Katie Boulter suffered a last-16 exit at Queen’s to fifth seed Diana Shnaider that means she will relinquish her British number one status for the first time in two years.
The 28-year-old battled hard but lost 2-6 6-3 6-2 on a hot but rain-affected day in west London.
Boulter has held the top spot in British women’s tennis since June 2023, but Emma Raducanu will now move above her in the rankings.
British singles hopes at the first women’s event at Queen’s since 1973 now rest with Raducanu after Heather Watson was also knocked out on Thursday, beaten 6-4 6-2 by 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina.
Boulter, bidding to reach a seventh quarter-final on grass, had expressed concern about her serve earlier in the week, suggesting she would be working on it in the build-up to this match.
But no such troubles were apparent in the opening set against Shnaider as Boulter continually caused problems behind her first serve.
Having saved a break point, then secured an impressive break to love with a crowd-pleasing volley, Boulter battled to consolidate with an important hold and saved another break point along the way.
She then took the double break with a sweeping forehand, before more solid serving handed Boulter the opening set as rain threatened to come down.
But by the time the umpire suspended play because of a downpour, Boulter was down a break at 4-1 in the second set and in trouble on serve again.
After a 20-minute rain delay, she returned to have her serve broken for a second time and, despite recovering one break, she could not prevent Shnaider from forcing a deciding set.
Boulter once again came under pressure in the opening game, wiping out three break points to secure the hold as problems on serve returned with a vengeance.
She saved more break points in her next service game, only to double-fault and concede the break.
From there, Boulter struggled to regroup and went down a double break.
Israeli attacks have killed at least 42 people across Gaza since dawn, medical sources told Al Jazeera, as the United Nations General Assembly prepares for a vote urging an unconditional ceasefire in the besieged enclave.
Sources told Al Jazeera that at least 26 of the people killed on Thursday died in Israeli drone attacks while waiting for food and basic supplies being distributed by the controversial United States and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Gaza civil defence official Mohammed el-Mougher told AFP news agency that al-Awda Hospital received at least 10 bodies and about 200 others who were wounded “after Israeli drones dropped multiple bombs on gatherings of civilians near an aid distribution point around the Netzarim checkpoint in central Gaza”.
El-Mougher said that Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital also received six bodies after Israeli attacks on aid queues near Netzarim and in the as-Sudaniya area in northwestern Gaza.
Since the GHF began its operation in Gaza in late May, dozens of Palestinians have been killed while trying to reach the aid distribution points, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
The previously unknown GHF has come under intense criticism from the United Nations, which says its distribution model is deeply flawed.
“This model will not address the deepening hunger. The dystopian ‘Hunger Games’ cannot become the new reality,” Philippe Lazzarini, the chief of the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), wrote on X.
“The UN including @UNRWA has the knowledge, expertise & community trust to provide dignified & safe assistance. Just let the humanitarians do their jobs,” he added.
Separately, a medical source at al-Shifa Hospital told Al Jazeera that two Palestinians were killed as a result of Israeli shelling targeting the Bir an-Naaja area west of Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, Hamas condemned on Thursday the decision of Israel to cut off communication lines in Gaza, describing it as “a new aggressive step” in the country’s “war of extermination”.
“We call on the international community to assume its responsibility to stop the aggression and ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian and civilian facilities.”
The disruption of communications has resulted in the UNRWA losing contact with its colleagues in the agency in Gaza, the UN’s main humanitarian provider in Gaza said.
The latest developments come as the UN General Assembly is set to vote on a draft resolution that demands an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in the war in Gaza.
The 193-member General Assembly is likely to adopt the text with overwhelming support, diplomats say, despite Israel lobbying countries this week against taking part in what it called a “politically motivated, counterproductive charade”.
The National Assembly has showered encomium on President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of the Democracy Day celebration on June 12.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his welcome address to Tinubu during a joint session of the Senate and the House of Representatives on Thursday, praised the President as one of the architects of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The National Assembly is proud to host you, our President, our compatriot, and one of our own, as you fulfil the solemn constitutional duty of addressing the nation. This chamber honours you not merely as the President, but as one of the architects of the very democratic foundation we commemorate today.
“Today, we gather not to mourn injustice, but to honour resilience. We observe not the triumph of politicians, but the enduring faith of the Nigerian people in a democracy — a faith that survived betrayal, braved teargas, defied armoured tanks, endured silence, and still chose the ballot over the bullet,” Akpabio said.
Going down memory lane, Akpabio hailed Nigerians for their resilience in standing for democratic rule in the face of brutality.
“On June 12, 1993, the torch of the long march to freedom was lit. Nigerians stood up to say, ‘Our voice matters. Our vote counts.’”
Akpabio said, however, that the light was extinguished on June 12, 1993, when a terse statement declared that the will of the Nigerian people, freely expressed in the historic June 12 Presidential Election, had been annulled.
“Tears, rage, and hope poured into the streets. Nigeria did not just lose an election; she lost her innocence. And across the country, the silence of shock was broken by the roar of resistance. The people rose. Angry students marched.
“The intro of Chief Moshood Abiola’s campaign song captured the spirit of that day: ‘Nigeria on the march again.’ Indeed, Nigeria was on the march towards democracy. But that cruel announcement turned the march for democracy into a march for justice,” he added.
He noted that many, including Tinubu, stood tall in those days of darkness, adding that “while others chose silence or compromise,” the President “chose courage”.
He said, “At great personal cost, NADECO, which you were part of, helped sustain the flame of liberty when it was most at risk of going out. So as we mark this day, let us remember those who bled so we could vote. Those who took risks, so we could speak. Those who were buried so that freedom might rise. Let us also pay tribute to all those who played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s democratic transition.
“This year’s theme — ’26 Years of Democracy: Renewing Our Commitment to National Development’ — is not a slogan. It is a call to purpose. A reminder that democracy is not an end, but a means to national transformation.”
READ ALSO: ‘Not Good For Nigeria’, Tinubu Refutes One-Party State Claims
The Senate President said Nigeria had witnessed unprecedented development under Tinubu’s administration.
“Under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have seen a transformation in his bold approach to difficult reforms. From unifying the foreign exchange market to local government autonomy to the formation of the regional development commissions to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund to removing fuel subsidies to attracting foreign investments to tax reforms, this administration has not shied away from the hard decisions required to stabilise and grow our economy,” he stated.
Akpabio also listed some of the achievements of the NASS, ahead of its second anniversary on June 13.
He said, “This commitment is reflected in its extraordinary output: a total of 844 bills have been introduced within its first two years—an unprecedented figure that underscores the Senate’s proactive posture in tackling pressing national issues.
“Out of this impressive volume, 107 bills are currently at the committee stage, undergoing the necessary scrutiny and stakeholder engagement that ensures quality legislation, 206 bills are awaiting first reading, reflecting a robust pipeline of legislative ideas prepared for formal introduction, and 409 bills have advanced to second reading.”
He disclosed that the Senate has passed 96 bills, “a record for any Nigerian Senate at this stage of the legislative cycle”.
“Even more significantly, 52 of these bills have been assented to by the President, translating into enforceable laws that will shape governance, economic development, public welfare, and national security.
“These bills include the National Education Fund, local government autonomy bill, regional development commissions, tax reforms, universities and tertiary institutions, agricultural institutions, etc.
“Moreover, the 10th Senate has acted decisively on 26 Executive Bills, showcasing a healthy balance of cooperation and oversight in its engagement with the executive arm. These executive-sponsored legislations address key policy areas and benefit from the Senate’s thorough review and refinement before passage.”
Akpabio further stated that the 10th Senate received 80 petitions from citizens and civil society, out of which 18 had been fully adopted.
“Beyond bills, the 10th Senate has received a total of 80 petitions from citizens and civil society. This is a testimony to public trust in the institution. Of these, 18 petitions have been fully adopted, providing redress, transparency, and institutional accountability.
“History teaches us that nations make the greatest progress when the Executive governs with vision, and the Legislature guides with wisdom. But they prosper most when both walk hand-in-hand—not as rivals, but as co-stewards of national trust,” he said.
Singer Louis Tomlinson and Sam Thompson finally met face to face for the first time at Soccer Aid training today. Both lads are playing for the same England team for Unicef – the charity for which Sam recently completed a gruelling 260-mile marathon over five days.
Normally, charity football matches aren’t awkward affairs, but thanks to One Direction singer currently dating Sam’s ex, things could a little tense on the pitch this weekend.
Despite former Made In Chelsea star Sam insisting there’s ‘no hard feelings’, the meeting is likely to be a bit awkward, given that he and Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star Zara McDermott, 28, announced their split in January after being together for over five years.
Zara has since swiftly moved on with singer Louis, 33, and the loved-up pair have been practically inseparable since their relationship came into the public eye in March.
As Sam turned up for the training, he put on a brave face for the cameras, while a beaming Louis was spotted arriving with a black sports bag. Zara McDermott showed her support for her new beau Louis the night before by whipping up a ‘creamy salmon pasta for dinner’, with the singer’s guitar noticeably in the background of the photo she shared.
One Direction fans were taken aback seeing Zara cozy up with Louis for the first time earlier this year, leading Sam to quip about the pair shortly after their connection hit the headlines. Reflecting on possible reasons for swift romantic transitions, he remarked: “I suppose a lot of people look for validation in other people right? And they look for the next person instantly because it’s like ‘I need to find someone else to fill that hole and I need to find that excitement.'”.
But Sam seemed a little more level-headed during a podcast chat with buddy Pete Wicks. Sam revealed an interview question that drew attention to their looming interaction. He recounted: “At the end of the interview, he goes, ‘Look mate, I’ve got to ask the question that everyone wants to know. This is sort of the big question really, the elephant in the room, What’s it going to be like with you and Louis? Obviously he’s doing Soccer Aid too.'”.
Sam recounted the tense moment with a laugh: “Mate, you should have seen the room, everybody, it was silent then everyone goes ‘Woah, Woah Woah, end the call! End the call!’ and I have just gone ‘No, no guys, I’ve got this, I’ve got this.’ I held my hands up to say just relax.”
He expressed his genuine intentions, saying, “I think I did alright and I meant everything I said as well, that it’s not about me or Louis or who anyone is dating, it’s f**king Unicef and charity and everyone is going to be there for the exact same reason. And if he has anything about him which I’ve heard he does, he’s going to sit there and say the exact same thing.”
In an interview with The Mirror in May, Sam shared his anticipation of meeting Louis: “I’ve never met Louis, but the moment I see him, I’ll be like, ‘mate, how amazing is this what we’re doing, and hopefully we can make as much money as possible.
“And I imagine – from what I hear is a really lovely bloke – I imagine the reply will be exactly the same.” Having raised over £1.5 million for Unicef through his athletic endeavours, Sam told us, “I am totally broken – but so happy. The fact this challenge has grabbed everyone’s attention is just so incredible and I have just been blown away!”.
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British acting legend Ray Winstone has candidly revealed his desire to “knock out” a Hollywood icon after the star was “rude” towards his wife.
Ray, who has become a cherished figure in British cinema, boasts an impressive CV with standout performances in Sexy Beast, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and the more recent King of Thieves.
Alongside a slew of high-profile awards, Ray’s illustrious career has allowed him to rub shoulders with some of the most esteemed actors in the industry.
Yet, on a recent instalment of the Things We Like podcast hosted by Eamonn Holmes and Paul Coyte, the 68-year-old did not hold back when discussing his disdain for Jack Nicholson.
Ray has previously mentioned his lack of rapport with The Shining actor, but he elaborated on the reasons during the podcast: “We just didn’t get on, you know. I just found him… Listen, he’s getting older, and maybe he has lots of things going on with him. I didn’t like him.”
He continued: “I thought he was so far up his own a*s, it was unbelievable. And, you know, he was very rude – he was very rude to me; he was rude to my wife.
“If he had been a younger man, I definitely would have knocked him out, you know.”
This isn’t the first occasion Ray has expressed his less-than-favourable opinions about Jack.
Back in 2014, at a BAFTA Life in Pictures event following their collaboration in the A-list ensemble cast of The Departed, Ray aired his dissatisfaction with Jack Nicholson, bluntly stating that they “didn’t get on too well.”
Jack may have come under fire from Ray’s comments., but the 88-year-old Hollywood legend has previously been praised by other stars. Morgan Freeman fondly remembered working with him in The Bucket List (2007), as he expressed to IMDb: “I think we all have a private bucket list. It may not be written down, but I’m constantly checking them off. I just checked off Jack Nicholson. Every day was a holiday because I’ve been praying at the temple of Jack ever since Five Easy Pieces.”
Jack’s illustrious career includes roles in some of cinema’s most definitive classics, including The Shining, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Broadcast News.