Search

Placeholder Content Image

Jesse Baird's mother farewells her son in emotional memorial service

<p>Slain TV presenter Jesse Baird has been farewelled by his loved ones at an emotional memorial service in Melbourne, one month after he was killed alongside his partner. </p> <p>Hundreds of friends and family packed into Melbourne’s Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, all donning bright colours to remember the 26-year-old.</p> <p>Baird's mother Helen spoke about her "darling boy" in a tear-jerking tribute, saying, “My beautiful, generous, loving, precious, caring and talented boy, our hearts and lives are changed forever,”</p> <p>“I promise to fight for you and make you proud. My heart is broken my darling boy, and I love you more than this world."</p> <p>"Our hearts and lives are changed forever and there is less sparkle in the world. There will never be another you."</p> <p>Jesse's father Gary added, “You squeezed 100 years of life into 26 and our hearts are broken. You’ll be missed but never forgotten.” </p> <p>Kourtnee, Jesse's sister, battled through floods of tears to farewell her brother, saying, "You are the absolute light of my life. My biggest inspiration and my biggest cheerleader."</p> <p>Jesse's <em>Studio 10</em> colleagues were also in attendance, with co-host Daniel Doody saying that Baird "was more than a co-worker, he was a brother, a best mate."</p> <p>"Just like all your live on-air appearances, I wish there was more time."</p> <p>Balloons spelling out Baird’s name adorned the convention centre’s stage alongside photos of him smiling at different stages in his life.</p> <p>After the service, the large crowd gathered outside to blow a flurry of bubbles.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Two iconic locations officially given dual Indigenous titles

<p>In a significant move to recognise and honour the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous peoples of Australia, two iconic locations in northern NSW will now be officially known by their Indigenous names. This decision comes after impassioned calls from the community to acknowledge the profound significance these sites hold in Indigenous culture and history.</p> <p>Walgan, translating to "shoulder" in the Bundjalung language, has been designated as the dual name for Cape Byron, marking it as the Australian mainland's most easterly point. Cape Byron, situated in the picturesque town of Byron Bay, has long been a hotspot for tourists seeking stunning coastal views. However, beyond its natural beauty, this area holds deep cultural significance for the Arakwal and other Bundjalung people. It has served as a sacred site for important gatherings and traditional ceremonial practices, anchoring it firmly in the cultural tapestry of the region.</p> <p>Similarly, Nguthungulli, referred to as the "Father of the World", will now share its name with Julian Rocks, a renowned diving destination located 2.5km off Cape Byron. This underwater marvel, steeped in Aboriginal lore and legend, is intricately tied to the dreaming stories of the Arakwal and other Bundjalung communities.</p> <p>By bestowing these dual names, authorities aim to not only pay homage to the Indigenous heritage of the land but also to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of its significance among all Australians.</p> <p>The decision to officially recognise these dual names was approved by the NSW Geographical Names Board, following a submission from the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Additionally, in a nod to preserving local Indigenous language and culture, a reserve in the suburb of Bangalow will be formally named Piccabeen Park. The term "Piccabeen" originates from the Bundjalung language, referring to the bangalow palm and the traditional baskets crafted from its fronds.</p> <p>Jihad Dib, the Customer Service Minister, emphasised the NSW government's commitment to safeguarding and promoting Indigenous language and culture through place naming. "All Australians share a relationship to the land and the names we give to places convey their significance, sense of history and identity," he said "Dual-naming acknowledges the significance of Aboriginal culture and represents a meaningful step towards the process of unity in NSW."</p> <p>Echoing these sentiments, David Harris, the Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty Minister, underscored the enduring connections that the Arakwal and other Bundjalung peoples have maintained with these sites since time immemorial. "It is only right to honour that history and that connection through names that bring story and language to life for all Australians to enjoy," he said.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Veteran slams Australia Day “dawn service”

<p dir="ltr">An Australian war veteran has slammed a Sydney council for their decision to hold a dawn reflection service on January 26th, saying it is “disrespectful” to those who fought and died for their country. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Anzac-day style service, held by Sydney’s Waverley council, will acknowledge the resilience and survival of First Nations people, recognising Australia Day as a “day of mourning” for many Indigenous Australians.</p> <p dir="ltr">Michael von Berg, a Military Cross recipient who served as a combat soldier in the Vietnam War, has denounced the council’s decision, saying dawn services should only be held on Anzac Day, as the events are synonymous with honouring past soldiers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For God's sake. It's a disservice not only to the veteran community but also to First Nations soldiers who fought and died for their country,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr von Berg, who claims to have served alongside Aboriginal soldiers on his first tour of Vietnam in the mid-1960s, questioned the purpose of the event, describing it as “cheap symbolism”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Personally, a dawn service of this nature flies in the face of what they traditionally stand for, which is honouring soldiers,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This stuff doesn't help anyone. I have nothing but respect for First Nations people but there's got to be another way.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr von Berg urged Waverley Council to “seriously reconsider” the event, suggesting they “Hold it on another date.”</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Mayor of Waverley Council Paula Masselos hit back at criticism of the dawn service, given Australia Day was a day of mourning for many First Nations people.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As a Council that is committed to social justice, we understand that January 26 can be a difficult day for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and that many in our community are still coming to terms with the result of the Voice to Parliament referendum,” Mayor Masselos said. </p> <p dir="ltr">Australia Day, observed each year on January 26th, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. </p> <p dir="ltr">But for many First Nations people, it is regarded as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' because it marks the beginning of Australia's colonisation. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-1ab8c0e8-7fff-8bde-2daf-7f474ce062b4"></span></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

"It's too late": Sister of mother who died waiting for ambulance speaks out

<p><em>A Current Affair </em>host Ally Langdon teared up during an interview with the heartbroken sister of Cath Groom, the Brisbane mum who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/mother-dies-after-ambulance-fails-to-arrive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">died after waiting for an ambulance</a> that never arrived. </p> <p>Groom had initially complained of severe chest pain in the hours before she was found dead by her son, Nicholas, on the morning of her 52nd birthday.</p> <p>Groom's sister, Bec McQuilty said that her family will never get over the tragedy, as she details exactly what happened that night. </p> <p>McQuilty said her sister had not only complained of severe chest pains, but was also vomiting profusely and had pain between the shoulder blades. </p> <p>She said Nicholas, Grooms's only son, called triple zero "multiple times" to request an ambulance, but after 90 minutes of no help, Groom decided to go to sleep. </p> <p>She got up at some point in the night, collapsed and died. </p> <p>"For a young boy to have to see his mum like that, it just shouldn't happen," McQuilty said.</p> <p>"He was petrified he didn't know what to do.</p> <p>"He's been taught through all his life that you can rely on these people and to make a phone call to triple zero and them not be there for him when they should have been, is just blatant neglect.</p> <p>"I will never forget the look on his face of just absolute despair."</p> <p>The <em style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">A Current Affair </em>broke down the moment McQuilty recalled Nicholas calling her in a panic after finding his dead mum. </p> <p>"I just think this hits all of us, hearing this," Langdon said. </p> <p>"That scene no doubt will haunt you for a long time."</p> <p>McQuilty shared that prior to Groom's passing the family was experiencing "the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in the space of 24 hours," after celebrating Nicholas' high school graduation on the Friday. </p> <p>"To get to such an incredible point of his high school graduation and just to be so proud of him on that day," McQuilty said. </p> <p>"I could see it in her face that she was just, you know, so so proud.</p> <p>"And literally 24 hours later he's finding his mother deceased, unnecessarily. </p> <p>"He's numb, he's angry and he's got a really long road ahead of him."</p> <p>Nicholas has now lost both parents, as his dad passed away when he was a baby. </p> <p>McQuilty revealed that her mum was admitted to the ER after finding out the devastating news and "never come back from this". </p> <p>"She herself was taken to the ER from just complete shock and her own heart," McQuilty said.</p> <p>"So I have my sister deceased in the house. I have my mom in the ER.</p> <p>"You know, it's just, no family, Ally, should ever ever have to go through what our family has gone through."</p> <p>McQuilty hopes that there will be changes made to emergency health system in the wake of her sister's death.</p> <p>"Put some more money into our hospital system and our health system maybe.</p> <p>"It's too late for my family, it's too late. But maybe that can save somebody else."</p> <p><em>Images: Nine/ A Current Affair</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Lilie James farewelled in emotional memorial service

<p>Friends and family of Lilie James have honoured the 21-year-old water polo coach in an emotional memorial service. </p> <p>The memorial was held at Danebank Anglican School in Hurstville in Sydney's south on Friday morning, with Lilie's loved ones making the sweet gesture at the service. </p> <p>Friends, family and members of her school community at St Andrew's Cathedral school where she taught were asked to show up in bright colours, to remember Lilie fondly and celebrate her life, despite it being cut short. </p> <p>In a statement, Ms James' father Jamie said the 21-year-old was a vibrant young woman who was "always on the go".</p> <p>"On top of working and studying Lilie loved coaching and playing water polo. She loved to dance," he said.</p> <p>"Even with her busy schedule, she always still made time to support her brother Max, her friends and family."</p> <p>"We cannot thank the community enough for their thoughts, prayers, generosity and messages through this difficult time."</p> <p>"From the bottom of our hearts we thank you for the many great memories we all share of Lilie."</p> <p>He concluded, "Lilie James we are so proud of you and thank you for sharing a wonderful and jam-packed 21 years together."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Family and friends are gathering at a private service in Sydney's south this morning, to farewell Lilie James - who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and colleague, at her workplace, last month. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/BXkRYdPkj1">pic.twitter.com/BXkRYdPkj1</a></p> <p>— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsSyd/status/1725316273431527677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>A white hearse arrived at the school at 9:30am on Friday morning, as friends and family cried and embraced each other during the procession. </p> <p>NSW Premier Chris Minns was also seen arriving to pay his respects, with as many as 500 mourners expected at the service.</p> <p>As per the wishes of Ms James' family, the memorial at Danebank was for friends and the school community only, while the service was live-streamed into St Andrew's Cathedral School for students and teachers to view together. </p> <p>Lilie James was working as an assistant water polo instructor for the elite inner-city school when she was found dead with horrific head injuries inside the campus gymnasium toilets on October 25th. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Location, Location, Location host loses both parents in tragic accident

<p>In heart-wrenching news has shaken the world of television, beloved <em>Location, Location, Location </em>host Phil Spencer has spoken out about the devastating loss of his parents in a tragic accident on their family farm.</p> <p>Spencer paid a somber tribute to his father Richard, known affectionately as David, aged 89, and his mother Anne, 82, who were both tragically lost.</p> <p>In a poignant display of love, Phil, now 53, shared an image of the couple and wrote: "Very sadly both of my amazing parents died on Friday.</p> <p>"As a family we are all trying to hold onto the fact Mum and Dad went together and that neither will ever have to mourn the loss of the other one. Which is a blessing in itself."</p> <p>Spencer went on to disclose the harrowing details surrounding the accident, giving a glimpse into the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day: "The car, going very slowly, toppled over a bridge on the farm drive, upside down into the river. There were no physical injuries and I very much doubt they would have even fought it - they would have held hands under the water and quietly slipped away.</p> <p>Spencer acknowledged the heroic efforts of his brother, who valiantly attempted to save their parents in the aftermath of the crash.</p> <p>"As many farmers do - my brother had a penknife and so was able to cut the seat belts - he pulled them out of the river but they never regained consciousness.</p> <p>"Although desperately sad and shocked beyond all belief - all family are clear that if there can ever be such a thing as having a 'good end' - this was it."</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Spencer also recalled a poignant conversation he had with his mother, a conversation now weighed down by the melancholy of hindsight: "Although they were both on extremely good form in the days before (hence the sudden idea to go out to lunch), Mums Parkinson's and Dads Dementia had been worsening and the long term future was set to be a challenge.</span></p> <p>"So much so that Mum said to me only a week ago that she had resigned to thinking 'now it looks like we will probably go together'. And so they did."</p> <p>As he concluded his heartfelt statement, Spencer mused on the overwhelming nature of their passing, acknowledging the future comfort that might come from the knowledge that they departed from a place they held dear.</p> <p>"It feels horrendous right now, but after almost 60 years of marriage - to die together on the farm they so loved will, I know, be a comfort in the future.</p> <p>"Mum Dad are together which is precisely where they would have wanted to be. ❤️"</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/CwKpOWJr4Wj/?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/CwKpOWJr4Wj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Phil Spencer (@philspencertv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Kirstie Allsopp, Phil's co-host on <em>Location, Location, Location</em>, a dear friend, was among the first to respond, her words echoing the collective grief felt by many: "Such a brave and loving statement and so typical of you & your lovely family. So many people have you all in their thoughts and prayers. xxx"</p> <p>Tragically, David and Anne were en route to a local pub for lunch when their car veered off the access road, plunging into a shallow river on their estate.</p> <p>Emergency services, fire brigade and police attended the scene, and an air ambulance landing nearby at the Littlebourne farm in Kent.</p> <p>Despite efforts to save them, Richard succumbed at the hospital, with Anne following suit shortly thereafter.</p> <p>Kirstie reflected: “I’ve spoken to Phil and it’s tragic for the Spencer family, but his parents were together and that’s something that is a great source of solace to them all.</p> <p>“The family is very loving and close. There are four children, Phil, Robert, Caryn and Helen, and they had eight grandchildren.</p> <p>“This is awful for all of the family, but they were together at the end and they were lovely people."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

5 memorable locations from ‘80s films to check out

<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Everyone loves a good movie, and everyone loves a holiday, so what do you get when you combine the two? The time of your life! </span></p> <p>It’s widely known that the ‘80s spawned a whole host of films that went on to become cult classics - from the likes of <em>Heathers </em>to <em>Footloose</em>, <em>Dirty Dancing</em>, and <em>The Terminator</em> - and forged the way for cultural changes that ring true decades later. </p> <p>But did you also know that for many of these iconic films, real-life locations served as the inspiration for many memorable scenes? </p> <p>And while some may have changed slightly in the years since cast and crew flocked to them, some are like stepping into a time capsule - or a stage for you to re-enact the films as you see fit. </p> <p><strong>Lake Lure, North Carolina - <em>Dirty Dancing</em> (1987)</strong></p> <p>Anyone who’s seen<em> Dirty Dancing</em> can tell you that ‘the lift scene’ is one of the film’s most iconic moments. And it - along with a few others from the film - were filmed in North Carolina’s very own Lake Lure. And with the spot boasting its very own Lake Lure Inn &amp; Spa - where, coincidentally, the movie’s stars stayed while working on the project - it could be the perfect getaway location for your next holiday. </p> <p><strong>Guesthouse International Hotel, California - <em>National Lampoon Vacation</em> (1983) </strong></p> <p>For those embarking on their very own<em> National Lampoon Vacation</em>, you’re in luck - the hexagonal pool is near exactly the same as it was when Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold enjoyed a nighttime swim with Christie Brinkley’s The Girl in the Ferrari. </p> <p><strong>New York Public Library, New York - <em>Ghostbusters </em>(1984)</strong></p> <p>The 1984 film sparked an entire host of sequels, games, parodies, and conventions for avid fans across the globe - as well as one incredibly catchy song. However, for those that would like to go above and beyond just calling their friendly neighbourhood ghostbusters, the  New York Public Library’s flagship Stephen A Schwarzman building is the spot where the team had their very first encounter with the film’s ghosts. </p> <p><strong>Griffith Observatory, California - <em>The Terminator</em> (1984)</strong></p> <p>Fans of<em> The Terminator </em>should immediately recognise this site as the one where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator arrived in the nude, and basked in the glory of LA at night. It’s a popular location, and while a must-see for fans of the film, it also makes for a good afternoon out - the observatory itself boasts free entry, stunning views, and a range of fascinating exhibits inside to entertain the keen mind. </p> <p><strong>The Grand Hotel, Michigan - <em>Somewhere in Time </em>(1980)</strong></p> <p>The Grand Hotel was the primary location for romantic drama <em>Somewhere in Time</em>, and they’re proud of it. In fact, a poster for the film is reportedly even still on display there, and hosts weekends of celebration for the 1980 hit, too. </p> <p>The island the hotel is set on doesn’t allow cars, so anyone hoping to throw themselves back in time and fully immerse themselves in a ‘different world’, this National Historic Landmark may be just the place to do it. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty, Booking.net</em></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Restaurant under fire for denying entry to war veteran with service dog

<p>A Perth restaurant has been slammed after denying entry to a US war veteran and his service dog.</p> <p>David Pearce and his English Labrador, Gunner, were denied entry to the Chinese restaurant Juice Bao Bao on May 19.</p> <p>Gunner is a certified service dog who assists Pearce through life as he suffers from PTSD, hearing loss and a brain injury.</p> <p>"I tried to explain he's a service dog and they have to allow us in and they said no service dogs, the owner doesn't want any dogs," Pearce said</p> <p>"It was embarrassing, [and] a bit humiliating.”</p> <p>Pearce sustained his injuries while serving in Iraq and Syria.</p> <p>He has served in the US military for nearly 20 years. He and Gunner have been “best buddies” for nine years.</p> <p>"He's saved my life a couple of times," Pearce said.</p> <p>Pearce has launched an official complaint to the Western Australian government following the ordeal.</p> <p>Juice Bao Bao manager Elaine Hsu took responsibility for the decision to refuse entry to Pearce.</p> <p>"That was my personal decision so that's my fault," she told 9News.</p> <p>"We want to sincerely apologise to him and we want to ask him to come here [for a] free meal.</p> <p>"[We will] make sure this [does] not happen again.”</p> <p>The restaurant has received a number of negative reviews since Pearce shared his story.</p> <p>"I'm not really interested in a free meal, although some dumplings would go down really nicely," Pearce said .</p> <p>"I'm just happy that they're changing their policy."</p> <p>Assistance and service dogs are legally allowed to enter any public venue if their certification is displayed on their vest and the owner can provide a service animal ID.</p> <p><em>Image credit: 9News / Nine</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Fresh location being searched in Maddy McCann case

<p>Portuguese police have revealed they will resume the search for missing toddler Madeleine McCann who disappeared in the country’s Algarve region in 2007.</p> <p>Portugal’s Judicial police released a statement confirming local media reports that they would conduct the search at the request of the German authorities and in the presence of British officials.</p> <p>A spokesperson from the fire brigade said police were preparing to start searches at a dam in the southern region of Algarve about 50km inland from a beach resort where Madeleine disappeared from a rented apartment while on a family holiday.</p> <p>On May 22, Reuters TV footage showed police erecting tents and cordons in the area by the Arade dam, roughly 50km from Praia da Luza, where the three-year-old was last seen alive.</p> <p>Portugal’s investigative Judicial Police overseeing the operation declined to comment.</p> <p>Another source familiar with the investigation was not confident there would be a breakthrough, saying, “It will come to nothing”.</p> <p>In mid-2020, German police jailed German citizen Christian Brueckner, a 45-year-old convicted child abuser and drug dealer who was in the Algarve in 2007, for raping a 72-year-old woman in the same area of the Algarve where Madeleine went missing. He was identified as a suspect in Madeline’s disappearance but has denied any involvement.</p> <p>Brueckner remains under investigation on suspicion of murder in the McCann case but hasn’t been charged.</p> <p>German police said in June 2020 that Madeleine was assumed dead and that Brueckner was likely responsible for it.</p> <p>In April, a German court dismissed additional charges against him related to other Portuguese child rape and sexual assault cases that led to German prosecutors no longer having jurisdiction to investigate the McCann case.</p> <p>Madeleine’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann were questioned by Portuguese police as formal suspects in 2007 but ruled them out the following year due to lack of evidence that cleared them of any involvement.</p> <p>The parents continue to campaign to attract attention to their daughter’s disappearance, and British public figures from business tycoons to authors and soccer stars have made appeals for information.</p> <p>Rewards for finding Madeleine have reached several million dollars.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Iconic Madama Butterfly set used for wedding location

<p>A bride has made a unique entrance on her big day, with her and her entourage arriving to the ceremony by crane. </p> <p>Tahu Matheson and Ruth Thomas, both senior figures at Opera Australia, opted for an extraordinary venue for their nuptials, as they said "I do" on the elaborate set of <em>Madama Butterfly</em>: a production set in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.</p> <p>For an added flair to their already extravagant nuptials, which boasted an uninterrupted view of the Sydney Opera House and glistening harbour waters, Ruth and her bridesmaids arrived via a crane, usually used to help build the set for the production. </p> <p>The pair tied the knot in front of 80 of their family and friends on the floating stage, with Tahu being shocked by his bride's dramatic entrance. </p> <p>"I'd arranged some soft, elegant slow music, Wagner's <em>Siegfried Idyll</em> for her to walk down the aisle to...and suddenly the dramatic <em>March of the Valkyries</em> from the ring cycle starts playing and I see her hovering above us in a crane, I was shocked," Mr Matheson told the <em><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/opera/one-fine-day-indeed-madama-butterfly-stage-provides-set-for-real-life-wedding-20230411-p5czh4.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">Sydney Morning Herald</a></em>. </p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/butterfly-wedding-crane.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p><em>Ruth and her bridesmaids arrived via the crane usually used to build the stage. Image credit: 9News</em></p> <p>"It was pretty windy up there we all got a bit giggly and nervous," he added.</p> <p>The crane's cage, which was decorated with flowers and fabric, hoisted the bride and her three bridesmaids up above the wedding party, then lowered them at the feet on the gobsmacked groom.</p> <p>Siobhan Keely, a bridesmaid, joked about overcoming her fear of heights before the stunt. </p> <p>"For someone who does suffer from vertigo, it's an absolute testament of my love for this women that I've agreed to join her in this spectacular entrance," she told <em>9News</em>.</p> <p>In the production of <em>Madama Butterfly</em>, the two main characters marry in the first act with a nightly fireworks display over the harbour sealing their vows, before their love story ends in tragedy.</p> <p>"I'm hoping that this story will be rather different," joked Mr Matheson. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

Streaming service giant pays woman 5 figures to watch content

<p dir="ltr">If you think you spend too much time on Amazon Prime, think again as one lucky lady has snatched up her “dream” job with the streaming service.</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman, Alex Bain, 36, has been dubbed Prime Video’s “Buff”, and her job entails reviewing content for Amazon Prime, which came after the platform searched nationwide to fill the role of watching new content.</p> <p dir="ltr">Here’s the real kicker, the 36-year-old will be paid $40,000 for three months of viewing new content and sharing her opinions. </p> <p dir="ltr">She is not new to the scene of content review as she frequently posts to her Instagram, TikTok and Youtube reviewing various TV shows and movies.</p> <p dir="ltr">Upon seeing the advertisement from Amazon Prime, one of Bain’s friends encouraged her to apply.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everything on it, it was like seeing a list of what would be my ideal job,” Ms Bain told NCA <em>NewsWire</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m 36, so I want to do something I’m passionate about, so I decided to just go for it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I got a phone call from Amazon saying I’d been short-listed, and I was like, ‘Oh my God!’”</p> <p dir="ltr">She said the time between applying for the role and being told she was successful went “so quickly”.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c71ed23d-7fff-9bd9-8a5d-10ebabd22f11"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Not long after, she received the news she was the lucky one chosen to fill the role.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

“It isn’t a good move": Woolies under fire over massive change to popular service

<p>Woolworths supermarket has caused a stir after implementing a major change to a popular shopping service.</p> <p>Woolies has dramatically increased the minimum spend for online shoppers who are using their Direct to Boot shopping service.</p> <p>Earlier this month, the retail giant upped its minimum spend from $30 to $50, which is a 66 per cent climb.</p> <p>The free service allows customers to shop online and collect it from their local Woolworths without having to leave their car.</p> <p>“We bring your groceries to you. We’ll pick it, pack it, and pop it in your boot for free,” Woolworths says.</p> <p>The increase in minimum spend is not sitting well with the public, with one shopper arguing that it is a disadvantage to vulnerable customers.</p> <p>“Increasing the minimum spend on click and collect/direct to boot orders is only going to make shopping harder on pensioners and people with disabilities who will now either be forced to buy items they don’t need or can’t afford, or made to physically shop for themselves when they might struggle,” one customer said.</p> <p>“It also makes it more frustrating for single person households when they don’t need to buy bigger amounts at a time.”</p> <p>“It isn’t a good move, and I hope you reconsider and look to go back to putting customers first.”</p> <p>“I’m not sure how this improves the way I shop or allows anyone to ‘enjoy greater convenience’ though. It actually reduces convenience.” The customer added.</p> <p>A Woolworths spokesperson defended the minimum spend increase, telling <a href="http://7news.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7NEWS</a>, “Our free direct to boot services and pick up has remained unchanged for a number of years,”</p> <p>“Earlier this month, the minimum spend was increased by $30 to $50.”</p> <p>“We’re continuing to let customers know about this change through our stores and online.”</p> <p>A Facebook user also came to the supermarket’s defence, saying that Woolies shouldn’t have to “lose money” because of the service.</p> <p>“It costs them to have someone pick your order and deliver it to your boot,” the user said.</p> <p>“It also means no impulse purchases in the store so they aren’t making any extra that way. Why should they lose money by delivering things to your boot?”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

Placeholder Content Image

Location revealed for The Block 2023

<p><em>The Block</em> is parting ways with the rolling green hills and is headed back to suburbia with reports that Channel 9 have purchased five brick homes in the Melbourne Bayside area.</p> <p><em>The Block</em> 2023 location has been confirmed to be in Charming Street, Hampton East, a neighbouring town to <em>The Block </em>2021’s location on Bronte Court. Filming is rumoured to start mid-March.</p> <p>Although Hampton East is currently considered more affordable than the 2021 location, Channel 9 had to pay up to secure 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 Charming Street in a deal worth an estimated $14.3 million.</p> <p>Hampton East is a Bayside suburb in Melbourne, just 14km from the CBD and a 10-minute drive from Brighton beach. The median house price sits around $1.5 million, with a growth of 7% seen in the past year.</p> <p><strong>14 Charming street</strong></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/02/14181.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="533" /></p> <p>Number 14 is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom brick home that was sold in 2021 for $1,440,000, but it’s rumoured Channel 9 forked out $3 million for the property in June.</p> <p>Measuring at 609sqm, it’s one of the biggest of the homes, and despite its dated interiors, it boasts original timber floors, pops of blue and a large wraparound deck that leads to a large backyard with a cubby house.</p> <p><strong>16 Charming street</strong></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/02/1636.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="533" /></p> <p>Although positioned on a 594sqm block, this two-bedroom, one-bathroom is the smallest of the lot. It was sold in 2008 for $605,000 at auction before being bought by Channel 9 for $2.3 million.</p> <p>This home has its original brick fireplace in the living room and showcases large, near floor-to-ceiling windows facing out onto the garden.</p> <p><strong>18 Charming street</strong></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/02/1815.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="533" /></p> <p>This home, measuring at 574sqm, sold for $1,416,00 back in 2016, but it set Channel 9 back $2.75 million. It has four bedrooms, with the main showing French doors opening out onto the garden.</p> <p>Number 18 also has a double garage with a workspace, including multiple outdoor entertaining areas.</p> <p><strong>20 Charming street</strong></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/02/20326.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="533" /></p> <p>This four-bedroom home, originally purchased for $130,000 in 1995, has been reported to have cost Channel 9 $3.5 million making it the most expensive home of the five.</p> <p>Although the interior is yet to be revealed, from the street, the 703sqm property shows what looks like a modern extension and a new brick fence, suggesting it may have been recently renovated.</p> <p><strong>22 Charming street</strong></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/02/2212.jpg" alt="" width="640" height="533" /></p> <p>This 1950s brick home was described as “Charming by street, charming by nature” when it sold for $1.889 million back in 2021 before being sold to channel 9 for $2.75 million.</p> <p>It sits on a 632sqm block with a blooming garden, three bedrooms, one bathroom and enough space for four cars.</p> <p>As for this year’s contestants, the application period has closed, suggesting that the new contestants are set in stone.</p> <p>The application form specified candidates must be available for 10-12 weeks in early March 2023, so the renos will be underway in no time.</p> <p><em>Photo credits: Instagram</em></p>

Real Estate

Placeholder Content Image

Loyal service dog's emotional final flight

<p>A service dog has been honoured on her final flight after being diagnosed with an untreatable cancer. </p> <p>German Shepherd Kaya was trained to support veterans suffering post-traumatic stress disorder and was in the care of handler Cole Lyle.</p> <p>After years of loyal service to Cole, Kaya was diagnosed with terminal cancer and recently boarded a South West Airlines flight in the US to live out her final days at home by Cole's side. </p> <p>Kaya received the very best treatment on the flight, and was honoured by the pilot and her fellow passengers in a heart-warming moment that has since gone viral online. </p> <p>"We have a special guest on today's flight," the pilot said. "Kays is a German Shepherd service dog who has been with her handler, Cole, since 2014. She was specifically trained to help veterans cope with mental health issues."</p> <p>"Since the integration of the PAWS act, it is federal law that allows us to unify service dogs with Veterans with post-traumatic stress which was signed into law in 2021," continued the pilot.</p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 617px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7197534710090812715&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40southwestair%2Fvideo%2F7197534710090812715&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2Fea43bd3c48f54df8b328f42f35d8665a_1675806650%3Fx-expires%3D1676246400%26x-signature%3Drrq5YNMF5lC2JmunRKdaFD4SFQ4%253D&amp;key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>"Sadly, Kaya was recently diagnosed with an untreatable cancer so we have the solemn honour of taking her on what will be her last flight as she goes home to rest where she was born and first met Cole."</p> <p>The pilot then encouraged the passengers to "show her some love", as cheering and applauding erupted for Kaya. </p> <p>The tear-jerking moment was captured and posted to TikTok by the airline, with the video racking up over 18 million views. </p> <p>The video was shared along with the caption:"We were honoured to fly our loyal friend and hero, Kaya, home to rest after a lifetime of hard work. Throughout her career, Kaya flew with us over 250 times to help establish the PAWS Act which united Veterans with service dogs."</p> <p>"We are so grateful to be a part of her legacy, and we thank her and her owner, Cole, for their many years of service."</p> <p>The comments were flooded with praise for the canine, with one person writing, "Bawling my eyes out. God bless you Kaya".</p> <p>Another wrote, "I'm literally in a puddle we Stan kaya she's so beautiful and perfect we love you sweet girl."</p> <p>"We don't deserve dogs," another simply said.</p> <p>It was later revealed in the comments of the video the Kaya had passed away at home by Cole's side. </p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Slain police officers farewelled in emotional memorial service

<p>Queensland police officers Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold have been honoured for their service, after they were gunned down on a remote property last week. </p> <p>Thousands of people, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, paid tribute to the young officers in an emotional memorial service, which was telecast live across the nation. </p> <p>"Matthew and Rachel are side by side today. They're worthy of equal honours, they worked together, they served their community together, sadly they died together on the 12th of December," Police Chaplain Jeffrey Baills said.</p> <p>The officers were executed while responding to a missing persons check, but there was no mention of the men who inflicted the terror at the service. </p> <p>"Rachel and Matthew were just doing their job that day and the McCrow and Arnold families paid the ultimate sacrifice," Ballis said.</p> <p>"We have had a major attack on the police in Queensland, but… we will not be broken," Ballis said.</p> <p>Matthew Arnold, 26, was remembered by family friend Senior Sergeant Laura Harriss as a protector, leader and charmer.</p> <p>"Matt's smile and his charisma were his best tools and he used them relentlessly," Harriss said.</p> <p>Rachel McCrow, 29, had only been stationed in the town of Tara for six months when the shooting happened, as her best friends from the police academy spoke of the loveable larrikin who made friends with everyone.</p> <p>"Rach was so much more than the uniform she so proudly wore. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend, a colleague and an amazing mum to her beloved four-legged (dog) Archibald," Senior Constable Melissa Gibson said.</p> <p>Archibald, Rachel's blue heeler dog, sat calmly in the front row for the service. </p> <p>Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll paid tribute to the duo's courage, bestowing on both officers the highest of honours: two national police service medals and two from Queensland.</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Pubs and clubs – your friendly neighbourhood money-laundering service, thanks to 86,640 pokies

<p>Billions of dollars in proceeds of crime are being funnelled through clubs and pubs in New South Wales, <a href="https://www.crimecommission.nsw.gov.au/final-islington-report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to</a> the NSW Crime Commission. Predictably, the industry is claiming it’s not an issue and solutions are too difficult.</p> <p>Laundering money through a local club or hotel involves loading cash into one of the state’s <a href="https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/resources/gaming-machine-data" target="_blank" rel="noopener">86,640 poker machines</a>, then cashing out and claiming the money as winnings.</p> <p>This is not a preferred method for most organised criminals, the crime commission says. Sophisticated criminals have other methods. But it is still a sizeable proportion of the estimated $20 billion in criminal proceeds laundered in NSW each year.</p> <p>In Queensland, you can put only $100 into a poker machine at one time. In Victoria the limit is $1,000. In NSW, newer machines allow $5,000, and older machines up to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jul/14/nsw-poker-machine-laws-may-increase-risk-of-money-laundering-says-commission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$10,000</a>. For supposedly harmless suburban fun it’s hard to understand why such sums are allowed.</p> <p>The findings of the NSW Crime Commission’s <a href="https://www.crimecommission.nsw.gov.au/final-islington-report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inquiry into money laundering via clubs and hotels</a> follow scandalous money-laundering revelations from casino inquiries in <a href="https://theconversation.com/not-suitable-where-to-now-for-james-packer-and-crowns-other-casinos-154938" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NSW</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/illegal-dishonest-unethical-and-exploitative-but-crown-resorts-keeps-its-melbourne-casino-licence-170625" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Victoria</a>, Western Australia and Queensland.</p> <p>Those inquiries found Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment allowed hundreds of millions of dollars to pass through their casinos, in contravention of anti-money-laundering regulations.</p> <p>Both companies were found not fit to hold their licences. Crown has been fined <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-05-30/crown-casino-fined-80-million-dollars-china-union-pay/101111660" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$80 million</a> in Victoria. Star has been fined <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-16/star-casino-set-to-be-fined-100-million/101541354" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$100 million</a> in NSW, and had its licence suspended.</p> <p>Both have been required to undergo extensive “renewal”. They have agreed to adopt cashless gaming to better protect against money laundering.</p> <p>It’s therefore unsurprising the NSW Crime Commission’s principal recommendation is to introduce a cashless system for all electronic gaming machines in NSW. Also unsurprising is that the industry is focused on why it shouldn’t.</p> <h2>Cashless gambling recommended</h2> <p>The NSW Crime Commission’s report recommends a cashless gambling system for pubs and clubs the same as for casinos – consistent with the identification requirements of Australia’s <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2021C00243" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act</a>.</p> <p>Electronic gaming cards would record amounts loaded and withdrawn, times, turnover, and losses/wins. The maximum amount of cash able to be loaded on to a player’s account in a single day would be $1,000.</p> <p>Josh Landis, the chief executive of ClubsNSW (which represents most of the state’s 1,200 licensed clubs) <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/sydney/programs/breakfast/breakfast/14090002" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has said</a> that such technology has not been trialled, and was uncosted and unproven.</p> <p>But Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment are implementing such systems. Similar systems have been operating successfully in Norway <a href="https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-571970219/view" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since 2009</a>, and in Sweden <a href="https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/pre-commitment-systems-electronic-gambling-machines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">since 2013</a>.</p> <p>Victoria has already implemented a card-based <a href="https://www.yourplay.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">precommitment system</a>, incorporating most necessary characteristics. Every poker machine in the state is linked to this system. Its flaw is that it is voluntary, allowing those who wish to clean dirty money, or avoid a limit, <a href="https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/safer-communities/gambling/evaluation-of-yourplay-final-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to simply opt out</a>.</p> <h2>It’s not just about money laundering</h2> <p>Money laundering isn’t the only reason to introduce cashless gaming systems.</p> <p>On any day in NSW, <a href="https://www.responsiblegambling.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/881279/NSW-Gambling-Survey-2019-report-FINAL-AMENDED-Mar-2020.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hundreds of thousands of people</a> are experiencing significant gambling harm, mostly using poker machines. Many hundreds of thousands more – <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14459795.2017.1331252" target="_blank" rel="noopener">partners, children, employers</a> – are also harmed as a consequence.</p> <p>A pre-commitment system incorporating all the features of the NSW Crime Commission’s cashless model would stop money laundering and also help those struggling to control their gambling. For those who want to stop it would provide a truly effective gambling self-exclusion system.</p> <p>The Tasmanian government <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-16/tasmania-pokies-gambling-limits-reform-explained/101446788" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has promised to implement</a> a statewide system by 2024.</p> <h2>A matter of political commitment</h2> <p>The real test here isn’t technology. It’s political will.</p> <p>NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has expressed concern at the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/premier-says-pokies-taxing-on-the-misery-of-others-vows-to-do-better-20221002-p5bmjz.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exploitation of vulnerable people</a> via gambling. Opposition leader Chris Minns has <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/nsw/coalition-labor-set-to-be-wedged-on-cashless-gaming-card-as-crossbench-pushes-for-reform-20221027-p5bteh.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said the crime commission’s report is concerning</a> but will not commit to a cashless card.</p> <p>ClubsNSW and the Australian Hotels Association are two of Australia’s most powerful lobby groups. According to an <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-23/how-gambling-industrys-biggest-political-donors-influence-votes/100592068" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC investigation</a>, they have doled out about a third of $40 million in political donations disclosed by gambling-related organisations over the past two decades.</p> <p>Since 2010, ClubsNSW has signed <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-million-dollar-men-who-run-the-clubs-industry-20221011-p5bowp.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">memorandums of understanding</a> with incoming governments to protect its members interests.</p> <p>In the first six months of 2022 (the <a href="https://nswgov.sharepoint.com/sites/GamingMachineReports/Shared%20Documents/Forms/AllItems.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">most recent data</a> available), people in NSW lost $4 billion using pokies – $2.4 billion in clubs, $1.6 billion in pubs. This is 23% more than the same period in 2019, before pandemic restrictions.</p> <p>Yet according to the Australian Hotels Association, the industry is on “<a href="https://www.afr.com/chanticleer/why-a-pokie-crackdown-will-have-pub-owners-nervous-20221026-p5bt48" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on its knees</a>” and being told to introduce “an unproven, untested, un-costed and unnecessary cashless system”.</p> <p>In NSW, gambling operators are not permitted to donate to state political campaigns. But ClubsNSW (and its member clubs) can because they are “<a href="https://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/Funding-and-disclosure/Political-donations/Unlawful-political-donations/Prohibited-donors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not for profit</a>”.</p> <p>If this continues, political parties will be open to the allegation that they, like clubs, are benefiting from the proceeds of crime.</p> <p>Pokie operators have billions of reasons to assert this is no big deal. Politicians should take a different view.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/pubs-and-clubs-your-friendly-neighbourhood-money-laundering-service-thanks-to-86-640-pokies-193312" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

"We hit another plane"

<p>Emergency service personnel have rushed to the tarmac at Heathrow Airport as two planes accidentally bumped into each other while taxiing on the runway.</p> <p>The incident occurred at 8 pm on September 27, at the London airport which handles more than 80 million international travellers each year.</p> <p>It is believed that Korean flight 777 clipped an Icelandair 767 while taxing. The Korean Airport flight was scheduled to leave London at 7:35pm.</p> <p>A passenger posted to Twitter from on board one of the aircraft: “Pretty sure we scrapped another plane with our wing tip while taxiing."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Any details? I think I'm on one of aircraft. Pretty sure we scrapped another plane with our wing tip while taxiing.</p> <p>— Richard (@TaylorGRichard) <a href="https://twitter.com/TaylorGRichard/status/1575206249808814080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>“We have been told that we are going back to the gate due to a technical issue."</p> <p>“But that was 15 mins ago and we haven’t moved.”</p> <p>Another passenger added: “We hit another plane while taxiing. I saw it out the window. Wingtip scrapped the tail of another plane.”</p> <p>While a third said: “Surrounded by about ten police cars and a couple of fire engines.</p> <p>“Apparently the plane has ‘a technical problem’.”</p> <p>Footage of the emergency response was shared to Twitter, with the initial count of “4 or 5” emergency vehicles quickly updated to “6 or 7”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Is this normal for Heathrow? Got to be 4 or 5 different emergency service vehicle with blue lights flashing on the tarmac. <a href="https://t.co/IkNmGkFTC4">pic.twitter.com/IkNmGkFTC4</a></p> <p>— Steve Smith - Broke Britannia (@BrokeBritannia) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrokeBritannia/status/1575202997399064576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Heathrow has since confirmed that the collision took place, but said that it wasn’t “full on”.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

"The time for lip service is over": Dylan Alcott serves it up to Centrelink

<p>During his appearance at the Jobs and Skills summit in Canberra, Aussie tennis legend Dylan Alcott delivered an impassioned speech on behalf of all people with disabilities, demanding they be allowed to work more hours without losing their Centrelink benefits.</p> <p>His plea comes as the nation suffers through what's been widely characterised as an extreme labour shortage – with Alcott's rallying cry to change the current rules surrounding employment and the disability pension powerfully underlined by his parting shot that "the time for lip service is over".</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">"My whole life it hasn't changed": Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott has called for an increase in workplace participation for Australians living with a disability during the government's jobs and skills summit in Canberra.<br />Read more on the jobs summit: <a href="https://t.co/iyFrzKUT9l">https://t.co/iyFrzKUT9l</a> <a href="https://t.co/MFdrsEoADy">pic.twitter.com/MFdrsEoADy</a></p> <p>— SBS News (@SBSNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBSNews/status/1565218388716261377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>The Australian of the Year suggested that people with disabilities should have the advantage of picking up more work without losing Centrelink payments. Presenting the moving speech to 140 attendees, he spoke passionately about the current state of affairs for people with disabilities in the workforce.</p> <p>“Nearly 4.5 million people in this country have some form of physical or non-physical disability, visible or invisible, and only 54% of them are enrolled in the workforce,” he said</p> <p>“I'm 31 years old, that participation rate hasn't changed in 28 years. My whole life. It hasn't changed.</p> <p>“And to be honest, that's not fair. That really isn't fair. Because people with a disability are ready to have the choice if they want to work, just like anybody else.”</p> <p>“The time for lip service is over to be honest, because we've been getting that for a long time.”</p> <p>Australia's unemployment rate currently sits at 3.4% – however, the unemployment rate of people with disabilities is almost triple that.</p> <p>Alcott suggests the best solution to combat the problem is to allow those on disability support payments to work more hours without losing their benefits. Currently someone on that payment loses 50c in every dollar they earn over $190 a fortnight, putting them off working extra hours.</p> <p>“There are so many opportunities to get out there and work at the moment, yet it's not really translating into people with disabilities getting that chance,” Alcott said.</p> <p>“We need to have the opportunity to get out there and have a crack.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Lynette Dawson's body: the location and the obstacles

<p>Police believe they know the location of Lynette Dawson's body, but say “there is no possible way to search” the area. </p> <p>Earlier this week, Justice Ian Harrison SC found former teacher and rugby league player Chris Dawson <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/stunning-chris-dawson-verdict-handed-down" target="_blank" rel="noopener">guilty of the murder of his wife</a> Lynette in 1982.</p> <p>The 33-year-old nurse was last seen on Friday January 8th, 1982, when she spoke to her mother on the phone.</p> <p>She was never seen or heard from again, and her body was never found.</p> <p>Now, police believe her remains are somewhere in the Central Coast region, just north of Sydney. </p> <p>Chris and Lynette lived together in Bayview Heights after they got married, on Sydney’s northern beaches, within easy reach of the Central Coast.</p> <p>Police dug up that property but Ms Dawson’s remains were not found.</p> <p>“There was the theory that he travelled to the Central Coast on January 9th,” a police source told The <a title="www.dailytelegraph.com.au" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-nsw/detectives-who-investigated-lynette-dawson-case-believe-they-know-where-the-body-is-buried/news-story/50416949f5697b44a971633719782bec" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="50416949f5697b44a971633719782bec" data-tgev-label="truecrimeaustralia" data-tgev-metric="ev">Daily Telegraph</a>. </p> <p>However, the police said there was no evidence that suggested the body was in any particular location of  the Central Coast, which is around 550 square kilometres in size. </p> <p>“The problem is that there is a lot of regional bush area between their home and when he went up the coast.</p> <p>“There is no possible way to search it, it’s so vast,” the source said.</p> <p>In his marathon five-hour judgment, Justice Harrison said that Dawson had ample time to dispose of his wife’s body as his children were staying with a friend on January 9th. </p> <p>No one can vouch for his whereabouts during that time. </p> <p>“The Crown case is that (Dawson) used that time to dispose of the body,” Justice Harrison said.</p> <div data-type="factbox" data-id="1661757855704"> </div> <p>Without Dawson himself giving up her resting place, police are doubtful they will be able to find Ms Dawson’s remains. </p> <p>The family of Ms Dawson are losing faith that her body will be found. </p> <p>“This is a milestone in our journey, however she is still missing,” Lynette’s brother Greg Simms told reporters outside court.</p> <p>“We would ask Chris Dawson to find it in himself to do the decent thing and allow us to put Lyn to rest.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: ABC</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Police desperate to locate abducted 5-year-old Grace Hughes

<p>A multi-agency taskforce has now been established in order to further intensify the ongoing search for missing five-year-old girl, Grace Hughes.</p> <p>Northern Territory Police claim that a group peddling "ideologies and false information" abducted Grace last Sunday, and that she was allegedly taken without permission by her mother Laura Hinks, also known as Laura Bolt. The incident took place during a supervised visit in the Darwin suburb of Berrimah on August 7.</p> <p>On Saturday August 13, another Darwin-based woman, 50-year-old Juliet Oldroyd, faced court and was charged with child abduction in relation to the disappearance of the young girl.</p> <p>When she faced local court, she was represented by her husband and flanked by a group of supporters.</p> <p>A special taskforce has now been set up to intensify search efforts, including the Australian Federal Police and other agencies.</p> <p>In a statement, Northern Territory Police said : "The taskforce is committed to locating her and reuniting her with her lawful guardian".</p> <p>"NT Police will continue to target this group and any other persons assisting the ongoing harbouring of Grace.</p> <p>"Police will use every power available to them to locate Grace. Anyone who is found to have harboured those who abducted Grace will face significant charges before the courts."</p> <p>Earlier this week, Detective Superintendent Kirsten Engels said 'some effort' was being put into keeping Grace hidden, and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.<br />'We know that there will be people in the community that can assist us, they will know where Grace is and they'll be able to help us,' she said.</p> <p>'We're asking you to do the right thing, reach out and call police and let us know what information you have, no matter how small.'</p> <p>Engels said the five-year-old needed to be returned so she could go to school and be reunited with her friends.<br />'Whatever issues that are preventing her return should and could be dealt with in appropriate ways, taking Grace in this matter is not appropriate,' she said.<br />'Our primary concern is the wellbeing and safety of Grace, knowing that this would be a very traumatic event being removed from this meeting and separated from her siblings.<br />'It is likely to have a detrimental effect on her mental and psychological wellbeing.'</p> <p>Grace is described as having a fair complexion with brown hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a short-sleeved white dress, as well as white socks and black sneakers. Her mother has a fair complexion, a slim build and dark hair and eyes. She was last seen wearing a white and green floral-patterned ankle-length dress or skirt, with a white or cream long-sleeved shirt.</p> <p>NT Police urge anyone with any knowledge of Grace's abduction to come forward and contact police on 131 444 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.</p> <p>Image: NT Police</p>

News

Our Partners

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.