Footage of an American anti-abortion preacher being told to “shut up” by passengers on a packed Sydney train has gone viral online.
The three-minute clip, originally filmed in 2019, resurfaced again on Reddit this week where it has racked up tens of thousands of views.
Phillip Blair from Torch of Christ Ministries boarded the busy train at Martin Place on a Monday morning and began reading bemused commuters in the crammed space.
“Hello Sydney, allow me three minutes of your time if you don’t mind – I’m not here to offend anyone, I’m here to give you hope,” he says.
“We care more about saving the whales than we care about saving our unborn children.”
An argument is sparked when a man sitting nearby reading his book interrupts Mr Blair asking him to stop.
“Thanks, mate – thank you,” the man says.
“No, I’m not going to stop because I love you that much,” Mr Blair replies.
“You have no more right than anyone else on this bus [sic]just shut up,” the man says.
“Yeah, shut up,” another man standing up says.
Mr Blair continues preaching about Jesus Christ, before the man sitting down yells at him again.
“If you asked for our time we have the right to say no, we’re not giving it to you,” he says. “Why won’t you just shut up?”
“Because I love you that much,” Mr Blair replies. “Suddenly Sydney for your sin. Suddenly before it’s too late. There is power in the name of Jesus to save your life.”
The man tells the preacher, “I’m not forcing my opinion on everyone in this train, so why don’t you just take your opinion and keep it to yourself?”
“It’s not an opinion it’s the truth,” Mr Blair says.
He continues ranting to the passengers about sin.
Asked why he won’t keep his opinion to himself, Mr Blair replies, “Because I care about your soul. I love you.”
“I don’t care if you love me! I don’t know you,” the man replies.
“It’s a selfish world and you need to repent,” Mr Blair says.
“Who’s the selfish one here mate?” the passenger says.
“Who’s the one who won’t shut up with their opinion? How selfish is that? You’re the selfish one because you won’t shut up. Can you not see that? You’re forcing your opinion on everyone in this train. We are asking you to shut the f**k up.”
The train then erupts with cheers.
A woman chimes in towards the end of the video, “Shut up, you sound like such ad***head.”
In the video intro, Mr Blair wrote, “I always do my best to show godly love. Hearts in Australia have become hardened in a way I’ve never seen. My soul was very grieved by what happened on this train.”
The preacher received a similarly frosty reception from Sydneysiders in other videos filmed around the CBD.
Malcolm Frawley, the passenger dubbed “book man”, later spoke to The Project to reveal why he felt the need to stand up to Mr Blair.
“I think the trigger for me was hearing this loud voice start to talk about our unborn children,” Mr Frawley said.
“And I wondered whether there might be some women in that carriage who might not be interested in a conversation about unborn children that was being conducted by a man. But for me faith is a personal, maybe even private thing. If you or I wanted to sit down over a coffee or beer and discuss our beliefs that might be fine but I don’t want them inflicted on me, in public, when I’m trying to read a book.”
According to his YouTube channel, Mr Blair has since returned to the US.
In a recent video, Mr Blair says he has received a court attendance notice for preaching in Times Square, New York.
World reacts to footage of Aussies confronting US preacher
Viewers were quick to condemn the preacher for his actions as the footage went viral on the hugely popular ‘PublicFreakout’ Reddit thread this week.
“An American preaching to Aussies how to live a good life in a society that is 1000x fairer, safer, happier and better than any American society,” observed one man.
“Aussies don’t call themselves Christians but they happen to live by Christian principles of charity, compassion and acceptance. The complete opposite of most American Christians.”
“He knows that on the street people can decide whether or not they can listen to his crap. On the train they don’t have a choice – they are basically his hostages,” added another.
“He’s dripping with American exceptionalism. The entitlement of thinking you can go to foreign lands and preach to a captive audience. All while ignoring local customs.” he wrote a third.
Others praised the commuter reading a book for his no-nonsense response to the preacher, affectionately dubbing him “Australian George Lucas.”
UFC star Julianna Pena was rushed to hospital to see a plastic surgeon after losing a “big chunk” of her forehead in a horrific injury.
The horrific injury could prove to be the end of a heroic MMA career for the Venezuelan Vixen, The Sun reports.
Watch Live UFC with ESPN on Kayo. Full Fight Night Events, PPV Prelims, Ultimate Fighter Series & More. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
The Washington star, 32, took on Amanda Nunes at UFC 277 in Texas on Sunday (AEST). But she took several thick blows to her head and ended up looking like something out of a horror movie as blood poured down her face.
UFC chief Dana White confirmed she was immediately taken to see specialists as soon as her defeat was confirmed by the judges after lasting the distance.
“Julianna’s got a big chunk missing from her forehead,” White said.
“She’s going to see a plastic surgeon right now.”
He then admitted it could prove the end of Pena’s incredible career, which saw her crowned UFC bantamweight world champ by beating Nunes in a major shock last December.
“It takes some time to heal and then I don’t know,” he added.
“She got pretty banged up tonight, she got five or six knockdowns in the first two rounds.
“She was hurt. She needs to take some time off, relax, spend some time with her daughter de ella and then we will go from there. ”
Nunes is widely regarded as one of the greatest UFC fighters of all time. And she proved exactly why with a superb performance to regain her status as the two-weight queen at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
The Brazilian won with a comfortable unanimous decision – 50-45, 50-44 and 50-43 – and was carried out of the cage on one of her team’s shoulders.
And then to top it off, Nunes brilliantly downed a pint of beer that she’d been desperate to drink.
The 34-year-old roared in her post-fight interview: “We are here making history again. Double champion again baby. Let’s go.”
This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission.
It’s crunch time for the AFL clubs in finals and flag contention – and most of them have several issues to address and fix before September.
Triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy’s On The Couch Geelong and Melbourne had “separated” themselves from the chasing pack, while Melbourne champion Garry Lyon said the way the Sydney Swans had been winning of late suggested they can be “added to the group”.
So the On The Couch panel, with the help of Champion Dataon Monday night discussed the concerns at seven clubs in the finals mix and their issues that would be “keeping coaches up at night”.
Watch every blockbuster AFL match this weekend Live & Ad-Break Free In-Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
NEW FIRST CRACK PODCAST — R20 wrap: ‘Arrogant’ Blues torched, Danger’s best flag chance
Listen below or subscribe in Apple Podcasts or Spotify
BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions have slipped out of the top four – and now face a tough task to get back in there.
They’ve gone 5-5 from their past 10 games, while they’re 4-4 against top-10 teams across the entire season so far.
St Kilda legend Nick Riewoldt pointed to several alarming Champion Data rankings around the Lions’ defensive profile.
Since Round 10, the Lions have been ranked 16th for points against, 15th for opposition scores per inside 50, 13th for points against from turnovers, 14th for points against from clearances and, of most concern, 18th for points against from defensive half.
“We know offense hasn’t been their issue of late. It’s the fact that they’re getting scored against so heavily, particularly from the defensive half,” Riewoldt told On The Couch.
“This hasn’t been a major issue for them over the last few years. Defensively they’ve been so strong, so in a year where we all thought they’ll take the next step, this was not part of the game that they could afford to drop away, which it has dramatically.”
Fagan addresses Clarko whispers | 00:43
“It’s clearly not just the defensive half of the ground where the struggles are or the back six – it’s all over the ground. So defending ball movement and not exposing your back six.”
Brown questioned whether the Lions’ forwards were wired to prioritize hitting the scoreboard, rather than applying pressure.
“Teams are able to move the ball from the Lions’ forward half, so clearly they’re not putting enough pressure on there,” he said.
“The other thing is the five or six forwards at the Lions are thinking: ‘For me to bring value to the team, in my own mind, I need to kick two or three goals today’ – thinking about themselves. I’m not sure where the focus lies there and where the balance lies between kicking goals and putting the defensive pressure on and playing a role for the team and making my teammate better.
“I’m just seeing some little things along the way, so that’s a watch.”
FREMANTLE
Like Brisbane, the Dockers have fallen out of the top four and now face an uphill battle to earn a double chance for September.
Lyon said the Dockers looked “unimaginative” and “passive” in their most recent performance against Melbourne. They now haven’t won since Round 17.
Brown pointed out points from turnover had become “a really big problem” for the Dockers, ranking 16th in that category since Round 10.
Demons demolish Dockers in Perth | 02:09
“The thing is they can’t move the football at the moment,” he said.
“Teams have obviously started to work them out. They’re pressing up, they’re taking away their uncontested marks.
“Their ability to move the football is a huge concern for mine.”
CARLTON
Dual premiership Kangaroo David King labeled the Blues’ loss to Adelaide as one of the most “arrogant” performances he’d seen by an AFL team in years.
Instead of cementing their spot in the top eight, the defeat has left the Blues somewhat vulnerable ahead of the final three weeks. They need one more win to guarantee a finals spot, but they have a tough run against Brisbane, Melbourne and Collingwood.
In the past six weeks, according to Champion Datathe Blues have been ranked 14th for points scored and 13th for scores per inside 50 – rankings that stunned Riewoldt because of Carlton’s personnel up forward.
“Most arrogant performance!” | 03:02
“Their scoring has dried up, which is the last thing you’d expect to happen with this group when you consider who they’ve got in the front half,” he said.
“They’re just not scoring and their efficiency when they actually get it in there to (Charlie) Curnow and (Harry) McKay and these guys is just not at the level it was at the start of the season.”
Brown added: “They were off with their contest work and competitiveness. Disappointing on the weekend.”
ST KILDA
The Saints squeezed into the top eight on the weekend, surviving an almighty comeback from a fast-finishing Hawthorn to make it two wins on the trot.
But they just haven’t been the same team since their Round 13 bye, losing five of their past eight games.
And since their bye, the Saints are ranked 15th for both points differential from turnover and points differential from clearances.
Saints survive fast-finishing Hawks | 01:00
“They’ve got two areas here … They’re well aware of this and the way they move the footy would be another one,” Lyon said.
“They’re in the eight right now and they’ve got three games to go, so it’s their spot to lose.”
RICHMOND
After three close losses and a draw, the Tigers conjured a mighty close win on Sunday against the Lions to keep their final hopes alive. It was just their second win in six games.
Those past six weeks have seen a dip in Richmond’s off-ball ability. They’re ranked 17th for contested possession – an area not seen as a strength of the Tigers’ during their premiership dynasty – but 18th for pressure – a massive strength during their premiership era.
“The concern is without the footy,” Brown said. “We say ‘without the footy’ because the contested footy hasn’t been great, but it’s been their pressure, which has been 18th in the last six weeks.
“The reason that’s important for Richmond is they were highly ranked in the 2017 to 2020 season, so they need to be doing that well to be a contender.”
Tigers claw back to claim stunning win | 03:02
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Dogs felt the full brunt of a brutal Geelong team last weekend, blown away during a ruthless third term.
They now sit 10th on the ladder, meaning they must win at least two of their final three games against the Dockers, Giants and Hawks if they are to feature in September.
What would help their cause would be an improvement in defending all movement – an area in which they’re ranked 14th across the 2022 season.
“There are defensive concerns,” Riewoldt said.
“When you’ve got a back six that we’ve talked about being susceptible at times, you want to be able to defend ball movement and stop it actually getting in there – and that’s not the case at the moment.
“The ball’s going from one end of the ground to the other far too easily.”
COLLINGWOOD
Lyon said it was a “bit of a stretch” to find an improvement area for a Magpies team that’s won 10 consecutive games.
But Riewoldt said the Pies could sharpen up at the coalface, although he added: “The part of their game they have to improve is probably clearance – but you can win the ball without being great in that area.”
Death, taxes and Dean Boxall providing box office reactions when Ariarne Titmus is in the pool.
The legendary coach endeared himself to the Australian public during the Tokyo Olympics last year when Titmus took home the gold medal in the women’s 400m freestyle.
Stream Over 50 Sports Live & On-Demand with Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
The best ever – McKeon wins 11th Gold | 00:24
As Titmus raced home and touched the wall first, Boxall channeled his inner ‘Ultimate Warrior’ from WWE and frightened a poor Tokyo official who had no idea what to do to keep Boxall in check.
And Boxall was back at it again at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, albeit nowhere near as wild as the Tokyo celebrations.
Boxall was watching the Australian’s women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay in which Titmus was competing alongside Madi Wilson, Mollie O’Callaghan and Kiah Melverton as Emma McKeon did not take part in the event.
MORE COVERAGE
Day 3 Wrap: ‘Extraordinary’ Aussies break world record, McKeon makes history
Medal Tally: Aussie gold rush continues as Women’s 7s erase Tokyo pain
‘Oh my goodness’: World record holder’s ‘shock’ result in ‘unbelievable’ boilover
Hang it in The Louvre. Picture: Channel 7Source: Channel 7There’s nothing quite like a Dean Boxall embrace. Picture: Channel 7Source: Channel 7
With Titmus winning the gold medal in the 200m individual freestyle event, the Aussies were always set to be a red-hot favorite going into the event.
Unsurprisingly, the girls in gold swimming caps delivered in spades as they set a time of 7:39:29, 12 seconds ahead of second-placed Canada while host nation England took home the bronze medal.
It was Titmus’ anchor split in particular that had Boxall going bonkers.
Titmus clocked 1:52:82 in a blistering spell that is also the fastest 200m freestyle relay split of all time.
It also helped Australia set a new world record for the event to truly assert their dominance.
Boxall, along with several others on social media, were left with their mouth agape at what had transpired.
Whispers travel across the dimly-lit room that an A-list female star is among the masked guests at a top-secret Snctm sex party.
Members, who pay up to $50,000 a year to attend orgies in lavish settings, are sipping champagne and cocktails by the bar, while some are already exploring each other’s bodies, The Sun reported.
This is a regular evening at work for Haley Grace, who puts on a tantalizing display with fellow performers, and has recalled her experiences working for the elite society.
The high-end erotic arts club, which launched in 2013, has become a sexy night-life staple in cities including LA and New York, offering guests the chance to realize their wildest sexual fantasies.
Haley is a performer, model, costume designer, and producer who has been working at the club’s intimate events since last September, often held in mansions or luxury penthouses.
Her specialty acts range from fire performance, burlesque, and roller-dancing to environmental character performances. She is also a professional mermaid.
She says her shows for Snctm are “expressive, elegant, and sensual,” and dare the viewer to transcend reality and enter a world of fantasy, reminiscent of the 1999 film ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ starring Tom Cruise.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, she said: “I first heard of Snctm through a night-life venue I perform at, and my first
time attending was actually as a guest.
“I went with a date and we had an absolutely amazing time. I went to the next event again as a guest but alone.
“It was a different experience but exciting and satisfying nonetheless.“At this point, I had gotten to know many of the people involved in making SncTM and it really made me want to be a part of the
team, so I applied to become one of their performers.
“The following event they had I was making my debut performance. I have been a XXX performer for a year now.”
She admitted: “My friends know of my role with Snctm but I have never felt the urge to make it a family discussion.
“I’m polyamorous and also perform with my main partner.
“Doing acts with him is great because the performance is really enhanced when the chemistry between two people is real and they know each other’s bodies.”
When it comes to guest relations, she said performers do interact with them by mingling and flirting to ensure they are having a good time and getting in the mood.
However, as a general rule, performers do not hook up with guests.
“I don’t have any sexual contact with guests – I only physically interact with the other XXX models that I have consented to perform with,” Haley said.
“The show is always different and so is every evening. At the last Snctm party, I did a beautiful bondage scene while being serenaded by a violinist – it was divine.”
She says the crowd of up to 100 is made up of “beautiful, wealthy people” working in everything from business and finance to the arts, including many well-known faces.
Recalling one night in New York which sticks in her mind, Haley said she rubbed shoulders with a female celebrity and the pair had a memorable conversation.
Asked if she’s ever been starstruck at Snctm, she said: “Yes, there was one time I definitely was. And I got the opportunity to talk to them for a while.
“It was an A-list female star, people like to do this in secret and be able to kind of shed their inhibitions.”
Asked if the star got involved with any fellow guests, Haley giggled and replied: “I can’t speak on that.”
Quizzed if the club still gets many big names through its doors, she said: “I’m not really the best with celebrity names and faces, but people do get excited like, ‘Oh, so and so is here’. So that’s fun.
“The organizers are very strict about people’s phones, they are taken at the door. And they have really good security.
“Consent is also the most important thing. They really do a good job of making sure that it’s like a safe space for everyone, not just celebrities.”
The parties run from around 10pm until 3pm and Snctm has also hosted events in the likes of Miami and Moscow, with actress Gwyneth Paltrow even reportedly promoting the club.
“Typically when people arrive, men are in tuxedos, and women are dressed in evening gowns with sexy lingerie underneath,” Haley said.
“They’ll go over to the bar, get a cocktail. We’ll have some more ambient performers.
“And then the night kind of progresses from there. The performances are spread out between rooms.
“We have different stage pieces. There’s a lot of attention to detail, decor, props, things of that sort, lighting, and music.
“A lot of times we’ll have live musicians. I’ve done scenes where I was also being serenaded by either a harpist or violinist, there can be a really beautiful, dark ambience.”
While many sex parties involve guests going off into private rooms to get down and dirty, Haley said Snctm is more of a “play party.”
“The point is really more to play in public,” she said. And then there are people who are fly on the wall [voyeurs].”
Guests get down to business – kissing and engaging in foreplay, in either couples or groups, while others go all the way and enjoy full sex in front of fellow members.
Haley said since events were canceled throughout the pandemic due to safety, Snctm is now more popular than ever, insisting: “We’re always packed out.”
Snctm has thrived under new ownership for the past few years and they have also welcomed a new creative director, Inka Nevala, an award-winning performance artist who also goes by Lou Lou D’vil.
Haley said the majority of her parties have been in New York, with a few in Los Angeles, and she’ll arrive at the event in the afternoon to have her hair and makeup done.
“Next, I will do a run-through and discussion with the creative director and my performance partner(s) about the scenes I’m in.
“Following that I get into costume and do a photo shoot. I usually have plenty of time to relax and socialize until getting ready for the doors to open and the real fun to begin.
“I’ll often start the evening doing a more ambient performance and then later on in the night will do the more intense sex scenes on the main stage with my partner(s).
“I’ll typically have three performative moments throughout the night.”
Haley said she’d encourage couples or single women to join Snctm, describing it as a “sexual oasis” and ”a unique experience.”
She added: “If you are a sexually open-minded person, or want to open up more, it’s a great way to find like minds and try new things.
“The feedback I get from guests is really positive. A lot of first-timers have expressed to me that they were surprised with how open and inspired they felt being there.”
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission
Whispers travel across the dimly-lit room that an A-list female star is among the masked guests at a top-secret Snctm sex party.
Members, who pay up to $50,000 a year to attend orgies in lavish settings, are sipping champagne and cocktails by the bar, while some are already exploring each other’s bodies, The Sun reported.
This is a regular evening at work for Haley Grace, who puts on a tantalizing display with fellow performers, and has recalled her experiences working for the elite society.
The high-end erotic arts club, which launched in 2013, has become a sexy night-life staple in cities including LA and New York, offering guests the chance to realize their wildest sexual fantasies.
Haley is a performer, model, costume designer, and producer who has been working at the club’s intimate events since last September, often held in mansions or luxury penthouses.
Her specialty acts range from fire performance, burlesque, and roller-dancing to environmental character performances. She is also a professional mermaid.
She says her shows for Snctm are “expressive, elegant, and sensual,” and dare the viewer to transcend reality and enter a world of fantasy, reminiscent of the 1999 film ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ starring Tom Cruise.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, she said: “I first heard of Snctm through a night-life venue I perform at, and my first
time attending was actually as a guest.
“I went with a date and we had an absolutely amazing time. I went to the next event again as a guest but alone.
“It was a different experience but exciting and satisfying nonetheless.“At this point, I had gotten to know many of the people involved in making SncTM and it really made me want to be a part of the
team, so I applied to become one of their performers.
“The following event they had I was making my debut performance. I have been a XXX performer for a year now.”
She admitted: “My friends know of my role with Snctm but I have never felt the urge to make it a family discussion.
“I’m polyamorous and also perform with my main partner.
“Doing acts with him is great because the performance is really enhanced when the chemistry between two people is real and they know each other’s bodies.”
When it comes to guest relations, she said performers do interact with them by mingling and flirting to ensure they are having a good time and getting in the mood.
However, as a general rule, performers do not hook up with guests.
“I don’t have any sexual contact with guests – I only physically interact with the other XXX models that I have consented to perform with,” Haley said.
“The show is always different and so is every evening. At the last Snctm party, I did a beautiful bondage scene while being serenaded by a violinist – it was divine.”
She says the crowd of up to 100 is made up of “beautiful, wealthy people” working in everything from business and finance to the arts, including many well-known faces.
Recalling one night in New York which sticks in her mind, Haley said she rubbed shoulders with a female celebrity and the pair had a memorable conversation.
Asked if she’s ever been starstruck at Snctm, she said: “Yes, there was one time I definitely was. And I got the opportunity to talk to them for a while.
“It was an A-list female star, people like to do this in secret and be able to kind of shed their inhibitions.”
Asked if the star got involved with any fellow guests, Haley giggled and replied: “I can’t speak on that.”
Quizzed if the club still gets many big names through its doors, she said: “I’m not really the best with celebrity names and faces, but people do get excited like, ‘Oh, so and so is here’. So that’s fun.
“The organizers are very strict about people’s phones, they are taken at the door. And they have really good security.
“Consent is also the most important thing. They really do a good job of making sure that it’s like a safe space for everyone, not just celebrities.”
The parties run from around 10pm until 3pm and Snctm has also hosted events in the likes of Miami and Moscow, with actress Gwyneth Paltrow even reportedly promoting the club.
“Typically when people arrive, men are in tuxedos, and women are dressed in evening gowns with sexy lingerie underneath,” Haley said.
“They’ll go over to the bar, get a cocktail. We’ll have some more ambient performers.
“And then the night kind of progresses from there. The performances are spread out between rooms.
“We have different stage pieces. There’s a lot of attention to detail, decor, props, things of that sort, lighting, and music.
“A lot of times we’ll have live musicians. I’ve done scenes where I was also being serenaded by either a harpist or violinist, there can be a really beautiful, dark ambience.”
While many sex parties involve guests going off into private rooms to get down and dirty, Haley said Snctm is more of a “play party.”
“The point is really more to play in public,” she said. And then there are people who are fly on the wall [voyeurs].”
Guests get down to business – kissing and engaging in foreplay, in either couples or groups, while others go all the way and enjoy full sex in front of fellow members.
Haley said since events were canceled throughout the pandemic due to safety, Snctm is now more popular than ever, insisting: “We’re always packed out.”
Snctm has thrived under new ownership for the past few years and they have also welcomed a new creative director, Inka Nevala, an award-winning performance artist who also goes by Lou Lou D’vil.
Haley said the majority of her parties have been in New York, with a few in Los Angeles, and she’ll arrive at the event in the afternoon to have her hair and makeup done.
“Next, I will do a run-through and discussion with the creative director and my performance partner(s) about the scenes I’m in.
“Following that I get into costume and do a photo shoot. I usually have plenty of time to relax and socialize until getting ready for the doors to open and the real fun to begin.
“I’ll often start the evening doing a more ambient performance and then later on in the night will do the more intense sex scenes on the main stage with my partner(s).
“I’ll typically have three performative moments throughout the night.”
Haley said she’d encourage couples or single women to join Snctm, describing it as a “sexual oasis” and ”a unique experience.”
She added: “If you are a sexually open-minded person, or want to open up more, it’s a great way to find like minds and try new things.
“The feedback I get from guests is really positive. A lot of first-timers have expressed to me that they were surprised with how open and inspired they felt being there.”
This article originally appeared in The Sun and was reproduced with permission
LIVE: Emma McKeon has cruised into another final as the Australian swim sensation continues her assault on the history books on Day Four of the Commonwealth Games.
On Day 3, McKeon broke the Commonwealth Games record with a stunning 11th career gold medal, and her meet isn’t finished yet with more medals still up for grabs.
In the swim finals scheduled for Tuesday morning (AEST), McKeon heads a raft of Australians including Kyle Chalmers, who withdrew from one event to prioritize the massive 100m freestyle final.
Follow all the action from Day Four at the Commonwealth Games in our LIVE BLOG below! See the full schedule at the bottom.
Medal Tally: Aussie gold rush continues as Women’s 7s erase Tokyo pain
McKeon was back in the pool – and is now back in another ending.Source: Getty Images
McKeon once again hit the pool on Day Four in the women’s 100m freestyle heats, with fellow Aussies Shayna Jack and Mollie O’Callaghan also successfully qualifying for the semi-finals.
O’Callaghan qualified first in 54.28s, ahead of Jackthird in a comfortable 54.28s.
“I was definitely trying to hold back,” Jack said after her race.
McKeon only managed third-fastest in her heat and sixth-fastest overall as she cruised to the finish in 55.36s.
The 28-year-old won the same event at the Tokyo Games last year and is a massive chance of doing the same in Birmingham.
Read more on the rest of the swimming results below, or skip to the morning finals’ schedule at bottom.
ALL-TIME COMEBACK FALLS JUST SHORT
Australia’s men’s triples lawn bowls team came within an inch of pulling off one of the all-time great comebacks only to fall just short in a gold medal heartbreak.
Barry Lester, Carl Healey and Ben Twist – all sporting brilliant gold-dyed haircuts – were down by as many as 12-1 to England’s team of Louis Ridout, Nick Brett and Jamie Chestney.
But the Aussies charged back into the fight as the home side began to fall apart, with Australia snagging four in the 12th end en route to tying the scores up at 12 apiece.
England didn’t score from the ninth end until the 16th, but claimed a single on that second-last leg and then did the same on the last leg – after Australia missed a host of chances at the death.
DIAMONDS DEMOLISH SA… BUT COP BIG BLOW
In easily their toughest test of the Commonwealth Games so far, the gold-medal-favorite Diamonds went up a gear to defeat South Africa 74-49.
From the start, the Diamonds were in fine form, shooting with outstanding accuracy and harrying the South Africans all over the court with exceptional pressure.
Australia is undefeated after three Pool A games. They play Wales tomorrow before a huge match with more-than-dark-horses Jamaica.
But a calf injury to Paige Hadley, who had played just 15 minutes in the second game after missing the opener, looms as a potentially defining moment in their campaign.
FULL STORY.
Diamonds’ dream run soured as star sidelined with calf injury
Kyle Bruce nearly claimed an incredible gold medal with this lift.Source: Channel 7
AUSSIE ROBBED IN WILD HEARTBREAK
Kyle Bruce has been controversially robbed of a gold medal in the men’s 81kg weightlifting after a heartbreaking judges’ decision.
23-year-old Bruce was a gifted rugby flanker who only entered the gym to improve his ability on the field, before swapping to weightlifting full time and going on to claim a silver medal four years ago.
This time around, I have finished second in the snatch portion of the competition by lifting 143kg before twice failing to lift 147kg.
He successfully lifted 180kg in the clean-and-jerk portion for a stunning total of 323kg which had him in a second. Then, with the gold medal on the line, he attempted to lift 183kg on his final attempt.
He struggled with the lift and was wobbling, but was initially given three green lights from the judges to indicate a successful lift… only to have it overturned almost immediately afterwards by the jury, who spotted a small movement of Bruce’s left elbow.
That relegated him to a silver medal, behind England’s Chris Murray in a Games Record 325kg total.
He said: “It got overruled for a press-out. I haven’t seen the video so I’m not sure. But sometimes this is how sport goes and you know, congratulations to Chris on winning it
“He was the good lifter on the day and I just got a bit unlucky there, but it is what it is, I’m humble in defeat and I’m happy.”
He adds: “Coming away with a silver, not gonna lie, is quite disappointing… I’ll be ready for 2026. I’ll come back and I’ll have some redemption.”
FULL STORY: ‘Devastated’ Aussie in tears after gold ‘stolen away’
Meanwhile, Sarah Maureen Cochrane competes in the women’s 64kg final at 11pm AEST.
Resilient Chalmers sets Games record | 00:27
CHALMERS WITHDRAWS AS AUSSIES SURGE INTO MORE FINALS
Kyle Chalmer has withdrawn from the 100m butterfly so that he can focus on his 100m freestyle final in the evening session.
His scintillating semi-final swim last night (local) has him the firm favorite to claim gold in his favored event, and it’s no surprise he’s going all-in.
Teammate Cody Simpson qualified fifth for the semi-finals in 52.47s, just behind fourth-placed Matt Temple, the Australian record holder touching in 52.28s.
“It’s a great heat swim for him,” Ian Thorpe declared on Channel 7 of Temple.
Simpson has already won a gold medal for his involvement in the first heat of the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay, although he did not swim in the final.
FULL STORY: Legends not surprised as Chalmers pulls out of event at last minute
Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers won his 100m freestyle semi final. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
Meanwhile, Kaylee McKeown qualified fastest for the 200m backstroke final (2:10.95s), with fellow Aussie minna atherton also making it through in third (2:11.38s)
McKeown won the event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the recent 2022 World Championships in Budapest.
She also reached the final of the women’s 200m individual medley, qualifying behind Abbey Harkin in equal fourth with 2:13.24 and Ella Ramsay in km in 2:14.03. McKeown was seventh in 2:14.23s.
All three Aussies also qualified for the Women’s 100m Breaststroke semi-finals: Chelsea Hodge fourth in 1:07.68, Jenna Strauch fifth in 1:07.80, and Abbey Harkin sixth in 1:07.85.
debutante Grayson Bell qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 50m breastroke in fifth after winning his heat in a personal best 27.63s. Sam Williamson won his own heat in 27.20s to qualify third-fastest. Joshua Young also qualified with his 27.96s.
Recent world championships silver medalist Lani Pallister qualified first for the final of the women’s 800m freestyle with a strong 8:32.67s. Ariarne Titmus qualified second-fastest with a very measured 8:36.17. Kiah Melverton was fourth-fastest in 8:40.29. Could we see another podium sweep?
MORE COVERAGE
Day 3 Wrap: ‘Extraordinary’ Aussies break world record, McKeon makes history
‘It is shocking’: Thorpe stunned as England world record holder toppled in ‘unbelievable’ boilover
AUSSIES SET TO RACK UP LAWN BOWLS MEDALS
Australia’s day has started in sensational style in the Lawn Bowls, with three teams all winning their semi-finals.
Carl HealeyBarrie Lester and Ben Twist are into the men’s treble final (9pm AEST) after beating Fiji 26 – 13. They will face England, who beat Wales 15-5 in the other semi-final.
Damian Delgado and Chris Favel are into the men’s pairs B6-B8 final after beating England 17-4.
And serena bonell and Cheryl Lindfield are into the women’s pairs B6-B8 final after seeing off South Africa 19-12 in their own semi. Both Para Pairs B6-B8 Finals take place on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Aussie Ellen Ryan competes in the finals of the women’s singles at 1.30am AEST on Tuesday.
Ellen Ryan of Team Australia is into the women’s singles final.Source: Getty Images
SIX-TIME COMPETITOR LEADS AUSSIE BRONZE
Australia’s six-time Commonwealth Games competitor Jian Fang Lay has led the Aussie team to bronze in the women’s table tennis.
She won the opening doubles with yangzi liu, who won her own singles game before Jian Fang Lay sealed the 3-0 over Wales with a singles victory of her own.
Jian Fang Lay now has eight minor medals to her name.
minhyung jee was the other member of the team.
Jian Fang Lay led the Aussies to bronze in table tennis!Source: Getty Images
KEY OVERNIGHT EVENTS
SWIMMING
In the morning session (4am AEST Tuesday), medals are on offer in the:
– men’s 100m freestyle final (Kyle ChalmerWilliam Xu Yang, Zac Incerti)
– women’s 200m backstroke final (Kaylee McKeown, Minna Atherton)
– women’s 200m individual medley final (Kaylee McKeown, Abbey Harkin, Ella Ramsay)
– men’s 50m freestyle S7 final (Matthew Levy, Joel Mundie)
– women’s 100m breastroke SB6 final (Isabella Vincent, Ella Jones)
– men’s 50m backstroke final (Ben Armbruster, Andrew Jeffcoat, Bradley Woodward)
– women’s 50m butterfly final (Alex Perkins, Emma McKeon, Holly Barratt)
– men’s 4x200m freestyle relay final (Australian team)
HOCKEY: The Kookaburras play their second game of the Games – facing NZ at 6am AEST.
JUDO: Aussie judoka Joshua Katz (60kg) and brother Nathan (66kg) are both competing for bronze medals overnight.
DAY FOUR SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEST)
Lawn Bowls and Para Lawns Bowls, 5.30pm
Hockey, 6:00 p.m.
Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, 6.30pm
Weightlifting, 6.30pm
Judo, 7.00pm
Swimming and Para Swimming, 7.30pm
Badminton, 8:00 p.m.
Boxing, 9:00 p.m.
Netball, 9:00 p.m.
Squash, 9.00pm
Artistic Gymnastics, 10.00pm
Track and Para Track Cycling, 11.00pm
Hockey, 11:00 p.m.
Weightlifting, 11.00pm
Beach Volleyball, 11.30pm
Boxing, 3:30 a.m.
Weightlifting, 3.30am
Hockey, 4:00 a.m.
Swimming and Para Swimming, 4.00am
Beach Volleyball, 4.00am
Basketball 3×3 and Wheelchair Basketball 3×3, 4.30am
Follow all the action from Day 4 of the Commonwealth Games in our LIVE BLOG below!
The Socceroos’ path to the 2026 World Cup will be a 16-match journey – provided the Australians are among the Asian Football Confederation’s top six qualifiers.
To be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 edition of the tournament will expand to include 48 nations.
With 16 more countries to qualify than the 32 at this year’s World Cup, the AFC will have at least eight representatives and a maximum of nine.
Provided, as expected, the Socceroos are at the time among the AFC’s top 25 nations, they will join the race to reach the 2026 World Cup in the second round of the preliminary qualifiers, which is set to start late next year and will involve 36 teams who will be divided into nine groups of four.
Each nation will play six games in a round-robin, home and away format, with the top two from each group – 18 in total – to advance to the stage known as the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
The 18 teams – who will be divided into three groups of six – will play 10 matches in a round-robin, home and away format, with the top two from each group to qualify directly for the World Cup.
The teams finishing third and fourth in each of the three groups will be drawn into two further groups of three and play two matches in a single round-robin format.
Both of the group winners will qualify for the World Cup.
The two second-placed teams will meet in a playoff, with the winner to represent the AFC in an Intercontinental playoff, where a World Cup berth will be up for grabs.
Pat Carroll, the actress known for voicing the underwater villain Ursula in Disney’s animated tale, The Little Mermaid, died on July 30. She was 95.
The Emmy Award-winning actress passed away at her home on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, while recovering from pneumonia, according to Variety.
Carroll found a niche as a comedian on the late-night circuit beginning in the 1940s, and voiced several cartoon characters through the years before earning an Emmy for her work on Sid Caesar’s Hour.
Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Carroll’s family moved to Los Angeles when she was five years old, and she picked up acting in local productions shortly after.
She graduated from the local, all-girls Immaculate Heart High School, whose notable alumni include Meghan Markle, Diane Disney (the daughter of Walt and Lillian Disney), Mary Tyler Moore, Lucie Arnaz, Tyra Banks and Yara Shahidi.
After enlisting in the Army, she attended the Catholic University of America, and began her career in the industry with the 1947 film Hometown Girl.
She co-starred as Prunella in a 1965 production of the musical version of cinderellaand worked on Laverne & Shirley, Busting Loose, The Ted Knight Show and She’s The Sheriff.
Other appearances included The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Love Boat, Designing Women and ER.
She won several theatrical awards for her one-woman show on Gertrude Stein. The recorded version won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word, Documentary or Drama in 1980.
In 1989, she played the villainous sea witch Ursula and sang Poor Unfortunate Souls, a role she once said was one of her all-time favourites.
She reprized the infamous character’s voice for a number of Disney video games and television shows, most recently in 2020 with The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse short series.
Carroll is survived by daughters Kerry Karsian, Tara Karsian and granddaughter Evan Karsian-McCormick.
This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission.
A flight attendant has revealed the “real” reason cabin crew won’t stow passengers’ carry-on bags for them – and it’s left many online users fired up.
If you have recently been on a plane and noticed flight attendants don’t offer to place your suitcase or backpack into the overhead locker, there’s a reason.
According to US flight attendant Cierra, none of the crew get paid while passengers are boarding.
“We actually don’t start to get paid until the moment that airplane door shuts and the handbrake gets lifted,” she said in a viral TikTok.
“On top of that, if it’s because you’re having trouble lifting it, you can easily get your packed [luggage] checked at the gate for free.”
Cierra’s clip, which has amassed almost one million views, has left hundreds shocked.
“Think it’s ridiculous that you don’t get paid until the door shuts. Should be as soon as you enter the airport,” one person wrote.
“It’s ridiculous that you don’t get paid until the doors close,” a second person agreed.
Some claimed that with the current global chaos surrounding airports, airlines and lost baggage, they would rather not have their bags checked in, while others didn’t take lightly to Cierra’s clip.
“OK asking for help to lift a bag shouldn’t ruin your day if someone is asking kindly. There’s plenty of people too short to reach the cabins up top,” one person commented.
“So you’re not gonna help someone with a simple thing like their bags because you’re not getting paid? Seems a little messed up – it’s not that big of a deal,” a second person wrote, while a third added: “Last time I went on a plane they announced if you need help putting luggage overhead just ask since it’s just common courtesy to help people.”
While the rules vary for different airlines, some can have policies preventing flight attendants from lifting passengers’ suitcases, according to the travel brand Matador Network.
Flight attendant Jamela Hardwick told Insider why she won’t help passengers with their luggage.
She explained that it not only comes down to pay, but if they get injured while performing the act, they’re not covered.
“We do not get paid until the boarding door is closed,” she said. “If we get hurt while putting that bag in the overhead bin, we do not get to write it off as an on-job injury.”
Kat Kamalani, a flight attendant for more than six years, said while it is “crazy” it is true that it’s not their job to lift luggage into the overhead lockers.
“A tonne of airlines tell (flight attendants) not to do this because there are so many injuries with it, so if we get injured it’s not even covered,” she said in a TikTok. But she said while the flight crew won’t stow the luggage for you, if you ask for help while you put your luggage in the overhead compartment, they will gladly give it.
“Ask the flight attendant to assist you and they will totally help you put it up there.”
