New Delhi: K Annamalai resigns from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has capped months of discontent and his diminishing role within the organisation, raising fresh questions over the saffron party’s ambitions. Tamil Nadu And the political future of one of its most recognizable faces in the state.The former IPS officer, widely known as “Singham” for his aggressive political style, joined the BJP in 2020 and quickly rose in the party. He was appointed president of the party’s Tamil Nadu unit in 2021 and played a key role in expanding its presence in the state.Under his leadership, the BJP achieved its strongest Lok Sabha performance in Tamil Nadu in 2024, securing 11.4 per cent vote share, a significant improvement from 3.7 per cent in the 2019 general election. However, this momentum faded ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.

BJP’s U-turn on AIADMK

Annamalai’s 2024 padayatra significantly increased the BJP’s visibility in Tamil Nadu and helped the party achieve its highest-ever vote share in a Lok Sabha election in the state. The BJP secured 11.38 percent votes in 2024, a dramatic improvement from 3.62 percent in 2019. Yet the electoral success was incomplete, as the party failed to win a single parliamentary seat for the second consecutive election. This contradiction was particularly shocking as the BJP had managed to secure a Lok Sabha seat in 2014 with a much lower vote share of 5.56 per cent.Throughout his tenure, Annamalai distinguished himself through consistent attacks on Dravidian politics and the leaders who shaped it. His criticism was not limited to political opponents. Even when the BJP was in alliance with the AIADMK, they repeatedly targeted people from the ally’s camp, causing friction within the alliance and increasing differences between the two parties.

Annamalai’s BJP timeline

As relations deteriorated, sections within the BJP began to reevaluate the political costs and benefits of maintaining distance from the AIADMK. Ultimately, the party leadership decided to revive the alliance ahead of the 2026 assembly elections despite strong objections from Annamalai. This decision proved to be a turning point in his political journey within the BJP. Soon after, he was replaced as the state unit chief, a move widely seen as an attempt to smooth over relations with the AIADMK and adjust to the realities of coalition politics in Tamil Nadu.

outcome

Annamalai was replaced by Nainar Nagendra as state president and he gradually divested himself of important organizational responsibilities, reportedly a part of the BJP’s pre-poll pact with rival AIADMK to wrest power from the ruling DMK.The alliance was seen as a major point of disagreement as Annamalai reportedly favored building the party independently at the grassroots level rather than relying on coalition politics. The emergence of Vijay’s TVK as a significant political force further complicated the BJP’s position in the state.As a result, Annamalai stepped down as election in-charge of six constituencies and was subsequently dropped from the party’s Legislative Assembly Election Management Committee. He also did not contest the assembly elections, although he said that this decision was his own.He said, “How can the leadership allot me a ticket when I have shown no interest in contesting the elections? If I had decided to contest the elections, it would not have mattered from which constituency I could have contested.” “I am grateful to the BJP leadership for respecting my decision and giving me an opportunity to campaign in support of the NDA alliance candidates,” he said.

First public indication of results

For years, K Annamalai was largely associated with the central leadership of the BJP. This changed when he publicly criticized the Union Education Ministry’s decision to push back the implementation of the three-language requirement for Class IX students. The intervention was widely seen as his first open disagreement with the party line and led to speculation that tensions within the BJP had reached a breaking point.The controversy began when CBSE issued a notification on May 15 directing affiliated schools to introduce the third compulsory language for Class IX students from the current academic year, several years ahead of the previously scheduled 2029-30 deadline.

How Annamalai was sidelined

Reacting to the decision, Annamalai wrote on The revised notification now mandates that Class IX students learn three languages ​​from July 1, 2026, two of which must be native languages ​​of India. Expecting a Class 9 student to learn a new language in such a short period of time will only put pressure on children and affect their overall learning outcomes.“These comments are important as language is one of the most politically sensitive issues in Tamil Nadu. By openly expressing objection to the policy, Annamalai looked set to distance himself from the BJP’s official position and signal a more independent political identity.Therefore, his final resignation came out of nowhere. The seeds of discontent had been visible for some time, especially when the BJP leadership chose to revive its alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 assembly elections. Annamalai had consistently argued for building the party as an independent force in Tamil Nadu rather than relying on established regional allies.

A political experiment cut short

With Annamalai’s departure, the BJP faces a difficult question whether it has abandoned the long-term strategy before it has had a chance to mature.Although he did not lead the party in any of the assembly elections that followed his elevation, Annamalai became the most recognizable face of the BJP in Tamil Nadu and helped energize a cadre that had long been struggling for visibility. He assumed the post of state president after the 2021 assembly elections, in which the BJP won four seats with 2.62 percent vote share.By the time the 2026 elections were over, Annamalai was no longer at the top. The party’s seat tally dropped to one seat, while its vote share saw a marginal increase and stood at 2.99 per cent. With his exit, the BJP now faces the prospect of losing local leaders and grassroots workers, who were largely attracted to the party because of his leadership.The election results also revealed another reality. The overwhelming support received by Vijay and his party TVK suggested that Tamil Nadu voters were ready to embrace a new political alternative. The BJP had attempted a similar experiment through Annamalai, but ultimately chose a different path.While Annamalai never had the mass appeal of Vijay, the former IPS officer, popularly known as “Singham”, had built a strong following among young voters. His straightforward style and aggressive campaigning gave the BJP visibility it has rarely enjoyed in the state.In hindsight, the party appears to have faced a difficult choice between continuing Annamalai’s grassroots expansion strategy and joining hands with the AIADMK to form a broader anti-DMK alliance. It ultimately chose the latter. That decision may have strengthened the alliance’s arithmetic, but it also reduced the room for maneuver for Annamalai.Ironically, the combative approach that made him one of the most effective campaigners for the BJP in Tamil Nadu may also have contributed to his exit. For both Annamalai and the BJP, the question of what might have remained may remain for some time.

What’s next for Singham?

His resignation comes amid reports that he is preparing to launch a new political party with a Tamil-first and more centrist political approach. While an official announcement is expected, the possibility of a new organization with independent political space beyond the BJP has cast a foreshadowing on the saffron party’s ambitions.His departure leaves the party facing the challenge of replacing a leader whose confrontational style and direct message struck a chord with a section of young voters. For the BJP, the exit raises concerns not only about the leadership in Tamil Nadu, but also about its long-term strategy in a state where it is struggling for political relevance.

Something unusual is happening beneath Switzerland, and yet it’s not getting much attention outside the energy sector. Engineers are building what could become one of the world’s largest underground energy storage systems, designed to store large-scale renewable electricity and release it when the grid is stressed.Initial reports suggest the system can hold about 2.1 GWh of energy and provide up to 1.2 GWh of electricity, enough to supply about 210,000 homes for an entire day. It is being developed by Flexbase with support from Invinity Energy Systems, and is expected to be completed by 2029.

Inside the world’s largest underground battery in Switzerland: what’s unique about it?

At first glance, calling it a “battery” is a bit misleading. This is not the type of system you find in a phone, car or even a typical grid storage plant.Instead, it uses vanadium redox flow technology, which stores energy in liquid electrolytes held in large tanks. When power is needed, fluid is circulated through the system to generate electricity. That one design choice changes everything.Unlike lithium-ion systems, which degrade slowly over time, flow batteries behave more stable over long cycles. Engineers say they can last for decades with very little performance loss. Another detail matters more than people realize. The system is non-flammable, making it safe for large underground deployments where thermal risk is a serious concern.

How it can power 210,000 homes without breaking a sweat

The title number seems almost abstract until you analyze it. At full capacity, the system stores 2.1 GWh of power and can release energy at a rate of 1.2 GWh. In real terms, this is enough electricity to power approximately 210,000 homes 24 hours a day.But here’s what makes it more interesting. It’s not just about total energy. It’s about time. Electricity demand is messed up. It rises in the morning, rises again in the evening and falls overnight. The power grid must balance this second by second, otherwise there is a risk of instability.The system is designed to respond almost instantly and release stored energy when demand suddenly increases. Think of it less like a backup generator and more like a shock absorber for the entire grid.It is also strategically placed near the Star of Laufenburg substation, one of Europe’s major power junctions connecting Switzerland, Germany and France. That location is not random. It sits right where cross-border energy flows are constantly changing.

Why are engineers moving beyond lithium-ion?

Lithium-ion batteries dominate everything from phones to electric vehicles, but they aren’t suitable for long-term grid storage. Flow batteries are gaining attention because they solve an entirely different problem.Instead of packing energy and power into one compact unit, they separate the two. This means that energy capacity can be expanded without redesigning the system.Engineers give three reasons for its importance:

Unexpected link with AI data centers

One detail that makes this project unique is its connection to the 500 MW AI data center complex being developed along with it. AI systems are extremely energy-intensive, and demand is increasing faster than most grids can comfortably handle. Running training models and large-scale computing infrastructure requires constant, stable power.By combining a massive storage system with a data center, the idea is to reduce energy demand and reliance on fossil fuel backup power during peak usage.

Why does this project mean more than it seems?

The real problem with renewable energy is no longer production, but timing. Solar energy is at its peak in the middle of the day. Wind energy depends on weather conditions. But demand for electricity follows human behavior, not nature.This underground system is designed to fix exactly that. It stores excess renewable energy when supply is high and releases it when demand increases.If successfully scaled, such systems can:

A quiet but important change is happening here. Energy is no longer just about producing more. It’s about controlling when and how it is used.

Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dubke

New Delhi: Cockroach Janata Party founder Abhijeet Dubey on Friday said he is visiting India ahead of his proposed protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.They plan to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in several national level examinations including NEET, CUET, CBSE and SSC GD.Sharing an update on X, Dipke wrote: “On my way to India. Leaving my fate in the hands of the Constitution.”Dipke is expected to arrive in India on June 6 and has announced plans to launch a peaceful protest campaign demanding Pradhan’s resignation over repeated failures in the country’s examination system.Earlier this week, he called on students and supporters to join the movement, linking his demand to the controversies surrounding exams like NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC GD.According to Dipke, these issues have affected the future of millions of students and raise serious questions on accountability within the education system. He urged supporters not to gather at the Delhi airport, saying his campaign had received a greater response than expected and large crowds could cause inconvenience to passengers and security personnel.In a video message posted on Twitter, he said, “For those who want resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, the overwhelming response to our call to join us at Delhi airport was beyond our imagination. It is not possible for so many people to gather at the airport as it will cause inconvenience to the public and security forces. So please do not come to Delhi airport.”Instead, he said he would go straight to the Sansad Marg police station after landing to seek official permission for the peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar.Explaining the next step, Dupke said that the movement will remain peaceful and will be conducted within the ambit of law.He said, “I will directly go to the Sansad Marg police station to seek permission for my peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. We are law abiding citizens and we have to act responsibly. So please take care that no one creates any kind of disturbance.”He has repeatedly said that the campaign will focus on democratic and constitutional methods of protest rather than confrontation.Earlier this week, Deepke said that students affected by controversies related to NEET, CBSE, CUET and SSC GD deserve accountability from those responsible for conducting the exams.He said, “Today, there are 22 lakh NEET students, 17 lakh CBSE students, 16 lakh CUET students and 40 lakh SSC GD students – more than one crore students whose lives have been made a mockery of the system. Because of this, students are very worried and worried about their future. Someone has to take responsibility for this.”He further argued that the Education Minister should be held accountable for the alleged lapses in the examination process.Amid preparations for the proposed protest, the Cockroach Janata Party on Wednesday announced three official spokespersons. The party has made Saurav Das, Vijeta Dahiya and Ashutosh Ranka as its spokespersons.Dupke has also said that his family members, especially his parents, are worried that he may face legal action if he returns to India. However, he said he remained committed to the protests and hoped authorities would allow it to proceed peacefully in accordance with constitutional and democratic principles.

Shadab Khan of Pakistan (AP Photo)

Pakistan overcame a tough challenge from Australia’s spinners on a tough surface to win the third and final ODI by four wickets on Thursday to clinch the series 2-1, their third consecutive bilateral ODI series win over the world champions.Chasing a modest target of 158 runs on a turning wicket in Lahore, Pakistan had to work hard before reaching 161/6 in 41.5 overs. All-rounder Shadab Khan remained unbeaten on 29 after taking the first two wickets, while Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 18 as the pair powered the hosts to victory with an unbroken stand after Pakistan slipped to 112/6.“It was a complete team effort throughout the series,” Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said after finishing with figures of 3-30. “The conditions were difficult for the batsmen, but every run counted and all our bowlers executed their plans well.”Australia’s fall despite British resistanceAustralia, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were all out for 157 in 42 overs, their lowest ODI score in Pakistan. Josh Inglis put up a lone fight, scoring 65 off 71 balls and forming useful partnerships with Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey, but the visitors suffered another dramatic collapse.Having reached a relatively comfortable position, Australia lost their last seven wickets for just 38 runs as Pakistan’s pace and spin attack tightened the screws.Haris Rauf started the slide by dismissing Carey, before Afridi dismissed Inglis and Cameron Green twice in an over with the old ball. Leg spinner Abrar Ahmed claimed 2-19, while Shadab ended his streak of five wicketless ODIs with figures of 2-28.Shadab and Samad finished the workChasing Pakistan was also not easy. Babar Azam played a patient innings of 40 off 84 balls before left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnman, who finished with 3-38, clean bowled him with a ball that veered sharply onto the off stump.With Pakistan six wickets down and the match balanced, Shadab and Samad showed remarkable composure on the attacking surface. Australia failed to find another breakthrough and Shadab eventually sealed the win in spectacular fashion by dispatching Adam Zampa to the long-on boundary.“Like the first game, we got too many runs behind,” Australian captain Josh Inglis admitted after the loss.

Chris Hemsworth Don’t just become an actor. He became a symbol of what a hero looks like when he finally stops running from himself. From ‘Thor’ to ‘The Avengers’ to ‘Extraction’ to ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ to ‘Avengers: Endgame’.‘He has been in some of the most commercially successful and culturally defining films of the twenty-first century. It holds the title of one of the most beloved franchises in cinema history. He has taken action. He has done comedy. He has done raw dramatic work. He’s revisited the same character multiple times over the course of more than a decade and made each version feel fresh, human, and earned. He went from being a relatively unknown Australian television actor to one of the biggest stars on the planet with a combination of physical commitment, surprising comedic instincts and genuine emotional depth that few have seen. And through it all, a line from his most famous performance speaks not only about the character he played, but also about the philosophy that defines what it truly means to be brave. Thus, Thor Odinson declares in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’, “I choose to run towards my problems, not away from them. Because that’s what heroes do.”

Quote of the Day by Chris Hemsworth

“I choose to run towards my problems, not away from them. Because that’s what heroes do.”These were the words spoken by Thor as Odinson in the 2017 film ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ directed by Chris Hemsworth. taika waititi It radically reimagined what the character could be. This was not a throwaway action line. This came at a crucial moment in the story, when Thor had lost his hammer, lost his home, and was facing a threat he had no clear way to defeat. He had every reason to retreat. Every logical argument points towards survival rather than sacrifice. And yet he decided to run towards the problem anyway. Not because he was sure he would win. But because turning away from it was not something a hero does. This line is presented with conviction and a kind of quiet, unwavering clarity that makes it much more difficult than its simplicity.

What does it actually mean?

The line is built around a single, fundamental option. Choice of direction. Towards or away. And what makes it so powerful is that it presents heroism not as the absence of fear or doubt, but as a decision made in spite of them.Most people, when faced with a real problem, feel the desire to get away from it. That stretch is not a weakness. This is biology. It is an instinct to survive. The mind naturally seeks safety, comfort, and the path of least resistance. And in everyday life, that instinct serves a purpose. But there come such moments in any life, when retreating from the problem facing you cannot solve it. When the only way to cross is straight. When moving away only guarantees that the thing you fear becomes bigger, closer, and more inevitable.What Thor is describing is the conscious transcendence of that instinct. A deliberate choice to confront rather than flee. And he gives it the most obvious possible justification: because that’s what heroes do. Not because it’s comfortable. Not because results are guaranteed. But because the definition of heroism, in its most basic form, is the willingness to move forward into hardship when everything inside you is screaming at you to go away.This is not limited to the battlefield or the extraordinary circumstances of a superhero story. This applies to that conversation you’ve been putting off. Keep rescheduling your health appointments. The Hard Truth You haven’t told anyone you love yet. That creative project you’ve been mulling over for years without even starting. You know you have to apologize. In each of these situations, the problem doesn’t get smaller when you look away from it. It is getting bigger. And the act of turning toward it, choosing to run toward it instead of away from it, is the only thing that really begins to solve it.There is also something important about the word “choose.” Thor does not say that he is compelled by his problems, or that duty forces him to go there. He chooses. This is a voluntary work. That framing matters because it preserves the full significance of the decision. A hero is not one who has no choice. A hero is someone who has every option, including the option to walk away, and yet deliberately chooses the hard path.

Who is Chris Hemsworth?

According to IMDb, Chris Hemsworth was born on August 11, 1983, in Melbourne, Australia, and grew up partly in the Northern Territory before returning to Melbourne to pursue acting. She made her early career in Australian television, most notably in the long-running series ‘Home and Away’, before turning to Hollywood in search of bigger opportunities.His breakthrough came when he was cast as Thor Odinson, the Asgardian god of thunder, a role he first played in 2011’s ‘Thor’. What followed was one of the most sustained runs of franchise success in modern cinema. He reprized the role in ‘The Avengers,’ ‘Thor: The Dark World,’ ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron,’ ‘Thor: Ragnarok,’ ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ and ‘Thor: Love and Thunder,’ over the course of more than a decade, creating a character whose emotional journey became truly compelling along with his stellar performances.Beyond the franchise, he starred in the action thriller ‘Extraction’ and its sequel, delivered a widely acclaimed comedic performance in the remake of ‘Ghostbusters’ and has consistently demonstrated a range and self-awareness that elevates him well above the requirements of the blockbuster format.He has also been open about his personal approach to health, fitness and mental resilience, and has spoken publicly about the discovery that he has genes associated with an elevated risk of Alzheimer’s disease, a revelation he has faced with characteristic directness. In this sense, the line he said as Thor is not just a piece of imaginary dialogue. It reflects something real about the person who voiced it. He chooses to run towards his problems. Because that’s what heroes do.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday said Moscow will not interfere in the “delicate” relationship between India and China, expressing confidence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping are working to resolve pending issues of mutual interest, including the long-running border dispute.Speaking to media in St Petersburg, Putin said Russia maintained strong ties with both New Delhi and Beijing and saw no reason to interfere in their bilateral affairs.Responding to a question from PTI, Putin said, “These are delicate, multidimensional relations between India and China and it is not a good idea to interfere in them.” Of course, we talk to our friends both in India and China.“Both President Xi and PM Modi are trying to resolve all issues of mutual interest, including border relations,” he said.Putin’s comments come as India and China have taken several steps over the past year to rebuild ties after they were severely strained following the Galwan Valley clashes in 2020 and a military standoff that continued for more than four years.Highlighting Russia’s ties with both the countries, Putin said Moscow’s ties with India have not affected its ties with China, just as its growing partnership with Beijing has not weakened ties with New Delhi.He said, “As far as Russia is concerned, we have our own relations with China, with India… Relations between Russia and India do not bother China, our relations with China do not bother India.”The Russian President also referred to the origins of the Russia-India-China framework, saying, “At one time, I suggested that the leaders of India, China meet here, this is how Russia-India-China was established.”On relations with Pakistan, Putin rejected the suggestion that Islamabad is under the control of Beijing.“I don’t think so,” he said. “First and foremost, Pakistan is a big country, it has multi-dimensional relations with different countries.”“Of course, it is very important for Pakistan to take into account cooperation with the Republic of China, but everyone is developing relations with China,” Putin said.On defense cooperation, Putin highlighted the BrahMos missile program and said Russia has proposed cooperation with India on fifth-generation fighter technology.He said, “We proposed to our Indian friends to work together on the fifth generation technology. But Indian friends said do it on your own and we will join. We are ready to work with India in this area for aircraft supply, we have no problem, no limitation.”Putin also said Russia is ready to expand cooperation in air-defense systems and share technical expertise with India. The Russian President said, “Now we are working on updating the system, this is unique expertise, we are ready to share this technology with Chinese, Indian friends, we will continue to work in this regard.”

PM Modi with US President Donald Trump

New Delhi: United States President Donald Trump on Thursday once again praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the two countries look to materialize a month-long trade deal.“I like your Prime Minister very much. He is a good friend of mine, and we get along well.” Trump said, we have a good relationship.Expressing optimism about the impending trade deal with New Delhi, Trump said the United States is “making a lot of money with India”.He said, “For years, India took advantage of the United States. They charged us huge fees and did not pay anything. Now it is quite the opposite and we are making a lot of money with India. But we will reach an agreement.”Trump’s latest comments come a day after his administration proposed 12.5% ​​additional tariffs on imports from 60 economies, including India.Momentum toward a deal has strengthened in recent weeks. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore said that talks are nearing completion, with only a limited number of issues still unresolved. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has similarly indicated that while most of the matters have been resolved, discussions now focus on finalizing the remaining details before the unveiling of the first phase of the agreement.A separate USTR proposal could further complicate negotiations. The review, conducted under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, covers 60 economies and focuses on concerns over imports allegedly involving forced labour.Earlier, India and the United States concluded four-day trade talks in New Delhi between June 1 and June 4, in which officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), led by the Chief Negotiator, discussed with Indian counterparts issues such as trade in goods, customs procedures, trade facilitation, non-tariff barriers and economic security cooperation.Both sides described the talks as constructive and said efforts are underway to conclude a mutually beneficial interim trade agreement, while negotiations on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement (BTA) continue in parallel.

Mira Andreeva displayed amazing composure against Marta Kostyuk to reach the French Open final. The 19-year-old’s impressive 6-1, 6-3 victory put to rest previous questions about her temperament on the big stage. (Photo/AP)

PARIS: Mira Andreeva let her emotions out after 77 minutes of high-intensity tennis. She dropped her racket, clenched both fists and yelled, “Come on!” Before throwing his head back into the packed Philippe-Chatrier crowd and roaring towards the rafters above.It was a fitting release for a player whose big-match ability has been scrutinized as closely as his abilities. The 19-year-old handled herself brilliantly on a cold evening at Roland Garros as she defeated Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 to reach the French Open final, becoming the fifth youngest woman to achieve the feat.In Saturday’s final, she will face qualifier 114th-ranked Maja Chwalinska of Poland, who defeated 25th seed Diana Schnyder 7-6 (4), 6-4 to become just the second qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open era.The performance served as a reminder that there has never been any doubt about Andreeva’s talent. She announced herself as a 16-year-old at Roland Garros in 2023, and reached the third round via the qualifying draw in her Grand Slam main-draw debut. But it was on Parisian soil that spring that questions about his nature first surfaced. Frustrated during her third round loss to Coco Gauff, then still a teenager, Andreeva repeatedly took her anger out on the ball as the match slipped away.Andreeva arrived at the French Open last year on the back of WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells and made another strong run to the quarterfinals, where she faced France’s Lois Boisson. Yet she found herself battling not only her rival but also the deeply partisan French crowd. As the atmosphere heated up, the Russians’ game deteriorated.Kostyuk, 23, presented an uncomfortable matchup for the Russian. Russian players have faced an unfavorable reception in some areas due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Chatrier crowd roared its support behind Kostyuk, especially at the end of the first set and in the second set, the question was whether Andreeva could maintain her composure. However, this time she did not waver.Zverev heads into last four in men’s semi-finalsAlexander Zverev is a strong contender to win his first Grand Slam title.2-Alexander Zverev (GER) vs. 26-Jakub Mencich (CZE)● Zverev leads 1-0 (Zverev had won the only previous meeting between the two, defeating Mencich in three sets on clay in Madrid earlier this season).●The 196 cm tall Mencik is a major semi-finalist for the first time.● 20-year-old Mencic defeated Djokovic in the Miami Open final last year.10-Flavio Coboli (ITA) vs. Matteo Arnaldi (ITA)● Head to head match tied at 1-1​ ● The 24-year-old Cobolli will meet Arnaldi in a major final for the first time since the former world No. 30 overcame compatriot Matteo Berrettini, who was forced to withdraw from their last-eight tie with injury.​ ● The first all-Italian Grand Slam men’s semi-final in history will be a repeat of last year’s French Open second round meeting, which Cobali won in four sets.

James Weston Higginbotham (above left, long hair) has been missing since May 29. A family of four from Alabama went to Japan on vacation.

A Japan vacation turned into a nightmare for this Alabama family after their 20-year-old son, who attends Auburn University, has been missing since May 29. The family said they would not leave Japan without Weston. Weston is an experienced traveler and no one opposed him when he went on a solo trip after a fight with his mother. Nancy Higginbottom, a mother, was using ChatGPT for her travel itinerary and Weston, a naturalist, told her how much natural resources such a use of AI requires. But then Weston’s phone location went off.“It’s not unusual for Weston to go into the woods and just explore. It’s his happy place,” Higginbottom told CNN. “I’m thinking…he just went into the woods, and got lost.”The search for Weston in Japan now involves Japanese police, civilian volunteers, and the FBI.The family of four took a trip to Japan on May 22 to celebrate Weston’s 18-year-old brother’s high school graduation.Higginbottom said, “While we were visiting a temple, Weston got on a train.” “We’re texting him and saying, ‘Hey, where are you?’ You know, ‘What are you doing?'” The family saw through the app that Weston had stopped at a few stores before going back on the train — then his location was closed.

Out of character for Weston, family says

Weston’s family says this was worrying and out of character for Weston as he always shared his space with his family. By 2 a.m., with no sign of Weston, the family reported him missing to local authorities. Her mother said she had about 10,000 Japanese yen (about $62.50), and a phone with 34% battery before she lost her location.According to local police, Weston left Kyoto Station alone at 6 pm that day. He was last seen around 8 p.m. In CCTV footage, she is seen walking alone in the Yamashina area of ​​the city – on a path that leads to a hiking trail in a nearby forest. Shortly thereafter, a typhoon approached Kyoto but police said it was possible that it had already moved off the mountain by that time.The family has circulated a missing person’s flyer in Japanese so that locals can help search for Weston. Auburn University is aware of Weston’s disappearance and the school has contacted the family to offer assistance, according to a statement from the Auburn Plainsman, the university’s student newspaper.