Latest news with #Stephenson
Perth Now
21 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
New-look WACA to honour Indigenous pioneers
The revamped WACA venue will recognise its Indigenous history with a statue honouring the New Norcia Invincibles. The WACA facelift, which includes a six-lane swimming pool and 'very dramatic water slide', is 80 per cent complete and on track to open before the 2025-26 summer. The entry to the redeveloped venue will feature a nod to the New Norcia Invincibles and its team captain Joseph Nogolgot. The Invincibles walked over 130 kilometres between 1879 and 1883 from New Norcia to Perth to face the Metropolitan Cricket Club. They earned 'The Invincibles' after their captivating style of cricket stunned the locals in several matches. A WACA spokesperson said the statue 'stands as a tribute to those remarkable men and their legacy'. WACA chief executive John Stephenson says the venue will still have 'cricket at its heart' and it will shine through its new acknowledgment. Stephenson views the statue, the heavy selection of Indigenous artwork and aquatic centre all part of growing cricket in WA. 'Although we are developing new facilities and a new venue in a sense, it's still got cricket at its heart,' Stephenson said. Aboriginal cricket team, New Norcia, 1879. WA State Library Credit: NewsWire 'We'll still be acknowledging that and the heritage at the WACA ground everywhere, especially in specific areas. 'When you come through the WACA ground for whatever it is; a swim, a workout in the gym, a tour of the museum or the indoor centre for a net, you'll be surrounded by that heritage and there will be a lot of Aboriginal art and decor. 'One thing you'll notice when you come to the redevelopment of the WACA is there will be a bronze statue that acknowledges Aboriginal culture. 'As you go through the WACA redevelopment you'll see it everywhere and I think it's really good, it's something WA really lead on throughout the country. 'It's something we're very proud of … it's Joseph, the legendary Aboriginal cricketer, so he gets the acknowledgment as you walk into the ground.' Stephenson admits the aquatic centre, a short stone throw from the boundary, is 'certainly a unique proposition' but hopes it plays a role in luring non-cricket people into the sport. 'It looks pretty impressive, a very dramatic water slide, six-lane, outdoor 50 metre pool … it's really exciting to see it come to life.' he said. Cricket and swimming will collide at the upgraded WACA. PICTURES: WACA Credit: NewsWire 'I think it will be a key success to part of the regeneration of this precinct in east Perth and I think the community are going to benefit massively from it. 'We'll be looking to attract a lot of the local community coming into the WACA ground for the first time, they'll use our unique facilities and see cricket going on in the background. 'Hopefully that will pique their interest in cricket and vice versa for those who go to the WACA purely for cricket, they'll hopefully benefit the other way around.' The New Norcia Invincibles —16 February 1879: Paul Jater, Paddy Yappo, John Walley, Benedict Cuper, Anthony Nelabut, Aleck Wagnola, Felix Jackamarra, James Egan, John Blurton, Henry Lefroy, Frederick Yrbel, Joseph Nogolgot (Captain).
Axios
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Airbnb gets in bed with Lollapalooza
One of the biggest music festivals in the country sets up shop in downtown Chicago this weekend, but Lollapalooza's impact will be felt in neighborhoods as well. The big picture: This weekend is traditionally the biggest driver of Airbnb rentals as hosts are estimated to make over $2.5 million collectively. It's estimated that 50% of Lollapalooza attendees will be from outside Chicago. What they're saying:"Last year, we had 16,000 people staying in Airbnb," Airbnb's chief business officer Dave Stephenson tells Axios. State of play: Airbnb is doubling down on its efforts to tie itself to the music festival by giving renters exclusive access to Lollapalooza activities, events and activations. The partnership features experiences like Thursday night's " sonic journey" with Chance the Rapper. Chance is debuting a new album, and Airbnb guests will get to hear early tracks while touring an immersive gallery. "This is the first time we've actually had a direct music partnership with Lollapalooza," Stephenson said. The intrigue: Stephenson says adding exclusive experiences is part of an effort to make Airbnb more than just a short-term rental platform. Zoom out: Airbnb and other short-term rental companies haven't had it easy in Chicago. The powerful hotel lobby has used its influence with City Council to regulate the business. City leaders have warned of crackdowns if there are parties and other disturbances. "Disruptive parties are an incredibly small minority," Stephenson said, adding they've beefed up anti-party measures since 2020. "We have a large trust and safety team that uses artificial intelligence and other tools. We've lowered party percentages by over 80% over the last five years." Friction point: Taxes and fees are also prohibitive for Airbnb and its clients. Chicago applies its hotel occupancy tax to Airbnb, which is usually passed on to the renter, making Airbnb costs closer to bigger cities like New York and Los Angeles. There are also rigorous regulations for hosts looking to rent out their spaces. The latest: The state recently passed a law that applies its 6% hotel occupancy tax to short-term rentals. Yes, but: A measure to ban short-term rentals neighborhood by neighborhood stalled on the City Council floor, which is assuring to Stephenson and the company.
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Bank robber said he had gun in bag
A heavily disguised man robbed a bank with a hammer and passed a threatening note to the teller telling her he had a gun in his bag. Joshua Shane Evans Costigan, 24, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday after earlier pleading guilty to robbery and possessing a weapon. The court heard that after days of planning and scouting out potential targets, the defendant selected a Kiwibank in central Christchurch to rob. On October 4, he went there disguised in a large black Afro wig, a surgical mask, a puffer jacket and dark sunglasses and had a backpack on the front of his body with a hammer in it. Costigan slipped the teller a note that read: "I have a gun in my bag. Hand me all the money from the till." Fearing for her safety, the woman handed over the cash. As the defendant left, he was tackled to the ground by a security guard, who restrained him until police arrived. Police discovered he had a hammer with him, but did not have a gun. Costigan told officers he had been planning the crime for the previous five days and chose this particular bank because of its proximity to his escape route. He confessed his motivation to steal the money was so he did not have to work and that during the robbery he held his vape near his bag to give the impression he had a gun. Costigan also revealed his plans to rob a Michael Hill Jeweller store using the hammer to smash glass cabinets. Yesterday, the court heard the bank employee was glad the defendant was arrested but thought it was "crazy" the offence occurred so close to a police station. After the incident, seeing people of a similar build to Costigan put her on edge and the impact of the offending would stay with her forever, she said. Yesterday, counsel Brendan Stephenson said his client had committed the offence at a "particularly low point" in his life, but had been honest about his wrong-doing since his arrest. "He's given a very full and frank interview where he's essentially volunteered to the police the extent of the planning," Mr Stephenson said. He said Costigan was coming down from methamphetamine when he robbed the bank and was seeking help for his addiction. "His priority is to never touch methamphetamine again because it causes disaster in his life and other people's lives and that is something he's keenly aware of," Mr Stephenson said. The defendant told a Probation officer the crime was "a cry for help". He said he was "paranoid and delusional" and his "brain was scrambled" because he was coming down from methamphetamine. Judge David Robinson noted the defendant's disadvantaged background and addiction issues but also highlighted the risk he posed when committing the crime in his unpredictable state. The judge sentenced Costigan to two years and four months' imprisonment and ordered the disguise and the hammer be destroyed.
eNCA
4 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
Battling tariffs is no trivial pursuit for US games retailer
ANNAPOLIS - At a strip mall in Maryland, a miniature landscape extends across a table between Dash Krempel and his friend as a war game unfolds. But their hobby is becoming more expensive as US tariffs take a toll. Krempel told AFP the cost of models for tabletop games have surged from inflation, and continued rising since US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners this year. UK-made figurines that cost $60 around three years ago now go for $94.50, he said. "Prices have gotten bigger," he added. "It's a very expensive hobby to begin with, so it's maybe pricing a lot of people out." Instead of buying more products, he now tries to support retailer Game Kastle College Park by renting tables to play in-store. For the shop's owner, Boyd Stephenson, stocking new board games, paints and hobby supplies has only become more challenging. To avoid the harshest of Trump's tariffs, some suppliers had to delay shipments or postpone new releases. As they raised their suggested retail prices, so has Stephenson at Game Kastle. About a fifth of his store's products have seen cost hikes, with increases ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent. "If we see higher prices or higher tariffs, I'm going to see higher wholesale prices, and then I have to raise my prices accordingly," he said. Asked what percentage of his store relies on imports, Stephenson replied: "Almost all of it." - No capacity - AFP | SAUL LOEB Stephenson estimates some 7,000 board games were released last year from 5,000 different companies. "You're really looking at 5,000 different approaches (to tariffs)," he said. "Some producers are saying, 'We're going to eat the cost.' Some producers are saying, 'We're passing the cost through all the way.' And other producers are doing some sort of mix of that." Like other US retailers, Stephenson could face more cost pressures come August 1, when steeper tariffs are set to hit dozens of economies like the European Union and India. The elevated rates mark an increase from the 10 percent levy Trump imposed on goods from most economies in April. AFP | SAUL LOEB While China -- a crucial manufacturing hub for games -- is temporarily spared, Trump has separately imposed fresh 30 percent tariffs on products from the world's second biggest economy this year. US tariffs on Chinese products could return to higher levels from August 12 if officials fail to extend their truce. Yet, there is no quick fix to return manufacturing to the United States. "US manufacturers just don't have the capacity to do that anymore," said Stephenson, showing an intricate board game figurine. "Really, the people that are good at that, that's China," he said. "The best modeling paints come from Spain." "So if you see tariffs get put up on the EU, then all of a sudden I'm going to have to pay higher prices on modelling paint when I bring it into the country," he added. Trump has threatened the bloc with a 30 percent tariff. - 'Universally bad' - AFP | SAUL LOEB Stephenson tries to absorb some cost hikes, but said: "I have to be able to pay the staff, pay the electric company, pay the landlord." Trump's on-again, off-again approach to duties has also made suppliers' price changes more unpredictable. "What is always universally bad for business is uncertainty," Stephenson said. He usually stocks up on inventory ahead of the year-end holiday season, but expects to be more strategic with purchases this year to avoid unwelcome surprises. Many companies are delaying merchandise imports as they lack certainty, said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. "When the product is brought into the country and entered into commerce, you have 15 days to pay your tariff bill," he said. This causes problems when tariff rates change and businesses lack funds to pay for orders. Some businesses, and industry group the Game Manufacturers Association, have mounted legal challenges against Trump's blanket tariffs hitting various countries, noting nearly 80 percent of tabletop games sold in the US are made abroad. But such complaints are an uphill battle. "The damage, especially for small retailers, has been significant," Gold said. by Beiyi Seow
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Readers' Letters: Scots blessed with abundant natural resources, are more than capable of creating an enlightened future for their country
Any reference to the Scottish Enlightenment must be an anathema to Jill Stephenson (Letters 25 July) as so many Scots of the past have shaped global thinking today, among them Black, Boswell, Burnett, Burns, Cullen, Ferguson, Hume, Hutcheson, Hutton, Playfair, Reid, Smith and Stewart. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Instead of expressing her gratitude for the high quality of the drinking water provided by Scottish Water and the relatively minimal impact of 'storm overflows' on our bathing waters in rivers and around our beaches, Ms Stephenson embarks on another misguided tirade of denigration of the Scottish Government and the SNP, with this time the performance of Scottish Water the source of her discontent. The facts (omitted by UK Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, in recent TV interviews) are that SEPA reports that 87 per cent of Scotland's rivers are in good health while only 15 per cent of England's rivers are rated at that level with The Rivers Trust reporting that not a single waterway in England is in overall good health. It is of course understood that with England being more densely populated there is a greater level of monitoring in England but most sensible people would rather be taking a shower, never mind drinking the water, in Glasgow or Edinburgh, rather than in London. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Perhaps Ms Stephenson should draw some positivity from Scottish history (as it seems that confidence in her fellow 'Scots' is not yet flowing through her veins) and recognise that the people of Scotland, blessed with Scotland's abundant natural resources, are more than capable of creating an enlightened future for their country. Stan Grodynski, Longniddry, East Lothian Tax tipping point The economy of the UK may have passed a tipping point where increased taxation results in reduced tax revenue and higher benefit payments. The result of the various increases in the cost of employing staff is becoming apparent. Many companies do not have the income to be able to retain so many semi-skilled staff. My suggestion is medium sized companies and charities together with those such as supermarkets that employ large numbers of semi-skilled staff have been forced to reduce head count by say 5%. Those no longer employed are no longer paying tax and newly draw benefits. Increasing the tax burden by whatever means will continue this avalanche effect reducing GDP progressively. Scotland may be able to avoid some of the effects of this economic deterioration. Firstly Scotland must stand up to the EU and the London Government by insisting on the same economics ties to the EU as northern Ireland has obtained. Shelve independence, this will eventually come anyway and concentrate on this objective with the grim determination needed to avoid an economic collapse. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Secondly encourage profitable companies to relocate to Scotland by building reasonably priced decent housing in areas with access to economically successful regions such as Glasgow and Edinburgh and offering this to key workers as has been done in the past. Reinforcing success will inevitably allow all areas to benefit from the overall rise in economic activity even if it is just concentrated in the central belt. Above all do not reinforce failure. I suggest governments must realise that they cannot continue to magic money out of thin air by endlessly increasing the tax burden on the people and companies which they represent. In the end they must spend within their means just as every member of our population is forced to. Ken Carew, Dumfries Trump Hypocrisy Gerald Edwards (Letters, 26 July) claims that, unlike Swinney and Starmer, Trump makes good on his election pledges. Ending the Ukraine War within 24 hours was pure hyperbole and failure to recognise that Putin was 'tapping me along' earlier was extremely bad judgement. Our leaders may be ailing but they are not arrogant and incompetent. As Trump landed in Scotland he may have reflected on his presbyterian upbringing from his Scottish mother. 'Blessed are the peacemakers..' (Matthew 5:9). Trump may believe he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize but his track record suggests otherwise. The Gaza War is so one sided the idea that Hamas could end it tomorrow as Mr Edwards claims, is without foundation, they are well beaten and have little influence. As your editorial states Trump is in a unique position to help Gaza by championing humanitarian aid. He could also end the war by withdrawing arms to Israel but allows Prime Minister Netanyahu to string him along with talk of ceasefires to save himself from facing trial for war crimes. Instead Trump is complicit in mass starvation and murder of innocent civilians at US/Israeli food points, some would argue ethnic cleansing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As for releasing the Epstein files Trump continues to act with rank hypocrisy as his MAGA base are starting to realise. It's unlikely, however, that our leaders will do anything other than play to Trump's ego given there's a trade deal to sign. Contrary to Mr Edwards view, Swinney should raise Gaza as he pledged to do, just don't mention the windmills John! Neil Anderson, Edinburgh Inquiring minds Stephen Jardine's negative views on public inquiries are spot on (Opinion, July 26). My only criticisms of them is that they are too mild and too measured. Remedying what has become a very expensive British disease is needed. To assuage politicians who need a mechanism to kick issues into touch, and to keep lawyers happy for years to come, I suggest a remedy. A Public Inquiry into public inquiries should be established. Hugh Pennington, Chair, Public Inquiry into the September 2005 Outbreak of O157 in South Wales, Aberdeen Write to The Scotsman
