Today’s roundup includes three stories from the United States: a women’s World Cup match in Seattle that drew sports and political stars; Phoenix Mercury ended a losing streak by routing the Seattle Storm in the WNBA; and in Los Angeles, a state of emergency was declared amid a prolonged warehouse fire in Boyle Heights that blanketed the region in toxic smoke.
Stars in Seattle: how Marshawn Lynch, Paris Hilton and politicians cheered on the U.S. women’s team
The U.S. women’s national soccer team delivered a convincing 2–0 victory over Australia in a World Cup match played at a stadium in Seattle. But the spotlight went beyond the result—on the stands, a host of celebrities gathered, ranging from sports legends to politicians and show-business stars. With 67,000 fans in attendance, it was not only a football spectacle, but a real parade of big names.
Among the most prominent guests were former players of the Seattle Seahawks, a key NFL team. Legendary running back Marshawn Lynch and defensive back Cliff Avril watched the game from the same box. Nearby sat former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson with his wife, singer Ciara. The duo, which often appears at sporting events, this time backed the women’s national team. The presence of American football stars is not surprising: Seattle is a city where football traditions intertwine with a love for other sports. Casey Keller, a local soccer legend and former Seattle Sounders player, shared a box with Alex Morgan, a forward for the U.S. women’s national team and a two-time World Cup champion. The juxtaposition is symbolic: Keller represented the city’s men’s team, while Morgan is part of one of the most decorated women’s teams on the planet.
The society pages also noted the appearance of Paris Hilton—the defining socialite of the 2000s, who, however, is not new to attending football matches. But far more unexpected was the presence of politicians. As reported by MyNorthwest.com, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a politician and activist known for his criticism of vaccinations, was spotted at the stadium, along with Andrew Giuliani, the son of former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani. Notably, in the article Kennedy is called “U.S. health minister,” although in reality he has never held that post. It’s possible there was confusion with a position previously held by his uncle. Still, the very fact that such different figures—from political conservatives to pop-culture icons—showed up at a football match suggests that the women’s World Cup in the U.S. has long stopped being purely a sporting event and has become a place where very different worlds intersect.
Fans also got a pleasant surprise: before kickoff, Trinity Rodman, the daughter of basketball legend Dennis Rodman, took the field. She herself plays for the U.S. national team and carried the match ball out onto the pitch. She became a symbol of generational continuity in American sport.
The U.S. team’s 2–0 win undoubtedly strengthened the squad’s position as one of the tournament favorites. But the match will be remembered not only for goals, but also for the unique mix of spectators. When Marshawn Lynch, Paris Hilton, Robert Kennedy Jr., and Alex Morgan end up in the same stands, it’s a reminder that sports can bring together people who, in everyday life, would likely never find themselves in the same room. For Seattle—a city with a rich sports history—this day served as further proof that women’s soccer draws not only devoted fans, but a wide range of media personalities, from rappers to politicians.
Phoenix Mercury ends its losing streak with a 93–73 rout of the Seattle Storm
In Saturday’s WNBA game, the Phoenix Mercury snapped a long-awaited victory, routing the Seattle Storm 93–73. The win allowed the Arizona team to break its four-game losing streak, while Seattle extended its own winless run to ten straight games. The game, played in Seattle, started fairly well for the home side: after the first quarter, the Storm led 24–19, demonstrating 48% shooting from the field. Then the Mercury completely took over.
The second quarter proved pivotal: with 13 unanswered Phoenix points—capped by a three-pointer from Valerien Ieiayi and two free throws by Kaylee Cooper—Seattle allowed the visitors to pull ahead 43–29. Although the Storm managed to cut the deficit to seven points by halftime (48–41), the third quarter effectively ended the home team’s hopes. The Mercury opened the period with a 14–0 run and never looked back. In the end, Seattle finished with 36% shooting accuracy, a clear sign of their offensive problems.
The night’s standout was Valerien Ieiayi, who recorded a double-double—18 points and 10 rebounds. A “double-double” means reaching double digits in two statistical categories; here, they were points and rebounds. Noemi Broshan (16 points and 10 assists) and Natasha Mack (10 points and 10 rebounds) also posted double-doubles. Kaylee Cooper added 17 points, and Lexie Held scored 11 points in her first career start. For Seattle, Natisha Hyldeman led with 20 points, rookie Flo’jai Johnson scored 13, and Dominique Malonga and Zia Cook had 10 points each. Still, the Storm clearly lack squad depth and consistency.
This win is especially important for Phoenix, given that the team is only 5–12 and fighting for a spot in the play-in. Meanwhile, Seattle (3–14) continues to sink to the bottom of the standings—becoming the worst stretch in the club’s recent years. As noted in a KOMO article, the Storm’s next game is at home against the Dallas Wings on July 1, while the Mercury head to face the Indiana Fever. For both teams, every match right now is a chance to change the course of the season.
Los Angeles declares a state of emergency due to the Boyle Heights fire: smoke spreads across the region
On Saturday, Los Angeles authorities declared a state of emergency amid the ongoing battle by firefighters against a stubborn blaze at a warehouse in the Boyle Heights area. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, has been releasing foul smoke into the air for several days, and it can be felt many miles around. Mayor Karen Bass said the state of emergency will allow the city to mobilize all necessary resources to deal with the fallout and protect residents. As reported in The Seattle Times, the Los Angeles Fire Department chief, Jamie Moore, called the blaze a “unique challenge” for the city and the county.
The fire is centered in a massive commercial building of about 46,000 square meters, where 85 million pounds (roughly 38.5 thousand tons) of frozen food are stored. In essence, it is a giant freezer, with walls covered in thick foam insulation. The material smolders slowly, releasing gases, and water drops from helicopters have not been able to put it out completely. The situation is complicated by solar panels on the roof, which also caught fire. Firefighters have already stopped an ammonia leak from the refrigeration system, but other risks remain.
Particular concern is the possible presence of lithium-ion batteries. The warehouse has around 60 forklifts powered by such batteries. Although the forklifts themselves have not yet been damaged by the flames, burning lithium-ion cells releases hydrogen fluoride—a toxic gas. Low concentrations of it were already detected in the air on Thursday. Fire department spokesperson Lindsey Lantz said it is likely that some batteries were involved, but their exact location is unknown. To reduce the threat, 56 forklifts were moved or isolated from the flames during the high-risk operation.
The fire’s smoke has spread over a wide area: residents report the smell and worsening air quality in the San Gabriel Valley, Northeast Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, and downtown. Some residents compare the situation to the catastrophic Eaton fire in Altadena in January 2025. Will Barrett, a representative of the American Lung Association, explained that the smoke may contain toxic chemicals and fine particles that increase the risk of asthma attacks, heart attacks, and other emergencies. People with sensitive lungs are advised to wear N95 or P100 masks and avoid physical activity outdoors.
The facility’s tenant, Lineage Logistics, said it believes the fire started during testing of solar batteries by outside contractors. It also emphasized that no hazardous materials were stored on site, and that the ammonia from the system was pumped out and removed. Even so, officials continue to monitor the situation. Two Red Cross temporary shelters have been opened for residents. Mayor Bass has already reached out to California Governor Gavin Newsom for additional support.
The incident is another reminder of how close industrial facilities can be to residential neighborhoods. State Assembly member Jessica Kalosa, representing East Los Angeles, noted that similar environmental disasters disproportionately often occur in areas where Latino immigrant communities and working families live. “They carry the brunt of the pollution and dangers—somehow—these things keep happening in the same neighborhoods,” she said. Recall that a month earlier, the county experienced an oil spill caused by damage to a pipeline, and even earlier there was an incident at the GKN Aerospace plant involving an overheating tank that led to the evacuation of 50,000 people.
