The wait has been long but Britain finally has a Wimbledon boys’ singles champion.

Unseeded 17-year-old Henry Searle won the title in straight sets on Sunday, becoming the first Briton to do so since 1962.

Stanley Matthews, the son and namesake of the famous English footballer, was the last Briton to win the title.

Searle beat Yaroslav Demin, the fifth seed, 6-4 6-4 on Court One and is the first Briton to win a Wimbledon junior title since Laura Robson in 2008.

He didn’t drop a set in the tournament and impressively secured victory in 83 minutes.

“It’s amazing to play on Court One,” said Searle, per Reuters.

“It’s a pretty special feeling, it’s not going to come too often. I’m going to enjoy it in front of this crowd. I’ll keep working hard and we’ll see what happens.”

Crashes in the Tour de France are commonplace, but a pile-up during Sunday’s Stage 15 was particularly eye-catching as a number of riders fell after a fan apparently tried to take a picture.

The incident happened around 129km from the finish line. The riders were travelling from Les Gets les Portes du Soleil to Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc.

Eurosport commentary during live coverage of the race said a spectator had caused a rider to be put off balance.

“Someone taking a selfie on the side of the road,” said commentator Dan Lloyd. “It was one of the Jumbo riders who was clipped by them enough that he lost control … just somebody stepping too far out, trying to take a picture, clipping the riders who are hugging one side of the road to the other, and this is the consequence of that.”

“An arm came out and clipped a shoulder, and down we all came like skittles,” said Carlton Kirby on Eurosport.

The individual made contact with Sepp Kuss, according to the BBC. The Team Jumbo-Visma rider fell, causing others to follow on a narrow section of a road.

The stage resumed with all the affected riders getting back on their bikes. Meanwhile, on social media many fans were angered by the incident and some participating teams posted messages reminding spectators to keep their distance.

“If you are spectating at this amazing event, please give the riders room to race,” tweeted INEOS Grenadiers, while Team Jumbo-Visma posted: “Please be always aware when watching cycling at the side of the road.”

Team Confidis tweeted: “Please be careful, so that the party remains a party for the racers but equally for you. You don’t need a phone to create mind-blowing memories.”

Spectators lining the route of cycling’s most famous race is part of the Tour’s unique atmosphere.

In 2021, a fan stepped in front of the racing pack holding a cardboard sign, causing dozens of cyclists to crash during the Tour.

Brad Pitt was among a number of celebrities and Royals who were treated to an epic men’s Wimbledon final on Sunday.

The Hollywood star was on Centre Court to watch Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz slug it out in a thrilling five-set match. After nearly five hours, Alcaraz prevailed to win his first Wimbledon title.

Fellow actor Hugh Jackman and his wife were also spotted in the players’ box, the actor tweeting before the match: “Beyond excited to be here to cheer on “DjokerNole!!! @Wimbledon Let’s goooooo.”

James Bond star Daniel Craig and his wife Rachel Weisz were picked out by the TV cameras during the contest, as was former champion Andy Murray. Actor Tom Hiddleston and singer Ariana Grande were also part of the crowd.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were in the Royal Box with children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and King Felipe of Spain watched on as Alcaraz won 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4.

Canadian wildfire smoke continues to plague the United States, triggering air quality alerts for at least 11 states across the northern Plains, Midwest, and Great Lakes region Sunday.

From Montana to Ohio, forecasters predicted nearly 60 million people would see decreased visibility and poor air quality, including residents of Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, Cedar Rapids and Cleveland.

A large swath of the northern Plains from Montana through Illinois had an Air Quality Index in the “unhealthy” range, which is Level 4 of 6, on Sunday.

“While the concentration of smoke in the atmosphere should begin to wane by Monday, there is still enough smoke to support unhealthy air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups in parts of these regions into the start of the upcoming week,” according to the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.

Winds will continue to push the smoke eastward, bringing a smoky haze to the Northeast early in the week.

The plume was birthed from nearly 400 fires ignited in Canada’s province of British Columbia in the past week, nearly half of which were started by 51,000 lightning strikes from thunderstorms, the British Columbia Wildfire Service said. Some of those thunderstorms were “dry” or produced inconsequential amounts of rain to help quench any fires – a dangerous prospect in a province experiencing the worst level of drought.

A firefighter died Thursday responding to a blaze near Revelstoke, a town in southeastern British Columbia, Canadian officials said.

Wildfire smoke contains tiny pollutants known as particle matter, or PM 2.5, that can get into the lungs and bloodstream once inhaled. These pollutants most commonly cause difficulty breathing and eye and throat irritation, but have also been linked to more serious long-term health issues like lung cancer, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Parts of the US will be at risk of smoke for the foreseeable future depending on weather patterns and fire flareups because Canada is experiencing its worst fire season on record. More than 24 million acres have burned so far this year, an area that is roughly the size of Indiana.

British Columbia has had more than 1,000 fires start since April. Those fires have already burned through nearly three times the amount of land compared to an average year in British Columbia over the last 10 years, the province’s wildfire service said.

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz beat reigning champion Novak Djokovic in a thrilling five-set men’s final on Sunday to win his first Wimbledon title.

The Spaniard prevailed after nearly five hours on Centre Court, eventually winning 1-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-1 3-6 6-4, and jubilantly fell onto the grass in celebration before volleying a tennis ball into the crowd.

The 20-year-old becomes the third-youngest Wimbledon champion in the Open Era and adds a second major title to his resume after winning the US Open last year.

Through his extraordinary display of athleticism and skill, Alcaraz prevented Djokovic from leveling Margaret Court for the most grand slam singles titles of all time and Roger Federer on eight for the most Wimbledon men’s singles titles.

But it was anything but straightforward for Alcaraz, who came from a set down against arguably the greatest tennis player in history performing at the peak of his powers.

In the end, as Djokovic’s attempted forehand failed to make it over the net, a new Wimbledon champion was crowned and Alcaraz cemented his status as the leader of men’s tennis’ next generation.

“Well, it’s a dream come true for me,” Alcaraz said in his on-court interview afterwards. “For me, it’s incredible. As I said, it’s a dream come true to be able to play in this stages, it’s amazing for a boy 20 years old, I didn’t expect to reach these kind of situations really fast.

“I’m really proud of myself and really proud of the team that I have. The work we put in every day to be able to live this experience.”

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic broke down in tears on the court afterwards as he addressed his children who watched the final from the players’ box. “I love you,” he told his family, having already congratulated his opponent. “Thank you for supporting me.”

A final for the ages

It was the final everyone wanted. The talented youngster against the veteran who was chasing history and had been winning grand slams for fun, securing two majors already this year.

Many expected Alcaraz to come out all guns blazing and Djokovic was on the back foot early on as he faced a break point in the opening game. But the resilience the 36-year-old has become so well-known for saw him through the danger.

In gusty conditions, Djokovic heaped the pressure back onto the Spaniard in the very next game, racing into a 40-0 lead and three break points. The 23-time grand slam champion converted at the third time of asking to land the first haymaker of the final.

Each rally was filled with beautiful sequences of shots, from deft drop shots to powerful winners. BBC commentator Andrew Castle reminded viewers that what they were watching was “real” and not a “computer game,” such was the level of excellence on display.

It was the experienced Serb who took the first set, breaking Alcaraz a second time for a 5-0 lead to put his stamp on proceedings.

It wasn’t that Alcaraz was playing particularly poorly – as he showed with his excellently-placed forehand to win his first game of the match – it was just that Djokovic was almost unplayable at times. No matter what Alcaraz threw at him, Djokovic had an answer – he had just two unforced errors in the first set and secured it in just 34 minutes.

The task before Alcaraz seemed almost insurmountable even at such an early stage of the match. After all, Djokovic had gone on to win all 77 of his Wimbledon main-draw matches after winning the first set.

However, a renewed Alcaraz won the opening game of the second set and what followed was what we have come to expect of the Spaniard: bombastic fist pumps, loud cheers and confidence. However, ever the neutralizer, Djokovic showed why he’s a perennial grand slam winner, breaking back to drag himself into the second frame.

With Andy Murray, the last man to beat Djokovic on Centre Court, back in 2013, watching on, Djokovic held serve to level the second set in a game that included a 29-shot rally full of bruising shots to save a break point. Djokovic cupped his ear to the crowd after doing so.

And so, the second set came down to a tiebreak, a daunting task for Alcaraz with Djokovic having won his last 15 tiebreaks in a row in grand slams.

With nothing to separate the two, a moment of brilliance – a backhand down the line past an onrushing Djokovic – won Alcaraz the tiebreak and the set, and a standing ovation from the crowd, too.

The fans were being treated to quite the match.

Midway through the third set came the longest game of this year’s Wimbledon. A marathon of deuces and advantages in what was a microcosm of the match so far. After nearly 30 minutes of tennis, and on his seventh break point, Alcaraz took a 4-1 lead and wrestled control of the set.

Rattled and behind for the first time in the match, Djokovic took a bathroom break and spent almost seven minutes off the court before the start of the fourth set.

The break seemed to help him refocus, however, and he was able to capitalize on crucial Alcaraz errors to clinch the fourth set and even the score.

The pressure was reaching breaking point.

The defining moment of the match came in the third game of the decider when Alcaraz produced a sumptuous passing backhand to break Djokovic and take an early lead.

The usually unflappable Djokovic smashed his racket on the net post in frustration and received a warning from the umpire.

From thereon-in, the crowd cheered each point as if it was match point and as the finish line came into sight the players produced some of their best tennis with Alcaraz coming out on top in a match that will live long in the memory.

Authorities in southeastern Pennsylvania are searching for a 2-year-old girl and her 9-month-old brother who vanished in raging floodwaters as a violent storm slammed the region.

The children and their family, who were visiting from Charleston, South Carolina, were driving to a barbecue when they got stuck in flash flooding, Upper Makefield Fire Chief Tim Brewer said Sunday afternoon. Their father and young sibling “miraculously” made it to safety, he said.

The children’s mother was found dead, Brewer said. Four other people were also killed by the flooding in Bucks County, authorities have said.

“With the five deaths due to the flood waters, mass casualty incidents like these, which we have never seen before, (are) unbelievably devastating to all the families involved,” Brewer said. “We are all grieving.”

“However, our commitment to finding the two children will still be unwavering,” he added. The children’s grandmother survived and was treated at a local hospital, Upper Makefield Township police said.

Local, state and federal authorities are assisting in search and recovery efforts in the area.

Southeastern Pennsylvania was hit hard by heavy rain Saturday, less than a week after parts of the state had again faced flash flooding that deluged roadways and displaced dozens from their homes.

Over the last month, parts of interior New England and the Northeast have seen 200% to 300% of their average monthly rainfall, leading to last week’s disastrous flooding event in parts of Vermont, New York and western Massachusetts.

Flood warnings issued in New York again

Flash flood warnings were also in effect across parts of southern Connecticut and southeastern New York until Sunday evening, less than a week after floodwaters killed a 35-year-old woman and caused millions of dollars in damage in the Empire State.

“New York State is once again seeing significant rainfall & we are prepared to help communities respond,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Twitter. “This rainfall is much more dangerous because the ground is already saturated.”

The New York City Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory for Sunday, warning there was a risk for flash flooding in parts of the city and urged residents in flood-prone areas to be alert.

On Sunday afternoon, the governor pleaded with residents to avoid unnecessary travel.

“A flash flood doesn’t give you warning. It comes literally in a flash,” Hochul said. “And in those moments, your car can go from a place of safety to a place of death.”

Long Island’s Suffolk County saw 5 inches of rain over the course of two hours, the governor said.

The power is out in about 9,300 homes, mainly in Dutchess and Sullivan Counties, Hochul said, noting utility workers are trying to restore power.

“If you’re one of those 9,300 families without your power, it is a frightening time,” she said.

In parts of Connecticut, the heavy rainfall flooded roadways, stranding drivers who needed to be rescued by authorities, according to a Facebook post from the Bristol Firefighters Association.

“These storms are biblical in terms of the torrential rainfall you get and they’re happening more and more frequently,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said at a Sunday afternoon news conference in Bristol.

The National Weather Service has also cautioned most flood deaths occur in vehicles and urged people not to attempt to drive down flooded roads.

“Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas and low lying spots,” the weather service said.

Major airports also experienced significant weather-related flight delays Sunday. All flights serving the major airports around New York City and Boston faced ground stops around 1 p.m., including Boston Logan International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

More than 1,500 flights within, into, or out of the US had been canceled by Sunday afternoon, and more than 8,000 were delayed, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.com.

Floods come just days apart

The latest round of devastation come as Northeast communities are still reeling from last week’s downpours.

Last week, Vermont faced flooding of the likes not seen since Hurricane Irene devastated the state in 2011. The intense rainfall gushed through streets and homes, prompting hundreds of evacuations and more than 200 rescues.

President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration for Vermont, authorizing FEMA to move in needed equipment and resources.

Even with the help, “this is going to be a years – if not a decade – long recovery for the state of Vermont,” said Jennifer Morrison, the state’s public safety commissioner.

Flash flood warnings were again in effect earlier Sunday in parts of the state, prompting officials to warn of potential landslides.

“My team and I continue to monitor the situation as more rain falls in Vermont,” Gov. Phil Scott said on Twitter. “There are flash flood warnings throughout the state today. Remain vigilant and be prepared.”

Climate experts say it is part of a “perfect storm” this summer, leading to deadly flooding in places like the Northeast while other parts of the world – including the Southwestern US – are scorched by record-breaking heat.

Dissident Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, arrested last October for supporting the protest movement in Iran last year, has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison, his official Twitter page said Monday.

“Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison, and after 252 days of solitary confinement, transferred to the general section of the prison,” the tweet said.

The rapper, 32, was previously charged with crimes that are punishable by death, including “propagandistic activity against the government, cooperation with hostile governments and forming illegal groups with the intention of creating insecurity in the country,” Iranian state media IRNA had previously reported.

Salehi’s lawyer, Reza Etemad Ansari, told Iranian daily newspaper Shargh on Monday that the rapper was “acquitted of insulting the Supreme Leader and cooperation with hostile governments.”

Ansari told Shargh the rapper will be “banned from leaving the country for two years, and his passport will be revoked” adding that the rapper will be “banned from any activity, preparation and production of music and singing work for two years.”

Salehi’s uncle, Iqbal Iqbali, said in a statement Monday that his nephew has been “unjustly imprisoned for six and a half years” and thanked supporters who have taken steps for the rapper’s release.

“Your Toomaj, Iran’s Toomaj, the world’s Toomaj, and our Toomaj was unjustly imprisoned for six and a half years. May he and all of our political prisoners be released,” Iqbali said. “Thank you to all dear ones who have taken steps for the release of Toomaj and for the release of our political prisoners.”

Salehi had expressed support online and in his songs for a wave of nationwide protests that were triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who died on September 16 after being detained by “morality police” and taken to a “re-education center,” allegedly for not wearing her hijab properly.

When nationwide protests started in mid-September last year, Salehi called for Iranians to protest against the government.

“None of us have different color blood,” Salehi posted on Instagram. “Don’t forget our amazing union and do not allow them to create division between us, in this bloody and sad heaven.”

Salehi, who himself is of Bakhtiari ethnic background, has long rapped about Iran’s multi-ethnic makeup, encouraging unity among Iranians of different ethnic backgrounds.

“Stand with us, we stood by you for years,” Salehi raps in his song “Meydoone jang” which translates as “The Battlefield.”

“It’s not enough to be rebellious, we have revolutionary roots. Arab, Assyrian, Armenian, Turkmen, Mazandari, Sistani, Baluch, Talysh, Tatar, Azeri, Kurd, Gilaki, Lor, Farsi and Qashqai, we are the unity of rivers: we are the sea.”

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey told a court in London Thursday in his ongoing sexual assault trial that he touched the complainant – who is one of four men who made allegations against the actor – in a “romantic and intimate” way.

“He was funny and charming and flirtatious; over time we began … I’m assuming it was me … began to touch him in more romantic and intimate ways,” Spacey told London’s Southwark Crown Court.

The Hollywood star, 63, denies all 12 charges against him. They include three counts of indecent assault, seven of sexual assault, one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, and one of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

The charges relate to alleged incidents in and around London in the 2000s and early 2010s, during the 12-year period in which Spacey served as artistic director at London’s Old Vic theater.

Spacey went on to say in his evidence that the pair’s relationship became “somewhat sexual” but added that the two did not engage in sexual relations, as the victim “did not want to go any further.”

“That happens at times, and we just respect how far someone wants to go or not,” Spacey said.

The actor described the time he and the complainant had together as “fun” and said that he was “crushed” at the allegations made against him by the accuser.

“I never thought that the (man) I knew would, I don’t know, 20 years later stab me in the back,” he said.

Prosecutors wrapped up their arguments on Wednesday, according to the UK’s Press Association.

NBA superstar LeBron James will switch back to jersey number 23 for the Los Angeles Lakers’ upcoming season, the team announced on Saturday.

James, who has worn the No. 23 jersey in 14 of his 20 seasons in the NBA, has sported the No. 6 jersey the previous two seasons with the Lakers.

“It’s LeBron’s decision,” Klutch Sports Group CEO Rich Paul and James’ longtime friend told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “He chose to out of respect for Bill Russell.”

Russell, an 11-time champion with the Boston Celtics and five-time NBA MVP, died on July 31, 2022, at the age of 88. After his death, the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association announced that the Hall of Famer’s No. 6 would be retired league-wide, noting that players who sported the number at the time, would be allowed to continue to wear it.

In addition to his sporting achievements, which included having the NBA Finals MVP trophy named after him, Russell was one of sport’s leading civil rights activists and marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. when he gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. He also supported iconic boxer Muhammad Ali in his opposition to being drafted into military service.

Russell was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor, by then-President Barack Obama in February 2011.

“For us to lose such an icon, it was heartbreaking for all of us,” James told ESPN before the start of last season. “I mean, no matter if you play the game, watch the game or a part of the game. We all know what Bill Russell meant to the NBA, obviously to the Celtics, off the floor as well, as far as his heroism … and what he meant to us Black people, you know, being able to speak about issues that are not comfortable, and he did it in a time where it wasn’t comfortable for the majority.

“For me to be able to wear No. 6 this season – I’m not sure if I’ll continue to do it, but right now I’m going to wear it in honor of him. It means a lot to me,” he continued.

The NBA’s all-time scoring leader, James originally wore No. 23 in his first seven seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers and the No. 6 while competing for Team USA in international competitions.

After joining the Miami Heat in 2010, James switched to No. 6 during his four seasons with the franchise due to the organization having retired the No. 23 in honor of Michael Jordan. Following his return to the Cavaliers in 2014, the 38-year-old opted to revert back to No. 23, which he wore until after his third season with the Lakers in 2021.

The four-time NBA champion’s jersey was the league’s highest-seller on NBAStore.com in the second half of last season.

Phoenix Mercury superstar Brittney Griner marked a successful return to the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, her first since being released from a Russian penal colony last December.

The nine-time WNBA All-Star Griner finished with 18 points, including scoring her team’s first six points and dunking twice, in Team Stewart’s 143-127 avenging victory over Team Wilson at the 2023 All-Star Game in Las Vegas.

“It meant everything to me,” Griner said in front of a sell-out crowd after the game. “I didn’t think that I would be here today, honestly but everybody sending letters, sending love, posting. I’m still seeing it to this day everything that everybody did. It really meant a lot to me, it gave me hope it made me not want to just give it up for anything, so it was this league that helped me out.”

Griner’s arrest last year in Russia sparked diplomatic drama between the US and the Kremlin that played out alongside Russia’s war in Ukraine. Griner was sentenced to nine years in prison in early August and was moved to a penal colony before being released in a prisoner swap in December.

“I just love being here, I love competing, I love just doing everything for the fans. They do everything for us. We wouldn’t be here without them,” Griner said. “I’m just honored to be on this court.”

Team Stewart was captained by New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart, who finished with nine points and nine assists, while Team Wilson was led by reigning league MVP A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces. Wilson finished with 20 points in the loss.

Wilson’s team defeated the Stewart-captained team at last year’s All-Star Game in Chicago.

The WNBA’s leading scorer this season, Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm, earned MVP honors after scoring an All-Star Game record 31 points and 10 three pointers for Team Stewart, while adding four rebounds and six assists in the victory.

The “Gold Mamba’s” 31 points broke the prior record of 30 points held by Maya Moore and last year’s All-Star Game MVP, Kelsey Plum.

“Threes are more than twos, I think I told Sabrina [Ionescu] that I’m going to put a lot of threes up,” Loyd said after the game on breaking the record. “It’s a special moment honestly, it’s beautiful for the league and I’m happy I was able to do it for my family.”

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced on Saturday that Phoenix will be the host city for the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.