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Serena Williams Falls Short in Dramatic Wimbledon Return as Harmony Tan Prevails in Thriller

Serena Williams Falls Short in Dramatic Wimbledon Return as Harmony Tan Prevails in Thriller

In a gripping three-hour encounter, the seven-time champion’s comeback ends in a narrow defeat to debutant Tan.

Serena Williams’ highly anticipated return to Wimbledon ended in heartache as she was defeated by French qualifier Harmony Tan in a thrilling, marathon encounter. After a year away from singles action, Williams pushed through an emotional and intense three-hour battle, only to fall 7-5 1-6 7-6 (10-7) in a tie-break after an unforgettable match on Centre Court.

A year ago, Williams’ Wimbledon campaign ended abruptly in the first round when she was forced to retire after a fall on the same hallowed court. This time, however, she appeared determined to make a statement. Despite the absence of regular match play, having partnered with Ons Jabeur in doubles at Eastbourne, the American champion found herself tested right from the start. Williams was broken early, but quickly settled into her rhythm and clawed her way back into the contest. She looked poised to take control when she broke Tan’s serve to lead 4-2 in the opening set.

However, Tan, who was playing in her first-ever main-draw Wimbledon match, wasn’t intimidated. She responded with a break back and managed to serve out the set 7-5, despite facing a break point in the final game. It was a critical turning point, and from that moment, it was clear that Williams’ road to victory was going to be a lot harder than expected.

In the second set, the match took on an increasingly dramatic tone. Williams appeared to have the upper hand, especially after a staggering 20-minute, 12-deuce game where she finally converted a break point to lead 3-2. From there, she surged to a 5-0 lead, and though Tan managed to avoid a “bagel,” the American levelled the match with a 6-1 scoreline, much to the crowd’s relief.

But the third set would prove to be the true test of endurance. Williams broke early, but Tan quickly restored parity. As the match entered its final stages, the drama intensified. With both players visibly exhausted, the momentum shifted back and forth. Tan saved a match point at 5-4 down, and the tension in the air was palpable as the match teetered on a knife-edge.

A tie-break ensued, and Williams, with her experience and champion’s mentality, led 4-0. But it was clear that her energy reserves were running low. The unforced errors started to creep in, and Tan capitalised on this, reeling off five consecutive points to win the match. With a brilliant forehand winner, Tan sealed her victory and completed an improbable upset on one of tennis’ biggest stages.

For Williams, the result raises questions about what the future holds. If this is indeed her final Wimbledon appearance, she will leave with her head held high, having given everything in a match that had the Centre Court crowd on the edge of their seats. It was not the fairytale ending she may have hoped for, but the 40-year-old American showed she still has the fight that has earned her seven Wimbledon titles.

“I’ve always kept that [retirement] in the back of my mind,” Williams said, reflecting on her forced withdrawal from last year’s tournament. “But I’m here and still playing with all my heart.”

Though this defeat may be a setback, Williams’ legacy remains firmly intact. Whether she chooses to continue or this marks her Wimbledon swansong, her return to the court showed she still possesses the fierce determination that has defined her remarkable career.

Amber Heard Defends Audio Recordings in First Post-Trial Interview with Savannah Guthrie

Amber Heard Defends Audio Recordings in First Post-Trial Interview with Savannah Guthrie

Actress responds to accusations of ‘taunting’ Johnny Depp and addresses explosive trial recordings in NBC interview.

In her first interview since losing the defamation case against Johnny Depp, Amber Heard was grilled by NBC’s Savannah Guthrie about audio recordings played during the trial, which some claimed showed her “taunting” her ex-husband. The Aquaman star appeared on Today on Tuesday morning to address the trial’s aftermath and the controversy surrounding her remarks.

Heard was questioned about audio clips presented in court, where she was heard mocking Depp by suggesting he could tell the world he was a “victim of domestic violence.” Guthrie pressed the actress on the tapes, asking why she would say such things if she was truly a victim of abuse. “Those twenty-second clips don’t represent the full context of the hours of conversations they were extracted from,” Heard responded, explaining that she was speaking from a place of intense emotional, psychological, and physical distress.

The conversation turned to the tapes where Heard acknowledged starting physical altercations. Guthrie read a transcript where Heard reportedly admitted, “I started a physical fight,” prompting a strong reaction from the host. “But you’re telling me you never started a physical fight?” Guthrie asked, pointing out the contradiction between Heard’s testimony and the recorded evidence.

Heard defended her words, claiming that in such situations of abuse, “you don’t have the resources” to clearly process things in the way others might, stressing the complexities of being in an abusive relationship. “When your life is at risk, you will take the blame for things you shouldn’t,” she said. The actress further claimed that the audio had been “edited” before being leaked online, and insisted the recordings were not evidence of abuse but of a “negotiation” with her alleged abuser.

The trial, which centred around Depp’s defamation lawsuit over a 2018 Washington Post op-ed where Heard described herself as a victim of domestic violence, brought both parties’ accusations of abuse to the forefront. During the trial, both Heard and Depp presented audio recordings that seemed to show them both acknowledging acts of aggression. One particularly explosive clip, played for the jury, featured Heard saying, “Tell them, I, Johnny Depp, I’m a victim of domestic abuse… and see how many people believe or side with you.”

Heard’s comments come after a tense, six-week trial in which a jury found her guilty of defaming Depp, awarding him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, later reduced to $350,000. Heard’s counterclaim, however, saw her winning $2 million in damages for a defamatory statement made by Depp’s lawyer.

Heard described the trial’s verdict as a “setback” for women who come forward with allegations of abuse, and her lawyer confirmed plans to appeal. She also acknowledged her difficulty in affording the damages, which total $8.35 million after the jury’s decision.

Heard’s interview with Guthrie marks her first public comments since the trial ended, and comes just days after Guthrie disclosed her husband’s connection to Depp’s legal team, a fact she had not previously mentioned during her interviews with Depp’s attorneys.

Kylian Mbappé Tops Global Player Value Rankings After Snubbing Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé Tops Global Player Value Rankings After Snubbing Real Madrid

PSG star’s new contract propels his worth to £175m, ahead of Vinícius Júnior and Haaland, according to leading study

Kylian Mbappé has been named the world’s most valuable football player, according to an in-depth study by the CIES Football Observatory. The French forward, who recently signed a lucrative three-year deal with Paris Saint-Germain, now holds an estimated value of £175 million—well above his competitors in the global rankings.

The study, which factors in elements such as player performance, age, and contract length, has seen Mbappé’s worth soar following his decision to remain at PSG, rejecting a move to Real Madrid. The new contract extension has significantly boosted his market value.

Behind him in second place is Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, valued at £158 million, followed by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, who is worth £129.5 million. Haaland, the Premier League’s highest-rated player, completes the top three, with his value notably exceeding the £51 million City paid to secure his services.

Barcelona’s Pedri (£115 million) and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham (£113.5 million) round out the top five. Other notable players in the top ten include Phil Foden (£105 million), Liverpool’s Luis Díaz (£93.5 million), and Manchester City’s Ruben Dias (£93 million).

The Premier League dominates the list with 41 players in the top 100, and this number is expected to rise further as clubs eye high-profile acquisitions in the upcoming transfer windows. Notably, Chelsea and Tottenham are reportedly targeting Josko Gvardiol, currently playing for RB Leipzig. Gvardiol is ranked as the second-most valuable centre-back globally, valued at £85 million, just behind Dias.

Federal Court Allows Anthony Rapp’s Civil Lawsuit Against Kevin Spacey to Proceed

Federal Court Allows Anthony Rapp’s Civil Lawsuit Against Kevin Spacey to Proceed

Judge rules that the allegations made by Rapp against Spacey, related to a 1986 encounter, raise material questions for trial

A federal judge in New York has ruled that the civil lawsuit brought against actor Kevin Spacey by Anthony Rapp can move forward in court. The lawsuit accuses Spacey of sexual assault during an incident at a Manhattan party in 1986, when Rapp was just 14 years old.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan determined that the claims made by Rapp were sufficient to establish a material issue of fact. This means there is a legitimate question regarding whether Spacey acted to satisfy his sexual desires during the brief encounter, in which Rapp alleges that Spacey positioned him on a bed and partially placed his body next to Rapp’s before the latter managed to escape and leave the scene.

In his lawsuit, Rapp is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages, alleging that he suffered assault, battery, and emotional distress as a result of the encounter. The actor has testified in a deposition that no kissing, undressing, or sexual language took place during the interaction, which he described as lasting no more than two minutes.

Spacey, who has consistently denied the allegations, has yet to comment publicly on the ruling. A lawyer for Rapp declined to offer a statement, while a representative for Spacey did not respond to requests for comment.

While the judge allowed the lawsuit to continue, he dismissed an additional claim of common law assault, stating that it did not fall within the parameters of a New York state law temporarily lifting the statute of limitations for certain child sexual abuse cases.

The ruling follows a recent decision by British authorities to charge Spacey with four counts of sexual assault related to alleged incidents in London between 2005 and 2013.

Louie Gohmert’s Fiery Outburst During Gun Legislation Debate

Louie Gohmert’s Fiery Outburst During Gun Legislation Debate

Texas Representative responds emotionally to accusations linking Republican opposition to mass shootings.

During a House Judiciary Committee meeting on Thursday, Texas Representative Louie Gohmert had an emotional outburst after Democratic colleagues suggested that Republicans opposing new firearm restrictions were aligning themselves with mass shooters involved in recent violent incidents across the United States.

Gohmert, visibly agitated, expressed outrage at what he saw as an unfair accusation that Republicans were “here for the gunmen” during a markup of proposed legislation to raise the minimum age for purchasing high-powered rifles from 18 to 21. Speaking remotely from his home office, he challenged his critics, stating, “How dare you — you think we don’t have hearts?” He then turned his focus to Democratic leadership in major cities, claiming that the mayors’ policies had contributed to the prevalence of gun violence, particularly in urban areas with high Black populations.

“The Democrats control the major cities with the worst murder rates. Your ideas have been shown to get people killed,” he said, linking Democratic governance with gun violence in cities like Chicago and Philadelphia. He further accused Democrats of being complicit in violent crimes, claiming that they were “on the side of murderers” in their cities. He argued that Republicans were genuinely concerned with preventing violence and criticized his Democratic counterparts for blaming the GOP’s stance on gun control for the rise in murders.

In his speech, Gohmert also suggested that mass shootings in the US were linked to a 1962 Supreme Court decision, Engel v. Vitale, which prohibited mandatory school prayers, thus shifting focus from gun laws to cultural issues.

Pennsylvania Democrat Mary Gay Scanlon, speaking after Gohmert, responded firmly to his comments, refuting his arguments about local gun laws. She pointed out that Democratic-led cities like Philadelphia had been hindered by the state legislature’s Republican-controlled laws, which blocked attempts to introduce stronger gun safety measures.

Beacons Illuminate the UK and Commonwealth in Honour of the Queen’s 70 Years of Reign

Beacons Illuminate the UK and Commonwealth in Honour of the Queen’s 70 Years of Reign

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrated with a spectacular display of lights, connecting Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace and beyond.

In a remarkable tribute to her 70-year reign, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee has been marked by the lighting of thousands of beacons across the UK and the Commonwealth.

The celebration began with Her Majesty herself activating the illumination of the Commonwealth of Nations Globe at Windsor Castle. This stunning display of light created a symbolic river, extending all the way to Buckingham Palace. There, the Duke of Cambridge observed the illumination of the Tree of Trees sculpture, which glowed brightly in honour of the Queen’s remarkable milestone.

This event, part of the nationwide celebrations, reflects the Queen’s enduring influence and her connection to the wider Commonwealth.

Celebrating 70 Years of Queen Elizabeth II: Platinum Jubilee in Pictures

Celebrating 70 Years of Queen Elizabeth II: Platinum Jubilee in Pictures

A look at the majestic events marking the Queen’s seven decades on the throne, from royal ceremonies to nationwide festivities.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations have officially commenced, marking her remarkable 70-year reign as the UK’s longest-serving monarch. The festivities began with the iconic Trooping the Colour ceremony, where majestic horses and ceremonial splendour took centre stage.

On Thursday, the Queen, joined by members of the royal family, made a memorable appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as 70 aircraft soared above in a stunning flypast, a fitting tribute to her seven decades on the throne.

At 96 years old, Her Majesty is not only the longest-reigning British monarch but also the first to reach this extraordinary milestone. As part of the four-day celebration, thousands of street parties and events are planned across the country, allowing citizens to join in the nationwide tribute to the Queen’s dedication and service.

Edinburgh Castle Beacon Lit to Honour the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Edinburgh Castle Beacon Lit to Honour the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

A special tribute is made with music and ceremony at Edinburgh Castle as part of the national celebrations.

In a grand gesture marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a beacon was lit at Edinburgh Castle on Thursday evening, contributing to the nationwide celebrations. This beacon was one of more than 2,022 illuminated across the UK and Commonwealth as part of the official programme outlined by Buckingham Palace.

The event at Edinburgh Castle began with Army cadet piper Callum Lowther performing Diu Regnare, a special composition written for the occasion by Pipe Major Stuart Liddell. Following this, Army cadet bugler Ciaran Cook sounded a bugle call, Majesty, to officially announce the lighting of the beacon.

At precisely 9.45 pm, the beacon was lit by the newly appointed Lord Provost of Edinburgh and Lieutenant Colonel Lorne Campbell, the commander of Edinburgh Garrison. Lord Provost Robert Aldridge expressed pride in being part of this significant celebration, noting, “It is only fitting that such a unique milestone in history is marked with music, and what better location than Edinburgh Castle, where the beacon can be seen from the streets below.”

Across Scotland, beacons were also lit at various notable locations, including Paisley Abbey, Marischal College in Aberdeen, and East Beach in Lossiemouth. In addition to the beacon lighting, town criers, pipers, buglers, and choirs performed at ceremonies throughout the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Overseas Territories, and Commonwealth countries.

Bruno Peek, the Pageantmaster of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Beacons, said, “The widespread support for beacon lighting across the nation and Commonwealth highlights both unity and diversity. The Queen has illuminated our lives for 70 years, and now we aim to light up the nation and the Commonwealth in her honour.”

US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Tests Positive for COVID-19

US Interior Secretary Deb Haaland Tests Positive for COVID-19

Haaland, fully vaccinated and experiencing mild symptoms, is isolating in Nevada while working remotely.

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of the Interior confirmed on Wednesday. At 61, Haaland is experiencing mild symptoms and is currently isolating in Nevada. The Secretary had participated in a roundtable discussion on Tuesday in Las Vegas, focused on clean energy production on public lands, before beginning to feel symptoms on Wednesday.

Fully vaccinated and having received two booster shots, Haaland is expected to recover swiftly. As a precaution, she has cancelled her travel plans in the U.S. West and will be working remotely.

The Secretary had tested negative on Monday during a visit to the White House and had no close contact with President Joe Biden. Notifications are being sent to individuals who may have been in close contact with Haaland during her recent travels.

The Queen Honours Trusted Racing Adviser with Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

The Queen Honours Trusted Racing Adviser with Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

John Warren, who has advised the Queen for over 13 years, receives royal recognition for his dedication to thoroughbred racing.

John Warren, the Queen’s long-standing racing and bloodstock adviser, has been appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (RVO) in recognition of his exceptional service to the monarchy. Mr Warren has worked closely with Her Majesty for more than 13 years, providing expert advice on thoroughbred horses, a passion the Queen holds dear. He has often been seen by her side at major racing events, whether in the royal box or in the paddock.

In addition to advising the Queen, Mr Warren represents some of the world’s most prominent horse owners. He is married to Lady Carolyn Warren, the daughter of the Queen’s former racing adviser, the 7th Earl of Carnarvon. Together, the couple runs Highclere Stud near Newbury, Berkshire, with Lady Carolyn’s brother being the current Lord Carnarvon, whose family home, Highclere Castle, is famously known as the setting for Downton Abbey.

The Queen personally bestows the RVO awards, recognising individuals who have served the royal family in a personal and dedicated capacity.

Alongside Mr Warren, other royal figures have also been honoured, including Clive Alderton, principal private secretary to the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Alderton has been made a Knight Commander of the RVO, following his extensive career in diplomacy and service to the royal couple.

Additionally, the Duke of Norfolk, Edward Fitzalan-Howard, has received the Knight Grand Cross of the RVO for his services to the monarchy. As Earl Marshal, he oversees the organisation of major state events such as coronations and state funerals.