Photos of the week, May 23, 2020

A week in photos from the award winning Sydney Morning Herald / The Age / Financial Review photographers.

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Low virus rate leaves Oxford vaccine trial with 'only 50% chance'

Professor Adrian Hill said an upcoming Oxford vaccine trial, involving 10,000 volunteers, threatened to return "no result" due to low transmission of COVID-19 in the community.

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In the market to rent a ballpark? The Pensacola Blue Wahoos can help

A minor league baseball team has come up with a creative use of its empty ballpark amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

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South-east Queensland hits freezing point after coldest May day in 98 years

Brisbane reached a maximum of 15.1 degrees on Saturday - the coldest May day since 1922.

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BBC NEWS - Hong Kong: World political figures condemn China's security law plan

Nearly 200 signatories say Beijing's proposal is an "assault on the city's fundamental freedoms".


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-52786734

New on Sports Illustrated: Report: Jessica Eye, Cynthia Calvillo to Face Off at June 13 UFC Fight Night

The event's location is not known, but Eye and Calvillo are expected to headline the card.

Jessica Eye and Cynthia Calvillo will square off in a flyweight bout at UFC Fight Night on June 13, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto. The two will reportedly headline the event.

In her last fight, Eye defeated Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, 2019. She's ranked as the No. 8 women's flyweight and has won four of her last five fights.

Calvillo fought to a draw in her last bout against Marina Rodriguez on Dec. 7, 2019. Prior to that, she scored two consecutive wins over Courtney Casey on Feb. 17, 2019, and Poliana Botelho on Nov. 17, 2018.

News of the Eye-Calvillo card comes days after reports surfaced of a Paige VanZant-Amanda Ribas fight that's scheduled to take place on July 11. Locations for both fights have yet to be announced.

May 24, 2020 at 06:13AM
Report: Jessica Eye, Cynthia Calvillo to Face Off at June 13 UFC Fight Night

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Coronvirus updates LIVE: Scott Morrison announces $130 billion 'Jobkeeper' wage subsidy, Victoria implements stage three social distancing restrictions

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

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Taliban, Ghani declare three-day cease fire for Eid holiday

The Taliban order comes just days after US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad was in Kabul and Doha.

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Cricket looking at fewer Tests, shorter tours and pay cuts

The number of Test matches could be reduced to save costs because of COVID-19, senior administrators have warned, while there is also support for shortening tours.

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Coronvirus updates LIVE: Scott Morrison announces $130 billion 'Jobkeeper' wage subsidy, Victoria implements stage three social distancing restrictions

If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Two new COVID-19 cases in Premier League

Two more individuals connected to two unnamed Premier League clubs have tested positive for coronavirus.

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BBC NEWS - Stan's Donuts: A farewell to a shop closed by coronavirus

Coronavirus has forced thousands of small businesses to shut in the US. Stan's Donuts is just one.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52663603

BBC NEWS - Rwanda genocide: How Félicien Kabuga evaded capture for 26 years

Félicien Kabuga outwitted Rwandan genocide prosecutors by using 28 aliases and powerful connections.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-52758693

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Why reopening French schools is a social emergency

Children returning to school are often from wealthier families, so why are other pupils staying home?


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52769626

BBC NEWS - LG Polymers: Was negligence behind India's deadly gas leak?

The Indian arm of a South Korean multinational was charged after a leak from its factory killed 12.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-52723762

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Which health claims are circulating online?

A wide range of false and misleading health claims continue to spread on social media.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52710478

BBC NEWS : Has the virus prompted an early mid-life crisis for some?

'I've gone from a large office in Soho to painting in my bedroom,' says Cece Philips who quit her job to become an artist.


May 24, 2020 at 05:59AM

from BBC News - Business
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Three men charged with murder over teen's fatal Gold Coast balcony fall

The 19-year-old man's body was found at the base of the View Avenue apartment complex in Surfers Paradise.

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Powderfinger virtually gets the band back together

The popular Brisbane band's first gig in 10 years sounded raw and loose, despite a professionally pre-recorded mix.

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NBA confirms talks to restart season at Disney bubble

The National Basketball Association is looking at playing on at a single site for games, practices and housing.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Three men charged with murder over teen's fatal Gold Coast balcony fall

The 19-year-old man's body was found at the base of the View Avenue apartment complex in Surfers Paradise.

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May 23, 2020 at 05:30AM
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Art centre boss accused of exploiting Indigenous Queensland artists

Brett Evans has been charged with 35 counts of dishonesty for allegedly carrying out deceptive art deals between 2011 and 2014.

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Art centre boss accused of exploiting Indigenous Queensland artists

Brett Evans has been charged with 35 counts of dishonesty for allegedly carrying out deceptive art deals between 2011 and 2014.

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Rockhampton nurse referred to corruption watchdog over aged-care scare

Queensland Health has confirmed the nurse, who continued to work while unwell, has been suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation.

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BBC NEWS - Brazil court releases foul-mouthed Bolsonaro video

It is part of a probe into allegations the president tried to replace top federal police officials.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-52779998

BBC NEWS - Canada v US: Loon stabs eagle through heart

The loon, which is on Canada's dollar coin, and the eagle, America's national bird, fought to the death.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52779727

New on Sports Illustrated: Report: Multiple NBA Teams Asking If Players Can Report Directly to Training Camp Sites

The NBA is reportedly increasingly expected to resume in July.

A number of NBA teams that play in areas where government COVID-19 restrictions remain stringent are asking the league whether their players can bypass returns to home markets and report directly to the NBA's proposed campus environment, if as increasingly expected, play resumes in July, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Per ESPN, teams are looking to avoid having to quarantine majorities of their rosters twice—once upon a move back to home and again at the league's potential resumption site. 

Earlier this week, The Athletic's Shams Charania and Sam Amick reported that Orlando has emerged as the frontrunner to host the 2020 NBA postseason.

NBA teams are expecting the league to inform them by June 1 that franchises should begin recalling players to home markets, per multiple reports. 

The league has a call with owners set for next Friday that is expected to include more details about a possible plan.

The New York Times' Marc Stein reported Friday that the league has begin informing teams that they will likely be allowed to bring around 35 players, coaches and staff into a potential environment if the 2019-20 season. 

The league is reportedly considering a plan that would have, "players fully training in mid-June and playing by mid-July," per Amick and Charania.

The NBA is continuing to explore contingencies for the resumption of the 2019-20 season as Las Vegas and Orlando are the most likely cities to host the playoffs.

"We are confident we'll be hosting the NBA in some fashion," a source from Disney World told Yahoo Sports' Keith Smith. "It may not be the entire league, but we believe the NBA will be here to at least finish part of their season. Still hurdles to cross, but we are preparing as if that is the case."

The NBA suspended play indefinitely on March 11 after Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. No return date has been set for the 2019-20 season. 

May 23, 2020 at 05:40AM
Report: Multiple NBA Teams Asking If Players Can Report Directly to Training Camp Sites

Rockhampton nurse referred to corruption watchdog over aged-care scare

Queensland Health has confirmed the nurse, who continued to work while unwell, has been suspended, pending the outcome of an investigation.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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Woman dies after falling from Sydney hotel balcony

Police were called to the hotel on Sussex Street following reports a woman had plunged from a balcony on Hyatt Regency's 10th floor about 8pm on Friday.

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Teenager killed in suspected Gold Coast balcony fall

The 19-year-old man was found dead outside a Surfers Paradise apartment complex early on Saturday, with four others taken to hospital over drug-related issues.

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WA flu, gastro cases down to record low levels as social distancing prevents more than just COVID-19

West Australians planning on 'chucking a sickie' anytime soon may have to come up with a more creative excuse, with flu and gastro cases down to record low levels.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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Woman dies after falling from Sydney hotel balcony

Police were called to the hotel on Sussex Street following reports a woman had plunged from a balcony on Hyatt Regency's 10th floor about 8pm on Friday.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Biden apologises for saying voters 'ain't black' if considering Trump

"I shouldn’t have been such a wise guy," the presumptive Democratic candidate said, stressing that he did not take African American votes for granted.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Teenager killed in suspected Gold Coast balcony fall

The 19-year-old man was found dead outside a Surfers Paradise apartment complex early on Saturday, with four others taken to hospital over drug-related issues.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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WA flu, gastro cases down to record low levels as social distancing prevents more than just COVID-19

West Australians planning on 'chucking a sickie' anytime soon may have to come up with a more creative excuse, with flu and gastro cases down to record low levels.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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US Won't Close Again if Hit by 2nd Coronavirus Wave, Trump Says

WHITE HOUSE - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday placed more pressure on states to reopen for business despite continuing concerns about the coronavirus.

"I don't think people are going

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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: The Bolivian orchestra stranded in a German castle

The young musicians have been in a moated castle in eastern Germany for 73 days after Bolivia closed its borders.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/the-reporters-52760380

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Is Latin America the next epicentre of the pandemic?

New cases have been rising sharply in Brazil and Mexico, along with other countries in the region.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-52711458

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus sparks a sanitary pad crisis in India

Schools normally provide students with pads in a country where millions of women go without.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-52718434

BBC NEWS - Get ready for the 'holy grail' of computer graphics

Ray tracing produces stunning lighting effects but has been too complex for computers, until now.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52541218

BBC NEWS - Africa's week in pictures: 15 - 21 May 2020

A selection of the week's best photos from across the continent.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-52754632

It's only breathing - but how you do it is more important than you think

A sigh is just a sigh – or is it? Research shows that changing the way you breathe may have wide-ranging health benefits

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Astronauts arrive for NASA's first US launch in decade

It will be the first time a private company, rather than a national government, sends astronauts into orbit. 

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Reds trio part ways with club as manager slams QRU handling of dispute

Izack Rodda, Harry Hockings and Isaac Lucas will no longer run out for the Queensland Reds following an ugly stand-off.

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FOX NEWS:- RNC intervening in Dem lawsuit in Florida to protect election integrity

RNC intervening in Dem lawsuit in Florida to protect election integrity



The Republican Party is intervening in an election lawsuit that Democrats filed in the Sunshine State, Fox News has learned.

via FOX NEWS https://foxnews.com/politics/rnc-intervening-dem-lawsuit-florida-election-integrity

FOX NEWS:- O'Brien: US ready to act if China violates human rights in Hong Kong

O'Brien: US ready to act if China violates human rights in Hong Kong



National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien weighs in on escalating tensions with China.

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6158412989001

FOX NEWS:- McConnell: We can't pay people more to not work, we need to incentivize them to find jobs

McConnell: We can't pay people more to not work, we need to incentivize them to find jobs



Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell weighs in on coronavirus-related unemployment and future relief packages.

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6158407854001

FOX NEWS:- Trump orders flags on federal buildings lowered for 3 days in memory of those killed by coronavirus

Trump orders flags on federal buildings lowered for 3 days in memory of those killed by coronavirus



President Trump said Thursday that he ordered all flags on federal buildings to be lowered to half staff for three days in memory of Americans lost to coronavirus. 

via FOX NEWS https://foxnews.com/politics/federal-buildings-flags-lowered-memory-those-killed-by-coronavirus

FOX NEWS:- Senate confirms Kenneth Braithwaite to serve as Navy secretary

Senate confirms Kenneth Braithwaite to serve as Navy secretary



The Senate on Thursday confirmed by a voice vote Kenneth Braithwaite as the new Navy Secretary, filling a post that has been vacant since last November when former Navy Secretary Richard Spencer was fired for his handling of Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher's case and after acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly was forced to resign in wake of his controversial removal of the USS Theodore Roosevelt's commander.

via FOX NEWS https://foxnews.com/politics/senate-confirms-kenneth-braithwaite-to-serve-as-navy-secretary

FOX NEWS:- Court sides with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after GOP lawmakers challenge her coronavirus restrictions

Court sides with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after GOP lawmakers challenge her coronavirus restrictions



The Michigan Court of Claims ruled Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has the authority to keep her state under a state of emergency without legislative approval, after GOP lawmakers challenged her extension of sweeping restrictions. 

via FOX NEWS https://foxnews.com/politics/court-sides-michigan-gov-gretchen-whitmer-coronavirus-restrictions

New on Sports Illustrated: Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald: 'You Need Fans to Play a Game'

Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald appears dejected about the prospect of playing NFL games without fans.

Rams All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald appears dejected about the prospect of playing NFL games without fans. 

"You need fans to play a game," Donald told reporters on Thursday. "I don't see how you could play a game without no fans. I feel like that takes out the excitement and the fun out of the game ...

"I feel like the fans is what pick you up. The fans is what makes the game exciting. The fans will give you that extra juice when you're tired and fatigued, when you make that big play and you hear 80,000 fans going crazy. That just pumps you up."

But the NFL, like other sports leagues, is weighing options on how to best proceed amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

Tuesday marked the first day that teams could re-open their facilities, if they were permitted to do so under governing state and local regulations. But no players are currently allowed to enter facilities, unless they were already undergoing rehab or therapy that began prior to team facilities being closed. 

A possible date of more comprehensive returns is still unclear.

NFL chief doctor Allen Sills also said on Tuesday on a conference call that it appears inevitable that a number of the sport's team personnel will be infected by the coronavirus.

"We fully well expect that we will have positive cases that arise," Sills said. "Because we think that this disease will remain endemic in society, it shouldn't be a surprise that new positive cases arise. Our challenge is to identify them as quickly as possible and prevent spread to any other participants."

The NFL released its 2020 schedule on May 7, publishing the 2020-21 campaign despite the health crisis' potential impact. The Rams are scheduled to open the 2020 season against the Cowboys in Week 1, which would mark Los Angeles' first home game in its new SoFi Stadium. 

With uncertainty looming over the possibility of playing games without fans, the MMQB's Albert Breer noted Monday that, "at least a couple teams that are facing the possibility of playing in empty stadiums in the fall would rather do that at home, than play their home games in someone else's city."

California governor Gavin Newsom said earlier this week that professional sports leagues could begin to move towards a possible return starting around the first week of June, but in events without spectators. 

May 22, 2020 at 05:31AM
Rams All-Pro Aaron Donald: 'You Need Fans to Play a Game'

The economic recovery is doomed before it even begins

Plans for full and partial reopenings in Australia, Singapore and Thailand sound reasonable in theory, but they won't deliver the hoped-for economic bounce.

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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Victorian minister fills in details of coronavirus disrupted exam plans.

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The economic recovery is doomed before it even begins

Plans for full and partial reopenings in Australia, Singapore and Thailand sound reasonable in theory, but they won't deliver the hoped-for economic bounce.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Caught on the hop: No goalposts at Blundstone Arena may force Roos out

If North Melbourne play in Tasmania this year they may have to play in Launceston as Blundstone Arena in Hobart will be without goalposts for the winter. 

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Victorian minister fills in details of coronavirus disrupted exam plans.

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Baggy T-shirts, combat boots: The mass appeal of the '90s anti-It girl

Alanis Morissette and Fiona Apple pioneered the moody, rugged aesthetic of the '90s. Twenty-five years on, it seems it never really went away.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Trump vows U.S. will not close down again, even if Covid-19 re-emerges

WHITE HOUSE - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday placed more pressure on states to reopen for business despite continuing concerns about the coronavirus.

"I don't think people are going

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The push-up mistakes costing you a stronger chest

The push-up is hands down the best chest exercise, but there are common mistakes. Consider this your handbook for lockdown's favourite pastime: the push-up challenge.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Homicide squad investigates fatal crash with ute passenger on the run

The homicide squad has joined an investigation into a fatal crash near Bacchus Marsh on Wednesday night, with one person involved yet to hand themselves in.

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Who your NRL team plays twice: Roosters dealt toughest draw, Eels one of easiest

After losing their opening two games of the season, the Roosters have been handed the arduous task of squaring off against the Raiders and Storm, as well as the Rabbitohs and Broncos, twice.

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Retired judge to lead probe into Queensland mine explosion

Four of the five mine workers remain in hospital following the explosion, near Moranbah, on May 6. 

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'I can't wait to go to Tiger's place and take him down'

Phil Mickelson may trail Tiger Woods by a significant margin in major titles and PGA victories, but he didn't let that stop him from talking a little trash about his greatest golf rival.

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Son charged with murder of parents does not appear at Queensland court

A 31-year-old man charged with killing his parents at their bed and breakfast will remain in custody in Queensland after being extradited from NSW.

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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: World sees highest daily increase in virus cases - WHO

The head of the World Health Organization warns the pandemic is a "long way" from being over.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-52748894

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Sleepless nights for doctors in a war zone

People in Afghanistan dared to hope for peace, but they are now fighting both violence and the virus.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-52741433

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: What does it mean for natural disaster response?

How are emergency services preparing for natural disasters amid the coronavirus pandemic?


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52539724

BBC NEWS - Doctor who raised concerns over PPE shortage admitted to mental hospital

The Andhra Pradesh medic was suspended after complaining about the lack of protective equipment.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-52719110

BBC NEWS - Colombia: How armed gangs are using lockdown to target activists

Campaigners were already at risk but restrictions have left them easy targets for militia groups.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-52661457

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Universities fear fall in lucrative overseas students

Education is one of the sectors of the global economy that is being hardest hit by the pandemic.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52508018

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: The Russian republic enduring a 'catastrophe'

The coronavirus outbreak in Dagestan in southern Russia saw 10 dying each day at its peak.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-52737404

BBC NEWS - Africa didn't dither but faces long coronavirus fight

How the continent's sense of vulnerability may help it adapt to yet another deadly disease.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-52741421

Coronavirus: Tinder boss says 'dramatic' changes to dating

Elie Seidman discusses the impact of coronavirus and how his dating app will react.

from BBC News - Technology https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52743454

Son charged with murder of parents does not appear at Queensland court

A 31-year-old man charged with killing his parents at their bed and breakfast will remain in custody in Queensland after being extradited from NSW.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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New on Sports Illustrated: Draft or Pass: Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews

It was a coming-out party for Mark Andrews in 2019. However, SI Fantasy's Jaime Eisner debates whether Andrews can match the value of his average draft position.

It's never too early to start your fantasy football research, and we here at SI Fantasy want to provide you with the best information possible heading into your drafts. Our "Draft or Pass" video series takes a closer look at a fantasy player that will be debated often leading up to fantasy drafts. Are our hosts targeting this player specifically? Are they avoiding him entirely?

Today's video focuses on Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews.

Draft or Pass at current ADP: 45.8 (TE4)?

Andrews had a phenomenal season in 2019, emerging as MVP Lamar Jackson's favorite target. Andrews finished with 64 catches for 852 yards and a position-leading ten touchdowns. Even more remarkable is that he did all that while playing only 41% of the Ravens' offensive snaps.

Andrews was graded as one of the best players at his position last season. From Todd Karpovich of RavenCountry:

Andrews' performance earned him the designation as one of the best performing tight ends in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus. The ratings were based on yards per route run, passer rating when targeted, deep receiving performance, slot receiving performance, drop rate, contested targets/catches, yards after contact per reception/forced missed tackles, and run-blocking/pass-blocking, among other metrics.

He finished as the TE3 in overall fantasy points and the TE5 in average fantasy points per game in PPR formats. Can he replicate that success in 2020? The key will be playing more snaps.

Touchdown regression is coming, but that can be mitigated if he plays closer to 60% of the Ravens' offensive snaps this season. The debate between him and Zach Ertz to be the third tight end off the board in fantasy drafts will be hotly contested. He's worthy of his current positional ranking, but he's a little too touchdown-dependent for my taste when it comes to being elite. I'll pass on taking either him or Ertz in the fourth round.

MORE FROM SI FANTASY

• Latest Dynasty Rankings
• Devonta Freeman's Ideal Fantasy Landing Spots
• T.Y. Hilton 2020 Outlook
• Draft or Pass: Patriots WR Julian Edelman
• Draft or Pass: Ravens RB Mark Ingram
• Draft or Pass: Falcons RB Todd Gurley
• Thomas vs. McCaffrey: Battle For First Fantasy Pick
• Drafting CeeDee Lamb Will Only Boost Amari Cooper's Fantasy Value

May 21, 2020 at 05:40AM
Draft or Pass: Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews

The robots-are-taking-our-jobs threat gets real in the pandemic

If there was ever a good time for the robots-taking-over-jobs argument, this may be it. Not just because factory owners don't want to pay for rising labour costs, but because workers don't want to gather every day in petri dishes.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/3cRuxKu
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

US-China bitterness escalates; 'We won't be lectured to,' Qld Premier brushes off border calls.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/2zQsS9z
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The robots-are-taking-our-jobs threat gets real in the pandemic

If there was ever a good time for the robots-taking-over-jobs argument, this may be it. Not just because factory owners don't want to pay for rising labour costs, but because workers don't want to gather every day in petri dishes.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Kerr looks set to win title with Chelsea

Matildas skipper Sam Kerr is on the cusp of winning an English Women's Super League medal with Chelsea as the season looks set to be decided by a points-per-game system.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

US-China bitterness escalates; 'We won't be lectured to,' Qld Premier brushes off border calls.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Palaszczuk puts voluntary euthanasia reform on hold

Assisted dying for the terminally ill will not be legislated before Queenslanders head to the polls on October 31.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Face masks, five clients only: what to expect when nail salons re-open

Nail stylist Skye McIntyre is preparing to open her salon next month in line with the government's three-step framework, but service will look very different.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Your Daily Horoscope for Wednesday, May 20

Free daily horoscope for each star sign from renowned Astrologer Hedy Damari. Forecasts for the day ahead in life, love and career.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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The latest illustrations from artist Matt Davidson

A selection of his best work.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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'I had spit all over me': How GWS pair's San Siro trip turned ugly

New GWS Giants captain Stephen Coniglio - a lifelong Juventus fan - learned the hard way just how vicious rivalries can be in Italian football.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Bob Katter calls for end to 'stupid' Queensland Olympic bid

Independent MP for Kennedy Bob Katter has labelled the bid a waste of money and resources as thousands try to survive without work.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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BBC NEWS - Trump says US topping world virus cases is 'badge of honour'

Mr Trump argues the US having the most coronavirus cases in the world is actually "a good thing".


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52733220

BBC NEWS - Venezuelan bank files legal claim with Bank of England over gold

The Central Bank of Venezuela says the gold's value could be used to tackle coronavirus.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-52733299

BBC NEWS - Teenage boy charged in Canada's first 'incel' terror case

The 17-year-old boy is accused of fatally stabbing a woman at an erotic massage parlour this year.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52733060

BBC NEWS - Rami Makhlouf: The rift at the heart of Syria's ruling family

What's behind the angry videos posted by the billionaire relative of Bashar al-Assad?


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-52705469

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus bites into Australia's bushfire recovery

Some tourist towns had barely survived fires when the virus hit, and locals say they are struggling.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-52719703

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus in Africa: Contained or unrecorded?

The continent has had less than 100,000 cases so far, but could be in for a prolonged outbreak.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-52702838

BBC NEWS - Oil collapse: 'Right now everything I have is shut down'

After years of boom, is the US oil industry now going bust?


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52642263

Bob Katter calls for end to 'stupid' Queensland Olympic bid

Independent MP for Kennedy Bob Katter has labelled the bid a waste of money and resources as thousands try to survive without work.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Foreign Minister plays down claims the motion that passed the World Health Assembly overnight is not what Australia originally proposed.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/3bLPqWc
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'I don't think anybody else can do this': Amazon's next killer product could be a game-changer

COVID-19 has been a double-edged sword for Amazon - but it is reinvesting billions of dollars as it looks to make the world's first vaccinated supply chain.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/3g7lTK8
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The latest illustrations from artist Michael Leunig

A look at the follies, foibles and joys of the human race through the eyes of cartoonist Michael Leunig. Buy prints from Michael Leunig at https://ift.tt/2qyyInw. Join us on Facebook at the Michael Leunig Appreciation Page.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Foreign Minister plays down claims the motion that passed the World Health Assembly overnight is not what Australia originally proposed.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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'We will see what the priority is': Millman reveals tennis return fear

World No.43 John Millman fears players will be forced to return to the court despite coronavirus concerns because "money talks".

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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'I don't think anybody else can do this': Amazon's next killer product could be a game-changer

COVID-19 has been a double-edged sword for Amazon - but it is reinvesting billions of dollars as it looks to make the world's first vaccinated supply chain.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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The latest illustrations from artist Andrew Dyson

Some of his best work

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The latest illustrations from artist Matt Golding

Illustrations by the artist from The Age.

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BBC NEWS : Coronavirus lockdown: The Indian migrants dying to get home

Many poor Indians, fleeing hunger in locked down cities, have died of exhaustion or in accidents.


May 20, 2020 at 04:41AM

from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-52672764

BBC NEWS : Dark web scammers exploit Covid-19 fear and doubt

From miracle cures to co-ordinated hacking the dark web is a hive of coronavirus scamming.


May 19, 2020 at 04:33AM

from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-52577776

Normal People: Can we expect more from men than just a silver chain?

The sudden obsession with a piece of jewellery worn by the show's lead actor is evidence that we’ll embrace the bare minimum as far as men having a go at the fashion game.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Qantas gives passengers masks, but not empty seats, in COVID-19 plan

Qantas and Jetstar will give masks to all passengers, use staggered boarding and disembarkation to reduce crowding and limit movement around aircraft cabins to reduce the risk of infection on flights.   

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Jockey Ben Melham pleads not guilty to betting charges

Ben Melham will be free to ride for another eight weeks after pleading not guilty to betting-related charges at a Victorian Racing Tribunal directions hearing on Tuesday.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Melbourne loses $100m in revenue, pushing city into red for first time in decades

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent Melbourne City Council's balance sheet into the red for the first time in more than 30 years. 

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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MIT professor was an early Moderna investor, now his stake is worth $1.4b

The biotech firm reported encouraging early trial results for an experimental COVID-19 vaccine, sending the value of Bob Langer's 3.2 per cent stake soaring.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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EPL plans presentation if Liverpool win

Premier League boss Richard Masters hopes Liverpool can have a trophy presentation if they complete their march to their first title in 30 years.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Finished The Last Dance? Here are five great sports docs to watch next

If the excitement of the epic docuseries about Michael Jordan has whetted your appetite, here are some other candidates to add to your to watch list.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Drug trafficker bailed over concerns about Gobbo's role in conviction

A man jailed as one of Tony Mokbel's drug traffickers has been granted bail after more than 11 years in prison, because of concerns over the role lawyer-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo played in his conviction.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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English Premier League may use CGI fans, canned crowd noise in restart

The football league voted on Monday to allow teams to return to non-contact training in small groups.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Resident at nursing home in Caulfield tested first positive, then negative to coronavirus.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/3cKhQRU
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Qantas gives passengers masks, but not empty seats, in COVID-19 plan

Qantas and Jetstar will give masks to all passengers, use staggered boarding and disembarkation to reduce crowding and limit movement around aircraft cabins to reduce the risk of infection on flights.   

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/2Zh1GLG
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Melbourne loses $100m in revenue, pushing city into red for first time in decades

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent Melbourne City Council's balance sheet into the red for the first time in more than 30 years. 

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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MIT professor was an early Moderna investor, now his stake is worth $1.4b

The biotech firm reported encouraging early trial results for an experimental COVID-19 vaccine, sending the value of Bob Langer's 3.2 per cent stake soaring.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/3g844L5
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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus lockdown: The harmonica player giving cheer to neighbours

Frederic Yonnet is an urban jazz harmonica player who believes music can bridge social distancing.


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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52686896

Disney's head of streaming to become CEO of TikTok

Kevin Mayer will be in charge of the global development of the short-form video platform.

from BBC News - Technology https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52717333

Drug trafficker bailed over concerns about Gobbo's role in conviction

A man jailed as one of Tony Mokbel's drug traffickers has been granted bail after more than nine years in prison, because of concerns over the role lawyer-turned-informer Nicola Gobbo played in his conviction.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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Man charged over Perth crash that killed pregnant woman Maddie Morgan and her child

A 23-year-old man from Swan View who was allegedly driving the Ford Falcon has been charged with two counts of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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New on Sports Illustrated: California and New York Opening Up for Sports is A Significant Step for the NFL

Fifty-six days after NFL facilities shut down in March, some are now ready to open their doors again in a limited fashion, and governors in California and New York have shared the most optimistic news yet about hosting regular season games.

Good news to start this week …

• That the governors of California and New York declared their states open for pro sports, without fans, is a very significant, positive step toward football in the fall. Those two states have been among the most restrictive from a rules standpoint. In fact, from an NFL perspective, the Rams, Chargers, 49ers, Raiders and Bills were among the teams that won’t be able to start the process of re-opening their facility this week, by law. So where this light shining at the end of the tunnel is coming from is a big deal.

• Here’s something I was able to gather on the fans vs. no fans contingency: At least a couple teams that are facing the possibility of playing in empty stadiums in the fall would rather do that at home, than play their home games in someone else’s city. And there’s more than one reason why. First, they’d lose money from local sponsorships, and naming rights, without any way to recoup that, and they could make up a pretty good percentage of what they’d lose at the gate by tarping off seats with ads and/or green screening. Second, the idea of playing a 16-game schedule of road games, or basing them out of town for six months, is not appealing. So while there are the Cowboys/Rams, Chargers/Raiders and 49ers/Cardinals quirks baked into the schedule (and ties there, with Jerry Jones and Stan Kroenke carrying close business ties, and Chargers owner Dean Spanos having roots in Vegas), I’d anticipate every team will want to play its home games in its home stadium over putting them somewhere else. What I don’t know is whether or not the league office would force the issue in any of these cases.

• And obviously, the first component to all of this will be whether or not teams in areas most affected can have training camp at home. This is where I think there is a chance teams could pull up stakes for a few weeks. The phased re-opening plans for states like Washington (Seahawks), New Jersey (Jets/Giants), and Massachusetts (Patriots) show that even if things go very well, it’ll be a close call on whether some will be permitted to have the level of gathering (150-plus people) necessary to stage camp on time. In this week’s MMQB, we explored the idea that college campuses could host camps, and University of Arizona AD Dave Heeke was another who got back to me today to say it’d be difficult to have an NFL team coming in, given the circumstances. “We haven’t had that conversation to any depth this year,” he said, while mentioning that Arizona had talked to the Raiders in the past about having camp in Tuscon. “It would be pretty challenging, especially at a time when we’re not completely ready to bring our own team back, and we don’t have procedures and protocols for the student body coming back yet either. … Logically, you think about it, how could we reintroduce 100 of our own players, and then on top of that all the other student-athletes, plus an NFL team? It’d be very tricky, a big challenge, so to be honest we wouldn’t even be ready to explore that yet.”

• So tomorrow afternoon, the NFL will either pass or shoot down the measures to give teams draft-pick rewards for minority hires (we covered that extensively in this week’s MMQB too), and the more guys I’ve asked, the more I’m finding how much many of the coaches and scouts who are supposed to benefit from it … don’t like it. “Seems thrown together,” said one scouting director. “I don’t see it passing or, if it does, working. Draft position isn’t a threat to a billionaire.” Another added, when I presented him with my idea to add networking events (that’s in this morning’s column): “No doubt level of comfort is the issue. I personally feel like there are some things that only time will fix/improve. Rules like this are insulting and awkward. I do like the networking idea, as long as it’s done the right way it could be a good thing.” And here’s how one well-respected veteran coach saw it: “There has to be a better way! All coaches want is an opportunity to legitimately present themselves to the decision-makers. No one wants to be given anything or have any unfair advantage. Just want a fair shake, that’s all. If you get the job, you get the job. If you don’t, you don’t!” So, again, I’d present my idea to add events to the calendar that put rising young coaches and scouts, of all backgrounds, in front of owners. The young guys get the face time. The owners get a better understanding of the types of people running the football side from across the NFL. Everyone, it would seem, wins.

• Another leftover from Matt Nagy (I have a lot of MMQB add-ons this week, I know): I asked the Bears coach if he’d brought up the example of Alex Smith, whom he coached in K.C., to Mitch Trubisky. Smith, of course, was given up on a bunch over his first six years in the league, before Jim Harbaugh arrived in San Francisco in 2011 to breathe life into what was a flagging career. “What I would say with Alex, here’s a No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, he’s being compared to Aaron Rodgers his whole career. Same thing, it’s never gonna leave Mitchell, being compared to Patrick [Mahomes] and Deshaun [Watson],” said Nagy, drawing a parallel in the draft classes. “That’s just the way it is, that’s never gonna change, there’s nothing that any of us can do to control that. But what we can control is how we play football, and what we do. We can’t worry about anything else. Alex, what I think is so special about Alex, he has a mental toughness to him, where he got through all of that, even past the point Mitchell’s in right now, after he went through a bunch of different coordinators. I was in the stands in San Francisco, with the Eagles, when he was getting booed off the field. But I’ve also seen him completely overcome that, come to Kansas City, and absolutely dominate in the win column. He always got criticized for being a quote/unquote game manager. I know, number one, if you talk to his teammates about what kind of competitor, and player he is, how much better he made them, they’d all tell you that was the case. It came with a lot of wins. Now, in 2017, had a 104.7 QB rating, and an aggressive and attacking mentality. So it took time, but he was persistent. We always talk about persistence over resistance. Be persistent, stick to it, stay mentally tough, and that’s where Mitch is at right now. We know he’ll step up to the challenge.”

• I think an underrated change that’ll be voted on this week, tucked into the tampering rule change proposals, was this one: “No club may include in any employment contract provisions restricting opportunities for upward mobility. Such clauses include a right to match; a designation of the moves to another club; or a commitment on the employee as a 'high-level' employee; a requirement for compensation if the employee moves to another club; or a commitment on the employee’s part to refuse any request to interview for a position with another club, or other limitations in addition to those established by this Policy. This does not prohibit a contractual commitment to promote the employee to a high-level employee as currently permitted.” This seems to be directly aimed at how the Patriots wrote Nick Caserio’s contract—in a way that allowed them to block him from interviewing with the Texans last year. New England wanted to put a similar clause in then-college scouting director Jon Robinson’s contract in 2013, Robinson refused, let his contract run, and went with Bucs GM Jason Licht to Tampa in 2014 as a result. Two years later, he became the Titans GM. So you can see where avoiding the clause benefitted Robinson, just as agreeing to it hurt Caserio. And so now, you won’t see these sorts of clauses anymore.

• Chargers coach Anthony Lynn’s revelation that the team considered Cam Newton isn’t surprising, given where the team was after deciding to let Philip Rivers go a few months ago. So why wouldn’t they pounce on him? This, again, comes down to how you’re stocking your quarterback room. Lynn and GM Tom Telesco had to keep the idea alive, in case they didn’t land one they liked in the draft. But now that they have, the development of Justin Herbert becomes a priority. And having a good veteran who’s been through this sort of thing before, in Tyrod Taylor, is valuable, and evidently more valuable to the team than what would be a bit of a dice roll on Newton.

• I do believe Frank Reich when he says he thinks Rivers will try to play multiple years in Indy (Rivers is on a one-year deal). I also believe Rivers when he says, while he’s taking things year-to-year, he’d love to go more than one. But I’ll bring up the point here that Rivers has mentioned being on a two-year timeframe this offseason, and he really wants to coach his sixth-grade son when he gets to high school, which tells me the plan here all along has been to play in 2020 and ’21 for the Colts. And that’s pretty valuable because, so long as he’s playing fairly well, it buys the team two years to find his successor.

• A few years ago, the NFL had a pattern of guys getting arrested for DUI and combatted that by strengthening its policies in that area. I’m going to suggest that now might be time to do something similar with its policies on guns. All four of the NFL arrests over the last week—and Cody Lattimer, Ed Oliver, Quinton Dunbar and Deandre Baker are innocent until proven guilty—involved guns. And it’s not like this is the first time we’ve seen football players in trouble for that stuff. So it’s probably worth the league making a point on it.

• We started with good news, let’s end this on good news—tomorrow is a big morning for the NFL. The league closed all team facilities on March 24. I don’t know that any of us expected it’d take this long, but Tuesday, 56 days later, the re-opening of those buildings will begin with the Falcons, Steelers, Texans, Chiefs, Cardinals and Colts swinging their doors open to a very limited number of staff. Here’s hoping there aren’t hiccups, and some momentum can, finally, start to roll in the right direction.

• Question or comment? Email us.

May 19, 2020 at 05:12AM
California and New York Opening Up for Sports is A Significant Step for the NFL

Google and Twitter are right. Workers should stay home.

If a 90-minute restaurant meal, 120-minute choir practice or 180-minute birthday party is enough for one person to infect a roomful, how much more risk is in a 540-minute workday, even with precautions?

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Life in Italy takes a first step toward normality

"It's the first time we've been allowed inside cafés. It feels almost like normal," said Erica Firpo, a travel writer who lives in Rome.

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Apple reboots retail experience, now with temperature checks and lines

Apple has already reopened 100 stores globally, including 21 in Australia, and is enforcing strict social distancing.

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AFL members offered three options for 2020 memberships

While club members are still waiting, AFL members have been encouraged to choose one of three options that "best suit" the person's situation in 2020.

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Google and Twitter are right. Workers should stay home.

If a 90-minute restaurant meal, 120-minute choir practice or 180-minute birthday party is enough for one person to infect a roomful, how much more risk is in a 540-minute workday, even with precautions?

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Fresh CCTV released as police prepare to search bush for missing dad

Police will use drones to help search bushland east of Melbourne as part of an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Dalibor “Dale” Pantic.

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Temporary car parking will be set up at Moore Park and six kilometres of pop-up cycleways rolled out across Sydney as capacity on trains, buses and ferries is slashed.

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Racehorse abuse expose did not defame V'landys, ABC argues

The ABC has filed its defence in a legal battle between Peter V'landys and the national broadcaster, arguing that their expose on the horse racing industry did not defame the Racing NSW boss.

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Jackie Trad will fight for her seat on the backbench

Sitting MPs had until Monday to nominate for the election and there was speculation about whether Ms Trad would put up her hand again. 

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Japan falls into 'full blown recession', worst yet to come as pandemic wreaks havoc

Japan is on course for its deepest postwar slump as the coronavirus crisis takes a heavy toll on businesses and consumers

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Fresh CCTV released as police prepare to search bush for missing dad

Police will use drones to help search bushland east of Melbourne as part of an investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Dalibor “Dale” Pantic.

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Temporary car parking will be set up at Moore Park and six kilometres of pop-up cycleways rolled out across Sydney as capacity on trains, buses and ferries is slashed.

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New on Sports Illustrated: Kevin Harvick Wins at Darlington as NASCAR Returns to Racing

Kevin Harvick beat Alex Bowman to win NASCAR’s first race back, a spectacle closely watched to see if the racing series could successfully resume work.

DARLINGTON, S.C. — This was a 400-mile drive unlike any other in modern-day NASCAR.

The grandstands were completely empty. There was not a single tailgate inside the track. Everyone wore face coverings—some with the team logos, others opting for plain disposable medical masks. It was nothing close to the corporate sponsorship, pomp and patriotic traveling circus that symbolizes NASCAR.

But when the engines fired at Darlington Raceway following a 10-week layoff during the coronavirus pandemic, it turned into a regular old race.

Kevin Harvick beat Alex Bowman to win NASCAR’s first race back, a spectacle closely watched to see if the largest racing series in the United States could successfully resume work.

“I just want to thank everybody from NASCAR and all the teams for letting us do what we do,” Harvick said. “I didn’t think it was going to be that different, but it’s dead silent out here. We miss the fans.”

It was a crucial gamble for NASCAR, which had to get back to the track to stave off financial ruin. With races on hold, no money was coming into the sport whatsoever and the NASCAR business model cannot sustain the lack of revenue.

NASCAR developed a health plan approved by officials in both South Carolina and North Carolina and scheduled seven races over the next 11 days at two tracks. As other states began to open, the series tacked more races to fill the calendar with 20 events across seven Southern states between now and June 21. There will be no spectators at least through that date.

This first event was called the “The Real Heroes 400” and dedicated to health care workers fighting the coronavirus pandemic. The names of health care workers across the country were substituted for the drivers’ names above the door on each of the 40 cars.

The health care workers then virtually gave the command to start the engines.

“These heroes will signal that NASCAR has returned, bringing back the intense competition and side-by-side racing we’ve all missed,” NASCAR President Steve Phelps wrote in a letter to fans released Sunday morning.

“Our drivers, race teams and officials have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to get back to the race track and we want to assure you that we have taken the return to racing very seriously.”

The industry had to be extremely careful because to even get to the Coca-Cola 600 next week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR had to get it right at Darlington.

Steve O’Donnell, executive vice president of NASCAR, was pleased with the collective effort from the industry.

“We didn’t have to tell anyone or remind anyone to wear a mask,” O’Donnell said. “It felt a little odd with the garage area because it was scaled down in terms of personnel, but all in all I think it went really well.”

Teams were required to submit rosters in advance with only 16 members allotted per car. Names were on a list at a checkpoint at the end of a gravel road just off Harry Byrd Highway and everyone who passed through had their temperature checked and logged before they could enter.

NASCAR did not have to turn anyone away, and all 40 drivers were cleared to race. NASCAR has declined to do COVID-19 testing to ensure those tests go to those in need.

Among those to make it inside were Ryan Newman, back for the first time since he suffered a head injury exactly three months ago in a wreck on the final lap of the Daytona 500. Newman missed only three races because of NASCAR’s shutdown and finished 15th in his return.

Also in the field was Matt Kenseth, who at 48 was the oldest driver at Darlington and he raced for the first time since the 2018 season finale. Kenseth was brought out of retirement by Chip Ganassi when Kyle Larson was fired for using a racial slur during an iRacing event that kept NASCAR occupied when racing was on hold. Kenseth finished 10th.

The odd and empty setting was the backdrop for some typical NASCAR mishaps. Seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson crashed while leading on the final lap of the first stage, a better result than poor Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who barely made it out of the second turn before he crashed.

Stenhouse never finished a single lap and finished last.

And even without fans allowed on the property, a small grass fire still broke out behind a section of the track. Gray smoke billowed during a caution, which is not that odd a sight at a NASCAR race.

Bowman, who signed a one-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports on Saturday, was second. Kurt Busch, winner of the closest finish in Darlington history, was third for Ganassi.

Chase Elliott gave Hendrick two cars in the top-four. Denny Hamlin was the highest-finishing Toyota driver at fifth for Joe Gibbs Racing, one spot ahead of teammate Martin Truex Jr.

Tyler Reddick, a rookie with Richard Childress Racing, was seventh at “The Track Too Tough To Tame.”

Erik Jones, winner of the Southern 500 here last September, was eighth and John Hunter Nemechek was the second rookie inside the top-10 at one of the most technical tracks on the circuit. It was the first top-10 for Front Row Motorsports on a track other than a superspeedway in three years.

It was the 50th career victory for Harvick, in a Ford for Stewart-Haas Racing. A previous winner at Darlington, Harvick led 159 of the 293 laps.

Harvick tied Hall of Famers Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett for 12th on NASCAR’s all-time wins list.

NASCAR’s elite Cup Series next races Wednesday night at Darlington, which is hosting three events in four days before the sport shifts to Charlotte.

May 18, 2020 at 06:24AM
Kevin Harvick Wins at Darlington as NASCAR Returns to Racing

Elders' profit rises as farm confidence swells

Agribusiness giant Elders has almost doubled its first half profit to $52 million with a stronger performance by all key divisions, as farmer confidence jumps.

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Man charged after alleged night at the museum

Inside, the man allegedly donned a cowboy hat he found on a coat rack that belonged to a staff member and took himself on a tour of the exhibits.

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Rockhampton tests negative 'in what can only be described as a miracle'

The North Rockhampton Nursing Centre was locked down on Friday as hundreds of staff and residents were tested for the virus.

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Groundbreaking research rewrites Australia's ancient history

A decade of discovery at a Queensland fossil site has uncovered a new species of giant kangaroo, and proof that climate changes killed megafauna, not humans.

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New on Sports Illustrated: Rory McIlroy Delivers Winner as Live Golf Returns to TV

Rory McIlroy delivered the money shot Sunday as live golf returned to television for a Skins game that revealed plenty of rust and raised more than $5 million for COVID-19 relief funds.

Rory McIlroy delivered the money shot Sunday as live golf returned to television for a Skins game that revealed plenty of rust and raised more than $5 million for COVID-19 relief funds.

McIlroy and Dustin Johnson, who had not won a skin since the sixth hole, had a chance to win the final six skins worth $1.1 million on the final hole at Seminole in the TaylorMade Driving Relief exhibition. Both missed and they returned to the par-3 17th for a closest-to-the-pin contest.

From a forward tee at 120 yards, Matthew Wolff was 18 feet below the hole. His partner, Rickie Fowler, missed the green. Johnson found a bunker. Down to the last shot, McIlroy barely stayed on the shelf left of the pin, measured at 13 feet.

“Air five,” McIlroy said, alluding to the social distancing in place at Juno Beach, Florida.

The final carryover gave McIlroy and Johnson $1.85 million for the American Nurses Foundation. Fowler, who made seven birdies, and Wolff made $1.15 million for the CDC Foundation.

“I’m proud to be part of an event to entertain people at home on a Sunday afternoon and to raise money for people who need it,” McIlroy said as he played the 18th hole.

Wolff, the 21-year-old Californian with big game and plenty of swagger, earned $450,000 toward relief funds by having the longest drives on two par 5s — 356 yards on No. 2 and 368 yards on No. 14.

Fowler’s seven birdies were worth $270,000 in a separate fund from Farmers Insurance, while McIlroy made four birdies in regulation worth $175,000 and Wolff had three birdies for $135,000. Johnson, who showed the most rust, had two birdies for $75,000.

PGA Tour Charities allowed for online donations during the telecast, raising more than $1 million. The donations will continue until Tuesday. When the exhibition ended, more than $5.5 million had been pledged, starting with the $3 million guarantee from UnitedHealth Group.

Players carried their own bags.

Television had a skeleton crew on the grounds — the play-by-play and analysts were 200 miles away in St. Augustine, Florida, while host Mike Tirico was at his home office in Michigan. The match went over four hours, primarily because players were at times held in place to give the six TV cameras time to get in position on the next hole.

Mark Russell, the PGA Tour’s vice president of rules and competition, was the only one to handle the flagstick. Bunkers did not need to be raked because they were the only match on the course, which closed for the summer last week.

“It was an awesome day,” McIlroy said. “It was nice to get back on the golf course and get back to some sort of normalcy.”

The players wore microphones, though the banter was limited and ended early.

Most of it came from McIlroy, who had to make a short par putt on the second hole for a push. He rolled it in and said to Wolff, “I think you forget I’ve won two FedEx Cups that total $25 million. That doesn’t faze me, youngster.”

Fowler played the best golf and staked his side to the lead with four birdies in a six-hole stretch around the turn, including a 20-footer on No. 11 that was worth two skins at $200,000. He raised his finger and McIlroy said, “Did you hear all those cheers?” There were no fans, and fewer than 50 people were at Seminole. All were tested for the new coronavirus.

That was the start of golf’s return.

The last live competition on TV was March 12, the first round of The Players Championship. It was canceled the next day, along with other tournaments that either were scrapped or postponed.

Next up is another exhibition match on May 24 down the road at Medalist, where Tiger Woods plays when home. Woods and Peyton Manning will face Phil Mickelson and Tom Brady in a match billed as “Champions for Charity” that will raise $10 million for COVID-19 relief efforts.

The real show is to return on June 11 with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth, Texas. The tour has said it will not allow fans for at least a month, and perhaps longer depending on it goes. Players will have access to charter flights and a designated hotel.

May 18, 2020 at 05:26AM
Rory McIlroy Delivers Winner as Live Golf Returns to TV

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Hospitals in Brazil's São Paulo 'near collapse'

Public hospitals in São Paulo have reached 90% capacity for emergency beds, the city's mayor warns.


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