Hi, and welcome to another edition of Prep Rally. My name is Eric Sondheimer. It’s time to start previewing top football players for the coming season. The Times’ nine-part series looking at each position begins Aug. 12, but let’s start providing a sneak peek.
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Quarterbacks to watch
Newbury Park quarterback Brady Smigiel throws a pass during a 43-14 nonleague win over Ventura on Sept. 26, 2024.
(Steve Galluzzo / For The Times)
Quarterbacks can be broken down into three groups — exceptional returnees, rising players entering their senior seasons and newcomers with potential.
Brady Smigiel of Newbury Park returns for his senior year having thrown 147 career touchdowns. Bryson Beaver of Vista Murrieta surged in the off season as a college prospect before committing to Oregon after passing for 3,214 yards. Luke Fahey of Mission Viejo is an Ohio State commit with big ambitions for his senior season. Brady Edmunds of Huntington Beach enters his junior season after passing for 3,222 yards as a sophomore. He’s also committed to Ohio State.
Corin Berry of Charter Oak passed for 3,034 and committed to Purdue. Oscar Rios of Downey is committed to Arizona and one of the best passers and runners. Jackson Taylor of Thousand Oaks committed to Boise State.
Alexander Lundsberg of Anaheim Canyon was one of the state leaders in passing at 3,646 yards. Travis Frazier of Esperanza is a 6-foot-4 senior who passed for 2,600 yards.
Ryan Hopkins of Mater Dei moves from JSerra as one of the fastest quarterbacks in the state and is a Wisconsin commit. Koa Malau’ulu of St. John Bosco should continue his rise after a freshman season that saw him get the Braves into the Division 1 final. Wyatt Brown moves from Santa Monica to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame ready to test himself against Mission League competition. Cathedral’s Jaden Jefferson had 2,641 yards and 30 touchdowns as a sophomore. Edison’s Sam Thomson led his team to a state title as a sophomore.
Santa Margarita turns to Tulane commit Trace Johnson, a transfer from Florida. Agoura gets back from injury Gavin Gray, who had more than 1,100 yards passing in four games. Chaparral’s Dane Weber completed 67% of his passes as a sophomore. Dominik Hardy of Calabasas passed for 2,100 yards as a sophomore. Deshawn Laporte of Burbank had 2,600 yards passing as a sophomore for a 9-3 team. Joseph Mesa of Paraclete passed for 3,414 yards and 30 touchdowns. Isaiah Arriaza of Damien passed for 2,892 yards and was Baseline League MVP.
Russell Sekona of Leuzinger is coming off a freshman season in which he passed for 1,600 yards. Caden Jones of Crean Lutheran might be the best football/basketball athlete in the Southland entering his junior season. Jacob Paisano of Hart and Brady Bretthauer of Valencia are both senior quarterbacks with strong arms and proven performances from the Foothill League.
The City Section could have its best collection of quarterbacks in years, led by Eagle Rock’s Liam Pasten, who had 3,602 yards passing last season. There’s also Chris Fields at Carson, Jack Thomas at Palisades, Elijah McDaniel at Dorsey, Diego Montes at Kennedy, Seth Solorio at San Pedro and freshman Thaddeus Breaux at Hamilton.
Speaking of freshmen, the class of 2029 quarterbacks look promising. Evan McCalister of Valencia, Ezrah Brown of Orange Lutheran and Marcus Washington of Cajon have already made positive impressions this summer.
Orange Lutheran quarterback Makena Cook throws a pass.
(Steve Galluzzo For The Times)
In girls flag football, Makena Cook of Orange Lutheran, injured during the girls’ soccer season, is expected back this fall to lead the defending Southern Section champion Lancers. Here’s the report.
San Pedro is up to nearly 30 players going out for flag football. The Pirates have lost in the City Open Division finals the last two seasons. King/Drew is joining the Pirates in the Marine League this season.
Summer competition
It’s my favorite week of the summer, because Edison’s Battle at the Beach seven on seven passing tournament is set for Saturday. The 9 a.m. games are some of the best matchups, with Cathedral vs. St. John Bosco and Edison vs. Santa Margarita.
St. John Bosco, Mission Viejo, Santa Margarita, Servite, Los Alamitos, Palos Verdes, Long Beach Poly and L.A. Cathedral are among the schools scheduled to participate. Mission Viejo gets the favorite nod, having beaten Mater Dei in its own tournament on June 28. Action starts at 9 a.m. and ends by early afternoon. Bring a lawn chair, then sit back and enjoy lots of outstanding skill-position players.
Ocean View is hosting its own tournament on Saturday.
The transfer portal continues nonstop. Matt Smith, who took over starting quarterback duties during last season’s playoffs as a sophomore, has left Loyola for Villa Park. Two other Loyola players have also left, defensive back Brandon Lockhart to Sierra Canyon and running back Sean Morris to Orange Lutheran. The Cubs have lost at least eight players since January.
Richard Dunn, a linebacker and running back who was All-City selection as a freshman at Hamilton, has transferred to Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Jordan Spigarelli, a 6-foot-3 junior quarterback, has left JSerra for Newport Harbor. Here’s the transfer tracker.
New stadiums
Garfield’s new all-weather football field will be ready for games this fall.
(Garfield HS)
Rivals Garfield and Roosevelt will unveil new football fields and stadiums this fall. Construction could be finished by the end of this month.
Andrew Williams of Fremont is a 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior who committed to USC.
(Eric Sondheimer / Los Angeles Times)
Unsung defensive end Andrew Williams of Fremont should serve as inspiration for City Section players this season after committing to USC last February. It’s a story that gives others hope.
The Section 7 tournament in Arizona revealed lots of top boys basketball teams for the coming season.
Among the teams winning bracket championships were Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Crespi, Crean Lutheran, Sierra Canyon and Orange Lutheran. Among the new stars emerging were junior Davy Harris of Windward and junior NaVorro Bowman of Notre Dame. Bowman received a scholarship offer from UCLA.
☀️ Boys California LIVE 2025 ☀️ Presented By Passport Sports@simplyy_bball@CoachesCorner__ 🏆 LEADING SCORER Jason Crowe Jr., was a certified 🪣 averaging 37.0 points per game! Scoring from the field, off the dribble and at the rim, a truly outstanding performance! pic.twitter.com/1LCP8YNZIs
— Boys California Live 2025 🚨 (@BoysCALiveHoops) July 4, 2025
Brentwood’s girls’ team made a positive impressive at the CaliLive competition.
Guards were standouts in the CaliLive boys competition. Jason Crowe Jr. (Inglewood), Luke Barnett (Mater Dei), Joe Sterling (Harvard-Westlake), Kaiden Bailey (Santa Margarita) all indicated they are ready for big senior seasons. Notre Dame or St. John Bosco will be the the No. 1 team to start the season.
Transfers have moved into Crespi, JSerra, Campbell Hall, Sierra Canyon, La Mirada and St. John Bosco, adding to already talented teams. But plenty more transfers are expected before school begins next month.
Cleveland has added St. Bonaventure’s Charlie Adams, who was a star freshman last season.
MLB draft
Corona High’s Seth Hernandez circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run.
(Jerry Soifer)
The MLB amateur draft begins Sunday in Atlanta, and it should be a good draft for Southern California products.
Corona pitcher Seth Hernandez and Corona shortstop Billy Carlson are both likely first-round picks, if not top 10 picks. Hernandez was the Gatorade national player of the year and is a two-time player of the year by The Times.
Great Oak infielder Gavin Fien is another likely first-round selection. Shortstop Quentin Young of Oaks Christian is another potential first-round pick. Pitcher Angel Cervantes of Warren, a UCLA commit, is expected to be taken in the first three rounds and sign.
Also, for the first time, two Harvard-Westlake grads have earned spots in the MLB All-Star Game. Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs and Max Fried of the New York Yankees can wear their old Wolverine caps.
Volleyball
The Manhattan Beach volleyball club team, MB Surf.
(Olivia Duval)
Good things happen when volleyball players from Loyola and Mira Costa join together. The MB Surf club team won the 18 Open division championship at the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in Florida. It’s owned by Loyola coach Mike Boehle. His sons, Parker and Davis, coached the team.
The MVP was Mira Costa’s Andrew Chapin. All-tournament picks included Grayson Bradford from Mira Costa and Blake Falbusch from Loyola. MB Surf also won the 12 Open division title, so watch for future Loyola and Mira Costa players.
Kendall Omoruyi, the top-ranked girls’ volleyball player from the class of 2027, has enrolled at Sierra Canyon. She’s a Nebraska commit who attended Casteel High near Phoenix.
Notes . . .
Jackson Eisenhower, the pitcher of the year in the Mission League from Crespi, has committed to Colorado Mesa. . . .
Megan Hall has become an athletic director at Harvard-Westlake. She previously was at Notre Dame Academy. . . .
Defensive end Richard Wesley of Sierra Canyon, previously committed to Oregon after a fancy social media video of taking a swim with Oregon head coach Dan Lanning, has committed to Texas. . . .
Huntington Beach receiver Troy Foster has committed to Colorado State. . . .
Crespi defensive lineman James Moffat has committed to Princeton. . . .
Cathedral receiver Jalen Ross has committed to Idaho State. . . .
Corona Centennial offensive lineman Jakob Mckindley has committed to Northern Arizona. . . .
Servite tight end Luke Sorensen has committed to Nebraska. . . .
Mission Viejo defensive back Jeron Jones has committed to Washington. . . .
Khary Wilder, the standout defensive lineman from Gardena Serra, has committed to Ohio State. . . .
Offensive lineman Mateo Bilaver of Chaminade has committed to UNLV. . . .
Kyle Sanders, a 6-10 sophomore at St. Bernard, has transferred to Campbell Hall. . . .
Trinity League boys basketball has decided to hold a post-regular season tournament and will play each league team once during the regular season. . . .
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has completed a project adding new bleachers to its gymnasium. . . .
AJ Garcia, the former football coach at Ayala, is the new athletic director at Chino. . . .
Former Bishop Montgomery and UCLA guard David Singleton is the new assistant coach at UCLA. . . .
Joe Hoggatt, the baseball coach and athletic director at Bishop Amat, is leaving to become an assistant commissioner with the Southern Section. . . .
The City Section is up to 85 schools planning to have flag football teams this fall. . . .
Jesse Mercado is the new boys basketball at Villa Park. . . .
Nico Young was the premier distance runner in Southern California running for Newbury Park, and now he’s one of the best in the world. He set an American record in the 5,000 meters on June 12, running 12:45.27.
From The562.org, a story on Long Beach Poly’s campus beginning a six-year, $450 million upgrade.
From ESPN.com, a story on the rise of former Harvard-Westlake outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
From the Los Angeles Times, a story on former Chatsworth guard Alijah Arenas discussing his accident.
From ESPN.com, a story on the rise of former Thousand Oaks shortstop Jacob Wilson, who made the All-Star Game.
Tweets you might have missed
Former JSerra girls’ basketball coach Chyanne Butler has filed suit in Orange County Superior Court alleging discrimination and sexual harassment after her dismissal last March. She guided the team to a 3A title during 2024 season https://t.co/9rHsveugWA
Thank you Fillmore/Piru! Your New Fillmore High Athletic Complex Construction has begun! Athletic Complex construction news will be updated regularly on our blog, social media, and website at this link: https://t.co/pb04U1uTljpic.twitter.com/91bZae0qgH
— Fillmore Unified School District (@FUSDDistrict) June 17, 2025
STORY: Lakewood alum Anthony Eyanson led LSU to an NCAA baseball championship yesterday. Next up: the MLB Draft next monthhttps://t.co/F7ij59L6X3
Alijah Arenas describes for the first time publicly how the steering wheel of his Tesla Cybertruck locked up and led to his fiery April wreck in Reseda.
It’s going to be the summer of turmoil at Southern Section office dealing with transfers. As soon as transfer paperwork gets entered into data base, the work begins. Expect lots of forfeits this season if AD’s don’t do their jobs checking addresses and pre-enrollment contact.
CSUN Athletics is mourning the passing of Matador Hall of Fame @CSUNBaseball coach and former Athletics Director, Bob Hiegert at the age of 83.
A legendary figure in CSUN Athletics’ history, Hiegert is the longest tenured and winningest coach in Matador baseball history with… pic.twitter.com/RpPgWk9MG8
Today marks Jamal K. Adams’ ’90 first official day as the new president of Loyola High School.
A Loyola alumnus, he was most recently the school’s principal. With full support from the community, join us in welcoming President Adams as he begins a new era for Loyola. #AMDGpic.twitter.com/9rC6Ws8aw6
Have a question, comment or something you’d like to see in a future Prep Rally newsletter? Email me at [email protected], and follow me on Twitter at @latsondheimer.
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Soldiers died from gas exposure during a mission to recover a Turkish soldier missing in the cave since 2022.
Twelve Turkish soldiers have died after inhaling methane gas during a mission in northern Iraq, the Turkish Ministry of National Defence says.
“Four other of our heroic comrades in arms, affected by methane gas, have died … bringing the total number of victims to 12,” the ministry said in a post on X on Monday.
According to it, the incident took place on Sunday as troops searched for the remains of a soldier killed by fighters belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in 2022.
PKK has been labelled a terrorist group by Turkiye, the European Union and the United States. It fought for Kurdish autonomy for years, a fight that has been declared over now.
Nineteen soldiers were exposed to the gas inside a site once used by armed fighters as a hospital.
The condition of the remaining seven soldiers was not clear immediately. “I wish a speedy recovery for our heroes affected by methane gas,” Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya wrote on X.
The soldiers were conducting a sweep operation inside a cave at an altitude of 852 metres (2,795 feet) in the Metina region, part of Turkiye’s ongoing Operation Claw-Lock targeting the PKK positions in northern Iraq.
Though the gas is not considered toxic, methane can become deadly in confined spaces due to suffocation risks. The ministry has not clarified how the gas accumulated inside the cave.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his “great sorrow” over the incident and extended condolences to the families of the fallen.
Defence Minister Yasar Guler travelled to the area to oversee inspections and attend ceremonies for the deceased.
News of the deaths emerged as a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM party was visiting jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan as part of the ongoing negotiations with the Turkish government.
The decades-long conflict between Ankara and the PKK has killed more than 40,000 people since 1984.
US President Donald Trump has warned that countries which side with the policies of the Brics alliance that go against US interests will be hit with an extra 10% tariff.
“Any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS, will be charged an ADDITIONAL 10% tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump wrote on social media.
Trump has long criticised Brics, an organisation whose members include China, Russia and India.
The US had set a 9 July deadline for countries to agree a trade deal, but US officials now say tariffs will begin on 1 August. Trump said he would send letters to countries telling them what the tariff rate will be if an agreement is not reached.
On Monday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expected “a busy couple of days”.
“We’ve had a lot of people change their tune in terms of negotiations. So my mailbox was full last night with a lot of new offers, a lot of new proposals,” he told CNBC.
So far, the US has only struck trade agreements with the UK and Vietnam, as well as a partial deal with China.
Although, Britain and America have still not reached a deal over taxes for UK steel imported by the US.
Since taking office this year, Trump has announced a series of import tariffs on goods from other countries, arguing they will boost American manufacturing and protect jobs.
In April, on what he called “Liberation Day”, he announced a wave of new taxes on goods from countries around the world – with some as high as 50% –although he quickly suspended his most aggressive plans to allow for three months of talks up until 9 July.
During this period, the US implemented a 10% tariff on goods entering the States from most of its international trading partners.
The European Union (EU) is reportedly in talks to keep a provisional 10% tax in place for most goods shipped to the US beyond the deadline.
It is also in discussions about reducing a 25% tariff on EU cars and parts and a 50% tax on steel and aluminium sales to the US.
On Monday, a spokesperson said that the European Commission’s president Ursula von der Leyen had a “good exchange” with Trump. Just a few weeks ago, the US president had threatened the EU with a 50% tax unless it reached an agreement.
Letters going out
Asked whether the taxes would change on 9 July or 1 August, Trump said at the weekend: “They’re going to be tariffs, the tariffs are going to be tariffs.”
He added that between 10 and 15 letters would be sent to countries on Monday advising them on what their new tariff rate will be if they don’t agree a deal.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that the taxes will come into force on 1 August.
Last week, Trump said Japan could face a “30% or 35%” tariff if the country failed to reach a deal with the US by Wednesday.
Last year, the list of Brics members expanded beyond the original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The countries in the bloc – which was designed to boost the nations’ international standing and challenge the US and western Europe – account formore than half of the world’s population.
The threat by Trump on Sunday to countries working with Brics nations emerged after members criticised US tariff policies as well as proposing reforms to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and how major currencies are valued.
Following a two-day meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brics finance ministers issued a statement criticising tariffs as a threat to the global economy, and bringing “uncertainty into international economic and trade activities”.
Andrew Wilson, deputy secretary general of the International Chambers of Commerce, said it would be challenging for countries to move away from doing business with China.
He told the BBC’s Today programme: “Shifting away from China…in a number of sectors is far more difficult to achieve in the world in practice.
“You look at the dominance China has in a number of sectors – EVs, batteries [and] particularly rare earths and magnets, there are no viable alternatives to China production.”
What trade deals has the US agreed?
As of 7 July, the White House has agreed:
a deal with the UK to cut tariffs on UK cars and parts from 27.5% to 10% up to a quota of 100,000 vehicles. Taxes on aerospace goods have been cut to zero. In return, the UK has agreed to remove import taxes on US ethanol and beef.
a deal with Vietnam whereby Vietnamese goods shipped to America will be taxed at 20% and US products exported to Vietnam will face no tariffs. Any goods “trans-shipped” through Vietnam by another country that are sold into the US will be taxed at 40%.
a partial deal whereby US taxes on some Chinese imports fell from 145% to 30% and China’s tariffs on some US goods were cut from 125% to 10%. China has also halted and scrapped other non-tariff countermeasures, such as the export of critical minerals to the US.
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The rules apply for trips to Spain, Greece, France and other EU countries
14:35, 07 Jul 2025Updated 14:35, 07 Jul 2025
People are being urged to check their passports (Image: Derek Blair/AFP/Getty Images)
London Luton Airport is warning holidaymakers to check their passports now, or risk being turned away from flights. It comes as British travellers heading to EU countries now face different regulations, after Brexit.
An update issued from the airport’s official account on X, formerly Twitter, earlier today reads: “Travelling in the EU? You’ll need to renew your passport if there’s under three months on your passport while travelling [and/or] your passport is 10 years old or more when you enter an EU country”.
While the advice comes from Luton Airport, the rules are the same no matter where you fly from, if you’re travelling with a British passport. If your travel document does not meet these requirements, you’ll likely be turned away by airline staff.
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If you’re heading abroad soon, make sure to double-check your passport well before jetting off, as renewing one can take time. His Majesty’s (HM) Passport Office indicates that processing and delivery of a fresh or replacement passport currently takes around three weeks.
However, it can take longer “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”. Should any issues arise, the Passport Office will get in touch with you directly.
Since April of this year, a new or replacement adult passport (that is, someone aged 16 or above) costs £94.50 when applying online, or £107 if using the paper form. For children these prices ate £61.50 or £74, respectively.
If you need a passport urgently, you can use the Premium Service (one day) but this will set you back £222 for an adult passport, or £189 for a child’s.
Since their arrival, audiences have witnessed a roster of guest hosts including Rochelle Humes, Emma Willis, Rylan Clark and Paddy McGuinness filling in when needed.
But it appears one ITV personality has set their sights firmly on the coveted presenting position – and they’re certainly familiar with the programme.
Former Made in Chelsea star turned broadcaster Ashley James has disclosed her ambitions to secure the hosting role.
In conversation with The Sun, she revealed: “I’ve always said that I’m always there when the time comes. I would always love to host This Morning.
This Morning star admits ‘I’m there when the time comes’ as they eye up hosting role(Image: (Image: ITV))
“I kind of follow where my interests are, and it’s got me to where I am today, and I’m always going to work harder than anyone else.”
The 38-year-old acknowledged her fortune, looking back on her entertainment career beginnings in 2012 when she had no industry connections whatsoever, reports Wales Online.
Ashley disclosed that upon leaving her previous employment, appearing on This Morning became her primary objective.
Ashley is a regular face on the ITV show(Image: ITV)
Her aspirations appear to have materialised, as ITV audiences regularly spot her as a guest panellist, frequently offering her perspective on current affairs alongside Nick Ferrari.
She continued: “I wanted to be on This Morning because it’s a show that I grew up idolising. It was the goal. So I love it and it’s such an amazing team. I love everybody that’s on there, both in front of the camera and and behind the scenes.”
Although Ashley hasn’t taken up the mantle of presenter just yet, it was recently revealed that Love Island alum and Loose Women panellist Olivia Attwood will be taking the reins of the show this summer.
Olivia Attwood is joining the This Morning team this summer(Image: ITV)
During a chat about her upcoming gig with Ben and Cat, she expressed her enthusiasm.
She said: “I’m going to be doing a couple of shows in the summer, I’m very excited to be joining you guys.
“It’s a huge honour, I’ve obviously grown up watching this show and being part of the Daytime team with the Loose Women has been the best experience and this just feels like a very natural progression of that.”
Ben and Cat have thrown their support behind Olivia, hinting that she’ll do a ‘brilliant’ job in her new role.
Disney Channel fans are just realising that you can experience a holiday just like Camp Rock in real life; there is an almost identical spot with beautiful lakes, campfires and more
Fans are just realising that you can actually go to Camp Rock (file)(Image: DISNEY CHANNEL)
Every noughties child who was glued to the Disney Channel had one dream: to rock out at Camp Rock and rub shoulders with the Jonas Brothers, just like Demi Lovato’s character, Mitchie Torres. Nearly two decades on from the film’s release, fans are still belting out tunes from the Camp Rock soundtrack and its follow-up, Camp Rock 2.
Now, die-hard movie buffs can rejoice as there’s a ‘real-life Camp Rock’ where they can live out their musical fantasies. Nestled in Haliburton in Ontario, Canada, Kilcoo Camp offers idyllic scenes that could be straight out of the movie, featuring quaint cabins and lush woodlands set against the backdrop of the pristine Lake Wanakita.
A TikTok user recently shared a sneak peak of her time there. TikTok user @nomswithcat declared she was “living out my childhood dreams” while posting about her last meal at the camp.
Her final day kicked off with a “splendid view” and a breakfast of bread cake. “I had it every single day, it’s literally just jam and bread,” she confessed.
After breakfast, she warmed up for a dance session, later indulging in a hearty lunch of spaghetti and meatballs smothered in marinara sauce, which she described as “sweet and savoury”.
The camp experience wrapped up with a classic evening of fireside barbecue and s’mores.
“It was such a lovely way to end off camp,” the TikToker said, admitting she would miss the camp cuisine.
Fans of the iconic film were left stunned to discover that Camp Rock isn’t mere fiction.
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One flabbergasted fan exclaimed: “Camp rock is a real place why didn’t anyone tell me.” Another lamented: “You mean to tell me I could have saved all my money to go here?”
“Wait you’re telling me that we can go to Camp Rock,” echoed another, full of surprise. “Wait, what this is real?” one asked in disbelief.
While another shared their astonishment: “Why didn’t I know this was a thing?” “Oh wow never knew it was real,” admitted yet another fan.
The location, known for hosting summer camps and educational trips, also offers private retreats.
However, enthusiasts dreaming of their own Camp Rock experience should note that it comes with a hefty price tag; a four-week stay this summer will set you back $6,675 (£4902), while a two-week stint costs $3,950 (£2901).
Would you visit the real Camp Rock? Comment below.
Covered California, the state’s Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplace, estimates that as many as 660,000 of the roughly 2 million people in the program will either be stripped of coverage or drop out due to increased cost and the onerous new mandates to stay enrolled. Those who do stay could be hit with an average monthly premium increase of up to 66%.
This is Phil Willon, the L.A. Times California politics editor, filling in for columnist George Skelton this week.
To find out more about how the millions of Californians who rely on Covered California for health insurance will be affected by Trump’s megabill, I spoke with Jessica Altman, the organization’s executive director.
We spoke on Thursday, while the Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives was voting to approve the reconciliation legislation. According to estimates by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the package will lead to 11.8 million more people going without health insurance nationwide over the next decade.
Price increase imminent
Covered California serves as a marketplace exchange for state residents seeking healthcare insurance under the federal Affordable Care Act, widely known as Obamacare, allowing them to select from name-brand insurance providers and choose from a variety of coverage plans.
“A quarter of the people we cover are sole proprietors. That’s everything from mom-and-pop Etsy shops to a consultant, a highly educated tech worker in San Francisco doing contract work. We really have that full spectrum,” Altman said.
Covered California also serves as a health insurance sanctuary for residents whose income rises enough for them to lose eligiblity for Medi-Cal, as Medicaid is known in California, or those who work for companies that don’t provide benefits.
The current cost for basic coverage ranges from $0 a month for individuals earning around $21,000 — just above the income eligibility for Medi-Cal — to 8.5% of the income of people making $75,000 or more, Altman said.
Those subsidies were not renewed in the Trump megabill. In theory, the Republican-led Congress could remedy that before the end of the year but, given that Trump spent most of his first term in office trying to repeal the Affordable Care Act, the odds of that appear slim.
“We have many, many people paying less than $10 a month for their health insurance. We’re going to lose that price for sure,” Altman said. “We also have people, that person making $75,000 a year … they’re going to lose all of their tax credits and potentially pay hundreds more a month.”
And that price increase will start to hit home in four months, when Covered California’s open enrollment signup period begins for 2026.
Thousands of Californians will drop their coverage because they can no longer afford the expense, Altman predicts.
“This is a moment where Americans and Californians are so financially strained: Their rent, their food, their gas, their child care, all of their transportation, all of these things,” Altman said. “They are not in a position today where they feel like any of those costs can rise by 66%.”
Altman said the governor and California Legislature budgeted an additional $190 million for Covered California, which hopefully will help reduce the number of residents who will lose their healthcare coverage. But, she said, it’s nowhere near enough to make up for the federal cuts.
Targeting legal immigrants and ‘Dreamers’
Approximately 112,000 lawful immigrants in California also will be stripped of premium tax credits and cost-sharing support, essentially pushing health coverage out of financial reach, she said. That includes immigrant groups that have been eligible for assistance for years, including those with work and student visas, refugees, asylees and victims of human trafficking.
“They are limiting it so only green card holders and a couple of very nuanced categories of certain Cuban immigrants and certain immigrants from Pacific Island nations can get financial assistance,” Altman said.
Immigrants who grew up in the United States after being brought here illegally as children, a group known as “Dreamers,” will be stripped of their eligibility, Altman said.
Thousands more Californians likely will drop coverage because of new burdensome verification requirements, including increased tax filings, and bureaucratic hurdles that must be overcome to maintain eligibility.
Altman said that impact will be exacerbated by the tens of thousands of Californians expected to lose their medical insurance they secured through Covered California. Medical facilities received higher compensation to care for patients who secured health insurance through Covered California than they do for patients on Medi-Cal. And hospitals and clinics will now take an even greater financial hit for caring for Californians with no health insurance, raising healthcare costs for everyone else.
“We know people will get less healthcare. They will not get their preventive care, they will not get their primary care at the rates that they do when they’re covered,” Altman said. “But when they really need care, they’re going to go get it. They’re going to get it at the emergency room, and our system is going to pay for it anyway.”
Henry Slade is out of the tour of Argentina and the United States with a hand injury, leaving England with inexperienced midfield options as they attempt to seal a series win over the Pumas.
Slade played the full 80 minutes in the 35-12 first-Test win over Argentina in La Plata on Saturday but will miss the rematch in San Juan this weekend.
Seb Atkinson made his first Test appearance in La Plata while Max Ojomoh, Luke Northmore and Oscar Beard – the other specialist centres in the 36-player squad – are still uncapped.
Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence, who emerged as England’s first-choice midfield during the Six Nations, are both injured while the versatile Elliot Daly has returned from the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia with a fractured arm.
Slade, who won his 73rd England cap against Argentina, was also a back-up option at fly-half, with uncapped Charlie Atkinson the only direct cover for the experienced George Ford.
Co-captains Ford and Jamie George and flanker Sam Underhill – with 102, 100 and 41 caps respectively – are now the only players with more than 40 caps in the squad.
England, whose tour will conclude with a one-off Test against the United States on 19 July, have no plans to summon a replacement for Slade.
Steve Borthwick’s side produced one of their best performances of the head coach’s reign in La Plata, surviving the sin-binning of Alex Coles and Seb Atkinson to lead 3-0 at half-time, before accelerating away to victory via four second-half tries.
The win takes England above their opponents to fifth in the world ranking.
The Pumas, who rested some of their France-based players for the first Test, have brought in Bordeaux-Begles second row Guido Petti for the second game.
The 30-year-old, who scored a try in their Top 14 final loss against Toulouse on 28 June, will join up with Harlequins next season.
July 7 (UPI) — At least three people were killed and 10 others injured in a shooting early Monday, in South Philadelphia.
Officials said the “group of individuals” fired “randomly” just before 1 a.m. EDT near the intersection of Etting Dickinson streets in South Philadelphia.
“You know, this is coward stuff. This is, you know, you see the size of this block. I mean, just individuals just shooting randomly into houses, into cars, children out here. I mean, this is coward, wanna-be thug stuff.” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said in reaction to the overnight incident.
According to officials, eight of the 13 victims were transported local hospitals. Many were taken to Penn Presbyterian Hospital. Two of the victims were juveniles and are expected to be okay.
Bethel said the shooting took place during some type of meeting but it is unclear what led to the violence.
“There was a large crowd out here,” Bethel said, noting he had heard about 40 people may have been in the area when the shooting started. “Clearly, there was something going on on the block. You could see that.”
One person with a weapon was taken into custody, their exact involvement is unknown at the time, according to police.
When: Tuesday, July 8 at 3pm local time (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from noon (16:00 GMT) in advance of our live text commentary stream.
Chelsea will be hoping to seal their spot in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) final with victory against Brazil’s Fluminense in the opening semifinal on Tuesday.
The Blues are striving to become the first side to win the CWC for a second time but face a formidable task against the Rio de Janeiro giants, who are unbeaten in the tournament.
Here is all to know before their semifinal showdown at MetLife Stadium, just outside New York:
How did Chelsea reach the semifinals?
Chelsea finished second in Group D to another Brazilian super club, Flamengo.
The London-based club opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Los Angeles FC, before stumbling to a tough 3-1 loss against Flamengo. They qualified for the knockout stage with a 3-0 defeat of Esperance de Tunisie.
Enzo Maresca’s side faced the Group C winners Benfica in the last 16, beating the Portuguese side 4-1 after extra time.
The Blues then played a second Brazilian club in the quarterfinals, beating Palmeiras 2-1 to qualify for the final four.
Cole Palmer, right, scores the first goal for Chelsea against Palmeiras in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinal at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, July 4, 2025 [Lee Smith/Reuters]
How did Fluminense reach the semifinals?
Fluminense, who qualified for the CWC as winners of the 2023 Copa Libertadores, were unbeaten in Group F, finishing second behind Borussia Dortmund with one win and two draws.
They played out a 0-0 scoreline with Dortmund in their tournament opener, then defeated South Korean side Ulsan HD 4-2. In their final group fixture, they played out 0-0 against Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
In the knockout phase, Fluminense upset Inter Milan 2-0 in Charlotte, then ended the fairytale run of Saudi club Al Hilal in the quarterfinal, winning 2-1 and booking their place in Tuesday’s semifinal.
Did Fluminense captain Thiago Silva play for Chelsea?
The inspirational 40-year-old, regarded by many as one of the greatest defenders of all time, is the former skipper of Chelsea, having played more than 150 matches for the English club from 2020 until 2024.
Silva was a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge and won three trophies during his time with Chelsea, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Silva is expected to be in the starting XI against his old club.
Fluminense’s Thiago Silva will suit up against his old club Chelsea in Tuesday’s Club World Cup semifinal [File: Hannah Mckay/Reuters]
Head-to-head
This will be the first competitive meeting between Fluminense and Chelsea.
When did Chelsea win the FIFA Club World Cup?
Chelsea won the 18th edition of the CWC in 2021, hosted in the United Arab Emirates.
The Blues won the final 2-1 against Palmeiras at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
The tournament was originally planned to take place in late 2021 in Japan, but was moved to February 2022 in the UAE due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea lifts the trophy after the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 final against Palmeiras at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, UAE, February 12, 2022 [Francois Nel/Getty Images]
Is this the first CWC appearance for Fluminense?
Fluminense made their Club World Cup debut at the 2023 tournament in Saudi Arabia, making it all the way to the final in Jeddah where they lost to Manchester City 4-0.
Team news: Chelsea
Chelsea will be without Levi Colwill and Liam Delap after both received their second yellow cards of the tournament against Palmeiras in the quarterfinal.
Moises Caicedo will rejoin the Blues squad after serving his suspension.
On the injury front, Romeo Lavia and Reece James were both held back against Palmeiras and are questionable heading into Tuesday’s match. Omari Kellyman is unavailable for selection.
Team news: Fluminense
Fluminense will be without Juan Pablo Freytes and Mathues Martinelli – who scored the game-winner against Al Hilal in the quarterfinal – after both received their second yellow cards of the tournament in their last-eight final against the Saudi club.
Key defender Rene returns to the club from suspension and is expected to reclaim his place in the starting XI at the expense of Gabriel Fuentes, whom coach Renato Gaucho might redeploy in an attacking midfield role against Chelsea.
Talisman Jhon Arias should again lead Fluminense’s forward line.
Central midfielder Otavio was a pretournament scratching after suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in May.
Jhon Arias has enjoyed a breakout tournament for Fluminense at the FIFA CWC 2025, providing the Brazilian side with a constant attacking threat [File: Carl Recine/FIFA via Getty Images]
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said: “I watched some games that they [Fluminense] have played. And you can see that they are very well-organised. They have some very good players. The manager [Gaucho] is doing a fantastic job.”
“And again, it will be the same [in the semi] final. The energy from the Brazilian team in this competition has been high … Probably … because you are starting now the season, while we are finishing the season. So, the energy is normal. It is different. And we try to deal with that in a different way.”
Renato Gaucho, who has helped Fluminense defy the odds to knock out Champions League runners-up Inter Milan in the last 16 and Al Hilal in the quarterfinals, spoke after his side qualified for the semifinal against Chelsea.
“It is another step forward, thanks to everyone’s efforts. Participating in the Club World Cup is a unique opportunity … We do not know when we will have the chance to participate again. I dedicate this qualification [victory over Al Hilal] to our fans, and I imagine the wonderful atmosphere in Rio de Janeiro, just as it was wonderful here in the stadium, it was a deserved victory.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during training in Miami, Florida, US, on July 3, 2025 [Marco Bello/Reuters]
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What would a baseball team in Los Angeles want from a retired artist and designer in New York?
Janet Bennett wasn’t sure.
Generations of Angelenos are familiar with her signature project. You probably have walked right past it. Those colorful tile mosaics that decorate the long corridors toward baggage claim in five terminals at Los Angeles International Airport? She designed them.
You might have memorized the trivia: When you passed the red tiles, you were halfway down the corridor. “Red means halfway” was shorthand for locals in the know, just like “E Ticket” or “the #19 sandwich.”
“It just says L.A. in so many ways,” said Janet Marie Smith, the Dodgers’ executive vice president of planning and development.
For the clubhouse walkway, Dodgers executive vice president of planning and development Janet Marie Smith and architect Brenda Levin opted for multiple shades of blue tiles.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers wanted to get in touch with Bennett because they were about to install a similar tile wall at Dodger Stadium. Smith could not find Bennett, but she reached out to someone who had liked an article about Bennett that had been posted on LinkedIn. Same last name, same spelling. Smith crossed her fingers.
Turned out to be a relative of Bennett. The Dodgers sent some sketches of their project and asked Bennett for her thoughts.
“I was a little disappointed I didn’t work the project,” Bennett said over the telephone, chuckling, “but I don’t think I could have done it at this stage.”
“Once we got tile in our head, how could you not think of the LAX walls?” said Janet Marie Smith, the Dodgers’ executive vice president of planning and development.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Bennett is 96, happily living one block from Central Park. The LAX project was completed in 1961 — the year before Dodger Stadium opened.
What the Dodgers really were offering was the recognition denied to Bennett six decades ago.
“I realized they just wanted my blessing,” Bennett said. “They wanted the connection. And that was very satisfying.”
And, yes, she had some thoughts for the Dodgers. She wrote them a letter by hand, the old-fashioned way. The letter got lost in the old-fashioned mail, but Bennett’s daughter had thought to take a picture of the letter, and she sent it to the Dodgers via email.
Bennett’s advice for the colors of the tiles?
“Don’t limit it,” she wrote, “to the Dodger blue.”
On game days, Dodgers players take an elevator to the lowest level of Dodger Stadium. As they exit, they look to their right to see the Dodgers’ World Series championship trophies and most valuable player awards, to their left to see the Gold Glove awards.
When they turn toward the clubhouse, they see Cy Young and Silver Slugger and manager of the year awards on the right, rookie of the year awards and then the Dodgers’ retired numbers on the left.
“It’s meant to be uplifting and motivating, and a reminder to everyone — our players included, who take that path — of what a storied franchise this is,” Smith said.
The fans in the fanciest seats, the ones you see on television right behind home plate, can take that path too — but only until they reach the double doors, the ones with “DODGERS CLUBHOUSE” painted above them.
Pass through those doors, and you used to see a gray wall decorated with signage pulled from storage — signs from events held at Dodger Stadium long ago, and others commemorating milestone seasons. As part of the clubhouse renovations last winter, Smith and her team imagined how to freshen up that walkway.
“We wanted to try to get it out of its funk of just being a concrete wall,” she said. “And, once we got tile in our head, how could you not think of the LAX walls?”
Tile mosaic wall designs line departure halls in various LAX terminals.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
The Dodgers’ clubhouse features a tile wall “in the hydrotherapy area,” Smith said. The tiles there are all Dodger blue.
For the clubhouse walkway, Smith and architect Brenda Levin opted for multiple shades of blue tiles, interspersed with white tiles — a decision reinforced when they received Bennett’s suggestion to go beyond Dodger blue. The wall includes more than 714,000 individual tiles, Smith said.
“I think they did an excellent job,” Bennett said. “They got the rhythm of vertical stripes, which has a very athletic look.”
To Smith, a fierce advocate of sports venues reflecting their host cities, the tile wall reflects home.
“In many ways, that is a symbol: not just of L.A., but of ‘Welcome to L.A.’ ” she said. “That felt right to us.
“It’s not screaming at you. But, if you know, you know. We’ve always wanted that area to feel like a ‘Welcome to L.A.’ to our players.”
If you know, you know, but the players may not know. Dave Roberts, the Dodgers’ manager, said he did not know the story behind the wall until Smith explained it to him.
“It’s a great little touch,” Roberts said.
Smith said players and team executives have asked about the wall. Many of them did not know about the LAX walls, but she understood why.
“They don’t fly commercial,” she said.
If you merit an obituary in the newspaper, the first sentence generally includes your claim to fame. In 2007, The Times published an obituary with this first sentence: “Charles D. Kratka, an interior designer and graphic artist whose Modernist projects included the mosaic walls in tunnels at Los Angeles International Airport, has died.”
Said Bennett: “I just about freaked out.”
After Bennett had finished the LAX mosaics, she left town. By the time the airport unveiled them, she said, she was in Latin America. Until she saw that Times obituary, it had not occurred to her that anyone else might have gotten the credit for the LAX project.
In the obituary, the airport historian credited Kratka with the design, and so did the director of volunteers at the airport museum. In 2017, so did an official LAX document: “Completed in 1961, Charles Kratka’s mosaic murals have become iconic symbols of Los Angeles International Airport.”
At the start of the Jet Age, when airplane travel was a glamorous affair and even passengers in the cheaper seats enjoyed in-flight meals served with silverware, Bennett said the murals were designed to evoke the wonder of a cross-country trip: blue for the ocean at each end of the corridor, and in between green for the forests, and yellows, oranges and browns for farmland, prairies and deserts.
Tile mosaic wall designs line departure halls in various LAX terminals.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Bennett freely admits that Kratka was involved in the project. The city hired Pereira and Luckman as architects for the LAX expansion, and Kratka was the firm’s head of interior design.
“He was my boss,” Bennett said.
Bennett said the mosaic design was hers, although she said she did not recall whether she had chosen to use glass for the tiles.
“Everything from that point on was mine,” she said.
Bennett and her family have pushed for LAX to recognize her as the designer. Airport officials acknowledge Bennett’s participation in the project but, amid a search for records from six decades ago and without Kratka to provide his version of events, they believe a conclusive determination would be difficult. And, back in the day, credit was more commonly attributed to a firm rather than to an individual designer.
When I asked for a statement saying whom LAX currently credits with the design, an airport spokeswoman said, “LAX has no official comment.”
At LAX, there is no sign crediting anyone — not Bennett, not Kratka, not Pereira and Luckman, not anyone else — for the murals. However, the Dodgers have given Bennett her due at Dodger Stadium, on a sign directly across from their tile wall.
“This mosaic wall draws inspiration from architect Janet Bennett’s iconic mosaic murals at Los Angeles International Airport,” the text begins, “that transformed a transit space into a work of art.”
Thousands of daredevils ran, skidded and tumbled out of the way of six charging bulls at the opening run of the San Fermin festival in Spain.
Monday was the first of nine morning runs during the famous celebrations held in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona.
The bulls pounded along the twisting cobblestone streets after being led by six steers. Up to 4,000 runners take part in each bull run, which takes place over 846 metres (2,775 feet) and can last three to four minutes.
Most runners wear the traditional garb of white trousers and shirt with a red sash and neckerchief. The expert Spanish runners try to sprint just in front of the bulls’ horns for a few death-defying seconds while egging the animals on with a rolled newspaper.
Thousands of spectators watch from balconies and wooden barricades along the course. Millions more follow the visceral spectacle on live television.
While goring is not rare, many more people are bruised and injured in falls and pile-ups with each other. Medics rush in to treat the injured and take the seriously hurt to a hospital.
Unofficial records say at least 15 people have died in the bull runs over the past century. The deadliest day on record was July 13, 1980, when four runners were killed by two bulls. The last death was in 2009.
The rest of each day is for eating, drinking, dancing, and cultural entertainment, including bullfights, in which the animals that run in the morning are slain in the bullring by professional matadors each afternoon.
The festival was made internationally famous by Ernest Hemingway’s classic 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises, about American bohemians wasting away in Europe.
The Money Saving Club team are on hand to bring you all the latest news, tips and deals that can help parents stretch their budget for the summer holidays
There are plenty of easy tricks to help you stretch that budget this summer(Image: Getty)
The school summer holidays are nearly upon us, and while that means plenty of quality time with the kids, it also means having to come up with plenty of ways to enjoy that quality time with the kids.
Any parent will know the pressure of trying to navigate hiked up prices during the holidays, trying to find days out, alternatives for rainy days and generally trying to keep the kids entertained for six to seven weeks.
As well as having to get creative, that all comes with plenty of costs and it can feel like your summer budget quickly disappears even if you’re minding the pennies and trying to limit how often you end up eating out or dashing to the cinema when the British weather doesn’t play nicely.
That’s where the Money Saving Club can step in to help. The dedicated team seek out all of the best deals, money-saving tricks and latest news that they hand pick and send in a weekly newsletter, to help you stretch that holiday budget.
There’s something for everyone with a holiday planned this summer(Image: Getty Images)
It’s free and easy to sign up – simply click here, enter your email address and then select the topics that are most relevant for you. Each week you’ll receive an email direct in your inbox with a round-up of the latest news and tips that have caught the team’s eye, whether it’s a warning from an expert over changes to government schemes, or an easy trick a fellow mum or dad has discovered that has been a game-changer for their household bills.
Although you can choose from a wide array of topics, this summer you may want to closely follow their round-up of all the latest travel and shopping news, especially if you’re trying to stick to a tighter budget due to the cost of living.
The Money Saving Club team round-up the latest news and tips they think you’ll love, with something for everyone whether you’re opting for a staycation or taking the kids abroad.
We’re talking discounted days out, free activities for the families, and simple money-saving hacks shared by fellow parents. If you’re heading abroad, they offer plenty of tips including how to cut costs on holidays and swerve fines or hidden costs, how to save before you head abroad and even how to get the best value for your money while you’re away.
Of course alongside that there are plenty of day-to-day tips and tricks including cheap and cheerful ways to stay cool in those pesky heatwaves, or the latest money news and deadlines you’ll want to be aware of whether it’s to cut your bills or sign up to a government scheme that can help you with your finances.
You can sign up to the Money Saving Club here to receive your weekly dose of money tips direct in your inbox, with topics including travel, shopping and discounts, utilities and plenty more.
From Kevin Baxter: When the Dodgers left Los Angeles for their final road trip before the All-Star break last summer, they had a 55-36 record and a 7 1/2-game lead in the National League West.
When this year’s Dodgers land in Milwaukee on Sunday night to begin the last road trip before the All-Star break, their record will be a game better and their division lead about the same, pending the results of San Diego’s game Sunday night.
But if you take a good look under the hood, there are obvious — and worrying — differences between this year and last year.
In 2024, the Dodgers had one of the best records in baseball against teams with a winning record. After Sunday’s 5-1 loss to the Houston Astros, this year’s team is just a game over .500 — 20-19 — against teams over .500. Those are the only kind of teams the Dodgers will face in the playoffs.
And it’s not just that they lose, it’s how they lose that’s troubling.
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ANGELS
Bo Bichette homered and scored the deciding run to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to their season-high eighth straight victory, 3-2 over the Angels on Sunday.
The American League East-leading Blue Jays improved to 52-38, sweeping a homestand of seven of more games for the first time since 1994 and second in franchise history.
Toronto drew even on with Bichette’s leadoff homer in the fourth inning. His 12th homer came after his error in the top of the inning loaded the bases for the Angels. Davis Schneider drove in Bichette in the sixth inning with a single down the left-field line.
Mike Trout homered for the Angels with two out in the first.
Edson Álvarez scored a tiebreaking goal in the 77th minute after a video review reversed an offside call, and Mexico beat the United States 2-1 on Sunday night for its record 10th CONCACAF Gold Cup title.
Chris Richards put the U.S. ahead in the fourth minute, heading in a Sebastian Berhalter free kick for the second time in the tournament, but Raúl Jiménez tied the score in the 27th with his third goal of this Gold Cup.
Mexico was awarded the free kick when Diego Luna fouled Alexis Vega on a flank. Johan Vásquez flicked the restart across the goal mouth and Álvarez burst past the defense, redirecting the ball from three yards just inside Matt Freese’s far post. While the play was initially called offside, the goal was awarded by the VAR, and Mexico defended its title from 2023 while improving to 6-2 in Gold Cup finals against the U.S.
From Jad El Reda: The Los Angeles sports world mourned the loss of one of its most beloved voices, Rolando “El Veloz” González, the longtime Galaxy broadcaster and a pioneer of Spanish-language sports radio, who died June 25.
His legacy transcends generations on the microphone.
González’s career began almost accidentally. Although his dream was to play soccer, life had other plans for him and turned him into a storyteller.
“One day on March 6, 1962, I was playing soccer in the local league and the radio play-by-play broadcaster who was assigned that game of my team Escuintla against Universidad, Dr. Otorrino Ríos Paredes, had a car accident,” González recalled in 2017. “The owner of the station ran to tell me, ‘[get dressed, get dressed]’ and I replied, ‘Who are you to tell me to get dressed? Let the trainer tell me.’ He said, ‘I need you because they told me that you narrate soccer.’ I replied that I do that there among the guys.”
He later moved to Los Angeles, where former Dodgers announcer Jaime Jarrín gave him his big break during the 1984 Olympics.
From Micheel Alharazy: Bronny James made his 2025 summer league debut, scoring 10 points in 10 minutes during the Lakers’ win over the Miami Heat in the California Classic at the Chase Center on Sunday.
The Lakers led for most of the game, rolling to a 103-83 victory.
The Heat went on a 10-0 run to start the third quarter, but the Lakers responded with strong perimeter shooting to maintain a double-digit lead.
Cole Swider was the Lakers’ leading scorer for the second consecutive game, finishing with 20 points against the Heat. Swider shot seven of 10 from the field, including two of five from three-point range.
1911 — Dorothea Lambert Chambers sets the record for the shortest championship match at Wimbledon — 25 minutes — by disposing of Dora Boothby 6-0, 6-0 in the women’s finals.
1912 — American athlete Jim Thorpe wins 4 of 5 events to win the Pentathlon gold medal at the Stockholm Olympics, medal stripped 1913 (played pro baseball), reinstated 1982.
1934 — Elizabeth Ryan teams with Simone Mathiau and wins her record 12th women’s doubles title at Wimbledon, defeating Dorothy Andrus and Sylvia Henrotin 6-3, 6-3.
1953 — Walter Burkemo beats Felice Torza to win the PGA Championship at Birmingham (Mich.) Country Club.
1973 — In the first all-U.S. women’s Wimbledon final, Billie Jean King beats Chris Evert, 6-0, 7-5.
1974 — In Munich, West Germany beats the Netherlands 2-1 to win soccer’s World Cup.
1978 — NBA approves franchise swap; Buffalo Braves owner John Y. Brown and Harry Mangurian acquire Boston Celtics, while the Celtics owner Irv Levin gets Braves, later moved to San Diego to become the Clippers.
1980 — Larry Holmes retains his WBC heavyweight title with a seventh-round TKO of Scott LeDoux in Bloomington, Minn.
1982 — Steve Scott of the Sub 4 Club sets a United States record in the mile with a time of 3:47.69 in a track meet at Oslo, Norway.
1985 — West Germany’s Boris Becker, 17, becomes the youngest champion and first unseeded player in the history of the men’s singles at Wimbledon with a 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over Kevin Curren.
1986 — American athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee sets world heptathlon record of 7,148 points in the inaugural Goodwill Games at Moscow.
1990 — Martina Navratilova wins her ninth Wimbledon women’s singles championship, beating Zina Garrison 6-4, 6-1, to break the record she shared with Helen Wills Moody.
1991 — Steffi Graf beats Gabriela Sabatini 6-4, 3-6, 8-6 to capture her third Wimbledon women’s title.
1992 — South Africa beats Cameroon 1-0 in Durban in first FIFA sanctioned match after nearly 20 years of international isolation because of apartheid.
1993 — Tom Burgess tosses three touchdown passes, and Wayne Walker scores twice as Ottawa spoils the debut of the CFL’s first American-based team by beating Sacramento 32-23.
2002 — Juli Inkster matches the lowest final-round score by an Open champion with a 4-under 66 for a two-stroke victory over Annika Sorenstam in the U.S. Women’s Open. It’s her seventh major.
2007 — Venus Williams claims her fourth Wimbledon title with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Marion Bartoli.
2007 — Wladimir Klitschko beats Raymond Brewster with a technical knockout after six rounds, to successfully defend his IBF and IBO heavyweight titles in Cologne, Germany.
2012 — Serena Williams dominates from start to finish, beating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to win a fifth championship at the All England Club and 14th major title overall.
2013 — Andy Murray becomes the first British man in 77 years to win the Wimbledon title, beating Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 6-4 in the final. The last British man to win the Wimbledon title before was Fred Perry in 1936.
2018 — Kristi Toliver scores 18 points to help the Washington Mystics beat the Sparks 83-74 for coach Mike Thibault’s 300th career regular-season win. Thibault becomes the first WNBA coach to reach that milestone.
2019 — U.S. Women’s National Team win their record 4th FIFA Women’s World Cup title with a 2-0 win over the Netherlands.
2021 — The Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup and third overall. Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is named Finals MVP.
THIS DAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
1923 — Lefty O’Doul, pitching for the Boston Red Sox, allowed 13 runs in the sixth inning to the Cleveland Indians, who won 27-3. In 1928, he was to return to the majors as a great hitting outfielder.
1936 — The NL won its first All-Star game 4-3 at Braves Field in Boston.
1937 — Lou Gehrig drove in four runs with a home run and a double to pace the AL to an 8-3 victory over the NL in the All-Star game at Washington’s Griffith Stadium. In attendance was President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1959 — At Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, the first of two All-Star games played that season went to the NL, 5-4. The NL scored the tying and winning runs in the bottom of the eighth when Hank Aaron singled in a run and scored on a triple by Willie Mays.
1964 — The NL beat the AL 7-4 in the All-Star game on Johnny Callison’s two-out, three-run homer off Dick Radatz in the bottom of the ninth inning at New York’s Shea Stadium. The win pulled the NL even with its rivals (17-17-1) for the first time since the series began.
1998 — Coors Field lived up to its billing as a hitter’s haven as the American League beat the Nationals 13-8 at Coors Field in the highest-scoring All-Star game in major league history. The 21 runs broke the record set in the AL’s 11-9 win in 1954.
2006 — Cleveland Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner became the first player in major league history to hit five grand slams before the All-Star break when he connected in the second inning of a 9-0 win over Baltimore. He finished the season with six.
2009 — Alan Embree earned the win in Colorado’s 5-4 victory over Washington without throwing a pitch. He entered with two out in the eighth and picked off Austin Kearns, who had singled off Joel Peralta. It was the first time a major leaguer had gotten a win without throwing a pitch since B.J Ryan for Baltimore at Detroit on May 1, 2003.
2011 — Dustin Pedroia hit a three-run shot and Boston added three consecutive home runs in the seventh in a 10-4 win over Baltimore. Six Boston players homered, including three straight by David Ortiz, Josh Reddick and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
2011 — A Texas Rangers fan died after falling about 20 feet onto concrete reaching out for a baseball tossed his way by All-Star outfielder Josh Hamilton during a game. Shannon Stone, 39, was at the game with his young son, who watched as his dad tumbled over the outfield railing after catching the ball. The accident happened in the second inning after Oakland’s Conor Jackson hit a foul ball. Hamilton retrieved the ball and tossed it into the stands as players routinely do.
2016 — Colorado’s Trevor Story tied an NL rookie record for most home runs before the All-Star break, homering twice and boosting his total to 21 as the Rockies beat Philadelphia 11-2.
2018 — Mark Reynolds homered twice and drove in a career-high 10 runs and the Washington Nationals beat the Miami Marlins 18-4. Reynolds (5 for 5) tied his career high for hits and equaled the Nationals’ RBI record.
Compiled by the Associated Press
Until next time…
That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected]. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
Three-year-old Amr al-Hams lies immobile in his southern Gaza hospital bed with shrapnel embedded in his brain from an Israeli air strike.
Unable to walk or speak, his eyes dart around, searching for his mother, his aunt Nour believes.
Amr’s mother, Inas, was nine months pregnant when she took the family to visit her parents in northern Gaza. That night, their tent was struck. The attack killed his mother, her unborn baby, two of Amr’s siblings and his grandfather.
Amr survived after being rushed to intensive care with a breathing tube. His grief-stricken father is nearly speechless.
Now at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Amr has left intensive care but suffers from severe malnutrition. The fortified milk he requires vanished during Israel’s months-long blockade.
Nour feeds him mashed lentils through a syringe. She sleeps beside him, changes his nappies and comforts him during seizures.
“I tell him his mother will be back soon,” she says. “Other times, I give him a toy. But he cries. I think he misses her.”
Doctors say Amr needs immediate evacuation from the conflict zone. Without specialised care and therapy, his brain injuries will likely cause permanent damage.
“His brain is still developing,” Nour says. “Will he walk again? Speak again? So long as he is in Gaza, there is no recovery.”
US President Donald Trump has criticised Elon Musk’s plan to launch and fund a new US political party, calling it “ridiculous”. The America Party has yet to announce a platform and Musk is not eligible to run for the presidency.
A Benidorm actress has share some exciting news about a potential new series of the much-loved ITV comedy
Benidorm star teases ‘laugh out loud’ new series after boss confirms ITV comeback talks(Image: ITV)
A much-loved Benidorm star has given fans a glimmer of hope about the return of the cult ITV comedy series.
Launching in 2007, the show captivated audiences as it charted the hilarious escapades of Brits basking in the sunshine at the Solana Resort. Over its glittering run, Benidorm scooped up numerous accolades including BAFTAs and NTAs, securing its status as a viewer’s delight.
Despite an all-star cast featuring Sheridan Smith, Siobhan Finneran, and Johnny Vegas, the show came to an untimely end after 11 years in 2018, much to devotees’ dismay.
Whispers of a revival have been circulating, spurred on by hints from the cast and even creator Derren Litten himself, reports OK!.
Fans have been begging for a return(Image: ITV/ Tiger Aspect)
Sherrie Hewson, renowned for her portrayal of Joyce Temple-Savage, dropped a bombshell during her ‘An Evening With Sherrie Hewson’ on Sunday (July 6) in Barnsley. She revealed: “I do know ITV have got new scripts and they love them and think they are wonderful.”
Yet, she tempered expectations by stating: “The problem with Benidorm is that it’s probably one of the most expensive shows ever because it’s in Spain, we have a Spanish crew, we have a British crew, so it costs a fortune to make.”
The show’s star has teased ‘laugh out loud’ scripts(Image: ITV)
Still, she remains optimistic, adding: “But it’s on twice a day every day and those ratings are still as high as they ever were, so I think it will [return].”
Fans loyal to Benidorm may just see their beloved characters gracing the screens once again thanks to ITV’s apparent adoration for the new material presented to them.
Sherrie hinted at good news: “And I think they [ITV bosses] love the scripts anyway and Derren said he laughed out loud when he wrote them so I don’t think there’s any question, it’s just when.”
Benidorm was axed in 2018(Image: shared content unit)
In other news, Benidorm creator Derren Litten had fans buzzing in April when he announced that he is in negotiations with ITV about a potential revival of the fan-favourite show.
During a Facebook Live session reported by The Sun, Derren divulged some tantalising details: “Have I been talking to ITV in the last few months? Yes I have.”
He continued, giving fans a glimmer of hope: “Have ITV commissioned a special or a series at the moment? No. Might they in the next few weeks [or] couple of months? Yeah they might. They might.”
Derren concluded, aiming to uplift fans with anticipation: “So I hope that gives you [the fans] some hope, and I hope that gives you some idea of where we are,” indicating that the beloved sitcom may soon return to the small screen.
Different financing goals, geopolitical risks, and interest rate changes as well as currency fluctuations often create hurdles that may endanger the completion of a deal. However, with the right banking partner, these challenges can be transformed into opportunities. Experts from Raiffeisen Bank International discuss how these needs can be met, using a real-world scenario. Kindly take note of the disclaimer at the end of this advertisement.
A Challenging Scenario
Imagine you’re an Austrian exporter about to close a significant deal with a Serbian client, supplying a food-processing machine valued at EUR 10 million. Your goal is straightforward: secure payment in EUR as per the delivery schedule. Meanwhile, your Serbian partner would like to have an attractive long-term financing. How do these requirements and goals come together?
In today’s world, risks are global. “Geopolitical developments can have far-reaching effects in all regions, including Central and Eastern Europe,” says Evgeniya Sharkova from RBI Trade Finance. “In addition to the counterparty and political risks, the parties to the commercial contract may face FX and interest rates risks,” adds Martina Zimmerl, RBI Capital Markets. Ultimately, exporters are looking for new ways to create additional competitive advantages. “By arranging long-term financing solutions for their clients, exporters can make a deal more attractive to potential importers,” Sanin Merdžan, RBI Export Finance, explains.
Securing Your Transactions
As an exporter, your primary concern is ensuring payment security. “From RBI’s various trade finance solutions, the export letter of credit (LC) is the first choice in our scenario,” says Sharkova. “The LC could be issued either by our own subsidiary bank in Serbia, or by one of the many partner banks we have in the country.”
Evgeniya Sharkova, Head of Trade Finance Sales, RBI
“If you want to accelerate payment under the LC, the UPAS LC (usance payable at sight export letter of credit) could be a good way to bridge the period until the ECA-covered long-term financing is put together,” Sharkova says. With an export UPAS LC, the bank of the importer issues an LC with deferred payment and a maximum total tenor of up to 360 days. For higher security, RBI confirms the LC issued by the local bank. Thus, the exporter will mitigate the counterparty risk by taking the first-class payment risk of RBI instead of the risk of a local bank or local importer.
One of the main features of the export UPAS LC is that the exporter will receive its payment under the LC at sight, which means upon presentation of the compliant shipping documents. This special form of discounting under an LC offers the exporter the possibility to improve its cash flow and optimise its balance sheet.
At the same time, the export UPAS LC offers the importer an extended reimbursement obligation towards the issuing bank. By offering longer payment terms, the exporter strengthens its negotiating position with the client. The interest for the deferred payment period under this structure is to be borne by the importer.
With the LC and the following ECA-covered financing, the exporter is able to mitigate both counterparty and political risk. Furthermore, payment is received under the contract in EUR as per agreed schedule. Its Serbian partner on the other hand obtains a financing in EUR at attractive cost. This multi-product solution provides an ideal bridge between an LC and ECA-covered financing.
Boosting Your Competitive Edge
RBI provides attractive long-term ECA-covered financing solutions such as the Buyer’s Credit and RBI Shopping Line for the purpose of financing of Austrian/European imports of investment goods starting from EUR 2 million onwards that are guaranteed by Austrian export credit agency “OeKB” or any other Western European export credit agency (ECA).
Sanin Merdžan, Head of Export Finance Sales, RBI
“For our particular scenario, once the client has successfully passed RBI’s internal risk and credit reviews we would provide a EUR 10 million OeKB-guaranteed Buyer’s Credit,” says Merdžan. “This solution gives the exporter liquidity and a competitive edge, while the importer benefits from attractive long-term financing terms due to ECA’s commercial and political risk cover provided to the lender as well as fast execution, which helps them manage their cash flow more effectively.”
Furthermore, exporters benefit from the option to have production risk covered, adding an extra layer of security to their operations. “When offering financing solutions on top of the supply deal, exporters can enhance their competitiveness in the global market,” Merdžan states.
On the other hand, this arrangement allows importers to preserve their own bank lines for other business needs, providing them with greater financial flexibility and debt capacity. Additionally, the ECA guarantee fee can be financed, further easing the financial burden on the importer.
Managing FX and Interest Rate Risks
“Although in our scenario the currency risk might be of minor relevance at first glance since the RSD is a managed FX rate, a risk remains for the importer since it has concluded a long-term financing contract in EUR and is obtaining revenues in RSD,” notes Zimmerl. “The focus for the importer is to build upon stable exchange rates and interest rate strategies to effectively manage risks and optimise financial operations in Serbia, ensuring resilience in a challenging economic landscape,” she explains. “This is why it is so important to have a partner who understands both the global situation and also the on-the-ground macro, market, and policy environment.”
Local experts at RBI’s subsidiary bank Raiffeisen Bank Serbia are monitoring the impact of US tariff policies closely, alongside domestic risk factors. Aleksandra Maksimovic, Head of Treasury and Investment Banking at Raiffeisen Bank Serbia, notes, “Despite all challenges, the economic deceleration is still not confirmed in hard data, although it is expected to be seen in the coming quarters given the euro-zone economy slowdown.”
Hedging Future Loan Repayments
Martina Zimmerl, Head of Capital Markets Sales, RBI
“The question of whether to hedge EURRSD FX risk ultimately depends on the respective client’s view on the market as well as its internal hedging policies,” explains Zimmerl. Given the still developing nature of the FX forward market in Serbia, hedging is generally for shorter tenors. “For example, the importer could buy three-month and six-month forwards and roll-over additional forwards at maturity to hedge future loan repayments,” she says. On the other hand, as the FX rate is managed and IR differentials are positive, the importer may choose not to hedge the FX risk for the time being and to monitor the situation with the aid of a strong local partner, such as Raiffeisen Bank Serbia.
Managing Interest Rate Exposure
Interest rate swaps (IRS) are vital tools for managing interest rate exposure, allowing parties to exchange fixed and floating rate payments. They stabilise cash flows by converting variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt or vice versa, thereby potentially lowering borrowing costs. In the case of the Serbian importer, who is taking a long-term financing in EUR, RBI would advise hedging the interest rate risk via an IRS. “Our subsidiary bank in Serbia offers interest rate hedging starting from notional amounts of EUR 500k, with tenors from one to ten years, under a local master agreement,” explains Zimmerl. In addition to the mentioned offerings of Raiffeisen Bank Serbia, it is worth noting that RBI is able to offer comprehensive hedging solutions, advisory, and structuring expertise also in other CEE markets, thereby supporting clients’ business in the region. A close and honest communication with the client is vital, as IRS and other derivatives are complex financial instruments which offer risks and chances. It is important that the client has a clear understanding of the functioning, the risk, and the chances of these financial instruments.
Seamless Support Through Cross-Department Collaboration
RBI’s integrated approach combining different products and solutions, such as expertise in trade finance, export finance, and capital markets offers comprehensive support tailored to our clients’ needs. Its CEE competence through subsidiary banks distinguishes RBI, delivering customised solutions. “We adapt to market changes, consistently enhancing our services to provide resilient financial solutions amid shifting geopolitical and economic landscapes,” says Zimmerl. With robust risk mitigation strategies, RBI helps clients navigate volatile markets confidently, ensuring competitiveness and security.
Navigate financial market risks confidently—download RBI’s expert report filled with strategies, insights, and best practices!Get Your Guide
Advertisement: This advertisement is provided purely as non-binding information. The information contained therein do neither constitute an offer nor a recommendation nor a financial analysis. They are no substitute for individual investment advice on purchasing and selling financial instruments or for taking any investment decision. Kindly be aware that financial investments as those in focus of this advertisement involve financial risks, including the possible total loss of the invested capital. The information provided herein also do not constitute fiscal or legal advice. The fiscal and legal treatment of investments is dependent on your personal situation. You are strongly advices to seek professional financial, fiscal and legal advice prior to taking any investment decision. Be aware that any hedging involves derivatives, which are complex financial instruments and are not easy to understand. Investing in derivatives incurs the risk of a total loss of the invested capital and in certain circumstances may require the obligation to provide additional capital. This information is therefore only addressed to professional clients and eligible counterparties under MiFID II. Please also take note that information on past performance do not constitute a reliable indicator on the actual future performance.
