Whenever it’s time to refresh my capsule wardrobe with new seasonal staples or pick up a few last-minute things before a trip, I turn to Old Navy. offering online shoppers deals all across the site for up to 70% off without the need for a promo code. The classic American fashion brand has been designing affordable clothing for the whole family for over 30 years.
There’s a reason Old Navy is a go-to for me and shoppers across the country for everyday clothing, shoes, and handbags. The brand is nothing if not reliable—the styles are on-trend, the colourways and sizes available are plentiful, and the prices are difficult to beat. I’ve been buying a fresh pair of Old Navy flip-flops every summer for more than two decades—with no plans of stopping.
Whether you need a breathable sundress for a tropical vacation or a matching travel set to wear on the plane, Old Navy has you covered with hundreds of cute and comfy options that won’t break the bank. And to help you save some cash on your next purchase, I’ve rounded up all the best Old Navy discounts and promo codes on offer right now. Start shopping and thank me later!
Get up to 70% off in the Old Navy summer sale
Old Navy’s summer sale is in full swing, offering online shoppers deals all across the site for up to 70% off without the need for a promo code. From everyday dresses and linen shorts to tank tops and tees, Old Navy’s sale section is your one-stop shop for summer essentials.
My favourite oversized button-down is even marked down to 30% off right now. I practically lived in this thing on a recent beach trip to Kiawah Island, South Carolina, when the weather was a bit windier than expected. Scroll through the sale section to find deals on clothing for women, men, and kids. Even better, some sale items are eligible for an additional discount at checkout.
Sign up for Old Navy emails or texts and get a $10 discount
Here’s a quick way to save some money on your next purchase: Sign up for Old Navy’s email list and instantly receive a $10 signup discount. These emails will keep you updated on the latest sales and Old Navy promo codes so you never miss out.
Head to Old Navy’s website to sign up for emails and unlock your exclusive discount. The $10 off promo code can be used sitewide, whether you’re shopping for new tops, dresses, or sandals.
Become an Encore credit card member and get an Old Navy promo code for 30% off
If you already love Old Navy, consider becoming part of its membership programme—this way, you’ll be rewarded every time you shop. There are a few different tiers in the program that determine your status. Core is free to join, and you earn five points for every $1 spent. The Premier tier is for shoppers who spend at least $350 annually; they’ll earn five points for every $1 spent and gain access to an extended return window.
For the ultimate Old Navy loyalists, there’s the All-Access tier, where members earn 25 points per $1 spent, an extended return window, free shipping on orders of $35 or more, and even more perks. To be a part of the All-Access tier, though, you must have an Encore card. After your application is approved, members will receive a 30% off promo code to save on their next purchase.
Free shipping for Rewards members at Old Navy
There’s nothing worse when you’re online shopping than getting smacked with hefty shipping fees. Old Navy offers free shipping on all orders of $50 or more to all Rewards members, even if you’re a part of the Core tier, which is free to join.
To maximise your savings, combine this free shipping perk with another active Old Navy discount code. With so many stylish summer essentials available at Old Navy right now, reaching the $50 minimum needed to unlock free shipping will be easy.
Russian ultra-fast ballistic missiles continued to create havoc in Ukrainian cities, combining with drones and guided bombs to kill at least six people in the latest attacks, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to urge Western allies to speed up the delivery of air defence weaponry.
“Civilian infrastructure was hit even before the air raid alert was issued,” Zelensky said on Telegram, adding that Russia launched more than 120 drones and 12 missiles overnight on July 11.
“Our defenders managed to shoot down most of the targets, but not the ballistics.”
“Residential buildings, offices, and a theological seminary were damaged in the capital,” he added, while posting videos of emergency teams working in the rubble of buildings struck in the attacks.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 12 people, including children aged 10-11, were injured in the capital, while AFP journalists in the city reported hearing multiple explosions in the early morning hours, with an air alert siren sounding minutes after the first blast.
Patriot Licences Promised
Zelenskyy repeated his call for Western allies to send additional military aid and urged Washington to follow through on its vow to make licenses available for Ukraine to produce Patriot defence systems.
Zelenskyy, on July 9, said Kyiv and Washington had reached an agreement on licences for the production of PAC-3 Patriot interceptors, adding that parts for the missiles were expected to arrive in the next few days.
“We’ll give them the right to make Patriots,” US President Donald Trump said, sitting alongside Zelenskyy on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Turkey.
“We’re going to be giving you a licence to make Patriots,” he said. This way, you can’t complain we’re giving them too much. I’ll say: ‘Well, make them yourself.’”
The US-designed Patriot’s PAC-3 interceptor is one of the few Western weapons capable of shooting down the ballistic missiles Russia has been firing at Ukrainian cities.
US Army handout photo shows an artilleryman conducts maintenance on an MIM-104 Patriot missile system.
Zelenskyy also said talks were proceeding with Washington on a “drone deal” and possible joint production.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy said, “Agreements reached by national leaders must be implemented much more quickly and completely,” without being specific.
Kyiv has regularly been the target of attacks involving waves of Russian drones and cruise and ballistic missiles. On July 2, an attack killed more than 30 people, one of the deadliest strikes since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Only 30 Per Cent Interception Rate
The London-based Centre for Information Resilience estimated that it intercepted 80-90 per cent of Russian long-range drones and cruise missiles fired at it.
However, it said that of the 522 Russian ballistic missiles fired this year at Ukraine, only 30 per cent were intercepted.
Russia’s ground-launched Iskander-M ballistic missile — with a range of about 500 kilometers — can travel at speeds up to Mach 7, allowing it to reach targets within minutes. Reuters quoted experts as saying Russia is producing at least 700-800 Iskander and Kinzhal hypersonic air-launched ballistic missiles a year.
Russian forces have been firing missiles and drones into Kyiv almost daily since it launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Moscow denies that it targets residential sites despite widespread evidence of such attacks.
Elsewhere on July 11, Sumy Mayor Artem Kobzar said a guided bomb killed four people, including a young girl, while a separate missile strike on the southern city of Odesa killed two others, regional Governor Oleg Kiper said.
The attacks come as Ukraine has intensified its own campaign of devastating strikes deep inside Russia on energy assets, exacerbating widening fuel shortages inside the country.
Kyiv also continued to strike Russian “shadow fleet” tankers in the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine said it struck 21 tankers overnight on July 10-11 and has hit numerous others recently in a bid to disrupt fuel supplies to Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.
Make sure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google searches by adding us as a favourite source. Click here to activate. Or add us as your preferred source to your Google Search settings.
A bipartisan group of US senators said they had reached an agreement with the Trump administration to advance long-delayed legislation aimed at imposing tougher economic penalties on Russia and countries that continue to support Moscow’s war economy.
The breakthrough, announced on July 10 as Republican Senator Lindsey Graham visited Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, could give President Donald Trump a powerful new tool to pressure Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin as Washington seeks an end to Russia’s war, now in its fifth year.
Graham said the agreement with the White House clears the way for the bill to move forward, arguing that the legislation would allow the United States to punish countries helping Russia evade Western sanctions while creating leverage for negotiations.
“We’ve reached an agreement with the White House on a version of the Russian sanctions bill that they will support. It means it’s going to become law,” Graham told reporters in Kyiv after concluding his 10th wartime visit to Ukraine.
The legislation, known as the Sanctioning Russia Act, has been under negotiation for months by Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, along with Democrat Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Republican Roger Wicker of Mississippi.
In a joint statement, the four senators said they expected to release the updated legislation soon, describing the agreement as a major step toward strengthening pressure on Moscow.
“As Russia intensifies its slaughter of civilians, it is imperative that the legislative and executive branches work together to create tools to exact a heavy price on those who buy Russian oil and natural gas, fuelling the Putin war machine,” they said.
Targeting Russia’s Sanctions Escape Routes
At the heart of the bill is an effort to close what US lawmakers describe as a major weakness in the existing sanctions regime: Russia’s ability to continue earning billions of dollars from energy exports through third countries.
While many Western nations have restricted direct purchases of Russian oil and other commodities, Moscow has redirected exports through intermediaries, particularly major buyers in Asia.
Graham said the revised legislation would target countries that continue purchasing discounted Russian oil and then helping Moscow maintain revenue streams that support its military campaign.
The senator said the bill specifically focuses on five countries that have been circumventing sanctions by purchasing Russian energy for resale.
“This bill has 85 co-sponsors,” Graham said, referring to the bipartisan support it has attracted in the Senate.
“We’ve been working with the administration, with Senator Blumenthal and Senator Shaheen, to make sure it was acceptable to the administration and written in a way they could support.”
The original version of the legislation introduced in 2025 included provisions allowing the president to impose sweeping tariffs, including a proposed 500 per cent tariff on countries purchasing Russian-origin petroleum and uranium, as well as a similar tariff on remaining Russian imports into the United States.
It remains unclear what changes were made to the legislation during negotiations with the White House.
Graham said the goal was not only to punish Russia’s supporters but also to encourage countries to move away from Russian energy supplies.
“I’ve never been more optimistic than I am today,” Graham said. “We have the formula to end this war. Help Ukraine be more lethal. Let those supporting Russia know that they will pay a price if they keep doing it. And try to find an off-ramp, not to humiliate Putin, but to end this war so that Ukraine will thrive and survive.”
From Tensions To Cooperation
The renewed sanctions push comes as relations between Trump and Zelenskyy appear to have shifted significantly after months of uncertainty.
The two leaders met earlier this week on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara, where they discussed military cooperation and efforts to end the war.
The meeting represented a sharp contrast to their confrontation in the Oval Office in February 2025, when Trump criticised Zelenskyy and accused him of failing to show sufficient gratitude for US support.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) meets with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the NATO Summit in Ankara on July 8.
Speaking alongside Zelenskyy in Ankara, Trump said the relationship between the two leaders had improved dramatically.
“We’ve actually developed a good relationship,” Trump said. “It’s difficult to believe, right? From the Oval Office to now, I think we’ve developed an excellent relationship.”
During the meeting, Trump gave Kyiv political support for two long-sought initiatives: allowing Ukraine to co-produce Patriot missile interceptors and moving forward with a bilateral drone agreement.
Senior US officials told RFE/RL on July 10 that Trump has expressed support for the updated sanctions legislation, though the White House has not publicly released details of the agreement.
The shift marks a notable change after Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota previously delayed movement on the bill to give Trump room to pursue diplomatic talks with Putin.
The sanctions effort had also faced resistance in Congress. A previous attempt to advance the bill in December stalled after Democrats raised concerns about granting the president broad tariff authority while a related Supreme Court case was pending.
The legislation gained renewed momentum after frustration grew over Moscow’s refusal to halt its offensive and after earlier peace proposals faced criticism from some lawmakers who argued they offered excessive concessions to Russia.
Kyiv Welcomes New Pressure On Moscow
Ukrainian officials welcomed the congressional breakthrough, arguing that economic pressure on Russia is essential to weakening Moscow’s ability to sustain the war.
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Zelenskyy’s commissioner for sanctions policy, told RFE/RL on July 10 that Russia’s energy revenues remain one of the main pillars supporting its military operations.
“Russia has earned roughly $58 billion from oil and petroleum product exports to China and India in the first half of this year alone,” Vlasiuk said.
“Those revenues are financing Russia’s war against Ukraine, paying for missiles, drones, and continued aggression. If the Kremlin loses these oil revenues, it will have a much stronger incentive to negotiate, and this bill is clearly aimed at achieving that.
After meeting with Graham in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said battlefield strength and economic pressure must work together to bring about a diplomatic solution.
“The stronger Ukraine is on the battlefield, the greater the chances that diplomacy will ultimately succeed,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
He also called for the rapid implementation of agreements reached with Trump on Patriot missile production and other defence cooperation.
‘Important Signal’ To Moscow
US-based advocacy groups that have pushed for tougher sanctions against Russia said the agreement between Congress and the White House sends a warning to Moscow that sanctions evasion will become increasingly costly.
Daniel Balson, advocacy director for the nonprofit Razom for Ukraine, told RFE/RL that the legislation would make it harder for Russia to sustain its military campaign through global energy sales.
“This welcome announcement sends an important signal to the Kremlin: No amount of creative financial shenanigans will allow it to fund its illegal war in perpetuity,” Balson said.
“Ukraine has changed the situation on the battlefield. Now Ukraine’s partners are increasing economic pressure. We urge the Senate to move quickly and pass this important legislation.”
Balson said supporters of Ukraine believe the combination of military assistance and economic pressure could force Moscow to reconsider its strategy.
“Russia is going to lose this war,” he said. “The Ukrainian people know it. America’s allies know it. President Trump knows it. And the United States Congress knows it. It’s time Vladimir Putin figured it out and brought what’s left of his occupying army home.”
The next test for the legislation will come in Congress, where lawmakers must finalise the text and determine how quickly the measure can move toward a vote.
Make sure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google searches by making us a favourite source. Click here to activate. Or add us as your preferred source to your Google Search settings.
No wonder Spain boss Luis de la Fuente can’t resist keeping Mikel Marino on the bench.
Now two World Cup knockout games are deadlocked, with two World Cup knockout games won by the Arsenal midfielder’s left boot. On Monday, it was against Portugal in Dallas; here in the California sun, he was the quickest to anticipate a mistake by the Belgian goalkeeper. Firing the ball into the roof of the net two minutes from time, he sent his country into a thrilling semi-final clash with European heavyweights France on Tuesday.
But it was not meant to be for this brave Belgian team. A cruel turn of the tide came 20 minutes from the end when Thibaut Courtois, one of the world’s finest goalkeepers, was ruled out after sustaining a thigh injury. A very capable No. 2 in Man Utd’s Senne Lammens replaced him but it was his fault, his failure to keep up with Pau Cubarsi’s long-range efforts and his inexplicable spilling of the football into Merino’s path, that would be the lasting image of their World Cup campaign.
And so the European champions, Spain, move on. It was far from convincing and Belgium will rue a few half-decent openings in the second half. But almost 16 years after the 2010 generation dominated the world stage in South Africa, this 2026 squad took another step closer to their country’s second victory. Now it will be Kylian Mbappe and the unbeaten French attack over four days at the air-conditioned Dallas Stadium. Some match, that.
Sean Lemons threw straight into the path of Mikel Merino in the 88th minute. (Getty)
Spain’s incredible run now extends to 36 consecutive matches unbeaten in competitive matches. Although he broke his clean sheet record by conceding for the first time in 650 World Cup minutes, the main goal of the summer remains unchanged. The 70,000-strong crowd in Los Angeles, dominated by Spain supporters, applauded the team, and they would be satisfied with their progress, even if their position here were precarious for a period.
The two had not played for a decade, while Spain went 11 games unbeaten against their European rivals, dating back to a World Cup quarter-final shootout defeat in the Mexican city of Puebla 40 years ago. With the match starting at noon, under similar conditions in Inglewood, could the underdog story repeat itself here?
The weight of history perhaps explains why Belgium boss Rudy Garcia drafted back his big guns, Jeremy Duko and Kevin De Bruyne, after they were surprisingly forgotten from the starting line-up that torpedoed the USA in the final round. However, just 12 minutes before kick-off, captain Yuri Thiel suffered a hamstring injury in the men’s warm-up, dealing them a hammer blow.
In a baking-hot first quarter, Belgium more than held its own, reflecting the way sports are integrated at this World Cup. Doku, whose headlines so far at the tournament have been for his farcical story about going home to birth his baby, looked a constant threat on the break, aided by a couple of defenders at a time, while Lamin Yamal, the first of several visitors, flew over comfortably, cutting in on his left foot at 20 minutes. But losing focus against this Spain team is a mistake you will regret. Half an hour later, the Red Devils fell behind – and they remained behind.
Pedro Porro exchanged a quickfire one-two with Yamel before finding Dani Olmo in the box. His shot was saved by Courtois, but the Belgian No. 1 could only pass it to Fabian Ruiz, who was deputising for Padre in midfield, before Ruiz tapped it home. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder had not lost any of the 48 games he had played in Spain. It seemed that La Roja were well on their way.
Fabian Ruiz gave Spain the lead in the 30th minute (Getty)
Yamal dazzled for the next 10, got away from Belgium left-back Maxime de Kuper, and went close with a free-kick, which Courtois again palmed away. But then, four minutes before the break, Spain did something they had never done before: they conceded a goal.
The goalscorer was Charles de Catellier; the crosser was Timothée Castagne, but the chief architect, inevitably, was De Bruyne. The stand-in captain first slotted the neatest pass up the pitch to Belgian right-back Castagan. His near-post cross found Belgian marksman De Catellier, who got across the Cubbers and, like all-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku, slotted beautifully past Antoine Simeone.
For the Spain keeper, it was his first goal in 650 minutes of the World Cup. The impeachable rearguard is no more.
Charles de Catellier scored for Belgium just before half-time. (Getty)Merino celebrated his second late win in two games (Getty)
After the break, it was nip and tuck. De Kuper should have done better in the box after a powerful shot into the side netting, while Yamal, who was generally wasteful, fired a shot just wide of the post. Spain certainly didn’t have it all their own way and, on 55 minutes, coach Luis de la Fuente had seen enough, bringing on Ferran Torres and Pedri in a bold double substitution. As the second period wore on and Lukaku came on, Belgium looked a real threat on the counter-attack, with a cross deflected off Rodri’s hands. No penalty was given.
Then, turn. Courtois went down clutching his left thigh and cried when he realised his race was on, as Lemmons stepped into the spotlight. A cramping De Bruyne then opened with Simeone 40 yards out, but Rodri – as he often does for club and country – parried the goal-bound strike.
But the Belgians were falling deeper and deeper as extra time beckoned. So much so that Cubarsi went unchallenged when he shot at goal and Lemmens inexplicably let the ball slip from his grasp. And it was Merino, the man again after a stoppage-time winner against Portugal, who roared home to send Spain into Tuesday’s date with Texas alongside their French neighbours.
Make sure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google searches by adding us as a favourite source. Click here to activate. Or add us as your preferred source to your Google Search settings.
Manchester City have completed the signing of Jeremy Monga from Leicester City.
The winger, who turns 17 on Friday, has signed a five-year contract until the summer of 2031 and will join for a fee of £10m plus add-ons. Sky Sports News understands
Monga is the third-youngest player to play in the Premier League and Leicester’s second-youngest, having made his top-flight debut against Newcastle United in April 2025 aged just 15 years and 271 days.
The England Under-19 international played 30 times in all competitions for Leicester in 2025/26, scoring one goal and providing two assists. In total he made 37 senior appearances for the Foxes, including seven in the Premier League.
“When I found out Manchester City were interested, I immediately knew it was the right choice for me,” Monga told City’s website.
Image: The England Under-19 international made 30 appearances for Leicester in all competitions in 2025/26.
“For any young footballer, it’s a dream to be part of this great club. It’s been the best club in England for the last 10 years. And they’ve also provided opportunities to academy players like Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly, which shows there’s a way forward.
“It’s an honour to be here, and I’m delighted to be a part of it.”
Monga becomes the third English player to join new head coach Enzo Maresca’s squad this summer following the goalkeeper’s arrival. Pierce Charles and a £116m record signing, Elliot Anderson.
‘We think he will only continue to improve.’
Meanwhile, City director of football Hugo Viana added: “Jeremy is an exciting player who has already made great strides in his young career.
We were already very aware of him as a club and have seen his potential firsthand since his time at Leicester. At 17, we think he is only going to improve and this is the right next step in his career.
“We look forward to supporting him every step of the way on his journey.”
5 Youngest Premier League Players
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) – 15 years, 181 days old
Max Domin (Arsenal) – 15 years, 235 days old
Jeremy Monga (Leicester City) – 15 years, 271 days
Harvey Elliott (Fulham) – Aged 16 years, 30 days
Matthew Briggs (Fulham) – Aged 16 years, 68 days
He was wanted by Arsenal but is now at Man City – just how good is he?
He turns 17 this summer but has already been part of a transfer saga involving two of England’s best clubs.
Jeremy Monga: They looked ready to go.weapons.He was keen to join after talks with the Gunners.
But such transfers reflect the fast-paced nature of the market. Manchester City, in the 11th hour, entered to sign him for £10m plus add-ons – a valuation Arsenal were unwilling to pay.
It’s a hefty fee for such a young man, but Monga’s potential is just as significant. Ever since he made his Premier League debut last year at the age of 15 years and 271 days, clubs have been watching him.
He was so young on his Premier League debut that he was not legally allowed to have Leicester’s front-of-the-shirt batting sponsor on his jersey.
Monga’s young age puts him in elite company. He is the third-youngest Premier League player of all time behind Arsenal duo Ethan Nwaneri and Max Domin. No wonder the Gunners were keen on him.
Even after a season with Leicester’s first team in the Championship, which ended in relegation, the best teams in the land have seen enough to recognise Monga’s talent.
I went through a tough breakup, lost my job, and moved back home with my mum.
At first, returning to the town where I grew up made me feel like a failure.
Amazingly, reconnecting with the community healed me and inspired me to take the next step in my career.
At 36, I had everything I wanted.
I was a senior communications leader at one of the largest entertainment companies in the world, earning a title and salary that I had worked my entire career to achieve.
I not only got my dream job but also a wonderful group of friends and family, a healthy relationship, and a passport that got stamped almost every month.
I felt like I was finally creating the life and family I always wanted. Until, suddenly, everything changed.
A breakup and a layoff forced me to reevaluate my life
I was excited to be with my mom, but I still felt like a failure returning to the place where I grew up. Lauren Paige Woollard
After returning home from a girls’ trip, my partner of four years and I had difficult but necessary conversations and ultimately decided to end our relationship.
Although we had our challenges, we still seemed to work through them, and I never thought that our struggles would ultimately lead to a breakup.
Because we were living together, I was forced to pack up my stuff at my partner’s house in Florida and move into my mom’s condo in my hometown of New Orleans – the best financial option and a way to stay close to my family when I needed them most.
Luckily, my job allowed me to work remotely as long as I commuted to the New York City office once a month, so relocating to the states wouldn’t be a problem.
Additionally, my mom and I are very close, especially since I’m an only child, so I was excited to be with her again. But a part of me still felt like a failure returning to the town I grew up in.
However, I was looking forward to spending meaningful time with her – something I hadn’t been able to do since moving to a different state.
It felt good to get back into our old routines: watching our favourite “Real Housewives” episodes together, having lunch, seeing each other at sporting events, and reminiscing about our days in person rather than over the phone.
I was so grateful for every moment we spent together, but I didn’t think I’d be able to stay there longer than six months.
This all changed when I was fired from my job. Filled with shock and uncertainty, I had to face the reality that, for the first time in my life, I didn’t know what would happen next.
Suddenly, I was stuck at home, unemployed, and looking forward to a future I couldn’t map out.
Reconnecting with my community inspired me to take the next step in my career
Meeting old friends and getting involved in the community helped me start my own business. Lauren Paige Woollard
Thankfully, severance and unemployment benefits gave me something I was rarely allowed before: time.
As I sat with myself, I realised that I have spent almost my entire life looking for that next title, promotion or achievement.
The layoff forced me to confront a truth I had been avoiding: I needed to change.
So, instead of rushing to recreate my old life, I decided to embrace what I had. I decided that if I were going to live in New Orleans, I would actually live there.
After exploring new parts of the city, attending local events, and trying new fitness classes, I began to see my hometown in a new light.
When I visited the city as an adult, I never thought I’d be happy living here again. However, I never had a community to rely on, as I was separated from my childhood friends and was never really in the city to reconnect.
Now, a year and a half after moving back, my life looks entirely different from what I thought I wanted. I started a business, established a rich group of old and new friends, built a personal brand, and discovered a passion for community-building I never knew I had.
Most of all, I discovered something I did not expect: I love living in New Orleans, and I am truly happy.
The city gave me a chance to recover and rediscover myself after one of the most difficult chapters of my career.
My time living at home may not be permanent, but for now, I’m content and hope to continue thriving here until the next adventure calls me.
When it began operations, the cruise line Virgin Voyages aimed to change the industry with a clear vision: to attract a clientele below retirement age. Its vessels would be sexy and sleek, cabins outfitted with red hammocks, and decks child-free.
Its first ship, Scarlet Lady, was scheduled to have its maiden voyage on April 1, 2020. Then came Covid-19, leaving the newly minted ship empty for a while.
But the cruise industry rebounded, and the Virgin fleet hit the seas in 2021 with an ebullient slogan: the ‘Ain’t the Queen Mary 2, Bitch!’ ethos. There was, for example, a drag queen aboard.
For this piece, my assignment was to board a Virgin vessel, talk to passengers, and determine whether there was truth to the anecdotal observation that gay people in particular love cruising with Virgin because of its adults-only, fun-loving, drag queen-laden ethos.
After all, nautical exploits on more dedicated vessels are the stuff of legend. Consider the Atlantis Cruise: a semi-mythical floating orgy. The cruise ship that capsized in Puerto Vallarta in 2021 and launched several gay notables into the sea.
I set out unsure what this sailing would bring me and mostly found myself confronting the passage of time in an unfamiliar environment.
The Virgin formula is simple:
Disrupt an industry by making it, it seems to me, 10% less formal. This 10% is significant.
Disrupt an industry by making it, it seems to me, 10% less formal. This 10% is significant. Remember, it was Virgin Atlantic that pioneered the playful airline safety video now considered an industry standard;
These days, its marketing campaigns make a point of emphasising their inclusive nature (see the ads featuring LGBTQIA+ Virgin crew members and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Michelle Visage).
Like Sir Richard Branson himself, Virgin lets the hair grow long and undoes a few buttons while still making savvy business decisions, like a boss.
The enterprise is predicated on youthful mischief. On being a rockstar.
I, an Okie, was unfamiliar with the Virgin brand until this past April, when I arrived at Long Beach, California, to embark on a five-day cruise aboard the Brilliant Lady.
While boarding, a woman working security asked if I was a rock star. “Yes?” I said. “Are you a rockstar?” she asked again. “YES!” I said, hyping myself up.
She shook her head and parleyed with our guide, who established that I was, by rights, a rockstar—an exclusive category on the ship, denoted by a special black wristband and conferring certain perks.
Even when Kylian Mbappe looked wrong, he looked fantastic again. Mbappé has been emulating Lionel Messi for the past month, and while he did so in a reluctant manner, showing that great players are not immune to missed penalties, he provided the kind of response the legendary Argentine did against Austria and then Egypt. He scored.
And so Moroccan resistance crumbled with a moment of glory. Defeated 2–0 by France in the 2022 semi-finals, they faced the same scoreline in the rematch as Mbappe led France to a third consecutive final. He followed up his goal with his third assist of the tournament, allowing Ousmane Dembele to seal a deserved victory.
Mbappé raised his arm to acknowledge the applause and ended up with an ice pack on his right foot. When he celebrated after the final whistle, it appeared to be a precautionary change rather than a doubt for the Bastille Day semi-finals against Spain or Belgium.
Kylian Mbappe was substituted and was seen with an ice pack on his ankle. (Reuters)But after the final whistle, he gave up and celebrated. (Reuters)
The entire contest may seem part of a wider battle between Mbappe and Messi: for the Golden Ball, the Golden Boot and the World Cup itself. The French captain equalled his Argentinian counterpart with eight goals in the US. His tally now stands at 20 in as many World Cup matches. It would have been at least 21 but for Yassin Bono’s superb performance.
In the first half, the Moroccan goalkeeper threatened to end the reign of Didier Deschamps. Morocco were a threat themselves, but it was one of the best goalkeeping displays of the past month. Bonou is a penalty specialist, as the Netherlands can testify, and he added to his reputation in such situations after makeshift centre-back Nossir Mazraoui tripped Mbappe.
Four days ago in Philadelphia, Mbappe laughed off the Paraguayan provocation. This time, he was booed more by the officials than the opposition as he delayed an unnecessarily long VAR check to confirm the award of the spot-kick. The wait stretched to three minutes and 12 seconds, and, after a frantic run-up, Mbappe’s penalty was a calm onside kick. Bono held it easily.
Yassin Bono saves Mbappe’s spot kick (Getty)
His rebellion started early. He made two fantastic early saves to keep out Mbappe’s 20-yard shot and Dayot Upamecano’s close-range header. He was fantastic again when Desire Doue robbed Ayoub Bouadi, strolled forward and shot. Just before half-time, he did brilliantly to tip Lucas Digne’s curling shot over the bar.
Mbappe obliged with a curled shot from the edge of the box with minimal backlift.
Yet if it showed it would take something special to beat Bono, Mbappe obliged with a curled shot from the edge of the box with minimal backlift. Morocco complained that Adrien Rabiot had taken over the construction. The finish, though, could not be stopped.
Mbappe was not finished, but the Moroccans were soon eliminated. France has the kind of team where a Ballon d’Or winner can take second billing, and Dembele scored the second goal. His tally of five for the tournament is eclipsed by Mbappe’s eight. Remarkably, Dembele had never scored in a tournament until his previous trip to Boston, when he scored a hat-trick against Norway.
Ousmane Dembele put the result beyond doubt by dismissing France’s second player (Reuters)
Two of them were assisted by Mbappe. A former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate turned supplier at the third opportunity. The captain first flicked the ball to Dembele and then created room for him to shoot with his driving run. Bono gets a hand to Dembele’s effort but only pushes it into the net.
Morocco could be forgiven for being relieved when Mbappe replaced himself. An attempt to stop him resulted in a fine. Another one brought a booking to Issa Diop. Any contrast between forward Nanpriel and Morocco’s attacking efforts could have been unpleasant, but the absence of the injured Ismail Sibri made it worse.
After taking the game to Brazil and the Netherlands, Morocco adopted a completely different approach against the tournament favourites. Perhaps it was simply a recognition that France was a class apart from the rest. Perhaps they were inspired by Paraguay’s stubbornness. Be that as it may, there was no out-and-out striker. Morocco swarmed the midfield, trying to force out Michael Oleis.
Morocco looked desperate but offered little throughout the match. (Getty)
In the process, though, they became very negative. France had 13 shots before Morocco’s first encounter. After an hour, Mohamed Ohabi’s team had an XG of just 0.06. By the time they finally stirred, it was too late. Neil Al Ainoui headed into the side netting after 84 minutes.
The midfielder was born in Nancy, but it was not a day when France resented those among its expatriates representing other countries. Instead, a player with Algerian and Cameroonian heritage ended African involvement in the World Cup.
Morocco was Africa’s first semi-finalist in 2022. He is now his first back-to-back quarter-finalist. But France, and Mbappe, still intend to make a bigger mark in history.
Price: $190.99 - $179.99 (as of Jul 10,2026 05:18:36 UTC – Details)
A+ in performance and value
Make the grades with a Chromebook that’s at the top of its class in value and performance. The Galaxy Chromebook Go is built with premium craftsmanship to endure everyday hiccups and long-lasting battery life to power through class without needing to sit by a power outlet. Plus, you’ll blaze through every assignment with fast Wi-Fi connectivity. ². Thinner and lighter than other Chromebooks,* the Galaxy Chromebook Go fits easily into backpacks, helping to lighten the load. Best of all, Galaxy Chromebook Go is priced to please.
LTE connectivity is coming soon.
¹Battery life based on Google Chrome Power Load Test. Actual battery life varies depending on environment, feature and apps used, length of charge, and other factors. ²
As compared to the Samsung Chromebook 4+. *$59.97 value based on the monthly auto-renewal rate for a limited time only. The Google AI Pro trial offer is available to eligible users who purchase and activate an eligible Chromebook on or after May 28, 2024.
This offer is limited to users in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Redeem the offer by January 31, 2027, at 11:59pm PT.
Google AI Pro will charge $19.99/month or the then-current subscription fee for Google AI Pro (minus applied offers plus applicable taxes) after the trial ends. Cancel anytime. Gemini in Google AI Pro and Gemini for Gmail, Docs, and more are only available to those aged 18 and over. Gemini for Gmail, Docs and more is available in select languages.
See g.co/chromebook/google-ai-pro-3-month-offer for full terms. Results for illustrative purposes.
Internet connection required. Check responses for accuracy. Feature availability varies based on language. SLIM. LIGHTWEIGHT. READY TO GO:
The all-new slim design is perfect for busy lives on the go.
SKILFULLY DESIGNED. MILITARY TOUGH:
Built with premium craftsmanship to withstand the occasional drop or ding. ALL-DAY, ALL-IN-ONE CHARGING: Power through your school day – and beyond – with a long-lasting 12-hour battery. ¹
3X FASTER THAN THE PREVIOUS GENERATION OF WIFI:
Crush your schoolwork in record time with Wi-Fi that’s three times faster than the previous generation of Wi-Fi. YOUR PHONE AND CHROMEBOOK WORK BETTER TOGETHER:
Easily transfer files between devices and control your phone right from your Chromebook. Try Google AI Pro with 5 TB of cloud storage and more for 3 months at no cost. Boost your productivity and creativity with higher access to the best of Gemini, including Nano Banana, Veo, and Gemini in Gmail, Docs, and more. Plus, you get 5 TB of cloud storage – all in one plan. * The best of Google, in a laptop; Chromebooks run ChromeOS, the speedy, secure operating system from Google, with built-in Google apps like Gmail, Gemini, Docs, Photos, YouTube, and more.
New Bee Bluetooth Headset V5.1: 72H Talk Time Dual Mic with Mute Button for Business, Wireless Hand-Free Bluetooth Earpiece with 500mAh Charging Case for Cell Phone Calls Trucker Driver, Laptop
Price: $25.99 - $21.59 (as of Jul 08,2026 23:44:34 UTC – Details)
Product description
New
bee Bluetooth Headset V5.1 with ENC Noise-Cancelling Mic for Business Call
The video showcases the product in use. The video guides you through product setup. The video compares multiple products. The video shows the product being unpacked. Newbee Bluetooth Headset M54 for Business Call
Could the headset be compatible with the Android computer or iPad? Could the headset support the mute function?
Sure. Compatible with devices that have Bluetooth functionality.
But the headset does not support answering calls, muting, or redialing the last number on a computer or iPad.
– Only mobile phones support muting, answering calls, and redialing the last number.
What is the biggest advantage of the New Bee M54 Bluetooth headsets?
They can be charged in two ways. If you forget to bring the charging case, it’s no problem. The headset features a dedicated Type-C charging port for direct charging.
Alternatively, you can charge the earpiece using the charging case.
Why can’t I hear any sound during calls?
Please try resetting the headphones. Make sure you choose the M54 for audio input/output when in a call, but not the speaker on your cell phone.
How to reset the New Bee M54 Bluetooth headset?
In the power-on state, press the multifunctional button and volume-up button at the same time for 6 seconds. When you hear the voice prompt “power on, pairing”, the Bluetooth headset has been restored to factory settings.
Step 2: Turn on the walkie-talkie, then search and click for “M54” in Bluetooth settings.
Step 3: The headset will prompt “connected”. Click the multifunctional button, the headset indicator goes out, and then you can start using it.
72H Talk Time & 2 Ways to Charge：
The single-ear Bluetooth headset comes with a 500mAh charging case for all-day use. Enjoy up to 72 hours of total talk time and a full Type-C charge in about 1.5 hours. The LED power display lets you check battery level at a glance—perfect for work, driving, or travel. Charge the earpiece inside the case, or use the Type-C cable to charge it directly if the case runs out. Never miss an important call because your charging case is dead.
Clearer Calls for Daily Use:
Dual microphones work together to reduce surrounding noise and support clearer voice pickup during cell phone calls. A lengthened main mic helps keep your voice more focused, making the headset a practical choice for driving, business calls, and everyday hands-free conversations.
Dual Device Connection & Wide Compatibility:
Pair this wireless earpiece with two Bluetooth devices, such as a smartphone and laptop for convenient switching during daily use. Adopt the Qualcomm QCC3020 Bluetooth 5.1 chip to maintain 15m range connectivity with two devices quickly and stably. The hands-free Bluetooth headset is compatible with most Bluetooth devices, such as iOS or Android phones/computers/PCs/laptops and so on.
Adjustable Single-ear Fit:
A 270° rotating mic boom, a 180° swivelling ear hook, and S/M/L ear tips help you adjust the headset for left- or right-ear wear. The lightweight 15g design is ideal for driving, warehouse shifts, remote work, and customer calls, while different ear tips help you find a more secure everyday fit.
What You Get & 3-Year Customer Support:
1*Bluetooth Earpiece; 1*500mAh Charging Case; 3*Ear Tips (Sizes: S/M/L); ); 1*Type-C Cable (NO AC ADAPTER); 1*User Manual. The headset can be charged through the case for portable power support during daily calls and work use. If there is any issue with your order, please don’t worry; we will solve it for you promptly within 24 hours and get 3-year customer support services.
