For the second consecutive day, rescue teams were engaged in efforts to save nearly 50 bottlenose dolphins, marking the largest recorded stranding event of this species in Massachusetts. This information comes from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

The IFAW disclosed that around 5:30 a.m. on Monday, word spread about 28 to 30 bottlenose dolphins being stranded at First Encounter Beach located in Eastham, Massachusetts.

According to a statement released by the group on Monday, “The dolphins managed to refloat with the rising tide, but sadly, an additional five to six of the animals perished before our team reached them.”

By Tuesday, IFAW indicated that initially four bottlenose dolphins had been found stranded. The situation escalated to 19 dolphins scattered across three locations on a nine-mile stretch of shore.

“These animals are in decent condition. Two have been fitted with satellite tags so we can now monitor their movements and even see if the separated groups come back together,” said Brian Sharp, program director for Marine Mammal Rescue at IFAW.

“We are in a rising tide now, and all 19 animals have refloated,” Sharp added. “We’ll continue to monitor and coax them out of Wellfleet Bay to give them the best chance at survival. The next low tide will be around 6 p.m. this evening.”

Bottlenose dolphins are typically an offshore species, the group said, though IFAW has observed an increasing trend of these animals occurring closer to Cape Cod’s shores in recent years.

Similar to a person involved in a car accident, dolphins can become injured and exhausted during a stranding and should never be pushed or dragged back into the water, IFAW warned.

The United States has chosen to station its fleet of refueling aircraft at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport amidst the ongoing conflict in Iran. This decision has sparked objections from Israel, as it threatens to disrupt 50,000 flight reservations during the nation’s bustling summer travel period.

Reports indicate that over 30 U.S. refuelers are currently parked at the airport, far exceeding its capacity of 20 such aircraft. This overcrowding is causing difficulties for accommodating civilian flights.

In response, Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev has expressed strong disapproval of the prolonged presence of these planes at the airport, demanding their removal to ensure space for travelers.

“There’s a substantial number of tickets purchased by Israelis eager to fly and relish their summer vacations,” Regev stated. “We pledged to facilitate commercial flights and have no intention of canceling any tickets due to the presence of American refueling aircraft.”

Regev further explained, “I have directed that we will not permit U.S. refueling tankers beyond the agreed-upon limit of 20 planes to land at Ben Gurion Airport. Any additional aircraft will need to utilize Israeli Air Force bases.”

The US Defense Department did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

The US had a fleet of about 75 refuelers and cargo planes that were deployed to the airport as part of the military buildup prior to the start of the war on Feb. 28.

While the US began moving out some of the planes earlier this month, the renewed fighting with Iran has left more than 30 refuelers at the airport just as Israel’s peak summer travel season begins, the Time of Israel reported.

The military aircraft’s presence has kept the Ben Gurion Airport from returning to normal commercial flight operations, with local airlines warning that the increasing operational costs would see the expenses passed on to the travelers.

The issue comes as the war with Iran reignited last week, with Washington and Tehran trading blows in recent days over the Strait of Hormuz.

The US fired its latest wave of airstrikes on Tuesday, targeting military sites across Iran aimed at degrading the Islamic republic’s ability to attack shipping vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

Above the pitch, the enormous stadium screen illuminated the image of young Lamine Yamal, distinctively wearing a hairband embroidered with the number 08304 — a nod to the postcode of his humble Catalonian neighborhood. This working-class area is where Yamal, the promising teenager, calls home.

Amidst his teammates lined up for the national anthems, Yamal seemed as though he had just emerged directly from his neighborhood, exuding an air of raw authenticity. Yet, it was this very young player who propelled his nation towards their World Cup ambitions on Tuesday night, drawing the decisive foul that secured the lead. It was the lead they needed, from which Spain never looked back.

In a strategic masterclass, Spain commanded the midfield and effectively stifled France’s formidable forwards, allowing them scarcely any opportunity to retaliate. The dominating Spanish midfield formed a critical barrier, cutting off France’s offensive supply line and making their comeback seem nearly impossible.

The performance was nothing short of spectacular, sending a clear message to Argentina and England. This is what awaits one of them in the New Jersey final on Sunday. Many would argue that this is Spain’s finest team to date — a force with prowess and finesse that could well redefine their World Cup legacy.

Royal Rodri

He has been a superb presence at this World Cup and here was a performance befitting the Ballon d’Or he won in 2024. Rodri was the architect of this 2-0 win, though the Man of the Match Award – or ‘Superior Player’ as they’re calling it, again went to the wrong individual, in Pedro Porro.

Spain knew they were up against a superior attacking force than the one they possessed. But in Rodri, they had a force field who could close their midfield down.

When France began brightly, with Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise briefly threatening, Rodri simply cut off the central passing lanes. France were chasing down blind alleys. They were slowly suffocated.

Denied the space he tends to thrive in, Olise swapped wings with Dembele in an attempt to find some. On a most wretched night for France, space simply never came.

There will be much talk of Yamal before Sunday’s final but Rodri is the one who Spain’s opponents must devise a plan for.

Mbappe chasing shadows

Mbappe was oozing self-confidence once again as he walked out here last night in France’s stylish pinstripe shirt.

It’s all well and good having a front four like theirs but it doesn’t work when there is no-one to get the ball up to them. Mbappe was unable to land a blow because France were unable to land him opportunities. There were a few fleeting chances but he could not capitalise.

When Dembele sent a gorgeous diagonal ball across 30 yards to Mbappe in the first half, Spaniards swarmed around him. When Jules Kounde fizzed a low ball into Spain’s six-yard box, Mbappe was a yard or more behind it.

His barrelling run into the box just beyond the hour for a shot which sailed narrowly wide was a rare moment of jeopardy for an untroubled Spanish back four. He was booked before the end.

Barcola gamble fails

Didier Deschamps had selected the PSG wide man Bradley Barcola instead of Desire Doue on the left because he is a more dynamic and attacking player, seen as more likely to bring danger to Spain. But Barcola could not set this pace alight because he couldn’t operate well in such tight spaces. A cut inside brought a shot which sailed high and wide.

Doue replaced him in the hope of something better and the France contingent in this stadium cheered at the sight of him. But nothing changed. Until that half chance Barcola carved open, France’s XG had been 0.01

Olmo and Oyarzabal collectivism

It was a brutal schooling for a France side who were played off the park and Spain’s so-called lesser lights were key. Mikel Oyarzabal, the Real Sociedad player, who coolly converted the penalty Yamal won, has scored 30 goals in 60 appearances for his country – yet would admit that he is just a solid pro. He was given his Sociedad debut by David Moyes.

There were some wonderful moments from Barca’s Dani Olmo, the Spain No 10, too. An intricate one-two between Porro and Olmo, with Olmo at its apex, brought Spain’s second.

No France defender had tracked the Porro as he doubled the lead. Olmo’s backheel to Yamal in tight space almost put Spain 2-0 up before half-time, too. Lamal’s cross found Fabian Ruiz, who put ball wide.

Lethal Lamal

Yamal was lurking, just out of Lucas Digne’s peripheral vision, as the defender struggled to get a ball under control and though his kick at him was accidental, it was a foul, nonetheless. A justifiable penalty.

Though he didn’t dominate the game and has had a relatively quiet tournament, he was always present, putting the fear of God into the France rearguard. Tracing a path along the dead ball after collecting possession from a blocked free kick. Getting in behind on a Porro pass early in the second half.

Any excuses for France?

It didn’t help their belief that they lost William Saliba early on. The Arsenal defender seemed to jar his back as he fell awkwardly. Nor that the player who had initially looked like France’s own sentry, Adrien Rabiot, received an early yellow card which, with Yamal to police, left created too much of a risk for him to reappear for the second half. But this defeat will take some stomaching for a French nation who expected far more on Bastille Day.

So where now for France?

They look into an uncertain future – defeated in three successive tournament semi-finals by a golden Spanish generation and looking to a new manager to help them find the way. Deschamps is stepping down. Zinedine Zidane is the overwhelming favourite to replace him.

It’s not the first time France will go home with lots of bouquets but no trophy. Michel Platini’s great team of 1982 and 1986 lost back-to-back semis, too. The new manager has Olise and Doue as the new wave of talent. Hugo Etikike and Warren Zaire-Emery may also develop as stars for Les Bleus. But there is little consolation here. Spain look like they might dominate for some time to come.

Lessons for England or Argentina?

Simply that it will take a monumental performance and perhaps a slice or two of luck in New Jersey to defeat Luis del Fuente’s side, which looks a more complete one than the World Cup winning squad of 2010.

They are excellent in possession and out of it. They have conceded just one goal at this tournament and were defensively strong when France came back at them near the end.

Rodri is such a force – shielding the defence and cutting off midfield supply lines. And though Spain lack the world class central striker of other nations, Yamal is a clear and present danger at all times.

by: Ryan Mancini, The Hill

Posted: Jul 14, 2026 / 01:58 PM CDT

Updated: Jul 14, 2026 / 01:58 PM CDT

(The Hill) – Authorities have detained a man from Mississippi after an incident outside the U.S. Capitol, according to a statement from the U.S. Capitol Police on Monday. The man was reportedly seen with a handgun on his lap at the Capitol’s North Barricade.

The individual in question, 67-year-old Wendell J. Royster from Columbia, Mississippi, has been charged with carrying a pistol without a license and lacking a permit for the firearm, the USCP confirmed.

At around 11:22 a.m., Royster drove a rented gray Ford Bronco to the North Barricade on Constitution Avenue before asking nearby officers for directions to the Supreme Court building. The officer saw the gun in the man’s lap, USCP said, and ordered him to raise his hands.

Several USCP officers surrounded the Ford before officers arrested Royster. Police said the arrest took place within two minutes of Royster pulling up to the barricade, as a large police presence could be seen in the area around the barricade.

A dog was found chained inside the Ford. Officers gave the dog water before animal control officers arrived and took custody of it.

Investigators believe the incident was not connected to Congress, USCP said. The North Barricade was closed off to allow investigators to search the area following the arrest.

The incident took place after lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill after a weeklong recess, as well as the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) from an aortic dissection on Saturday night.