- Trump celebrates America’s 250th anniversary and criticises communism in July 4th address
- Murder investigation initiated after fatal crash claims life of woman in her 70s
- British teenager in critical condition after falling from hotel balcony in Athens
- Thousands protest in France for action against sexual violence after murder
- Trump’s July 4 speech proceeds after National Mall evacuation due to storms
- Immigrant US Navy veteran faces deportation after serving three tours in Iraq
- Moroccan communities in Canada celebrate historic World Cup victory
- Fourth of July celebrations coincide with America’s 250th birthday amid heat wave
News Briefing
What’s happening?
National Mall is experiencing an evacuation ahead of former President Donald Trump’s July 4 speech due to severe weather conditions. Monitoring agencies issued warnings, prompting officials to clear the area for safety as celebrations are expected to resume later in the evening.
Coverage analyzed: AP News | NBC4 Washington
AP’s headline, “Trump commemorates America 250 after storms force temporary evacuation of National Mall,” emphasizes the celebratory aspect of the event but frames it within the context of ongoing weather challenges, suggesting a diplomatic approach to crisis management. In contrast, NBC4 Washington’s headline, “Live updates: July 4 events on National Mall to continue despite storm threat,” foregrounds the continuity of the celebrations while acknowledging the storm risk, indicating a focus on ongoing events rather than the implications of evacuation. The framing differences highlight how coverage can shape perceptions around disaster management versus event celebration.
What’s going on?
Iran has begun a dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in conflict. The event marks a significant moment in Iran’s political landscape following his death. Thousands are expected to attend the ceremonies across the nation.
The Associated Press emphasises the immediate context with, “Iran begins dayslong funeral for Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed in war,” while the BBC focuses on the broader implications, stating, “Khamenei’s death prompts widespread mourning across Iran.” This difference highlights AP’s focus on the event itself compared to the BBC’s emphasis on the potential societal impact.
Coverage analysed: Associated Press | BBC
SCOTTISH FIREFIGHTERS DEPLOYED
Scottish firefighters aid rescue efforts in Venezuela following devastating earthquakes this morning.
Devastation reported, affecting thousands and overwhelming local response teams.
The England captain was clearly fouled in the box.
The prisoner was found ‘cold, stiff and with no pulse’.
The Bayern Munich star has been linked with a stunning return to the Premier League.
Dean is angry and on the warpath.
This is what riding the world’s tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster will look like (Picture: Intamin Amusement)
The world’s fastest and tallest rollercoaster is set to open in Saudi Arabia, reaching top speeds of up to 156mph.
Falcon’s Flight is set to open at Six Flags Quiddiya next year, a massive theme park near Riyadh constructed as part of the gulf state’s Vision 2030 initiative.
The towering coaster features over 13,000ft of track, and at one point lunges off the side of a cliff into a 640ft drop.
Billed as the world’s first ‘Exa Coaster,’ the ride smashes the current height record of 456 feet held by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.
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It will also outrun the quickest, too – currently the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, which reaches speeds of 149mph and requires riders to wear goggles.
The finished coaster will be taller than the London Eye and will soar over a Formula 1 race track, which will also be built nearby.
There will be six trains each seating 14 people, two in the front car and four each in the remaining three cars, with each row sporting its own windshield, removing the need to wear goggles.
The project, with one model car, was presented this week by Intamin during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo.
Qiddiya’s Chief Executive Officer, Philippe Gas, said: ‘Rollercoaster fans around the world have been eagerly anticipating this ride since it was announced as there is nothing quite like it anywhere else.
‘Now we are in the design stage with the experts at Intamin and the engineering team at Six Flags, the excitement is building!
‘Falcon’s Flight will dominate the skyline at Qiddiya weave all the way around our destination, right out of the theme park, up the cliffside, and down the cliff face – the greatest drop of any ride in the world; it won’t be for the fainthearted.’
The gigantic coaster will include a 640ft drop and plummet off the edge of a cliff (Picture: Intamin Amusement)
The coaster will also reach speeds of up to 156mph (Picture: Intamin Amusement)
Six Flags Qiddiya is billed as ‘a theme park that will break all records of family fun and entertainment’, spread over six themed lands with ‘a range of record-breaking rides and attractions including the gravity-defying Falcon’s Flight’.
It is set to be built in Qiddiya, a planned city ‘on the doorstep of Riyadh’ being developed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia.
‘Our objective, in line with Vision 2030, is to ensure that Saudi Arabia is listed amongst the world’s top tourist destinations and we are proud of the local, regional and international media attention our project continues to attract,’ a website advertising the development plans reads.
Saudi Arabia, with one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, is planning a number of so-called megaprojects intended to reinvent its economy to reduce its dependency on oil and gas, which has been labelled Vision 2030.
Part of the Vision’s goal includes attracting 27 million domestic and foreign tourists to the Arab country.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].
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