Month: August 2022

Categories
Sports

Brisbane Lions angry at on field incident involving Zac Bailey, Marlion Pickett, Richmond Tigers, Caroline Wilson comments

Angered Brisbane bosses have spoken to the AFL following an on-field incident involving Zac Bailey and Richmond’s Marlion Pickett, reports veteran journalist Caroline Wilson.

The bump, which occurred in the second quarter of the Tigers’ stunning seven-point comeback win over the Lions on Sunday, resulted in Bailey being subbed out of the match with a sternum issue and transported to hospital after “coughing up blood.”

“Brisbane was completely shattered, shattered by [Sunday’s] loss and among their devastation was anger, and initial anger broke out after an incident earlier in the game involving Zac Bailey and Marlion Pickett,” Wilson told Nine’s Footy Classified.

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According to Wilson, Brisbane bosses approached the AFL on Monday after no charge was laid by match review officer Michael Christian, despite footage of the incident showing the Tigers midfielder forcibly bump Bailey off the ball.

After completing the match review of the round 20 Sunday games, the AFL explained that the incident was assessed, but it was the view of Christian that Pickett’s actions did not constitute a reportable offence.

Wilson believed the incident would have been thoroughly analysed, but thought the AFL would still get in contact with Pickett who was subsequently charged with rough conduct for a different incident involving Rhys Mathieson

“Marlion Pickett – who has the ability to seriously hurt players because he’s a tough player – I think there will be words delivered to him, or to Richmond, about his tactics,” she said.

On review of the vision, Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes added he couldn’t see “too much wrong” with the collision and wasn’t sure what Brisbane was upset about.

Bailey spent Sunday night in hospital with scans later clearing the 22-year-old of any serious injury. The Lions are yet to confirm whether he will be fit to play in this Sunday’s game against Carlton.

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Where are they now: Looking back at every AFL No.1 draft pick since 2000

Categories
Australia

Series of cold fronts set to see wild weather in Western Australia continue until Wednesday

Series of cold fronts set to see wild weather in Western Australia continue until Wednesday

A series of three cold fronts is continuing to impact Western Australia after damaging properties, tearing down power lines and uprooting trees in the state’s south overnight.

The wild weather is set to continue on Tuesday night and into Wednesday, with damaging winds in excess of 90kph likely in the southern half of WA, leaving many home owners worried about the damage it may cause to their properties.

That concern became Tryster McCarthy’s reality when she heard a loud noise coming from her bedroom in Mt Helena, east of Perth, as she was tending to her baby at 4:30am on Tuesday.

“I heard a big noise and I thought it was more rain and more wind, and then [I heard] a big crash and then there was a branch in my bedroom ceiling above where my partner sleeps,” she said.

Tryster McCarthy looking at branch
Ms McCarthy assesses the damage caused by the tree. (ABC News: Nic Perpitch)

The branch had fallen from a tree in the neighbour’s yard and punctured the roof in four different places.

Ms McCarthy has not been able to afford home insurance for the past six months due to the rising cost of living.

Tree branch poking through the roof Mt Helena
The tree branch punctured the roof in four places.(ABC News: Nic Perpitch)

As State Emergency Service (SES) workers attended the property, the rain continued, causing further damage to the interior of the house.

Ms McCarthy’s home was one of 276 across the state requiring help from the SES in the past 24 hours, according to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).

SES fixing Mt Helena house roof
An SES officer fixes the damage on the roof of Ms McCarthy’s home. (ABC News: Nic Perpitch)

perth bears brunt of storm

DFES said Perth had been hit the worst by the once-in-a-year storm, with almost 80 per cent of affected properties in the metropolitan area.

Along with damaging infrastructure, the wild weather left many homes without electricity.

An aerial appears knocked over by a patio that has flipped onto a roof
The storm has damaged the roof of a home in Mullaloo. (ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)

At the peak of the storm in the morning, Western Power said 35,000 customers were without power. It has since been restored to more than 20,000 properties.

More than 500 incidents, including downed and damaged wires and poles which have been impacted by wind gusts of up to 130kph, were active across the network at midday.

A collapsed carport
Maddi Mann from Yokine sits in this picture of a collapsed garage carport.(Supplied)

A statement issued by Western Power stated the utility had all available crews out fixing issues across the network but there was a possibility some customers would not have their power restored today due to the number of hazards.

“Our priority is to respond to reported hazards to ensure the safety of the community,” the statement said.

“This may mean our crews attend to make an area safe and leave for another emergency job without restoring power.”

A hand holds a giant ball of hail
David Zander from Parmelia said it hailed at his house early this morning. (Supplied)

Wind likes to continue into Wednesday

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) duty forecaster Jessica Lingard said the strong winds would continue.

“Tonight will be very similar to what we experienced last night,” she said.

“We are expecting the peak of the wind activity to be late tomorrow morning and then we’ll start to see conditions slowly improving through tomorrow afternoon, but it won’t be until overnight tomorrow that we start to see conditions easing.

“The main risks with the winds peaking during the day is that people are outside moving around so driving can be particularly hazardous, especially if we’ve got branches falling down from trees.”

Bickley and Mandurah reported wind gusts of up to 117kph ​​just after 2am, which were the strongest winds recorded in those areas in more than 50 years, according to Ms Lingard.

She said Cape Leeuwin recorded wind gusts just after midnight which were equal to a category two cyclone, at 137kph.

Powerful swells cause waves to swallow most of the sand at North Beach
The severe weather has created dangerous swells along WA’s coastline, including at North Beach.(ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)

Ms Lingard said the weather had caused dangerous swells along the west coast. She warned beach goers to stay out of the water.

The BOM has forecasted 15 to 20 millimetres of rain and westerly winds from 50 to 70kph on Wednesday in the Perth metro region.

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Categories
US

‘The kids were crying, hysterical’: Gunshots ring out as Fresno Under-10 football team plays in Oakland

'The kids were crying, hysterical': Gunshots ring out as Fresno Under-10 football team plays in Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. (KFSN) — Shots rang out at Oakland Tech High School, where a Fresno team, the Valley Boyz, were playing the Oakland Dynamites Sunday afternoon.

The incident left players on the Fresno Under-10 football team and their parents shaken.

The Bay Area shooting left three people injured but the Valley families were safe.

Families and players scrambled to safety.

“I just told them to drop to the ground and I just jumped on like five of them, just laid on top of them, and then once I heard the shooting stop, I picked my head up and then another six shots rang out,” said Valley Boyz Under-10 coach Francine Loya.

Oakland police said two adults and a child were shot behind the team’s bleachers.

The Under-10 players started to run across the field.

Kelvin Young and Noah Wheeler are both coaches and organization vice-presidents.

They tried to make sure the families were okay.

“We heard the shots and it was kind of like a movie. Everybody’s just panicking, running around,” said Young.

Added Wheeler: “They were traumatized. The kids were crying, they were breathing. Hysterical, panting. I was just trying to calm them down.”

The Oakland Dynamites said added security measures will be put in place to prevent further violence at games.

The Fresno kids had been enjoying the out-of-town competition until the shooting occurred.

“Kids don’t even need to be around something like this. Once you come to these events, things, whatever on the outside nature, shouldn’t even be going on here. It just hurts that it happened here,” said Oakland coach Quintrell Dotson.

The Oakland team called the incident a street beef that spilled onto the football field.

Wheeler hopes the incident doesn’t discourage any families from having their kids play for their program.

“Just keep believing in us. We hope we don’t lose any kids from this,” he said.

The Valley Boyz brought five teams in different age groups to Oakland.

Some of the boys lost their helmets and shoulder pads in the panicked moments after the gunshots. A GoFundMe has been set up for people to donate new or used equipment to replace the lost ones.

Coaches and parents will discuss the Oakland incident during Tuesday night’s practice and talk about safety measures at both home and road games.

Copyright © 2022 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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Categories
Australia

Probe into police enters fourth week

Probe into police enters fourth week

Six complaints about police officers allegedly linked to domestic violence were made in a two-week period in June to Queensland’s corruption watchdog.

But an executive from the Crime and Corruption Commission concurred at a probe into police responses to violence that under established procedures, the CCC investigated less than 1 per cent of cases of complaints about police.

In the fourth week of the Independent Commission of Inquiry into Queensland Police Service Responses to Domestic and Family Violence, the hearing was told one of the cases of alleged corrupt conduct included rape and strangulation, and another officer was accused of accessing child exploitation material.

“Both matters have been referred back to the QPS to deal with but subject to a public interest review, so they’re being monitored by the CCC,” said Elizabeth Foulger, the commission’s executive director of integrity services.

In Foulger’s statement, the CCC submitted that between July 2020 and May 2022 it had received more than 370 complaints about police responses to domestic violence cases, containing more than 900 separate allegations.

In that period, another 98 complaints were made about violence in which officers themselves were allegedly involved.

Foulger said complaints made about police officers often would be a “misunderstanding”.

“Often we’ll get a complaint that an officer has failed to investigate, to take a complaint of domestic violence, and then we’ll have a look on the computer system, and we can see that a complaint of domestic violence has, in fact, been made,” she said.

When asked by Women’s Legal Service lawyer Kylie Hillard how the CCC assessed complaints, including ones where victims were regularly turned away at police stations or repeated calls for help were ignored, Foulger said a range of factors were taken into consideration.

Categories
US

California governor declares monkeypox state of emergency

California governor declares monkeypox state of emergency

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California’s governor on Monday declared a state of emergency to speed efforts to combat the monkeypox outbreak, becoming the second state in three days to take the step.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the declaration will help California coordinate a government-wide response, seek more vaccines and lead outreach and education efforts on where people can get treatment and vaccination.

“We’ll continue to work with the federal government to secure more vaccines, raise awareness about reducing risk, and stand with the LGBTQ community fighting stigmatization,” Newsom said in a statement announcing his declaration.

Nearly 800 cases of monkeypox have been reported in California, according to state public health officials.

The monkeypox virus spreads through prolonged and close skin-to-skin contact, which can include hugging, cuddling and kissing, as well as through the sharing of bedding, towels and clothing. People getting sick so far have mainly been men who have sex with men, though health officials note that the virus can infect anyone.

“Public health officials are clear: stigma is unacceptable and counterproductive in public health response,” Michelle Gibbons, executive director of the County Health Executives Association of California said in a statement. “The fact is that monkeypox is primarily spread by skin to skin contact and sharing objects like bedding or towels, without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The type of monkeypox virus identified in this outbreak is rarely fatal, and people usually recover within weeks. But the lesions and blisters caused by the virus are painful, and they can prevent swallowing or bowel movements if in the throat or anus.

The declaration in California came after a similar one in New York state on Saturday, and in San Francisco on Thursday. Newsom’s administration had said as recently as Friday that it was too soon for such a declaration.

After pressing for Newsom to make such a declaration, Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco hailed the governor’s decision.

“The monkeypox outbreak is an emergency, and we need to use every tool we have to control it,” Wiener said.

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Newsom’s proclamation allows emergency medical personnel to administer monkeypox vaccines that are approved by the federal government.

That’s similar to a recent law that allows pharmacists to administer vaccines, Newsom’s administration said. It said the state’s response is building on the steps developed during the coronavirus pandemic to set up vaccination clinics and make sure there is outreach to vulnerable populations in cooperation with local and community-based organizations.

California has received more than 61,000 vaccine doses and has distributed more than 25,000 doses.

“We don’t have any time to waste,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said in a statement. She said the nation’s most-populous county must use all available resources to speed the distribution of vaccines and help those who have been infected.

Newsom’s office said Los Angeles County has received a separate allocation of vaccine.

As of last week, the state had expanded its testing capacity to process more than 1,000 tests a week. Critics have said the long wait for test results delayed treatment options.

In San Francisco, Peter Tran was among hundreds who lined up sometimes for hours to receive the monkeypox vaccine at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital on Monday after the clinic was forced to close last week because it did not receive enough doses.

“It’s horrible. Like this is a vaccine that’s been out for such a long time. And like, it’s not even a deadly disease. It’s harder to be transmitted than COVID. But the rollout of the vaccines throughout this nation is absolutely horrible,” Tran said.

“I think the science shows that protection is greatly improved with the vaccine. So that’s why I’m doing it. And I honestly just don’t want the injuries on my body. I heard the injuries are painful and leave scarring. So I think that’s another motivation to go out and get it.”

Before making their own emergency declaration last week, San Francisco city officials were criticized for not responding rapidly enough to the outbreak. They, in turn, faulted the federal government for failing to deliver enough vaccines. The city received about 4,000 doses on Friday, enabling it to restart vaccinations, and hopes to administer them by mid-week, said Dr. Lukejohn Day, chief medical officer at the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

The city had 305 cases as of Monday, he said.

The World Health Organization has declared the monkeypox outbreak in more than 70 countries a global emergency.

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Associated Press videographer Terry Chea contributed from San Francisco.

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Categories
Business

Renting: The “aggressive” number that exposes Australia’s rental crisis

These are the two graphs that expose the true depth of the rental crisis in Australia, and the “aggressive” increases faced by tenants in the hunt to secure a home.

In its weekly economic report, major real estate agency Ray White broke down renting costs, showing a mismatch between inflationary rental price rises and advertised rental price rises, which were much more “aggressive.”

The inflation rental price increase is 1.6 per cent, Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said in the report.

However, advertised rents – also known as the market price – are painting a tougher picture, at a 13.6 per cent price increase.

Inflationary rental prices are calculated in line with the Consumer Price Index, which was 6.1 per cent over the 12 months to the June quarter.

“Rents increased by only 1.6 per cent, well below the inflation rate. This is inconsistent with what we are seeing on the ground with available rental properties, as well as the rate of growth in advertised rates,” Ms Conisbee wrote in her report.

READMORE: The Adelaide rental with a quirky ‘shoilet’ on offer for $290 a week

Ray White rental prices tenants
The difference between rental prices on listings and the CPI rental price rise, showing one is more aggressive. (Ray White)

“While inflation numbers are showing a 1.6 per cent increase in rents, data on median advertised rents shows a much more aggressive increase of 13.6 per cent for the same geographic area (average of eight capital cities). Why is there such a mismatch between the two numbers?

“Our first thought was that someone’s data collection is not working properly.

“The strong increase in rental increases showing up in advertised rents is however consistent with what we are seeing with Ray White rental listings.

“There has been a dramatic fall in properties available, which supports strong growth in what people are advertising vacant rental properties.

“Anecdotally, our property managers are also seeing a shortage of properties available – demand is much higher than available supply.”

READMORE: Rainforest block with ‘derelict beach house’ commands $6.9 million

Ray White renting tenants graphs data
Ray White rental listings over five years show the decline in options. (Ray White)

Ms Conisbee said the discrepancy with rental prices could be that tenants who are already locked into a lease are not paying the higher “market prices” (the advertised price).

And this means the rental crisis is impacting new tenants on the hunt for a lease, and not necessarily those in an agreement, the report found.

Ray White also tracked the number of rental listings between 2018 and 2022.

It shows the volume of tanking options for both metro and regional addresses, well below the January 2019 peak for house supply, and an abundance of apartments in December 2018.

“Although landlords could theoretically take their property to market and achieve a better rent, they aren’t doing so right now,” Ms Conisbee said.

“There are a number of reasons why this may be the case. The main reason is that it likely takes some time for the sharp increase in advertised rents to show up in sitting rents. Leases are typically signed for 12 months and breaking leases by a landlord is relatively uncommon.

READMORE: Affordable neighborhoods shine in the property market downturn

“Rent increases for sitting tenants also can’t be implemented immediately and there is a notice period that must be given.”

Ms Conisbee said that a stable tenant is valuable for a landlord, and chasing a “better rent” may not be seen as worthwhile.

“Overall, what this shows is that for renters right now with secure leases, we are not seeing a rental crisis” she said.

“The crisis however is occurring for those that are looking for a rental property right now, whether that is because their lease term is over, they are looking for a bigger (or smaller) property to live in or they have moved to a different geographic area.”

Categories
Sports

EPL transfer news; Cristiano Ronaldo future at Manchester United, Tino Vermer Chelsea, news, updates

EPL transfer news; Cristiano Ronaldo future at Manchester United, Tino Vermer Chelsea, news, updates

Cristiano Ronaldo could be heading for an ugly exit from Manchester United, after the striker sensationally left Old Trafford during a pre-season match last weekend.

Playing his first preseason match after missing the tour to Thailand and Australia, Ronaldo stormed out of the stadium with 10 minutes to play after being subbed off at half-time.

The Portugal international had been visibly frustrated with manager Erik ten Hag earlier in the fixture, while his agent Jorge Mendes reportedly continues to push for a transfer.

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Meanwhile, Chelsea forward Timo Werner could complete an incredible move to a fierce London rival as two Premier League clubs enter the race for his services.

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is also on the cusp of a massive transfer to a Spanish powerhouse, but the deal hinges on another star being sold.

Here’s the latest transfer gossip in the latest edition of the Rumor Mill!

RONALDO LEAVES OLD TRAFFORD

Ronaldo donned Manchester United’s famous red jersey for the first time in 12 weeks during the club’s 1-1 draw with Rayo Vallecano on Monday (AEST).

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner played 45 minutes in his highly anticipated return, and later said that he was “happy to be back”.

But manger ten Hag is reportedly disappointed with the 37-year-old after he left Old Trafford before the final whistle.

UK media outlet The Sun have shared pictures of Ronaldo shrugging and covering his face in frustration while his new manager attempted to address him during a water break.

After being subbed off at half-time, Ronaldo then left the stadium with 10 minutes still to play. Photos show the football superstar walking out to a few, if not angry, fans waiting for him.

“It is not a good look to leave early when you have been involved in the squad,” a Manchester United insider told SunSport.

“It is different if you are up in the stands and not involved.

“You would expect someone who has played in the game to be in the changing rooms at the end to listen to the manager’s thoughts.

“Also a lot of people were there to see him and he was not even involved in the clapping of the fans after the final whistle.”

Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is still hoping to secure a transfer for his disgruntled client.

CHELSEA STRIKER COULD SWAP LONDON BLUE FOR RED

Timo Werner could line up for one of Chelsea’s fiercest rivals this season, with The Blues reportedly willing to part ways with the German international in this transfer window.

The 26-year-old, who joined Chelsea for $83m (AEDT) in 2020, has failed to fire at the level that was expected of him when he signed at Stamford Bridge, having scored just 10 Premier League goals in 56 games.

But Werner could be handed a Premier League lifeline with London rivals Arsenal, who are interested in acquiring his services.

Mikel Arteta has already welcomed former Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus in this transfer window, as they continue to bolster their attack.

Newcastle United are also interested in signing Werner on loan, but his hefty wage is potential issue in regards to that deal.

The Sunhave also said that European powerhouses Juventus and Real Madrid are also interested in Werner.

SILVA ON THE BRINK OF BARCA DEAL

Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva is close to a massive deal with Barcelona, ​​as the Spanish giants continue to rebuild towards their former glory.

But Silva will only be able to complete the move if Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong agrees to leave the club.

De Jong has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United throughout this transfer window, although he appears intent on staying at the Camp Nou.

Barcelona manager Xavi has revealed that he doesn’t know whether de Jong will remain at the club or not.

“I don’t know if he’s going to stay here,” Xavi said.

“I’ve never sent Frenkie a message. There’s still time and a lot of things can still happen.

“The fact that he played as a central defender in the other games was not a sign that he was leaving.”

FIRM TO STAY AT LIVERPOOL

Football insider Fabrizio Romano has shared some major transfer news for Liverpool fans, as a Champions League winner confirms his intention to remain at the club.

Forward Roberto Firmino has said that he loves “this team, city and fans”, amidst speculation about his future with The Reds.

“I love this team, city and fans,” Firmino told TNT Brazil.

“I’m here at Liverpool and I want to stay.”

DEFEND TO JOIN THE BLUES

Brighton left-back Marc Cucurella has been heavily linked with a transfer to English champions Manchester City, but a deal with Chelsea appears to be more likely.

Cucurella may be wearing a darker shade of blue this season as the London club entering talks with the defender.

City have refused to increase their bid which has seen them fall out of the race for his signature – for now.

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Categories
Australia

Reward for information offered in search for Michelle Lewis

queensland Police have offered a $500,000 reward for information into the suspected murder of a 21-year-old woman in Rockhampton 33 years ago.

Michelle Coral Lewis was last seen riding her white and maroon bike leaving a friend’s house on Stenlake Avenue, North Rockhampton, headed to her home on Alexandra Street about 10.45pm on January 14, 1989.

The trip should have taken just a few minutes. Neither Lewis’s body nor bike have ever been found.

Michelle Lewis is suspected to have been murdered after disappearing in Rockhampton in 1989. (Queensland Police)

Former lead investigator and retired detective Ann Gumley said the initial investigation involved dozens of interviews and several persons of interest but ultimately, the leads “dried up.”

In 1994, a coroner concluded that there had been a foul play but there could be no finding about whether Lewis was alive or dead.

Police desperately want to identify a male person who called Rockhampton Police Station on February 18, 1989 – about a month after Lewis was last seen.

The caller said he had information concerning Lewis’ disappearance but the call was terminated before it could be put through to investigators.

“There are not too many cases that have stayed with me over the years, but after 33 years, but I still think about Michelle Lewis and what happened to her,” Gumley said.

“She had such a sad life and then to just disappear just seems so unfair.”

Retired Detective Ann Gumley. (9News)

Lewis was abandoned by her mother as a baby and cared for by her grandmother and other relatives until her grandmother died and she was taken in by a local woman Dell Salhus.

Friend Kerry Bartley said Lewis “loved living there” and never stayed out too late so as not to worry her foster mum.

“Michelle had a tough upbringing but she had a heart of gold and a lot of friends,” Bartley said.

A singlet like the one Michelle Lewis was wearing when she disappeared. (Queensland Police)

Bartley said her friend was a “creature of habit” and would often spend most of the weekend at her house.

The night she disappeared the pair drank tea, watched a movie and made plans for the following night before Lewis left to ride home.

She was wearing a pink tie-dyed shirt and boardshorts.

“In my heart I know that Michelle would not just run away without contacting me or anyone else,” Bartley said.

“Every year that passes becomes harder, not easier, because there are no answers.

“If she met with foul play it would be nice to have the answers as to who and why so we can have closure and Michelle can be laid to rest.”

Michelle Lewis’ friend and one of the last people to see her alive, Kerry Bartley. (9News)

“We believe there are people out there with information and with this significant reward announced, now is the time for those people to reconsider 33 years’ of silence and come forward to police,” Senior Detective Sergeant Tara Kentwell said.

“It is never too late to come forward.”

There has been long speculation now-deceased serial killer Leonard Fraser was involved in Lewis’ disappearance.

Michelle Lewis was last seen in Rockhampton in 1989. (Queensland Police)

Fraser died of a heart attack in hospital in 2007 having complained of chest pains in his cell at the Wolston Correctional Centre.

He had been serving multiple indefinite life terms for the murders of Beverley Leggo and Sylvia Benedetti, and the manslaughter of Julie Turner in the Rockhampton area in the late 1990s.

He had also previously been jailed for the abduction and murder of nine-year-old Rockhampton girl Keyra Steinhardt.

Gumley said despite retirement she remained committed to justice for Lewis, saying “miracles can happen.”

“If they find Michelle’s bike they’ll find Michelle. She never went anywhere without that bike,” Gumley said.

Michelle Lewis was rarely seen without her white and maroon bike. (Queensland Police)

The Queensland government’s reward of $500,000 is for information that leads to the conviction of the person, or persons, found to be responsible for Lewis’ suspected murder.

This week is National Missing Persons Week.

Categories
US

Teen arrested following video that shows him beaten by Oak Lawn police

Teen arrested following video that shows him beaten by Oak Lawn police

OAK LAWN, Ill. — A teen hospitalized after video showed him being beaten by police in Oak Lawn now faces two felony charges after being arrested upon release.

The juvenile offender, identified by family members as 17-year-old Hadi Abuatellah, is charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, one count of felony resisting arrest, two counts of misdemeanor resisting arrest and one count of possession of cannabis by a passenger in a motor vehicle.

PREVIOUS STORY: Teen hospitalized after video shows him beaten by Oak Lawn cops

The charges came on the day Abuatellah was discharged from Advocate Christ Medical Center. According to police, he was taken into police custody and transported to the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center for a detention hearing.

Police said that they would not offer any further comment at this time, citing an ongoing investigation. The department is cooperating with the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force’s investigation into the incident.

**WARNING: The video may be disturbing to watch. Viewer discretion is advised.

Abuatelah’s family and supporters rallied outside the Oak Lawn Police Department hours after the 17 year old was discharged from the hospital and into police custody. They say he’s recovering from internal bleeding in his brain, a fractured pelvis and broken nose among other injuries.

“He couldn’t barely move still,” family lawyer Shady Yassim said. “He was still using the use of a walker and he’s still using a wheelchair.”

While his loved ones called for police to release him to his parents, authorities say the teen will instead spend the night in juvenile detention.

The arrest stems from a July 27 incident following a traffic stop at 95th Street and McVicker Avenue. Oak Lawn Police say they pulled a car over with the teenage boy inside because officers smelled cannabis and the car didn’t have a front registration. After they searched the driver, Abuatellah ran off, with officers immediately following.

A woman was passing by and recorded video that showed officers throwing several punches as they physically restrained the 17-year-old boy.

A woman is heard on the video saying, “Why are they beating him like this? He it’s a little boy.”

According to the woman, officers grabbed the teen and tackled him to the ground. Once they attacked him, one officer started kicking the boy and then the other officer grabbed his hair from him and started punching him in the face.

“The crime that we all saw on video was the crime of a horrific assault of a minor by three grown men,” said Muhammad Sankari with the Arab-American Action Network.

Police said the teen refused to listen to verbal commands, leading to a physical confrontation. Law enforcement also stated that they believed the teen had a handgun.

Dashcam video of the incident does show one officer reaching into a black bag and pulling out a gun after the teen is apprehended.

Oak Lawn Police Chief Daniel Vittorio defended the officer’s actions amid calls for their immediate termination from family members and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR Chicago).

“What concerns me is a [17-year-old] running around with a gun,” the police chief said on July 28. “That’s what concerns me.”

Activists with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition sp[okeMondayaboutthefamily’sgrievances[okeMondayaboutthefamily’sgrievances

“We’re very concerned about the profiling of Hadi and his friends,” Bishop Tavis Grant said. “We’re very concerned about the probable cause and what started all this.”

The family’s lawyers have filed a federal lawsuit against Oak Lawn Police for excessive force and a racially motivated conspiracy to deprive Abuatelah of his Constitutional rights, among other claims.

“The only fear these officers had,” says Yassim, “was the fear of getting caught for what they did to Hadi.”

Categories
Business

The one time you shouldn’t trust your kids

The one time you shouldn't trust your kids

But she does put me on to Narelle Devine, Telstra’s chief information security officer, who says the reason it’s so bad right now is because Australia, with help from other nations and Interpol, killed off the flubot scam earlier this year. The thieves, robbers and fraudsters have just moved to a new business model. Exhausting. But Devine says every time we report a scam, it gives her new information to feed the machines, so they know best what to look for.

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What’s her number-one golden rule for fending off these attacks? Whether it’s love or money, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. And I thought Yo had trust issues.

Scamwatch, run by Australia’s consumer watchdog, the ACCC, has an impressive and depressing list of the latest scams – from rare ferret sales to Afterpay verification codes, from banks you’ve never banked with to texts asking you to click on a link to confirm an order you never made. The most disrespectful of all time – texts pretending to be from Australia Post with the URL AustraliaPostDelay. As if Australia Post would ever admit to delays in a URL.

Delia Rickard, the ACCC’s deputy chair and queen of Scamwatch, has her own personal way of avoiding scams. She hasn’t picked up her home phone in years. She talks to everyone about how scams work. Both of her kids from her. Friends and family. Rickard’s mum fell victim to a social security scam because the fraudsters played on the anxiety around pensions. Honestly, these people are just the worst. And it is hard to get ahead of organized criminal behaviour. These kids aren’t in a basement looking to rip you off once.

“It’s an arms race. We find new ways to stop them and they find new ways to get around them.”

I ask her what she thinks about Telstra’s anti-spam technology. Mostly I ask her this because the ACCC has spent a lot of time clobbering Telstra, quite rightly, but she’s very on-board. She says Telstra is the market leader in spam-blocking.

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What can we do? Trust nobody. What can telcos do? Be more like Telstra (even though I am a devoted and long-standing customer, that’s something I never thought I’d write). And what can banks do? Make it possible for us to see exactly where our money is being directed, says Paul Haskell-Dowland, a cybersecurity expert at Edith Cowan University. PayID is a good example. He’s also very pro-reporting on what happens to you if you get scammed.

There’s no shame, he says. Reporting it quickly sometimes makes it easier to get your money back.

But the best defense is to lack trust in everyone. Even your kids.

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