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Building industry figure George Alex arrested over money laundering, tax evasion

Controversial building industry figure George Alex has been arrested in a pre-dawn raid in relation to allegations of money laundering and tax evasion.

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Fauci to throw first pitch at Yankees-Nationals opener in DC

Dr Anthony Fauci, the US' top infectious disease expert, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch at the first game of Major League Baseball's pandemic-delayed regular season.

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The latest illustrations from artist Andrew Dyson

Some of his best work

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The latest illustrations from artist Cathy Wilcox

The latest work by Sydney Morning Herald editorial cartoonist Cathy Wilcox.

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TikTok caught in crossfire of US and China trade war

The video sharing platform's future depends on who owns it and where its headquarters is.

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Coronavirus: The stress of leading a start-up through the pandemic

Finding investors is the key for start-ups and during the pandemic that has become harder than ever.

from BBC News - Technology https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53366436

BBC NEWS : 'This is our final showdown with Uber, and the stakes are high'

After a five-year legal battle, Uber drivers will learn whether they will be recognised as employees.

July 21, 2020 at 05:42AM

from BBC News - Business
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BBC NEWS : 'I was standing at the wrong end of a machine gun'

Sir Jack Petchey built a huge property empire and his own charity, but it was not all plain sailing.

July 20, 2020 at 04:59AM

from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53346196

TikTok caught in crossfire of US and China trade war

The video sharing platform's future depends on who owns it and where its headquarters is.

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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Follow news and events as they happen.

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Downer in $400m equity raising and corporate overhaul

ASX-listed Downer has unveiled a corporate overhaul including a $400 million equity raising and signalled it is likely exit from capital-intensive businesses like mining and laundry.

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BHP lifts Australian iron ore shipments as prices soar

Mining giant BHP has reported its biggest-ever quarterly output of iron ore from its Western Australian mines, while its oil and gas division fell short.

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FOX NEWS:- Sen. Ted Cruz warns presidential race is a real contest in Texas

Sen. Ted Cruz warns presidential race is a real contest in Texas

The media have done a very good job frightening female suburban voters, says Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6173415570001

FOX NEWS:- Rep. Jim Jordan says local police want federal help to end ongoing violence in their cities

Rep. Jim Jordan says local police want federal help to end ongoing violence in their cities

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, joins Harris Faulkner with insight on 'The Story.'

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6173414090001

FOX NEWS:- Kanye West qualifies for presidential election ballot in Illinois

Kanye West qualifies for presidential election ballot in Illinois

Voters in rapper Kanye West's home state of Illinois could see him on the presidential ballot come November running as an independent.

via FOX NEWS https://foxnews.com/politics/kanye-west-presidential-election-ballot-illinois

FOX NEWS:- Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli on federal response to lawlessness in US cities

Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli on federal response to lawlessness in US cities

Local leaders are politicizing the violence, says Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli.

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6173413331001

FOX NEWS:- Hogan Gidley dismisses 'fake' polls that show Trump trailing Biden, says Biden wants to cut police funding

Hogan Gidley dismisses 'fake' polls that show Trump trailing Biden, says Biden wants to cut police funding

Your jobs, family and American way of life are not safe with Joe Biden, says Trump 2020 national press secretary Hogan Gidley.

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6173411529001

FOX NEWS:- Meadows, Mnuchin head to Capitol Hill to huddle with lawmakers on the next coronavirus bill

Meadows, Mnuchin head to Capitol Hill to huddle with lawmakers on the next coronavirus bill

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin travel to Capitol Hill Tuesday to meet with Senate Republicans over lunch and then huddle with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on the next coronavirus bill.

via FOX NEWS https://foxnews.com/politics/meadows-mnuchin-capitol-hill-next-coronavirus-bill

Update: UN headquarters in New York starts phase one reopening

Video: The UN headquarters in New York on July 20, 2020 starts its phase one reopening after it has remained physically close over the past four months to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, says S

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Transgender women face ban from playing women's rugby

World Rugby says peer-reviewed research confirms a reduction of testosterone "does not lead to a proportionate reduction in mass, muscle mass, strength or power".

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Follow news and events as they happen.

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Downer in $400m equity raising and corporate overhaul

BHP lifts Australian iron ore shipments as prices soar

Coronavirus: Indonesia logs new record daily death toll

JAKARTA - Indonesia's Health Ministry announced 127 Covid-19 deaths on Sunday (July 19), the highest one-day death toll so far. The previous highest daily toll was recorded on July 15, when 87 people were reported to have died of the virus. "One hundred twenty-seven deaths were recorded today, bringing the total number of Covid-19 deaths to 4,143," the ministry's disease control and prevention director general, Achmad Yurianto, said in his daily press briefing, referring to the number for the 24 hours ending at noon on Sunday. East Java reported the highest toll on Sunday with 52 deaths, bringing the number of Covid-19 deaths in the region to 1,401. East Java remains the province with the highest death toll, far surpassing other regions, including Jakarta's 736 deaths. Central Java followed East Java with 23 deaths logged on Sunday. Meanwhile, both Jakarta and South Sulawesi provinces recorded nine new deaths, respectively. "We should understand that virus transmission is still happening, so please abide by the health protocols," Mr Yurianto said.

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BBC NEWS - US election 2020: Kanye West launches unconventional bid for presidency

Fans have questioned whether the rapper's last-minute bid for the presidency is genuine.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53467658

BBC NEWS : Test case on virus insurance payouts to begin

The case will rule whether many businesses should get payouts for damage caused by the pandemic.

July 20, 2020 at 06:27AM

from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53465972

BBC NEWS : Government 'must stop garment worker exploitation'

The home secretary must act on reports of exploitation at UK suppliers, say MPs and retailers.

July 20, 2020 at 06:59AM

from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53465977

BBC NEWS : Klarna: We tightened our lending in lockdown

The buy now, pay later service says it changed its policies to guard against defaulting customers.

July 20, 2020 at 06:32AM

from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53465978

New on Sports Illustrated: Jon Rahm's Wild Day Ends With Memorial Win and No. 1 Ranking

Jon Rahm won the Memorial to join Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach No. 1 in the world.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jon Rahm won the Memorial to join Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach No. 1 in the world, a victory he finally wrapped up with a magical shot that would have made his idol proud.

Rahm built an eight-shot lead at the turn, only to see it reduced to three shots with three holes to play Sunday on a Muirfield Village course playing its toughest in 42 years.

In trouble behind the green on the par-3 16th, with Ryan Palmer facing a 12-foot birdie putt from the fringe, Rahm hit a flop shot from deep grass that came out perfectly. It landed on the fringe, ran toward the hole and dropped for birdie as the fiery Spaniard let out a ferocious fist pump.

Palmer took bogey on the 17th, and the coronation was on.

The only issue was the score. Replay of Rahm's chip appeared to show the ball moved ever so slightly when he placed his lob wedge behind it. PGA Tour officials reviewed it and gave him a two-shot penalty. It didn’t affect the outcome.

Rahm was surprised when it was mentioned to him after he finished and said he didn’t realize anything was wrong.

"It doesn't take anything from the shot," he said. "It's not going to take anything away from today."

Rahm closed with a 3-over 75 for a three-shot victory over Palmer, the highest final round by a Memorial winner since Roger Maltbie shot 76 in the inaugural year in 1976.

The victory was the 10th of Rahm’s career — fourth on the PGA Tour — and moves him past Rory McIlroy in the world ranking by winning against the strongest field of the year. He is the 24th player to be No. 1. Ballesteros spent a total of 61 weeks at the top from 1986 to 1989.

It was the strongest test, too, with the rough not being cut and the greens allowed to bake out because they are being replaced. The fifth green already was stripped as the leaders were on the back nine.

Only five players broke par, the fewest for a final round since the Memorial began in 1976. The average score of 75.932 was the highest for the final round since it was 75.972 in 1978.

Rahm looked to be playing a different course. He played bogey-free on the front nine with birdies on the two par 5s. That put him eight shots clear on his way to No. 1.

And then he made bogey on the 10th. Not a problem.

He yanked his tee shot into a creek on the par-5 11th, and that was a bigger problem based on how hard he slammed the club into the ground in a pique of anger. He made double bogey. Palmer made birdie on the 12th, and then Rahm made another bogey from the bunker on the 14th.

Just like that, the lead was three shots.

Only a week ago at Muirfield Village for the Workday Charity Open, Justin Thomas had a three-shot lead with three holes to play and wound up losing in a playoff to Collin Morikawa.

Rahm only wanted his tee shot on the 16th to stay dry, though the rough was not a great option with how fast the greens were running. The chip was similar — but from a different angle — to Tiger Woods chipping in from behind the 16th green when he won the Memorial for the fifth time in 2012.

Woods, in his first competition since Feb. 16 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, shot 76 and tied for 40th.

"Tough, tough conditions to start out my first week back, Thursday and Sunday," Woods said. "But it was good to get the feel and the flow of competing again."

Matthew Fitzpatrick had a 68 for the low score of the final day to finish third.

The consolation prize went to Palmer (74) and Mackenzie Hughes (72), who earned spots in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot in September as the leading two players from the top 10 who were not already eligible.

Henrik Norlander could have taken the final spot with a par on the 18th, but he missed the fairway well to the right, couldn't reach the green and made bogey. Norlander and Hughes tied at 3-under 285, but the spot went to Hughes because he had the better world ranking.

That ranking now starts with Rahm, who only five years ago was at the Memorial to receive the Jack Nicklaus Award as the nation’s best college player.

On Sunday, Nicklaus was there to greet him — with a fist-bump — behind the 18th green.

Nicklaus revealed earlier Sunday he and wife Barbara tested positive for the coronavirus in March, and they have since tested positive for the antibodies. Nicklaus favors a handshake, though he said he would leave that up to the winner.

As for the shot behind the 16th? Nicklaus was impressed. So was Rahm to see it cut down to three shots with three holes to play.

"I still can't believe it, I'm not going to lie," Rahm said.

July 20, 2020 at 06:23AM
Jon Rahm's Wild Day Ends With Memorial Win and No. 1 Ranking

New on Sports Illustrated: Crew-Atlanta United Preview

While the Columbus Crew have already punched their ticket to the knockout round of the "MLS is Back Tournament," Atlanta United FC are in danger of going winless in the group stage.

Looking to remain undefeated on the season and win Group E, the Crew try to officially end Atlanta's advancement hopes on Tuesday night in Kissimmee, Fla.

Columbus (3-0-1) is off to a stellar start, and following tournament wins over FC Cincinnati and the New York Red Bulls by a combined 6-0 scoreline, is looking like the favorite to win this World Cup-style event held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The Crew have clinched a spot in the knockout round, and can win their group while trying to go undefeated through the opening five games of the season for the first time since 2010.

"We are in a great position now," Brazilian midfielder Artur told the Crew's official website. "Everybody is in a position to help the team, and I think it's very good for the club."

Two in particular have been Gyasi Zardes and Lucas Zelarayan, who have combined for seven of Columbus' eight goals in 2020. At the other end, the Crew have conceded just one goal this season.

The latter could prove to be daunting for Atlanta (2-0-2), which is playing without star forward Josef Martinez (torn ACL) and coming off a pair of 1-0 losses to open the tournament. The latter against lowly and under-talented FC Cincinnati was a rather disheartening effort in which Atlanta showed little attacking energy and actually finished the match with nine men due to some poor overall discipline.

In one of the more stunning storylines of this tournament near Orlando, Atlanta is seriously looking at not just missing out on advancing to the knockout stage, but losing all three group games after winning its first two contests prior to the league's shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. United have now gone back-to-back regular-season matches without scoring a goal for the first time in club history.

"We have to win this next game," veteran midfielder Jeff Larentowicz told Atlanta's official website. "The Crew have shown to be a tough team, and we know it's going to be a difficult game.

"It's not like us to lose back-to-back games and be (at the) bottom of the group in tournament play. It's incredibly disappointing."

Atlanta is 4-2-1 all-time against Columbus, but lost both meetings in the series last season. Zardes has a goal in three consecutive games United.

July 20, 2020 at 03:20AM
Crew-Atlanta United Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: D.C. United-Impact Preview

D.C. United can play their way into the knockout round of the MLS Is Back tournament Tuesday night if they can defeat the Montreal Impact in their group finale in Orlando.

The Red-and-Black have played to draws in their two previous matches against Toronto FC and New England, leaving them in third place two points behind those teams. But the two points gained have them in strong position, and a victory in this match coupled with a non-draw when those teams square off Tuesday would give United (1-1-2) second place in Group C.

"If we win, we are in," captain Steven Birnbaum told The Washington Post. "We've got to get something out of this game."

If D.C. win and the other match ends in a draw, all three teams would be level on five points and then be ranked by goal difference for seeding in the round of 16. United will know what they have to do before kickoff since Toronto FC and New England square off Tuesday morning.

Ben Olsen's team was gifted a 1-1 draw versus New England on Saturday, with Federico Higuain ghosting to intercept a poorly hit back pass and rounding Revs keeper Matt Turner before slotting home the equalizer in the 72nd minute. United have yet to lead while in Orlando, salvaging their other point versus Toronto with two late goals despite playing with 10 men.

The 35-year-old Higuain, signed as a free agent in the offseason, has scored goals in both group matches - scoring both inside of four minutes after his entrance as a substitution.

"We might decide he is a guy we can't keep off the field," Olsen said of Higuain, who spent the previous eight seasons with Columbus. "But we also might decide as this thing goes that he is a 30-minute player for us and maybe a 60-minute player. We don't know yet, but I am open (to starting him). ... We're pushing him to have a bigger role than 15 minutes."

Montreal (1-2-1) still has a chance to reach the knockout round, but must win this match and get some other favorable results to progress as one of the four best third-place teams. The Impact's defense was haphazard at best in a 4-3 derby defeat to Toronto FC on Thursday, twice erasing one-goal deficits in the first half only to cough up the lead.

Saphir Taider had a brace on either side of halftime - scoring both goals from the spot. Even if Montreal does not get out of the group, first-year coach Thierry Henry is stressing the importance of taking three points from this match, and his players are listening.

"We don't know what's going to happen the rest of the season, but these games count in the rankings," midfielder Samuel Piette told the Montreal Gazette. "We can't afford to lose points just because we might be out of the tournament. We have to play every game like it's our last."

Rudy Camacho's absence could again loom large as the defender will miss his second match after flying back to Montreal to be with his wife, who is due to give birth very soon. Henry also continues to tinker with his first XI, giving Romell Quioto, Emanuel Maciel and Jorge Corrales stats. Quioto did reward Henry with a goal, moving into a tie with Taider and Maxi Urruti for the team lead with three.

United took four of a possible six points in last year's two meetings, winning 3-0 at Montreal after a scoreless draw in the nation's capital on a first-half brace from Ola Kamara. The Impact have gone 355 minutes without a goal in this matchup since Matteo Mancosu scored in the fifth minute of a 1-1 draw in August 2018.

July 20, 2020 at 02:13AM
D.C. United-Impact Preview

New on Sports Illustrated: Revolution-Toronto FC Preview

A "gentlemen's agreement" would see both Toronto FC and the New England Revolution through to the knockout round of the MLS Is Back tournament in their Group C finale showdown Tuesday. But a winner would claim group honors in this matchup in Orlando.

Both the Reds and Revs are on four points and in good shape to progress to the round of 16 regardless of the outcome. But a draw would guarantee passage since the absolute worst-case scenario would see these teams and D.C. United all on five points and the third-place team being one of the four best third-place finishers.

Toronto FC (2-0-2) has the inside track on the top spot in the group by virtue of goals scored, aided by its wild 4-3 victory over Montreal on Thursday night in a Canadian Classique played in the U.S. Ayo Akinola continued his blistering form in Orlando, recording a hat trick, and has accounted for five of the six goals TFC have scored in the two matches.

"I'm pretty happy to get the hat trick," said Akinola to the team's official website. "But I know it's not over. We've still got one more game left (before the knockout stages). This game is in the past, I'm already thinking about the next one."

"For us it's always a central striker who plays between the centre-backs, or off of the one centre-back tonight because they played in a back three - who uses his power and his speed and his aggressiveness in front of goal," TFC coach Greg Vanney added about Akinola. "Because he has soft feet, he can hold things up, but he's just so powerful and fast."

In the event the Revolution (1-1-2) somehow do not qualify for the knockout round, they will be able to look back at Saturday night's 1-1 draw versus D.C. as the reason.

Antonio Milnar Delama made a woefully soft back pass intended for keeper Matt Turner, which allowed United striker Federico Higuain to streak in, collect the ball, round Turner, and slot into an empty net for a 72nd-minute equalizer that left New England with one point instead of three.

"We had a 1-0 lead. We were controlling the game," coach Bruce Arena bluntly told the Revs' official website. "We created some other chances; our opponent didn't really create any chances on the night. Their goal was - we use an expression in the sport - it was a gift.

"You've got to give them some credit. They stepped up and pressured us and we gave the ball away, but you still have to finish the play. We gave the game away."

Adam Buksa's goal accounted for New England's offense, but Arena's team has been plagued by a lack of sharpness in the final third. The Revolution have unloaded 37 shots in the two games in Orlando but have just two goals to show for their efforts, which is a concern to Arena.

"We have a tendency of not finishing well," the former U.S. national coach said. "That's been a characteristic of our team in the two games here in Orlando, and I'd probably say that was a bit of the case in our first two games of the regular season against Montreal and Chicago, so we need to do better there."

Arena was only around for the team's 1-1 draw between the sides last year, with Toronto FC winning the other match 3-2 in March. The teams have split the last five meetings (2-2-1) while showing offensive flair, combining for 20 goals in those games.

July 20, 2020 at 02:11AM
Revolution-Toronto FC Preview

Border restrictions between NSW, Victoria tightened as clusters grow

The new border restrictions come into effect from midnight on Tuesday, as 20 new cases were confirmed on Monday.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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Riot breaks out in Portland

PORTLAND, Oregon - Police in Portland, Oregon, declared a riot late Saturday after protesters broke into the Portland Police Association building and started a fire. The fire was quickly extinguish

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Border restrictions between NSW, Victoria tightened as clusters grow

The new border restrictions come into effect from midnight on Tuesday, as 20 new cases were confirmed on Monday.

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Coronavirus cases pass 14.4 million worldwide; Beijing eases restrictions after no new cases

US deaths from COVID-19 surpassed 140,000 with the number of cases passing 14.4 million worldwide and the global death toll tops 604,000.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Busy, Busy Bondi

A busy day in the sunshine at Bondi

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Chinese ambassador confronted on live television with Uighur prisoner footage

China's Ambassador to the UK says he cannot rule out cases of Uighur women being forcibly sterilised in Xinjiang province.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Rahm wins Memorial Tournament to unseat McIlroy as world No.1

Spain's Jon Rahm has won the Memorial Tournament in the US to take over the world No.1 ranking from Rory McIlroy.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Kids radio that's grown-up friendly too

Kinderling, like ABC Kids Listen, provides much needed entertainment for children that is not screen based.

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BBC NEWS : 'Weddings every day of the week' in 2021

The 2021 wedding season is likely to see a huge rise in midweek weddings as couples consider their options.

July 19, 2020 at 05:07AM

from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53220841

Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Follow news and events as they happen.

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FOX NEWS:- Tim Murtaugh on Trump campaign shakeup, 2020 election polls

Tim Murtaugh on Trump campaign shakeup, 2020 election polls

Tim Murtaugh, Trump 2020 director of communications, joins Jon Scott on 'Fox Report.'

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6173082174001

New on Sports Illustrated: Austin Dillon Leads 1-2 Richard Childress Racing Finish in Cup Race Before Fans at Texas

Drivers Austin Dillon and Tyler Reddick gave Richard Childress Racing a 1-2 finish during Sunday's NASCAR Cup race, which was held with fans in attendance.

FORT WORTH, Texas — Austin Dillon stayed in front after a restart with two laps to go and beat rookie Tyler Reddick to the checkered flag at Texas, giving Richard Childress Racing a 1-2 NASCAR Cup finish and quite a show for spectators spread out in the stands on a scorching Sunday.

Dillon raced to his third career win and first since Daytona at the start of the 2018 season. He stayed in front of three late restarts, the first after an incident with 29 laps left that shuffled the fast car of Ryan Blaney to a lap back.

“Not bad for a silver spoon kid, huh?” said Dillon, the grandson of Childress. “Tyler Reddick, he raced me clean. 1-2 for RCR. This has been coming. We’ve had good cars all year. I’ve got my baby Ace back home, my wife. I’m just so happy.”

On the final restart, Dillon got a good jump and raced to the checkered flag ahead of his rookie teammate and some veteran drivers.

Joey Logano finished third, with Kyle Busch coming in fourth a day after he finished ahead of the field in two races—having an Xfinity Series victory taken away after his car failed a post-race inspection before winning the Truck Series race at night. Series points leader Kevin Harvick was fifth.

There were an estimated 15,000-20,000 spectators at the track, where it reached 97 degrees late in the first summertime Cup race at Texas—it was supposed to be a spring race nearly four months ago before the coronavirus pandemic postponed and then shuffled NASCAR’s schedule. Inside the cars, it was 130-140 degrees.

After leading six times for 150 laps, both highs for the race, Blaney finished seventh.

Blaney, who had given up the lead when he pitted on Lap 287, fell a lap down after the field got shuffled with 29 laps to go when rookie Quin Houff crashed hard out of Turn 4. That also put pole-sitter Aric Almirola and Chase Elliott, coming off a $1 million win at NASCAR’s All-Star race at Bristol on Wednesday night, a lap down.

Cole Custer, the rookie driver for Stewart-Haas Racing coming off a win last weekend at Kentucky, was one of the 11 drivers involved in a chain-reaction crash on Lap 218 that brought out a red flag. His crumbled No. 41 Ford came to rest near the exit of pit road.

That pileup on the front stretch occurred the lap after the restart with most of the cars still jammed together as they came off the fourth turn when Blaney appeared to be among several cars to get loose, though he was out in front of the melee when cars started crashing.

Track workers took water to drivers in their parked cars on their track during the red flag that lasted more than 11 minutes.

It was 30 degrees warmer than it was on March 29, when the race had been scheduled before the pandemic. Texas will host a playoff race on Oct. 25.

Before four-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Terry Bradshaw gave an emphatic command to start engines, he shouted hello to the “beautiful people” in the stands.

It was the first major sporting event in Texas in more than four months, and one of the largest gatherings of any kind in the state during the pandemic. The spectators were spread out along the front stretch, which was fully shaded late in the race, and there were also people in about 40 suites.

July 20, 2020 at 05:38AM
Austin Dillon Leads 1-2 Richard Childress Racing Finish in Cup Race Before Fans at Texas

Australia to fly to England on chartered plane for rearranged limited-overs tour

Australia's limited-overs tour to England is set to go ahead in September, with the touring party likely to fly here on a private charter plane.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Follow news and events as they happen.

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Thai protesters call for government to resign

BANGKOK - Around 2,500 Thai protesters on Saturday evening demanded the resignation of the government and the dissolution of parliament, defying a coronavirus ban on gatherings in one of the largest street demonstrations since a 2014 military coup. People at the student-led rally near Bangkok’s Democracy Monument cited a litany of complaints against the year-old civilian government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former army chief who ousted an elected government six years ago. Organisers issued three demands: the dissolution of parliament, an end to harassment of government critics, and amendments to the military-written constitution that critics say virtually guaranteed victory for Prayuth’s party in elections last year. “How can we be OK with the lack of democracy like this?” student activist Tattep Ruangprapaikit told the crowds. There were also some veiled public references at the protest to the powerful Thai monarchy, despite a law forbidding criticism of the king. Such references would once have been unthinkable.

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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: WHO reports record single-day global increase in cases

The number of new cases has surpassed 250,000 in a day, the World Health Organization says.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-53454558

New on Sports Illustrated: Jon Rahm Builds Four-Shot Lead at Memorial in Quest to be No. 1

A back nine that capped off what he considers one of the best rounds of his careers gave Rahm a 4-under 68, turned a four-shot deficit into a four-shot lead and put the 25-year-old Spaniard on the verge of reaching No. 1 in the world.

DUBLIN, Ohio — Jon Rahm showed Saturday in the Memorial why he is one of the most explosive players in golf.

With his clubs.

“Today could be one of the best rounds of golf I’ve played in my life,” Rahm said, a tribute to a Muirfield Village getting so close to the edge it drew comparisons with a major. “And it’s hard to believe how passively it came, compared to how I played usually.”

His passion is so great it can hurt as much as it helps. On this day, facing this test, Rahm kept his cool. He watched Tony Finau reach the par-5 11 in two for a sure birdie that would leave the Spaniard four shots behind.

There was no panic. Rahm said he told his caddie on the 13th tee, “If we can finish the last six holes under par, it’s a great finish. And whatever we have to do to make a comeback, we’ll make a comeback.”

Birdie. Birdie. Birdie. Birdie.

With help from Finau and his two double bogeys, and Ryan Palmer with bogeys on two of his last three holes, that turned into a four-shot lead for Rahm.

A victory allows him to join Seve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards to reach No. 1, provided that Rory McIlroy does not finish as a runner-up. McIlroy shot 72—not a bad effort on a day wher the average score was 73.7—and was 10 shots back.

“I’ve got to get out there tomorrow, play solid again and get the job done and think about the No. 1 afterwards,” he said.

Rahm was at 12-under 204 as he goes for his fourth PGA Tour victory and 10th worldwide. Finau and Palmer, each with a 73, were three behind. Former Masters champion Danny Willett (70), next in line at six shots back.

Finau was was bogey-free on the front nine, poured in a 50-foot birdie putt and then easily reached the green on the par-5 11th for a two-putt birdie to reach 12 under.

One swing changed everything.

Finau’s tee shot on the par-3 12th in a swirling wind sailed 15 yards over the green, leaving a downhill chip from thick rough to a green that was yellow and ran toward the water. He left it short, chipped through the green and made double bogey. Finau took another double bogey on the 17th hole with an awkward lie in the rough.

“It was good, and then it wasn’t good,” Finau said. “Man, this golf course can get you in a heartbeat. You just try and put your best foot forward every hole, every shot and try and play as well as you can. The greens are firm. There’s enough wind up there to think about. They’re fast. A little disappointed in my finish, but look, I’m in a good position going into tomorrow.

“And it’s going to be tough tomorrow.”

Muirfield Village is rebuilding all the greens starting Monday, and tournament officials are not afraid to let the course go to the very edge for the strongest field of the year.

It was not easy to get shots close. It was not easy to hole putts. It was not easy to do anything.

It was the highest average score for the third round at the Memorial since 2012, the last year Tiger Woods won. There likely will not be a repeat of that. Woods said he felt better and he played better, posting a 71. He still was 14 shots behind.

That is what made Rahm’s round so special. The ball kept rolling on the greens, and the Spaniard realized it was happening to everybody. He dropped only one shot, on the par-3 eighth.

And his finish was simply sublime.

Rahm played in the group in front of Finau and saw him reach the 11th green in two, a sure birdie. His only concern was hitting the green at No. 12, trying to pick up a birdie or two and if had to rally on Sunday, so be it.

He hammered his tee shot 360 yards over the bunker that set up a wedge to 12 feet for birdie on the 13th. He wisely laid up on the 14th, with the tees moved forward to play at 322 yards, and hit wedge to 5 feet for birdie.

Right of the green on the par-5 15th in two, with the green running fast and away from him, he hit a flop-and-run to 3 feet for a third straight birdie. And then he capped it off with a 25-foot birdie putt on the 16th.

Just like that, he had the lead. He was in control.

Rahm has had a mathematical chance to reach No. 1 ever since golf resumed six weeks ago. He missed the cut at Colonial and finished out of the top 25 in the other three events he played.

Now it’s right there in front of him—along with a Muirfield Village course that will not be getting any easier.

“Whatever happens tomorrow happens, but it’ll be a great test for me to learn for the future, for major championships,” Rahm said. “Because this is going to be the closest thing we get to a major championship without being one.”

July 19, 2020 at 06:34AM
Jon Rahm Builds Four-Shot Lead at Memorial in Quest to be No. 1

New on Sports Illustrated: Orlando City-Union Preview

The Philadelphia Union and Orlando City are both headed to the knockout round of the MLS is Back Tournament. However, they still have something to play for in the group stage.

With a first-place finish in Group A on the line, the Union and City meet to close out the stage on Monday night near Orlando, Fla.

Philadelphia (2-1-1) was expected to make it out of the group stage. Orlando City (2-1-1), meanwhile, might be one of the bigger surprises of a tournament that's essentially behind held in its hometown - at the nearby Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.

Both sides earned six points by winning their first two games in the tournament, so the group title and a high seed in the knockout stage is there for the taking with this contest. Orlando has scored two more goals and owns a plus-1 advantage in goal differential over Philadelphia.

"It's going to be a good match," first-year City coach Oscar Pareja told Orlando's official website. "(Philadelphia is) a team that is going to create some challenges, and at the same time is going to have some weaknesses as well that hopefully we can take advantage of."

City used a stoppage-time Nani goal to rally by Inter Miami for a 2-1 victory in its tournament opener. Thanks to Chris Mueller's brace and late Tesho Akindele goal, Orlando followed with a 3-1 win over New York City FC. Mueller is off to a sizzling start on this crazy season with four goals through four matches.

"We are the ones who are growing in confidence with them, seeing them work every day, their willingness to do the right things," Pareja added. "That provides us as coaches a lot of confidence to continue."

What City needs to do is halt an 0-1-2 stretch against Philadelphia.

The Union opened their tournament with a 1-0 win over NYFC, then followed with a 2-1 victory over Miami on Wednesday. In the latter, Kacper Przybylko's 63rd-minute goal broke a deadlocked match, and ultimately held up for Philadelphia.

"A lot of things to improve," coach Jim Curtin told the Union's official website. "Obviously, it is good to get two wins in a row for the league and now to advance in this competition.

"Overall, we needed to be better. I need to be better as a coach. The team needs to be better as (the Miami match) was not a good representation of what we worked on all week."

July 18, 2020 at 11:04PM
Orlando City-Union Preview

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