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Can you spot what is wrong with this controversial hotel ad?

<p>Sofitel Hotels is weathering a stormy response to an advertisement that appeared in <em>Good Weekend</em> magazine for its Brisbane hotel.</p> <p>It seems like an innocuous, prosaic hotel ad, but on further inspection, the devil is in the detail.</p> <p>On one side of the bed sits a bath-robed man reading a copy of <em>Australian Financial Review</em>. On the other is a bath-robed woman reading a Chanel coffee table book. He has a basket of pastries for breakfast nearby. She has a plate of fruit.</p> <p>The advertisement has been branded as sexist on social media, reports the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6252039/Whats-wrong-hotel-advert-Women-arms-sexist-poster.html" target="_blank"><em>Daily Mail</em></a>, with criticism scathing of what the young couple are each reading – he something intellectual, her something presumably frivolous – and the proximity of each type of breakfast foods to them.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/SofitelBrisbane?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SofitelBrisbane</a>, your breakfast looks delicious! Hey and just wanted to let you know I’m a woman and I also read the <a href="https://twitter.com/FinancialReview?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FinancialReview</a> every day <a href="https://t.co/qOg5J2vkqz">pic.twitter.com/qOg5J2vkqz</a></p> — Elizabeth Redman (@elizabethredman) <a href="https://twitter.com/elizabethredman/status/1049034184570929154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2018</a></blockquote> <p><em>The Australian</em><span> </span>reporter Elizabeth Redman tweeted:</p> <p>“Hi @SofitelBrisbane, your breakfast looks delicious! Hey and just wanted to let you know I’m a woman and I also read the <span>@FinancialReview every day.”</span></p> <p>“Yes, newsflash for @SofitelBrisbane — some women are in fact more interested in whether stocks and shares are going up and down than whether hemlines are,” another Twitter user wrote.</p> <p>Someone else brought attention to the layout of the breakfast spread on Twitter.</p> <p>“Of course the fruit platter is on her side, she'd be loathed to touch the baked goods...' they wrote.</p> <p>One man thought the advertisement resembled something that <em>Mad Men</em>’s fictional Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce 1950s-era advertising agency would have come up with.</p> <p>A spokesperson for the hotel chain tweeted that depicting a sexist representation of a couple was not the intention of the advertisement, with the company pulling the ad.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Hi Elizabeth, we appreciate you voicing your concerns. There was no intention of portraying a stereotype but we recognise it &amp; apologise for any offence it has caused The creative has been pulled from any future activity. Feel free to send us a DM if you’d like to discuss further</p> — Sofitel Brisbane (@SofitelBrisbane) <a href="https://twitter.com/SofitelBrisbane/status/1049181902354014208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>“There was no intention of portraying a stereotype but we recognise it and apologise for any offence that it has caused.”</p> <p>Do you think there’s anything wrong with this advertisement? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Travel Trouble

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TV legend Daryl Somers' bizarre backstage behaviour on Hey Hey It's Saturday

<p>In 1971, <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Hey Hey It’s Saturday</em> first appeared on Aussie screens and nearly five decades on, the iconic show is still remembered.</p> <p>Now, regular guest Red Symons has revealed one of the most unusual habits of show business legend and host of the show, Daryl Somers.</p> <p>In an interview with <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Studio 10</em>, Symons finally confirmed a long-standing rumour about Somers’ bizarre backstage behaviour.</p> <p><em style="font-weight: inherit;">Studio 10</em>’s Craig Bennett asked Symons: “There was this crazy rumour, Red. Maybe you can put it to bed... or take the covers off it? Daryl would wear slippers with bells on them so people would skedaddle when they knew he was coming?”</p> <p>The 69-year-old confirmed that the rumour was indeed true. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 278.391167192429px;" src="/media/7821230/2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a0c44926fe5242abaa42424d432e0540" /></p> <p>Laughing in response, Symons said: “'I'm not sure what his intention was, but it was useful to know he was coming!”</p> <p>Symons also reflected on his segment on <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Hey Hey It’s Saturday</em>, titled Red Faces.</p> <p>“The luxury of Red Faces was there was nothing at stake and the prize was nothing!” he said.</p> <p>“It was an opportunity for people that had little party tricks that they did in the pub. That's what was very nice about it.</p> <p>“Whereas when you get to the next-level competitiveness of the various shows there has been since, it's all so desperately important and there's so much money involved and this is your entire career.</p> <p>“But on Red Faces nobody took it seriously, not the audience, not the performers and not the judges,” he explained.</p> <p>The stars of the iconic show returned for a brief revival in 2009, following its axing in 1999.</p> <p>However, the 20-episode comeback was cancelled in 2010 despite the impressive line-up of celebrity guests.</p> <p>Kylie Minogue, Rex Lee and Toby Abbot were just some of the famous faces who appeared on the show for its short-lived return.</p> <p>Were you a fan of <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Hey Hey It’s Saturday? </em>Let us know in the comments below. </p>

TV

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The first major move Prince Harry and Meghan are making as a married couple

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan are moving on up in the royal ranks – property wise that is – with plans for the loved-up couple to relocate from Nottingham Cottage, situated in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, where they have lived since getting married in May, reported <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/celebrity/prince-harry-meghan-markle-apartment-1-kensington-palace-17465" target="_blank" title="Harpers Bazaar"><em>Harpers Bazaar</em></a>. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">And they’ll get some very high profile neighbours as they move into Apartment 1, on the west side of Kensington Palace, where Prince William, Duchess Kate, and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis live in Apartment 1A. They’ll even be an adjoining door between the neighbours!</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/7821228/kensington-palace.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a1bdb15324fe4f2ea2ccff8adb5b01a0" /></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">It’s a big step for the couple, their first marital home since they married some five months ago, and a move that has been delayed by extensive renovations worth $AU2.6 million. A telling sign that plans are afoot, according to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6240755/Harry-Meghan-Kensington-Palace-apartment-1-4-million-renovation.html" target="_blank" title="Daily Mail"><em>Daily Mail</em></a>, is that that the tarpaulin and scaffolding have been removed from the apartment after almost a year.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">And Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan will have just a little more room to spread their wings. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/homes/2017112744299/meghan-markle-prince-harry-cottage-house/" target="_blank" title="Hello!"><em>Hello!</em></a> reports that Nottingham Cottage has two bedrooms and a modest living room, while there’s 21 rooms at their apartment at Kensington Palace.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">As well as the freshly renovated royal digs, the pair still have their leased weekend getaway in The Cotswolds, and will keep Nottingham Cottage as one of their residences.<br /></span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">It appears the royal moving trucks aren’t far away!</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">If you had 21 rooms, what would you do with them? Tell us in the comments below.</span></p>

News

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Warning: WhatsApp voicemail scam gives hackers access to your account

<p>A worrying new WhatsApp hack allows cyber criminals to access victim’s accounts via their voicemail inbox.</p> <p>According to <a href="https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2018/10/08/attackers-use-voicemail-hack-to-steal-whatsapp-accounts/"><strong><em style="font-weight: inherit;"><u>Naked Security</u></em></strong></a>, a blog run by British security company Sophos, scammers are attempting the attacks at night so they can take advantage of the app’s six-digit verification code.</p> <p>The attacks have become so prevalent that Israel’s National Cyber Security Authority issued a nationwide warning.</p> <p>Hackers start the scam by installing WhatsApp on their own phone using a legitimate user’s phone number.</p> <p>To verify the login attempt, WhatsApp sends a six-digit verification code via text message to the victim’s telephone.</p> <p>However, hackers are carrying out this scam at night, so victims are most likely sleeping rather than checking their phones.</p> <p>WhatsApp then allows the hacker to send the six-digit verification code via phone call with an automated message.</p> <p>As the victim is not on their phone, the message ideally goes to voicemail.</p> <p>The cyber criminal then exploits a security flaw in many telecommunication networks which allows customers to use a generic phone number to call and retrieve their voicemails.</p> <p>For many mobile phone owners, only a four-digit pin is required to access their voicemails – which if they haven’t changed is commonly 0000 or 1234 by default.</p> <p>Hackers will then enter the password and gain access to the victim’s voicemail inbox, allowing them to retrieve the WhatsApp message containing the six-digit code.</p> <p>Once the scammer enters the code into their own phone, they have complete access to the victim’s WhatsApp account.</p> <p>To avoid being hacked, it is recommended that users turn on two-factor authentication on their account, adding an extra layer of security.</p> <p>“Using application-based 2FA ... mitigates a lot of the risk, because these mobile authentication apps don’t rely on communications tied to phone numbers,” Sophos researchers explained. </p> <p>This can be done by navigating to Settings in WhatsApp, then tapping ‘Account’.</p> <p>Users must then press on ‘Two-step verification’ and tap ‘Enable’.</p> <p>Experts also encourage users to have a strong PIN on their voicemail inbox.</p> <p>Have you encountered this WhatsApp scam? Let us know in the comments below. </p>

Technology

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What Prince Philip is really like as a grandfather

<p>Queen Elizabeth II may be the head of the Commonwealth, but it’s her husband, Prince Philip who has remained the family’s strongest support.</p> <p>While it is rare to see the Prince interacting with his grandchildren in a public setting, especially after his retirement, that is not to say that his relationship with his family members isn’t strong. It is said that Prince Philip values his role as a father, grandfather and now great-grandfather above anything else.</p> <p>Matt Smith, who famously played the role of Prince Philip in the highly acclaimed Netflix series <em>The Crown</em> said that upon meeting Prince William and asking for advice on playing his grandfather, the Duke of Cambridge responded with very few words, saying: “Just one word – legend.”</p> <p>The royal couple share eight grandchildren together: Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn.</p> <p>And while Prince William made his admiration for his grandfather known, he is not the only one to praise him, as Philip’s other grandchildren have also expressed their love for him.</p> <p>“I think Grandpa is incredible,” said Princess Eugenie in a 2016 documentary, <em>Our Queen at Ninety</em>. </p> <p>“He really is strong and consistent. He’s been there for all these years, and I think he’s the rock, you know, for all of us.”</p> <p>Author of <em>The Diana Chronicles</em>, Tina Brown wrote in her book: “A member of the Balmoral staff noted that Prince Philip, who had effectively lost his own mother at the age of 10 when she was committed for three years to an asylum in Switzerland, was brilliantly effective with his grandsons, offering them gruff tenderness and outdoor activities like stalking and hiking to tire them out.”</p> <p>She also looked back at the time of Princess Diana’s death, and said Prince Philip played a crucial role in the healing of Prince William and Prince Harry in 1997.</p> <p>According to Brown, Prince William was not in the right emotional state of mind to walk in the cortege at his mother’s funeral, but with the support of his grandfather, he changed his mind.</p> <p>It is reported that Philip said to William, “If I walk, will you walk with me?” and he did.</p> <p>In a recent display of affection, Prince Philip decided to attend his grandson, Prince Harry’s wedding to the now Duchess of Sussex in May, even though he went through a hip replacement surgery only a few weeks prior to the occasion.</p> <p>Earlier in the year, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/celebrities/news/a22736656/prince-philip-relationship-with-grandchildren/" target="_blank"><em>Harper’s Bazaar</em></a> spoke to a former royal reporter, Philip Dampier, who said: “He has taught them [his grandchildren] many things from his own experiences, telling them not to worry about the press too much as ‘it will be tomorrow’s fish and chip paper’.”</p> <p>“Philip has made more than 5000 speeches in his royal career and he has tips on how to do them. His door is always open if any of his grandchildren want advice on any subject.”</p>

Family & Pets

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Inside Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s $3.8M country retreat

<p>Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban put their country home up for sale for a cool $4.6 million in 2016, and with many bumps and bridges such as price cuts and negotiations, it is reported that the couple have finally managed to sell their Tennessee property for $3.8 million.</p> <p>The spacious home features four bedrooms, six bathrooms and is surrounded by woods and greenery in what is considered to be a beautiful sanctuary outside Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee.</p> <p>The couple purchased the 36-acre gated estate back in 2007 for $3.2 million.</p> <p>While the home appears to be rustic from the outside, the interior is modern and fresh as it’s decorated with luxury items, while still keeping the feel of the rooms subtle and modest.</p> <p>With features such as steeply pitched vaulted ceilings and skylights, the house is given an air of comfort and cosiness.</p> <p>The rustic interiors are contrasted with otherwise modern centrepieces, such as stainless-steel accents and granite counters.</p> <p>The walkway leading towards the master bedroom is covered with floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing plenty of light into the home. But the bedroom doesn’t compromise on privacy, as it’s tucked away in a perfect nook.</p> <p>The property also contains a large fitness room and an office space that looks over the scenic views of the yard.</p> <p>On the large block of land is also a separate cottage, that would be deemed fit for guests, caretakers or live-in staff.</p>

Music

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Why you need to have a better understanding of your gut

<p>With almost 2 in 3 Australian adults overweight or obese, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is significantly increasing in our nation.</p> <p>While most people are aware that type 2 diabetes is a progressive condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin, and gradually loses the ability to produce enough of it, most Aussies are unaware of the condition called prediabetes.</p> <p>Prediabetes, the early condition that precedes type 2 diabetes, requires medical attention and is also a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers.</p> <p>Nearly 40% of Australians may be living with prediabetes, but it does not necessarily have to progress into type 2 diabetes if managed appropriately.</p> <p>Dr Dorit Samocha-Bonet, a Clinical Researcher at the <a href="https://www.garvan.org.au/support-us/predict-research/help-fund-crucial-clinical-trials-to-help-prediabetic-australians/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_campaign=predict2018"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Garvan Institute of Medical Research</strong></span></a>, within the <span>Diabetes and Metabolism Division</span>, has over 20 years of experience as a dietician. She believes new research into gut microbiome could be the key to <span>managing </span>prediabetes and stopping Aussies living the rest of their lives with type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>“If caught early, we can reverse prediabetes and prevent years of suffering for millions of people,” she said.</p> <p>When asked of the dangers of not having prediabetes diagnosed, Dr Samocha-Bonet said: “Well, the danger is firstly, that if prediabetes is not treated it may <span>progress to </span>type 2 diabetes <span>with </span><span>detrimental</span><span> consequences of </span><span>the elevated</span><span> blood sugar on the body</span>,” she explained. </p> <p>“Prediabetes is reversible if you’re aware and treated, and type 2 diabetes can be avoided for life, even if you have a strong family history of the disease.”</p> <p>And now, research from the Garvan Institute is looking to understand the role gut bacterial makeup <span>ha</span><span>s</span><span> on the potential of a common type 2 diabetes medication to be effective</span><span> in an individual</span>.</p> <p><strong>How can gut bacteria help? </strong></p> <p><span> </span>“Through understanding the unique microbiome in each of our guts, we can apply tailored treatments for better results.”</p> <p><span>Dorit’s study collaborators, t</span>wo researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, a partner of the Garvan Institute, found that people respond differently to the same dietary recommendation.</p> <p>Using a device to track sugar levels<span> continuously for days</span>, the researchers were able to compare <span>blood sugar response </span><span>to the same food given to </span>people who were <span>of </span><span>similar </span>body mass index and age.  What they found was not what you would expect.</p> <p>When given a food like a cookie compared to a piece of fruit with the same amount of carbohydrates, some people’s sugar levels would spike after the cookie more than the fruit (as you may expect), while others’ sugar level would spike more for the fruit than the cookie.</p> <p> “And then they looked for the differences between those people and they actually found that a lot of it could be explained by their individual gut microbiota features.”</p> <p>“So, the discovery that the way you respond to a specific meal relates to your gut microbiota composition was revolutionary. The fact that you can treat people to their gut microbiota signature is still astounding,” Dr Samocha-Bonet said.</p> <p><strong>Garvan’s breakthrough research </strong></p> <p>Now, Garvan wants to trial whether this personalised diet may improve the response of people with prediabetes and early type 2 diabetes to a common diabetes medication. </p> <p>“We are going to trial this diet for the first time in people treated with the first-line medication in type 2 diabetes, called <span>metformin</span>. We are hoping to improve the way people respond to this medication.”</p> <p>The study, called PREDICT, will measure treatment success by comparing patterns of <span>sugar </span>levels in the blood before and <span>during </span>the treatment.</p> <p>One of the goals of the research is to understand who is more likely to benefit from this most commonly prescribed type 2 diabetes medication, which does not improve sugar control in everybody.</p> <p>“We want to come up with a tool to help clinicians in deciding how they’re going to treat a person. When a person has diabetes we still don’t know whether they’re likely to respond to a specific treatment, so we want to be able to give the clinician tools that are easily accessible, to decide how they’re going to treat people most beneficially for better <span>health </span>outcomes.”</p> <p>“<span>Optimal treatment for a given individual will translate to </span><span>better prospects to </span>avoid the complications of type 2 diabetes. Helping the physician treat the person with diabetes more effectively for better disease outcome.”</p> <p><strong>How you can support the research </strong></p> <p>Contributing funds to organisations like the Garvan Institute is a good way to start, and you’ll be surprised how far your dollar goes.</p> <p>As Dr Samocha-Bonet explains, funding will provide necessary resources to perform the clinical trial involving sufficient number of participants and using gold-standard tools to phenotype people properly.</p> <p>“Together with our collaborators, we hope to benefit people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, not only in Australia but all over the world.”</p> <p>To contribute to the Garvan Institute’s fight against prediabetes and type 2 <span>diabetes</span>, visit <a href="https://www.garvan.org.au/support-us/predict-research/help-fund-crucial-clinical-trials-to-help-prediabetic-australians/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_campaign=predict2018"><strong><u>garvan.org.au</u></strong></a>.</p> <p>THIS IS SPONSORED CONTENT BROUGHT TO YOU IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE <a href="https://www.garvan.org.au/support-us/predict-research/help-fund-crucial-clinical-trials-to-help-prediabetic-australians/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=link&amp;utm_campaign=predict2018"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>GARVAN INSTITUTE</strong></span></a>.</p>

Caring

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How to spot the new cameras targeting dangerous drivers

<p>We all know it’s against the law to use our mobiles behind the wheel, but some will still do so believing that they won’t get caught.</p> <p>But world first camera technology being trialled in Sydney will make you think twice.</p> <p>According to <a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/spot-new-cameras-targeting-one-dangerous-driver-behaviour-100838741.html" target="_blank">7 News</a>, “smart” detection cameras are being piloted by the NSW state government that detect mobile phone use and analyse driver behaviour, and more trials are expected to happen early next year.</p> <p>A camera that identifies drivers on their phones has never been used before until now, and it’s part of a group of cameras located above the M4 Western Motorway in Sydney, in the suburb of Prospect at the overpass at Clunies Ross Street.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/7821209/clunies-ross-st.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a2134a34a2db40ad8bf157eeb5201ad4" /></p> <p>The camera technology is designed to monitor motorists’ attention as they drive, and is said to be able to even tell if you’re on Facebook or texting, as well as talking, listening or browsing on your phone. The stealthy cameras can catch you out using artificial intelligence, images and video.</p> <p>7News reports that the trial will test the accuracy of the technology in identifying drivers using their phones illegally, and whether they are the registered owner of the vehicle. All recordings from the test will be deleted, and the technology has to be deemed accurate before any infringement notices will be given.</p> <p><iframe width="640" height="360" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="https://au.news.yahoo.com/smart-cameras-targeting-drivers-using-075516907.html?format=embed" allowfullscreen="true" mozallowfullscreen="true" webkitallowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>Melinda Pavey, Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight said: <span>“We are confident we will get the technology right. </span><span>But we’re not going to trick anybody.”</span></p> <p>The use of the high tech cameras is not about revenue raising says the government, with $14 million in phone penalties raked in per year already.</p> <p>It says the technology is about saving lives. Mobile use caused seven deaths, 47 serious injuries, and 184 crashes in the last five years in NSW.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="/media/7821210/camera-close-up.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4d133b3fecf84a1ca4307e55840fc9d1" /></p> <p>“You’re much more likely, more than 20 times more likely, to be involved in a crash if you’re texting and driving,” said Bernard Carlon, Executive Director of the Centre for Road Safety.</p> <p>A few motorists interviewed by <em>7News</em> thought the new technology was a good idea.</p> <p>There are a lot of accidents because of mobile use,” one said.</p> <p>“This is a good idea.”</p> <p>Said another: <span>“Look, at the end of the day, it keeps people safe, that’s the main thing, isn’t it?”</span></p> <p>Do you think cameras to catch drivers using their phones is a good idea? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Legal

News

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The Project host snaps in on-air meltdown: "It's disgusting"

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">In an explosive exchange on <em>The Project</em> last night, things got personal when hosts Peter Helliar and Steve Price bitterly disagreed about the controversial plans to advertise the Everest Cup horse race on the sails of the Sydney Opera House.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Radio broadcaster Price said he was perplexed at the controversy, saying he didn’t see what “the big deal” was, and referenced imagery that had appeared in the past on the sails for the Wallabies, reported <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/current-affairs/the-project-hosts-clash-over-opera-house-racing-controversy-youre-a-wer/news-story/77701e67eb3d84af3d52f5d10f5e9d97"><span class="s2">news.com.au</span></a></em>.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“It’s a few lights flashed up on the sails briefly, there’s no graffiti, it’s not advertising, it’s promotion of a NSW sporting event,” he said.</span></p> <p class="p1"> </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t know what the big deal about this is!” Pricey shares his two cents on the Opera House controversy and explains where else he’s shared his cents! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheProjectTV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheProjectTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/z0k22xljon">pic.twitter.com/z0k22xljon</a></p> — The Project (@theprojecttv) <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1049216328853204993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2018</a></blockquote> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">But things really got nasty when Price claimed he’d paid for the Opera House. According to <em><a href="https://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/personalities/steve-price"><span class="s2">tenplay.com.au</span></a></em>, the radio host lives between Sydney and Melbourne.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">He questioned why Helliar would be so outraged at the plans to advertise horse racing on the world-famous landmark when he lives in Melbourne.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">“You’re so obsessed with this story. You don’t even live in Sydney. You didn’t even pay for the Opera House – I did!” he said.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">A bemused Helliar fired back:</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">“You’ve made me angry. You paid for the Opera House? There’s your headline. You’re a w***er.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">Helliar also had plenty to say about Price’s 2GB colleague, the influential radio host Alan Jones, who he accused of “bullying” Louise Herron, chief executive of the Opera House, in an interview on his radio show. Jones had said he could have Herron fired if she didn’t toe the line on the advertising plans.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">“This isn’t about gambling, it’s the fact that the Sydney Opera House have a charter, and they’ve been forced to change that charter and that interview with Alan Jones – and it’s almost a side issue – but that was disgusting,” said Helliar.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“That was so disgusting. To hear a woman bullied.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">The comedian said that NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian should not have bowed to Jones’ demands to advertise on the Opera House and should have “changed her mind to send a message.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">Price said he wouldn’t “pass judgement” on his colleague, nor would he do so of his The Project co-hosts. But Helliar wasn’t about to back down.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“So you’re comfortable with it, yeah?”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Host Waleed Aly stepped in and summed up the confrontation quipping: “Oooh, the ice from Pete!”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Over 245,000 people have signed an <a href="https://www.change.org/p/defend-our-opera-house-support-louise-herron-4ebd912c-e760-43f1-a396-3e7468869056"><span class="s2">online petition</span></a> so far, saying the Opera House should be protected from Jones and his “gambling mates.”</span></p> <p class="p2"><span class="s1"> </span></p>

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The Queen’s rules for Sarah Ferguson at royal wedding

<p>After years of being shunned by the royal family for her misdemeanours during her marriage to Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson will have the opportunity to mingle with her ex-husband’s family once again at her daughter’s royal wedding.</p> <p>The royal clan are all set to gather for Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank at St George’s Chapel on October 12.  </p> <p>And to make sure the day runs smoothly, the Queen has put special measures in place for 58-year-old Fergie, reported <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/the-queen-sarah-ferguson-royal-wedding-rules-51679"><strong><em style="font-weight: inherit;"><u>Woman’s Day</u></em></strong></a>.</p> <p>A palace aide told the publication: “Fergie has been told she has to sit on Jack's family's side at the chapel.”</p> <p>"She's also been banned from making a speech, as much as Eugenie would have liked her to, out of fear she may say something untoward or make subtle digs at the family."</p> <p>Fergie has also been instructed to avoid three members of the royal family on the day, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne.</p> <p>"Some of the royals have very much forgiven Fergie for her misdemeanours, but the likes of Prince Philip and Princess Anne still don't see her point of view," another palace source explained.</p> <p>"Harry and Meghan invited her to their wedding ceremony, but it was very telling that <span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit !important;">she didn't get an invitation to their reception</span> – and William and Kate didn't welcome her at all!"</p> <p>"Of course, the Queen would not actually disallow Fergie from attending her own daughter's wedding, but she's wary disaster could strike if the duchess doesn't behave herself."</p> <p>The Duchess of York’s most infamous scandal was when she was pictured getting her toes sucked by oil tycoon John Bryan prior to her divorce to Prince Andrew in 1996.</p> <p>In 2010, she was also filmed offering an undercover reporter access to her ex-husband for money.</p> <p> </p>

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Erin Molan's sweet new deal after The Footy Show axing

<p><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/erin-molan-resigns-to-nine-with-bigmoney-three-year-contract/news-story/0ff1183c153cf8e0c7f8417635a24816?utm_source=Daily%20Telegraph&amp;login=1"><em>The Sunday Telegraph</em></a> has reported that the former host of the show has negotiated “a big-money, three-year contract,” with Channel 9, putting paid to previous <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/erin-molans-rising-star-is-burning-out-after-the-nrl-footy-shows-axing-can-she-bounce-back/news-story/95a00ea06d180f47661bf94c13fc49dd" target="_blank">reports</a> that the star would be sidelined, after The Footy Show was <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/channel-9-axes-nrl-footy-show-after-25-years" target="_blank">axed</a>.</p> <p>Tom Malone, Channel Nine’s director of sport, said the network was keen to keep Molan onboard.</p> <p>“She’s a star, she’s a great broadcaster and we love her,” he said.</p> <p>Details are scarce on the extent of Molan’s new deal, and Malone hasn’t revealed what she’ll be hosting, but he confirmed the <em>Sunday Footy Show</em> would be back next year. But <em>The Daily Telegraph</em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/television/erin-molan-to-remain-host-of-sunday-footy-show-but-questions-raised-about-afl-footy-show-future/news-story/d3b18a1303b4c85d812bb540bf7220f3" target="_blank"> reports</a> she’ll remain host of the show, as well as being given a new role on <em>Wide World of Sports</em>.</p> <p>In the aftermath of<span> </span><em>The Footy Show</em>’s axing, Molan was blamed by some for its demise.</p> <p>Mike Colman, writing in <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/opinion/nrl-footy-show-cancelled-two-channel-9-decisions-that-killed-the-show/news-story/8b7bfc1581c016e73b395e73910de14f" target="_blank"><em>The Courier-Mail</em></a>, opined that “Molan was singularly incapable” of bringing anywhere near the level of knowledge that long-serving host Fatty Vautin, who she replaced, had.</p> <p>He also criticised Channel Nine’s decision to install Molan, knowing she would be going on maternity leave, but the star has hit back, reports <em>The Sunday Telegraph</em>.</p> <p>“I will try not to give birth mid-season again,” said Molan, who took just six weeks off after the birth of her daughter Eliza.</p> <p>The presenter was apparently in tears after the <em>The Courier-Mail</em> story according to Nine staff but is optimistic about her future at the network where she has worked for almost a decade.</p> <p>“I’m really excited about what’s to come,” Molan said.</p> <p>“To continue to work within <em>Wide World of Sport</em>s is such a privilege and to be able to combine it with weekend news and radio is even better.</p> <p>“I will always work incredibly hard and always do the best job I can.</p> <p>“I’ll be forever grateful for seven wonderful years on <em>The Footy Show</em> and genuinely thank all the people who supported me — and even those who didn’t.</p> <p>“Whether you loved us or hated us, it was with such an incredible passion that only rugby league fans possess — and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”</p>

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Travel

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Airbnb holiday renters facing $6000 fines – will it affect you?

<p>A council in NSW plans to fine residents $6000 for listing their properties on Airbnb without prior approval.</p> <p>In an attempt to control housing costs, Byron Shire council has planned to implement consequences for those who put their properties up for short-term holiday letting without council permission.</p> <p>Mayor of Byron Bay Shire, Simon Richardson, said the fines would help restrain the cost of housing.</p> <p>“Due to Byron Shire’s popularity as a tourist destination many people now see short-term holiday letting as their opportunity to make money on their property from tourism and in some cases, this can come at a cost to the community,” Cr Richardson said to the <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.northernstar.com.au/" target="_blank">Northern Star</a></em>.</p> <p>The law, which was announced late last week, will force owners to seek prior approval if they hope to get tourism benefits out of their properties. If people fail to comply, they will be faced with a $3000 fine if an individual or a $6000 for a company.</p> <p>The Byron Shire Council announced plans to exclude secondary dwellings from development fees back in 2011, if the property was considered a home to permanent residents.</p> <p>But since then, the council has realised that many of these homes are being used for tourist accommodation rather than for residential purposes.</p> <p>According to Cr Richardson, 17.6 per cent of the total housing stock in Byron Shire is being used for holiday rental.</p> <p>Compare that to the national rate which is 0.2 per cent, and Sydney which is 1.7 per cent, that is an enormous difference.</p> <p>“There are hundreds of approved tourism accommodation providers in the Byron Shire who do the right thing with respect to approvals, safety and compliance,” said Cr Richardson. “Something needs to be done to protect our community’s right to residential areas that are filled with neighbours not tourists.”</p> <p>But not everyone is fond of the new law, with Airbnb claiming that the new policy is “heavy-handed.”</p> <p>“It is disappointing that Byron Shire Council continues to try and malign home sharing and the immense benefits it brings,” said Julian Crowley, Airbnb’s public affairs manager for Australia and New Zealand.</p> <p>But others approve, saying the needs of residents should always come first.</p> <p>Gold Coast property owner and representative of Strata Owners Speak Out said that other councils should follow suit.</p> <p>“Short-term rentals immediately remove dwellings from the market, so of course that puts up the prices,” he said.</p> <p>Do you rent your property on Airbnb? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Travel Trouble

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The new airport rule that changes everything at check-in

<p>Many of us may have felt bombarded by boarding announcements as we wait at the airport, listening out for the relevant information for our flight so we don’t miss anything vital. It’s not exactly a relaxing experience, in what can already be a harried experience as all check boxes are ticked for a successful boarding.</p> <p>But next time you visit Sydney International Airport’s T1 terminal, you’ll notice a major change. On September 17, it became a “quiet airport”, ceasing all terminal wide updates over the PA system including flight boarding and closing, and passenger paging, unless they’re “critical”. You’ll see signs noting the change at check-in counters, but all boarding announcements will continue to be made at boarding gates.</p> <p>Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert says the initiative will make for a more relaxing experience for passengers.</p> <p>“Passengers will now be able to relax without being interrupted by constant announcements,” he said in a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sydneyairport.com.au/corporate/media/corporate-newsroom/announcements-at-t1-international-reduced" target="_blank">statement</a>.</p> <p>“We’re always looking at how we can make the airport experience even more enjoyable for our passengers. This initiative leapt out as one that would make an immediate and material difference and would align us with the practices of the best airports globally.”</p> <p>He said the move brings the airport in line with other leading world airports like Changi, Dubai, Hong Kong and Helsinki.</p> <p>So, you may need to pay extra attention to the flight information display screens for up-to-date information, and you can keep up-to-date on your flight status through the Sydney Airport and airline websites, as well as on the airport’s social media accounts.</p> <p>You can also set an alarm on your mobile phone to make sure you get moving to your gate on time, and get updates on flight delays on your phone using the app for your relevant airline or the TripCase app, which covers all airlines, writes Amanda Woods, for <a href="https://www.escape.com.au/news/shh-quiet-airport-terminals-have-arrived-in-australia/news-story/2302bb29caa12ec70f52d15d620457b6"><em>Escape</em></a>. According to Woods, it’s not just passengers that are effected by the change, with shop assistants enjoying some much-needed peace from terminal-wide announcements.</p> <p>“When I ask one of the airport’s shop assistants if they’ve noticed much of a change with the new Quiet Terminal rules they say their life is so much easier now,” she wrote. “Before they were constantly being interrupted when they were trying to tell a customer something and had to start again when the announcement finished.”</p> <p>Passengers travelling internationally will still be advised of their gate and boarding time when checking in, and you can always approach airport information desks if you have any queries.</p> <p>For now, announcements are set to continue at domestic airports.</p> <p>What do you think of the new "quiet airport" rule? Tell is in the comments below.</p>

Travel Tips

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The weird thing Harry and Meghan can't do on their Aussie tour

<p>On October 16, Prince Harry and Meghan will kickstart their first major royal tour as a couple by arriving in Sydney, Australia.</p> <p>The 16-day tour will see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex complete 76 engagements around Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.</p> <p>Although the royal newlyweds will happily mingle with fans throughout their travels, there is one bizarre rule that will limit their encounter with a furry friend.</p> <p>After being welcomed into the country by Australia’s Governor-General Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lynne, the couple will meet two koalas that same afternoon.</p> <p>However, due to strict new anti-koala cuddling rules, the royals will be allowed to pet but not cuddle the Aussie animals.</p> <p>Sam Cohen, Harry and Meghan’s private secretary, said: “You can cuddle in Queensland and pet in New South Wales.”</p> <p>The couple will then jet off to Melbourne, Dubbo in NSW and Queensland’s Fraser Island.</p> <p>Harry and Meghan will visit Fiji and Tonga between October 23 and 26 and also spend four days in New Zealand.</p> <p>The royals are looking forward to meeting as many locals as possible during their lengthy trip.</p> <p>“There is a long history of the friendship between the royal family and Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand, and their links with the UK extensive,” Ms Cohen said.</p> <p>“The Duke and Duchess are very much looking forward to experiencing the unique customs and cultures of these four Commonwealth countries and have asked that this tour allows them to meet as many Australians, Fijians, Tongans and New Zealanders as possible.</p> <p>“Together they look forward to building an enduring relationship with the people of the region.”</p> <p>The main reason why Harry and Meghan are heading Down Under is to support the Sydney 2018 Invictus Games, an athletic event for disabled and ill service people.</p> <p>To officially welcome the Olympic-style event, Prince Harry, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and athletes will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge and place the Invictus flag at the top. </p> <p>“The Duke and Duchess are excited to see Sydney fully embrace the Invictus spirit and support the competitors across a range of sports at some of the city’s most iconic venues,” Ms Cohen said.</p> <p><strong>Prince Harry and Meghan’s royal tour itinerary:</strong></p> <p>Tuesday October 16: Sydney, Australia</p> <p>Wednesday October 17: Dubbo, Australia</p> <p>Thursday October 18: Melbourne, Australia</p> <p>Friday October 19: Sydney, Australia</p> <p>Saturday October 20: Sydney, Australia</p> <p>Sunday October 21: Sydney, Australia</p> <p>Monday October 22: Fraser Island, Australia</p> <p>Tuesday October 23: Suva, Fiji</p> <p>Wednesday October 24: Suva, Fiji</p> <p>Thursday October 25: Nadi, Fiji and Nuku’alofa, Tonga</p> <p>Friday October 26: Nuku’alofa, Tonga and Sydney, Australia</p> <p>Saturday October 27: Sydney, Australia</p> <p>Sunday October 28: Wellington, New Zealand</p> <p>Monday October 29: Wellington and Abel Tasman, New Zealand</p> <p>Tuesday October 30: Auckland, New Zealand</p> <p>Wednesday October 31: Rotorua, New Zealand</p>

Domestic Travel

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Take cover: Wild wet weather ahead

<p>With Australia suffering the worst drought it has ever faced in years, there is some good news on the horizon, as parts of the country can expect a downpour of rain over the weekend.</p> <p>Labelled as Australia’s most significant rain event of 2018, the stormy conditions are working their way through NSW, with many coastal areas expecting 50-100mm of rain between now and next Tuesday.</p> <p>Those residing in Sydney have already experienced a preview of the wet weather as heavy rainfall was recorded in most of the city yesterday.</p> <p>Three suburbs across the city experienced the heaviest amount of rainfall – Peakhurst, Prospect and North Rocks, which all received 74mm of rain between 9 am Thursday and 7 am Friday.</p> <p>According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the downpour of rain will continue throughout today but will ease this afternoon. The NSW coast will experience heavy winds and authorities have issued a warning to surfers as the conditions will be dangerous today and tomorrow in Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle.</p> <p>Sydney will face the rainy conditions all throughout the weekend and into next week.</p> <p>While many may find the weather miserable, it is a blessing in disguise for Australian farmers who have been struggling under the dry conditions. The western town of Broken Hill in NSW got more rain in one night than the whole year combined. Many farmers considered themselves lucky as they received between 40mm and 100mm of rain on Wednesday night, according to the <em><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-05/sydney-weather-heavy-rain-to-continue-farmers-celebrate-downpour/10339964" target="_blank">ABC</a>.</em></p> <p>But while there are plenty of farmers celebrating, some didn’t get much rain at all, such as Lachlan Fall who owns a property east of Broken Hill.</p> <p>“It seemed to turn into a bit of a rain band and that provided a bit of relief for some lucky people,” Mr Gall told AAP.</p> <p>“I’m not confident that there’s going to be widespread heavy rain this year.”</p> <p>Across Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australia may experience a light shower while ACT and Victoria are expected to remain dry.</p>

Travel Trouble

Health

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Rebecca Gibney's heartbreaking confession about her depression battle

<p>Much-loved actor Rebecca Gibney has spoken candidly about her depression and anxiety, and the poignant turning points in her battle with mental health.</p> <p>In an interview with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/rebecca-gibney-here-i-am-53-and-a-lesbian-heartthrob/news-story/d874ae702a2127733826edb5a69cb68b" target="_blank"><em>Stella</em></a> magazine, the star of <em>Wanted</em>, <em>Packed to the Rafters</em>, and <em>The Flying Doctors</em> said that motherhood had a cathartic effect on her.</p> <p>“Motherhood doesn’t complete you, but being a mother to Zac did help me overcome some of my own issues because all of a sudden it became all about him,” she said of her son, now 14 years old. “I was at a point in my life where I needed that.”</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/Bobk0RvgtxH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bobk0RvgtxH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">When did that happen? 4 - 14. Happens in a blink 👁 I even miss the tantrums 🤷‍♀️ Love you Zac. You can stop growing now. XMum PS it’s not his birthday - I just looked at him last night and he is soooo big and grown up and beautiful..... my heart 💓</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/rebeccagibney_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Rebecca Gibney</a> (@rebeccagibney_) on Oct 2, 2018 at 5:33am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The actor admitted she experienced an “emotional collapse” in her early 30s, experiencing hourly panic attacks (she would even ask to be seated near an exit at the Logie Awards) and agoraphobia. </p> <p>She endured a difficult childhood – her father Austin Gibney was an alcoholic who sexually abused her mother Shirley Gibney. While she attempted to confront her issues at the time with a therapist, the star said it became too much.</p> <p>“I’d built up a library of self-loathing which I covered up with make-up and roles and pretending, but deep down I was dying inside,” she told the magazine. </p> <p>“I felt like a failure in my first marriage, I felt a failure as an actor because I was pretending, and I felt like a failure in my friendships because they weren’t real. A lot about me felt fake and I hated it.”</p> <p>But the Gold Logie winner found a novel way to deal with her frustration – smashing crockery.</p> <p>“I had all this rage and my therapist encouraged me to go to op shops and get crockery, which I’d go outside and smash on the ground. It’s a relief to get that anger out.”</p> <p>For the first time, Gibney spoke in detail about one of the hardest days of her life – the day she found herself contemplating suicide. It was a turning point in her ongoing battle with depression.</p> <p>“I’d been given prescription medication and on this particular day I put it all out on the coffee table and started writing a letter to my mum,” she said. “I got halfway through the letter and thought, ‘She’ll never understand. I can never do that to her.’ I started picturing my brothers and sisters and friends and I thought, ‘If I go through with this it will create way more pain for them than the pain I’m in now.’ I stopped, ripped up the letter and only told my mum years later. She was mortified and sad I didn’t tell her at the time.”</p> <p>The actor, who now lives in her native New Zealand with her son, and husband Richard Bell, after living in Australia for over 30 years, has found ways to deal with her anxiety, including breathing techniques. She also shares her mental health journey on social media in the hope they will offer hope to those suffering mental illness.</p> <p>“Perhaps they’ll think, ‘If it can happen to her, maybe I can take that extra breath, maybe I can go to sleep tonight and wake up tomorrow and do something about it’.”</p> <p><span>If you are troubled by this article, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit lifeline.org.au or beyondblue.org.au.</span></p> <p> </p>

Mind

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Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden rushed to hospital after freak accident

<p>Former Australian Test cricketer Matthew Hayden was rushed to hospital after a nasty surfing accident last week, which caused the fracturing of his neck and head lacerations.</p> <p>In a post on his Instagram account, the former opening batsman was almost unrecognisable due to his injuries, as he lay pictured in a neck brace, and revealing his neck and head injuries, as well as a black eye. </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/BooQT4wgIz4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BooQT4wgIz4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Ok. Last attention seeking post I promise. Just wanted to say a big thank you to all our mates on Straddie who have been so supportive.✅🏄🏽‍♂️🙏 Especially Ben &amp; Sue Kelley for the fast diagnosis with MRI, CT scan. Fractured C6, torn C5,C4 ligaments safe to say I truly have dodged a bullet. Thank you everyone ❤️ On the road to recovery 🏄🏽‍♂️🎣</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/haydos359/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Matthew Hayden</a> (@haydos359) on Oct 7, 2018 at 3:44am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Hayden said he had hit his head on a sandbank while surfing with his son Josh on a family holiday in Stradbroke Island in Queensland on Friday.</p> <p>“Took on Straddie back bank yesterday with @josh_hayden28 and lost!!! Game over for a few days,” he wrote.</p> <p>The cricket legend acknowledged he “truly dodged a bullet” with the freak accident, referring to a brush with breaking his neck, and thanked everyone who had come to his rescue.</p> <p>“Ok. Last attention seeking post I promise. Just wanted to say a big thank you to all our mates on Straddie who have been so supportive,” he wrote. “Especially Ben &amp; Sue Kelley for the fast diagnosis with MRI, CT scan. Fractured C6, torn C5, C4 ligaments. Safe to say I truly have dodged a bullet. Thank you everyone. On the road to recovery.”</p> <p>During his 15-year cricket career, <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.matthewhayden.com/the-cricketer/" target="_blank">Hayden </a>racked up 103 matches, 8600 runs and 30 centuries in Test cricket. He retired from Test cricket in 2009.</p>

Caring

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Mum stirs heated debate online after asking if she should shave her 6-year-old’s legs

<p>A mum has sparked an intense debate online after asking a controversial question on a parenting forum.</p> <p>The mum, who goes by the username TellerTuesday4Eva, posted on <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mumsnet.com/" target="_blank">Mumsnet</a></em> about whether she should shave her six-year-old daughter’s body hair.</p> <p>“A big part of me knows this is ridiculous, but there’s another part that wants [my daughter] to make her own choices,” she wrote.</p> <p>“She has and always has had very hairy legs and a hairy lower back. I presumed it was baby down, and would go away in time, but it hasn’t, and it’s gone darker as she’s gotten older.”</p> <p>The concerned mother mentioned that the body hair is affecting her daughter’s self-esteem as she notices other young girls her age are not dealing with the same issue.</p> <p>The poster did say that she has had conversations with her child about how all bodies are made differently but worries that the message isn’t coming across to her daughter.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="/media/7821164/31852e62531f306b94ac7aa155411bd0.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/975885d1d61349faa309137c6bab5d38" /></p> <p>“In the summer she became aware of it,” she wrote.</p> <p>“She asked me if there was a way to get rid of the hair, we talked about it and everyone’s bodies being different.</p> <p>“Since she’s gone back to school she’s mentioned it again quite a few times. I have to point out here that nobody else has mentioned it, classmates etc. It’s [my daughter] herself that has the issue … she’s now getting upset about swimming and not wanting to go because she says when her legs get wet it looks worse. The hair’s quite long so when it gets wet and lays flat she is right in what she’s saying.”</p> <p>She asked for users on the site to offer their advice if they were in her situation.</p> <p>Surprisingly, she received an overwhelming amount of support, with many parents reacting positively to her daughter’s concern.</p> <p>“I was a very hairy child (well still am quite) and I desperately wanted to shave but my mum wouldn’t let me. I did it myself when I was 13 without my parents – with a cheap Bic razor! I think helping her is better than refusing and then her doing it herself,” wrote one user.</p> <p>“I would help her remove the hair. It’s really embarrassing being the first hairy girl and just because her peers haven’t noticed yet, doesn’t mean they won’t. She’s not comfortable with the hair on her legs, and given most women choose to remove theirs, she’s not expressing a controversial opinion that is likely to change when she gets older,” added another. “If when she’s a teen she decides to hell with it, she’d rather be hairy all over, the hair will grow back. It’s not an irreversible decision or something she’ll grow out of.”</p> <p>After sifting through all the advice that was given, the mum took to the forum to update everyone on how she spoke to her daughter and they both decided that removing the hair was the best way to go.</p> <p>“Thank you all so much for your replies. I was well prepared to get flamed, but overwhelmed with how supportive you’ve all been,” she wrote. “We’ve talked about it at length tonight and decided that we’ll try a mitt first to see what the outcome is.”</p> <p>Do you think the mum is making the right decision? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Body

Lifestyle

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Princess Eugenie’s stunning wedding cake revealed

<p>This week, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank will tie the knot in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on October 12.</p> <p>As the palace continues to release information about the nuptials as the day draws closer, details about the couple’s wedding cake have been revealed.</p> <p>Eugenie and Jack have hired London-based cake designer Sophie Cabot to make their wedding cake.</p> <p>Just like Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake, Eugenie and Jack’s will draw inspiration from the time of the year of their nuptials.</p> <p>For their May ceremony, Harry and Meghan chose a lemon elderflower cake that featured “the bright flavours of spring” and was decorated with fresh flowers.</p> <p>Eugenie’s red velvet and chocolate cake will feature rich autumn colours and include detailed sugar work such as ivy.</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/BjE4e7sgJIw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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/BjE4e7sgJIw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sophie Cabot cake designer 💫 (@sophiecabot)</a> on May 22, 2018 at 3:25am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple found out about Cabot through her involvement with Eugenie’s father, The Duke of York’s Pitch@Palace programme, after supplying specially decorated bespoke biscuits.</p> <p>A statement from Buckingham Palace said: “The couple are delighted that Miss Cabot can be involved in the celebrations for their special day.</p> <p>“Originally a costume designer, Sophie’s artistic skills and flair come through in her creations, with a particular love for making sugar-flowers and using her hand-painting skills to create unique cakes.”</p> <p>Discussing her important role in the big day, Cabot said: "I am incredibly excited to be given this wonderful opportunity to create such a special and unique cake. It has been lovely working with Princess Eugenie and Jack and I really hope they enjoy the cake on the day.”</p> <p>It has also been revealed that the Eugenie and Jack will be married by the Dean of Windsor, the Rt Revd David Conner.</p> <p>Internationally renowned singer Andrea Bocelli is set to perform two songs during the wedding ceremony.</p> <p>Musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) will also perform during the ceremony. </p>

Food & Wine

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The life-changing lesson Turia Pitt has learnt since becoming a mum

<p>Turia Pitt is known to never slow down. As a woman driven by the thought of making her next move better than her last, a life changing event has taught her to take each day as it comes.</p> <p>She’s a survivor, after making it through the terrifying fire that caused severe burns across 65 per cent of her body and which didn’t change her outlook on life. Then there was competing in different marathons across the country – even while pregnant.</p> <p>But the athlete recently welcomed a baby boy into the world, her 10-month-old son Hakavai, and now that he’s her priority, Pitt has rethought her philosophy.</p> <p>“I no longer have any desire to do an Ironman,” Pitt told lifestyle magazine<span> </span><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/stellar/how-turia-pitt-is-back-on-track-after-giving-birth/news-story/8646541de13b0fe05c6c998282507cc8"><em>Stellar</em></a>. “Having a baby has changed me and when you become a mum you quickly realise your whole life fits in around your kids.”</p> <p>She became famous after she was labelled an inspiration for her strength through the tragedy that occurred while running an ultra-marathon in 2011. And while she is known for her resilience, she says that motherhood hasn’t reduced her passion or drive but has repurposed it.</p> <p>“I don’t want to be out running for five hours straight,” she said. “I know how precious life is and I’d rather be with my son.”</p> <p>But with Pitt, she’s always looking for a new challenge and this time round it’s the New Zealand Kathmandu Coast to Coast race next February which she is also an ambassador for. This will be the first race she will be competing in after giving birth, which is why she will be taking it slowly by competing in the 30km mountain run section.</p> <p>She hopes, that through the race, she gives women the message that any goal, regardless of how small, is important and motivating.</p> <p>“I don’t want to achieve anything crazy, I just want to get my fitness back and finish with a smile on my face,” she says. “These sorts of events are good for mums who are going through the motions of going to work, coming home, cooking dinner and doing the washing. It can be monotonous if there’s not something exciting happening or something to work towards and look forward to.”</p> <p>Pitt, 31, admits to being delusional as she assumed her son would be easy to raise. Instead he turned out like every other child who needs constant care and attention.</p> <p>“I thought I could live my life and spend time with Hakavai, but he is my life at the moment. I had no idea.”</p>

Family & Pets

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Cancer Council calls for review into world’s most popular weed killer

<p>Cancer Council Australia is calling for an independent review into the world’s most popular weed killer following reports that it has been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.</p> <p>Weed and grass killer Roundup is the most widely used herbicide in the world and is very popular with farmers and gardeners in Australia.</p> <p>However, the controversial key ingredient in Roundup, the chemical glyphosate, has not been formally reviewed in Australia in more than two decades.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height:340.292895309717px;" src="/media/7821182/image_.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0d69c5e316c84784863b06ee4a773e18" /></p> <p>In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) deemed glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans”, reported the <em style="font-weight: inherit;"><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-08/cancer-council-calls-for-review-amid-roundup-cancer-concerns/10337806"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>ABC</strong></span></a>.</em></p> <p>"We are concerned that this issue's not being taken seriously enough in Australia, particularly by the agricultural industry," Cancer Council Australia CEO Dr Sanchia Aranda said.</p> <p>"The IARC report is independent and does suggest that there is absolutely a reason for concern."</p> <p>The chemical, which was first introduced by Monsanto four decades ago, allows farmers to spray glyphosate to kill weeds before planting their next crop rather than ploughing or tilting fields.</p> <p>Roundup was advertised to farmers and home gardeners as being both safe and effective.</p> <p>Scott Partridge, the vice-president of Bayer, the company which recently bought Monsanto, said: "It is the safest herbicide that's ever been developed.”</p> <p>However, in August Californian man Dewayne Lee John was awarded $US289 million after claiming the weed killer was a key factor in causing his terminal cancer and that the company failed to warn him of the health risk.</p> <p>The trial uncovered company documents, known as the Monsanto Papers, which revealed the business attempting to ghost-write articles in support of the chemical, trying to undermine the IARC finding and internal concerns over the safety of their product.</p> <p>One uncovered email from 2003 revealed that Monsanto’s lead toxicologist warned that the company could not say that Roundup is not a carcinogen because they hadn’t done the necessary tests.</p> <p>Brent Wisner, a lawyer on the legal team that won the case, said: “"For the last 20 or 30 years, Monsanto has engaged in a systematic and deliberate campaign to attack any science that says their product is not safe and to attack any scientist that has the courage to say something.”</p> <p>Wisner added, "They have a corporate culture that has zero interest in safety. It has only an interest in maintaining the ability of them to sell this product."</p> <p>But Monsanto claims the documents used in court were “cherry-picked” and is challenging the jury verdict.</p> <p>Now in America, more than 9000 people are suing the company, claiming that the Roundup products led to their cancer.</p> <p>Australia’s regulator, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), has not reviewed glyphosate since 1995.</p> <p>Concerns have also been raised about the regulator’s impartiality as it is primarily funded by the chemical companies it regulates.</p> <p>"Governments have an obligation to fund these kinds of agencies with public money so that transparency and independence can be assured," Dr Aranda said.</p> <p>Do you use Roundup weed killers? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Home & Garden

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Royal wedding countdown: Princess Eugenie’s fiancé admits he’s “terrified”

<p>Later this week on October 12, Princess Eugenie will say “I do” to her fiancé Jack Brooksbank in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.</p> <p>Although the Queen’s granddaughter revealed that she was “not stressed” about her big day, her fiancé has admitted that he feels otherwise.</p> <p>Speaking to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk"><strong><em style="font-weight: inherit;"><u>Daily Mail</u></em></strong></a>, Jack admitted that he was “feeling anxious” about his looming nuptials.</p> <p>“I’ll need to take a few minutes for myself before the speeches because I’m terrified. It’s very exciting but I’m a little bit nervous,” he confessed.</p> <p>During an interview with <em style="font-weight: inherit;">British Vogue</em>, Eugenie played down any nervousness and said she was nothing but excited for her wedding.</p> <p>“I’m not stressed at all,” she said in the magazine’s September issue.</p> <p>“It’s very nerve-racking because you want it to be perfect but then you realise that you’re going to be with the person you love forever and nothing else really matters.”</p> <p>And while Eugenie didn’t reveal any details of her ceremony, Jack revealed how he assisted his wife-to-be in the planning process.</p> <p>The 32-year-old liquor distributor, who is currently the UK ambassador for George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s tequila brand, said: “I’ve not been kept out of all the planning. I get to decide some things. I’m in charge of drinks and we’ll be serving Casamigos.”</p> <p>However, despite his close working relationship with the famous actor, he was not allowed to confirm if Clooney would be attending their big day.</p> <p>“I can’t say if George Clooney is coming,” Brooksbank told the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Daily Mai</em>l.</p> <p>In the lead-up to their wedding, the Royal Collection Trust released an ornate <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/the-missing-detail-from-princess-eugenie-s-wedding-china-that-s-baffling-everybody/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>china set</strong></span></a> which included a miniature teacup and saucer, pillbox, tankard and coaster.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RCT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RCT</a> has released a new line of items to celebrate Princess Eugenie’s wedding to Jack Brooksbank. <br />You will notice Eugenie’s solo monogram features a crown, as she is an HRH. But the couple’s joint monogram &amp; Jack’s solo monogram doesn’t have a crown. <a href="https://t.co/cZwcvdsJl0">pic.twitter.com/cZwcvdsJl0</a></p> — Gert's Royals (@Gertsroyals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gertsroyals/status/1045631831935242240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>In addition to the couple’s intertwined monogram, Eugenie and Jack also have cups which feature their individual initials.</p> <p>Eugenie’s cup features the letter “E” with a golden crown or an “HRH”, standing for “Her Royal Highness”.</p> <p>Jack’s cup features the letter “J” without a crown.</p> <p>The monogram hints that Jack will not receive a royal after the wedding, while Eugenie will continue to carry her current title. </p>

Relationships

Finance

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Get a first look: ALDI’s massive spring sale

<p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">ALDI has released a sneak peek into the Special Buys range that will be available this Saturday.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The German retailer will be offering a range of home appliances for trademark low prices, including fridge freezers, a microwave and even a digital air fryer.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The bargain sale will offer an 82L upright freezer for $199, a 129L bar fridge for $199 and a $159 microwave and grill.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 165.04854368932038px;" src="/media/7821207/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a6eb1938958a48d7b00aa97bacfee4f9" /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">Shoppers who are willing to face the crowds will also be able to purchase a stainless steel stick mixer for $19.99, a $145 espresso machine and milk frother and a $249 Interchangeable Chest Fridge Freezer.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><img style="width: 388px; height: 314px;" src="/media/7821204/3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/aeeee7d0235b488ea0c2d382d12e606c" /></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">Although mixers typically cost over $100, customers will also be able to buy ALDI’s home brand Super Blend 1000 mixer for just $59.99.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The retailer will also be selling a 55” Ultra HD Smart TV for $579 and a $129 Bluetooth Soundbar with Subwoofer.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;"><img style="width: 483px; height: 245px;" src="/media/7821206/2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e668dde5983547fb9e2068ba402be9c0" /></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The Special Buys promotion occurs twice a week on Wednesday and Saturday and promises to offer “exceptional quality and value for money”.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">“Special Buys can include anything from electronics, like LCD TVs and DVD players, to clothing and furniture,” a spokesperson for the retailer said.</span><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;"></span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">Last week, ALDI excited loyal customers by launching a range of Special Buys homewares.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The collection included coffee tables, compact entertainment units and trendy leather couches. </span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">Will you be making a trip to ALDI this weekend? Let us know in the comments below. </span></p>

Money & Banking

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Confusion over new label on Coles' product

<p>Coles has caused confusion among customers after a new label on pre-packaged meat was spotted in stores.</p> <p>A picture of pre-packaged meat with bright yellow security tags attached was shared to Reddit by user jigsaw153.</p> <p>The customer wrote alongside the photo: “Has it come to this?” </p> <p>The photo has divided shoppers over whether supermarkets are taking security measures too far.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 380.9523809523809px; height:500px;" src="/media/7821183/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bde343d67ab241408f6f53380ca19a98" /></p> <p>The new labelling measure also follows reports about the increased theft occurring at self-service checkouts.</p> <p>While some shoppers insisted the security tags were a bit extreme, a former employee claimed that stealing meat is more common than most people think.</p> <p>“[I] work for Coles, can confirm I’ve asked someone to take the meat out of his pants before,” one person revealed.</p> <p>Another added: “I used to work for a supermarket and we’d get a lot of folks stealing the pricier cuts of meat in bulk.</p> <p>“I’m not talking sophisticated networks either, I’m talking little old ladies who shoved around $400 worth of meat in their nanna trolley.”</p> <p>However, one person suggested that the security tags also have another hidden purpose.</p> <p>“The tag changes colour if the meat warms up above the safe refrigeration temperature. It’s not for anti-theft purposes.”</p> <p>Do you think this security label is overkill? Share your thoughts in the comments below. </p>

Money & Banking

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The unusual new shopping centre rule that could affect you

<p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">An Aussie suburban shopping centre has introduced a new rule that has caused division among shoppers.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">In Brisbane, the Brookside Shopping Centre not only bans animals or bikes, but “grumpy people” are also warned to not enter inside the doors.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">“That’s very good,” one amused shopper said.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">However, others were sceptical of the rule, with one person saying: “You can’t ban them – they’ll always be around”.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><img style="width: 500px; height:269.140625px;" src="/media/7821161/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5263a2e177b6418d9d8ea1f130fd8b9c" /></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">The sign outside the centre instructs shoppers that there are to be no skateboards, bicycles, hawkers, animals or grumpy people.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">This is not the first time a business has taken aim at unpleasant shoppers.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">A’Roma Street Café on Roma Street in Brisbane’s CBD has issued a sign with special codes of conduct.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">“Please do not use your mobile device at the counter,” a sign at the checkout reads.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">“We give you our full attention. We would appreciate yours.”</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">Barista Mandy Shick says that every day she encounters customers who place an order while talking to someone else on the phone.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">“They make it out that we’re the rude person and we’re not,” she said.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">Jodie Bache-McLean, who teaches lessons in etiquette, agrees that shops should take action so that manners are enforced.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">“I applaud restaurants and cafes that put up signs,” she said.</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">“It (looking at phones) actually non-verbally says, ‘you’re not important, you don’t exist’.”</span></p> <p style="margin-top: 0cm; background: white; vertical-align: baseline; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: black;">What do you think about this controversial rule? Let us know in the comments below. </span></p>

Money & Banking

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Coles issues urgent product recall after labelling blunder

<p>Coles Express is recalling its ready-to-eat beef pie after an error in labelling.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 280.6499261447563px;" src="/media/7821153/b881610164z1_20181004155215_000gep1940762-0-r7sh887ws9bsmmt92r2_ct677x380.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ce4c0deb08a34d5c84d7777ca15b4748" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;">Photo credit: <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/2018/10/04/16/23/coles-express-recalls-beef-pie-after-labelling-mix-up"><em>Nine News</em></a></p> <p>After it was discovered that the packaging for the 175-gram Coles Express Big Yum Beef pie contained the Coles Express Big Yum Bacon and Egg pie, the supermarket giant pulled the product of its shelves.</p> <p>The batch number for the affected pie is 235/18.</p> <p>Having been in stores since September 1, the product is sold ready to eat and is popular amongst those who need a quick bite on the go.</p> <p>Coles Express said it is recalling the item as they want to avoid any incidents relating to allergies, as those who are intolerant to egg may experience an adverse reaction if the pie is consumed.</p> <p>The company blames the suppliers and says they were responsible for the mislabelling of the product.</p> <p>“Some Coles Express Big Yum Beef Pie products contain the incorrect product, which contains a higher quantity of egg than declared on the label,” Coles said in a statement.</p> <p>If purchased, customers are able to return the item to any Coles Express store for a full refund.</p> <p>For more information, call Coles Express’ customer care line on 1800 061 562.</p>

Money & Banking

Entertainment

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Red Symons recounts "the most awful day in my life”

<p>It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, and the last thing any family wants to go through. But unfortunately for Red Symons and his family, they were faced with the tragic prospect of losing their son, as Samuel Symons was told he suffered from a brain haemorrhage during what Red describes as “the first, most awful” moment of his life.</p> <p>That was early on in Samuel’s life, and sadly, there were many more tough moments to come with last week being the worst.</p> <p>The TV and radio personality put his son to rest as he said his final goodbyes last week. Samuel, who passed away at age 27, was diagnosed with a recurring brain tumour when he was only four years old.</p> <p>ABC’s <em>Australian Story</em> on Monday night dedicated an episode on Samuel’s inspiring outlook on life, and how, even with all the pain and suffering, he went from a courageous young boy to a strong-willed man.</p> <p>The episode featured an interview with Samuel himself, where he said he was “busy trying to stay alive and keep living.”</p> <p>The aired footage was shot before Samuel’s death, and showed an emotional Red, looking like every other father who has seen their child go through turmoil.</p> <p>Speaking about the moment he and his wife Elly found out about Samuel’s illness, Red said that after the pair had two “little bouncing healthy boys” that “not in a million years” did they imagine what their life would turn into.</p> <p>It all happened when Samuel went off to kindergarten, a regular routine for the young boy at the time.</p> <p>It was then that the phone rang and Red was told that Samuel wasn’t feeling well, and he could barely open his eyes.</p> <p>The worried parents assumed that if he was going to pass, it would have been at that moment.</p> <p>But Samuel was a true miracle child, as doctors believed that even after surgery and chemotherapy, there was a very small chance that he would live.</p> <p>“It was the first, most awful moment of my life,” said Red.</p> <p>“I can remember calling my father in tears and saying, ‘He has to have brain surgery. He’s four years old.’”</p> <p>“Just that. It’s … it’s still too awful to contemplate, so I don’t.”</p> <p><em>Australian Story</em> had previously aired an episode before Samuel’s passing, where it showed Red recalling the exact moment he was told that Samuel required further treatment as the tumour was growing by the day.</p> <p>“I contemplated the notion that perhaps we should ‘let him go’, was the expression,” he said.</p> <p>“I guess I sort of meant we should let go, as much as let him go.</p> <p>“Maybe he will survive this, maybe he will die. Maybe that is a better option than performing this treatment. We wouldn’t have acted on it, didn’t act on it, but I wondered.”</p> <p>Every year, when Samuel’s birthday came around it was never brushed off as just another occasion, as the family considered themselves lucky for being able to spend another year with him.</p> <p>At the age of seven, Samuel was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Then when he was in Year 10, another tumour was discovered after a missed thyroid cancer diagnosis.</p> <p>When he reached Year 12, Samuel and his family considered it to be a major milestone.</p> <p>“For me, Year 12 wasn’t as daunting as it loomed for lots of other people,” Samuel told <em>Australian Story</em>.</p> <p>“I was much more relaxed about it. I still have thyroid cancer and I still have a brain tumour in my head, which … you know, is a little bit off-putting.</p> <p>“It’s like one of those circular novels where you think you’re getting to the end of a chapter or the end of the book, and it’s still as inconclusive and as circular as it was at the start of the book.”</p> <p>For Samuel, being happy was the main goal throughout his life.</p> <p>“I really like just living, because I really find it’s just much more fun in life as you go through it – just be happy, ‘cause if you’re just not happy, you’re just not going to live,” he said on his 18<sup>th</sup> birthday.</p> <p>“I think after being so close to death that I could give it a little peck on the cheek, even then I don’t tend to think about it or never have really thought about it so much, ‘cause I was too busy trying to stay alive and keep living.</p> <p>“I really just didn’t care about death, and never have and never will.”</p> <p>According to Elly, Samuel always said to her that his focus was to go through life making sure the people around him were happy.</p> <p>“And I think that is really something that we should all be striving for and that’s what we will be doing as his family,” she said.</p>

TV

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This former Neighbours star is unrecognisable

<p>He’s known for his starring role on the hit TV sitcom <em>Neighbours</em>, and now years after his appearance on the show as Joe Mangel, Mark Little is looking very different.</p> <p>Little, 58, is considered to be a <em>Neighbours</em> icon, as he was a part of the star cast between 1988 and 1991, and then made a brief reappearance in 2005.</p> <p>Now, taking a chance at trying something different, Little has signed himself up to be a contestant on the UK show <em>Dancing on Ice</em>.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="/media/7821190/mark-little.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f313e1a4a3aa427984d6910e10ef2e37" /></p> <p>Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/7416405/mark-little-looks-different-neighbours-dancing-on-ice/" target="_blank"><em>The Sun</em></a>, the actor mentioned he isn’t as talented on ice as he is on the silver screen.</p> <p>Explaining how his moves may be “dangerous”, he said: “How exciting this is! My skating is pretty rickety.</p> <p>“I’ll be trying to find the elegance, the strength, the smoothness.</p> <p>“I’m a bit of a danger man, a bit of a risk taker, and I do like dancing so let’s see what happens.”</p> <p>An insider from the hit reality show told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/7416405/mark-little-looks-different-neighbours-dancing-on-ice/" target="_blank"><em>The Sun</em></a> that the “Bosses were desperate to sign him up.</p> <p>“Mark will add a sense of nostalgia to the show – everybody knows who he is,” said the TV source. “Joe Mangel is a<span> </span><em>Neighbours</em>’ legend to fans old and new.”</p> <p>Little is originally from Brisbane, Australia, and found fame in the UK due to his role in <em>Neighbours</em>.</p> <p>Through his success he was offered the gig to host <em>The Big Breakfast</em> in 1994 where he moved to Brighton and then London soon after.</p> <p>Since his days on <em>Neighbours</em> ended, Little has performed in various theatre productions, where he earned an Olivier Award for the one-man-show<em> Defending the Caveman</em> in 2000.</p>

TV

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How to take action against pesky telemarketing calls

<p>There is nothing more frustrating than being in the middle of something important, only to have a telemarketer claiming to be from an insurance company blow up your phone.</p> <p>Even after you have rejected their advances and given every indication that you are not interested, they still have a special talent of keeping you on the phone until they’re able to squeeze every detail out of you.</p> <p>But while it seems like a never-ending cycle, and something you think you’ll have to deal with for the rest of your life, there are ways to avoid those pesky phone calls.</p> <p>Telemarketers target over 1000 Australians per day, as they blow up their phones in order to sell what they’ve been told to. Most people don’t want to hear from them and now that landlines cease to exist in many homes, they now contact you on your mobile phone instead.</p> <p>The <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.donotcall.gov.au/consumers/check-your-numbers/" target="_blank">Do Not Call Register</a>, run by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is a list of numbers that telemarketers are legally not allowed to contact. If the law is breached, the telemarketer company is then given a hefty fine.</p> <p><strong>So, how do you get on that list?</strong></p> <p>Simply visit their <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.donotcall.gov.au/consumers/check-your-numbers/" target="_blank">website</a> and register your details, including your mobile phone number. Once that is complete, telemarketers are then notified, and the calls should stop.</p> <p>According to consumer rights organisation, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.choice.com.au/" target="_blank"><em>Choice</em></a>, only 14 per cent of Australian’s have registered their mobile numbers to the Do Not Call Register.</p> <p>ACMA’s general manager of content consumer and citizen division Jennifer McNeil describes the online register as a “do not disturb sign out on your hotel door, but it’s for your phone.”</p> <p>She does point out that it “won’t stop all calls.”</p> <p>“There are some entities that can still call you by law,” she said. Such as Government organisations, education institutes, and registered charities just to name a few.</p> <p>But there are still rules that apply, as they cannot contact you before 9 am or after 8 pm on a weekday and if they’re wanting to call on a Saturday, then it can only be between 9 am and 5:50pm. They are not allowed to call you at all on a Sunday.</p> <p>Here are a few other ways you can avoid telemarketing calls:</p> <p><strong>1. Block their number</strong></p> <p>While it may seem like the obvious thing to do, many people aren’t aware that you’re able to block numbers through your smartphone.      </p> <p>“If you get a pesky number calling all the time, and you recognise it, just block it through your phone settings,” says Ms McNeil.</p> <p>“There are also products available that allow you to screen landline calls.”</p> <p><strong>2. Always be aware of what you’re signing up for</strong></p> <p>So, while none of us ever read the terms and conditions, because let’s face it, who has time for that? Turns out it’s actually important in this case.</p> <p>If you ever wonder how telemarketers get your number in the first place, it’s most likely because you made an account on an online store and that specific store has passed along your information to other research companies.</p> <p>While it seems unethical and a serious breach of privacy, it would be clearly stated in the agreement form which is why it’s important to go through it.</p> <p>“There will usually be a special box in the terms where, if you’re not careful, you will end up giving your permission to be contacted by anyone for marketing purposes,” Ms McNeil says.</p> <p><strong>3. Don’t hang up</strong></p> <p>Our first instinct when we hear a telemarketer on the other line is to hang up, but according to <em>Choice</em>: “If you simply hang up on a telemarketer, your number could stay on their calls list, so you may be hassled again.</p> <p>“The best way to ensure they don’t keep calling is to ask them to remove your number from their list,” said the consumer company.</p> <p>It’s recommended to give a firm but polite response letting them know you aren’t interested and to remove your number from their contacts list.</p> <p><strong>4. Lodge a complaint</strong></p> <p>If you’ve tried all of the above and the calls just won’t stop, then it’s time to go straight to the top and lodge a complaint with ACMA. Ms McNeil says that those frustrated with constant calls can complain about companies who are being non compliant and a thorough investigation will be conducted.</p> <p>“It’s through these sorts of complaints that we are able to issue infringement notices and stop relentless and unnecessary calls,” she says.</p> <p>“It’s very important to make a record of when the call was made and the name of the business who called you, so we can investigate properly.”</p> <p>In 2017, ACMA received over 12,600 complaints in the last four months of the year and 890 businesses were needed to be reminded of the legal rules they need to abide by.</p> <p>Will you be trying out any of these tips and tricks? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Technology

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Grant Denyer’s death almost announced on CH10

<p>Popular television personality Grant Denyer has revealed that Network Ten was close to announcing his death last year on live TV.</p> <p>The host of the new show <em>Game of Games</em>, which premiered last night on Ten, spoke to the <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.podcastone.com.au/" target="_blank">Rusty Garage</a> </em>podcast about his unfortunate car accident, and the rumours of his death after it happened.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, last year I came off the road at 160km an hour and hit a tree head on,” Denyer said as he referred to the car crash he was involved in at the Lake Mountain sprint, which is a part of the Australian Rally Championships.</p> <p>“It was frightening … The car just left the road and I wasn’t able to bring it back on.”</p> <p>After recounting the incident, Denyer said there was a specific moment that still haunts him to this day, and that was seeing his best friend and co-driver Dale Moscatt suffer from multiple injuries.</p> <p>“I’ll never forget the noise Dale made,” said the Gold Logie award winner.</p> <p>“He made this noise as we left the road that will haunt me forever. He thought potentially it might have been the end for both of us.”</p> <p>Denyer also described the graphic car crash, saying: “I did my best to avoid a tree … there was a hidden tree root which I didn’t see and that picked the car up and shot it into the giant tree that I was planning on missing.</p> <p>“We barrel-rolled and tumbled and came to a stop and Dale’s kneecap was up around his hips. He’d broken his back, I’d broken a few bones. I think the only thing that saved us was that it was a rear-engine car.”</p> <p>The accident occurred on the weekend of the Melbourne Grand Prix.</p> <p>“The first word out was that I’d died,” Denyer told the <em>Rusty Garage</em>.</p> <p>“Channel 10 were getting word from emergency services that I had been in an accident and that I was killed.</p> <p>“They were debating whether to talk about it. I know Matthew White (Network Ten presenter) was facing the decision of, do we announce this right now live on television or not? It turns out obviously it was mixed messaging and I wasn’t killed.”</p> <p>Over a year later, Denyer has now well and truly moved on past the horrific incident and he has achieved so much in a short amount of time.</p> <p>Not only was he the recipient of the Gold Logie this year, but he also landed a hosting gig on 2Day FM’s breakfast show and is now the face of new Channel 10 reality show <em>Game of Games</em>.</p>

TV