Trump delays tariff hikes again but announces new rates for some countries

US president sets new 1 August deadline and warns Japan of 25% tariff, 30% for South Africa and others as high as 40%

Donald Trump revealed plans to step up his trade wars on Monday but delayed tariffs hikes on goods from key economies until next month, amid widespread confusion over his controversial economic strategy.

The US president announced countries including Japan, South Korea and South Africa will face tariffs of up to 40% as part of a fresh wave of levies to kick in on 1 August. No increases will take place on Wednesday, however, after he extended a previous pause.

Goods from Bangladesh: 35% US tariff

Bosnia and Herzegovina: 30%

Cambodia: 36%

Indonesia: 32%

Japan: 25%

Kazakhstan: 25%

Laos: 40%

Malaysia: 25%

Myanmar: 40%

Serbia: 35%

South Africa: 30%

South Korea: 25%

Thailand: 36%

Tunisia: 25%

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Player faith in technology shaken by storm around AI line-calling at Wimbledon

Glaring errors around Pavlyuchenkova’s match have not been an exception in first year of system’s use at SW19

When the Wimbledon organisers announced last year that electronic line-calling would replace line judges for the first time at the Championships this year, plenty of criticism could have been anticipated. Some people would take issue with the more sterile landscape on court and the lack of human touch, while the cull of around 300 linesmen and women would also surely be a sore point. It is difficult, however, to imagine they were prepared for the firestorm that has followed its long-awaited implementation at this tournament.

Electronic line-calling, or ELC, which uses automated ball-tracking technology has, after all, long been used in professional tennis tournaments, starting with the Next Gen ATP Finals in 2018. It has been four years since the Australian Open became the first grand slam to utilise the technology and this year, for the first time, the men’s tour, the ATP, is using ELC at all of its events. Although all other men’s clay-court events use ELC, the French Open is now the only grand slam that still employs human line judges.

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Continue ReadingPlayer faith in technology shaken by storm around AI line-calling at Wimbledon

Man with assault rifle killed after shooting at Texas border patrol facility

Ryan Louis Mosqueda fired dozens of rounds at federal agents, injuring a police officer before authorities shot him

A man with an assault rifle fired dozens of rounds at federal agents and a US border patrol facility in Texas on Monday, injuring a police officer, before authorities shot and killed him.

Authorities identified the shooter as Ryan Louis Mosqueda, believed to be 27, who they said shot at agents exiting the building, which is near the US-Mexico border. McAllen police chief, Victor Rodriguez, said Mosqueda had a “utility vest” in addition to the rifle when federal agents returned fire.

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Sinner fortunate to reach quarter-finals as Dimitrov retires injured leading by two sets

  • Dimitrov forced to stop with 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 lead

  • Ben Shelton wins to set up match with Sinner

If Jannik Sinner goes on to win his first Wimbledon title this weekend, he will look back on this moment as the time when his luck turned.

The world No 1 was trailing two sets to love – 6-3, 7-5, 2-2 – against an inspired Grigor Dimitrov, with a mountain to climb, when the Bulgarian hit an ace and then instantly fell to the ground clutching his pectoral muscle. He knew, there and then, that his Wimbledon was over and after a brief medical timeout, off the court, he returned in tears, before shaking Sinner’s hand.

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Continue ReadingSinner fortunate to reach quarter-finals as Dimitrov retires injured leading by two sets

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem denies ‘reign of terror’ claim from rival

  • Head of FIA bats away criticism from Tim Mayer

  • ‘Whatever I’ve been doing is good for the members’

The FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has denied accusations of a “reign of terror” and suggested the governing body’s member clubs are “smiling” about the prospect of him serving another four years.

Ben Sulayem’s controversial first term as head of the FIA will come to an end in December. The 63-year-old has confirmed he will stand for a second term and is poised to face off against Tim Mayer after the American announced his candidacy in the buildup to Sunday’s British Grand Prix.

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Continue ReadingFIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem denies ‘reign of terror’ claim from rival