I may be slightly obsessed.

What has happened at the 2026 World Cup over the last 48 hours:

• Swiss footballer Embolo's visa was put under review and he was only able to join his team days later.

• Iraqi national team player Aymen Hussein was held for questioning for nearly 7 hours upon entering the United States.

• The Iranian national team spent days dealing with visa procedures at the U.S. Consulate in Türkiye. The U.S. only allowed them entry on match days. Fifteen members of the delegation were denied visas.

• Omar Abdulkadir Artan, named CAF's Best African Referee of 2025, was denied a visa. Despite travelling to the U.S. with a diplomatic passport, he was refused entry and sent back. FIFA announced that he will not be able to officiate at the tournament.

• The South African national team arrived in the United States much later than planned because part of the delegation was not granted visas.

• Members of the Senegal national team staff were forced to remove their shoes and subjected to lengthy searches, sparking accusations of racism.

• The Uzbekistan national team was searched with bomb-sniffing dogs and the footage went viral in international media.

• Some Scottish supporters, despite being eligible to enter the U.S. visa-free under the ESTA programme, had their travel authorisations revoked just days before departure.

• Many supporters who had already bought tickets and booked accommodation had their visa applications rejected, resulting in financial losses.

~

Merlin frowned. “You don’t think your dead Mum would approve of me?”

“You have a criminal record!” Arthur screeched.

“It was a caution! God, you graffiti one bus stop one time and nobody ever lets it go.”

“I think you’re omitting a crucial detail.”

“Oh, you are such a tory sometimes! For the last time, it was an expression of my political consciousness—“

“Be gay do crime? That’s the ethos of your politic?”

“Exactly! And from what I know about your Mum, that sounds right up her street.”

“Merlin,” Arthur said, in that way that made Merlin’s name into a full sentence.

“What? You can’t tell me that photo of her and your godmother is not giving girlfriends.”

Arthur sat up, outraged. “Aunt Nim did not shag my Mum! Do not put that image in my head!”

Merlin held back a laugh. He changed tactics. “She’d like me more than your Dad does, that’s for sure.”

“That’s true. I don’t think he’s ever going to get over The Incident.”

“No, well, your Dad catching us in flagrante in a disabled loo was never going to do wonders for our relationship.”

“I think Mum would have found that funny,” Arthur admitted. He settled his head back in Merlin’s lap. “I love you,” he said quietly. “You make me happy. I think that would be enough for her.”

> disables a new AI feature that was turned on by default

> opens my email

> disables a new AI feature that was turned on by default

> launches a software

does not want to be a dull

husk of a human.

Colin Morgan as Kerry in the new trailer for Season 5 of Trying, releasing weekly on Apple TV+ starting July 8th

And the answer is, we don't.

The unhoused people who come here seeking refuge 99% of the time understand that they will be kicked out if they misbehave.

The people you have to watch out for are Jessica, who only came because the kid she didn't want had to visit for a homework assignment and she just *needs* to yell at her child for asking to borrow two books or stay an extra five minutes, or Michael, who came in to look at porn on our computers for whatever fucking reason, or Karen who just wanted to come by to throw a fit that the particular book she wanted was checked out and harrass our staff about our collection being too limited.

And we did what we could to help. He was incredibly kind and patient despite his obvious anxiety and stress, more than most able bodied, housed patrons are to us under much less dire conditions. I liked knowing that we were the first place he came.

We have so many people like this who come in everyday. Many are quiet and keep to themselves, but sometimes they talk to us.

They tell us about how they're taking a few courses on a scholarship they applied for from our library's computer at the local community college to get their diploma. Or ask about a manga or dvd or book we might have to help them pass the time.

One woman, who comes in daily with her tattered walker always says hello to me and likes to work on the new jigsaw puzzle with me when we set one out.

So like, treat unhoused people like people. Treat disabled people like people. I don't want my library to feel like the only safe space in the world, but I'm glad it can be one of them.

WOW I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS MY FAVORITE TELEVISION SERIES OF ALL TIME (it's not out yet)

Canon era | mutual pining | Arthur POV

Arthur knew he was doing something wrong. He knew it was improper to look at anyone for so long and so intently. Especially at an official reception. Especially while sitting beside the king. Arthur was perfectly aware that he ought to be more cautious.

Even if that someone was his own manservant. Even if he had known him for years, shared bread and salt with him, and lived through a hundred scrapes at his side.

But whenever Arthur noticed Merlin staring quite openly at his prince’s lips…

Not even with curiosity, but with longing. With hunger.

In moments like that, Arthur himself wanted to forget everything in the world, throw all caution aside, and claim those soft, inviting lips with shameless greed.

But, of course, that would be wrong.