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Cucurella, De Jong among five transfers we still want to see happen this summer…

Brighton defender Marc Cucurella, Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo.

Chelsea are keen but we really want to see Marc Cucurella playing for Pep Guardiola. Chelsea can have Frenkie De Jong, just for the giggles.

Here are five deals we’re definitely here for this summer…

Marc Cucurella to Manchester City
Watching Cucurella scuttling up and down Brighton’s left flank was one of the joys of last season. After arriving from Getafe for £15million a year ago, the Spaniard took to the Premier League like a duck to water. A duck with lovely, flowing locks.

The ‘do meant you couldn’t miss him, but Cucurella quickly stood out for reasons beyond his barnet. Defensively, he made the fourth-highest number of tackles in the league, and offensively, he flew forward, never at anything less than warp speed. His energy from him was infectious and his influence from him on the Seagulls was such that he was named Player of the Season by the supporters and his team-mates.

So it is understandable that Brighton want top dollar for Cucurella. Given what Pep Guardiola has spent before on full-backs, the Seagulls are right to ask for £50million. Just as it is City’s right not to meet that demand. But it would be very much worth their time. And since they have already sold Oleksandr Zinchenko for £30million, they have weakened their own bargaining position.

And now here come Chelsea, not just to f*** with City, though the Blues’ approach certainly achieves that aim while generating a bidding war for Cucurella. One that City should be more minded to win than they apparently are.

Of course, if Cucurella stays at Brighton, that’s cool. Doubtless he’ll be brilliant again and the Seagulls will enjoy another fine season. They probably will thrive even if he goes. And the 24-year-old belongs on the Champions League stage. We just think he’d be more fun for his Catalan compatriot at City than Chelsea.

Man City shouldn’t allow their own stubbornness to spoil perfect Cucurella opportunity

Frenkie De Jong to Manchester United
Erik ten Hag certainly wants this to happen. The new Manchester United boss is desperate for a meeting with the former Ajax midfielder.

De Jong is pivotal to the plan Ten Hag has for United and the way he wants them to play. As a midfielder, De Jong doesn’t score many goals or claim bundles of assists, but Ten Hag recognizes that the Holland star sets the tempo. “He’s the player who supplies the team-mates who give the assists or who can score goals from their position,” said Ten Hag when De Jong was being utilized as a no.10 at Barcelona.

Ten Hag even used De Jong as a centre-back at Ajax in an effort to improve their build up play from deep and, apparently, there isn’t another player in the world that might be available who could do the job as proficiently.

So it’s a shame De Jong apparently doesn’t want to join United. Quite rightly, he’s digging in his heels while he waits for money owed to him by Barca but even then, word is he doesn’t fancy living in Manchester.

We reckon he should open his mind to the prospect. If for no other reason so that United can have no excuses and we can see how good both De Jong and Ten Hag are when they have everything in place. Otherwise there is a very real prospect of McFred living to fight another season.

Frenkie De Jong to Chelsea
Just for the LOLs. De Jong is obviously loathe to relocate to the north west of England but, apparently, he might consider London. Just imagine all the boiled p*ss in Manchester at the sight of Ten Hag’s most-wanted lining up in blue against McFred and United.

It would also be absolutely hilarious if he stubbornly refused to leave Barcelona given they seem to have already banked and spent the money already. Just not on paying De Jong or his team-mates the deferred wages they are owed.

Cristiano Ronaldo to Sporting Lisbon
We know Ronaldo wants a move. We also know now that almost no one wants to give him one – not Manchester United nor any of the clubs he might consider joining. So at some point during the coming weeks, one party will have to suck it up.

It could be Ronaldo, if he is made to stay at Old Trafford with his tail tucked between his legs. It might be United, who may have to take a hit to get the 37-year-old distraction away from Ten Hag while he begins his rebuild in earnest.

That being the case, a loan move back to Sporting would tick a lot of boxes for Ronaldo. It would enable him to go ‘home’ to where he began his career, while also keeping him the Champions League.

There was some excitement at the reported sighting of one of Ronaldo’s cars being spotted at Sporting’s stadium, but the player’s response was simply to cry ‘fake’ news. Going back to the Portuguese league might not be what Ronaldo had in mind when he declared his intention to leave United, but with no other options, away from Saudi Arabiaa romantic return may be the best way for him to save face and the Red Devils – and the rest of us – to move on. He’s only been back a week, but already he must be making Ten Hag’s t*ts itch.

Man Utd striker Cristiano Ronaldo walks down the Old Trafford tunnel

Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Crystal Palace
It’s not Wan-Bissaka’s fault he was promoted way above the level his talent merits. We’ll blame the transfer brains-trust that watched 804 right-backs and decided he was the best of the lot.

After a bright start to his United career, when slide tackles were still a novelty down Old Trafford’s right flank, Wan-Bissaka’s prospects have nose-dived. It soon became clear that the £45million man had none of the other tools in his locker that a modern-day full-back needs to thrive at a club expected to attack, leading to him being steadily sidelined by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Ralf Rangnick kept him there and Erik ten Hag wants rid completely.

Where next? The only obvious solution is to return to Palace, where he made his name from him, at home in the Eagles’ defense. Would Palace take him?

On loan, probably. With long-serving Joel Ward and Nathaniel Clyne, it feels as though Patrick Vieira is making do at right-back at present. The Eagles boss is keen for his defense to be comfortable in different shapes, and he wants Palace to be on the front foot. Maybe Wan-Bissaka isn’t that suited after all.

But we can all envisage him rediscovering some form and happiness back at Selhurst Park. United just have to accept that they will take a huge hit, however Wan-Bissaka departs.

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Business

Turkey’s inflation jumped to a 24-year high of 79.6 percent in July | Inflation News

Turkey's inflation jumped to a 24-year high of 79.6 percent in July | Inflation News

Turkey’s inflation has been fueled by the lira’s continued decline as well as the economic consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Turkish inflation rose to a fresh 24-year high of 79.6 percent in July, data showed on Wednesday as the lira’s continued weakness and global energy and commodity costs pushed prices higher, though the price rises came out below forecasts.

Inflation began to surge last autumn, when the lira slumped after the central bank gradually cut its policy rate by 500 basis points to 14 percent in an easing cycle sought by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Month-on-month, consumer prices rose 2.37 percent in July, the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) said, below a Reuters news agency poll forecast of 2.9 percent. Annually, consumer price inflation was forecast to be 80.5 percent.

Jason Tuvey, senior emerging markets economist at Capital Economics, said annual inflation may be approaching a peak, with energy inflation falling sharply and food inflation appearing close to topping out.

“Even if inflation is close to a peak, it will remain close to its current very high rates for several more months,” Tuvey said in a note.

“Sharp and disorderly falls in the lira remain a key risk,” he said.

The biggest annual rise in consumer prices was in the transportation sector, up 119.11 percent, while food and non-alcoholic drinks prices climbed 94.65 percent.

Inflation this year has been fueled further by the economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as the lira’s continued decline. The currency weakened 44 percent against the United States dollar last year, and is down another 27 percent this year.

The lira was trading flat after the data at 17.9560 against the dollar. It touched a record low of 18.4 in December.

Annual inflation is now at the highest level since September 1998, when it reached 80.4 percent and Turkey was battling to end a decade of chronically high inflation.

Last week’s Reuters news poll showed annual inflation was seen declining to some 70 percent by end-2022, easing from current levels as base effects from last year’s price surge take effect.

The domestic producer price index climbed 5.17 percent month-on-month in July for an annual rise of 144.61 percent.

The government has said inflation will fall as a result of its economic programme, which prioritizes low rates to boost production and exports and aims to achieve a current account surplus.

Erdogan has said that he expects inflation to come down to “appropriate” levels by February-March next year, while the central bank raised its end-2022 forecast to 60.4 percent last Thursday from 42.8 percent previously.

The bank’s inflation report showed the estimated range of inflation reaching nearly 90 percent this autumn before easing.

Opposition lawmakers and economists have questioned the reliability of the TUIK figures, claims TUIK has dismissed. Polls show Turks believe inflation is far higher than official data.

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Australia

Northbridge stabbing: Man arrested over brutal Francis Street stabbing

Northbridge stabbing: Man arrested over brutal Francis Street stabbing

A man is in custody after a brutal stabbing in Northbridge early Thursday morning.

Police say a 29-year-old man received serious injuries to his neck and face after he was attacked on Francis Street about 2.45am.

Police swarmed the area soon after, with several units deployed including detectives and canine officers. The street was cordoned off as officers combed the crime scene.

Your local paper, whenever you want it.
Police swarmed the area after the alarm was raised.
Camera IconPolice swarmed the area after the alarm was raised. Credit: News at Night

Shortly after, police found the alleged stabber — a man in his 20s — and he was taken into custody about 3.30am.

The victim was rushed under priority conditions to Royal Perth Hospital where he remains in hospital and is expected to undergo surgery.

Several police cars and detectives remain at the scene outside two clubs — Galaxy Lounge and Butterfly 73. A cordon is still in place with motorists unable to enter the street. Several bins and plastic containers can be seen strewn around the street outside the two clubs.

A man was taken into custody soon after the attack and is helping police.
Camera IconA man was taken into custody soon after the attack and is helping police. Credit: News at Night

No charges have been laid and the man in custody is helping police with their inquiries.

Detectives continue to investigate the stabbing and ask anyone with information, dash-cam or mobile phone vision relating to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report the information online.

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Australia

South Australian man’s sickening demands exposed as child abuse ring is dismantled

South Australian man's sickening demands exposed as child abuse ring is dismantled

A South Australian man jailed over a child sex abuse ring in the Philippines paid $30 for each live act of abuse online, threatening the children with starvation if they didn’t obey his demands.

Ian Ralph Schapel was jailed for 16 years after pleading guilty to 50 child sexual offences, including paying for children to be abused while he watched from his lounge room in Adelaide.

The investigation into his crimes led to the rescue of 15 young victims and the arrest of five people in the Philippines following an international investigation.

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

The 68-year-old former government human resources manager was first detained in February 2020 after Australian Border Force officers examined his bags when he arrived in Melbourne on an overseas flight and allegedly found child abuse material on his mobile phone.

He was charged over the content, which eventually led to the discovery of more than 50,000 images and videos of child abuse material on a range of electronic devices at his Adelaide home.

South Australian man Ian Ralph Schapel. Credit: 7NEWS

The AFP used commonwealth laws for the first time to confiscate Schapel’s home in Mitchell Park because it was used as “an instrument of crime” where the majority of the offending took place.

He was ordered to pay a total of $165,000, half of his home’s value.

Further investigations by SA police found he had communicated with people in the Philippines to procure several children, the youngest aged three.

In February last year, Schapel admitted 50 offences, including viewing, remotely instructing and recording the sexual abuse of children on 55 occasions between March 2018 and January 2020.

An Adelaide man’s crimes led to the rescue of 15 young victims and five arrests in the Philippines. Credit: AAP
One of the alleged offenders of the ongoing child sex abuse hides her face inside a premises in the Philippines before her arrest. Credit: AFP

As part of the international investigation, Philippine authorities executed search warrants at multiple locations in Bislig, a remote area in the country’s east, in August 2020.

Thirteen children and two young adults were removed from harm and five women were arrested and accused of facilitating the abuse for profit. Among the abusers, were mothers, aunts and cousins ​​of the victims.

On Wednesday, Judge Paul Cuthbertson described Schapel’s behavior as “callous” and “disgraceful” with “no thought given to the plight of the poor unfortunate children who were required to perform at request”.

The court had heard Schapel paid $30 for each live recording of the sexual abuse, and that he would threaten to let the children starve if they did not do what he asked.

Australian Federal Police Commander Erica Merrin said the case highlighted the force’s commitment to work with partners to protect children around the world.

“Children are being forced into the most appalling violence and torment on camera by the people who are meant to love and to protect them,” she said.

“This Adelaide man did not just watch children being hurt, he ordered specific abuse to happen and preyed on the economic vulnerability of the people involved.”

The case served as the first example where an AFP taskforce had sought to confiscate the home of a person charged with sex offences. Credit: AFP

Philippine Police Brigadier General Edgar De Mayo Cacayan said close collaboration with the AFP and other international partners should send a strong message to would-be child sex offenders.

“You will not buy and sell the sexual abuse of children in the Philippines,” he said.

“We will not allow it, and we will be their guardians. We will find you, and you will have to answer for your actions in a court of law.”

Merrin echoed a similar warning.

“It doesn’t matter when you offended, when you abused children, if you prey on children, it doesn’t matter where in the world you are, we will come for you.”

Schapel will be eligible for parole in 2031.

-With APA

Mystery surrounds gigantic sinkhole in Chile.

Mystery surrounds gigantic sinkhole in Chile.

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Business

AGL customer says power bills are false due to wrong meter readings: Bryn Lawson

Bryn Lawson (above) said he's ready to cut all power to his house after consistently receiving overpriced bills from his Sydney power provider, AGL

Furious AGL customer EXPLODES at his power company for overcharging him revealing his $1200 bills cost him his marriage and forced him to use an esky instead of a fridge – now he’s threatening to cut electricity to his home for good

  • Bryn Lawson, 55, regularly receives power bills over $1,200 despite living alone
  • He said the bills are due to his power company, AGL, misreading his power meter
  • Mr Lawson has replaced his fridge with a camping fridge and doesn’t use heating
  • The bills have left him ‘broken and are part of the ‘decimation’ of his marriage

By Ashley Nickel For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

A frustrated customer of one of Australia’s largest energy providers has threatened to cut the power to his home off for good after being stung with sky-high meter readings he says are false.

Sydneysider Bryn Lawson, 55, is drawing a line in the sand with electricity giant, AGL, as bills regularly soar over $1,200 a quarter, despite the fact he lives alone.

He even says the ‘overcharging’ s even cost him his 35-year marriage because the couple used to blame each other about which of them was responsible.

‘Fix it AGL. Get your s**t together and fix it, mate… Stop f**king me around,’ he told A Current Affair.

‘It was a part of the decimation of our marriage because I’d come home and the lights would be on the power would be on and the power bills were high.’

Bryn Lawson (above) said he's ready to cut all power to his house after consistently receiving overpriced bills from his Sydney power provider, AGL

Bryn Lawson (above) said he’s ready to cut all power to his house after consistently receiving overpriced bills from his Sydney power provider, AGL

‘I’d be saying “what are the lights on for what’s this on for, why is the heater on”.’

But after his wife walked out on him the chargers were just as high.

Mr Lawson has taken extreme measures to counteract the hefty bills.

He replaced his kitchen fridge with a camping esky and has refused to turn on the heater in all winter, despite near freezing temperatures.

But he still faces massive bills each quarter.

Mr Lawson is responsible for checking his own power meter as his power box is not accessible from the road.

However, Mr Lawson said the meter figure he confirms with AGL is never the number that appears on his bill.

He said AGL responds to his complaints with credits to make up the difference from his bill and the actual amount of power he uses but then the same mistake is made the next time round.

Mr Lawson has replaced his kitchen fridge with a small camping esky (above) in an effort to keep his power bills down

Mr Lawson has replaced his kitchen fridge with a small camping esky (above) in an effort to keep his power bills down

Now Mr Lawson has nothing left to give and said he is tired of ‘shivering’ every night and suffering from the paranoia of his upcoming bills.

He says he’s had enough and is threatening to cut off the power altogether.

‘It’s humiliating when I think about what they’ve made me do. It’s not the appliances, it’s AGL,’ he said.

‘I have no problem at all putting my swag out there, putting my solar panels, my battery and running that fridge out there and living out there,’ he said.

AGL told A Current Affair they apologize for Mr Lawson’s experience and are committed to fixing his concerns.

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Australia

Perth weather: Worst of storms over but more rain on the way

Perth weather: Worst of storms over but more rain on the way

With the worst of the storms over, the rain certainly isn’t and Perth has been warned to brace for showers until the end of the week.

The severe weather warning has now been canceled for the metro area but wild winds and showers are still to come.

Emergency services spent another day on Wednesday fighting the brunt of Perth’s severe storm as calls continued to rise, with several regions across the State breaking wind gust records.

The living room ceiling of a Joondalup home collapsed on 13-year-old Dominic Vaughan who was watching TV with his father.

“We heard it crack…I thought it would collapse then but then we heard a crack again and after that the roof just fell,” he told Nine News.

“It was so scary.”

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Australia

Toddler dies hours after being ‘run over by grandmother’ in 4WD

Toddler dies hours after being 'run over by grandmother' in 4WD

A Queensland boy has died after he was hit by a four-wheel-drive, which was reportedly being driven by his grandmother.

Police say the one-year-old was on a footpath outside a home in Heatley in central Townsville about 5.30pm Tuesday when the tragedy took place.

“He was immediately taken to Townsville University Hospital where, sadly, the boy later died,” a spokesperson said.

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

It is understood the boy was hit by the vehicle when he ran out of the home as the grandmother was leaving. She had been unaware the child was near her vehicle, The Townsville Bulletin reports.

The grandmother reportedly rushed the boy inside, before placing him in her car and taking him to hospital.

The one-year-old was on a footpath outside the central Townsville home when the tragedy took place. Credit: 7NEWS

A close neighbor recalled the shocking moment her husband saw the little boy injured on the ground.

She said he heard a commotion and saw a passing car stop in the middle of the road as the driver tried desperately to get the attention of the grandmother in a Toyota Prado, who had just hit the child.

“He saw him lying there … We would never have expected this to happen,” she told The Bulletin.

Forensic Crash Unit police are investigating the incident.

Shocking moment Pitbull attacks prized horse.

Shocking moment Pitbull attacks prized horse.

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Sports

AFL Round Table Round 21

AFL Round Table Round 21

Aug 1, 2022

  • ESPN staff

Our AFL experts tackle some of the burning questions ahead of Round 21, including if Carlton loss to Adelaide will cost them a finals spot, the Round 21 game with the biggest stakes and what we really think about Collingwood.

Has Carlton blown their chance at September action?

Rohan Connolly: I suspect they might have. Have just done a ladder predictor, and I have the Blues missing out by a game to the Bulldogs, with Richmond in seventh spot. Brisbane (away), Melbourne and Collingwood is a bloody tough assignment. It’s a pity, really, because their emergence has been exciting, and they’ve done it against a continual backdrop of injury. But the bottom line is they’ve been too erratic over the second half of this season, 4-5 since being 8-2 after 10 rounds. And the loss to St Kilda when the Saints were in ordinary shape and last Saturday night’s disaster are probably the nails in the coffin.

Jake Michaels: Yes, the loss to the Crows was disappointing and inexcusable for a side which has been spoken about all year as a flag chance, but Michael Voss’ side still controls its destiny and remains a hot favorite to play in September. The Blues really only need to win one of their remaining three games, and while they are all tough, I can’t seem to them ending the season on a four-game losing streak. They make it in but I’m starting to reconsider just how much damage they can do…

Matt Walsh: Which Carlton will we see the rest of the year? Is it the one which went 8-2 and looked irresistible at times? Or the one which gives up games to St Kilda and Adelaide without showing so much as a whimper? That will determine where they finish on the ladder. They’re currently a game and a half inside the eight with somewhat healthy percentage; if they can snag a win over one of Brisbane (at the Gabba), or Melbourne and Collingwood (at the MCG) after that, they should make it, but lose all three and it’s a wasted season and, frankly, a failure on Michael Voss.

Jarryd Barca: They haven’t blown their chance completely, but they stumbled at a critical hurdle in that loss to Adelaide which only makes their path to September a little rockier. Their best is as good as — if not better than — anyone in the competition which is why I’ve been bullish about them all season, but the difference between their best and worst still seems too stark. Let’s not overreact here, though, they might not always reach the true heights of their ceiling, but I fully expect them to bounce back hard in the next three weeks as good teams do and at least snag one win – which should be enough.

Which game this week will have the biggest impact on finals?

RC: Wow, it’s a great round and there’s perhaps four games you could realistically argue are the most important in this sense. But I’m probably inclined to go with Geelong vs. St Kilda because it could affect both the battle for top and the battle for eighth, Melbourne in a position to re-take top spot if it wins by enough and the Cats stumble, and the Saints out of the eight if they lose and either Richmond or the Western Bulldogs win by any amount. That’s a wide range of ramifications.

JM: I’m looking at Friday night’s tasty clash between the Demons and Magpies. Melbourne’s looking more like the Melbourne we’ve become accustomed to but a top four berth is still far from secure, especially with games to come against the Magpies, Blues and Lions. If Collingwood gets up here and beats the Dees for the second time in 2022, they not only put a firm grasp on their own top four hopes but send significant concerns through the Demons camp. Can’t wait for it.

MW: The Western Bulldogs-Fremantle clash suddenly has my interest after Freo’s capitulation on Friday night against Melbourne. The Dockers are outside the top four now, and while they’re still a chance to climb back up to secure the double chance, equally, the Dogs will be rare to take down a contender to keep their slim, but not outrageous finals hopes alive . After the Dockers, the Bulldogs face GWS and Hawthorn, and with Carlton missing, there’s a real chance that a win this week could help to throw up some crazy first-week finals.

JB: Brisbane hosting Carlton at the Gabba with both teams coming off different kinds of brutal losses is as mouth-watering as it gets, with the Lions still fighting for a top four berth which we know is critical for interstate teams, and the Blues eager not to let their grip on the top eight loosen any more than it is. In terms of impacting finals, the top four isn’t out of the question for Michael Voss if his side can pull of an unlikely upset, and we can preempt the pressure that will ensue wth defeat, while facing Brisbane up north in an elimination final is a scary proposition for whoever may still scrape into the lower echelons of the eight.

What’s your strongest opinion about Collingwood right now?

RC: That they have had a sensational season whatever happens from here, with huge improvement considering they finished 17th in 2021. And I don’t buy the “lucky” argument or the inevitably of them being “found out” when it matters. Yes, you need an element of fortune to win close games, but nine wins from 10 games decided by 11 points or less is too big a sample to be purely lucky. Indeed, I think the fact last year they played in six games decided by 12 points or less and lost five is a good tangible indicator of their improvement.

JM: The Magpies are nowhere near as good as their record suggests. I’ll admit I was wildly wrong about the Pies at the start of the season (predicting them to finish bottom four) but are they a top four side? not chance. Percentage is a great indicator of how a side is traveling and there are currently EIGHT sides who have a better percentage than the Pies. Enough said.

MW: I’ve been saying for weeks to look at the percentage – it’s the best guide for where a team is ‘really at’. They’ve ground out some hard-fought wins, and have at times been fortunate (there’s nothing wrong with saying that!) but they’re not a power club that I can see winning at the end, let alone convincingly. Much like Sydney last year, I can see them finishing with a ‘home’ final in the first week but losing to a more experienced side. Plenty to look forward to, though.

JB: That while they’ve greatly exceeded expectations this season, we probably should have seen a rise coming after last year’s abysmal efforts, given the experience they still have. It’s easy to overreact in this game and that’s what most of us did, but actually having a good on-field year amongst the wild off-field distractions — a trade period ‘fire sale’, the fallout from the ‘Do Better’ report , Eddie McGuire stepping down and the ongoing board speculation and eventual upheaval, the removal of head coach Nathan Buckley mid-year and a range of injuries to key players which stipulated the blooding and exposure of the list’s youth — is virtually unimaginable. A far cry from this season’s fortunes, the Pies also lost five matches last season by under two goals (two by one point), so were more competitive than their 17th-placed finished suggested. Nah, they’re probably not a 14-5 team, but they were never going to be that bad.

Which bottom six side are you most optimistic about in 2023?

RC: Hawthorn. I was more bullish than most about the Hawks even before this season, and while a 7-12 record is hardly anything to write home about, I think they haven’t been far off the mark at all, seven of their losses by 27 points or less. I’m pretty upbeat about their young guys, too. It’s a pretty big group, and the likes of Newcombe, Jiath, Lewis, Koschitzke, Ward, Maginness are coming along quickly. I sense Sam Mitchell as coach is building a pretty solid brand of game, too, which will keep improving.

JM: Call me crazy but I’m still bullish on the Bombers. I picked them to make finals this year and am as surprised as anyone by their nosedive. With the likes of Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, Dylan Shiel, Andy McGrath and Jye Caldwell, there’s a nice group of youthful midfielders. Players like Peter Wright, Sam Draper, Nic Martin and Mason Redman have had breakout years and should only improve, while the defense has the personnel to be far better than they have been this season. With an easier fixture (which they will get) I’m tipping them to bounce back next season.

MW: Hawthorn is not yet a year into its planned reset with Sam Mitchell at the helm, and, for the most part, they’ve exceeded my expectations. They’ve already matched their 2021 win tally of seven, and we’ve seen a different take from Mitchell and at the selection table. Strides have been taken by Mitch Lewis and Jai Newcombe. We’ve seen Changkuoth Jiath become an assured rebounder. Will Day is stringing together games, Josh Ward has impressed… there’s a heap to like about this list. If they can attract a big name in the next season or two, they could be playing finals sooner rather than later.

JB: I agree with Jake on this one, although I didn’t have them making it this season, I fully expect the Bombers to bounce back and play finals footy in 2023. Their defense is sound with Jordan Ridley, Jayden Laverde, Jake Kelly and Redman holding the fort while developing tall Zach Reid is waiting in the wings, they have a diverse midfield group with a range of strengths that can cause serious damage, and key forwards Peter Wright and the ever-improving Harrison Jones can form one of the most formidable forward 50 partnerships in the league. The puzzle pieces are there at The Hangar.

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Sports

Alpine abuse and Piastri furore as Hamilton makes American football move – GPFans F1 Recap – GPFans F1 Recap

Alpine abuse and Piastri furore as Hamilton makes American football move - GPFans F1 Recap - GPFans F1 Recap

Lewis Hamilton has become a part of the ownership group for the NFL franchise the Denver Broncos.
Read more…

Alpine and Ocon suffer vile online abuse after Alonso move

Alpine has been on the receiving end of vile online abuse after it was announced Fernando Alonso is to leave the team and join F1 rivals Aston Martin next season.
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Alpine face storm as Piastri denies F1 promotion

Alpine has been hit with another twist in its driver situation for 2023 after Oscar Piastri denied he will drive for the team in F1 next year.
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Verstappen issues Red Bull warning after Hungarian GP recovery

Max Verstappen has warned Red Bull it cannot afford a repeat of the problems he experienced at the Hungarian Grand Prix even though he holds a commanding lead in this year’s F1 title race.
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Hamilton’s Ferrari torment after Scuderia strategy that made “no sense”

Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton’s drive to runner-up in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix will have ‘tormented’ Ferrari after it delivered a strategy which made “no sense”.
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Alpine reveal how it discovered Alonso Aston Martin switch

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has revealed he only learned of Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin switch via the latter’s press release.
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Red Bull and Honda extend power unit support agreement

Red Bull has reached a deal with Honda that will see the Japanese manufacturer continue its technical support of the team’s powertrains department for the next three years.
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Is the F1 title Verstappen’s already? – GPFans Stewards’ Room Podcast

Max Verstappen completed a stunning recovery drive from 10th to win the Hungarian Grand Prix but his path was eased by yet more errors from Ferrari.

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Australia

Australian man jailed over sex abuse ring after more than a dozen children rescued

Australian man jailed over sex abuse ring after more than a dozen children rescued

An Adelaide man, 68, who remotely instructed and recorded the sexual abuse of children on 55 occasions over webcam has been sentenced to 15 years in jail.

The investigation led to the rescue of 15 victims in the Philippines and the arrests of five women accused of facilitating the “horrific” abuse, some of whom are the mothers and relatives of the victims.

The predator had pleaded guilty in February 2021 to 50 offenses between March 2018 and January 2020, but was charged with further offenses as investigations uncovered more information.

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

Police believe the youngest child was aged just three when they were first abused.

Thirteen children and two young adults were removed from harm in the Philippines following a major investigation by Australian Federal Police (AFP), Australian Border Force, SA Police, Anti-Child Exploitation teams, and multiple agency partners in the Philippines.

AFP Commander Erica Merrin said: “Children are being forced into the most appalling violence and torment on camera by the people who are meant to love and to protect them.

“The abuse is then live-streamed to customers in Western nations, shamefully that includes Australia.

“This Adelaide man did not just watch children being hurt – he ordered specific abuse to happen and preyed on the economic vulnerability of the people involved.”

The five alleged facilitators were aged between 18 and 29 at the time.

One of the 15 young victims being rescued by Philippine authorities. Credit: AFP
One of the alleged offenders of the ongoing child sex abuse hides her face inside a premises in the Philippines before her arrest. Credit: AFP

“One of the women charged was then an 18-year-old who was allegedly offering three girls online to offenders – her nine-year-old niece, 12-year-old cousin and 18-year-old best friend,” the AFP said.

The Adelaide man was first caught at Melbourne Airport with child abuse material on his mobile phone by Australian Border Force officials as he returned to Australia on an international flight in February 2020.

A forensic examination of the man’s digital storage devices “uncovered horrific footage of sexual acts involving children”, and police found more than 55,000 images and videos of child abuse material.

The man was charged over the illegal content.

Five alleged female facilitators of exploitation and child sex abuse were arrested by Philippines authorities. Credit: AFP

Further investigation found that the man “communicated with adult ‘facilitators’ in the Philippines to procure several children for his depraved requests,” AFP said.

“The children were forced to perform sexually explicit acts on camera which he watched live from his suburban Adelaide home. “

He was charged with the additional offenses in April 2020.

In November 2020 and May 2021, the AFP obtained a restraining order in relation to the property where many of his internet-based offenses allegedly took place.

The case served as the first example where an AFP taskforce had sought to confiscate the home of a person charged with sex offences. Credit: AFP

He was ordered to pay a total of $165,000, half of what his home was worth. This was the first time the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) had sought to confiscate the home of a person charged with sex offences.

This is because he was allegedly using his property as “an instrument of crime”.

The AFP worked with its partner agencies in the Philippines, including the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC), to continue the investigation there.

Philippines authorities executed search warrants at multiple locations in Bislig City, a remote area in the country’s east, in August 2020.

“The rescues and arrests are a powerful reminder of why the AFP works closely with partners around the globe, sharing intelligence and the resources necessary to target anyone who preys on children, no matter where in the world they are hiding,” AFP International Command Detective Superintendent Andrew Perkins said.

The Adelaide man has been sentenced to a total of 15 years, three months and 19 days’ imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 years, for the commonwealth offences, as well as nine months for a state offence. They will be served cumulatively.

Girl hospitalized in inner Melbourne sex attack.

Girl hospitalized in inner Melbourne sex attack.

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