ClubSocial: 2020-07-05

Students to return to remote learning in parents' winter of discontent

Victoria has recorded 273 new positive cases of COVID-19 on Sunday morning, up from 216 cases on Saturday and a new high for the state.

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Norwich relegated, Liverpool drop home points for first time

Norwich became the first team to be relegated from the English Premier League as Liverpool dropped points at Anfield for the first time this season on Saturday.

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Coronavirus: Bollywood stars Amitabh Bachchan and his son test positive for Covid-19

Amitabh Bachchan, one of India's best known movie stars, has tested positive for Covid-19 together with his actor son Abhishek Bachchan, and both been moved to a private hospital, the actors said late on Saturday. "I have tested Covid positive … shifted to hospital … hospital informing authorities … family and staff undergone tests, results awaited," Amitabh Bachchan, 77, said in a tweet. His son Abhishek Bachchan, 44, said in a tweet minutes later that he had also tested positive. The Bollywood actors were admitted to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, India's financial and entertainment hub, and several other members of the high-profile family were tested for the virus. A Bollywood legend, Amitabh Bachchan has been leading the way in the country's fight against the coronavirus, appearing in public service advertisements. He joined the film industry in 1969 and has done over 200 movies. The actor suffered a near-fatal injury during the shooting of an action scene on a film set in 1982 and was critically ill for several months.

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New on Sports Illustrated: Oilers' Mike Green Joins List of Players Opting Out of NHL Return

In the aftermath of a deal being struck to resume the NHL season on Aug. 1, Mike Green and Sven Baertschi joined Calgary defenseman Travis Hamonic among players choosing not to participate in the expanded 24-team playoffs.

Edmonton's Mike Green and Vancouver's Sven Baertschi are opting out. Dallas defenseman Roman Polak is not reporting for now, and Tampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos is not reporting at full strength.

In the aftermath of a deal being struck to resume the NHL season on Aug. 1, Green and Baertschi on Saturday joined Calgary defenseman Travis Hamonic among players choosing not to participate in the expanded 24-team playoffs.

"Due to the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 and after much consideration, I've decided for deeply personal family health reasons not to participate in the return to play," Green said in a statement released by the Oilers.

Polak is not on the Stars' roster for the start of training camp Monday, and a team spokesman said the 34-year-old will not be attending at this time.

Polak is a pending free agent who last month agreed to a deal in his native Czech Republic next season and told reporters there he was not planning on returning to the NHL if play resumed. Baertschi, who spent much of this season in the minors, is under contract through 2020-21.

"Sven informed us late yesterday that he has chosen to opt out of the NHL return to play program," Canucks general manager Jim Benning said. "It was a difficult decision but ultimately one we respect and understand."

The Lightning will not have Stamkos at 100% for the opening of camp because of a lower-body injury, but they are optimistic he will be ready when games get underway in early August. GM Julien BriseBois said Stamkos fully recovered from core muscle surgery in early March but was injured again during voluntary workouts.

"We don't have a specific timeline for when he will be a full participant in camp, but we expect he will be ready in time for games," BriseBois said. "He's here, he's skating, he's been getting treatment, he's been coming to Amalie (Arena) doing his dry land work. But he will not be a full participant on Day One of training camp."

While Stamkos has a better chance of being ready for Tampa Bay's next game than he would have after surgery if the playoffs had started in mid-April, the Flames will have to cope without Hamonic when they open their series against Winnipeg on Aug. 1.

Hamonic became the first player to publicly choose not to play in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Hamonic's daughter was hospitalized last year with respiratory issues, and he and his wife also have a baby boy. Their health concerns, not the soon-to-be 30-year-old's impending free agency, led him to opt out.

"I wish I could lace up my skates and be out there battling, blocking a shot and helping my team win, but my family has and always will come first," Hamonic said. "Being my little kids' dad every day is the most important job I have. I love this game and my team. This is a decision that is extremely hard for me to make."

The Lightning already got a pandemic scare when three players and additional staff tested positive for the novel coronavirus last month. The positive test results forced the team to close its facilities for a brief period of time.

The Minnesota Wild, who face the Canucks in the qualifying round, ruled out defenseman Greg Pateryn indefinitely with an upper-body injury. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Saturday the league will be taking over injury and illness disclosure from teams as a way of protecting player privacy.

"Medical privacy is important in this process," Daly said. "Having said that, we understand as a league we have an obligation of some transparency with respect to the COVID virus in particular, so at least for now we're going to maintain a policy where the league is announcing on basically league numbers and clubs are really prohibited from giving any information with respect to COVID test results, and, for purposes of making the system work, any injury information going forward."

July 12, 2020 at 06:20AM
Oilers' Mike Green Joins List of Players Opting Out of NHL Return

New on Sports Illustrated: Justin Thomas Leads Workday Charity Open After Three Rounds, Remains Bogey-Free

Justin Thomas turned a three-shot deficit into a two-shot lead on Saturday at the Workday Charity Open, shooting a 66 for the second consecutive day.

Justin Thomas never looked to be in a hurry.

Not when he stepped to the first tee Friday trailing by 13 shots. Not when he was simply trying to keep up with Collin Morikawa on Saturday in the Workday Charity Open.

And after turning a three-shot deficit into a two-shot lead with another clean card, he certainly didn’t see any need to sprint to the finish at Muirfield Village as he goes after his third victory this season.

“Just going to keep trying to hit the fairways and hit the greens and make as many birdies as I can,” he said.

That’s been the philosophy all week, and along the way, he has managed to keep bogeys off his card. There were a few dicey moments, such as a pair of two-putt pars from over 50 feet, and a shot that stuck in the grass high on the lip of a bunker on par-3 12th.

Otherwise, it’s been a clinic.

Thomas had three straight birdies to stay in range of Morikawa. And when Morikawa fell back with three bogeys over a four-hole stretch around the turn, Thomas made efficient birdies on the par 5s and a smart birdie on the reachable 14th for a 6-under 66 to keep two ahead of Viktor Hovland (66).

After a delicate chip to tap-in range on the par-5 fifth, Thomas walked halfway up the hill behind the green and plopped down in the grass, leaning back on his hands, much like a spectator at a tournament that has none.

Too bad there won’t be any fans Sunday, a final round that offers another glimpse of the new generation.

Thomas is the proven star, already a major champion and former world No. 1 at age 27 as he goes after his third victory this season and the 13th victory of his career.

Hovland and Morikawa had just left college at this time last year and already have victories, albeit the opposite-field variety the same week as World Golf Championships.

Hovland, the former U.S. Amateur champion from Norway, had eight birdies in his round of 66. Morikawa, who never looks as though he’ll make a mistake, had enough of them that he needed a birdie on his last hole for a 72.

Because of an early start to avoid storms, they will be i the final group. Thomas figures it won’t be the last time they all play together.

“It’ll be fun to hang with those guys tomorrow, but at the end of the day I’m worried about myself and trying to win a golf tournament and have a good round,” he said.

Thomas was at 16-under 200.

Morikawa had the lead for 31 straight holes, dating to the 15th hole in the opening round, until missing the ninth green with a short iron, hitting a wild tee shot on the 10th that led to bogey, and sending his tee shot on the par-3 12th well over the green in such a bad spot that even making bogey was hard work.

“I put myself in spots you couldn’t put yourself in,” Morikawa said. “Couldn’t really figure out wind directions, how much to adjust. But whole new day tomorrow, and kind of glad I fought it out through even par got myself three back. So that can change really quickly tomorrow.”

Hovland, who won the Puerto Rico Open this year, got back in the game quickly by opening with a pair of birdies at the start and making birdie on all the par 5s. He also took on the 14th hole, where the tees have been moved up for this tournament to play at 310 yards — reachable from the tee, but with bunkers left and water to the right. He hit his tee shot to 30 feet for a two-putt birdie.

Hovand was thrilled to be in this position, especially with how his week started. He was 3 over through 10 holes on Thursday and finished with six birdies over his last eight holes. He followed with rounds of 67-66.

The biggest surprise was M.J. Daffue, a 31-year-old from South Africa who played college golf at Lamar and has been struggling to make it as a pro. He was a Monday qualifier for the Workday Charity Open, getting into only his second PGA Tour event. He had to birdie his final hole Saturday morning to make the cut. And then he made an 18-foot eagle putt late in his round of 65, the best score Saturday. He was seven shots behind.

“There was times today where I had to grind out a par and my caddie kept telling me we were one swing away from not having a grind at all,” Daffue said. “It’s been pretty crazy.”

He was seven shots behind and loving every minute of his time around the course Jack Nicklaus built.

The tour needs this tournament to end before the weather. The course is to be closed on Monday to replace all the signage and remove the 10 electronic scoreboards for the Memorial.

It’s the first time in 63 years the PGA Tour has had back-to-back tournaments on the same course.

July 12, 2020 at 05:46AM
Justin Thomas Leads Workday Charity Open After Three Rounds, Remains Bogey-Free

Mueller breaks silence following Roger Stone commutation

The former special counsel investigating Russian ties in the 2016 Trump election campaign has defended the work of his team after Trump gave clemency to Roger Stone.

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'Not from this world': Rain master Hamilton storms to Styrian GP pole

Lewis Hamilton lived up to his rain master reputation with an astonishing lap to put his Mercedes on pole position for the first Styrian GP.

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Coaching move beckons as ex-Socceroos skipper Jedinak announces retirement

Mile Jedinak has officially called time on his playing career, more than a year since his last official appearance for Aston Villa.

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West Indies bowlers rally late on to set up a nail-biting final day

The first Test between England and the West Indies is set up for a thrilling finale on Sunday that deserves a full house at the Ageas Bowl rather than banks of empty seats.

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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Thousands protest in Israel over handling of economy

Thousands have rallied against what they say is hardship caused by the mishandling of the crisis.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53378442

BBC NEWS - Hong Kong security law: Why we are taking our BNOs and leaving

As China enforces new restrictions, some are turning to their British National (Overseas) passport.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-53344813

BBC NEWS - Chop in Seattle: Why this police-free protest zone ultimately failed

On 8 June protesters set up a police-free protest zone in the city. Less than a month later, it had been dismantled.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53218448

BBC NEWS - Russian journalists in shock as FSB hunts enemy within

Colleagues say Ivan Safronov's arrest for spying is absurd and it has prompted talk of "spy mania".

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53361961

BBC NEWS - Mexico crime: Could this become the bloodiest year on record?

On 7 June, an astonishing 117 murders were recorded, making it the most violent day of the year so far.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-53332756

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: The chaplains toiling on the frontlines

Spiritual care workers have been thrust onto the frontlines in new ways during this global pandemic.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53284610

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Fake cures in Latin America’s deadly outbreak

The desperate search for a cure has led people to 'harmful and ineffective' alternatives online.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/53361876

Sacred sites blast in WA exposes Australia's laws skewed to mining

The Western Australian government wants to push for indigenous groups, rather than a departmental committee, to be responsible for evaluating the importance of sacred sites.

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Four injured, one in serious condition after two Brisbane house fires

Police have declared both areas as crime scenes and detectives are investigating the causes of both fires.

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All about that bass player

Lauren White proved a swinging bass player and accomplished singer - when the technology let us hear her.

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Bushwalker dies after falling off cliff at Mount Barney

The 32-year-old man died on Saturday after the accident in the Scenic Rim region near the NSW border.

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Prosecutors could charge more women aides to Epstein

'She will name names. She's a drowning rat,' says one person close to Ghislaine Maxwell.

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Sacred sites blast in WA exposes Australia's laws skewed to mining

Four injured, one in serious condition after two Brisbane house fires

Police have declared both areas as crime scenes and detectives are investigating the causes of both fires.

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'Show of strength': Singapore's opposition wins record showing

Even small shifts in the PAP's popularity can lead to major policy changes, and incumbent PM Lee Hsien Loong struck a downbeat tone on Saturday.

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New on Sports Illustrated: Report: Search Warrant Shows Cover-Up for DeAndre Baker, Quinton Dunbar in Armed Robbery Case

A search warrant reportedly shows NFL cornerbacks DeAndre Baker and Quinton Dunbar paid off their alleged armed robbery victims to get them to recant their initial statements to police.

A search warrant shows evidence that New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar paid off their alleged victims of an armed robbery, according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.

The players were issued arrest warrants on May 14 on four counts of armed robbery with a firearm and four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. The alleged incident occurred on May 13, when the players were at a party that began in the evening.

Baker was seen pointing his semi-automatic gun at one of the party's attendees. Baker was alleged to have directed two other individuals to take money and valuables from the other attendees of the party. According to the police affidavit, Dunbar assisted Baker in taking the money and valuables at the direction of Baker.

The search warrant was obtained by the Daily News as a public record from the Broward County (Fla.) Clerk of Courts. It reportedly cites evidence—including video footage and direct messages—that allegedly show a witness named Dominic Johnson oversaw payoffs to Baker's and Dunbar's four victims on May 15 at the office of Michael Grieco, Dunbar's attorney.

Johnson allegedly wrote a series of incriminating messages on his Instagram account on May 16. He says he has known Baker and Dunbar since they were children.

All four victims have provided sworn statements saying they were paid off to take back their initial testimonies against Dunbar. The victims say they were paid a combined total of $55,000.

Miramar Police Department detective Mark Moretti wrote in the search warrant about direct messages between Baker and Johnson that appear to corroborate the victims' claims of a payoff.

"Johnson is telling Baker to come to Dunbar Lawyer’s office," Moretti writes. "Baker replied, 'Yo I'm in the city now getting cash how much to bring ?? I'm tryna get there too u ASAP.'"

The warrant claims CCTV video evidence showing the alleged payoff occur in Grieco's office building. One victim says he was paid $30,000. Another says he was paid $20,000, while a third says he was only paid $5,000 and gave half of that to a fourth victim.

Baker and Dunbar turned themselves into the Broward County jail on May 16. They spent the night there before being released on bond the following day. Both have pled not guilty to their charges.

July 11, 2020 at 06:24AM
Report: Search Warrant Shows Cover-Up for DeAndre Baker, Quinton Dunbar in Armed Robbery Case

WHO Experts Arrive in China to Probe COVID-19 Origins

An advance team from the World Health Organization (WHO) has arrived in China to prepare an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

The virus that causes COVID-19, which i

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In Florida Visit, Trump Melds Venezuela Policy, Campaign Strategy

Amid a surge in coronavirus cases, President Donald Trump flew to Florida on Friday on a visit that melded his administration's policy toward Venezuela and Cuba and his reelection bid in one of the

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Sex and secrets: Ghislaine Maxwell's will-she, won't-she waiting game

All eyes will be on Ghislaine Maxwell as to whether she has the evidence and the inclination to involve others in her spectacular downfall.

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'A free man!': Trump commutes friend Roger Stone's prison sentence

Stone, was scheduled to begin serving a sentence of three years and four months on Tuesday, for lying under oath to the Russia investigation.

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BBC NEWS - Roger Stone: Trump commutes ex-adviser's sentence

The president has said all along the self-proclaimed political dirty trickster was treated unfairly.

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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Thrifty Germany takes on debt to rescue arts

Germany pours money into the arts as cultural life takes a battering from coronavirus.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53361962

BBC NEWS - Trump and Supreme Court: How has it changed America?

This court has been billed the most conservative in modern history. But does it vote that way?

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53357590

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Why politics means success or failure in South America

Argentina has been singled out for success but the situation could not be more different in Brazil.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-53361520

BBC NEWS - Breast cancer: Zimbabwe woman's struggle to avoid mastectomy

A Zimbabwean woman is campaigning to get the machine fixed to avoid a mastectomy.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53322740

BBC NEWS - Huawei: Why the UK might hang up on 5G and broadband kit supplier

The Chinese telecoms equipment provider's fate in the UK is set to be revealed on Tuesday.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-53341080

BBC NEWS - Iran's female gamers face challenges to stay online

There's been a lockdown gaming boom – but in Iran it's been difficult to stay connected.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-53311794

BBC NEWS - Killing Eve: How author Luke Jennings created Villanelle

We speak to the man who created the character of Villanelle, author Luke Jennings.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-53108144

BBC NEWS - Shooting celebrities: Thirty years behind the lens

Celebrity portrait photographer Andy Gotts celebrates 30 years behind the camera.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-53321157

BBC NEWS : Huawei: Why the UK might hang up on 5G and broadband kit supplier

The Chinese telecoms equipment provider's fate in the UK is set to be revealed on Tuesday.

July 11, 2020 at 05:14AM

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FOX NEWS:- Will Trump's financial records topple his presidency?

Will Trump's financial records topple his presidency?

Professor Barbara Perry, director of presidential studies at UVA's Miller Center, weighs in.

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6170851361001

FOX NEWS:- NEA president dares Trump to sit in a classroom and 'breathe that air'

NEA president dares Trump to sit in a classroom and 'breathe that air'

National Education Association president Lily Eskelsen Garcia on President Trump's push to reopen schools as COVID-19 cases spike across the U.S.

via FOX NEWS http://video.foxnews.com/v/6170847325001

New on Sports Illustrated: Pac-12 to Play Conference-Only Football Schedule in Fall 2020

The Pac-12 announced Friday that it will play a conference-only schedule in fall 2020 for several of its sports.

The Pac-12 announced Friday that it will play a conference-only schedule in fall 2020 for several sports, including football, men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball.

The conference's decision comes one day after the Big Ten announced it would schedule conference-only play this fall.

"The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports continues to be our number one priority," Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said in a statement. "Our decisions have and will be guided by science and data, and based upon the trends and indicators over the past days, it has become clear that we need to provide ourselves with maximum flexibility to schedule, and to delay any movement to the next phase of return-to-play activities."

The move stems from the spiking coronavirus cases in six states with conference members. According to The Athletic's Nicole Auberbach, the Pac-12 came to the decision during a Friday afternoon conference call.

The league announced that student-athletes who choose not to participate in their respective seasons during the upcoming academic year because of safety concerns related to COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored by their schools.

On Thursday, the ACC announced that each of its fall sports will delay the start of competition until at least Sept. 1. ACC commissioner John Swofford said in a statement Friday the league will "work on the best possible path forward for the return of competition" in a way that "appropriately coincides with our universities' academic mission," adding that the league anticipates a decision by late July.

Per Stadium's Brett McMurphy, ACC football is also expected to play conference-only games. McMurphy adds, if Power 5 schools played conference-only schedules then the ACC would assist Notre Dame with as many games as it needed.

In the case of the Big Ten, ESPN reported if college football can be played this fall, Big Ten administrations preferred to play a conference-only schedule to eliminate some long-distance travel and help ensure teams are being tested for COVID-19 universally.

According to Sports Illustrated's Pat Forde, the Big Ten's conference-only season will be 10 games.

SEC football coaches held their weekly conference call Thursday morning with league officials and currently have no change in practice or game plans, according to Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger.

"Until two weeks ago, everybody felt pretty good about starting on time on Sept. 5 and Aug. 29," West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons, the chair of an important law-making NCAA body, the Football Oversight Committee, told Forde and Dellenger. "The last two weeks have really put a wet blanket on that, and we're saying, 'Maybe that’s not going to happen.'"

On Wednesday, the Ivy League announced that it will play no varsity sports for the rest of the calendar year, and it appears it might try and move fall sports to the spring of 2021.

Excluding Big Ten-Pac-12 games, the following football matchups are just some of the key games that will not be played: USC-Notre Dame, Stanford-Notre Dame, Utah-BYU, Oregon-North Dakota State, Colorado-Texas A&M, Cal-TCU and USC-Alabama.

Alabama AD Greg Byrne said in a statement Friday night that,"With the Pac-12's decision to move to a conference-only schedule, we will do our best to adjust. What that looks like is to be determined."

July 11, 2020 at 04:47AM
Pac-12 to Play Conference-Only Football Schedule in Fall 2020

No clearance, no work under blue card changes in Queensland

From next month, those wanting to work with children will need to be cleared before they start.

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Migrant workers who fed WA now find themselves hungry and homeless

They were the frontline workers picking food to keep WA fed during the pandemic but now 400-odd migrant workers have found themselves jobless, homeless and stranded in Manjimup.

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No clearance, no work under blue card changes in Queensland

From next month, those wanting to work with children will need to be cleared before they start.

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Migrant workers who fed WA now find themselves hungry and homeless

David Teague: McGovern plays an important role

Mitch McGovern has copped criticism this week for his performances since joining the Blues but his coach David Teague has defended his efforts this season

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Car plunges into huge sinkhole in Perth's northeast

The driver of a Honda hatchback was lucky to escape unharmed after their car plunged into a huge sinkhole on Thursday night.

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One in three Melbourne CBD apartments sold at a loss in March quarter: CoreLogic

One in three apartments in Melbourne's CBD sold for less than they were bought for in the first three months of the year.

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Bubble fears: China's sharemarket frenzy brings back painful memories

The Chinese equity markets dance to their own tune, often decoupled from anything going on in the real economy. But the latest surge is ringing alarm bells.

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The latest illustrations from artist Matt Davidson

A selection of his best work.

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Best of cartoons, July 10, 2020

The news of the day as interpreted by our talented artists, illustrators and cartoonists.

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The latest illustrations from artist Matt Golding

Illustrations by the artist from The Age.

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BBC NEWS - 'I can recover at home': Cosmetic surgeons see rise in patients amid pandemic

More people are having surgery as they can work from home while they recover and hide behind masks.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-53341771

‘Scarring in the economy’: Job losses continue to batter the US

A pair of reports paints a disappointing picture of the US economic recovery.

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New on Sports Illustrated: The 2020 College Football Season Deconstruction Project Has Begun

The Big Ten announced it will play a conference-only schedule in 2020. It appears less likely there will be a college football season this year.

The deconstruction of the 2020 college football season accelerated Thursday. Where it ends, we still don’t know. Perhaps in spring 2021. Perhaps there is no ending, because there is no beginning.

The options are simultaneously dwindling and reducing in quality.

The Big Ten pushed us closer to business as unusual with a somewhat jarring announcement that it will play a conference-only schedule. It’s a logical move, but an early one—as one athletic director said, “Why do that on July 9? Why not Aug. 9?” It’s also a depressing move—among the games that will not be played are Wisconsin-Notre Dame, Ohio State-Oregon, Michigan-Washington, Penn State-Virginia Tech and Miami-Michigan State. Some great matchups have been wiped off the books.

Sources told Sports Illustrated that one Big Ten option under consideration is a ten-game slate, one more than they schedule annually, with division games potentially moved to the front of the schedule. (You ready for Ohio State-Michigan in September or October?) Perhaps one opponent would be added to existing schedules, or perhaps multiple matchups would be recast based on geography.

Commissioner Kevin Warren told SI that his office will dig into scheduling over the course of the next week, in consultation with schools and television partners. “We’re trying to figure out a way to play a season safely and responsibly,” he said. “But we’re also prepared not to play.”

That’s the doomsday prep that everyone is at least considering at this point. The economic fallout would be ruinous, but health considerations may well veto all other plans. No sport faces more health-and-safety issues than one with 100 athletes per team who compete in a physically confrontational sport that is played on campuses populated with thousands of students.

Several industry sources have targeted Aug. 1 as a cutoff date for playing in the fall. But other actions clearly are being taken between now and then in hopes that some sort of fall season is possible.

It’s likely that the Big Ten will have conference-only scheduling company from other Power-5 leagues later this month or in early August. There has been industry speculation for several days that the Pac-12 is working on the same plan, and Brett McMurphy of Stadium reported Thursday that the Atlantic Coast Conference is likely moving in the same direction.

The Big 12 and Southeastern Conference don’t appear to be there yet. They may be willing to wait longest before changing plans—but also may be most willing and able to jump ahead to spring.

With most of their league members in warm-weather locales, they would have fewer league-wide problems with a spring season that likely would commence in late winter. Sources told SI Thursday that some athletic directors in both those leagues are in favor of the idea and willing to champion the cause with conference leadership.

“I think spring is more viable than fall,” said a SEC AD. “What we have currently scheduled is not realistic. If somebody told me we could play conference-only in the fall, that would be great. But I’m not sure we can play one game, let alone a full conference schedule.”

But one league’s solution is another league’s last resort, as multiple officials at Big Ten schools have termed a spring season. That would be the hardest conference to make it work, presuming practices would begin in the dead of winter and games might be starting in mid-to-late February. That’s a more palatable option in Gainesville and Austin than it is in Madison and State College.

But the idea of a full season in the spring could be unlikely as well. One Big 12 AD said he believed schools could play only 50 to 75% of a full regular-season schedule in spring ‘21, which is six to nine games.

Data for deciding College Football Playoff teams would be limited. Then again, who knows if there would be a playoff? Has anyone checked to see whether the Rose Bowl and Superdome are booked in May?

That’s just the beginning of the logistical hurdles. How individual schools manage strain on support staff and facilities with every sport in action during the same semester is the stuff of assistant athletic director nightmares. And the number of high-level players who would skip a spring season in favor of preparing for the National Football League could be huge.

So salvaging a fall season would be abundantly less messy, if it’s the responsible decision from a health standpoint. If a full one can’t be played, a conference slate would do. Constricting to league play provides comfort in a few key areas:

Greater consistency of campus protocols, testing procedures and thresholds for when to play or when to cancel. The Big Ten has a task force of reps from every campus who have been studying the pandemic and all developments; they can help inform decisions on uniform guidelines for all schools. Non-conference opponents—especially those with less financial wherewithal—could bring a less rigorously tested or quarantined team onto campus. They also could feel pressure to take risks in order to secure a seven-figure guarantee check for playing the game.

“What kind of guarantee do I have when they come here that they're infection-free?” said one Power-5 AD. “Do they have the resources?”

Geographic proximity isn’t what it used to be in college conferences, but most Big Ten teams could still avoid plane flights in favor of bus rides for most league games. The outliers are the teams at the far west and far east. Nebraska is 300 miles from its nearest neighbor, Iowa, and Rutgers is cloistered away nearly 200 miles from the nearest conference opponent, Maryland. (The Scarlet Knights continue to be the problem child of the league. Thanks, Delany.)

Crowning a champion remains important to every league. The only way to do that is by playing conference games, so if something had to go then even the juicy intersectional games were expendable.

Of course, deciding on a conference-only season could merely be a stopgap retrenchment that delays the inevitable by a few weeks. The chances of college football in the fall aren’t dead, but they appear to be dwindling.

July 10, 2020 at 04:51AM
The 2020 College Football Season Deconstruction Project Has Begun

The tragedy of Mary and William, and a federation in chaos again

The borders have clanged shut. It happened one hundred and one years ago, and for a newly married couple, it was a tragedy.

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Teacher, 23, arrested over alleged sexual assault of Sydney student

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The tragedy of Mary and William, and a federation in chaos again

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My family were early pioneers of lockdown life

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More than dumb luck: how For Dummies became an empire by showing people what to do

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Another explosion rocks Tehran

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The Crown backpedals as Netflix announces a sixth season

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Teacher, 23, arrested over alleged sexual assault of Sydney student

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AFL teams and expert tips for round six

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Teflon Trump lives to fight another day

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ASX to sag after pandemic surge spooks Wall St

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Kiwis stranded as Air New Zealand cancels flights from Australia

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Man who enlisted sister to help conceal 'brutal' murder jailed for 27 years

A man who murdered a close family friend and enlisted his younger sister to help him dispose of the body hundreds of kilometres away has been sentenced to 27 years' jail.

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'Morgan won one game': Wessels returns serve after stinging Turinui criticism

Melbourne Rebels coach Dave Wessels has defended his reputation and returned serve at former Wallaby Morgan Turinui's suggestion he should exit stage left.

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Make no mistake: COVID-19 infection is not a mere 'flu-like' illness

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Former Matilda and ex-A-League defender to head soccer players' union

Former Matilda Kate Gill and ex A-league defender Beau Busch will become co-chief executives of the soccer players' union, succeeding departed boss John Didulica.

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Queensland closes border to Victorians as southern cases spike

No new cases were recorded for Queensland in the past 24 hours.

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Don't be fooled by Europe's economic recovery plan

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Treasury Wine Estates flags heavy pandemic hit, updates on Penfolds demerger

Treasury says it expects to report a 21 per cent slump in its earnings for 2020 due to the impact of the coronavirus.

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BBC NEWS - César Duarte: Fugitive Mexican ex-governor arrested in Miami

César Duarte fled Mexico in 2018 after being accused of embezzling millions to fund a lavish lifestyle.

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Don't be fooled by Europe's economic recovery plan

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Treasury Wine Estates flags heavy pandemic hit, updates on Penfolds demerger

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New on Sports Illustrated: Australian Alex Pullin, Two-Time World Champion Snowboarder, Dies in Spearfishing Accident

Australian Alex Pullin has died in a spearfishing accident in his native country. Pullin, 32, competed in three Olympics and won two world championships.

Alex "Chumpy" Pullin, a two-time world champion who competed in three Olympics for Australia, died while spearfishing in Australia on Wednesday. He was 32 years old.

"Paramedics were called to a post-immersion incident off Nineteenth Avenue at Palm Beach just after 10.30am," said the Queensland Ambulance Service in a statement Wednesday, according to CNN. "One patient was treated at the scene."

Pullin was Australia's flag bearer at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He twice won the snowboard cross world championship—once in 2011 and again in 2013.

Pullin was an experienced diver who posted about spearfishing on his social media accounts. He was found unconscious and without an oxygen mask by another diver on the Gold Coast in South Brisbane, and appeared to be alone at the time.

Snow Australia released a statement on Pullin's death via Instagram.

"The Snow Australia community is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of triple Olympian, Alex Pullin, who today lost his life while spear fishing on the Gold Coast this morning. Our deepest condolences are with Alex’s family, as well as his team mates and support staff. Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed."

Pullin retired from snowboarding last month, according to Geoff Lipshut, the chief executive of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, but had yet to announce the news.

“It is an incredibly sad day,” Lipshut said. "Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin was one of our great winter sports pioneers ... He attacked every day with intensity and purpose."

July 09, 2020 at 04:44AM
Australian Alex Pullin, Two-Time World Champion Snowboarder, Dies in Spearfishing Accident

Twiggy expands beef business, dashing native title group's hopes for eco tourism business in the Kimberley

The Forrest family is trying to dispel fears held by native title groups that the purchase of a large cattle station in Western Australia's Kimberley will threaten the culturally significant Fitzroy River.

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Brisbane man found dead after disappearing on kayak trip with friends

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Australia, Japan, U.S. Take Tough Joint Stance on South China Sea

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Proud puts injury heartache behind to lead Swifts' title charge

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Twiggy expands beef business, dashing native title group's hopes for eco tourism business in the Kimberley

Yes, I'm a Karen, and the meme is becoming tiresome

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Patty Mills donates $1.5 million NBA salary to Black Lives Matter and anti-racism groups

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The latest illustrations from artist Matt Golding

Illustrations by the artist from The Age.

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Brisbane man found dead after disappearing on kayak trip with friends

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Victoria records another 134 new coronavirus infections

Victoria has recorded 134 cases of coronavirus in the past day, the Premier has confirmed.

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Pakistan Fires 28 Pilots for Holding 'Dubious' Licenses

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan said Tuesday an ongoing investigation into "dubious" commercial pilot licenses has led to the dismissal of 28 pilots working for the national airline.

The move followed g

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US Restricts Visas on Chinese Officials Over Tibet

The United States said Tuesday it was restricting visas to Chinese officials over Tibet, renewing a call for "meaningful autonomy" in the predominantly Buddhist region.

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Mine safety inquiry to hold public hearings next month

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Zimbabwe offers $5 billion deal to evicted white farmers

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'Deeply concerned': Doctor at Melbourne hospital tests positive to coronavirus

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'None of you have the intellectual level': Kyrgios hits out again at Djokovic, Thiem

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Victoria records another 134 new coronavirus infections

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Alonso set for F1 return with Renault in 2021: report

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Treasurer signals 'income support' to avoid September cliff

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New on Sports Illustrated: Report: Ryder Cup to Be Postponed Until 2021, Presidents Cup Pushed Back as a Result

One of golf's famed team international competitions will be postponed until 2021.

The 2020 Ryder Cup will be postponed until 2021 amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to ESPN's Bob Harig.

The news is expected to be made official Wednesday morning.

The biennial event was initially scheduled to take place September 25-27 at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin. Per ESPN, the event will be delayed until late September of next year.

According to ESPN, the decision will also result in the Presidents Cup being moved until 2022. The next Presidents Cup was set to take place in Charlotte, North Carolina at Quail Hollow.

A number of players including European star Rory McIlroy had publicly voiced their concerns for a possible Ryder Cup, saying in May that, "The players are the ones that make the Ryder Cup. If they are not on board with it and don't want to play then there is no Ryder Cup. I see it being pushed back until 2021, and, honestly, I think that will be the right call."

As a result of the pandemic, a number of the PGA Tour's biggest events were rescheduled, including the U.S. Open, which is now September 17-20 and the Masters, will be held November 12-15.

The PGA Tour was among the first organized sports leagues to resume competition doing so on June 11 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Europe won the 2018 Ryder Cup over the United States by a score of 17 1/2 to 10 1/2.

July 08, 2020 at 05:16AM
Report: Ryder Cup to Be Postponed Until 2021, Presidents Cup Pushed Back as a Result

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Victoria locks down while Australia opens: what are the COVID-19 rules now?

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Test cricket returns after 129 days – but COVID has put game on a different path

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Prince torn over what, if anything, to say about old friend Ghislaine

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Clubs angry but FFA defends second failed attempt to get teams out of Victoria

Victory, City and Western failed to get out of the state on Tuesday for the second night in a row and will stay in Victoria as the FFA tries again to get them exemptions to cross the border.

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ASX to fall after virus surge halts Wall St rally

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The UK is playing a dangerous game with China as trade tensions bubble

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New on Sports Illustrated: Beats by Dre Signs Bubba Wallace: 'Hate Cannot Win the Day'

NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace was welcomed to Beats by Dre by Lakers star LeBron James.

Richard Petty Motorsports driver Bubba Wallace signed with Beats by Dre on Monday, the company announced.

"We weren't going to announce this until later this week, but hate cannot win the day," Beats by Dre tweeted. "No one should ever be asked to apologize for standing up for what's right — we are proud to welcome Bubba Wallace to the Beats by Dr. Dre family."

Wallace, 26, has raced in the NASCAR Cup Series since 2017. NASCAR found a noose in Wallace's garage at Talladega International Speedway in late June, just days after NASCAR banned the confederate flag from races.

An FBI investigation revealed the noose had been in Wallace's garage since October 2019. Drivers at the GEICO 500 showed their support for Wallace on June 22 as they pushed his No. 43 car down the track to the front of the field.

Wallace's signing with Beats by Dre was announced hours after he was the subject of a tweet from President Donald Trump, who falsely alleged Wallace and NASCAR of perpetuating a "hoax" with the found noose.

"Has @BubbaWallace apologized to all of those great NASCAR drivers & officials who came to his aid, stood by his side, & were willing to sacrifice everything for him, only to find out that the whole thing was just another HOAX?" Trump tweeted. "That & Flag decision has caused lowest ratings EVER!"

Wallace responded to Trump's tweet with a Twitter message on Monday. He urged the "next generation" to "choose love over hate."

"Your words and actions will always be held to a higher standard than others," Wallace wrote. "You don't learn these things in school. You learn them from trials and tribulations, the ups and downs this crazy world provides. You will always have people testing you. Seeing if they can knock you off your pedestal. I encourage you to keep your head held high and walk proudly on the path you've chosen."

Wallace was also welcomed to Beats by Dre on Monday night by Lakers star LeBron James. Wallace is the latest Beats by Dre athlete, joining Serena Williams, Simone Biles and Odell Beckham Jr.

July 07, 2020 at 05:58AM
Beats by Dre Signs Bubba Wallace: 'Hate Cannot Win the Day'

Newspaper closures force planning law changes for Queensland

Public notification for major developments in regional Queensland may occur online rather than in print because of newspaper closures.

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Fierce energy bridges the gap

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Iraqi terrorism expert shot dead outside home

Hisham al-Hashimi, who advised the US-led coalition in fighting terror, had recently received threats from Iran-backed militias in Iraq.

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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Spanish study casts doubt on herd immunity

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BBC NEWS : Vouchers of up to £5,000 for home insulation

The chancellor will announce £2bn of grants to fund energy-saving projects for homeowners in England.

July 07, 2020 at 05:53AM

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BBC NEWS : HSBC glitch led to thousands of small business loans in the wrong name

HSBC customer Cesar Basanta has had to wait weeks to agree a £50,000 bounce back loan for his firm.

July 07, 2020 at 05:11AM

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BBC NEWS : Coronavirus: 'Confused picture' as some salons unable to open

Plans to reopen hair salons without the wider beauty industry in Wales are described as "ridiculous".

July 07, 2020 at 05:06AM

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Afterpay founders in $250m sell-off as company announces $1b capital raise

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New on Sports Illustrated: Winners and Losers of MLB's 2020 Schedule Release

Highlighting the best, worst and quirkiest parts of MLB's unprecedented 60-game slate.

Never before has the Major League Baseball schedule been more important to the outcome of a season than right now. Each team plays only 60 games, which means fast starts are imperative, and each team plays only teams within its division and the corresponding division of the other league. Fairness in scheduling had to be compromised by the protocols necessary to play at all during a pandemic.

MLB announced the full schedule today. Keep in mind that this is the best-case scenario. COVID-19 will determine if the season starts on July 23 and if it ends Sept. 27.

But now that we have a schedule, let’s examine the winners, the losers and the highlights from the shortest season in MLB history.

Wild Difference

Many teams competing for wild card spots will not play one another and have zero common opponents. Moreover, the strength of their schedules will be wildly different. Take as an example two likely NL wild card contenders, the Philadelphia Phillies and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies have a much tougher schedule–and they finish with five games on the road against Washington and Tampa Bay, two playoff teams from last year with superior pitching. Arizona plays only eight games all season on the road against last year's winning teams. Philadelphia has 20 such tests.

2020 Games

Most Likely to Have a Good Start

You better start well in a 60-game season. Just 15 games in you’ve already played a quarter of your season. Two teams are best positioned to leverage the schedule for a quick start:

1. Cincinnati Reds

They play 14 of their first 25 against the Tigers, Royals and Pirates.

2. Texas Rangers

They play 17 of first 22 against losing teams from 2019.

Most in Danger of a Slow Start

A slow start in a pandemic season with no fans in the ballpark drains much of the already depleted energy out of the season–and then what?

1. Boston Red Sox

They will know quickly where they stand in the AL East. They play 13 of their first 23 against the Rays and Yankees.

2. Baltimore Orioles

Actually, their entire schedule is a bear. Not once all season do they get back-to-back series against losing teams from last year. In one stretch they play 15 straight games against the Rays, Yankees, Nationals and Phillies, and in another they face 21 straight against the Mets, Yankees, Braves, Rays and Red Sox.

Easiest Path Down The Stretch

1. New York Yankees

Good luck trying to catch the Yankees if they are in first place when September rolls around. They play 20 of their final 23 games against the Blue Jays, Orioles and Marlins–teams that lost 95 or more games last year.

2. San Diego Padres

The Padres should not be a tired team down the stretch. They play almost the entire final month as if playing in the California League.

Padres in September

Toughest Path Down the Stretch

1. New York Mets

They will see some nasty pitching to close out the season. The Mets play their final 10 games against 2019 playoff teams: Braves (3), Rays (3) and Nationals (4).

2. Houston Astros

They play 16 of their final 22 on the road.

Compromised Rivalries

1. Dodgers & Giants

The entire rivalry is front-loaded. They play 10 times in first 33 games. They don’t play each other in September.

2. Chicago Cubs vs. The NL Central

When you are chasing division rivals you always want a crack at deciding things head to head. The Cubs won’t go head-to-head with division contenders down the stretch. Their final 12 games are against AL Central teams (Indians, Twins, White Sox) and the Pirates.

Best Matchups

1. Yankees at Nationals July 23: Opening Day. Cole vs. Scherzer. Raising of the 2019 World Series championship banner. The first MLB game in 267 days. How’s that for a start to the season?

2. Rockies at Rangers, July 24: The opening of Globe Life Field

3. Angels at A’s, July 26: It could be the first start on the mound for Shohei Ohtani since Sept. 2, 2018–almost 23 months.

4. Cardinals at White Sox in Dyersville, Iowa, Aug. 13: The Field of Dreams game.

5. Dodgers at Angels, Aug. 14-16: The stars are out. Five MVPs who have won nine of the awards: Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw.

6. All Games, Aug. 16: Honoring the 100th anniversary of the Negro Leagues.

7. Diamondbacks vs. Giants, Aug. 21-23: Madison Bumgarner back in San Francisco–facing Buster Posey, not throwing to him. Bumgarner has thrown to Posey in 79% of his career games.

8. All Games, Aug. 28, Jackie Robinson Day: The traditional April 15 honor is moved to the anniversary of two events of enormous social importance: the March on Washington in 1963 and the conversation between Branch Rickey and Robinson in 1945 that set into motion the breaking of the color barrier.

9. White Sox at Pirates, Sept. 9: The feature game of Roberto Clemente Day, which is celebrated across MLB.

10. Astros at Dodgers Sept. 12 & 13: Will there be fans in the stands for the 2017 World Series rematch to remind the Astros of their sign-stealing scandal?

Fantastic Finish?

We have not seen a crazy finish ever since MLB established a universal start time for the last day of the season a few years ago. This year the short schedule almost guarantees tight races with multiple playoff spots on the line on the last day–as happened in 2011, “The Night of 162.”

All games on Sept. 27 start around 3:05 p.m. EST. Here are a few of the most intriguing matchups on the last day of the season:

1. White Sox at Cubs

2. Mets at Nationals

3. Angels at Dodgers

4. Astros at Rangers

5. Brewers at Cardinals

July 07, 2020 at 05:11AM
Winners and Losers of MLB's 2020 Schedule Release

‘Hamilton’ and the Historical Record: Frequently Asked Questions

By BY JENNIFER SCHUESSLER from NYT Movies https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/06/movies/hamilton-musical-history-facts.html?partner=IFTTT
The Disney+ filmed version has fans wondering what’s accurate. Historians are fans, too, and they have answers, along with caveats.

Troops drive off militants who attacked Philippines construction site

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Trudeau Skipping Trump Summit with Mexican President

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Tricks to combat the dreaded school holiday 'I'm bored'

When the kids complain, instead of telling them what to do, share your experience and let them decide.

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Commonwealth must acknowledge racist past: Harry and Meghan

The Sussexes use their final appearance as working members of the Royal family to address the 'historical injustice' of colonial Britain.

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ASX set to chase Wall St surge; RBA meeting ahead

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Wall Street firms scored emergency government loans amid pandemic

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BBC NEWS - Brain-eating amoeba: Warning issued in Florida after rare infection case

Since 1962, Florida has reported only 37 cases of the deadly pathogen, which attacks brain tissue.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-53302773

Mayne chases larger slice of US contraception market with China deal

Mayne Pharma has found a new Chinese supplier to roll out new pill brands in the US.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/31NS5NG
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Victoria-NSW border to shut from midnight on Tuesday

The NSW-Victoria border will close at midnight on Tuesday as Victoria's second surge in the COVID-19 crisis intensifies.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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The Age photos of the week, July 5 2020

The week in photos from our award winning photographers and regular contributing photographers at The Age.

from Sydney Morning Herald - National
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New Mayne deal chases larger slice of US contraception market

Mayne Pharma has found a new Chinese supplier to roll out new pill brands in the US.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Victoria-NSW border to shut from midnight on Tuesday

The NSW-Victoria border will close at midnight on Tuesday as Victoria's second surge in the COVID-19 crisis intensifies.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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The Age photos of the week, July 5 2020

The week in photos from our award winning photographers and regular contributing photographers at The Age.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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Croatia reelects conservative ruling party

Criticised for endorsing Novak Djokovic's tennis tournament amid rising coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic ended up timing his reelection bid just right.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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New Trump appointee puts global internet freedom at risk, critics say

New leadership prompts fears the Open Technology Fund could be used solely to promote anti Communist Party sentiment in China.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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'I just couldn't turn my brain off': NSW lawyers get a mental health lifeline

The NSW Law Society will for the first time provide the state's 35,000 solicitors with a mental health support service in response to pressures including the coronavirus pandemic, bushfires and floods.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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BBC NEWS - Black Lives Matter: Can viral videos stop police brutality?

Do viral videos like the one captured of George Floyd's death actually reduce police abuse?

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-53239123

BBC NEWS - Viewpoint: What Donald Trump gets wrong about Somalia

Somalia has become caught up in the US election campaign thanks to Donald Trump, writes Ismail Einashe.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-53268582

BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: How 'three musketeers' helped Georgia fight virus

Georgia has recorded fewer than 1,000 infections and only 15 deaths among its 3.7 million people.

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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53269000

'I just couldn't turn my brain off': NSW lawyers get a mental health lifeline

Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak

Follow news and events as they happen.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/3ixsoqO
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Ugly truth: Trump's promise of a fading pandemic and a roaring economy has gone up in smoke

The Trump administration's response to COVID-19 has been full of delusions and magical thinking. It sets up an ugly end to the year.

from Sydney Morning Herald - Business https://ift.tt/31L6HgO
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Israeli Leader's Son Takes Center Stage in Corruption Sagas

JERUSALEM - As scandal-plagued Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stands trial for corruption, his 28-year-old son has emerged as a driving force in a counterattack against critics and the state ins

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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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