The three-time world champion’s two 10-second penalties and sixth-placed finish allowed McLaren's Lando Norris to trim 10 points off his lead as he came home second behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz – setting up an intriguing run-in over the next four race weekends.

AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from the dramas at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez:

Verstappen’s penalties

After enjoying the benefit of a stewards' decision in Austin, where he clashed with Norris during the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen experienced the reverse outcome twice on Sunday as the Mexican race stewards set a precedent for new terms of engagement.

After a commanding victory by Carlos Sainz, it was clear that Red Bull were no longer likely to enjoy the benefit of the Dutchman's aggressive style of defence and may suffer again in upcoming races.

Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, who has frequently complained that it was a stewards’ decision in Verstappen’s favour that cost seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton his eighth drivers’ title at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, explained.

"A driver will always push to the limit and when the rules - the execution of the rules or interpretation of the rules - allow a certain way of racing then a driver like Max is always going to exploit it," said Wolff.

"And I think now there has been a new interpretation, execution of those regulations. I think it will change the way everybody races in the future. You won't see that anymore.

"I believe that you've probably got to leave space on the outside of the corner if the car is next to you -- braking late and taking the other car off whilst also driving off track, I think that's not allowed anymore."

The penalties were generally received well in the paddock as a signal that a change of interpretation had taken place – and for some it was long expected as well as welcome.

Hamilton laughed as he recalled: "I could see a group of cars ahead and I saw a plume of smoke, like dust and I knew what it was - I knew it must have been him - Like, for sure it was him!”

Asked about the vexed issue of the sporting legality of Verstappen’s moves, Hamilton added: “Well, it's always been a grey area. And that’s why he’s got away with it for so long.

“I experienced this many times with Max. You shouldn’t be able to just launch the car up the inside and be ahead and then go off – and still hold position.”

The outcome was that Verstappen heads to Brazil for the Sao Paulo race, the third of a triple-header, with a lead of 47 points on Norris but set for another penalty – this time for a likely change of engine.

Hamilton timing spot on

Lewis Hamilton may not have won Sunday’s Mexican race, but he had every reason to celebrate a second successive Ferrari victory, knowing he will be racing for the in-form team next year.

By rich irony, just as the triumphant Carlos Sainz has shown his best form and the full support of team and family, he knows he is departing a team on the way up under team boss Fred Vasseur.

Just as he did in 2013 when he unexpectedly left McLaren to join Mercedes, the Briton appears to have timed his transfer well and he will enjoy a reunion with Vasseur who helped guide him to success in the Formula Three Euroseries as a junior driver.

Leclerc targets second

Charles Leclerc was a rare outlier in the reaction to Verstappen's penalties because, as a Ferrari driver, he hopes to enjoy the team’s current form and overhaul Norris in the drivers’ title race.

"I welcome Max being as aggressive to Lando as possible," he said. "It helps me at least it gives me a chance to get closer to Lando in the drivers title race because it is still a fight.

"If anything, it is more of a fight between me and Lando than with Max. I  will just try to do my best to the end of the season and see."

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Kerr, who was named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament, top-scored with 43 as New Zealand posted an imposing 158-5 in their 20 overs.

The 24-year-old from Wellington then took 3-24, crucially picking up the key wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch, to restrict South Africa to 126-9 in their 20 overs.

"We all know she is a once in a generation player," said New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.

"What she was able to do tonight was incredible. Physically to do what she did with the bat, I think she can't feel her legs.

"She is not a bad cricketer but the person that she is, the world is her oyster."

Victory marked a sweet finish to Devine's own career.

The win came 14 years after the White Ferns lost to Australia by just three runs in the 2010 final. They also lost to England in the 2009 championship match.

It also marks a remarkable change of form as they had lost 10 T20Is coming into the tournament. They had won just five of their previous 22 before their eye-catching win over India in their opening game.

"I started to dream last night about what it feels to hold the trophy with this team," said Devine.

"The great thing about this group is we know what we have been trying to achieve in the last 15, 18, 24 months.

"We kept taking steps in right directions, you want momentum and we came to the World Cup on the back of 10 successive losses. But everyone starts on zero."

For South Africa, who demolished six-time winners Australia in the semi-final, it made for a double disappointment having lost last year's final to the Aussies in Cape Town.

"Our focus was just to reset, not get too ahead of ourselves," said skipper Wolvaardt.

"We knew that we still had a really quality opponent in New Zealand to go and yeah, we just didn't play our best cricket tonight."

- Kiwi aggression -

After being put in to bat, the New Zealand openers began aggressively with Suzie Bates, playing in her 334th international, making a rapid 32.

When Devine was leg before to Nadine de Klerk on review, the innings appeared to be faltering but the arrival of Brooke Halliday lifted the tempo as she added 57 in seven overs with Kerr for the fourth wicket.

Halliday hit three boundaries in her 38 but was dismissed when she picked out Bosch on the midwicket boundary.

Kerr slammed back-to-back boundaries off Mlaba before finding Tazmin Brits to fall for 43 from 38 balls.

Maddy Green, however, maintained the momentum with 12 off six balls including the only six of the innings.

Wolvaardt (33) and Brits (17) got South Africa off to a roaring start bringing up the 50 in the seventh over before three wickets fell in quick succssion.

Brits was caught by Green at long-on before Kerr in her second over removed both of South Africa's main batters, Wolvaardt for 33 and Bosch, who had played so well in the win over Australia

South Africa had slumped to 64-3 and New Zealand were in command.

With the required run rate rising, South Africa's middle and lower order, who have barely batted in this tournament, struggled to get going with wickets tumbling at regular intervals.

- Memorable day -

Kerr took a catch to remove Nadine de Klerk and then claimed a third wicket when Bates, arguably the outstanding fielder at the tournament, took her third catch of the innings to remove Annerie Dercksen. Kerr finished with a tournament-leading 15 wickets.

Fast bowler Rosemary Mair made her presence felt with 3-25 as the tail folded.

The last pair held out for the final over but could not prevent New Zealand from celebrating their first title.

Victory completed a memorable day for New Zealand cricket after the men's team clinched a first Test win in India for 36 years earlier Sunday.

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The heir apparent to his father King Charles III appeared with a neatly trimmed beard last month in an online video with his wife Catherine, praising UK athletes who competed in the Paris Olympics.

But it was seen in the wild for the first time on Thursday as he visited "Homelessness: Reframed", an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London that features sculptures and photographs inspired by the artists' own or others' experiences of homelessness.

William's estranged brother Harry claimed in his autobiography "Spare" that the future king was jealous of his beard and that he was not allowed to have one.

US-based Harry sports a distinctive ginger beard.

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Ukrainian Paralympians took up this theme saying they hoped their exploits would encourage veterans seriously wounded in the ongoing war with Russia to forge a career in Paralympic sports.

One, Yevhen Korinets, competed at the Paris Games that closed. A former professional volleyball player who lost a leg on the frontline, he returned to his first love in the sitting volleyball version.

"His example, like that of other Paralympians, can inspire many veterans who have been wounded," Ukraine's Sports Minister Matviy Bidnyi told AFP.

"It shows the possibility of a full life after injury is very real."

Korinets did not win gold but two other former veterans did.

South Africa-born British cyclist Jaco van Gass won two and New Zealand-born Australian canoeist Curtis McGrath took a gold to add to successes in previous Games.

Both had limbs amputated as a result of serious wounds they suffered on tours of duty in Afghanistan, with McGrath showing steely determination by remarking just after losing both his legs in 2012: "I will go to the Paralympics."

Dr Colin Preece, a chartered psychologist who worked for British charity Help For Heroes which aids veterans with, among other things, their mental and physical health, said para sport was a natural fit for former military operatives.

"Fundamentally veterans joined the military to look after people, look after the country and the population in the country," he told AFP in a phone interview.

"They have a love of competition, a love for representing their country.

"Sport gives them the ability to look after others and enrich their own lives."

- 'Psychological benefits' -

Preece, who prior to Help For Heroes worked for UK Police Services helping serving and injured officers, said the benefits worked two ways.

"I think when soldiers become injured and have to often leave the military it causes problems in readjusting identity," he said.

"You transition from being a serving military person to a civilian life, but not only that but being a disabled civilian.

"Sport can be very therapeutic it can focus direction and give a sense of identity."

Preece, who is head of mental health at Teladoc Health UK, a global remote delivery medical company, said the veterans also possess skillsets ideal for the challenges of para sports.

"Military people can transition really well into sport," he said.

"Determination, self reliance and also being a team player, listening to coaches and learning from them.

"There is also leadership and logistical planning."

Preece says the latter is especially useful when it comes to para sports and trips abroad.

"It is hard enough for any athlete to arrange going to an event in a foreign country and taking part," he said.

"But imagine doing that with a disability.

"All the logistics, the travel things become a real challenge in themselves.

"Military people have the ability to plan and have the self confidence to accept the many challenges to overcome."

Again Preece said there were positives for the veterans.

"There are so many aspects that bring them psychological benefits," he said.

The Paralympics have been credited with globally breaking down barriers in terms of prejudice against the disabled -- and in encouraging governments to introduce measures to make their daily lives easier.

Preece says helping to change old-fashioned attitudes is a natural for the veterans.

"We have had over the years some very important influential Paralympians and disabled people who have helped move society's attitude dramatically in the United Kingdom," he said.

"So as a result of that there are more opportunities to be involved, and I think the veterans see their potential to shape the narrative to give understanding and to make a difference for disabled people."

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Biden was joined by a number of high-profile US fashion designers, including Thom Browne, Michael Kors and Tory Burch, in front of a crowd of roughly one thousand industry insiders.

The "Fashion for our Future" march was organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for the first day of the weeklong event showcasing looks for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2025 season.

Held in front of the windows of the flagship Macy's department store in the heart of Manhattan, the march was intended to be nonpartisan.

However, several of the participating designers have created accessories for the campaign of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.  And the presence of the Democratic first lady -- whose appearance had not been announced -- sent a clear message.

- 'Freedoms' -

"I know that you care about the freedom to make your own choices, be who you are, love who you love... your freedom of creative expression," Biden said to applause from the crowd.

"These freedoms are at risk because of court decisions, book bans, shrugs of apathy when people forget the power of the vote," she said.

The US presidential election, set for November 5, pits Vice President Harris against Republican nominee Donald Trump.

Jill Biden's husband, US President Joe Biden, had been set to be the Democratic nominee until he dropped out of the race on July 21 and threw his support behind his vice president.

"So let's remember this: the next president, your next president, will likely appoint new Supreme Court justices," the first lady said.

"Your next senators will confirm them and our children and our grandchildren will have to live with those consequences."

Prior to the march, Jill Biden attended the Ralph Lauren fashion show on Thursday evening and paid tribute to Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine and high priestess of the US fashion industry.

Wintour featured Jill Biden on the cover of the magazine's August issue and has organized several fundraisers for the Democratic Party.

- Democratic 'bubble' -

While marketing themselves on open-mindedness, major brands typically stay away from political squabbles in the United States, out of fear of being targeted by one camp or the other.

But one notable counterexample was in February 2017, shortly after former president Trump was elected. That year, New York Fashion week took a much more pointed tone against the Republican billionaire, with several shows decrying his immigration policies and defending abortion and women's healthcare.

"We are in the bubble of the bubble of the bubble," joked Ulrich Grimm, an accessories designer and professor at the renowned Parsons School of Design, who was among the demonstrators Friday.

"We're in New York," he continued, referencing the city's status as a Democratic stronghold, "and we're in fashion."

Beside him, designer Joy Gryson said she was worried about the freedom of "any woman, person of color, LGBTQ (people)."

- Clothes 'everyone will want' -

In a show full of activist symbols, designer Willy Chavarria brought his Chicano-inspired models to the former headquarters of JP Morgan bank on Wall Street.

Loose-fitting shirts with puffed sleeves tucked into chino pants, Chavarria's outfits winked to workwear -- including bandanas and trucker hats -- and were mixed with streetwear styles in a dialogue between Mexican and American cultures.

"I really do want to offer collections that everyone can relate to and everyone can enjoy, and, you know, everyone will want," Chavarria said.

His show ended with a collaboration with sports brand Adidas that paid homage to basketball legend and civil rights activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -- one of Chavarria's childhood idols -- with a big "33" emblazoned on jerseys.

Nearly one hundred brands will showcase their Spring/Summer 2025 collections at New York Fashion Week, including many emerging talents and a few heavyweights like Tommy Hilfiger.

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Stars of Instagram and TikTok were feted with free drinks, yacht parties and full VIP access, among other special treatment that was not given to the traditional press at the political convention -- which felt more like a festival, at times -- in Chicago.

"People have to realize that a lot of these creators have larger audiences than CNN, The New York Times, Univision, Telemundo, ABC," said Benjamin Zamora, a former journalist who left the news media to work as an influencer online, where he has 6.3 million followers across platforms.

He spoke on the floor of Chicago's United Center, where rooms have been set aside to pamper influencers with spreads of wine and prime-rib sandwiches.

It was a far cry from what was available for the mainstream press, but for Zamora, the difference in treatment makes sense.

"The Democratic National Convention sees content creators as allies; that's not the case for the press," he said.

The accreditation of more than 200 influencers is a new development at this convention, part of a strategy to broaden Harris's electoral base.

The treatment given to influencers contrasts with the fact that Harris has not given an interview or press conference to the mainstream press since President Joe Biden stepped aside and the party endorsed her nomination.

At least five influencers made the convention's select list of speakers, including Uruguay's Carlos Eduardo Espina, who took the podium Wednesday.

"It's really incredible that they gave us that opportunity," he told AFP.

"We see Bill Clinton, Joe Biden, and we think 'Wow, we don't deserve to be in the same space as them,'" he added.

"But we do. We have a lot to offer," said the 25-year-old, who has more than 11 million followers on social networks.

In the arena, influencers -- with cameras, lights and microphones in hand -- are freer to roam than many press teams, and have a reserved area on the blue carpet for interviews.

The reserved space for the traditional media sits outside the stadium, with few luxuries other than water, powerful air conditioning and Wi-Fi.

- All in for Harris -

The work is different, explained 12-year-old influencer Knowa, who argued with Republican activists Charlie Kirk and Mike Lindell in a recent video that went viral.

Despite his young age, Knowa speaks with a self-confidence that many may not reach in a lifetime, and with an undeniable charisma.

For Knowa, the DNC is not the biggest event of his short career, even though it has seen him sitting alongside US Senator Bernie Sanders and former Georgia state legislator Stacey Abrams.

"No, I would say the White House... that was pretty big as well," he said.

The young campaigner and social media star is all in for Harris, having met her five times.

The young influencer is homeschooled and has few other hobbies, dedicating all his time to the cause.

"The first thing I do when I wake up, I Google Kamala Harris. That's it," he told AFP.

Not all influencers at the convention are focused on politics, however.

Beauty, entertainment, lifestyle -- influencers covering all walks of life are adapting their brands to the convention.

Blair Imani, with 642,000 followers on Instagram, promotes one-and-a-half-minute videos on a diversity of topics on her "Smarter in Seconds" channel.

At the convention, Imani interviewed popular Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

"They've given us access, they've been so hospitable," said Imani.

"I know they're accommodating some content creators with hotel accommodations, because a lot of us are independent creators... They've gone above and beyond," she said.

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"It's not every day you get to walk around a museum naked," said Julie Guegnolle, 38, who was celebrating her birthday at the "Naturist Paradises" exhibition in the Museum of Civilisations of Europe and the Mediterranean (Mucem).

Once a month, visitors to Mucem can explore the history of naturism in Europe in only their shoes -- a precaution not for modesty's sake but simply to "avoid getting splinters," the head of France's FFN naturist organisation Eric Stefanut told AFP.

Walking around the displays clad in a sarong, Guegnolle told AFP she wanted to "do something different" for her birthday.

She and her husband, Matthieu -- also in his birthday suit -- were among 80 visitors in various states of undress strolling around the 600 photos, paintings, sculptures, and other works one Tuesday in August.

"When we arrived, we felt a bit lost, but it's not so strange," Guegnolle said.

-'Not really accepted'-

Some visitors suffered more culture shock than others, with one couple from southwest England marvelling at the liberated attitudes towards nudity on display.

Kieren Parker-Hall and Xander Parry told AFP they enjoyed the "fantastic" photography, including a nude black-and-white portrait of Christiane Lecocq -- a female pioneer of French naturism who died at the age of 103.

Discovering the history of naturism while in the nude was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" for the two Brits, especially since they said the practice is not widely accepted in their home country.

"There's not a lot of naturist stuff in England," said web developer Parker-Hall, 28, adding the practice is "not really accepted".

Xander Parry, a 30-year-old stained glass maker, agreed.

Being naked in England is seen as "weird... you should be a bit ashamed of being naked," Parry said.

-'Stronghold of naturism'-

Though there is no official ranking, Mucem describes France as "the world's leading tourist destination" for those who enjoy going nude outdoors.

The naturist movement sprang up in Switzerland and Germany in the 19th century, Bruno Saurez, head of the local naturist association and co-host of the visit told AFP.

France's first naturist group emerged in the southeastern Provence region in 1930 before spreading throughout the country.

The southern port city of Marseille, long considered a "stronghold of naturism" boasts several dedicated centres due, in part, to the region’s mild climate, Saurez added.

"We're right on Spain's heels for the number of visitors to vacation resorts" dedicated to naturists, he said.

But for Christelle Bouyoud, 53, naturism goes further than tourist numbers or the freedom to bare it all - the decision to go nude can be a unifying force for society.

"When you're naked, it's very complicated to face someone on the battlefield," Bouyard, a naturist of a decade's standing, told AFP.

For the fully clothed and the naked alike, the exposition featuring loans from the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Louvre, and the Swiss National Library in Bern is open until December 9.

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The trend, called "cos commissioning", has gained traction in China recently, with social media posts garnering millions of views as an increasing number of young women use their purchasing power to engineer a meeting with their dream man in real life.

One early morning in Shanghai last month, Xu carefully inserted contacts to enlarge her irises and adjusted a tangerine wig to transform into "Jesse", a character from the romance quest mobile game "Light and Night".

A tall and sensitive musician, he is one of five characters that woo players throughout the game -- and for client Feng Xinyu, a vivacious 19-year-old, the ideal partner.

"I don't have a boyfriend because I'm not interested in 3D men," Feng told AFP, using a term for real-life men as opposed to those on the page or screen.

"I like anime characters a little bit more, they're more appealing to me."

"Light and Night", made by tech giant Tencent and aimed squarely at young women, promises a "brand-new interactive experience of highly immersive love".

Players like Feng, who form strong emotional connections with characters in such games, are known as "dream girls" -- and cos commissioning takes the immersion to the next level by dragging those 2D beaus off the screen and into the real world.

Feng has commissioned Xu twice before, for a fee of around $70.

Last month, she spent $2,800 on a multi-day trip with another Jesse cosplayer to a different province.

But she decided she preferred Xu's portrayal and hired her for a third date.

"We really click," Feng said.

"She's just like the character from the game, it feels like we were meant to be together."

- 'Reconstructing gender rules' -

Feng was waiting for Xu at a metro station, and grinned in unabashed delight when she spotted her.

The two appeared relaxed, holding hands and chatting happily as they headed to their first activity.

Their date -- all planned and paid for entirely by Feng -- lasted all day, beginning with tea and ending with a hotpot meal and a romantic stroll.

At both a doll-painting workshop and cake-decorating class they attended, they were one of many cos commission pairs.

Staff at the latter business told AFP they had noticed more and more couples coming in over the past year -- sometimes dozens on busy days.

Part of the appeal, experts studying the phenomenon say, is that it gives young women a way to perform an idealised heteronormative relationship.

Conservative social attitudes towards women remain widespread in China, often reinforced by state media and popular culture.

Aside from assuaging safety concerns, hiring a female cosplayer ensures a level of equality and understanding not necessarily guaranteed in a real-life relationship.

"I don't think it's important what gender the person being commissioned is," Fudan University's Tian Qian told AFP.

"What is important is that (the cosplayer) is a vessel, because the client needs a vehicle for their emotions."

Another academic, Zhou Zixing, wrote that cos commissioning allows women "to gain a voice that is fully respected by the opposite sex... responding to, breaking, and reconstructing the gender rules of the real world".

- 'Low-quality guys' -

At the cake-decorating class, Feng leaned over the table, fondly watching Xu pipe generous amounts of icing onto a sponge cake.

Afterwards, Xu gently helped Feng remove her apron, modelling Jesse's gentlemanly behaviour.

"The guys in the games are all quality guys," said Xu.

"I think (clients) will be able to improve their requirements in real life in terms of what they want from a man, so that they don't settle for low-quality guys."

Her mother Fang Xiuqing admitted her initial reaction when she learned what Xu was doing was: "How could this happen to my daughter?"

But she has since come around to the idea.

"I don't think it's a profession, it's a hobby," said Fang.

"She gets enjoyment from it, and she also brings joy to others."

Fudan University's Tian said cos commissions can act as "emotional sustenance".

"Although this is a paid interaction, it still gives a sense of being seen, which has a certain healing effect to it."

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The 645-square-foot (60 square-meter) property was partially demolished when an enormous pine tree toppled over, crushing the front.

No one was hurt in the incident, with the two renters and their dogs walking out the back door of the house in Monrovia, near Los Angeles, in May.

But the home was left a wreck. Or a "fixer-upper" in realtor-speak.

After the tree and debris were removed, the view from the street resembles a dilapidated doll's house, with just a forlorn-looking wall standing between two entirely open-plan ex-rooms.

However, realtor Kevin Wheeler, who is marketing the property, says he should have no problem finding a buyer at his target price of $499,999.

"Here in California, we like an indoor-outdoor lifestyle. It fits right in with the culture -- open floor plan, now that the tree has gone since it crashed into the house, plenty of light, all of that stuff," he quipped.

Wheeler says the property could be just the thing for the right buyer -- either someone who wants a project, or someone who would roll the dice on flipping it.

"There's a house nearby about the same size on the same street that sold for $900,000... so there's enough meat on the bone for them to make a profit."

He acknowledges that to people in other parts of the country or around the world, the half million dollar price tag might be a bit much.

But with demand high and supply low in Southern California, he's fielding plenty of inquiries and has taken several prospective buyers to see the place.

However, he admits that not everyone who has done a tour necessarily made an appointment.

"I think people without my permission have walked it -- it doesn't take very much because there's no way to really protect it," he said. "I can't put a lockbox on the front door."

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