both for her play and for high-profile modeling and media appearances, and her impromptu turn as a UFC ring girl further cemented her status as one of the more recognizable crossover athletes currently active in women’s sports.

While it remains unclear whether Cunningham’s appearance was fully planned in advance or came together as spontaneously as White described, the moment quickly became a viral talking point among fans following the card, offering a rare lighthearted highlight on a night otherwise dominated by disappointment over McGregor’s premature exit from what had been billed as a major comeback moment for one of the sport’s most recognizable stars.

With Holloway now positioned as the favorite for a potential third meeting between the two fighters, and McGregor facing an uncertain recovery timeline pending further evaluation of his knee injury, UFC officials have not yet indicated when or whether a trilogy bout might be scheduled. For now, Saturday’s card will likely be remembered both for its abrupt ending and for the unexpected moment that briefly stole the spotlight before the main event even got underway.

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A tourist was seriously injured Friday evening after an agitated bull bison charged and launched him roughly eight feet into the air at Yellowstone National Park, in an encounter captured on video by a professional photographer camping nearby.

The incident occurred at the Bridge Bay Campground, located south of Fishing Bridge inside the park, according to Mike MacLeod, a professional photographer from Bozeman, Montana, who witnessed and recorded the attack. MacLeod said the victim, an older man, was walking with his young grandson when the bison, already visibly agitated, made the pair the target of its aggression.

MacLeod, who was camping at Bridge Bay when his wife first spotted the bull bison entering the area, said he grabbed his camera and began filming from what he believed was a safe distance. “I was just trying to get some dramatic footage of that bison having a fit,” MacLeod told Cowboy State Daily. “It’s changed my idea of what to expect from these guys at this time of year, because I would not have predicted that happening.”

According to MacLeod’s account, the bison initially charged a group of children who were photographing it from a distance on their cellphones, though the children were able to safely scatter. The animal then turned its attention toward a sapling before ultimately chasing after the victim and his grandson as they attempted to move away behind nearby trees. The bison hooked the man with its left horn on his hip and tossed him into the air, sending him into what MacLeod described as a full flip before he landed on his side. “The bison was at least 6 feet tall, and he was several feet above him,” MacLeod said.

MacLeod said the man and his grandson had been standing at what would generally be considered a safe distance from the animal, estimated at roughly 100 yards, when the bison suddenly charged. The National Park Service requires visitors to remain at least 25 yards, or 75 feet, away from bison at all times, given the animals’ unpredictable behavior and physical power. Bison can weigh close to a ton and run at speeds up to roughly 30 miles per hour, more than three times faster than the average human.

After the man hit the ground, MacLeod said the bison stood over him briefly, shaking its head in apparent agitation, raising fears among bystanders that the animal might continue its attack. MacLeod said he made the decision to intervene despite the risk. “I had to get the bison’s attention,” MacLeod said. “I was really afraid he was going to gore the guy on the ground, so I stopped videotaping and ran at the bison, yelled loud, and was trying to be as big and intimidating as possible.” Other bystanders followed MacLeod’s lead, shouting and approaching the animal until it ultimately ran off, allowing people nearby to rush to the injured man’s aid.

MacLeod, who said he previously worked as a combat photographer in the Army, credited his past experience with helping him stay composed during the incident. “I used to be a combat photographer in the Army,” MacLeod said. “I could see this thing coming.”

Yellowstone’s Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and provided initial treatment to the victim, who was reported to be in significant pain, particularly in his hips and the leg on which he landed. The man sustained serious injuries, including a broken hip, and remained hospitalized as of Saturday. His name has not been publicly released by park authorities or his family. The man’s grandson, who escaped the encounter unharmed, later told MacLeod that his grandfather was “not out of the woods yet” and continued to experience considerable pain following the attack.

MacLeod said he found it difficult to understand why the bison singled out the victim and his grandson specifically, given that other visitors were positioned closer to the animal at the time. “I’ve been around bison for a while, but this was really weird,” MacLeod said. “Why did it pick those two? There were so many people around, and most of them were closer to and behind the bison. It was really weird.” MacLeod added that, unlike many similar incidents in the park, no one involved appeared to have acted carelessly around the animal. “I didn’t see anybody getting close,” he said. “People were yelling, ‘Careful, there’s a bison coming through,’ and they kept their distance. They were very respectful.”

The National Park Service had not issued a formal statement addressing the specific incident as of Saturday. Park officials and wildlife experts consistently caution that bison, despite their sometimes docile appearance, are wild animals capable of sudden and unpredictable aggression, particularly during their annual rutting season, which typically runs from June through September and can heighten agitation among bulls.

Friday’s incident marked the second confirmed human-bison encounter reported in Yellowstone so far this year. The first occurred June 26, when a 12-year-old was injured near Mud Volcano, an area located north of Fishing Bridge. Yellowstone has recorded a string of similar bison-related injuries in recent years, part of a broader pattern of wildlife encounters that park officials and safety advocates say underscores the ongoing risks tourists face when approaching or unexpectedly encountering large animals inside the park.

Bison remain one of Yellowstone’s most iconic and heavily visited attractions, drawing visitors from around the world hoping to observe the animals in their natural habitat. Wildlife researchers have noted that bison also play a significant ecological role within the park, with their grazing patterns credited with helping sustain the nutritional quality of Yellowstone’s grasslands. Despite that ecological importance, park officials continue to stress that visitors must maintain safe distances at all times, noting that even individuals who believe they are following recommended guidelines can still find themselves targeted by an animal that becomes suddenly agitated, as appeared to be the case in Friday’s incident.

As of Saturday, the extent of the victim’s ongoing medical treatment and prognosis had not been publicly detailed, and it remained unclear whether the National Park Service planned to release further information about the circumstances surrounding the attack in the days ahead.

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Will AI earnings eclipse big bank reports? (0:17) Taiwan Semi, ASML offer clues on AI demand. (0:54) Headline CPI seen cooling. (2:01)

Earnings season officially kicks off this week as the big banks report. But major updates on AI spending could overshadow the financial results.

Wall Street analysts remain overwhelmingly bullish on the banking sector, with no Sell ratings on the major banks reporting this week, including JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Citigroup (C), Wells Fargo (WFC), Bank of America (BAC), Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS).

Seeking Alpha analysts are a bit more cautious, though they also rate the sector a Buy overall.

This weekend, SA analyst Ian Brezek issued a rare Sell rating on Citigroup, arguing that consensus EPS estimates for 2027 and 2028 “may be too high, and there is a risk of downward revision, especially if financial markets weaken.”

Barring major disappointments from the banks, market attention is likely to shift quickly to chipmakers for the latest read on AI demand. Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) and ASML (ASML) are both due to report.

SA analyst Oliver Rodzianko says guidance will be the key focus for TSM. Investors should “look out for advanced-packaging capacity commentary, 2nm margin dilution, and perhaps most importantly, whether management still sounds like the business is supply-constrained.”

Here’s how the calendar shapes up:

On Tuesday, JPMorgan Chase (JPM), Bank of America (BAC), Goldman Sachs (GS), Wells Fargo (WFC) and Citigroup (C) report.

On Wednesday, ASML (ASML), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Morgan Stanley (MS), BlackRock (BLK), Bank of New York Mellon (BK) and United Airlines (UAL) report.

On Thursday, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM) and Netflix (NFLX) report.

Regions Financial (RF) and Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) round out the week on Friday.

For Netflix, SA analyst Louis Gerard says it’s a “pound the table” Buy based on valuation.

“The only thing that has really deteriorated for the firm has been its price, while the new competitive behemoth I warned about is being assembled by Paramount under a mountain of leverage, and NFLX got paid $2.8B to not participate in that folly.”

Looking to the economy, inflation data dominate the economic calendar this week, with the June consumer price index due on Tuesday and the producer price index on Wednesday.

Economists expect headline CPI to fall 0.1% in June, bringing the annual inflation rate down to 3.7% from 4.2%.

Core CPI is expected to rise 0.2%, leaving the annual rate unchanged at 2.8%.

Wells Fargo economists say core services inflation should moderate in June.

“While supply-side developments continue to generate volatility in a handful of categories, the broader data do not suggest inflation pressures are re-accelerating across the economy,” they said.

In the news this weekend, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a longtime Republican lawmaker from South Carolina and one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill, has died at the age of 71 following a sudden and brief illness, according to a statement from his office.

No cause of death was disclosed.

The United States launched a new wave of strikes against Iran after Tehran allegedly attacked a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

American forces targeted about 140 Iranian military sites, including communications, air-defense, drone-storage and naval mine-laying facilities.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting U.S.-allied Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

And MGM Resorts (MGM) has reportedly opened discussions with People (PPLI) over a potential buyout after Barry Diller’s media company offered to acquire the casino operator in a $12.4B deal last month.

The Wall Street Journal reports that MGM has formed a special board committee and hired advisers to evaluate the bid, which it believes undervalues the company.

And for income investors, Pershing Square (PS) goes ex-dividend on Monday and will pay shareholders on July 21.

Abbott Laboratories (ABT) and AbbVie (ABBV) go ex-dividend on Wednesday. Abbott pays on August 17, while AbbVie pays on August 14.

Williams-Sonoma (WSM) goes ex-dividend on Friday and will pay shareholders on August 21.

Kuwait International Airport remains open and operational today, with commercial flights continuing to run through the facility’s Terminal 4 and Terminal 5, even as Terminal 1 stays closed indefinitely while repair work continues following damage sustained during regional strikes earlier this year.

The airport, located roughly 16 kilometers south of Kuwait City in the Farwaniya Governorate, serves as the primary aviation hub for the country, handling more than 15 million passengers annually and offering connections to more than 100 destinations worldwide. Kuwait Airways, the country’s national carrier, is currently operating out of Terminal 4, while Jazeera Airways, the country’s largest budget carrier by departure volume, continues to operate from Terminal 5. Both terminals have absorbed additional traffic that would normally flow through Terminal 1 while that facility remains offline.

Terminal 1’s continued closure traces back to a series of attacks earlier this year tied to broader regional conflict in the Gulf. Between late February and June 2026, Kuwait International Airport was targeted multiple times by drone and missile strikes linked to Iran’s broader campaign against Persian Gulf states, causing damage to the airport’s infrastructure, including its radar installation. All flights to and from the airport were suspended starting February 28 following the closure of Kuwaiti airspace amid the escalating conflict, forcing carriers such as Jazeera Airways to temporarily divert operations to Qaisumah International Airport in Saudi Arabia, located roughly two and a half hours from Kuwait by road.

Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways resumed operations from Terminals 4 and 5 on April 26, and Terminal 1 briefly reopened on June 1, allowing some non-Kuwaiti carriers to resume service through the facility. That reopening proved short-lived. Terminal 1 suffered more serious structural damage, including a partial roof collapse, during a subsequent strike on June 3, 2026, rendering the facility unsafe for passenger operations and prompting officials to close it once again. That second closure has remained in effect since, with no confirmed reopening date currently available.

Kuwait’s civil aviation authorities have emphasized a cautious, staged approach to restoring full operations across the airport. Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al Sabah, chairman of Kuwait’s General Civil Aviation Authority, said earlier this year that the phased reopening process was coordinated closely with domestic and international authorities to ensure operations resumed in line with the highest safety and security standards. He credited the political leadership’s support with helping expedite the airport’s broader recovery and separately thanked Saudi Arabia for facilitating Kuwaiti carriers through its airports during the disruption, while also highlighting coordination among Gulf Cooperation Council countries aimed at maintaining regional air traffic continuity throughout the crisis.

International carriers have gradually resumed service to Kuwait in the weeks since Terminal 1’s second closure, routing their operations temporarily through Terminal 4. Emirates, flydubai and Air Arabia relaunched service to Kuwait on July 2 as part of that phased resumption, following an earlier wave of returning Gulf carriers. Oman Air resumed scheduled flight operations on June 25, also operating through Terminal 4 rather than its usual gates in Terminal 1. Other regional carriers, including Saudia, Etihad, Qatar Airways and Gulf Air, have continued restoring service in progressive stages, while international carriers such as Air India, IndiGo, Turkish Airlines, British Airways and EgyptAir have been preparing schedule filings to resume their own Kuwait routes. Not every airline has returned on the same timeline; budget carrier Pegasus Airlines has maintained a suspension of its Kuwait routes through August 3, according to airline scheduling data.

Kuwait Airways, which operates a network of roughly 30 destinations, has offered complimentary flight rebookings to passengers whose itineraries were disrupted by the earlier closures, part of a broader effort by the country’s national carrier to preserve essential air connectivity throughout the shutdown period. Terminal 4 has effectively become the primary operational base for both Kuwait Airways and returning international carriers during Terminal 1’s closure, requiring ground crews to carefully manage scheduling in order to avoid bottlenecks during peak transfer hours as multiple airlines share the facility’s gate capacity.

Beyond the immediate recovery effort, Kuwait continues work on a broader long-term expansion of the airport’s infrastructure. A new Terminal 2, designed by the architecture firm Foster + Partners, remains under construction and is targeted for completion in late 2026. Once finished, the new terminal is expected to expand the airport’s overall passenger handling capacity to more than 25 million travelers annually, helping absorb the traffic that Terminal 4 has had to accommodate in Terminal 1’s continued absence.

Regional airspace conditions have also continued to influence bilateral flight scheduling in and around Kuwait. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency maintained a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin covering Gulf airspace through late June, reflecting ongoing caution among international aviation regulators even as conditions on the ground in Kuwait have continued to stabilize. Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has said it continues to monitor the broader security situation around the clock in coordination with relevant authorities both inside and outside the country, in order to maintain the highest levels of safety across Kuwaiti airspace.

For travelers planning trips through Kuwait in the near term, aviation officials and travel advisories have consistently cautioned that flight schedules remain subject to change based on evolving regional conditions, even as day-to-day operations at the airport continue without disruption. Passengers are generally advised to confirm the current status of their specific flights directly with their airline, or through the airport’s official flight status channels, rather than assuming full pre-conflict operational capacity has been restored across all of the airport’s facilities.

Overall, while Kuwait International Airport remains open and functioning today, with steady flight activity continuing through Terminals 4 and 5, the continued closure of Terminal 1 stands as a visible reminder of the lingering effects of this year’s regional conflict on the country’s aviation infrastructure, even as officials describe the broader recovery process as continuing along a positive trajectory.

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