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Families share heartbreaking detail after young couple perish in light plane crash

<p>The “utterly grief-stricken” families of a Queensland couple who died after their plane crashed in terrible weather have shared what the newlyweds planned on naming their unborn daughter.</p> <p>The pilot, Rhiley Khurt, 22, was accompanied by his wife Maree, 24, who was understood to be 27 weeks pregnant with their first child.</p> <p>The pair were reported missing on April 2 after their Piper Cherokee failed to reach its destination at Lakeside Airpark, Bloomsbury.</p> <p>The wreckage was discovered in rugged terrain in the Mount Hector region by a rescue helicopter on the following morning, April 3. A specialist police unit is currently on the scene to start the recovery mission.</p> <p>A GoFundMe was set up to provide support to both families, Mr Khurt’s sister Beccarah Markham-Gaudion shared that the couple “and their beautiful unborn baby girl Phoebe” had “tragically lost their lives during a routine flight to see family”.</p> <p>“We are all absolutely heartbroken and utterly grief-stricken. Three incredible lives were cut way too short,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page.</p> <p>“Whilst we grieve and try seek comfort in each other, we ask for your help and support us in covering costs for Rhiley, Maree, and angel baby Phoebe's funerals. We would like to thank you all for your condolences, sympathies, and ongoing support during this dark time in our lives. We appreciate it more than you know.”</p> <p>Devastated friends have shared tributes on Maree’s social media for the couple, who were married in October 2022 after getting engaged in June 2021. Maree had posted a photo of her belly on Instagram just one day before her tragic death, saying she was “getting closer and closer to meeting [her] baby girl”.</p> <p>“RIP to the most beautiful cowgirl inside and out I knew. I can’t believe your gone. I was only talking to you three days ago. We were talking about you being so happy and so excited to be a mum,” Sarah Hall posted on Maree’s Facebook. “I am so shocked and devastated by the news this afternoon. You meant so much to so many people, you were a beautiful person inside and out,” Nicole Williams said.</p> <p>“I was so excited to find out you were only three weeks ahead of me in pregnancy, and that our babies would be able to grow up knowing each other and ride horses together when we visited.”</p> <p>“A fella couldn’t help but be constantly impressed by Maree and Rhiley's sense of adventure and zest for life,” Russell Freeman posted. “You figure quick they’re a special kind when you’re helping her onto the back of a rodeo bull and see he’s managing cattle stations at such a young age.”</p> <p>Police Inspector Andrew Godbold said preliminary investigations suggest visibility was poor when the aircraft crashed, and indicated the retrieval mission will take two to three days.</p> <p>“A lot of showers, thunder and probably visibility down to nothing,” he said. “It’s a very rugged terrain there. There’s obviously a lot of mountainous terrain in the area there and it is very difficult for us even just to walk in at this stage.”</p> <p>Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are heading to the crash site to gather evidence, including any recorded data, and weather information and are seeking witness reports and aircraft operator procedures and maintenance records.</p> <p>The agency expects to publish a preliminary report within the next six to eight weeks, with a final report including any contributing factors and identified safety issues.</p> <p>“Should any critical safety issues be identified at any stage during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant parties so appropriate safety action can be taken,” it said.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook</em></p>

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How to store these 11 super perishable foods

<p><strong>Fresh herbs</strong></p> <p>Green, leafy herbs like parsley, coriander and basil tend to go off quickly. To extend their freshness, trim off the bottoms of the stems, place them in a glass of water, and drape a plastic bag or plastic wrap over the tops. With the exception of basil (which should be left on the counter), you can keep fresh herbs this way in the fridge and they’ll stay fresh for 2 to 3 weeks!</p> <p><strong>Berries</strong></p> <p><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Raleway, sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Berries are also quick to take a turn for the worse. Mould seems to pop up overnight. To keep them fresh longer, make sure they’re completely dry and store them, unwashed, in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator in a container lined with paper towels. This will keep the moisture away and keep them tasty for 5 to 7 days.</span></p> <p><strong>Bread</strong></p> <p>Just baked a loaf of homemade bread? You have two good options for keeping bread fresh, depending on the type: store a crusty loaf unwrapped at room temperature, then once it’s sliced, place it in a closed paper bag. For a soft-crust loaf, keep it in an airtight plastic bag and stored at room temperature. Bread is one product that does not thrive in the refrigerator!</p> <p><strong>Bananas </strong></p> <p>Bananas can turn brown and speckled in the blink of an eye, and that’s good news if you’re planning to make a banana cake or banana smoothie. If those aren’t on your to-do list, pull them apart and wrap the stems tightly in plastic wrap. This helps reduce the amount of ethylene gas emitted, which slows the ripening process.</p> <p><strong>Mushrooms </strong></p> <p>Nobody likes slimy mushrooms, so unless they’re pre-packaged (in which case, leave them alone), be sure to store them, unwashed, in a paper bag. The paper allows air to circulate and will also absorb any moisture that forms. This will ultimately slow down their decay and keep them fresh for up to one week.</p> <p><strong>Cheese</strong></p> <p>Though cheese isn’t as quick to spoil as fresh produce, it can still become a hotbed for mould. To keep it free from fungus for as long as possible, wrap it in wax or parchment paper, then put it in a partially sealed plastic bag or container. To keep the outer layer from getting hard and crusty, add a thin layer of butter or oil to the cut side before storing it.</p> <p><strong>Celery</strong></p> <p>Is anything as unappealing as rubbery celery? To keep your stalks crisp, separate, wash and dry them, then wrap them tightly in aluminium foil. Storing them this way will keep the air out but the moisture in, and that pesky ethylene gas will still be able to escape (plastic bags just trap it in).</p> <p><strong>Leafy Greens</strong></p> <p>Leafy greens are notorious for wilting quickly. To combat this and prolong their freshness, line your crisper drawer with paper towels or store the leaves in a ziplock bag with paper towels. Moisture is what causes the leaves to lose their crisp texture, so be sure to replace the towels as needed.</p> <p><strong>Tomatoes</strong></p> <p>There has been a bit of debate about how best to store tomatoes. Perfectly ripe tomatoes should be kept on the counter away from direct sunlight, not touching one another, with the stem side down. Tomatoes that are super ripe should be stored in the refrigerator (but let them come to room temperature before eating them for the best flavour).</p> <p><strong>Milk </strong></p> <p>Though the shelf-life of milk is fairly lengthy, there is still something you can do to keep it fresh longer. Simply add a pinch of salt to the jug or carton, and this will allow you to enjoy your milk for up to two weeks past its expiration date!</p> <p>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/how-to-store-these-11-super-perishable-foods" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

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“They had nowhere to go”: Mum, partner and baby perish in deliberate house fire

<p>A woman has been charged with murder and arson over a house fire that killed a “young, happy” couple and their newborn baby in Melbourne.</p> <p>Abbey Forrest and her partner Inderpal Singh and their three-week-old daughter Ivy were found dead in their Point Cook townhouse after it went up in flames in the early hours of Wednesday morning.</p> <p>Arson and Explosives Squad detectives arrested 46-year-old Jenny Hayes at Airport West on Thursday morning.</p> <p>She has been charged with three counts each of murder and arson causing death.</p> <p>The incident appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a brief moment, but Ms Hayes was not present on the video link over which the hearing took place.</p> <p>Her lawyer, Erin Byrt says Ms Hayes was at at Richmond Police Station.</p> <p>The court was told she was in a “poor” state while in custody.</p> <p>She is on two different types of medication and will be assessed for pain management.</p> <p>While it is unknown what Ms Hayes’ relationships as to the family, Police previously said that it’s believed she was known to one of the occupants of the property.</p> <p>“Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter,” they said.</p> <p>Ms Hayes was remanded into custody and will next appear in court on March 1, 2021.</p> <p>Neighbour Jade Bartolo was one of the first people on the scene as she revealed she was waiting for her partner to get home from work when she heard someone screaming “fire”.</p> <p>She rushed to the front door but couldn’t get in so she went and grabbed an axe from her shed.</p> <p>“Then we saw someone up at the top window, we saw someone screaming for help,” Ms Bartolo said.</p> <p>“They were trying to half hang out the window and then my partner rocked up and he started throwing the axe at the window, trying to break it for them to get out.</p> <p>“It happened in about four minutes. There was no smoke and then it was just black, the whole room.”</p> <p>But after throwing the axe about five times, Ms Bartolo’s neighbour Jemil grabbed an object from the garden bed and was able to break the window.</p> <p>“By the time we actually broke the window they didn’t hear a response from whoever was up there,” Ms Bartolo said.</p> <p>“We saw their arms, like half their body hanging out the window trying to get out the window but they couldn’t.</p> <p>“Then they fell back in and my partner said he heard them kind of take a breath and then drop to the floor. That’s the last we heard.”</p> <p>Ms Bartolo said it was “horrifying” to see the couple unable to escape.</p> <p>“It was pretty sad to see and hear them trying to get help and we couldn’t get them down. We did the best we could,” she said.</p> <p>“They were saying ‘help, help’. That’s all I can hear in my head right now, just them screaming for help. I can’t forget it.</p> <p>“They were responding at the start for like the first two minutes and then it was just black, the whole room. It was pretty terrifying.</p> <p>“I’ve never seen anything happen that fast and go through nearly three houses.”</p> <p>Ms Bartolo said there was no way the family could have escaped through the front if the fire was at the bottom of the house.</p> <p>“It scares the s*** out of me, knowing they were desperate and you can’t get out. They had nowhere to go. There’s only four windows upstairs. I have my own house and live upstairs myself.”</p>

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ACT Senior Australian of the Year tragically perishes in crash

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Disability advocate Sue Salthouse, the ACT's 2020 Senior Australian of the Year has passed away in a motorcycle accident.</p> <p>She was riding her wheelchair-accessible motorcycle when it was involved in an accident with a car.</p> <p>Salthouse was well-known in the Canberra community, as a long time advocate for people, particularly women, with disabilities.</p> <p>She was co-chair of the ACT Disability Expert Panel advising on the National Disability Insurance Scheme and influenced the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.</p> <p>"Arriving by surprise in the disability sector means that you're on a very steep learning curve to understand what it is that affects the lives and mentality of people with disabilities," Ms Salthouse told Nikki Henningham in an interview at the National Library of Australia in 2011.</p> <p>"The practicalities of 'having a place at the table' are difficult to confront for someone who needs two hours in the morning to get up.</p> <p>"Success in promoting the issues is one thing, another measure is seeing more women with disabilities in the workforce and more woman outside the ages of 40-60 involved in advocacy organisations."</p> <p>A spokesperson from the National Australia Day Council said that they were "saddened" at the news of Salthouse's death.</p> <p>"Sue was such a vibrant woman who lived life to the full and seized every opportunity. She was a huge force for change and for good in the disability sector," they said.</p> <p>"We will always remember Sue's beaming smile and great enthusiasm.</p> <p>"Our hearts go out to Sue's family and friends."</p> <p>Chief executive of the Disability Leadership Group Christina Ryan gave a statement, as she worked with Salthouse for 25 years.</p> <p>"She was a passionate part of our community, she was really a big part of the disability sisterhood," she said.</p> <p>"We were all working together, it wasn't about any of us individually it was a collective effort.</p> <p>"She was one of the most outstanding mentors of young talent right up until today."</p> <p><em>Photo credits: </em><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-21/canberra-sue-salthouse-dies-in-motorcycle-accident/12475816" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">ABC News</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div>

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Left for dead: Twin babies perish while parents go on four-day drinking binge

<p>A couple in Russia have been charged with murder after going on a “four day lockdown drinking binge” and left their 16-week-old twins “all alone without food”.</p> <p>Their baby son was in a coma and died in hospital soon after the pair were found by their grandmother.</p> <p>The daughter is fighting for her life in a hospital in Russia’s Kamchatka region.</p> <p>Mother Margarita Yanayeca, 23, “lied” to her friends and said that her children were in hospital with coronavirus.</p> <p>Margarita and her partner Alexey, 35, left them locked at home all weekend while they partied over four days.</p> <p>Their son died from “starvation”, whereas his twin sister is incredibly weak in intensive care.</p> <p>“In the course of four days they were not feeding the children, and did not arrange alternative care for them,” said an investigation source.</p> <p>Instead they “subjected them to hunger, did not ensure hygiene, leaving the minors were in a socially dangerous state”.</p> <p>The children were found by a grandmother who was concerned that she could not reach the couple by phone.</p> <p>After finding the children, she immediately called the police.</p> <p>If the parents are convicted of murder, they face up to 20 years in jail. The pair also face charges over failing in their parental duties and subjecting their children to danger.</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/twin-babies-left-to-die-while-russian-parents-go-on-four-day-drinking-binge-c-1087502" target="_blank"> 7News</a></em></p>

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The item set to walk off the shelves during ALDI's biggest sale of the year

<p>Those who shop at ALDI love the annual snow gear Special Buys sale. The event, launched in 2008, is ALDI’s most popular Special Buys event.</p> <p>From jackets, goggles, boots and thermal wear, ALDI’s Special Buys snow sale provides shoppers with everything they need to stay warm in the snow at a low price point.</p> <p>Insiders revealed to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-ideas/ski/item-aldi-insiders-say-will-walk-off-the-shelves-during-snow-sale/news-story/ec080817b090c4c8042a9f4b57cec4b2" target="_blank">news.com.au</a> what items will be in high demand when the sale launches on Saturday, May 18, which just so happens to be the same day as the federal election.</p> <p>Some of the items that are in high demand include:</p> <p><strong>Adults Merino Thermal Underwear</strong></p> <p>As they’re all under $40 and are also breathable, these are set to be a big seller.</p> <p><strong>Adults and Children’s Ski Jackets and Pants</strong></p> <p>The jackets are waterproof, but each item holds a different rating. The higher the number is, the more waterproof the jackets and pants are.  All items are under $60.</p> <p>The jackets and pants also have DuPont’s Sorona wadding, which is a renewably sourced fibre that keeps the outer garments insulated, moisture resistant and heat retentive no matter the alpine conditions.</p> <p>The jackets also contain a ski lift pass pocket and zips in the pockets for wet conditions.</p> <p><strong>Children’s Thermo Boots</strong></p> <p>The boots contain a polar fleece lining and are all under $20. The boots also contain a three-layered EVA in-sock in aluminium and thinsulate layers, as well as being waterproof to keep feet warm and dry. The boots also look like sneakers, which will be popular with the kids.</p> <p><strong>Adults and Children’s Goggles</strong></p> <p>This is possibly the most crucial item you need whilst hitting the slopes, and it’ll only cost you under $15. The goggles have an adjustable head strap, two different lenses to choose from, as well as offering UV protection. They come in two colours, which are black and grey, and are anti-fog coated so you can still see whilst the weather isn’t the nicest.</p> <p>As the journey of heading to the snow can be an expensive venture for the family, there’s a reason that this sale is so popular amongst Aussies.</p> <p>“A ski holiday isn’t the most affordable vacation option, so we’re proud to do what we can to make this experience more affordable for Australian families,’’ ALDI textiles buying director Renata Hay told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/aldi-faces-competition-in-ski-gear/news-story/e0a00a48884a43915631bbaa45f87d26" target="_blank"><em>The Weekend Australian</em>.</a></p> <p>“We’ll be shipping more than 10 per cent greater volume of ski products in to our stores this year than last. The demand and ­double-digit growth have continued to surpass population growth and our store growth.”</p> <p>The ski and snow sector is now dominated by ALDI’s annual sale and has created such a cult following that ALDI has now introduced a competition that gives shoppers the chance to win a Perisher weekend package.</p> <p>One of 10 Perisher weekend packages are on offer, which include accommodation, ski lift passes, lessons and ski or snowboard hire. The competition gives shoppers the chance to win more than $30,000 in prizes.</p> <p>As always, items are available Australia-wide until stock sells out.</p>

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