Categories
Australia

It’s no wonder nobody trusts politicians – they are not trustworthy

It's no wonder nobody trusts politicians – they are not trustworthy

In last year’s IPSOS global survey of trustworthiness of various professions, while doctors and scientists scored well, journalists did OK (considering) and advertising executives fared badly. Right down in last place were “politicians generally”, with only 10 per cent of those polled ranking them “trustworthy”. Given recent events in Victoria, even that seems charitable.

Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy has denied involvement in requesting payments from a Liberal donor.

Victorian Liberal leader Matthew Guy has denied involvement in requesting payments from a Liberal donor.Credit:Wayne Taylor

Whatever slim chance the Coalition had of winning the state election in November was further weakened on Tuesday when The Age revealed Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s chief of staff, Mitch Catlin, had drawn up a contract to solicit a billionaire donor to make more than $100,000 in payments to his private marketing business. In return for what we are yet to be enlightened, but it looked grubby.

Catlin resigned, Guy tried to tough it out as questions mounted about his knowledge of the proposal and the subsequent viability of his leadership, and Premier Daniel Andrews couldn’t believe his luck – just a fortnight earlier it was he who had been in the harsh glare of the integrity spotlight.

Last month Guy would have been delighted at the findings of Operation Watts, a joint investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and the Victorian Ombudsman instigated two years ago after an exposé by The Age and 60 minutes into industrial-scale branch-stacking and influence-peddling within the Victorian Labor Party.

loading

The Watts report chronicled a “catalogue of unethical and inappropriate behavior and concerning practices” within the ALP, including that grants to community groups were handed out with inadequate scrutiny due to their importance in factional influence; staff at head office turned a blind eye to evidence of branch stacking; staff and MPs knew of signatures being forged and MPs’ staff had unauthorized access to sensitive information on ALP databases.

At least a normally combative Andrews took his medicine, admitting the culture was “shameful” and “absolutely disgraceful behaviour” and vowed to implement all 21 of the report’s recommendations.

All is not forgiven, Premier. The Watts findings were not a one-off. Indeed, as The Age‘s political editor Annika Smethurst wrote, Labor “has amassed an impressive portfolio of scandals since coming to office”, accused of, among other things, unwarranted secrecy around its controversial health decisions, withholding documents from public scrutiny, dodgy deals with unions and cozy bar-room chats with development lobbyists.

Guy claimed, rightly, the Watts report showed “a Labor government mired in corruption, cover-ups and political games at the expense of Victorians.” Yet Guy’s occupation of the moral high ground was brief: just days later he was facing his own allegations.

Categories
US

Robert Brockman, billionaire charged in tax evasion case, dies at 81

Robert Brockman, billionaire charged in tax evasion case, dies at 81

Billionaire Robert Brockman, who was indicted in 2020 in what has been called the largest ever tax evasion case against an individual in the United States, has died. He was 81.

Brockman’s death was confirmed Saturday by his lead attorney, Kathy Keneally. Additional details and the cause of death were not immediately available.

His attorneys had been arguing in court that he had dementia and was incompetent to stand trial. But a judge in May ruled him competent and set a February 2023 trial date.

Robert Brockman in 2011.
Robert Brockman in 2011.Dave Rossman/Houston Chronicle via AP

Brockman, a Florida native and Houston resident whose fortune has been estimated by Forbes at $4.7 billion, was the former CEO of Reynolds & Reynolds, an Ohio-based software company that provides solutions to businesses.

In October 2020, the government charged him in a 39-count indictment with evading taxes on $2 billion in gains, wire fraud, money laundering and other offenses. He had pleaded not guilty.

The alleged scheme to conceal the billions in income since the IRS spanned decades, the Department of Justice said in its announcement of the indictment.

David L. Anderson, US attorney for the Northern District of California, said at the time that the “allegation of a $2 billion tax fraud is the largest ever tax charge against an individual” in the US

Keneally, his lead lawyer and a long-time tax specialist, was the assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s tax division from 2012 to 2014.

According to court records, Robert Smith, Brockman’s former business associate and the wealthiest Black citizen in the US, was to be a key witness against him. Smith avoided charges by admitting to evading taxes, paying $139 million in taxes and penalties, and agreeing to cooperate, records show.

At issue in the criminal case against Brockman was the allegation that he avoided taxes through an offshore charitable trust that the prosecutor said was secretly controlled by him — and which he said was independent.

Prosecutors said he used ill-gotten gains to buy a Colorado fishing lodge, a private jet and a 200-foot yacht, among other things. The government filed paperwork in 2021 to seize the 100-acre fishing retreat in the Rockies, the Aspen Times reported then.

It was not immediately clear how Brockman’s death would affect the government’s ability to recover the taxes it says are owed.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dorothy; they are Robert Brockman II; a brother and two grandchildren, according to Bloomberg.

Ken Dilanian is the intelligence and national security correspondent for NBC News, based in Washington.

Categories
Sports

Tariq Sims tackle, Dragons, Connor Tracey, Sharks, Ashley Klein, no bin, charge sheet, James Fisher-Harris

Tariq Sims tackle, Dragons, Connor Tracey, Sharks, Ashley Klein, no bin, charge sheet, James Fisher-Harris

Tariq Sims’ time at the Dragons appears to be over with the second rower looking at a minimum of four weeks on the sidelines for a high shot on Connor Tracey.

NRL referee Ashley Klein has been blasted as “gutless” for failing to send off Sims after the Dragons enforcer knocked out the Sharks winger in their 24-18 loss on Saturday.

Tracey’s game ended after just 12 minutes after running the ball out of his own half when Andrew McCullough took his legs and Sims came over the top.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Sims’ shoulder caught Tracey flush on the jaw the Sharks winger appeared to be unconscious before he hit the ground.

Sims immediately called for Tracey to be helped by trainers and he looked visibly uncomfortable as the Cronulla star was being treated by medical staff.

The game was held up for more than five minutes as Tracey was placed onto a stretcher and driven off the field.

Sims has been charged with a grade three careless high tackle and given it is his third and subsequent offence, he is looking at four games on the sideline even with an early plea.

Should he fight the charge unsuccessfully, Sims will be banned for five matches.

Either way, it looks like Sims’ career at the Dragons is over, with the 32-year-old set to join the Melbourne Storm next season.

Tariq Sims tackles Sharks star Connor Tracey.Source: FOX SPORTS

MORE NRL NEWS

‘WEAK GUTTED DOG’: Ricky’s stunning spray aimed at Panthers star over low blow

BIG HITS: Brave Edwards leads Panthers to victory as Raiders’ finals hopes fade

GONE: Dragons shock call to sack NRL great as coaching clean out continues

WHISPERS: Titans’ odd man out revealed, four clubs plot raid for Cowboys star

LATE MAIL: Storm considered big Munster switch; Panthers to unleash sensation

RESURGENCE: How Dogs escaped Baz’s ‘shackles’ as roster calls wake sleeping giant

speaking on Fox League During commentary of Saturday’s game, experts questioned whether Sims should have even been allowed back on the field.

“Oh, there’s a hit here that is going to get the attention of the bunker and it’s Connor Tracey. That had the concern of the Dragons players as well,” Dan Ginnane said on Fox League.

“I think he knows he’s about to be punished but also some concern for the player he struck. We’re not seeing Connor Tracey again tonight.”

Sims was binned which several commentators deemed fortunate for the 32-year-old leaving the club at the end of the season.

“That was the best case scenario for the Dragons,” Ginnane said.

ABC Grandstand commentator Andrew Moore exploded at Klein while Sims was in the bin.

“That is a gutless decision, and is not in the best interest of the game. I find that absolutely disgusting,” Moore said.

Sims showed plenty of remorse and Tracey was soon back up and walking in the sheds.

“Some good news on Connor Tracey’s welfare, he’s up and about in the sheds… but obviously will not be back tonight,” Fox League sideline reporter Lara Pitt said in the 22nd minute.

MORE NRL NEWS

‘BIGGEST JOKE’: Reynolds’ stand as Klemmer call leaves teammates ‘frustrated’

HOOPER: O’Brien blow-up exposes Knights divide; Roosters move to wrap up star

HEALTH CHECK: Bellamy’s nightmare laid bare as Des’ dream on brink of collapse

Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!

In other match review committee news, Panthers front rower James Fisher-Harris is looking at a minimum of two weeks on the sideline for a high shot on Joseph Tapine.

Fisher-Harris was charged with a grade three careless high tackle and faces three weeks out should he fight the ruling and be found guilty at the panel.

The Panthers are set to play the Storm and Rabbitohs in the next fortnight and are already without halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.

Raiders winger Nick Cotric is also set for a stint on the sideline for his careless high tackle on Dylan Edwards, facing one game out if he takes the early plea.

Like Fisher-Harris, Cotric was sent to the sin bin for his high shot and is looking at two weeks should he fight the charge and be found guilty at the panel.

Raiders team mate tapine was also charged for a grade one crusher tackle but will escape with a fine if he takes the early plea.

.

Categories
Australia

Man accused of mass shooting in rural Queensland is 59-year-old Darryl Young

Man accused of mass shooting in rural Queensland is 59-year-old Darryl Young

The man accused of murder after mass shooting in rural Queensland has been revealed to be local farmer Darryl Young.

The 59-year-old has been charged with murdering his neighbours, Mervyn Schwarz, 71, his wife Maree, 59, and her son Graham Tighe, 35.

The neighbors had a long-running dispute about boundary lines at their properties, in the rural town of Bogie, police say.

Watch the latest News on Channel 7 or stream for free on 7plus >>

It is alleged that Young invited his neighbors to meet him at the edge of his Shannonvale Road property on Thursday.

Young is accused of then shooting the couple, and Maree’s sons Graham and Ross Tighe, ‘execution-style’ with a rifle.

Darryl Young has been identified as the accused murderer. Credit: 7NEWS
Maree and Mervyn Schwarz. Credit: Supplied

Ross, who was shot in the stomach, miraculously survived the shooting, and managed to escape in a ute and call for help.

Ross was able to escape in a ute and call for help. Credit: 7NEWS

He remains in Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition.

Graham’s brother Ross survived and was able to flee into remote bushland with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Credit: 7NEWS

On Friday, Young was charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

He is due to appear in the Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.

Acting Superintendent Tom Armitt said the property where the shooting allegedly took place was “tens of thousands of acres”.

“It’s actually a 45-minute drive between the neighbours,” he said.

“At the crime scene, which is at the front gate of one of the premises, it is a 3km drive between the gate and the house at that location.”

The shooting occurred at the gate of Young’s rural property. Credit: 7NEWS

Armitt said because Ross had been so far from the crime scene, and it was unclear whether the alleged gunman was still at large, police were cautious in their approach to the property.

“At that time, not knowing whether the armed offender was present or not, putting their lives in grave danger, especially when the report was that the people had been shot with a rifle,” Armitt said.

“So that was slow and meticulous work and extremely brave of the officers who were involved at that time.”

The charges come as new tragic details emerge that Graham’s partner Lucy had only recently given birth to their second child.

Graham’s partner Lucy had given birth to their second child just weeks before. Credit: 7NEWS

Graham’s uncle, Greg Austen, told 7NEWS the father had only spent a few days with the newborn before the baby was taken to Brisbane to visit Lucy’s mother.

“It’s just devastating shock that things can happen so quickly in the blink of an eye and ruin so many lives so quickly,” he said.

Lucy had been stuck in Brisbane, as she was unable to fly on commercial airlines weeks after giving birth.

On Friday, the charity Angel Flight arranged a charter for Lucy and her two young children to fly home to north Queensland.

Horrific footage of crowd falling as railing collapses

Horrific footage of crowd falling as railing collapses

.

Categories
US

Irvine: Orange County dermatologist Yue Yu arrested on suspicion of poisoning husband

Irvine: Orange County dermatologist Yue Yu arrested on suspicion of poisoning husband

IRVINE, Calif. — Police have arrested an Orange County woman for an investigation of poisoning her husband.

Police in Irvine say a man reported Thursday that he believed he was being poisoned by his wife of 10 years after he grew ill over the course of a month.

The man had video evidence he also provided to authorities, police said in a statement. He had internal injuries but is expected to recover, the statement said.

Yue Yu, 45, was arrested Thursday after investigators interviewed her and searched the couple’s home, the statement said. She is due to appear in court Monday and is being held on a $30,000 bail, online jail records show.

It was not immediately known whether Yu had an attorney.

Irvine woman arrested on suspicion of poisoning husband

Irvine woman arrested on suspicion of poisoning husband

Yue Yu, 45, was arrested after investigators interviewed her and searched the couple’s home, police said.

Irvine Police Department

Yu is a dermatologist in Orange County and attended medical school at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, according to her office’s website. A message was left seeking comment at the office.

Providence Mission Hospital, where Yu can see patients, said in a statement Friday that the hospital is cooperating with police and the incident was a domestic issue and has not affected patient care.

Copyright © 2022 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

.

Categories
Sports

NRL 2022, Cronulla Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons match report round 21, match highlights, injuries, media conferences

NRL 2022, Cronulla Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons match report round 21, match highlights, injuries, media conferences

The Sharks climbed to third spot on the ladder with a 24-18 win in the local derby against the Dragons at PointsBet Stadium on Saturday night.

With four games to play the Sharks are in the box seat to snare a crucial top-four position while the season appears to be over for the Dragons.

The Sharks needed only three minutes to open the scoring when Nicho Hynes strolled over from close range before the Dragons hit back in the ninth minute when a Ben Hunt bomb was spilled by Ronaldo Mulitalo and Jack de Belin picked up the scraps to score.

The Dragons went down a man in the 12th minute when Tariq Sims was sent to the bin for high contact on Sharks winger Connor Tracey.

The Sharks looked to have crossed again in the 21st minute through Mulitalo but the final pass from Wade Graham was ruled forward.



Sims sent to the bin

It took the home side just four minutes to make amends when stand-in five-eighth Braydon Trindall bamboozled De Belin and Talatau Amone with a show-and-go and crossed to make it 12-6.

Coming into the starting side when Matt Moylan withdrew with a quad strain, Trindall looked right at home, laying on a try Teig Wilton with a sweet pass close to the line.

The Sharks went down to 12 men when Blayke Brailey was sin binned on the stroke of half-time for laying in the ruck too long and the Red V capitalized in the 44th minute when Amone put Tautau Moga over with a long cut-out pass. Zac Lomax’s sideline conversion made it 18-12.



Trindall’s tricky treat

When Mat Feagai finished off crisp lead-up work by Ben Hunt and Jack Bird in the 55th minute the Dragons were back within two points.

With the game in the balance it was a spilled bomb by Tyrell Sloan opening the door for the Sharks, with Briton Nikora picking up the scraps and linking with Brailey who found Graham for the try. Hynes converted for 24-16.

An offside penalty against the Sharks with two minutes to play handed Lomax the chance to get the Dragons within six points but that was as close as the Red V would get, Moses Mbye dropping the ball at dummy half to put paid to their last shot at points.

The Dragons now find themselves four points outside the eight with a points differential of -130, the worst of any of the sides scrambling for eighth spot.

Match Snapshot

  • Dragons forward Tariq Sims was put on report and sin binned in the 12th minute for high contact on Sharks winger Connor Tracey, who left the field on a stretcher.
  • Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey was sin binned in the 39th minute for a professional foul.
  • PointsBet Stadium was a sell-out for the local derby, following on from Friday night’s sell-out at 4 Pines Park for Manly and Parramatta. The ‘house full’ sign will also go up at Bundaberg’s Salter Oval on Sunday for the Bulldogs and Cowboys.
  • Sharks debutant Kade Dykes had 13 runs for 96 meters from fullback.
  • Dragons hooker Andrew McCullough came into the game averaging 35 tackles per game and came up with 32 tonight.


Wilton scores with his first touch

  • Mat Feagai is now the Dragons’ leading tryscorer for the season with seven.
  • The Dragons have won only two from 12 against top-eight opposition in 2022.
  • Nicho Hynes was outstanding for the Sharks with a try, four goals, 145 running meters and five tackle breaks.
  • The Sharks made 17 errors to the Dragons’ nine and completed at just 68 per cent (34 of 50).
  • The Sharks have won eight from nine at PointsBet Stadium this season.
  • The Sharks have won their past five games against the Dragons.


De Belin scores

Play of the Game

With the Dragons nipping at their heels with 15 minutes to play the Sharks capitalized on a Tyrell Sloan error to get some breathing space at 24-16. Briton Nikora put pressure on Sloan and then put the loose ball on his boot and did well to scoop it up before finding Blayke Brailey in support, the hooker delivering the final pass to Wade Graham for the try. The four-pointer was Graham’s first from him since round 20 of the 2020 season against Canberra and was just reward for his tireless support play.



wade to go

What They Said

“We had a lot to overcome during the week, a lot of hurdles to jump there but we still found a way and whoever came in did their job, so I’m happy about that. More changes throughout the game as well so there’s a lot of positive stuff with character and toughness but we need to play better than that. Lucky for us we had Lachie Miller there today who was a pretty handy replacement for us [when Connor Tracey] went off. You don’t want to see that happen to anyone but Lachie got the job done again for us.” – Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon



Sharks: Round 21

“We gave everything but at times we just didn’t execute, catching kicks and then we had our chances in good ball we were just a little clunky at times. Over the past three weeks we have played some really good football apart from probably 15 minutes against the Cowboys at the back end of last week. That’s why it’s frustrating because we’ve played three really good sides and put ourselves in a position to win every game. We did a lot of things right to try and win that game today so we have to dust ourselves off and keep coming at it next Sunday [against the Raiders].” – Dragons coach Anthony Griffin



Dragons:Round 21

what’s next

The Sharks finish the season with four matches against teams outside the top eight, starting with Wests Tigers in Tamworth in Round 22 followed by Sea Eagles (a), Bulldogs (h) and Knights (a). They welcome back Dale Finucane from suspension for the Tigers game.

The Dragons expect to have Cody Ramsey back on deck for the crucial road trip to Canberra in Round 22. They host the Titans at WIN Stadium in Round 23 before finishing the regular season against Wests Tigers in Round 24 and the Broncos in Round 25.

Categories
Australia

David Barnett, journalist and press secretary, dies aged 90

David Barnett, journalist and press secretary, dies aged 90

Journalist, author and federal press secretary David Barnett has died in Canberra at the age of 90.

Barnett was press secretary to Malcolm Fraser in opposition and in government at the height of the 1975 crisis and its aftermath, when Fraser led the Liberal Party in challenging then-prime minister Gough Whitlam and blocking supply in the Senate.

Pru Goward and David Barnett on their wedding day with Pru's daughters Kate Fischer, 12, right and Penny, 11.

Pru Goward and David Barnett on their wedding day with Pru’s daughters Kate Fischer, 12, right and Penny, 11.Credit:

He served as press secretary for seven years after Fraser won the 1975 election before returning to journalism in the press gallery of Parliament House in Canberra.

“He was a tremendous worker,” he said of Fraser in an ABC interview in 2015. “He didn’t spare us much either. His hair turned gray in the job and so did mine really.

After leaving government, Barnett went on to write a biography of John Howard soon after Howard led the Liberals to victory at the 1996 federal election. Barnett wrote the book, John Howard: Prime Ministerwith his wife, Pru Goward, a fellow journalist who became the federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner, a Liberal member in the NSW Parliament and a minister in the state government.

David Barnett when he was PM Malcolm Fraser's press secretary in 1980.

David Barnett when he was PM Malcolm Fraser’s press secretary in 1980.Credit:

In a statement released on Sunday morning, Howard said Barnett was an invaluable adviser to Fraser and his death marked the departure of a highly significant figure in the national media.

“I counted him as a good friend,” Howard said.

Barnett’s colleagues noted he was still writing for his local paper, the Yass-Tribune, in regional NSW, when he was in his 80s. He had started in journalism as a copy boy on The Sun in Sydney in 1949.

Categories
US

US Senate Democrats battle to pass $430 billion climate, drug bill

US Senate Democrats battle to pass $430 billion climate, drug bill

WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (Reuters) – The US Senate on Saturday began debating a Democratic bill to address key elements of President Joe Biden’s agenda – tackling climate change, lowering the costs of medication for the elderly and energy, while forcing corporations and the wealthy to pay more taxes.

The debate began after the Senate voted 51-50 to move ahead with the legislation. Vice President Kamala Harris broke a tie vote, with all 50 Republicans in opposition.

The Senate was set to debate the bill for up to 20 hours before diving into an arduous, time-consuming amendment process called a “vote-a-rama.”

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Democrats and Republicans were poised to reject each other’s amendments, as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer maneuvered to keep a his 50-member caucus united behind a bill that was negotiated over several months. If even one Democrat were to peel off, the entire effort would be doomed in the evenly split 50-50 Senate. read more

Earlier in the day, the Senate parliamentarian determined that the lion’s share of the healthcare provisions in the $430 billion bill could be passed with only a simple majority, bypassing a filibuster rule requiring 60 votes in the 100-seat chamber to advance most legislation and enabling Democrats to pass it over Republican objections.

Democrats hope that the legislation will give a boost to their candidates in the Nov. 8 midterm elections in which Biden’s party is in an uphill battle to retain its narrow control of the Senate and House of Representatives. The Democrats cast the legislation as a vehicle to combat inflation, a prime concern of US voters this year.

“The bill, when passed, will meet all of our goals: fighting climate change, lowering healthcare costs, closing tax loopholes abused by the wealthy and reducing the deficit,” Schumer said in a Senate speech.

There are three main parts to the bill’s tax provisions: a 15% minimum tax on corporations and the closing of loopholes that the wealthy can use to avoid paying taxes; tougher IRS enforcement; and a new excise tax on stock buybacks.

The legislation has $430 billion in new spending along with raising more than $740 billion in new revenues. read more

Democrats have said the legislation by 2030 would result in a 40% reduction in US carbon emissions, blamed for climate change.

‘PRICE-FIXING’

The measure would also allow the Medicare government health insurance program for the elderly to begin negotiating in 2026 with the pharmaceutical industry over prices on a limited number of prescription drug prices as a way of reducing costs. It also would place a $2,000-per-year cap on out-of-pocket medication costs under a Medicare drug program.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell attacked the provision involving negotiating drug prices, comparing it to past “price-fixing” attempts by countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and the former Soviet Union.

“Their policy would bring about a world where many fewer new drugs and treatments get invented in the first place as companies cut back on R&D,” McConnell said in a floor speech, referring to research and development.

While senators debated the policies embedded in the bill, its political ramifications were also on display.

In a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Saturday, former President Donald Trump predicted fallout for Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, two key Democratic senators: “If this deal passes, they are both going to lose their next elections.”

But Manchin and Sinema are not up for re-election until 2024 and many of the provisions of the bill are popular with voters.

The legislation is a scaled-down version of a far broader, more expensive measure that many Democrats on the party’s left had hoped to approve last year. That measure stalled when Manchin, a centrist, balked, complaining that it would exacerbate inflationary pressures.

The bill calls for billions of dollars to encourage the production of more electric vehicles and foster clean energy, though automakers say sourcing rules will sharply limit how many electric vehicles qualify for tax credits.

It would also set $4 billion in new federal drought relief funds, a provision that could help the re-election campaigns of Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada and Mark Kelly in Arizona.

One provision cut from the bill would have forced drug companies to refund money to both government and private health plans if drug prices rise more quickly than inflation.

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, a leading progressive, has criticized the bill for failing to go far enough and said he planned to offer amendments that would revive a series of social programs he pushed last year, including broadening the number of prescription drugs Medicare could negotiate prices on and providing government-subsidized dental, vision and hearing aid.

His amendments were expected to fail.

Republicans have signaled that they will offer amendments touching on other issues, including controlling immigrants coming across the US border with Mexico and enhancing policing to curtail rising crime rates in American cities since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Reporting by Richard Cowan and Makini Brice; additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici, David Shepardson and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Will Dunham, Scott Malone and Lisa Shumaker

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

.

Categories
Sports

South Sydney Rabbitohs put Latrell Mitchell in cotton wool in big win over NZ Warriors

After last weekend’s chaotic golden point loss, South Sydney sorely needed a comfortable win – and got exactly what it was looking for.

Such was its dominance against a disinterested Warriors team, superstar Latrell Mitchell was taken off at the hour mark with the Bunnies 38 points in front.

“It’s a big step in the right direction,” Mitchell told Fox League after the 48-10 win.

READMORE: Buddy speaks after explosive Lions links

READMORE: Wallabies stung by shock Hooper withdrawal

READMORE: Bellamy’s ‘hysteria’ plea as star rues ugly move

“Last week didn’t work out how we wanted, but we played the way we wanted… all the boys kicked another gear, which we wanted.”

While speaking, he put an arm around halfback Lachlan Ilias and praised him for his performance – another, like Mitchell, who needed a bounce-back game after last week.

Ilias got the opening try of the day while Mitchell collected two of his own, the first particularly impressive as he skittled several Warriors players on his way to the line.

Then there was the basketball pass to Alex Johnston, and the no-look cut-out ball to debutant Izaac Thompson, who crossed for a four-pointer in his first NRL game.

Stream the NRL premiership 2022 live and free on 9Now

But it’s telling how much they rely on their fullback, the Rabbitohs not scoring a point in the final 20 minutes of the game after he was subbed off.

The only real point of interest in the dying stages came as a pitch invader delayed the final siren, as an excited Souths bench cheered him on, led by Mitchell.

Origin stars combine for incredible try

The decision to move games away from home can always end poorly – but not so here for Souths, who moved operations up to the Sunshine Coast five days in advance to prepare for this game.

“I’m really enjoying the training and the boys’ time,” Mitchell said.

“We came up here on Tuesday to connect a bit more and I think it showed tonight.”

But with the Warriors in the rear-view mirror now, they’ll stay in Sydney for the final four matches of the season – a murderer’s row of Parramatta, Penrith, North Queensland and arch-rivals Sydney awaiting them.

But if Mitchell can play like this – as he did in previous wins over the likes of the Eels, Storm and Bulldogs – it’s hard for other teams to match Souths’ attacking output, and hard to see many teams stopping the Rabbitohs on the charge in Sept.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

The backstories and controversies that have ignited feuds involving athletes

Categories
Australia

Thrifty school-formal theme as students borrow, swap and op shop for outfits in name of sustainable fashion

Two young women dressed beautifully for their formal

Can you imagine wearing the same suit your dad wore for his 21st birthday to your formal school?

In regional Victoria, some students have borrowed, swapped and op-shopped to make a statement about fast fashion and climate change.

After missing out on many school-age rites of passage through the pandemic, one school put on a dance with a difference.

Year 11 Emmanuel College students trawled through op shops, their parents’ and grandparents’ wardrobes, and swapped outfits for their first-ever Recycled Dance.

The thrifty theme invented by the students was also about tackling fast fashion, a growing threat to the environment.

A group of girls dressed well in formal gear, from recycled shops.
Students trawled through op shops and their parents’ wardrobes, and swapped outfits.(Supplied)

.