Where there are no free rides…

Twitter. Yesterday, the company said it’s not allowing users to promote other social platforms — everything from Facebook and Instagram to Mastodon and former President Trump’s Truth Social. Chief Twit Elon Musk says that under the new policy, there will be “no more relentless free advertising of competitors.” It comes as some users have beenposting their account links to other sites before leaving Twitter. Meanwhile, most companies targeted by the new policy have yet to comment. But backlash has already begun, with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey saying the new policy “doesn’t make sense.” Even Musk has apologized, saying there will be a “vote for major policy changes” moving forward. And appears to have scrapped the policy. Now, he apparently plans to rule Twitter like a popularity contest, relying primarily on Twitter polls for major policy decisions here on out. The companies targeted by the new policy have yet to comment.

They see me pollin’: First up, whether Musk should step down. Last night, the billionaire asked Twitter if he should resign as CEO, saying he’d “abide by” the results. It’s not clear when he’ll close the poll — but as of 6 am ET, it's leaning toward a ‘yes, resign.’

Who’s still taking a victory lap…

Argentina. Yesterday, Lionel Messi — one of soccer’s greatest players of all time — led his country to its third World Cup win. The play-by-play: Argentina was in the lead 2-0. But French soccer star Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in about two minutes to tie the game. Both teams later scored, the game went into OT, and ended in a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout. Along with the title — which is Messi’s first and likely last — Argentina will also take home $42 million from the $440 million FIFA prize fund. Every national soccer federation that qualified, including the US, will get at least $9 million. And for the first time, the US men’s team will split that prize money evenly with the women’s team thanks to a landmark settlement earlier this year that helped level the pay-ing field. Meanwhile, the tournament is over, but a Qatari official reportedly says the country will “continue” to look into incidents where workers building the stadiums died.

Where there’s controversy (again)...

The Catholic Church. Yesterday, reports revealed that the Vatican defrocked an American priest. Frank Pavone — who has served as a religious adviser to former President Trump — is also an anti-abortion activist. During the 2016 presidential election, he posted a video online of an aborted fetus on an altar as part of his appeal to protect unborn children. Now, the Vatican has found Pavone guilty of “blasphemous communications” on social media and of “persistent disobedience.” While there’s no possibility of appeal, Pavone reportedly says he’ll appeal to the next pope and “to the people of God.”

What’s been 84, err, 25 years…

The release of “Titanic.” Today, the movie celebrates its 25th anniversary. And director James Cameron finally gave fans a science-backed answer to what’s been dubbed the “modern cinema debate of our time”: Could Jack have fit on the door? According to a forensic analysis, ahem, organized by Cameron, the answer is no. Ready to put the theories to rest, Cameron said “there was no way they both could have survived. Only one could survive.” He may be more than ready to move on...but as for the rest of us? We’ll never let go (of it), Jack.

What people can’t avoid knowing about on TikTok...

Buccal fat removal.

Who went out on a Strong note…

Cecily.