USA Update

HUGE Royal Ascot chances are ‘dropping like flies’ – with another massive name pulled out due to injury.

William Haggas has been forced to scrap Economics’ intended return in a red-hot Prince Of Wales’s Stakes next Wednesday.

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Former Dante and Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics has been ruled out of Royal Ascot – in the latest blow to ante-post punters[/caption]

Last year’s Irish Champion Stakes hero, who saw off former Derby king Auguste Rodin in an absolute thriller, was 9-2 second-fav for the blockbuster Group 1.

But Haggas said a pulled muscle means he is out, leaving Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles clear at the head of the market at 5-2.

Haggas said: “Unfortunately, Economics won’t make Royal Ascot and is out in the short term but it’s no big deal and hopefully he can be back in action soon.”

Economics has won four of six career races but hasn’t been seen since bleeding when finishing sixth in last October’s Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Speaking on the market move, William Hill’s Lee Phelps said: “News that William Haggas’ Economics has been ruled out of Royal Ascot has shaken up the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes market.

“With one of his key competitors out, we have clipped Los Angeles from 7-2 to 3-1 at the head of the market.

“One horse we’re now fearing could be a popular pick is Anmaat after a strong reappearance behind Los Angeles at the Curragh and the Champion Stakes winner could be the punters’ pick at 4-1.

“Economics had been third in the betting but that place now belongs to Wathnan Racing’s French raider, Map Of Stars (5-1).”

Economics’ KO came less than 24 hours after O’Brien’s Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Lake Victoria was ruled out.

Deemed by many to be the banker of the festival, she was odds on for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes over a mile.

A post from owners Coolmore on X read: “Lake Victoria will not run at Royal Ascot.

“She will have an easy few weeks and will return for a late summer/autumn campaign.”

O’Brien, who won the Oaks and Derby last week, has seen three big favourites ruled out now.

Lake Victoria adds to former Gold Cup superstar Kyprios and Coventry fav Albert Einstein in being pulled.

Another Group 1 globe-trotter ruled out is four-year-old filly Porta Fortuna.

She had been as short as 6-1 for the Queen Anne on the first day, next Tuesday, but is out now following a ‘small setback in training’

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LOVE Island fans are convinced one couple locked horns in an off-camera spat after appearing VERY frosty on-screen.

It came as the first episode of the matchmaking series – which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year – kicked off with the unexpected arrival of American bombshell Toni, 24.

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Yet before the Las Vegas pool cabana server caused chaos by stealing Ben, fan noted supposed bad blood between one pair.

The show’s six couples opening couples – picked by the girls from the dating bios of the lads – were Shakira and Ben, Meg and Dejon, Sophie and Harry, Helena and Conor, Alima and Blu, and Megan and Tommy.

Yet fans now reckon Shakira, 22, who offended swathes of viewers as she made a stark comment about 9-5 jobs, had also irked her partner too.

They noted a strange vibe between the model and taxi driver Ben after they were coupled up, and one fan took to X to muse: “Shakira and Ben are clashing already yikes yikes yikesssss.”

Another quizzed: “Did I miss something between Ben and Shakira – why does everyone hate each other?”

A third wrote: “Can we just get a brand new cast I don’t like this one.”

The awkward attitude came shortly before ITV2 viewers threatened to call Ofcom after Shakira was left single – when Toni chose her man to couple up with.

Yet show fans already suspect issues with the new couple, claiming Ben simply “doesn’t fancy” the American bombshell.

Meanwhile, others have suggested Meg isn’t attracted to Dejon “at all” as the first show twist played out.

Some have even called for one lad to be kicked out – and his partner saved – as the new couples start to get used to each other.

FIESTY CHARACTER

Prior to her time in the villa, Shakira dropped a huge hint about her fiery attitude.

She warmed: “I could argue with a brick wall.

“If arguing was an Olympic sport, I’d have gold medal, and I will just argue in the face I’m even if I’m wrong, I will argue in your face just until, until I have no breath left.

“I’m stubborn.”

Shakira added: “I won’t go hunting for the drama but if someone wants to pick a fight with me, girls or not, then they’re gonna get a response.”

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AT least five people have reportedly been killed and several others injured after a student allegedly went on a school shooting spree in Austria.

Cops said they have now launched a massive police operation in a secondary school in Dreischützengasse street in Graz, the second-biggest city in the country.

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The school where the shooting took place[/caption]

Police spokesperson Sabri Yorgun said special forces were among those sent to the high school after a call at 10am.

He said that authorities were working to get an overview of what had happened.

Authorities believe multiple guns were used in the shooting, and more victims could emerge.

Austrian special task force Cobra has also been deployed.

Citing local police, Austrian state media ORF said several people had been seriously injured, including students and teachers.

It said the suspected perpetrator, reportedly a pupil, is believed to have killed himself.

Police are currently evacuating the building, ORF said.

Graz is located in the southeast of the country and has about 300,000 inhabitants.

The shooting comes shortly before the tenth anniversary of the Graz rampage on June 20, which left three people dead.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.

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ARYNA SABALENKA has addressed her controversial comments after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff.

The 21-year-old American won the second Grand Slam title of her career at Roland Garros on Saturday.

Shutterstock Editorial

Coco Gauff won the second Grand Slam title of her career at the French Open[/caption]

Shutterstock Editorial

Aryna Sabalenka could not hide her emotions during the presentation[/caption]

In windy conditions on Court Philippe Chatrier, Gauff profited from her rival’s 70 unforced errors to win 6-7 6-2 6-4.

A teary Sabalenka said post-match that it “hurt to show such terrible tennis” in what she called “the worst final I ever played”.

The world No1 then added: “I think she won the match not because she played incredible. Just because I made all of those mistakes.”

Her remarks sparked outrage among Gauff fans that felt her victory was being disrespected.

Sabalenka has now addressed her comments in an Instagram post, writing: “Yesterday was a tough one. Coco handled the conditions much better than I did and fully deserved the win.

“She was the better player and I want to give her the credit she earned.

“You all know me… I’m always going to be honest and human in how I process these moments.

“I made over 70 unforced errors, so I can’t pretend it was a great day for me.

“But both things can be true… I didn’t play my best, and Coco stepped up and played with poise and purpose.

“She earned that title. Respect. Time to rest, learn and come back stronger.”

Sabalenka saw off four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek in a thrilling semi-final.

The Belarusian even claimed has she not beaten her, Gauff would have been the runner-up.

Gauff hit back, responding: “I don’t agree with that.

“No shade to Iga or anything, but last time I played her I won in straight sets.

“I don’t think that’s a fair thing to say, because anything can really happen.”

Sabalenka’s 70 unforced errors was the highest recorded in any women’s singles match at this year’s tournament.

In comparison, Jannik Sinner made 64 and Carlos Alcaraz hit 73 in their five hours and 29 minutes men’s final classic the day after, which went to a fifth set tiebreak.

Gauff and Sabalenka will be back on court for the next Grand Slam, Wimbledon, which start in just three weeks.

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Gauff said her rival’s comments were ‘unfair’[/caption]

A THIRD Chinese scientist has been charged for allegedly smuggling “biological material” into the United States.

It is the second such case within a matter of days after a University of Michigan researcher and her boyfriend were charged for allegedly bringing a toxic fungus into the country.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

A Chinese scientist has been charged with smuggling biological materials into the United States[/caption]

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Han was arrested on Sunday at Detroit Metropolitan airport[/caption]

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

She initially denied sending the parcels at all, court documents claim[/caption]

In the latest case, Han Chengxuan was arrested at Detroit Metropolitan Airport on Sunday.

Cops claim she sent four packages from China to the States that contained “biological material related to round worms“.

These packages were sent to people linked to the University of Michigan lab between September 2024 and March 2025.

Han has been charged with smuggling goods into the United States.

She initially denied sending the parcels at all, court documents claim.

Han would then insist they contained plastic cups rather the petri dishes before ultimately admitting to sending the samples, the documents add.

They had reportedly been collected during her PhD research in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: “Han is alleged to have sent four packages to the U.S. from China containing a biological material related to round worms — addressed to individuals associated with a lab at the University of Michigan.

“Upon arriving at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport on June 8, Han allegedly made false statements to federal officials regarding the packages she had previously mailed — and had erased her electronic device just days prior.

“In a follow up interview with FBI and ICE HSI agents, Han admitted to sending the packages and lying about their contents.

“This case is part of a broader effort from the FBI and our federal partners to heavily crack down on similar pathogeon smuggling operations, as the CCP works relentlessly to undermine America’s research institutions.”

It comes after two other Chinese scientists were charged last week for allegedly trying to smuggle a toxic fungus into the States.

Researchers Jian Yunqing, 33, and Liu Zunyong, 34 are facing charges of smuggling goods, conspiracy, visa fraud and providing false statements.

They are alleged to have tried to bring Fusarium graminearum into the country – which can cause severe damage to livestock and crops.

University of Michigan

Jian denied that she was aware of her boyfriend’s intent to smuggle the pathogen[/caption]

Reuters

Samples of a pathogen identified by the US Department of Justice as Fusarium graminearum[/caption]

Authorities claim the fungus could be used as a “potential agroterrorism weapon”.

Prosecutors say Liu attempted to smuggle it through Detroit Airport so it could be studied at a University of Michigan laboratory.

Jian, who is Liu’s girlfriend, worked at the lab according to prosecutors.

The university did not have the necessary federal permits to handle this pathogen.

A statement from the university says the institution has not had “funding from the Chinese government in relation to research conducted by the accused individuals”.

Officials further allege that Jian is a Chinese Communist Party member, and that her research on the fungus in China got Chinese government funding.

Liu allegedly lied about trying to bring the pathogen into the country in July 2024 before later admitting it.

While Jian has been arrested in the US, Liu was sent back to China at the airport – so his arrest is unlikely unless he returns.

Following Jian’s arrest, FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X: “This case is a sobering reminder that the CCP is working around the clock to deploy operatives and researchers to infiltrate American institutions and target our food supply, which would have grave consequences… putting American lives and our economy at serious risk.”

CAITLIN Clark suffered a setback in her bid to get back on court after an injury.

The Indiana Fever star has been dealing with a quad issue.

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Caitlin Clark will not be ready to return from injury on Tuesday[/caption]

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Clark hasn’t played since the New York Liberty on May 24[/caption]

Clark, 23, was ruled out for a minimum of two weeks when she suffered the problem.

That timeline put the sophomore star on course for a return this week.

However, Clark will not be ready to return for Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Dream.

Indiana is not back in action after that until Saturday against the New York Liberty.

And Fever head coach Stephanie White revealed on Monday that Clark is “ready to start ramping back up.”

White said, “We’re going to be smart, and we’re going to be cautious.

“We’re going to play the long game and work her back in very intentionally.

“It’s one thing to do some shooting drills.

“It’s another thing to get out there on the floor, get back into movement patterns, rhythm, timing.”

Indiana has also been without the injured Sophie Cunningham.

But the 28-year-old new recruit from Phoenix is also closing in on a return.

White added, “We’re picking and choosing the things they can be in practice so we can see their progression.

“Both of them being out for long periods of time, you’ve got to work your way back into being game-ready.”

Clark suffered her injury against the Liberty on May 24.

It ruled her out of a grudge rematch with Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky.

The Fever and Sky squared off again this weekend after their explosive season opener.

Reese and Clark needed to be separated by teammates after an on-court incident.

The Fever are 4-4 this season and 2-2 since Clark’s injury.

They beat the Sky 79-52 Saturday to move back to 500 for the year.

A return for Clark this Saturday would be exactly three weeks after she suffered the injury against the same New York Liberty opposition.