The Independent

 The Olympic Games have been officially opened after a day of travel chaos in Paris that saw thousands of visitors delayed.The country’s rail operator said that arson attacks on key rail lines into the French capital had “sabotaged” the network, leading to disruption across the country.Jean-Pierre Farandou, chief executive of SNCF, said the plans of thousands who had hoped to go to Paris had been ruined.The “coordinated” disruption is likely to cause delays over the weekend for 800,000 passengers, with up to 250,000 affected as the Games officially starts.It has not dampened sprits in the city, though, with a...

Olympics 2024 opening ceremony LIVE: Emmanuel Macron declares Games open as heavy rain hits Paris

CBS Sacramento

With umbrellas deployed, thousands of athletes and spectators who lined the streets of Paris officially kicked off the 2024 Olympics on Friday.The ambitious ceremony kicked off with a giant plume of blue, white and red smoke in the colors of the French national flag with the Parade of Nations from the Austerlitz Bridge beside the Jardin des Plantes.Athletes aboard boats traveled the course of the Seine River from east to west, getting a glimpse of several Olympic venues including the La Concorde Urban Park, Invalides and the Grand Palais.Giant jets of water spurted up from the river as the Greek delegation — as always — was the first boat under the bridge and along the 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) route.American singer Lady Gaga graced the crowds with a performance at a makeshift yellow staircase in the traditional style of the old French subways.About 220,000 invited and security-screened spectators filled the upper tiers of the Seine's banks, and an additional 104,000 paying spectators watched from the lower riverside and around the Trocadéro plaza.The parade ended at the Iena Bridge, which links the Eiffel Tower on the left bank of the Seine to the Trocadéro district on the right bank.Here are more photos from the event:

See photos of the Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Sporting News

The Seine River is the site for multiple swimming events at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Why is the Seine so dirty? Explaining the Paris river swimming ban in place since 1920s

The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Carrying backpacks and small children, hundreds of people sleeping on the streets of Paris climbed aboard buses surrounded by armed police on Thursday, the latest group of migrants and homeless people to be driven out of the city ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics.

Migrants and homeless people are cleared out of Paris during the Olympics

Blanco, TX

Community Voices represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program but not yet verified their accounts. Community Voices are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Brigid Pfeifer

There were a number of celebrities who passed away within the past week, including two notable actresses: Shelley Duvall and Shannen Doherty. Shelley Duvall passed away on Thursday July 11th at her home in Blanco, Texas. The cause of death was complications from diabetes and news of her death was confirmed by her partner Dan Gilroy.

Two Beloved Hollywood Actresses Have Passed Away This Week

New York City, NY

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

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Cheryl E Preston

Yesterday was the third time this year that an ad stating Chelsea Clinton lives in a beautiful Virginia home popped up on my laptop. My computer did not warn me this was a dangerous site, so this time, I clicked on the link.

Chelsea Clinton is rumored to be living in Virginia but probably still in NYC

Up to 115 jobs are at risk under plans to close a McCain Foods factory in Lincolnshire. The manufacturer said it had launched a consultation into the future of the plant near Grantham. McCain is proposing to end production of a brand of microwave chips called Fries To Go, which...

Chips factory closure plan puts 115 jobs at risk

Lancaster County, PA

NewsByJoshua

Fans of Frisco's Chicken were left reeling as the beloved Peruvian-style eatery announced the closure of all its locations in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The chain, known for its delicious food and strong community values, posted a heartfelt note on its doors, informing customers of the devastating news.

Favorite Chicken Chain Suddenly Closes All Stores, Heartfelt Message Found on Doors

South Carolina State

Explore Beaufort SC

The mantis shrimp is one tough customer. Beautiful and deadly are two words you don’t typically use to describe shrimp, but the mantis shrimp is definitely in a class of its own; earning a reputation as the ‘savage boxer of the sea’ and one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. And, they're right at home here in South Carolina.

Savage Boxer of the Sea: The Deadly Beauty of Mantis Shrimp

Nuisance off-road bikers in Greater Manchester will be targeted by police using a special new forensic spray to "tag" offenders. The traceable spray, called SmartTag, will allow officers to mark motorbikes, e-bikes and quadbikes with a bright yellow solution. The spray contains a unique forensic code linked to the cannister...

Nuisance off-road bikers targeted with forensic spray

West Virginia State

Norfolk, VA

Four Virginians were confirmed to be onboard when the Titanic sank on April 14, 1912. Phillip Acts and Selini Decker, who lived a few blocks apart in Norfolk, died when the ship sank. Richmond native Robert Decker and Eloise Smith, who later moved to Richmond from West Virginia, survived.

There's a reason no remains from the Virginia Titanic victims will ever be found

Kettering Town Council says the design had to be updated because it previously broke heraldry rules.

Removal of slave from coat of arms sparks backlash

France turned on the style to overwhelm Argentina - their recent antagonists - as the hosts reached the semi-finals of Olympics men's sevens in front of an euphoric Parisian crowd. London-born wing Aaron Grandidier scored two scintillating tries in a 26-14 victory for Les Bleus and led the jubilant celebrations...

Ferocious France beat Argentina in Olympics grudge match

Maryland State

Fairfax County, VA

Washington, DC

The Bunny Man is an ever-evolving urban legend. The story originated from two documented incidents in 1970 in Fairfax County, Virginia, where a man in a rabbit suit attacked people in different locations. In both situations, he yelled that his victims were trespassing.

The Bunny Man legend was based on real events and continues to evolve over the decades

The remains of a teacher and four soldiers were found in an operation in Khan Younis on Wednesday.

Israeli military recovers five hostages' bodies in Gaza

The severed leg of a surfer who was attacked by a shark has washed up on an Australian beach, with doctors now racing to see if it can be reattached. Kai McKenzie, 23, was surfing near Port Macquarie in New South Wales (NSW) on Tuesday, when a 3m (9.8ft) great white shark bit him.

Australian surfer's leg washes up after shark attack

Virginia State

History Facts lists eight names US parents no longer give their newborns, which you may no longer hear in Virginia. The girls' names are Doris, Gertrude, Mildred, and Judith. I know or have known women with all four names, but they are either baby boomers or boomer parents' ages and someone's grandma or great aunt. Consider the ages of females in Virginia you know with these names.

Eight names parents in Virginia may no longer be giving to their newborns

The blazes are still out of control as firefighters try to save as many buildings as possible.

'Monster' fires may have destroyed half of historic Canadian town

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Sainsbury's has issued an apology after a term used by racists online was discovered in an online listing for school trousers. The trousers feature a reinforced knee and a grow hem, handy features for childrenswear. However when the two details were put side-by-side in the listing's title, it spelled out a phrase used by racists online.

Sainsbury's sorry for 'racist slur' trouser detail

NewsBreak

As the Olympics nears, Paris puts 75,000 troops on the streets

A scrum of disappointed tourists stared, wistfully, through the maze of metal fences lining the River Seine. Ahead of them, Notre Dame cathedral and other Parisian...

As the Olympics nears, Paris puts 75,000 troops on the streets

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