Latest news with #Aussie-born
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Tom Brady gets Lyndon Dykes fired up for Scotland resurgence as NFL legend 'more than just a face' at Birmingham
Dykes says Brady has been a presence around Birmingham City and is 'more than just a face' at the club Lyndon Dykes has revealed how NFL legend Tom Brady can help him return fit and firing for Scotland when World Cup qualifying kicks off. The Birmingham City striker's domestic season ended on February 22 with a calf injury against Reading. Dykes was desperate to work his way back via Scotland's June friendlies. But he's missed out on the action against Iceland and Liechtenstein and will need to wait until autumn to join up with Steve Clarke 's squad. Dykes insists he'll have the best of care for that bid thanks to a seven-time Super Bowl winner. Brady is a shareholder in the Blues as well as a minority owner with NFL franchise Las Vegas Raiders. The former New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback is heavily engaged in improving the sports performance side at City. And Dykes said: 'It's great having someone like that who has been so successful in his own sport. 'He does pop in and out and I've met him a couple of times. He brings a different mentality and knowledge to certain things. 'He's got a lot of input, he's not just a face. He's around the place and he's got ideas about what he wants. 'Some of the stuff they've brought to the club has been really good, like the medical department. He's brought a different outlook to the physio room, with his own head of medicine and the way they try to do things so that there are fewer injuries. 'He's very inspirational. Going forward, I feel it's going to be very successful with him and the owners there, Tom Wagner and the Knighthead group. 'I actually do like the Raiders but I didn't really have an NFL team as such. Hopefully he can get me on an NFL pitch because I think I could be all right at that as well! I'd have to put a bit more muscle on because some of those boys are massive.' Dykes is targeting a fresh scoring streak for Scotland after going 13 games without netting. The Aussie-born ace hit goals in four consecutive games in 2022 World Cup qualifying. He scored as Scotland edged 1-0 wins over Moldova, Austria and the Faroe Islands as well as in the 3-2 thriller against Israel at Hampden. Scotland were beaten by Ukraine at the semi-final play-off stage to miss out on the Qatar finals. The 2026 renewal, hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, is now firmly in the 29-year-old's sights. Dykes said: 'The best feeling in the world is scoring goals. I went on a great run last World Cup qualifying, scoring big goals when we needed it. 'That's what I aim to do again but it's not always about scoring goals. I just want to play my part for the team. As long as we're winning and performing, that's the main thing. I've been stuck on nine goals for a little bit now so I'm desperate to hit double figures. 'I told John McGinn a while ago that I was catching him but he's starting to slip away, so I need to pull my finger out and make sure I score a few more. 'The World Cup is the aim. I was lucky enough to play in the first Euros we qualified for. When I joined up with Scotland at first, that was one of my major goals and the World Cup was another. 'We've got the opportunity to do that now. I've got full belief in my team-mates, myself and the whole of this nation that we can qualify for the World Cup. I'm sure if we did, it would be amazing for the whole country.' Dykes has suffered much worse than an injury ruling him out of action for four months. A bout of pneumonia landed him on a drip in hospital in a terrifying health scare for the big striker and his family in January 2023. That frightening episode gives him valuable perspective when dealing with fitness issues in his career. 'It builds your character and makes you stronger in the long run,' added the ex-Livingston and QPR hitman. 'That's why I've switched my brain to think positives out of some things, such as going out to the Euros last summer and just being around the boys and doing a bit of TV work. 'Even though I was devastated not playing, this is football. It's been my most difficult season with injuries so far in my career. 'Obviously getting injured before the Euros was very disappointing. And the back end of this season, being injured for a while has obviously has been tough. I'm feeling good now.' Dykes scored five goals for Birmingham as they romped to the League One title and reached the EFL Trophy Final. A stunning late Dykes header against Bradford secured a Wembley place for ex-Celtic coach Chris Davies and his team. They lost to Peterborough in the showpiece but, over the long term, the Blues were miles clear of the rest. Dykes said: 'Obviously I didn't want to go down to League One but the way the club are building and what they're trying to do for the future is something that appealed to me. This season was a step backwards but it was two steps forward as well.'
Sky News AU
6 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway confirmed to be moving to Australia for three year university degree
Norway's Princess Ingrid Alexandra will move to Australia in August to begin a three-year undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney, the palace has confirmed. Ingrid, 21, is the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette Marit and is second in line to the Norwegian throne behind her father. On Monday, Norway's royal palace confirmed the young royal, who recently completed military service, will commence undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney. 'Her Royal Highness Princess Ingrid Alexandra will begin her studies at the University of Sydney in August, enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts program,' the Norwegian Palace said in a press release. 'She has chosen a three-year degree with a focus on international relations and political economy. 'The Princess will be studying full-time and reside in a student residence on campus. Her Royal Highness looks forward to dedicating herself to her studies in the years to come.' The future Queen of the ancient Norwegian monarchy is the god daughter of King Frederik of Denmark, the husband of Aussie-born Queen Mary. The Norwegian Princess is only the latest in a long line of international royals who have completed part or all of their education in Australia. Thailand's reigning King Vajiralongkorn spent several years studying in Australia in the 1970s, while King Charles spent two terms at Geelong Grammar School in 1966. Ingrid's decision to study on the other side of the world also comes after a rollercoaster year for the Norwegian royal family. The country was scandalised last year after Ingrid's half-brother Marius Borg Høiby was arrested on a string of sex assault charges - including two rapes - last August. Mr Høiby is the 28-year-old son from Crown Princess Mette-Marit's previous relationship before she married into the Norwegian monarchy and has no role in the royal family. Nevertheless, it is understood Ingrid is close with her elder half-sibling, which has reportedly created anxiety within the palace. It is unclear if the geographical distance from her half-brother, who has denied all charges, influenced Ingrid's decision to move to Australia. The Norwegian monarchy has also faced scrutiny over Ingrid's colourful aunt Princess Martha Louise, a self-professed clairvoyant often cited as the direct cause of an uptick in republicanism in Norway. Martha Louise's second wedding to an American Shaman last year will reportedly be the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary.
Sky News AU
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News AU
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi's dog Augie passes away months after fleeing US in wake of Trump election
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have announced the death of one of their dogs just months after relocating to the United Kingdom following Donald Trump's re-election. The former American talk show host and her Aussie-born wife swapped Southern California for the Cotswolds, England, in November 2024. President Trump's win at the polls reportedly triggered their change of scenery, while fellow comedian Rosie O'Donnell opted to move to Ireland. DeGeneres and de Rossi confirmed on Friday their beloved Jack Russell Terrier Augie had died. 'We had to say goodbye to Augie yesterday,' DeGeneres announced via Instagram. 'We rescued him 12 years ago and he was so grateful. 'He gave us so much love. He will be missed. There will never be another like him.' The comedian's fans flooded the comment section to express their condolences. 'I'm so very sorry. What a gift you were to each other,' one fan wrote. 'I'm so sorry. He was a great dog and you guys gave a him an amazing life,' another fan added. Animal rights organisation Peta publicly expressed their condolences to DeGeneres and de Rossi, who also share a Poodle-Maltese mix named Kid and a poodle named Mrs. Wallis Browning. 'We are so deeply sorry for your loss of your precious Augie,' the organisation wrote. 'The 12 beautiful years of love, gratitude, and cherished memories you shared will live on in your hearts forever. 'Adopting sweet Augie changed his life, and his story continues to inspire others to open their hearts to homeless animals. Sending so much love.' On Monday, DeGeneres and de Rossi returned to Instagram and thanked fans for their condolences. The couple also shared a sweet video for their Kind Science skincare line recorded last month prior to the cherished pet's death. 'Thank you for all of your kind messages about Augie,' DeGeneres said. 'We filmed this last month and planned to post it today. 'I don't care what Portia says, please don't call me the Deal Queen. We love you, Augie.'
The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
James Lowe committed to British & Irish Lions as he responds to critics asking ‘how is this guy playing for Ireland?'
JAMES LOWE feels people should stop complaining about the Lions' 'foreign legion' when everyone knows the rules. Kiwi-born New Zealand . 2 James Lowe reacted to questions surrounding his international allegiance Credit: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile 2 He is one of 15 players included by Andy Farrell in the Lions He joined Leinster that year and won the first of his 40 international caps in 2020. Now, along with international team-mates Australia or South Africa — which has enraged Ireland and Lions legend Willie John McBride. Asked about his allegiance being questioned, Lowe said: 'When you don't have the blood running through your veins, there's a little bit of that. When I was first selected for Ireland, all the people come out of the woodwork saying, 'How is this person representing Ireland?' 'The rules were there. We've all done our time and we're fully embedded in the culture of Irish rugby .' Read More on Lions Scotland trio Australia . Aussie-born Tuipulotu, 28, who joined Glasgow in 2021 and has a Scottish grandmother, also feels no one can question his allegiances. He said: 'This is where my path has led me. I'm all in for this Lions team, for Scotland, for Glasgow, for everything.'
Time Out
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The Surfer
Never get between Nicolas Cage and his family. The lesson most us learned from Con Air, Face/Off and a few other Cage classics seems to elude the bullying surf posse in this lurid and enjoyably batty beach western. Cage plays an Aussie-born, American-raised finance schleb – referred to only as 'The Surfer' in a script fond of cult-movie grammar – who just wants to take his teenage son surfing on the enticing Aussie beach where he once rode waves as a kid. His Lexus, crisp work attire, and a planned deal to buy back the beachfront home where he grew up all speak of a man who has everything together – even if his boy finds the nostalgic outing a bit as Irish director Lorcan Finnegan (Vivarium) charts with fish-eyed lenses and ramping intensity, it doesn't take much for it all to fall apart spectacularly. The gang of intimidating surf bros, led by the charismatic, guru-like Scally (Julian McMahon), block him and his son from the surf – he's not a real local – then they steal his surfboard. 'Dude… that's my board,' growls Cage, 'and I want it back'. It's not quite 'put the bunny back in the box!' in the actor's pantheon of quotes, but they're still the words of a man with a game plan. Only, not so much: Cage's thwarted white-collar joe instead retreats to the beachside car park and slowly sheds his belongings, and his sanity, under the baking Australian sun. It's a lurid psychological horror that'll thrill midnight movie crowds Genre classics like Wake in Fright and Falling Down feel like blueprints here – cackling kookaburras, the rantings of a local homeless man, and composer François Tétaz's retro-kitsch soundscape the surreal wig-out – and Cage throws himself into it with his customary commitment. Puddles are slurped, dead rodents gnawed on, bins rifled through. Yet, as fun as it is to watch Cage yelling 'Eat the rat!' as random passers-by shepherd their children away, a sense of drift does kick in. The Surfer 's exploration of the thin line that separates man from beast is like a slap of factor 50 on a sunburnt back – bracing, if hardly subtle. And if you're hoping for a gnarly vengeance quest against McMahon's toxic surf guru and his punchable acolytes, that's not this film. But it's a lurid psychological horror that'll thrill midnight movie crowds and another leftfield entry in its lead's recent purple patch. Post-studio-era Cage is picking roles with real bite.
