Sports, Entertainment & Culture — July 16, 2026

Sam Neill's cause of death revealed. The 'Jurassic Park' star died of pneumonia at 78, his longtime agent confirmed, saying the disclosure was made to end 'inaccuracies and outright falsehoods' circulating about his death.

According to Variety, the announcement came directly from Neill's longtime agent, who framed the disclosure as a deliberate step to counter false accounts spreading about the circumstances of the actor's death. The agent's statement specified pneumonia as the cause, addressing speculation that had circulated since Neill's passing rather than leaving the details unconfirmed.

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The Open tees off at Royal Birkdale. The year's final golf major begins Thursday, with Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy nearly even on the odds sheet. Bryson DeChambeau seeks redemption as his LIV Golf contract nears expiration.

CBS Sports notes this is the 154th playing of the Open Championship, closing out the major calendar for the year. Beyond the Scheffler-McIlroy odds picture, the outlet frames the week as a chance for DeChambeau to salvage a disappointing major season, with the added backdrop of his expiring LIV Golf contract raising questions about his professional future.

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WNBA All-Star rosters set. Legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon drafted their squads for the 2026 All-Star Game, finalizing the rosters in a trash-talk-filled draft.

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Hal Williams dies at 91. The veteran actor, best known as Officer 'Smitty' Smith on 'Sanford and Son' and for starring on '227,' died at his home in Rancho Mirage.

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Argentina meets Spain in World Cup final. Argentina scored twice in the final five minutes to beat England 2-1, setting up Sunday's final against Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as the reigning champion chases another title.

AP News frames the final as a generational matchup, with Lionel Messi's Argentina facing a Spain side featuring Lamine Yamal. Argentina reached the title game through a late semifinal turnaround, trailing England before scoring twice in the closing five minutes. The reigning champions will attempt to defend their crown Sunday at the venue in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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