World 200-meter freestyle champion William Ellard broke his own world record to win the event’s opening competition of the Singapore World Para-swimming Championships.
The 19-year-old improved his pace in Singapore by winning the race in 1:51.08. He set the record for his first Paralympics at Paris 2024 with a time of one minute 51.30 seconds.
Ellard expressed satisfaction with the achievement but desired to move more quickly.
He continued, “I feel really good, but I was hoping to go a little faster, maybe 1: 50.00 or 1: 49.00.” “I think I left too quickly, and it got to me,” I thought. Instead of the swim itself, I was thinking about the time.
On day one, Great Britain won eight more medals, including two golds.
In the women’s 200-meter freestyle S14, Poppy Maskill won her first individual world title, and Louise Fiddes came in third.
Brock Whiston was the only British competitor in the 400-meter freestyle S8 competition, and Alice Tai drew the win.
Iona Winnifrith, 14, won bronze in the women’s 200-meter individual medley SM7, while Ellie Challis, 14, earned the 12th world championship medal of her career with a second-placed finish in the women’s 50m breaststroke SB2.
Great Britain completed day one with another double podium, this time in the women’s 100-meter backstroke S12.
On Stranded On Honeymoon Island, BBC star Millie Thompson, a PR professional, and a therapist discuss the rise of marriage and Millie’s notorious “ick list.”
Why is marriage is in all our dating reality TV shows? (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/CPL Productions)
After years of being intimate with and loving someone, marriage is something many people choose to do. Millie Thompson, however, is not. After talking for five minutes with her husband, she realized he would be the one who would get the other end of the aisle.
The model from Cheshire was one of the brides who decided to marry a stranger on the BBC’s latest dating show, Stranded On Honeymoon Island. The show, described as Married At First Sight (MAFS) meets Survivor, follows several couples, who have all been matched together after a round of speed dating and get married before being dumped on a remote island to see if they can survive together – literally. And it’s just one of a series of dating shows that requires its contestants to get married as part of the show.
MAFS, Love Is Blind, and Stranded On Honeymoon Island – they’re all popular dating shows that include marriage as part of the game plan in some way. More and more, viewers watch as people who have never met each other or only heard each other speak before walk down the aisle and get hitched. But why? Why is marriage becoming such a staple of dating shows? And why would someone get married to a stranger on TV?
Millie Thompson married a stranger on Stranded On Honeymoon Island(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/CPL Productions)
Millie exclusively told The Mirror about why she went on a show that asks you to marry someone you don’t know. “I thought, ‘Well, at least I can actually get married’. Somebody can out me with somebody that I could potentially be compatible with and I can get married. The whole thought of picking my dress and my hair, I was really looking forward to it,” she explained.
Millie never anticipated getting married. Her “type” had previously not really worked out for her. The 30-year-old on the show explained to The Mirror how she was “struggling” with dating and how she always seemed to attract the wrong man.
Millie remarked, “It was sort of a last resort for me to watch the show.” “I really struggle to find people to date and try to find them.” My type isn’t functioning, and it’s not doing so for a reason.
Millie joined the cast as a ‘last resort’ as she thought she’d never get married(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/CPL Productions)
Unfortunately, Millie and her partner Jordan were unable to end their union when they were given the chance to end it.
Other people liked the show, including BACP registered therapist Emma Cullinan, who watched it. She explained to The Mirror that she thought there was a low likelihood of such marriages being successful and that she understood why someone might want to get married.
She said, “We’ve grown up with fairytales.” You marry and live happily ever after their conclusion. The two components come together, that is the construction. You marry, and you have a happy ending. However, in these programs, the theme is “You get married, now let’s look at the car crash.”
She continued, adding that she believed the producers weren’t interested in a happy marriage, which is why they might mix up ex-partners, as recently happened on Stranded On Honeymoon Island, or why two people with different attachment styles might be matched, as has recently happened on MAFS.
Emma says the producers on shows like MAFS UK don’t always have smooth marriages on their minds(Image: Channel 4)
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Why do these shows include it if producers don’t want a smooth marriage? According to Emma, “viewers and contestants simply want to be in a relationship without any problems.” And marriage seems to hold that promise.
According to Natalie Trice, a PR expert, marriage’s frequency in dating shows is a reflection of the nation’s current “dating fatigue,” but it also raises the stakes for television. More than half of men and 94% of women still want a relationship, according to 91% of men and 94% of women. Marriage serves as a potent hook for TV producers because of the tension between struggle and desire.
Marriage is a fantastic example of reality TV currency because it guarantees drama, keeps viewers interested, and makes public appearances. But it also reveals something more profound: shows like Married at First Sight and Love Is Blind make viewers believe that love is still present, even when it includes cliffhangers and production crew.
And if the list is extremely long. Most brides and grooms on Stranded On Honeymoon Island chose photos of their loved ones or something sentimental when they were given home goods. Milky put her ick on the list, including all the possible ways someone might turn her off.
Millie brought an ick list onto the show(Image: millie_thompson/Instagram)
The list worried Emma and many other viewers that Millie wasn’t being completely open, which is why she was concerned. Because a close relationship causes pain, something in her prevents love.
However, Millie always believed that it was intended to be tongue in cheek rather than having an actual relationship. Simply put, it’s funny. And I believe that everyone has a list of illnesses.
“But I can overlook the ick, as I previously stated on the show. You don’t have icks if you really like someone. When Marilyn met someone, she realized that her list of people didn’t matter anymore because marriage is a lifelong commitment to avoid suffering.
Continue reading the article.
Natalie came to the conclusion that we love dating programs that feature marriage in them because of our inner desire to see other people’s icks and still love us. Who doesn’t want to see people happy because we live in uncertain and uncertain times and people always want hope, connection, and happy endings?
In a move intended to revive the push for a two-state solution, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the UK’s formal recognition of Palestinian statehood along with Canada and Australia. Israel and the US both have criticized the decision.
In response to Israel’s plans to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and aggravate its conflict with Gaza, Canada and Australia have officially recognized Palestinian statehood in the United Kingdom.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in a statement on Sunday that he and other leaders “are working together to secure the futures of the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.”
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Carney continued, citing how the Israeli government was “methodically working to stop any attempt at the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
The Palestinian Authority-led State of Palestine empowers those who want to end Hamas and coexist peacefully. This does not in any way legitimize terrorism or provide any reward for it,” Carney said.
He added that Hamas “can play no part” in demilitating the Palestinian state, reforming its governance, and holding general elections the Palestinian Authority “can provide direct commitments” to Canada.
Australia also announced that it was recognizing Palestinian statehood at the same time.
Australia claimed in a statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that its recognition, along with that of Canada and the UK, was a part of a global effort to find a two-state solution.
A two-state solution, which begins with a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of captives held there, was led by Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a joint statement.
Hamas must play “no role in Palestine,” according to the statement, which also reiterated this.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that his country would officially recognize a Palestinian state shortly after the announcements from Ottawa and Canberra, and Canada and Australia coordinated with the UK.
According to Starmer, the recognition would “renew the hope for a two-state solution and peace for the Palestinians and Israelis.”
In light of its war on Gaza, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 65, 200 Palestinians, the announcements from major Western powers and long-standing Israeli allies demonstrated that Israel is becoming more and more isolated internationally.
Israel and the United States have stated on numerous occasions that Hamas would receive a “reward” from recognizing Palestinian statehood in the midst of the Gaza war.
Benny Gantz, the leader of Israel’s opposition Blue and White party, criticised the world leaders’ announcements and claimed they only “emboldens Hamas, prolongs the war, distances the prospects of a hostage deal, and sends a clear message of support to Iran and its proxies.”
If advancing peace and stability in the Middle East is what you want, dear Western Leaders, then Hamas must be put under the most pressure before anything else, according to Gantz on social media.
After Oct. 7, acknowledging a Palestinian State only serves to bolster Hamas, prolongs the conflict, distances hostage-taking options, and sends Iran and its proxies a strong message of support.
If you want to see peace and stability in the Middle East, dear, that’s what you want.
More nations have pledged to recognize Palestine at the UN General Assembly in New York next week, including France.
The occupied territory’s recognition of Palestinian statehood highlights growing international support for Palestine, which is largely symbolic and has little impact on Israeli actions there.
147 of the 193 UN member states have so far granted Palestinian independence.
However, the recognition does not guarantee Palestine’s official UN seat, which is subject to the Security Council’s approval.
Calls for recognition have already been turned down by the US, who is a permanent member of the Security Council and has a veto power.
However, domestic pressure is gaining in popularity in the US and other Western nations to support the cause of Palestine.
A number of Western nations have imposed sanctions on Israel or threatened to do so in addition to the recognition of Palestinian statehood.
In addition, Israel’s participation in next year’s European Song Contest has been a pledge made by the Netherlands, Spain, Ireland, and other countries in recent weeks.
By defeating defending champions USA to win the gold medal at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo on Sunday, Botswana boldly made a statement.
In a time of 2: 57: 76, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie , Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi defeated the American teams’ season best of 2: 57: 83.
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Botswana won two medals in the men’s 400-meter final, never winning one at the championships.
South Africa, one of the other African contingents, had a wonderful time at 2: 57: 83 but had to settle for the Bronze medal.
Botswana won the men’s 4x400m title for the first time in history on the global stage.
The World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on September 21, 2025, celebrate the men’s 4x400m relay victory. (Photo by Jewel Samad/AFP)
The largely unknown Busang Collen Kebinatshipi won gold in 43.53 seconds, the fastest time this year in the world.
Bronze was added by his teammate Bayapo Ndori.
Kebinatshipi remarked, “This is my first title, and it makes me crazy.” I had no fear in the end.
Georgia Harrison, a star of Love Island, has teamed up with the popular dating app Raya in the hopes of meeting “like-minded” friends just before the birth of her first child.
Georgia Harrison, a woman, signs up for Raya, a dating service.
Georgia Harrison has reportedly joined the celebrity dating app Raya just weeks before she gives birth.
The Love Island star is weeks away from welcoming her first child with Jack Stacey, who she met on the dating app.
Georgia has now set up a profile for the site hoping to find other connections. Raya is also used a platform for networking and forming alliances with mutual creatives and professionals around the world as well as helping users match with romantic partners.
The 30-year-old mum is looking for her next venture after making the transition from reality TV star to documentary-maker. Georgia became an activist for victims of so called ‘revenge porn’ after her ex Stephen Bear shared intimate footage of them without her knowledge or permission.
Bear received a prison sentence for his crime after a protracted campaign, and Georgia made a documentary about it.
In May, Georgia Harrison and her boyfriend Jack Stacey show off their growing bump.
It’s perhaps obvious why she might want to document her journey now that her life is transitioning into motherhood, and what better way than to connect with professionals who might be able to help her with that goal?
She stated in her profile, “I fell in love with Raya and am now here for recommendations.” The smart reality TV star described herself as a presenter, author, and activist using a photo of herself outside of Downing Street as her profile picture.
Georgia’s boyfriend, who lives far from her celebrity lifestyle, thinks they have what it takes to produce a TV show similar to Billie and Greg Shepherd’s.
Georgia and Jack met on Raya and following a fast-paced relationship, ten months later she announced her pregnancy in April.
She stated to The Sun, “I think a motherhood-centered reality TV show would be really fun.”
The actress added: “I think I’ve been able to share so much of my life’s difficult experiences through television. It would be really nice to be filming something that was actually bringing me to a happy ending, becoming a mother, and making it so enjoyable that I’m actually having a lot of fun.
Once she’s used to being a mother, she would like to make this a reality in the future.
She continued, “But I’m not yet certain how parenthood will go. You’re aware that filming any kind of show is much harder than it appears. Not just like an hour-long camera intrigues you. You spend between 10 and 12 hours a day filming.
You would want to make sure that it makes your relationship stronger, so it would be how he feels about it as well. Afterwards, consider Greg and Billie. They do a great job of running their show. Because Billie was always doing television like I was, she explained, that’s the kind of person that I would associate with when I look at other couples in the public eye.
Continue reading the article.
She stated that she won’t let her child use a phone or access the internet because of her previous trauma from Stephen Bear.
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