Following is a roundup of reaction to Roger Federer, a 20-times Grand Slam champion and former world number one, announcing his retirement from the sport at the age of 41 after the Laver Cup later this month:
RAFA NADAL, 22-TIMES GRAND SLAM WINNER
"I wish this day would have never come. It's a sad day for me personally and for sports around the world. It’s been a pleasure but also an honor and privilege to share all these years with you, living so many amazing moments on and off the court.
"We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still lots of things to do together, we know that. For now, I truly wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your kids, your family and enjoy what’s ahead of you."
WIMBLEDON, WHERE FEDERER WON A MEN'S RECORD EIGHT TITLES
"Roger, where do we begin? It's been a privilege to witness your journey and see you become a champion in every sense of the word.
"We will so miss the sight of you gracing our courts, but all we can say for now is thank you, for the memories and joy you have given to so many."
CARLOS ALCARAZ, NEW MEN'S NUMBER ONE
"Roger has been one of my idols and a source of inspiration! Thank you for everything you have done for our sport! I still want to play with you! Wish you all the luck in the world for what comes next!"
ANDREA GAUDENZI, ATP CHAIRMAN
"Roger's impact on tennis, and the legacy he's built, are impossible to overstate. Over 24 years as a professional, Roger brought millions of adoring fans into the game. He spearheaded an incredible new era of growth and elevated the popularity of our sport.
"Few athletes have transcended their field in such a manner. Roger made us all feel proud and fortunate to be part of the same sport. He redefined greatness on the court."
THOMAS BACH, INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE PRESIDENT
"Roger Federer is a gentleman on and off the court – and a true Olympic champion. Congratulations Roger on your outstanding career, good luck for the future. Hope our paths will cross again."
BILLIE JEAN KING, FORMER WOMEN'S NUMBER ONE
"Roger Federer is a champion's champion. He has the most complete game of his generation and captured the hearts of sports fans around the world with an amazing quickness on the court and a powerful tennis mind.
"He has had a historic career with memories that will live on and on. Congratulations Roger Federer. We wish you the very best as your journey continues."
SCOTT LLOYD, LAWN TENNIS ASSOCIATION CEO
"He will retire as one of the legends of the game, who brought joy to anyone who watches tennis. Nobody who saw him play will forget his grace, elegance and poise on court.
"We were lucky that many of his greatest performances took place at Wimbledon, and he will always remain a favourite of the British crowds."
JOHN ISNER
"Some of Fed's numbers are laughably impossible to top (23 straight slam semi-finals, for instance) but his impact on tennis far exceeds what he accomplished on court.
"Absolute living legend. Thanks for all the countless memories."
JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO, FORMER U.S. OPEN CHAMPION
"I LOVE YOU, Roger. Thank you for everything you've done in tennis and with myself. Tennis world will never be the same without you.
ANDY RODDICK, WHO LOST THE 2009 WIMBLEDON FINAL TO FEDERER
"Cheers Roger. Thanks for the shared memories my friend. It was an honor to share time/experiences on the most hallowed grounds in our sport. Don't be a stranger.
"Also, seems like a good time to start training for Wimby (Obviously kidding)."
PETRA KVITOVA, TWICE WIMBLEDON CHAMPION
"Roger - you have always been such a huge inspiration to me. Your elegance, your grace, your beautiful game.
"I have always held you in the highest regard and want to congratulate you for an amazing career. Tennis won't be the same without you! Thank you."
ROLAND GARROS
"An inspiration on and off the court. Thank you, Roger."
LAVER CUP
"Congratulations on a transcendent competitive career. Thank you for being a never-ending source of inspiration."
SWISS TENNIS
"Thank you Roger Federer for everything you have done for Swiss and international tennis, for all the countless emotions we were able to share with you, for every child you inspired to play tennis!"
SACHIN TENDULKAR, FORMER CRICKETER
"What a career, Roger Federer. We fell in love with your brand of tennis. Slowly, your tennis became a habit. And habits never retire, they become a part of us. Thank you for all the wonderful memories."
MILOS RAONIC
"Thank you for doing more for tennis than any single individual. Thanks to you competitors and fans across the world get to experience and enjoy it all over the world.
"Congratulations on your achievements and the people you continue to impact in and away from tennis."
DENIS SHAPOVALOV
"A role model for me and so many others!! Thanks for everything Roger. It's been a privilege to share the court with you!!"
DAVID FERRER, FORMER WORLD NUMBER THREE
"The saddest day in tennis. Thanks Mr Federer."
GARY LINEKER, FORMER FOOTBALLER AND TV PRESENTER
"It's been one of the great pleasures in life to watch you play. You've brought so much joy to so many. Good luck with whatever comes next."
'These offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve,' said home secretary Yvette Cooper.(Photo: Getty Images)
UK POLICE will be trained to recognise the signs of honour-based abuse and victims encouraged to come forward as part of a new crackdown, the government said on Tuesday (26), prompting praise from survivors and campaigners.
Recent statistics showed that police in England and Wales have recorded 2,755 honour-based abuse offences, defined as crimes or incidents committed to defend the "honour" of a family or community.
"For too long, these devastating crimes which include honour-motivated killings, female genital mutilation and forced marriage have been allowed to happen in the shadows," the government said in a statement.
Police will be trained to spot the signs of honour-based abuse so they can "step in and support victims as soon as possible".
The Home Office will also pilot a study looking at how widespread the crime is and launch a community awareness campaign to encourage victims to come forward.
"These offences have often been misunderstood by professionals, resulting in victims not getting the support they deserve," said home secretary Yvette Cooper.
"Make no mistake - we will use everything at our disposal to make sure perpetrators face justice and victims are protected," she added.
The charity Karma Nirvana and 22 other organisations welcomed the move, which will also include the introduction of a new legal definition of honour-based abuse.
"Alongside investment in awareness, training, and the national helpline, this change... has the potential to save countless lives and protect future generations," said Natasha Rattu, executive director of Karma Nirvana.
The mother of Fawziyah Javed, who was murdered by her husband as she planned to leave their marriage, also praised the plan.
"I am pleased that the government has listened to our calls for a statutory definition of honour-based abuse, and that this change has been made in Fawziyah's memory," said Yasmin Javed.
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British media reported that Northumbria Helicopter confirmed one of its aircraft, a G-OCLV model, was involved in the incident during a flying lesson. (Photo credit: X)
THREE people were killed and another was seriously injured after a helicopter crashed in a field during a flying lesson near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight on Monday, police said.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said they could not provide further details about those involved and would not comment on the circumstances of the crash.
British media reported that Northumbria Helicopter confirmed one of its aircraft, a G-OCLV model, was involved in the incident during a flying lesson.
Earlier, police said the helicopter came down in a field near the seaside resort town.
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance sent a critical care team, including a doctor and specialist paramedic, to the scene.
A spokesperson for the service said one person was airlifted to hospital.
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Parts of the UK have experienced record-breaking August bank holiday heat
Wales records hottest August bank holiday temperature at 29.6C.
Northern Ireland also breaks bank holiday record with 24.5C.
Notting Hill Carnival revellers enjoy 28C in London.
Remnants of Hurricane Erin to bring wet and windy weather this week.
UK set for one of its hottest summers on record, despite harvest concerns.
Hottest bank holiday on record
Parts of the UK have experienced record-breaking August bank holiday heat, with Wales and Northern Ireland both seeing their highest-ever temperatures for the holiday.
Hawarden, on the Welsh border near Chester, reached 29.6C, the highest August bank holiday temperature recorded in Wales. In Northern Ireland, Magilligan saw 24.5C, setting a new benchmark.
England’s peak came in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, at 29.3C, while London basked in highs of 28C during the Notting Hill Carnival. Scotland, which did not observe the bank holiday, saw its warmest temperature at 27.1C in Charterhall, in the Borders.
Change in weather on the way
The Met Office confirmed that this summer is already tracking among the UK’s hottest on record, with four heatwaves declared. However, the heat will be short-lived.
The remnants of Hurricane Erin are expected to sweep across the country, bringing wet and windy conditions. By late Monday, Northern Ireland and Scotland’s Western Isles were forecast to see winds of up to 40mph, with heavy rain following into England and Wales.
Cooler days ahead
While East Anglia and the South East may still reach 27C on Tuesday, forecasters predict a sharp drop by Friday, with temperatures expected between 16C and 19C.
The unsettled weather should bring much-needed rain after an exceptionally dry summer. South Farnborough in Hampshire, for instance, has recorded no measurable rainfall this month, and much of southern England has seen less than 1mm.
Wider impact of extreme weather
The prolonged dry conditions have caused significant strain on agriculture, with experts warning the UK could be heading towards one of its poorest harvests on record. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board has noted hosepipe bans for millions, some expected to remain in place through winter.
Scientists caution that while linking climate change to individual events is complex, the succession of four heatwaves following an unusually warm spring suggests global warming is amplifying the intensity, frequency, and duration of hot spells in the UK.
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Migrants swim to board a smugglers' boat in order to attempt crossing the English channel off the beach of Audresselles, northern France. (Photo: Getty Images)
Labour government promises end to hotel use by 2029 and asylum reforms.
Nigel Farage proposes “mass deportations” and leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.
A RECORD 28,076 migrants have crossed the Channel to Britain in small boats this year, according to government data released on Monday. The figure marks a 46 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The surge has added pressure on prime minister Keir Starmer over immigration, which has become the public’s top concern in opinion polls.
Protests have been taking place outside hotels where asylum seekers are being housed.
The new record was reached on Sunday, when 212 migrants arrived in four boats, the data showed. The Home Office did not immediately comment.
Over the weekend, demonstrations were held across the country after a court ordered asylum seekers to be removed from a hotel in Epping, north-east of London. The case has become a focal point in the debate over immigration.
The Labour government has promised to end the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers by 2029 and to reform the asylum process. On Sunday, it announced measures to speed up appeals and cut a backlog of more than 100,000 cases.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper said the reforms were intended to bring “control and order” to what she described as “a system in complete chaos.”
Official figures last week showed asylum claims had reached record levels, with more migrants placed in hotels than a year earlier.
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK party, which has recently led polls on voting intentions, set out proposals for “mass deportations” of migrants arriving on small boats.
His plan includes leaving the European Convention on Human Rights, blocking asylum claims, and building detention centres for 24,000 people.
Farage told The Times that he would seek repatriation agreements with countries including Afghanistan and Eritrea and organise daily deportation flights.
(With inputs from agencies)
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South Wales Police said they were called to South Morgan Place in Riverside at 07:37 BST on Thursday following reports of a seriously injured woman. (Representational image: iStock)
A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with murder after a woman was found dead in Cardiff.
South Wales Police said they were called to South Morgan Place in Riverside at 07:37 BST on Thursday following reports of a seriously injured woman.
The victim, identified as 32-year-old Niwunhellage Dona Nirodha Kalapni Niwunhella, known as Nirodha, died at the scene.
Police said Thisara Weragalage, from Pentwyn, was arrested shortly after on Seawall Road in Splott and later charged with murder. He was known to the victim and remains in custody, BBC reported. He is due to appear at Cardiff Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
In a tribute, Nirodha’s family said she was a "cherished daughter, family member and dear friend to many". They added: "Nirodha will be forever remembered with peace, love and gratitude. She touched many lives with her kindness and warmth and her memory will continue to inspire us. Though her life ended too soon, the love she shared will always remain with us."
Det Ch Insp Matthew Davies offered his "heartfelt condolences" and urged anyone with information to contact police. Officers are seeking details about a grey Ford Fiesta seen near South Morgan Place or Seawall Road between 07:30 and 08:30.