Some other crime drama may open with its titular detective cradling a bottle of whisky as she or he listened to Wagner and mooned a couple of misplaced love. However that is Midsomer Murders, so the primary scene of final night time’s episode started with Britain’s best-dressed policeman, DCI Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon), having a light-hearted breakfast along with his spouse and daughter earlier than cheerfully heading off to unravel one more murder.

Now on its 23^rd sequence and 133^rd episode (a great way forward of its nearest rival, Demise in Paradise), Midsomer Murders has not one of the tropes beloved of the likes of Inspector Morse and its bedfellows. Barnaby has no character quirks or vibrant habits – he simply goes about fixing crimes in an unfussy method. That may make him appear boring however when the murders are this elaborately bananas, you want a simple copper. In the latest episode, it was dying by a boobytrapped self-inflating rubber dinghy.

Final night time’s two-hour story, “The Debt of Lies”, was nowhere close to as inventive, settling for severed brake pipes that led to a automotive crashing right into a tree. The sufferer was a newly retired senior police officer, Elaine Bennet (Sabina Franklyn) and it was clear from asides made at her farewell get together that she wasn’t a well-liked lady. Elaine had simply been accepted into an unique retirement house for police prime brass – sadly author Nick Hicks-Seashore didn’t even start to discover the comedian or dramatic potential of such a setting. However in equity, he did have an terrible lot of whodunit plotting to plough via.

Among the many suspects was Elaine’s surly alcoholic husband, Damian (Gary Beadle) who had been drummed out of the power for “malfeasance” and now labored as a personal investigator. There was additionally an embittered ex-con gardener and a dodgy property developer.

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Within the meantime, Tom Conti performed one other resident of the police retirement house, Sebastian Cabot, a former mentor of “younger Barnaby” (as he insisted on calling him). Cabot was now doing a Captain Tom-style marathon and shuffling up and down the backyard for charity. Conti’s character was so twinkly and avuncular that you simply simply knew he was secretly a nasty’un – which he was, though he wasn’t the killer.

The whodunit aspect hung collectively moderately properly, the central thriller relating again to a serious financial institution heist many years earlier. Mild aid was supplied by a village fete, the place Barnaby’s sidekick DS Winter (Nick Hendrix) was persuaded to be put in shares and have moist sponges thrown at him.

Cabot was ending off his charity stroll earlier than he was cuffed however the fete-goers appeared totally unfazed by the arrest of the star attraction and a chase during which the actual assassin was apprehended with the assistance of a retired police canine. However then that is Midsomer – such dramatic scenes have to be tiringly frequent.

There was some amusement not too long ago about ITV’s choice to offer this 27-year-old drama a set off warning – sure it “incorporates crime scenes and/or incorporates violent killing”, isn’t the clue within the title? Maybe, given our preconceptions that fictional coppers are mechanically both corrupt or broken, a greater set off warning can be: “Incorporates a fortunately married policeman with no noticeable psychological and/or emotional issues”.

Writers wrestle a lot to offer their TV detectives a focal point (latterly, with Professor T and the like, by making them neurodivergent) that Barnaby feels refreshingly uncomplicated. Even so, this was minor Midsomer Murders – much less triggering than mildly soporific.

England got here via a troublesome encounter with the Netherlands to ultimately win 14-6 and end prime of Pool A, securing their Quarter Remaining spot for Wednesday.

Netherlands got here out pumped up and decided to construct on their 17-1 win in opposition to Belgium the day past, whereas England entered the fixture off the again of a staff relaxation day.

Their goalscoring streak from the Belgium recreation continued because the Dutch went 0-1 up, and it took England till the seventh minute to get on the board as Hannah Thurston bought her first senior England objective following a laser feed from Sofia Clever.

Sofia was the architect once more for the second, feeding Liv Wimpenny, whereas namesake Julie Clever then scored simply earlier than the 1/4 time to offer England a great lead.

Nonetheless, it was on no account sufficient to see off Netherlands but and after a sequence of foul calls, two free positions drew Netherlands degree.

However as England did of their earlier recreation in opposition to Italy, a powerful run in Q2 pulled them again in entrance. Jordan Carr, Georgie Southorn and Milly House, England’s three main level scorers pushed England three forward earlier than the Dutch made it 6-4 on the half.

The groups then traded targets early on after the break, England’s via Claire Faram, earlier than England then made a run for dwelling, utilising the robust power in depth and stamina of the roster to ultimately break Netherlands and put collectively a 7-goal streak.

Carr, House, Southorn all that includes once more whereas Minty Loxton-Barnard scored a powerful solo effort together with Shires and Sofia Clever netting.

Netherlands did decide the final rating but it surely was a convincing victory ultimately as England head into the Quarter Finals with all eyes now on advancing on the way in which to retaining the title.

England 14-6 Netherlands (3-1; 3-3; 3-1; 5-1)

England Scorers: Georgie Southorn (2G, 2A), Sofia Clever (1G, 3A), Jordan Carr (3G), Milly House (2G), Tilly Shires (1G, 1A), Claire Faram (1G), Minty Loxton-Barnard (1G), Hannah Thurston (1G), Liv Wimpenny (1G), Julie Clever (1G), Ella Cohen (1A)

A Labour MP has been compelled to swear into the Commons for a second time after he failed to make use of the proper wording in his first try final week.

Clive Lewis, who represents Norwich South, had been threatened with authorized motion if he didn’t pledge allegiance to “King Charles’s heirs and successors” as required by regulation.

Swearing-in is the method by which MPs and members of the Home of Lords take an oath of allegiance to the Crown earlier than formally taking their seats in parliament.

Whereas members can both swear in utilizing a spiritual textual content or take a non-religious, solemn affirmation earlier than taking their seats in parliament, they have to accomplish that by pledging their loyalty to the King as specified by a regulation courting again to 1866.

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However Mr Lewis, who opposes the monarchy, stated in his first initiation: “I take this oath underneath protest and within the hope that sooner or later my fellow residents will democratically resolve to reside in a republic.

“Till that point I do solemnly, sincerely and actually declare and affirm that I shall be devoted and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, in line with regulation.”

On Tuesday Mr Lewis returned to the Commons to swear in for a second time after being warned by the Commons authorities that he confronted a tremendous of £500 and the prospect of shedding his seat if he failed to take action.

The Labour MP posted on X a letter he obtained from the Home of Commons Journal Workplace – which acts as a record-keeping service – which stated that his omission of the phrases “heirs and successors” meant there was “doubt” over whether or not his affirmation was “legitimate”.

On the second try he stated: “I used to be elected to parliament to symbolize my constituents and our nation to the very best of my potential to defend democracy and uphold human rights and sooner or later I hope all members of parliament shall be entitled to swear an oath of allegiance primarily based on these values.

“I do solemnly and sincerely and actually declare and affirm that I shall be devoted and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, in line with regulation.”

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Shortly after he swore in utilizing the proper wording, Mr Lewis posted on X: “After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles’ ‘heirs and successors’ final week, I’ve needed to take the oath once more with a view to sit within the Home of Commons.

“The vast majority of the general public are dedicated to democracy, and so I hope sooner or later MPs can swear an oath primarily based on these values.”

“If I had not re-sworn the oath, then primarily based on a regulation from 1866, I might be fined, subjected to authorized motion, and my seat ‘shall be vacated in the identical method as if (I) had been lifeless’,” he added.

“This could change, so MPs have the selection to swear allegiance to our constituents and democracy.”

CNN
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Jack Black’s comedy rock band Tenacious D has canceled its remaining tour dates after band member Kyle Gass sparked a backlash with an obvious joke about Saturday’s assassination try on former US President Donald Trump.

Footage posted on social media from the band’s live performance in Sydney on Sunday confirmed Black presenting Gass with a birthday cake onstage and telling him to “make a want.”

Gass responded: “Don’t miss Trump subsequent time.”

The trade prompted a name from one Australian lawmaker for the band to be deported from the nation.

In an announcement to CNN on Tuesday, Black stated he was “blindsided by what was stated on the present.”

“I’d by no means condone hate speech or encourage political violence in any type,” he added. “After a lot reflection, I now not really feel it’s applicable to proceed the Tenacious D tour, and all future inventive plans are on maintain. I’m grateful to the followers for his or her assist and understanding.”

Gass apologized for the remark in a put up on Instagram on Tuesday.

“The road I improvised onstage Sunday evening in Sydney was extremely inappropriate, harmful and a horrible mistake. I don’t condone violence of any sort, in any type, in opposition to anybody,” wrote Gass.

“What occurred was a tragedy, and I’m extremely sorry for my extreme lack of judgement. I profoundly apologize to these I’ve let down and actually remorse any ache I’ve precipitated.”

Gass has since been dropped by his Hollywood expertise consultant. His agent, Michael Greene of Greene Expertise, informed CNN that he has parted methods with Gass, however he didn’t present extra remark.

Band members Black and Gass had been on account of play within the metropolis of Newcastle, New South Wales, on Tuesday, however promoter Frontier Touring introduced that the present had been “postponed” in an Instagram put up earlier on Tuesday.

Tenacious D was scheduled to carry out in Brisbane on Thursday, earlier than heading to Melbourne and Adelaide, after which onto New Zealand and the US.

Whereas some commenters interpreted the trade as a joke, Australian senator Ralph Babet stated that the pair “needs to be instantly faraway from the nation” in an announcement posted on X.

“To advocate and or want for the assassination of a President is egregious, disgusting, filthy, evil, and never acceptable in any means, form or type,” stated Babet. “This was not a joke, he was lethal critical when he wished for the dying of the President.”

“I name on the prime minister Anthony Albanese to hitch me in denouncing Tenacious D, Jack Black and band member Kyle Gass, and I name on the immigration minister Andrew Giles to revoke their visas and deport them instantly,” Babet stated on Tuesday.

“Something lower than a deportation is an endorsement of the capturing and the tried assassination of Donald J Trump,” he stated.

Australian radio host Kyle Sandilands additionally criticized the band.

“I cannot be collaborating in any future Tenacious D interviews,” he stated. Tenacious D have beforehand appeared on the Kyle & Jackie O “Within the Morning” present on KIIS radio.

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden condemned political violence within the wake of the capturing.

“There isn’t any place in America for this sort of violence – it’s sick, it’s sick, it’s one of many explanation why we now have to unite this nation,” Biden informed reporters.

“We can not enable for this to be taking place. We can’t be like this. We can not condone this.”

This story has been up to date.

CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister contributed to this story.

A Labour MP has needed to return to parliament to be sworn in once more every week after he protested in opposition to pledging allegiance to the king as he took the oath.

Clive Lewis, a outstanding supporter of Britain changing into a republic, returned after parliamentary authorities instructed him he won’t be capable of converse within the Commons, vote or obtain a wage, and will even face a byelection if authorized motion was taken in opposition to him beneath the Parliamentary Oaths Act.

The Norwich South MP didn’t consult with “his heirs and successors” after a point out of the king when he stated throughout a swearing in final week: “I take this oath beneath protest and within the hope that someday my fellow residents will democratically resolve to stay in a republic.

“Till that point I do solemnly, sincerely and really declare and affirm that I might be devoted and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, in accordance with regulation.”

Lewis stated on X on Tuesday: “After omitting to swear allegiance to King Charles’ ‘heirs and successors’ final week, I’ve needed to take the oath once more so as to sit within the Home of Commons.

“Nearly all of the general public are dedicated to democracy, and so I hope someday MPs can swear an oath primarily based on these values.”

He additionally posted a photograph of a letter he obtained from the Home of Commons Journal Workplace, which stated his omission of a part of the oath meant there was “doubt about whether or not the style by which you made the affirmation is legally legitimate”.

“If I had not re-sworn the oath, then primarily based on a regulation from 1866, I might be fined, subjected to authorized motion, and my seat ‘shall be vacated in the identical method as if [I] had been lifeless,’” he added. “This could change, so MPs have the selection to swear allegiance to our constituents and democracy.”

The anti-monarchy marketing campaign group Republic stated Lewis had been subjected to “disgraceful remedy”. “Being pressured to swear a nonsense oath to do the job he was elected to do is appalling,” added Graham Smith, the chief government of Republic.

The chief of Northern Eire’s Social Democratic and Labour occasion, Colum Eastwood, final week stated he was making his oath “beneath protest” and that his true allegiance was to the “individuals of Derry and the individuals of Eire”.

His colleague Claire Hanna prefaced it in Irish and English when she was sworn in, saying: “In friendship and in hope of a reconciled new Eire, my allegiance is to the individuals of Belfast South and Mid Down & I say these phrases so as to serve them.”

The Commons speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, had been ready to sit down for 2 hours on Tuesday to permit MPs to swear in. He adjourned the session after about 36 minutes, with the remaining handful of MPs who’re but to be sworn in anticipated to take action on Wednesday afternoon earlier than the king’s speech debate.

Gibraltar has accused Spanish gamers of constructing “rancid” and “vastly offensive” statements whereas celebrating their Euro 2024 win over England.

Manchester Metropolis star Rodri sang “Gibraltar is Spanish” as he took the mic in entrance of hundreds of followers in Madrid on Monday evening.

Gibraltar has been a British Abroad Territory since 1713, however many in Spain imagine it must be returned and it stays a fragile diplomatic matter.

Rodri’s on-stage antics occurred as he and the opposite gamers partied in entrance of supporters a day after their 2-1 win over the Three Lions.

The soccer affiliation of Gibraltar stated it had “famous the extraordinarily provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations” and would make an official grievance to UEFA.

A press release from the territory’s authorities claimed “a number of” Spanish gamers had chanted “rancid remarks about Gibraltar”.

“It is a completely pointless mixing of sporting success with discriminatory political statements which can be vastly offensive to Gibraltarians,” it added.

Fabian Picardo, Gibraltar’s chief minister, was equally scathing in a submit on X – which he signed off: “The Rock is OURS”.

“Mixing a sporting victory and the mantra that glorifies the dictatorial politics of a mass assassin like Franco and his fascist regime’s try to usurp a neighbouring territory, that can be a UEFA nation, is worse than disgusting.”

“This can’t stand unchallenged,” he added.

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Rodri – who was named participant of the match – and the Spanish soccer affiliation have but to remark.

The remarks come because the UK and Spain are nonetheless making an attempt to finalise a post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar, which wasn’t lined by the settlement struck with the EU in 2020.

Rafael Nadal apparently isn’t winding down his profession after the Paris Olympics.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion will play the U.S. Open on a protected rating. He was listed among the many match entrants on Tuesday.

Nadal, 38, has received the U.S. Open 4 occasions, most lately in 2019. He final performed the match in 2022.

The U.S. Open runs Aug. 26-Sept. 8.

After skipping Wimbledon to organize for the Olympics at Roland Garros, Nadal returned to singles motion with a 6-3, 6-4 victory on clay over Leo Borg, the 21-year-old son of Swedish nice Bjorn Borg, within the first spherical of the Nordea Open in Bastad on Tuesday.

“For me it has been an enormous honor to play in opposition to the son of one of many largest legends within the historical past of our sport,” Nadal mentioned about his 21-year-old opponent. “I feel he performed fairly properly, he has a future in entrance so I want him all the easiest.”

Nadal received the singles title in southern Sweden as a 19-year-old in 2005 and this week is his first time again since then as he prepares for the Olympic match on clay at Roland Garros in Paris.

Nadal was taking part in his first singles match since he misplaced within the first spherical of the French Open to Alexander Zverev. He teamed up with Casper Ruud on Monday to win a first-round doubles match.

Nadal, who has been coping with hip and stomach accidents over the previous 1 1/2 years, will subsequent face British No. 2 Cameron Norrie.

U.S. Leads All Nations with 25 Gamers Incomes Direct Entry

World No. 1s Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek lead their respective fields within the U.S. Open, adopted by reigning US Open champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, who’re each ranked No. 2 on this planet. World No. 3s Carlos Alcaraz, who has received the previous two Grand Slam males’s singles titles, and Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, spherical out the highest entries.

America leads all nations with 25 gamers (15 girls and 10 males) incomes direct entry.

The American girls are led by No. 2 Gauff, No. 6 Jessica Pegula and No. 9 Danielle Collins, whereas the American males within the subject embrace High-15 gamers Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton.

People utilizing particular or protected rankings to achieve direct entry embrace Reilly Opelka (No. 33), Shelby Rogers (No. 51) and Lauren Davis (No. 59).

Each the boys’s and ladies’s entries had been primarily based on the July 15 rankings. The ladies’s cutoff was No. 96, whereas the boys’s cutoff was No. 98.

(The AP contributed reporting)