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"Ice in his veins": Stunning result in First Ashes Test

<p>Australia has emerged victorious in the first Ashes Test, with captain Pat Cummins chasing down 281 with just two wickets left inside the final five overs on the last day at Edgbaston.</p> <p>Cummins scored an unbeaten 44 as he and Nathan Lyon (16) put on 55 for the ninth wicket to bag the win — a thrilling reversal of Australia’s famous two-run loss at the same ground in 2005.</p> <p>The captain and Lyon hit occasional boundaries, wearing several short balls on the body before Cummins got a thick edge to third man off Robinson and Harry Brook’s fumble on the boundary saw Aussie fans and players erupt in raptures — reigning in a 1-0 lead in the series.</p> <p>"Ice in his veins," England great Michael Atherton said in commentary when Cummins' boundary sealed the result.</p> <p>"Pat Cummins has led his side to a famous victory here at Edgbaston.</p> <p>"Seventy-two they needed when he came to the crease and he has got his team over the line.”</p> <p>Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting was astounded.</p> <p>"What an end to a Test match, what a game of cricket," the former captain said.</p> <p>Needing 174 runs to win at the start of the day, in-form opener Usman Khawaja laid a platform for the late charge with 65 off 197 balls, before being bowled late in the day.</p> <p>He admitted he was “Sh****ng [himself]” as he watched the rest of the brutal run chase from the sheds.</p> <p>Despite being confined to a knee brace, Ben Strokes brought himself on to bowl and claimed the wicket of the eventual man of the match, Usman Khawaja.</p> <p>As the Aussie dressing room spiralled into a frenzy, an elated Cummins raced over to Lyon at the opposite end of the wicket and lifted his batting partner off the ground.</p> <p>The pair were then seen in a triumphant embrace as ecstatic Aussies in the Birmingham crowd celebrated the incredible result.</p> <p>The victory — initially appearing highly unlikely when Lyon joined Cummins with the visitors needing 54 runs to win — made for Australia’s highest successful run chase against England since 1948.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

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Seinfeld and Analyze This star dies at age 93

<p>Comedian and actor Pat Cooper has passed away peacefully in his Las Vegas home at 93 years of age.</p> <p>Cooper was known for his regular appearances on <em>The Howard Stern Show</em>, and his role in the film <em>Analyze This </em>alongside Robert De Niro, as well as its sequel <em>Analyze That</em>.</p> <p>His producer, Steve Garrin confirmed the news of the star’s death to <em>Fox News Digita</em>l.</p> <p>"There was nobody like Pat Cooper, who burned every bridge that he went over. I put out a lot of the fires!" he joked.</p> <p>“He was one man who was honest. You could depend on him. You could trust him. If he gave you his word and said he was going to do something, he did it. And he helped so many people,” Garrin added.</p> <p>The Brooklyn-born comic also made a brief appearance in a <em>Seinfeld </em>episode titled <em>The Friar's Club</em>, where he played himself, after his reputation as the roast-master at the Friar's Club - where comedians throw their best jokes at each other - garnered the attention of Larry David.</p> <p>“I was sitting at his table in his kitchen and the phone rings, and it’s Larry David,” Garrin recalled the moment Cooper was asked to appear on the show.</p> <p>"He picks up the phone, and he hangs it up. I go, ‘What was that?’ He says, ‘Some nut.’ The phone rings again, and he picks it up, and he hangs it up.</p> <p>“I said, ‘What’s going on with you?’ and he goes, ‘Some guy says he’s Larry David,’ and I said, ‘Well, maybe if he calls again, see if it is,’” Garrin added.</p> <p>A few comedians have paid tribute to the star.</p> <p>“Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen,” wrote American comedian, Bill Burr, on Twitter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen.</p> <p>— Bill Burr (@billburr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billburr/status/1666843262714535937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighbourhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt,” tweeted American comedian Jim Norton.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighborhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt. His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force.</p> <p>— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimNorton/status/1666619128273068032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force,” he added.</p> <p>Cooper is survived by his wife, Emily Conner, two daughters and a son.</p> <p><em>Image: Grant Lamos IV/ FilmMagic/ Getty Images</em></p>

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KISS concert halted as Gene Simmons falls ill on stage

<p>KISS singer Gene Simmons gave fans - and bandmates - a fright when dehydration got the better of him live on stage, and the group were forced to bring their entire concert to a halt. </p> <p>In a video from the event, KISS’ Paul Stanley can be seen addressing the crowd, telling them that “we’re gonna have to stop to take care of him. Because we love him, right?”</p> <p>He goes on to call for a cheer for Simmons, with the 73-year-old catching his breath on a chair on stage - the same chair that he remained in for the rest of the show, after a five minute break to assure he was well enough to continue.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="pt">Gene Simmons, baixista e vocalista do Kiss, passa mal e show é brevemente interrompido na Arena da Amazônia. <a href="https://t.co/nphJEj1PQo">pic.twitter.com/nphJEj1PQo</a></p> <p>— A Crítica (@ACritica) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACritica/status/1646372105523478529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>And while fans were concerned for the singer, he later took to social media to assure them that he was “fine” and looking forward to the band’s next stadium performance. </p> <p>“I’m fine. Yesterday at Manaus Stadium in Brazil, [I] experienced weakness because of dehydration,” he explained. “We stopped for about five minutes, I drank some water, and then all was well. Nothing serious.”</p> <p>“Brazil is hotter than hell!!” one fan responded, “so glad you're okay and I can't wait to see you in São Paulo! Take care, god of thunder!!”</p> <p>“Even the God of Thunder needs hydration,” another agreed. “Good to hear you're doing well.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey everybody, thanks for the good wishes. I’m fine. Yesterday at Manaus Stadium in Brazil, experienced weakness because of dehydration. We stopped for about five minutes, I drank some water, and then all was well. Nothing serious. Tomorrow, Bogota Stadium. See you there!</p> <p>— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1646530305791266818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>And as news broke around the world of what had gone down in Brazil, Simmons returned with another round of assurances, writing that it was “not a big deal” while again thanking everyone for their well wishes. </p> <p>“Last night we played Amazon jungle Stadium/Brazil. Humidity and temperature were sky high. I was dehydrated and was forced to sit for a song,” he said. “We got back on stage in 5 minutes &amp; finished the show.”</p> <p>It was enough for his fans, who were quick to share their delight that their star was okay, as well as voicing their excitement for upcoming shows - with a good portion of requests for the singer to take care of himself, and avoid a repeat performance. </p> <p>“Happy to hear you're doing better,” one wrote. “Even more happy it wasn’t anything serious.Ya'll take care.”</p> <p>“Frankly, I don’t know [how] you do it every night. You’re amazing!” another declared. </p> <p>Meanwhile, some could see the humour in it all now that their fears had been put to rest, with one joking “and who says playing music couldn't be dangerous”.</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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"Guy is clueless": Kyrgios hits back at Pat Rafter

<p>Nick Kyrgios has hit back at Aussie tennis legend Pat rafter after he dubbed Kyrgios' doubles team with Thanasi Kokkinakis a "circus".</p> <div id="story-primary"> <p>Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, a duo that has been dubbed the "Special Ks", took the Australian Open by storm in 2022 when they teamed up and claimed the doubles crown.</p> <p>The doubles act brought their signature flair to the court, bringing audiences to their feet in a memorable display of sporting showmanship. </p> <p>But Rafter said the way the pair conduct themselves during the match has ruffled feathers among those on tour and left them on the outside within the locker room.</p> <p>Rafter appeared on the <em>Australian Open: The Happy Slam</em> podcast and labelled the doubles act as a “circus”. </p> <p>“It’s an interesting one that is, because the players are really upset about it,” Rafter said.</p> <p>“I don’t know how that operates with them and doesn’t really bother me either way. It’s a bit of a circus … doubles is a great event, it’s a lot of fun, and it helps you with singles, but it’s not where it’s at. But at the same time, it’s entertainment.”</p> <p>“If they create drama, create ticket sales, and they create people watching, then good on them, but at what expense, I don’t know. The players are really upset. Are you supposed to understand the underwritten rule that that’s not how you behave when you do?” Rafter said.</p> <p>Kyrgios hit back at Rafter on social media, slamming the Aussie sports legend for fabricating the outrage of players. </p> <p>“He would have absolutely zero idea on what the locker room thinks. Me and kokk have great relationships with most of the players on tour. Guy is clueless,” Kyrgios wrote on Twitter.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

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Pat Rafter delves into “rift” between Ash Barty and US player

<p>Aussie great Pat Rafter has opened up about the tension during Ash Barty’s match against her 2022 Australian Open final opponent, Danielle Collins.</p> <p>The now retired tennis star smashed the American 6-3 7-6 (7-2) which saw Barty claim her first home slam and the third of her career.</p> <p>Almost 12 months later, Rafter has opened up about the tension the pair had in which Barty didn’t want to lose to the American star and vice versa.</p> <p>“I knew with her and Danielle, they had a bit of a … what’s the word? There was no love lost anyway,” Rafter told reporters ahead of the United Cup.</p> <p>“Danielle’s pretty feisty. And Ash didn’t want to lose to her.”</p> <p>He said that there was a bit of worry when he saw Barty get “rattled” on court before getting out of her head and smashing the game.</p> <p>“It was pretty funny, I don’t know how much you can pick up on the on-court subtleties of it but I’m pretty aware of Ash and I understand where her mind’s at and I can see all her little movements and ticks,” Rafter continued.</p> <p>“I was going, ‘oh no, she’s getting rattled, she’s not good’. But she was able to pull it out which was pretty important.</p> <p>“I would have hated to see her get to the final and lose because she was the dominant player. I like seeing the best players win.”</p> <p>After her successful win, the now 26-year-old shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement from the game.</p> <p>She recently got married to her longtime partner Garry Kissick and is currently working at Optus.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"We'll all miss you": Lisa Curry shares heartbreaking news

<p dir="ltr">Former Olympian Lisa Curry has shared heartbreaking news that her beloved mum had passed away aged 86.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 59-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday night to share the sad update about Pat, two weeks after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/lisa-curry-finally-reunites-with-86-year-old-mum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they were finally able to reunite</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My heart is broken again. Our beautiful mum slipped away peacefully this morning,” Curry wrote in her heartfelt tribute, along with sharing a photo of her mum with a red rose and a teddy bear.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-77001a45-7fff-9bfe-65fb-6eac05199a80"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“My brother Scott travelled for 48 hrs from Berlin, my sister Melanie and I continually counting down the days, hours and minutes to mum until he arrived. She waited. We shared some last laughs, memories and lots of tears.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CapF1_Gp0qM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CapF1_Gp0qM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The loss comes less than two years after Curry lost her daughter Jaimi, who died battling an eating disorder in 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ma to Jaimi, Morgan, Jett and Bodhi; Mama to Flynn and Taj,” her tribute continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My baby girl, and now my mum … 86 years, nearly 87 …</p> <p dir="ltr">“I took this photo just yesterday … so beautiful and peaceful, I love this photo.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for being a wonderful mother. Have a nice long sleep mum. We love you so much and we’ll all miss you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Curry previously shared a clip of herself in full PPE in mid-February, when she was able to visit her mum in her aged care facility after it was locked down for a month.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Shout out to all the nurses and doctors, or anyone who has to wear this stuff every single day - I don’t know how you can do it, I can’t breathe!” she said in the video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Good on you. Thanks for looking after our elderly parents. Thanks.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Her tribute to her mum was quickly flooded with supportive and kind messages from her followers and friends, including her <em>I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!</em> co-stars Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Tegan Martin.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sending you so much love beautiful. 💗,” Bassingthwaighte wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So sorry 😢 sending you lots of love jungle ma. 💗💗,” Martin commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What a beautiful picture of your mum. She looks peaceful and content. I’m so sorry for all the sadness you have had to endure. Love to you and all your family xx 💗💗,” another follower shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sorry to see you’ve lost your mum Lisa. I lost mine 12 years ago,” a second person wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s so hard… there’s truly no one like your mum. Carry her in your heart 💗💗.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-44975433-7fff-b98e-3989-c7a383b16a4d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @lisacurry (Instagram)</em></p>

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"Insulting and dangerous": Pat Cash faces strong backlash

<p><span>Australian tennis great Pat Cash has received major backlash on social media after sharing a widely debunked theory about coronavirus.</span><br /><br /><span>On Wednesday, Cash took to Twitter to share a link to the ‘Plandemic: Indoctornation’ movie.</span><br /><br /><span>The clip promotes a debunked conspiracy theory about how the COVID-19 strain was created.</span><br /><br /><span>“It’s finally out, download here as well,” the 55-year-old wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>“Be informed - make up your own mind.”</span><br /><br /><span>The ‘Plandemic’ movie has been banned on Facebook due to the platform making major moves to combat the spread of “fake news” and misinformation.</span><br /><br /><span>Facebook users have been blocked from sharing the link to the full-length movie.</span><br /><br /><span>The social media warns anyone who tries to share the link that the URL of the video goes against community guidelines, because it has been determined that “fact-checking partners have repeatedly rated false.”</span><br /><br /><span>“Given the previous Plandemic video violated our COVID misinformation policies, we blocked access to that domain from our services,” Facebook told Forbes.</span><br /><br /><span>However Twitter doesn’t have the same regulations for users and instead warns users who click on the link that the content may be “unsafe”.</span><br /><br /><span>Users who saw Cash’s tweet furiously retaliated.</span><br /><br /><span>“Unbelievably disappointing,” commented Dr Nikki Stamp, a heart and lung transplant surgeon.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Seriously <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPatCash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPatCash</a> THIS is how you think. You need to stick to tennis. I am sickened by this. Making up your own mind - whilst spouting off someone else's fiction. Rubbish. Do you have parents, grandparents, loved ones. Will you wear a mask.?</p> — Anne Taylor (@AnnieMTaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnieMTaylor/status/1296218823398318081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Dangerous dangerous content.</p> — Christos Kyrgios (@xkyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/xkyrgios/status/1295932786621026304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">It’s so insulting &amp; dangerous how some people think all you doctors are part of an elaborate hoax. As if you’re happily working all day pretending to treat a fake virus. <br />I’m so sorry this nonsense is impeding all your hard work to help eradicate the effects of this pandemic.</p> — Anouk72 (@Anouk724) <a href="https://twitter.com/Anouk724/status/1296225389749010434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>“You are putting people’s lives at risks by sharing this, which is not at all factual.”</span><br /><br /><span>Meanwhile, Cash has also taken to social media to push back at the strict regulations put in place to protect players at this month’s US Open.</span><br /><br /><span>He described the new rules as “ridiculous” and “overkill”.</span><br /><br /><span>Forty “social distance ambassadors” will monitor the US Open grounds to make sure players and others are avoiding close contact and wearing face coverings at the upcoming New York grand slam.</span><br /><br /><span>The US Tennis Association bought 500,000 masks to distribute in an effort to avoid a second wave during the fan-free tournament starting on August 31.</span><br /><br /><span>“We're trying to leave nothing to chance and make it as stress-free for the players as possible,” Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre chief operating officer Danny Zausner said.</span><br /><br /><span>The USTA father announced that on Tuesday only one person, who is not a player, turned up positive for COVID-19 out of 1400 tests that were administered in preparation for the US Open.</span><br /><br /><span>Two tests are taken 48 hours apart when a player or member of an entourage arrives at one of the two official hotels or one of the private homes the USTA made available for rent on Long Island.</span><br /><br /><span>However Cash, who was also required to be tested because of his role as a commentator for Eurosport, said the testing process was simply too much.</span><br /><br /><span>“US open tennis ‘bubble’ procedure – 6.30 am first round of testing in hotel (who else would have that type of carpet) now to wait (approx 24 hrs)for results locked in the room,” the 1987 Wimbledon champion posted on Instagram.</span><br /><br /><span>“This makes sense but as I read through the rules it seems that many are completely ridiculous and overkill.”</span></p>

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Sorry, not sorry: Djokovic speaks out on patting chair umpire's feet

<p>Novak Djokovic has apologised for touching the umpire during his Australian Open final match on Sunday night.</p> <p>The Serb initially defended his decision to tap official Damien Dumusois twice on the foot, describing it as “a nice, really friendly touch”, but expressed his regret on Monday.</p> <p>“In a professional sport, things happen that obviously you’re not proud of,” Djokovic said.</p> <p>“Sometimes you do things that you’re not happy with and you go through different emotions, you go through ups and downs.</p> <p>“Of course, I’m not happy that I touched the chair umpire. And I’m sorry if I offended him or anybody else.</p> <p>“But in the heat of the battle, some decisions that he makes or some decision that happens just distracts you and sets you off the balance a little bit.”</p> <p>According to the official grand slam rule book, Djokovic could be charged with a fine of up to AU$30,000 for the action.</p> <p>“Players shall not at any time physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site,” the rules state. “Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to US$20,000 [AU$30,000] for each violation.”</p> <p>In the post-match press conference, Djokovic said he did not believe he overstepped the mark. “For touching his shoe? I mean, I didn’t know that’s completely forbidden,” he said after securing his 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Dominic Thiem.</p> <p>“I thought it was a nice, really friendly touch. I wasn’t aggressive with him in terms of physical abuse.”</p>

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World reacts to Pat Cummins’ crazy IPL pay day

<p>Australia’s Pat Cummins has become the most expensive overseas buy ever in the Indian Premier League after the Kolkata Knight Riders paid a staggering $3.1 million for the fast bowler at auction.</p> <p>The 26-year-old who ranked No. 1 in Tests was the subject of an intense bidding battle between the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Delhi Capitals on Thursday before Kolkata swept in to have him play for them in the 2020 tournament.</p> <p>Cummins has previously played for Kolkata in 2014 and 2015 and last played in the tournament in 2017 for Delhi. The Mumbai Indians nabbed him the following year, but he was unable to play due to a back injury.</p> <p>“Absolutely pumped to be back on board,” said Cummins. “It’s where I played my first couple of years. Can’t wait to work with Baz McCullum, Eoin Morgan, back with Andre Russell, Sunil Narine – can’t wait to get over there.”</p> <p>Before Cummins, England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the most expensive overseas player with Pune paying $3 million in 2017, while India’s Yuvraj Singh had the highest bid for a home-based cricketer at $3.2 million in 2015 from Delhi.</p> <p>Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum was thrilled to have Cummins on his team which also includes England’s World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan.</p> <p>“Two outstanding gentlemen will return to Kolkata Knight Riders! Eoin Morgan with his power middle order game and outstanding leadership help for Dinesh Karthik and one of the game’s premier fast bowlers Pat Cummins who I feel was the best player on offer for this year’s IPL auction. Welcome boys!”</p> <p>But some people questioned the decision, saying Kolkata had overpaid for a player who might not score as heavily as an all-rounder like Stokes.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Pat Cummins...15.50 Cr 😳😳😳...Worth it...???</p> — Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) <a href="https://twitter.com/samiprajguru/status/1207640938224316417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 December 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Most bids were expected barring KKR paying so high for Pat Cummins. I think he does not offer much with the bat and needs to be on the money bowling in the Death at EDEN. They have Lockie and Gurney. Interesting selection. RCB have started well. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLAuction2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLAuction2020</a></p> — Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) <a href="https://twitter.com/gaurav_sundar/status/1207617113633906688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 December 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">WHAT WAS THAT? How fierce was that bid? <a href="https://twitter.com/patcummins30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@patcummins30</a> is sold to <a href="https://twitter.com/KKRiders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KKRiders</a> for 15.5Cr <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLAuction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLAuction</a> 👏👏</p> — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1207611903687589888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 December 2019</a></blockquote> <p>A total of 62 players were sold at the auction for the 13th edition of the world’s leading T20 competition.</p>

International Travel

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“Go back to America”: Alan Jones’ divisive words about Aussie basketball superstar Ben Simmons

<p>NBA star Ben Simmons has come under fire from radio host Alan Jones after the star was said to have snuck out the side door and avoided fans waiting outside his basketball camp.</p> <p>The basketball camp had kids aged seven to 18 reportedly turn up for the camp at the Hills Basketball Stadium in Castle Hill.</p> <p>Those who had missed out on spots inside the camp had waited outside in hopes of getting a photo or signature from their idol.</p> <p>Simmons is said to emerge from a different door to jump into a tinted Mercedes waiting nearby without stopping for pictures or autograph, according to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/hundreds-of-ben-simmons-fans-left-devastated-as-he-failed-to-stop-for-selfies-autographs/news-story/c35c9224d97c84784f56bcb251e99f57" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Australia’s richest athlete Ben Simmons brushed off a few blokes asking for autographs in Castle Hill. Listen out for the “please Ben”. <a href="https://t.co/D4rNr1COh4">pic.twitter.com/D4rNr1COh4</a></p> — Mitchell Van Homrigh (@Moosk) <a href="https://twitter.com/Moosk/status/1160416748333461507?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">11 August 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Jones had heard the news and has slammed Simmons on 2GB.</p> <p>“This bloke has lost a lot of people very quickly,” Jones said on<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.2gb.com/go-back-to-america-and-stay-there-alan-jones-slams-ben-simmons-latest-stunt/" target="_blank">2GB</a>.</p> <p>“He had promised to play for Australia at the upcoming World Cup only to pull out due to scheduling issues. He withdrew from the warm up games even though fans had spent hundreds of dollars hoping to watch him play.</p> <p>“And I’m told he held two training camps for junior basketball players in Sydney and Melbourne. I understand that when he arrived, he walked straight past the fans, who had been waiting for hours, he refused to sign autographs or say hello.”</p> <p>After announcing this news, Jones had divisive words for Simmons.</p> <p>“Ben Simmons, I know you’re an Australian but go back to America and stay there.”</p> <p>His comments come after Simmons accused Melbourne’s Crown Casino of racism last week, saying that he and a group of friends were denied entry because of their skin colour.</p> <p>Crown Casino hit back quickly saying that the company had audio and CCTV footage that proved the basketballer refused to show ID and did not meet the venue’s dress code.</p> <p>Fans were also not pleased about the fact that Simmons withdrew from Australia’s exhibition games against Team USA at the end of the year after he was used as a drawcard to sell tickets worth hundreds of dollars.</p>

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Airport officers under scrutiny after prolonged pat-down of 96-year-old woman in wheelchair

<p><span>A daughter has recorded the moment her 96-year-old wheelchair-bound mother was subjected to a prolonged security pat-down at a US airport.</span></p> <p><span>The video, which has over 9 million views, shows Evelyn LaBrier being searched at Dulles Airport in Washington DC.</span></p> <p><span>Evelyn’s daughter, Jeanne Clarkson, becomes irritated throughout the search and is heard saying: “What the hell do you think she’s going to do? Set off a shoe bomb?</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjeanneclarkson%2Fvideos%2F10211494393131675%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=264" width="264" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>“I was just shocked. I’ve travelled with her before, I’ve been in a wheelchair myself unable to walk through the machines and I’ve never had that kind of a pat-down ever,” Jeanne said.</span></p> <p><span>"I couldn’t believe they were doing this to my 96-year-old mother. It was just shock and frustration because they would not talk to me. I felt helpless.”</span></p> <p><span>In the footage, a Transportation Security Administration officer is seen manoeuvring the woman’s arms to search her.</span></p> <p><span>Another TSA officer moves in front of Jeanne, blocking the phone camera and her view.</span></p> <p><span>“She didn’t know what to say. She does not want to fly again ever,” Jeanne said.</span></p> <p><span>“She didn’t know what they were looking for. She was scared.</span></p> <p><span>“She was just following directions. She said she didn’t know what to do.”</span></p> <p><span>Washington Dulles Airport released a statement in response to the controversy surrounding the viral video.</span></p> <p><span>“Many of you have reached out to us to express concern over a video of a security screening taking place at Dulles International Airport. Security screening at our checkpoints is directed and conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). We have shared customer comments with the TSA for their immediate review and appropriate action,” the airport said.</span></p> <p><span>Many who viewed the footage expressed their concerns over the treatment of the elderly woman.</span></p> <p><span>“This was a 96 year old woman, who was searched repeatedly over and over. I think my concern would have been to treat this elderly woman more kindly with Compassion, not subjecting her to this uncalled body search.”</span></p> <p><span>Another said, “That lady looked like she was going to cry!! That is BEYOND harassment... to give her bad memories like that!”</span></p> <p><span>However, some viewers did not think there was anything wrong with the way the TSA officers conducted the search.</span></p> <p><span>“I know I will probably receive a lot of backlash, but it seemed to me that they treated her with nothing but respect. Their job is to keep people safe. And sometimes that includes searching people,” a Facebook user wrote.</span></p> <p><span>Do you think there is anything wrong with the way the elderly woman was searched? Let us know in the comments below.</span></p>

Travel Trouble

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Why Pat Cash won’t be celebrating Australia Day

<p><span>Tennis legend Pat Cash has revealed that he won’t be celebrating Australia Day because of how severely the country has failed our Indigenous population.</span></p> <p><span>His controversial comments have reignited debate about changing Australia’s national day from January 26.</span></p> <p><span>As an ambassador for Aboriginal charity Children’s Ground, Cash recently visited the Northern Territory and left the trip disgraced at the condition of the country.</span></p> <p><span>"They're struggling in mainstream school," he said.</span></p> <p><span>"What happens to a lot of the kids? They just drop out.</span></p> <p><span>"There's no electricity, they're living in poverty, it's just so sad.</span></p> <p><span>"I mean are we really doing this to our First Nation people, Aboriginal people?"</span></p> <p><span>The first change Cash wants to see happen for Aboriginal people, is to change the date of national celebration to anything but January 26.</span></p> <p><span>The Greens are also rallying to change the date, working at local government level to convince the community.</span></p> <p><span>However, many people believe the date should be left alone.</span></p> <p><span>The Federal government has blocked attempts by several councils to change the date, including Moreland, Yarra and Darebin, Freemantle and Inner West in Sydney.</span></p> <p><span>Some Aboriginal leaders have their doubts about changing the date, such as Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Price. “Changing Australia Day doesn’t change the lives of Aboriginal people in remote communities,” she said.</span></p> <p><span>Do you think the date of Australia Day should be changed? Let us know in the comments below. </span></p>

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Calf bears uncanny resemblance to KISS rocker Gene Simmons

<p>A Texas rancher has spotted a surprising similarity between a newborn calf and a legendary rocker, KISS frontman Gene Simmons.</p> <p>Heather Leonard Taccetta, who works at the Cowboy Steak House in Kerrville, Texas, posted a photo saying the calf born on July 28 with facial markings – complete with the long tongue poking out – uncannily resembled the KISS rocker.</p> <p><img width="536" height="322" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/07/31/20/42D8124800000578-4746792-image-a-84_1501528614829.jpg" alt="Face markings on newborn calf Genie  bear an uncanny resemblance to the stage makeup worn by KISS frontman Gene Simmons, who has worn the black and white makeup for decades" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" id="i-ec77b3a4bcac69ad"/></p> <p>Taccetta sent a photo of the newborn named, Genie, to her local tourism board, Hill Country Tourism, which posted the image on its Hill Country Visitor Facebook page. </p> <p>In the Facebook <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/hill.country.visitor/" target="_blank">post</a></strong></span>, tourism officials cheekily asked: “Where were you on our [sic] about November 25, 2016?”</p> <p>The post went on to reveal that the KISS was playing on the radio when the calf was conceived.</p> <p>The photo was also shared on the official KISS <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/KISS/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">Facebook</a></strong></span> page, which left fans highly amused.</p> <p>Even Simmons himself responded, tweeting about the look-a-like cow and exclaiming, “This is real, folks!!!”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">This is real, folks!!! Calf called Genie is born on Texas ranch and looks EXACTLY like Kiss rocker Gene Simmons <a href="https://t.co/m6CcUlA7cy">https://t.co/m6CcUlA7cy</a></p> — Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/891836678192549889">July 31, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Hill Country Visitor said that the “love child” of a Holstein cow and Simmons has saved it from the slaughterhouse. </p> <p>“Obviously, we can't serve this fine specimen,” tourism officials said in their Facebook post. “We may just keep Genie as we call her, as a Mascot for the Steakhouse.”</p>

Music

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Pat Rafter reveals sad truth about his Davis Cup captain stint

<p>Pat Rafter has responded to Bernard Tomic’s television interview on Sunday night, expressing a number of regrets about his dealing with Tomic during his four-year stint as Davis Cup captain.</p> <p>Rafter spoke to KIIS FM on radio on Monday in response to <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/07/bernard-tomic-sunday-night-interview/">Tomic’s Channel Seven Sunday Night interview</a></span></strong>, where Tomic called the to-time US Open winner “not that much of a nice guy” and said he likes to “put on a show”.</p> <p>Thought Rafter did not apologise, the Aussie tennis champ said he felt he could have handled Tomic better during his time as Davis Cup captain and then head of performance.</p> <p> "One of the things I said publicly was that he was pretty disgraceful out there," Rafter said.</p> <p>Rafter made those comments after a US Open match Tomic played against Andy Roddick in 2012 where he appeared to tank in the third set.</p> <p>"Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Maybe it should have been said between him and me."</p> <p>Rafter also agreed with Tomic’s assessment that he acts differently depending on who he’s with.</p> <p>“He’s not entirely wrong, at the end of the day we do wear different hats for different occasions,” Rafter says. “I do put on different faces for different occasions.</p> <p>“I don’t want to bash up on Bernie. He’s got a point and he’s got a voice and he can say what he wants to say. We have had run-ins, we see life a little bit differently.”</p> <p>Of his time as Davis Cup captain, Rafter said he went in believing he could quickly make an impact when he first started dealing with a then 18-year-old Tomic.</p> <p>"… I thought at the time I could make some change but I found out pretty quickly I couldn't impact that," Rafter said.</p> <p>"We see life a bit differently.</p> <p>"So we are going to have disagreements and I was pretty vocal in that and he was pretty hurt by it."</p> <p>After four years as Davis Cup captain, Rafter quit a year earlier than expected and moved onto the head of performance at Tennis Australia. He admitted that he had a lot of difficulty handling the young Australian players.</p> <p>"I realised I had no impact with these guys whatsoever. They couldn't relate to me and I couldn't relate to them," he said.</p> <p>"It wasn't enjoyable," he said of the Davis Cup stint.</p> <p>"I reckon I had one or two enjoyable ties out of the four years I did it for. It was just hard work and banging my head against the wall all the time."</p> <p>Rafter says while he doesn’t hold any ill will toward Tomic, he hasn’t spoken to him in a year and has no plans to get in touch. </p>

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Bernard Tomic: “It's just a job ... I haven't really tried”

<p>In a candid new interview on Seven’s <em>Sunday Night</em> program, tennis star Bernard Tomic has opened up about his life and career, admitting he’s amazed to have come so far given how little effort he occasionally puts in.</p> <p>The troubled Tomic, who has slid from a high of number 17 in the rankings to a meagre 69 in the past year, is unapologetic for his behaviour on and off the court.</p> <p>“Throughout my career, I’ve given 100 per cent,” he told Melissa Doyle. “I’ve given also 30 per cent. But if you balance it out, I think all my career's been around 50 per cent and I haven’t really tried, and really achieved all this. So just amazing what I’ve done.”</p> <p>Tomic, who has been no stranger to criticism over the years, has silenced his naysayers, explaining he could’ve jumped ship at any time and been paid handsomely for it. “There’s been big offers to play for different countries. Millions that ... people could only imagine. And I never did that. I stayed loyal to Australia.”</p> <p>Asked if his love for the sport will ever return, Tomic responded with a firm “no”. “I’m just going to go about it as a job.”</p> <p>The sports star also took aim at fellow Aussie tennis success Pat Rafter, slamming his false “nice guy” image. “Pat’s said a lot of bad things about me, throughout my career, and, you know, he’s always perceived as this nice guy. People don’t know him in the back of closed doors. He’s not that much of a nice guy ... he likes to put on a show.”</p> <p>Did you watch the interview last night? What did you think about Tomic’s comments? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. </p>

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Richard Simmons rushed to hospital

<p>After four years away from the public eye, 1980s fitness guru Richard Simmons’ location has finally been confirmed. According to a statement from the 68-year-old’s representative Michael Catalano, Simmons “was hospitalised on Monday at an undisclosed location in California”.</p> <p>“After a few days of battling severe indigestion and discomfort while eating, we agreed it was best for him to seek treatment,” Catalano revealed. “[He’s] already feeling better and is expected to make a full recovery.”</p> <p>Despite stepping away from the spotlight back in 2013, the health and fitness icon’s whereabouts only became a subject of intense scrutiny over the past few months after the release of investigative podcast Missing Richard Simmons. Theories surrounding his disappearance included speculation he was being held captive in his Hollywood Hills home by his housekeeper Teresa Reveles, while others postulated he was transitioning into a female.</p> <p>Simmons himself seemed to quash theories last year, calling into the US <em>TODAY</em> show to reassure his fans. “No one is holding me in my house as a hostage,” he confirmed. “You know, I do what I want to do as I’ve always done, so people should sort of just believe what I have to say because, like, I’m Richard Simmons!</p> <p>“Right now, I just sort of want to take care of me. I just really don’t want to do anything. I don’t want to be traveling anymore... it’s taken a toll on me.”</p> <p>We wish Simmons all the best in his recovery.</p>

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