Credit Suisse closely linked with fossil fuel industry
#RogerWakeUpNow has been trending on Twitter
Guardian sport and agencies
Sun 12 Jan 2020
Roger Federer says he takes the ‘threat of climate change
very seriously’. Photograph: Fiona Hamilton/Tennis
Australia Handout/EPA
Roger Federer has issued a cautiously worded response to mounting criticism, including from climate activist Greta Thunberg, over his sponsorship deal with Credit Suisse.
A dozen Swiss activists appeared in court on Tuesday after refusing to pay a fine for playing tennis inside branches of Credit Suisse bank in November 2018, in a stunt intended to underscore Federer’s relationship with the Swiss financial giant, which is closely linked with the fossil fuel industry.
They also held up banners reading: “Credit Suisse is destroying the planet. Roger, do you support them?” Lawyers for the activists, mostly students, said they were appealing the fine of £17,000 (21,600 Swiss francs / $AU32,000) on the basis they were acting as whistleblowers for the climate emergency. Protesters with signs gathered outside the courtroom in Lausanne, and the hashtag #RogerWakeUpNow has been trending on Twitter.
People demonstrate in support outside the trial
Roger Federer has issued a cautiously worded response to mounting criticism, including from climate activist Greta Thunberg, over his sponsorship deal with Credit Suisse.
A dozen Swiss activists appeared in court on Tuesday after refusing to pay a fine for playing tennis inside branches of Credit Suisse bank in November 2018, in a stunt intended to underscore Federer’s relationship with the Swiss financial giant, which is closely linked with the fossil fuel industry.
They also held up banners reading: “Credit Suisse is destroying the planet. Roger, do you support them?” Lawyers for the activists, mostly students, said they were appealing the fine of £17,000 (21,600 Swiss francs / $AU32,000) on the basis they were acting as whistleblowers for the climate emergency. Protesters with signs gathered outside the courtroom in Lausanne, and the hashtag #RogerWakeUpNow has been trending on Twitter.
People demonstrate in support outside the trial
of 12 activists who stormed and played tennis
inside a Credit Suisse office in November 2018.
Photograph: Jean-Christophe Bott/AP
Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara targeted for bushfire relief match
“As the father of four young children and a fervent supporter of universal education, I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the youth climate movement, and I am grateful to young climate activists for pushing us all to examine our behaviours and act on innovative solutions. We owe it to them and ourselves to listen. I appreciate reminders of my responsibility as a private individual, as an athlete and as an entrepreneur, and I’m committed to using this privileged position to dialogue on important issues with my sponsors.”
Credit Suisse recently stated it is “seeking to align its loan portfolios with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and has recently announced in the context of its global climate strategy that it will no longer invest in new coal-fired power plants”.
Federer will headline a fundraising exhibition at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday in aid of bushfire relief, alongside Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki.
Thunberg was among nearly 700 accounts to retweet a post from climate activist group 350.org Europe. “Since 2016 @CreditSuisse has provided $57 BILLION to companies looking for new fossil fuel deposits – something that is utterly incompatible with #ClimateAction,” the tweet reads. “@RogerFederer do you endorse this? #RogerWakeUpNow.”350.org Europe(@350Europe)
Since 2016 @CreditSuisse has provided $57 BILLION to companies looking for new fossil fuel deposits - something that is utterly incompatible with #ClimateAction @RogerFederer do you endorse this? #RogerWakeUpNow pic.twitter.com/ED1fIvb4CrJanuary 8, 2020Federer, who is in Melbourne preparing for the Australian Open, responded this weekend via a statement. But the 20-time grand slam champion stopped short of directly addressing his relationship with Credit Suisse. “I take the impacts and threat of climate change very seriously, particularly as my family and I arrive in Australia amidst devastation from the bushfires,” read Federer’s statement, sent to Reuters.
Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara targeted for bushfire relief match
“As the father of four young children and a fervent supporter of universal education, I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the youth climate movement, and I am grateful to young climate activists for pushing us all to examine our behaviours and act on innovative solutions. We owe it to them and ourselves to listen. I appreciate reminders of my responsibility as a private individual, as an athlete and as an entrepreneur, and I’m committed to using this privileged position to dialogue on important issues with my sponsors.”
Credit Suisse recently stated it is “seeking to align its loan portfolios with the objectives of the Paris Agreement and has recently announced in the context of its global climate strategy that it will no longer invest in new coal-fired power plants”.
Federer will headline a fundraising exhibition at the Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday in aid of bushfire relief, alongside Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki.
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Serena Williams ends 3-year title drought, donates winnings to Australia fire victims
American tennis legend Serena Williams broke a three-year dry spell with a win at the Auckland Classic on Sunday. It was the athlete's first title win since becoming a mother.
Tennis star Serena Williams won the World Tennis Association (WTA) Auckland Classic final on Sunday, her first title in three years. The American athlete donated her prize winnings to victims of the Australian bushfires.
Williams, 38, beat fellow American Jessica Pegula, 25, with a 6-3 6-4 victory. The win was Williams' 73rd WTA title and her first since she became a mother.
Williams then donated her winner's check to the Australian bushfire relief fund, totaling $43,000.
Before Sunday's victory, her most recent title was the 2017 Australian Open, which she won while pregnant.
"I've been playing in Australia for over 20 years and it's been really hard for me to watch all the news and everything that has been happening in Australia with all the fire and... animals and people that have lost their homes," she said when presented with Sunday's winnings.
"I decided at the beginning of the tournament... I'd donate all my prize money for a great cause," she added.
The victory raises expectations that Williams could win at the Australian Open later this month. It would be Williams' 24th Grand Slam title, which would tie her with record holder Margaret Court.
Sister Act
Serena and Venus burst onto the scene in 1997, with Serena making her mark on the Grand Slams slightly later than her older sister. The pair have met 30 times in professional matches, with Serena winning 18 of those contests. That includes nine Grand Slam finals, of which Serena has won seven. The sisters have also enjoyed success as doubles partners, winning 14 women's doubles titles.
Australian Associated Press
Yahoo Sport Australia 9 Jan 2020,
Serena Williams is auctioning a signed dress but the tennis superstar says she wants to do more to aid the Australian bushfire relief.
American legend Williams said she feels helpless when she hears about the impact of the fires on a country she has an affinity with and where she will play this month in pursuit of grand slam history.
In the wake of her second-round win at Auckland's ASB Classic on Thursday, Williams confirmed she had placed a playing dress she wore this week on a Kiwi internet auction website. An early bid of $NZ1500 ($A1450) had been made.
She indicated she was open to other fundraising ideas.
"To me it means the world. I have so many friends in Australia and it's just been really tragic all around," she said.
Serena Williams has spoken of her devastation as the Australian bushfire disaster has unfolded. (Photo by Greg Bowker/Getty Images)More
"I just keep asking every day to people back home or in Australia, what can I do? Is there anything I can do? It's literally devastating for me and I'm sure a lot of other people feel the same way."
Williams, 38, can secure a record-equalling 24th grand slam title if victorious at the Australian Open in Melbourne for an eighth time.
Meanwhile, Auckland tournament organisers have auctioned a number of centre court seats, with those proceeds also going to the Australian Red Cross.
Tennis superstars pitching in for bushfire relief
As the Australian Open draws ever closer, more and more players visiting the country for the first Grand Slam of the season are finding creative ways to raise money.
Many, such as Nick Kyrgios and Alex de Minaur, are donating a specific amount for every ace they serve - but Swiss player Belinda Bencic has found a creative way of utilising her serve to raise money.
Bencic isn’t known for having a dynamic serve - so instead, the world no.8 decided to kick in $200 for every double-fault she commits during the tournament.
Donating for every doublefault in the next tournaments:)) @AdelaideTennis @AustralianOpen Will you join @AlexZverev ? 😅 pic.twitter.com/HsWx3SpwZ7— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) January 8, 2020
“Although I’m not the best at hitting aces but much better at hitting double faults, I will donate $200 for every one I serve at my next tournaments,” Bencic tweeted.
“Like that, I won’t be angry at myself when I hit one and finally they will be useful.”
Bencic said on social media that her "heart is crying reading the news" about the devastation the bushfires have wreaked across Australia.
It’s a sentiment echoed across the sporting landscape in Australia, with millions of dollars raised from a raft of professional players and governing bodies.
Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal commit to Australian bushfires charity match
By George Ramsay, CNN January 10, 2020
Caroline Wozniacki (left) and Serena Williams will take part
in an exhibition match raising funds for Australia's bushfire relief.
(CNN)A number of the world's top tennis stars, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, have agreed to play in an exhibition match to raise funds for Australia's bushfire relief.
The trio, who have 62 grand slam titles between them, will be joined by Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features
Scheduled to take place on January 15 at Melbourne Park's Rod Laver Arena, the Australian Open Rally for Relief will donate proceeds from ticket sales -- priced at $37 (54 AUSD) for adults and $24 (35 AUSD) for concessions -- to the bushfire relief efforts.
At least 24 people have been killed by the fires in Australia. Nearly 18 million acres of land have been burned as the country faces its worst blazes in decades.
(CNN)A number of the world's top tennis stars, including Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, have agreed to play in an exhibition match to raise funds for Australia's bushfire relief.
The trio, who have 62 grand slam titles between them, will be joined by Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
Visit CNN.com/sport for more news, videos and features
Scheduled to take place on January 15 at Melbourne Park's Rod Laver Arena, the Australian Open Rally for Relief will donate proceeds from ticket sales -- priced at $37 (54 AUSD) for adults and $24 (35 AUSD) for concessions -- to the bushfire relief efforts.
At least 24 people have been killed by the fires in Australia. Nearly 18 million acres of land have been burned as the country faces its worst blazes in decades.
Rafa Nadal has been competing for Spain at the ATP Cup ahead of the Australian Open.
"This unprecedented bushfire crisis is devastating people, properties, communities, livestock and animals across the country and our hearts go out to all those affected," said Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley in a statement.
"The response from the tennis community -- our players, clubs, partners and international tennis bodies -- has been overwhelming and it's wonderful to see everyone pull together.
👋🏼Brisbane,
I've signed ten pairs of my tennis shoes, left them at the @BrisbaneTennis desk at the Westin Hotel, alongside a donation envelope for fire rescue efforts.They're yours to keep,we just ask you to donate $300 a pair. All money going directly to 🇦🇺 Red Cross. 🇦🇺❤️ pic.twitter.com/H1IPU8pYig— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) January 8, 2020
"The players are keen to be involved -- we've had a tremendous response from them and they are keen to help."
Kyrgios kick-started tennis' fundraising efforts last week when he pledged $140 (200 AUSD) for every ace he hits at upcoming tournaments with a number of other players since joining him.
Tennis Australia will also donate $69 (100 AUSD) for every ace hit across six tournaments, including the Australian Open, as well as granting $700,000 (1 million AUSD) to help rebuild tennis facilities damaged in the bushfires.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) is matching Tennis Australia's $69 donation for every ace hit at the Brisbane International, Auckland's ASB Classic, the Adelaide International and the Hobart International.
Maria Sharapova, who has been granted wildcard entry for the Australian Open, has donated $17,400, with world No. 2 Novak Djokovic agreeing to match her.
Sharapova also announced on Wednesday that she had left 10 signed pairs of her tennis shoes in her Brisbane hotel that members of the public could buy with a $206 (300 AUSD) donation to the Australian Red Cross.
It's not only tennis stars who have pitched in with their support.
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has auctioned the baggy green cap he wore throughout his test career, which has so far reached $343,000 (500,000 AUSD).
Wow ! Absolutely blown away. Thankyou so much ❤️ pic.twitter.com/t2HKhNvB3U— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 8, 2020
Several one-day batsmen, including Glenn Maxwell, Chris Lynn and D'Arcy Short, are donating $250 (175 USD) for every six they hit at this year's Big Bash League, the country's professional Twenty20 competition.
READ: Stefanos Tsitsipas receives talking to from mum after on-court outburst
Alongside support from the league, nine Australian NBA players have agreed to contribute $750,000 towards recovery efforts.
"We are heartbroken over the devastation these fires are causing all across our homeland," the players, which include Philadephia 76ers' Ben Simmons and San Antonio Spurs' Patty Mills, said in a joint statement.
"Our thoughts are with our families, friends and all of the people of Australia. We hope you feel our love and support and know that we will continue to bring awareness to this crisis globally and provide assistance in any way we can."
Australian Open organizers have said that the tournament, scheduled to begin on January 20, will likely go ahead as planned despite initial fears that smoke blown over Melbourne from the fires could delay the start.
Yahoo News Australia and agencies,
Yahoo News Australia•10 January 2020
Celeste Barber, the Australian comic with a strong social media following, has raised more than $50 million to help communities affected by bushfires.
Barber set out to raise $20,000 on her public Facebook page on January 3, appealing to her followers across her social platforms to donate with the money going to The Trustee for NSW Rural Fire Service & Brigades Donations Fund.
As of 1pm (AEST), the fundraiser was at $50,177,717, surpassing her most recent goal of $50 million.
Celeste Barber's fundraiser has hit more than $50 million. Pictured is a still from her Instagram story after the milestone. Source: Getty Images/InstagramMore
Within 24 hours, the fundraiser hit $7 million and by January 5, more than 845,000 donors had raised more than $33 million.
More than 1.2 million people have donated to the fundraiser on Facebook, with comments on the social media page indicating people were donating to the cause from all over the world.
“Power to the people,” Barber wrote through a series of Instagram stories, sharing a screenshot of the fundraiser.
“I woke this morning slightly bleary eyed to see that the 50 million had been achieved,” one woman wrote on the Facebook page.
“So proud of Australians, so proud of our overseas friends.”
When she launched the fundraiser, Barber also shared a series of photos to her Instagram of her mother-in-law’s home in Eden on the NSW south coast.
“It’s terrifying. They are scared. They need your help. International donations can be made via the link in my bio,” the comedian wrote at the time.
In a video, also shared to Instagram, Ms Barber’s mother-in-law Joy Robin declared the bushfires as “Australia’s war”.
“I'm fine, I've got a car, I've got somewhere to be safe but look at all these... all these people haven't,” Ms Robin said.
Following Barber’s fundraiser kicking off and her Instagram posts, a long list of celebrities donated to bushfire relief.
US singer Pink donated $500,000 “directly to the local fire services”.
“My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz,” she wrote on social media.
Nicole Kidman and husband Keith Urban donated $500,000 and like Pink shared information about the different fire services people could donate to.
The Kardashians shared a series of Instagram stories providing people with information about how and where their fans could make a donation.
Actor Chris Hemsworth and his family are chipping in $1 million after telling his near 39 million Instagram followers on Tuesday to "dig deep"and give what they can.
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Earlier in the week, Barber joined Hemsworth and brother Liam onstage in Byron Bay for the Make It Rain - Fund The Fires fundraiser.
Cricket champ Shane Warne is auctioning his baggy green cap worn during his Test career, while Collingwood AFL player Dayne Beams is selling his 2010 premiership medallion.
Artists are organising charity events to raise more funds, with ARIA-winning singer Tones and I announcing plans for a Melbourne concert on January 28 to benefit the RFS, Victoria's Country Fire Association and Red Cross.
With AAP
Serena Williams’ coach affected by Australian fires: ’It was night at 3PM’
JANUARY 6, 2020 by CLAUDIU POP
Patrick Mouratoglou, Serena Williams’ coach since 2012, was surprised by the Australian bushfires as the smoke caused by the burnings traveled to Auckland and turned the sky bloody red. Mouratoglou, being astonished by the view he was witnessing.
“Smoke from Australia’s fires flew 3 000 km to Auckland today and it felt like it was night at 3pm”. , Mouratoglou said on Instagram. The situation provoked by the fire crisis currently undergoing in Australia is still extremely dangerous.
Over 500 million animals have already died and no less than 24 human victims have been recorded so far. Fortunately, the cooler weather from Sunday brought a little bit of relief, but the fires are still there. "The weather conditions have improved in New South Wales and Victoria, but there are still many fires raging and there's a significant firefighting effort continuing,'' said Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a news conference.
If you want to know more about the Australian fire crisis, you should know that Alex De Minaur helped his fans understand more by sharing an insightful post on Instagram. Besides this, De Minaur joined his friend and colleague from Team Australia Nick Kyrgios in pledging money for the bushfire relief.
"I will go $250 per ace, just because I don't think I'll be hitting as many aces as you mate." , De Minaur said in response to Kyrgios’ statement that he will donate $200 for every ace hit.
Federer to add to Australia bushfire appeal as tennis donations swell
AFPJan 12, 2020, 9:04 PM
Roger Federer said he would donate at a charity match this week (AFP Photo/STR)More
Melbourne (AFP) - Roger Federer said he would donate to the Australia bushfires appeal on Monday after tennis players pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars to the disaster relief fund.
The Swiss great, who has been criticised by environmental activists including Greta Thunberg over a sponsor's links to fossil fuel investments, said he would donate at a charity match on Wednesday.
"If anyone can chip in, that's great because it's nice to show solidarity and help in a situation, which has become quite incredible in this country," Federer, 38, said at a publicity event in Melbourne.
"We need to look for prevention in the future, that this doesn't happen to this extent again because there will always be fires as I understand. This country is much, much too big," added the world number three.
Federer, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal will headline Wednesday's exhibition at Melbourne Park, which will the Australian Open Grand Slam from January 20.
Tennis players have been quick to respond to the bushfire crisis, which has left at least 27 people dead, burned an area the size of South Korea and prompted a surge in concern over global warming.
Players on the men's tour have donated US$500,000, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) said on Sunday, while Williams handed over her $43,000 winner's cheque from the Auckland Classic on Sunday.
"I'll also be making a donation personally myself on Wednesday," said Federer, a six-time winner of the Australian Open.
"This country has given me everything and more in the past so it's only but normal for me to help us well."
Over the weekend, Federer promised to talk to his sponsors after environmentalists criticised his relationship with Credit Suisse, which they say has loaned billions of dollars to the fossil fuels industry.
Federer said he was "grateful to young climate activists for pushing us all to examine our behaviours" after the criticism was retweeted by Swedish teenager Thunberg, a prominent eco-warrior.
"I appreciate reminders of my responsibility as a private individual, as an athlete and as an entrepreneur, and I'm committed to using this privileged position to dialogue on important issues with my sponsors," he said in a statement that was widely quoted by media.
Laura Robson on Australian Bushfire: 'I've adopted 27 koalas, it's so worth it'
JANUARY 12, 2020 by HARESH
Tennis - Former Wimbledon junior champion Laura Robson says that she has adopted 27 koalas as part of her efforts to help the wildlife affected by the Australian bushfires and has asked her Twitter followers to come forward to do the same.
According to Yahoo News, Robson says, "I've adopted 27 koalas, it's so worth it but you can't just limit it to the koalas you've got to get in with the kangaroos, the possums the wombats. There are so many animals that need to be saved."
Robson, whose family lives in Australia but represents Great Britain, says that it comes as no surprise that all the tournament officials and players are desperate to help those affected by the crisis. "The Australian Open has always been known as the happy slam - it's so casual and welcoming for the players.
Everyone gets there just after Christmas and for years and years they've all spent New Year there. You get to know all the tournament staff you just develop a relationship with these tournaments and everyone has been so desperate to help it's been amazing."
Several players have offered their support for those affected by the crisis. The issue came to the forefront in the tennis world when Australia's Nick Kyrgios asked Tennis Australia to do something for those affected by the fires and said that he would be donating AUSD $200 for every ace he served during the Australian summer circuit.
That was followed by similar offers from various players - some even agreed to make donations based on the number of drops shots and double faults they hit. Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic have both pledged $25,000 each for the relief efforts while World No.
1 Ash Barty said she would donate all her earnings from the Brisbane event to the cause. Tennis Australia has also decided to host a Rally for Relief exhibition event on January 15th which will feature several top stars including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kyrgios himself, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka amongst others.
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Rohan Smith
Matt Young
