malcolm beith

Author of The Last Narco, Hasta El Ultimo Dia. Ex-Newsweek, The News, Bloomberg. Freelance: Janes, FDI. Rugby blog at Photo above by me.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

The possibilities for cartoons about this water ban, anti-immigration policy, ticket prices, border walls, security fears and US history of welcoming the vulnerable are endless. Remember the activists jailed for giving migrants water after they crossed the border into AZ?

[USMNT Only @usmntonly]

THIS IS WILD.

FIFA has officially banned fans from bringing reusable water bottles into World Cup stadiums ahead of this summer’s tournament in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.

Previous stadium rules allowed fans to bring empty transparent bottles up to 1 liter to refill inside venues, but the policy was recently changed. FIFA says the decision was made for “safety considerations.”

The move comes as heat is expected to be a major issue throughout the tournament, with FIFA already planning hydration breaks during every match. A recent study using 20 years of climate data found that 14 of the 16 World Cup stadiums could reach heat levels that pose health risks for players and spectators.

FIFA says stadiums will still have hydration stations, cooling tents, misting stations, and fans available around venues.

[The New York Times @nytimes]

From @TheAthletic: Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants answers from FIFA after they reversed a World Cup water bottle policy at the last minute. Mamdani said he intended to “follow up” with FIFA on the matter. https://t.co/As2cdviwZ9

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

I love the way substack and other platforms offer multiple perspectives on news, foreign affairs especially. But I wish journalists wouldn't turn them into their own mini-media organizations and instead would just specialize and focus/offer up their own expertise.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

Already underway but here's my preview of the HSBC 7s tournament in Bordeaux that I posted yesterday. Also: @usmlr and @rugbyevolved recaps and previews. https://t.co/7omVpQdywE

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@henrywinter Rugby World Cup in England had big flags, looked great. I think fans will love it as flags are rolled out. Not sure about your logic about top XI, bc top 26 have proven themselves elite by competing to be on squad. Alliteration doesn't work with elite & 26, but they've earned it.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@infantrydort I'm sorry that's how you see things.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@Martina she's quite capable of standing up for herself.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@Martina recent media coverage seems to be insinuating that

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@LuisMorenolg assuming they created that chart in about five minutes using AI but point taken

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@MaxBretosSports british-american here. always been impressed by American knowledge of soccer history, stats, player names, financial side of sport. Doesn't always translate into passion, but as passion too often morphs into hooliganism, I'll take a polite peaceful fact-filled match anyday.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

Something that still amazes me is how Fauci went to press conferences with Trump during Covid, and even laughed at him on the podium, all while Trump loyalists around the country were calling for him to be prosecuted and/or hanged.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@JamDelay wow

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@JamDelay true. I was just expressing awe at Coby Miln's incredible numbers.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

Sam Houston, No. 8 for @CalLegion, right before getting a flesh wound looked at on the sideline against @AnthemRugby on May 31, 2026, in Charlotte, NC.

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

@Dallen_Stanford @CalLegion @usmlr @ESPNPlus @OS__Studios @AmerRugbyRising @MLRWeekly @NARugbyDB @MLR_Players @r_MLRugby @rugbyhive great commentary!

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

The bar for gay rights should not be Qatar.

[David Marcus @BlueBoxDave]

The last World Cup was in Qatar.

[USA Rugby @USARugby]

Massive congratulations to Ariana Ramsey for being shortlisted for Women's SVNS Player of the Year! 🇺🇸

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

Forget the White House UFC extravaganza on June 14 and instead check out the @HoundsChicago and (maybe) @OldGloryDC in the @usmlr playoffs

[malcolm beith @mbeith]

I think my photo from the sidelines in the 75th minute just about summed up today's @HoundsChicago vs @OldGloryDC match. A thriller in northern Virginia.