An LGBTQ+ cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, was denied entry into Egypt after previously being blocked from Turkish waters. The ship's operator expressed surprise and disappointment, noting that similar itineraries had been successful in the past. The decision has raised concerns about potential emboldenment of other countries to ban similar cruises.
A Maryland father died attempting to rescue his 10-year-old son from a house fire in St. Mary's County. The fire, possibly ignited by discarded fireworks from a Fourth of July celebration, spread rapidly. The child had already escaped, but the father was found deceased inside.
Reese Witherspoon produces "Elle," a Prime Video prequel to "Legally Blonde," starring Lexi Minetree as a high school Elle Woods forced to move to 90s Seattle. The series aims for nostalgia but receives a critical review for its depressing aesthetic, bland new characters, and reliance on basic high school tropes, failing to fully capture the original's effervescence.
Cristiano Ronaldo silenced critics by scoring twice against Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six World Cups. Portugal won the match 5-0.
England's dominant batting display, highlighted by Sophia Dunkley's 57 and a rapid 61-run partnership from Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson, secured a 38-run victory over Scotland. The win moves England closer to the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
A UK-funded geoengineering experiment in Cambridge Bay, Canada, is pumping ocean water onto sea ice to thicken it and combat rapid melting due to climate change. The "Real Ice" project aims to test the feasibility and safety of refreezing Arctic ice, with potential benefits for local communities and global climate.
Lawyers for victims of the Crans-Montana fire, which killed 41, are seeking to upgrade charges against bar owners Jessica and Jacques Moretti from manslaughter by negligence to murder with possible intent, citing text messages warning of flammable foam.
I’ve had it up to here with Danny Dyer’s commercials for Paddy Power. The UK needs to take a tip from Amsterdam and rein in its advertisersAmsterdam’s new ban on public advertisements for meat and fossil fuel products makes me wonder whether we should be more ban-happy with ads in the UK. There are plenty I want rid of: “See it, say it, sorted”, obviously, which refuses to die, and those LNER ads featuring a hideously perky puppet treating train travel like an excuse for a party (pipe down, Eleanor). Also up against the wall when I’m in charge: overly matey ads for banks (don’t you dare call me “bestie” when you’re selling me an Isa); any catchy jingle that displaces the scraps of useful information still clinging on in my brain; and the whole wellness grift of snake oil powders and goo.But if I could ban only one type of advertising, I’d go after gambling. It’s hard not to sound like a Victorian tub-thumping religious zealot when you rant about gambling ads, but my God, they’re grotesquely disingenuous and cynical, making out that high street slot shops and online gaming sites are all razzle-dazzle and sparkle; that it’s a bit of fun for cheeky chappies and gorgeous gals. Continue reading...
