NPR News Now

Podbit · NPR News Now

NPR News: 07-15-2026 5AM EDT

Explore episode Jul 15, 2026
Sports
Spain Marches to the World Cup Final

NPR News: 07-15-2026 5AM EDT · Jul 15, 2026 Sports

Spain defeated France 2-0 to advance to the men's World Cup final on Sunday in New Jersey. They'll face the winner of the Argentina vs. England semifinal in Atlanta, with defending champion Lionel Messi standing in the way.

Similar podbits

Sports
Folarin Balogun's Ban Was Lifted by One UAE Man — Without Telling the Committee

Forever War (Trump's Version) · Jul 15, 2026 Sports

According to a Dan Patrick Show source, FIFA chairman Mohammed al-Kamali of the UAE unilaterally lifted Folarin Balogun's automatic red-card ban without informing the committee. The UAE is deeply tied to Trump family business interests. Ben Rhodes says it was entirely predictable: if Trump wants something fixed, he goes through the Gulf.

Sports
Hot Seat: Bruce Levine's Accidental Tweet

Roger Clemens, Open Championship Preview With Shane Bacon, … · Jul 15, 2026 Sports

Cubs/White Sox reporter Bruce Levine accidentally tweeted a message meant to be a private DM, sucking up to a coach while calling GMs Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins 'Twinkle Dee and Twinkle Dumb.' He also misspelled Tweedledee and Tweedledum from Alice in Wonderland. A classic text-to-tweet disaster that went up for 20 minutes before deletion.

Sports
The Piazza Bat Incident — Clemens' Full Account

Roger Clemens, Open Championship Preview With Shane Bacon, … · Jul 15, 2026 Sports

Clemens says the bat broke in four pieces, bounced directly into his hands on the mound, and he instinctively threw it — not at Piazza, but toward the on-deck circle where Mike happened to be jogging. He was 15 feet away. If he wanted to hit him, he wouldn't have thrown it. He frames it as the best fielding form of his career — a two-bounce perfect catch and release.

Sports
Clemens on His 2007 Yankees Comeback

Roger Clemens, Open Championship Preview With Shane Bacon, … · Jul 15, 2026 Sports

In 2007, Cashman called Clemens and said 'How long will it take you to get ready?' Clemens agreed to train for two weeks secretly in Houston, then was marched out to George Steinbrenner's box at Yankee Stadium for a theatrical announcement he never wanted. He drove himself to Tampa that same day — car still running in the parking lot.

Sports
Roger Clemens on the Hall of Fame

Roger Clemens, Open Championship Preview With Shane Bacon, … · Jul 15, 2026 Sports

Clemens says he quit caring after year one of being eligible, because you have no control over it. He played to change his family's financial situation and win championships — not to get into the Hall. He notes the process is broken: writers voted against Derek Jeter. His real legacy lives in Cooperstown regardless, on loan for the fans.