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Mother booted off ride share app for her unusual name

A young Sydney mother has been booted off popular ride sharing app Uber, after they deemed her birth name too inappropriate. Swastika Chandra's first name means good luck and prosperity in her native Sanskrit language, and holds a lot of cultural significance and connection to her Hindu heritage. However, to global transport app Uber, her name was deemed too offensive to be let on the platform, as they said her name violates their terms and conditions. The 35-year-old grew up in Fiji, where she says her name was commonly heard in classrooms throughout her childhood. "It is a very common name. I personally know four or five other girls with the same name," she told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/uber-bans-sydney-woman-from-using-service-because-of-her-first-name/2771dd1f-b9fd-4ba6-8045-671145bc0c02" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair</a>. "In school, we had two or three other girls with the same name. It means good luck. It means good things for me." Chandra didn't run into any issues using her name on her birth certificate, Australian citizenship paperwork, her health care card or her driver's licence. However, last October Uber banned her account, claiming her name was a violation of their terms of use due to its appropriation by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party and neo-Nazis. Coinciding with the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Uber brought in new guidelines on words that could be offensive - including swastika. Inadvertently caught up in the middle of a policy which had the best of intentions, Chandra was told she would have to change her name to get back on the app. "I was putting in an order for food one afternoon and went to the payment stage and this pop-up came up saying, 'Your first name is in violation and you need to change your name on the app'," she explained. Chandra has a deep understanding of her name's very troubling double meaning, but she says the community needs to know the word's origins. "They don't know that the Hindus used it for thousands of years before Hitler used it in the wrong way," she said. "A bit of education, I think, is needed. I'm very proud of my name. I believe in the good that comes with it and I'm not changing it for anyone." Five months later, Uber has backed down from their decision and allowed her to rejoin the app, although it took intervention from Australia's peak Hindu body, The Hindu Council, support from the Jewish community and the NSW attorney-general to make it happen. The Jewish Board of Deputies also backed Chandra's fight, telling A Current Affair: "There is a difference between Ms Chandra innocently using her name and the deployment of a sinister symbol." The young mum has a message for all the other young girls who might have a different name to others, saying "Don't let the past be a stepping stone for your future." "Be proud of your name. It's your identity - it's who you are." Image credits: A Current Affair

Legal

Viewers stunned after Denise Drysdale booted from I'm a Celeb

The first celebrity has been voted out of this year's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! Aussie TV legend Denis Drysdale became the first shock elimination of the 2024 series after arriving late in the jungle. While fans and campmates were shocked when Robert Irwin announced the star's name, she was more than happy to return to civilisation. “Oh, it was more than what I expected,” she told the show's hosts, Irwin and Julia Morris. When asked if she felt "bittersweet" about being the first celebrity booted out of the show, she admitted: “Can I say not so bitter?! It’s sweet! I’m sorry, I have to be – I have to be completely honest!” “It is s**t in there!” she continued. “It is s**t, it’s unbelievable! The dunnies, the dirt! Now I’m a clean person – there’s dirt upon dirt upon dirt upon dirt.” “But I’m so glad that I’ve done it. I’ve done it and I’m proud of myself. So I must say thank you to the Celebrity people for giving me the opportunity to prove to myself I can go in there and do it," she added. A few fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their shock at the decision. “What on earth?!” wrote one. “People saved Callum over DENISE??” added another. Images: Network Ten

Crowd cheers as fan booted from US Open after vile Nazi slur

During a US Open tennis match held early on Tuesday morning, a spectator found themselves ejected from the event following an incident involving German tennis player Alexander Zverev. The disruption arose when Zverev, seeded number 12, was locked in a fierce fourth-set battle against Italy's Jannik Sinner, seeded number six. At a critical juncture in the match, just as he was about to serve, Zverev approached chair umpire James Keothavong and pointed out a fan situated right behind the umpire's chair. Zverev raised the issue, stating, "He [the fan] just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is..." Zverev then expressed his strong disapproval, exclaiming, "It's unacceptable, this is unbelievable." In response to Zverev's concerns, Keothavong scanned the crowd and repeatedly asked, "Who said that? Who said that?" amid raucous boos from the audience. The umpire swiftly made a decision, asserting, "We're going to get him out," much to the relief of those watching in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Keothavong also took a moment to remind the crowd to maintain respect for both players. Shortly after, during a changeover, spectators seated near the offending fan identified him, and security promptly removed him from the venue. The crowd responded with cheers as the fan was escorted up the stadium stairs. A US Tennis Association spokesperson, Chris Widmaier, confirmed the incident, stating, "A disparaging remark was directed toward Alexander Zverev. The fan was identified and escorted from the stadium." Despite the disruption, Zverev went on to triumph over Sinner in a gruelling five-set match and secured his spot in the quarterfinals, where he would face the defending US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz. This epic match, which Zverev won with scores of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, endured for an impressive four hours and 41 minutes, making it the lengthiest match of the tournament up to that point. The contest concluded at 1:40 am local time in New York. Reflecting on the incident in the post-match press conference, Zverev revealed that while he had encountered fans making derogatory comments before, this was the first time he had experienced an incident involving Hitler. He shared: "He started singing the anthem of Hitler that was back in the day. It was ‘Deutschland über alles’ and it was a bit too much. "I think he was getting involved in the match for a long time, though. I don’t mind it, I love when fans are loud, I love when fans are emotional. But I think me being German and not really proud of that history, it’s not really a great thing to do and I think him sitting in one of the front rows, I think a lot of people heard it. So if I just don’t react, I think it’s bad from my side.” Despite the disturbance, Zverev remained composed and noted, “It’s his loss, to be honest, to not witness the final two sets of that match.” Image: Getty Images

News

"You've been bumped": Vietnam vet slams Qantas for booting him from business class

Qantas has come under fire for booting a Vietnam war veteran from his paid seat in business class so that a young Qantas "tech" – later revealed to be a pilot – could travel in the luxury seat in his place. Stephen Jones, 78, and his wife were travelling home to Adelaide after a holiday in Christchurch. Their flight was passing through Melbourne on its way to their home in Adelaide, and the pair were enjoying coffee in the Melbourne airport lounge – just 30 minutes before they were set to continue their journey – when they were given the bad news by Qantas staff. "I went up to the desk and the Qantas employee there said, 'I've got some bad news for you, you've been bumped'," Mr Jones told Melbourne’s <a href="https://www.3aw.com.au/vietnam-war-veteran-booted-from-business-class-for-younger-qantas-employee/">3AW</a> radio program with Ross & Russ. "It didn't register at first," continued Mr Jones. "I wasn't quite sure what 'bumped' meant... I said, 'What?', and she said, 'Yes, I'll have to re-issue your ticket for economy class. We have a tech who's flying to Adelaide and his contract states that he must fly Business Class." Mr Jones then explained that while he retreated to his economy seat, the Qantas employee was seated next to his wife up in business class, and that "he wouldn't even look at her". Mr Jones went on to explain that, after filing a letter of complaint, he was offered 5000 Frequent Flyer points in return for the downgrade and an apology. Mr Jones, who served in Vietnam in a combat unit in the 1960s, claimed he turned down the offer of 5000 points, saying, “I don’t think anything is going to change until there’s ramifications for Qantas, or costs for Qantas when they upset their customers.” Justin Lawrence, Partner at Henderson Ball Lawyers, later told the 3AW radio show hosts that there’s little customers can do about such a move by the airline and said it was “standard operating procedure”. “Unfortunately, their terms of carriage allow them to do this sort of thing – this happens so often they’ve actually got a term for it, buckle up, they call this 'involuntary downgrading,'” he said. “They’ll overprescribe business class or first class, they will need to bump someone out, and they’ll do it almost immediately prior to the flight – not just Qantas, they all do it." “Any time you go to a travel agent or online to Qantas to buy a seat, and we think we’re buying a seat in a particular class, there are no guarantees that when that plane takes off, you’ll be sitting in that class.” Mr Jones said he understood that Qantas pilots were entitled to rest comfortably on their way to another flight, but the ordeal was “unsettling and made me a little irritable”. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Trouble

Body of missing Gold Coast mum found

The search for Gold Coast mum Wendy Sleeman has drawn to a devastating close after her body was found in a car boot. The 61-year-old had been missing since Tuesday, after she vanished just moments after calling police from her home to report a break-in. Detective Superintendent Brendan Smith told reporters on Thursday night that a body was found in the blue Honda Jazz police had been searching for in a garage at a unit block in the inner-northern Brisbane suburb of Windsor. “It would appear that we’ve located the body of Wendy Sleeman,” Superintendent Smith said. “Whilst it’s yet to be formally identified, it certainly appears to be her.” Wendy's son, Slade Murdok, 30, was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in connection with her death. He was remanded in custody after appearing in court in Brisbane on charges of unlawful stalking, burglary, assault occasioning bodily harm, kidnapping, attempted arson and unlawful use of a motor vehicle. The frantic search for Wendy began after police attended her home following her phone call to find pools of blood. She called police after noticing signs of forced entry, saying to police on the phone, “It doesn’t look like there’s anyone here”. But 30 minutes later when police arrived on the scene, the 61-year-old was nowhere to be found. “It’s a very sad time for the family. Obviously they’ve been advised. On the other side I suppose it gives them some closure as to where she is,” Superintendent Smith said. “It’s a tragic scene, a tragic circumstance.” Image credits: Facebook

News

Fed up neighbours band together to boot out squatters

A group of resourceful residents living in a cul-de-sac on the New South Wales Central Coast have banded together to kick out a mob of squatters who had been wreaking havoc on and in the vacated home of a disabled man. Walls had been destroyed, a car had been set alight – and the community had finally said they'd had enough. "For the last several months we've had squatters living in our cul-de-sac running a 24-hour a day, drive-through drug den," local resident Christy told A Current Affair. Christy claimed squatters and drug users have been a problem next door for years. "Lots of fighting, brawling, threats to kill each other, to shoot each other," she said. "(They say), 'Bitch better have my money', you know, constantly." Christy then told the programme that things had ramped up recently, and it all culminated in the lighting of a dangerous car fire. "The flames were like two storeys tall. My whole house reeks of burned tyres and we've all had enough. We all have little girls ... and we can't let our kids out," Christy said. "My partner woke me up in the morning (and said), 'Oh my god, there's a car fire' so we ran out and looked out the window and yeah, that was too far," another neighbour, Dean Rainback, said. Rainback said the fire was the final straw for him and his young family. "There's trees over there where the car is and that house right next door could have caught fire," he said. "I'm from Texas, we don't put up with this kind of crap," Christy said. "So we decided we would take things into our own hands and get them out ourselves." Christy said she gave her unwanted neighbours "a verbal warning" to let them know the "jig is up, we've had enough". "I also shouted it in the house - 'Tomorrow's the day. It's over'," Christy said. True to her word, Christy and the other neighbours confronted the squatters and kicked them out! The group of frustrated neighbours then surveyed the damage and were shocked by what they saw. After removing all the junk, they boarded up the house, so no one could get back inside. The unit belongs to a disabled man named Terry who is now living with his mother after disability support workers who were paid to care for him failed to do so. "I think that is a disgrace, that it has been left to neighbours to do this," she said. The neighbours have now organised a council pick-up to get rid of the squatters' mess. Images: A Current Affair

Travel Trouble

First look inside bizarre new Woolworths megastore

Woolworths has opened its first customer-free grocery store to help meet the increase demand for online shoppers. The first new multi-million dollar online Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) at Goodman’s Rochedale Motorway Estate, Brisbane is approximately 10,000sqm. The massive CFC will see a huge 800 jobs created as well as supporting a further 30,000 home deliveries and Direct to boot Pick up windows each week. Personal shoppers will become accustomed to wider aisles and bigger shelves to help with hand picking orders from a vast range of more than 25,000 products quickly, accurately and efficiently. Woolworths Managing Director eComX, Sally Copland said the new store will help people who are short on time and can’t do their own shopping. “Online grocery shopping has been well and truly embraced by our Brisbane customers, many of whom are looking to reclaim time in their busy lives,” she said. “Over the past three years, we’ve seen the demand for online groceries in Metro Brisbane more than triple, a trend we are actually seeing across the entire state of Queensland. “To keep pace with this demand we’re investing in new online infrastructure to offer our customers more delivery windows and an even more reliable service. “As well as strengthening our network capability, this new state-of-the-art facility is an important part of our ongoing commitment to investment and jobs in Queensland. “We’re delighted to be welcoming hundreds of new team members to our new facility.” The new facility also contains more than 850 solar panels, which will provide 20 per cent of the store’s required energy. This will also be monitored by smart metering to help monitor and reduce energy consumption. Images: Woolworths

Food & Wine

Teacher locks son with Covid in car boot

A Texas teacher has been arrested and charged with endangering a child after locking her Covid-positive son in the boot of her car in order to protect herself from exposure to the virus as they drove to a testing site. Sarah Beam, 41, was arrested after a witness called police and told them they heard someone in the vehicle’s trunk on January 3 at a testing site in Harris County, Texas. Beam reportedly opened the boot to reveal the 13-year-old boy lying inside. She explained that her son had tested positive for COVID-19 and that she was taking him to a testing site at Pridgeon Stadium for a second test to confirm the result. She reportedly said that she had placed her son in the boot as she did not want to be infected herself. A health worker told her that no test would be administered until the boy was allowed to sit in the back seat of the car. Ms Beam has been working as a teacher at Cypress Falls High School since 2011, but is now on administrative leave. CY-Fair ISD Police Department said in a statement, "CFPD was alerted that a child was in the trunk of a car at a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site earlier this week. Law enforcement conducted a full investigation, resulting in a warrant for arrest. Thankfully, the child was not harmed." Sergeant Richard Standifer, of the Texas Department of Public Safety, told reporters that the boy could have been seriously injured if the vehicle had been involved in an accident. He added, "I have never heard of somebody being put in a trunk because they tested positive for anything.” Image: Silvia Bianchini

Travel Trouble

“Appalling” act sees British commentator booted from Australia

Far-right British commentator Katie Hopkins will be deported from Australia, following thousands of people signing a petition calling for her departure. After it was revealed Hopkins was flown to Australia last week to take part in Celebrity Big Brother Australia, a wave of online hatred and calls to remove her from the programme have been aimed at Channel 7. However, a video she uploaded to her social media profile over the weekend has intensified the calls and prompted an investigation into whether her visa was still valid. In the now-deleted video, Hopkins admitted to deliberately undermining hotel quarantine rules. “The police officer who checked me in told me when they knock on my door I have to wait 30 seconds ‘til I can open the door [to receive food],” she said in the Instagram Live video. “Then I can open the door but only if I wear a face mask. “[To] frighten the s**t out of them and do it naked with no face mask. What I want is the sergeant in the foyer to come up and tell me off so that I can stand there naked while he tells me off.” In another video, Hopkins calls the lockdowns the “greatest hoax in human history”. The clip attracted widespread criticism from government and opposition politicians, as well as Aussies still suck overseas who questioned how she was able to score a spot in hotel quarantine in Sydney. The controversy also resulted in Channel 7 dropping her from the show, which they confirmed in a statement. “Seven Network and Endemol Shine Australia confirm that Katie Hopkins is not part of Big Brother VIP. Seven and Endemol Shine strongly condemn her irresponsible and reckless comments in hotel quarantine,” the network said. A <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.change.org/p/sendhopkinshome-don-t-let-katie-hopkins-stay-in-australia" target="_blank">Change.org petition</a> calling for her departure from the country has also been started, and has received more than 31,000 signatures. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews ordered an urgent review of Hopkin’s visa to determine whether her stunt breached visa conditions. Ms Andrews has since revealed Hopkins’ visa had been cancelled. “We will be getting her out of the country as soon as we can arrange that,” she told ABC News Breakfast. Despite being granted a visa based on potential benefit to the economy, Ms Andrews described Hopkins’ act as “despicable”. “I’m with you, it’s appalling this individual behaved the way she did,” she said. “All visa holders must abide by the health directions issued by our health officials - we won’t tolerate those who don’t.” Hopkins hasn’t been the only source of controversy for the Channel 7 show, after the news broke that Caityln Jenner was also flying into the country to partake in the show. Image: Katie Hopkins / Instagram

News

Man found in car boot trying to cross Queensland border

Police stationed at Wallangarra on the New South Wales/Queensland border crossing have had a surprise when they discovered a man hiding in the boot of a small car. "Oh, haha … well, hello buddy," an officer can be heard saying "Why are you trying to sneak across mate? The man was issued a fine of $4,003 for attempting to enter Queensland without a Border Declaration Pass. "If you can't get in through the right way, then don't try the back way," said Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi. "I'm mayor of a region of more than 66,000 people and I don't want one person to get sick because someone's cheating. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FQueenslandPolice%2Fvideos%2F927880784342720%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> "We don't want a second spike like there has been in other states." Two other women in their 20s were also in the vehicle at the time. All three were not permitted to enter Queensland. Since Friday, July 3, anyone entering the state is required to complete a Border Declaration Pass, which is valid for seven days, or until the person’s circumstances change. "Our beer is better without a doubt, and so are our football players, so I can see why people want to come here," Mr Pennisi said. "But this is not about an individual, this is about our nation. "We need to do what is right for all of us and I hope everyone pays heed to this." Queensland Police released a statement saying it was committed to making sure everyone followed public health directions. "Vehicles will continue to be intercepted at random where police will verify declarations with identification," it said. "Providing false information on the declaration, or entering Queensland unlawfully, could result in a $4,003 fine. "Since July 10, 16 people have been fined for failing to comply with the COVID-19 Border Direction."

Travel Trouble

Prince Charles plans to “boot several royals” when he becomes King

According to recent reports from <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/kingprincecharlesto-kick-out-more-royal-20989538" target="_blank">The Daily Star</a>, Prince Charles, 71, has plans to boot several royals out of the Royal Family when he becomes King. It is said that he wants to cut the number of working royals to the bare minimum after the fallout of the Prince Andrew scandal. The scandal, which thrust Prince Andrew’s friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has people now paying attention to Prince Charles’ plans. Royal experts have said that Prince Charles s moving forward with his plans for a reduced working monarchy. Brittani Barger, deputy editor of Royal Central, spoke to The Daily Star about the plans. “I think the Andrew crisis has definitely strengthened Prince Charles's desire for a slimmed-down monarchy,” she said. “Prince Andrew is now out of the picture. I don't see him ever undertaking royal duties again, and any hope that his daughters would is now gone. “So the process of slimming the monarchy has already begun as we know Charles was pushing his mother to meet with Andrew and have him step back from his royal duties.” Barger thinks that the future working monarchy will be Charles, his children and his grandchildren. “I think when it's all said and done, the monarchy will be Charles and his children and grandchildren. “Of course, a valid argument could be made for keeping the Princess Royal as a working royal considering how hard-working she is. “However, I see her and the Wessexes continuing to visit patronages and all under the reign of Charles like the Kents and Glouchesters have done under The Queen's reign - as non-working royals.” Charlie Proctor, editor of Royal Central, says that the crisis has strengthened the desire for a smaller monarchy. “I should imagine there were plenty of people sceptical of reports that Prince Charles wanted a slimmed down monarchy when he became king,” he told Daily Star Online. “It was widely thought that his siblings and other extended members of The Royal Family provided valuable work, so might have been opposed by some. "It is still true that the extended royals perform valuable work. Princess Anne and the Earl & Countess of Wessex for example are some of the hardest working royals, and a slimmed down monarchy would see them as casualties.” Proctor said public support has shot up after the BBC Newsnight interview. “However, since the Prince Andrew debacle and the events surrounding his Newsnight interview, I should imagine support for a slimmed-down monarchy have shot up overnight. "For all the positive work royals do in their line of work, it takes only one incident for everything to unravel. “Prince Andrew would probably have been sidelined during King Charles’s reign anyhow, but his expulsion from public duties has now been sped up. "Charles only wants his immediate family conducting engagements. This consists of himself, Camilla, William, Kate, Harry & Meghan. In time, the Cambridge children will also become part of ‘The Firm’.”

News

Booted Jacqui Lambie admits struggles: "Living on Vegemite toast"

Controversial Senator-elect Jacqui Lambie, has revealed the struggles she faced after being booted from Parliament. Lambie – who made a stunning comeback after being re-elected in last week’s federal election – shared how she was forced to live off $150 a week after being kicked out of Parliament in 2017 for being a dual citizen. Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/" target="_blank">The New Daily</a>, Lambie said the sudden unemployment left her with nothing and that she survived by munching on Vegemite toast. After falling behind on her mortgage payments, Lambie decided to take part in reality show, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here to help pay for her political campaign. According to her, she only made $20,000 a year from media appearances and public speaking. Out of that income, she attempted to pay for groceries and home repayments of $1000 a month. “I just had to do it. No new clothes. No make up. I just did it. I had friends who cut their own meat, and (have) veggie gardens. They were giving back,” she said. “You just do it. I was not prepared to go back on the dole queue. “I don’t run around in Armani, sweetie.” In 2017, Lambie outed herself as a dual citizen, forcing her departure from Parliament. “There was no pay out. Because we were imposters. It was just walk out and you’re finished,” she said. After being re-elected in Tasmania, Lambie will now earn a cool $200,000 a year. Out of that hefty amount, she plans on devoting $1500 a month to putting a stranger through drug rehabilitation – a cause that’s close to her heart as her own son fought an ice addiction. Talking about son Dylan, the 48-year-old said, “That was four years ago now. He’s holding down a good job and all the rest. He gets tested where he is for drugs.” “I just like to give back. My son spent 18 months in long-term rehab and now I want to sponsor someone again. “It’s long-term rehab – $1500 a month. Soon as I get paid, I was talking to them yesterday, I will sponsor someone again.” And regarding her love life? Lambie says there’s nothing to look forward to. “Mate, I was broke, I was unemployed, I don’t think that’s very attractive to blokes,” she said. “It’s been a while now. It’s been about 15 years.”

Retirement Income

Family booted off plane due to offensive body odour

Jennie and Yossi Adler, as well as their 19-month-old daughter were escorted from their flight from Miami to Detroit after fellow passengers made complaints about their body odour. Yossi explained to <a href="https://www.local10.com/news/local/miami/family-kicked-off-american-airlines-flight-in-miami-after-passengers-complain-about-body-odor">Local 10 News Miami</a>: "All of a sudden, as soon as they took us off, they closed the gate and then they said, 'Sorry, sir, some people complained you had body odour and we're not letting you back on’." Despite claims from airline staff, the family were left without their possessions that were already on the flight. Jennie said: "They have our car seat, stroller, everything,". The airline carrier, American Airlines, were quick to address the issue, with a statement to Local 10 News Miami, saying: "Mr. Adler and his wife were removed from the flight when several passengers complained about their body odour," the statement said. "They have been booked into a hotel for the night and given meal vouchers. They have been rebooked on a flight Thursday." Despite the family getting home safe on a later date, they’re still unhappy with the explanation from the airline. "We stopped several people in the airport and, it's embarrassing, but we asked them, 'Do you think we smell? Because we just got kicked off a plane for smelling’," said Jennie. “I want them to own up to what really happened and to tell me the truth,” said Yossi. “What was it?” Have you seen something like this on your flight? Let us know in the comments below.

Travel Trouble

Another team to be booted off show as cheating scandal rocks My Kitchen Rules

With the My Kitchen Rules crown and $250,000 prize money in sight, it looks like contestants are willing to do anything to win. We’ve already been privy to NSW best friends <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/mind/2018/04/mkr-contestant-sonya-mefaddi-reveals-what-started-the-explosive-dinner-party-row/">Sonya and Hadil’s verbal threats to other teams</a>, behaviour that saw them booted off the show for good. But now it seems one teams will do the unthinkable and break the rules of the show. “So desperate to survive, one team will do the unthinkable,” a voiceover says in a new promo, before suggesting a team will be kicked off due to 'cheating.' "If we give up now, it's gone," one of the culprits is overheard saying. "We're going to lose all our chances. We can't give up now; we're going to give every bit of fight we have in us." <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMyKitchenRules%2Fvideos%2F10156176406280149%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> The episode is being promoted as a “double elimination” and it's insinuated that one of the teams will be eliminated due to breaking the rules. Contestants are shown on the viewing platform, gasping in shock at what they were seeing. “I'm just angry watching them,” Suong says. “That's a red card, isn't it?” Nic asks after seeing the act Judge Pete Evans is then seen looking sternly at two contestants, before saying: “Unfortunately, you're out of the competition.” The competition is down to six teams: Josh & Nic, Henry & Anna and Alex & Emily, Kim & Suong, Stella & Jazzey and Olga & Valeria.

News

MKR's Manu Feildel and Pete Evans break silence about booting a team from the show

My Kitchen Rules judges Manu Feildel and Pete Evans have spoken for the first time about their decision to boot a team off the show. In a piece to camera, the pair, both looking very serious, explain they've “never had to deal with anything like this” over the shows eight seasons. “After continued warnings and an unprecedented attack on other teams, we had to act,” Manu said in a video shared on Wednesday. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMyKitchenRules%2Fvideos%2F10156111989490149%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Although the scandal has not yet aired on TV, it is widely believed that it is Sonya and Hadil who will be kicked out of the competition. “We would like to take a moment to talk about the events that led to one team being removed from my kitchen rules,” Manu begins. “Over the history of the show, we've never had to deal with anything like this, the removal of a team from the competition,” Pete adds. Confronting footage of Sonya and Hadil calling “botox sisters” Jess and Emma “Bubba Gump” and threatening to “come for them” is then aired. The video then cuts back to Manu explaining that the show had no choice but the remove the team from the competition. Channel Seven has been running numerous promos, promising that the “MKR Scandal begins Sunday at 7pm.”

Food & Wine

Top UK surgeon says Ugg boots are responsible for ruining knees

A British surgeon has warned that popular Ugg boots can cause serious knee injuries. Ian McDermott explained that the fleece-lined shoes don’t offer enough support and could cause “knock-kneed” stance. The London based-knee surgeon said he did not specifically have an issue with Ugg boots but with any soft boot, due to the lack of support it gives the wearer. He said the boot can lead to bad posture, knee pain and even back pain, which could require surgery to fix. “Sheepskin boots and high heels may look great, but vanity may come at the cost of potential physical damage to your body,” Mr McDermott told The Sun. “Unsculpted and flimsy footwear can mean that your feet aren’t fixed in one location as you walk, meaning that the lower limb is working harder, with a greater risk of damage. “Listen to your body and make sure to not wear flimsy boots every day," McDermott added. “If someone born with an inherently poor structure or with poor alignment then wears a poorly supported pair of shoes or boots, this can exacerbate the whole issue and this can then end up being the final straw that pushes them into developing symptoms and actual orthopedic problems.” An Ugg spokesman told The Sun, “UGG is the leader in premium sheepskin footwear. The UGG Classic boot provides the full experience of warmth, comfort and flexibility.” “The Classic II is lighter weight for increased wearability and offers added innovative enhancements, such as Treadlite by UGG outsole technology for increased traction, durability and cushioning." The spokesman added, “As with any shoe, we encourage customers to ensure the proper fit for maximum comfort.” Sydney-based podiatric musculoskeletal physician Michael Kinchington confirmed that it is important to wear supportive shoes. “My take on it is that [he] is basically saying ‘wear supportive shoes’ ... that if you wear footwear that is soft, unstable and not supportive and if you have postural issues then you are likely to be injured and exacerbate other conditions — I think that is a fair comment,” he told news.com.au. “What I would add is that there is no harm in wearing a soft comfortable warm Ugg boot-style shoe, but use it for short periods of time. Wear it as a comfy house shoe, wear it for no more than 30 minutes of casual shopping mall walking.” Mr Kinchington also warned Aussies to be careful of another popular footwear as we approach summer. “In Australia, moving into the summer season, the use of non-supportive thongs which provides no support and very little in the way of comfort will cause more problems probably than an Ugg boot," he said. “If you are going to wear [thongs], then you need something with a bit of arch support in it. “There’s a product called Ozify Australia that actually has that support." Are you a fan of wearing Ugg boots in winter and thongs in summer? Tell us in the comments below.

Body

8 items you should have in the boot of your car

You might have a spare tyre and a tattered street directory from 1992 in the boot of your car, but that doesn’t mean you’re covered in the case of an emergency. Driving is one of those things when it pays to be prepared. So, to take some of the guesswork out of the equation, we’ve put together a list containing eight items you should always have in the boot of your car. To see them, scroll through the gallery above. Do you take these items with you while you’re driving? Are there other items you think senior drivers should take on the road? Let us know in the comments.

Insurance

26-carat diamond ring bought for $18 at car boot sale

A spectacular diamond ring is expected to fetch $656,000 (£350,000) at auction - 30 years after it was purchased for just £10, or $18, at a car boot sale. The 26.27-carat white diamond was initially thought to be fake because 19th century stones were not cut to perfection like today's gems. The owner believed the "exceptionally sized" rock was a piece of costume jewellery when she bought it at West Middlesex Hospital in Isleworth, west London, in the 1980s, the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-39995908" target="_blank">BBC reported</a>. However, after wearing the ring for decades the owner bought it into the auction house Sotheby's after a jeweller said it could have substantial value. Jessica Wyndham, head of London's jewellery department at Sotherby's, said the owner would wear it out shopping, wear it day-to-day. "It's a good looking ring." "But it was bought as a costume jewel. No-one had any idea it had any intrinsic value at all. They enjoyed it all this time", she said. Wyndham added: "With an old style of cutting, an antique cushion shape, the light doesn't reflect back as much as it would from a modern stone cutting. Cutters worked more with the natural shape of the crystal, to conserve as much weight of the crystal rather than make it as brilliant as possible. "The older stones have quite a bit of personality. They sparkle in a different way." It will be auctioned at Sotheby's in July. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"></a> Image credit: Sotheby's.

Money & Banking

German tourist booted off plane for opening door

A German tourist created a scary scene for passengers after he opened the emergency exit door of a Jet Airways plane. The man, identified by local media as Steve Titschler, opened the door moments after the plane had landed in India. His reason given to the flight attendants was he opened the door "just for fun". Understandably flight crew were not amused, and the man was handed over to police at Mumbai's International Airport. He was taken to a local police station and barred from catching his connecting flight. He may still face charges for his actions. In another incident - reported on the same day - a Jet Airways passenger was accused of smoking a cigarette in the toilet during a flight. According to The Daily Mail, the man was intoxicated and was taken into custody when the plane landed in Mumbai. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a> Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/02/tips-for-handling-flight-delays/">5 tips for dealing with flight delays</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/02/photo-shows-german-shepherd-enjoying-flight/">German Shepherd really enjoys plane ride</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/02/tips-for-travelling-with-people-that-get-on-your-nerves/">Tips for travelling with people that get on your nerves</a>

International Travel

Dog loves to dance in yellow boots

Judging from this dog's energetic, slightly unnatural prancing, it looks like the stylish yellow boots are going to take a little getting used to. Check him out in the three second video above. You only get a glimpse, but it’s worth it. <img width="500" height="385" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/16385/twitter_500x385.jpg" alt="Twitter (1)"/> Source: @<a href="https://twitter.com/overcapacitea?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">overcapacitea</a>. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/09/dogs-make-the-best-companions/">8 reasons why dogs are the bee’s knees</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/08/signs-your-pet-is-sick/">10 signs your pet is sick</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/cats-are-like-psychopaths-gallery/">11 ways cats are like “psychopaths”</a>

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