World Rugby is testing a smaller size 4.5 ball in the women's WXV Global Series, which is about 3% smaller than the size 5 ball used in men's rugby. Some players find the smaller ball harder to use, especially for specific skills like throwing and kicking, while others see benefits like better grip.
Key Facts
The smaller ball trial is happening during the WXV Global Series in September and October.
The size 4.5 ball is the same weight as the size 5 but about 3% smaller.
England hooker May Campbell said the smaller ball can cause inaccurate throws.
England fly-half Helena Rowland reported more errors in kicking and passing with the smaller ball.
Wales wing Lisa Neumann likes the smaller ball because it improves grip.
World Rugby believes the smaller ball suits women's physical differences and might improve their skills.
Some players feel the change is sudden and lack clear data on its benefits.
England's head coach John Mitchell said it's too early to judge the smaller ball's impact and wants to see results from upcoming matches.
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Notre Dame beat Wisconsin 41-13 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. After a close first half, Notre Dame pulled away in the second half with strong plays from quarterback CJ Carr and running back Aneyas Williams.
Key Facts
Notre Dame was ranked No. 4 in college football during this game.
The game took place at Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.
Notre Dame led 13-10 at halftime before winning 41-13.
CJ Carr threw two touchdown passes and completed 19 of 29 passes for 239 yards.
Aneyas Williams ran for 90 yards and scored two touchdowns.
Wisconsin was considered a three-touchdown underdog and struggled to keep up.
James Flanigan, a Green Bay local, scored Notre Dame’s first touchdown; his father and grandfather also played for the Packers.
This was the first college football game at Lambeau Field since 2016.
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Christopher Bell won the Southern 500 NASCAR race by passing defending champion Kyle Larson with 18 laps left. This was Bell's first win after a long streak of second-place finishes, and it helped him move to second place in the Chase standings.
Key Facts
Christopher Bell drives for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Bell had seven second-place finishes this season before this win.
This was Bell’s first win at Darlington Raceway in 15 tries.
Bell broke a 33-race winless streak that dated back to last September.
Kyle Larson stayed on the track during a late caution to keep the lead but was passed by Bell.
Chase drivers took nine of the top 10 spots in this race.
Bell’s win moved him to second place in the Chase points, behind his teammate Denny Hamlin.
Bell plans to keep working hard, saying he needs more wins to compete for the championship.
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Lucas Carneiro kicked a 48-yard field goal as time ran out to give No. 9 Ole Miss a 41-38 win over No. 24 Louisville on Sunday night in Nashville. The game was close and exciting, with big plays in the second half from both teams before Ole Miss secured the victory.
Key Facts
The game was part of the Music City Kickoff and featured two ranked college football teams.
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for one touchdown in the second half.
Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz, starting his first game, made two late touchdowns to tie the game before Ole Miss won.
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy ran for 61 yards and scored a touchdown but left with a thigh injury.
The game was described by coaches as a hard-fought and exciting contest, beneficial for college football fans.
This was Louisville’s first loss of the season, leaving them with a 0-1 record.
The win was important for Ole Miss as they recovered from a tough ending last season to make it to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
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Washington, ranked No. 17, won the Apple Cup football game against Washington State with a score of 24-10, despite having difficulties with their offense. Washington’s quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards and scored a touchdown, while Washington State’s new quarterback, Caden Pinnick, made his debut and also scored a touchdown.
Key Facts
Washington beat Washington State 24-10 in the Apple Cup football game on September 6, 2026.
Washington’s quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw for 268 yards and one touchdown and scored a 5-yard touchdown run.
Washington State’s quarterback Caden Pinnick, a transfer from UC Davis, threw for 142 yards and scored a touchdown in his first game with the Cougars.
Washington struggled offensively but managed to secure the win.
Washington State missed two field goals and failed to convert on 11 third-down attempts out of 11 tries.
Washington State’s coach is Kirby Moore, and it is his first season coaching the team.
Washington moved from the Pac-12 conference to the Big Ten, while Washington State remained in a rebuilt Pac-12.
Last season, Washington had a 9-4 record and won the LA Bowl against Boise State.
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Joe Morgan, the former manager of the Boston Red Sox who led the team to two division titles, has died at 95. He managed the Red Sox from 1988 to 1991 and was known for turning the team’s season around in 1988, a period called “Morgan Magic.”
Key Facts
Joe Morgan died on Saturday night at age 95, as announced by the Red Sox.
He managed the Boston Red Sox from 1988 to 1991.
Morgan led the Red Sox to two American League East division titles (1988 and 1990).
The 1988 team won 19 of 20 games after Morgan took over as manager midseason.
The Red Sox were swept by the Oakland Athletics in the American League Championship Series in both 1988 and 1990.
Morgan also played 88 major league games as an infielder from 1959 to 1964 with five teams.
He worked for the Red Sox as a manager, coach, and scout from 1974 to 1991.
Morgan was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2006.
Notable players managed by Morgan include Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens.
The team called the turnaround under Morgan "Morgan Magic," celebrating his positive impact on the club.
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Carlos Alcaraz won his fourth-round match at the US Open against Tommy Paul, advancing to the quarter-finals. After a four-month break due to a wrist injury, Alcaraz is focusing on recovery while playing well, and he will next face Ben Shelton. Other Americans like Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen also reached the quarter-finals.
Key Facts
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the US Open fourth round.
This is Alcaraz’s fourth singles match after a four-month injury break.
He missed the French Open and Wimbledon because of a wrist injury.
Alcaraz won the US Open in 2022 and the Australian Open in 2026.
Alcaraz is focusing on recovery and reducing activities like golf to protect his wrist.
Ben Shelton, who has lost to Alcaraz three times, will face him next.
American players Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen also reached the quarter-finals.
Frances Tiafoe beat Daniil Medvedev and has won all 10 matches on the US Open’s secondary court.
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Two towns affected by fires, Lahaina and Paradise, came together to play a football game named the Unity Bowl. This event marked their first meeting on the football field, symbolizing recovery and connection through sports.
Key Facts
The towns involved are Lahaina and Paradise.
Both towns have been affected by fires in recent years.
They organized a football game called the Unity Bowl.
This game was the first time these two teams played against each other.
The event promotes unity and healing after traumatic events.
Football was used as a way to bring the communities together.
The article was shared on September 6, 2026.
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This article provides highlights from the third and final One Day International (ODI) cricket match between England and Ireland. The game took place at New Road, Worcester, and is part of a series of three matches.
Key Facts
The article covers the third ODI match of a three-game series between England and Ireland.
The match was played at New Road, Worcester.
Highlights show key moments and important plays from the game.
Previous matches in the series were held at Grace Road, Leicester, and the County Ground, Derby.
Each highlights video is about 29 minutes long.
The series is part of the Women's ODI cricket competition, happening in 2026.
Viewers are encouraged to enable JavaScript for full access to the videos on the BBC iPlayer website.
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Football expert Troy Deeney has selected his Premier League team and manager of the week based on recent match performances. He highlighted players from various teams for their strong performances, including Arsenal’s goalkeeper David Raya and Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes.
Key Facts
David Raya from Arsenal made important saves, earning praise as the league’s best goalkeeper.
Ezri Konsa (Arsenal) and Ronald Araujo (Liverpool) both showed strong defensive skills this week.
Tyrick Mitchell (Crystal Palace) scored two goals as a left-back, a defensive position.
Harvey Barnes (Newcastle) scored a well-placed goal and has performed well overall this season.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal) was recognized as a key leader and captain for his team.
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) created two goals from midfield despite transfer speculations.
Alexander Isak (Liverpool) faced criticism but was noted as an important player expected for top scorer awards.
David Moyes (Everton) managed to get good results despite losing attacking players in transfers.
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The United States women’s basketball team won a close game against Italy 55-52 in the FIBA Women’s World Cup. Despite poor shooting, strong plays by Jackie Young and Breanna Stewart helped the U.S. secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Key Facts
The U.S. team led 42-39 after three quarters but faced tough competition in the fourth quarter.
Jackie Young scored 10 points, including six in the final quarter.
Breanna Stewart made a key basket late in the game and had 11 rebounds despite shooting poorly.
Chelsea Gray contributed important points in the final minutes.
Italy’s Cecilia Zandalasini missed a last-second three-pointer and argued she was poked in the eye during the play but later apologized.
The U.S. struggled with shooting, making only 28.6% of their shots and 1 of 12 three-pointers.
The U.S. led 22-14 in points from free throws.
Italy’s top player, Zandalasini, scored 14 points and had seven rebounds.
This was the closest U.S. loss threat in a Women’s World Cup game since 2006.
The U.S. will play the Czech Republic next in their final group match.
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Luke Littler won the Czech Open darts tournament in Prague by beating Luke Humphries in the final. Littler is the world number one and this win earned him £35,000 and a place at the European Championship in October.
Key Facts
Luke Littler beat defending champion Luke Humphries to win the Czech Open.
Littler is the world number one player in darts.
Littler defeated Krzysztof Ratajski, Danny Noppert, and Michael van Gerwen before reaching the final.
Humphries is the world number two player and was aiming for his fourth Czech Open win.
In the final, Littler came from behind and won 8-6 against Humphries.
Littler won £35,000 prize money for his victory.
The win secured Littler a spot at the European Championship in Dortmund in October.
Both players expressed respect and determination for future matches.
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Carlos Alcaraz won against American player Tommy Paul at the US Open and reached the quarterfinals. Alcaraz showed strong tennis skills after recovering from a wrist injury and is aiming to win the tournament again.
Key Facts
Carlos Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul with scores of 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
Alcaraz had been out for almost five months due to a right wrist injury.
He is a seven-time Grand Slam champion.
Alcaraz has an 18-match winning streak in major tennis matches.
He is 23 years old and from Spain.
Alcaraz has now reached the quarterfinals in five of his six US Open appearances.
He is close to a perfect 13-0 win record against American players in Grand Slam events.
Alcaraz will next play against either Ben Shelton from the U.S. or Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece.
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The New York Giants signed backup quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year contract extension worth $13 million. This deal keeps Winston on the team through 2028 and allows the Giants to save money under their salary limits this year.
Key Facts
The contract extension for Jameis Winston is for two years and $13 million.
Winston was previously on a two-year, $8 million deal before this extension.
Winston is 32 years old and going into his 12th NFL season.
He is currently the backup quarterback for the Giants, behind starter Jaxson Dart.
Winston also serves in a mentor role and is part of the team’s leadership council.
The contract extension helps the Giants manage their salary cap for the 2026 season.
Winston was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay.
His NFL career includes time with the Buccaneers, Saints, Browns, and now the Giants.
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The United States women’s basketball team won a close game against Italy 55-52 in the Women’s World Cup. Jackie Young scored 10 points and helped the U.S. maintain their long winning streak in the tournament.
Key Facts
The U.S. women’s team won 55-52 against Italy in Berlin.
Jackie Young led the U.S. with 10 points.
The U.S. has now won 32 straight World Cup games since 2006.
The game was very close, with the U.S. trailing 50-48 with just over four minutes left.
The U.S. scored seven unanswered points in the final minutes to secure the win.
Italy’s Cecilia Zandalasini scored 14 points, the most for her team.
The U.S. shot only 29% from the field and made just 1 of 12 three-point attempts.
Italy is playing in the Women’s World Cup for the first time since 1994.
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Arsenal has started the new Premier League season strongly, winning all three games and beating Chelsea 2-1 in an important match. Goals from Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard helped Arsenal come from behind to win against Chelsea, who spent a large amount on new players during the summer.
Key Facts
Arsenal spent nearly £200 million on new players during the summer but did not sign a top striker.
Chelsea spent about £350 million on new signings since last season.
Arsenal won their first three games and lead the Premier League alongside Manchester City.
Chelsea scored first in the match against Arsenal through Morgan Rogers after two minutes.
Arsenal’s goals were scored by Kai Havertz and captain Martin Odegaard, who scored the winning goal.
Odegaard has been in strong form, scoring three goals in four matches this season.
Arsenal’s players showed strong teamwork and resilience by recovering after conceding an early goal.
Experts praised Arsenal’s gameplay and Odegaard’s influence on the team’s success.
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Aryna Sabalenka won her match against Taylor Townsend to reach the US Open quarter-finals. She showed strong play despite some difficulties and will next face Linda Noskova.
Key Facts
Sabalenka beat Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to advance to the US Open quarter-finals.
Sabalenka struggled at times during the match but won the last five games.
She is the two-time defending US Open champion and has won 18 matches in a row at this tournament.
Sabalenka has not reached a final since March despite a strong start to her season.
Her current world No.1 ranking is under threat from players like Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, and Coco Gauff.
Sabalenka focuses on her own game and avoids worrying about ranking scenarios.
Her next opponent, Linda Noskova, recently beat Marta Kostyuk, who has been in very good form.
This upcoming quarter-final will test Sabalenka’s readiness to win her third US Open title in a row.
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Kimi Antonelli won the Italian Grand Prix after starting in 19th place, making it one of the most impressive comebacks in Formula 1 history. His team boss, Toto Wolff, predicted the win before the race, noting Antonelli's strong mindset and ability to pass many cars quickly.
Key Facts
Antonelli started the race in 19th position due to a grid penalty for using too many engines.
He steadily moved up the ranks during the race, reaching 12th place before a red flag (race stoppage) caused by another driver's crash.
After the restart, Antonelli quickly advanced to eighth, then seventh, and later battled with leading drivers.
His team boss, Toto Wolff, said he expected one of his drivers, either Antonelli or George Russell, to win the race.
Antonelli's early laps were strong and strategic, helping him pass many cars efficiently.
George Russell started near the front and led parts of the race but finished behind Antonelli.
This victory is now considered a remarkable achievement in Formula 1 racing, showing exceptional skill and determination.
Antonelli has won seven out of 13 races this season so far.
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Chelsea lost 2-1 to Arsenal while playing two former right-backs as midfielders. Their midfield is weak partly because key midfielder Moises Caicedo is injured, and recent transfer efforts to strengthen the midfield failed.
Key Facts
Chelsea spent £349 million in the summer transfer window.
In a recent match, Chelsea used two players who began as right-backs in midfield positions.
Reece James, originally a right-back, played midfield and missed marking Arsenal’s winning goal scorer.
Moises Caicedo, an important midfielder, is out injured for an unknown time.
Chelsea tried but failed to sign several midfielders, including Lamine Camara and Alex Scott.
Chelsea sold midfielder Enzo Fernandez for £125 million but did not sign a direct replacement.
Chelsea’s lack of midfield depth was visible as they struggled in possession and creativity.
Chelsea’s manager Xabi Alonso believes James can develop into one of the best midfielders.
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The 2026 U.S. Open tennis tournament has seen several matches finishing after 2 a.m., causing players and fans to feel tired. This late-night schedule has raised questions about how late matches should continue, given the challenges for players and audiences.
Key Facts
The U.S. Open had three matches finish after 2 a.m. within the first six days of the tournament.
Two other matches ended past 1 a.m.
Players like Alexander Zverev and Jessica Pegula have expressed concern about the late finishing times.
Wimbledon has an 11 p.m. curfew on matches, and the French Open schedules only one match per night.
The U.S. Open traditionally features night matches, but this year the late finishes are more extreme.
On opening night, Venus Williams played her match starting at 12:13 a.m., one of the latest starts in U.S. Open history.
The late match times make it difficult for both players and some fans, as many people prefer to sleep rather than watch very late matches.
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