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☆ 'Grand Theft Auto 6' production delay might be behind Rockstar Games' return to office mandate
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( Kenneth Niemeyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewBack-to-work mandates at Rockstar Games are prompting concerns that "Grand Theft Auto 6" might get a later release date than expected. In December, Rockstar Games announced that "GTA 6" would come out in 2025. Still, news that a "GTA 6" release date was so far in the future caused stock prices for Take Two to dip as much as 7% in December. Related storiesNow, Kotaku reported that sources close to the game's development say that progress is slowing and the game's release could "slip" into 2026. Some Rockstar employees told Aftermath they learned they would no longer be able to answer Slack messages and use other work communication tools from home.

Persons: —, Jenn Kolbe, Slack Organizations: Service, Rockstar Games, Business, Kotaku, Rockstar, Bloomberg, Employees

☆ 'Grand Theft Auto VI' means every day is an office day for Rockstar workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Hasan Chowdhury | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The developer behind the Grand Theft Auto games has asked employees to return to the office five days a week from April, per Bloomberg, as it enters the final stages of development for the franchise's next installment, "Grand Theft Auto VI." AdvertisementHello @X, watch Grand Theft Auto VI Trailer 1 pic.twitter.com/smzxOLhh4o — Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) December 5, 2023IP and sales worth billions on the lineSecurity has always been a huge priority at Rockstar. But in the run-up to the release of "Grand Theft Auto VI," Rockstar, which adopted remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, has had several security issues to contend with. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain (IWGB) said the decision by Rockstar came a year after 170 Rockstar workers signed a petition "opposing mandatory 3-day office work." Rockstar workers represented by the union accused the developer of "broken promises" and said they had concerns around a "heightened risk of overwork," which the company has been criticised for in the past.

Persons: —, Jenn Kolbe, Ned Luke, he'd, Jason Schreier Organizations: Service, Theft, Bloomberg, Business, Rockstar, Twitter, Independent Workers Union of Great Locations: Independent Workers Union of Great Britain

☆ Putin’s brutal war on Ukraine vanishes from news coverage amid raging conflict in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In the days before the Israel-Hamas war, the battle in Ukraine amounted to about eight percent of CNN’s television coverage. After the attacks, CNN —the cable news network that provided the most Ukraine coverage — fell to under one percent. The noted drop in Ukraine war coverage from the press, given the fresh violence in the Middle East, is not completely surprising. As Kolbe told me, “Putin’s media campaign to paint Ukraine as divided, corrupt, and a puppet of the U.S. and NATO, is a central part” of his strategy. The lack of press attention makes that all the more easier.

Persons: It’s, Vladimir Putin’s, —, ensnared Washington, Donald Trump’s, Putin, Paul Kolbe, “, ”, Russia “, ” Kolbe, Kolbe Organizations: CNN, Ukraine, Internet Television, GDELT, Belfer Center for Science, International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School, Central Intelligence Agency, Hamas, U.S, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Israel, Maine, Russian, ”, Russia, Ukraine wanes, NATO

☆ South Africa hold off 14-man All Blacks to win record fourth World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | Thomson Reuters | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

No team had ever recovered from a halftime deficit to win a World Cup final and the Springboks came out flying in the second half looking to drive home their advantage. It was the first try South Africa had conceded in four World Cup finals but Mo'unga missed the conversion from wide-out and the Springboks held on to the lead. Kolisi had by now returned to the fray after his card was not upgraded and South Africa brought their famed "bomb squad" off the bench to relieve fatigued forwards. South Africa winger Cheslin Kolbe was the fourth player to be yellow-carded seven minutes from time but New Zealand's Jordie Barrett struck the subsequent 48-metre penalty attempt wide of the posts. New Zealand had also been hoping to win a fourth World Cup and coach Ian Foster thought the way the cards for Cane and Kolisi played out had been a decisive factor.

Persons: Denis, Webb Ellis, Cyril Ramaphosa REUTERS, Gonzalo Fuentes, Cane, Beauden Barrett, NZ Handre Pollard, Sam Cane, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Handre, Siya Kolisi, Black Richie McCaw, Kolisi, Shannon Frizell, Flyhalf Pollard, Richie Mo'unga, Pollard, Cane clattered, Jesse Kriel, Mo'unga, Ardie Savea, New Zealand scrumhalf Aaron Smith, Mark Telea, Cheslin Kolbe, Zealand's Jordie Barrett, Ian Foster, it's, Nick Mulvenney, Ed Osmond Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, Stade de France, Saint, South, NZ, Zealand, Blacks, Springboks, New Zealand, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: Zealand, South Africa, France, Africa, South Africa PARIS, New Zealand, New

☆ Springboks start with Pollard, go 7-1 on the bench
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In the end, Pollard proved the match winner again as he kicked over a 48 metre penalty to hand South Africa a place in the final. South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber surprised with his choice of replacements, going with seven forwards and a single back for the third time in the last two months. It means South Africa are gambling on fresh forward power winning them the game but risking having no cover should there be any injury among the backs. New Zealand, who like South Africa have won three previous World Cups, will name their team later on Thursday. South Africa: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Cheslin Kolbe, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Faf de Klerk, 8-Duane Vermeulen, 7-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6-Siya Kolisi (capt.

Persons: Handre Pollard, Pollard, Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Damian Willemse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Mark Gleeson, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Rugby, Springbok, New Zealand, South, England, Libbok, Blacks, Twickenham, Ireland, Leinster, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, South Africa, Japan, flyhalf, scrumhalf, Africa, South Africa’s, Zealand

☆ Springbok forwards know the stakes after final selection gamble
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PRESLES COURCELLES, France, Oct 26 (Reuters) - South Africa’s forwards know any successful outcome of Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final depends on how they dominate New Zealand upfront after the Springboks made a surprise selection gamble for the clash at the Stade de France. "It's going to come down to the forwards," said prop Steven Kitshoff, one of 15 players who were in South Africa's victorious World Cup final squad in Japan four years ago and who starts on Saturday. "We all know the brand and style that the All Blacks play and how dynamic they can be, but for us it’s all about work rate, the scrum battle, the lineout mauling. "It’s always big to play against the All Blacks, but to do so in a World Cup final is like a dream," he said. "I think for a player to play in a game like this, I don’t think it’s ever going to be any bigger.

Persons: Steven Kitshoff, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith, we've, De Klerk, Bok, Siya Kolisi, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Saturday’s Rugby, Springboks, Stade de France, New Zealand, Twickenham, Blacks, Ireland, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: COURCELLES, France, New Zealand, South Africa's, Japan, England

☆ World Cup braced for second superpower showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

That means that should they triumph on Saturday they will have an incredible 50% success rate - four finals from eight tournaments. New Zealand won the inaugural event in 1987 then became the first to win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2015 - an achievement defending champions South Africa are also desperate to emulate. Their previous final meeting was in 1995, the first World Cup South Africa were allowed into. At the other end of the experience spectrum is winger Will Jordan, whose eight tries in France equal the tournament best. Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)Reporting by Mitch Phillips; editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Nelson Mandela, Francois Pienaar, Chester Williams, Siya Kolisi, Richie McCaw, Handre Pollard, Ian Foster, Sam Whitelock, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, flyhalf Richie Mo'unga, Ardie, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Nepo Laulala, Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert, Damian Willemse, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter, Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Steven Kitshoff, Deon Fourie, Trevor Nyakane, Jean Kleyn, Kwagga Smith, Jasper Wiese, Willie Le Roux, Wayne Barnes, Mitch Phillips, Ken Ferris Organizations: Springboks, New Zealand, South, France, England, Twickenham, Zealand, Blacks, Ireland, Webb, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, Africa, England, flyhalf, Argentina, Ireland, France, Zealand, Brown

☆ World Cup 2023: Previous World Cup finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

PARIS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - On Saturday, New Zealand take on South Africa in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final at the Stade de France, with both teams hoping to win a record fourth title. Mapimpi scored the first try in the 66th minute, becoming the first Springbok to score a try in a World Cup final, despite South Africa having won two previous titles. The teams had met in the pool stage with South Africa winning 36-0. Fullback Jonathan Webb scored two penalties for England, whose decision to ditch their forward-reliant tactics for an expansive running game backfired. 1987 - NEW ZEALAND 29 FRANCE 9 (AUCKLAND)The All Blacks laid down the marker in the first World Cup final, dominating from start to finish as flyhalf Grant Fox's kicking helped his team gain territory time and again.

Persons: Makazole, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Mapimpi, Richie McCaw, Flyhalf Dan Carter, Beauden Barrett's, Tony Woodcock, Stephen Donald, Percy Montgomery, Francois Steyn, Alain Rolland's, Mark Cueto, England's Jonny Wilkinson, Australia's Elton Flatley, Wilkinson, Matt Burke, Ben Tune, Owen Finegan, Nelson Mandela, Jonah Lomu, Joel Stransky's, Webb Ellis, Tony Daly, Michael Lynagh, Fullback Jonathan Webb, flyhalf Grant Fox's, Michael Jones, David Kirk, John Kirwan, Pierre Berbizier, Rohith Nair, Aadi Nair, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Stade de France, England, Springbok, South, Blacks, Wallabies, Springboks, South Africa, ZEALAND, Fullback, Fox, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, South Africa, ENGLAND, YOKOHAMA, Japan, AUSTRALIA, TWICKENHAM, FRANCE, AUCKLAND, France, PARIS, England, SYDNEY, CARDIFF, Australia, JOHANNESBURG, Bengaluru

☆ Ruthless South Africa extinguish French fire to reach last four
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We had good opportunities but unfortunately we couldn't convert them into points," France manager Raphael Ibanez said. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said the bench was critical. Jonathan Danty was held up and Arendse dived over for South Africa after collecting a fortunate bounce from a speculative kick. With barely time to breathe, South Africa regained control when Kolbe outpaced Damian Penaud with astonishing ease to collect Jesse Kriel's kick and score. Pollard added another penalty before Ramos brought France back within a point, but South Africa defended brilliantly to keep out a late French onslaught.

Persons: France's, Fabien Galthie, Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Mannie, Handre Pollard, Antoine Dupont, scrumhalf, Les Bleus, Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Thomas Ramos, Raphael Ibanez, Siya Kolisi, Jacques Nienaber's, Dupont, Baille, Jonathan Danty, Arendse, De Allende, Mauvaka, Kolbe, Damian Penaud, Jesse Kriel's, maul, Ramos, Atonio, Nienaber, Etzebeth, Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ed Osmond Organizations: France, Galthie Springboks, Springboks, England, Kurt, Mauvaka, South, Thomson Locations: Africa, France, England, PARIS, South Africa, South

☆ Ireland come out on top of bruising clash with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Top-ranked Ireland claimed a 13-8 statement victory over defending champions South Africa in a high-octane heavyweight World Cup clash that lived up to the hype at a sweltering Stade de France on Saturday. Scotland and Tonga, who both lost their opening game in Pool B, face each other in Nice on Sunday. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi hailed his team's performance despite the loss. South Africa came into the contest with a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench and Ireland boldly looked to keep the ball in play as much as possible, going for the corner instead of kicking early penalties. South Africa got onto the scoreboard first in a brutal start with a Libbok penalty as huge tackles and collisions drew oohs and aahs from the 78,542 crowd.

Persons: Andy Farrell's, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie, Klerk, Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Hugo Keenan ghosted, Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Hansen, James Lowe, Kolbe darted, Libbok, Crawley, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South, Stade de France, Springboks, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Tonga, Nice, Africa, Ireland, France

☆ Ireland beat South Africa 13-8 in bruising Paris showdown
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Ireland underlined their status as the number one team in the world with a bruising 13-8 Rugby World Cup victory over defending champions South Africa in Paris on Saturday, though the Springboks will rue their inaccuracy off the kicking tee. Ireland scored their only try in the first half through wing Mack Hansen as he found some rare space out wide and led 7-3 at the break but had to withstand a barrage of Springbok pressure in the second half amid a raucous atmosphere. South Africa’s only try came from winger Cheslin Kolbe but they missed the conversion and three penalty chances to highlight their goal-kicking woes and perhaps hasten the return of experienced flyhalf Handre Pollard to the team. Ireland will be odds-on to win the pool as they claimed a 16th test win in a row, while South Africa suffer defeat in a World Cup game for the first time in nine matches and will likely have to beat Tonga in their final group game on Oct. 1. Reporting by Nick Said Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Mack Hansen, Cheslin Kolbe, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Nick Said, Christian Radnedge Organizations: South Africa, Springboks, Ireland, Tonga, Thomson Locations: Ireland, Paris, South Africa

☆ Captain Kolisi backs flyhalf Libbok to lead Springbok attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Nick Said | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

But Kolisi said his side have no concerns around Libbok in potentially tight knockout contests and there were others who could take over kicking duties if required. "We play as a team and sometimes you are not good at one thing on the day," Kolisi told reporters. "But the way he attacked and the way he takes control of the team, people forget that and remember only the other stuff. "Faf (de Klerk) can kick, Cheslin (Kolbe) can kick, there are a lot of guys we can call upon. South Africa led 6-3 at halftime but Kolisi was not happy with the intensity they showed.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, Libbok, Kolisi, de Klerk, Cheslin, Kolbe, Duane, Vermeulen, Eben, Etzebeth, Libbok’s, Lee Arendse, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby, Scotland, Springboks, Kurt, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, South Africa, Marseille, Africa

☆ Rugby World Cup 2023: How to watch, teams and star players
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

The Stade de France will host this year's Rugby World Cup final. A full list of international broadcasters is available here on the Rugby World Cup website. A total of 20 teams have qualified for this year’s Rugby World Cup and they will compete in four pools of five teams each. “It’s probably the most open Rugby World Cup we’ve seen for a long time,” former England international Ugo Monye told CNN Sport. Antoine Dupont will be a key player for France at this year's Rugby World Cup.

Persons: Etienne, David Rogers, Stan, Clive Mason, Webb Ellis, “ It’s, Ugo Monye, you’ve, Romain Ntamack, Paul Willemse, Cyril Baille, Jonathan Danty, ”, haven’t, – let’s, Stuart Hogg, I’ve, ’, Antoine Dupont, Ntamack, Fabien Galthié, Damian Penaud, Alldritt, Richard Heathcote, – Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick –, Sam Kane, Dane Coles, Handré Pollard, Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole, Johnny Sexton, James Ryan, Tadhg Beirne, Josh van, Owen Farrell, Finn Russell, Hogg, “, ” Russell isn’t, Levani Organizations: CNN, Rugby World, New Zealand, Stade de France, Rugby, Paris, Games, Getty, Blacks, Stade de Marseille, NBC, Stan Sport, ITV, S4C, South, CNN Fiji, England, –, USA, Africa, Africa Ireland Scotland Tonga, C Wales Australia Fiji, Japan, Japan Argentina Samoa Chile Who, – New, CNN Sport, New, Wales, Australia, Ireland, “, Scotland, Tonga’s, France, Blacks ’, Fiji, The Pacific Islanders Locations: France, New, Paris, South Africa, Ireland, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nantes, Nice, Saint, Toulouse, United States, Australia, Sky, New Zealand, England, Argentina, Wales, Scotland, Italy, Georgia, Japan, Tonga, Samoa, Uruguay, Namibia, Romania, Portugal, Chile, Zealand France Italy Uruguay Namibia, Africa Ireland, Africa Ireland Scotland Tonga Romania, C Wales Australia Fiji Georgia Portugal, Japan Argentina Samoa Chile, – New Zealand, Fiji, darting, Zealand

☆ Springboks delighted to have captain Kolisi back after injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Bok captain Kolisi suffered a serious knee injury in April, casting major doubt over his availability for the team's title defence, but he has been selected for the first time this year against Wales in a warm-up fixture in Cardiff on Saturday. "It's massive for us as a team to have Siya back in the mix," Kolbe told reporters on Wednesday. "He means a lot to us as players with his experience and the energy he brings. Even when he was not playing, he was on the sidelines giving input, helping a lot of the guys." If someone gets injured, we know the next guy coming in will fill that role and is capable of doing even better."

Persons: Siphiwe, Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe, Bok, Kolisi, Kolbe, Wales flyhalf Dan Biggar, Nick Said, Devika Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, International, Springboks REUTERS, Rights, Springboks, Wales, Wales flyhalf, Toulon, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Johannesburg, Japan, Cardiff, Pretoria

☆ Springboks include injured skipper Kolisi in World Cup squad
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Mark Gleeson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 8 (Reuters) - South Africa captain Siya Kolisi was included in the squad for next month’s Rugby World Cup but other key players left out because of injury, including influential flyhalf Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am. There are 12 World Cup debutants but the Boks kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago. Also out is Lood de Jager, the giant lock who was also part of team four years ago. He heads a list of players who compete at a third World Cup tournament. South Africa play in Pool B at the World Cup where they also meet Romania, Ireland and Tonga.

Persons: Siya Kolisi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Kolisi, Pollard, de Jager, Jacques Nienaber, De Jager, Nienaber, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Kurt, Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Jaden Hendrikse, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Manie, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams, Pieter, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Malcolm Marx, Kubota Spears, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Nche, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Jasper Wiese, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Rugby, Lukhanyo, Scotland, Argentina, SA Rugby, Wales, New Zealand, Twickenham, Romania, Tonga, Squad, Panasonic, Knights, Canon Eagles, Harlequins, Suntory, Eagles, Toyota, Honda, Snyman, Leicester Tigers, Thomson Locations: JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, Marseille, Japan, Cardiff, New, Ireland, Montpellier, Ulster, Munster, Stormers

☆ Russia's war economy isn't as resilient as reports would have you believe
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

That brings us to today's main story — economists say the official data coming out of Russia isn't painting an accurate picture of Putin's wartime economy. "These are the things that businesses deliver and consumers purchase in an economy, and they have been absorbing the impact. Our tracker shows a contraction of the Russian economy ahead of the official figures release precisely because we use high-frequency indicators from the private economy." Vehicle sales, imports, credit growth, home prices, and other measures all point to a much less robust regime since Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine began. These four charts tell the story of how war has reshaped Russia over the last year.

☆ Experts explain why a Russian oil price cap might fall flat and instead give Putin's biggest crude customers a boost.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-28 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

That day marks the beginning of a price cap on Russian oil, as well as a new European Union ban on seaborne Russian crude imports. "What it suggests is that Russian buyers are able to negotiate very favorable terms from Russian oil companies, who have to sell in order to maintain operations," Brew said. Because of that, it's possible that the West's price cap plan will end up falling flat, with the most noticeable result being customers in Asia bidding lower prices for Russian oil. But there's no guarantee European companies even want to handle any Russian oil at all. Nonetheless, oil markets are unlikely to react dramatically to the price cap, in Gallarati's view.

☆ Boks shuffle pack ahead of Italy test as Wiese returns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 15 (Reuters) - South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber has made several changes to his pack with the return of number eight Jasper Wiese and a new lock pairing for the autumn international test against Italy in Genoa on Saturday. He replaces Kwagga Smith, while Salmaan Moerat and Marvin Orie make up the second row with Eben Etzebeth rested on the bench and Franco Mostert moving to flank in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit. "It’s also good to have Jasper back against the physical Italian pack, and we know that Kwagga will spark something different when he takes the field. "Evan (Roos) also gets a chance off the bench and his skills will work well with Kwagga’s in the loose trio." Italy have had some past joy against the Springboks, beating them for the first time 20-18 in Florence six years ago.

☆ In historic House race between gay candidates, Republican defeats Democrat, NBC News projects
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Matt Lavietes | Matt Lavietes Is A Reporter For Nbc Out. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Republican George Santos is the winner in the race for New York’s 3rd Congressional District, beating Democrat Robert Zimmerman and flipping the seat from blue to red, NBC News projected. The contest marked the first time two openly gay congressional candidates had gone head to head in a general election. He will also become the first openly LGBTQ non-incumbent Republican elected to Congress. Former Republican Reps. Mark Foley of Florida and Aaron Schock of Illinois came out as gay after they resigned from the House. “I am an openly gay candidate.

☆ A gay Republican who said Trump was 'at his full awesomeness' on January 6 is headed to Congress
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Bryan Metzger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

George Santos is set to become the only openly gay sitting Republican member of Congress. Santos will also be only the third openly gay Republican member of Congress, following former Reps. Jim Kolbe of Arizona and Steve Gunderson of Illinois. He is the first Republican to be openly gay at the time of his election. At the same time, Republicans have shown an increasing openness to same-sex marriage. Nonetheless, most members of the House Republican Conference voted against enshrining the right to same-sex marriage into law.

☆ Netball Australia: Gina Rinehart pulls sponsorship in dispute over father's racist comments
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Brisbane, Australia CNN —When Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart threw a financial lifeline to Netball Australia, she triggered a debate about sponsorships and the role of social and political issues in the sporting sphere. Donnell Wallam of the Firebirds is a rising star in Australian netball. On Monday, Kathryn Harby-Williams, CEO of the Australian Netball Players’ Association told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Wallam had asked for an exemption not to wear the logo and was refused. Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan told Nine News the loss of Hancock sponsorship was “disappointing” but a “strong balance” needs to be struck between social issues and funding. “When done well, sport sponsorship is brand transforming for both the sport and sponsor.”

☆ In a political first, two gay candidates face off in congressional election
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Julie Moreau | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +10 min

A historic number of LGBTQ candidates will appear on ballots across the country in November. It is one of 16 competitive races in which LGBTQ candidates appear, and which may decide control of the U.S. House, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund. 'It was going to happen sooner of later'The odds of a faceoff between two gay candidates have gone up in recent years, because there’s been an increase in LGBTQ candidates at all levels of government. Santos is the only openly LGBTQ Republican running for Congress this fall, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund. “The issue is not that both of us are gay,” Zimmerman said.

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