Jurors have warned the images of the crime scene will be “worse than anything you would see in a horror movie”.
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The Age photos of the week, September 13, 2020
The week in photos from our award winning photographers and regular contributing photographers at The Age.
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Liverpool, Arsenal off to flying starts in new Premier League season
Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick, including two penalties, as champions Liverpool won a seven goal thriller over a hugely impressive Leeds United at Anfield.
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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: How the lockdown has changed schooling in South Asia
The pandemic has led to schools in South Asia shifting to remote learning but there are huge obstacles.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-54009306
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-54009306
BBC NEWS - Letter from Africa: Behind Ghana and Nigeria's love-hate affair
Why the current tensions over the closure of some Nigerian-owned shops in Ghana should come as no surprise.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54088878
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54088878
BBC NEWS : Why do women appear to bear the brunt of ageism at work?
Older women fight back against the double whammy of ageism and sexism in the workplace.
September 13, 2020 at 05:01AM
from BBC News - Business
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September 13, 2020 at 05:01AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: Atmosphere could be tense as Astros, Dodgers meet again
After a rare Friday off day for both teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers will get set to play host to the Houston Astros for a brief two-game series starting Saturday in the first meeting between the teams since an emotionally-charged matchup on July 29.
The Dodgers are not only returning home for the brief set, they do so with some starting pitching concerns. Walker Buehler went on the 10-day injured list because of recurring blister issues and fellow right-hander Dustin May left Thursday's outing with a left foot contusion after he was hit by a line drive.
Initial X-rays on the injury were said to be inconclusive and May was scheduled for a CT scan Friday.
Considering that the Dodgers also shipped right-hander Ross Stripling to the Toronto Blue Jays at the Aug. 31 trade deadline, they are suddenly short some arms with the stretch drive to the regular season having already arrived.
The Astros (22-23) will limp in to the series as well, mostly because of their eight defeats in their last nine games. Houston just lost four of five games at Oakland, dropping Thursday's contest 3-1 when the offense was held to two hits.
"I don't think we're panicking to any extent," Astros outfielder Josh Reddick told reporters after Thursday's defeat. "Anything can happen right now. I've been a part of some stuff that's been pretty fun to watch and when this team gets hot, it's going to be pretty special."
The last time these teams met, Dodgers right-hander Joe Kelly was suspended for pitches that nearly hit multiple Astros batters before he taunted Carlos Correa while walking off the field after the Astros' slugger struck out.
Kelly was just reinstated from the injured list because of shoulder inflammation, but he now has to serve his reduced five-game suspension and will not be available for the series. His original suspension was for eight games and while it was lowered on appeal, he still is upset he received any type of discipline.
"I'll always have a little bit of a grudge against some decisions that were made," Kelly told reporters this week. "But, like I said, it is what it is, and we'll have to move on."
Left-hander Julio Urias (3-0, 3.86 ERA) will start for the Dodgers (32-13) on Saturday. He has never faced the Astros.
The Dodgers are expected to cover Sunday's game with the bullpen. Clayton Kershaw pitched Wednesday and is not in line to pitch again until Monday. Their other starter, Tony Gonsolin, came on in relief Thursday after May left the game.
Keeping their mind off the bad news was the decision by manager Dave Roberts to let star outfielder Mookie Betts start at second base Thursday at Arizona. Roberts said Betts' 15th career start at second was a "very clean game," although the Dodgers lost 5-2 to the D-backs.
The Astros will try to change their recent fortunes with left-hander Framber Valdez (3-3, 3.61) on the mound. Valdez gave up three runs on four hits over 4 1/3 innings to the Dodgers on July 28 and took the loss. It was his only career appearance vs. L.A.
--Field Level Media
September 13, 2020 at 05:39AM
Atmosphere could be tense as Astros, Dodgers meet again
New on Sports Illustrated: Rays look to start new win streak against Red Sox
Despite his team being caught in its second-worst losing streak Thursday night, Tampa Bay Rays slugger Brandon Lowe saw no point in panicking as the shortened season plays out through its final weeks of games.
Following the club's 4-3 loss to Boston -- a loss that was rare because it was to the Red Sox and by one run -- Lowe stated that the American League East-leading Rays had played enough good baseball to hold their spot atop the standings and he believed they could start winning again soon.
Three consecutive losses and dropping a game to a division foe his team had beaten five out of six times wasn't even enough to deter Lowe, who leads Tampa Bay (29-16) with 11 home runs.
"I think we're still in a good position," said Lowe of his club, which lost a season-high five straight from July 29 to Aug. 2. "There's no reason to start stressing and freaking out. It's been a couple of games that've been bad, but I think we've proven that we're not going to keep losing ball games."
The Rays put it all together Friday night and broke their three-game losing streak in an 11-1 romp over the Red Sox, who they will face for the ninth time Saturday night in the third game of the four-game series in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Starter Blake Snell worked 5 1/3 scoreless innings, and the offense woke up with a 12-hit attack that slugged three home runs, including two by Nate Lowe.
In 12 career starts, Snell (4-1) improved to 7-3 in his career against the Red Sox and lowered his ERA to 2.59 against them, while the team improved to 16-4 when hitting more than one homer in a game.
"Blake and the overall offense and at-bats, even the guys who didn't get hits, they had good swings. We were picking each other up," said Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash, whose club has won six of eight against Boston and is 22-11 against the AL East.
The sixth-year manager started only left-handed hitters without any switch-hitters -- the first time that had happened dating back to at least 1901. Cash also didn't pinch hit or substitute for any of the nine batters as the Rays' starters recorded 35 at-bats -- all from the left side.
Cash will start Tyler Glasnow (2-1, 4.35 ERA), who has 66 strikeouts over a 39 1/3 innings in eight starts -- a whopping 15.1 Ks per game. The flamethrower is 1-1 with a 4.56 in five career starts against the AL East foe.
The Red Sox (16-30) produced 11 hits Friday night but didn't manage to put their lone run on the board until the ninth when breakout rookie Bobby Dalbec doubled in Jackie Bradley Jr.
However, the club was productive the only time it faced Glasnow this season on Aug. 13 in Boston. They touched up the 6-foot-8 right-handed Californian for five runs and eight hits in only four innings, though the Rays left Fenway Park with a 17-8 victory.
The Red Sox will trot out their own hard-throwing righty Saturday when Nathan Eovaldi (2-2, 4.98 ERA) returns to the mound to make his first appearance since Aug. 21. He is 2-5 with a 5.66 ERA in nine appearances (seven starts) against Tampa Bay.
Eovaldi will be making his first appearance since being sidelined with a right calf strain.
Manager Ron Roenicke has been impressed with the arms on the Tampa Bay staff.
"Their pitching is outstanding," Roenicke stated. "Their starters are good. Their relievers are good. That's what puts you in an elite class."
--Field Level Media
September 13, 2020 at 05:39AM
Rays look to start new win streak against Red Sox
New on Sports Illustrated: Indians' Plesac takes hot streak into start at Minnesota
The Cleveland Indians will turn to right-hander Zach Plesac to try and snap their four-game losing streak when they face the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night in Minneapolis.
Plesac (3-1) has won his last three starts, and his 1.32 ERA and 0.74 WHIP are even better than teammate and Cy Young Award front-runner Shane Bieber (7-1, 1.53 ERA, 0.87 WHIP). Bieber took his first loss of the season Friday night in a series-opening, 3-1 setback to the Twins.
Plesac allowed one run, a solo homer by Adalberto Mondesi, on seven hits over seven innings in his last start, a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Monday. He struck out four without issuing a walk. That game was the most recent victory for Cleveland (26-19).
"Super impressive," acting Indians manager Sandy Alomar Jr. said of Plesac's performance. "He throws a lot of strikes. His tempo is always good, and he managed to come back in counts. When you don't walk people and you have a good separation of your pitches, that's a good recipe right there. And he's looking good."
It was Plesac's second start since a three-week break and stint at the team's alternate training site after breaking the team's COVID-19 protocols during a road trip to Chicago.
"I think he's the same guy, the same kid with more discipline," Alomar said. "He's the same pitcher. He's always been a motivated kid. He goes to the mound to win and to compete. ... He seemed to me like the same pitcher."
Plesac has walked just two batters in 34 innings while striking out 34 this year. He will be starting against the Twins for the first time in his career.
Left-hander Rich Hill, who is 0-1 with a 5.27 ERA in nine career appearances and two starts against the Indians, will start Saturday for the Twins, who are on a hot streak.
Minnesota (28-18) has won eight of its last 10 games and is one game behind the first-place Chicago White Sox in the American League Central.
Hill (1-1, 3.86 ERA) pitched well while receiving a no-decision in a Aug. 25 matchup with Bieber at Cleveland, allowing one run on four hits and two walks over five innings. He fanned five in a game that Minnesota lost 4-2.
The Twins won the opener of the three-game series on a soggy Friday night at Target Field behind seven shutout innings from Kenta Maeda and home runs by Byron Buxton and Ryan Jeffers.
"That's a pretty good guy to have in your book because it doesn't get any better than Bieber," Minnesota manager Rocco Baldelli said of the home runs by Buxton and Jeffers off the Cleveland ace.
Bieber allowed three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings. His strikeout of Jeffers in the fifth inning was his 100th of the season in just 62 1/3 innings, breaking the major league record for fewest innings needed by a starting pitcher to record 100 strikeouts in a season. The old mark was 63 innings set by Max Scherzer in 2018.
"I felt good all night," Bieber said. "It came down to me making two mistakes."
A win Saturday night would not only give the Twins the series win but would also give Minnesota a 6-3 advantage in the regular-season series with Cleveland and the potential head-to-head tiebreaker come playoff time.
--Field Level Media
September 13, 2020 at 05:39AM
Indians' Plesac takes hot streak into start at Minnesota
New on Sports Illustrated: Cubs aim to bounce back against Brewers
Veteran Chicago right-hander Kyle Hendricks will aim for his third victory in a row when the Cubs visit the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday evening.
Hendricks (5-4, 3.41 ERA) has won back-to-back starts against the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, allowing only two runs in 14 innings while walking two and striking out 10.
"I've had a chance to face (Hendricks), and it can be a frustrating at-bat," Cubs outfielder Cameron Maybin said after Hendricks' last start. "On the other side, facing him for a long time, I (would) tell my other teammates, 'You know we're facing Baby Maddux,' because he can throw the ball wherever he wants to throw it."
Now comes another important start for the 30-year-old Dartmouth alum.
The Cubs (26-20) opened the season at 13-3, the best record in the majors, but they have gone 13-17 since that time. Chicago has been shut out twice in its past three games after not being shut out in its first 43 games.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee (20-22) has moved within four games of the first-place Cubs in the National League Central. Perhaps more important, the Brewers are only one game behind the second-place Cardinals for a postseason berth.
Milwaukee is coming off its fourth shutout victory of the season and its second in a row. Ryan Braun lifted the Brewers to a 1-0 win in the series opener with a ninth-inning sacrifice fly to deep right field, scoring Christian Yelich.
Brewers left-hander Brett Anderson (2-3, 4.64 ERA) will look to continue his team's success. He has surrendered four runs in each of his past two starts and is looking for his first victory since Aug. 24.
The 32-year-old veteran is 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA in four career starts against the Cubs, including a 4-2 loss at Wrigley Field on Aug. 13. In that contest, Anderson allowed two runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings. He has struck out 19 while issuing only three walks in 20 1/3 innings vs. Chicago in his career.
By comparison, Hendricks is 9-6 with a 2.87 ERA in 22 career starts against Milwaukee.
Brewers outfielder Avisail Garcia will try to stay hot after going 2-for-3 with a walk in the series opener. Garcia started the season in right field but shifted to center after Lorenzo Cain opted out amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"It's been a grind," Garcia recently said to reporters. "Most of my career, I've been playing right field. At right field, you don't have to run a lot. That's the big difference between center field and right field.
"I think I've got to cover all the gaps, and playing every day, it's a grind. But I like to play. I'm a competitive guy. I'm going to play wherever they put me and try to do my best."
Cubs manager David Ross said he wanted his team to remain optimistic despite the tight loss on Friday.
"I thought all in all, that was a very clean game," Ross said. "A lot of great pitchers on both sides that were fresh, and we just came out a little short. But I was really proud of the group and the way they played (Friday) and battled. ... There's a lot of positives to take away from that."
--Field Level Media
September 13, 2020 at 05:39AM
Cubs aim to bounce back against Brewers
New on Sports Illustrated: Royals rookie to make first start against Pirates
The Kansas City Royals invested heavily in young arms in the 2018 draft, taking four college pitchers in the first 40 picks. They added the consensus best college pitcher available in the 2020 draft, taking Asa Lacy from Texas A&M with the fourth overall selection.
But when the Royals send Carlos Hernandez to the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates Saturday for his first major league start, they'll be going outside their prized quintet.
The Royals will be going for their fifth straight win Saturday, as they defeated the Pirates 4-3 behind rookie Kris Bubic's first career major league win Friday night. That followed rookie Brady Singer taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning Thursday night in Cleveland.
Hernandez (0-0, 1.42 ERA) has pitched 6 1/3 innings out of the bullpen since making his debut Sept. 1. He came in in relief of Matt Harvey both times. He says he's ready.
"I'm really happy, but I kind of expected it at some point," he said through an interpreter Friday. "I'm looking forward to it. It's the fruit of my labor. I feel like my work is paying off."
The Pirates will give Trevor Williams (1-6, 5.80 ERA) another chance in Saturday's contest. He had an up and down start his last time out, throwing 111 pitches in six innings. He struck out six batters and allowed only five hits, but three of those hits left the yard. He's allowed 10 homers in 40 1/3 innings this season.
"He's showed us the ability to use his breaking ball," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "That's something we've talked about numerous times. The starts that he's had that have been productive is when he's been able to use his breaking ball. The outings that have been shorter have been when he's not been able to execute the breaking ball."
The struggles have not caused Williams, who has never faced the Royals, to lose his confidence.
"Your numbers are going to be your numbers," Williams said after his last start. "If it looks bad, so be it. I know that I'm a good pitcher. I know that, at the end of the day, I'm executing most of my pitches. And there are some things that I do need to work on, there's no doubt about that. However, I'm taking as much positive as I can."
Hernandez joins Singer and Bubic among starting pitchers who have made their debuts for Kansas City this season. With Jackson Kowar and Daniel Lynch -- the other two 2018 draftees -- and Lacy at the Royals' alternate site, Hernandez has a chance to show that he belongs as part of the Royals future.
Hernandez was not part of the club's original 60-man roster when the regular season resumed. He kept in shape in the club's Arizona spring training facility and spent a short amount of time at the alternate site.
But manager Mike Matheny said he earned his call up, and he now has a chance to be part of the conversation of the Royals youthful pitching future.
"He's right in that age group of young, exciting pitchers," he said. "He's one of those great stories of a guy who gets the opportunity and he jumps all over it. Those are the ones you love telling guys all through your system."
--Field Level Media
September 13, 2020 at 05:39AM
Royals rookie to make first start against Pirates
Woman dragged from car at police checkpoint as fresh protest looms
After Natalie Bonett refused to confirm her name at a checkpoint, a police officer was filmed dragging her out of her car.
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McGregor arrested in connection with attempted sexual assault: report
Conor McGregor, the retired UFC star, was arrested on the French beach island of Corsica in connection with alleged indecent exposure and attempted sexual assault, according to a report.
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Woman dragged from car at police checkpoint as fresh protest looms
After Natalie Bonett refused to confirm her name at a checkpoint, a police officer was filmed dragging her out of her car.
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BBC NEWS - Woman who sawed off own hand found guilty of fraud
The 22-year-old Slovenian woman was found guilty of cutting off her hand to make an insurance claim.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54125770
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54125770
New on Sports Illustrated: 2020 Fantasy Football Week 1 - Buy, Sell, and Hold
SI Fantasy analyst Corey Parson, AKA "The Fantasy Exec" runs through his list of players to buy low ahead of the curve, sell high, and hang onto ahead of the start of the season.
Now that the NFL season has begun, let's take a few moments to look at some players we should buy low on, sell at a premium, or just sit back, relax, and just hang onto. This is a helpful exercise to help determine a player's value on your fantasy team.
Players to Buy Low On
Bryan Edwards, Las Vegas Raiders WR
The Raiders used their first pick of the 2020 NFL draft to select Henry Ruggs, the star wide receiver from the University of Alabama. Ruggs is an extremely talented player who should be a big hit in Las Vegas. In the third round the Raiders drafted a lesser-known wideout in the University of South Carolina Bryan Edwards, Edwards didn't have the hype behind him that Ruggs did, but Edwards can certainly play football with the best of them, Edwards left the University of South Carolina as their all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. He's looked great in Raiders camp Sports Illustrated's Gamecocks Insider Chaunte'l Powell reported this quote from Raiders Head Coach Jon Gruden.
"He was a great receiver at South Carolina. Some of my favorite players I’ve coached come from there," Gruden said. "Sterling Sharpe, Robert Brooks, Alshon Jeffrey, Sidney Rice. We knew he had the pedigree, he’s the all-time leading receiver at that place. But he’s physical, he’s got tremendous hands, he’s a quick learner. He’s a businessman too. He’s got a lot of other interests other than being a great receiver. He’s a really focused young man. We’re happy to have him.”
The Raiders finished last season with plenty of question marks at wide receiver. Hunter Renfrow played well last year but that was really it. This season, Edwards along with Renfrow, and Ruggs will start for the Silver and Black. If Edwards is on your waiver wire, you should pick him up.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars RB
Illinois State rookie running back James Robinson finds himself atop the Jaguars depth chart at running back. From what we have heard from Raiders camp, Robinson should be able to step in nicely for the departed Leonard Fournette. Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has already stated that Robinson can carry the load. Backs that can do that are critical for fantasy managers. We have already seen Robinson go for top dollar in early season FAAB bids, so even if the young back gets off to a slow start do not drop or look to trade him. Once he gets it going he could be a difference-maker. Robinson's ability to catch the football came as a surprise to the Jaguars. I think he runs away with the job, so I would no longer concern myself with Ryquell Armstead.
Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers WR
I have been singing the praises of Bourne all offseason. The Niners talented fourth-year wide receiver will see enough playing time to make a difference this year. With Deebo Samuel, and rookie Brandon Aiyuk both dealing with injuries, Bourne should be the Niners top targeted wideout in the early part of the season and is only $5,000 on DraftKings this week. He has also proven to be very good in the red zone last season with five of his 30 catches ending up being touchdowns. More playing time and volume make Bourne a top add on the wire going into the season.
Players to Sell High
Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions RB
This is a make-or-break season for Kerryon Johnson, and so far it's not going that well. When the Lions picked up the legendary Adrian Peterson last week, my initial thought was not that rookie De'Andre Swift was in trouble, it was that Kerryon Johnson must not be getting it done, through two NFL seasons Johnson has only played in 18 games, he showed some flashes his rookie season, I actually drafted him in a few leagues last year and he rewarded me by playing in eight games and averaging under four yards per attempt. Detroit Lions Insider John Maakaron reported that Johnson's teammates have been calling him "Knee-Brace Guy" in camp, that's never a good nickname for a player on your fantasy football team.
Evan Engram, New York Giants TE
For a few years now I have been calling New Orleans Saints Tight End Jared Cook "Big Foot", we always hear about Cook's talent but like Big Foot, no one has seen it, I am starting to feel the same way about New York Giants tight end Evan Engram, for the past two seasons we have heard a lot about his talent but we have yet to see it. To be fair Engram has been injured most of the past two seasons but in sports, your most important ability is your availability, Engram will get every chance to shine in the Giants passing game this season if he doesn't pop early send Big Foot into the woods.
Players to Hold
David Johnson, Houston Texans RB
David Johnson's Houston Texans career got off to a nice start in the season-opening game, he had over 100 yards of total offense and he scored a touchdown, paying off on his $6,000 DraftKings salary. I can see Johnson having more games like this one this season. The Texans offense didn't look that great outside of Johnson and Fuller, but I think it will get better as more football is played. It wasn't that long ago that David Johnson was considered the top offensive player in the NFL. This year, he won't have to shoulder the whole load of the Texans offense but he will be a rock-solid RB2 in PPR leagues.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns QB
This time last year, Baker Mayfield was one of the hottest names in fantasy and he was being talked up as a QB1 in fantasy circles. By the end of the season, his name was mud.
This season with a new coaching staff, an improved offensive line, and healthy core pieces around him, Baker could have the season people expected from last year. Mayfield was the 15th quarterback going off the board in most leagues, so he could be on your waiver wire. If he's there, he is worth a stash as a rebound and actually save your fantasy team this year.
September 12, 2020 at 06:37AM
2020 Fantasy Football Week 1 - Buy, Sell, and Hold
New on Sports Illustrated: Ejecting Danuel House Was the Right Call. The NBA Should've Left it at That.
The NBA had no choice but to send Houston Rockets' forward Danuel House home for violating bubble protocol.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Houston Rockets swingman Danuel House Jr. just got ejected from the NBA bubble for, in the league’s words, having an unauthorized guest in his hotel room “over multiple hours”—which, if House were single, would only help his reputation. Alas, he is married. We can only hope his pickup line was “There is no ‘I’ in Danuel, but there is a you!”
The jokes are flying, but there is more to consider. First: Nobody has officially said if this was a romantic encounter. Second: House’s decision. Look, the bubble is mentally exhausting. Players have been here a long time. Whatever their social lives looked like before the pandemic, you can be sure they had more fun than they are having in the bubble. There are moments of grumpiness, but almost no public complaining, because everybody seems to understand: This isn’t where anybody wants to be, and yet they are lucky to be here. A lot of people have it much worse than this.
The NBA had no choice but to send House home. Rules are rules, and these rules are here to protect everybody. These are not suggestions or requests. If the NBA let House stay, what would stop a dozen other players from bringing guests in? A bubble with holes is not a bubble. The NBA has spent $170 million on this experiment. It can’t risk the whole thing blowing up because a player got lonely.
House is not a victim. The Rockets are not victims of anything except LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Every team has obligations, to the league and to each other. If the Rockets are mad, they should be mad at House.
The NBA made the right call—the only call, really. But let’s also acknowledge this: It is, at the very least, weird and uncomfortable for a league to tell the world that a player had somebody in his hotel room who should not have been there. House is a professional athlete, not a religious leader or a political figure. His personal life, in normal times, is unquestionably his.
Imagine, a year ago, the NBA announcing that a player got caught with somebody in his hotel room. We would have thought it was insane.
Well, it’s 2020. Kind of a strange year, as you might have heard.
The problem is not with the NBA’s decision, which was absolutely correct, but in the announcement of it. Why not just say House violated bubble protocols, and leave it at that? Why say he had somebody in his hotel room “over multiple hours”? Does the public really need to know that?
Some context: Yahoo! Sports had already reported that House had allowed “a female COVID-19 testing official” into his room. The NBA generally strives for transparency in everything from discipline to its Officiating Last Two Minute reports. The instinct to share information and clarify what happened is admirable.
Also, the NBA did not say who the guest was. But those dots are so close together, they could form an ellipsis. Anybody paying any attention—which, one surmises, would include House’s friends and family—read the league’s statement and assumed he had a companion who was not his wife.
There are reasons for the details in the NBA’s statement. I just don’t think the reasons are good enough. And this might not seem like a big deal, but with the world shaking on pretty much a daily basis, it’s important to remember the values we had before all of this started.
The best and most famous union rep in American sports history, the Major League Baseball Players Association’s Marvin Miller, railed into his 90s against the notion that MLB could drug-test players. He considered it a horrible invasion of privacy.
I did not agree with Miller on that, but his greater point was valid. Sports leagues are highly visible operations, but these are still employer-employee relationships. The NBA had to eject House, and it had to announce that House violated protocols. It did not have to say how.
September 12, 2020 at 06:36AM
Ejecting Danuel House Was the Right Call. The NBA Should've Left it at That.
'Ruin your lives': Melbourne man on 19 charges for child abuse material
A 23-year-old Sri Lankan man in Melbourne allegedly set up a fake social media profile to get child abuse material from girls aged between 12 and 14.
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Police brace for second round of anti-lockdown protests at The Tan, Fitzroy Gardens
Anti-lockdown protesters were expected to travel to both The Tan and Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne on Saturday.
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'Ruin your lives': Melbourne man on 19 charges for child abuse material
A 23-year-old Sri Lankan man in Melbourne allegedly set up a fake social media profile to get child abuse material from girls aged between 12 and 14.
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Police brace for second round of anti-lockdown protests at The Tan, Fitzroy Gardens
Anti-lockdown protesters were expected to travel to both The Tan and Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne on Saturday.
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French PM rejects new lockdown despite 9000+ cases a day
France has world's seventh-highest COVID-19 death toll but Jean Castex says "We don't want to bring life to a halt".
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BBC NEWS - Afghanistan war: 'Historic' peace talks with Taliban set to begin
Landmark talks aimed at ending four decades of war get under way on Saturday, after months of delay.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-53976968
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BBC NEWS - Nigeria's opportunity for return of Benin Bronzes
With European museums on the back foot following Black Lives Matter protests, the emphasis moves to Nigeria.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54117905
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BBC NEWS - India and China buy time to heal old border rifts
The countries say they will end a violent border stand-off, but differences will be hard to overcome.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-54113621
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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: False claims test kits for ‘Covid-19’ were sold in 2017
Our latest debunk of misinformation includes claims about the World Bank, thermometers and llamas.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/54116326
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Former NSW premier John Fahey dies, age 75
He served as finance minister in John Howard's government before his retirement in 2001.
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Floating pub journeys from Fremantle along the Swan
WA's first floating bar has dropped anchor in the Swan River just in time for spring, with a VIP opening ahead of its first cruise along the foreshore this Sunday.
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Zverev rallies to reach US Open final in five sets
Alexander Zverev rallied to reach his first grand slam final, beating Pablo Carreno Busta in five sets after losing the first two.
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Former NSW premier John Fahey dies, age 75
He served as finance minister in John Howard's government before his retirement in 2001.
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Floating pub journeys from Fremantle along the Swan
WA's first floating bar has dropped anchor in the Swan River just in time for spring, with a VIP opening ahead of its first cruise along the foreshore this Sunday.
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The latest illustrations from artist John Shakespeare
Gallery of opinion illustrations and cartoons by Sydney Morning Herald artist, John Shakespeare.
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Seven moves towards terminating $450 million Cricket Australia deal
Seven West Media has ramped up its battle with Cricket Australia, issuing the game’s governing body a notice on Wednesday that it is in breach of its contract with the network.
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Luxury yacht skipper fined after repeated lies about stepping ashore
Greg Numa, 64, pleading guilty to breaching the Public Health Act by providing false information to an emergency officer.
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'I'm human just like everyone else': Qld Premier defends border decision
The Premier is facing strong pressure from her federal counterparts over the Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young's decision to bar a Canberra woman from her father's funeral.
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NASA sets out to buy moon resources mined by private companies
"This is one small step for space resources, but a giant leap for policy and precedent," Mike Gold, NASA's chief of international relations said.
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Tesla investors strap in for a bumpy ride as volatility returns
As the company that has had the most to gain from the tech boom, Tesla also has the most to lose.
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Europe's central bank has its hands tied as the euro soars ever higher
The relentless rise of the euro is pushing large parts of the eurozone into a deflation trap, threatening a fresh banking crisis and playing havoc with a string of vulnerable countries.
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As Jakarta heads into lockdown, doctors warn of buckling health system
JAKARTA - Doctors in Indonesia’s capital warned on Thursday the coronavirus pandemic is “not under control” with Jakarta intensive care units nearing full capacity and the city ordering new lockdown measures amid a spike in infections. Indonesia posted a record high 3,861 positive cases on Thursday, while the capital has recorded more than 1,000 new coronavirus cases on average each day this month, placing considerable strain on hospitals in the world’s fourth most populous nation. The occupancy rate of isolation rooms at 67 coronavirus referral hospitals is currently at 77 per cent, while the ICU occupancy is 83 per cent, according to the Jakarta administration. “It is like we have been running a marathon since March, we are exhausted,” said Erlina Burhan, a pulmonologist from Persahabatan Hospital, “This is not to be underestimated. The situation is not under control.” The number of patients being treated for suspected cases of Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, tripled from July to August at Persahabatan, Jakarta’s main referral hospital.
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Pakistanis outraged by gang-rape of mother along major highway
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Comments by the lead police investigator suggesting that the victim of a gang-rape in Pakistan that occurred along one of the country's most secure highways was to blame have spurred cries of outrage. Investigators say the victim left her home with her two children in Lahore and was driving when her car ran out of fuel at around 1.30am. She called a relative and a helpline for the highway police, but before they arrived, two men approached, broke the car's windows, and dragged the woman and her children to a field beside the highway, where she was gang-raped. Twelve suspects had been arrested so far, Musarrat Cheema, a spokesman for the government of Punjab province, said on Twitter. Prime Minister Imran Khan said in a statement on Twitter he was following the case closely and had asked investigators for the "arrest and sentencing of those involved in the incident as soon as possible," adding that his government would look into how to strengthen laws to deal with an apparent increase in cases involving the rape of women and children.
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BBC NEWS - Moria migrants: Greece calls for European action after fire on Lesbos
Greece is struggling to find shelter to thousands of migrants left homeless after a fire at a camp.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54112791
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BBC NEWS - Rio Tinto chief Jean-Sebastien Jacques to quit over Aboriginal cave destruction
Jean-Sebastien Jacques and other senior executives will step down after the miner blew up sacred sites.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-54112991
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BBC NEWS - Breonna Taylor family: 'Hold every officer accountable'
The 26-year-old's aunt says she is worried about a "cover-up" in the case of her killing by police.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54112921
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BBC NEWS - Former prisoner fighting for US criminal justice reform
Harvey Murphy's life changed when he was wrongly accused of stealing and later served time in jail for drug offences.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-54105476
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BBC NEWS : Selling Sunset: Is that really how homes are sold in LA?
UK viewers are lapping up the glamour, drama and multi-million dollar homes in a hit TV show.
September 11, 2020 at 05:12AM
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September 11, 2020 at 05:12AM
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Tesla investors strap in for a bumpy ride as volatility returns
As the company that has had the most to gain from the tech boom, Tesla also has the most to lose.
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Europe's central bank has its hands tied as the euro soars ever higher
The relentless rise of the euro is pushing large parts of the eurozone into a deflation trap, threatening a fresh banking crisis and playing havoc with a string of vulnerable countries.
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Rio Tinto CEO, top executives resign amid cave blast crisis
Rio Tinto's CEO and two senior executives will be replaced after an investor revolt forced the board to escalate its response to the Aboriginal cave blast crisis.
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak
Victoria announced 43 new cases overnight as the state tries to meet the reopening thresholds set out on Sunday. Follow our live coverage.
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Ronald Harwood, Oscar-Winning Screenwriter, Is Dead at 85
By BY STEVEN KURUTZ from NYT Movies https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/10/movies/ronald-harwood-dead.html?partner=IFTTT
A prolific writer of books and plays as well as screenplays, he won an Academy Award in 2003 for “The Pianist.”
Rio Tinto CEO, top executives resign amid cave blast crisis
Rio Tinto's CEO and two senior executives will be replaced after an investor revolt forced the board to escalate its response to the Aboriginal cave blast crisis.
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Tablet interactive: Coronavirus outbreak
Victoria announced 43 new cases overnight as the state tries to meet the reopening thresholds set out on Sunday. Follow our live coverage.
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Selection bombshell: Giants dump skipper Coniglio
With their season on the line, the Giants have made a major statement at the selection table after months of ordinary performances.
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NSW Nationals back down after Berejiklian's ultimatum
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has withdrawn his threat to lead his Nationals MPs to the crossbench, in a move that will keep the Coalition intact but may leave his leadership untenable.
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Thanks to pandemic, chess is now a streaming obsession
From March through August, people watched 41.2 million hours of chess on Twitch. four times as many hours as in the previous six months, industry analysts said.
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Two men charged over 'sophisticated' drug lab
Police have seized more than 200 items from an industrial property in Sydney's south-west, including a significant quantity of chemicals and equipment used to manufacture prohibited drugs.
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'Narrow focus': Worsfold fires back at Lloyd, Bombers' critics
Essendon coach John Worsfold has defended a half-time joke the players told last week and opens up on club great Matthew Lloyd.
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Xbox announces next-gen details, including $500 all-digital console
The Xbox Series S and Series X will also be available on monthly payment plans through Telstra.
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Billionaire investor says market in 'raging mania,' inflation a threat
The Federal Reserve has created conditions that have sent valuations soaring, star investor Stan Druckenmiller warns.
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'I was never consulted': Police did not request Victorian curfew
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said police had no input into Melbourne's 8pm curfew, contradicting Premier Daniel Andrews' statement on Wednesday.
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Avengers epic a marvellous mixed bag
An ambitious game backed by an excellent original story, Avengers' long-term appeal is hurt by its uninteresting and repetitive multiplayer trappings.
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Mines Minister Anthony Lynham will not contest his seat at election
Annastacia Palaszczuk has lost two members of her front bench weeks out from the state election.
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Indonesia's capital to reimpose restrictions over coronavirus
JAKARTA - Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, will reinstate wide-scale social restrictions “as soon as possible” because a rise in coronavirus infections threatens to strain its health system, its governor said on Wednesday. Jakarta has recorded a daily average of over 1,000 new cases this month, and has now registered almost 43,400 infections and 1,330 deaths from Covid-19 since the pandemic began, according to central government data. The capital will reinstate restrictions similar to those imposed from April until June, when public transport was limited and dining in restaurants was forbidden, and working from offices will be prohibited from Monday, Governor Anies Baswedan said. “Right now, this is an emergency — more pressing than the start of the pandemic,” he said, adding that food assistance will be delivered to the most vulnerable while tighter restrictions are in place. Baswedan said that without stricter measures, beds in intensive care units and isolation could be full within two months.
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Thai protesters plan big march to PM's office next week
BANGKOK - Thai anti-government activists on Wednesday (Sept 9) announced plans to hold an overnight protest and to rally up to 100,000 people to march on Government House next week, piling more pressure on the military-backed administration to step down. A march on the seat of government would mark the first time the pro-democracy movement, which started rallies in July, moved beyond speeches on stages. "We will stay overnight on university campus on Sept 19 and march the next day," said Ms Panusaya Sithijirawattankul a leader of the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration. If more people join, the rally would move to a public square beside the city's historic Grand Palace, she said. After a long absence, demonstrations have returned to Thailand streets to demand the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha, reviving memories of over a decade of intermittent unrest that culminated in a 2014 coup. Mr Prayuth led that putsch and remained in power after a disputed election last year that he insists was conducted fairly. He has warned Thailand could be "engulfed in flames" if protests persist.
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Myer swings to $172m loss as it takes huge pandemic hit
Struggling department store Myer has swung to a heavy loss after the retailer was forced to write down the value of its brand names after being battered by the COVID-19 crisis.
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Good Samaritans stabbed with scissors, punched in the face in brutal Perth attack
When a man and a woman went to check on a man who was lying in their front yard in inner-city Perth a brutal attack on the pair ensued, police claim.
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Dinghy skipper dies after falling overboard near South Stradbroke Island
The 51-year-old man was pulled from the water by witnesses, who tried to revive him on their way back to land.
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Victoria records 51 new cases of coronavirus, seven more deaths
The total number of deaths in Victoria since the start of the pandemic has grown to 701.
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Health authorities turned historians to solve WA's coronavirus transmission puzzle
To date, around 30 of WA's 658 COVID-19 cases have been uncovered through serology testing, which can pick up a historical case through a blood test.
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Perth family, including infant, 'stranded at London airport for days'
Heartbreaking images of children sleeping on the floor of Heathrow Airport have sparked outrage on social media, after a Perth mother-of-three claimed her family had been stranded for three days, unable to board any flights home.
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Great migration west as resource giants follow BHP's WA-centric hiring policy
Growing pressure from the state government to hire locally and hard border policies making interstate FIFO more difficult has forced resources companies to rethink their human resources policies.
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Dying Queensland man's family unable to say goodbye due to border lockdown
Mark Keans, 39, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, but his family - including his four children - are stuck in NSW.
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US Open 2020 LIVE updates: Alex de Minaur vs Dominic Thiem
From the courts of southern Sydney to Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alex de Minaur takes on world no.3 Dominic Thiem in the US Open quarter-finals.
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Myer swings to $172m loss as it takes huge pandemic hit
Struggling department store Myer has swung to a heavy loss after the retailer was forced to write down the value of its brand names after being battered by the COVID-19 crisis.
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Good Samaritans stabbed with scissors, punched in the face in brutal Perth attack
When a man and a woman went to check on a man who was lying in their front yard in inner-city Perth a brutal attack on the pair ensued, police claim.
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Dinghy skipper dies after falling overboard near South Stradbroke Island
The 51-year-old man was pulled from the water by witnesses, who tried to revive him on their way back to land.
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Indonesia to US and China: Don't trap us in your rivalry
JAKARTA - Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi cautioned the United States and China on Tuesday (Sept 8) not to entangle her country in their regional struggle for influence, telling the two superpowers: "We don't want to get trapped by this rivalry." Ms Retno, the chief diplomatic envoy for South-east Asia's largest country, made the comment in an interview with Reuters ahead of a series of key meetings of regional foreign ministers this week, some of which will include their US and China counterparts. Military activity in the South China Sea has increased this year alongside hostile rhetoric and antagonistic policy moves from China and the United States, raising concerns among some South-east Asian states that the risk of armed conflict is rising. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have ratcheted up their diplomacy in the region in an effort to persuade members of Asean to be more sympathetic to their positions. As well as Indonesia, Asean comprises nine other states: Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Brunei.
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BBC NEWS - Coronavirus: Oxford University vaccine trial paused after participant falls ill
AstraZeneca describes the pause in its keenly-awaited final clinical trials as routine.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-54082192
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BBC NEWS - Amazon: In the cross-hairs of coronavirus and forest fires
People living in the Brazilian Amazon are facing the twin dangers of the coronavirus and forest fires.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-54071411
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-54071411
BBC NEWS - How Sudan's rebel deal offers lifeline for peace
Promises to end the devastating wars in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile come with a price tag.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54071959
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54071959
BBC NEWS - US election 2020: Has Trump kept his promises on the military?
The president pledged to increase military funding and bring US troops home. What has he achieved?
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2020-54060026
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2020-54060026
BBC NEWS - Nord Stream 2: Why Germany may pull plug on Russian pipeline
The controversial pipeline could be at risk after Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was poisoned.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54070046
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54070046
BBC NEWS - India coronavirus: Rumours stall testing in Punjab
People are refusing to get tested in India's Punjab state as rumours fly about the coronavirus.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-54068007
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Trump is taking credit for the Fed's work on the economy
President Donald Trump is using the pre-pandemic economy to make a case for his reelection, but his story is leaving out a crucial detail.
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New on Sports Illustrated: Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lakers' Anthony Davis Highlight All-Defensive Teams
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lakers big man Anthony Davis highlight the league's All-Defensive teams, which were released Tuesday.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lakers big man Anthony Davis highlight the league's All-Defensive teams, which were released Tuesday.
76ers guard Ben Simmons, Jazz center Rudy Gobert and Marcus Smart round out the league's All-Defensive First Team.
Clippers forward, Kawhi Leonard, Bucks center Brook Lopez, Heat forward Bam Adebayo, Clippers guard Patrick Beverley and Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe highlight the league's Second Team.
In late August, the league announced that Antetokounmpo had won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year award.
The anchor of Milwaukee's stellar unit had 75 first-place votes, 18 second-place votes and three third-place votes. Lakers big Anthony Davis finished second in the voting while Jazz center Rudy Gobert, 76ers guard Ben Simmons and Heat forward Bam Adebayo finished third, fourth and fifth, respectively.
Only Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon won both the MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in the same season. Just five players in league history have won both awards in the same career.
Davis has now made the league's All-Defensive First Team for the second time in his career. He also has made two Second Team appearances. Gobert has made four straight All-Defensive First Team appearances, and has won two Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Smart has made First Team for the second straight season while Simmons is a First Team All-Defensive player for the first time in his career.
September 09, 2020 at 05:03AM
Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lakers' Anthony Davis Highlight All-Defensive Teams
New on Sports Illustrated: Atlanta United-Inter Miami Preview
It is amazing what a little maturity in the midfield can provide.
After an impressive debut by World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi, expansion side Inter Miami attempt to secure their first three-match unbeaten streak in club history Wednesday night when they host Atlanta United.
Inter (1-6-2) clearly have made the most of their time following a three-and-out performance at MLS Is Back in July. They gave claimed five points from their four matches and played out back-to-back scoreless draws in the last two, first against Atlanta United on Sept. 1 and then versus fellow expansion side Nashville SC on Sunday.
The latter was Matuidi's first time wearing Inter Miami colors, with the France international finally cleared to play following completion of self-quarantine regulations following his arrival from Juventus. Matuidi played 79 minutes, completing 90 percent of his 52 passes that included 31 in the opposing half, and he also registered two key passes and six possession wins.
"I was expecting probably closer to 60 minutes, but with coach we decided to keep pushing a bit further. I have a very good first impression of the league, this is definitely a league that requires a lot from us," Matuidi told the team's official website. "The players show a lot of effort and a lot of intensity. I will myself have to continue giving my 100% to help the team win, because that is ultimately the goal for any team.
"My role is very much like what I have been used to in my career, it is to help organize the team, push us forward, find the way to move us forward and set up players in attack, and help out pressing. Nothing has really changed from what I've been used to in my career which makes me really happy."
The one thing that will change, though not as much in the short-term with Phase One of the MLS schedule is the grind of travel in the United States, though Juventus offered some of those similarities with its Champions League schedule. Still, the early positive returns from the 33-year-old Matuidi were readily apparent.
Inter's biggest challenge is similar for most expansion sides - scoring goals. They have gone 311 minutes without scoring since Rodolfo Pizzaro bagged the eventual match-winner in a 3-2 victory over Orlando City SC on Aug. 22. Inter, though, has also not conceded 217 minutes since Anibal Godoy's strike consigned them to a 1-0 defeat to Nashville SC on Aug. 30.
Atlanta United did not have those offensive issues in large part due to striker Josef Martinez, who had 88 goals across the team's first three seasons in the MLS. But the Venezuela international is sidelined for the season through injury, and the Black Stripes (3-4-2) are in the midst of a rework under interim manager Stephen Glass.
Atlanta United has also recorded consecutive draws and coming off a 1-1 stalemate versus Orlando City on Saturday. Adam Jahn's stoppage-time header nicked a point for Atlanta as Glass' substitutions made a difference late. Jahn entered the contest in the 71st minute while Jake Mulraney, who provided the cross for Jahn's header, was inserted in the 84th minute.
"You saw a real resolve in there and a determination not to get beat," Glass said. "The group of players that were on the pitch at the end, they injected some energy and pace and in general in the second half, I think we deserved what we got."
Glass has been trying to get his team to start better, which has been a season-long problem as Atlanta United have bagged only one first-half goal. That may be a challenge following the departure of Pity Martinez, but the second half of Saturday's draw was one of the best 45-minute stretches the Five Stripes have played all season.
September 09, 2020 at 04:35AM
Atlanta United-Inter Miami Preview
New on Sports Illustrated: Clippers look to put Nuggets on brink in West semis
The Los Angeles Clippers look to seize control of their Western Conference semifinal series against Denver when they oppose the Nuggets in Game 4 on Wednesday night near Orlando.
The Clippers are in position to take a 3-1 series lead after outplaying the Nuggets down the stretch in Monday's Game 3. Los Angeles turned a seven-point, fourth-quarter deficit into a 113-107 victory to avoid falling behind in the series.
Denver coach Michael Malone knows the importance of Wednesday's game, and he also recalls that his club overcame a 3-1 deficit in the first round to slay the Utah Jazz.
Being written off in the opening round was annoying to Malone and he is tired of hearing people denigrate his team again.
"No one gives this team a chance to do a lot of things," Malone told reporters. "We don't really care what anybody thinks about us, especially outside of Colorado. It's the belief that we have in the locker room. It's been there since day one."
The Clippers had the stronger will in Game 3 behind the duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard.
George was just 13 of 32 from the floor in the first two games in the series before breaking out with 32 points on Monday. He was a stellar 12-for-18 shooting and knocked down 5 of 7 3-point attempts.
Leonard recorded 23 points, 14 rebounds and six assists on a night in which he was just the club's second-best offensive player.
"I've got to help him," George said of taking more of the scoring load to take pressure off Leonard. "Kawhi's done more than enough down this stretch. Some nights it's not going to be his night and I have to be myself. I have to help him, pull the weight, make plays, make shots.
"Give him credit, getting us this far, but he can't go into every game with that pressure that he's got to be great on both ends."
Leonard made the defensive play of the contest when he rejected a dunk attempt by Denver guard Jamal Murray with just 1:47 remaining. Replays displayed that the bulk of the block was done by Leonard's outstretched left middle finger.
"I didn't know it was one finger. It was a heck of a play," Clippers coach Doc Rivers told reporters. "It was impressive. I didn't even know where he came from. It was a heck of a play."
That play summed up a tough night for Murray, who had just 14 points on 5-of-17 shooting.
Since scoring 50, 42 and 50 in three straight games in the Utah series, Murray has scored 17 or fewer in three of Denver's last four games. That includes a 12-point showing in Game 1 of this series.
"Jamal had some wide-open looks, and I could tell he was starting to get down on himself," Malone said after Game 3. "I'm just trying to uplift him. We're going nowhere without Jamal Murray and his offense, and I know he'll be better come Game 4."
So far, Murray has connected on 20 of 53 shots (37.7 percent) in this series, including 7 of 23 from 3-point range.
"It wasn't really anything that they did -- not at all," Murray said. "I just missed so many shots," Murray said. "I just got to be better. I feel like if I just make a couple of those or get my percentages up a little bit, it can change the game, so I put that game on me. I got to give my team a little more help than that."
Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic was superb in Game 3 with 32 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists despite playing with a sore right wrist.
The Clippers will try to slow Denver's big man on Wednesday while also vowing to step up their defensive intensity.
And Leonard said that means everyone stepping it up.
"It's a team effort," Leonard said. "You can't win a basketball game with just one player."
--Field Level Media
September 09, 2020 at 04:23AM
Clippers look to put Nuggets on brink in West semis
Queensland detects eight new COVID-19 cases
Queensland has recorded 8 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, including two more health workers.
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'Hundreds could have been infected': Sydney pub the first to be shut after repeated breaches
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has condemned the Unity Hotel in Balmain for repeatedly ignoring COVID-19 rules.
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Electrical shark repellent devices considered after fatal Gold Coast shark attack
Nick Slater, 46, was fatally mauled on the leg off Greenmount Beach in Coolangatta just after 5pm on Tuesday.
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Queensland detects eight new COVID-19 cases
Queensland has recorded 8 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, including two more health workers.
from Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News
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'Hundreds could have been infected': Sydney pub the first to be shut after repeated breaches
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has condemned the Unity Hotel in Balmain for repeatedly ignoring COVID-19 rules.
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What to expect from Apple's September 15 event
The 5G iPhone 12 is unlikely to make an appearance, but expect to see new watches and potentially new iPads.
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AstraZeneca puts COVID-19 vaccine trial on hold over safety concern
AstraZeneca has put a hold on the trial of the COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed with Oxford University after a suspected serious adverse reaction in a study participant
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ABC's presidential podcast moves past Russia in new season
America, If You're Listening dives deep on the last four years of Donald Trump.
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AFL club membership tally falls for first time in 20 years
AFL club membership has fallen for just the second time in 30 years but five clubs have still managed to break their all-time records despite the hit of COVID-19.
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Electrical shark repellent devices considered after fatal Gold Coast shark attack
Nick Slater, 46, was fatally mauled on the leg off Greenmount Beach in Coolangatta just after 5pm on Tuesday.
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Race-by-race preview and tips for Canterbury on Wednesday
Everything you need to know to find a winner at the mid-week city meeting.
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New on Sports Illustrated: Offense the focus for Golden Knights in Game 2 vs. Stars
The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to find their offense as they head into Game 2 of the Western Conference finals with the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night in Edmonton.
The top-seeded Golden Knights were shut out for the second time in three games in Sunday night's Game 1 as Dallas goaltender Anton Khudobin stopped 25 shots while picking up his first career playoff shutout in a 1-0 victory.
Vegas, which managed just one shot on goal during one 15 1/2-minute stretch in the second period, has prided itself on rolling out four productive lines and got off to high-scoring start to the postseason, scoring 15 goals in three round-robin wins and 15 more in its five-game first round series victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The Golden Knights then followed that up with another 15 goals while taking a 3-1 series lead in their second round matchup with Vancouver.
But dating back to William Karlsson's goal at the 8:29 mark in the third period of a 5-3 win over the Canucks in Game 4, Vegas forwards have only managed two empty-net goals -- both at the end of Friday's Game 7 against Vancouver -- over a span of 251 minutes and 31 seconds. Meanwhile, defenseman Shea Theodore scored twice during that span.
Golden Knights coach Peter DeBoer believes goals will continue to be at a premium in what figures to be a physical and tight-checking series with the Stars.
"They were exactly what we expected them to be," DeBoer said. "They were one or two in the league in all the defensive analytics all year. They play a hard, heavy game. They make you work for your offense.
"This is going to be a different series, and we're going to have to get our head around that and find a way to create offense. It's not going to look or feel like the Chicago series or the Vancouver series."
Although both teams were coming off emotional Game 7 second round victories on Friday -- Dallas defeated Colorado, 5-4, in overtime while Vegas blanked Vancouver 3-0 -- the Stars looked like the fresher team in Game 1. Dallas held Vegas to just 12 shots on goal and 20 shot attempts over the first two periods.
"It just took us too long to get into the game, took us too long to get that energy, that fire, that bravado that you need to play in these types of games," Vegas defenseman Nate Schmidt said. "You're in the final four. Every team is good."
The Golden Knights could get a lift with the return of Ryan Reaves. The fourth-line forward served a one-game suspension in Game 1 for his illegal check to the head of Canucks forward Tyler Motte in the Game 7 win on Friday.
"He brings physicality, but he brings energy to our group too," DeBoer said.
Dallas scored on its first shot on goal when defenseman John Klingberg scooped up a loose puck in the slot and fired a wrist shot past Marc-Andre Fleury for his third goal of the playoffs. That was all Khudobin, who turned aside 13 shots in the third period, and the Stars needed.
"(Khudobin) stepped up today and played a great game for us," Klingberg said. "He won the game for us. I think we gave them a little too much life in the third period, but we'll take it. We'll move on and we're up 1-0."
"I know we only scored one goal, (but) we had lots of opportunities tonight and Fleury was outstanding for them as Khudobin was for us," said coach Rick Bowness. "But that's Dallas Stars hockey."
--Field Level Media
September 08, 2020 at 04:13AM
Offense the focus for Golden Knights in Game 2 vs. Stars
New on Sports Illustrated: FC Dallas-Minnesota United Preview
Following a much-needed victory, Minnesota United FC finally has something positive to build on.
United (4-3-2) aims to win consecutive matches for the first time upon the resumption of the regular season on Wednesday night when they look to avenge an earlier loss to banged-up FC Dallas.
Mired in an 0-3-0 rot since the league returned from the MLS is Back Tournament, Minnesota broke out for a 4-0 rout of Real Salt Lake on Sunday. Robin Lod recorded a brace while Chase Gasper and Jacori Hayes each posted a goal as United did all of its scoring in the second half.
"It was a huge game for us," coach Adrian Heath told Minnesota's official website. "We're a little bit fragile at this moment in time, so (the victory) might have been a game changer. If ever a team needs some luck here, we deserve some."
While the offensive burst was welcomed after totaling two goals in the previous three contests, earning a clean sheet might have been the most important aspect of Minnesota's recent triumph. United had conceded three goals in each of its previous two contests and eight total during the three-game slide.
Minnesota now hopes for a better overall effort against Dallas after it fell 3-1 away from home on Aug. 29. Hassani Dotson tallied United's lone goal in that match, while Fafa Picault, Jesus Ferreira and Reto Ziegler each scored for FCD (2-1-4).
Dallas finds itself amid a 1-0-3 stretch following a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City last Tuesday. Franco Jara put FCD up 1-0 on nine minutes, but host SKC leveled the match just before halftime.
While Dallas has not tasted defeat of late, it's still below the playoff line in the Western Conference. More pressing, the club is dealing with a rash of injuries. Midfielder Bryan Acosta, defender Matt Hedges and keeper Jimmy Mauer each left the Kansas City contest, and their status for Wednesday is uncertain.
Picault's fitness level also remains an issue while budding star Paxton Pomykal is expected to miss the rest of the season following hip surgery.
"We have to just keep moving forward, and that's what having a full roster and team is all about," coach Luchi Gonzalez told FC Dallas' official website. "We've got a very competitive team. I'd say we have two to three players in every position. And that's what we're all about. We're planning on having guys step up now."
Dallas is 5-2-0 all-time against United, but only one of those victories have come in three trips to Minnesota.
September 07, 2020 at 09:23PM
FC Dallas-Minnesota United Preview
'One million per cent committed': Barrett won't back out of Bulldogs deal
Phil Gould has warned against it, but Trent Barrett remains committed to coaching the Bulldogs for the next three years.
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When money dies, it's gold's time to shine
In uncertain times, gold comes into its own as a means of defending wealth.
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Essendon's Conor McKenna retires
Essendon star Conor McKenna has retired effective immediately.
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The French Open will have crowds but it won't have Ashleigh Barty
Australian Ash Barty won't be defending her French Open title in Paris, the world No.1 has announced.
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The latest illustrations from artist Cathy Wilcox
The latest work by Sydney Morning Herald editorial cartoonist Cathy Wilcox.
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AFL boss reads the riot act to clubs over COVID breaches
It's not only the teams in club hubs that are on notice about restrictions. Four hundred people including AFL top brass, club executives, families of players and media representatives in the league's quarantine hub on the Gold Coast are subject to strict rules.
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Exhausted Indian doctors battle surging Covid-19 cases
NEW DELHI - Doctors at one of the largest private Covid-19 facilities in the Indian capital say they are exhausted and facing staff shortages after nearly six months of relentless work. India’s total cases of the novel coronavirus crossed 4.2 million on Monday, overtaking Brazil as the second worst-hit country after the United States. The federal government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given states more freedom to reopen their economies after a 3-month shutdown that saw unemployment surge and growth contract by a quarter. After dipping under 1,000 cases per day in the summer, New Delhi is now reporting more than 3,000 per day as the city opens up, including restarting its metro system on Monday for the first time since March. Hospitals in the capital are under additional pressure as patients from other states travel into the city to seek better healthcare.
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Thai court releases key anti-government activists
BANGKOK - Two prominent Thai activists arrested last month for their roles in anti-government rallies were released on Monday (Sept 7) after spending five days in prison for bail breaches, after police told a court there was no grounds to detain them. Human Rights lawyer Anon Nampa, 36, and student activist Panupong Jadnok, 24, were sent to a Bangkok remand prison last week when a court ruled their recent political activities were against their bail conditions, which the pair rejected. But police from the precinct that initially arrested the pair revoked the detention request, saying an investigation into their conduct while on bail showed there was no need to hold them, a Criminal Court statement said on Monday. "The court considered this and issued an order for their release," it said. Both have participated in near-daily protests in the past two months to demand the military steps back from politics and the removal of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who first came to power in a 2014 coup. Mr Prayut last month begged protesters "not to create chaos"and said problems can he solved together.
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BBC NEWS - Australian journalists flown out of China 'amid diplomatic standoff'
The two journalists from different organisations left due to diplomatic tensions, local media report.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-54066869
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-54066869
BBC NEWS - EU demands release of Belarus political prisoners and warns of sanctions
The strong statement comes after the disappearance of leading opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54066464
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BBC NEWS - World Trade Organization: How an African head could make a difference
An African has never been at the helm of the global trade body, but that could soon change.
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54058640
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from BBC News - World https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-54058640
BBC NEWS : Government pledges to increase number of affordable homes
A new shared ownership model has been launched to help more people onto the property ladder.
September 08, 2020 at 05:08AM
from BBC News - Business
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54062721
September 08, 2020 at 05:08AM
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New on Sports Illustrated: MAQB: Cam Newton Remains Misunderstood; Lions May Extend Adrian Peterson's Career; More
Cam Newton's coaches and teammates swear by him; at some point people should listen.
Three days left!
• It was interesting to see Cam Newton say what he said on Boston radio this morning, because it lines up with a belief I’ve had for a good five years now: that he’s among the most misunderstood athletes in American sports. His teammates swear by him, and you can ask first-class guys like Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly, Ryan Kalil and Greg Olsen. His coaches love him. And really, the problem has been that the narrative out there pre-draft continued post-draft, and Newton never cared to correct it. So it’s just sort of sat there forever, and it’s something that actually makes me really respect the 31-year-old quarterback. He’s so comfortable in his own skin, that what everyone else thinks doesn’t matter even a little to him. It’s something I brought up to Ron Rivera, when Rivera and I were talking about how his experience with Newton informs him on developing Dwayne Haskins, and Rivera was pretty quick to agree with the idea. “I used to tell the guys, ‘Hey, if you can live your life within certain parameters, a certain set of rules, then do so. But don’t lose your personality,’” said Rivera. “And that was one thing Cam took to heart, he never lost his personality. He was true to who he is, and because of it, he was truly misunderstood.” Hopefully, that changes over time. And if it doesn’t? It sure seems like Newton’s fine with that, too.
• Oregon LT Penei Sewell declaring should surprise no one—he may have been the first tackle taken in last year’s draft, had he been eligible to go pro. As it stands now, while I did get a little pushback on Monday in declaring him the next Anthony Munoz, the 6' 6", 331-pound monster is the leader in the clubhouse to be the first non-quarterback taken in April. Sewell won the Outland Trophy last year as college football’s top lineman and, get this, he doesn’t turn 20 for another month. Even at that size, one AFC executive referred to him, via text on Monday, as an “easy athlete.” Another scouting director said he, “really has everything you’re looking for. … Thick-bodied blocker that is consistent, good in both phases of the game, and has the physical traits of size and strength to go along with really good tape.” The delay in the Pac-12 season, no doubt, was a factor in Sewell’s decision to go pro. And he’s one of the few where there really shouldn’t be much argument over the decision he made.
• While we’re on college football, that season is underway. And with NFL kickoff coming in three days, I figured it made sense to check in with one of SI’s college football insiders. Ross Dellenger was at Southern Miss/South Alabama on Thursday, and he’s going to BYU/Navy tonight. So I asked him to explain what being at a COVID-era game was like, to give you an idea on what’s coming. Here’s what Ross sent me on the experience: The pageantry of college football is what makes it so special. The roar of tens of thousands of fans. A campus buzzing with life. Fight songs from the marching band. But the FBS kickoff last Thursday in Hattiesburg, Miss. had none of that. No band. An empty campus. Fewer than 10,000 fans. It was weird, but we'd all better get used to it, right? This is football in 2020: masked fans seated six feet apart watching what could be some very awful play in stadiums nearly empty. So what was it like? We sat down with the fans for a full quarter and that produced some interesting moments. Sideline noise was clearer than normal. Individual voices could be heard echoing across the stands. But, still, football fans did their thing. A 13-point favorite, Southern Miss found itself down 13-0 in the first 12 minutes of the game against South Alabama, triggering frustration from the stands. One USM fan, clutching a Michelob Ultra in each hand, proclaimed, “They’re whipping our ass!” Ah yes, college football is back!
• Would you believe me if I said the situation in Detroit gives Adrian Peterson a shot to really extend his career? Follow me here … Decisions by New Orleans and Washington to let him go were made, in part, because he would’ve been a role player—part of a rotation at the position—and there was some doubt over how he’d handle being in the kind of spot. Well in Detroit, early on at least, he’ll probably have a shot to be the guy. But the Lions have a couple of young guys they really like at the position, in Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift, and if those guys get healthy and get going, that would put Peterson in a platoon. And if Peterson shows he can produce in that sort of spot, and be good for the young guys around him, then I do think the league would start to look at him in a little different light—just look at how helping young guys along helped extend Josh McCown’s career.
• Shout out to my old colleague Ian Rapoport for his story on the discussed Saints/Browns swap. I love the idea of it, and if you follow the league closely you probably remember Cleveland doing something similar in 2017 with Brock Osweiler. The Browns got a 2018 second-rounder and 2017 sixth-rounder, and sent a 2017 fourth-rounder to Houston for taking on Osweiler’s outsized contract. That second-round pick wound up being Nick Chubb, who rushed for 1,464 yards last year while making less than $1 million. So I’d say that one worked out for Cleveland. And the team’s director of player personnel at the time was … Andrew Berry, who’s now the Browns’ GM. I applaud his effort on this one. He’s got a league-leading $34.74 million in cap space. Turning some of that into a second-round pick would’ve been a coup, and he deserves credit for trying.
• The Dolphins tabbed Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter, officially, on Monday. But the truth is, the writing had been on the wall for a while. As coach Brian Flores explained in his presser, the absence of spring and preseason games, and the truncating of training camp, really forced teams’ hands on these sorts of things. Really, for most in this sort of spot, it was only fair to have a starter at the position in mind, in order to use the time they did have to build toward the season. And really, the Dolphins handled this the same way the Chargers did in going with Tyrod Taylor and the Bengals did in going all-in with Joe Burrow from the start—giving one guy a great majority of the reps through camp. The Bears, this year, were the outlier in that they had a true competition at quarterback. So how Mitchell Trubisky plays will be interesting.
• The Texans’ spending over the last year is worth noting. They got a lot of attention for declining to acquiesce to the demands of Jadeveon Clowney and DeAndre Hopkins, but they’ve hardly shied away from paying their own. These six deals are on the team’s ledger, all done in the last 12 months.
• QB Deshaun Watson, $39.0 million APY
• LT Laremy Tunsil, $22.0 million APY
• ILB Zach Cunningham, $14.5 million APY
• OLB Whitney Mercilus $13.5 million APY
• C Nick Martin $11.0 million APY
• ILB Bernardrick McKinney $10.0 million APY
All but Tunsil are homegrown, and even Tunsil didn’t get paid until he got a year in the organization under his belt. In doing all this, the Texans, under their new structure (with coach Bill O’Brien as GM, and Jack Easterby as EVP of football ops), have defined what sort of players and people they reward, and also gave a pretty clear indication of how they believe a team should be built (all six of those guys play pretty close to where the ball is snapped).
• It took no time for NFL teams to take advantage of the new injured reserve rules. The Patriots (Damien Harris), Colts (Trey Burton) and Raiders (Marcus Mariota), among others, put significant players with relatively minor injuries on IR on Monday, saving roster spots for now with the knowledge they’ll be able to have those guys back, if they’re healed up, three weeks from now. Putting a guy on IR used to be a massive decision. This year, it won’t be. And while this is a COVID-19 measure, you have to wonder if the NFL will look at this as a dry run for greater reform to the IR rules. The league has loosened the rules progressively over the last few years, via the designated-for-returned tweaks (which allowed players to come back off IR). This is a much more drastic change, of course. But it’s not like these sorts of rules are foreign in other sports—baseball has different levels of its injured list—and you can bet teams are going to like having the flexibility to move guys on and off the list.
• Six of the top eight picks from 2016 are all on rich second contracts, and the two that aren’t certainly have a case to get paid. So it’ll be interesting to see how the Rams handle Jalen Ramsey and the Ravens handle Ronnie Stanley, as they enter the option years on their rookie deals. Also, that all eight stand to get top-of-the-market veteran contracts (eighth pick Jack Conklin is the only who’s had to go to free agency to get his) shows a pretty remarkable hit rate for that class.
• While we’re on the topic of second contracts—corner Tre’Davious White was the second player from the Bills’ 2017 draft class to score his, joining left tackle Dion Dawkins. Linebacker Matt Milano is in line for one too. And that the team got three foundational pieces in one draft cycle is absolutely noteworthy. As is the fact that coach Sean McDermott basically ran that draft, with outgoing GM Doug Whaley overseeing the scouting department at the time. The Bills have a bright future for a bunch of reasons. But there’s no question that it started with hitting big on three of the six picks they had that year. The downside? Well, the downside is that they traded out of 2017’s 10th pick as part of that maneuvering—which set them up to get both Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds in 2018, but also means they vacated a slot where some quarterback named Patrick Mahomes happened to get drafted.
September 08, 2020 at 05:18AM
MAQB: Cam Newton Remains Misunderstood; Lions May Extend Adrian Peterson's Career; More
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