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The ‘Muhammad Ali of marbles’, classic FA Cup semis and Seedorf

This week’s roundup also features electric skateboard pole-vaulting, a tribute to speedway great Ivan Mauger and county cricket from 1949

1) To the marbles world championship! Hot action from this year’s event at Tinsley Green in Sussex, plus Trans World Sport’s trip there in 2017 and Pathé’s coverage of the 1938 edition (plus a US event in the very same year). Then there’s this rather remarkable short BBC Nationwide report from 1973 on Len Smith, “the Muhammad Ali of marbles”.

2) It is FA Cup semi-final weekend! Here is some thunderous Gazza, proper underdogs, Giggs dribbling and Palace against Liverpool.

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Westpac advice cost couple dream retirement, banking royal commission hears

Bank admits advice was poor after customer reveals she and her husband were ‘led up the garden path’ and ended up losing their home
• A recent history of Australia’s banking scandals

Westpac admits a senior financial planner gave poor advice to a couple that cost them their dream retirement.

Jacqueline McDowall and her husband ended up losing their home after trying to use superannuation funds to buy a bed and breakfast.

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Michael McCormack says he has ‘no view’ on gay conversion therapy

Nationals leader and acting PM says issue ‘important for those people that it affects’ but in his community people are more focused on cost of living
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The acting prime minister, Michael McCormack, has said he has no view “one way or another” on gay conversion therapy in his first major speech as Nationals leader.

Speaking to the National Press Club on Thursday, McCormack outlined a vision for attracting doctors and teachers to the bush but appeared stumped when asked about an issue that has distracted the Coalition this week after it was proposed by some Victorian Liberals.

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Has your financial future been destroyed by a bank?

The Australia banking and finance industry is admitting to shocking misconduct – we want to hear from people who have been affected

The royal commission into banking and financial services has uncovered shocking misconduct by some of Australia’s largest companies. It has also heard testimony from victims, whistleblowers and insiders.

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