Categories
Business

Mercedes-Benz seized 1.8 million counterfeit parts globally in 2021 – report

Despite more than 650 raids being conducted worldwide last year, Mercedes-Benz claims profits from the counterfeit car parts industry are higher than drug trafficking – and continuing to grow.


More than 1.8 million counterfeit Mercedes-Benz car parts were reportedly seized last year, with the global pandemic unable to slow down one of the most profitable illegal industries in the world, according to the German automaker.

Mercedes-Benz says more than 1.86 million counterfeit parts were seized globally in 2021 – a six per cent increase on the year prior.

Counterfeit parts are designed to look identical to genuine items in their packaging, branding, and overall appearance.



However, as opposed to genuine parts – and non-genuine items which are made by reputable “aftermarket” suppliers – counterfeit parts have not been tested to meet the same safety standards.

Mercedes-Benz says counterfeit parts are illegal and unsafe, putting road users at a higher risk of danger if the bogus components fail.

The car maker claims more than 650 customs and law enforcement raids targeting counterfeit car parts were conducted globally in 2021.



As a result of the raids, more than 126,000 illegal parts were reportedly removed from online marketplaces.

In a media statement from Mercedes-Benz, the company’s head of legal affairs, Renata Jungo Brüngger, said the illegal car parts industry is now more profitable than drug trafficking, aided by the increase in online trading throughout the pandemic.

“The counterfeiting industry has organized crime structures and often generates higher profits than drug trafficking,” said Ms Jungo Brüngger.



“We are working closely with authorities around the world in order to curtail these structures and combat threats to road safety.

“The trading in counterfeit products on online platforms and social media is further increasing. Our brand protection experts have quickly adapted to the counterfeiting industry’s growing business model.”

Mercedes-Benz also said counterfeiters often have their goods produced by workers in conditions which have “no regard for human rights, environmental standards and occupational safety”.



The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) – Australia’s peak body for car makers – has been working with the Australian Border Force (ABF) to help its officers detect counterfeit vehicle parts when they are imported into the country.

The ABF has previously seized a wide range of counterfeit car parts, from brake pads which contained asbestos or grass clippings, to non-genuine alloy wheels which shattered when tested on potholes.



Despite being packaged and advertised as a genuine Toyota product, the car maker does not offer strut spacers for the HiLux or any other model.

An earlier investigation commissioned by Toyota Australia found 62 per cent of items purchased in a recent ABF sting were counterfeit, while a private investigation from 2018 discovered 15 per cent of service parts sold online they were fake.

Jordan Mulach

Jordan Mulach is Canberra/Ngunnawal born, currently residing in Brisbane/Turrbal. Joining the Drive team in 2022, Jordan has previously worked for Auto Action, MotorsportM8, The Supercars Collective and TouringCarTimes, WhichCar, Wheels, Motor and Street Machine. Jordan is a self-described iRacing addict and can be found on weekends either behind the wheel of his Octavia RS or swearing at his ZH Fairlane.

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Categories
Technology

Samsung has launched latest foldable smart phones in Samsung Unpacked event | Forbes Advocate

The highly anticipated Unpacked events showcase the best in Samsung innovation. Photo: Supplied.

This is branded content for Samsung

Samsung has recently unveiled its latest, highly anticipated range of products in a launch as innovative as the next gen of Galaxy tech at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked.

The Unpacked events showcase the best in Samsung innovation, and the recent installation was no different when Samsung unveiled their latest foldable technology.

As the first company to forge a cross-generation device with an almost magic folding glass, Samsung has created a new kind of mobile device for consumers that blurs the boundary of ‘what’s possible’ for smartphone technology, while remaining relevant to the consumer’s lifestyle.

Now on the 4th generation, Samsung’s Foldable smartphones are no longer merely emerging tech but rather a smartphone for the mainstream, which Samsung believe are here to stay. President & Head of MX Business at Samsung Electronics, TM Roh reveals globally, 10 million foldable smartphones were shipped worldwide last year, increasing by 300% compared to 2020, with no plans to stop this rapid adoption of Foldable tech.

Samsung utilized new immersive and experiential event spaces to facilitate consumers worldwide to try products first-hand. Photo: Supplied.

After a two year hiatus, this year’s Unpacked experience, was back in physical form, taking over iconic locations in New York’s Meatpacking District and London’s Picadilly Circus. These two dynamic neighborhoods are a reflection of the kind of high energy that surrounds Samsung’s anticipated announcements.

This year, big tech brands returned to the big stage but with an evolved approach, harnessing the collaboration of online and offline events. Samsung utilized new immersive and experiential event spaces to facilitate consumers worldwide to try products first-hand. The spaces allowed for interactive experiences that highlighted the tech innovation afforded by Samsung’s engineering prowess.

Including the world premiere of the latest video from everyone’s favorite K-Pop boy sensation, BTS, Samsung painted New York’s Time Square purple as it took over the iconic billboards to showcase the ‘Yet to Come’ music video which highlights the band’s partnership with Samsung’s upcoming Foldable devices.

It gave people from all walks of life – Galaxy fans, journalists, and content creators, the opportunity to experience Samsung’s latest foldable technology, and experience this new tech in unparalleled ways.

The Galaxy Unpacked experience was available to everyone, and was live streamed from all over the world at 11pm on August 10, AEST.

This is branded content for Samsung

Categories
Entertainment

The Block 2022 Bathroom Week: Scott Cam and Shelley Craft deliver brutal feedback to Ankur and Sharon during their walk-around

It’s the first week of renovations for the 2022 Blockheads, and what better way to amp up the pressure than with a walk-around by Scott Cam and Shelley Craft?

The two renovating powerhouses headed over to the Macedon Ranges houses to share their thoughts on the teams’ design choices for Main Bathroom Week.

This week is more important than ever, as Scotty recently revealed that the winning team will receive $250,000 worth of kitchen appliances for Kitchen Week, in what is the biggest prize in block history.

Stream the latest episodes of The Block for free on 9Now.

While the duo were pleasantly surprised with some of the bathrooms, Ankur and Sharon over in House 3 – the biggest house on The Block – received some savage feedback about their “luxe and sexy” dark bathroom.

Scott Cam and Shelley Craft the block 2022
Scott Cam and Shelley Craft delivered brutal feedback to some teams during Main Bathroom Week. (Nine)

The married couple had opted to line the floor and walls with a dark tile, while separating the wet area with a wall. They were also the only team not to put in skylights.

“Have you got a bit of a nod to the old house?” Scotty asked Sharon, who had a sore throat and had lost her voice.

EPISODE 4 RECAP: Last-minute renovation dramas cause chaos and one Blockhead’s bribe sees another fume

She tried to explain: “The tile that we chose has got little bits of stone, so a big concept of ours is to bring the outside in wherever we can, but luxe mode. Hence the marble feature wall there. That hexagonal shape is a nod to the era which is the 1890s…”

But Scotty cut in: “No wonder she’s lost her voice. I’m actually asleep with my eyes open…”

Shelley advised that the bathroom was small, and said the couple should “save some budget” and not tile all the way.

“Do you think it’s too dark? This wall, this wall and this wall…” Sharon asked, with Scotty responding: “To me, that seems quite dark.

“The judges have referred to bathrooms in the past as prison cells…”

READMORE: Where is The Block 2022 located?

Shelley also agreed that it would be “too much”, and said: “It’s scary that one of the most expensive rooms in your home is the first room that you’re producing. You don’t want to be doing your bathroom in the re-do room.”

the block 2022 ankur and sharon
Ankur and Sharon were left unimpressed with the feedback. (Nine)

Meanwhile, things weren’t too much better in Rachel and Ryan’s bathroom in House 2.

The pair had decided on a huge walk-in shower with two shower heads, VELUX skylights and a double timber vanity.

But both Scott and Shelley thought the same thing as they entered the room – it didn’t offer much of a nod to the classic country features of the historic home.

“Have you got a little bit of a nod to the old house because remember, we are in the old house and this sort of stuff is going to be in the new extension too,” Scotty said.

Rachel replied: “So we are going contemporary, but contemporary lodge. So when you see our soft furnishings, I want it to feel very natural and very country.”

New nine.com.au homepage
(Nine)

But Scott remained unimpressed, replying: “Just keep going with this, because you can’t change it now.

“It’s fine, and the judges may love it! I’m very rarely right about what the judges say…”

After they left, Ryan told the camera: “I feel like the feedback was a little bit negative.”

“If we get feedback that it’s not country enough, I’m not going to kick us for it. We’re doing the best we can on what we’ve been given,” Rachel added.

Tom and Sarah-Jane, who won the House Decider challenge, received a sprinkling of positive feedback during their walk-around over in House 1.

After Tom explained the pair were putting in a dado rail and matching picture frames, Shelley responded: “Is this week one or is this week five for these guys?

“This is your main bathroom in your house and you are setting the scene for the rest of the home here too.”

READMORE: What you need to know about waterproofing on The Block

It was a similar story for Dylan and Jenny in House 4, who impressed the duo with their subtle nods to the heritage of their home.

Scotty said: “The key to this is to have a modern bathroom because it’s 2022, but you’ve got to have a little nod to this house. All it takes is a given rail. This is really good guys, well done.”

The host did say there was one thing that worried him about the pair’s renovations.

“The thing that concerned me when I walked in is that you’ve got a lot to do still. You’ve only got tomorrow,” he warned.

Meanwhile, best pals Omar and Oz over in House 5 received some mixed feedback from the duo during their walk-around.

READMORE: Why The Block host Scott Cam thinks his dog Frankie will be the star of the 2022 season

The pair had opted for VJ paneling, herringbone tile walls and a patterned floor tile.

“That’s busy hey? It’s a busy tile,” Shelley said upon entering the room.

“You’ve really chosen some tough tiles to lay as well, haven’t you?” Scotty said, before bringing in Ben the tiler to ask him how he felt that the pair were doing herringbone tile walls.

“I kind of had a mini heart attack!” I replied.

Scott later told Shelley in private: “But… they’ve cut it in half, where half is tiles and half is VJ? I don’t understand? I’m not looking forward to that feedback!”

Time will tell which team will come out victorious in Main Bathroom Week and bag the massive $250,000 prize on offer.

In Pictures

Inside Scott Cam's Block house renovation 2022.

Scotty’s house renovation so far

Sneak peek at the first three rooms.

ViewGallery

The Block airs Sunday at 7.00pm and Monday to Wednesday at 7.30pm on Nine. Catch up on all the latest episodes on 9Now.

Categories
Sports

Manase Fainu found guilty of Wattle Grove church stabbing

“Tomorrow there is no point,” she said. “Were I to form a view that the detention application is made good, there’s simply no one to take Mr Fainu into custody, extraordinary as it might seem.”

She increased Fainu’s bail conditions, so he must report to police on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and is not to leave his address unless in the company of his mother and father, who were among those in court to hear the verdict.

Manase Fainu (right), supported by fellow Manly player Josh Aloiai (centre), outside court last month.

Manase Fainu (right), supported by fellow Manly player Josh Aloiai (centre), outside court last month.Credit:Wolter-Peeters

As Fainu left court, met by over 30 family and friends and flanked by security and Manly teammate Josh Aloiai, his lawyer Paul McGirr said, “there’s nothing that he wants to say at this stage”.

Supporters of Fainu during his trial in Parramatta District Court included his agent Mario Tartak, Manly coach Des Hasler and Aloiai, who appeared on the same day as the Sea Eagles’ game against the Roosters and was one of seven players to sit out after objecting to wearing a pride jersey.

The jury was told Fainu had not played NRL since 2019 under the code’s no-fault stand-down policy.

NRL player Manase Fainu, pictured with a white towel on his head, jumping a fence onto church grounds.

NRL player Manase Fainu, pictured with a white towel on his head, jumping a fence onto church grounds.

During his day in the stand, Fainu claimed he had been at least 10 meters away from the brawl between his friends and Levi’s group.

He said two friends, including Uona “Big Buck” Faingaa, had earlier been kicked out of a charity dance in the church hall where Faingaa said he intended to pick up money for a concreting job.

Fainu said, after that incident, he jumped over a fence back onto church grounds expecting to collect the money himself, but his friends followed him over, and then he saw “like a brawl going on”.

“I backpedaled,” he said, adding that his NRL training was to walk away and not get involved.

Fainu said he ran after hearing “knife, knife” and claimed he did not know who stabbed the victim.

It is an agreed fact that Fainu had an operation on his left shoulder in September 2019 and was wearing a sling on the night of the stabbing. He was captured on CCTV jumping back over the fence and picking his sling up off the ground.

Faamanu Levi, who was stabbed in the back at a Mormon church dance.

Faamanu Levi, who was stabbed in the back at a Mormon church dance.Credit:Rhett Wyman

Levi gave evidence he and his best friend had walked two men to the front gate after a fight on the dance floor and told them to go home.

“I said … this is a church activity,” Levi said, adding that one shook his head and replied, “F— you.”

“I don’t know who was calling out, [saying]’Come out and see what you want,’ but I said, ‘Goodbye, we’re going back inside.’”

He said he had “never experienced this kind of thing”, and a fight later erupted next to his car.

Levi felt a stab to his lower right shoulder and said he “was in pain that I can’t explain”, but did not see who had knifed him.

His housemate, Tony Quach, said he saw Fainu holding a steak knife with a clenched fist, his right arm bent at a 90-degree angle and his left arm in a sling, looking “angry” as he stabbed Levi’s back.

Quach said he “recognized Manase” after the incident.

An Instagram screenshot of Manase Fainu in hospital after shoulder surgery in September 2019, tendered as evidence at his trial.

An Instagram screenshot of Manase Fainu in hospital after shoulder surgery in September 2019, tendered as evidence at his trial.

Levi’s friend Kupi Toilalo was “adamant the person with the knife was the person with the sling”, Crown prosecutor Emma Curran had submitted.

Cunneen had said Fainu’s sling “drew the eye” and was a “distinguishing feature” of the group of five men, but argued there was no one else’s DNA on it.

She told the jury her client had “really suffered by his position as a football player”.

“It was easy to blame it on him because some people knew him and the sling stood out.”

Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.

Categories
Australia

Learner driver speed limits spark debate with NSW regional road safety inquiry underway

Driving instructors and the trucking industry want speed limits for learner drivers in New South Wales to be lifted or increased, citing safety concerns on regional roads.

Learner and red P-plate drivers in NSW cannot exceed 90 kilometers per hour while driving, even if a road’s speed limit is higher.

A state parliamentary committee is currently holding an inquiry into speed limits and road safety in regional areas.

The NSW Driver Trainers Association believes novice speed restrictions should be removed.

Vice president Christine Hillis said the rules increased travel time and fatigue, and could encourage other motorists to attempt risky overtaking.

She said regional roads that did not have adequate overtaking lanes were of particular concern.

“It just puts pressure on everyone else that uses the roads,” she said.

“In every other state on the eastern seaboard the learner drivers can drive at close to the speed limit.”

New South Wales learner drivers used to be capped at 80kph until it was increased in 2013.

Queensland, Victoria and the ACT do not have similar speed restrictions for their learner drivers but the Northern Territory limits learners to 80kph and South Australian novices are capped at 100kph.

A man standing in front of a driving instructor's car
Graham Kidson says it makes new drivers anxious when traffic builds up behind them.(ABC NewsHugh Hogan)

Stressful situations

Graham Kidson runs a driving school in Orange, in the state’s central west, and argued a learner driver following the rules could cause dangerous situations on regional roads.

“Traffic is building up behind them, it makes them more anxious, and people tend to do silly things to encourage the learner to go faster or tend to take risks to overtake,” he said.

The driving instructor of more than 15 years believed brand new drivers should not be out on the highway.

“But by the time they get to the stage where they can move onto the highway, there’s certainly an advantage if they can keep up with the speed of the traffic,” Mr Kidson said.

Rod Hannifey smiles in front of his truck
Rod Hannifey says the well-intentioned speed restrictions can cause havoc on regional roads.(ABC News: Jerry Rickard)

trucking concerns

Safety advocates from the trucking industry have also thrown their weight behind the calls to get rid of probationary speed limits.

President of the National Road Freighters Association Rod Hannifey said the rules created delays and caused extra fatigue for truck drivers.

“If we had four-lane highways everywhere that would be really nice, but we’re all realistic,” he said.

“and [drivers] that are learning in rural areas are more likely to be on a two-lane road with trucks that have logbooks and time requirements and need to manage their fatigue.”

He said it was also important that beginner drivers got practice traveling at the speed limit.

“Give them the opportunity to at least do a reasonable highway speed instead of making them another obstacle,” he said.

“They don’t have to travel at the limit, but it gives them more options to flow with the traffic and learn with less duration.”

No Overtaking or Passing sign on Williams Road at Bonville in NSW.
Critics say the lack of overtaking opportunities on regional roads puts undue pressure on learner drivers.(ABC News: Chris Gillette)

no evidence

Transport for New South Wales said there was no evidence that increasing speed limits for novice drivers would reduce fatigue related crashes.

The deputy secretary of safety, environment and regulation, Tara McCarthy, said novice drivers were still developing necessary skills and experience.

“In recognition of this and the higher crash risks that these drivers face as a result of inexperience, NSW has implemented the Graduated License Scheme [learner speed limits],” she said.

The agency said since the scheme was implemented in June 2000, driver fatalities for those aged 25 years and under had reduced by 58 per cent.

“These speed restrictions, combined with a zero tolerance approach to speeding offences, are in place to manage risk and young driver trauma,” Ms McCarthy said.

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Categories
US

Trump Pleaded the Fifth More Than 400 Times: Report

  • A source told NBC News Trump pleaded the Fifth more than 440 times during his Wednesday deposition.
  • Trump attorney Ron Fischetti said Trump only answered one question about what his name was.
  • Trump in 2018 railed against pleading the Fifth, saying only “the mob” did that.

Former President Donald Trump, during his deposition in New York on Wednesday, ended up pleading the Fifth more than 440 times, per NBC News.

This was according to a source with knowledge of the deposition, who told NBC News how Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment rights hundreds of times.

Additionally, Trump’s lawyer Ron Fischetti told NBC News the only question Trump answered was one where he was asked what his name was.

A spokesperson for the New York Attorney General’s office confirmed to NBC News that Trump had invoked the Fifth, but did not elaborate on how many times he did so.

Trump declined to answer questions during a Wednesday deposition at the office of New York attorney general Tish James. James is investigating whether Trump’s company, the Trump Organization, violated banking, insurance, and tax laws and if it engaged in financial fraud.

The New York Times also spoke to Fischetti, who said that the deposition, which lasted around four hours with breaks in between, involved Trump saying “same answer” over and over again and reiterating his Fifth Amendment plea.

“They asked a lot of questions about valuations and golf clubs and all that stuff,” Fischetti told The Times.

Fischetti also told The Times that Trump had to be talked out of answering questions from the New York Attorney General’s office.

“He absolutely wanted to testify, and it took some very strong persuasion by me and some others to convince him,” Fischetti said.

Trump released a lengthy statement on Wednesday slamming James.

“I once asked, ‘If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?'” he said in the statement.

“Now I know the answer to that question,” he continued in the statement. “When your family, your company, and all the people in your orbit have become the targets of an unfounded, politically motivated Witch Hunt supported by lawyers, prosecutors, and the Fake News Media, you have no choice.”

After the deposition, Trump made a post on Truth Social, declaring that he was leaving the Attorney General’s office.

“A very professional meeting. Have a fantastic company with great assets, very little debt, and lots of CASH. Only in America!” Trump wrote.

Trump famously declared in the past that only members of “the mob” would take the Fifth.

“You see the mob takes the Fifth,” he said in April 2018. “If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?”

Fischetti did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

Categories
Business

Guess which ASX 200 share just increased its dividend by 25%

A young woman holds her hand to her mouth in surprise as she reads about the Appen share price rising by almost 5% today

Image source: Getty Images

Owners of shares in S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) online real estate advertising company REA Group Limited (ASX: REA), rejoice!

Your investment just announced its largest dividend ever, increasing its full year payout by 25%.

Sadly, the stock is in the red today after surging 7% on the back of its full year results, released yesterday.

The REA share price is $127.44 right now, 3.69% lower than its previous close.

For context, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is also down, falling 0.12% at the time of writing.

But a day in the red likely won’t be enough to wipe the smile off shareholders’ faces. Let’s take a look at the record dividend announced by the ASX 200 share this week.

When will shareholders receive the ASX 200 share dividend?

Financial year 2022 was good to ASX 200 share REA, and now the company is passing a chunk of its takings to shareholders.

The company’s revenue lifted 26% last financial year compared to that of financial year 2021.

Its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) also rose 19% while its net profit jumped 25%.

And much of that profit is now up for grabs.

REA announced a record 89 cent per share fully franked final dividend, bringing its full year dividends to $1.64 – up 25% year-on-year.

That means the stock is currently trading with a dividend yield of 1.28%.

And would be investors have a few weeks to decide whether they’ll pursue the payout. The ASX 200 share doesn’t trade ex-dividend until 25 August.

The dividend is then expected to begin landing in shareholders’ accounts in mid-September.

REA share price snapshot

Despite posting strong earnings, the REA share price has been underperforming in 2022.

The company’s shares have slumped 26% since the start of the year while the ASX 200 has dumped around 8%.

It’s also been underperforming over the longer term, falling 18% in the last 12 months. Meanwhile, the index has slipped 7%.

Categories
Technology

Splatoon 3 demo coming late August with new Splatfest

Try before you buy.

A Splatoon 3 demo will be available later this month ahead of the game’s release in early September, Nintendo today advised as part of a larger Splatoon 3 NintendoDirect.

The demo will be offered in the form of a multiplayer Splatfest World Premiere which kicks off on 28 August.

According to the publisher, it “offers every Nintendo Switch owner the chance to take part in this global event before the full game launches.”

Access to the demo opens up a couple days earlier, from 25 August; players have seven days to try out the new ink-shooter.

Nintendo also detailed more of what to expect from the full game.

“All main weapon types from previous splatoon games will be available in Splatoon 3 from the start,” Nintendo said. “New, Splatlands-specific weapons have been added as well: the bow-like Tri-Stringer, which can fire in three directions simultaneously and unleash charged shots that briefly freeze before exploding. The Splatana Wiper sends blades of ink flying with the centrifugal force generated by swinging it. If swung after charging up, it’ll transform into a charged slash.”

Players will take part in one of three modes: the story-based Return of the Mammalians, the multiplayer Turf War, or co-op Salmon Run.

You can watch the full Direct below.

Splatoon 3 heads to Nintendo Switch on 9 September.

This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we could earn a small commission if you click-through and make a purchase. Stevivor is an independent outlet and our journalism is in no way influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative.

Categories
Entertainment

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde review at Sydney Theater Company

STRANGE CASE OF DR JEKYLL AND MR HYDE ★★★★★
Roslyn Packer Theatre, August 10 u
ntil September 3

How to depict the splintering of a psyche, not just into two, but into endless multiples of two – into all the fractured souls that lie between Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde? That is the conundrum director Kip Williams sought to solve in his follow-up piece of “cine-theatre” after the astounding artistic success of STC’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Ewen Leslie and Matthew Backer are starting in their roles.

Ewen Leslie and Matthew Backer are starting in their roles.Credit:Daniel Boud

The cine-theatre idea is to make theater out of the process of filming that piece of theatre, with live video of real-time acting mashed with images of pre-recorded acting. Yes, there’s a degree to which supping from a similar cup a second time is not quite as seductive as the first, but Williams and his brilliant design and technical team have tailored their approach to the distinctive aspects of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story (adapted by Williams). ), bringing film-noir sensibilities to the narrative’s gothic horror and melodrama, most obviously with the filmed action presented in black and white.

It is the interaction between the multiple moving screens that especially catches Stevenson’s tone, however. The images of the actors are teased and jangled, so part of a head – say just the chin – is on one screen, while the mouth, nose and eyes appear on another. It’s an extraordinarily effective device for encapsulating and communicating internal worlds of mental dysfunction and moral decay.

Those states must first be made extant by the actors, of course, and what Ewen Leslie and Matthew Backer achieve in this regard is startingling. The latter mainly plays Utterson, the story’s narrator and commentator, a role Williams has elevated from shadowy passivity into being our eyes, ears, touch and raised heartbeat as events unfold.

Were Backer’s reactions more exaggerated, the work’s inherent melodrama would swiftly become dominant, and the audience would titter rather than being transfixed. Indeed, there is occasional laughter, but it comes as a reaction of wonderment to the mind-boggling virtuosity of the production itself; a virtuosity that manages to keep replenishing itself.

Leslie is magnificent. His Jekyll de ella is torn and tormented, his de ella Hyde a recipe for insomnia. As with Backer’s, it’s a performance that could so easily slip beyond a tipping point, yet never does. However manic he becomes, we sit spellbound. Leslie’s versatile voice and rubbery face also make for utterly distinctive characters in Poole, Jekyll’s butler, and a copper aiding Utterson in what becomes more of a detective tale than the original, neatly dovetailing with the lighting’s plunging, noirish shadows.

Williams has kept much of the prose and dialogue intact, so we can relish such classic Stevenson lines as a minion being described as “having a face smoothed by hypocrisy.” He also sustains the tension, even through the challenge of Jekyll’s long, final letter. His collaborators of him, meanwhile, (reassembled from the Dorian production) match his ideas at every turn, from Clemence Williams’ music (including some string quartet writing music that would wake your cat), through Marg Horwell’s design, Nick Schlieper’s lighting, Michael Toisuta’s sound design and David Bergman’s video design, to the army of technicians expertly bringing it all to life.

Categories
Sports

Stuart MacGill’s alleged kidnappers granted bail

Two brothers accused of being hired “muscle” in the kidnapping of former Test cricketer Stuart MacGill have been granted bail while they await trial.

Richard and Frederick Schaaf are charged with abducting Mr MacGill from outside his home on Sydney’s lower north shore last year.

The pair pleaded not guilty to charges of take/detain in company with intent to obtain advantage, with the matter expected to go to trial mid next year.

On Thursday, they watched remotely from Bathurst Correctional Center as they were granted bail by Justice Richard Button under “strict” conditions.

The Schaaf brothers heard they will be not required to undergo electronic monitoring when they are released from jail sometime in the near future.

They were arrested along with four other men, including Mr MacGill’s de facto brother-in-law Marino Sotiropoulos, over an alleged cocaine deal gone wrong.

The court was told that Mr MacGill introduced Mr Sotiropoulos – who is the brother of his partner Maria O’Meagher – to a cocaine dealer, with the cricketer claiming that it was the extent of his involvement.

Mr Sotiropoulos has since been charged with a supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and will stand trial alongside the Schaaf brothers.

Mr MacGill alleges that a group of men forced him into a car outside his home and confronted him after the drug deal ended in a “rip off”.

The former Test spinner claimed that he was taken to a Bringelly property where he was threatened with a gun, assaulted and demands were made for money.

Earlier this month, Schaafs’ lawyer Avni Djemal argued that the evidence against the brothers supported them being released on bail.

He argued that Mr MacGill had gone willingly with the group of men to an abandoned house in southwestern Sydney and said there was no physical evidence that he had been brutally assaulted.

“The evidence implies Mr MacGill to a high level. I’m surprised he’s not charged with the actual drug transaction that he says, in his evidence, ‘I had nothing more to do with it, I just introduced the brother-in-law, Mr Sotiropoulos, to a person who I knew used to sell drugs’,” Mr Djemal said.

“The gentleman, now a registered source, he says that this gentleman, MacGill, was an avid user of cocaine and said to be on it all the time or drunk or desperate for money.”

Mr Djemal added there was no evidence to support Mr MacGill’s assertions that he had been punched to the front and back of his head, knocked to the ground and suffered a concussion.

Mr Djemal said the only evidence of any injuries was Ms O’Meagher saying she felt a lump on Mr MacGill’s head.

“He doesn’t have one visible injury after those events,” Mr Djemal said.

“If the hits to the front of your face have produced no lumps and you say the onslaught was to the front, the side, knocked you to the ground, how could that be?

“How could his word be that there was a kidnapping? What if he went, saw photos and got brought back?”

The trial is due to begin in October 2023.

Read related topics:sydney

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