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  • Sources: Crude remark factored into Udoka ban

    Sources: Crude remark factored into Udoka ban

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    The independent law firm probe into Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka found that he used crude language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper workplace relationship with the woman, an element that significantly factored into the severity of his one-year suspension, sources told ESPN.

    Those investigative findings — which described verbiage on Udoka’s part that was deemed especially concerning coming from a workplace superior — contribute to what is likely a difficult pathway back to his reinstatement as Celtics coach in 2023, sources told ESPN.

    The power dynamic associated with a superior’s improper relationship with a staff member was the primary finding and policy violation cited in the law firm’s report, which was commissioned by the Celtics and completed early last week, sources said.

    At a news conference last week, Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said the suspension — which extends through June 30, 2023 — was a product of multiple violations of team policies, and sources told ESPN the Celtics won’t stand in Udoka’s way should he have the chance to become a coaching candidate elsewhere. There are teams that have tried to gather a preliminary understanding of the full explanation for Udoka’s suspension in preparation for possibly evaluating him for future coaching employment, sources told ESPN.

    Grousbeck also said Udoka would be receiving a cut in his salary during the suspension.

    In his first season, Udoka, 45, led the Celtics to an Eastern Conference championship and NBA Finals berth, where Boston lost in six games to the Golden State Warriors. The Celtics return a team expected again to be a championship favorite, and Udoka had appeared destined for a long runway as the franchise’s coach after replacing Brad Stevens, who moved into the front-office role previously occupied by Danny Ainge during the 2021 offseason.

    Grousbeck said during the news conference that no one else within the organization faced discipline as a result of the investigation. The Celtics wouldn’t confirm the nature of the violations, but Stevens, the team’s president of basketball operations, became emotional when describing the number of women employed by the Celtics who were targeted by unfounded social media rumors and allegations.

    The Celtics promoted assistant coach Joe Mazzulla to interim coach for the upcoming season. Mazzulla, 34, is well-regarded inside and outside of the Celtics organization and counts Stevens among his most significant supporters. Mazzulla was a finalist for the Utah Jazz head-coaching job over the summer that went to top Celtics assistant Will Hardy.

    Grousbeck and Stevens would not elaborate on the criteria Udoka would need to meet to return to coaching the Celtics following his suspension.

    Grousbeck defended the Celtics’ decision to suspend Udoka for the entire season, insisting it was the proper response based on the probe’s findings.

    “This felt right, but there’s no clear guidelines for any of this,” he said. “It’s conscience and gut feel. … We collectively came to this and got there but it was not clear what to do but it was clear something substantial needed to be done, and it was.”

    ESPN’s Tim Bontemps contributed to this report.

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  • England set up T20I series decider with Pakistan as Phil Salt powers tourists to thumping win in Lahore

    England set up T20I series decider with Pakistan as Phil Salt powers tourists to thumping win in Lahore

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    England make mincemeat of target of 170, with Phil Salt smashing 87no from 41 balls as tourists cruise to victory with 33 balls to spare; Sunday’s final fixture a series decider; Babar Azam’s 87 not out from 59 balls in vain for Pakistan on day he passes 3,000 T20I runs

    Last Updated: 30/09/22 7:13pm

    Phil Salt smashed 87 not out from 41 balls as England set up a T20I series decider against Pakistan

    Phil Salt blasted 87 not out from 41 balls as England brushed off their recent batting failings by cruising to a target of 170 in the sixth T20 international against Pakistan and making Sunday’s final fixture a series decider.

    England had allowed a 2-1 lead in the series turn into a 3-2 deficit after two bungled run chases in games four and five, but were brutal batting second on Friday night, with Salt the spearhead as they cantered home with 33 balls to spare to win by eight wickets and level proceedings at 3-3.

    Salt, who rushed to his half-century from just 19 balls, bludgeoned 55 from 23 deliveries with opening partner Alex Hales (27 off 12), the fifty stand coming up after just three overs as Mohammad Nawaz, Shahnawaz Dahani and Mohammad Wasim were pummelled for a combined 10 boundaries.

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    Salt continued to pepper the fence after Hales was caught off Shadab Khan in the fourth over, with his pulsating innings containing 13 fours and three sixes and perhaps even pushing him ahead of Hales in the battle to open with white-ball skipper Jos Buttler at next month’s T20 World Cup.

    The Lancashire opener pulverised Pakistan, dominating a second-wicket stand of 76 from just 34 balls with Dawid Malan (26 off 18) as he rebounded from single-figure dismissals in his previous three innings.

    Salt clinched England’s victory in the company of Ben Duckett (26no off 16) – Malan having been pinned lbw by a delivery from Shadab that shot along the ground – as the tourists made mincemeat of Pakistan’s 169-6 and rendered home skipper Babar Azam’s supreme 87 from 59 balls in vain.

    Babar Azam is the joint-fastest player to 3,000 T20 international runs, alongside India's Virat Kohli

    Babar Azam is the joint-fastest player to 3,000 T20 international runs, alongside India’s Virat Kohli

    Babar played quite beautifully after Pakistan were inserted by Moeen Ali, becoming the joint-fastest player, alongside India’s Virat Kohli, to reach 3,000 T20 international runs, doing so in his 81st innings.

    Babar reached the landmark with a sublime straight six off Richard Gleeson, one of three maximums he managed to go with seven fours in his 27th T20I international half-century – although the gloss of that achievement would have been taken off by his team’s heavy defeat.

    Babar fires for Pakistan as Curran impresses for England

    Babar would have been run out for 24 in the sixth over had Sam Curran’s shy at the non-striker’s stumps been on target – a rare blemish for Curran on the evening as he proved the pick of the England attack with figures of 2-26 from his four overs and an economy rate of 6.50.

    Curran accounted for Haider Ali (18 off 14) and Iftikhar Ahmed (31 off 21) with cutters after the batters had shared stands of 47 and 48 respectively with skipper Babar.

    Both Haider and Iftikhar creamed Adil Rashid (0-38) for sixes as the England leg-spinner went at 9.50 an over – right-arm quick Gleeson (1-39) also leaked runs, going at 9.75 from his four.

    David Willey took two wickets after England elected to bowl in Lahore

    David Willey took two wickets after England elected to bowl in Lahore

    Gleeson did dismiss debutant Mohammad Haris for a skittish seven from eight balls during a slow start for Pakistan – Haris nailing one six but also hacking at deliveries after coming into the hosts’ side at the top of the order in place of the rested Mohammad Rizwan.

    Pakistan were 15-2 in the fourth over when David Willey (2-32) pinned Shan Masood lbw for a two-ball duck but Babar led the response with a tremendous unbeaten knock, with included a gorgeous six over extra-cover off a Willey full toss in the 17th over.

    Pakistan mustered just 15 runs from the next 16 balls after that Babar six, during which time Willey had Asif Ali (9) pouched on the point boundary and Reece Topley (1-31) bowled a five-run 18th over.

    However, Topley was then taken for 19 from the final over as Babar and Mohammad Nawaz (12 off seven) hit two sixes and a four between them – Topley looking far from jubilant after having Nawaz caught at long-off off from the final ball of the innings.

    Topley and England were jubilant come full time, though, as Salt’s swashbuckling innings ensured a winner-takes-all showdown at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday night.

    What’s next?

    Pakistan vs England

    October 2, 2022, 3:00pm

    Live on

    Catch England’s seventh and final T20 international in Pakistan on Sky Sports on Sunday. Build-up begins at 3pm with the first ball at 3.30pm.

    England then travel Down Under to prepare for the T20 World Cup, with three T20s against host nation Australia (October 9,12 and 14) and a warm-up against Pakistan (October 17) before Jos Buttler’s side begin their World Cup campaign against Afghanistan in Perth on October 22.

    You can watch the T20 World Cup live in full on Sky Sports with the tournament getting under way on October 16.

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  • Panthers’ McCaffrey status vs. Cards in question

    Panthers’ McCaffrey status vs. Cards in question

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey returned to practice Friday in a limited capacity after missing two days with a quad injury, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals remains in question.

    “We’re very hopeful that Christian will play,” coach Matt Rhule said Friday. “He looked good today. Unless something comes up, I’m sure he’ll give it his best chance to go. We’re hopeful.”

    McCaffrey missed 23 of 33 games the past two seasons, including the final four in 2020 because of a quad injury suffered while rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

    Rhule said Wednesday that McCaffrey’s injury surfaced after Sunday’s 22-14 win over the New Orleans Saints snapped a nine-game losing streak for Carolina (1-2).

    Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo was noncommittal about whether McCaffrey would be available for the Cardinals (1-2).

    “Obviously, Christian is a special player, right?” McAdoo said. “He’s one of the best players in the league. We’ll take into consideration whether we have him or whether we don’t. That’s obviously up to the medical team and coach, but we’ll be ready for them if we do have him and we’ll be ready for them if we don’t.”

    McCaffrey was listed on the injury report last Thursday with ankle stiffness but was a full participant in Friday’s practice and played 80 percent of the snaps (49) against the Saints.

    He actually made fun of being on the report last week, saying, “At this point, if I took a leak during practice I’d end up on the report.”

    McCaffrey rushed 25 times for 108 yards against New Orleans, topping the century mark in consecutive weeks for the first time since the 2019 season, when he became the third player in NFL history to top 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.

    McCaffrey is tied with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for fifth in the NFL in rushing with 243 yards on 50 carries. He leads Carolina in receptions with 10 for 57 yards.

    Should he not be available on Sunday, the Panthers would turn to second-year player Chuba Hubbard and D’Onta Foreman, acquired in free agency after he stepped in for Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry last season.

    Hubbard has four carries for 28 yards and Foreman four for 14 yards in 2022.

    Quarterback Baker Mayfield said while there’s confidence in Hubbard and Foreman, it changes the defense’s approach to the Carolina offense if McCaffrey doesn’t play.

    “Whether it’s bringing multiple guys to take Christian away, loading up the box for the run game. We’ll see. Obviously, I don’t have the answers for whether he’s going or not. Right now I’m preparing like he is, and will react later on.”

    Asked if he had a sense for whether McCaffrey would play Sunday, Mayfield joked, “Nah, he’s gone ‘Zero Dark Thirty’ on us. He’s keeping us guessing.”

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  • Ian to make second US landfall as Florida death toll rises

    Ian to make second US landfall as Florida death toll rises

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    A resurgent Hurricane Ian is barrelling north before making a second expected landfall in the United States, a day after the storm carved a path of destruction across central Florida that left rescue crews racing to reach trapped residents along the state’s Gulf Coast.

    Ian, which had weakened to a tropical storm during its march across Florida, was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane as it churned above the Atlantic Ocean towards South Carolina on Friday, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

    The hurricane – forecast to hit near low-lying Charleston, South Carolina, around 2pm (18:00 GMT) – was bringing maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometres per hour (85 miles per hour), as well as potentially life-threatening flooding and storm surges.

    Officials in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have urged residents to prepare for dangerous conditions.

    Kelsey Barlow, a spokeswoman for Charleston County, home to more than 400,000 residents, said that the county has two shelters open and a third on standby. “But it’s too late for people to come to the shelters,” she said.

    “The storm is here. Everyone needs to shelter in place, stay off the roads.”

    Barlow said a storm surge of more than seven feet (2.1 metres) was expected, on top of the noon high tide that could bring another six feet (1.8 metres) of water, causing significant flooding.

    With the eye of the storm still hours away, torrential rain had already arrived in Charleston. Video clips on social media showed several inches of water in some streets in the historic port city, which is especially prone to flooding.

    Ian came ashore on Wednesday on Florida’s Gulf Coast as a monstrous Category 4 hurricane, one of the strongest storms ever to hit the US.

    It flooded homes on both the state’s coasts, cut off the only road access to a barrier island, destroyed a historic waterfront pier and knocked out electricity to 2.6 million Florida homes and businesses — nearly a quarter of utility customers.

    Authorities in the US state offered the first death toll estimate on Friday, as power outages and a lack of mobile phone service in many areas had made it impossible to reach residents cut off by floodwaters, downed electricity lines and debris, or assess the full scope of the storm’s damage.

    Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s Division of Emergency Management, said the hurricane has caused at least 21 confirmed and unconfirmed deaths so far.

    Among those killed were an 80-year-old woman and 94-year-old man who relied on oxygen machines that stopped working amid power outages, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said. In New Smyrna Beach, a 67-year-old man who was waiting to be rescued died after falling into rising water inside his home, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said.

    On Thursday, US President Joe Biden had warned that Ian could prove to be the deadliest hurricane in Florida history, saying that preliminary reports suggested a “substantial” loss of life.

    Biden has approved a disaster declaration, making federal resources available to areas impacted by the storm. Nearly 2,000 federal emergency response personnel were deployed to Florida within 24 hours of the storm first making landfall, the White House said.

    Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Deanne Criswell will be in Florida on Friday.

    Meanwhile, rescue crews have piloted boats and waded through riverine streets to save thousands of Floridians trapped amid flooded homes and buildings shattered by the hurricane.

    Governor Ron DeSantis said at least 700 rescues, mostly by air, were conducted on Thursday, in operations that involved the US Coast Guard, the National Guard and urban search-and-rescue teams.

    “There’s really been a Herculean effort,” he said during a news conference on Friday in state capital Tallahassee, adding that rescue crews had gone door-to-door to more than 3,000 homes in the hardest-hit areas.

    ‘We’re feeling lost’

    Some 10,000 people were unaccounted for across the state, said Guthrie at the Division of Emergency Management, but many of them were likely in shelters or without power, making it impossible to check in with loved ones or local officials.

    He said he expected the number to “organically” shrink in the coming days.

    Fort Myers, a city close to where the eye of the storm first came ashore, absorbed a major blow, with numerous houses destroyed. Businesses near the beach were completely razed, leaving twisted debris, while broken docks floated at odd angles beside damaged boats.

    Hundreds of beleaguered Fort Myers residents lined up at a Home Depot that opened early on Friday on the east side of the city, hoping to buy petrol cans, generators, bottled water and other supplies.

    People queue up outside a Home Depot as they wait to shop for power generators and other supplies, in Cape Coral, Florida, September 30, 2022 [Marco Bello/Reuters]

    Many said they felt the city and state governments were doing everything possible to help people but said the lack of communication and uncertainty about how they would go on living in the area weighed heavily on them.

    Sarah Sodre-Crot and Marco Martins, a married couple and both 22, immigrated from Brazil with their families five years ago, said they rode out the storm in their home in east Fort Myers.

    “I know the government is doing everything they can, but we’re feeling lost, like we have no answers. Will energy return in a week? In a month? We just want to know so we can plan our lives a bit,” Sodre-Crot said.

    About two million homes and businesses remained without power on Friday, according to tracking service poweroutage.com.

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  • BizToc

    BizToc

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    NYT Business

    The billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott and her husband, Dan Jewett, a former science teacher, are parting ways. She filed for divorce on Monday, less than two years after the couple announced their intention to give away a vast fortune together.

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  • U.S. routs Canada to reach gold medal game

    U.S. routs Canada to reach gold medal game

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    SYDNEY — Breanna Stewart and the United States used a dominant defensive effort to beat Canada and reach the gold medal game of the World Cup for the fourth consecutive tournament.

    Stewart scored 17 points and the Americans raced out to an early lead to put away Canada 83-43 on Friday. The 43 points was the fewest scored in a semifinal game in World Cup history.

    “Canada has been playing really well all tournament and the goal was just to come out there and really limit them,” said U.S. forward Alyssa Thomas. “We were really locked in from the jump with our game plan.”

    The Americans will face either China or Australia, who played later in the day, for the gold.

    “Our goal was to to win a gold medal and we’re in position to do that,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said.

    The U.S. (7-0), which is on a record pace for points and margin of victory in the tournament, took control of the game early scoring the first 15 points. The Americans contested every shot on the defensive end as the Canadians missed their first nine attempts from the field. On the offensive end, Stewart, A’ja Wilson and Alyssa Thomas basically got any shot they wanted.

    “I think after that punch, it really took the air out of them,” Thomas said. “They didn’t know what to do with their offense anymore after that.”

    Laeticia Amihere, who plays at South Carolina for former U.S. coach Dawn Staley, finally got Canada on the board nearly 5 minutes into the game making a driving layup.

    By the end of the quarter the U.S. led 27-7. Canada had committed four turnovers — the same number the team had against Puerto Rico in the quarterfinals which was the lowest total in a game in 30 years.

    The Americans were up 45-21 at the half and the lead kept expanding in the final 20 minutes. The win was the biggest margin for the U.S. in the medal round topping the 36-point victory over Spain in the 2010 World Cup.

    Canada (5-2) advanced to the medal round for the first time since 1986 and has a chance to win its first medal since taking the bronze that year.

    “We didn’t get it done today, but what we’re going to do is take this with what we learned today and how we can turn it up tomorrow,” Canada captain Natalie Achonwa said. “It’s still a game for a medal and it’s just as important for us.”

    The U.S. has won seven of the eight meetings with Canada in the World Cup, although the last one came in 2010. The lone victory for Canada came in 1975.

    The victory was the 29th in a row in World Cup play for the Americans, who haven’t lost since the 2006 semifinals against Russia. The Soviet Union holds the World Cup record with 56 straight wins from 1959-86. This is only the second time in the Americans’ storied history they’ve reached four consecutive gold medal contests. They also did it from 1979-90, winning three times.

    This U.S. team, which has so many new faces on it, is on pace to break many of the team’s records that include scoring margin and points per game. The Americans also continued to dominate the paint even without 6-foot-8 Brittney Griner, outscoring its opponents by an average of 55-24.

    Amihere led Canada with eight points.

    RECORD BREAKING

    The low point total broke the mark of 53 that South Korea scored against Russia in 2002.

    “We’re starting to build that identity,” Wilson said of the defensive effort. “We’re quick and scrappy and I think that’s our identity.”

    The U.S. is averaging 101 points a game. The team’s best mark ever coming into the tournament was 99.1 set in 1994.

    STILL RECOVERING

    Kahleah Copper sat out after injuring her left hip in the win over Serbia in the quarterfinals. Copper landed hard on her hip driving to the basket and had to be helped off the court. She hopes to play on Saturday. Betnijah Laney, who also got hurt in the Serbia game, did play against Canada.

    UP NEXT

    Canada: Plays for bronze medal on Saturday.

    U.S.: Plays for gold medal on Saturday.

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  • Russian attack kills 23 in civilian convoy in Ukraine: Governor

    Russian attack kills 23 in civilian convoy in Ukraine: Governor

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    Targetted humanitarian convoy planned to travel into Russian-occupied territory to pick up relatives and take them to safety, Zaporizhzhia regional governor says.

    A Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least 23 people and wounded dozens of others, a Ukraine official said.

    A Russian official blamed Ukrainian forces for the deadly strike.

    Zaporizhzhia regional Governor Oleksandr Starukh made the announcement in an online statement on Friday. He said there were at least 28 wounded when Russian forces targeted a humanitarian convoy heading to Russian-occupied territory.

    He posted images of burned out vehicles and bodies lying in the road.

    “As of now we know about 23 dead and 28 injured. All civilians, local people. Burn in hell damned Russians,” Oleksandr Starukh wrote on Telegram.

    Starukh said those in the convoy planned to travel into Russian-occupied territory to pick up their relatives and then take them to safety. He said rescuers were at the site of the attack.

    It comes as Moscow prepares to annex four regions into Russia after an internationally criticised referendum vote as part of its invasion of Ukraine. Those regions include areas near Zaporizhzhia, but not the city itself, which remains in Ukrainian hands.

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  • BizToc

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    Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned last week after being evaluated for a concussion. He started in Thursday Night Football despite back and ankle injuries.But his night ended early with…

    #tuatagovailoa #thursdaynightfootball #helmet #joshtupou

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  • Darren Bent recreates his famous beachball goal | Fantasy Football League

    Darren Bent recreates his famous beachball goal | Fantasy Football League

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    Matt Lucas and Elis James challenge Darren Bent to recreate his famous beachball goal against Liverpool in 2009. Watch Fantasy Football League on Sky Max on Thursdays at 10pm.

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  • US Senate approves $12bn for Ukraine in government funding bill

    US Senate approves $12bn for Ukraine in government funding bill

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    Joe Biden says US will ‘never, never, never’ recognise Russian claims to Ukrainian territories amid looming annexation.

    The United States Senate has passed a short-term government funding bill that provides $12.3bn in aid to Ukraine, as the Biden administration promises to maintain financial support for Kyiv to battle the Russian invasion.

    The legislation, passed by a 72-25 Senate vote on Thursday, is expected to be approved in the House of Representatives before making it to President Joe Biden’s desk.

    The bill would fund the US government until mid-December, avoiding a looming shutdown before the fiscal year ends at midnight on Friday.

    It also authorises the transfer of $3.7bn in US weapons to Ukraine — the latest in a series of substantial Congressional packages that American legislators say aim to bolster Ukraine’s defences against Russia.

    In May, Congress approved $40bn in assistance to Ukraine, and earlier this year it allocated $13.6bn for Kyiv to respond to the invasion.

    The Biden administration has been dispensing the money through periodic packages of humanitarian and military aid.

    Russia launched the invasion of its neighbour in February after a months-long standoff that saw Putin demand an end to NATO expansion into former Soviet republics.

    But Moscow’s military campaign has been mired by setbacks. In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces — backed by US weaponry — recaptured large swaths of territory in a counteroffensive in the east of the country.

    This week, Russia is preparing to annex four occupied regions in eastern Ukraine after Moscow-installed officials in the territories held widely condemned votes to join Russia.

    The US and its allies have denounced the so-called “referendums” and rejected Russia’s annexation plans as a violation of the United Nations charter.

    “I want to be very clear about this, [the] United States will never, never, never recognise Russia’s claims on Ukraine sovereign territory,” Biden said on Thursday.

    US officials also have promised to impose new sanctions on Russia if it goes through with the annexation.

    On Wednesday, the White House said the annexation push has “no legal significance whatsoever”.

    Washington also pledged to “impose additional economic costs on Russia and individuals and entities inside and outside of Russia that provide support to this action“.

    Aid for Ukraine has so far enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress, but a vocal contingency of right-wing legislators has been questioning the assistance ahead of US midterm elections in November.

    “Ukraine aid is turning into a monthly subscription cost for the United States,” Republican Congressman Andy Biggs wrote on Twitter earlier this week. “There must be limits and oversight with American taxpayer dollars.”

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  • Chiefs-Bucs to stay as Tampa avoids Ian’s worst

    Chiefs-Bucs to stay as Tampa avoids Ian’s worst

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    Sunday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will continue to be held at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa as originally scheduled, the NFL announced Thursday.

    The NFL had selected U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis as a contingency site for the game after the Bucs had evacuated the area because of Hurricane Ian.

    “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the many thousands in the Southwest Florida region who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Ian,” the Bucs said in a statement Thursday. “We are also very thankful that the Tampa Bay area was spared the most damaging consequences of this powerful storm.

    “We have informed the NFL, after consulting with local and state agencies, that we are ready to play Sunday night’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium as originally scheduled.”

    The Bucs also expressed gratitude to first responders and emergency personnel “who are already battling the elements, saving lives, and helping our neighbors in those most impacted areas to our south.”

    Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady hopes the game can help bring people together for “a common good.”

    “I always feel like sports has brought people together over a long period of time,” Brady said. And watching different adversities — whether that was 9/11, whether that was [Hurricane] Katrina — sports has an amazing way of kind healing wounds and bringing people together and bringing communities together in something to cheer for and a common interest and a common good. So I think anytime you can participate in things like that, it’s a great feeling.

    “… After what so many people have gone through in the state, it’s great to go out there and give them something to cheer about.”

    Tampa mayor Jane Castor took to Twitter on Thursday to quip that she has “assured the @NFL that the only disturbance here Sunday is when the Bucs kick ass.”

    The Buccaneers relocated their players, coaches and some of their families to the South Florida area and have been practicing at the Miami Dolphins‘ facility.

    Wide receiver Mike Evans said he hoped the Bucs could be a “bright spot” after everything the region has gone through this week.

    “I definitely wanted to be at the home,” Evans said Thursday. “I’m happy I get to go out there and entertain and it’s a blessing and I don’t take it for granted. I know we’re going through a tough time right now, so hopefully we can be a bright spot during this time.”

    ESPN’s Jenna Laine contributed to this report.

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  • Daniel Ricciardo: Outgoing McLaren driver says F1 reserve role ‘realistic’ for 2023

    Daniel Ricciardo: Outgoing McLaren driver says F1 reserve role ‘realistic’ for 2023

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    Daniel Ricciardo has been linked with vacant 2023 seats at Alpine, Haas and Williams, along with reserve roles at Red Bull and Mercedes; watch the Singapore GP live on Sky Sports F1, starting with Friday’s practice at 10.30am; Sunday’s race at 1pm

    Last Updated: 29/09/22 3:21pm

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    Following the news that Daniel Ricciardo will leave McLaren at the end of the season, take a look at his greatest race victories for Red Bull.

    Following the news that Daniel Ricciardo will leave McLaren at the end of the season, take a look at his greatest race victories for Red Bull.

    Daniel Ricciardo says taking a Formula 1 reserve role in 2023 has become a “realistic” possibility for him as he continues to weigh up his options for next season.

    After McLaren announced in August the early termination of Ricciardo’s contract at the end of the season, the Australian has been linked with vacant seats at Alpine, Williams and Haas, along with reserve roles for front-runners Red Bull and Mercedes.

    Ricciardo has had a three-week break since the Italian GP to consider his future, and speaking ahead of this weekend’s Singapore GP, he admitted he is wary of taking a drive with a team at the back of field.

    “Let’s say my headspace is in the same space,” Ricciardo said on Thursday. “I’m still keen to be part of F1 and of course, ‘Plan A’ would be to be on the grid.

    “So nothing’s changed but I don’t want to just jump at the first kind of seat available. I know the landscape probably changes as well at the end of next year, with contracts and whatever, so I don’t want to say remaining patient, but remaining open.”

    Asked specifically about the likelihood of taking a reserve role over a drive, he added: “It’s certainly something that’s realistic, yeah.

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    “That’s the two realistic options. It’s not to be anywhere else.

    “I love other disciplines of motorsport but I don’t see myself there. I feel as well if I jump into something like that, and then it closes the door on F1. It kind of feels like I’ve checked out, and I haven’t. So I’m solely focused on F1.

    “My team is talking with, I want to say, pretty much everyone, or they’re having conversations, so we’re just trying to put it all together and figure out what makes the most sense.

    “So it’s not that they’re not calling or they’re not interested, I know that sounds… I’m not coming from a place of overconfidence, but we’re just doing our due diligence and figuring out what’s best.

    “I’m trying to kind of see beyond next year, for me of course I want to be racing but I also don’t want to just look at the next 12 months and not look at the next 24.”

    Nico Rosberg and Paul Di Resta discuss what's gone wrong for Daniel Ricciardo and his options for 2023. 

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    Nico Rosberg and Paul Di Resta discuss what’s gone wrong for Daniel Ricciardo and his options for 2023. 

    Nico Rosberg and Paul Di Resta discuss what’s gone wrong for Daniel Ricciardo and his options for 2023. 

    The 33-year-old’s two seasons with McLaren peaked with victory at last year’s Italian GP, but for the most part he has been clearly outperformed by team-mate Lando Norris, while the team have rarely been able to compete for podiums.

    Ricciardo secured seven wins with Red Bull between 2014 and 2018 before leaving to join Renault, with whom he spent two disappointing seasons before joining McLaren, and admits the contrast between the level of competitiveness during those stops is impacting his latest decision.

    “Having been through it the last few years, I know there is something that you fight for,” he said. “Monza last year was the best-case scenario in fighting for a win, but what fighting at the front does, when you’ve had that taste, it’s real and that’s ultimately where I want to be.

    “So I guess I don’t want to just race to race, I want to race with a true belief or understanding that I could be back on the podium ultimately.”

    Steiner: Haas not waiting on Ricciardo

    Haas team principal Guenther Steiner, who has previously expressed his interest in acquiring Ricciardo’s services for the 2023 season, insisted he wasn’t waiting on the Australian’s decision but also refused to rule out hiring him.

    “I don’t want to speak for Daniel. I think he’s weighing up what he wants to do,” Steiner said.

    Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner says he is saddened by the announcement that McLaren are to replace Ricciardo for the 2023 season, adding that he is 'one of the best guys' in the sport.

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    Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner says he is saddened by the announcement that McLaren are to replace Ricciardo for the 2023 season, adding that he is ‘one of the best guys’ in the sport.

    Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner says he is saddened by the announcement that McLaren are to replace Ricciardo for the 2023 season, adding that he is ‘one of the best guys’ in the sport.

    “That is my biggest thing, he needs to weigh up what he wants to do, if he decides to join a team at the back of the grid, that doesn’t mean he cannot move on up the grid, and I’m sure he didn’t mean what he said in a negative way.

    “He needs to find out what he wants to do in life, and that will take him time, because this is a big decision for his career, and I’m sure he takes it very carefully what he wants to do.

    “I’m not waiting for him to answer what he wants to do, just to clarify that.

    “Once he decides what he wants to do, he will let everybody know, but I don’t know and I think he doesn’t know at the moment.”

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  • UFC closes off Saturday card to media, public

    UFC closes off Saturday card to media, public

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    The UFC has closed off Saturday’s UFC Fight Night card at its Apex facility in Las Vegas to the public as well as the media.

    The company declined to provide a reason for the closure at the time of the announcement earlier this week, but UFC president Dana White said Tuesday that he just wanted to give the media “a night off.”

    However, women’s strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern, who is fighting in Saturday’s main event, told reporters Wednesday that the reason behind the closure is Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg.

    Speaking at a media day Wednesday in Las Vegas, Dern (12-2), who is scheduled to face China’s Yan Xiaonan (15-3), provided her understanding that the closure is linked to Zuckerberg.

    “I know Mark Zuckerberg rented out the whole event,” Dern said. “I know he’ll be there, but I don’t know if it’s literally him, his wife or if he’ll have friends — some type of party. But from someone who wanted a main event with a crowd, [it’s now] going to be very, very private.”

    Dern added: “I’m excited. That just makes me more driven to put on a good show. I know everyone is watching on TV, but for Mark and whoever is going to be there, put on a show. If that’s what they want to see, is a show, then we’re going to give a show.”

    White took to Twitter later Wednesday and denied that Zuckerberg has rented out the Apex facility.

    Earlier this week, the UFC alerted its regular media members that there would be no press credentials issued for Saturday’s card. The event is also closed to public tickets.

    The UFC has still not commented on the matter other than White, who maintained Tuesday there is “no big secret” behind the decision.

    Zuckerberg, 38, is a known fan of mixed martial arts and even made headlines earlier this month when he posted video of himself doing MMA drills.

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    Florida's Gulf Coast saw major damage as Hurricane Ian, now a tropical storm, swept across the state. Live updates.

    #gulfcoast #storm #florida #hurricaneian

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  • Ian strengthens to hurricane again after pummeling Florida, now headed for Carolinas, Georgia

    Ian strengthens to hurricane again after pummeling Florida, now headed for Carolinas, Georgia

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    Gov. Ron DeSantis says Hurricane Ian is 500-year event, Lee and Charlotte counties are off the grid

    Speaking in a Thursday morning media briefing, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said that first responders had descended on southwest Florida following Hurricane Ian.

    Operations are ongoing, with 28 large helicopters between the National Guard and Coast Guard performing rescue missions, and more air assets brought in as the day continues.

    DeSantis said his office had also been working with hospitals overnight that have been on generator power and were in the process of evacuating health care facilities to safer locations.

    The governor noted that, in addition to the more than 2.5 million power outages reported in the state, more outages were anticipated in central and northeastern Florida.

    “Lee and Charlotte are basically off the grid at this point,” he explained, adding that infrastructure would likely have to be rebuilt there and that damage to the counties was “extensive.”

    DeSantis said that, after interruptions in communications, 100 portable cell towers were being deployed in southwest Florida.

    Furthermore, 100 engineers were on site to do bridge inspections, and he noted that there were reports of structural damages to bridges like the Sanibel Causeway and Pine Island Bascule Bridge.

    DeSantis warned that the amount of water that’s been rising and will continue to rise is “basically a 500-year flood event.”

    The governor said he had spoken with President Biden earlier in the morning, and that additional major disaster declarations are expected for more Florida counties.

    Water is anticipated to subside in barrier islands and on the coasts, but DeSantis told reporters that standing water is likely inland for the coming days.

    “Those who are in need of life support right now: Help is on the way,” he said, pointing out that efforts were first focused in the hardest hit areas.

    “The impacts of this storm are historic
    … But, I think we’ve never seen a flood event like this … And, it’s going to end up doing extensive damage to a lot of peoples’ homes,” DeSantis pointed out.

    The governor said most school districts will be able to reopen on Friday or Monday.

    Answering questions later in the news conference, DeSantis responded to a report of “hundreds” of fatalities in Lee County: “So, none of that is confirmed.”

    He said that a number put out by Lee authorities was “basically an estimate” of people calling 911 and saying that water was rising in their homes.

    “They may not have ended up getting through,” DeSantis said, telling the reporter that he hoped they could be rescued at this point.

    He clarified that there were two unconfirmed fatalities and that they had not yet been confirmed to be related to the storm.

    “I mean, our assumption is, it likely is,” DeSantis said.

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  • 2022 Midterm election news Dems and Republicans fight to control Senate, House of Representatives

    2022 Midterm election news Dems and Republicans fight to control Senate, House of Representatives

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    An ad from gun control advocacy group Giffords PAC used footage of the Columbine High School shooting and other violent mass shootings to target GOP Senate candidate Joe O’Dea, prompting criticism.

    “Here in Colorado it just keeps happening, but instead of standing up for Colorado families, MAGA Republican Joe O’Dea is standing with the gun lobby, opposing Common Sense gun safety reforms like closing loopholes and keeping guns out of the hands of criminals,” the narrator in the ad says, as brief footage of people fleeing the Columbine shooting and the Aurora movie theater shooting flash on the screen.

    “Here in Colorado we felt the pain of gun violence so many times but Joe O’Dea sides with the gun lobby not us,” the ad says.

    O’Dea’s campaign called the ad a “dishonest attack” that is “disgusting even for the low-life political hacks who run Joe Biden’s political operation” in a press release.

    Supporters of O’Dea also came to his defense, saying his plan of “more cops and a criminal justice system getting serious about enforcing the numerous gun laws already on the books — will do more to protect Colorado than a bunch of politicians in Washington, D.C. passing another law,” according to Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Shrader.

    “They’re using this tragedy without consideration of victims and survivors. It’s shameful,” said school safety advocate John Castillo, who has argued for arming school staff to prevent violent attacks.

    “Joe O’Dea has a plan to protect our communities. Cut the federal bureaucracy to fund more cops and more border security,” said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers. “Invoking images of Columbine and Aurora is a new kind of tawdry, and as Colorado has proven, more gun laws don’t stop these tragedies. More cops in our communities and schools will.”

    Giffords PAC, which endorsed Democratic incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet in the Colorado Senate race, said last week that it will spend $2.5 million to run the ad on TV and online.

    “Joe O’Dea’s support of the gun lobby’s ‘guns everywhere’ agenda is wrong for Colorado,” said Peter Ambler, executive director and co-founder, Giffords. “Coloradans know the consequences of gun violence all too well, and we are confident they will oppose Joe O’Dea in large part because of his refusal to keep communities safe from this public health crisis.”

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  • Chargers star Bosa to have surgery, goes on IR

    Chargers star Bosa to have surgery, goes on IR

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    3:40 PM ET

    • Lindsey ThiryESPN

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      • Covered Rams for two years for Los Angeles Times
      • Previously covered the Falcons
      • Has covered the NBA and college football and basketball

    COSTA MESA, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Joey Bosa and left tackle Rashawn Slater were placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

    Bosa suffered a groin tear in the first quarter of Sunday’s 38-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

    “It’s a tough loss for our defense,” safety Derwin James Jr. said. “But it’s on us to have his back and hold things down until he gets situated.”

    Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, will undergo surgery, but coach Brandon Staley said it’s anticipated that he will return this season.

    “It’s going to be a ways, but we expect him to come back,” Staley said. “He’s optimistic and ready to attack it. He’s in a really good frame of mind. It’s never easy when you have an injury like that.”

    The Chargers are 1-2 as they prepare for back-to-back road games at Houston (0-2-1) and Cleveland (2-1).

    In Bosa’s absence, second-year pro Chris Rumph II and veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy are expected to step in. In Slater’s absence, the Bolts will turn to rookie Jamaree Salyer.

    “He’s ready to play on the edge,” Staley said of Rumph, who will line up opposite Khalil Mack.

    Staley also emphasized that flexibility and depth were among key motives in the offseason signing of Van Noy, who has the ability to play inside or outside linebacker.

    The Bolts also claimed outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka off waivers Tuesday to provide depth.

    Bosa has 1.5 sacks in three games this season. He has 59.5 sacks in seven seasons.

    At left tackle, Slater tore his left biceps tendon in a loss to the Jaguars, causing him to undergo season-ending surgery.

    Salyer, a sixth-round pick, played left tackle in his final two seasons at Georgia, where he helped the Bulldogs win a national championship last January.

    “What we’re trying to do is keep the sides the same, keep continuity,” Staley said. “For us, we feel like that is the best option for us going into this game plan.”

    “It means a lot to me that my coaches and teammates believe in me enough to give me the opportunity,” said Salyer, who becomes the second rookie to start on the line this season, along with right guard Zion Johnson, the 17th overall pick last April.

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  • Victims of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme to get another $372m

    Victims of Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi scheme to get another $372m

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    Bernie Madoff’s fraud, estimated as high as $64.8bn, went undiscovered for years until he confessed to his sons in December 2008.

    Bernard Madoff’s victims will soon receive another $372m to help cover their losses, nearly 14 years after the swindler’s capture for running a massive Ponzi scheme, the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has said.

    The payout from the government’s Madoff Victim Fund will go to 27,219 victims, including more than 400 who had yet to recoup a penny from any source, the DOJ said on Wednesday.

    Following the payout, the fund will have distributed about $4.08bn in one or more payments to 40,454 individuals, schools, charities, pension plans and others.

    “People getting these cheques are not hedge funds,” Richard Breeden, the former US Securities and Exchange Commission chairman who oversees the government fund, said in an interview. “They’re real people, and it helps families around the world.”

    An additional $14.54bn has been recouped for customers of the former Bernard L Madoff Investment Securities LLC by Irving Picard, the trustee liquidating that firm in bankruptcy. That boosts the total payout to about $18.6bn.

    Madoff’s fraud, estimated as high as $64.8bn, went undiscovered for many years until he confessed to his sons in December 2008, one day after his firm’s annual Christmas party.

    After pleading guilty to 11 criminal counts, Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison. He died behind bars at age 82 in April 2021.

    Wednesday’s payout is the eighth from the government fund, with victims recouping an average 88.35 percent of their losses.

    Another 2,265 victims with valid claims have received nothing from the fund, but many have been made whole by Picard or other sources.

    The fund was created in 2013, mainly from settlements between the DOJ and Madoff’s former bank JPMorgan Chase & Co, and between Picard and the estate of former Madoff investor Jeffry Picower.

    It originally held $4.05bn, but has grown because the DOJ has recovered additional assets.

    Breeden said about $200m remains available, and a ninth payout next year will “almost certainly be the last”.

    He also cautioned investors not to let their guard down and chase higher returns, to combat falling stock prices and elevated inflation.

    “People start looking for alternatives, and that’s when fraudsters thrive,” he said. “People like Madoff are always happy to throw their lures in the water and offer deals too good to be true.”

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  • England captain Jos Buttler ‘progressing well’ in comeback from calf injury ahead of T20 World Cup

    England captain Jos Buttler ‘progressing well’ in comeback from calf injury ahead of T20 World Cup

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    Jos Buttler has not played since August 18 due to a calf injury and taking “cautious approach” with his side’s T20 World Cup campaign starting on October 22; skipper praises Mark Wood and Harry Brook’s performances against Pakistan and says he is ‘learning lots’ from the sidelines

    Last Updated: 28/09/22 9:11pm

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    England captain Jos Buttler says he is taking a ‘cautious approach’ as he battles back from a calf injury

    England captain Jos Buttler says he is taking a ‘cautious approach’ as he battles back from a calf injury

    England captain Jos Buttler says he is “progressing well” as he bids to return to full fitness ahead of the T20 World Cup next month.

    Buttler has not played since August 18 due a calf injury he sustained during The Hundred but is with England on the T20 tour of Pakistan as he closes in on a comeback.

    The 32-year-old told Sky Sports he was taking a “cautious approach” to his return, with England having six more T20s – three against Pakistan and the same number against Australia – before their World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Perth on October 22.

    Highlights of the fifth T20 international between Pakistan and England as the hosts edged home by six runs

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    Highlights of the fifth T20 international between Pakistan and England as the hosts edged home by six runs

    Highlights of the fifth T20 international between Pakistan and England as the hosts edged home by six runs

    Speaking between innings during England’s defeat to Pakistan in the fifth T20I of the seven-match series, Buttler said: “I am progressing well.

    “It would be nice to play but with the World Cup round the corner we are taking a cautious approach.

    “I am running a few drinks, getting the loads up, feeling good. I feel like if it was a World Cup game tomorrow I could play but I am being a bit cautious and taking it a bit slowly. If I had to, I could play.

    Live International T20 Cricket

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    “It is quite a unique situation to be here and not play, to observe.

    “I am learning lots listening to the group and watching the way they go about things, watching without as much emotion as when you are involved and thinking about what you will do at certain times.

    “[Stand-in skipper] Moeen Ali has been fantastic. I have very much asked him to lead the group and take it on as if he is captain and he has been brilliant – great around the group as he always is and on the field I have been impressed.”

    Harry Brook and Ben Duckett shared an unbroken 139-run partnership in the third T20 international against Pakistan

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    Harry Brook and Ben Duckett shared an unbroken 139-run partnership in the third T20 international against Pakistan

    Harry Brook and Ben Duckett shared an unbroken 139-run partnership in the third T20 international against Pakistan

    Buttler is set to open for England at the T20 World Cup and there could also be a spot in the middle order for Harry Brook, with the Yorkshireman making innings of note in each of the T20s against Pakistan so far, bar the fifth when he was dismissed for four.

    Brook smashed an unbeaten 81 from 35 balls in the third fixture, including five sixes and nine fours, as England piled on 221-3 in Karachi.

    Buttler added: “Brook is giving people really good selection headaches which is what you want. The mark of good teams is good people outside the XI pushing to get in the XI.

    “He has got a lot of game, a lot of options. I don’t think he premeditates too much, he reacts to every ball coming down.

    “I like his demeanour at the crease and I like the way he goes about his business. He is pretty unflappable.”

    Seamer Mark Wood could be crucial for England at the World Cup and impressed on Wednesday evening with 3-20 during a searing four-over spell in Lahore.

    Watch each of England paceman Mark Wood's three wickets in the sixth T20 international against Pakistan

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    Watch each of England paceman Mark Wood’s three wickets in the sixth T20 international against Pakistan

    Watch each of England paceman Mark Wood’s three wickets in the sixth T20 international against Pakistan

    The paceman has claimed three-wicket hauls in each of the two T20s he has played in the Pakistan series, twice dismissing home skipper Babar Azam.

    Buttler said: “I have been delighted with Woody. He is such a great man to have in your team on and off the field.

    “He has shown a great amount of resilience. He has been through lots of injuries but bounces back every time and does the work.

    “To bowl 97mph the other day was fantastic. Anyone who bowls at that pace creates chances and mistakes and being able to have a genuine wicket-taker is valuable in T20 cricket.”

    Watch England’s sixth T20 international in Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket on Friday. Coverage begins at 3pm with the first ball at 3.30pm.

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  • BizToc

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    Harvard Business Review

    In this interview @rgmcgrath, author of The End of Competitive Advantage, and @RogerLMartin, author of A New Way to Think, discuss with @MartinKReeves of @BCGhenderson a core issue in strategy: the durability and nature of competitive advantage.

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