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A beautifully landscaped yard doesn't always require a full weekend project or hundreds of dollars at the garden center. Sometimes, it's the finishing touches that make the biggest impact. Decorative accents are one of the easiest ways to add personality to outdoor spaces, bringing color and ambiance to flower beds, planters, and walkways without requiring wiring or complicated installation. 

One standout is the Kacux Solar Sun Globe Garden Stake at Amazon. It's currently marked down 32%, bringing the price from $40 to just $27. The orb emits a sunkissed glow during the evening, powering up during the daytime. Wherever you place it, it'll give your outdoor space a glow-up — literally.

Kacux Solar Sun Globe Garden Stake, From $27 (was $40) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Standing 37.2 inches tall, this celestial stake features a sculptural sunburst silhouette with your choice of blue, green, or red hand-painted metal rays, softly antiqued gold tips, and delicate curled scrollwork. At the center sits a beautifully textured crackle-glass globe that catches sunlight during the day before becoming the star of the show after dark. Wrapped in warm white fairy lights, the globe creates the illusion of a tiny glowing sun floating above your landscaping, while the slim black metal stake maintains the airy illusion. Measuring just 9.4 inches wide and weighing only 1.2 pounds, it's substantial enough to stand out without overpowering surrounding flowers, shrubs, or planters.

Made of rust-resistant metal and durable glass with an IP65 waterproof rating, it's designed to withstand rain, sprinklers, and changing seasons. The integrated solar panel quietly charges throughout the day in direct sunlight before automatically switching on at dusk, providing up to eight hours of warm, ambient illumination depending on the day's sun exposure.

Rather than acting as a floodlight, the fixed warm glow is designed to create atmosphere, making it ideal for brightening flower beds, lining garden paths, accenting oversized planters, welcoming guests near a front porch, or adding a cozy touch beside patio seating. Setup is refreshingly simple, too. There's no wiring, outlet, remote, or complicated controls — just stake it into the ground, press the single on/off button, let the sun do the charging.

Outdoor enthusiasts raved about this “very bright” and “mesmerizing” decoration, saying that it's “well made,” “stable,” and “easy to assemble.” One shopper wrote, “These lights are highly visible and stay on from dusk till dawn.” 

Shop More Deals

• Atznwx Sun Solar Lantern, $22 (was $30) at Amazon
• Qocnam Solar Moon Fairy Garden Light, from $18 (was $25) at Amazon
• X-prek Solar Water Can Garden Light, from $13 (was $16) at Amazon

Related: Amazon’s ‘Whimsical’ Turtle Solar Statue Is Just $25 Ahead of Prime Day and ‘Creates a Magical Ambiance’

Dubbed a “great addition to any garden or landscape,” the $27 Kacux Solar Sun Globe Garden Stake is sure to work its way up to bestseller status. Shop it at Amazon while it's 32% off! 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

Today’s New York Times Connections puzzle takes you from a famous board game to the world of sports, with a few unexpected twists along the way. There's nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today's Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We've warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you've completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today's NYT 'Connections’ hints and answers for #1122 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Today's NYT Connections Puzzle for Tuesday, July 7, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you've been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Tuesday's puzzle, you're not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I'll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You'll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints About Today's NYT Connections Categories on Tuesday, July 7

1. Colonel Mustard and Miss Scarlett.
2. They go to school, and also play sports.
3. Song by Chubby Checker.
4. Sunny day, sweeping the clouds away.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today's Connections Game Answers for Tuesday, July 7:

1. ROOMS IN CLUE: CONSERVATORY, HALL, KITCHEN, STUDY
2. STUDENT-ATHLETE DESIGNATIONS: ALL-AMERICAN, JOCK, LETTERMAN, TEAM CAPTAIN
3. ___ TWIST: FRENCH, LEMON, OLIVER, PLOT
4. ENDING IN "SESAME STREET" CHARACTERS: BERNIE, COLBERT, DISCOUNT, SAN ANSELMO

How'd you do?

Up Next:

- 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
- Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT's 'Mini Crossword' Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let's Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: NYT ‘Connections’ Hints, Clues and Answers Today, Monday, July 6, 2026

Gracie Abrams is catching heat from Taylor Swift fans after posting a photo dump from the singer's wedding to Travis Kelce.

Abrams, 26, who was among the 1,000 guests at the star-studded affair inside New York City's Madison Square Garden on July 3, took to InstagramSunday to show off the red sequined gown she wore for the occasion, slicking back her short brunette locks. The "That's So True" singer also shared a close-up shot of the gown sparkling in the sun while seated in the backseat of a car.

But it wasn't those photos that caught the attention of eagle-eyed Swifties. Abrams also seemingly included a random assortment of pics in her carousel, including one that featured Swift's ex, Joe Alwyn.

The photo, a screenshot from The Favourite — the 2018 film starring Alwyn, whom Swift dated for over six years from 2016 to 2023, and Emma Stone — showed a scene between Stone's character, Abigail Hill, and Alwyn's character, Samuel Masham, in which she attacks him in the woods.

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Though Alwyn's face isn't clearly visible in the shot, fans of the film — and Swift — were quick to point him out in the comments, with one calling the move "weird."

"weird for this one babes," the user wrote, with another commenting, "the screen capture of Joe Alwyn from The Favourite in the same carousel as the outfit you wore to Taylor Swift's wedding is crazyyyyy (I say this with love) 😭😭😭😭😭."

"Not congratulating Taylor — but posting her ex?" another added.

Instagram.com/gracieabrams/

Abrams did not mention Swift and Kelce's wedding in the post, which she simply captioned with the tear-off calendar emoji, nor did she give any explanation for including the screenshot in her photo dump. It is worth noting, however, that carousel also featured several throwback childhood photos and artsy shots of her album covers.

The "I Love You, I'm Sorry" songstress, who has yet to publicly address the post, was one of a handful of pop stars to share photos from the wedding weekend, alongside Sabrina Carpenter, Kelsea Ballerini, Selena Gomez, and more.

Today's NYT Wordle can cradle a baby, hold a camera or launch a stone. But the day just isn't complete until I've solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1844 ahead.

Let's start with a few hints.

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How many vowels are in today's Wordle?

There is one vowel in today's five-letter word.

What kind of letter does today's Wordle start with?

Today's Wordle begins with a consonant.

Are there any double letters?

There are no double letters in today's Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today's Wordle

A hint for today's Wordle is: you would use this while rehabbing a hurt arm.

OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We'll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today's Wordle Answer for #1844 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Today's Wordle answer on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, is SLING.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn't Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Crumbl is spending this week celebrating its greatest hits, and one of the picks comes stuffed.

The cookie chain rolled out its Favorites Week lineup, a run of returning customer favorites anchored by a single brand-new release: the Marbled Stuffed Cheesecake Cookie. Crumbl describes it as a marbled cookie made with brownie and vanilla cream cheese dough, stuffed with a creamy cheesecake filling, and it is the only debut on an otherwise greatest-hits menu. The full lineup is available through July 11.

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What's On Crumbl's Fan Favorites Menu

The rotating menu is built almost entirely from flavors fans have been asking to see again. The Caramel Shortbread Cookie featuring Twix returns after months away, alongside the Biscoff Skillet Cookie, the Birthday Cake Cookie featuring Oreo, the Strawberry Ice Cream Bar Cookie, the S'mores Cookie Thins and the Snickerdoodle Cupcake Cookie. Crumbl's classic milk chocolate chip and pink sugar cookies round out the week.

Related: Sports Fans Can’t Miss Crumbl Cookies’ New Soccer-Inspired Desserts Ahead Of FIFA World Cup

For anyone chasing something colder, the chain is bringing back its Chocolate Strawberry Cup, fresh strawberries drenched in milk chocolate, plus a Dubai-style version layered with pistachio cream and toasted kataifi.

Fans Are Split On The Picks

Reaction has been loud and not entirely kind. One commenter called the Biscoff skillet cookie "one of the best things to come out the Crumbl kitchens," and Twix fans celebrated the caramel cookie's return. Others flooded the chain's account asking where their own favorites went, with the Tres Leches cookie a common request.

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Crumbl swaps its menu every week, so the Favorites Week run vanishes once the next lineup drops. If the Marbled Stuffed Cheesecake Cookie is calling your name, you have until July 11 to answer.

Next: Crumbl Just Changed the Cookie That ‘Started It All’

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A cluttered home doesn’t necessarily equate to a messy home — you could just be lacking storage space. If you’re looking for a way to clear up your countertops, tables, and shelves, an additional storage unit is a great way to give those sprawled-out items a neat and designated home. Effortlessly blending style and practicality, this Mainstays Westley 5-Shelf Bookcase at Walmart is a fantastic option. 

Right now is the best time to snag it because it’s currently on sale for less than $70! Normally retailing for $95, this five-shelf bookcase is now marked down to just $65 in three styles, including white, black, and a walnut brown finish. This bookcase features two doors at the bottom, so if you prefer a completely open bookcase, it’s also available in a style without doors. 

Mainstays Westley 5-Shelf Bookcase, $65 (was $95) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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Warm and natural, the walnut brown version of this bookshelf oozes with farmhouse charm. It has an exposed woodgrain finish, giving the piece a rustic aesthetic that’ll instantly make your home feel cozy and inviting. If you prefer more of a modern and clean look, opt for either the black or the white bookshelf. The finish is sleeker with a subtle wood texture, designed to effortlessly blend in with the rest of your furniture and decor. 

All three options are simple yet chic, making them ideal for any room in your home, whether it’s your bedroom, kitchen, living room, or bathroom. Reviewers love the style of this bookcase, describing it as “so cute.”

Boasting five tiers, this bookcase offers plenty of storage space so you can streamline your home in no time. The shelves are adjustable, allowing you to fit items of various heights without leaving much vertical space unused. 

Mainstays Westley 5-Shelf Bookcase, $65 (was $95) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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The top section is open, leaving three shelves exposed. You can use these shelves to organize books and games or display trinkets and decor pieces. Alternatively, you can place this in your kitchen to organize appliances and pantry goods, in your bathroom to stow linens and toiletries, or in your bedroom to shelve your clothes and accessories. 

The bottom section of this bookcase has two tiers hidden behind double doors, which is ideal for storing those items you’d rather keep concealed. For convenience, the doors are equipped with decorative knobs so you can pull them open with ease. The doors have self-closing hinges, allowing them to shut on their own if they’re left slightly ajar. 

Made of engineered wood, every panel is 1 inch thick, ensuring stability and durability. Shoppers attested to this, noting that it’s “very sturdy.” This bookcase is about 26 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 73 inches tall, making it ideal for small and large spaces alike. It builds up, taking advantage of vertical space rather than excessive floor space. 

Shop More Deals 

• Mainstays 4-Shelf Reeded Bookcase with Drawer, $65 (was $90) at Walmart
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Related: Walmart’s ‘Very Firm’ $100 Folding Floor Sofa is a Hosting Game-Changer for Small Spaces

Keep your home nice and tidy while adding some farmhouse charm to your space with the Mainstays Westley 5-Shelf Bookcase. Don’t hesitate to head to Walmart and snag it while it’s still on sale for just $65. 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

The Rolling Stonesearned their first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965, and it would end up becoming one of the biggest songs of the summer that year.

The rock staple "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction," served as a breakthrough U.S. hit for the Rolling Stones, and decades later, it's still considered one of all-time greatest songs of the summer, according to Billboard.

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" is ranked at No. 13 on Billboard's "Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer," which tracks the highest-performing Hot 100 songs for the summer months across more than six decades.

The signature Rolling Stones track soared to No. 1 on the Hot 100 in July 1965, reigning in the top spot for 4 weeks. It not only became the band's first song to become a No. 1 song in the U.S., but it also ended up being one of their longest Hot 100 runs at No. 1. ("Honkey Tonk Women" also topped the chart for four weeks in 1969).

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was the top song of the summer in 1965, per Billboard's year-by-year songs of the summer rankings. Other songs in the Top 10 include "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" by the Four Tops and "I Got You Babe" by Sonny & Cher.

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Even more than 50 years after "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was released in June 1965, it remains an enduring rock and roll classic. It placed at No. 4 in a 2012 Rolling Stone reader's poll that ranked the band's Top 10 Greatest Songs, and it was also included on the site's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, coming in at No. 31.

In 1998, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, becoming one of two Rolling Stones songs to do so, along with "Honky Tonk Women."

Related: 1973 Timeless Classic, Written in 1 Hour, Became One of the Most Beloved Rock Ballads of All Time

Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are back under the same roof.

According to a new report from People, the pair have been living together for the past two years.

"Jada moved back in with Will two years ago," a source told the outlet. "They are happy and love each other and are, as ever, committed to supporting each other."

The report comes after Jada, 54, revealed in 2023 that she and Will, 57, had been separated since 2016. The couple, who married in 1997, were "still together" at the time, the outlet notes, even though they lived in separate homes.

While Will and Jada have each been candid about the ups and downs they've faced in their relationship over the years, in an October 2023 interview with People, the Girls Trip star admitted that their marriage was very much a work in progress, adding that she and Will were "still figuring it out."

"We just got deep love for each other, and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us," Jada said at the time. "I'm going to be by his side … but also allow him to have to figure this out for himself."

As for Will, he previously described their relationship as "unconventional," telling GQ in a 2021 cover story that while he and Jada support each other, they also allow each other to find happiness independently.

"We have given each other trust and freedom, with the belief that everybody has to find their own way. And marriage for us can't be a prison. And I don't suggest our road for anybody," the Bad Boys: Ride or Die actor said at the time. "I don't suggest this road for anybody. But the experiences, the freedoms that we've given one another, and the unconditional support, to me, is the highest definition of love."

The new report follows several sightings of the Smith family, including a June trip to Paris, where Will and Jada were on hand to support their son Jaden Smith, the newly minted menswear creative director for Christian Louboutin, at the fashion house's Summer 2027 show during Paris Fashion Week.

While in the City of Love, the pair showed some rare PDA, the outlet reports that their focus throughout the trip was "family time," which a source noted is par for the course for the Hollywood couple.

"Will and Jada love each other and absolutely maintain a steady relationship, but what you are seeing is full support of their kids. They are proud of them," the source added.

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If you’ve been looking for an easy pair of summer sandals to wear with dresses, linen pants, and vacation outfits, the Clarks Arwell Glide Sandals are worth checking out while they’re on sale. They’re originally $100, but with code FOURTH, they drop to just $59 in cart, making them 40% off. The sandals come in two colors, black and metallic, with sizes ranging from 5 to 12 in medium and wide widths.

The sandals are made with a premium nubuck upper that features a woven look across the front. They also have a comfortable, contoured cushion footbed that molds to your foot and offers support as you walk, and the sole has a grippy finish for extra traction. The heel measures a little over an inch high, and the brand offers free shipping and exchanges.

Arwell Glide Sandals, $59 (was $100) at Clarks

Courtesy of Clarks

Shop at Clarks

The pretty braided upper adds unique texture, while the two color options give you flexibility depending on your style. Since they have lots of cushioning, grip, and a manageable heel, you could throw them on when you want something that's cuter than flip-flops but still easier to wear than heels. The wide-width option is also a good bonus if you usually need a little extra room.

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• Calenne Clara Sandals, $56 (was $95) at Clarks
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One reviewer called them “very comfortable,” while another said, “I really loved these sandals” and described them as being “lovely.” A third shopper wrote, “The sandals are exactly as described and shown,” adding that “they fit perfectly.” 

Clarks is known for making comfortable shoes, and this pair lives up to that reputation with a design that still feels stylish enough for summer outfits. The braided nubuck upper, cushioned footbed, and grippy sole also make the sale price feel especially worthwhile compared to similar leather sandals that are often closer to $90 or $100.

Related: Clarks' Wedge Sandals Provide 'Excellent Arch Support,' and They're Now 50% Off at JCPenney

If your summer shoe lineup needs something more versatile than a rubber slide, the Clarks Arwell Glide Sandals are a great pair to grab at this low price. They’re nice enough for casual dinner plans but practical enough to wear all day, which makes them an easy pair to reach for again and again. Be sure to shop them while the limited-time sale is still live.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

Donald Trump announced some pretty impressive shopping news on Monday, July 6. In a post on Truth Social, the president revealed that Walmart will lower prices. And one of the most notable deals is a 15% reduction in the price of ground beef (per pound). 

Based on his recent post, Trump is a superfan of the superstore. He writes, “Great news! I have just been informed that one of the biggest, best, and smartest Retailers in America, Walmart, will be lowering prices by a lot.” 

If you’re wondering why Walmart has made this somewhat surprising (but totally welcome) decision, Trump provides shoppers with an answer. Per his post, the big-box retailer made the change, “At my Administration's request to celebrate our great Country’s 250th birthday.”

Trump also gets into specifics: “Walmart will, in particular, be dropping the price for a pound of ground beef by almost 15% among many other products. This is a huge deal for the many millions of Americans who, smartly, shop at Walmart, which is a truly patriotic company who loves the U.S.A.” 

The USDA estimates that the cost of food could rise by 3.2% in 2026. While there’s no debating the rising cost of just about everything, the cause is complex. Trump claims in his Truth Social post, “My Administration is lowering prices that Joe Biden incompetently raised with the worst inflation crisis in history.” Despite Trump’s position on the matter, there is no evidence that Biden single-handedly caused inflation. 

Is Walmart really lowering prices?

Yes! Walmart is really lowering prices. Items targeted for a price drop include ground beef, fresh sweet corn on the cob, fresh red cherries, Great Value ice cream, Lay’s Classic Potato Chips, Frito-Lay Family Fun Variety Pack, Great Value Disposable Paper Plates, Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and Diet Mountain Dew. 

Even though Trump touts an almost 15% decrease in the price of ground beef, Walmart states it will drop the per-pound cost of 73% Fresh Ground Beef Roll from $6.74 to $5.94. This change is just under 12%. 

According to the company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Merchant, Julie Barber, in a press release Walmart issued on July 6, “This summer, we’re making even more investments in price, with thousands of Rollbacks across the products customers are shopping for the most, including beef, fresh produce and beverages, grills, pools, toys and summer fashion apparel.” 

The statement continues, “Whether they’re stocking up for a backyard barbecue, heading out on vacation or simply shopping for the week ahead, we’re helping everyone save more for every occasion.”

But wait, it gets better. Walmart isn't the only retailer lowering prices. Sam’s Club, which is also owned by Walmart, is reducing the cost of 250 items, including Member’s Mark Bone-In Chicken Wings, Member’s Mark Beef Hot Dogs, Member’s Mark Ground Beef, and Member’s Mark Whole Bone-In Pork Back Ribs. 

Walmart’s price reductions are real. But the retailer made no mention of Donald Trump or his administration’s influence in the press release.

Taylor Swiftand Travis Kelce's wedding was packed with unforgettable celebrity moments including one couple who made it Instagram official.

Just days after the star-studded celebration at New York City's Madison Square Garden, Brad Pittand girlfriendInes de Ramon gave fans one of their rarest glimpses into their relationship when photos from the evening surfaced on Instagram.

The images, shared Monday, July 6, by hairstylist Laurie Zanoletti, showed the couple embracing before heading to the wedding. Pitt, 62, wore a classic tuxedo with a bow tie and dark sunglasses, while de Ramon, 33, opted for a fitted black lace gown paired with teardrop earrings and a sleek high ponytail. The gallery post featured two photos featuring the duo together, with one seemingly showing Pitt leaning in for a kiss.

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"My favorite lovers @inesdrmn & Brad Pitt for an incredible moment in nyc🤍🥹," Zanoletti captioned the post. Ramon reshared the pics to her Instagram Story, pairing the images with Swift's "Lover," followed by "Delicate." The post marked the first time Ramon publicly shared photos featuring Pitt on her social media.

On Zanoletti’s original post, fans were quick to leave their thoughts in the comments.

ADD MORE: This ‘70s Music Icon Turned Down Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Wedding Invitation

“THE WAY I SCREAMED😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL!!!!” one exclaimed.

“Power couple❤️‍🔥,” another wrote, while a third said, “Love looks so good on them both !!!”

The couple, who have been romantically linked since 2022, have largely kept their relationship out of the spotlight outside of the occasional red carpet appearances together.

Their date night unfolded at what was arguably the celebrity event of the summer. Following the ceremony, guests were treated to a lavish reception at Madison Square Garden that reportedly included surprise performances fromPaul McCartney, who sang the Beatles classic "I Want to Hold Your Hand," and Stevie Nicks. Other reports reveal the big night had over a thousand guests in attendance.

Related: This ‘70s Music Icon Turned Down Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Wedding Invitation

Elder, the acclaimed heavy psychedelic rock band behind the standout album Lore, has dropped a major surprise amid its ongoing tour.

The band, which was formed by vocalist and guitarist Nick DiSalvo alongside bassist Jack Donovan, guitarist and keyboardist Mike Risberg and drummer Georg Edert, announced its 2027 tour dates.

The quartet is welcoming the new year with a bang by unveiling a headlining European and U.K. tour.

The 21-date run kicks off in Oberhausen, Germany, on Feb. 3, followed by shows in major cities across Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden before wrapping up in London, U.K., on Feb. 27.

Nick DiSalvo of Elder performs at Tuska Festival 2022 in Helsinki, Finland.

Miikka Skaffari/Redferns

Apart from the massive run, Elder will be joined by the Amsterdam-based heavy psychedelic rock band Temple Fang for the European run, while the Chicago-based heavy psych-rock and psychedelic metal band REZN joins for a few dates for the U.K. shows.

Feb. 3: Oberhausen, DE @ Kulttempel
Feb. 4: Brussels, BE @ Botanique
Feb. 5: Amsterdam, NL @ Melkweg
Feb. 6: Hamburg, DE @ Gruenspan
Feb. 8: Gothenburg, SE @ Monument
Feb. 9: Oslo, NO @ Rockefeller Music Hall
Feb. 11: Stockholm, SE @ Kollektivet Livet
Feb. 12: Copenhagen, DK @ Pumpehuset
Feb. 13: Berlin, DE @ Festsaal Kreuzberg
Feb. 14: Leipzig, DE @ UT Connewitz
Feb. 16: Prague, CZ @ Futurum Music Bar
Feb. 17: Vienna, AT @ Flex
Feb. 18: Munich, DE @ Technikum
Feb. 19: Zurich, CH @ Plaza Klub
Feb. 20: Saarbrücken, DE @ Garage
Feb. 21: Paris, FR @ Le Trabendo
Feb. 23: Bristol, UK @ Trinity Centre
Feb. 24: Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Feb. 25: Glasgow, UK @ The Garage
Feb. 26: Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
Feb. 27: London, UK @ Electric Brixton

The announcement of Elder's upcoming 2027 tour follows the release of the band's new album, Through Zero.

Elder officially unveiled its seventh full-length studio album in May, led by the title track "Through Zero" as its first single.

The band described the album as one that highlights its signature sound while introducing new influences.

“Having long since mastered crushing riffs, melodic jaunts, progressive patterns, hypnotic grooves and ethereal atmospherics, Elder return with their most immediate record to date. On Through Zero, the band lets seeds from outside the sphere of rock to take root and bloom within their progressive framework. Listeners will find new textures, sequences and sounds woven into Elder's endlessly bombastic take on heavy rock,” the band wrote on its official website.

The six-track album includes "Sigil To Ruin," "Capture/Release," "Through Zero," "Strata," "Endless Return" and "Sight Unseen."

Currently, Elder has completed the first leg of its summer tour and is continuing to hit the road throughout July with performances in Poland, Germany, Italy and other countries, including headlining shows and festival appearances.

Related: '80s Rock Band, Disbanded for Seven Years, Ranked Among 'Greatest Supergroups' of All Time

A song that was born from a deep grief continues to be a timeless classic years later that still resonates with people everywhere. The song in question is Eric Clapton's 1991 track "Tears in Heaven," which he wrote after the death of his son.

In early 1991, Clapton's 4-year-old son died in a tragic accident. While going through the intense loss, Clapton expressed his feelings through his music. He wrote the ballad "Tears in Heaven" with Will Jennings soon after his son Conor's death, the same year. It was released on the soundtrack for the film Rush, which was a crime drama starring Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jason Patric.

Early the next year, Clapton performed the track live for MTV Unplugged. Along with "Tears in Heaven," he also played the songs "Layla," "Running on Faith," and "San Francisco Bay Blues," and many more. He then released the performance as his live album, Unplugged, later in the year.

"Tears in Heaven" was a huge success. It remains Clapton's best-selling single in the United States, peaking at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also won him three Grammys, including Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year.

Related: ’80s Rock Icon Says He Would "Rather Die" Than Reunite With Former Bandmates

In an interview he gave alongside the Unplugged performance, Clapton explained how the song came to be. He said that he was working on a song for the film Rush that "needed to illustrate loss, because of what happens in the movie."

Clapton went on, "And it was a good opportunity for me to write about my son, about the loss of my son, and also have somewhere to put it, to channel it. And I really wanted to say something about what had happened to me, and the opportunity the movie gave me was excellent."

Conor was the son Clapton shared with his former partner, model Lory Del Santo. He also had a daughter named Ruth before Conor's birth, and later welcomed kids Julie, Ella, and Sophie.

Related: ’90s Rock Band Announces First New Album in 28 Years

It's pretty rare for an instrumental song to go all the way to the top of the charts, but in May of 1982, one now-iconic track managed to do just that. Of course, the fact that it was the theme for an Oscar-winning blockbuster probably helped a bit.

Written by Greek composer Vangelis, "Chariots of Fire" was the theme for the movie of the same name, which was one of the highest-grossing flicks of 1981. Originally, the theme was simply called "Titles," because it played during the film's opening title sequence. The name was changed after it started climbing the charts.

The sweeping, hopeful song was the perfect fit for a heartfelt historical drama about two young British runners and the challenges they face on their road to success at the Olympics.

"Chariots of Fire" was more than moving; it was also groundbreaking. As Greg Evans of Deadline noted in his obituary for Vangelis, who died in 2022 at the age of 79, the theme combined "orchestral music, electronic synth sounds, jazz and ambient to create a then-new sound for the film that seemed to provide the musical equivalent of the ocean waves that crashed as the story’s Olympic runners sprinted down the beach."

It makes sense that "Chariots of Fire" ended up being used at the actual Olympics, multiple times, starting with the 1984 Summer and Winter Olympics. As Yahoo Sports reported, the song had a major presence at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where it was played during the opening ceremony and during each medal ceremony.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, "Chariots of Fire" has been featured in countless TV shows and other movies, usually to comedic effect (such as Mr. Mom and National Lampoon's Vacation).

All these years later, "Chariots of Fire" — ranked at #63 on a list of the "Top 75 Movie Songs of All Time" by Billboard — remains instantly recognizable.

"With those six notes, Vangelis gets across a combination of exhilaration and contemplation," wrote Tom Breihan for Stereogum in 2020. "If those runners hadn't been moving in slow motion, it never would've worked. But combined with those images, the music evokes a feeling of achievement and glory, of time slowing down when you're doing something great."

Related: 1979 Classic Ballad Won an Oscar for 'Best Original Song' 47 Years Ago

Few songs evoke the feeling of a warm summer evening quite like "Summer Breeze."

When Seals and Crofts released the song in 1972, its gentle acoustic melody, lush harmonies and vivid imagery made it an instant standout. The soft rock classic climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the duo's signature recordings. More than two decades later, the song took on an entirely different personality when gothic metal band Type O Negative recorded its own unforgettable interpretation.

The original captured the quiet joys of everyday life.

Written by Jim Seals and Dash Crofts, "Summer Breeze" paints a picture of returning home after a long day, finding comfort in family, nature and the simple pleasures of the season. Its easygoing arrangement and warm vocal harmonies helped define the emerging soft rock sound of the early 1970s, while its nostalgic lyrics made it a perennial favorite on classic hits and adult contemporary radio.

"It gives me this warm feeling," Crofts once said of the song, describing an "8-Track Flashback," and a "feeling of security and belonging."

The song also became the duo's breakthrough hit.

"I was raised around classical music," Crofts said of his partnership with Seals in a 1971 interview. "Jimmy was raised around, oh, country-rock. Then we both evolved through all kinds of rock - kind of country, kind of classical, jazz...all kinds of music. We've known each other most of our lives - we're both originally from Texas - and we worked in groups together, but never together as a duo or never together on these particular instruments, so it's really a brand new beginning for both of us."

"Summer Breeze" introduced Seals and Crofts to a national audience, paving the way for later successes including "Diamond Girl," "We May Never Pass This Way (Again)" and "Get Closer." Over the decades, its unmistakable opening guitar figure has become synonymous with summertime, road trips and relaxing vacations.

Then came one of rock's most unexpected cover versions.

In 1993, Brooklyn-based metal band Type O Negative included "Summer Breeze" on its breakthrough album Bloody Kisses. Rather than recreating the sunny optimism of the original, the band slowed the tempo, tuned its guitars lower and surrounded the melody with haunting keyboards, thunderous riffs and Peter Steele's unmistakably deep baritone. The result transformed a peaceful soft rock ballad into a dark, atmospheric gothic metal epic while preserving the strength of the original songwriting.

The dramatic contrast between the two recordings demonstrated the remarkable versatility of Seals and Crofts' composition. One version celebrates the warmth and tranquility of summer evenings, while the other explores the same melody through an eerie, brooding soundscape. Despite their differences, both have earned devoted followings and remain favorites within their respective genres.

More than 50 years after its original release, "Summer Breeze" continues to soundtrack vacations, backyard evenings and carefree summer days. Reimagined by Type O Negative 21 years later, the beloved classic proved that truly great songs can thrive in almost any musical style while never losing the qualities that made them unforgettable.

Related: '70s Soft Rock Legend and Member of Iconic Rock Band Turns 81

Kylian Mbappé is slamming Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla for her racist comments after France's 2026 World Cup win over Paraguay.

The comments, which saw Amarilla, 61, call Mbappé, 27, a "colonized Cameroonian," came after a contentious game between the two on Saturday, in which France defeated Paraguay 1-0 to advance to the quarter-finals.

"Cameroonian colonized, pretending hard to be French, resentful, newly rich, arrogant and ugly," Amarilla captioned the post, which was translated from Spanish to English. "He was nervous and scared to death the whole game, like his whole team. They couldn't score a goal. They won by penalty."

The senator's comments didn't stop there. Amarilla said she wished the team, nicknamed La Albirroja, had slapped Mbappé with an "open hand" after the match.

She continued, "The only thing that many of us complain about Albirroja is that we didn't slap him with an open hand after the match ended. And that I'm not a fan of football."

Amarilla, who, per The Athletic, has served in the Senate of the Republic of Paraguay since 2023, made more racist remarks about Mbappé on X earlier that evening, referring to him as a "brute" who "didn't even learn to write." She also compared him to a chimpanzee, writing that "instead of mother's milk, he sucked on coconuts."

Bruto no aprendió ni a escribir, en vez de leche materna chupaba cocos y lo más instruido que escucho eran chimpancés. Le hubieras mostrado el dedo Orlando Gill, yo lo hago en el senado y no pasa nada !!! https://t.co/9TAVQoGVsb

— Celeste Senadora (@CelesteSenadora) July 5, 2026

The French national team captain responded to Amarilla on Monday, July 6, also taking to X, where he called her a "despicable woman" who does not represent Paraguay or its national team.

"Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position," Mbappé wrote in the post, which was translated from French to English. "You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition."

The soccer star continued, "Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country."

Madame Celeste Amarilla,
Vous êtes une femme méprisable et indigne de sa fonction.
Vous ne représentez pas le Paraguay, ce pays qui a transpiré la passion et l’honneur tout au long de la compétition. Par votre inconscience et votre racisme décomplexé, le monde entier a déjà… pic.twitter.com/EnYmgQXvPL

— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) July 6, 2026

The French Football Federation (FFF) also issued a statement on Monday defending the Paris-born player and calling Amarilla's "racist" remarks "completely abusive and unacceptable."

"How can one hold such a speech? These words are disgraceful and reprehensible," the FFF's press release read. "They must be prosecuted here as well as elsewhere. The FFF is reporting this matter to the prosecutor's office for the purpose of prosecution."

The organization added that it "gives its full support to its captain, players and, more generally, to all victims of such hateful words."

"These words dishonor those who utter them and those who spread them," the statement concluded. "The players of the Équipe de France represent France. It's our country that is being insulted."

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Summer is in full swing, and it's time to break out your favorite warm-weather basics. If you’ve been looking for a cute pair of shorts that you can easily throw on in hot temperatures, the Sunbs Athletic Shorts at Walmart are a classic bestseller that are now on sale for over 65% off. The versatile closet staple is easy to pair with anything from tank tops to hoodies, and they're marked down to as low as $12 right now. 

These cute shorts are available in sizes extra small to 2XL and come in six stylish colors that will effortlessly complement a wide range of pieces in your wardrobe. Though the gray and black options are available at the lowest price, you can also shop it in black-gray, coffee, dark green, and khaki at $13 to $15. 

Sunbs Athletic Shorts, From $12 (was $36) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

No matter which color you choose, these casual shorts are comfy enough to wear for a variety of occasions, whether you're heading to the gym, running errands, or just lounging around the house. They feature a stretchy, elastic waistband with an adjustable drawstring tie that you can tighten or loosen to find the best fit. The fit is flowy and relaxed, with two convenient side pockets that are ideal for stashing phones, keys, lip balm, and other small essentials. 

Made from 53% cotton and 47% polyester, the high-waisted shorts are soft, breathable, and designed to feel gentle against the skin. The sweat-absorbing material is comfortable and lightweight, making it perfect for warm temperatures. They're also easy to style, pairing effortlessly with tanks, tees, and sweaters. 

The Sunbs shorts have earned 120 five-star ratings from Walmart shoppers, who complimented their "flattering" fit and versatile look. One reviewer said they're "great summer lounge shorts," while another called them "cute" and "comfortable." A third buyer said they're "super comfy" and perfect for everyday wear. 

Shop More Deals

• Fantaslook Elastic Waist Shorts, $14 (was $27) at Walmart
• Fancyglim Casual Shorts, $12 (was $25) at Walmart
• Rosvigor Women's Top, $12 (was $22) at Walmart

Related: Walmart's $27 Cotton Pajama Set Is 'Super Soft,' 'Comfortable,' and Comes In 24 Colors

The Sunbs Athletic Shorts are an easy wardrobe staple that you'll reach for on repeat all summer long. They're cute, lightweight, and versatile enough to wear for a range of occasions. Grab a pair while they're still on sale for as low as $12 at Walmart. 

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales, twice a week.

You’ll solve today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle in record time if you follow the clues. One answer pertains to your foot, while another may remind you of childhood. As for the rest, that’s up to you. Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can't forget about the NYT's The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for "The Crossword," a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you're working on today's Mini Crossword on Tuesday, July 7, and need some help (I've been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both "Across" and "Down" words, followed by "Across Answers" and "Down Answers," so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Body part exposed in a sandal — HINT: Ends with the letter "E"

4 Across: With 7-Across, zen state of mind —HINT: Starts with the letter "I"

7 Across: See 4-Across — HINT: Ends with the letter "E"

8 Across: Goldman ___ (investment bank) — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"

9 Across: Many a kid's gift — HINT: Starts with the letter "T"

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Hits the "15%" or "20%" button, say — HINT: Starts with the letter "T"

2 Down: ___-Day (vitamin brand) — HINT: Starts with the letter "O"

3 Down: Vote into law — HINT: Ends with the letter "T"

5 Down: Word shouted into a canyon — HINT: Starts with the letter "E"

6 Down: Table booking website — HINT: Ends with the letter "Y"

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Don't go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today's Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Body part exposed in a sandal — TOE

4 Across: With 7-Across, zen state of mind —INNER

7 Across: See 4-Across — PEACE

8 Across: Goldman ___ (investment bank) — SACHS

9 Across: Many a kid's gift — TOY

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Hits the "15%" or "20%" button, say — TIPS

2 Down: ___-Day (vitamin brand) — ONEA

3 Down: Vote into law — ENACT

5 Down: Word shouted into a canyon — ECHO

6 Down: Table booking website — RESY

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Monday, July 6, 2026

Fans of classic sitcoms who have access to Netflix have only weeks left before a beloved TV series leaves the platform, as Home Improvement is joining a bunch of other movies and TV shows leaving the streamer on Aug. 1.

The show, which ran from 1991 to 1999 and has a total of eight seasons, stars Tim Allen as Tim Taylor, a family man who has his own show called "Tool Time." As with a lot of sitcoms, the plot follows Tim amid his chaotic life with his wife Jill, played by Patricia Richardson, and their three kids. This includes the oldest named Brad (Zachery Ty Bryan), the middle child Randy (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), and the youngest, Mark (Taran Noah Smith).

While the show aired in the 1990s, it still has plenty of fans, both new and old, and it finally came to Netflix in early 2025. But for those who have had Home Improvement on their watchlist and still haven't started it, they need to get on it now. All eight seasons will be gone by the start of next month.

Home Improvement isn't the only show or film leaving in August. Other shows include Fear the Walking Dead, A Discovery of Witches, and Better Than Us, among others. Some notable movies also disappearing from the platform are Triple 9, 27 Dresses, Father of the Bride, Ouija, Pretty Woman, and many more.

While it's possible that Home Improvement could return to Netflix in the future with another streaming deal, it likely wouldn't be anytime soon.

Related: Home Improvement Cast Reunites, With Fans Saying They Look "Amazing"

A reboot series of Home Improvement has also been in talks for a while now, but it's currently paused due to difficulties securing original cast members, according to Allen's comments about the project in a recent interview with Us Weekly.

He told the publication, "They keep talking about how it could move forward, but they get stuck [because] there are some personality problems right now with the boys... That’s a little challenging right now, to put it mildly." It remains to be seen if the reboot ever gets off the ground.

Related: Kelly Clarkson Has Fans Counting Down After Long-Awaited Music Announcement

As Joni Mitchell once said, she "was an albums artist, not a singles artist. And that’s got nothing to do with the hit parade.” Of course, Mitchell became one of the most legendary singer-songwriters of her generation even without any number one hits...but that doesn't mean she didn't know how to write one.

After Mitchell's managers, David Geffen and Elliot Roberts, started Asylum Records, she signed with the fledgling label to record her classic 1972 album For the Roses. According to Rolling Stone, when Geffen tried to persuade Mitchell to write a hit single, she rose to the occasion with the sweet, almost silly love song, "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio."

While Geffen later said "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio" was "almost kind of making fun of my attempt for her to write a hit record,” the song still stands as one of Mitchell's beloved. It also happens to feature another iconic musician on the harmonica: Graham Nash.

"I've never had a hit record in America so I got together with some friends and we decided we were going to make this hit — conjure up this bit of magic for AM radio, destined to appeal to DJs," Mitchell explained in a 1972 interview with Sounds Magazine.

"Graham and David [Crosby] came and Neil [Young] lent me his band and he came and played some guitar and somehow it didn't work," she continued. "There were too many chefs you know. We had a terrific evening, a lot of fun, and the track is nice, but it's just...it's like when you do a movie with a cast of thousands. Somehow I prefer movies with unknowns. So I'm going to start looking for people who are untried, who have a different kind of enthusiasm that comes from wanting to support the artist."

In the end, only Nash's unforgettable harmonica riff can be heard on the track that made the album, though Mitchell released a demo version of "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio" in 2023 with Young on guitar.

Joni Mitchell

Gijsbert Hanekroot / Getty Images

Mitchell went on to say that before writing the tune, she "decided there were some ways to make a hit, increase the chances."

“DJs have to like it, so you put a long part at the beginning and the end so the DJs can talk over it. Take a tender situation and translate it into commonly appealing songs for the DJs. It’d have to be a bit corny," she quipped, per Far Out.

Indeed, Mitchell even called herself out in the lyrics:

If you're driving into town with a dark cloud above you
Dial in the number who's bound to love you
Oh honey, you turn me on, I'm a radio
I'm a country station, I'm a little bit corny
I'm a Wildwood flower waving for you
Broadcasting tower waving for you

While "You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio" didn't exactly top the charts, it did end up qualifying as a hit: The song peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and #10 in Canada and spent a total 16 weeks on the charts.

Related: 1974 No. 1 Soft Rock Hit, Originally Considered a Throwaway, Ranked One of the 'Greatest Songs of All Time'