Latest news with #Savage
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- NZ Herald
Real Life: Jared Savage on how gangs, crime and drug activity in NZ are evolving
'The underworld, the drug trade gangs, cartels, Asian crime syndicates – it's showing no sign of abating. In fact, New Zealand's appetite for drugs in particular seems insatiable,' he said. 'Police and ESR scientists can test the wastewater to see how much meth or other drugs are being consumed on a weekly basis. For a long time, we were around the 15kg mark each week… but in the back end of last year, that figure more than doubled to nearly 40kg a week. 'And this is happening at the same time that the Police and Customs are doing a great job, making huge busts, seizing more drugs than ever before.' Savage said when he first started writing for the NZ Herald two decades ago, catching 1kg of meth at the border was 'a huge deal' and would make front-page news – but no longer. '[Now] the smallest dealer on the street would have 10 times that in the back of their car. We're talking 100-700kg imports now,' he told Real Life. 'Those are the ones they're catching; I wouldn't like to say that that's the biggest, because I think probably some of the biggest ones have slipped through the border.' Savage told Cowan the increase in drugs coming into New Zealand is a big issue, having a major impact on social issues, poverty, unemployment and youth suicide – 'quite heavy things which are not easy to solve'. He says one of the biggest changes in organised crime in New Zealand, detailed in Underworld, is the rise of the so-called 'Nike Bikey gangs' – a new, slicker generation of criminals that are vastly different from their counterparts in the 1980s and '90s. 'A lot of established gangs that you'd recognise on our roads or around the places where you live were sort of ragtag, scruffy, leather-wearing, greasy-haired motorbike kind of guys,' he said. 'It's sort of evolved in the past sort of five to 10 years … a lot of these guys are younger, good-looking, clean-cut. They go to the gym, they look good, they've got great clothing and beautiful girlfriends and they're putting it all over Instagram. 'It's quite a different shift, which is possibly in tune with wider society as well.' This shift – which is at least in part a result of the influx of 501 deportees from Australia arriving on our shores – has also brought an increase in execution- and assassination-style hits, says Savage. 'Don't get me wrong, New Zealand criminals and gang members have always used firearms or had them in their possession, largely for intimidation purposes or protection,' he told Real Life. 'What we've seen in the last five years is more of a penchant for using them, and that's led to retaliation, tit-for-tat stuff. I'm actually amazed that more innocent people haven't been caught in the crossfire of some of these conflicts.' Adding to the difficulty in dealing with the issue of drugs and organised crime activity, though, is that enforcement alone doesn't yield results. Savage says the war on drugs around the world has shown the need to tackle not just the supply of drugs, but the demand for it – by helping those struggling with addiction. 'We need to be tackling … the sort of environments that lead to perpetual use, because it's very hard to break out of that cycle, particularly if you're in an environment where all your friends and family are also using. There's a lot of evidence to show that. 'A lot of reports say that New Zealand does need to be investing more into rehabilitation, counselling, support – all those things that can make a big difference. Because if you stop that demand, that will have an effect on the supply as well.' Savage acknowledges the world that he reports on is often 'pretty grim', but credits his Christian faith with giving him hope. 'It's a central part of my life and who I am, and you can't sort of separate the two. You can't leave it at the door when you go to interview someone. 'I mean, I've seen some pretty horrific things in my time… [my faith] is something that keeps me level-headed and grounded.' Savage says he's hopeful his new book will help readers understand the complexity of criminal activity. 'I hope people would… understand not just the fact that there is this big problem that we've got, but also some of the reasons as to why somebody might join a gang, why someone might sort of enter that world of drug-dealing. 'Not to excuse it, but to just have a bit more understanding, a bit more nuance, to see the shades of grey.' Real Life is a weekly interview show where John Cowan speaks with prominent guests about their life, upbringing, and the way they see the world. Tune in Sundays from 7:30pm on Newstalk ZB or listen to the latest full interview here. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
SRG.OG advance as HomeBois shown exit at MSCxEWC
KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor Red Giants ( live to fight another day but it was the end of the road for HomeBois at the Mid Season Cup x Esports World Cup (MSCxEWC) in Riyadh today (July 27). The two Malaysian heavyweights faced contrasting fortunes in the lower bracket semi-finals. who are the defending champions, secured their slot in the knockout stages after downing Cambodia's CFU Gaming 2-0 with Innocent (John Banal) scoring the first Savage of the competition. HomeBois, however, lost 2-0 to ONIC Philippines and thus are out of the competition. Earlier this week, lost 2-1 to Myanmar's Mythic Seal while HomeBois went down 2-0 to Team Spirit (Russia) in the upper bracket semi-finals. The MSCxEWC knockout rounds will begin on Wednesday (July 30).
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hulk Hogan's legacy: 5 hidden-gem matches from his long wrestling career
The legacy of Hulk Hogan is certainly a complicated one, and there will be numerous pieces trying to balance his influence on pop culture and pro wrestling with his appalling racism and personal behavior. His in-ring legacy is similarly complicated. He has long been considered a punching bag for work-rate wrestling fans, serving as the dark side of the coin compared wrestlers like Ric Flair or Bret Hart. There was a 'Hulk Hogan in Japan' meme with the idea Hogan was only good in Japan, where he would break out a drop-toe hold or a hammerlock, crapping on his U.S. in-ring performances. There is a reason, however, Hogan became such a phenomenon in a way similarly muscled-up peers never did. He was a master of timing, knowing exactly what a crowd needed and when to give it to it. There is value in both a gritty, independent film and a huge, flashy summer movie, and Hulk Hogan was the James Cameron of pro wrestling. No one did blockbusters better. But here are some of the lesser-known Hogan bangers, the kind of kick-ass matches that got fans to return to arenas month after month. Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant, WWF, March 21, 1981 A battle of titans years before their epic WrestleMania 3 match. This is a younger and more agile Andre as a babyface and a heel Hogan in a heavy-hitting, super-duper heavyweight match. Lots of impressive huge power spots between a pair of human kaiju. Andre hits one of the largest vertical suplexes in wrestling history, and Hulk hoists Andre out of the air with a bear hug and bodyslams Andre (years before he became 'the first to do it' at Mania 3). In this match it was Andre who delivered the big babyface comeback, splitting Hogan open and bouncing him around the ring to delight of the crowd. It doesn't reach the transcendent heights of Mania 3, but it is fun to see the work-rate version of such a legendary match. Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage, WWF, May 24, 1986 Hogan and Savage are tied together historically because of multiple iconic feuds. This is from their first series against each other at the Boston Garden and was a great example of what made them such special dance partners. It started with Savage building heat by refusing to lock up and bailing every time Hogan tried to get him. This eventually led to Hogan's frustration giving Savage an opening, and Randy hit him with various dives off the ropes, both in the ring and to the floor. When Randy got cooking in the '80s, he would rain down on you like a missile barrage, his athleticism jumped off the page like watching Bo Jackson hit the open field. Hogan had one of his big crowd-pleasing comebacks, hulking up and wagging the finger, but before he could put Savage away, a ref bump allowed Savage to hit a top-rope axehandle to the floor with the title belt, opening up Hogan and allowing Savage to get a count-out win. Of course, Hogan gets his heat back by dragging Randy from the back and kicking his ass, but this was a rare Hogan loss and a hell of performance by both. Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Billy Jack Haynes vs. Paul Orndorff, Adrian Adonis, Hercules, WWF, March 7, 1987 An elimination six-man tag leading up to WrestleMania 3, and a great example of star-power wrestling. This match was billed as Piper's final one in the Boston Garden (his match against Adonis at Mania 3 was booked as a retirement match), and the crowd was clearly amped to see the legendary rivals Piper and Hogan teaming up. In addition, the Hogan and Orndorff feud had been a huge draw the previous summer and still had a lot of juice left in it. Piper and Adonis were the focus of the first fall, and their interactions were electric, as were all of the times Hogan and Piper teamed up to foil the villains. After Piper and Adonis eliminated themselves, Hogan and Orndorff had a bunch of heated interactions before ending with Hogan running through Hercules. Mid-'80s Hogan was the peak of his superhero, larger-than-life persona, and that charisma could make even the simplest interactions seem monumental. Hulk Hogan vs. Sgt. Slaughter, WWF, June 3, 1991 This was a battle of two of the great jingoistic wrestlers of all time in a Desert Storm match. Slaughter had previously played the role of the flag waving American hero (his boot camp match against the Iron Shiek is one of the best WWF matches ever), but in 1991 he had turned on the flag and proclaimed his loyalty to Iraq. As a feud overall this wasn't a big success, and the WWF famously needed to move WrestleMania 7 to smaller arena because of slow ticket sales. This was the highlight of that feud though, with an enthusiastic Madison Square Garden crowd hyped to see Slaughter taken down. It was a Desert Storm match, with no rules and the loser needing to surrender. Hogan brutalized Slaughter at the start, throwing powder in his eyes and splitting him open with a metal gas mask. Slaughter was able to get some advantages, but this was mostly the Hulkster convincingly ending a feud by laying on a triumphant ass-kicking, even tossing fire at Slaughter's face before making General Adnan throw in the towel. Hulk Hogan vs. Sting, WCW, July 10, 1998 This is a house-show cage main event that would be a legendary all-time match if it had happened on PPV or Nitro. It's a match that should have run at Starrcade, with a super over Sting and Hogan going after each other with tremendous pace. Full of impressive spots, including Sting hanging Hogan upside down by his hamstrings on the cage and hitting him with a Stinger splash, Sting flying on the floor and smashing his ribs on the guardrail, and Hogan tapping clean to the Scorpion death lock in the middle of the ring. NWO Hogan could coast through his matches with cheap heel-heat spots, but for some reason he was on one here. He looked like he hadn't lost anything off his athletic fastball. The post-match was nuts with an NWO attack, and Goldberg coming out to clean house while the fans pelted the ring with garbage and nearly rioted. This was days after Goldberg defeated Hogan in Atlanta, and it was still the peak of WCW. This was one of Hogan's greatest WCW heel performances.
Hypebeast
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Inside NOCTA Manor: Drake and Nike's Immersive Brand Retreat in London
Summary DrakeandNikerecently hosted 'NOCTA Manor,' an immersive, invite-only concept retreat nestled just outside London in the countryside town of Windsor. Built to coincide with Drake's three-night headline run atWireless Festival 2025, the Manor is designed to expand their world ofNOCTAfar beyond apparel and offers a curated look into the evolving universe of their NOCTA brand, bringing together fashion, athletics, music, and hospitality under one highly stylized roof. Set inside a gothic-style estate, the space immediately blurs the lines between luxury living and performance design. From the exterior, the Manor retains its stately, old-world charm. But step inside, and you're met with a fully realized NOCTA ecosystem — thoughtfully divided into three distinct zones: NOCTA Manor, the NOCTA Sports Club, and the Clubhouse. Each space serves a different function, yet all are connected by a unified aesthetic. From branded lounge areas and personalized locker rooms to custom NOCTA boats and a striking yellow and black basketball court set against manicured grounds, every detail is designed to immerse guests in the world of NOCTA. The layout blends high-performance minimalism with a refined, lifestyle-driven sensibility, staying true to the brand's design language while introducing new levels of tactility and intention. Across the multi-day experience, guests were invited to engage with NOCTA in motion. From Nike trainer-led workouts and American football scrimmages to river tours and curated wellness sessions, the experience was as much about movement as it was about rest. An all-star lineup of attendees — including21 Savage,Sexyy Red,Central Cee,Kevin Durant, andDevin Booker— further reinforced the brand's deep cultural roots, bridging the worlds of music, sport, and style into one interconnected atmosphere. Inside, the Manor's interiors were dressed in NOCTA's core palette, with product installations, exclusive apparel previews, and potential first looks at upcoming footwear — including rumored NOCTA x Maverick sneakers. Every detail, from the furniture to the lighting, was intentional, designed to echo the brand's duality: elite performance meets everyday expression. Despite its ultra-exclusive guest list, NOCTA Manor was built for visibility. The retreat's design and programming were meant to be experienced, photographed, and shared. Social posts from attendees quickly transformed the Manor into a viral case study in modern brand immersion. By inviting tastemakers and creatives to live inside the NOCTA world — if only for a weekend — Drake and Nike have redefined what a brand activation can be. More than just a product launch, NOCTA Manor served as a lifestyle installation, one that positioned NOCTA not just as a label, but as a cultural environment. Take a closer look at scenes from the NOCTA retreat below.
Sydney Morning Herald
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia's ‘Abbey Road' produced a generation of musical genius. It'll never happen again
'When we went in there, it was a warehouse for butter … it was just a huge [space with] empty floor after floor,' Savage says. 'With local acousticians, we did our own design and built various studios.' Armstrong Studios cut records including Daddy Cool's Eagle Rock, Cat Stevens' Another Saturday Night, John Farnham's You're The Voice, Little River Band's Help Is on Its Way, Russell Morris' The Real Thing and Turn Up Your Radio by the Masters Apprentices. The studio also produced soundtracks for films, including the first two Mad Max films, The Man From Snowy River and Crocodile Dundee, all of which Savage worked on. Savage, now in his 80s, says Armstrong's early operation was at once homegrown and state-of-the-art. 'We couldn't afford to buy the multitrack equipment from America, [where] most of it was coming from, and so we had it all made locally,' Savage says. In 1974, a couple of years into the operation, Armstrong sold the Bank Street studios to The Age 's then publishers, and it became AAV (Armstrong Audio Video). The sound part of the business operated downstairs, while video operated upstairs. Renowned producer and engineer Ernie Rose, who was instrumental in Armstrong's development, ran the studios under the name Metropolis from the 1980s until financial difficulties shuttered them in 2006. Armstrong's enterprise is behind some of Australia's most defining records and soundtracks, and it also fostered a generation of producers and engineers under Savage's mentorship, John Olson says. The researcher and engineer co-wrote Tony Cohen's memoir Half Deaf, Completely Mad. Cohen was one of Armstrong's most esteemed record producers and sound engineers, and had a celebrated career working with musicians including Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, the Go-Betweens and Paul Kelly. Cohen died in 2017, aged 60. 'Tony talked about watching Roger at work, and how spectacular it was, the sight of Roger's hands gliding instinctively across the mixing desk,' Olson says. 'When he said that, I never saw Roger at work but I knew exactly what he meant, because anyone who witnessed Tony at his best, that's exactly what [he] was like.' Savage, Rose and renowned musician and record producer Mick Harvey were pivotal influences on Cohen's career, Olson says. Cohen spoke about wildly different bands coming together and finding common ground at Armstrong's Cafe Bar – a 1960s instant coffee machine – while recording in each of the building's different studios. The dynamics led to funny moments – Savage recalls fellow music industry legend Molly Meldrum jumping the studios' back fence to avoid the glare of visiting label representatives, who were wondering whether Savage was re-recording Morris' The Real Thing. There were also tense encounters, like when a group of punks descended on a clipboard-holding AAV administrator who tried to cull numbers in a studio, Olson says. But there was a sense of community and, most importantly, collaboration. 'Tony felt that a best recording was capturing people in a moment, which involved everyone being there and playing generally at the same time,' Olson says. 'That would create a magic you can't capture otherwise.' Savage says whether something like Armstrong's could ever exist again is a 'mind-boggling' question, but the killer is in the collaboration. Studios no longer have the space, or desire, to bring so many people together, he suggests. 'Being in the same room, knowing the body language – there's nothing really quite like that. You could be on a Zoom call, but it's not the same,' Savage says. 'You could technically collaborate now … globally if you're sharing the sound files, but having everyone in the one place – I think those days are gone because, financially, it doesn't make sense.' Savage will discuss the studios' legacy at a panel event for Open House Melbourne alongside Olson, Rose and Harvey next Saturday. These days, Savage is tinkering with AI at his nation-leading post-production company Soundfirm in Port Melbourne, and hopes to spend more time 'pulling apart old cars'. 'To be honest, I've been a bit of a workaholic. I haven't really had any hobbies, so I've probably been out on life balance, or life-work balance, whatever you call it,' he says.
