Month: August 2022

Categories
Sports

Chris Fagan speaks on Alastair Clarkson whispers, Brisbane Lions coach, handover, latest

Chris Fagan speaks on Alastair Clarkson whispers, Brisbane Lions coach, handover, latest

Brisbane Lions boss Chris Fagan has downplayed rumors he could hand over the reins to free agent coaching great Alastair Clarkson at season’s end.

There was some talk last month about a possible handover from Fagan to Clarkson for 2023 as the latter weighs up a returns to the coaches box, having recently met with GWS and North Melbourne about their openings.

The pair have previously worked together closely when Fagan was Hawthorn’s footy boss during its golden era including winning four premierships from 2008-2015 while Clarkson was coach.

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Asked on Fox Footy’s AFL 360 if he’d made “private plans to hand the job over to an old colleague,” Fagan responded with a laugh:“It’s not my job to hand over in the first place … is not the firm answer to that question.”

Fagan said he was unconditionally committed to coaching Brisbane next year.

“I’ve got a contract for next year and hopefully the team can continue to do well and the club is keen to keep me for a while longer,” he said.

“I love coaching the Lions and that’s what I’ll be doing next year unless someone knows something I don’t know.”

It comes after some pundits have put a line through Brisbane’s premiership chances after its second-half fade out loss to Richmond on Sunday that saw the Lions fall down to fifth position on the ladder.

But Fagan insisted the club wasn’t listening to the outside noise as it stays focused on its final three home and away matches against Carlton, St Kilda and Melbourne.

“I understand people want to comment on the game and they’ve got to have strong opinions, because that’s why people want to watch and listen to media,” the Lions boss said.

Clarkson and Fagan at Hawthorn (Picture: Colleen Petch)Source: News Corp Australia

“But we can’t get caught up in that. This time last year we had to win our last three games to finish in the top four and even that wasn’t guaranteed… you just take each win as it comes.

“It’s a really tough and tight competition. If we can get back to our really best form, which we showed a strong glimpse of (against Richmond) in the first half, then there’s no reason why we can’t be really competitive come September.

“We’re not a perfect team, we’ve got strengths and weaknesses like every other team. But when we play at our best we’re pretty hard to beat.”

A key criticism towards Brisbane’s fading flag prospects has been its leaky defence.

Since Round 10 the Lions rank 16th in the competition in the most points conceded, 18th in most points conceded from their defensive half and have been the 15th easiest team to score against once the ball is inside 50.

Fagan said sharpening their defense has been the “main focus” at training over the last six weeks, but also highlighted the club’s inconsistent personnel down back due to injury.

“It’s a work in progress for us, we have had a fair turnover of players particularly in our backline since the Melbourne game (in Round 15),” he said.

“I think we’ve had 14 different players down there play for various reasons, not that defense is just about the backline, but we haven’t had a lot of continuity with our boys.

“Hopefully we can build that back up over the next few weeks and have the same seven or eight players playing there each week.”

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Categories
Australia

Michael Gunner’s office broken into in ‘personal’ attack days after resignation

Michael Gunner's office broken into in 'personal' attack days after resignation

The Northern Territory’s former chief minister Michael Gunner’s electorate office has been broken into days after he quit politics, in what he has described as the latest in a series of “personal” attacks.

According to NT Police, a 47-year-old man was arrested over the alleged unlawful entry and criminal damage of Mr Gunner’s office in the Darwin suburb of Parap.

Police received reports just after 4am this morning that a man had broken in and caused “extensive damage”.

“It was a very personal break in targeting photos of me and items of personal importance to me,” Mr Gunner — who stood down from his role as Member for Fannie Bay last week — said in a social media post.

“We’ll take advice from the police on what our next steps may need to be to keep my family safe.”

A broken window pane with posters attached to it leans against a metal pole.
A 47-year-old man is expected to be charged over the break-in. (ABC News: Janus Gibson)

Mr Gunner said the break-in was the latest in a series of targeted incidents against him.

“This appears to be a continuation of behavior from a range of fixed individuals that has seen a number of incidents not limited to my family abused, filmed and our personal address revealed,” he said.

The alleged offender was arrested a short time after the break-in, with charges expected to be laid later today.

A man in a navy suit with blue tie speaking at a lecture, two seated people watching in background
Michael Gunner believes a break-in at his electorate office was a ‘personal’ attack. (ABC New: Che Chorley)

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles also described the incident as a personal attack.

“Michael put his hand up and served our community for 14 years, he deserves now to have the opportunity to spend time with his family and feel safe in doing so,” she said.

“Sadly it’s something [safety] that all of us as members of parliament do consider.”

By-choice race heats up

Mr Gunner announced his resignation from politics in a speech to parliament last week, sparking a by-election in the seat of Fannie Bay, which has been held by several former chief ministers.

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Categories
US

Kentucky flooding: Man rescues 5 children and 2 of his former school teachers from flooded homes

Kentucky flooding: Man rescues 5 children and 2 of his former school teachers from flooded homes

Day, a former coal miner who lives in Hindman, Knott County, said he was unaware of what was happening in the region until he received the message saying the children needed help getting out of their house.

“I didn’t know what they were talking about, then I went outside,” Day told CNN. “You heard a lot of people screaming and begging for anyone to help.”

That day, Eastern Kentucky saw flooding that officials have called unprecedented, with entire houses and bridges swept away and isolated communities because of flooded roads. At least 35 people have died in the flooding, and many who survived lost everything they had. Hundreds of people are still missing.

Day and his wife, Krystal, had no boat, so they waded through the water to help save the five children and two mothers who were stuck on the roof of their home.

“At 3 o’clock in the morning, I was in that water with my wife. I put a child under each arm and one around my neck and took them back to my house. The oldest child was holding a small dog,” Day said.

After Day and his wife rescued the children and the two women, he set his sights on rescuing his former high school English teacher, Ella Prater, and his second grade teacher, Irma Gayheart, who both lived nearby.

“I just kept pacing back and forth because I saw the water rising and I knew my two former teachers were probably trapped in their houses,” Day said. “It was heartbreaking.”

He then listed the help of three other neighbors to help check on his teachers, who both live alone, according to Day.

When they saw Prater, Day said they held her “by both side of her arms and never looked back. We said, ‘We have to go.'”

It took Gayheart a few minutes to answer the door, but when she did, she told him she was okay, but had been sitting on her kitchen counter top watching the water rise.

Unidentified man saves grandmother and her relatives as their home is nearly swallowed by Kentucky floodwaters

“I wasn’t going to leave her there because she’s a special lady to me. You could tell by looking at her face that she was drained,” Day said. “She spent the night on the kitchen counter top and the water was up by the counter top.”

With the help of his neighbors, Day was able to reunite both teachers with their families, who were waiting for any updates about their whereabouts.

“These are two of the most special women you’ll meet in your life, and when they show you love, they show you true love. They truly care about everyone that’s around them and that stuck with me my whole life,” Day said when explaining why he risked his life to rescue his teachers.

The ordeal has been emotionally draining, but he’s glad the children and former teachers are safe, Day told CNN.

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Categories
Business

Aldi voted Australia’s favorite supermarket amid cost of living pinch

Aldi has come out on top as Australia’s best-rated supermarket as the retailer battles to keep prices low amid surging inflation.

Cantar Blue surveyed more than 2,500 shoppers about the nation’s biggest supermarkets, with Aldi ranking five stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, the freshness of produce, quality of supermarket-owned branded products and its deals and specials.

It is the fifth year in a row Aldi has ranked first.

Aldi has been crowned Australia’s number one supermarket in the Canstar Blue ratings. (Supplied)

All of the major supermarkets in Australia are facing a rise in the cost of everyday items as inflation skyrockets around the globe, and recent weather events in Australia cause shortages of certain products like lettuce.

In the June quarter, the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose two per cent while in the past year prices have climbed 5.9 per cent.

Aldi director of customer interactions Adrian Christie said the franchise is committed to supplying the cheapest products in comparison to the other supermarket giants.

“We remain 100 per cent committed to keeping our prices the most affordable in the market,” Christie said.

“That’s keeping a gap to the competition between 15 to 25 per cent which for families that is real savings.”

Aldi Australia
Aldi has promised to keep prices low as inflation hits household budgets. (9News)

Canstar Blue editor-in-chief Christine Seib said value for money is the number one priority for Australian families right now.

“It is really clear from our survey that the value for money factor is all important right now for shoppers,” she said.

“More than half of shoppers follow carefully what specials are available at the supermarket.”

Canstar Blue supermarket ratings 2022
How the major supermarkets ranked in the Canstar Blue awards. (Sing Blue)

For the other major supermarkets, Woolworths tied with Aldi for layout and presentation with five stars but received the top mark for product variety.

While IGA was strong in customer service with five stars but was marked down in areas including overall satisfaction, value for money, layout and presentation as well as deals and specials.

On overall satisfaction, both Coles and Woolworths failed to crack the five stars.

If you're browsing second-hand sites and see a deal that's too good to be true, think twice. Scamwatch has issued a warning on social media, posting a fake ad selling a $10 'antique piano' to illustrate.

Aussies warned about fresh scam on second-hand sites

Categories
Australia

Queensland police offer $500,000 reward for missing Rockhampton woman Michelle Lewis

Old, close-up photo of a smiling woman with dark, shoulder-length hair.

Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information relating to the 1989 disappearance of central Queensland woman Michelle Lewis in a bid to generate new leads.

Ms Lewis was last seen alive riding her bike in Rockhampton 33 years ago.

Senior Detective Sergeant Tara Kentwell said it was hoped the renewed appeal for information would solve the cold case.

“Despite extensive investigations at the time and since, Michelle has never been located, nor has her bike, and police now strongly suspect she was murdered around the time she disappeared,” she said.

“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.”

Bike with white, dark red and black frame, black seat and handle bars.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive riding this bike on Stenlake Avenue on Saturday, January 14, 1989.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Ms Lewis, then aged 21, was last seen alive riding her bike leaving a friend’s house on Stenlake Avenue, North Rockhampton, intending to ride a short distance to her home on Alexandra Street about 10.45pm on Saturday, January 14, 1989.

Former lead investigator, retired detective Ann Gumley, said the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Unit began re-examining the case in 2021.

Old black and white photo of a woman, not smiling, dark hair, Michelle Lewis.
Homicide detectives have announced a $500,000 reward for information that solves the 1989 cold case.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Ms Gumley said she was hopeful the reward would lead to a breakthrough.

“I spent a lot of my time as a Rockhampton police officer searching for Michelle and I still remain committed to seeking justice for her,” Ms Gumley said.

“Michelle’s family and friends deserve answers, so if you know something, please come forward.”

Pink tie-dyed tank top with yellow letters that spell SURF.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive wearing this pink shirt, riding her bike in North Rockhampton.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

The state government reward is for information that leads to the conviction of a person or people responsible for Michelle’s suspected murder.

The appeal has been made as part of National Missing Persons Week.

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Categories
US

Visitors to the world’s tallest tree Hyperion face $5,000 fines, according to California’s Redwood National Park

Visitors to the world's tallest tree Hyperion face $5,000 fines, according to California's Redwood National Park

Hyperion, certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s tallest living tree, is officially off-limits to visitors.

California’s Redwood National Park issued a statement last week that anyone who is caught near the tree can face up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The tree, which is deep in the park and has no trails leading to it, has faced serious environmental degradation from thrill-seekers who have visited since 2006, when it was found by a pair of naturalists.

The coast redwood (sequoia sempervirens) tree is 115.92 meters (380 feet) tall and its name is derived from Greek mythology — Hyperion was one of the Titans and the father of sun god Helios and moon goddess Selene.

“Hyperion is located off trail through dense vegetation and requires heavy ‘bushwhacking’ in order to reach the tree,” reads a statement on the national park’s website.

“Despite the difficult journey, increased popularity due to bloggers, travel writers, and websites of this off-trail tree has resulted in the devastation of the habitat surrounding Hyperion,” the statement says. “As a visitor, you must decide if you will be part of the preservation of this unique landscape – or will you be part of its destruction?”

Visitors to the world’s tallest tree face $5,000 fines.

Shutterstock via CNN

Leonel Arguello, the park’s Chief of Natural Resources, told news site San Francisco Gate that the area has limited cellphone and GPS service, which means it can be very challenging to rescue any lost or injured hikers in the area.

In addition to erosion and damage caused at the base of the tree, there are secondary issues that come from an influx of people.

“There was trash, and people were creating even more side trails to use the bathroom. They leave used toilet paper and human waste — it’s not a good thing,” Arguello said.

Human visitors are not the only risk to these giant trees.

Wildfires are a growing concern throughout California’s national parks.

In 2021, officials at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks took extreme measures to protect some of the world’s biggest trees from fire.

General Sherman, considered the world’s largest tree — determined by density not height, as it is shorter than Hyperion — was wrapped in an “aluminum-based burn-resistant material” akin to tinfoil as a way to keep it safe during the devastating KNP Complex Fire.

WATCH | California redwood forest returned to Native American tribes

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Categories
Business

ASX falls ahead of Reserve Bank interest rate decision

ASX falls ahead of Reserve Bank interest rate decision

AI tech company Appen’s shares tumbled the most on the index to $4.13 a share – their lowest level since 2017 – on Tuesday after the firm announced it had again downgraded its earnings forecast.

The company predicted underlying earnings across the first-half of this year to fall by 69 per cent compared to 2021 to US$8.5 million ($12.1 million) due to lower revenue, product investments and a foreign exchange loss. The earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) drop was significantly bigger than analysts had anticipated, coming in 60 per cent below RBC Capital Markets’ expectations.

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Appen chief executive Mark Brayan said the first-half of 2022 had been impacted by weaker digital advertising demand and lower spending from the company’s major customers, which include Microsoft, Amazon and Google.

Meanwhile, Rex Airlines was up 6 per cent after saying it would accelerate the rollout of its domestic fleet as monthly passenger revenue exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

Rex said domestic route revenue in July alone was almost double that of the previous three months to June 30, while revenue per flight was 7 per cent higher on regional routes than in July 2019.

Rex executive chairman Lim Kim Hai said the results had led the company to add a seventh Boeing 737 to its fleet this month, while the company was close to leasing two more later this year.

“Our great performance in the regional markets also validates our decision to stand our ground
against Qantas, which flooded the market on marginal regional routes in an attempt to destabilize
us,” Kim Hai said.

On Wall Street overnight, stocks began to gain early and closed slightly lower as investors another busy week of company earnings and economic reports.

The S&P 500 gave up an early gain to end down 0.3 per cent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.1 per cent and the Nasdaq fell 0.2 per cent. Smaller company stocks also gave back some of their recent gains, nudging the Russell 2000 0.1 per cent lower.

Bond yields mostly fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which influences mortgage rates, fell to 2.60 per cent from 2.65 per cent late Friday.

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August’s subdued opening follows a solid rally for stocks last month: July was the best month for the S&P 500 index since November 2020. But this week’s array of economic reports and company earnings has left traders “a little cautious,” said Lindsey Bell, chief markets and money strategist at Ally Invest.

“Investors are still assessing where we break from here – further to the upside or reverse course,” Bell said.

Stocks have been falling for much of the year as investors worry about high inflation and rising interest rates. A key concern remains whether central banks will raise interest rates too aggressively and push economies into a recession.

Categories
Technology

Discord’s overhauled Android app will shorten the wait for new features

Discord's overhauled Android app will shorten the wait for new features

Discord has begun rolling out an overhauled Android app that addresses one of the most consistent complaints with the software. If you follow the company, you’ve probably seen it often announce new features only to note they will launch on iOS and desktop first before arriving on Google’s operating system. We saw that recently with the release of . According to Discord, that’s about to become a thing of the past.

In a published on Monday, the company said it recently rebuilt its Android app using React Native. Discord has employed the framework for iOS development ever since Meta first open sourced React in 2015. Now that both of Discord’s mobile apps are on the same underlying codebase, the company notes Android users can expect feature consistency.

Comparison screenshot showing Discord's new Android interface. The new UI more broadly aligns with its iOS counterpart thanks to Discord's move to React Native.

Comparison screenshot showing Discord’s new Android interface. The new UI more broadly aligns with its iOS counterpart thanks to Discord’s move to React Native.

Additionally, the company says Discord users will see a more consistent user experience across platforms. As one example, the Android app will feature a larger default font that is more in line with the iOS version of the software. Discord also anticipates it will release future updates faster.

“As Discord continues to grow across platforms, we want to find ways to support you and your communities as quickly and efficiently as possible, regardless of which device or platform you happen to be using,” the company said. “Utilizing React Native across every mobile platform Discord is on is just one of the tools that helps us support what you do, and we can’t wait to show you how.”

If you already have Discord installed on your Android phone, the company says you can expect the overhauled app to arrive on your device in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, new Android users can download the software from the Google Play Store.

Categories
Sports

Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners marred by post-match violence, Leichhardt Oval, footage, video

Sydney FC vs Central Coast Mariners marred by post-match violence, Leichhardt Oval, footage, video

Sydney FC’s thrilling Australia Cup victory over the Central Coast Mariners has been marred by disturbing post-match footage of crowd troubles outside of Leichhardt Oval on Sunday night.

The Sky Blues beat the Mariners on penalties after the two sides were locked at 3-3 at the end of extra-time.

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But in an unfortunate turn of events, the result has been overshadowed by violence in the car park after the full time whistle had been blown.

Video of the incident was first posted online by veteran sports reporter Ray Gatt.

Two sets of hooded individuals were seen hurling projectiles such as rocks, barriers and flares at one another as spectators, some with young families, were forced to return back into the stadium for their own safety.

In an official statement, the Mariners confirmed that none of their own fans were involved in the incident at any stage and condemned the behaviors and actions of those who were.

“We would like to applaud and thank all of our traveling supporters and how they conduct themselves,” the statement read.

“The club does not condone such behaviour. There is no place for it in football and this incident had nothing to do with the match.”

According to Sydney FC CEO Adam Santo, the participating parties did not even attend the match itself.

“I would rather celebrate the exciting finish to our match tonight however we are assisting police with the incident that occurred outside the ground,” Santo posted on Twitter.

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“Reports at the scene appear those responsible were not in attendance at our match.

“Fortunately it appears no-one was injured.”

An official Sydney FC statement corroborated Santo’s account in terms of no attending fans having any hand in the post-match scenes.

“Sydney FC were disappointed to see the incident that took place outside Leichhardt Oval at the conclusion of the Australia Cup match,” the statement read.

“As far as we are aware, the parties involved had not attended the match, and we are grateful to stadium security and NSW police who cleared the area within minutes.

“Football is the most inclusive, safe and welcoming sport and those involved do not represent our game.”

Sydney FC star striker Adam Le Fondre shared that his family was unfortunately caught up in the “disgraceful scenes.”

“Awful stuff to see,” Le Fondre wrote on Twitter.

“My mrs was caught with our 3 girls in the car park trying to leave whilst this was happening!! Disgraceful scenes.”

An eyewitness account from an individual named Stefan detailed the frightening situation that was unfolding in front of him, his wife and his two-year-old daughter.

“It was probably about 15 minutes after the game finished when we heard all this ruckus while walking to the car park,” Stefan told The Daily Telegraph.

“We saw a barrier being thrown and while I was holding my two-year-old daughter, a flare flew overhead and landed only a couple meters away from us.

“There was a lot of screaming and shouting, objects were flying around overhead and rocks were going past us.”

NSW Police confirmed the incident is under investigation.

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Categories
Australia

Palaszczuk tells Dreamworld to ‘do the right thing’ after $2.7m in koala research funding spent on roller-coaster

Two people in giant koala costumes stand waving their arms in front of a globe that reads "Dreamworld".

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on Dreamworld to “do the right thing” and invest in koala research after the theme park spent $2.7 million in government funding on a roller-coaster instead of conservation work.

Last week Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe confirmed that Dreamworld asked to repurpose the money for the new ride in early 2020 and that the request was approved.

Announced in 2019, Dreamworld’s Future Lab was to become Queensland’s first genome research facility for native animals and was designed to boost conservation efforts against threats to koalas like chlamydia.

Today Ms Palaszczuk said Dreamworld should put its own money back into the Future Lab project.

“The tourism department gave money, through grants, to places like Dreamworld to expand their offerings to the public,” she said.

“We had COVID and we weren’t having the international tourists and only domestic tourism was starting up again, so they chose to rechannel that money into another item.

“I’m hoping Dreamworld will now do the right thing and invest their money into that project.”

LNP environment spokesperson Sam O’Connor said while Dreamworld’s reputation has been tarnished “a little bit”, the government’s approach had “no transparency about it”.

Dreamworld has been contacted for comment.

Koala rests its head between tree branches.
The Opposition says the government should have ensured that Dreamworld followed through with the conservation project.(ABC Open: getoutandwalk)

Conditions needed, opposition says

Mr Hinchliffe told an estimates hearing last Tuesday that Dreamworld requested to repurpose the money for the new ride in early 2020.

“In view of the Future Lab project being placed on hold, the Queensland government approved that the funding previously approved for the research facility be repurposed to support the construction of the new ride, taking into consideration the immediate impacts of the pandemic and the appeal of new tourism offers likely to attract returning domestic visitors and international tourists when borders reopened,” he said.

Mr O’Connor said the government should have insisted Dreamworld proceed with the research project at a later date.

“The government approved that money being put into the roller-coaster,” he said.

“How did they not have some sort of condition on that, at a future time when Dreamworld was in a better financial position, they go ahead with the project that they originally agreed to?

“It was completely ridiculous that it had to come out through this process and there was absolutely no transparency about it.”

In a statement issued last week, a Dreamworld spokesperson said the Future Lab remained “on hold” and that $3.5m had been raised for animal conservation through its foundation.

An aerial shot of a greenfield site beneath a clear sky.
Hundreds of hectares at the Greenridge site will be set aside for conservation.(Supplied: Queensland government)

Major conservation acquisition

Meanwhile, the state government has announced 400 hectares of land at Pimpama’s Greenridge site will be conserved as koala habitat in order to offset land being cleared for the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector highway.

The state government has spent $126m on the Coomera Connector so far.

Sixty-eight koalas have been identified as living in the Greenridge area.

“It adds to our $24.6m commitment in this year’s budget to restore koala habitat, reduce the threat to koalas in targeted hotspots and deliver innovative research,” Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said.

“As part of the project, more than 700 hectares within the stage one corridor has been surveyed to monitor the area’s koala population.

“There are currently 128 koalas being monitored in the program and more than 600 health checks have been carried out.”

Mr O’Connor welcomed the acquisition, saying “you can’t downplay it”.

“This is basically the size of the current developed area of ​​Pimpama, which is one of our fastest growing suburbs,” he said.

Negotiations between the City of Gold Coast and Greenridge’s previous private owners have been protracted and were subject to a Supreme Court judicial review last December.

The ABC understands the site was purchased by the state government from the Kornhauser family in July, with the sale price commercial-in-confidence.

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