FridayFri, July 3rd Edition Go Back
Today in the World Countries
- Emancipation Day is being celebrated in Us Virgin Islands
- Independence Day is being celebrated in Belarus, Belarus
- People born on this day are Cancer as their zodiac sign.
Today in History
On this day in 2022
- EVENTS
- Sri Lanka says it has less than one day's worth of fuel, as its economic crisis deepens, closing schools and stopping public transport.
- DEATHS
- Ni Kuang, Hong Kong-American screenwriter and novelist ((The 36th Chamber of Shaolin), who died at 87.
On this day in 2021
- EVENTS
- Mudslides crash through town of Atami, Japan, after torrential rain, killing 19, with over 100 people initially missing.
- Worst wildfires in Cyprus'history begin in Limassol district, spreading in next few days and killing four people.
- DEATHS
- Ted Nash, American rower (Olympic gold coxless four 1960), who died at 88.
On this day in 2020
- DEATHS
- Saroj Khan, Dancer.
- Leonardo Villar, Brazilian actor (The Given Word), who died at 96.
- Emily Howell Warner, American pilot,1st woman to captain a commercial American airline plane, who died at 80.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Family Romance, LLC is released. Love is a business at Family Romance, a company that rents human stand-ins for any occasion. Founder Yuichi Ishii helps make his clients’ dreams come true. But when the mother of 12-year-old Mahiro hires Ishii to impersonate her missing father, the line between acting and reality threatens to blur.
- MOVIES: PG
- John Lewis: Good Trouble is released. Using interviews and rare archival footage, John Lewis: Good Trouble chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, now 79 years old, Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.
- The Truth is released. Fabienne (Catherine Deneuve) is an aging French movie star who, despite her momentary lapses in memory, remains a venerable force to be reckoned with. Upon the publication of her memoirs, her daughter Lumir (Juliette Binoche) returns to Paris from New York with her husband (Ethan Hawke) and their young daughter to commemorate its release. A sharp and funny battle of wits ensues between the mother-daughter duo, as Lumir takes issue with Fabienne’s rose-colored version of the past. Reflected cleverly by Fabienne’s latest role in a sci-fi drama, their strained relationship takes a poignant journey toward possible reconciliation. [IFC Films]
- MOVIES: PG13
- Hamilton is released. The real life of one of America's foremost founding fathers and first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Filmed live on Broadway from the Richard Rodgers Theatre with the original Broadway cast.
- MOVIES: TVMA
- Desperados is released. A panicked young woman (Nasim Pedrad) and her two best friends (Anna Camp & Sarah Burns) fly to Mexico to delete a ranting email she sent to her new boyfriend. On arrival, they run into her former beau (Lamorne Morris), who soon gets caught up in their frantic scheme.
- TV SERIES
- The Baby-Sitters Club (2020): Season 1 is released. Stoneybrook, Connecticut middle schooler Kristy Thomas (Sophie Grace) and her friends: Mary-Anne Spier (Malia Baker), Claudia Kishi (Momona Tamada), Stacey McGill (Shay Rudolph), and Dawn Schafer (Xochitl Gomez) start a babysitting business in this series based on the popular children's book series by Ann M. Martin.
- ALBUMS
- So When You Gonna... was released by Dream Wife. The second full-length release for the London-based trio was produced and mixed by Marta Salogni.
- First Rose of Spring was released by Willie Nelson. The latest full-length release for the country singer-songwriter features two new songs and was produced by Buddy Cannon.
- Forever Blue was released by A.A. Williams. The debut full-length release for the London-based artist features guest appearances from Johannes Persson, Fredrik Kihlberg and Tom Fleming.
- Bedroom was released by bdrmm. The debut full-length release for the British five-piece led by Ryan Smith was recorded and mixed by Alex Greaves.
- Keleketla! was released by Keleketla!. The collaborative project brought together by Coldcut and Keletetla! Library founders Rangoato Hlasane and Malose Malahlela features appearances from such artists as Tony Allen, Antibalas, Shabaka Hutchings, Nono Nkoane, Tamar Osborn, Afla Sackey, Dele Sosimi, Tenderlonious, Thabang Tabane, The Watts Prophets, and Sibusile Xaba.
- Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon was released by Pop Smoke. The debut full-length studio release for the rapper is also a posthumous album following his death in February 2020. It features guest appearances from 50 Cent, DaBaby, Future, Karol G, King Combs, Lil Baby, Lil Tjay, Quavo, Roddy Ricch, Rowdy Rebel, Swae Lee, and Tyga.
- On Sunset was released by Paul Weller. The 15th full-length solo release for the British singer-songwriter was produced with Jan "Stan"Kybert.
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Marvel's Iron Man VR for PlayStation 4 is released. In Marvel’s Iron Man VR the player, who plays as the genius inventor Tony Stark, confronts ghosts from his past—powerful forces who seek to ruin him and everything he stands for. By fully embracing the magic of PlayStation VR, players will come face-to-face with iconic allies and Super Villains as they jet around the globe on a heroic mission to save not only Stark Industries, but the world itself. [PlayStation.com]
- GAMING: SWITCH
- Infini for Switch is released. As Hope drifts deeper into Infinity, Reality begins to suffer. There doesn’t seem to be any way out, and Hope is by nature doomed to carry on. Challenge your mind to help him out. Master the innovative camera manipulation mechanic to change your perspective and discover new mazes, abilities and characters such as Time, War, Fatality or Technology - who can be helpful allies or deceitful foes in this 8-hour long story-driven puzzle adventure.
- POLITICS
- Major League Baseball All-Star Game planned to be hosted on July 14 by the LA Dodgers is cancelled due to government restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- SPORTS
- Ardico Magnini, Italian soccer defender (20 caps; Fiorentina 225 games), who died at 91.
On this day in 2019
- EVENTS
- Heavy monsoon rains strike Mumbai and surrounding Maharashtra state in India killing at least 43, worst flooding in a decade.
- More than a million people ordered to evacuate Japanese island of Kyushu amid warnings of mudslides after 1,000mm (39in) of rainfall.
- DEATHS
- Perro Aguayo, Wrestler.
- Duncan Lamont, Scottish jazz and session trumpet and saxophone player, arranger, and songwriter (" I Told You So"), who died at 87.
- Arte Johnson, American comedian (Laugh-in, Don't Call Me Charlie), who died at 90.
- MOVIES: R
- Midsommar is released. Dani (Florence Pugh) and Christian (Jack Reynor) are a young American couple with a relationship on the brink of falling apart. But after a family tragedy keeps them together, a grieving Dani invites herself to join Christian and his friends on a trip to a once-in-a-lifetime midsummer festival in a remote Swedish village. What begins as a carefree summer holiday in a land of eternal sunlight takes a sinister turn when the insular villagers invite their guests to partake in festivities that render the pastoral paradise increasingly unnerving and viscerally disturbing. [A24]
- POLITICS
- Italian David-Maria Sassoli chosen as new European President.
- SPORTS
- Atlético Madrid sign Portugal forward Joao Felix for €126m (£113m) from Benfica in the fifth most expensive transfer in football history.
- US produces the most waste per head globally and recycles the least at 35% according to new research by Verisk Maplecroft, Germany recycles the most at 68%.
On this day in 2018
- EVENTS
- US Justice and Education Departments rescind Obama affirmative action policies in college admissions.
- Worst monsoon rains in decades swamp Lahore, Pakistan, killing 6.
- Cardi B becomes first female rapper to get two number one US Billboard hits, with "I Like It" with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.
- Souad Abderrahim is elected the first female mayor of Tunis, Tunisia.
- DEATHS
- Richard Swift [Ochoa], American singer and songwriter (The Black Keys), who died of complications from hepatitis at 41.
- Robby Müller, Dutch cinematographer (Breaking the Waves, Dead Man, Korczak), who died at 78.
- Bill Watrous, American jazz trombonist, who died at 79.
- William "Bill" Watrous, American jazz trombonist, who died at 79.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Fireworks is released. Shy Norimichi and fast-talking Yusuke, are goo-goo-eyed over the same elusive classmate, Nazuna. But Nazuna, unhappy over her mother's decision to remarry and leave their countryside town, plans to run away and has secretly chosen Norimichi to accompany her. When things don't go as planned, Norimichi discovers that a glowing multi-color ball found in the sea has the power to reset the clock and give them a second chance to be together. But each reset adds new complications and takes them farther and farther away from the real world - until they risk losing sight of reality altogether. [GKIDS]
- GAMING: PC
- Red Faction: Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered for PC is released. Set 50 years after the climactic events of the original Red Faction, Red Faction: Guerrilla allows players to take the role of an insurgent fighter with the newly re-established Red Faction movement as they battle for liberation from the oppressive Earth Defense Force. Red Faction: Guerrilla still defines the limits of destruction-based game-play with a huge open-world, fast-paced guerrilla-style combat, and true physics-based destruction.Features:* Open World Guerrilla Warfare - You decide who, when, where and how to battle. Utilize guerrilla tactics, improvised weaponry, and modified vehicles to lead insurgent attacks on EDF targets. Launch attacks based on your own gameplay style, take on missions in any order you choose, or engage in destructive activities to weaken the EDF's grip on Mars.* Strategic Destruction - Use destruction to your tactical advantage, setting ambushes or chain reaction explosions to attack enemy strongholds and permanently modify the game environment. Leverage fully-dynamic physics-based destruction to improvise on the fly: blow holes in a wall or floor to set an ambush or escape, take out a staircase to stop your pursuers, or drive vehicles through blown out walls.* Evolving & Emergent Gameplay - Carve your path through an ever-changing landscape as you improvise your combat tactics - mixing gameplay styles, vehicles, weapons and explosives to defeat the EDF.* Epic Sci-Fi Setting - Explore the huge, unforgiving Martian landscape, from the desolate mining outpost of Parker to the gleaming EDF capital city of Eos; then tear through the fully destructible open-world environments swarming with EDF forces, Red Faction resistance fighters, and the downtrodden settlers caught in the cross-fire.* Multiplayer Combat - There is no place to hide when you put your guerrilla warfare skills to the test in a variety of highly destructive multiplayer combat modes.Re-Mars-tered Features:> Fully reworked graphics Heavily reworked textures and graphic features adding for example specular maps.> Improved shadow rendering> Improved Lighting> Shader & Postprocessing rework> Native 4k support for the finest up to date mars destruction experience ever
- GAMING: PLAYSTATION 4
- Runbow for PlayStation 4 is released. Runbow Pocket takes all the fun colorful chaos of Runbow on Wii U and brings it to New Nintendo 3DS. Master Adventure, Bowhemoth, and Satura's Space Adventure on your own, or play head to head with friends over local ad hoc networking. Players can also create StreetPass cards to share fun stats with friends.Key Gameplay Features:-The world changes with each swipe of color so players have to think fast to beat hundreds of platforming challenges.-Tons of unlockable costumes and content, as well as 19 guest characters from other developers.-Brand new Guest Character, Shantae, from WayForward's Shantae series. Shantae will also be available in the Wii U version of Runbow.-All the content of Runbow, hundreds of levels, right in the palm of your hand.-Create a StreetPass card to share stats, titles, and your personal best times with anyone else playing Runbow Pocket.
- POLITICS
- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is arrested on corruption charges, accused of stealing 700 million from state development fund 1MDB.
- SPORTS
- Australian cricket batsman Aaron Finch breaks his own T20 International record smashing 172 from 76 balls vs Zimbabwe in Harare, opening stand with D'Arcy Short (223) also a record.
On this day in 2017
- EVENTS
- Bus crash in traffic jam and resulting fire kills 18 near Muenchberg, Germany.
- DEATHS
- José Luis Cuevas, Painter.
- Spencer Johnson, American author (Who Moved My Cheese?), who died of pancreatic cancer at 78.
- POLITICS
- French President Emmanuel Macron speech at Palace of Versailles proposes radical government changes, including reduction of MPs.
- SPORTS
- Singer Tony Hadley said he had left 1980s group Spandau Ballet, and "will not be performing" with them in the future.In an oddly-worded statement, the star said: "I am required to state that I am no longer a member of the band". He did not indicate why he was leaving, but blamed "circumstances beyond my control"..
On this day in 2016
- DEATHS
- Noel Neill, American actress (Adventures of Superman), who died at 95.
- Lou Fontinato, Canadian ice hockey player, who died at 84.
On this day in 2015
- DEATHS
- Diana Douglas, Bermudian-born American actress (The Indian Fighter), who died at 92.
- Jacques Sernas [Jokubas Bernardas Šernas], Lithuanian actor (La Dolce Vita, Helen of Troy), who died at 89.
- Boyd K. Packer, LDS church apostle, who died at 90.
- Amanda Peterson, Movie Actress.
- MOVIES: NOT RATED
- Amy is released. Amy tells the story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse – in her own words. A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse was a musician that captured the world’s attention. A pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense – she wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyze her own problems. The combination of her raw honesty and supreme talent resulted in some of the most unique and adored songs of the modern era. Her huge success, however, resulted in relentless and invasive media attention which coupled with Amy’s troubled relationships and precarious lifestyle saw her life tragically begin to unravel. Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27. [A24]
- Closer to God is released. Dr. Victor Reed has just achieved a huge scientific breakthrough by successfully cloning the first human being, an adorable baby girl named Elizabeth. This immediately becomes a media spectacle and ignites a firestorm of debate concerning the moral and religious implications of such a discovery. Soon, Dr. Reed and his family lose all sense of privacy and safety as they are swarmed by protesters and the media. Their biggest threat, however, could be Victor’s own secret.
- In Stereo is released. David and Brenda are perfect for each other, and everyone knows it except David and Brenda. After they break up, due to mutual immaturity, they voyage through a romantic Purgatory that shakes both of them to their core, until they realize what's apparent, and work out a design for being together that they refuse to call "being together".
- Robot Overlords is released. Earth has been conquered by robots from a distant galaxy. Survivors are confined to their houses and must wear electronic implants, risking incineration by robot sentries if they venture outside.
- Stray Dog is released. A contemplative portrait of Ron 'Stray Dog' Hall: biker, Vietnam Vet, and lover of small dogs.
- Stung is released. Mrs. Perch, an elderly, wealthy lady from rural America, is throwing a fancy garden party at her remote country villa. Same procedure as every year - except this time her illegally imported plant fertilizer seeps into the ground. Subsequently, a local species of killer wasps that usually lay their eggs into other insects mutates into 7 ft tall predators. And the celebrating upper class company provides just the right kind of prey. It's up to Paul and Julia, the two catering staffers, to stop the creatures, fight for their lives, and get their stumbling romance in order. [IFC Midnight]
- Zarafa is released. Under the cover of darkness a small boy, Maki, loosens the shackles that bind him and escapes into the desert night. Pursued by slavers across the moon-lit savannah, Maki meets Zarafa, a baby giraffe – and an orphan, just like him – as well as the nomad Hassan, Prince of the Desert. Hassan takes them to Alexandria for an audience with the Pasha of Egypt, who orders him to deliver the exotic animal as a gift to King Charles of France. And so Maki, Zarafa and Hassan take off in a hot-air balloon to cross the Mediterranean, setting off an adventure across Northern Africa, the bustling port of Marseilles, and over the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, arriving at last in Paris. But all the while, Maki is determined to find a way to return Zarafa to her rightful home. [GKIDS]
- MOVIES: PG13
- Jimmy's Hall is released. In 1921 Jimmy Gralton’s sin was to build a dance hall on a rural crossroads in an Ireland on the brink of Civil War. The Pearse-Connolly Hall was a place where young people could come to learn, to argue, to dream, but above all, to dance and have fun. As the hall grew in popularity its socialist and free-spirited reputation brought it to the attention of the church and politicians who forced Jimmy to flee and the hall to close. A decade later, at the height of the Depression, Jimmy returns to Co. Leitrim from the US to look after his mother and vows to live the quiet life. The hall stands abandoned and empty, and despite the pleas of the local youngsters, remains shut. However as Jimmy reintegrates into the community and sees the poverty, and growing cultural oppression, the leader and activist within him is stirred. He makes the decision to reopen the hall in the face of what they may bring. [Sony Pictures Classics]
- Jackie & Ryan is released. Ryan Brenner (Ben Barnes), a struggling musician, and Jackie Laurel (Katherine Heigl), a single mom battling to maintain custody of her daughter, defy their circumstances by coming together in a relationship that may change each others lives forever.
- MOVIES: R
- Cartel Land is released. In the Mexican state of Michoacán, Dr. Jose Mireles, a small-town physician known as "El Doctor, "leads the Autodefensas, a citizen uprising against the violent Knights Templar drug cartel that has wreaked havoc on the region for years. Meanwhile, in Arizona's Altar Valley – a narrow,52-mile-long desert corridor known as Cocaine Alley – Tim "Nailer"Foley, an American veteran, heads a small paramilitary group called Arizona Border Recon, whose goal is to stop Mexico’s drug wars from seeping across our border.
- SPORTS
- Adelaide Crows Australian Rules Football coach Phil Walsh is murdered by his son Cy at his Somerton Park home.
- Phil Walsh, Australian Rules Football wing, coach (Adelaide Crows), who died - murdered by son at 55.
On this day in 2014
- EVENTS
- Germany passes first nation-wide minimum wage law – at 8.5 euros.
- DEATHS
- Louis Zamperini, War Hero.
- TV SERIES
- The Honorable Woman: Season 1 is released. Long-held secrets threaten to be spilled as Israeli-British CEO Nessa Stein (Maggie Gyllenhaal) finds her company under investigation by MI5 after the suspicious death of a Palestinian business associates.
- GAMING: 3DS
- Squids Odyssey for 3DS is released. A unique mix of action strategy and RPG!Squids Odyssey is a unique mix of action strategy and RPG: build your team of Squid heroes for epic turn-based battles against corrupted crabs and shrimps!Steev, Vahine and the rest of the Squids are in danger! An infectious black ooze is corrupting their world. The band of unlikely heroes need to fight back to save their underwater kingdom!Squids Odyssey is not just about gorgeous cartoon art, jaunty music and humorous storytelling, the battles also provide a deep challenge as strategy and skill are required to use the environment, the Squids strengths, and enemies weaknesses to victory!Features:-More than 15 hours of gameplay,90+ levels and 15 Squids, plus the Pro Mode!-Recruit a unique team of Squids in four different classes: shooters, scouts, troopers and healers-Customize your party with special ability-boosting and crazy looking helmets-An epic story with giant turtle rides and heroic boss battles-Discover the Squids' legendary world through gorgeous levels.
- GAMING: WII U
- Armillo for Wii U is released. Rolling Platforming Game. Sci-fi parallel Universe theme. Massive amount of gameplay elements.Armillo is a unique, fun rolling platforming game with a sci-fi parallel universe theme. It features a massive amount of gameplay elements. For one, there is the regular 3D world, followed by a bonus stage on the moon. Then there is the evil parallel universe, and special 2D speed-run inspired worlds. Lots of unexpected deadly twists, and surprises await! The star of the game features a space armadillo named Armillo. He's not your usual armadillo as he's capable of blasting off to space in order to travel from planet to planet. He's joined by his little blue critter friends and his brother. What's supposed to be a peaceful galaxy becomes ruined by the invasion of the robotic Darkbots. Where are they from? Why are they here? But one thing is for sure, they certainly are not the friendly type.
On this day in 2013
- BIRTHS
- Cayson Funhouse, YouTube Star, born in United States.
- MOVIES: PG
- Despicable Me 2 is released. Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.
- MOVIES: PG13
- Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is released. Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a feature-length documentary film about the dismal commercial failure, subsequent massive critical acclaim, and enduring legacy of pop music's greatest cult phenomenon, Big Star.
- The Lone Ranger is released. Native American spirit warrior Tonto recounts the untold tales that transformed John Reid, a man of the law, into a legend of justice.
- MOVIES: R
- Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain is released. Filmed at a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden, comedian Kevin Hart delivers material from his 2012 "Let Me Explain"concert tour.
- GAMING: PC
- Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition for PC is released. Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition delivers the critically acclaimed game, all previously released downloadable content (DLC), plus digital downloads of the 2011 release of Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors album with a bonus track, and the 1995 Mortal Kombat film on the PlayStation Store or Xbox Live Zune. The DLC includes fan-favorite warriors Skarlet, Kenshi and Rain, as well as the infamous dream stalker Freddy Krueger. The game also offers 15 Klassic Skins and three Klassic Fatalities (Scorpion, Sub-Zero and Reptile). Mortal Kombat: Songs Inspired by the Warriors is a collection of electronic music inspired by the game and is executive produced by JFK (of the DJ/ production duo MSTRKRFT and Death From Above 1979).
- DARK (2013) for PC is released. DARK is a stealth action game with RPG elements that lets you slip into the role of the ultimate killer... a vampire. Stalk you enemies from the shadows then use powerful vampire abilities to attack and silently dispatch them! The exciting story of DARK immerses you in a world full of blood and darkness in which the hunter can become the hunted at any time. As you unravel the mystery behind the global conglomerate that seems omnipresent and all-powerful, continually improve your character by developing powerful skills to aid you in remaining unobserved, or make quick process of those unfortunate to take too keen an interest in you.
- DARK for PC is released. DARK is a stealth action game with RPG elements that lets you slip into the role of the ultimate killer... a vampire. Stalk you enemies from the shadows then use powerful vampire abilities to attack and silently dispatch them! The exciting story of DARK immerses you in a world full of blood and darkness in which the hunter can become the hunted at any time. As you unravel the mystery behind the global conglomerate that seems omnipresent and all-powerful, continually improve your character by developing powerful skills to aid you in remaining unobserved, or make quick process of those unfortunate to take too keen an interest in you.
- The Walking Dead: 400 Days for PC is released. Join five new characters as they struggle to survive in The Walking Dead: 400 Days
- GAMING: XBOX 360
- Scourge: Outbreak for Xbox 360 is released. Gun your way through Nogari Island as Echo Squad, a group of mercenaries employed by the Tarn Initiative to end Nogari Corporation's firm grip on the world's weak governments. Utilize a lethal variety of weapons and unique abilities to pummel everything that stands in your path, as you yearn to learn the sinister truth behind Nogari's "Ambrosia"fuel technology. The game features a Co-op enabled Campaign for up to four players, in addition to a series of eight Player Versus multiplayer modes.
- POLITICS
- Radu Vasile, Prime Minister of Romania (1998-99), who died at 70.
- Egypt's president, Mohammed Morsi, is deposed by the military with Adly Mansour appointed interim president.
- Coup in Egypt. Egyptian defense minister Abdul Fatah al-Sisi staged a coup and forced out President Mohamed Morsi, just over a year after he was elected..