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Sports

Kyle Flanagan shuts down Hull FC transfer rumours, news, contract, Canterbury Bulldogs, Michael Potter

Kyle Flanagan shuts down Hull FC transfer rumours, news, contract, Canterbury Bulldogs, Michael Potter

Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan has enjoyed a remarkable rise under interim boss Mick Potter in Canterbury, with the now free-scoring team surging up the ladder.

Now the 23-year-old number seven has shut down talk of a mooted move to the English Super League, declaring he ‘definitely’ wants to extend his time at the club.

Having been benched in the opening months of the season and subsequently for struggling form, Flanagan had been linked to a move to English side Hull FC in recent months.

But he shut that talk down at Tuesday’s press conference, laughing off a question around whether he had held talks with Hull.

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“No,” Flanagan laughed. “The first time I got out there on social media and shut that stuff down, that was the first I’d heard of it.

“I’m on contract here next year at the Bulldogs and keep winning footy games, I won’t have to listen to that sort of stuff.”

With his contract expiring at the end of 2023, Flanagan declared his allegiance to the Dogs long-term, stating his desire for a long-term deal.

“Yeah, I think so,” Flanagan replied to a question about remaining at the club.

“Obviously I live in Cronulla and I love the Bulldogs. They gave me an opportunity and I like to think I have turned things around and things are going forward for the club.

“As I said, if we keep winning and combinations keep building, this footy team is only going to get better.

“I’m loving my time here and I definitely want to extend here.”

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Flanagan was full of praise for interim boss Potter, declaring he has simplified the club’s on-field strategy and removed the shackles from the side.

“I can’t give any more credit to what Pottsy has done for me individually or this footy team.

“He is such a calm head and simplifies things so much for us. He just backs up and gives us confidence to go out there and play footy, and we do exactly that.

“We are repaying the faith he puts in us.”

“We are out there putting the wins on the board, the shackles are off and we are just playing what we see.,” he added.”

“It’s really exciting to be playing in this footy team and for myself, I’m just really enjoying my own footy and starting to love playing every weekend.”

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‘EMBARRASSING’: NRL slammed for ‘dumbest explanation’ over star’s non-charge

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Categories
Australia

Four men charged in relation to roofing scam which collected more than $640,000 from Melbourne residents

A man inspecting roofing works on top of a house

Victoria Police have arrested and charged four people who are accused of scamming Melbourne residents, as they allegedly attempted to escape the country undetected after the fact.

Police allege the group scammed more than 20 Melbourne residents by posing as workers from a legitimate roofing company, collecting more than $640,000 after telling home owners their roofs needed urgent repairs.

A 21-year-old Irish national allegedly involved in the scam was detained at Tullamarine Airport on July 28 after allegedly trying to board a flight to Ireland with his brother’s passport.

Police say the accused man charged an 81-year-old Kew resident $99,000 for repair works on his roof between May and June 2022 and ultimately left it in worse condition, with the owner “forced to use pots and pans inside the house” to combat leaks.

Pair attempts to leave country days after first arrest

Police later arrested three males on July 31 in connection to a further $540,000 worth of alleged roofing scams this year.

Two of the men were also caught by Australian Border Force (ABF) officials attempting to board a flight out of the country at Tullamarine Airport, while a 20-year-old female traveling with the pair was released after questioning.

ABF Superintendent Nicholas Walker said the two British nationals and the Irish national had tried to make their escape when they were arrested.

“These were deliberate attempts to slip out of the country undetected and the decisive action of the ABF officers who stopped them should serve as a warning to anyone else looking to do the same,” Superintendent Walker said.

“The ABF targets traveling with men who seek to exploit vulnerable people. We are working with state police to identify and disrupt the criminal activities of traveling with men through Operation Suddenblaze.”

A 35-year-old male was also arrested in Oakleigh later that day and subsequently charged with deception offenses and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Sandbags and plastic placed over a damaged roof
Police say homes were often left in states of disrepair or with unfinished work.(ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch)

Subsequent independent inspections of residents affected by the scam identified that works quoted for were never required, incomplete or were of poor workmanship, with amounts quoted deemed excessive.

It follows the jailing of a separate trio of men who targeted elderly Victorians with an elaborate roofing scam in 2020.

Senior Constable Lachlan Balazs from the Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit said crimes such as the roofing scam often affected vulnerable Victorians the most.

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Categories
US

Two New York reps join growing list of Democrats who refuse to commit to supporting Biden in 2024

Two New York reps join growing list of Democrats who refuse to commit to supporting Biden in 2024

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Two New York Democrats declined to say whether they would support President Biden for president in 2024 Tuesday, adding to the list of Democrats who are soft on the idea of ​​a Biden re-election campaign.

When asked during a debate if Biden should seek re-election, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-NY, said it’s “Too early to say. Doesn’t serve the purpose of the Democratic Party to deal with that until after the midterms.”

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, also avoided the question: “I don’t believe he’s running for re-election,” she said.

LIST OF DEMOCRATS OPPOSED TO BIDEN RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION GROW WITH ADDITION OF VULNERABLE CONGRESSWOMAN

Several other Democrats in recent weeks have either declined to endorse Biden or said he should not run. Rep. Dean Phillips, D-MN, said last week during a radio show appearance that, “The country would be well-served by a new generation of compelling, well-prepared, dynamic Democrats who step up.”

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler, DN.Y., is one of the latest Democrats to refuse endorsing President Biden in 2024.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler, DN.Y., is one of the latest Democrats to refuse endorsing President Biden in 2024.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Angie Craig, D-MN., agreed with her fellow Minnesota representative, telling MinnPost Tuesday that “I think Dean Phillips and I are in lockstep and alignment with that, and I’m going to do everything in my power as a member of Congress to make sure that we have a new generation of leadership.”

Craig is running for re-election in a competitive House race in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional District this election cycle.

DEM REP TO BIDEN: DO NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION IN 2024, AMERICA NEEDS DEMS WHO WILL ‘STEP UP’

Rep. Tom Malinowski, DN.J, was also asked about Biden in 2024 during a town hall, and declined to weigh in on whether he supported Biden. “I don’t know if he’s running in 2024 or who’s running, so I’m not going to opine on who should be president,” Malinowski said.

President Biden has record-low approval rating, amid teasing possible 2024 run.

President Biden has record-low approval rating, amid teasing possible 2024 run.
(AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Rep. Tim Ryan, D-OH., was asked by Fox News’ Sandra Smith if he would support Biden in 2024, but he avoided the question. “I’m working on my own election and that’s all I’m focused on right now,” he said. Ryan is the Democratic nominee in the Ohio Senate race this fall.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Biden’s approval rating hit a new low of 31%, indicating that Democrats may want new leadership in 2024. The president, who would be 81 during the next presidential election, has not yet officially announced a bid for re-election but the White House has stated that Biden intends to run again.

Aubrie Spady is a college associate for Fox News Digital.

Categories
Technology

Some Apple Watch models are already sold out ahead of Series 8 launch

Apple Watch Series 7 Edition models

If you’ve been planning on picking up an Apple Watch Edition model, you might have some more waiting to do.

As spotted by MacRumors, the Apple Watch Edition is currently sold out in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The availability, or lack thereof, of the high-end titanium Apple Watch Series 7 models comes as Apple is just weeks away from announcing the Apple Watch Series 8 models at an event that is expected to kick off in September.

Categories
Sports

David Warner free to explore T20 options, says Sydney Sixers signing Kurtis Patterson

David Warner free to explore T20 options, says Sydney Sixers signing Kurtis Patterson

Significantly, Erskine said his star client could not play in the UAE league this season because it would be a breach of his agreement with CA. Player contracts prohibit involvement in overseas leagues during the home summer.

Warner has played just three BBL matches, the last in 2014, largely due to his international commitments, but remains a dynamic T20 opener. He was man of the series in Australia’s inaugural T20 World Cup triumph last November in the UAE.

Last month Seven West Media, which owns Channel Seven, took CA to court again over its $450 million broadcast deal, arguing that the governing body breached its contract relating to the quality and standards of the BBL.

Warner’s presence in the competition would be a major plank in rebuilding both the relationship with Seven and the ratings of the BBL, giving it a credibility boost heading into the next broadcast deal. The current six-year, $1.18 billion agreement with Seven and Fox expires in 2024.

The BBL was second only to the IPL when it began 12 years ago but now faces unprecedented competition from more lucrative T20 leagues in the UAE and South Africa, backed by capital from IPL franchise owners and other Indian companies, during the same January time slot.

During its infancy, the BBL lured box-office players such as Shane Warne and Kevin Pietersen. Both earned $500,000 packages, which included contributions from broadcast deals, but this time CA will need to fund the Warner offer from its own pocket.

While expanding the BBL to a full home-and-away schedule over almost two months netted CA a massive broadcast deal, it reduced its appeal, with average crowds and ratings falling. BBL clubs now attract mostly second-tier overseas players with little star billing. This was compounded over the past two seasons with the restriction of COVID biosecurity bubbles.

Kurtis Patterson, who dominated for the Perth Scorchers last season, has signed with the Sydney Sixers.

Kurtis Patterson, who dominated for the Perth Scorchers last season, has signed with the Sydney Sixers.Credit:Getty Images

Another major factor is that Australia’s best players are usually unavailable because of international duties.

CA and state administrators became so inflexible last season that Steve Smith was refused permission to play in the BBL on a technicality when a New Zealand white-ball series was cancelled.

There is more space in the calendar this summer for Australia’s stars to play in the BBL after South Africa canceled one-day matches during January in favor of their own, new T20 competition.

The Sydney Sixers’ latest signing, Kurtis Patterson, believes players should have the right to compete in overseas T20 competitions.

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“I absolutely love playing the Big Bash and there are a lot of guys who feel the same, but having said that, it’s a free market,” said the NSW captain, who boasts a batting average of 144 from his two Tests in 2019.

“If guys thought that was best for them and their family, I’ve certainly got no personal prejudice against that,” said Patterson, whose signing announcement was to help promote BBL and WBBL tickets going on sale.

Categories
Australia

MP dress code debated as Greens MP forgoes his tie

MP dress code debated as Greens MP forgoes his tie

Conaghan was unimpressed, insisting that the Greens MP had violated the dress code.

“This is not a barbecue. This is question time in the Australian parliament. What next, board shorts and thongs? Maybe a onesie in winter,” he said in a statement following the controversy.

“Some may say that it’s a minor matter to not comply with the dress standard but what it says to many, including me, is that there is little respect for the tradition and history of our parliament.”

According to the official rule book—the House of Representatives Practice (7th edition) — the standard of dress in the chamber is a matter for the individual judgment of the member, but “the ultimate discretion rests with the Speaker”.

Indeed, the 1000-page document documents the evolution of that discretion over the decades. In 1977, the Speaker ruled tailored safari suits without a tie were acceptable, laying the foundation for Ruddock’s camel-coloured number decades later. Earlier rulings dating back to the 1920s permitted members to wear hats, but not when entering or leaving the chamber or while speaking.

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In 1999, Speaker Neil Andrew told the chamber that the widely accepted standard of professional dress involved good trousers, a jacket, collar and tie for men and a similar standard of formality for women but he would not rigidly enforce this.

This was endorsed by Speaker David Hawker in 2005, who permitted tieless forays into the chamber in some circumstances, but drew a firm line at “casual wear”.

“However, while I accept that members hurrying to attend a division or quorum will sometimes arrive without a jacket or tie, it is not in keeping with the dignity of the House for members to arrive in casual or sports wear,” he said.

In 2022, hurrying or not, ties are not binding.

Categories
US

Biden admin approves potential multibillion-dollar arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE

Biden admin approves potential multibillion-dollar arms sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE



CNN
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The Biden administration on Tuesday approved and notified Congress of possible multibillion-dollar weapons sales to both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The notice of the approval comes just weeks after President Joe Biden met with the leaders of each nation in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as he sought to improve relations between the US and the Saudis.

The approval was also notified on the same day that the United Nations announced a two-month extension of the truth in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebel group had, until recent months, been engaged in a years-long bloody conflict that has killed thousands of civilians.

According to a news release from the US State Department, the agency approved a possible sale of PATRIOT MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical Ballistic Missiles (GEM-T) and related equipment to Saudi Araba for an estimated $3.05 billion.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a partner country that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” the State Department said of the sale.

“The proposed sale will improve the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats by replenishing its dwindling stock of PATRIOT GEM-T missiles,” it said. “These missiles are used to defend the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s borders against persistent Houthi cross-border unmanned aerial system and ballistic missile attacks on civilian sites and critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.”

“These attacks threaten the well-being of Saudi, International, and US citizens (approximately 70,000) residing in the Kingdom. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will have no difficulty absorbing these missiles into its armed forces,” it added.

Separately, the State Department approved the possible sale of “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) System Missiles, THAAD Fire Control and Communication Stations, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2.245 billion” to the UAE.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important regional partner. The UAE is a vital US partner for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the State Department said. “The proposed sale will improve the UAE’s ability to meet current and future ballistic missile threats in the region, and reduce dependence on US forces.”

Shortly after taking office, Biden announced the US would end its support for Saudi’s offensive operations in Yemen, “including relevant arms sales.” However, the administration has continued to sell arms to the kingdom for what it says are defensive purposes.

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Categories
Technology

Watch | This ‘deprinter’ sucks ink to make reusable paper, could transform carbon footprint of office printing

Watch | This 'deprinter' sucks ink to make reusable paper, could transform carbon footprint of office printing

Scientists have created a miraculous device that removes the ink from printer paper, allowing each sheet to be reused ten times. By lowering the demand for office paper, they want to reduce the quantity of climate-changing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the paper and pulp sector. Specially coated paper, which prevents ink (or powdered toner) from soaking into the sheet, is the secret to the so-called “de-printer.”

The ink is then vaporized by a strong laser. Circular printing is how Barak Yekutiely, the lead developer from REEP Technologies in Israel, explains it. Large volumes of carbon dioxide that warms the globe are produced during the production of several essential goods that sustain our life, from paper to plastic.

The REEP method totally removes all of the ink from the paper using cutting-edge laser technology. The basis of Reep’s solution is laser de-printing in conjunction with cutting-edge materials that allow paper re-use. It is the first de-printing technique to pass Ingede’s renowned deinking test with a perfect score.

Also Read: In pics: Bizarre enormous sinkholes appear in the middle of nowhere

RCP, or Reep Circular Print, is a service that provides REEP capability. The consumer receives the Reep de-print devices, reusable paper, and full support under an all-inclusive click charge. The Reep services remove the requirement for single-use printer paper procurement, storage, collection, shredding, and recycling.

Since the invention of printing, REEP empowers a circular economic model for the first time. The Reep technology drastically reduces resource use and carbon emissions associated with office printing by over 90 per cent. Maintaining trees will increase carbon sequestration, improving the climate through print operations.

(with inputs from agencies)


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Categories
Sports

Battle ready for future at Saints

Battle ready for future at Saints

Josh Battle will call St Kilda home for at least the next two seasons, putting pen to paper on a new contract extension that will see him in Saints colors until the end of 2024.

The 23-year-old has pieced together a career-best season following a relocation to defense at the start of this year.

However despite increased time in the defensive half of the ground, Battle’s versatility has remained an important part of his game, playing a valuable pinch-hitting ruck role on a number of occasions throughout the year.

“We’re proud to have Josh sign with us for the next two seasons,” Head of List Management James Gallagher said.

“Josh is a hard-working, dedicated young man who plays his role for the team week-in week-out.

“He’s a fierce competitor on-field who is willing to put his body on the line, which has earned him a great deal of respect from his teammates.

“Since joining the club at 17-years-old, Josh’s commitment to improve as a footballer and a person has been unwavering.

“His performances are a reflection of that commitment, plus a growing maturity that we have seen in Josh and a number of his teammates.

“We look forward to seeing more of Josh in the years ahead and hope to see his development continue to have an influence on those around him.”

Battle follows recent signees Dan Butler, Cooper Sharman, Ben Paton and long-term extensions Rowan Marshall, Jack Steele and Max King in recommitting to St Kilda.

After making his debut in 2017 while still in high school, Battle has played 75 senior matches in red, white and black.

Battle is one of just seven Saints players to line up for every game this season to-date.

Categories
Australia

Lidia Thorpe’s attention-seeking swearing-in stunt is an important reminder to never trust the Greens

Lidia Thorpe's attention-seeking swearing-in stunt is an important reminder to never trust the Greens

There is now a recurring motif in Australian politics where you see a headline declaring a senator has done something idiotic, unspeakable or downright insane and then get mildly disappointed to discover it’s just Lidia Thorpe again.

This is of course the existential peril of the attention seeker – sooner or later people stop paying attention.

Whatever the latest outrageous thing Thorpe has said, it no longer merits any outrage simply because it is her saying it. She is the Pauline Hanson of the left.

And so when she did her silly swearing in stunt this week it carried all the weight of a crazed doomsayer on a sandwich board with scrawled inscriptions about the End of Days.

What Thorpe is useful as, however, is a totem pole – no, a shining beacon if you will – that serves to remind us all just how utterly crazy the Greens really are and why they should never be trusted with policymaking in this country.

And while it is obviously a national tragedy that they now have 12 senators in the upper house, it is also why Labor’s negotiation with the minor party over its climate change bill has all the hallmarks of a chainsaw negotiating with a porkchop.

As The Australian reported on its front page on Wednesday, the bill is now set to pass after the Greens supposedly secured concessions — although what those concessions were tellingly elusive.

More telling was the report’s shrewd observation that the government would only accept amendments “if they did not fundamentally change the intent, mandate or principles of the legislation”.

In other words as long as they didn’t effectively amend anything much at all.

Indeed the only thing that really matters is Labor sticking to its 43 per cent reductions target and the Greens do not have a hope in hell of changing that.

And the Greens will of course ultimately have no choice but to pass the legislation because otherwise they will again be seen as climate pariahs — victims of their wilful idiocy a decade ago.

And so despite holding the numbers, the Greens don’t actually hold the cards.

And even if they did the unthinkable and blocked it again it would be even better for Labor because it could force a double-dissolution and — based on this week’s Newspoll — get an even more thumping majority.

why?

Because far from caving in to the la-la left, Anthony Albanese has been the model of a strong, pragmatic and rationalist Labor Prime Minister.

He has been tough on China, tough on border protection, tough on the Teals and tough on the Greens.

His Treasurer Jim Chalmers is already reining in spending to drive down inflation and debt, his Defense Minister Richard Marles is strengthening the ADF, and his Government Services Minister Bill Shorten just delivered the woke brigade the sweetest smackdown in years by simply asserting that mothers give birth to children.

To invoke another piece of reproductive vernacular, Labor has finally got its balls back.

This is what good government looks like, and its color sure ain’t green.

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