In a council statement last Wednesday, Byrne – who is a Labor councillor – accused the government of “pork-barrelling” in Ayres’ seat. He said the redeveloped Penrith Stadium would host the Penrith Panthers for 11 games per year, while Leichhardt Oval hosted more than 50 games a year for multiple sporting codes.
“Dominic Perrottet is happy to spend $300 million in Stuart Ayres seat to build a shiny, new Panthers Stadium for the exclusive use of one club.
“But the Wests Tigers, and all the other senior and junior, men’s and women’s Rugby League, soccer and Rugby Union teams who regularly use Leichhardt Oval get nothing,” Byrne said.
The council’s deputy mayor, Labor councillor Jessica D’Arienzo, said in the statement the council was “simply asking for some help” to provide decent facilities for the fans and athletes who used Leichhardt Oval.
“With a fraction of what’s been earmarked for Stuart Ayres’ seat, we can build an upgraded and expanded grandstand, decent catering and toilet facilities for patrons and female-friendly dressing rooms while preserving the heritage Wayne Pearce Hill and Keith Barnes Grandstand,” D ‘Arienzo said.
On Friday, Sport Minister Alister Henskens said the government was consulting on a range of options for the Penrith Stadium redevelopment, which he said would deliver a “state-of-the-art” sporting venue.
“The cost and timing of construction for a new stadium will be confirmed once the consultation is completed and the scope for the new Penrith Stadium has been determined.
“The NSW government remains committed to upgrading suburban stadiums, however, following recent natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, it is appropriate that further investment in stadia is staged,” Henskens said.
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FANCY FARM, Ky. (AP) — While Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear was consoling families displaced by historic flooding in the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Republicans at the state’s premier political event on the other side of the state were campaigning to oust him from office in 2023.
GOP candidates speaking at the Fancy Farm picnic in western Kentucky bashed the Democratic governor’s record earlier in this term, especially his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. But they also offered support for recovery efforts that Beshear is leading in the wake of historic flooding and tornadoes.
While his challengers aimed zingers at him, Beshear spent the day meeting with families displaced by flash flooding that swamped the Appalachian region more than a week ago, killing 37. Beshear visited two state parks where some of the suddenly homeless took refuge.
“Today I’m at our state parks, spending time with our eastern Kentucky families who have been displaced from the catastrophic flooding,” Beshear posted on social media. “These Kentuckians have been through the unimaginable. My priority is being there for them.”
Last December, deadly tornadoes tore through parts of western Kentucky. The political speaking at the annual Fancy Farm picnic — the traditional start of the fall campaign in Kentucky — took place about 10 miles (16 km) from Mayfield, which took a direct hit from a tornado.
Living up to the event’s reputation for edgy attacks, Republicans wanting to unseat Beshear took aim at restrictions that the governor imposed on businesses and gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor has said his actions of him saved lives at a perilous time when vaccines were not available. The state’s GOP-dominated legislature reined in the governor’s virus policymaking power in a case settled by the state’s Supreme Court.
GOP gubernatorial hopeful Ryan Quarles referred to Beshear as the “shutdown governor.”
“He shut down our economy,” said Quarles, the state’s agriculture commissioner. “I’ve shut down our ‘mom and pop’ stores. He killed countless jobs and kept the big box stores open.
“Folks, just because we lived through a global pandemic doesn’t mean that our rights, our freedoms and liberties should be tossed out the window,” he added.
In his speech, Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Colmon Elridge came to the defense of Beshear, who consistently receives strong approval ratings from Kentuckians in polls. Elridge praised Beshear’s efforts in leading recovery efforts in tornado-ravaged western Kentucky and said he’ll do the same for flood victims in the state’s Appalachian region.
“Once again, our governor is showing through his actions how we show up in moments of devastation and embrace our fellow Kentuckian, not as Democrats or Republicans, but as Kentuckians,” Elridge said.
The governor is highlighting his management of the state’s economy in asking voters for a second term. Kentucky has posted records for job creation and investments during his term and recently posted its lowest-ever unemployment rates.
Beshear was already a committed no-show for the state’s premiere political event. The governor initially planned a visit to Israel that coincided with the Fancy Farm picnic. I canceled that trip after the massive flooding hit eastern Kentucky.
The Fancy Farm stage was dominated by Republican officeholders — reflecting the GOP’s electoral dominance. The event is a rite of passage for statewide candidates, who are tested in stump-style speeches in the August heat while facing taunts and shouts from partisans from the other party.
The political attacks were punctuated by calls for continued public support for people rebuilding from tornadoes and facing the same daunting task in flood-ravaged areas.
“We might be sharing a few laughs today, but whether we’re Republican or Democrat, know that we are with you,” said GOP gubernatorial hopeful Daniel Cameron. “When natural disasters strike, we take off our partisan hats and we root for each other. We help repair and we help rebuild.”
Cameron then shifted into promoting his candidacy. I have touted his endorsement from former President Donald Trump and his work from him as the state’s attorney general in defending Kentucky’s anti-abortion laws and fighting Biden administration policies in court.
“I am the best candidate and the only candidate that can beat Andy Beshear next fall,” Cameron said.
Two other GOP gubernatorial candidates also made pitches to the crowd and a statewide television audience that watched — state Auditor Mike Harmon and state Rep. Savannah Maddox.
The still-emerging 2023 governor’s race is already overshadowing the state’s top-of-the-ticket race this year — the contest between Republican US Sen. Rand Paul and Democratic challenger Charles Booker. Paul was unable to attend the picnic because of Senate duties.
Also missing from the political speaking Saturday was Kentucky’s most powerful Republican, Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell. A picnic mainstay for decades, McConnell relishes the verbal combat but also missed the event because of Senate duties. In a Senate speech Saturday, McConnell said the federal role in the long recovery for flood-damaged areas in his home state will grow once the rebuilding begins.
“Soon I’ll visit the region myself to meet with flood victims and listen to their concerns,” McConnell said. “Then I’ll take what I hear from my constituents back to Washington and ensure we stand by their side as we rebuild bigger and better than before.”
Biden declared a federal disaster to direct relief money to hard-hit Kentucky counties.
The family of Penrith player Jaeman Salmon have called on the NRL to “take action” against Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.
Stuart is being investigated by the NRL and faces potential legal action for labeling Salmon a “weak gutted dog person” following Saturday’s game at GIO Stadium.
It’s since been revealed Stuart allegedly had a run-in with a 12-year-old Salmon and his father in 2010 at a junior rugby league game in the Shire.
READMORE:Ricky facing legal action for explosive ‘weak gutted dog’ outburst
READMORE:‘Extraordinary’ scenes as Aussie claims Games gold
Stuart apologized for his outburst on Sunday, but the Salmon family wanted the governing body to come down hard on the experienced coach.
Jaeman Salmon of the Panthers scores a try against the Raiders. (Getty)
“We were disappointed by the comments of Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart after what was a fantastic game of football for the Panthers and our son, Jaeman,” a family statement to 9News said.
“We were surprised by Ricky’s claim that he knows Jaeman personally as they have had no contact since Jae was 12 years old.
Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on9Now
“We are calling on the NRL to take action as we believe Jaeman has been wronged in this situation.
“We will follow the correct procedures and let the NRL complete a thorough investigation.”
Freddy ‘in shock’ as Stuart comments
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo already confirmed the integrity unit is investigating the explosive press conference.
It’s been suggested Stuart – who has been fined many times by the NRL in the past, generally for comments about referees – could be banned from attending a game as punishment.
“I’m very disappointed by those comments, it’s really inappropriate for anyone to talk like that about someone else in the game,” Abdo told Triple M.
“It’s a serious matter.”
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Commonwealth Games in pictures: Netball semi-final delayed after a player broke the goal post
A group of Senate Democrats is planning to vote down all proposed amendments to their ambitious climate, taxes and health care bill during Saturday’s marathon session, hoping to preserve the bill’s chances of passing.
Sen. Cory Booker (DN.J.) told The Hill on Saturday that “a large number” of Democrats have signed on to the strategy of defeating all amendments at Saturday’s vote-a-rama.
The purpose of the plan, according to Booker, is to prevent any changes that could tank the legislation.
“We don’t want to compromise the final bill passage,” the New Jersey Democrat said, adding “We should stick together.”
“So there’s a large number of us and a growing number of us that are gonna do everything we can to defend the most historic bill in American history on climate change, the most significant bill in my lifetime for prescription drug costs and an incredible bill that’s gonna help more overall energy and health care costs for Americans,” he continued.
The Senate will hold a vote-a-rama on an open-ended series of amendments before taking a final vote on the 755-page bill. It’s part of the chamber’s budget reconciliation package that allows the majority party to pass major legislation with only 51 votes, thereby circumventing a filibuster.
Democrats are using this special process to pass their climate, tax and health care package, titled the Inflation Reduction Act. It contains a number of provisions central to President Biden’s domestic agenda.
Senators are allowed to offer as many amendments as they want during the vote-a-rama.
Republicans see it as a chance to put forward last-minute amendments and force their colleagues to take tough votes. They are expected to propose hundreds of changes though fewer than 50 are expected to get votes on the floor.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) says he plans to offer four amendments, including proposals to expand Medicare and to give the government significantly more power to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices. He is frustrated that the prescription drug language in the budget bill will cover only 20 drugs and won’t begin to go into effect until 2026.
Those amendments will put Democratic colleagues into a tough position. It will force them to choose between proposals that are popular with their base and Schumer’s strategy of keeping the compromise he struck with Sens. Joe Manchin (DW.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) intact. Any changes to the bill could imperil final passage, Schumer and other Democrats worry.
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) is urging against proposing amendments to the bill, according to a Democratic senator who spoke to The Hill on condition of anonymity.
Booker said he is aware of some colleagues “trying to talk” to Sanders to warn him that nothing will be gained from forcing votes on his amendments.
“That could create this kind of dem-on-dem violence where we are not only imperiling the bill but also putting other members in tough positions, that if they stick with the team that wants to try to push all amendments away that could put them into a position where somehow they’re attacked by people that think they were doing something that was not, something that was counter to that,” he said.
The New Jersey Democrat noted that even though he and his colleagues may agree with the measures put forward, they plan to oppose them to protect the bill’s chances of passing.
“There will be a lot of things that come up tonight that many of us passionately agree on. I heard somebody might file a bill on the child tax credit. Well me, [Sens. Sherrod Brown (R-Ohio) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.], we’ve been leading that for years. And Brown, Bennett and I are gonna have to vote against something we believe in,” he said.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), who vowed to “evaluate amendments individuals,” said he is “likely to be” against all revisions — even if he agrees with the substance of the change.
“I am deeply and strongly inclined to preserve this bill as it is because it is so consequential and we need, at the end of the day, to maintain unity,” he told The Hill.
“So as much as I may sympathize with a lot of the goals of amendments and would vote for those measures independently of this bill, I think this measure is so immensely consequential that it should be preserved,” he added.
Asked about Sanders’ amendments, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said he plans to vote against all changes brought to the floor, adding “I’m trying to keep this bill clean and get it out of here. It’s too important.”
Pressed on if there’s an agreement among Democrats to stay unified on amendments, the No. 2 Senate Democrat said “There are some who have some ideas we’re trying to discourage.”
Asked about conversations between Schumer and Sanders, a Democratic senator told The Hill “I’d be surprised if they weren’t taking place.”
The Australian women’s sevens rugby side somehow pulling a semi-final win out of the bag against New Zealand, thanks to Maddison Levi’s try that her sister Teagan set up, before exacting revenge against Fiji in the gold medal match. Watching the sisters in each other’s arms on the podium was memorable.
Australia celebrating their rugby sevens gold medal on Sunday.Credit:Getty
After the success of a gold medal at the Rio Olympics, Australia’s female sevens side has shown glimpses of its best in the past few years but the willpower on show in the final was beautiful to watch. It was fitting, too, that Sharni Williams played the match in rainbow headgear, a few days after the Manly jersey saga.
THE BAD
Two disabled Nigerian athletes being told they couldn’t compete in the para-powerlifting because they were 15 minutes late to check in. Sports need rules but witnessing the pair bawling their eyes out because team officials forgot to give them the right information was hard to watch. Letting them compete – they arrived more than an hour before the event – would have been the right thing to do.
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THE BRUMMY
Birmingham has done its bit. Sure, it’s not Coogee beach, but it’s a city with character. The volunteers are as helpful as any at any event I’ve covered, and even the local folk are desperate to make your experience a positive one. There is no shortage of kebab shops on the walk home from venues late at night. Is that a good or a bad thing?
PHIL LUTTON
THE GOOD
Ariarne Titmus dominated the pool in Birmingham.Credit:AP
It’s impossible not to be floored by what Ariarne Titmus does in the pool with such alarming regularity. She won the 200m-400m-800m triple but what she unleashed in the anchor leg of the 4x200m freestyle relay was special. Australia won the race and broke the world record on the back of a Titmus split that was ungodly. When she jumped into the water, Australia were more than 1.5 seconds off world-record pace. When she finished, they had set a new mark, with Titmus burning it up with a 1:52.82 split, the fastest in history, and making her the only woman to split under 1:53.00.
It is tempting to reflect on greatness after the fact but it’s far better to appreciate it when it happens right in front of you.
THE BAD
This is a truly golden era for Australian swimming, so it’s a little sad another strong meeting was overshadowed by a narrative out of the pool. What started as a silly little tabloid tale about Emma McKeon, Cody Simpson and Kyle Chalmers turned into a full-blown brawl in Birmingham, with Chalmers firing back hard at suggestions he was being cold towards McKeon and at the center of a team rift.
We can all do better here; the coverage was overly aggressive and the handling by Swimming Australia clumsy at best. Time to reset and rethink.
THE BRUMMY
too many Peaky Blinders references were barely enough in Birmingham. The cult show featured everywhere in the city, including the in-venue safety messages on the big screen. Hopefully, the athletes keep an eye on their medals because we all know the Peaky Blinders gang have a knack for finding things before they are lost.
ROB HARRIS
THE GOOD
Gymnastics has endured a tough couple of years, but the young team did its country proud. Best of the lot was Georgia Godwin who won two gold medals, a host of silvers and was an incredible force of positivity despite her personal battles.
Georgia Godwin won two gold medals for Australia.Credit:Getty
THE BAD
Food at big sporting events is always overpriced and under-seasoned. The worst of the lot was at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre, where the cost of a plate of sausage and chips was £9.50 (almost $20). A nearby burger van charged £6.50 for a cheeseburger.
THE BRUMMY
A proud industrial city – think Newcastle or Geelong – Birmingham was a brilliant choice for the Games. Ticket sales went through the roof, and the city was teeming every day. And no one talked about COVID.
MICHAEL GLEESON
THE GOOD
The athletics track has been brilliant: good stadium, good atmosphere and good athletics. And for those who question the quality of the fields, it has had elite performers. Rohan Browning’s first run 10.1 seconds was quality coming off a flat world championships. Nothing gets you up and about more than 100m. Special mention for the triathlon mixed relay, that was a good event. And for the fact COVID didn’t destroy the Games.
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THE BAD
Two of Australia’s best athletes Stewy McSweyn and Nicola Olyslagers having to pull out injured. Disappointing. McSweyn didn’t get on the track at all and Olyslagers jumped in qualifying and hurt a calf. Pity, we missed the head to head between her de ella, as Olympics silver medalist, and new world champion Eleanor Patterson. Also, there were far too few flat caps in town for the home of Tommy and Arthur Shelby.
THE BRUMMY
The Games were organized a bit like everyone else decided to come over for a party at your house and told you at the last minute, a few things were not quite ready. Transport has been patchy. Getting to the triathlon was as hard as running it. That said, the alehouses (I haven’t got to The Garrison yet) are excellent, the people are very proud of their city (which is a bit of a whipping boy for the rest of England) and the canals in the heart of town are great.
Get all the latest news from the Birmingham Commonwealth Gameshere. We’ll be live blogging the action from 4pm-10am daily.
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WINDSOR HILLS, Calif. (KABC) — A somber vigil was held Friday evening to honor the victims of a multi-vehicle crash in Windsor Hills that killed six people, including a pregnant woman who died along with her young son.
Asherey Ryan was on her way to a prenatal doctor’s appointment at the time of the fiery collision on Thursday, her sister Seana Kerr told ABC7. Ryan’s 11-month-old son Alonzo Quintero and her boyfriend, Reynold Lester, were also among the deceased victims.
“Everybody’s heartbroken,” Kerr said in an interview. “She literally walked out the door, because we all live together, and she said, ‘Ok, I love y’all. I’m going to my doctor’s appointment to check up on the baby.’ We asked, ‘Oh, why don’t you leave our nephew here?’ She said, ‘No, I want to take my son for a ride.’ So, knowing that really, really broke our hearts.”
Lester’s family told ABC7 that the 24-year-old security guard was the father of the unborn child, who was listed as “baby boy Ryan” in online coroner’s records.
Two other women and a man were also killed but their names weren’t made public Friday.
Shortly after 1:30 pm Thursday, a Mercedes-Benz coupe ran a red light at high speed and caused the crash involving as many as six cars near a gas station at the intersection of Slauson and La Brea avenues, according to the California Highway Patrol .
READ ALSO | Woman was heading to prenatal checkup with infant son, boyfriend before deadly Windsor Hills crash
The California Highway Patrol said 37-year-old Nicole Lorraine Linton, who was injured in the collision, was taken into custody at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
Prosecutors said they could receive the case as early as next Monday and will then decide whether to file criminal charges.
“I drove to the scene,” Kerr said. “I ran past the police officers just because I wanted to feel her energy from her one more time. Yesterday, I truly lost it. My family was broken yesterday, and we’re still broken.”
Alonzo would have turned one-year-old on Aug. 17, his family said.
Meanwhile, Ryan’s mother said family members have set up a GoFundMe to help with funeral expenses.
Ryan was a stay-at-home mother and a student, according to her family.
WATCH | Drivers left in shock after violent Windsor Hills crash kills 6: ‘It could’ve been me’
The Mercedes-Benz coupe never appeared to brake as it flew through the intersection and CHP Officer Franco Pepi said detectives are looking into whether Linton had a medical episode or was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Several people were flung from the cars and two vehicles caught fire. News video from the scene showed the charred and mangled cars, as well as a child’s car seat among the debris covering the street.
Surveillance video showed the Mercedes careening through an intersection, striking at least two cars that exploded in flames and were sent hurtling onto a sidewalk, winding up against the gas station’s corner sign. A fiery streak led to one car. One vehicle was torn in half.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released the following statement Friday afternoon:
“My heart goes out to the families that lost loved ones in the horrific car collision that occurred yesterday in Windsor Hills. This incredible tragedy has sent shockwaves throughout Los Angeles and the loss of so many precious lives will have a lasting impact on those that are closest to them.Our office is in close contact with the lead law enforcement agency investigating. A prosecutor has already been assigned and will be working with law enforcement throughout the weekend. We will provide updates as more information becomes available. The case could be presented to us as early as Monday.”
Meanwhile, two LA-based groups that advocate for safer streets around the city are hosting a vigil on Sunday to honor the lives of the victims.
Fox Footy pundits have called for those at the Adelaide Football Club responsible for the infamous 2018 pre-season camp to take accountability for the wrongdoings, saying the “cover-up is the issue” and the misuse of players’ personal information is “harrowing. ”
Shocking new details of the pre-season camp emerged this week in Eddie Betts’ recently released biography, while fellow former Crows Josh Jenkins and Bryce Gibbs also spoke out on their distressing experiences.
While Crows CEO Tim Silvers, who wasn’t at Adelaide in 2018, apologized to Betts, five-time All-Australian Nick Riewoldt believes current club bosses shouldn’t necessarily wear the brunt of the criticism given many weren’t at West Lakes at the time.
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Jenkins full statement on infamous camp | 15:39
“I don’t know if it’s necessarily about punishing the Adelaide Crows. Because a lot of the people who were at the Adelaide Crows at the time have moved on. So is it fair to punish the Crows?” I have posed.
“I think the responsible people need to put their hand up and actually show some accountability. There were people saying in the aftermath, ‘we laugh at the some of the things we hear about the noise around the camp.’ Well it clearly wasn’t a laughing matter, it was a really, really serious matter.
“Those that were responsible for the investigation and actions need to be held accountable.
“I think actually putting your hand up and being on record and explaining why and how. And why the cover up? Why has it taken four years for this to happen and reach the point that it is.”
Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley agreed that concealing the details of what happened is most damning and concerned players were pressured into staying silent.
“The cover-up is the issue, because I’ve got no doubt the leadership of the Adelaide Football Club didn’t think they were going to undermine the fabric of the organisation,” he said.
“When you hear the anecdotes of the players and the way that information was used, it’s harrowing.
“It seemed to me the way the exit was planned, saying, ‘this is how you should talk about this,’ that there was an element of keeping that in the same little (group).
“Collective Minds, who were the outside facilitators, they’ve been quite litigious with this. They’ve slapped, rigged and tried to quiet this down. I’ve got no doubt it’s been very difficult for the Adelaide Football Club to be fully transparent in some ways, because of the litigious nature of the third party, and that makes it pretty tough for them.”
“Our game betrayed him” Robbo on Betts | 01:02
Triple-premiership winning Lion Jonathan Brown says it highlights the risks of bringing “outside facilitators” into a footy club.
“At the end of the day if that’s the player’s experience and that’s the way they perceived what happened, you have to take those things on face value,” the ex-Brisbane skipper said.
“It’s a great lesson, you need to get on the front foot and you need to apologize and own up to your mistakes, because people make mistakes all the time.
“I’m not sure about outside facilitators, you’ve got to be careful you bring outside facilitators into your football club. You’ve certainly got to check their CV and make sure what their reputation is and experience, because that was a bad decision for the club to bring them in.”
The AFLPA (Players Association) this week indicated it would effectively reopen its investigation into the pre-season event and contact all players for a “better understanding” of what occurred, saying it would’ve taken more immediate action had it known all the information from the outlet.
However Riewoldt questioned why the players union didn’t probe the incident more thoroughly four years ago.
“Why wasn’t it investigated properly? The people who represent the players — the Players Association — why didn’t they fight the fight properly for the players back then?” I have posed.
“Aren’t we resilient enough?” | 02:00
“They’re all questions that need answering… a lot of people have let them (the players) down. But if the Players Association don’t exist to fight for the players in situations like this to protect the players then what do they exist for?”
Former Adelaide coach and current Swans assistant Don Pyke also apologized for the 2018 pre-season camp amid growing scrutiny for his role in it.
Pyke departed the Crows at the end of 2019 and has been linked to several coaching vacancies amid praise for his impact at the Swans, admitting the idea of being a senior boss again was enticing.
Asked if it hurts his future coaching aspirations, Brown said: “It does at the moment, whether it does in years down the track.”
Buckley agreed that “in some ways it does” affect Pyke’s chances in the short term, but pointed out that other coaches have previously pushed the boundaries with programs.
“You think back to legendary coaches of the past, I reckon if you got the worst things they’d done… there’s probably been some pretty average things players have been exposed to in the view of building resilience and being tougher and drawing the group together,” he said.
In meetings in Manila dominated by discussion on simmering US-China tensions over the Taiwan visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Blinken said a 70-year-old defense pact with the Philippines was “ironclad.”
“An armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels and aircraft will invoke US mutual defense commitments under that treaty,” Blinken told a news conference.
“The Philippines is an irreplaceable friend, partner, and ally to the United States.”
Blinken was the most senior US official to meet new President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr., the son of the late strongman who Washington helped to flee into exile in Hawaii during a 1986 “people power” uprising that ended his two-decade rule.
In opening remarks to Blinken, Marcos sought to downplay the diplomatic flare-up over Taiwan and said he believed Pelosi’s trip “did not raise the intensity” of a situation that was already volatile.
“We have been at that level for a good while, but we have sort of got used to the idea,” Marcos said.
The Philippines is a fulcrum of the geopolitical rivalry between the US and China and Marcos faces a tricky challenge in balancing ties between the two major powers.
He will also face domestic pressure to stand up to China in the South China Sea, without angering its leadership.
US-Philippines ties were shaken by predecessor Rodrigo Duterte’s overtures towards China, his famous anti-US rhetoric and threats to downgrade their military ties.
On Saturday, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said President Joe Biden had invited Marcos to Washington, and both sides were working on a suitable date.
Marcos has not been to the US in more than a decade, due largely to a contempt of court order for his refusal to cooperate with a Hawaii court, which in 1995 ordered the Marcos family to return $2 billion of missing state wealth to victims of abuses by the state under his father’s rule.
Marcos Jr. and mother, Imelda, also face a $353 million fine.
The US embassy in Manila has said heads of state have diplomatic immunity.
Manalo said Washington was an important ally, but concerning nearby Taiwan he told Blinken the Philippines “looks at the big powers to help calm the waters.”
“We can ill afford any further escalation of tensions,” he said.
It has not even been a year since Bryan Battle won The Ultimate Fighter 29 but the 27-year-old has quickly risen up the ranks and just made his biggest statement yet.
Entering the octagon for his welterweight debut, Battle (8-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC) landed a thundering head kick to send Takashi Sato to the canvas (16-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC).
It secured Battle a brutal knockout win just 44 seconds into the fight.
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Tough as nails Aussie makes Dana applaud | 01:28
“Bryan Battle wants everyone to know he is for real,” Brendan Fitzgerald said in commentary.
“Stop doubting him. He was still feeling a little bit disrespected and under-the-radar in anticipation of this fight.”
Sato had not been finished with strikes since 2015 but Battle said post-fight that the head kick was something he was aiming to use, perhaps not that soon though.
“It’s crazy,” Battle said.
“It’s something that we saw, it’s something we anticipated. I didn’t see it happening quite so soon. That was probably the most beautiful strike I’ve ever thrown.”
It certainly earned Battle plenty of accolades from former UFC fighters Rashad Evans and Din Thomas, who were sitting octagon-side during the fight.
Bryan Battle made a statement.Source: FOX SPORTS
“Oh my God, that kick was absolutely amazing,” Evans said.
“The timing on it was absolutely perfect. He got Sato throwing a punch at the same time as he was throwing a punch and then followed through with a kick. It was just absolutely amazing. Just the sound of it was nasty.
“It put him right out. Bryan Battle makes a big statement.”
“He looked good from top to bottom,” Thomas added.
“Even in the beginning, he looked smooth on his feet. It sounded like he hit a watermelon with a baseball bat, it was a nasty sound to be sitting next to the octagon.”
Battle took the opportunity to call out Bryan Barberena and Ian Garry post-fight, even mistakenly taking aim at the former for spelling his name ‘Brian’.
“I’m not saying this man’s ducking me, but at the least, he’s being protected,” Battle said of Garry.
“I want you. I want all the clout. Neither one of us ranked, nothing is holding us back.”
Barberena was quick to respond on Twitter, taking a cheeky shot at Battle for the name mix-up.
Forget dumpster diving for food — the lure of free shoes had these thrifty sandgropers raiding a skip bin outside the head office of a popular shoe retailer.
A crowd of people were spotted outside Betts’ headquarters in Osborne Park on Saturday afternoon after word spread of two big bins full of shoes.
“I’m sure it’s already been shared on the Perth feral community pages … but hurry on down to (Betts’) head office in Osborne Park and help raid the two giant skip bins full of shoes,” a social media user posted on Facebook.
“Or if that’s too much work check out any of the markets or some IGAs around Perth tomorrow.”
Betts Group chief executive Todd Wilner was on his way to the office with another senior executive to clean up the mess on Sunday when he told The West Australian the shoes were samples, some of them with holes drilled into them, and none were in pairs.
Mr Wilner said the company was very conscious about waste and had reached out to charities in the past but were told the shoes were not wanted unless they were in pairs.
Forget dumpster diving for food — the lure of free shoes had these thrifty sandgropers raiding a skip bin outside the head office of a popular shoe retailer. Credit: unknown/Supplied
He said if there was a charity who would be interested in using the samples he wanted to hear from them.
“If there is an organization out there who is prepared to work with us and take single shoes, we are absolutely happy to work with them to reduce our waste,” he said.
Dumpster diving — when people rummage through bins to find edible food, usually discarded at shopping centers — has made headlines recently after a City of Fremantle councilor was caught in the act last month.
Cr Rachel Pemberton admitted she had taken mince and a “few small tubs of yogurt” from a South Fremantle Woolworths bin, where she was spotted, filmed and photographed by a bemused resident.
“The amount of food waste in Australia is shameful — if I and others save some of it from landfill is that really an issue?” Cr Pemberton said.
“I know of many people who dumpster dive, not just hippies and backpackers but people on extremely low income who wait by the bins when the staff close the shop and throw out the day’s unsold stock — right through to well-dressed older people who drive Mercedes in the leafy western suburbs.”
While taking food out of bins can be grounds for trespass and even stealing in WA, Cr Pemberton said she believed the “extreme amount of food that goes into landfill” that should be illegal.
