NELSON, NEW ZEALAND // Italy secured a bonus point in a 27-10 win over a resilient United States at the Rugby World Cup, setting up the Pool C match against Ireland to determine one quarter-final spot.
The Italians gave a patchy performance at Trafalgar Park despite dominating the possession — thanks to a lopsided 19-7 penalty count. Because of the US's tenacious scrambling defence, Italy were forced to wait until the 66th minute for their fourth try to earn a bonus point, from a penalty try.
Sergio Parisse, the No 8 and captain, the fly-half Luciano Orquera and the tight head prop Martin Castrogiovanni scored in the first half for Italy, while the US full-back Chris Wyles scored a stunning try after receiving a pass following centre Paul Emerick's bust from a line-out.
Italy needed a bonus point to help their calculations for the quarter-finals, which could come down to tries and points scored in the tournament if they beat Ireland on Sunday.
But the US defence held firm for long stretches, three times denying the Six Nations side from scoring a try with the assistance of the video referee.
"We're happy. Obviously we'll take the five points — that was the important thing for us," Parisse said. "The USA gave us a lot of hard work. We scored four tries, that's important. Now we're looking forward for the last match against Ireland with a lot of confidence."
Eddie O'Sullivan, the US coach, had said beforehand that his expectations were limited to wanting his players, in their last match, to test Italy.
He was not disappointed. Outmatched in the scrum, the US midfield defence was ferocious, with Todd Clever particularly inspirational. He made crunching hits, stole turnovers and won a personal duel with Italy's similarly talismanic captain, Parisse.
The US had just 36 per cent of field territory and was forced to play from deep when the ball was secured — usually from a line-out that stole five throws or half the Italian total — but still showed inventiveness and a willingness to take risks.
"We gave it all we had. At the end, it wasn't enough against a strong Italian side," Clever said. "I'm just super proud of the guys ... We're going to be a great team in the near future."
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013