Month: August 2020

Mayors from 12 councils in fire-stricken regions issued a statement urging the government to take climate change seriously and to increase funding to frontline services.

It comes one day after 23 former chiefs and deputy chiefs of fire services renewed their call for the Federal Government to take action to tackle climate change. 

The statement, issued Friday by mayors from regions including the fire-stricken Bellingen, Mid-Coast and Noosa regions, said “the catastrophic conditions” for recent devastating fires “were, at least in part, fuelled by climate change”.

The mayors noted that Queensland experienced “catastrophic” category fire conditions for the first time in 2018 and Sydney did so for the first time this week.

“It is time to honestly and bravely address one of the major causes of these fires, climate change… We need to place the welfare and safety of citizens ahead of profit,” the statement said.

A group of Torres Strait Islander people are taking a complaint against the government’s inaction on climate change to the United Nations. Earlier this week, Scott Morrison, the prime minister, declined an invitation to meet them.

Former long-serving New South Wales fire chief Greg Mullins told the ABC that Mr Morrison has also ignored requests for a meeting to discuss climate change issued by the 23 former fire services leaders in April.

A build-up of intense heat that is driving the temperature into the mid to high 40s in Western Australia over the next two to three days will sweep across the country and into areas of New South Wales and Queensland already devastated by bushfires this week.

The bushfires have burnt through more than one million hectares of land, killing four people and destroying over 300 homes.

In comments provided by the office of the prime minister, Mr Morrison said his government has “a clear commitment to reduce emissions, 26 per cent by 2030”.

Mr Morrison, who as treasurer brandished a lump of coal in parliament and taunted the Opposition by calling out “it won’t hurt you”, said he acknowledges that climate change was a factor in the increased fire risk, as do “the vast majority of Australians”.

“We believe you need sensible, achievable targets to address climate change and we have them and we’re achieving them,” he said, adding that the opposition Labor Party’s plan is to reduce carbon emissions by “roughly three times” what the government aims to achieve by 2030.

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Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales landed in Mexico yesterday (TUES) to claim asylum, having spent a night on the floor two days after resigning from office. 

Mr Morales , who was ousted amid massive protests against electoral fraud on Sunday, thanked Mexico for having “saved my life” but vowed to return to his homeland. 

"Let the whole world know that I won’t change ideology because of his coup," he said.

"It pains me to leave the country for political reasons, but I’ll always be concerned. l’ll return soon, with more strength and energy."

 

His journey was complicated by several Latin American nations closing their airspace to his jet.

Mr Ebrard said Bolivian authorities at first granted permission for Mr Morales to leave, and the plane set off from Peru to collect him on Monday. Then Bolivian officials revoked permission and the jet started back to Peru.

Finally Bolivia relented, and allowed the plane in. But by then Peru wouldn’t allow it to return, and so the plane was forced to go to Paraguay. It refuelled, and then set off for Mexico.

Mr Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia and the country’s longest-serving leader, stepped down on Sunday following weeks of widespread protests fed by allegations of electoral fraud in the October 20 presidential election, which he claimed to have won.

Prior to the election the 60-year-old former llama shepherd had changed the constitution to allow him to run for an unprecedented fourth term.

In 2016, voters rejected his proposal to let him seek another five-year term in the October election. He later won a court ruling, allowing him to run on the grounds that barring him would violate human rights.

The October 20 election was marred by allegations of fraud, and sparked weeks of protest. Eventually the military told Mr Morales that his presidency was no longer tenable.

The decision was welcomed by the US, with the White House issuing a statement saying that his resignation should serve as a prelude to ending the rule of fellow Leftist regimes in Nicaragua and Venezuela.

"After nearly 14 years and his recent attempt to override the Bolivian constitution and the will of the people, Morales’s departure preserves democracy and paves the way for the Bolivian people to have their voices heard," the White House said.

But Mr Morales’s resignation was described as a “coup” by the leaders of Venezuela and Nicaragua, with Jeremy Corbyn echoing their concerns.

“To see @evoespueblo who, along with a powerful movement, has brought so much social progress forced from office by the military is appalling,” the Labour leader tweeted.

“I condemn this coup against the Bolivian people and stand with them for democracy, social justice and independence.”

Argentina’s president-elect, Alberto Fernandez, said the US had “returned to the bad times of the 70s, guaranteeing military interventions against popular, democratically elected governments."

Bernie Sanders added: “I am very concerned about what appears to be a coup in Bolivia, where the military, after weeks of political unrest, intervened to remove President Evo Morales.”   

Protests by supporters and opponents of Mr Morales have paralysed the country, but on Tuesday shop owners were gingerly opening their shutters and trying to return to normality.

However, there was a void at the very top of the government – resignations by every other constitutionally designated successor to Mr Morales left it unclear who would take his place, and how.

The Senate’s second vice president, opposition politician Jeanine Anez, called a legislative session on Tuesday to formally accept Mr Morales’ resignation and choose an interim replacement.

Under the plan, she would take temporary control of the Senate, making her next in line for the presidency.

"The country is experiencing dramatic moments and all parliamentarians have the obligation to give certainty to the country," she said.

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US attorneys in Utah prosecuting a multimillion-dollar opioid drug-ring are moving quickly to sell seized bitcoin that’s exploded in value to about $8.5 million since the alleged ringleader’s arrest a year ago.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Utah cites the digital currency’s volatility in court documents pressing for the sale. The bitcoin cache was worth less than $500,000 when Aaron Shamo was arrested on drug charges, but the value of the digital currency has skyrocketed since then.

Bitcoin was created as a digital alternative to the traditional banking system, and is prone to swings in value based on what people believe its worth.

For federal prosecutors in Utah, sales of seized assets like cars are routine, but bitcoin is new territory, spokeswoman Melodie Rydalch said Thursday.

Shamo is accused of selling pills containing the powerful opioid fentanyl on the dark web – an area of the internet often used for illegal activity – to thousands of people all over the U.S., at one point raking in $2.8 million in less than a year.

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The 500,000-pill bust ranked among the largest of its kind in the country, and authorities also found $1 million of cash stuffed into trash bags.

Shamo has pleaded not guilty to a dozen charges.

The proceeds of the bitcoin sale will be held until the case is resolved, and then decisions will be made about where the money goes, Rydalch said. Seized asset sale proceeds usually goes to the agency that investigated, like the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Defense attorney Greg Skordas is not contesting the sale of his client’s bitcoins.

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Although there’s no global consensus over the status of bitcoin – debate rages whether the virtual money is an asset or a currency – that hasn’t stopped officials in the U.S. and elsewhere from cashing in on the digital hauls seized from cybercriminals.

In 2014 the U.S. Marshals Service announced the auction of nearly 30,000 bitcoins seized from notorious dark web drug marketplace Silk Road. Other seizures have since netted the American government millions of dollars in a series of sales.

Other governments – from Australia to South Korea – have set up similar auctions over the years.

 

Daniel Ricciardo was happy to deliver good points to Renault in Sunday’s British Grand Prix, with a P4 finish achieved in large part thanks to his R.S.20’s late stage pace on Pirelli’s hard tyre.

Ricciardo started his race on the soft compound but like the majority of the field, chose to change to the hard tyre during the second safety car period.

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The Aussie initially struggled on the white-rimmed rubber, but gradually increased his pace as the race unfolded to finish fourth and hot on the heels of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.

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Asked if his car’s pace on the hard tyre in the final part of the 52-lap race had surprised him, Ricciardo said: “Towards the end it did, because on the restart, with the hard I struggled a lot with the front left tyre.

“Then in traffic it was getting worse and worse, so I thought we weren’t going to be fast with the hard tyre for that last part of the race, or the middle to the end.

“But then once I got in clear air, I was just able to push on it and it held up. I could see I was closing in on the McLarens a bit and it looked like they were closing in on Charles.

“We had pace, it was good. I saw actually that Charles was like 1.1s at the finish line in front, so quite close to a podium.

“It was a good race for the team as well – 4th and 6th – nice to get some big points. I know they’re happy and relieved so just a good one.”

Despite being focused on the job at hand in the closing stages of the race, Ricciardo was well aware of the drama that took place around the track.

“It was crazy, a lot of incidents with punctures,” he said. “Next week will be interesting with softer compounds.

“But I think it just forces us to do a two-stop and, yeah, maybe make it more exciting again.”

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Mikel Arteta will be afforded the power to make sweeping changes to his Arsenal squad, with as many as six first-team stars set to depart, according to a report.

The Gunners had endured a difficult season this year, but rebounded well after the restart to finish with a flourish.

A league victory over Liverpool was compounded with FA Cup wins over Man City and Chelsea to ensure Arteta picked up his first major managerial trophy inside eight months.

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Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: The FA Cup final mailbox

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And it is that addition of silverware to The Emirates’ trophy cabinet that has strengthened the Spaniard’s position within the club.

To avoid a repeat of the struggles of much of the campaign, Arteta will need to invest in the transfer window.

But with a limited warchest available, a number of departures are likely to be required before new arrivals can be brought in.

Now, a report from the Daily Mirror speculates at which six stars could be set for the chop.

Holding midfielder Matteo Guendouzi is first on the list, with the Frenchman’s disciplinary problems at the club well publicised.

Arteta banished the youngster following issues in the match with Brighton last month, and an exit would appear to be in the best interests of both parties.

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Mesut Ozil is next in line, though with his reported £350,000 per week pay packet, potential suitors will be thin on the ground.

Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos has fallen down the pecking order in the defensive ranks, and with youngsters William Saliba and Pablo Mari on the books, doesn’t appear to be set for a reprieve.

On-loan playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan has impressed by all accounts with Roma, and his temporary stay could become permanent if the two clubs are able to agree on a fee.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has failed to make the impact of fellow academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Eddie Nketiah.

And while his versatility could be key with a campaign in the Europa League on the horizon next year, a departure in the search of regular first-team football could arise.

Finally, and perhaps the most damaging of all, the exit of Gunners talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is suggested.

The Gabon superstar once again showed his quality on Saturday with a two-goal performance spearheading Arsenal to FA Cup glory.

But despite Arteta’s latest claim, Aubameyang’s future in North London remains uncertain with just 12 months remaining on his current contract.

At the age of 31 and the rebuild at Arsenal in its infancy, Aubameyang may seek to play out the remainder of his career for a club better placed to challenge for the game’s top honours.

 

Tottenham have reportedly ‘been offered the chance’ to sign Watford striker Troy Deeney, and have ‘held talks’ over a potential deal.

Spurs allowed Troy Parrott to join Millwall on loan on Saturday, and Jose Mourinho will be keen to sign a replacement as cover for Harry Kane.

And Watford are ready to offload Deeney as one of many big earners as they prepare for life in the Championship.

The Daily Mail claim Tottenham have held talks over an initial loan deal for Deeney, who admitted he may have played his last game for the Hornets in an emotional interview following their relegation.

Deeney told Sky Sports: “We haven’t quite been good enough at both ends of the pitch and it showed again today. It’s frustrating, it’s disappointing, it’s is heart breaking for the people who work behind the scenes.

 

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“There are a lot of people at clubs who normally get affected by relegation so we feel sorry for them. I’ll take the stick with regards what comes social media wise.

“The harsh reality of it is that some people will lose their jobs because we haven’t been good enough. As players we have to stand forward, take that and as a club and a community we go again.”

Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson has also been discussed but he would command a greater transfer fee.

 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp may be denied the opportunity to sign a proven Premier League striker due to a lack of backing from owners Fenway Sports Group.

That is according to transfer guru Duncan Castles, who believes the price of providing stiff competition for Roberto Firmino may cause FSG to baulk.

The Reds secured their maiden Premier League title at a canter, but genuine squad depth remains an issue in certain key areas.

Centre-forward is one such position, with the lack of a top class back-up compounded by the fact Firmino endured his worst season in front of goal in the league since moving to Anfield five years ago.

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One potential solution could be Wolves hitman Raul Jimenez. The Mexican is a proven top flight performer and according to Castles, Liverpool maintain an ‘interest’ in the striker.

Whether FSG will sanction a deal after previously shying away from Timo Werner remains unclear, and Castles remains unsure as to whether Klopp will be given the backing he desires.

Speaking on the Transfer Window podcast (via the Daily Express), Castles said: “I can see why there would be interest from Liverpool and the player because of the way he has performed for Wolves.

“There is a lot of competition there, he is first-choice for Juventus if they manage to dump Gonzalo Higuain in the current market place and raise sufficient revenue from transfers.

“One of the players they are trying to sell and sell to England is Douglas Costa.

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“To be able to get Jimenez from Wolves, and they want to put him in an attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala which would be entertaining to watch for sure, and frightening to defend against.

“This will not be a cheap deal, Wolves paid a lot of money for Raul Jimenez to get him from Benfica. He is paid a very good salary there.

“They know his value, they’re a tough club to buy players from and I’m not sure whether Fenway Sports Group are prepared to back Klopp in the manner which would be required financially to get Jimenez from Wolves.

“While there is an interest, an understandable interest, it will be an interesting test of how much support FSG are prepared to give Klopp going into this next season to defend that Premier League title.”

 

Glenn Hoddle has criticised referee Anthony Taylor after his “ridiculous” decision to send Mateo Kovacic off in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the FA Cup final.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s brace turned the game around for Arsenal after Christian Pulisic’s early opener for the Blues.

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16 Conclusions on the FA Cup final

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Mateo Kovacic was shown a second yellow card midway through the second half for a tackle on Granit Xhaka, deemed to be a very harsh decision by Taylor.

And Hoddle claims “every ex professional footballer” would see that as a mistake by the referee, as Kovacic made very little – if any – contact with Xhaka.

Hoddle said: “To get sent off for that is ridiculous, it really is.

“To be sent off for that as a second offensive, the first one yes of course, but take a second to look at it.

“That is where every ex professional footballer knows it is not a second offensive to be sent off. “

 

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Adam Cole has been making a lot of news recently after becoming a free agent on the indy scene. It seems that every promotion out there wants to have Cole appear for them. However, it seems likely that his future lies in WWE’s developmental branch NXT. His contract was expiring in Ring of Honor and he finished his commitments with New Japan Pro Wrestling earlier this year. Despite being a much sought-after star on the indys, Cole is now a completely free agent and could appear for NXT at any time now. Cole’s ROH contract reportedly expired a while ago, but he was making per-apperance agreements in order to wrap up his storyline with the Bullet Club.
If you don’t know, Adam Cole joined the popular faction the Bullet Club back in May last year. In recent weeks, there had been dissension between fellow stablemates Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks. Last night at ROH’s War of the Worlds pay-per-view, everything finally came to a head as Marty Scurll revealed himself as the newest member of the group, then the Bucks both superkicked Adam Cole out of the Bullet Club. Cole is now out of the company and out of the team, this could be a very clear indication that Cole is WWE-bound in the next few weeks.
Though some would argue that Cole could already pass for a main eventer on WWE television, it’s being said that he would likely head down to Full Sail first. Keep in mind that in the past NXT has shown the likes of Bobby Roode and Drew McIntyre sitting in the crowd as a way to introduce them to the NXT audience. With NXT Takeover: Chicago coming up next week, it will be very interesting to see if Cole arrives then. Whether it’s there or Full Sail, be on the lookout for Adam Cole as he may be getting ready to step into a WWE ring for the first time ever BAY BAY.