The Modern Post, Author at The Modern Post

Supergirl Opens to Disappointing $68M Global Box Office Debut

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

The DC Universe’s second film, Supergirl, suffered a disappointing global opening weekend, grossing just $68 million against a production budget of approximately $170 million.

The film’s weak debut signals a potential first box office flop for the revamped DC Studios, casting doubt on the studio’s broader expansion strategy.

Financial shortfall: The superhero adventure brought in $38 million domestically and $30 million internationally, failing to compete with the second weekend of a Pixar blockbuster.
Mixed reception: The project earned a “B-” CinemaScore and a 56% Rotten Tomatoes rating, with critics split between praising the lead performance and questioning the film’s narrative direction.
Studio response: Despite the lackluster start, leadership maintains confidence in the film, framing it as merely one component of a long-term strategic plan for the rebooted DC Universe.

Tech

GTA 6 Pre-Orders Are Now Live

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

Rockstar Games has officially opened global pre-orders for Grand Theft Auto VI, which is set to launch on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

The highly anticipated title will cost $79.99 for the standard version and $99.99 for the Ultimate Edition, marking a notable price increase for major game releases.

Pricing and Editions: The Standard Edition is priced at $79.99, while the Ultimate Edition includes exclusive premium vehicles, weapons, and apparel for $99.99.
Digital and Physical Logistics: Digital pre-orders include a free month of GTA+, and physical copies will contain a download code rather than a game disc.
Pre-order Incentives: All purchases made before November 20 include the Vintage Vice City Pack, with digital pre-loading for all versions beginning on November 12.

Energy

Oil Prices Climb as Mideast Tensions Flare

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

Oil prices rose on June 28 as renewed military strikes between the U.S. and Iran near the Strait of Hormuz sparked fresh concerns over global energy shipping.

Geopolitical volatility has returned to the oil market, interrupting a week of price declines and testing the durability of an interim peace deal between Washington and Tehran.

Benchmark gains: Both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate saw upward pressure as markets reacted to renewed tit-for-tat strikes following a period of relative calm.
Supply concerns: The conflict’s proximity to the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime choke point for global oil transport—has heightened fears regarding potential supply disruptions and shipping delays.
Fragile sentiment: Despite the daily increase, oil benchmarks remain significantly lower on the week, reflecting investor skepticism about the long-term stability of the region and the efficacy of the ongoing diplomatic efforts to halt mutual hostilities.

Politics

Bridge Blocked: Trump Stalls Gordie Howe Opening to Canada

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

The Trump administration is blocking the opening of the completed Gordie Howe International Bridge — the busiest U.S.-Canada trade corridor — with no timeline for resolution.

Why it matters: Every day the bridge stays closed costs truckers, manufacturers, and cross-border supply chains that depend on North America’s most critical trade artery.

The bridge is done — but Trump won’t open it. Construction on the $4.7 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge began in 2018 and was set to open earlier this year — until Trump intervened, demanding Canada share ownership with the United States before he would allow it to open. The ribbon-cutting was canceled at the last minute. NPR
Commerce Secretary Lutnick is driving the holdup. Sources tell NPR that Canada agreed to front the entire cost of construction and to split toll fees with Michigan once costs are recouped — yet the administration is still blocking the opening over unspecified “outstanding issues.” NPR
The delay is now spilling into Michigan’s Senate race. GOP candidate Mike Rogers criticized the bridge deal, saying Michigan “will never see any revenue from that thing for a long time — 100 years, someone told me” — a sign the standoff is becoming a defining political fault line heading into the fall. Deadline Detroit

World

U.S.-Iran Standdown: Talks Resume Tuesday in Doha

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

The U.S. and Iran agreed Sunday to halt mutual strikes and meet Tuesday in Qatar, pulling back from the brink after days of tit-for-tat attacks threatened to unravel their fragile ceasefire.

Why it matters: The 11-day-old truce was already cracking — this standdown is the last off-ramp before a wider war.

The ceasefire nearly collapsed over the Strait of Hormuz. The back-and-forth began Thursday when Iran struck a container ship, prompting U.S. retaliation the next day — then again overnight Saturday after Tehran hit a vessel carrying Qatari oil, with both sides blaming each other for breaching the truce. Bloomberg
A senior U.S. official confirmed the standdown. “Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely,” the official said, referencing the 14-point memorandum of understanding reached June 17 to reopen the strait. RAPPLER
Tuesday’s talks shifted venues amid the flareup. Originally planned for Switzerland, the meeting was moved to Doha and refocused on the Hormuz standoff, as significant gaps in the MOU’s terms remain unresolved. The Times of Israel

Weather

Dangerous Heat Dome to Scorch Midwest and East Through July 4

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

A dangerous heat dome is descending on the Midwest and Eastern U.S. this week, threatening to shatter records and expose hundreds of millions to life-threatening temperatures through the July 4 holiday.

Why it matters: Heat is the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. — and this wave is shaping up to be one of the most widespread of the summer, hitting major cities just as World Cup crowds and July 4 celebrations pack people outdoors.

230 million at risk: At least 230 million Americans — roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population — could face extreme heat capable of causing health issues, with overnight lows barely dipping below 80°F in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.
Historic highs possible: Nearly 142 million people are already under NWS heat alerts, with Thursday and Friday carrying the possibility of all-time record highs in cities including Chicago, Kansas City, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Boston.
Heat indices up to 115°F: Temperatures surge into the 90s and low 100s°F, with humidity pushing heat indices to 100–115°F — and nightly lows in the 70s offering little relief.

World

Death Toll Hits 1,450 as Venezuela Quake Rescue Efforts Continue

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

International and local rescue teams are intensifying efforts to find survivors in Venezuela four days after twin earthquakes devastated the region, even as the critical 72-hour “golden window” for rescue has passed.

Why it matters: The death toll has climbed to 1,450 as the country faces a deepening humanitarian crisis and mounting public criticism over the government’s initial response to the disaster.

Casualties and missing: At least 1,450 people are confirmed dead following the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude quakes, with over 50,000 individuals still reported missing across the affected areas.
Infrastructure collapse: More than 770 buildings have partially or totally collapsed, with satellite imagery highlighting extensive destruction in coastal cities like Caraballeda and Macuto.
Ongoing recovery: Despite the passage of the initial rescue window, over 2,600 international rescue workers are now operating on the ground, supported by aid from dozens of countries as authorities continue to manage frequent aftershocks and communication outages.

World

Iran-U.S. Ceasefire Teeters After Exchange of Strikes

by The Modern PostJune 28, 2026June 28, 2026

Iran launched drone and missile attacks against Bahrain and Kuwait on Sunday in retaliation for recent U.S. airstrikes, jeopardizing fragile ceasefire negotiations.

Why it matters: The retaliatory strikes represent the most significant escalation since a memorandum of understanding was signed earlier this month, pushing a tenuous 60-day window for diplomatic resolution to the brink of collapse.

Renewed hostilities: The Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for strikes on Gulf states following U.S. military action that targeted Iranian surveillance, communication, and air defense infrastructure.
Diplomatic standoff: Tehran has threatened a complete halt to negotiations if U.S. military operations continue, complicating efforts to settle disputes regarding the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, and nuclear enrichment.
Rising regional volatility: Beyond the U.S.-Iran exchange, tensions remain high as Kuwait and Bahrain report intercepted munitions and damage to residential infrastructure, while Israeli officials warn of potential operations against Iranian-backed proxies.