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Legendary Star Wars and James Bond actor passes away

<p>The galaxy far, far away has dimmed a little with the passing of Michael Culver, a distinguished British actor whose name became etched in the annals of cinematic history, particularly for his role in the iconic 1980 film <em>Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back</em>.</p> <p>Culver, who portrayed Captain Needa, the unfortunate Imperial officer, met his demise in one of the franchise's most memorable scenes at the hands of Darth Vader. However, his legacy extends far beyond the realms of science fiction, encompassing a career spanning over five decades of stage, screen and political activism.</p> <p>Born in 1938 in Hempstead, North London, to esteemed parents within the theatre industry, Culver was destined for a life under the spotlight. His father, Roland Culver, was a notable West End stage actor, while his mother, Daphne Rye, served as a casting director in London-based theatre. Following in their footsteps, Culver honed his craft at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, laying the foundation for a prolific acting career.</p> <p>Culver's journey in the performing arts began in the late 1950s, with appearances on Broadway in Shakespearean classics such as <em>King Henry V</em>, <em>Hamlet</em>, and <em>Twelfth Night</em>. His talent soon graced the West End stage in 1962, marking the start of a distinguished theatrical career. Transitioning to the small screen, Culver made his onscreen debut in 1961, captivating audiences with his versatile performances in British television series and movies.</p> <p>However, it was Culver's portrayal of Captain Needa in <em>The Empire Strikes Back</em> that solidified his status as a cultural icon. Despite his character's brief appearance, Culver left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide, immortalised in one of cinema's most unforgettable moments. His confrontation with Vader, culminating in a chilling demise, remains etched in the memories of countless fans, a testament to Culver's ability to captivate audiences with his presence.</p> <p>Beyond his intergalactic exploits, Culver's talents graced a multitude of productions, including notable roles in <em>Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India</em>, <em>Secret Army, </em>and even appearing in two James Bond movies – <em>From Russia With Love </em>and <em>Thunderball</em> – in uncredited roles. His versatility and dedication to his craft earned him admiration and respect from peers and audiences alike. Yet, Culver's contributions extended beyond the realms of entertainment; in the early 2000s, he shifted his focus to political activism, leveraging his platform to advocate for causes close to his heart.</p> <p>Despite bidding farewell to the limelight, Culver's legacy endures through the countless lives he touched and the memories he forged on stage and screen.</p> <p>An extended message on the Alliance Agents Facebook page, who represented Culver, read as follows:</p> <p>"We are very sad to confirm the passing of our friend and client Michael Culver. A career spanning over 50 years with notable roles in Sherlock Holmes, A Passage to India, Secret Army and of course one of the most memorable death scenes in the Star Wars franchise. Michael largely gave up acting in the early 2000's to concentrate his efforts into his political activism. It's been an honor to have represented Michael for for the last decade and to have taken him to some of the best Star Wars events in the UK and Europe.  A real highlight was taking Michael to Celebration in Chicago in 2019.  He was lost for words when he saw his queue line with nearly 200 people waiting to see him. We worked with Michael just 3 weeks ago at his last home signing with our friends at Elite Signatures. Michel died on Tuesday 27th February at the age of 85."  </p> <p>"We miss him."</p> <p>His passing leaves a void in the hearts of fans and colleagues, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life's curtain call. As we reflect on his remarkable journey, let us celebrate the life and legacy of Michael Culver, an actor whose talents transcended galaxies and whose spirit will continue to inspire generations to come.</p> <p>In his memory, let us heed the timeless words of Captain Needa himself: "We shall double our efforts."</p> <p>Rest in peace, Michael Culver. The force will always be with you.</p> <p><em>Images: IMDB / Wookiepedia</em></p>

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Tragedy strikes Spain's Women's World Cup star

<p>Spanish Women’s World Cup star Olga Carmona was hit with some devastating news shortly after their win against England</p> <p>The 23-year-old defender was informed that her father had passed away shortly after the final whistle and victory celebration according to the Spanish football federation (RFEF).</p> <p>“The RFEF deeply regrets having to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father,” the Spanish football federation said in a statement. </p> <p>“The footballer learned the sad news after the World Cup final.</p> <p>“We send our most sincere embraces to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are in the history of Spanish football.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="es">⚫️ PÉSAME | La <a href="https://twitter.com/rfef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RFEF</a> lamenta profundamente comunicar el fallecimiento del padre de Olga Carmona. La futbolista ha conocido la triste noticia una vez concluida la final de la Copa del Mundo. </p> <p>Mandamos nuestro abrazo más sincero a Olga y a su familia en un momento de profundo… <a href="https://t.co/BSe2XmUrVF">pic.twitter.com/BSe2XmUrVF</a></p> <p>— RFEF (@rfef) <a href="https://twitter.com/rfef/status/1693350809424031985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Carmona scored the only goal of the intense game, landing the Spanish team, La Roja the World Cup win for the first time. </p> <p>A few reports claimed that Carmona's father passed away on Friday, but friends and family decided to not tell her until after the finale on Sunday, so that she could focus on the game. </p> <p>Carmona, who was still unaware of the news at the time, beamed as she spoke about the team's triumph in an interview after the match. </p> <p>“I think we’re still not aware of what we’ve achieved,” she said. </p> <p>“When we land we’re going to freak out.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="es">🙌🏻 ¡¡Qué viva España!! ¡¡Somos <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CampeonasdelMundo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CampeonasdelMundo</a>!!</p> <p>🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/7olgacarmona?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@7olgacarmona</a> nos cuenta cómo ha marcado el gol que le ha dado el título a España.</p> <p>➡️ "Creo que todavía no somos conscientes de lo que hemos conseguido. Cuando aterricemos vamos a flipar".<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JugarLucharYGanar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JugarLucharYGanar</a> <a href="https://t.co/NjRrg4bOTx">pic.twitter.com/NjRrg4bOTx</a></p> <p>— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEFutbolFem/status/1693307827568456054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>During her goal celebration, the Spanish captain also displayed a message on her shirt that read "Merchi" which she dedicated to her best friend whose mother died recently. </p> <p>“I want to say this victory is for one of my best friend’s mother, who died recently, I celebrated the goal with that shirt,” she told Spanish broadcasters <em>La 1,</em> right after the game. </p> <p>Although the Spanish team had little time to enjoy their victory, Carmona was named player of the match for her breakthrough score in the finale. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"Deeply distressed": Tragedy strikes Robert De Niro's family

<p>Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, has tragically passed away, as confirmed by his daughter, Drena De Niro.</p> <p>Drena De Niro, who is 51 years old and Robert De Niro's daughter from his previous marriage to Diahnne Abbott, shared the devastating news of her young son's passing on Instagram.</p> <p>In a heartfelt tribute, accompanied by a photo of her late son, she expressed her deep love for him, stating: "My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been joy in my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life."</p> <p>Overwhelmed by grief and yearning to be with her son, she continued, <span style="color: #343541; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you. I don't know how to live without you but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #343541; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you 😞 I'm so sorry my baby, I'm so sorry @carlosmare 😢💔. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy."</span></p> <p> </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuOES_xN6pO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuOES_xN6pO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Drena (@drenadeniro)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Upon learning the tragic news, Robert De Niro expressed deep distress over his teenage grandson's passing.</p> <p>In a statement provided to the <em>New York Post's Page Six</em> section on Monday, Robert De Niro expressed his sorrow, saying, "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo."</p> <p>The statement was delivered through a spokesperson. He further added, "We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."</p> <p>At present, the cause of Leandro's death remains unknown, although reports suggest that drugs and drug paraphernalia were found near his body.</p> <p>Leandro was the son of Drena De Niro and graffiti artist Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez. Carlos commented on Drena's social media post, expressing his heartfelt emotions:</p> <p>"Words aren't enough to express the joy he gave us or the loss we now endure with our families and friends. He is God's child now. On this full moon, his spirit illuminates what could not be seen in the dark. You can't spell LOVE without LEO."</p> <p>Several celebrities, including Lenny Kravitz, Andy Cohen, and Naomi Campbell, expressed their support and condolences in the comments section of Drena's post.</p> <p>Drena De Niro is the eldest of Robert De Niro's seven children. He adopted her in 1976 after marrying her mother, Diahnne Abbott. Robert also has a son named Raphael, 46, with Ms. Abbott, as well as twins named Aaron and Julian, 27, with Toukie Smith.</p> <p>Additionally, he has a son named Elliot, 25, and a daughter named Helen, 11, with Grace Hightower. In May, Robert announced that he and his partner, Tiffany Chen, welcomed their seventh child, a daughter named Gia.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Tragedy strikes Ed Sheeran tour

<p>Ed Sheeran’s touring partner and co-writer has suffered a major loss with the news of his teenage son’s sudden death.</p> <p>Ben Kweller, who opened for Sheeran on his 2019 tour, revealed his 16-year-old son, Dorian, was killed overnight.</p> <p>"There's no way that I can be typing this but I am….," Kweller began in a heartbreaking <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNSgQ5uXzd/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribute shared on Instagram</a>. "Our son, Dorian Zev Kweller, was killed last night. He was only 16 and he was a true legend. Kindest, gentle soul, a friend to all. If you knew him, you know.”</p> <p>Kweller did not share any more information about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, instead, he wrote about the short but brilliant life the 16-year-old aspiring musician lived.</p> <p>"We'll never get over him as long as we're here on earth. Please keep his spirit alive with your memories and the music he made: @reallyzev," the proud dad shared.</p> <p>"Dorian Zev wrote and recorded songs every day. A true poet from the day he started speaking. Only a few of his recordings were released but he was on a path and excited about his journey. He had so many plans!!! His first gig was in two weeks, at SXSW.”</p> <p>In the post, the grieving father also shared his last text message exchange with his son.</p> <p>"We're in complete shock and don't know what the future holds. Lizzy, Judah, and I have no idea how to deal with this disaster. Thank you for your prayers and support and we apologize if we are slow to respond to messages. 💔”</p> <p>Sheeran, who is currently touring Australia, counts Kweller as one of his good friends. In 2018, when the musician married his childhood sweetheart Cherry Seaborn in a secret ceremony, Kweller was one of the few invited and also performed at their wedding ceremony. Kweller also co-wrote Sheeran’s hit song <em>Collide</em>.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

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Passenger killed after “rogue wave” strikes cruise ship

<p dir="ltr">An elderly woman has died and four others have been injured after a massive wave struck a cruise ship sailing towards southern Argentina at the end of its Antarctic cruise.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Viking Polaris was struck by a wave that broke cabin windows during a storm on its return to the port of Ushuaia last week, according to Argentinian authorities.</p> <p dir="ltr">While the ship suffered minimal damage, the 62-year-old US woman who was hit by broken glass died.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is with great sadness that we confirm a guest passed away following the incident,” Viking said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have notified the guest’s family and shared our deepest sympathies.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The cruise operator described it as a “rogue wave incident” and confirmed that four other cruise goers suffered non-life threatening injuries and received treatment from the doctor and medical staff on board the ship.</p> <p dir="ltr">With a federal court opening a case into the incident, the cruise ship has been anchored at Ushuaia.</p> <p dir="ltr">Viking has also said it would investigate the incident and “offer our support to the relevant authorities”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our focus remains on the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew, and we are working directly with them to arrange return travel,” the <a href="https://www.vikingcruises.co.uk/expeditions/my-trip/current-sailings/index.html">statement</a> from Thursday, December 1, read.</p> <p dir="ltr">The company has also cancelled its scheduled voyage to Antarctica, which was due to depart from December 5-17.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Polaris, built this year, features luxury facilities and has capacity for 378 passengers and 256 crew members.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is one of two ships Viking has for its cruises, which explore remote regions of the world.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1e04ff18-7fff-c693-9593-a1335e57307f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Cruising

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UK couple strike gold under their kitchen floor

<p dir="ltr">A UK couple have made a surprising discovery while renovating their home, with their find selling for £754,000 ($AU 1.3 million) at auction.</p> <p dir="ltr">After ripping up the existing floorboards and jackhammering through the concrete in the kitchen of their East Yorkshire home, the couple uncovered a small urn containing 260 ancient coins.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>BBC </em>reported that the coins dated from 1610 to 1727 and belonged to the Fernley-Maisters, a family who traded through the Baltic region. </p> <p dir="ltr">Auction house Spink &amp; Son said Joseph Fernley and Sarah Maister were married in 1694 and lived in Ellerby.</p> <p dir="ltr">Joseph died in 1796 aged 76, and Sarah died aged 80 in 1745, with the family line “dying out soon after” according to the auction house.</p> <p dir="ltr">Auctioneer Gregory Edmund told the outlet that the sale sum was an “absolutely extraordinary” result and said the costly urn was no larger than a can of soft drink.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Picture the scene – you’re choosing to re-lay your uneven kitchen floor, you put a pick-axe through the concrete and just beneath you see a tiny sliver of gold,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At the time, you think it must just be a bit of electrical cable, but you find it’s a gold round disc and beneath it there are hundreds more.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-29911120-7fff-2ab8-6964-7eedba22d546"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I will never see an auction like this again.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/coins-find.jpg" alt="" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The coins were found during renovation works in an East Yorkshire home (left) before being sold at auction. Images: Spink &amp; Son</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Though the couple made the discovery in 2019, they have only just sent the coins to auction.</p> <p dir="ltr">Spink &amp; Son said the collecction was “one of the largest hoards of 18th Century English gold coins ever found in Britain”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The coins are only represent about £100,000 in today’s currency, but they attracted such a high price due to their rarity, which only skyrocketed after the find gained global attention and became the subject of media coverage.</p> <p dir="ltr">Selling in lots, the highest individual price for one of the coins was a hefty £62,400 ($AU 108,000), paid for a 1720 coin described by the auction house as “imperfect”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Edmund described the bidding as “electrifying”, with the auction attracting the interest of collectors around the world.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-946d24fb-7fff-52fe-56f6-1d2bba9289ea"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Spink &amp; Son</em></p>

Real Estate

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Petition to strike Amber Heard’s character from new flick

<p dir="ltr">A petition calling for Amber Heard’s character to be removed from the <em>Aquaman</em> sequel has hit a massive three million signatures.</p> <p dir="ltr">Heard is currently being sued by Johnny Depp for $50 million for defamation over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in which she describes herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The publicly reported case has seen fans from all over the world call for Heard’s character to be removed from <em>Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom</em>, in which she plays Princess Mera.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the time of publication, the <a href="https://www.change.org/p/dc-entertainment-remove-amber-heard-from-aquaman-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">change.org</a> petition had clocked a whopping 2,948,764 signatures.</p> <p dir="ltr">Questions are not being raised on whether or not Warner Bros. will remove Heard’s character from the sequel, which is currently in post-production. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, it has also been revealed by journalist Grace Randolph that Heard has “less than 10 minutes screen time” in <em>Aquaman 2</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The trial between Heard and Depp began on April 11 and is set to last about six weeks.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Movies

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Mid-flight singalong strikes the wrong chord

<p dir="ltr">A man who sang a Christian worship song while strumming his guitar on board a plane has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. </p> <p dir="ltr">Jonathan Neo was on an easyJet flight when he started to sing to his fellow passengers mid-flight.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage of the singing was shared online by the pastor of the group Jack Jensz Jr who captioned it: “Worshipping our King Jesus 30,000 feet in the air!”</p> <p dir="ltr">The video, which received a whopping 31 million views in just two days, showed a few of the passengers singing along with Jonathan while others looked on angrily. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcIbSzRD7dm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcIbSzRD7dm/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jack Jensz Jr. (@jackjenszjr_)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Many people in the comments section slammed the group for inconveniencing passengers and for their lack of respect.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No self awareness here at all. I'll be praying for you guys to actually learn some,” one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I would rather go to Jesus right NOW than endure that nightmare of a flight,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Do you feel good about holding people hostage? Did Jesus say to force feed His word against people's will? Disgraceful,” another person wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What a self-righteous, presumptuous, and annoying thing to inflict on a plane full of strangers,” someone else commented.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“My name is Tom Hanks!”: The A-list photo bomber strikes again

<p dir="ltr">Photobomber Tom Hanks has struck again and has prompted a bride-to-be to cry tears of joy.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 65-year-old actor posed alongside bride Grace Gwaltney for some photos while she was having her pre-ceremony photo shoot with her two bridesmaids outside their hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the newlywed, she was leaving the hotel when Hanks approached her and asked if he could take a photo with her. Grace said she was amazed to see him, and admitted that the bridal party “all started screaming” when they realised who he was.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So we were all walking from the hotel to the limo, and out of nowhere, he pops up and just says, ‘My name is Tom Hanks! Can I take a photo with the bride?” she told the <em><a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/movies/2022/03/21/tom-hanks-movie-a-man-called-otto-ambridge-pittsburgh-wedding-bridal-party/stories/202203210021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pittsburgh Post-Gazette</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Grace also confirmed that the <em>Forrest Gump</em> actor was “just as wonderful and charming” as you’d expect, and said that even his wife, actress Rita Wilson, got in on the photos. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We all started screaming and were pretty much in shock … He was just as wonderful and charming as you’d assume,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“His wife, Rita [Wilson], was there and got in some photos, too.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to photographer Rachel Rowland, who was the one behind the camera on the day, even Hanks’ celebrity status didn’t steal the spotlight from Grace and her husband, Luke.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-85d3c86e-7fff-ea03-7909-6783173611ca"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“I’d like to say a photo bomb from Tom Hanks was the best part of yesterday but honestly I’d be lying. (No offence to the GOAT),” she wrote in the Instagram post where she shared the photos.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbU9os_rjPa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CbU9os_rjPa/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Rachel Rowland (@rachelrowland)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Yesterday was filled with joy, and laughter and fun and love and family and hugs and I just can’t get enough of Grace and Luke.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This isn’t the first time the A-list celebrity has photo bombed someone’s wedding photos, after he crashed the wedding of two brides on a Santa Monica beach.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-05d286ac-7fff-059b-c230-4d2fa3d522d7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @rachelrowland (Instagram)</em></p>

Relationships

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Queen's "World War III" speech strikes a haunting note

<p dir="ltr">Though it’s almost 40 years old, Queen Elizabeth II’s pre-prepared speech in the event of World War III is feeling quite pertinent lately.</p> <p dir="ltr">The sombre message, first penned in 1983 at the height of the Cold War and publicly released in 2013, is a script for a hypothetical broadcast the monarch would read if British citizens faced a threat of nuclear war or World War III.</p> <p dir="ltr">Devised by Whitehall officials, the speech was created as part of a war-gaming exercise that worked through potential scenarios and was written as if broadcast on Friday, March 4 at midday - almost 39 years ago to the day.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The horrors of war could not have seemed more remote as my family and I shared our Christmas joy with the growing family of the Commonwealth,” the script begins, as shared by the <em><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-23518587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now, this madness of war is once more spreading through the world and our brave country must again prepare itself to survive against great odds.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Queen also recalls the moment World War II broke out and her own experience of sadness and pride upon hearing her father make the announcement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have never forgotten the sorrow and the pride I felt as my sister and I huddled around the nursery wireless set listening to my father’s [George VI’s] inspiring words on that fateful day in 1939,” it reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Not for a single moment did I imagine that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to me.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But whatever terrors lie in wait for us all, the qualities that have helped to keep our freedom intact twice already during this sad century will once more be our strength.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Unsurprisingly, the address <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/royals/queen-elizabeth-secret-speech-in-case-of-world-war-iii/eb18bc06-e53c-4fa8-baab-549476b59370" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contains</a> some outdated aspects, including a mention of her “beloved” son Andrew - who was in the Royal Navy at the time - and references to her now-late husband Prince Philip.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also spoke of the power of the bond families share and how it “must be our greatest defence against the unknown”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If families remain united and resolute, giving shelter to those living alone and unprotected, our country’s will to survive cannot be broken.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The war-gaming exercise it was devised for has become increasingly relevant as well, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues amid the threat of nuclear strikes from Moscow and ongoing peace talks between the two countries.</p> <p dir="ltr">In it, Orange bloc forces representing the Soviet Union and its allies launched a chemical weapon attack on the UK.</p> <p dir="ltr">NATO, represented by Blue forces, retaliates with a “limited-yield” nuclear strike that forces Orange to initiate a peace process.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-74b0ef2d-7fff-7430-7c16-31b0387424ac"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“The status quo can’t continue”: Nurses striking for first time in a decade

<p dir="ltr">Thousands of nurses in NSW public hospitals will <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/nsw-nurses-vote-statewide-strike-221536766.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">go on strike</a>, as frustrations over understaffing, pay and working conditions prompt the first industrial action in almost a decade.</p><p dir="ltr">Though votes are still underway in some branches, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) says a majority have endorsed the industrial action.</p><p dir="ltr">The union, which represents 48,000 nurses across the state’s public hospitals, says nurses will take part in a statewide strike for up to 24 hours on Tuesday, while skeleton staff will remain to care for the critically ill and preserve life.</p><p dir="ltr">“We don’t recommend industrial action lightly, especially when a pandemic is still underway, but the status quo can’t continue,” NSWNMA General Secretary Brett Holmes said on Wednesday.</p><p dir="ltr">“We can’t return to pre-COVID-19 staffing levels when we were already in crisis.”</p><p dir="ltr">Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is considering a full-day strike, while nurses at Westmead and Cumberland hospitals will likely strike for 12 hours.</p><p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/nurse-strike.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p><p dir="ltr"><em>ICU nurses from Westmead Hospital protest, demanding the government address staffing levels. Image: NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association</em></p><p dir="ltr">The strike on February 15 will also coincide with widespread rallies across the state, with locations including Newcastle, Tamworth, Bathurst, Bega and Lismore.</p><p dir="ltr">It is the first statewide protest since 2013, as hospitals remain on high alert during the pandemic and face staff furloughs as their COVID-19 patient load stays high.</p><p dir="ltr">The union is primarily asking that the government follow in the steps of Queensland and Victoria by implementing nursing and midwifing staffing ratios.</p><p dir="ltr">“If the premier wants a well-staffed, well trained and resilient nursing and midwifery workforce in the public health system, then he must act now and implement shift by shift ratios across NSW,” Mr Holmes said.</p><p dir="ltr">The union is also asking for a fair pay rise, higher than the 2.5 percent offered by the government, as well as for COVID-19 workers’ compensation to remain unchanged.</p><p dir="ltr">The latter demand comes as the government seeks to scrap an automatic presumption under workers’ compensation rules that essential workers were infected with the virus at work.</p><p dir="ltr">If the assumption is successfully removed, doctors, nurses, paramedics, teachers, supermarket workers and other essential workers will need to prove they caught COVID-19 at work, which unions say is virtually impossible.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association</em></p>

News

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Man turns himself in after striking elderly man in hit-and-run

<p dir="ltr">A manhunt to find the driver of a truck that struck an elderly man in an alleged hit-and-run in Sydney’s west has concluded, after he was arrested and his truck seized.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 89-year-old man was struck by a truck on Wednesday morning in South Granville.</p> <p dir="ltr">Emergency services were called to the scene shortly after.</p> <p dir="ltr">NSW Ambulance paramedics treated the victim before he was taken to Westmead Hospital in a serious condition.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man remains at the hospital in critical condition, a<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news_article?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZWJpenByZC5wb2xpY2UubnN3Lmdvdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGOTkwOTAuaHRtbCZhbGw9MQ%3D%3D" target="_blank">statement</a><span> </span>from NSW Police said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Paramedics said he suffered internal injuries, as well as “a significant number of large fractures”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846388/hit-run1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bf7a85291cfe4315ab310653fe17b182" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>An 89-year-old man was struck by a truck in South Granville on Wednesday. Image: 7NEWS</em></p> <p dir="ltr">A witness speaking to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/nsw/nsw-police-hunt-truck-driver-after-elderly-pedestrian-injured-in-alleged-hit-and-run-c-4963868" target="_blank"><em>7NEWS</em></a><span> </span>said the truck driver got out of his vehicle after allegedly hitting the elderly man, before driving away.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s got back in the truck and I thought he was going to move it further up to come back to see what happened but he kept going,” the woman, who wished to be anonymous, said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police confirmed the witness’ account, with Detective Acting Inspector Robert Burlin adding that, “the driver of the vehicle has got out on a number of occasions to have a look”.</p> <p dir="ltr">After police established a crime scene and began investigating the incident, images were released of the man believed to be the driver.</p> <p dir="ltr">At about 7.30 pm that evening, the man attended Granville Police Station and was arrested.</p> <p dir="ltr">His unattended truck was later located in Chester Hill, and has been seized for forensic examination.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 54-year-old has been charged with fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm.</p> <p dir="ltr">After being granted conditional bail, he is due to appear in court in January 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: 7NEWS</em></p>

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Film and TV union could strike for first time in history

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The union representing behind-the-scenes workers in film and television has overwhelmingly </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-05/film-television-workers-strike-netflix-apple-amazon-disney/100514468" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">voted to strike</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> for the first time in 128 years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) said nearly 99 percent of its registered members - totalling 52,706 people - voted in support of a strike over the weekend.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The strike comes as the union calls for improved conditions for craftspeople, technicians, and labourers who work for Netflix, Apple and Amazon.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Better pay, reasonable rest periods, safer hours, and guaranteed meal breaks are among some of the requests made of the streaming giants.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I hope the studios will see and understand the resolve of our members,” Matthew Loeb, the alliance’s president, said in a statement.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUadI10vvOI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUadI10vvOI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by IATSE (@iatse)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The ball is in their court. If they want to avoid a strike, they will return to the bargaining table and make us a reasonable offer.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Negotiations began between the IATSE and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) - which represents studios and streamers - after the most recent three-year contract expired in July.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But conversations stopped on September 20, the day after shows that are popular on the streaming services like </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Crown</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ted Lasso</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Queen’s Gambit</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> took out the top prizes at the Emmy Awards.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the goal of reaching an agreement rather than having “a dispute”, Mr Loeb said the union’s vote was about the “quality of life as well as the health and safety of those who work in the film and television industry”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The IATSE said it was “incomprehensible that the AMPTP, an ensemble that includes media mega-corporations worth trillions of dollars, claims it cannot provide behind-the-scenes crews with basic human necessities like adequate sleep, meal breaks, and living wages”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a statement, the AMPTP said it would seek an agreement that would keep the industry working, particularly following the economic fallout due to the pandemic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A deal can be made at the bargaining table, but it will require both parties working together in good faith with a willingness to compromise and to explore new solutions to resolve the open issues,” it said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If the negotiations result in a strike, it would be the first nationwide movement in the history of the theatrical stage worker group.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Several big names in the industry have thrown their weight behind the movement, including actor and producer Octavia Spencer, Jeffrey Wright, and Frances Fisher.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">By a Nearly Unanimous Margin, <a href="https://twitter.com/IATSE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IATSE</a> Members in TV and Film Production Vote to Authorize a Nationwide <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Strike?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Strike</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IATSE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IATSE</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iasolidarity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iasolidarity</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IATSEsolidarity?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IATSEsolidarity</a> <br />⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/IA_Stories?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IA_Stories</a>⁩ <br />Congratulations!!!!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StrikeAuthorization?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StrikeAuthorization</a> <a href="https://t.co/W9sN66nGFX">https://t.co/W9sN66nGFX</a></p> — Frances Fisher (@Frances_Fisher) <a href="https://twitter.com/Frances_Fisher/status/1445090340810145803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our #IATSE brothers and sisters have spoken. They will #strike for better work conditions. I hope #AMPTP does the right thing and sits down again,” Spencer wrote on Twitter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They’re not asking for anything unreasonable.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @iatse / Instagram</span></em></p>

Movies

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Man strikes gold 1500 years old

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One lucky man in the town of Vindelev, Denmark, has stumbled upon a once in a lifetime discovery. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Using a metal detector, the man discovered a cache of 1,500-year-old gold objects, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">according to the Vejlemuseerne, the museum consortium in Vejle, Denmark.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The treasure trove was found in a small town 240km from the capital of Copenhagen, and offered up more than two pounds of gold. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It includes coins from the Roman Empire as well as medallions known as bracteates, which would have been sewn onto clothing and worn as ornamentation</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These newly discovered objects are expected to go on view at the Vejlemuseerne in February 2022.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Among the bracteates discovered in one inscribed with unique text that translates to “the High”, which may be a reference to a ruler at the time, or to the Norse god Odin. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That medallion, along with all the other objects found, dates back to the 6th century C.E.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s suspected that these pre-Viking objects may have been buried amid the ongoing threat of ecological devastation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the year 536, a volcano erupted in Denmark, creating a giant ash cloud and a subsequent famine in the country. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Experts believe that, amid the chaos, the inhabitants of modern-day Denmark rejected their rulers and parted ways with gold objects bearing these leaders’ images, either as a way of hiding the medallions from enemies or as a means of placating angry gods.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Archaeologists at the Vejlemuseerne are calculating the possibility that the town of Vindelev was the epicentre of a powerful empire during the Iron Age. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before the discovery of the artifacts, “there was nothing that could make us predict that an unprecedented warlord or great man lived here, long before the kingdom of Denmark arose in the following centuries,” said Mads Ravn, a research director at the Vejlemuseerne, in a statement.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Vejlemuseerne</span></em></p>

Art

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Tragedy strikes solo sailor Jessica Watson

<p>The long-term partner of Queensland solo sailing star Jessica Watson, Cameron Dale, has died, aged 29, following a catastrophic stroke.</p> <p>Watson, who became the youngest person to sail solo around the world more than 10 years ago, posted on Instagram on Wednesday evening, confirming the tragic loss of her partner.</p> <p>Describing him as her ‘long-term partner in every aspect of life and planned future.’</p> <p>She added that even with all of her achievements – which include Young Australian of the Year, Youth Representative for the United Nations World Food Program and being a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia – the role she was most proud of was being ‘Cam's “Jess,”’</p> <p>Watson went on to say: ‘Cam and I have been inseparable since 2011, our shared world centred on messing about on boats/</p> <p>‘Describing what Cam means to me is impossible – everyone who knows us understands how much we simply loved each other.’</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTRTvA6v0Rh/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTRTvA6v0Rh/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Jessica Watson (@jessicawatson_93)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Even while experiencing indescribable grief, I feel so grateful for the family, friends, and communities Cam has given me and the person I've become with him," she added.</p> <p>"I take enormous strength from having been so devotedly loved. The years of treasured memories offer enormous comfort."</p> <p>Cameron Dale died on Monday, nearly six weeks after a catastrophic stroke, despite the best efforts of staff at the Gold Coast University Hospital, according to Watson.</p> <p>Watson’s story about how she became the youngest person to sail solo around the world at just 16, is about to become a Netflix feature film based on her best-selling memoir, <em>True Spirit.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram </em></p>

News

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Tragedy strikes Sharon Stone’s family

<p>Sharon Stone has revealed her 11-month old nephew and godson, River, has died only days after he was found in his crib with 'total organ failure' that left him clinging to life in a coma.</p> <p>The <em>Basic Instinct </em>star, whose video tribute is set to Eric Clapton's <em>Tears in Heaven</em>, revealed the tragic news on Monday via her Instagram account.</p> <p>Stone took to her Instagram account, asking fans to pray for River saying he would need a ‘miracle’ to survive.</p> <p>He was the youngest child of Stone's brother, Patrick, and his wife, Tasha, who live in Ohio with their three children.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNcofsJlLC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNcofsJlLC/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sharon Stone (@sharonstone)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While sharing the news of his death, Stone posted a video of her nephew with the caption: 'River William Stone. Sept 8, 2020 - Aug 30, 2021'</p> <p>It is still unknown at this time exactly what happened to the child and Stone has not yet shared any other information about his passing.</p> <p><strong>River’s mother posted a plea for prayers</strong></p> <p>River's mother Tasha also wrote an impassioned plea for prayers on her Facebook page last week, revealing that her son had been airlifted to UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh on Thursday, where he was fighting for his life in a coma.</p> <p>Tasha wrote: 'This is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to post but I am BEGGING everyone and anyone who prays please pray HARD for River,' the devastated mother wrote. 'Every single second of this is literally killing me. I just want my sweet sweet boy back.'</p> <p>She didn't share the cause of her son's condition but she said doctors had told her River would “never be the same” if he ever woke up from his coma.</p> <p>'The doctor said if he does pull through he will never be the same,' Tasha wrote on her Facebook post: 'Please I am begging for prayers that my baby can be healed and come back with his family who love him so very much. I am beyond heartbroken.'</p> <p>Neither Tasha or Patrick have commented as yet on their son's tragic passing, and no details about the causes of his illness have been shared.</p> <p><strong>Stone was in Venice when she heard about River<br /></strong></p> <p>Stone was in Venice, Italy, when news of River's condition was revealed and she returned to the US over the weekend.</p> <p>There are a number of severe medical conditions which can lead to multiple organ failure in children but the leading cause is sepsis, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information.</p> <p>Sepsis - which can be sparked by another infection in the body - is particularly dangerous for children, because the symptoms are more easily missed than they are in adult patients.</p> <p>Birth defects and other undiagnosed illness can also lead to paediatric organ failure but it is not yet known whether any of these conditions caused River's severe illness.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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New “striking” evidence in Dorante-Day claims

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Simon Dorante-Day, the Queensland grandfather who believes he is the son of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has shared a new, “striking” piece of evidence for his claim.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He has released a new photo comparing the 55-year-old’s son against two images of The Queen, causing a stir on social media.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the image of Liam Dorante-Day in the centre, it can be compared against a photo of her majesty in her earlier years on one side and a more recent image of her on the other.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The similarities are hard to deny, that’s for sure,” Mr Dorante-Day told </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">7NEWS.com.au</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The teeth, the smile, all of it. And Liam has Prince Charles’ ears, that’s plain to see.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Others online have agreed, saying the likeness in the photos was “undeniable”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He is the double of The Queen in her older years,” one said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve never seen anyone so alike! Wow,” wrote another.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Check the teeth in picture on the right with your son,” a third added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Striking similarities,” another said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many of Mr Dorante-Day’s supporters say they used to be sceptics - but have since been convinced.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When I first came across [this] story I honestly rolled my eyes and thought these claims were rubbish,” one said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But it’s the photos that continue to convince me I’m wrong. I hope the truth comes out to the public one day.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another added: “The picture speaks volumes. I wish someone could wave a magic wand and bring this to a conclusion.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new evidence comes weeks after another photo of Simon compared to a younger Queen Elizabeth shocked many.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 280px; height: 210px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842714/d16914878b71a9bf81af5f2369cb61938ad7eb94-4x3-x0y24w280h210.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4a807af7ee39444d88e2ef71b6e4370d" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Facebook</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You have the Queen’s eyes. Out of all the pictures and comparisons, you should use this one when anyone doubts you,” said one.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A blind man could see you are theirs! They won’t ever admit it because it has too many implications. It’s really sad they won’t/can’t just tell the truth,” another sympathised.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Facebook</span></em></p>

Family & Pets

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Harvey Norman slammed for "revolting irresponsible" tweet

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Department store Harvey Norman has been slammed on social media for a "revolting" response to a tweet from its official company account.</p> <p>The company replied to a tweet from a former employee who claimed that working for the company made them "suicidal".</p> <p>"Working for your god forsaken company drove me to suicide in 6 months," they wrote.</p> <p>"To the 50 people paid $200k a year to manage one account — go f*** yourselves."</p> <p>The HarveyNormanAU Twitter account tweeted two emojis, which were a facepalm and a waving hand.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Lol <a href="https://twitter.com/HarveyNormanAU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@harveynormanau</a> blocking people for talking about the wage strikes<br /><br />Working for your god forsaken company drove me to suicide in 6 months<br /><br />To the 50 people paid $200k a year to manage to one account - go fuck yourselves. I know you do, that Sydney conference is a fucking mess</p> — Sisyphysical (@sisyphysical) <a href="https://twitter.com/sisyphysical/status/1398244255043260420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>Twitter users were furious about the company's response.</p> <p>“I made the decision to never step into one of their stores last year,” one man said.</p> <p>“This is the most revolting, irresponsible response to a tweet containing sensitive health information I’ve seen from a corporate entity,” a woman wrote, saying she will never spend another cent there.</p> <p>“Congrats Harvey Norman, you have lost me, my friends and family as customers,” another man said.</p> <p>The day prior to the “out of line” response, the same Twitter handle posted: “Twitter is no longer a customer service channel and is unmanned.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"><span class="like-bar-component"></span> <div class="right-box-container"> <div class="post-editor-container"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Money & Banking

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Tragedy strikes family as little boy dies on first overnight school camp

<p><span>The Victorian family of Cooper Onyett, who died during a school camp are demanding answers for his death.</span><br /><br /><span>Little Cooper passed away at the Belfast Aquatics pool in Port Fairy on Friday during his very first overnight school camp.</span><br /><br /><span>His mother Skye says she is still waiting for answers over what happened to her eight-year-old boy.</span><br /><br /><span>A GoFundMe page has been set up, and in just three days, Cooper’s death has raised almost $90,000.</span><br /><br /><span>“Cooper was a wonderful, adorable, cheeky boy who put a smile on everyone’s face that he met!” a family member wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>“Our hearts are shattered. Love you always Cooper.</span><br /><br /><span>“You will forever be loved and missed more than words can say!”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841395/school-boy-death-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5fe3528178ba4e4586b07b34ed0c2282" /><br /><br /><span>On Sunday, Stawell Soccer Club held a minute’s silence to pay their respects to Cooper and his family.</span><br /><br /><span>The pool has been closed since Friday and counselling has been held for staff.</span><br /><br /><span>“On behalf of the management committee at Belfast Aquatics, we send our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the boy who tragically lost his life on Friday while swimming at our pool,” Belfast Aquatics Committee of Management Chairperson Anne McIlroy said in a statement.</span><br /><br /><span>“This is a very difficult time for everyone, and as a committee we are rallying around the staff at Belfast Aquatics who are inconsolable about what has occurred.</span><br /><br /><span>“Counselling sessions are being held today for both the pool staff and members of the public who were at the pool at the time of this tragic accident.”</span><br /><br /><span>The coroner is investigating.</span></p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / 7News</em></p>

Caring

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Sally Pearson strikes gold again after offloading Gold Coast home

<p><span>Olympian Sally Pearson has sold her Gold Coast mansion for $950,000.</span><br /><br /><span>The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that she and her husband made a clean profit off the newly renovated pad, after originally buying it for $710,000 in 2019.</span><br /><br /><span>The single-storey home features four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage.</span><br /><br /><span>Additionally, the home has an extra bit of space with a detached office or studio space.</span><br /><br /><span>Wooden floorboards, a grey stone kitchen, and a modern grey and white bathroom adorn the home along with an immaculate garden, with a large grassy area that is perfect for families and pets.</span><br /><br /><span>Sally is one of Australia's greatest athletes.</span><br /><br /><span>The champion hurdler retired back in August 2019 due to injury but her achievements will last for a lifetime.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841087/daily-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fa0e49ae38fd44bc8452448673594b4e" /><br /><br /><span>At the time, she told The Sunday Mail that she had cried over her decision to retire and would be seeing a psychologist to deal with the heartache.</span><br /><br /><span>“Even now it's done and out in the open, I don't know if I feel any better for it. I feel maybe some sense of relief but still I feel like I've got a long way to go before I feel comfortable with what I'm doing,” she said</span><br /><br /><span>In July last year, she and her high school sweetheart Kieran welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Rudy Elizabeth.</span></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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