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☆ A 7-year journey to deliver an asteroid sample to Earth will soon end in Utah
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The cargo van-size spacecraft arrived in orbit around the asteroid Bennu in December 2018, providing detailed views of the spinning top-shaped space rock. Other worldsA training model of the OSIRIS-REx mission's sample return capsule was released from an aircraft in August, simulating the upcoming recovery operations. Keegan Barber/NASAThe OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will fly by Earth this weekend and drop off its precious sample from Bennu. Watch as the sample capsule is set to plunge through Earth’s atmosphere and land in the Utah desert, with NASA’s live coverage beginning at 10 a.m. As the capsule parachutes down, OSIRIS-REx will keep going, embarking on a new adventure to explore the asteroid Apophis.

Persons: CNN —, REx, NASA’s, Keegan Barber, ”, Deutsches, Monopoly, you’re, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, Rice University in Texas, Mechanical, Zimbabwe, Bochum, Iron, Swedish Museum of, Publishing, Andromeda Galaxy, CNN Space, Science Locations: Utah, Dürrnberg, Austria, Austrian, Zambia, Tasmania, Stockholm, Western Australia

☆ Last-gasp penalty miss denies Portugal first win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The excellent Raffaele Storti grabbed a brace of tries for Portugal, who will rue their inability to manage the final few minutes. "That’s rugby, it isn’t one half," Georgia coach Levan Maisashvili said. "We played really hard in the first half but in the second Portugal dominated everywhere. Portugal rode out the 10 minutes a man light and scored the first points of the second half through two Samuel Marques penalties. Georgia finally got into the Portugal half in the closing stages and when Lucas gave away his needless penalty, they were able to set up an attacking lineout and drive over through Zamtaradze to level the score.

Persons: Nuno Sousa Guedes, Portugal agonisingly, scrumhalf Pedro Lucas, Tengiz Zamtaradze, Luka Matkava, Guedes, Patrice Lagisquet, Akaki Tabutsadze, Zamtaradze, Raffaele Storti, Levan Maisashvili, Niniashvili, Flyhalf Tedo Abzhandadze, Storti, Francisco Fernandes, Shalva Mamukashvili, deservedly, Samuel Marques, Jeronimo Portela, Lucas, Mitch Phillips, Nick Said, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Georgia, Portugal, Thomson Locations: TOULOUSE, France, Portugal, Georgia, Tabutsadze, Georgian, Zamtaradze

☆ Springboks still on track to win World Cup - coach Nienaber
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - South Africa's lack of accuracy close to the Ireland tryline and off the kicking tee were major contributors to their epic 13-8 loss in a Rugby World Cup Pool B showdown on Saturday but the belief that they can win the World Cup still burns bright. By contrast, South Africa had numerous entries into the Ireland 22 but a mixture of excellent defence and their own inaccuracy proved costly as they slipped to a first World Cup defeat in nine games. "Hats off to Ireland, we missed a couple of points off the tee but I won't say it's only goal-kicking (that was the problem)," coach Jacques Nienaber said. "We lost two balls close to the Ireland tryline and we had another opportunity late on in the game. Nienaber said the defeat did not in any way diminish their belief that they could retain their World Cup crown.

Persons: Manie Libbok, scrumhalf Faf, Klerk, Jacques Nienaber, Nienaber, Siya Kolisi, haven't, Kolisi, Nick Said, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Marine Strauss, Clare Fallon Organizations: Ireland, Rugby, Springbok, Thomson Locations: Ireland, South Africa, Tonga, Marseille

☆ Pirates sock four homers, earn seesaw win over Reds
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Pirates (73-81) won their third straight game and improved to 15-8 since Aug. 28. After leaving the bases loaded in the first inning against Pirates opener Andre Jackson, the Reds broke through in the second against reliever Luis L. Ortiz. The Pirates tied the game against Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott in the fourth. The Reds reclaimed the lead in the fifth on a bases-loaded groundout by Joey Votto and an infield RBI single from Marte. Solo homers from Triolo and Rodriguez off Buck Farmer put the Pirates up 4-3 in the sixth.

Persons: David Bednar, Noelvi Marte, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Henry Davis, Jared Triolo, Endy Rodriguez, Ian Gibaut, Bryan Reynolds, Miguel Andujar, Andre Jackson, Luis L, Ortiz, Elly De La Cruz, Jonathan India's, Andrew Abbott, Hayes, Will Benson, Davis, Abbott, Joey Votto, Rodriguez, Buck Farmer, TJ Friedl, Hunter Stratton Organizations: Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati, Reds, Pirates, Pittsburgh, The Pirates, The Reds, Chicago Cubs, National League, Marte, Triolo, Thomson Locations: Stratton

☆ MLB roundup: Ronald Acuna Jr. joins 40/40 club in Braves' win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +13 min

Drury and Stefanic each had two hits for Los Angeles, which suffered its eighth loss in the last nine games. Giants 5, Dodgers 1Sean Manaea did not allow a run over a season-high seven innings and visiting San Francisco picked up a much-needed victory, beating Los Angeles. Machado's sixth multi-homer game of the season gave him 30 home runs on the season. Trevor Story collected three of Boston's seven hits. Phillies starter Taijuan Walker gave up five hits and two runs with four strikeouts and one walk in six innings.

Persons: Ronald Acuna Jr, Amber Searls, Austin Riley, Marcell Ozuna, Riley, Acuna, Riley's, Charlie Morton, Michael Tonkin, Alex Kirilloff, Pablo Lopez, Kyle Farmer, Willi Castro, Jorge Polanco, Michael A, Taylor, Max Kepler, Lopez, Jared Walsh, Logan O'Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel, Drury, Stefanic, Sean Manaea, Francisco, Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, Tyler Fitzgerald, San Francisco, Freddie Freeman, Freeman, Manny Machado, Louis, Machado's, Matthew Liberatore, Juan Soto, Machado, Paul Goldschmidt, Jordan, Luis Garcia, Garcia, Richie Palacios, Robert Suarez, Michael Siani, Jose Fermin, Shea Langeliers, Ken Waldichuk, Esteury Ruiz, Carson Kelly, Will Vest, Brent Rooker's, David Fry, Aaron Hicks, Cleveland, Yennier Cano, Emmanuel Clase, Kole Calhoun, Will Brennan, Jose Ramirez, Josh Naylor, Myles Straw, Gimenez, Anthony Santander, Gunnar Henderson, Ramon Urias, Aaron Judge, Judge, Brandon Pfaadt, Slade Cecconi, Jameson Taillon, Seiya Suzuki, Taillon, Elias Diaz, Chris Bassitt, Tampa Bay's Zach Eflin, Daulton Varsho, George Springer, Jordan Romano, Josh Donaldson, Christian Yelich, Yelich, Evan Carter slugged, Corey Seager, Mitch Garver, Dane Dunning, Cal Raleigh, Seattle's Bryce Miller, Cole Ragans, Chas McCormick, Masataka Yoshida's, Yoshida's, Rafael Devers, Adam Duvall's, Ceddanne Rafaela, Trevor Story, Devers, Mauricio Llovera, Chris Martin, David Bednar, Noelvi Marte, Ke'Bryan Hayes, Henry Davis, Jared Triolo, Endy Rodriguez, Alec Bohm, Adam Ottavino, Trea Turner, Bohm, Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Taijuan Walker, Francisco Lindor, Brett Baty, Pete Alonso Organizations: District of Columbia, Atlanta Braves, Washington Nationals, Nationals, National League East, Braves, Atlanta, Sunday, Angels, Minnesota, American League Central, AL Central, Twins, Los, Giants, Dodgers, San, National League, NL, Padres, Cardinals, San Diego, Dakota Hudson, Athletics, Tigers, Oakland, Detroit, Orioles, Cleveland, Baltimore, Guardians, American League East, Tampa Bay Rays, Yankees, Diamondbacks, New York, Arizona, Washington, The Diamondbacks, Cubs, Rockies, Chicago, Pittsburgh Pirates, Colorado, Blue Jays, Rays, American League, Tampa Bay, Tampa, AL, Brewers, Marlins, Milwaukee, Miami, National League Central, Rangers, Mariners, Seattle, American League West, Houston Astros, Texas, Cal, Toronto Blue Jays, Royals, Astros, Kansas City, Houston, Texas Rangers, Houston . Red Sox, White Sox, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Red Sox, Boston, Pirates, Reds, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, The Pirates, The Reds, Chicago Cubs, Phillies, Mets, Philadelphia, Thomson Locations: Washington, District, USA, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New, Arizona, Chicago, Colorado, Toronto, St . Petersburg, Fla, Bassitt, Texas, Arlington , Texas, Seattle, Houston

☆ Gisele Bündchen felt 'suffocated' and had self-destructive thoughts from stress of modeling
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Gisele Bündchen says that living the life of a top supermodel created so much stress, it was almost too much to bear. And then I started being in studios, and I felt, like, suffocated,” Bündchen shared. Bündchen and Brady jointly announced in October 2022 that they were divorcing after 13 years of marriage, both stressing that co-parenting their kids is a shared priority. It makes me so happy to see that, they’re flourishing into their own beings,” she said. Bündchen has also found solace in the wellness space, prioritizing her self-care by meditating, exercising and eating healthy as a means to find balance.

Persons: CNN — Gisele Bündchen, Bündchen, Lee Cowan, ” Bündchen, “, ”, ” Cowan, she’s, Tom Brady –, “ It’s, Brady, Tom Brady, Gisele Bündchen, they’ve Organizations: CNN, CBS, Sunday Locations: Miami

☆ Shami and batters set up India's clinical win v Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Put into bat, Australia were all out for 276 in exactly 50 overs even though 300 looked within their reach before Shami polished off their tail. Nearly all of Australia's frontline batters got the starts in the match but only David Warner (52) managed a half-century. Australia still looked poised for a bigger total with Josh Inglis (45) and Marcus Stoinis (29) scoring freely. After Adam Zampa removed both the openers and Shreyas Iyer ran himself out in between, Australia looked back in the contest. Rahul made 58 not out, staying put till the end to secure India's victory by hitting Abbott for a four and a six.

Persons: India's Mohammed Shami, Andrew Couldridge, Seamer Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Marsh, KL Rahul, David Warner, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Marcus Stoinis, Shami, Shubman Gill's, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Jos Inglis, Sean Abbott's, Gaikwad, Rohit Sharma, Adam Zampa, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul, Abbott, Amlan Chakraborty, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Kia, Australia, KL, Thomson Locations: England, India, London, Britain, Australia, Indore, Rajkot, New Delhi

☆ Georgia looking to cause an upset at the Rugby World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Jack Hillcox | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Today, Maisashvili is in France leading Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Having lost 35-15 against Australia in its Rugby World Cup opener, Georgia hopes to bounce back against Portugal this Saturday, then against Fiji and Wales in its final pool C game. David Mdzinarishvili/ReutersThe Georgian national rugby team was formed in 1964, but was initially subsumed by the Soviet Union rugby federation. Despite making up a tiny portion of the Soviet Union, Georgian players were one of the dominant forces in the larger nation’s rugby team. The nation’s rugby team suffered after gaining independence, leading to serious lack of resources.

Persons: CNN — “, ” Levan Maisashvili, Maisashvili, Levan Maisashvili, Georgia's, Levan Verdzeuli, Nika Abuladze –, David Mdzinarishvili, ” Tony Collins, Huw Richards ’, Collins, “, Bidzina Ivanishvili, Forbes, ” Maisashvili, ”, Warren Little Organizations: CNN, rugby, Italy, –, Georgian, CNN Sport, ” Rugby, Scotland, Australia, Rugby World, Portugal, Fiji, Humble, Georgian national rugby team, Soviet Union rugby, Soviet Union, Soviet national, Institute of Sports Humanities, Rugby, Reuters, Nations, Northern Hemisphere, Rugby Championship, Southern Hemisphere Locations: South Africa, Wales, France, Georgia, Shukhuti, Soviet, Georgian, “ Georgia, Fiji, Toulouse

☆ An asteroid sample is about to land on Earth. Here’s what to expect
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft swings by Earth on Sunday, it is expected to deliver a rare cosmic gift: a pristine sample collected from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. After releasing the capsule, OSIRIS-REx will continue on its tour of the solar system to capture a detailed look at a different asteroid named Apophis. Returning NASA’s first asteroid sample collected in space to Earth has been years in the making. An illustration depicts the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft as it descended toward the rocky surface of asteroid Bennu. If the spacecraft’s trajectory is on track, the sample capsule is expected to release from OSIRIS-REx 63,000 miles (102,000 kilometers) from Earth on early Sunday.

Persons: REx, Keegan Barber, Bennu, Lockheed Martin, Sandra Freund, OSIRIS, NASA’s, Johnson, ”, Dante Lauretta Organizations: CNN, NASA, Department of Defense's Utah, Goddard, University of Arizona, TAG, Apollo, Lockheed, Lockheed Martin Space, Defense Department’s Utah, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Johnson Space Center, Canadian Space Agency, Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency Locations: Utah, Cape Canaveral, Bennu, Houston, Tucson

☆ Benin showcases petanque passion as world championship host
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Seraphin Zounyekpe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COTONOU, Benin, Sept 18 - Terrazini Marcel Bio stood inside Benin's new petanque arena, eyes fixed on a small wooden ball and his mind on revenge. Bio narrowly missed gold in the 2016 World Petanque Championships in Madagascar, and was desperate to bring the trophy home to his country in last week's tournament. "At first, people didn't believe that Benin could organise this world championship. From leisurely street games to fierce club tournaments, Benin is carving out its place in the sport. "I think petanque is the only sport that can favour all social strata and put everyone at ease, that there are no social barriers," said Guy Trounnou, technical director for Benin's petanque federation.

Persons: Terrazini Marcel Bio, Guy Trounnou, Benin's, pétanque, Seraphin Zounyekpe, Cooper Inveen, Alex Richardson Organizations: Thomson Locations: COTONOU, Benin, Madagascar, France

"The guys tried to implement the plan and we created opportunities, but we did not take them. England are an experienced side and over time they wore us down," Japan coach Jamie Joseph said. While England looked lost at times in the first half Japan were unable to capitalise, with their kicking game wayward and a litany of unforced errors including dropped balls and skewed lineout throws. As much as they were sloppy Japan could also rue some bad luck on Sunday, after conceding a slapstick try in which the ball bounced off England prop Joe Marler's head. "That is a first for me, we did not get any luck today, did we," Joseph said.

Persons: Jamie Joseph, I'm, Joseph, Joe Marler's, Nick Said, Lawrence White, Toby Davis Organizations: England, Samoa, Pacific Islanders, Thomson Locations: France, Japan, Nice, England, Argentina

☆ Ruthless India rout Sri Lanka to win Asia Cup as paceman Siraj shines
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Hardik Pandya bagged three wickets while Jasprit Bumrah claimed one as Sri Lanka registered their second lowest total in one-day internationals, lasting only 92 balls. India needed 6.1 overs to achieve the target for a timely boost before their home World Cup beginning next month. "It's like a dream," Siraj, who became only the fourth bowler to take four wickets in an over in ODIs, said after the Sri Lanka innings. "I got four early wickets last time I played Sri Lanka (earlier this year) but unfortunately I could not register a five-wicket haul. Bumrah removed Kusal Perera in the first over to trigger a collapse and the Sri Lanka batters looked helpless as Siraj breathed fire with the new ball.

Persons: Mohammed Siraj, Siraj, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera, Charith, Dhananjaya de Silva, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dushan Hemanta, Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Kishan, Gill, Chris Silverwood bemoaned, Amlan Chakraborty, Ken Ferris Organizations: Asia, Sri Lanka, Sri, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Chennai, New Delhi

Man Snags 2 Foul Balls in Span of 3 Pitches at Citi Field, Gives Them to His Mom as Birthday GiftPatrick Wedderburn caught two foul balls in a span of three pitches in Section 321 behind home plate at Citi Field during the Mets' game against the Reds on Friday night

Persons: Patrick Wedderburn Organizations: Citi, Citi Field, Mets, Reds

☆ Rookies square off as Padres chase another win over A's
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-16 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

With Melvin watching from the first base dugout in Oakland for the first time since May 2009, the Padres (78-70) delivered an 8-3 win in the opener of the three-game series on Friday. Melvin was back at the site of six A's trips to the postseason in his 11 seasons. "I loved it," said Melvin, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area town of Atherton and attended the University of California. Padres starter Matt Waldron (0-3, 5.55 ERA) hopes to get the type of support on Saturday that Seth Lugo received in the Friday opener. The 25-year-old has allowed just one home run in 25 1/3 innings, none when he served as an opener in a 4-0 win at Houston on Monday.

Persons: Bob Melvin, Melvin, he'll, Tony Kemp, Roberto Clemente, I've, Matt Waldron, Seth Lugo, Waldron, Shea Langeliers, Brent Rooker, Fernando Tatis Jr, Jose Azocar, Mason Miller Organizations: Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Padres, NL, University of California, Houston, San, Astros, Thomson Locations: Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco Bay, Atherton

☆ Klaasen guides South Africa to one-sided win over Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PRETORIA, Sept 15 - Heinrich Klaasen bludgeoned the ball to all corners in a blistering knock of 174 to lead South Africa to a comprehensive 164-run victory over Australia and level the five-match one-day series to 2-2 on Friday. Klaasen hit 13 sixes in an awe-inspiring display of power hitting to help South Africa to a total of 416-5 – their second highest against Australia – after they had been put into bat. Australia were always going to be up against it after Klaasen’s innings had ensured a mammoth tally after a tepid start by the home side. South Africa had scored 120-3 halfway through their innings, on an unusually slow wicket, and were looking at mediocre total when Klaasen came to the crease. It ended with the last ball of the innings when Klaasen was caught in the deep.

Persons: Heinrich Klaasen bludgeoned, Klaasen, Travis, Head, Gerald Coetzee, Kapil Dev’s, Rassie van der, David Miller, Miller, Josh Hazelwood, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey, Tim David, Carey, Quinton de, Mark Gleeson, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Australia, Zimbabwe, Tunbridge, Warner, Wanderers, Thomson Locations: PRETORIA, South Africa, Australia, Tunbridge Wells, Quinton de Kock, Johannesburg, Cape Town

☆ Malan ton leads England to series victory over NZ
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( John Mehaffey | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"Good run, especially scoring some runs here at the home of cricket and leading into a World Cup. It was a bit slow, when they built pressure I found it hard to score," Malan said. We had to get off to a good start with the ball and we did that.”Butler said his team were in a good position for the World Cup. England's victory will give them a boost ahead of their World Cup title defence. The teams will then meet in the opening match of the 50-overs World Cup in India on Oct. 5.

Persons: England's Dawid Malan, Matthew Childs, Dawid Malan, Moeen Ali, Malan, Jos Buttler, Devon Conway, Buttler, Henry Nicholls, Moeen snuffed, Rachin Ravindra, Sam Curran's, Tim Southee, He'll, Tom Latham, Joe Root, Liam Livingstone, " Malan, I've, Captain Buttler, ” Butler, ” Ravindra, Root, Harry Brook, Aadi Nair, John Mehaffey, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: New Zealand, England, Thomson Locations: England, New, London, Britain, New Zealand, Moeen, Ireland, Bangladesh, India, Bengaluru

☆ Stokes says he always planned to play at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The talismanic 32-year-old, the architect of England's maiden 50-overs World Cup triumph in 2019, announced his shock ODI retirement last year citing his heavy workload. As speculation that he might return to the format for England's title defence swirled during the Ashes in June and July, Stokes quashed talk of a possible return to the ODI squad, citing a nagging knee injury. However, he returned to the England set-up last month ahead of their World Cup title defence in India, and gave another example of his explosive batting in the third ODI against New Zealand on Wednesday, smashing 182 off 124 balls. "I knew that I'd be playing in these games and potentially in the World Cup then when I said that, but it was just the easiest thing to say that and put you (the media) off the radar." "This is the first time that I've been clear in my mind that that's the one thing I can focus on," Stokes said.

Persons: Ben Stokes, Andrew Couldridge, Stokes, I've, I'd, Amlan Chakraborty, Peter Rutherford Organizations: New Zealand, Lord's, Thomson Locations: England, New, London, Britain, India, New Delhi

☆ Sri Lanka pip Pakistan to make Asia Cup final v India
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] Cricket - Asia Cup - Final - Pakistan v Sri Lanka - Dubai International Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates - September 11, 2022 Sri Lanka players celebrate with the trophy after winning the Aisia Cup REUTERS/Christopher Pike Acquire Licensing RightsCOLOMBO, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka kept their Asia Cup title defence alive as they beat Pakistan by two wickets in an edge-of-the-seat thriller on Thursday to book their place in Sunday's final against India. Electing to bat in the rain-marred contest, Pakistan posted 252-7 in 42 overs following half-centuries by Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique. Kusal Mendis kept Sri Lanka's chase on track but it was Charith Asalanka's unbeaten 49 which helped them clinch the last ball thriller. Electing to bat, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early while skipper Babar Azam (29) fell just when he was looking set. Shadab Khan caught Pathum Nissanka off his own bowling and then ran out Kusal Perera to peg back Sri Lanka but the collapse Pakistan wanted did not materialise.

Persons: Christopher Pike, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Kusal Mendis, Sri Lanka's, Charith, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Samarawickrama, Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar, Dasun Shanaka, Afridi, Zaman Khan, Asalanka, Amlan Chakraborty, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Asia, United Arab Emirates, Sri, Aisia, REUTERS, Rights, India, Thomson Locations: Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Dubai, United Arab, India, New Delhi

☆ Rugby World Cup: After triumphing with the All Blacks, Malakai Fekitoa has found a ‘new purpose’ with Tonga
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Long before he had the chance to travel to New Zealand, Fekitoa set his sights on competing for the All Blacks – undoubtedly the most famous rugby team on the planet. “It was always a dream of mine to play for New Zealand, even though I was born and raised in Tonga,” Fekitoa tells CNN Sport. Fekitoa tries to force his way through a tackle during a Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and Argentina in 2014. The change has proved particularly beneficial for Tonga, which, as well as Fekitoa, has named former All Blacks Vaea Fifita, George Moala and Charles Piutau in its squad for the ongoing Rugby World Cup in France. After the rule change, he thinks more All Blacks players will follow his lead by swapping allegiances.

Persons: Fekitoa, ” Fekitoa, Jonah Lomu, Cameron Spencer, –, haven’t, Fifita, George Moala, Charles Piutau, Leon Lord, Adam Coleman, Israel Folau, “, ”, “ I’m, I’ve, Richard Heathcote, It’s, James Crombie, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, All Blacks, New Zealand, CNN Sport, Tonga, Wellington Sevens, Wesley College, Rugby, Blacks, Fiji, Getty, Australia, Ireland, Wasps, Gloucester, Tonga –, Rugby Championship, Nations, United Rugby, Munster, Romania, Tonga’s, Tongan, Kiwi, New Locations: Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Auckland, Argentina, Europe, Monaco, France, AFP, New, England, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, Scotland, Samoa

☆ India in Asia Cup final after beating Sri Lanka
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dunith Wellalage (5-40) wrecked India's top order while Charith Asalanka (4-18) mowed down the tail to restrict India to a below-par total. "It was a good game," India captain Rohit Sharma said after their victory. The target was modest but Sri Lanka were soon grappling with a collapse of their own. Kuldeep Yadav (4-43) struck in successive overs and Ravindra Jadeja removed home captain Dasun Shanaka to reduce Sri Lanka to 99-6. Wellalage and de Silva combined in a 63-run partnership to revive Sri Lanka but once Jadeja separated them, Sri Lanka collapsed in a heap.

Persons: India's Rohit Sharma, Peter Cziborra, Dunith Wellalage, Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka's, Dhananjaya de Silva, Rohit Sharma, Rohit, Shubman Gill, Wellalage, Virat Kohli, Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Asalanka, Axar Patel's, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dasun Shanaka, de Silva, Amlan Chakraborty, Toby Davis Organizations: Trent, Rights, Asia, Sri Lanka, Sri, Pakistan, 241st, KL, Thomson Locations: England, India, Nottingham, Britain, Pakistan, Lanka, Sri Lanka, New Delhi

☆ A Record for Billion-Dollar Disasters Shows the Limits of America’s Defenses
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Christopher Flavelle | More About Christopher Flavelle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The United States has suffered 23 billion-dollar disasters so far in 2023, a record for this point in the year that highlights the country’s struggle to adapt to the effects of climate change. In one sense, the growing cost of disasters is unsurprising. The burning of fossil fuels is causing air and water temperatures to increase, which in turn makes it possible for hurricanes to become stronger, rainfall to become more intense and wildfires to spread faster. The NOAA data, which tracks the number of billion-dollar disasters in the United States, adjusted for inflation, shows a relatively steady upward march, from three such disasters in 1980 to 22 in 2020. The current year has already exceeded that record set in 2020.

Organizations: National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA Locations: States, Maui, Florida, Minnesota, United States

Hostess, the maker of snack classics like Twinkies and HoHos, is being sold to J.M. Hostess Brands Inc. shareholders will receive $30 in cash and 0.03002 shares of The J.M. Smucker Co. stock for each share of stock that they own. The rest, including Twinkies and other Hostess cakes, was acquired by Metropoulos & Co. and Apollo, for $410 million. Smucker Co. and Hostess have both approved the deal, which is expected to close in Smucker's fiscal third quarter.

Persons: Andy Callahan, Twinkies, Hostess, XX, Wonder, Leon Black, Carl’s, Chef Boyardee, Bee, Morgan Stanley's Pam Kaufman Organizations: Hostess Brands Inc, Associated Press, Flowers Foods, McKee Foods, Metropoulos, Apollo Global Management, Pabst Brewing Co, Hostess Locations: Smucker, America, , Kansas

☆ Kohli, Rahul fire as India thump Pakistan in Asia Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Sept 11 (Reuters) - India beat rivals Pakistan by 228 runs after Virat Kohli passed 13,000 in one-day internationals en route to his 47th century and KL Rahul marked his return from injury with a ton in a lopsided Asia Cup Super Four clash in Colombo on Monday. India spinner Kuldeep Yadav (5-25) ripped through Pakistan's lineup following a brief rain interruption after Jasprit Bumrah removed Imam-ul-Haq and Hardik Pandya castled the dangerous Babar Azam. Kohli and Rahul saw off the threat of Pakistan's pace attack, missing Rauf due to a right flank problem, and the duo targeted the spinners to post 356-2 in 50 overs. Rahul and Kohli's unbeaten 233-run partnership for the third wicket was the highest stand in the Asia Cup. India, whose group meeting with Pakistan in Pallekele this month was abandoned due to rain, take on Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

Persons: Virat Kohli, Rahul, Kohli, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Kuldeep Yadav, Bumrah, Haq, Pandya, Babar Azam, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rohit, Rauf, Kohli's, It's, we've, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shreyas, carting Faheem Ashraf, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: Pakistan, Asia, Thomson Locations: India, Colombo, Pallekele, Sri Lanka, Bengaluru

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Marcus Semien is at the top of the Texas Rangers lineup every game, and always impressing the American League hitting leader who bats right after him. Semien was hitting .281 with 24 homers and 87 RBIs while leading the AL with 166 hits and 109 runs scored. After hitting 45 homers in his only season with the Blue Jays in 2021, Semien signed a $175 million, seven-year contract with Texas. Semien set a Rangers franchise record Sunday with his AL-best eighth leadoff homer this season. With 20 games left over the final three weeks of the regular season, they trailed AL West leader Houston by three games.

Persons: — Marcus Semien, “, ”, Corey Seager, Eugenio Suárez, Seager, Houston, Cy Young, Justin Verlander, “ There’s, Semien, he’s, Bruce Bochy, He’s Organizations: Texas Rangers, American League, Rangers, Blue Jays, Seattle, Texas, AL, Oakland, Toronto, AL West, Astros Locations: ARLINGTON , Texas, Semien, Toronto, ” Semien, ” Texas

☆ Sabalenka loses US Open final but leaves New York on top of the world
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sabalenka will overtake Poland's Iga Swiatek when the new rankings are updated on Monday and the Belarusian admitted her new status will help ease the sting of her U.S. Open final loss to American teenager Coco Gauff. "Yeah, that's why probably, that's why I'm not super depressed right now," Sabalenka said when asked to reflect on becoming world number one for the first time. "I'm definitely going for a drink tonight if I'm allowed to say that," a smiling Sabalenka added. I got overemotional after the second set." Despite falling to Gauff in the final, Sabalenka can hold her head high after delivering a remarkable Grand Slam season that included an Australian Open title in January before semi-final appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon.

Persons: Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Mike Segar, Poland's Iga, I'm, Gauff, Frank Pingue, Chizu Organizations: Tennis, U.S, REUTERS, Wimbledon, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, United States, Belarus, Belarusian, New York, Toronto

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