Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park in Tennessee hit by flash flooding

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. One particular person was injured at Tennessee’s well-known Dollywood amusement park on Sunday after a robust thunderstorm moved throughout the realm and produced torrential rain that brought about flash flooding.

FLOOD WATCH, WARNING AND EMERGENCY: HERE ARE THE DIFFERENCES THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE

Heavy precipitation was reported throughout Knox and Sevier counties on Sunday, prompting the Nationwide Climate Service workplace in Morristown, Tennessee, to challenge a Flash Flood Warning for the realm, together with Pigeon Forge, the place Dollywood is situated.

The FOX Forecast Heart says 2.5 inches of rain fell in a single hour, and 4 inches in complete fell throughout the Pigeon Forge space on Sunday.

Pictures and movies from Dollywood on the time the flash flooding was reported present water overlaying walkways and parking heaps as individuals, some with strollers, wade by way of the speeding water to attempt to get indoors.

Movies additionally present flooding creeping into a number of retailers inside the amusement park.

HERE’S WHAT TO DO AFTER YOUR CAR IS FLOODED

Different movies present a Dollywood parking zone surrounded by floodwaters, trapping quite a few autos inundated by the rising water. Folks may also be seen making an attempt to get into flooded autos.

Bailey and Sophie Elkins have been among the many Dollywood guests trapped by the flash flooding. The sisters mentioned they needed to wait about 2 hours for the water to recede earlier than leaving the park.

The ponds and creeks all through the park shortly crammed, enhancing the flooding, in line with the Elkins sisters.

“When that rain down poured it actually heightened the rising rise of the water in these ponds and what not, so they only overflowed so fast,” Bailey Elkins mentioned. 

After the flooding, Dollywood officers launched a press release saying one minor damage was reported amid the studies of the extreme climate and flooding.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER

“I feel the staff dealt with it with such grace, and so they have been calm and picked up,” Sophie Elkins mentioned. “It positively was a number of water unexpectedly.”

The Elkins mentioned they have been in a position to go away by driving by way of a service entrance a number of hours after the flooding began. 

“Dollywood is supporting friends whose autos have been affected by this climate occasion, and cleanup crews have been deployed,” Dollywood mentioned in a press release.

Dollywood is predicted to reopen for enterprise on Monday afternoon.

“Park officers will proceed to evaluate circumstances and updates will probably be posted to our social media pages as further data turns into obtainable,” the park mentioned.

John Anderson death: ‘Iconic voice’ hailed as Gladiators referee dies aged 92

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Gladiators referee John Anderson has died aged 92, the TV present stated.

The Scottish sports activities coach was finest recognized for his position because the umpire within the unique ITV present, between 1992 and 2000, and the revamped short-lived Sky collection in 2008.

He additionally skilled greater than 100 Olympians, and was inducted into the Teaching Corridor of Fame in 2002.

On Instagram, the official account for Gladiators shared an announcement saying: “We’re deeply saddened to listen to of the passing of our beloved referee, John Anderson, on the age of 92.

“Our hearts exit to his family and friends. John will perpetually be remembered as the long-lasting voice that introduced us ‘Gladiators Prepared! Contenders Prepared!’.”

He would observe the introduction with a countdown, saying: “Three, two, one.”

The referee within the present BBC present which started earlier this 12 months, Mark Clattenburg, stated: “Probably the most iconic voices and can all the time be remembered.

“I had essentially the most tough process to observe him within the new collection of Gladiators and watching him hold the Gladiators inside the guidelines will all the time be with me!! Relaxation in peace legend!!”

Anderson was additionally the top coach for the Beginner Athletics Affiliation of England and Scottish nationwide coach.

He labored with Staffordshire-born race walker Lisa Kehler, Scottish Olympic runner Liz McColgan and hurdler William Sharman.

Referee John Anderson has died aged 92 (Matt Holyoak/Sky One/PA) (PA Media)

Olympic sprinter Jennifer Stoute, who was often known as Insurgent on Gladiators, wrote: “He was the perfect. He knew find out how to make us snicker and get mad toooo. Greatest recollections.”

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Actor and bodybuilder “Rhino” Mark Smith stated Anderson’s “smile, your voice and power was second to none”.

He additionally wrote: “The true again bone of Gladiators. My deepest condolences to your loved ones.”

Jane Omorogbe, who took the Gladiators’ title Rio, stated: “This man actually modified my life in a single easy cellphone name. Perpetually grateful. Thanks for believing in one thing I couldn’t see. Absolute legend.”

Kemi Badenoch wants to drag the Tories further right. That is a huge mistake | Simon Jenkins

Politics by no means ends. Right now the choice begins of the chief of the opposition and thus presumably the following British prime minister. The pollsters’ present favorite is Kemi Badenoch. She is clever and clearly common along with her celebration’s grassroots. However the supposedly rightwing stall set out in her manifesto, printed within the Instances, raises extra doubts than it affords solutions.

If the Tories’ secret weapon is supposedly loyalty, Badenoch reveals no hint. The true purpose for her celebration’s current defeat is evident and never discreditable. It’s that 14 years was lengthy sufficient and voters needed a change. But Badenoch prefers to garbage her colleagues as “deserving to lose”, for twisting and turning, “uncertain of who we had been”. The celebration ought to renew itself, she says, by returning to its core values, apparently a perception in capitalism and the nation state, no matter which means.

Definitely a terrific misinterpretation of the current election was that it represented a shift of British public opinion to the left. It didn’t. Keir Starmer’s Labour celebration really received 3m fewer votes general than his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, did in 2017. If something, the election represented a drift to the best, with the Lib Dems, Tories and Reform UK splintering the anti-Labour vote. It was our first-past-the-post system that gave Starmer a thumping majority. He was the luckiest man in election historical past.

That isn’t to say a lurch rightwards is critical – it merely means there’s nonetheless a spot for conventional conservatism. However Badenoch seems to be echoing the favored transfer to the best seen in current elections throughout Europe. But her platitudinous presentation makes no try to say what that is purported to contain. Refreshing capitalism is welcome, however does it imply extra privatisation of utilities, welfare or prisons? The worst offence in opposition to British capitalism prior to now decade has been the wrecking of open borders and free commerce represented by Brexit, ardently supported by Badenoch.

As for the nation state, the one coverage space talked about is immigration. Badenoch asserts that “we are able to’t management immigration till we reconfirm our perception within the nation state”. She doesn’t clarify why. The chief explanation for the surge in cross-Channel immigration has been a failure to unite with any EU initiative on the problem. Europe’s view was that Britain might go hold. Nation statism was the enemy of management.

Now to take the Tory celebration to the best with a purpose to head off Reform could be a idiot’s errand. How far its mercurial chief, Nigel Farage, can cohere his various conservatism can be intriguing to see within the months forward. However the proof of the previous is that rightwing factions solely trigger short-term harm to Conservatives.

The true job now for the Tories is to revive their recognition amongst middle-class voters, together with deserters to the Lib Dems, not least within the south of England. This may rely largely on creating a picture of reliability and competence as Starmer heads into the ever-choppy waters of public sector reform. The apparent candidate for that job is Badenoch’s chief rival, the skilled anti-Brexiter Tom Tugendhat.

The Tory celebration made a severe error in speeding ahead to a management contest with out ready to seek the advice of on and reform the method. This nonetheless leaves the ultimate choice on who needs to be chief and thus potential prime minister to constituency celebration members, an voters wildly unrepresentative of Tory and floating voters alike. It’s what gave the nation Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. The selection ought to have been returned, as beforehand, to MPs. In the meantime, for the celebration and the nation, that is one other election that issues.

  • Simon Jenkins is a Guardian columnist

  • Do you’ve an opinion on the problems raised on this article? If you want to submit a response of as much as 300 phrases by e-mail to be thought-about for publication in our letters part, please click on right here.

Chase Budinger’s trek from NBA to Olympic beach volleyball

Chase Budinger nonetheless remembers the sensation.

Rising up in Encinitas, California, he would sit on the lounge ground together with his household within the night and be glued to watching the Olympics.

As athletes would win occasions, seize their respective nation’s flag and put on it with delight as they celebrated, these feelings impacted Budinger, regardless that he sat 1000’s of miles away.

Additionally they impressed him.

“It sort of simply grew to become a dream of mine of wanting to try this sometime,” Budinger advised ESPN. “To sort of go on the market and play so far as I can and signify the US and sort of simply go away all of it on the market and turn into an Olympian.”

Years later, Budinger would be the one on the display screen. He’ll compete on Crew USA’s seashore volleyball crew on the Paris Video games alongside companion Miles Evans.

Budinger’s transition from the NBA hardwood to the sands is a rarity in skilled sports activities. One in all his first welcomes to the seashore volleyball tour was a matchup towards Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen, then the No. 1 crew on the planet.

“I used to be thrown into the fireplace, like, all proper, right here we go, let’s examine the way you do,” Budinger mentioned.

However he discovered a method, altering his physique to regulate to volleyball and leaning on skilled companions as he went via ups and downs.

On Monday, his Olympic dream is a actuality.


Seaside volleyball was at all times a part of Budinger’s repertoire. He grew up across the sport, alongside basketball, since his older brother and his sister performed each.

Budinger began enjoying indoor volleyball competitively at 12 years previous earlier than entering into seashore volleyball round 14. All through highschool, Moonlight State Seaside in Encinitas grew to become the place to be — many of the finest San Diego space volleyball gamers grew up there, in accordance with Budinger. He mentioned he was the identical, collaborating in native tournaments.

“I might have one in all my buddies and we might simply exit and do the match and attempt to compete,” he mentioned. “I wasn’t something nice again then in highschool. I used to be extra simply doing it for the love of the sport.”

He juggled the game subsequent to indoor volleyball and basketball at La Costa Canyon Excessive College. Budinger gained three state titles in indoor volleyball. He was additionally the No. 4-ranked basketball prospect within the nation and shared McDonald’s All American Recreation MVP honors with a future Corridor of Famer — Kevin Durant.

The USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins provided Budinger an opportunity to play each sports activities in faculty. However, he dedicated to the Arizona Wildcats, deciding to place volleyball on the shelf and see how far basketball may take him.

“Being a school athlete, it is powerful in itself of simply doing lessons and enjoying one sport,” he mentioned. “I could not even think about attempting to do two sports activities with that and doing it at a excessive stage.”

The choice paid off. Budinger averaged 17 factors per sport throughout three seasons for the Wildcats and earned two All-Pac-12 honors. He helped Arizona attain the Candy 16 in 2009 and entered the draft after the season.

The Detroit Pistons chosen him within the second spherical then traded him to the Houston Rockets on draft evening.

Budinger’s seven-year NBA profession was most memorable for his efficiency within the 2012 NBA dunk contest, the place he notably executed a blindfolded slam. He completed second behind then-Utah Jazz ahead Jeremy Evans.

After 4 extra years within the NBA, Budinger went abroad, enjoying for Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz in Spain for the 2016-17 season. Because the video games ended, he had one other resolution to make.


Budinger’s basketball profession was on its final legs in 2017.

After seven years within the NBA and one abroad, Budinger felt he nonetheless had rather a lot left within the tank. He thought if he caught it out, he’d discover his method again to the NBA or have a profitable European profession.

He spoke together with his spouse and his dad and mom. His agent provided all of the basketball particulars — which European groups he may play for or which NBA groups could be if a spot opened midseason. Budinger mentioned everybody was supportive of it being his personal resolution.

The skilled basketball life-style grew to become one thing he merely did not need to reside anymore.

“I sort of wished to get pleasure from being residence and revel in not touring as a lot. And there was simply loads of little features of my life throughout that point the place I wished to largely simply keep,” he mentioned. “That is finally why I switched sports activities. … I sort of simply wished a unique life-style change.”

Budinger joked there will not be a greater life-style than enjoying seashore volleyball.

His commute on daily basis? Biking right down to the seashore. Then observe on the sand for a number of hours, capped off by a swim within the ocean and a motorcycle experience residence.

His most important aim when he switched sports activities was making the Olympics. Nevertheless, the previous Minnesota Timberwolves ahead acknowledged there have been “loads of ups and downs” when he first began.

Sean Rosenthal, a 2008 and 2012 Olympian, grew to become his first companion. Budinger referred to as Rosenthal “a tremendous” companion and somebody who had persistence and stayed constructive as he tried to determine the sport.

An instance of these moments got here early. A matchup towards Brouwer and Meeuwsen in one in all their first tournaments grew to become an eye-opening expertise of enjoying on the tour.

“I simply bear in mind clearly not simply how nervous I used to be, however simply how constant and the way a lot better these gamers have been on the time,” Budinger mentioned. “And it actually gave me an perception of which stage I’ve to get to to compete towards these [types] of gamers. And I wasn’t even near that on the time.”

There have been a number of steps taken to get there.

He first needed to tweak his physique. The 6-foot-7 Budinger performed basketball at round 215 kilos however mentioned he trimmed right down to 205 or 210. Since he can be shifting on the sand, his exercises within the weight room needed to be totally different to shift his reflexes and physique model.

Essentially the most drastic change, nevertheless, got here with enjoying a number of matches in sooner or later throughout tournaments, generally for 3 or 4 days in a row.

After Rosenthal, Budinger teamed up with Casey Patterson, a 2016 Olympian. Budinger credited these ex-Olympians with serving to him get extra accustomed to the tour and sport, particularly every match’s distinctive challenges. A match in China may need 20- to 30-mile-per-hour winds, whereas one other the following week in a unique nation could be 100 levels Fahrenheit with 80% humidity, Budinger mentioned.

The one time a seashore volleyball match is canceled is because of rain or lightning.

“That was in all probability one of many issues I realized, sort of simply via expertise, is it’s a must to regulate to every match that you simply’re sort of enjoying in and discover ways to be the perfect in each scenario,” Budinger mentioned. “And people older guys did a extremely good job of serving to me with that.”

It might repay a few years later.


Qualifying for the Olympics in seashore volleyball has a number of layers. There are 24 groups every for males’s and ladies’s volleyball. The host nation, France, had an computerized bid. The 2 males’s and ladies’s pairs who gained the 2023 Seaside Volleyball World Championships routinely certified.

The highest 17 groups within the FIVB Olympic rankings qualify. These rankings account for the 12 finest performances from Jan. 1, 2023, to June 10, 2024. Lastly, the 5 remaining spots are decided via the 5 Continental Olympic tournaments.

On June 5, Budinger and Evans have been on the FIVB match in Ostrava, Czechia, making ready for his or her match. That they had one eye on their court docket and one other on a match that concerned Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner, the No. 3 U.S. crew.

If Crabb and Brunner misplaced, Budinger and Evans have been in. The 2 huddled round a cellphone, watching the match because it got here to an in depth end.

“We have been sort of wired, in all probability much more than our match that we needed to play,” Budinger mentioned.

It marked the end result of a two-year course of with the pair specializing in the Olympics. Budinger referred to as the race to qualify up and down. Towards the tip of the cycle, they put collectively key tournaments to place them in prime place.

Crabb and Brunner ended up dropping, securing Budinger and Evans’ qualification.

The 2 exchanged excessive fives and hugs. Then, Budinger FaceTimed his spouse, the one that had been there when he determined to make his transfer to seashore volleyball.

“I am unable to actually clarify how a lot aid and pleasure and simply all of the feelings simply actually poured out of me in that second of identical to, man, we freaking did it,” he mentioned. “We lastly made it.”

Now that he is certified, Budinger has obtained recommendation on what being on the Olympics shall be like.

Whereas being interviewed by Kerri Walsh Jennings, Budinger picked the mind of the four-time Olympian. She had easy recommendation — everybody’s totally different, due to this fact, it’s a must to discover your method of approaching the video games. However, he mentioned “everybody” has mentioned to get pleasure from it as a lot as he can.

Budinger added that his Olympic expertise will embrace “rather a lot” of goosebumps, particularly when he walks out to a packed crowd on the seashore volleyball stadium that sits in entrance of the Eiffel Tower: “We have gotta have one of many coolest venues,” he mentioned.

Budinger’s participation in Paris may serve a unique objective. Basketball careers are “so quick” and he acknowledged that some gamers get misplaced as soon as their respective careers finish.

“Fortunately, for me, I had a plan of switching careers and leaping to a unique sport so I may keep aggressive and nonetheless in a position to do one thing that I really like,” Budinger mentioned.

Whether or not his Olympic expertise will turn into a blueprint for different athletes post-basketball to seek out their very own plan is unclear.

Identical to that child in Encinitas would need, Budinger can be trying ahead to attending as many occasions as potential, together with basketball.

Kemi Badenoch pledges Tory renewal as she enters leadership race

BBC

Kemi Badenoch has promised to “renew” the Conservative Social gathering as she turns into the sixth particular person to launch a bid to turn out to be the following Tory chief.

The shadow housing secretary stated she would return her get together to “first rules” together with a give attention to sovereignty and a revived confidence in capitalism.

The 44-year-old hoping to take over from ex-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak repeatedly tops polls amongst Conservative Social gathering members.

She joins Dame Priti Patel, Mel Stride, Robert Jenrick, Tom Tugendhat and James Cleverly within the race to switch Mr Sunak. Former Residence Secretary Suella Braverman has stated she won’t be operating.

Ms Badenoch stated the Conservative Social gathering wanted to give attention to “performing some issues nicely, not the whole lot badly” to get better from their worst ever election outcome – which left them with 121 MPs.

Writing in The Occasions newspaper, she stated: “My marketing campaign is launching with an specific give attention to renewing our get together for 2030 – the primary full 12 months we might be again in authorities and the primary 12 months of a brand new decade.”

Beneath her, the Conservatives “will converse the reality once more” and return to its roots, Ms Badenoch stated.

In her article, Ms Badenoch made a case for leaving the European Conference on Human Rights (ECHR), a serious dividing line throughout the Conservative get together.

Some Conservatives argue leaving the conference is vital to controlling immigration and enhancing nationwide safety, however others fear it may injury the UK’s worldwide popularity and authorized protections.

“We will’t management immigration till we re-confirm our perception within the nation state and the sovereign obligation it has above all else to serve its personal residents,” Ms Badenoch stated.

“Our public companies won’t ever totally get better from the pandemic till we do not forget that authorities ought to do some issues nicely, not the whole lot badly.”

Central to her pledge for “renewal” and “reuniting the Conservative household” is an unwavering embracing of capitalism.

“The wealth of our nation is constructed upon our historic capacity to seize the ingenuity and business of our folks, and the willingness of many to commerce threat for reward,” she stated.

“It’s turn out to be a unclean phrase, however our renewal should additionally imply a renewal for capitalism.”

A dedicated Brexit supporter, Ms Badenoch was first elected as an MP in 2017 and used her first parliamentary speech to rejoice the Brexit vote as “the best ever vote of confidence in the UK”.

She gained her first main ministerial function within the Boris Johnson authorities, serving beneath then-chancellor Mr Sunak within the Treasury.

Ms Badenoch emerged as a darling of the suitable of her get together throughout her time as ladies and equalities minister in 2021 for her stance on trans rights.

She beforehand ran for Conservative chief following the resignation of Boris Johnson and got here fourth regardless of beginning the race with a comparatively low profile.

Ms Badenoch now repeatedly outperforms her rivals in approval scores amongst get together members, in response to surveys on Conservative Residence – a well-liked web site amongst activists.

Earlier than even saying her bid, Ms Badenoch claimed she was a sufferer of “soiled methods” by fellow Conservatives – passing on “dishonest” and damaging claims about her to the media.

In a social media submit, Ms Badenoch stated a crew behind one other management bid had despatched a “soiled file” to journalists and unfold rumours she had secretly arrange a management marketing campaign web site.

On the similar time, a story about her appeared in The Spectator journal, claiming a web based profile going by the title of “Kemi” on a Nigerian web site within the mid-2000s had made a collection of “direct, typically impolite, usually confrontational” feedback.

The article stated the statements did little to wreck her forthright popularity and have been unlikely to harm her within the management race.

Tory MPs aiming to turn out to be the following Conservative chief should safe the backing of 10 MPs and lift £200,000 by 14:30 BST on Monday to enter the primary spherical of voting.

Mr Sunak will stay Conservative chief till his successor is introduced.

The method to decide on his alternative will see Tory MPs slender the sphere of candidates who safe sufficient backers to 4 by the point of the get together’s annual convention in Birmingham on the finish of September.

MPs will then maintain a collection of votes to slender the sphere to a closing two contenders, with get together members then selecting the winner.

The net vote will finish on 31 October, with the outcome introduced two days afterward 2 November, three days earlier than the US presidential election.

Ms Badenoch and the opposite 5 candidates for the Tory management won’t face competitors from Ms Braverman, who was extensively anticipated to enter the competition.

Writing within the Telegraph, she stated there was “no level” in her operating to steer the get together “when a lot of the MPs disagree” along with her.

The performing editor of Conservative Residence, Henry Hill, informed BBC Radio 4’s Right now programme, Ms Braverman had “woefully misjudged the temper of the get together round and instantly after the overall election”.

“She was nicely out on the suitable. She wished to return to some form of rapid take care of Reform UK which was not a very well-liked proposition.

“And he or she did issues like attacking the federal government earlier than the shut of the polls when Tory members have been nonetheless on the market making an attempt to return Tory MPs.”

Helen Glover powers through rowing heats with third Olympic gold in reach | Paris Olympic Games 2024

Helen Glover’s return to Olympic waters introduced clean progress to the ­girls’s 4 last and steered the third gold medal of a stellar profession lies effectively inside her attain.

British crews gained three of their 5 heats on a heat, vibrant day at Vaires‑Sur-Marne that stood in completely happy distinction to Saturday’s persistent rain. The prospect of a profitable summer season seems to be actual, Emily Craig and Imogen Grant trying­ peerless within the girls’s light-weight ­double sculls whereas Ollie ­Wynne‑Griffith and Tom George said a compelling case within the males’s pair.

“To be on this place with three individuals I couldn’t ask any extra of, I’m the fortunate one,” Glover stated of a ship that can begin the ultimate on Thursday as favourites. The 38-year-old rows alongside Esme Sales space, Sam Redgrave and Rebecca Shorten. At midway they seemed to be in a three-way race with New Zealand and China however they pulled forward, Shorten setting a formidable tempo within the stroke seat, and beat the All Blacks by simply over a size.

Glover gained gold within the girls’s pair in 2012 and 2016; her legendary standing was showcased when, together with Tom Daley, she carried the flag for Nice Britain on the ­opening ­ceremony on Friday and she or he stated her preparations had been lifted by the honour. “It’s given me an enormous increase,” she stated. “You stroll a bit of bit taller and a bit of bit prouder. It’s not one thing I anticipated.”

The 4 are hitting kind on the proper time. They had been topped European champions in April and Glover believes exhausting work is paying off when it issues. “We’ve all been constant, sturdy, prepared, and I believe taking part in the lengthy recreation has labored,” she stated.

Craig and Grant confirmed why they’re the workforce to beat within the last-ever Olympic competitors of their cate­gory. They had been millimetres away from a medal in Tokyo however right here they gained their warmth by greater than two lengths from Greece, build up an ­unmatchable tempo within the ­center kilometre and never letting go. They may hope for a equally commanding semi-final on Wednesday.

Ollie Wynne-Griffith (left) and Tom George go within the males’s pair. {Photograph}: Alex Davidson/Getty Pictures

“I assumed we rowed effectively and loved shifting out on the opposite crews,” Grant stated. “We’ve had a extremely good six weeks and it’s fairly thrilling to assume we’ve truly acquired higher. We’ve put down some actually good items in coaching and ­relying what the circumstances throw at us I believe we’re prepared.”

Earlier within the morning, the European champions Wynne-Griffith and George noticed off an early burst from Germany and had been in a position to ease off within the final 500m forward of a helpful South African pair. Additionally they face a semi‑last in three days’ time.

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“I assumed we executed it fairly effectively,” George stated. “We knew individuals would leap out, it’s the Olympics. We stayed actually calm however we will all the time be higher. You don’t need to have the right race within the warmth.”

A extremely fancied males’s 4 of Oliver Wilkes, David Ambler, Matt Aldridge and Freddie Davidson reached their last, which will even happen on Thursday, however needed to accept second to a formidable New Zealand of their warmth. The world and European champions have had a disrupted preparation for Paris 2024 and can hope any cobwebs have been blown away.

The ladies’s pair of Chloe Brew and Rebecca Edwards, ­thought of outsiders for a medal, completed fourth and final within the first warmth to contain a British crew. They need to go once more in Monday’s repechage.

USA’s Chase Budinger, Miles Evans run over France in Paris beach volleyball opener

Within the Olympic debut for Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, the U.S. duo steamrolled the French staff of Youssef Krou and Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, in straight units. The U.S. dominated, 21-14, 21-11, to win its opening match of the Olympic seashore volleyball event.

FULL RESULTS

Budinger and Evans trounced their French competitors within the first set, leaping out to a 10-4 lead within the Paris solar. Krou and Gauthier-Rat pulled to inside 5 at 18-13, however the U.S. squad proved far too sturdy. Budinger and Evans flashed supreme chemistry and effectivity and held on for a first-set victory, 21-14. In that set, Evans posted 8 assault factors and 6 profitable digs to energy the pair.

Within the second set, the French regarded a lot sharper to begin, remaining inside two factors early on. However Budinger and Evans unleashed a 4-0 run to tug again forward, 12-6. From there, momentum caught with the Individuals, and Budinger turned up his protection with a slew of blocks down the house stretch. Confronted with match level, Budinger racked up his fourth block, exhibiting off his 6-foot-7 body and NBA-level hops, to seal a 21-11 win within the second set and a clear sweep victory.

Team GB’s Helen Glover ready to add British sporting history to Olympics flagbearer honour

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Helen Glover feels that being chosen as flagbearer has boosted her hopes of changing into the primary British mum-of-three to win an Olympic medal.

The 38-year-old obtained her marketing campaign off to an ideal begin, combining with Rebecca Shorten, Sam Redgrave and Esme Sales space for a easy victory within the heats of the ladies’s 4.

The final 4 British athletes to get the Opening Ceremony honour have reached the rostrum and Glover is impressed to make it 5. “It really gave me an enormous enhance and I didn’t actually anticipate it to,” mentioned Glover.

“You simply stroll that little bit taller and really feel that little bit prouder. Whenever you come to the Video games, there’s numerous predictability and issues are going to occur. That’s one thing I didn’t know, anticipate, or predict. It’s one of many few issues that’s thrown at you and it’s not a destructive – it’s a constructive shock.”

In Thursday’s closing, Glover will race to make British sporting historical past in what appears to be like set to be a decent battle with a powerful Dutch crew.

Three kids and two Olympic gold medals later, she nonetheless feels the identical on the beginning line as she did at London 2012.

“The bizarre factor is, when you transport your self into the ‘me’ on any begin line within the final decade, there’s not a lot distinction,” mentioned Glover, who’s certainly one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s Nationwide Lottery-funded World Class Programme, permitting them to coach full time, have entry to the world’s greatest coaches and profit from pioneering medical assist – which has been important on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Video games. . “The best way I believe, the best way I really feel, the best way I act, it’s simply me.

“Whether or not I’ve obtained three kids or whether or not I’m at my first Olympics, it simply looks like I’m in a spot the place I’m able to exit and do what I can.”

Every little thing factors to a bumper British medal haul at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium and 7 crews have already safely negotiated their heats within the regatta as an entire.

Emily Craig and Imogen Grant have been so relaxed in successful their girls’s light-weight double sculls warmth that the previous’s ideas turned to meals.

“I obtained fairly hungry in the course of it,” mentioned Craig, who will race once more within the semi-finals on Wednesday. “I used to be simply desirous about lunch – dreamy.”

The boys’s pair of Tom George and Ollie Wynne-Griffith watched their closest rivals Switzerland squeezed out of the automated qualification locations within the first of three heats.

Crew GB males’s rowing (Getty Pictures)

After an early scare from Germany, George and Wynne-Griffith held their nerve to ease into Wednesday’s semi-finals.

“I believe we executed fairly properly,” mentioned George. “We knew folks would leap out, it’s the Olympics, the Germans clearly had a remit to not come final and get via to the semi-final. We stayed actually calm.”

The boys’s 4 made a strong begin and are decided to write down their very own Olympic historical past within the closing on Thursday.

Crew GB gained the occasion 5 instances in a row from 2000 to 2020 with legendary names like Steve Redgrave, Matthew Pinsent and Andy Triggs-Hodge to the fore.

After the crown was misplaced in Tokyo on account of a evident steering error, Freddie Davidson, David Ambler, Matt Aldridge and Oli Wilkes are campaigning to convey the title again to Britain.

Their bid to take action started as they completed second of their warmth behind a speedy Kiwi crew, who will head into the ultimate as favourites alongside USA.

“We all know concerning the legacy,” mentioned Aldridge.

“Once we first got here into this mix, we didn’t trouble taking a look at what comes earlier than us as a result of we’re not them. We are able to’t affect historical past and legacy, we will simply do our personal factor.

“No matter what occurred in Tokyo, we need to construct our personal boat, our personal rhythm and our personal crew and make our personal historical past.”

:: With greater than £30M per week raised for Good Causes, together with important funding into elite and grassroots sport, Nationwide Lottery gamers assist our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to reside their desires and make the nation proud, in addition to offering extra alternatives for folks to participate in sport. To search out out extra go to: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk

Rachel Reeves to unveil ‘tough decisions’ to fix £20bn black hole in public finances as IFS warns of tax rises – UK politics live

Chancellor Rachel Reeves hints at giving public sector employees above-inflation pay rises

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Rachel Reeves is ready to announce “very robust choices” to deal with a public spending black gap of round £20 billion within the authorities accounts.

The chancellor is predicted to unveil billions of kilos value of public spending cuts in initiatives together with street and rail sector, and a spending discount on exterior consultants.

In a speech within the Home of Commons, Ms Reeves will accuse the earlier Conservative authorities of “overlaying up the true state of the general public funds” as she reveals the outcomes of the Treasury spending audit in a bid to “restore financial stability”.

However the long-waited announcement comes with tax fears after director of the Institute for Fiscal Research Paul Johnson stated it’s “fairly probably” the occasion would elevate taxes in some type.

Nonetheless, cupboard minister Pat McFadden stated Labour’s election promise to not elevate earnings tax, nationwide insurance coverage or VAT would “nonetheless maintain” and accused the earlier Tory authorities of “working away” from the reality about the true state of the financial system.

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Who would be the subsequent Tory chief? All of the entrance runners ranked from Priti Patel to Kemi Badenoch

The Conservatives’ newest management contest is underway after Rishi Sunakled the occasion to its worst election defeat in historical past.

A string of senior figures have thrown their hats within the ring to succeed the previous PM and lead the occasion by way of the following 5 years in opposition.

Candidates should win the help of 10 Conservative MPs earlier than the Monday deadline with the intention to make it onto the poll paper.

With the shortlist to be whittled down step by step till a remaining 4 are paraded in entrance of the occasion trustworthy at October’s Tory convention, The Impartial seems on the runners and riders to take the reins from Mr Sunak.

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 13:10

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Overseas secretary condemns rocket strike on Israeli-controlled Golan Heights

Overseas secretary David Lammy has condemned a rocket strike within the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, saying Hezbollah should stop their assaults.

David Lammy tweeted: “The UK condemns the strike in Golan Heights that has tragically claimed not less than 12 lives.

“We’re deeply involved in regards to the threat of additional escalation and destabilisation. We have now been clear Hezbollah should stop their assaults.”

The strike on Saturday, which the Israeli navy stated killed 12 kids and youngsters, has raised fears that battle might escalate in Lebanon.

Israel has blamed Hezbollah, however the group issued an announcement to say it “categorically denies” being behind the assault.

Hezbollah commanders informed the UN that what hit the soccer pitch was an Israeli anti-rocket interceptor projectile.

Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the Lebanese militant group “pays a heavy worth for this assault, one which it has not paid up to now”.

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 13:00

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Small boat arrivals hit file excessive for first seven months of the 12 months

Round 255 folks have been detected crossing the English Channel to the UK on Sunday.

In keeping with provisional figures from the House Workplace, the cumulative variety of arrivals up to now in 2024 to 16,457, a brand new file for the primary seven months of a calendar 12 months.

The earlier file for arrivals within the seven months from January to July was 16,420 in 2022.

There have been 14,732 arrivals within the first seven months of 2023.

Month-to-month knowledge comes from the newest House Workplace quarterly replace on irregular migration to the UK, which presents the “remaining and authoritative statistics on small boat arrivals”.

There have been 29,437 arrivals throughout the entire of 2023, down 36% on a file 45,774 arrivals in 2022.

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:51

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No 10: Simply Cease Oil motion not ‘successful folks round’ to local weather trigger

Simply Cease Oil protesters blocked an entrance to a safety search space at Gatwick airport in an obvious try to disrupt travellers making an attempt to make their flights.

Seven activists entered the airport’s South Terminal this morning, with the group stating that “the state of affairs is at present growing”.

However Downing Road stated their actions will not be “successful folks round” to their trigger.

Requested for the prime minister’s message to the demonstrators, his official spokesman informed reporters: “Clearly we recognise the democratic proper of individuals to peacefully specific their views, however clearly they need to accomplish that throughout the bounds of the regulation. And clearly being seen to considerably disrupt folks’s summer time holidays is not any manner of successful folks round to your trigger.

“I can’t remark particularly on the case that you simply’re reporting which is clearly ongoing, however we clearly thank anybody concerned for stopping any vital disruption.”

A spokesperson for the aviation hub informed The Impartial that regardless of the protest, London Gatwick is open and “working usually at this time”.

Protesters blocking the departure gates at Gatwick Airport (Simply Cease Oil) (PA Media)

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:42

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Streeting welcomes puberty blockers ruling

The Excessive Courtroom has dominated the ban on puberty blockers launched by the Conservative authorities with emergency laws was lawful.

Following the ruling, well being secretary Wes Streeting stated: “I welcome the court docket’s choice at this time. Youngsters’s healthcare should be evidence-led.

“Dr Cass’s evaluate discovered there was inadequate proof that puberty blockers are secure and efficient for youngsters with gender dysphoria and gender incongruence.

“We should subsequently act cautiously and with care in the case of this susceptible group of younger folks. I’m working with NHS England to enhance kids’s gender id companies, and to establishing a scientific trial to determine the proof on puberty blockers.

“I would like trans folks in our nation to really feel secure, accepted, and in a position to dwell with freedom and dignity.”

(EPA)

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:40

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Rayner to set out overhaul of planning guidelines to clear path for brand new social housing

Angela Rayner will unveil an overhaul of planning guidelines subsequent week as Labour seeks to clear a path to constructing 1.5 million properties in 5 years.

The deputy prime minister and housing secretary stated that “delivering social and inexpensive homes at scale” is her “primary precedence”.

However the planning system must be “a launchpad” quite than a “millstone” dragging down the housing market, she wrote in The Observer.

Our political correspondent Archie Mitchell has the total story:

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:32

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Breaking: Junior medical doctors provided 20% pay rise to go off strikes

Junior physician strikes might come to an finish after the federal government provided unions a brand new 20 per cent pay deal, it has been reported.

Following negotiations, well being secretary Wes Streeting and the British Medical Affiliation have come to an settlement which will likely be put to junior medical doctors to vote on, in accordance with stories in The Occasions.

In keeping with paper, the brand new deal will signify an total pay rise of 20 per cent, value £1 billion, which features a backdated pay rise of 4.05 per cent for 2023-24, on prime of an current enhance of between 8.8 per cent and 10.3 per cent.

Beneath the provide, junior medical doctors will likely be given an extra pay rise of 6 per cent for 2024-25, which will likely be topped up by a consolidated £1,000 cost.

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:30

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No 10 ‘extraordinarily involved’ over Israel-Lebanon battle escalation

An escalation in combating between Israel and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah is “extraordinarily regarding”, Downing Road has stated.

The prime minister’s official spokesman informed reporters: “We’re deeply involved in regards to the state of affairs and the danger of additional escalation and destabilisation.

“I feel because the PM has stated earlier than, the state of affairs on the northern border of Israel is extraordinarily regarding, and we’re calling on all events to de-escalate.

“We urge each the Israeli and Lebanese governments to interact with the US-led discussions to achieve a political settlement and resolve these tensions diplomatically.”

The official stated he didn’t have an replace and wouldn’t get into navy actions when requested a few report that British navy ships on their option to the area might assist a possible evacuation operation from Lebanon.

It comes as Israeli drone assaults have reportedly killed two folks in southern Lebanon in response to the strike in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. 

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:24

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Extinction Insurrection activists block street to Westminster

A gaggle of local weather activists have blocked a street in central London in a protest concentrating on the workplace constructing of assume tank Coverage Change.

The members of Extinction Insurrection (XR) held banners bearing the phrases “Coverage Change – minimize the ties to fossil fuels”, blocking entry to Previous Queen Road in Westminster this morning.

Leaflets given out on the demonstration listed the group’s calls for, together with “full and open disclosure” of the place funding for the assume tank comes from, elevated transparency of Coverage Change conferences with MPs and authorities departments, and the removing of charitable standing for “any foyer group” that receives cash from “massive oil and fuel”.

The group poured swimming pools of black liquid outdoors the Coverage Change constructing alongside a yellow signal studying “Warning: slippery with the reality”.

(Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:15

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Watch: Migrant’s message for Rishi Sunak as small boat heads for English Channel

Migrant’s message for Rishi Sunak as small boat heads for English Channel

A migrant declared “that is for Rishi Sunak” as a small boat travelled down a riverway in France in direction of the English Channel on Monday, 29 July. A gaggle travelled on a black dinghy earlier than reaching the ocean, the place dozens of migrants waded into the water at Gravelines and pulled themselves onto the crowded vessel. It comes because the French coastguard rescued 34 migrants, whereas one particular person died, after a “closely loaded” boat received into issue in a single day from July 27 to twenty-eight. Greater than 16,000 migrants have made the journey by way of the English Channel this 12 months up to now.

Salma Ouaguira29 July 2024 12:14

Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal live updates: Reaction as Djokovic wins tennis match at Paris Olympics 2024

*Novak Djokovic 6-1 5-4 Rafael Nadal

Djokovic goes 0-30 up and roars in delight, earlier than Nadal pulls some extent again to present the gang hope at 15-30.

Oh, no, Nadal shanks a forehand down the road vast, and it is 15-40 with two break factors to Djokovic. Hazard.

Djokovic out, one saved; Djokovic responds to a drop volley from Nadal down the road… and Nadal volleys it away for deuce! The gang are on their toes.

Argh, a horrible time for the ball to come back off the unsuitable a part of the racket, benefit Djokovic, the Serb nets, again to deuce.

Great stuff from Djokovic: a rip-snorting forehand into the left nook, barely returned, a forehand whacked into the opposite nook with utter disdain. Emphatic. Then with benefit, he fashions an exquisite drop shot to get the break.