Motorists in the UK are facing significant increases in drop-off fees at major airports, with more than half of the country’s busiest airports raising their “kiss-and-fly” parking charges. According to the car service agency RAC, of the 20 most popular airports, 11 have increased their drop-off prices since last summer.

This surge in fees has left many drivers astonished. At Heathrow Airport, the price has risen to £6, an increase of £1. Other airports, such as Gatwick, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Southampton, and Stansted, are now charging as much as £7 for a stop that may last less than ten minutes. This change is particularly impactful, as these airports serve millions of passengers daily.

Rod Dennis from the RAC criticized these charges, stating, “£7 for a stop that could be no more than ten minutes does seem a little steep.” He emphasized that the continual rise in costs is likely to frustrate anyone attempting to drop off friends or family during the busy summer months.

The increase has sparked outrage among passengers, many of whom have taken to social media to voice their discontent. One user highlighted the financial burden of a trip that included multiple drop-offs, stating, “I collected my daughter’s friend at Luton airport, dropped her off on their holiday at Stansted, collected them back at Stansted, and finally back to Luton – £24 in total for about 20 minutes.” Another user remarked, “£7 to stop for ten minutes? I could buy lunch for that!”

Comparative Costs and Free Alternatives

While UK airports are raising fees, a stark contrast exists across the Channel. Nine of the ten busiest airports in the European Union do not charge for drop-offs. Airports like Frankfurt and Paris Charles de Gaulle allow free drop-offs, with Amsterdam Schiphol charging a modest fee of £2.17. Critics argue that UK airports are taking advantage of drivers who have limited alternatives, especially those with heavy luggage or mobility issues.

Some airports suggest that free park-and-ride options are available further away, but many feel this is impractical. Karen Dee from Airports UK defended the fee increases, stating that they help reduce congestion, noise, and carbon emissions, and support a variety of flights. Despite these justifications, many drivers remain unconvinced, viewing the hikes as unjustified penalties for simply saying goodbye.

Among the airports with increased fees, Cardiff Airport has introduced a £3 charge for the first time, while Heathrow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Liverpool have all increased their rates by £1. Notably, Luton and Manchester are currently the most expensive per minute, charging £5 for just five minutes of parking.

Public Reaction and Exemptions

Many drivers are expressing disbelief at the rising costs. Comments on social media highlight the frustration felt by those who believe they are being unfairly penalized. Some argue that these fees represent a “cash grab,” with experts noting that airports seem to be exploiting drivers’ need for convenience.

While some exemptions exist, such as for Blue Badge holders at Gatwick, Belfast, and Southampton, the overall trend of increasing fees raises concerns about accessibility for passengers.

As airports continue to adjust their pricing structures, the debate over the sustainability and fairness of these fees is likely to persist. With London City remaining the only major UK airport that still offers free drop-offs, other airports may find themselves under increasing pressure to justify their pricing to frustrated travelers.

The ABA League has officially announced a significant expansion for the upcoming season, increasing its membership to 18 teams. This decision, reached during today’s assembly, introduces two new clubs: the Austrian team BC Vienna and the Romanian side BC Ključ, both of which paid €500,000 for a special invitation and signed three-year contracts.

Joining the league as well are BC Bosna, crowned champions of the ABA2 League, and Slovenian club BC Ilirija, which secured its spot by defeating Cibona in a playoff. Unfortunately, both Mornar and Cibona will exit the league following this season’s conclusion.

With the addition of these new teams, the league’s structure will shift to two groups of nine. BC Budućnost Voli will compete in Group B alongside notable teams such as Red Star Belgrade, Cedevita Olimpija, and BC Zadar. Meanwhile, SC Derby, the other representative from Montenegro, will be placed in Group A, competing against Partizan, BC Dubai, and BC Igokea.

Each team will play a total of 16 games during the group phase, with eight matches at home and eight away. The top four teams from each group will advance to a newly formed Top 8 phase, while teams finishing from fifth to ninth will enter a playoff-out phase.

Points earned in the group stage will carry over into the next phase, where teams will face opponents from the opposite group in two matches each—one at home and one away. This format will see the best eight teams playing 24 matches, which is a reduction of six games compared to previous seasons, while teams in the playoff-out phase will each compete in 26 regular-season matches.

The top six teams from the Top 8 phase will qualify directly for the quarterfinals of the playoffs. The seventh and eighth teams will join the first and second-placed teams from the playoff-out phase in a play-in round. The winner of the play-in matchup between the seventh and eighth place teams will secure a spot in the quarterfinals, while the losing team will face off against the winner of the playoff-out’s first and second teams for the final quarterfinal position.

A decision regarding the format for the playoff finals—whether to continue with the traditional semifinals and finals or revert to a final four format—will be made as soon as possible, according to the ABA League. The new season is set to commence on the first weekend of October 2024.

R&B singer SZA and rapper Nicki Minaj are embroiled in a public feud on social media, sparked by a seemingly innocuous tweet from SZA on July 15, 2025. The tweet, which referenced “Mercury retrograde” and encouraged followers not to “take the bait,” was interpreted by Minaj as a personal attack, igniting a series of harsh insults and accusations that have captivated fans and observers alike.

Minaj, who boasts 27.9 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), reacted swiftly. She questioned SZA’s music career, suggesting that if SZA’s songs disappeared, the music industry would not notice. “If every song you’ve ever done vanished right now, the music business wouldn’t even miss you,” she posted. The exchange escalated as Minaj mocked SZA’s appearance, implying that the singer’s freckles were artificial and suggesting poor hygiene.

In contrast, SZA responded calmly, asserting her resilience in the face of online bullying. “I get bullied by millions online every day then step my ass out onna packed stadium tour where ppl show me REAL love,” she tweeted. Currently co-headlining the Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar, SZA’s latest album, SOS, remains exceptionally popular, achieving over 8.3 million daily streams on Spotify.

Underlying Tensions and Broader Implications

The feud has taken a more serious turn as Minaj reignited tensions with Desiree Perez, CEO of Roc Nation. This conflict ties into the ongoing legal battles involving Perez’s daughter, Demoree Hadley, who is suing her mother for allegedly placing her in involuntary psychiatric care. Minaj has publicly supported Hadley, accusing Roc Nation of harassment and coercion, and used the trending hashtag #JusticeForDemoree to amplify her stance.

Minaj further criticized SZA’s label head, Terrence ‘Punch’ Henderson, alleging harassment after declining a business proposal. In a social media jab, Minaj referred to Henderson as “Minus 30 million,” a comment that reflects the intensity of the ongoing exchanges.

As the situation developed, fan communities have mobilized across social media platforms, with Minaj’s supporters defending her, while SZA’s fans highlighted her achievements and poise under pressure. The online discourse has been marked by a surge of memes, streaming comparisons, and discussions surrounding the broader implications of celebrity culture, misogyny in the music industry, and mental health challenges.

Industry analysts note that these high-profile social media battles often serve as strategic maneuvers to engage fanbases and draw attention to the artists’ latest projects. Both Minaj and SZA continue to occupy prominent positions within the music landscape, and with reputations and fan loyalty at stake, this feud is likely to evolve further.

As both artists navigate this turbulent exchange, the impact on their careers and the industry at large remains to be seen. With a major tour stop at Barcelona’s Estadi Olímpic scheduled for July 30, 2025, fans and observers will be keenly watching how this public clash unfolds and what it means for the future of both artists.

A significant development has emerged in the case concerning the murder of Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig. A Tennessee judge has ruled that the man accused of her fatal shooting, Shaquille Taylor, is competent to stand trial. This decision follows nearly two years of legal proceedings and emotional turmoil for Jillian’s family.

On July 15, 2025, Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Steve Dozier announced his ruling after extensive deliberation. The court dismissed arguments from Taylor’s defense team, which claimed he was not mentally capable of understanding the charges against him. Judge Dozier stated, “The defendant might not be of much assistance to counsel in a tax fraud case against him, but the Court is reasonably assured that the defendant is sufficiently competent to stand trial for the present cases,” according to The Tennessean.

The tragic events leading to this ruling unfolded on November 7, 2023, when 18-year-old Jillian Ludwig was struck by a stray bullet while walking in the Edgehill neighborhood of Nashville. Taylor admitted to firing multiple shots, which culminated in Jillian being struck in the head. Sadly, she succumbed to her injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital. Taylor has since been charged with first-degree murder and evidence tampering related to her death.

The court’s decision comes after a month-long wait that left Jillian’s family in a state of anxiety. “It’s been brutal, just waiting and waiting, every day hoping and praying,” said Jessica Ludwig, Jillian’s mother. “It’s such a relief to know that this is finally moving forward.” Her husband, Matt Ludwig, echoed similar sentiments, expressing the emotional toll the delays have taken on their family.

Judge Dozier’s ruling has evoked a mixture of relief and frustration for the Ludwig family. They had anticipated this decision during a June competency hearing, where psychological evaluations were conducted to assess Taylor’s mental state. Although Taylor has a documented intellectual disability and low IQ scores, Judge Dozier emphasized that such factors alone do not determine competency for trial. He focused on Taylor’s comprehension of the legal proceedings rather than solely on his intellectual capabilities.

The case has also highlighted systemic issues within Tennessee’s legal framework. Prior to Jillian’s death, Taylor faced allegations of other violent crimes but was released after multiple assessments deemed him incompetent. Following these events, lawmakers passed Jillian’s Law in July 2024, mandating that defendants found incompetent to stand trial must be committed for treatment, aiming to prevent similar situations in the future.

As the Ludwig family prepares for the upcoming trial, they continue to advocate for justice. “I believe we are one step closer to justice, and we just thank everybody standing with us,” Jessica stated, expressing gratitude towards the prosecutors and Judge Dozier. “Nothing’s going to bring her back, but in a way, this ruling might help set a precedent for other rulings to help make changes to a broken system.”

The trial’s proceedings will mark a pivotal chapter in the quest for justice for Jillian Ludwig, whose life was tragically cut short. With the decision on Taylor’s competency made, both the prosecution and the Ludwig family are now focused on the next steps in the legal process.