Bryony Smith smashes maiden fifty as England thrash Ireland in first T20

* 1st T20i: England, 176, beat Ireland, 109 (18.3), by 67 runs
* England’s four internaional debutants all shine in Dublin




This was supposed to be Ireland’s big occasion: the first time their women’s team have been televised free-to-air at home; and the follow-up to their famous win on Wednesday, only their second against England in a one-day international.

Instead, the first T20i turned into a rout, as Bryony Smith smashed a maiden international fifty, the ­debutant Seren Smale took to this level like a duck to water with a 19-ball 25, a catch, a stumping and a sharp run-out behind the stumps, and England bowled Ireland out for 109 within 19 overs to win by 67 runs. Continue reading...


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/sep/14/bryony-smith-smashes-maiden-fifty-as-england-thrash-ireland-in-first-t20?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The Taylor Swift effect is small but may just swing it for Kamala Harris | Richard T Longoria

Singer’s backing could sway undecided voters in key states, but Tay Tay should beware – political endorsement can backfire

Will Taylor Swift’s recent endorsement of Kamala Harris affect the US presidential election? It certainly can. I’ve been a researcher of celebrity involvement in American politics for several years. The research shows that for most American voters a celebrity endorsement won’t make a difference. Voters have strong partisan allegiances and very few Americans are in the undecided category. Recent polling from YouGov suggest that about 5% of Americans are undecided between Trump and Harris. However, these 5% can be the difference between winning and losing. The same YouGov poll shows Trump and Harris tied at 45% each.

The research I have seen suggests that about 11% of US adults can be persuaded by a celebrity endorsement and about 19% of young adults say the same. The impact of a celebrity endorsement is strongest among irregular or new voters. People that are newly interested in political issues or those who are typically preoccupied by other concerns, such as celebrity gossip, are the people for whom Swift’s influence could matter. At this point both Trump and Harris are trying to attract the marginal undecided voters, while simultaneously energising their core supporters. Continue reading...


https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/14/the-taylor-swift-effect-is-small-but-may-just-swing-it-for-kamala-harris?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

‘It’s nil-nil’: Labour warned the political race with the Conservatives isn’t over

A new book charting the party’s path to power reveals that Keir Starmer and his team were told the landslide election win was down to a fragile coalition of voters

• ‘Corbyn had flown to close to the sun’: how Labour insiders battled the left

Keir Starmer’s cabinet has been told to behave as if it is now “nil-nil” in the battle with the Tories, despite Labour’s landslide election win, amid warnings the party won with the support of an extremely fragile coalition of voters.

The prime minister and his top team were given the warning just weeks after clinching the decisive election victory that delivered Labour a 174-seat majority. Continue reading...


https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/sep/14/its-nil-nil-labour-warned-the-political-race-with-the-conservatives-isnt-over?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Nature boys and girls – here’s your chance to get published in the Guardian

Our wildlife series Young Country Diary is looking for articles written by children, about their autumn encounters with nature

Once again, the Young Country Diary series is open for submissions! Every three months, as the UK enters a new season, we ask you to send us an article written by a child aged 8-14.

The article needs to be about a recent encounter they’ve had with nature – whether it’s a majestic deer, a lost spider or a wood shedding its leaves. Continue reading...


https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/nature-lovers-guardian-young-country-diary-writers?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Mother held in jail after being charged with murdering her two sons in Blue Mountains home

The 42-year-old woman fronted Parramatta local court in Sydney on Saturday in a brief hearing where she did not apply for bail

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A mother charged with murdering her two sons at their Blue Mountains home has made a brief court appearance where she was remanded in custody.

The 42-year-old woman fronted Parramatta local court in Sydney for the first time on Saturday in a brief hearing where she did not apply for bail.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...


https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/14/mother-charged-with-murdering-her-two-sons-in-blue-mountains-home-held-in-jail-ntwnfb?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger