Morning! While you were sleeping (or staying up to binge-watch Friends for the tenth time, or pulling an all-nighter in the library), a few things went down that you’ll probably want to know about. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and get scrolling.
What in the World
The royals had a rather busy weekend, with royal sisters-in-law Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton attending Wimbledon on Saturday. But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also made a public appearance Sunday at the European premiere of The Lion King in London.
Prince Harry and Meghan arrived to cheers in London’s Leicester Square, and the Duke and Duchess took time to talk with adoring fans waiting to catch a glimpse of them and waved as they strolled down the carpet.
The royal couple’s appearance at the movie premiere was a big deal, especially since Meghan is still on maternity leave after giving birth to baby Archie in May, but she looked as glamorous as ever on the red — er, yellow — carpet. The Duchess opted for a black midi dress with sheer sleeves paired with Aquazzura heels, a coordinating Gucci clutch and diamond earrings, Cosmopolitan reports. Meghan also wore her hair in her trademark bun, and had a stunning natural makeup look.
Harry looked very dapper in his black suit and bow tie.
The royals also met some entertainment royalty on the star-studded carpet, including none other than Queen Bey herself. Beyonce, who is the voice of Nala in the movie, and Meghan shared an embrace.
ICONIC pic.twitter.com/FRMAzft5Gf
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) July 14, 2019
According to Hello! Magazine, this is the first premiere the royal couple have attended together, and it held a lot of special meaning to them.
Prince Harry will attend the Euro premiere of @disneylionking on July 14, which is being held in support of his conservation work through The Royal Foundation.@WaltDisneyCo have also announced #ProtectThePride, a campaign to protect the dwindling lion population across Africa. pic.twitter.com/wETe1nSBRi
— Omid Scobie (@scobie) June 28, 2019
Royal contributor Omid Scobie reported that The Lion King premiere partnered with The Royal Foundation and the conservation work that Harry is doing through the organization. Disney is also launching a campaign to protect African lions, which also aligns with Harry’s conservation efforts.
It was great to see the royals out on the yellow carpet and supporting a cause that is near to their hearts!
Rumor Has It
While Instagrammers have flocked to the calm turquoise waters of a Siberian lake being dubbed the “Novosibirsk Maldives” to take the perfect selfie, the body of water is actually a highly toxic artificial pond.
The artificial pond is used to dump ash from a nearby coal plant, and gets its stunning color from a mix of various metal oxides dissolved in it, CNN reports. The company has warned that the water is unsafe to swim in.
According to a statement on Russian social network VKontakte, the Siberian Generating Company said the water is filled with chemicals that can cause allergic skin reactions.
“In the last week, our ash dump of the Novosibirsk TEZ-5 has become the star of social networks,” the statement said. “But you CANNOT swim in the ash dump. Its water has high alkaline environment. This is due to the fact that calcium salts and other metal oxides are dissolved in it. Skin contact with such water may cause an allergic reaction!”
The company also warned individuals that the bottom of the lake is extremely muddy, making it “almost impossible” to get out.
To make their point very clear, the company issued this warning in all capital letters: “THEREFORE, WE ASK YOU VERY MUCH THAT IN YOUR QUEST FOR A SELFIE YOU DON’T FALL DOWN INTO THE ASH DUMP! THIS IS THE BIGGEST RISK.”
According to the Associated Press, the Siberian Generating Company said Friday it has deployed guards to keep trespassers at bay.
Despite the warnings, however, individuals in pursuit of the perfect Instagram photo have continued to flock to the lake in swimsuits, inflatable pool floats and paddle boards.
Then This Happened
In a series of tweets Sunday, President Donald Trump referred to a group of congresswomen as foreign-born and wrote for them to “go back and help fix the totally broken and crime-infested places from which they came from.”
So interesting to see “Progressive” Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
….and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run. Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
….it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough. I’m sure that Nancy Pelosi would be very happy to quickly work out free travel arrangements!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 14, 2019
Although Trump did not specifically name anyone in his tweets, he seemed to take aim at four high-profile lawmakers who won election last November ― Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
The freshman congresswomen have been outspoken critics of Trump, especially with his administration’s handling of immigration and the conditions of detention centers that have caused a humanitarian crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, ABC News reports.
According to HuffPost, Omar and Tlaib both took shots at the president during an event on Saturday, with Tlaib telling the crowd: “We’re going to impeach the MF’er, don’t worry!”
In his criticism of “‘Progressive’ Democrat Congresswomen,” the president said they “originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all).”
“Why don’t they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Then come back and show us how it is done. These places need your help badly, you can’t leave fast enough,” he added.
Omar, the only one of the four women who is foreign-born, rebuked Trump in a response to his tweet: “Mr. President, As Members of Congress, the only country we swear an oath to is the United States. Which is why we are fighting to protect it from the worst, most corrupt and inept president we have ever seen.”
Mr. President, the country I “come from,” & the country we all swear to, is the United States.
But given how you’ve destroyed our border with inhumane camps, all at a benefit to you & the corps who profit off them, you are absolutely right about the corruption laid at your feet. https://t.co/HLKQCotR8T
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 14, 2019
Ocasio-Cortez also hit back at the president, writing, “Mr. President, the country I “come from,” & the country we all swear to, is the United States. But given how you’ve destroyed our border with inhumane camps, all at a benefit to you & the corps who profit off them, you are absolutely right about the corruption laid at your feet.”
I reject @realDonaldTrump’s xenophobic comments meant to divide our nation. Rather than attack Members of Congress, he should work with us for humane immigration policy that reflects American values. Stop the raids – #FamiliesBelongTogether!
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 14, 2019
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) criticized Trump’s tweets as “xenophobic comments meant to divide our nation” and insisted the president “should work with us for humane immigration policy that reflects American values.”
Happy Thoughts
Need to do some online shopping? Today is the first day for Amazon Prime Day!