Looming Canadian rail shutdown could impact US supply chain
A breakdown in negotiations between two of Canada’s largest railroads could result in supply chain issues for the U.S. Both the Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) say that unless a deal is reached with the Teamsters union representing nearly 10,000 workers, those workers will be locked out starting early Thursday, Aug. 22.
The railroads are already starting to shut down their shipping networks in preparation. On Tuesday, Aug. 20, the CPKC will stop all shipments originating in Canada and all shipments from the U.S. that are headed for Canada. Canadian media outlets reported on Friday, Aug. 16, that Canadian National has already stopped container imports from U.S. partner railroads.
It would mark the first time Canada has faced a simultaneous labor stoppage at both the railroads. Normally, they negotiate their labor agreements in alternate years.
The two railroads handle about 40,000 carloads of freight worth about $1 billion. One industrial analyst said shipments of fully built automobiles and auto parts, chemicals, forestry products and agricultural goods would be hit hard.
The Teamsters union said Canadian National wants to implement a forced relocation provision which means workers could be ordered to move across Canada for months at a time to fill labor shortages.
The dispute with Canadian Pacific centers on safety issues, with the Teamsters arguing the company wants to force crews to stay awake longer, increasing the risk of accidents.
Negotiations have been ongoing since November of last year and contracts expired at the end of 2023. They were, however, extended as talks continued. The union said demands from the company concerning crew scheduling, rail safety and worker fatigue are the main sticking points.
California launches electric trains as US lags behind world in rail electrification
Around two decades after the concept was first proposed, California is launching two new all-electric commuter trains on its state-owned Caltrain rail line. The move comes as other nations have made significant strides in electrifying their railroads, while the U.S. is largely lagging behind.
“This is many, many years in the making,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed said, underscoring the long process that has led to this development. “Since 1999, electric trains have been proposed, and they are finally here. In bureaucratic years I would say that’s a little fast, but not as fast as these trains.”
The U.S. rail sector is one of the nation’s largest consumers of diesel fuel, using billions of gallons each year. Despite the potential environmental benefits of electrification, efforts to transition have largely been met with pushback from the leading companies in this sector.
The country’s four major rail operators have expressed concerns about the high costs associated with retrofitting existing trains and tracks, arguing that these expenses outweigh the potential benefits. This is part of why California has decided to deploy these electric trains on their own commuter rail in an effort to bypass this industry resistance.
“This is the most transformative project of its type in a generation,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, said. “The DNA in California, this shift towards electrification, low carbon, green growth, radically changing the way we produce and consume energy.”
Currently, electrified rail accounts for less than 1% of U.S. tracks, a stark contrast to global trends. Around the world, more than a third of trains are powered by electricity. India is close to achieving 100% electrification of its rail lines, China is nearing 75% and the European Union has nearly 60% of its rail system running on electric power.
Looking ahead, there are additional plans to expand electrified rail in the U.S. A new line connecting Las Vegas to Los Angeles is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by 2028.
Arson attacks disrupt train travel ahead of Paris Olympics opening ceremony
With just hours to go before the Olympics opening ceremony, arson attacks disrupted traffic on France’s high-speed train lines. And following a Supreme Court ruling banning sleeping in public spaces, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to remove homeless encampments. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, July 26, 2024.
Arson attacks disrupt train travel ahead of Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Authorities are investigating what’s being called “a malicious attack” on France’s high-speed rail network. According to authorities, arsonists set a series of coordinated fires to disrupt travel just ahead of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony.
It’s already causing delays and is expected to “severely impact” commuters until at least the end of Sunday, July 28. The railway operator said the fires were deliberately set to damage its installations.
This incident is likely to add some apprehension ahead of the much-anticipated Paris Olympic Games.
France has beefed up its security surrounding the world event in unprecedented levels. There will be more than 45,000 police, 10,000 soldiers and 2,000 security agents deployed, as well as several snipers and drones keeping watch from above as the games officially get underway.
Officials: Man pushing burning car into gully started California wildfire
Wildfires are raging in the west and the impact of the wildfire smoke is being felt as far as the East Coast. It’s California’s largest wildfire of the year, dubbed “The Park Fire,” burning north of Sacramento near the city Chico.
Authorities said they know how it started and have a suspect in custody. They said 48-year-old Ronnie Dean Stout II of Chico, California, pushed a burning car into a dry gully just before 3 p.m. local time on Wednesday, July 24. He has been arrested on suspicion of arson.
The Park Fire is larger than the size of the city of Atlanta and is only 3% contained.
It’s also not the only fire consuming the time and energy of firefighters and officials. Hundreds of wildfires are spreading throughout California, Oregon and Canada, forcing thousands of evacuations.
In Oregon, fires have been ablaze for days, burning nearly 1 million acres.
The impact of wildfire smoke across the nation is expected to worsen throughout the weekend.
California governor issues executive order to remove homeless encampments
The order offers guidance on how to remove the encampments in a humane way. It also makes it clear the decision to remove encampments is up to individual cities.
California has the largest unhoused population in the country, with more than 180,000 people experiencing homelessness.
U.S. arrests Mexican drug cartel leaders “El Mayo” and “El Chapo’s” son
U.S. authorities said they’ve arrested a Mexican drug kingpin who’s evaded capture for decades. Federal agents lured Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada across the border into Texas, where they took him into custody.
“El Mayo” is described as the leader of the powerful Sinaloa cartel, which authorities said has been flooding the U.S. with deadly fentanyl.
Joaquin Guzman Lopez, the son of the cartel’s infamous co-founder and former boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, was also arrested. “El Chapo” is currently serving a life sentence in a U.S. prison.
Harvey Weinstein hospitalized with COVID-19 and double pneumonia
Former Hollywood movie mogul Harvey Weinstein — who’s been sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of rape — has been hospitalized. His representative said Weinstein is facing a “myriad of health conditions,” including COVID-19 and double pneumonia.
The 72 year old is currently awaiting retrial in Manhattan on sex crime charges after his conviction was overturned on appeal in April. He is tentatively set to be retried in November.
His rape sentence comes out of a conviction in Los Angeles, but he’s being held in a New York prison while waiting for retrial.
Ohio court rules ‘boneless’ chicken wings can have bones
According to the Ohio State Supreme court, customers who order boneless wings should not expect them to be boneless. The ruling stems from a case brought on by a man who said he developed medical problems after a tiny bone fragment became lodged in his throat after he ate boneless wings at a restaurant in 2016.
He sued the restaurant for negligence and breach of warranty. However, the Ohio justices ruled that the term “boneless wings” actually refers to the cooking style and said in its ruling that it’s “common knowledge that chickens have bones.”
American canoeist Casey Eichfeld looks for gold at historic 4th Olympics
This is the fifth installment in our weeklong series taking a closer look at Team USA members and their sports as the Paris Olympics get underway.
Casey Eichfeld is many things: a husband, father, Olympian and a self-described Disney fanatic.
“We got married at Disney World in Epcot,” he told Straight Arrow News, confirming he and his wife’s Disney devotion.
Straight Arrow News asked him to explain the rules of the sport. He gave a concise explanation:
“Canoe slalom is a series of gates hanging over a whitewater river. Athletes have to navigate those gates and there will be 18 to 25 of them. Fastest time wins. If we touch a gate we incur a 2-second penalty. If we miss a gate, go through it upside down or the wrong direction, we get a 50-second penalty. And that’s really about it.”
But that’s far from it when we’re talking about Eichfeld who will be making history in his sport for most Olympic appearances. He was, in a way, born for canoeing.
“My parents had a boat waiting for me before I was born so I don’t know if I was really given that much choice,” Eichfeld said with a laugh.
So once he started he said everything clicked — a perfect fit like Cinderella’s glass slipper — and he fell in love with the sport.
In 2008, he qualified for his first Olympics in Beijing at 18 years old. It was an experience he called “super surreal,” especially being part of the opening ceremony.
“That’s one of the memories that will stay with me all of my life, particularly my first opening ceremonies,” Eichfeld said. “There’s 550 of us, we’re walking through the tunnel into the bird’s nest and everyone’s chanting ‘USA!’ ‘USA!’ It gives me chills every time I think about it.”
Eichfeld said it’s not just the memories on the water that stick with him. He said he has plenty of other stories to share.
“I have a memory of hanging out at our athlete’s lounge in our village building, chilling out, watching other sports — Michael Phelps walks in,” Eichfeld recalled. “He’s like, ‘Hey are there any Uncrustables left?’ I said, ‘Dude, I got you.’ I took him right to the fridge that had them, had a coffee together, chatted a little bit. “‘It’s cool to see you. I’m not at all starstruck.’”
After placing 7th at the Rio Games in 2016, his highest placement yet, but then not qualifying for Tokyo 2021, Eichfeld contemplated retirement. He was starting a family and wondering if it was time to turn the page on his Olympic quest, but, like Moana, the water called to him.
“I had to make the decision: if I’m going to do this, I’m going to do this,” Eichfeld said. “There’s no messing around with this. If I’m going to take the time to be away from my family, as much as I need to be, then I really need to put the effort in and it paid off.”
At 34 years old, Eichfeld is now the veteran among his Team USA crew. He’s already thinking ahead, not just about his Olympics dreams, but the ones coming true at home, too.
“I’m really happy with my decision [to compete], now I get to make that decision again,” Eichfeld said. “We got a home Olympics coming and we have a baby boy coming at the end of October. So big, big year for me.”
“I like to add big things to my Olympic years. In 2016, my wife and I got married in December and this time, we’re having a baby two months after the Olympics. So why not make it a big year, a really memorable year?”
With his family in Paris motivating him, Eichfeld is looking to bring home the gold this time around and then celebrate in style.
“I want to prove that I belong here and even in my advanced age that I can still throw it down,” Eichfeld said. “So I’m fighting for the podium. I want to be up there. And then when I get home I want to go Disney.”
New federal rules mandate 2-person train crews to boost rail safety
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on Tuesday, April 2, announced a new safety rule requiring most trains to have at least two crew members, aiming to improve safety in the railroad industry. The move comes after a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, last year. The train had three crew members on board when it derailed, spilling hazardous vinyl chloride and igniting.
“America’s averaged more than one train derailment per day. For as long as I’ve been alive,” Buttigieg said, noting that the new federal mandate to prevent railroads from reducing crew sizes is supported by the review of over 13,000 comments during a four-month period.
“The rate of derailments in this country is not preordained,” he said. “That’s something we know from experience because when good safety rules have been put in place over the years, especially after high-profile incidents, we see derailments come down on mainline tracks.”
Following 7,500 inspections by the Federal Railroad Administration of routes used by trains carrying highly flammable materials, the agency also issued updated policies on tank cars, train lengths, hazardous material spills and worker fatigue.
However, critics argue that requiring at least two people on the crew lacks a safety justification, citing the successful use of single-person crews both in the U.S. and internationally.
The Association of American Railroads points out that crew sizes have decreased from five to two, thanks to technological advancements, arguing that fixed crew size mandates could limit necessary flexibility in staffing and scheduling.
Russia forming new armies, building railroads in Ukraine
Russia is still reeling from the attack at a concert that killed more than 130 people. ISIS-K, a wing of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the attack which also injured more than 180 people. However, Moscow is doing its best to tie Ukraine to the attacks and drum up more support for its war effort.
Russian forces launched a massive volley of missiles and drones against Ukraine following the terrorist attack, seemingly in reprisal. U.S. intelligence agencies said they have proof confirming the ISIS-K claim, but it’s expected Putin and propagandists in Russian state media will still push the Ukraine narrative as a means to keep up recruiting numbers.
Ukraine started warning weeks ago that Russia was preparing for a large summer offensive. Two days before the attack at the concert hall, Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, announced the formation of two new armies this year.
The British Ministry of Defence said it’s not clear what type of units will make up the new armies, but they will likely include mechanized, armored, artillery and logistics brigades.
The U.K. said Russia’s recruiting efforts continue to be successful. So, the new armies shouldn’t have a staffing problem. But if recent history holds true, it’s likely the new armies will run into the same problems as the current armies. Specifically, the U.K.’s Defence Intelligence agency cites limited training, an over-reliance on what they’re politely calling legacy vehicles, and a wealth of infrastructure issues that are creating resource problems.
Russian equipment losses just passed the 15,000 mark, meaning Russian forces are driving around decades-old tanks, trucks and armored vehicles. All of these don’t perform nearly as well as more modern models but can still be effective in large enough numbers.
While Ukraine’s preparations for the pending Russian offensive continue all along the front lines, in the air, Ukrainian drone crews are finding new success against Russian oil refineries. Since the start of the year, there were attacks on at least seven facilities.
The forced shutdowns amount to a nearly 7% drop in daily output. Despite international sanctions, oil continues to be a primary source of income for Moscow, which is why so many military analysts call the refineries legitimate targets.
Russia said it would put Pantsir air defense systems around refineries to protect them, but that means fewer air defense systems elsewhere. Like shipyards, where Ukrainian long-range cruise missiles continue to add to the number of Russian ships at the bottom of the Black Sea.
A new rail line might make Russia’s Black Sea fleet unnecessary, at least in terms of resupply. Vladimir Putin recently said a new 60-kilometer stretch of railroad was just completed between Kolosky and Kamianka, in occupied Ukraine. That rail line is supposed to tie into existing rail lines that lead to Melitopol in southern Ukraine and another that leads to Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia.
Rostov is the capital of Russia’s Southern Military District. It’s also the main hub for resupply for troops in southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea. According to Putin, this rail line will eventually extend down into Crimea to Sevastopol, where the Russian Black Sea fleet is stationed.
The new railroad is meant as a backup to the Kerch Bridge supply, which goes from Russia into occupied Crimea from the east. Like the Kerch bridge, the rail line will be a primary target for Ukraine’s armed forces.
During the Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023, Ukraine’s primary goal was to cut off Russian troops in southern Ukraine, by pushing down from their territory to the Sea of Azov. Ukraine also heavily attacked the Kerch Bridge in an effort to trap the Russian forces that are in southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea.
Why do they want to do that? Well, for many military analysts, that’s the best way for Ukraine to win. If Ukraine can create and hold areas that would cut off resupply to large numbers or Russian troops and civilians in Crimea, then Ukraine has the best bargaining chip possible to force possibly a Russian withdrawal from occupied territories, and potentially the end of the war.
Union Pacific CEO steps down amid hedge fund pressure
The CEO of Union Pacific Railroad, Lance Fritz, announced Sunday that he will be stepping down from the position. A U.S. hedge fund, that owns about a $1.6 billion stake in the company, had called for the change in leadership earlier that day. The hedge fund cited the railroad company’s need for safer operations and faster transportation.
The stock market apparently agrees with the change at the top. Shares of Union Pacific surged nearly 10% in early trade Monday. That is on course for its biggest rise since March of 2020. It’s a bounce back that was needed. Union Pacific shares have dropped more than 25% over the past 10 months.
U.S. hedge fund Soroban Capital Partners called for Fritz to resign. It’s a showing of strong influence company-investors have in a company’s operations.
Union Pacific said a new CEO will be named sometime this year. As part of the search for new leadership, it is considering shareholder input in the process. Soroban Capital has already put up their candidate of choice, Jim Vena. He was the former chief operating officer at Union Pacific.
US avoids rail strike, Alex Jones files bankruptcy, fentanyl vaccine unveiled
Congress avoids a looming rail strike; Alex Jones files for bankruptcy; and a vaccine is unveiled for fentanyl. These stories and more highlight the midday rundown for Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
Rail strike avoided, Congress bill signed
The president has signed a bill that will prevent railroad workers from going on strike, despite their unions being at a standstill with the railroads over contract negotiations.
If the U.S. rail system came to a halt because employees were on strike, the economy would have lost billions of dollars a day. Congress came together quickly this week to pass legislation in the House and Senate.
Alex Jones files for personal bankruptcy
Infowars host Alex Jones is filing for personal bankruptcy. This morning’s filing in Texas lists $1 billion to $10 billion in liabilities owed to 50 to 99 creditors. The filing also includes $1 million to $10 million in assets owed.
Jones faces court orders in Texas and Connecticut to pay nearly $1.5 billion to relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting after calling the massacre a hoax. In Connecticut court, a hearing was set today on a motion to attach the assets of Jones and his company to secure the money for damages. Jones filed a notice saying his bankruptcy filing halts all proceedings in that case.
Supreme Court takes up student loan forgiveness
President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program has been on pause and put aside. It will continue to sit that way until at least February. That’s when the Supreme Court says they will take up the case.
The highest court said they will hear arguments about the program in 2023, tabling the case until then. Repayments would have already begun if the Biden administration wasn’t hit with several legal challenges. Student loan repayments were supposed to start back up in January, but have been paused until litigation is over.
Researchers unveil vaccine for fentanyl
Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with researchers at the University of Houston this week who have created a vaccine for fentanyl. The vaccine is a health care innovation that could potentially combat the nation’s growing fentanyl crisis.
“Quite literally, fentanyl is killing Texas. At least one person loses their life a day because of fentanyl, it is now the number one killer in America of people between the ages of 18 and 45.” Gov. Abbot said.
Researchers describe the vaccine as different from those that combat viruses. This one creates antibodies against fentanyl. So, if the drug is consumed, the antibodies will attack fentanyl before it reaches the brain.
“We need a different strategy, a different way of addressing this problem, and that different way includes our vaccine. We feel that this, in combination with present treatments, will be a game changer,” said research professor Dr. Colin Haile.
The pandemic has aged teenagers’ brains
The pandemic has physically changed teenagers’ brains. It has also aged them at a much faster rate, according to a new study.
Researchers compared the MRI scans of 128 children. Half of the scans were taken pre-pandemic, the other half at the end of 2020. The researchers found that after the first year of the pandemic, brains appeared to age as much as three years. They also found that structural changes occurred in parts of the brain responsible for learning and concentration.
The study authors point to escalated levels of stress, anxiety and poor mental health as the underlying factors to changes in the brain scans.
FCC approves 7,500 SpaceX satellites for launch
Starlink is ready to enter phase two and now has FCC approval. Elon Musk has been granted permission to launch up to 7,500 next-generation satellites in its Starlink network.
SpaceX originally applied seeking approval for 30,000 satellites, but the 7,500 is still a significant expansion. And ultimately can provide broadband internet to users worldwide, even in remote locations.
Senate approves rail workers labor agreement, ending risk of strike
The Senate voted to approve a labor agreement between rail workers and the companies they work for, 80-15. The agreement has now been fully approved by Congress and can now go onto President Biden’s desk for a signature.
This should avert a rail strike that was projected to cost the U.S. economy $2 billion dollars a day, just ahead of the holidays. The agreement includes a 24% pay increase, improved health benefits and protecting two person work crews.
There were three separate votes. One vote that passed was on the labor agreement as written. Senators also voted on a proposal to begin a new 60 day cool-off period, so negotiations could continue between the workers and companies without government intervention. That vote failed.
A vote to provide an additional seven paid sick days to workers also failed, 52-43. That was championed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who said the railroad industry can afford it because they made $21 billion in profits over the last year.
“There’s no clearer example of what we see of corporate greed than what we see in the rail industry today,” Sen. Sanders said on the senate floor moments before the vote. “And yet today in that industry, workers who do difficult and dangerous work have zero paid sick days. Zero. You get sick, you get a mark against you, a couple of marks, you get fired. This cannot and must not happen in America in 2022.”
President Biden said although the paid sick time did not get through Congress, he will keep negotiating.
“We’re going to avoid the rail strike, keep the rails running, keep things moving and we’re going to go back and get paid leave. Not just for rail workers but for all workers,” President Biden said during a press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The president will have to sign the congressionally approved bill into law to make the deal official.
Rail strike impacts effectively start this weekend as Congress rushes to avert
Congress appears poised to back President Joe Biden in thwarting a potential holiday rail strike that could cost the U.S. economy $2 billion per day. But the deadline on impacts of a looming strike is barreling down the stretch quicker than some may realize.
“While the actual deadline of the railroads being shut down is the 8th [of December], our real deadline is sooner than that,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said.
Workers are set to strike starting Dec. 9 if a deal between unions and railroads is not reached, though Congress may force a compromise to avert a costly shutdown.
“Congress, I think, has to act to prevent it,” Biden said. “It’s not an easy call, but I think we have to do it. The economy’s at risk.”
But while the absence of a contract would have workers walking off next Friday, the impacts of the uncertainty begin one week prior, meaning for some industries, the strike effectively starts this weekend.
According to federal safety measures, railroad carriers begin prepping for a strike seven days before the date, prioritizing securing and moving hazardous materials down the line.
The Fertilizer Institute said its deadline is five days before a strike, or Dec. 4, “when ammonia and other fertilizers and inputs will stop moving on the rails.” Chemicals cease to be transported 96 hours before a strike date because they can’t be left unattended en route in case workers go off the job. This practice is particularly impactful for the agricultural industry, as 60% of all U.S. fertilizer moves via rail, according to The Fertilizer Institute.
Critical drinking water and wastewater systems are also at risk, as chlorine would be a part of the early stoppage, threatening water services across the nation.
The American Chemistry Council says $2.8 billion in chemical cargo is moved weekly on the rails. According to an economic analysis by the council, a month-long strike would pull nearly $160 billion out of the economy, while reaching a deal the week of the strike will still have ripple effects throughout the country.
Congress called on to prevent rail strike; U.S. vs Iran
Congress is called on to prevent a rail strike; 40 million under severe weather watch; and the U.S. vs. Iran. These stories and more highlight the morning rundown for Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022.
Congress called on to prevent rail strike
After months of failed negotiations between the railroads and unions of railroad employees, President Joe Biden said Congress needs to enforce a deal before a strike were to happen.
Back in may, Biden helped negotiate a new worker’s contract with added benefits, including a 24% raise. But some unions say it still isn’t enough.
Congress has the power to override a rail strike and keep the workers working.
“As a proud pro-labor president, I am reluctant to override the ratification procedures and the views of those who voted against the agreement. But in this case, where the economic impact of a shutdown would hurt millions of other working people and families, I believe Congress must use its powers to adopt this deal,” President Biden said in a statement.
A strike could begin in less than 10 days, so time is ticking for Congress to act.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the House will take up legislation this week and send the bill to the Senate.
Experts project a rail strike would cost the U.S. economy as much as $2 billion per day.
Senate to vote on same-sex marriage bill
Today in the Senate, lawmakers will vote on final passage of the same-sex marriage bill, which is expected to pass. The bill would then go to the House for approval before going to the president’s desk.
The bill will require states to recognize marriages conducted in other states regardless of sex, race, ethnicity or national origin.
Democrats had hoped to codify the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges that legalized same-sex unions nationwide in case the Supreme Court overturned the decision, like what happened with Roe v. Wade earlier this year.
SCOTUS to discuss immigration policy
In the highest court Tuesday, a case that pits two Republican states against the Biden administration on immigration policy. The Supreme Court will discuss whether the White House was within its legal boundaries to limit deportations to only migrants who have committed acts of terrorism, espionage, or pose a threat to public safety.
Texas and Louisiana filed a lawsuit that stopped the policy from ever taking effect.
WHO changes monkeypox to m-pox
The World Health Organization has renamed monkeypox to avoid what it called racist and stigmatizing language surrounding the infection. It will now be referred to as “m-pox.”
The virus that causes the disease was first found in captive monkeys, which is how monkeypox got its name. But now, experts say the name could deter people from testing and vaccination over a stigma.
The outbreaks largely effect men who have sex with men. And in the U.S., Black and Hispanic people have been disproportionately affected.
40 million Americans under severe weather threat
More than 40 million Americans are under a severe weather threat today. Tornadoes, hail, and damaging winds are all on the table in the south.Iran
The storms are expected to stretch from Texas on over through the Mississippi valley to Georgia beginning this afternoon.
Officials are warning residents in its path that tornadoes are likely to occur overnight, which makes for dangerous and potentially deadly conditions.
The threat level is high for this time of year, something the region sees more so in the spring and summer months than winter.
U.S. and Iran World Cup match up today
Today is the highly anticipated match up between the U.S. and Iran in the World Cup. Tensions between the two “geo-political foes” off the field has created a rivalry match up.
The last time the two teams faced off was in 1998 where Iran won 2 to 1 in an upset victory. The two teams will take center stage today at 1 p.m. central.