July 2022 – Page 46 – Michmutters

Month: July 2022

Categories
Business

KOBA: Man saves more than 50 per cent on car insurance

KOBA: Man saves more than 50 per cent on car insurance

Cost of living pressures are continuing to hit many Australians hard, so when Liam Gayner realized he could slash his car insurance fees in half he jumped at the opportunity.

The father of one has two cars — the primary car, which his wife drives, and the less “flashy” secondary vehicle that he uses.

But because the family lives close to a train station in Perth, the secondary car only travels about 6000km per year and Mr Gayner realized he was paying a flat yearly rate for the vehicle that was costing too much.

Mr Gayner was previously paying $61.69 per month for his car insurance with CommInsure, but made the decision to go through all of the family’s finances to find ways to save some cash.

The 32-year-old realized by switching to pay-as-you-drive insurer KOBA, his fees would be slashed to just under $30 per month.

“I heard about KOBA because they were doing a crowdsource fundraiser,” he told NCA NewsWire.

“I had a look at the pricing structure and found for me it was a unique fit… I fall into their target audience, so I estimate that I’m going to drive about 6000km in a year.

“It ends up being just under $30, so it ends up being a bit over a 50 per cent saving.”

Mr Gayner recommends people do the “fairly boring thing” of reviewing all of their insurance, including life, house and health.

“I basically reviewed it all for my current situation because I think like most people, you set it up and then you forget about it,” he said.

“When I was sorting out my health insurance, it was back when I was at uni, I didn’t really care. I didn’t really understand it.

“Same with life insurance where it just gets chucked onto your superannuation and you’re not really aware that you’ve been docked that money the whole time for a policy that might not be relevant to you.

“For example, I’m an engineer by profession and there’s a couple of life insurance options out there that have special deals for your profession.”

Mr Gayner said for him the appeal of KOBA was that he could pay as he drove.

“I would have had to drive 25,000km a year to have the equivalent that I was paying on my previous account,” he said.

“We can decide that if we’re doing something on the weekend, or we’re going to go on a car trip, we take the wife’s car and leave my car at home.”

KOBA, which launched in November last year, has seen a 70 per cent surge in usage in the past month.

The company uses a small monitoring device that plugs into a user’s car and tracks their distance travelled.

It means that after paying a flat rate for parking insurance, they only pay for what they use.

“It might tell me I drove for nine minutes, 2.1km and it cost 11 cents in insurance. It’s that simple,” KOBA founder Andrew Wong said.

“In the current climate, it’s a great way for people to keep track of their insurance expenses because they can see the cost as it happens.”

Mr Wong said with many people still working hybrid weeks and using their cars less, traditional car insurance did not make sense.

“If you’re driving less and for shorter distances why should you be paying the same for car insurance as everybody else?” he said.

“We’re finding people are using their cars less since the pandemic. Some are still working from home a couple of days a week, others are taking advantage of borders reopening to fly overseas and see loved ones so their car is sitting there unused — and costing money.

“If you are driving 8000km or less a year it’s worth looking at switching over.”

The average car in Australia is driven just over 11,000km per year, according to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data.

Read related topics:Perth

.

Categories
Sports

Live scores, updates, stats, video, stream, result, news, blog

Live scores, updates, stats, video, stream, result, news, blog

Essendon has recorded an eighth straight win over North Melbourne, with a 48-point victory at Marvel Stadium.

The Bombers led from start to finish with Jake Stringer the hero with a season-high five goals in the 17.12 (114) to 9.12 (66) win.

North Melbourne struggled to find avenues to goal on Sunday as the Bombers easily rebounded from defence.

The only sour note for Essendon’s win was a calf injury to Jye Caldwell, who was subbed out in the third term.

Stream every match of every round of the 2022 Toyota AFL Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

QUARTER-BY-QUARTER MATCH REPORT

Both teams were forced to make crucial pre-game changes.

Bombers midfielder Dylan Shiel was a late withdrawal due to a hamstring injury, with Archie Perkins replacing him. Jye Menzie made her debut as the medi sub.

The Kangaroos were hit by Covid, with Jack Mahony and Lachie Young withdrawn and replaced by Kayne Turner and Phoenix Spicer.

The Bombers were on the board first through Jake Stringer after the forward found himself at the back of the pack.

Stringer competed in the air and landed quickly on his feet as the ball bounced toward goal.

Despite Aidan Bonar’s best efforts to knock the ball through, he slapped it onto Stringer’s boot.

After a quick score review, it was confirmed Essendon had the first for the day.

But the Roos had all the run for the next five minutes as Bailey Scott slotted his first and Nick Larkey missed a great chance to get himself on the scoreboard.

Stringer almost had his second with a snap from the goal square but it was ruled touched. A minute later, he found himself one-out with Roo Jaidyn Stephenson and he took full advantage.

Stringer converted his set shot from 40m to register his 300th career goal.

He added his third goal for the day from the resulting center clearance after a brilliant pick up by Matt Guelfi.

“If you leave Jake Stringer with a bit of space inside forward 50, he will make you pay every time,” commentator Jordan Lewis said.

“(Hugh) Greenwood is accountable at some point, but who picks him up from there?” Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown questioned.

Cam Zurhaar had the immediate response for North Melbourne after Jack Ziebell drew a free kick.

Zurhaar took full advantage as the ball got to the back and the Roos closed the margin to five points.

Ben Rutten’s decision to shift James Stewart forward to taken advantage of the height difference with Bonar paid off when the swingman pulled down a big contested grab.

He calmly went back to slot his first for the year.

“There’s just too much space there. It was a really dangerous kick … but (North were) disorganized inside the defensive 50,” Lewis said.

Some great desperation from Nick Hind denied the Roos their third goal of the day as the Bombers enjoyed a 15-point buffer at the first change.

Stringer had a hand in Essendon’s sixth goal when he tried to crash through the contest and propelled the footy forward.

Stewart got on the end of it for his second for the day.

“He’s a raging bull at the moment. Like a front rower in rugby crashing through,” Brown praised.

“He’s the hottest player on the ground,” Lewis added.

Will Snelling paid a heavy price for his movement on the mark when called to stand, and was hit by a 50m penalty.

“The rules are rules. That’s a 50-meter penalty every time,” Brown said.

Kayne Turner made no mistake with the set shot as the margin closed to just eight points.

Harry Jones pushed the lead back out as North became “a little messy” with ball in hand, but it was a lapse in concentration that really hurt the Roos.

With Archie Perkins just out of range at 55m out, no one went to Mason Redman as he charged past the mark.

The handball was given and Redman easily slotted the goal on the run.

“You have to go and man him up – that’s just a lapse in concentration,” Lewis said.

“He was celebrating early … as soon as it left his boot, the finger was up,” Brown added, laughing.

Perkins blew a gold opportunity to cement their dominance as North Melbourne were struggling to find a way out of the defensive 50.

But when Sam Durham put the foot down and sped down the wing, Kyle Langford slotted the goal to push the Bombers out to a 30-point lead minutes out from half time.

Despite finding plenty of footy in the third, the Roos just couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard.

Phoenix Spicer and Nick Larkey couldn’t convert their chances but down the other end, the Bombers were able to hit targets.

Zach Merrett and Matt Guelfi added their first goals for the day as debutant Jye Menzies entered the game.

Jye Caldwell was subbed off with a calf injury and went straight down to the rooms, but the change did little to slow Essendon’s momentum.

When Peter Wright kicked his second goal for the night, he edged closer to his first-ever 50-goal season.

The big man now sits at 47 for the year in just his second season at the club.

By three quarter time, the Bombers had pushed the lead out to 33 points.

The final quarter simply belonged to the Bombers as they racked up their highest score in season 2022.

Essendon kicked four goals to two, including three straight to really blow the margin out.

By full time, it was Essendon 48-point winners with Jake Stringer kicking a season-high five goals.

THE 3-2-1…

3. DON’T DISCOVER WINNING RUN

Essendon’s defense was savaged early in 2022 when described as “witches hats”. But against the Roos on Sunday, it was the Bombers’ back line that kept them in the contest.

Without Dylan Shiel, who was a late withdrawal from the clash, the Bombers were belted in the center clearance count.

Despite not getting first hands on it and starting on the back foot, Essendon’s back six stood tall and continually turned defense into attack.

But three quarter time, seven of Essendon’s 13 goals came directly from defence.

“They don’t rush Essendon, they just built up the play and then go once they get forward of centre,” Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown praised.

“They’ve scored three goals from defensive 50 today (to half time). They’ve moved the ball really well end to end.

“It’s been a real strength of theirs in the last seven weeks Essendon.”

While Brown said the transition strength was out of necessity due to the lost clearance count, he said he found the movement “sensational”.

By three quarter time, Essendon had scored 7.0 from defensive half compared to North’s 0.1.

Fox Footy’s Jordan Lewis praised Essendon’s taken ability to score from the back half without “a lot of risk”.

“They’ve been able to transition far too easily. They’ve got a good understanding of when to go quick and when to slow it down,” he praised.

2. THE BIG PROBLEM PLAGUING NORTH

Nick Larkey is North Melbourne’s most successful forward in 2022, with a team high 29 goals heading into Sunday’s clash at Marvel Stadium.

But the big forward just couldn’t get his hands on it against the Bombers with Fox Footy’s Jonathan Brown questioning who was to blame.

Too often Larkey was caught in a one on two, or the ball delivery wasn’t where he needed it to be.

“How many kicks do you see go to Larkey and they’ve gone to the top of his head?” Jordan Lewis questioned.

But Brown said the responsibility didn’t always lie solely with the kicker.

“I wonder if he’s getting out of the blocks too quickly? His timing of him (could be off), ”Brown replied.

By three quarter time, Larkey had just three disposals.

“He’s just maybe starting his lead a bit early. Get a bit desperate and want to get involved in the game,” Brown said.

“But you can rush the kicker and then the ball goes over your head too often.”

Statistics showed the Roos went to Larkey 13 times in the first three terms – compared to the next best Cam Zurhaar with just three targets.

“The amount of ball that go over his head, he’s got to ask himself the question – why is that happening?” Brown said.

“Don’t just put it on the kicker. He needs to understand where he’s positioned, how he’s contributing to that.”

Lewis agreed Larkey was getting caught too high up trying to get his hands on the footy early.

“I just reckon the North Melbourne forwards are getting too high, especially Larkey, He needs to be that deeper option.”

It should be noted opponent Brandon Zerk-Thatcher had a brilliant day, with a one-one-one diving spoil on Larkey the highlight of the contest.

Larkey finished his day with seven touches, four marks and 0.3 from his shots.

1. SENSATIONAL STRINGER BREAKS GAME APART

Jake Stringer essentially put North Melbourne away by quarter time.

The dangerous Bomber had three goals in the opening term, including two in the spare of two minutes.

But it was his ability to get to the footy and loom large that made him most dangerous.

With Dylan Shiel a late out, Stringer spent more time in the middle, opposed to Roo Hugh Greenwood.

But when he’d sneak forward, it was then up to Luke McDonald to make that transition.

And it was during that handover that Stringer took advantage.

“It’s hard when Stringer is up and about. We know he was at the end of last year – he’s got that look about him today,” Jonathan Brown praised.

“He just puts himself in really dangerous positions and makes the defender really jumpy.

“He’s been the hottest player when the ball has gone inside forward 50.”

Brown praised Stringer’s “really dynamic” approach to the footy against the Roos.

“He’s looked really dangerous form the get-go,” Brown said.

“He’s had that look today that he’ll break the game wide open.

“I’ve liked his energy, his enthusiasm for the contest.

“Six tackles as well shows where his mindset has been at today.”

Follow Essendon v North Melbourne in our live blog below!

If you can’t see the blog, tap here.

.

Categories
US

How much will Illinois win owe in taxes?

How much will Illinois win owe in taxes?

The billion-dollar Mega Millions jackpot has finally been claimed in Illinois after being purchased at a Speedway gas station in Des Plaines.

But how much of that will end up in the winner’s pocket, and how much will be owed in taxes?

The tax bill depends on whether the Mega Millions winner chooses a cash payout of $780.5 million or annual payments totaling $1.3 billion over 29 years.

Illinois currently contains 24 percent in federal taxes, and 4.95 percent in state income taxes, though that may not be the total tax obligation, depending on the winner’s financial situation.

If the winner decides to take the $780.5 million lump sum, approximately $187.3 million in federal taxes would be withheld, in addition to $38.6 million in state taxes. That would mean an estimated take-home payout of $554.6 million.

If the winner takes the full $1.337 billion in annual installments and tax rates don’t change over the next 29 years, an estimated $320.9 million in federal taxes would be withheld, and an estimated $66.2 in state taxes would be withheld. That would mean an estimated take-home payout of $949.9 million over 29 years.

After taxes, the winning Mega Millions ticket holder will either take a cash payout or annual payments totaling over the next 29 years.
After taxes, the winning Mega Millions ticket holder will either take a cash payout or annual payments totaling over the next 29 years.
Corbis via Getty Images

Although the cash option is more popular, the annuity payments are each 5 percent bigger than the previous one.

“This helps protect winners’ lifestyle and purchasing power in periods of inflation,” the Mega Millions lottery states on its website.

This Mega Millions jackpot is one of the biggest ever after the 2018 South Carolina winner who claimed a $1.537 billion pot.

“Congratulations to the Illinois Lottery for selling the winning ticket for the $1.337 billion Mega Millions jackpot,” Ohio Lottery Director Pat McDonald said in a statement. “We are thrilled to have witnessed one of the biggest jackpot wins in Mega Millions history. We’re eager to find out who won and look forward to congratulating the winner soon! Better still, this exciting jackpot run has had a significant positive impact on the revenues for good causes raised by our member lotteries.”

.

Categories
Technology

What is Wi-Fi 7? – Pickr

What is Wi-Fi 7? – Pickr

It’s a while off, but a technology to improve WiFi considerably is coming, as wireless networking adds more speed and bandwidth with the upcoming WiFi 7 tech.

Staying up to date in technology is difficult at the best of times, but when there’s new tech right around the corner, it can be downright awkward to make the case for an update.

In 2022, buying networking gear is a little like that.

The good news is that no matter what you buy, your new network is probably going to be a whole lot better than your old network, and given that’s the most likely reason to buy networking gear, that’s great news. However, on the flip side, no matter what you buy will also probably be out of date by 2023 or 2024, which is when the next generation of WiFi tech is supposed to be out.

Called “WiFi 7”, it also comes with one of those “802.11” names you’ve probably seen on wireless networks forever. WiFi 7 is 802.11be, and it is the latest approach for high-speed connectivity, but what does it mean for you, and when will WiFi 7 be launching in Australia?

These are all numbers… what really is Wi-Fi 7?

Aside for some marketing about how “WiFi 7” is the next generation in wireless networking technology, WiFi 7 takes what WiFi 6E has set up before it by bolstering extra networking spectrum for more devices, as well as devices with higher capacity.

Before the days of WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E, wireless networks would offer one band, typically a 2.4GHz band. They still do, and typically that’s reserved for devices with less speedy traffic, such as phones and web activity. As networks improved, network makers added a 5GHz band, providing more spectrum to work with at higher speeds.

If you own a device that runs both a 2.4GHz and 5GHz band, your router will typically send low priority traffic to the band with the lower number, and higher priority speed-reliant traffic to the one with the bigger number. Network gear makers have added better chips to let you get the most speed out of each, so much that we’re talking speeds able to rival many wired networks.

These days, a WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 network is a perfectly fast environment for most homes, and there are different approaches to how those networks should look in most homes.

For instance, if you have a small cottage-style home and can place your router in the center, the network activity will be sent out from the middle for the entire home. That makes the case for bigger routers with lots of antennas. Meanwhile, if you have a large home that travels out or out and up, a mesh system will let you place several wireless access points and turn your network into a Venn diagram of sorts, allowing devices to jump onto a strengthened network throughout the home.

Depending on which WiFi type you opt for will typically determine the maximum speed and bandwidth, though wireless has also been changing.

In WiFi 6 (802.11ax), you could get a theoretical maximum of 9.6Gbps across your wireless network depending on the chip your devices used. You’re never likely to hit anywhere close to that, but the spectrum you’re using can help.

In WiFi 6E, that theoretical maximum is technically the same, but because WiFi 6E adds an extra band with higher capacity for newer devices, hitting those theoretical speeds becomes more practical than it ever has before.

WiFi 7 evolves this, adding bands and bandwidth, and increasing speed significantly, provided you have the device that can use it, potentially offering more uses of 5 and 6GHz bands.

Wi-Fi 6E versus Wi-Fi 7

The difference between WiFi 6E and WiFi 7 is notably speed and bandwidth, while the difference between WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E is more or less just bandwidth. In the former, there’s more of everything, while the latter, there’s more bandwidth to work with for what you have.

It’s possibly a more restrained difference when talking about WiFi 6 versus WiFi 6E, because in WiFi 6E, the extra band you get — the 6GHz band — only at present works with devices that can look for it.

Simply put, buying a WiFi 6E router won’t guarantee your current slate of products more speed at all. You’ll get 2.4 and 5GHz bands you can use for your gadgets now, and a 6GHz band that can only work with gadgets that support WiFi 6E.

There aren’t a whole heap of those, mind you, but if you’ve bought a Google Pixel 6 range device like the Pixel 6 Pro or Pixel 6a, Oppo’s Find X5 Pro, or any of Samsung’s phones or tablets from the past few years, such as the Galaxy S22+, S22 Ultra, S21 Ultra, or Tab S8 Ultra, you’ll have WiFi 6E. Many new Windows computers will also support the tech, too.

It will likely be a similar situation when WiFi 7 rocks up, mind you, supporting new speeds and bandwidth on the new gadgets. WiFi 7 will support new bands and improved bandwidth, doubling the 160MHz of WiFi 6 and 6E to 320MHz, while the network speeds could hit as high as a theoretical 30 to 40Gbps.

You’re not likely to push that, and speeds will probably be closer to the 10Gbps, but that’s a 10 Gigabit wireless network for many, which would be a win in speed for high-speed wireless. It’s no wonder that people are calling 802.11be WiFi 7 Extremely High Throughput wireless networking, something that’ll possibly turn up in jargon later on as “EHT”.

It’s still likely a while off before Aussies are buying WiFi 7 EHT routers, however WiFi 7 is beginning to roll out in chips, which means makers are beginning to throw support into gadgets likely to come out at the end of 2022 and beyond, and that means the routers aren’t likely to be too far behind.

Should I wait for WiFi 7 or get WiFi 6/WiFi 6E?

None of this should stop you from buying a new wireless router now. If you need an updated wireless network because your current version isn’t doing your devices justice — particularly if you’re using the starter model your broadband service supplied you with — upgrading is likely to change things positively.

Whether you’re upgrading a slower older network device to something newer — such as 802.11g to 802.11ac WiFi 5 or 802.11ax WiFi 6 — you’ll see benefits, and waiting around for WiFi 7 won’t likely be beneficial to you.

Upgrade as and when you need to for WiFi, because the benefits can often outweigh the wait.

However, if you don’t need an update, and you’re considering upgrading all your gear in 2023 and later on, it may be worth waiting to see what WiFi 7 has in store. It’ll very likely be speed, range, and the ability to make more of your home feel fast over wireless.

Categories
Entertainment

Celebrity Life: Kourtney Kardashian hides stomach in latest Instagram post and sends fans into a stir

Celebrity Life: Kourtney Kardashian hides stomach in latest Instagram post and sends fans into a stir

Kardashian fans think that Kourtney is hiding a baby bump after she posed in a suspicious way.

The mother-of-three positioned her body in a way that covered up certain body parts in new pictures, The Sun reports.

Kourtney posted two photos of herself in a black shiny leather dress with a major slit on Instagram.

She completed the look with tall black heels, feathery sleeves, and dangly earrings.

The first snap had her leaning one leg on the couch behind her in her trailer while the other was planted on the floor.

The Poosh founder looked off in the distance as her dress fell down her legs.

She put her big sleeves in front of her stomach, covering it up.

In the second pic, the 43-year-old sat on the couch and looked down at the ground.

Kourtney crossed her leg over her body and stomach and positioned herself in a way where she could hide a bump if there was one.

The Hulu star captioned the post: “Playing dress up in my trailer.”

This led many fans to believe that she is pregnant with her fourth child.

Fans on Reddit reposted the pictures and started a discussion on the thread.

One person wrote: “I think she’s pregnant.”

“So this is just speculation and I can be 100 per cent wrong but I feel like the way she’s been moving lately. I think she’s posting old photos to her of her but new to us, she’s been hiding her belly from her, herself.

“Don’t get me excited,” replied another fan.

One chimed in: “Look at the way she is sitting. Trying to hide a bump?

Baby number four?

Earlier this week, Kourtney posted a photo that sent the internet into a frenzy.

The Kardashians star posted a glammed-up model pic of herself styled in all-black leather on her story.

She wore thick dark and smoky eye makeup and showed off her curves in a brassiere.

The reality star posed holding a neon “V” in her hands as she stepped through the light fixture with one leg.

However, after fans saw the photo circulating online, they came up with a different theory for Kourtney’s pose.

“She’s definitely preggers right?” asked one fan.

Others joked: “Setting my reminder for nine months!”

Is that a hint?

Kourtney previously shared a throwback photo of her sister Khloe touching her baby bump.

She gushed: “OMG” before tagging Khloe, 38, in the slide.

The photo had been taken when Khloe and the Keeping Up With the Kardashians clan changed into matching velor tracksuits after the Good American founder’s wedding to Lamar Odom in 2009.

After a whirlwind wedding, Lamar and Khloe officially divorced in 2016.

covering up

Recently, Kourtney posted a photo of herself in an oversized jacket that fueled even more speculation.

She shared a snap of herself in her latest outfit – a massive brown and black patterned oversized jacket to cover up her midriff.

Later, the star posted another video in an oversized outfit.

In the boomerang, she posed by crossing her arms over her belly and holding the bag in front of her stomach.

The star craftily covered up any signs she may be showing a bump.

Kourtney’s struggle

On the family’s new reality show, viewers have been watching Kourtney’s struggle to have another baby.

Fans recently watched Kourtney’s bizarre methods as part of her attempts to become pregnant with a fourth child.

In one episode, she tried eating hard-boiled quails eggs.

While sitting down for lunch with Steph Shepherd, 32, she told her friend: “I have to eat quail eggs every day.”

Steph seemed concerned as she asked: “Why?”

Kourtney replied: “For baby-making.”

She and her husband, Travis Barker, also openly shared their struggles as Kourtney tried to conceive through IVF.

Kourtney already has three children with her ex Scott Disick: Mason, 12; Penelope, 9; and Reign, 7.

Although the spouses do not have any children together, Travis has children with his ex, Shanna Moakler: Landon, 18, and Alabama, 16.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

.

Categories
Australia

Fly-in doctors offered thousands as doctor shortage hits Queensland

Taxpayers in queensland are footing the bill to fly in doctors as desperation mounts to keep the health system afloat.

Health experts are calling it a “desperate attempt” to Band-Aid a larger problem within the health sector.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton said the doctor shortage was due to the “neglected state” of the health care system.

Fly-in doctors are being offered thousands of dollars a day to fill gaps across Queensland.
“There was chronic under spending in health care by the Morrison government,” Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said. (Nine)

Boulton pointed the finger at the state government, which has responsibility for healthcare, but Labor was blaming the former federal government.

“There was chronic under spending in health care by the Morrison government,” Queensland Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said.

“Some of this does fall under the remit of the Commonwealth when it comes to university qualifications.”

Fly-in doctors are being offered thousands of dollars a day to fill gaps across the state.

The total bill was more than $100 million last year.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said it was “costing the state government money that could be used elsewhere in the health crisis.”

Fly-in doctors are being offered thousands of dollars a day to fill gaps across Queensland.
Fly-in doctors are being offered thousands of dollars a day to fill gaps across Queensland. (Nine)

“When a young doctor chooses to go to a regional area, let’s make it a pathway towards a specialist sooner,” he said.

Currently, Toowoomba is after psychiatrists who are paid $2000 a day. Obstetrics and gynecology consultants can earn a little more than that in Far North Queensland.

Boulton said the issue wouldn’t be solved overnight and more commitment was needed to ensure enough doctors were being trained.

Categories
Sports

The six things we learned from Round 20

The six things we learned from Round 20

20 rounds have been won and run with just three weeks left until finals kick off.

With the finish line nearing, here’s what we learned from the weekend’s ladder-shaping results.

Carlton’s inconsistency looks set to cost them a flag tilt

Carlton’s loss to Adelaide has probably cost them a top-four place.

With 12 wins to their name, the Blues would probably need to win all three of their remaining games to have a chance of earning a double-chance finish.

That’s easier said than done, particularly with Brisbane (away), Melbourne and Collingwood to come.

While we’re still expecting the Blues to play in September, from here it looks likely that they’ll have to do it the hard way and run the gauntlet, a journey only the Bulldogs in 2016 successfully navigated.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Blues, as it is losses to St Kilda, Richmond and Adelaide (teams they’re higher on the ladder than) since the bye which looks set to cost them.

They without a doubt have enough A-grade talent to compete with any team, but it looks like 2022 won’t be their year considering where they’ll have to come from.

While they can still turn things around and secure themselves a top-four finish, on current form, they’d have to find something out of the ordinary to get there.

Let’s see if that can start next Sunday against the Lions.

Geelong’s bottom half has never been stronger

Geelong’s long been a perennial contender with such a bevy of stars in their line-up, but they look an even better side in 2022 getting an even contribution across their entire squad.

While the A-grade talent is still performing to a high level, improvement from the likes of Brad Close, Tom Atkins, Jack Henry, Tyson Stengle, Sam De Koning and Zach Guthrie among others is helping propel the side to new heights.

With Chris Scott’s system and structure stacking up, Geelong no longer needs to rely on monster games from their biggest names to get them over the line against quality outfits, something that couldn’t be said in previous years.

With three rounds remaining and a minor premiership at their mercy, the Cats have never been primed more to win it all since 2011, a remarkable thought considering how often they’ve found themselves near the top of the ladder in the last decade.

While their stars will no doubt steal headlines, if the script goes to plan in September, the difference will be how even this side has become.

Away from home win could kickstart Melbourne’s run

Just as we were beginning to question Melbourne’s credentials, they come out and flex with a 46-point win away from home against Fremantle, proving that their best is near on impossible to stop.

While they’ve gone 4-5 from their last nine games, premierships aren’t won in July and the Demons will be hoping their form builds now through September.

With three rounds left and a top-two spot still looking like their destiny, Friday’s win could well be the turning point that sees Simon Goodwin’s side charge from here and go back-to-back in 2022.

We’ve seen in recent years how important the last month of the home and away season is for reigning premieres, and the Demons may have timed their run perfectly.

Look out if they can keep this going across the next seven weeks.

The Magpies are in it to win it with top-four push

Collingwood fans have been expecting a loss to come for some time now, but with 10 wins in a row, they genuinely find themselves as contenders.

It’s something that feels strange to even ponder given where they’ve come from, but there’s no arguing against the ladder and their win-loss record is as good as any bar Geelong.

While there’s still a long way to go for Craig McRae’s side, the return of Jordan De Goey and the pending comeback of Brodie Grundy will have this playing group brimming with even more confidence.

Some may point to the fact that the Pies’ recent run has come against non-finals opponents but taking a closer look at their results you can see that their game plan stacks up against any.

Of fellow top-eight sides, the Pies have beaten Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton and St Kilda, while they only narrowly lost games to Geelong and Brisbane.

Considering that’s who’ll they’ll be playing in September, who’s saying this side can’t make a tilt at a premiership? Particularly if they make the top four.

They probably need at least one or two more wins from their last three games to get there, and while they don’t have the easiest run home, it’d take a brave punter to bet against Fly’s Magpies at the moment.

Brisbane’s MCG hoodoo is real

This was the game Brisbane would’ve had circled on their calendar to try and prove the naysayers wrong, but in defeat, only more doubt has been cast over their credentials.

Up by 42 points midway through the second term, it looked like Brisbane would finally put their MCG hoodoo to bed and win at the venue for the first time since 2014, but alas, they again failed to get the job done.

In fairness, Richmond is a far better side than their ladder position and record suggest, but there’s no excuse for coughing up a lead like that when you consider yourself to contend.

If they are to win it all they’ll have to do it at the MCG and with where they’re headed, they could find themselves at the home of football in week one or two of the finals series.

There’d be no better time to snap the hoodoo in September, but there’s got to be genuine concerns at Brisbane whether they can do it on the biggest stage.

It’s another hurdle that this side has failed to jump.

It’s a big week for Fremantle

Just as they looked destined to finish the season strong, Fremantle had had three poor weeks to almost cost them a top-four spot.

With losses to Sydney and Melbourne plus a draw with Richmond, the Dockers sit half a game or a game and a half outside the double chance slots with just three weeks left.

To finish inside the top four Justin Longmuir’s side will probably have to be flawless from here, and that starts with a huge game against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Win that, and they’ll go in favorites against the Eagles and Giants in the last fortnight with 15 wins well and truly within their reach.

Lose, and they’ll almost certainly be consigned to an elimination final finish which would be disappointing considering how well they were traveling just one month ago.

It’s a huge clash for both teams, the AFL world will be anticipating that result with bated breath.





.

Categories
US

Kansas Abortion Vote Tests Political Energy in Post-Roe America

Kansas Abortion Vote Tests Political Energy in Post-Roe America

OLATHE, Kan. — In the final days before Kansans decides whether to remove abortion rights protections from their State Constitution, the politically competitive Kansas City suburbs have become hotbeds of activism.

In neighborhoods where yard signs often tout high school sports teams, dueling abortion-related messages now also dot front lawns. A cafe known for its chocolates and cheese pie has become a haven for abortion rights advocates and a source of ire for opponents. Signs have been stolen, a Catholic church was vandalized earlier this month and tension is palpable on the cusp of the first major vote on the abortion issue since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June.

“I’m really sad that that happened,” said Leslie Schmitz, 54, of Olathe, speaking of the abortion access landscape. “And mad. Sad and mad.”

There may be no greater motivator in modern American politics than anger. And for months, Republican voters enraged by the Biden administration have been explosively energized about this year’s elections. Democrats, meanwhile, have confronted erosion with their base and significant challenges with independent voters.

But interviews with more than 40 voters in populous Johnson County, Kan., this week show that after the fall of Roe, Republicans no longer have a monopoly on fury — especially in states where abortion rights are clearly on the ballot and particularly in the battleground suburbs.

“I feel pretty strongly about this,” said Chris Price, 46, a political independent who said he voted for Mitt Romney for president in 2012 before backing Democrats when Donald J. Trump was on the ballot. “The candidates who would support an abortion ban, I would not be supporting at all. Period.”

Asked if threats to abortion rights had affected how motivated she felt about participating in the midterm elections this fall, Natalie Roberts-Wilner, a Democrat from Merriam, Kan., added, “Yes. And it is. And it is. Definitely.”

On Tuesday, Kansans will vote on a constitutional amendment that, if it passes, could give the Republican-dominated Legislature the ability to push new abortion restrictions or to outlaw the procedure entirely. Nearby states including Missouri — which is separated from some competitive Kansas suburbs by State Line Road, a thoroughfare dotted with abortion-related yard signs — have already enacted near-total bans.

The vote is open to unaffiliated Kansans as well as partisans. And whatever the outcome, activists on both sides caution against drawing sweeping national conclusions from an August ballot question, given complex crosscurrents at play.

The amendment language itself has been criticized as confusing, and in an overwhelmingly Republican state, Democrats and unaffiliated voters are less accustomed to voting on Primary Day. On the other hand, a few voters said they would vote no on the amendment but could back Republicans in November — a sign that some who support abortion rights still weigh other political issues more heavily in elections. And nationally, a Washington Post-Schar School poll released on Friday found that Republicans and abortion opponents were more likely to vote in November.

But there is no question that the abortion debate in the state’s most populous county—located in the Third District of Kansas, one of the nation’s most competitive congressional seats—offers the first significant national test of how the issue is resonating in suburban swing territory.

Like other highly educated, moderate areas — from suburban Philadelphia to Orange County, Calif. — the Third District is home to a substantial number of center-right voters who, like Mr. Price, were comfortable with Mr. Romney in 2012. But they embraced Democrats in the 2018 midterms, including Gov. Laura Kelly and Representative Sharice Davids, and many have collected from Mr. Trump.

Whether those voters remain in the Democratic fold this year, with Mr. Trump out of office, has been an open question in American politics. Democrats are betting that outrage over far-reaching abortion restrictions will help the party hang onto at least some of those moderates, despite the extraordinary political headwinds they face.

Republicans insist that anger around inflation — and fear of a recession — will crowd out other concerns for a broad swath of voters. (In polls, far more Americans cite inflation or the economy as the biggest problem facing the country than they do abortion.)

The Tuesday vote will offer an early snapshot of attitudes and energy around abortion, if not a definitive predictor of how those voters will behave in the fall.

“How much of a motivator is it really?” said Dan Sena, a Democratic strategist who guided the House takeover in 2018, of abortion rights, adding that there had recently been signs of improvement for Democrats in some suburban districts. “How does it actually, when it’s by itself, move women, move portions of the electorate? And this will really give us insight and the opportunity to get an answer to that.”

Limited public polling has shown a fairly close if unpredictable race.

“It appears that the ‘Yes’ vote still has the lead, but that has narrowed,” said Mike Kuckelman, the chairman of the Kansas Republican Party. Citing the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that handed control over abortion rights to the states, he continued, “A lot of that is because, I think, the Dobbs decision has incited the pro-choice forces to come out.”

The Kansas City Star reported on Thursday that there had been an increase, so far, of about 246 percent in early in-person votes compared with during the 2018 midterm primary elections. Several voting stations in both moderate and more conservative parts of Johnson County this week were bustling all day, including in a rainstorm and in the baking heat. And on Friday, Scott Schwab, the Republican secretary of state, predicted that around 36 percent of Kansas voters would participate in the 2022 primary election, slightly up from the primary in 2020.

His office said that the constitutional amendment “has increased voter interest in the election.”

“I’ve talked to many people that said, ‘I’ve not previously been involved but going to vote,’” Mr. Kuckelman said.

Other Republicans said that the abortion amendment and overturning of Roe did not affect their commitment to voting in other races this year — that they have long been highly engaged.

“No more energized,” said John Morrill, 58, of Overland Park, who supports the amendment. “I was already very energized.”

At the Olathe site, which drew more conservative voters on Thursday, Melissa Moore said she was voting for the amendment because of her deeply held beliefs opposing abortion.

“I understand women saying, ‘I need to control my own body,’ but once you have another body in there, that’s their body,” Ms. Moore said. But asked how the intense national focus on abortion affected how she thought about voting, she replied, “I tend to always be energized.”

A few others at the early-voting site in Olathe indicated that they were voting against the amendment and were inclined to back Democrats this fall. But they spoke in hushed tones and declined to give full names, citing concerns about professional backlash, in an illustration of how fraught the environment has become.

Closer to the Missouri border, patrons at André’s, an upscale Swiss cafe, felt freer to openly express their opposition to the amendment. The restaurant and shop stoked controversy earlier this summer when employees wore “Vote No” stickers or buttons and encouraged patrons to vote, but several lunchtime visitors made clear that they shared those views.

“We just want to make sure people have rights to make choices,” said Silvana Botero, 45, who said that she and a group of about 20 friends were all voting no and that she felt more enthusiastic about voting in November, too.

At a voting site nearby, Shelly Schneider, a 66-year-old Republican, was more politically conflicted. Ms. Schneider opposed the amendment but planned to back some Republicans in November. Still, she was open to Ms. Kelly, the Democratic governor, especially if the amendment succeeded. Approval of the amendment, she acknowledged, could open the way for potentially far-reaching action from the Legislature.

“I think Laura Kelly is kind of a hedge against anything that might pass,” she said. “Ella She might provide some common sense there.”

Mitch Smith contributed reporting.

Categories
Technology

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Is Already Switch eShop’s Top Seller, Unsurprisingly

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Is Already Switch eShop's Top Seller, Unsurprisingly

Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Image: Nintendo

It’s the launch weekend for Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and although there was a lot of demand for the physical versions of the game, it seems plenty of people are still picking up the digital version of the title.

For some, these purchases may have even been due to the delays associated with the fancier collector’s versions. According to the eShop charts in the US, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is now out in front of Minecraft.

Even games like Nintendo Switch Sports and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – two titles that just received DLC updates. Digimon Survive has also snuck into the sixth spot, with Live A Live in 9th place, at the time of writing.

It’s the same situation in locations like the UK – Xenoblade is out in front, ahead of games like Among Us, FIFA 22, and Mario Kart. And in Japan, the game is also in the top spot. To add to this, it’s charting on websites like Amazon as well.

Once again, it’s not a bad start for an RPG series like this. The previous game Xenoblade Chronicles 2 sold over 2 million copies, and the original game’s Definitive Edition on Switch has shifted more than 1.5 million copies.

Have you contributed to Xenoblade Chronicles 3’s digital or physical sales? Can you see this going on to become the best-selling entry in the series? Leave your thoughts down below.

.

Categories
Entertainment

Sunday with Adam Hills: ‘I’ll be on barbie duty – ribs with my secret ingredient’ | tv-comedy

Early morning or lie-in? I have two young daughters, so I don’t really get the choice. My eight-year-old got into bed with me today at 6am and said: ‘You’re the best dad in the entire multiverse.’ My perfect day starts with that.

Sunday brekkie? Australian brunches – smashed avo on toast, poached egg, bacon or chorizo ​​– are just phwoar. In Melbourne, there’s a new coffee called a Magic – a double ristretto with three-quarters hot milk. That’s the level of detail we give to brunch.

Sunday travel? We’ll probably head down the coast to our beach shack, which has a beach on either side, like Summer Bay in Home and Away. My daughter will have a surf lesson on the back beach. If you want to have a paddle, you go to the front beach. If you want to walk the dog, you drive to the dog beach.

Sunday afternoon? If it’s high tide, I head in for a bit of a body surf. If it’s low tide, we walk around the rock pools, looking for crabs and starfish.

Sunday sunset? I can see the English mindset: ‘Hang on. It’s 30C, it’s 6pm, we’re on a beach, this may never happen again.’ The Australian mindset is: ‘Yeah, it’ll happen again tomorrow. Let’s go home and get dinner.’

Sunday dinner? I’ll be on barbecue duty, so I’ll do fish, veggie and a rack of ribs, with my secret ingredient – ​​a coat of Vegemite, so they char with a bit of a kick.

Sunday Tipple? I’ve been so productive since I’ve been off the booze for the last few years: I’ve taken up disability rugby league, made a documentary and written three books. There’s nothing worse than Sunday with a hangover; I feel so guilty.

Sunday evening? We’ll watch a movie, then an episode of the Australian kids’ TV show bluey. It puts you in a really light mood before bed.

Sunday reality? This is my ideal Sunday, about four times a year. It’s better than saying I wake up and FaceTime my daughters as they’re going to bed in Australia, then spend all day working!

The Last Leg is on Channel 4 on Fridays at 10pm