Protests have taken place around the world calling for action to avert environmental catastrophe.
From London to Sydney, here's a look at some of the millions of people joining the global youth climate strike.
People shared some of their favorite signs on Twitter as well:
And in a recent social media video, the pair were so convincing about the 'sexy' power of the newly opened Obama Presidential Center in Chicago that it's got the internet feeling ... well, a bit randy, frankly.
In the video, the Obamas describe the center as the perfect date location for young singles.
And the pair know of what they speak. In the caption, Michelle wrote that she and Barack's romance started off in a very similar location:
"Barack and I went to a museum on our first date. So take it from us: the Obama Presidential Center campus has just the right vibe for you and your boo. 💕"
In the video itself, she says that if Barack had taken her to the Obama Presidential Center on that first date, it would have sealed the deal.
“This would have been the date here. This would have been like, ‘Oh, this dude is cool.’"
Why? Because of its "sexy" surroundings.
"...[T]his is a sexy environment, I’m sorry, this is a date vibe.”
Politics aren't exactly anyone's idea of sexy. Brains and charisma on the other hand? Absolutely, and since both Obamas have those in spades, the space surely does too.
The former President sure seemed convinced. As his wife spoke about the Center's date potential, all he had to say was a "mmmhmm." Oh they got DOWN after this video didn't they...
Anyway, the former First Lady went on to expound on just how perfect the Obama Center is for a perfect date.
"...[T]here’s those cozy sofas after you’ve had a date and then you put your arm around your date, and then we talk about life. And it gives you a chance to see if your date knows anything about the world.”
The Obamas also suggested bringing a blanket to lay in the manicured lawns around the center. Who knows what might happen there! (Though you should probably use whatever goes down as a warm-up only, if you don't, you know, want to be arrested.)
In any case, what most shined through in the video was the Obamas' palpable desire for each other after all these years.
And it had people in the comments a liiiiittle hot and bothered.
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A Presidential library may not be everyone's idea of date night, but in these times? That whole learning about what your partner knows about the world thing that the former FLOTUS mentioned has perhaps never been more important date banter!
Even so, gas prices have steadily eased in recent weeks. The national average fell to $3.86 a gallon on Monday, according to AAA, down from $4.39 a month earlier and marking the sixth consecutive week of declines—a trend attributed to shifting conditions in the Middle East and the Iran war.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump demanded gas stations immediately lower gasoline prices, arguing that retail prices remain too high given that oil has fallen to about $68 per barrel and is continuing to decline. He also criticized California's gasoline taxes, claiming they are excessively high, and blamed state leaders for inflating fuel prices.
He wrote:
"Gasoline Retailers must get their Prices down, IMMEDIATELY! They’re too high considering that Oil is now at $68 a Barrel, and heading south. The Retailers must quickly react to this statement, and do what they know is right — DROP YOUR PRICE FOR OUR GREAT AMERICAN PEOPLE!"
"There will be no gauging, which is totally illegal. If Retailers don’t do this, big problems lie ahead! Start targeting around the $2.50 a Gallon number, and California should stop charging such heavy Taxes on their Gasoline."
"Soon the Tax will be higher than the Product itself, and the United States will not stand for it, nor will the People of California, who are being abused by these ridiculous Taxes, and by their own Government."
You can see Trump's post below.
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Trump's rant comes as public sentiment has soured on the economy; recent surveys show that roughly two-thirds of Americans disapprove of Trump's economic stewardship, while a majority say their personal financial situation is deteriorating.
It was only weeks ago that Trump said he doesn't "think about Americans' financial situation" when negotiating terms with Iran—and people think he's now panicking, desperate to save face.
Trump's demand coincided with reports that shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is rebounding somewhat after tit-for-tat strikes between the U.S. and Iran over the weekend.
Although fighting flared again after Iran targeted a Qatar-operated oil tanker, a Singapore-flagged cargo ship, and U.S. military bases in the Gulf, both sides ultimately agreed to step back from further escalation and restore safe commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The de-escalation comes under a delicate 60-day ceasefire reached on June 17, when Trump signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding with Tehran seeking to end the war and revive talks over Iran's nuclear program. Negotiations are being handled by Vice President JD Vance, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
The controversy escalated when the Pixar team discussed technological advancements that helped bring Blaze's distinctive curls to life onscreen.
Pixar visual effects supervisor Thomas Jordan explained the breakthrough behind Blaze's hair technology:
"We have a character named Blaze with beautiful, long, tight, curly hair, which is something we have not been able to do before…”
You can view the so-called controversial posting below:
Jordan explained that recent technological advances finally allowed animators to accurately recreate the character’s hair texture and movement.
Pixar also includes smaller details that resonated with many viewers, such as a moment when Blaze wakes up with her bonnet partially slipped off—a familiar experience for many people who wear bonnets overnight to help protect textured hair.
Reflecting on past impediments in animated technology, Jordan added:
"And with very recent technological breakthroughs, we finally solved that."
For many viewers, the announcement was a welcome example of animation technology evolving to better reflect the real world. For some MAGA-aligned commenters, however, it became the latest excuse to launch another culture-war tantrum.
Instagram users quickly flooded comment sections with complaints that Blaze's inclusion was proof of Disney and Pixar's supposed "DEI" agenda. Never mind that the conversation centered on animation technology. Never mind that Blaze is simply a child in a movie populated by talking toys. The outrage machine had already found its latest target.
As you can see, the reaction was as predictable as it was absurd:
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If anything, the backlash says far more about the people shouting "DEI" than it does about the film itself.
What makes the outrage particularly strange is that Blaze's design incorporates details many viewers immediately recognized from their own lives. Supporters were quick to point out the obvious: a mixed-race child appearing in a movie is not controversial, and neither is Pixar using new technology to improve character animation.
For audiences who rarely see those details represented in major animated films, the response was overwhelmingly positive:
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For most viewers, Blaze is simply a new character in the ever-expanding Toy Story universe—one whose presence resonates with audiences who are happy to see themselves reflected onscreen. The character is voiced by Emmy Award-winning actress Mykal-Michelle Harris, who recalled her excitement after learning she had landed the role.
She said about the moment:
"It was loud, but it was a crazy time in our house. My mom gets off the phone, and she turns to me, and she says, 'You are going to be in Toy Story 5.' And we all just started screaming."
Harris, who previously appeared in mixed-ish, Raven's Home, and Disney Jr.'s Ariel, now joins one of Disney and Pixar's most iconic franchises.
In the end, Toy Story has spent decades teaching audiences about friendship, empathy, and embracing those who are different. It's hard to imagine Woody, Buzz, or Jessie having much patience for people turning a child's hairstyle into the internet's latest manufactured controversy.
And judging by the overwhelmingly positive response from fans, most people seem far more interested in watching toys come to life than debating whether an animated little girl's curls are the end of Western civilization.
