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ABC News
7 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Wallabies look for another golden moment against British and Irish Lions
With the Tom Richards Cup on the line, the Wallabies will be counting on the golden army turning out in Melbourne, where rugby union carved out its own slice of history 24 years ago. In 2001, Australian rugby's governing body was stung into action by the red sea of Lions supporters, who flooded the opening Test in Brisbane, leaving the Wallabies feeling like they were at Cardiff Arms Park rather than the Gabba. Follow the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia on ABC Sport, including live blogs of all three Tests against the Wallabies. And they played like it, with the 1999 World Cup champions crashing down to earth with a 29-13 thud. "I was sitting there looking for glimpses of gold because it was a sea of red and then they started singing … so on and off the field, we got absolutely smashed, which was a massive wake-up call, and the media gave it to us with both barrels and said we'd let Australia down," former ARU (now Rugby Australia) boss John O'Neill told AAP. "We decided we really had to make sure the series was really competitive, at least 1-1 after Melbourne, and we had to make sure Wallabies supporters were seen and heard." With only a week before game two, Australian rugby set about "golding" the Docklands Stadium, and ironically, it was paid for in British pounds. A British tour operator had bought tickets that were meant to be sold in Australia, which the ARU looked to cancel due to the breach of contract. Brian Thorburn, then general manager of commercial operations, told AAP he smartly re-sold the tickets back to the operator at a higher price. "We basically said to the agent, 'Well, we've got sympathy for the 300 people you've sold to, but the facts are that you've got them cheap and outside the contract, so we'll sell them back to you at double the price,'" Thorburn recalled. "The profit we made essentially paid for all of the gold at both the Melbourne Test and the Sydney Test, so it was quite ironic that a British travel agent paid for all the gold." The ARU's marketing team brainstormed ways to make the Melbourne venue feel like home for the Wallabies — even trialling golden goal posts with kicker Matt Burke, before it was decided they were too distracting. "We put 'Go Wallabies' placards on every seat in the lower bowl, and we had 10,000 very flimsy gold scarves, which was all we could secure with three days' notice," Thorburn said. "We ensured every square inch of available signage was gold — we had a catch-cry of 'Be Bold, Wear Gold', and it was really a turning point." While they achieved their gold rush aesthetic, not everyone was happy — in particular the AFL, which was the ground's tenant, now owner. "We got these mylar cannons, and they blasted as the teams ran on and as we scored any try, and the result was gold glitter coming all over the crowd and on top of Poms drinking their beer," Thorburn said. "The CEO of the stadium, Ian Collins, gave me grief for years because they were still getting glitter out of the grass two or three years later because it was so small." The AFL could also be suitably miffed by the size of the crowd at the stadium for the second Test, with 56,605 squeezed into a venue that had a capacity of 56,347 — with the AFL's biggest ever crowd 54,444, set in 2009 at a St Kilda-Geelong match. Rugby's 2001 attendance record stood until the second 2013 Lions match, when 56,771 fans crammed in. This Saturday's second Test will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with a capacity of 100,024. At least 90,000 fans are expected to pack into the famous stadium, which would surpass the current Wallabies-Lions record of 84,188 set at Stadium Australia in 2001. While swathes of supporters will attend to support the tourists, it is something which this current Lions group is not taking for granted. The last tour was in 2021 to South Africa, played in front of no fans as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to plague the globe. After winning the first Test in Brisbane last Saturday, Irish prop Tadhg Furlong spoke to the media about what it meant to see thousands of people in red, supporting the Lions and rugby. "Class," Furlong said about the support in Brisbane. "Even the town … Thursday it filled up, you can feel it, everyone wears red. "I'm sure Canterbury [the jersey maker] are delighted with the sales of the stuff. Everyone seems to be wearing the kit, they wear their club hat or whatever. "It's why the Lions is special, it's not lost on us." AAP/ABC
Perth Now
23-07-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Wallabies look for another golden moment in Melbourne
With the Tom Richards Cup on the line, the Wallabies will be counting on the golden army turning out in Melbourne, where rugby union carved out its own slice of history in the AFL-mad town 24 years ago. In 2001 Australian rugby's governing body was stung into action by the red sea of Lions supporters, who flooded the opening Test in Brisbane, leaving the Wallabies feeling like they were at Cardiff Arms Park rather than the Gabba. And they played like it, with the 1999 World Cup champions crashing down to earth with a 29-13 thud. "I was sitting there looking for glimpses of gold because it was a sea of red and then they started singing ... so on and off the field, we got absolutely smashed, which was a massive wake-up call and the media gave it to us with both barrels and said we'd let Australia down," former ARU boss John O'Neill told AAP. "We decided we really had to make sure the series was really competitive, at least 1-1 after Melbourne, and we had to make sure Wallabies supporters were seen and heard." With only a week before game two, Australian rugby set about "golding" the Docklands stadium, and ironically it was paid for in British pounds. A British tour operator had bought tickets that were meant to be sold in Australia, which the ARU looked to cancel due to the breach of contract. Brian Thorburn, then general manager of commercial operations, told AAP he smartly re-sold the tickets back to the operator at a higher price. "We basically said to the agent, 'Well, we've got sympathy for the 300 people you've sold to, but the facts are that you've got them cheap and outside the contract, so we'll sell them back to you at double the price'," Thorburn recalled. "The profit we made essentially paid for all of the gold at both the Melbourne Test and the Sydney Test, so it was quite ironic that a British travel agent paid for all the gold." The ARU's marketing team brain-stormed ways to make the Melbourne venue feel like home for the Wallabies - even trialling golden goal posts with kicker Matt Burke, before it was decided they were too distracting. "We put 'Go Wallabies' placards on every seat in the lower bowl and we had 10,000 very flimsy gold scarves, which was all we could secure with three days' notice," Thorburn said. "We ensured every square inch of available signage was gold - we had a catch-cry of 'Be Bold, Wear Gold', and it was really a turning point." While they achieved their gold rush aesthetic, not everyone was happy - in particular the AFL, which was the ground's tenant, now owner. "We got these mylar cannons and they blasted as the teams ran on and as we scored any try, and the result was gold glitter coming all over the crowd and on top of Poms drinking their beer," Thorburn said. "The CEO of the stadium, Ian Collins, gave me grief for years because they were still getting glitter out of the grass two or three years later because it was so small." The AFL could also be suitably miffed by the size of the crowd at the stadium for the second Test, with 56,605 squeezed into a venue that had a capacity of 56,347 - with the AFL's biggest ever crowd 54,444, set in 2009 at a St Kilda-Geelong match. Rugby's 2001 attendance record stood until the second 2013 Lions match, when 56,771 fans crammed in. With Australia winning the second Test 35-14 before wrapping up the series, O'Neill said the night changed the way the Wallabies were supported. "For probably a good 10 years, the Wallabies were Australia's team, and at sporting events around the world you'd see Wallaby jerseys scattered everywhere," he said. "It was a real turning point in the manifestation of 'be proud, be loud', and long may that continue."
The Print
14-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Marriages sacrosanct to Hindus are at stake due to trivial issues between couples: HC
The bench was hearing a petition filed by a man and his family members seeking to quash a dowry harassment case registered against them by his estranged wife in December 2023. The Nagpur bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and M M Nerlikar, in an order dated July 8, held that in matrimonial disputes, if a reunion is not possible, the same should be ended immediately to ensure the lives of the parties involved are not ruined. Mumbai, Jul 14 (PTI) Marriages considered sacrosanct by Hindus are at stake now because of small and trivial issues between couples, the Bombay High Court remarked while quashing a dowry harassment case against a man and his family members. The estranged couple informed the court that they had settled their dispute and had been granted a divorce by mutual consent. The woman informed the court that she had no objection if the case was quashed, as she wished to move on with her life. The court, while quashing the case, said though the provisions pertaining to dowry harassment and unnatural sex of the Indian Penal Code and Dowry Prohibition Act are non-compoundable, to secure the ends of justice, courts can quash the proceedings. The court stated that considering the recent trend of filing cases against many persons from the husband's side, it has become imperative to look into matrimonial disputes from a different angle. If the parties want to settle their disputes amicably and live peacefully, it is the court's duty to encourage the same, it held. 'Marital discord has nowadays become a menace in the society due to various factors. Small issues between a couple spoil their entire life, and marriage, which is sacrosanct in Hindus, is at stake,' the court said. Marriages are not merely a social contract but a spiritual union that binds two souls together, it said. The court further noted that the legislation with an intent to improve marital relationships enacted several Acts, but people frequently misuse them, resulting in mental and physical harassment, endless conflict, financial loss and irreversible harm to family members and children. PTI SP ARU This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Express Tribune
12-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Shehzad Akbar named key accused in £190m reference case
Listen to article Former Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) chief and ex-special assistant to the prime minister on accountability, Shehzad Akbar, has been identified as a central figure in the ongoing £190 million reference case, according to investigative sources. They alleged that Akbar acted as the mastermind behind an illegal scheme that caused significant financial losses to Pakistan. As part of the investigation, it was revealed that Akbar signed a Deed of Confidentiality on November 6 2019, ahead of the formal approval of the ARU's restructuring and a key cabinet meeting — a move investigators cite as evidence of bad faith. According to the findings, the £190 million — part of a civil settlement with the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) — was diverted to a "designated account" in the name of the Registrar of the Supreme Court. The amount was originally held in the responsibility account of a major private housing society in Karachi. The agreement was also signed by co-accused Ziaul Mustafa Naseem. Investigators stated the funds were falsely portrayed as being transferred to an official account of the State of Pakistan, while in reality, they were redirected to benefit a private entity. Records show that Akbar travelled to the United Kingdom twice in 2019 — from February 4 to 8 and again from May 22 to 26 — where he reportedly met with the UK Home Secretary and the Director General of the NCA. During these meetings, he allegedly negotiated a secret road map for the repatriation of funds. Read More: PTI's Shahzad Akbar departs for Dubai Officials claim Akbar deliberately excluded key Pakistani institutions such as the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the State Bank of Pakistan from the decision-making process. This, sources argue, led to substantial financial loss to the Supreme Court and diverted nearly £190 million (approximately Rs50 billion) away from the state. Sources further revealed that even before cabinet approval, criminal proceeds were transferred from the UK to Pakistan in late November 2019. The move came following a high-level meeting on March 2, 2019 involving Akbar, then prime minister Imran Khan, and principal secretary Azam Khan. The discussion reportedly focused on a settlement with the NCA and the repatriation of funds. Akbar allegedly overstepped the jurisdiction of the ARU and, in coordination with the then-prime minister, concealed critical facts from the cabinet. Despite presenting the agreement to the cabinet on December 3, 2019, he had already signed the confidential deed on November 6. According to UK authorities, the NCA had frozen around £120 million before December 14, 2018 under the UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The funds were seized based on suspicion against two Pakistani nationals and related investigations into assets, including the prime London property at 1 Hyde Park Place. The ARU had reportedly reached a settlement with the housing society on March 13 and 21, 2019, under application No 8758. The respondents offered an out-of-court settlement with the NCA and their legal representatives. The Supreme Court, in March 2019, imposed heavy fines and conditionally suspended criminal proceedings related to the case. Investigators say Akbar played a pivotal role in misusing authority, acting in bad faith, and concealing corruption-related funds. As a result, legal action continues, with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and other authorities conducting inquiries. Akbar has since been declared a proclaimed offender in the case. What is the £190 million case? The case alleges that Imran Khan and others involved adjusted Rs50 billion—equivalent to £190 million at the time—that was transferred by the UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) to the Pakistani government. As PM, Imran Khan obtained cabinet approval for this settlement on December 3, 2019, without disclosing the confidential details of the agreement. The arrangement had stipulated that the funds would be submitted to the Supreme Court. According to NAB officials, Imran and his wife received land worth billions of rupees intended for the construction of an educational institute. NAB filed the reference on December 1, 2023 against eight accused persons including Imran and his wife. The court on January 6, 2024 declared the rest of six accused proclaimed offenders as they did not face the trial and escaped to foreign countries. Read More: Imran Khan, Bushra Bibi indicted in Toshakhana 2.0 case The court indicted Imran and Bushra on February 27, 2024. The prosecution presented 35 witnesses, whom the defence later cross-examined. Key witnesses in the case included PM's former principal secretary Azam Khan, former defence minister Pervez Khattak and former federal minister Zubaida Jalal. Three different judges presided over the case at various stages of the trial while the final investigative officer, Mian Umar Nadeem, was cross-examined after 38 hearings. The accountability court provided the accused 15 opportunities to complete their statements under Section 342. However, no witnesses were presented by the defence.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Threats to Cambridge chalk streams addressed by experts
Threats posed to a city's natural chalk streams are to be addressed by is estimated that 85% of the world's chalk streams are found in the UK, with the majority located in the south of England and East Anglia and, fed by springs in chalk bedrock, provide clean and clear water that supports a huge variety of in Cambridge, including Hobson's Brook and Cherry Hinton Brook are being degraded by a range of factors including water extraction, pollution, the erosion of riverbanks and invasive are gathering later this month at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) to discuss these issues. Chalk streams are rare habitats, often referred to as England's equivalent of water we drink in the East of England comes from rainwater stored deep beneath our feet in natural chalk aquifers, which feed our chalk streams, the Environment Agency said. Chalk streams also need good water quality for different species of fish, plants and insects to flourish. However, they face significant challenges in the 21st Century due to complex problems worsened by climate change and population Greater Cambridge Chalk Stream Project - a collaboration between Cambridge City Council and ARU - is bringing together experts to study the threats faced by local chalk streams and highlight practical ways to protect them at a free public conference later this Dominic, a research assistant at ARU for the Greater Cambridge Chalk Stream Project, said: "Chalk streams are globally rare freshwater habitats and we're fortunate to have them in and around the city. "However, many of these precious ecosystems are now significantly degraded and at risk."She said the project aimed to further understand habitat loss, biodiversity reduction and water quality issues."By bringing everyone together, including involving local community volunteers, we hope to obtain detailed information about each stream to help inform Cambridge City Council's restoration strategies and safeguard our chalk streams for future generations." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
