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“Kick in the face”: Why not everyone's happy that Molly’s going home

<p>The recent decision to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/molly-the-magpie-is-going-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">return Molly the magpie</a> to a Gold Coast couple and their two dogs Ruby and Peggy has sparked a contentious debate, which one wildlife advocate <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/molly-the-magpie-decision-labelled-a-kick-in-the-face-for-wildlife-carers-040736042.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">described to Yahoo News</a> as "a kick in the face". Queensland Premier Steven Miles' announcement has divided opinions, stirring anger among wildlife volunteers while receiving overwhelming praise from a vast portion of the public, particularly followers of the popular social media pages featuring Molly.</p> <p>Molly, the magpie turned social media sensation, has captured the hearts of over two million followers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. However, her rise to fame was marred by allegations of being taken from the wild without proper authorisation. The decision to return Molly to Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen, the couple behind the Peggy and Molly pages, has left wildlife advocates concerned about the message it sends regarding the treatment of wildlife and the enforcement of regulations.</p> <p>Despite the concerns raised by wildlife advocates, the decision to return Molly appears to have widespread public support. Premier Miles' Facebook post announcing Molly's return garnered significant positive feedback, with many expressing joy at the news. However, some questioned the delay in the decision-making process and criticised the handling of the situation by the Department of Environment and Science and its staff.</p> <p>The saga surrounding Molly's return unfolded amid public pressure, fuelled by social media campaigns and posts from Wells herself, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/i-miss-my-bestie-new-appeal-after-molly-s-family-left-in-the-dark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expressing frustration at the lack of response</a> from government officials.</p> <p>The controversy surrounding Molly's return raises broader questions about wildlife rehabilitation, human-animal interactions, and the role of social media in shaping public perception. While Wells maintained that Molly was cared for in a manner consistent with fostering her natural instincts, authorities expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of human habituation on the bird's ability to thrive in the wild.</p> <p>Critics argue that Molly's return sets a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging others to take wild animals into captivity for social media fame. The financial gains associated with Molly's social media presence certainly raise ethical questions about the commodification of wildlife for entertainment purposes.</p> <p>Amid escalating tensions surrounding the case, calls for civility and respect have been made, urging individuals to engage in constructive dialogue rather than resorting to hostility and abuse. None more powerful than the message coming directly from Molly's adoptive carers:</p> <p>"NO AGGRESSION," Juliette Wells repeatedly said to her followers on Instagram. "Be kind - remember what these 3 best friends have shown the world: Love & acceptance in differences. We all have differences in opinions let’s just voice them in a positive way for this Famous Magpie Molly."</p> <p>While Molly's return may be celebrated by some, it reignites discussions about the ethical treatment of wildlife and the responsibilities of both individuals and authorities in safeguarding native species. </p> <p>But the last word again goes to Wells, who has clearly endured a great deal throughout this entire ordeal – including being "harassed, defamed & bullied"<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">:</span></p> <p>"What a journey to get here," wrote Wells, following the news of Molly's impending return. "Having a hole in our hearts that we never thought would heal. Constantly thinking about this little magpie who was full of life and personality sitting in a cage lost and alone. Our hearts breaking Watching our girls looking around for Molly or out the window for hours waiting to see their best friend again.</p> <p>"Being forced by a certain media outlet to make the announcement before we were ready to deliver it in a mindful way to our millions of supporters.</p> <p>"We have become a meme, an interview question & the topic of conversation around the world.</p> <p>"We have be Harassed, defamed & bullied by a small minority of people.</p> <p>"Suddenly being plunged onto the world stage after the QLD premier stepped in. Constantly Hitting brick walls trying to get answers from the dept about Molly & his whereabouts.</p> <p>"We want to thankyou you the people for your voices , for standing by us & making this happen . The messages , emails , phone calls & thousands of signatures on petitions . The love , support and sheer determination for a cause is what you have done & is what has kept us going . We have shown the world what can be achieved when we work together . We have shown the world this can be achieved with persistence without aggression."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mEBBbSY2g/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5mEBBbSY2g/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Dad kicked off Jetstar flight for breaking cardinal rule

<p>A dad has been kicked off a Jetstar flight after snapping a picture of his family boarding the plane from the tarmac. </p> <p>Jimmy Mitchell was with his wife Pauline and their two children as they went to board their flight from Sydney to Brisbane, where they were embarking on a cruise. </p> <p>As the family were boarding the plane from the tarmac, Jimmy quickly took a picture of his kids and his wife who were walking up the rear stairs of the plane. </p> <p>According to Jimmy, who is a seasoned traveller, he didn't hear an announcement be made that passengers were prohibited from taking photos on the tarmac because the plane was refuelling. </p> <p>He was eventually able to board the flight after being confronted by cabin crew, but described the debacle as “one of the most traumatic experiences” he’s had.</p> <p>In a viral TikTok, he alleged that while he was taking the photo, a cabin crew member called him an “idiot”. He said that when she tried to get his attention to put the device away it left him embarrassed and shocked. </p> <p>“This is the worst experience I’ve ever had flying,” he said in the clip.</p> <p>“I try and get on the plane, I take a photo of my kids as they get on the plane, in flight mode, and the lady calls me an idiot,” he said.</p> <p>After he confronted the staff member, Mr Mitchell claims he was told he won’t be allowed to board the flight.</p> <p>“I turned around in disbelief because I was half way up the stairs at this point. I basically stormed over to her and I was like, ‘Are you serious? What did you just call me?’</p> <p>“She was basically saying ‘you can’t take photos on the tarmac, you can’t take photos on the tarmac’.”</p> <p>The pair allegedly went back and forth before the father-of-two, known for his travel content, was rejected from boarding the plane. </p> <p>“If she had literally just said anything else, like ‘get off your phone’, I would have done it.”</p> <p>“Apparently, they made an announcement, but I had noise cancelling headphones, Pauline (wife) told me after the fact – I didn’t hear it, there was no notifications about it, there was no signage, no nothing."</p> <p>“All she had to do was say something constructive. ‘Get off your phone,’ ‘you can’t have your phone out’ and I would have been like ‘sorry’, but she screams across the tarmac calling me an idiot.”</p> <p>“I can see how she maybe felt I was being intimidating because I am a big guy and I am a loud guy. She turns around to me and goes ‘you almost assaulted me, get off the tarmac, you’re not getting on this plane’.”</p> <p>Mr Mitchell then walked back inside the terminal where he awaited further instructions, and was later able to board the flight “after cooler heads prevailed” but wants the airline to apologise to him and his family over the “stressful” situation.</p> <p>“The way they treated Pauline and the kids and not allowing me to communicate with them what was going on, was completely unacceptable,” he said.</p> <p>The debacle has sparked a huge debate on his TikTok and Instagram over who is in the wrong.</p> <p>“Wow … that’s insane! So sorry that happened to you!” one person wrote.</p> <p>“Take it further and don’t let them get away with what they have done,” a second person said.</p> <p>However, others were quick to comment that as a seasoned traveller, Jimmy should've been well versed in the rules of not taking photos on the tarmac.</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"No empathy": Grandmother kicked off flight over unpaid fee

<p>An outraged father has unleashed over Jetstar's decision to remove his mother-in-law and children from a flight over an unpaid fee. </p> <p>Father of three Jay Tee took to social media to slam the airline over their treatment of his family on their flight from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. </p> <p>Tee's kids were being accompanied on the flight by their grandmother, who was informed she needed to pay a $35 fee to check in a bag. </p> <p>The woman forgot to pay the fee before boarding, on what was her second time ever on a plane. </p> <p>Tee was then contacted by the airline after his family had boarded and was told they would not be allowed to travel if the charge wasn’t paid for within 10 minutes. </p> <p>“They informed me I had 10 minutes to pay $35 or else they would be removed from the flight extra fees would accur (sic) for holding up the flight,” he said.</p> <p>“I hung up transferred funds and rang back within four minutes. Jetstar did not take payment and had removed my mother-in-law from the flight altogether leaving her and 3 kids stranded at Gold Coast airport no water no food.”</p> <p>The father slammed the airline for “disgusting service” that was “the worst I have ever been treated” by a company.</p> <p>“My anger is not with the payment for luggage, it is how my mother-in-law and three kids under 10 were treated.”</p> <p>The airline confirmed the family were removed from the flight, with a spokesperson saying the airline was trying to contact Mr Tee for more information.</p> <p>“We’re really sorry to hear about the customers’ experience and are reaching out to get a better understanding about what happened,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>The airline went on to say they had no record of any payment being made, while also clarifying they asked the elderly woman to move to the service desk multiple times to pay the fee, but she didn't.</p> <p>Mr Tee says he was then forced to pay another $600 to book the group on the next flight to Melbourne with discount airline Bonza.</p> <p>The situation stirred up debate on social media, with some blaming the woman for the mishap.</p> <p>“I don’t understand how this is anybody but the mother in laws fault, She would have checked bags in then should have walked over and paid for the excess, not boarded the plane,” one person wrote.</p> <p>But others defended her, and the fact the charge was paid by Mr Tee.</p> <p>“Would have thought Jetstar could have helped in some way, but that sums up Jetstar’s customer service for you. No empathy what so ever.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook / Getty Images </em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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93-year-old widower with dementia to get kicked out of his home of 60 years

<p>A widower with dementia has been told to pack up his belongings and leave his Brisbane home of 60 years to make way for a school drop-off zone. </p> <p>Trevor Connolly, 93, had no plans on leaving his Coorparoo home in Brisbane's south-east, until a notification of resumption, also known as a compulsory acquisition letter, arrived in his mailbox in October with notice he needs to leave before Christmas.</p> <p>The letter notified Connolly of the Department of Education's plans to forcibly acquire their home and build a new school. </p> <p>The movement of the school is a knock-on effect of Brisbane's expansion plans to accommodate the hosting the 2032 Olympics. </p> <p>The expansion is resulting in the demolition of the heritage-listed East Brisbane State School, which is being rebuilt on the site of the Coorparoo Secondary College.</p> <p>Mr Connolly's home is the last domino to fall in the construction plans, having been designated to be demolished and turned into a drop-off zone for the new school.</p> <p>The 93-year-old widower described the state's decision to acquire his home as "lunacy" and "madness", saying there are numerous other properties they could have chosen.</p> <p>"You feel so useless, what can you do about it?" Connolly told <em>7News</em>.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CynVcsMpiiW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CynVcsMpiiW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 7NEWS Queensland (@7newsqueensland)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"There's no need to knock the house down, there's plenty of room next door."</p> <p>He said the idea of moving out of the house he has called home for over half-a-century as "a heck of a change to even think about". </p> <p>His daughter, Anne, didn't mince words when speaking about the state's Department of Education's plans, describing them as "quite brutal really, and insensitive".</p> <p>Mr Connolly and the department are yet to enter negotiations into compensation for the widower's property, while a spokesperson for the Queensland Department of Education said, "Decisions to acquire land are not taken lightly."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven</em></p>

Legal

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Heavily pregnant mum and disabled child kicked off plane

<p>Siobhan Foster, her husband, and their disabled child were kicked off their flight after she was accused of being "aggressive" by a flight attendant.</p> <p>Foster, who is seven months pregnant, was onboard an easyJet flight to Ibiza to celebrate her brother's wedding.</p> <p>She struggled to find room for her carry-on in the overhead baggage compartment, so she asked a flight attendant to help her find space, but the response was reportedly "a sharp ‘Clearly Not’", which eventually led to a dispute. </p> <p>When things escalated, all 180 passengers were eventually told to disembark. </p> <p>One of Foster's outraged friends posted the <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/23859832/easyjet-passengers-kicked-off-pregnant-mum-stewardess-fight/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video</a> on social media, and the Newtonabbey mum was seen collecting hand luggage while struggling to carry her toddler.</p> <p>“We’re being thrown off the plane today because of somebody thinking they’re better than everyone else,” the friend said.</p> <p>The easyJet stewardess responded: “Bye, bye bye," as the upset family walked down the stairs. </p> <p>Foster took to Facebook to complain about her experience with "sleezy jet".</p> <p>“So, I asked could you help me find somewhere, her reply was ‘You’ll need to find somewhere yourself’ even though there literally was nowhere," she wrote. </p> <p>She then claimed that she asked for help again, because she was heavily pregnant, to which the flight attendant allegedly said:  "You’re being abusive and it’s not my job to help you.”</p> <p>Another flight attendant reportedly backed up her co-worker, but Foster argued that other airlines have been more helpful as she is pregnant. </p> <p>“Writing this, I understand it would make you think was I being abusive, but I honestly wasn’t and the whole plane can vouch for me,” Foster wrote. “People were actually putting this on [Facebook] about how bad I was treated.”</p> <p>After eventually finding a place for her bag, the pregnant mum was allegedly confronted by two other crew members who also accused her of being “aggressive.”</p> <p>Foster decided to ignore them because she was "crying" and "so upset," but the flight attendant reportedly started raising her voice. </p> <p>They were then kicked off, and were told it was because of Foster's aggression,  but when Foster’s mum and brother asked for an exact reason, the crew members allegedly couldn't give them a direct response. </p> <p>After an hour, everyone had to disembark and the family were met by eight police officers and two Swissport employees and were told they would not be allowed back on the flight, despite other passengers being allowed back in.</p> <p>“So, that whole day we were in Belfast airport from one lunchtime to nine that night with our child, my legs were so swollen and sore with being on them all this time I was crying uncontrollably that this was happening to us for no reason whatsoever.</p> <p>“I’m so traumatized to the point I don’t know how I’ll ever fly again,” she wrote on Facebook.</p> <p>EasyJet has denied any wrongdoing and a spokesperson told the Daily Mail that "a group of passengers were "behaving disruptively."</p> <p>“EasyJet’s cabin crew and ground agents are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and to act quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers is not compromised at any time.</p> <p>“The Captain took the decision to ask all passengers on the flight to return to the terminal so the situation could be resolved and as soon as it was they re-boarded and the aircraft continued to Ibiza.”</p> <p>Despite the incident, the Foster family eventually made it to Ibiza the next day, just in time for the wedding, after catching a RyanAir flight out of Dublin. </p> <p>“Thankfully we got to Ibiza and made my brother’s wedding to say how stressed, upset, and overwhelmed I’ve been I honestly think I’ve no words,” she wrote.</p> <p>“EasyJet should be ashamed of themselves and I most definitely am taking this further, I’m still in shock of how we were treated especially being seven months pregnant and having a disabled child with us.”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“Still kicking”: Johnny Ruffo shares hospital update

<p dir="ltr">Johnny Ruffo has provided his fans an update on his ongoing terminal cancer battle, assuring him that he’s “still kicking” with a snap to social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">The post, which he captioned “Still kicking this thing’s arse”, saw the Australian entertainer reclined in a hospital chair, both hands held in a peace sign to the camera. </p> <p dir="ltr">And while Johnny didn’t specify who had taken the picture, many assumed it to be his longtime partner, Tahnee Sims, who appeared to be giving him a big thumbs up in response. </p> <p dir="ltr">Friends and fans wasted no time in offering him their love and support, flooding his Instagram comments section with their heartfelt messages as he continues the fight that began all the way back in 2017 for the 35-year-old. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Go Johnny!!! I’m sorry u have to keep kicking it’s arse,” former Home and Away actress Sarah Roberts wrote. “You don’t deserve that. I wish it would just F off &amp; leave u alone. Sending so much love xxxx”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hey my darling friend. You’re such a champion. Talk soon. Love you,” his friend and former Home and Away co-star Lynne McGregor said. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLqc8HLUbV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLqc8HLUbV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Johnny Ruffo (@johnny_ruffo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Go you good thing,” radio host Michael Wipfli encouraged. “We’re here with you brother.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Your strength, courage &amp; determination is a massive inspiration to so many people also fighting this insidious disease,” comedian Nick Giannopoulos added. “Keep kicking it’s arse mate. Fark Cancer Farken!!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thinking of you mate,” singer-songwriter Taylor Henderson shared, “show that turd who’s boss”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tahnee also popped up in the post’s comments, where she shared a series of three emojis, each a pair of hands held in a heart formation. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Keep smashing it legend. Fall down seven times, get up eight,” one supporter said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Keep fighting, you are so inspirational,” another told him, echoing the thoughts of many. </p> <p dir="ltr">It was only in 2022 that Johnny had revealed the extent of his diagnosis, sharing the heartbreaking news that it was terminal, but that he was determined to continue living his life to the fullest, and battle the disease every step of the way. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I understand that the cancer is terminal,” he told 7News at the time, “but you know, I’m going to do everything I can and I am currently doing everything I can to kick its a***.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Taylor Swift kicks off the Eras tour in sensational style

<p>Excitement was high for music icon Taylor Swift’s Eras tour since the very first announcement. </p> <p>And while controversy may have reared its head early on - Ticketmaster ran into a great deal of trouble trying to handle the masses of fans and alleged bots trying to secure tickets to the show, and that wasn’t even to mention the “dynamic pricing” debacle. </p> <p>The tour marked Taylor’s first since 2018, and features some of her biggest - and favourite - tracks from over the course of her illustrious music career … so far. </p> <p>In fact, for the first show of the tour, the 12-time Grammy award winner (and 46-time nominated artist) performed an astounding 44 tracks, for a total of over three hours. A typical stadium show will run for just under two, and average at around 20 songs. </p> <p>While some were surprised by the runtime, others barely batted an eyelid after months of speculation over what “a journey through the musical eras of [Taylor Swift’s] career” could entail. </p> <p>And from the moment people knew it was coming, the tour was set to break records. </p> <p>Taylor wasted no time with opening night, which became “the most attended female concert in US history”. The record was previously held by Madonna, who had held onto that bragging right for 36 years from her 1987 Anaheim Stadium show. </p> <p>And Taylor’s fans - affectionately known as Swifties - are well aware, their idol does nothing without careful planning and care. Album releases are often scattered with Easter Eggs for her most devoted followers to pick apart, and everything means something. </p> <p>So it came as no surprise when Taylor split her show into 10 distinct sections, each inspired by one of her albums. However, none of these were chronological, leaving even the most devoted fans to guess which they were going to hear next. </p> <p>The entire stage transformed with each new era - from the lighting to the props, videos playing behind Taylor and her dancers, and a mesmerising swim along the catwalk, everything was planned out well in advance to wow her audience. </p> <p>And in true Taylor fashion, her style on the night reflected this effort too, with the star embarking on no less than 16 spectacular outfit changes to honour each of her beloved albums. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty, @taylorswift @kevinmazur @kevincwinter / Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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"What is the big deal?" Karl defends breastfeeding mother kicked out of courtroom

<p>Karl Stefanovic has slammed the decision of a judge who kicked out a breastfeeding mother and her child from a courtroom. </p> <p><em>The Today Show</em> host ripped into Judge Mark Gamble, who ejected the wife of a prominent Melbourne Rabbi from Victorian County Court on Thursday after claiming she would be a "distraction". </p> <p>The judge called for the woman to leave the court proceedings, prompting her to leave the room in tears and leaving her feeling humiliated.</p> <p>Stefanovic condemned the decision of the Judge and shared a scathing message for anyone who agreed with how he treated the mother. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A breastfeeding mother and her child were kicked out of a court's public gallery in Victoria, over concerns from the judge that it would be a distraction.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> | WATCH LIVE 5.30am <a href="https://t.co/Q6x0r3cJui">pic.twitter.com/Q6x0r3cJui</a></p> <p>— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1633911235048603650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>"I think that's ridiculous. We were just laughing about it because it's so absurd."</p> <p>"I can't believe in this modern society," he said on Friday morning</p> <p>"There are going to be people out there who say, 'Oh, well, she could've gone outside somewhere else'. Come off it, what is the big deal?"</p> <p><em>Today</em> co-host Sarah Abo also shared her thoughts on the matter, saying, "How far have we gone as a community to accept that in our own courtrooms you can't do that? It's ludicrous."</p> <p>Many outraged women have chimed in on the debate, with Melbourne obstetrician Nisha Khot describing the incident as appalling. </p> <p>"We've tried so hard to get past so many barriers for women who want to breastfeed and to have this happen in a court of law is just not acceptable at all," she said.</p> <p>"Babies have been breastfed in the parliament of this country and in other parliaments."</p> <p>"I don't think there is any public space in which breastfeeding a baby should be unacceptable."</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Today Show</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Harry Styles kicks off Down Under tour with bizarre Aussie tradition

<p dir="ltr">Harry Styles has kicked off the Australian leg of his tour with the most unhygienic of Aussie practices: the shoey. </p> <p dir="ltr">The British musician began the Down Under run of Love on Tour in Perth on Monday night, with the 20,000-strong crowd encouraging the pop icon to partake in the unusual tradition.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage from the concert at Perth’s HBF Park has gone viral, as the former One Direction star drank out of his own shoe, as fans cheered him on.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the ceremonial shoey had been completed, Styles said to the crowd, “This is one of the most disgusting traditions I have ever heard of. I feel like a different person… I’m ashamed of myself.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I will be discussing this at length with my therapist. At length!”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co5dxQTB4sX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Co5dxQTB4sX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by SHIT YOU SHOULD CARE ABOUT (@shityoushouldcareabout)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Styles also paid homage to Australia’s rich history while on stage with a performance of Daryl Braithwaite’s <em>The Horses</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The classic 1989 track, originally performed by Rickie Lee Jones, is a staple of Aussie culture, as Styles’ rendition of the song saw the entire crowd singing along. </p> <p dir="ltr">Aware of the impact of the track, Styles told the crowd, “You don’t hear that song much until you come down here and then it's like catnip.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Before the show began in Perth, there were chaotic scenes as hardcore fans waited in blistering heat for many hours before doors opened to get the best spots inside the stadium. </p> <p dir="ltr">Fans had been banned from camping out the night before, with people lining up from 5am. </p> <p dir="ltr">Harry Styles’ Australian tour continues on Friday with the first of two shows at Melbourne’s Marvel stadium, before moving to the Gold Coast and Sydney.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram / Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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"If you want to kick him, come kick me too”: Stars turn out to defend Charlie Teo

<p>Famous friends of Dr Charlie Teo have defended his character and shown their support as the neurosurgeon faces a five-day disciplinary hearing by the Health Care Complaints Commission.</p> <p>Steve Waugh and Anthony Mundine were among Dr Teo’s high profile mates who spoke to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/anthony-mundine-steve-waugh-supporting-controversial-surgeon-dr-charlie-teo/news-story/bb8567814607fe4fcdbd8f5dbaaa4a73" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> outside the Health Professional Councils Authority building on Monday morning.</p> <p>Mundine said he has known Dr Teo, who has divided critics for his work on brain tumours deemed inoperable by other neurosurgeons, “for some time”.</p> <p>“I just know the character the man is… We’ve built a good relationship over the years, and got closer and closer,” he said.</p> <p>“He’s been blessed with unbelievable skills in the neurosurgeon game and is one of the best in the world”.</p> <p>Mundine was then quizzed on his thoughts about the criticism Dr Teo has faced in recent months, saying, “There will be people that hate it… it’s a 50/50 game, you’re gonna win some, you lose some.”</p> <p>“But I’m here. If you want to kick him, come kick me too”.</p> <p>Also showing his support for the controversial doctor was cricketing legend Steve Waugh, who claims Dr Teo saved his wife Lynette’s life when he removed a large blood clot from her brain.</p> <p>“I’ve referred him to a number of friends as well,” Waugh said.</p> <p>“He’s done an amazing job – over 11,000 operations. He takes some of the tough cases no one else wants to”.</p> <p>He said it was “hard for me to know why people don’t like him” but thought it could be a “little bit of tall poppy syndrome”.</p> <p>“I guess it makes him a target with some people,” Waugh said.</p> <p>“I just hope he gets a fair go.”</p> <p>The support from famous friends comes after Teo <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/the-agenda-is-to-destroy-charlie-teo-final-hit-ahead-of-hearing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lashed out</a> against the recent allegations made against him of unprofessional conduct, saying that such claims are driven by professional jealousy, and are largely designed to take him down and to prevent the rise of any good, young “aggressive” neurosurgeons.</p> <p>Appearing on a podcast with businessman and former TV host Mark Bouris, Teo said,“It’s got nothing to do with fairness, what’s right or wrong. It’s all got to do with people’s agendas. And the agenda is to destroy Charlie Teo.” </p> <p>“I know that I’ve got this skill … I take out tumours that no one else can take out. And all the surgeons around the world that watch me are just absolutely amazed by it. So when I operate in other countries, I get four or five or 10 or 20 neurosurgeons watching it, and they just are blown away by it.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p> <div class="media image portrait side-by-side" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 338.492645px; float: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 14.099264px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div>

Legal

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Novak Djokovic kicks his brother out of tennis arena during epic showdown

<p>Novak Djokovic has ordered his brother out of the player's box in the middle of match at the the Adelaide International final.</p> <p>The Serbian star was having a less than desirable game on Sunday, after losing his first set to No.33 Sebastian Korda, from the USA, when he became visibly frustrated and pointed towards the corporate box.</p> <p>His brother Marko and another person then exited the area before Djokovic fought his way back on the court and managed to win the epic three-set thriller.</p> <p>Sports commentator Roger Rasheed claimed the sports star appeared angry, but determined to win the showdown.</p> <p>"He pointed to his box and two out of five members are no longer sitting there," he said.</p> <p>"It's probably living proof that he wants to win badly, in this final. He's got his game face on, mixed with a bit of anger at the moment."</p> <p>Speaking during an on-court interview after prevailing triumphant in a match that lasted three hours, the 21-time Grand Slam champion admitted it had not been an easy night.</p> <p>"I'd like to thank my team for handling me, tolerating me in the good and bad times."</p> <p>"Today, I'm sure they didn't have such a blast with me going back and forth with them, but I appreciate them being here."</p> <p>"My brother Marko is also here, I don't see him that much so I appreciate you coming here, love you. It's been an amazing week and you guys made it even more special for me."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"It was a nightmare": 11-year-old kicked off Jetstar flight and left "stranded"

<p>A Sydney mother has slammed Jetstar after they kicked her 11-year-old son off a flight to the Gold Coast, despite previously being told he was allowed to fly. </p> <p>Emma Garland decided to let her two kids Scarlett, 13, and Jack, 11, travel on their own for the very first time ahead of the June long weekend.</p> <p>Emma and her husband were both working at a conference in Queensland, so a plan was made for the kids to fly up together and meet them for a weekend away. </p> <p>Slightly wary of letting her children make the journey alone, Emma called Qantas to "see what the options were". </p> <p>“They said, no worries Scarlett can fly with Jack as an accompanied minor, so I changed the tickets,” Emma told <a href="https://7news.com.au/travel/jetstar/sydney-mum-slams-jetstar-after-kicking-11-year-old-son-off-flight-c-8863550" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. </p> <p>On their travel day, Scarlett and Jack were taken to the airport by their grandparents and boarded their flight with no issues. </p> <p>“They boarded the flight, and it was all fine, all smiles,” Garland said.</p> <p>However, just before take off, a flight attendant approached the kids and asked Jack how old he was. </p> <p>Jack was then told he wasn't old enough to fly and was escorted off the flight alone. </p> <p>“They tried to get her [Scarlett] off too but said ‘sorry the gates are closed’,” Garland said.</p> <p>“No one explained to her what was happening, or even asked if she was okay.”</p> <p>“No one said anything to her, which is just disgusting.”</p> <p>Meanwhile, Jack was “hysterical” after the ordeal, and was left temporarily “stranded” until he was reunited with his in-laws who were contacted to come and collect him.</p> <p>Emma promptly left the Gold Coast after purchasing a "very expensive" last minute flight to Sydney to be with her son. </p> <p>“My husband was upset at the Jetstar counter and was just saying ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this to my family’,” she said.</p> <p>“He was in tears at the counter. It was a nightmare of a day.”</p> <p>Now, several months after the ordeal, Emma said her family have yet to receive any kind of compensation or apology from the airline. </p> <p>“I have no idea which policy the Qantas consultant was referring to over the phone that day, but they assured me they would be okay to fly,” she said.</p> <p>“It’s just terrible and not to mention the duty of care aspect.”</p> <p>Meanwhile, a Jetstar spokesperson told 7News they are looking into the matter, to “ensure this doesn’t happen again”.</p> <p>“We sincerely apologise to Ms Garland and her family for the extremely distressing situation and acknowledge our teams should have handled this situation better,” they said.</p> <p>The airline explained while they “enjoy welcoming young passengers on board”, they do not offer an unaccompanied minor service and that passengers must “meet certain requirements in order to travel independently”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Garland Family / 7News</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“What really happened”: Man kicked off Qantas flight speaks out

<p dir="ltr">A man who was kicked off a Qantas flight along with his family after demanding cabin crew apologise for their behaviour towards his wife has spoken publicly for the first time, sharing his recollection of events.</p> <p dir="ltr">Zakir Slaimankhel, a high-profile international rugby player and charity ambassador, was filmed having an argument with staff in a viral TikTok video aboard a plane at Bali’s Denpasar Airport.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the clip, Mr Slaimankhal could be heard saying his wife was in tears after airline staff were rude to her and claimed that staff had mishandled his pram and hadn’t brought it into the plane before takeoff.</p> <p dir="ltr">The staff member arguing with Mr Slaimankhel was heard repeatedly telling him to stop swearing and eventually informed him that security had been called.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You made my wife cry and now you’re getting angry at me?” he can be heard saying to her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You can’t upset my crew - “ she said, to which he responded, “You can’t upset my family and kids!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“What are you on about, ‘you can’t upset my crew’, my wife’s crying!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Slaimankhel, who lives in Sydney but arrived in New Zealand as a refugee from Afghanistan, posted a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/zslaimankhel/posts/pfbid0emaUBeFn172rqtWRkkoysSZEJMiUooLsCiwPfvAPwSjoiz7nKAsfvBCzq9XxbzLEl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lengthy statement</a> online on Monday night in which he recounted what happened in the lead-up to the altercation on flight QF44, claiming staff had “humiliated” his wife and that the pram had been left outside.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As we boarded the flight, my pram was left outside the aircraft by staff who advised that it will be brought in,” he explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Slaimankhel said he later went to the front of the plane to check where the pram was and found it outside “and chucked to the side”.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he brought it in and asked where he could store it, Mr Slaimankhel said a staff member “sternly” told him to find a spot and didn’t offer to help.</p> <p dir="ltr">After it was announced the plane was delayed, he said his wife went to change their five-month-old son’s nappy in the toilet at the rear of the plane.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-059c499c-7fff-7d57-2f61-bc118383913e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Whilst waiting, a flight attendant told her to move down the aircraft in an unrelenting manner as we were apparently inhibiting the toilet doors from opening safely. However, the other passenger and her were not in any close proximity to the door for it to contact them. The stern instructions from this staff member were unjustified and made her feel belittled,” he continued.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/11/zakir-statement.jpeg" alt="" width="1440" height="657" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p> <p dir="ltr">After the nappy change, Mr Slaimankhel said his wife was then “shouted at” by an attendant while leaving the toilet and was stared at by another flight attendant.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This prompted my wife to ask her ‘why are you looking at me like that?’, to which she said, ‘I’m not looking at you, I’m looking past you’,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then she mentioned it’s people like you with that head thingy’ in a stereotypical and racist manner. My wife was shocked and started shaking.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He said the behaviour made his wife cry and feel “extremely humiliated and distraught”, and when she told them they were rude and condescending, she was met with little sympathy for her concerns.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Their treatment inflicted immense anxiety within her, she felt isolated, overwhelmed, and discriminated against. It made her question her self and feel powerless being a visible Muslim who wears a hijab,” Mr Slaimankhel wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I did not witness any other passenger be treated in a remotely similar manner to my family.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He continued to recount feeling “in shock” at his wife’s distress and treatment, and that he approached Qantas staff for an explanation and apology.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It felt dehumanising and frustrating that our feelings and concerns could not even be appropriately acknowledged or addressed. On the other hand, we were shunned and ejected from the aircraft by security. Even whilst collecting our belongings to leave, multiple flight attendants smirked at us,” he continued, adding that it showed a “lack of emotional intelligence” among staff and that the incident had had “traumatic ripple effects” across his family’s lives.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said that his wife has continued flashbacks of the ordeal and that the video of the argument going viral led to his “character assassination”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As I was reacting to the provocation of staff who were treating us as flight risks and heedless to our concerns. I was visibly upset at the tears and anxiety that they had caused my wife , which was exacerbated by the lack of compassion and human empathy expressed by the Qantas staff,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Slaimankhel concluded the post by sharing his extreme disappointment with the airline for releasing a statement about the incident “before contacting us and understanding the full context of the situation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">This may be in reference to the statement Qantas shared with <em>news.com.au </em>on October 25, in which the airline said the family were eventually removed from the plane after clashing with crew members “a number of times prior to the flight departing Bali”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The safety of our customers and crew is our number one priority,” the spokesperson said at the time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We ask customers to follow the direction of crew for the safety and comfort of everyone on board.”</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the airline issued a new statement on Tuesday morning, in which a Qantas spokeswoman denied Mr Slaimankhel’s claims.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Qantas takes allegations of this nature raised very seriously and we will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination on racial, ethnic or any other grounds,” a spokeswoman said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We conducted a thorough review of the claims made by Mr Slaimankhel and his wife. Qantas strongly denies that its crew spoke to either Mr Slaimankhel or his wife in a rude manner. Our staff also deny making any inappropriate comments regarding the passengers’ attire. This has been supported by other passengers who witnessed the interactions.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The airline spokeswoman said that “abusive behaviour” isn’t tolerated on board, even though Mr Slaimankhel remained seated and the extent of his behaviour involved swearing and raising his voice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We ask customers to follow the direction of crew for the safety and comfort of everyone on board. As a result of our review into the incidents on-board, Mr Slaimankhel and his wife have been issued with no fly orders with Qantas Group airlines for their behaviour towards our crew.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With profanities appearing to be the major issue the flight attendant had with Mr Slaimankhel in the clip, it comes amid a wider issue of people of colour being over-represented in the number of charges for swearing resulting in fines or time in court.</p> <p dir="ltr">In NSW, <a href="https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/australia-where-offensive-and-insulting-language-is-actually-a-crime,10319" target="_blank" rel="noopener">567 out of 1600 people</a> charged and taken to court over offensive language were Indigenous, despite Indigenous Australians making up just 3 percent of the population in 2015 alone.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a943b9a8-7fff-c3a6-89b3-83510dceb46c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Honey, we are about to fight": Woman kicked off flight for hurling water bottle

<p dir="ltr">A woman who was told to get off a flight for not following the rules turned aggressive toward another passenger after she realised she was being filmed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage shared to Reddit shows a calm flight attendant asking the woman to take her dog off her lap on a flight to New York from Atlanta.</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman became aggressive when she was told to get off the flight after refusing to take her dog off her lap. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh no, no, honey we are about to fight then.I didn’t f***ing do anything to you guys,” she can be heard saying.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My dog was sitting on my lap, I put him in the bag.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The traveller is then offered a refund on her ticket and once again asked to leave the flight before she swears at the flight attendant and everyone.</p> <p dir="ltr">“F**k you. F**k all of you,” she yells as she packs up her belongings. </p> <p dir="ltr">As she packs her bags, someone could be heard shouting at her to “get off the plane”. </p> <p dir="ltr">““I am! Shut the f**k up,” she yells back before noticing another passenger filming her and throws her water bottle at them. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Turn your f***ing phone off!” she yells.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Why is she recording me?” she asks another flight attendant.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anyone can record anything. You just struck a passenger with a bottle,” the flight attendant responds.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nobody acting this way flies on a flight with us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Social media users called the woman out for her disgusting behaviour saying she deserved to be kicked off the flight. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I love how she's wearing pigtails and acting like a first grader,” someone commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That dude was such a boss. Calm, cool, and collected the whole time and got her off the plane,” someone wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Now we wait for that person's footage, and also the footage of her getting arrested,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Watch the footage <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/woman-unleashes-on-plane-throws-bottle-at-passenger/news-story/7887c8bb3bb4ece68aebaae13c7349e9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Reddit</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Kick cancer's ass": Ryan Reynolds shares potentially life saving surgery

<p>Ryan Reynolds shared the news he had a “subtle polyp” on his colon during his first colonoscopy.</p> <p>He broadcasted the entire experience in order to destigmatise the procedure and raise awareness, especially among men.</p> <p>The famed actor, aged 45, and his Wrexham soccer club co-chairman, Rob McElhenney, decided to partner up with <a href="https://leadfrombehind.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lead From Behind</a>, a colon cancer awareness organisation, aiming to draw attention to the procedure.</p> <p>In a Youtube video posted to Reynold’s page this week, the two explained they wanted to prove how the “simple step” can “save lives.”</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5sXkIUZEWIo" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>“I would never normally have any medical procedure put on camera and then shared,” Reynolds said.</p> <p>“But it’s not every day that you can raise awareness about something that will most definitely save lives. That’s enough motivation for me to let you in on a camera being shoved up my ass.”</p> <p>During the procedure, Reynolds found out that he found an “extremely subtle polyp” on the right side of his colon, which he had removed.</p> <p>“This was potentially lifesaving for you — I’m not kidding, I’m not being overly dramatic,” the doctor told the actor as he showed off images of the tissue. “This is exactly why you do this. You had no symptoms.”</p> <p>As for McElhenney, his doctor revealed they found three polyps that “were not a big deal, but certainly a good thing that we found them early and removed them.”</p> <p>“Colon cancer is preventable,” a message read across a black screen at the end of the video. “If you’re 45 years or older, ask your doctor about getting a colonoscopy. And help Rob and Ryan kick cancer’s ass.”</p> <p><em>Image: Youtube</em></p>

Body

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"Total nightmare": Family of four kicked out of "disgusting" rental home

<p>A family of four are facing the reality of becoming homeless after being kicked out of their rental property for complaining to their landlord about mould making them sick.</p> <p>Kiara Spiteri-Whitney and her family, who were renting a home in St Mary's in western Sydney, said their home was inundated with mould, which rapidly spread throughout the home and grew in the bedrooms, kitchen and living area and covered the beds, cupboards and lounge sofa.</p> <p>Ms Spiteri-Whitney, her partner Corey and two children, including one living with ADHD and autism, became sick, prompting her to raise the issue with the landlord.</p> <p>After asking the landlord for help, they were told they need to leave the house and were given a mere 20 days to find a new property. </p> <p>Since moving into the home in 2018, Kiara said there was a list of issues that were never tended to by her landlord. </p> <p>When the family moved in, they thought they were moving into a clean and tidy rental. </p> <p>"At first, everything was going smoothly, but after three months in the property, everything became a total nightmare," she wrote on Facebook.</p> <p>"When we come for the open home a back shed was completely open and accessible to view."</p> <p>"So myself and my partner thought it was perfect, he could use the back shed for a man cave for him and our two boys. During open home all applicants were advised that new carpets, dishwasher and blinds were being put in."</p> <p>Despite the promising open house viewings, the family's hopes were shattered when they moved in and found the house with leaking taps, no hot water and windows without fly screens. </p> <p>"We moved into the property to find out the back shed had been nailed shut and wasn't accessible," she wrote.</p> <p>"Throughout our four and a half year tenancy we have had nothing but consent issue's throughout the property. For our whole tenancy we have had three consent running taps with barely any hot water pressure."</p> <p>"So trying to have a decent hot bath is absolutely pointless. We have had no fly screens in all three bedrooms. So opening bedroom windows for ventilation hasn't been an option."</p> <p>Kiara also said the carpets were also "putrid" and were pulling up from the floorboards.</p> <p>"There has been a serious mould issue throughout the property. The tiles around our home are breaking away," she wrote.</p> <p>After receiving an eviction notice out of the blue, she has less than three weeks to find a new home for her family. </p> <p>"Absolutely disgusting and I honestly wouldn't wish this on anybody," she said.</p> <p>"With only 20 day's left to find another property in a major rental crisis. Competing against people with higher income and more to clearly offer."</p> <p>"I'm seriously scared my children are going to be homeless and there is absolutely nothing, nothing I can do about it."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News / Facebook</em></p>

Real Estate

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‘One’s loving it’: Maccas kicks off their own celebrations for the Queen’s Jubilee

<p dir="ltr">Celebrations are kicking off as Jubilee fever fills the air, with celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne right across the UK this coming weekend and McDonald's is joining the party. </p> <p dir="ltr">McDonalds' official UK Instagram revealed that the fast food giant has teamed up with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, taking the famous five-note theme at the end of its jingle and turning it royal.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CeLXbddFGxd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CeLXbddFGxd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by McDonald’s UK (@mcdonaldsuk)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">It's the first time the brand has updated the theme, and it's been shared on Instagram with commenter reactions ranging from "this is so cute" to endless heart emojis. This is in conjunction with Macca's UK changing its 'I'm lovin' it' tagline to 'One's lovin' it' for the Jubilee.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the biggest stir wasn’t caused by the change to the tagline and theme tune. Surprisingly, it's in the news that the company is launching a limited-edition china dining set, in the shape of iconic McDonald's packaging, so fans can dine 'like a queen'.</p> <p dir="ltr">The set includes a Big Mac box, fries pack and milkshake cup, all recreated in china and marked with Platinum Jubilee detailing. However there are only 70 sets available to win in the UK via the McDonald's UK app.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-35cd9bbe-7fff-0229-3070-1eee48d25a2e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">It has also been reported that the Quarter Pounder with cheese will be renamed the Royale with Cheese for its own royal makeover from Thursday June 2nd, to Friday June 3rd.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Woman kicked off flight for “offensive” pants

<p dir="ltr">A DJ who was kicked off a flight for her “inappropriate” and “offensive” pants has claimed she was “humiliated” in front of everyone. </p> <p dir="ltr">South Korean DJ Hwang So-hee, also known as DJ Soda, was on a flight from JFK to LAX with American Airlines on April 25 when she was kicked off. </p> <p dir="ltr">She was left fuming over her treatment and took to Twitter to document the ordeal to her 127,000 followers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I GOT KICKED OFF FROM  @AmericanAir flight and they harassed me to take off my sponsored @RIPNDIP 'F**K YOU' sweatpants in front of people to board again,” she began. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Yesterday coming back from JFK to LAX with American Airlines, I was harassed and humiliated. I was forced out of the plane and was harassed to take off my pants in front of the flight crews at the gate.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have never had an issue with wearing this pair of pants before in my many months of touring in North America and they did not have any problem with me wearing it at the time of check-in nor when I sat down at my seat.”</p> <p dir="ltr">DJ Soda claims she was approached by a staff member who told her to pack up her things and that she would not be boarding the flight.</p> <p dir="ltr">They then made comments about her pants calling them “inappropriate” and “offensive” and that she would have the next flight.</p> <p dir="ltr">She explained that she could not afford to miss the flight due to a very important meeting.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I GOT KICKED OFF FROM <a href="https://twitter.com/AmericanAir?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AmericanAir</a> flight and they harassed me to take off my sponsored <a href="https://twitter.com/RIPNDIP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RIPNDIP</a> 'F**K YOU' sweatpants in front of people to board again. <a href="https://t.co/YU0TrhZjry">pic.twitter.com/YU0TrhZjry</a></p> <p>— djsoda (@dj_soda_) <a href="https://twitter.com/dj_soda_/status/1518850282490187776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I pleaded to stay on the flight but was ignored by the staff and the flight attendants. I even offered to get changed but the request was denied. What happened next was horrendous,” DJ Soda continued. </p> <p dir="ltr">“With my broken fingers, I hardly ended up taking off my pants in front of the whole crew and standing half-naked while they still refused to board me on the flight. They even sarcastically commented that I could have taken off my pants earlier.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When they finally let me enter, I put my pants inside out and finally sat down after an hour of delay causing inconvenience to the members of the flights on board.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was mortified and trembling in fear for the next 6 hours on my flight back to LA. In my 8 years of touring, I have never experienced or been treated unfairly, especially in a country that is known for its freedom of speech and individuality.</p> <p dir="ltr">“From now on, I will be boycotting @AmericanAir and hope this NEVER happens to anyone ever again.”</p> <p dir="ltr">DJ Soda was called out by fans who said she was in the wrong, especially since it’s common knowledge to dress appropriately on flights.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Maybe other airlines didn't previously notice; but it is common knowledge that most major airlines have dress policies that prohibit profanity and vulgarity on their flights. They have every right to protect their customers' values. Sorry. No sympathy here.” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That's what you get for dressing inappropriately on an airliner, you're on their plane, their rules. You can fly with Delta, United, Southwest or even pulling TWA back from the grave and they would still kick you out,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As well you SHOULD!  It's rude, offensive, and children can READ TOO!! But some of us adults don't want to see or hear it either! America might be the land of the free, but it doesn't mean we don't have some rules. Abide by them or leave!” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Stan Grant kicks out Q+A audience member

<p>ABC host Stan Grant has taken extraordinary measures to eject an audience member in the latest episode of <em>Q+A</em>. </p> <p>The moment was triggered when the audience member, known as Sasha Gillies-Leakakis, shared widely discredited pro-Russian claims about killings in Ukraine.</p> <p>The inflammatory question from Sasha was promptly and uncomfortably deflected, but the show's host was unable to move on from the controversial statements. </p> <p>Mr Gillies-Leakakis asked the panel hosts, “As someone who comes from the Russian community here in Australia, I’ve been pretty outraged by the narrative depicted by our media, with Ukraine as the good guy and Russia as the bad guy."</p> <p>“Believe it or not, there are a lot of Russians here and around the world that support what Putin’s doing in Ukraine, myself included.”</p> <p>The University of Melbourne student went on to claim that Ukraine had “besieged” the Russian populations in Donetsk and Luhansk and killed about 13,000 people, before audience members began to heckle him, with calls of “that’s a lie”, “don’t do this” and “propaganda”.</p> <p>The question was ignored by the panel, but after 20 minutes, Stan Grant felt he had to do something. </p> <p>“Something has been bothering me … people here have been talking about family who are suffering and people who are dying. Can I just say – I’m just not comfortable with you being here. Could you please leave?,” Grant said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Stan Grant kicks an Australian-Russian man out of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> for questioning the media's pro-Ukraine/anti-Russia coverage. <a href="https://t.co/tKylsWVeCK">pic.twitter.com/tKylsWVeCK</a></p> <p>— Caldron Pool (@CaldronPool) <a href="https://twitter.com/CaldronPool/status/1499487887863209987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>The audience applauded Grant's request, as the audience member tried to fire back. </p> <p>“You can ask a question, but we cannot advocate violence. I should have asked you to leave then. It‘s been playing on my mind and, I’m sorry, but I have to ask you to leave.”</p> <p>Once the questioner had left, Stan apologised to the audience for the disruption and explained his motivations. </p> <p>“We come here in good faith to have open conversation, rigorous conversation. We’ve heard different points of view, and we encourage different points of view here,” he said.</p> <p>“But we can’t have anyone who is sanctioning, supporting, violence and killing of people. So I‘m sorry for the disruption. It was not a vetted question. It was a rogue question. It’s not good.”</p> <p>Following his eviction from the ABC studios, Sasha shared a lengthy post regarding his controversial views, while also saying, “I would like to say that I had no intention whatsoever of offending anyone, and so would like to sincerely apologise for any distress my comments may have caused.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: ABC</em></p>

TV

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Teacher sacked for punching and kicking horse has gone into hiding

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Content warning: This article contains mentions and depictions of animal abuse.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A UK school teacher </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/teacher-sacked-over-shocking-horse-video-in-the-uk/news-story/a098daeb99f46976d6e4363050ce4658" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">has been fired</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> after footage emerged of her seeming to kick and hit a distressed horse.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The graphic footage shows Sarah Moulds striking the white pony after it ran out onto the road in the UK’s East Midlands, </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17099018/rider-kicks-punches-horse-teacher-sacked/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sun</span></a></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">reports.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following the circulation of the footage, it was revealed that the 37-year-old woman from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire was being probed by the RSPCA.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mowbray Education Trust also said Ms Moulds has been suspended during a formal investigation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the trust has said the mother-of-two has officially been dismissed from her roles as a teacher at Somerby Primary School and as a director of the Knossington &amp; Somerby Pre-School in Leicestershire.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can confirm that Sarah Mould’s employment with the trust has been terminated,” Paul Maddox, chief operating officer of the trust, told the </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-59728476" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BBC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Yesterday we filmed a <a href="https://twitter.com/CottesmoreHunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CottesmoreHunt</a> rider kicking and punching her horse in the face.<br />Watched on by lackeys Will Ashmore and son Ed.<br />Violence running through their veins.<a href="https://twitter.com/RSPCA_official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RSPCA_official</a> <a href="https://t.co/s37BlR4Hv3">pic.twitter.com/s37BlR4Hv3</a></p> — Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs (@HertsHuntSabs) <a href="https://twitter.com/HertsHuntSabs/status/1457304240079228929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The footage was shared last month by Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs, an anti-hunting group, who were monitoring the hunting event at the time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The woman alleged to be Ms Moulds was seen acting aggressively towards the horse, after it ran towards her when another young rider lost control of it while trying to lead it onto a trailer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She was filmed kicking and hitting the horse before pulling it into the horse trailer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Moulds is believed to belong to the Cottesmore Hunt, a foxhound hunting group based in Rutland.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the time, she was surrounded by other members.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the incident, Cottesmore Hunt reportedly said it did not condone the actions depicted in the video “under any circumstances”.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBYBdUKiaN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBYBdUKiaN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Cottesmore Hunt (@cottesmorehuntofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The RSPCA was contacted by multiple people after the clip was posted online, and later issued a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This footage is really upsetting. We will always look into complaints made to us about animal welfare.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A spokesman from the Hunting Office in the UK said: “The Hunting Office expects the highest level of animal welfare at all times - both on and off the hunting field - and condemns the actions taken by this individual, who is not a member of the hunting associations.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Members of the public also condemned the woman online, labelling her behaviour as unacceptable.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a horsewoman myself, nothing makes me angrier than seeing such footage as this. It is shameful. There is absolutely no excuse for this behaviour,” one person wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“No matter how frustrated you are, no matter if you’ve had a bad day. Horses are so sensitive. What a way to make them head shy.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @HertsHuntSabs (Twitter)</span></em></p>

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