Archive July 2, 2025

Don’t call him Oliver – the British qualifier aiming to stun Alcaraz

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Laura Scott
Sports news correspondent
Jonathan Jurejko
Wimbledon news correspondent for BBC Sport tennis

There is one thing he would like you to know about: he’s Ollie, not Oliver, Tarvet, if you’re just hearing about the British underdog who has caught the imagination of Wimbledon.

“My mother gets angry with me, but I’m usually Oliver.” You’re aware that I make an effort to avoid it at all costs, the 21-year-old said.

He continued, claiming that he had “done something wrong” when he heard “Oliver” being shouted from the court four stands during his first-round victory on Monday.

Fans might be forgiven for not knowing that he is the world number 733 making his Grand Slam debut.

However, he is quickly establishing himself and is unfazed by what lies ahead for him on Wednesday in front of 15, 000 fans, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.

The biggest upset in Wimbledon history would be if the US college student won. He doesn’t, however, rule out his chances; he sees it as an opportunity rather than an experience.

He told BBC Sport, “I don’t really like the word “experience” because I believe it to be merely a spectator and that one cannot really expect to win.

“And I’m not saying that I expect to win, obviously.” But at the same time, I feel incredibly confident throughout the entire tournament.

“Playing the ball, not the player, is a big thing for me,” he said.

It is an experience Garry’s father can’t help but relearn.

He told BBC Sport, “What a mouth-watering prospect.

“This kid is incredible,” said one witness.

When Tarvet was younger, tennis wasn’t a simple career choice. His father works as a construction manager, his mother Jennifer, and his father, Jennifer, are both teachers.

However, Batchwood Tennis Centre, where he “played five times per week,” was very close to their family home in St Albans.

When Tarvet was six, he received his first true tennis lesson. His memory of that day is hazy, but Ben Wood, his first coach, claims it to be yesterday.

I remember thinking, “This kid is incredible,” and I was shocked to find it. This is the best impression anyone has ever made of me in a first lesson, and I always backed it.

He kept coming up with the challenge, and I kept making it harder. This is similar to a six-year-old who was expected to be unable to do those things, and I was immediately blown away.

When Tarvet was a teenager, he completely switched to tennis as a talented footballer and cricketer. He attended the Unique Tennis Academy in London, where he could play full-time while attending homeschool for his A-Levels.

He refers to the program as “a big stepping stone” in his development.

For what those men did for me, Tarvet expressed his gratitude and appreciation.

“I wasn’t on anyone’s radar as a teenager, but they saw me as one of their own,” I said.

Another advertisement for the US college route

Oliver Tarvet celebrates at WimbledonImages courtesy of Getty

Tarvet decided to pursue a career in American college tennis rather than joining the ATP Tour.

Tarvet, who is pursuing a degree in communications and marketing at the University of San Diego, credited his teammates and coaches there with “giving me a lot.”

Along with Cameron Norrie and Jacob Fearnley, he is the latest British player to try the American college system.

But why has it gained popularity over time?

According to Mark Hilton, LTA men’s national coach, “I think players are maturing a little later.”

“Careers last longer,” says one employee. Additionally, there is a lot of competition there. At age 18, not many players are prepared to play professional tennis, and it’s financially challenging.

Time spent abroad has helped to foster Tarvet’s winning mindset.

In the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships, he won in 23 of his 25 matches this year, placing him among the top five singles players.

In addition to winning five titles on the ITF Tour this year in San Diego, Tarvet has won the third-tier of the ATP and Challenger Tours.

However, NCAA regulations forbid players from competing in professional tournaments.

Due to his ability to qualify for the second round, Tarvet should be able to claim prize money of $99,000, which will increase to $ 125, 000 if he defeats Alcaraz.

‘ Gareth! ‘ – Inside joke depicts vibrant characters

Tarvet describes himself as “ferocious” on the court, and he has shown over the past week that he is not afraid to express himself.

His shouts of “Gareth!” during qualifying week! “after winning points were a particular source of amusement- and intrigue.

A giggled Tarvet would not reveal the full meaning, but suggested Gareth Bale was a reference to former Wales footballer.

Because I was saying it, my team-mates were laughing and they blew up our group discussion,” Tarvet, a Liverpool supporter, said.

However, they’re going to have to wonder, “I’m sorry. My coworkers already resent the information I provided.

related subjects

  • Tennis

Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ passes Senate: What’s in it, who voted how?

By in News, World News

Following extensive negotiations and a marathon vote on amendments, the US Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending bill on Tuesday.

The bill, which still faces a challenging path to final approval in the House of Representatives, would impose deep cuts to popular health and nutrition programmes, among other measures, while offering $4.5 trillion in tax reductions.

After nearly 48 hours of debate and amendment tussles, the measure was approved.

What information is necessary here:

What is Trump’s ‘ Big, Beautiful Bill’?

The bill combines spending increases on defense and border security, tax cuts, and social safety net reductions into one sweeping package.

The bill’s main objective is to extend Trump’s proposed tax cuts, which are scheduled to expire in 2025. It would make most of these tax breaks permanent, while also boosting spending on border security, the military and energy projects.

Cutting programs in healthcare and food contributes to the bill’s funding.

Trump’s measure, according to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, will cause the US debt to rise by $3.3 trillion over the next ten years. The US government currently owes its lenders $36.2 trillion.

The bill’s key components include:

Tax reductions

In 2017, Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered taxes and increased the standard deduction for all taxpayers, but it primarily benefitted higher-income earners.

The new bill would make those tax breaks permanent, but they are scheduled to expire this year. Additionally, it adds some additional costs that he had promised during the campaign.

There is a change to the US tax code called the SALT deduction (State and Local Taxes). This enables taxpayers to include certain state and local taxes (such as income and property taxes) on their federal tax returns.

People can only deduct up to $10,000 of these taxes at the moment. The new bill would raise that cap from $10, 000 to $40, 000 for five years.

Taxpayers would also be able to deduct interest on loans used to purchase US-made cars as well as tips and overtime earned.

About $4.5 trillion in tax cuts are included in the legislation.

Children

If the bill does not become law, the child tax credit – which is now $2, 000 per child each year – will fall to $1, 000, starting in 2026.

The credit would increase to $ 2,200 if the Senate’s most recent version of the legislation were to be approved.

Border wall and security

The bill sets aside about $350bn for Trump’s border and national security plans. Among these are:

  • $46 billion is being spent on the border wall between Mexico and the US.
  • $45bn to fund 100, 000 beds in migrant detention centres
  • In order to carry out Trump’s largest mass deportation effort in US history, he plans to employ an additional 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents by 2029.

Medicaid and other programs are being cut.

To help offset the cost of the tax cuts and new spending, Republicans plan to scale back Medicaid and food assistance programmes for low-income families.

They claim that their goal is to redirect these safety net initiatives toward the groups that were intended to be helped, most notably pregnant women, people with disabilities, and children, while also reducing what they refer to as waste and abuse.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid assist people in getting groceries while the Medicaid program assists people who are poor and those who have disabilities.

Currently, more than 71 million people depend on Medicaid, and 40 million receive benefits through SNAP. If the bill becomes law, it would leave an additional 11.8 million Americans without health insurance by 2034, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Tax breaks for clean energy

Republicans are pushing to significantly scale back tax incentives that support clean energy projects powered by renewables like solar and wind. The Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark 2022 law signed by former president Joe Biden that sought to combat climate change and lower healthcare costs, was a key component of the bill.

If the bill is passed in its current form, rather than at the end of 2032, the tax break for those who purchase new or used electric vehicles would expire on September 30th of this year.

Debt limit

The proposed legislation would increase the debt ceiling by $5 trillion, surpassing the $ 4 trillion figure set forth in the House’s May version.

Who benefits the most?

According to Yale University’s Budget Lab, wealthier taxpayers are likely to gain more from this bill than lower-income Americans.

According to them, incomes in the lowest income group will decrease by 2.5 percent, primarily as a result of SNAP and Medicaid cuts, while incomes in the highest earners will increase by 2.2 percent.

Which senators abstained from the bill’s vote?

Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine opposed due to deep Medicaid cuts affecting low-income families and rural healthcare.

Concerns about Medicaid cuts were raised by Republican Senator Thom Tillis in North Carolina. Trump has threatened to support a Republican challenger to Tillis, so Tillis has made it clear that he won’t run for president again.

Republican Kentucky senator Rand Paul criticized the bill as having “no” because it would significantly worsen the national deficit.

Every member of the Democratic caucus, a total of 47 senators, also voted against the bill.

In the Senate, who was the bill’s supporter?

The remaining Republicans cast a vote in favor, with Vice President JD Vance casting the decisive vote, which saw the bill pass 51–50.

Trump has set a July 4 deadline to pass the bill through Congress, but conceded on Tuesday that it would be “very hard to do” by that date, since the House now needs to vote on it. Due to the Senate’s amendments, the House must revisit the bill after it was passed in May.

Among the notable Senators who backers are:

Senator Lisa Murkowski (representative of Alaska): Her backing was secured after Republicans agreed to Alaska-specific provisions, including delayed nutrition cuts and a new rural health fund, making her vote pivotal.

She told an NBC News reporter, “I have an obligation to the people of the state of Alaska, and I live up to that obligation every day.”

Senators Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, and Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah, and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin: These fiscally conservative senators shifted from hesitant to support the bill after it was amended.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune led the push to pass the legislation.

What has the public and lawmakers said?

It was hailed as a historic accomplishment by the majority of the Republican lawmakers.

Trump also expressed delight.

After receiving the news from a reporter, Trump said, “Wow, music to my ears.” Because I know this is prime time, he continued, “I was also wondering how we’re doing.

Thune said after the vote: “In the end, we got the job done, and we’re delighted to be able to be partners with President Trump and his agenda”.

Democrats opposed it, calling it a victory for climate change, food aid, and healthcare for the wealthy.

In a floor speech following the vote, Democrat Chuck Schumer said, “Our Republican colleagues will be forever affected by today’s vote.”

“Republicans covered this chamber in shame”, he added.

More than 145 organizations, including the US Chamber of Commerce, led a coalition of more than 145 organizations in favor of the bill, arguing that it would “foster job creation, higher wages, and investor capital investment.”

They applauded funding for border security and permanent tax cuts.

However, healthcare and hospital associations have warned that millions could lose coverage, driving up emergency and unpaid care costs. Environmental advocacy organizations have also voiced strong opposition.

The bill is also losing support among the general public.

“Initially,]Trump] had more than 50 percent of the support. Politicians are aware that under 50%, according to Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher, a reporter from Washington, DC.

They are aware that Medicaid may be reduced as a result. They are aware, even though Donald Trump had promised to protect it, that this could cut nutritional programmes, particularly for poorer families in the United States.

“And although they will receive tax cuts, they have a lot of the time been persuaded by the Democratic argument that billionaires will do much better than the average American people, and that is what has altered the opinion polls,” he continued.

What follows?

The process begins with the House Rules Committee, which will meet to mark up the bill and decide how debate and consideration will proceed on the House floor.

The House floor will be notified of the rule-passing bill after it passes the Rules Committee for discussion and a vote, possibly on Wednesday morning.

The bill could be changed and sent back to the Senate for another vote if the House of Representatives rejects the Senate’s version.

Alternatively, both chambers could appoint members to a conference committee to work out a compromise.

Qantas says hackers breached system holding data on 6 million customers

By in News, World News

According to the flagship airline of Australia, hackers hacked a system that held personal information belonging to 6 million customers, prompting a major cyberattack on Qantas.

After discovering “unusual activity” on a third-party platform on Monday, Qantas said on Wednesday that it took “immediate steps” to secure its systems.

The airline is looking into the amount of data that was stolen, according to a statement from Qantas.

According to the airline, customer names, email addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, frequent flyer numbers, and other sensitive data are included in the affected data, but not credit card information, personal financial information, or passport information.

Qantas informed the police, the Australian Cyber Security Center, and the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner that it had implemented additional security measures.

Vanessa Hudson, the CEO of Qantas Group, apologized to customers for the breach.

“We take the responsibility that our customers have for protecting their personal information seriously,” said Hudson.

“We are contacting our customers right now, and our goal is to give them the support they require.”

Following a string of controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic, including revelations that it sold tickets for thousands of cancelled flights and fought a bid by Qatar Airways to expand its flights to Europe, Qantas is now working to rebuild its reputation.

Qantas moved up 10 spots in the 2025 ranking to earn its lowest-ever spot at Skytrax’s World Airline Awards last year, falling from 17th to 24th place.

Alan Joyce, Hudson’s predecessor, resigned two months before his anticipated retirement in 2023, while acknowledging the airline’s “commitment to advance its renewal as a priority.”

A cybercriminal group known as Scattered Spider had expanded its scope of its targets, according to the FBI in the United States last week.

Today’s horoscope for July 2 as Taurus feels the need to adapt

By in Entertainment News, News

One star sign feels indifferent in today’s horoscope for Wednesday, July 2, as another improves their health

Find out what’s written in the stars with our astrologer Russell Grant(Image: Daily Record/GettyImages)

One star sign’s routine is interrupted while another is distracted, and it’s Wednesday.

There are 12 zodiac signs – Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces – and the horoscopes for each can give you the lowdown on what your future holds, be it in work, your love life, your friends and family or more.

These daily forecasts have been compiled by astrologer Russell Grant, who has been reading star signs for over 50 years. From Aries through to Pisces, here’s what today could bring for your horoscope – and what you can do to be prepared.

Aries (Mar 21 – Apr 20)

You are unable to fulfill commitments you made to your friends or work. When your focus is on domestic issues, it’s challenging to finish assignments and manage projects effectively. Make time to fit these pressures in rather than repress them.

Taurus (Apr 21 – May 21)

Don’t oppose workplace changes that appear to have taken place unanticipated. Try your best to adapt and follow the flow. You have a chance to discover fresh opportunities for the future. Additionally, these changes will make your job less monotonous.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

In interviews and test scenarios, the goal is to leave a strong impression. apply diplomacy and charm to situations. Avoid tidbits about coworkers, family, or anyone else for that matter during typical day-to-day activities. Let your optimism manifest itself.

Continue reading the article.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23)

When your friends are looking for someone to share their difficulties with, you typically have a talent for doing so. You typically show kindness and encouragement in response. However, today feels completely different. You might find yourself distant and uninterested in their concerns.

Leo (July 24 – Aug 23)

Your work is hampered by family obligations. Your persistent lateness might be criticized for your punctuality. You must let your family know that you have other interests. Some discussions should be moved forward.

Virgo (Aug 24 – Sept 23)

Your body should be heard. A new routine that emphasizes fitness and nutrition is now necessary. Consider exploring herbal remedies that might assist with any physical problems you may be currently experiencing. Let your spouse or housemate know that you have noticed their recent devotion to you.

Libra (Sept 24 – Oct 23)

Take some time to reflect on your life at first. Put plans you’ve been working on in order to start new projects into practice rather than just categorising your experiences. Accept that you have some excellent suggestions for resolving issues. Your potential needs to be seen by your supervisors.

Scorpio (Oct 24 – Nov 22)

Your routine at home or at work has been completely disrupted, and nothing has turned out as planned in recent days, which is unusual. The fact that today seems to signal a return to normality will be comforting. Your first action will be to start with researching private matters.

Sagittarius (Nov 23 – Dec 21)

Before you start your day, give yourself a second thought. You could find yourself in a difficult situation if you don’t pay attention to what you say to people. Instead, concentrate on working in the background and catching up on paperwork.

Capricorn (Dec 22 – Jan 20)

Discuss issues with a trusted friend about personal matters. Talking through your problems can help you come to an end to the issues that have been bothering you, which will relieve you greatly. Use caution because you appear to be easily distracted when using machinery.

Aquarius (Jan 21 – Feb 19)

The number of opportunities to participate in new activities seems limitless. There is less need to try to please demanding people and you now have more freedom to do what you want. Requesting a second opinion might be helpful if there is a question you aren’t sure about.

Continue reading the article.

Pisces (Feb 20 – Mar 20)

US university bars trans athletes, erases records under pressure from Trump

By in News, World News

Following repression from President Donald Trump’s administration, a top university in the country has agreed to ban transgender athletes from women’s sports and erase records set by a prominent trans swimmer.

Tuesday marked the conclusion of a federal civil rights investigation involving transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).

Thomas, who was born in the male gender and admitted to being a trans woman in 2018, won the first-ever transgender champion title in 2022.

Thomas, who switched from being a man to a woman in the transition from being a man to a woman, also set UPenn records in five women’s events, including the 100-meter and 500-meter freestyle competitions.

LGBTQ campaigners praised the swimmer’s participation as a victory for inclusion while some of Thomas’s teammates criticized her as an assault on women’s rights, making her accomplishments the center of the debate about fairness in sport.

The university acknowledged that some student athletes had been disadvantaged by the NCAA eligibility requirements that had been in place at the time of Thomas’ participation, according to Larry Jameson, president of UPenn.

Following Trump’s executive order denying funding to educational institutions that allow trans girls and women to compete, the NCAA changed its eligibility requirements in March to only allow female-born athletes to compete in women’s events.

We are aware of this and will make amends to those who have been put at a disadvantage or have anxiety as a result of the policies in place at the time, Jameson said.

We will review and update the Penn women’s swimming records to reflect the current eligibility requirements for those who hold the records.

Thomas was later removed from the “All-Time School Records” section of UPenn’s website on Tuesday, along with a note stating that Thomas set records for the 2021-22 season under “eligibility rules in effect at the time.”

The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights announced in April that the university had “permitted male athletes to compete in women’s intercollegiate athletics and to occupy women’s only intimate facilities,” making the decision to change.

The agreement, according to US Education Secretary Linda McMahon, was a “great victory for women and girls.”

The Department applauds UPenn for correcting its discriminatory practices against women and girls, and it will continue to fight unabated to reinstate Title IX’s proper application and full application, McMahon said in a statement.

The biggest LGBTQ advocacy groups in the US, GLAAD and Human Rights Campaign, did not respond to requests for comment right away.

The latest in a line of measures to restrict transgender participation in sports since Trump’s January return to the White House is UPenn’s announcement.

World Athletics announced in March that participants in female competitions would have to undergo DNA testing to establish their biological sex.

According to opinion polls, trans women&nbsp and girls competing against female-born athletes are increasingly popular.

Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 1,224

By in News, World News

Here is how things stand on Wednesday, July 2:

Fighting

  • A Ukrainian drone attack on an industrial plant in Izhevsk, in central Russia, killed three people and injured 35 others, regional Governor Alexander Brechalov said in a post on Telegram.
  • The drone struck the Kupol Electromechanical Plant, which produces air defence systems and drones for the Russian military, an unnamed official with Ukraine’s Security Service, the SBU, told the Associated Press news agency.
  • A Russian attack on a vehicle evacuating civilians from Pokrovsk, in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, killed one person and injured a policeman, police said.
  • The Ministry of Defence in Moscow said that 60 Ukrainian drones were downed overnight over several regions, including 17 over Russian-occupied Crimea, 16 over Russia’s Rostov region and four over Russia’s Saratov region.
  • Ukraine’s Air Force said on Tuesday that Russia launched 52 Shahed and decoy drones at the country overnight.
  • The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said on Tuesday that it has been informed of a drone attack last week near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant that damaged several vehicles near the site’s cooling pond.

Weapons

  • Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov announced a new joint weapons production programme with members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), an alliance of about 50 countries. The programme would offer “a special legal and tax framework” to help establish new factories, “both on Ukrainian territory and abroad”, Umerov said in a post on social media.
  • The Pentagon has reportedly halted some shipments of air defence missiles and other precision munitions to Ukraine over concerns that US stockpiles are too low, the Reuters news agency reported, citing two unnamed sources. The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the report.
  • A Russian-British dual national appeared in a London court on Tuesday, charged with sending cryptocurrency for pro-Russian separatist militias in eastern Ukraine to buy weapons and military equipment.

Politics and diplomacy

  • French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire in Ukraine in his first call with Russian President Vladimir Putin since 2022.
  • A Kremlin statement said that Putin reminded Macron that “the Ukrainian conflict is a direct consequence of the policy of Western states”.
  • Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that “no one is delaying anything here”, after US envoy Keith Kellogg accused Russia of “stall[ing] for time” on ceasefire talks, “while it bombs civilian targets in Ukraine”.
  • Peskov added: “We are naturally in favour of achieving the goals that we are trying to achieve through the special military operation via political and diplomatic means. Therefore, we are not interested in drawing out anything. ”