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Deadly tiger snake found hanging around petrol tank

<p><span>A deadly tiger snake was found curled up around a petrol pump at a suburban service station in Melbourne.</span><br /><br /><span>The deadly reptile had completely wrapped itself around a bowser at the Coles Express in Nunawading, in the city's east on Wednesday.</span><br /><br /><span>Snake catcher Raymond Hoser was called in to remove the one-and-a-half metre tiger snake after it crawled out from under a car.</span><br /><br /><span>"They are deadly, you get bitten by a tiger snake and it's pretty intense… they're quite erratic," he told Nine.com.au.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837920/snake-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/53b9fbe5696740d28697ba6db0affc5f" /><br /><br /><span>Mr Hoser said snakes will often crawl up the wheels of parked cars and into the engine cavity, and when the car stops somewhere else it will slither away "and no one knows any different".</span><br /><br /><span>However the snake proved to be unique after emerging from the vehicle and crawling around the gas pump.</span><br /><br /><span>Tiger snakes are the most common snake in Melbourne.</span><br /><br /><span>They are often found along the Yarra River and in the creeks that run off them, Mr Hoser said.</span><br /><br /><span>However, the expert has warned people not to approach the deadly creatures and said they will usually keep moving if they are not bothered.</span><br /><br /><span>"One wrong move by one wrong person is just destruction."</span></p>

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Ejected: Mum's humiliation at being kicked off flight

<p>A mum has revealed she felt “super humiliated” after being kicked off a flight because her toddler pulled down his mask to eat a snack.</p> <p>Mum Jodi Degyansky and her two-year-old son were sitting on a flight due to depart to Fort Myers in Florida for Chicago on Saturday.</p> <p>As they waited for takeoff, her son decided to have a snack.</p> <p>The mum said she was approached by flight attendants after the plane had pushed back from the gate and was taxiing to takeoff.</p> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><em>Fox 5 Vegas,</em><span> </span>she said there was “no heated discussion” but the flight soon returned to the gate and they were asked to leave. </p> <p>“I’m super humiliated,” she said, adding her son replaced his mask once the attendants approached her.</p> <p>“Flight attendants kept coming over asking if we would wear it for the full flight, and I said he would,” she told<span> </span><em>NBC</em>.</p> <p>“It definitely was a struggle but something we’re working on.”</p> <p>She said she tried her best to keep the mask on her son’s face but they were eventually told to leave the flight. </p> <p>“A couple minutes later, we were pulled back into the gate and I was asked to leave the plane, accompanied by the manager, the supervisor, the flight attendants and the pilot,” she said.</p> <p>The airline said they are investigating the incident, but stand by their mask policy.</p> <p>Ms Degyansky has been given a refund by Southwest Airlines for her tickets.</p> <p>“If a customer is unable to wear a face covering for any reason, Southwest regrets that we are unable to transport the individual,” a spokesperson from Southwest Airlines told<span> </span><em>NBC</em>.</p> <p>“In those cases, we will issue a full refund and hope to welcome the Customer on-board in the future, if public health guidance regarding face coverings changes.”</p> <p>They later flew back to Chicago on a different flight on Saturday night.</p>

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Community heartbreak as man dies in freak McDonald's accident

<p><span>A man in Mansfield, Ohio has died in a freak accident in a McDonald's drive-thru after becoming trapped between his vehicle and a pole.</span></p> <p><span>The 69-year-old man drove his ute to his local McDonalds at lunchtime when the accident occurred.</span></p> <p><span>Mansfield police detective Rob Skoprits has speculated how the accident may have happened.</span></p> <p><span>The police believe that Gary McQuillen may have dropped some money outside of his vehicle and reached out to get it before getting trapped between the pole and his car.</span></p> <p><span>"That's just preliminary what we're thinking. Until the autopsy is done we won't know the cause of death," Mr Skropits said, according to the Mansfield News Journal.</span></p> <p><span>Former classmates of the victim have shared their condolences on a Facebook page for their school alumni.</span></p> <p><span>“No. Don't want to believe it. So sad,” one woman wrote.</span></p> <p><span>“This is the saddest thing I have heard in a long time. Sympathy to his family,” another said.</span></p>

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The little-known road rule that could set you back $350

<p>Police have issued a reminder to motorists about a little-known road rule that could see them penalised with a $350 fine.</p> <p>The Northern Beaches Police Area Command shared a “memo” on Facebook aimed at drivers.</p> <p>They reminded those behind the wheel that is a driver or passenger have their hand or “anything else” outside a window while the car was moving, they would find themselves in trouble.</p> <p>Not only would they be issued a fine of $349, but also three demerit points.</p> <p>“The only exception is when the driver is giving a hand signal to indicate changing direction to the right, or slowing and stopping,” the post read.</p> <p>People flocked to the comments to share their frustrations, labelling the law as “archaic” and an attempt at “revenue raising”.</p> <p>“Or you could maybe focus on catching real criminals instead of ruining people’s days?” one disgruntled person wrote.</p> <p>“You guys are so backwards it’s not even funny. Nanny state and revenue raising at its finest,” someone else said.</p> <p>Not everyone was as critical however, with some expressing their appreciation for such a rule.</p> <p>“Well, I seem to be the only one who recognises the significance of this rule. I am pleased it will be enforced,” one said.</p> <p>“A friend of mine lost her arm many years ago having it placed on the side window,” someone else shared.</p>

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“It doesn’t look half bad”: Fake number plate draws acclaim

<p>An Ohio man’s uniquely creative approach to rustling up a fake licence plate has drawn laughs – and some acclaim – from around the world after he was booked by US police when they spotted something a little off with his number plate.</p> <p>The driver was pulled over in Millersburg, Ohio, on September 2, and at the time a Millersburg highway patrol officer said in a statement on Facebook: “Something just didn’t seem right about this particular licence plate.”</p> <p>It turns out – yep, you guessed it – the driver’s licence plate had been completely drawn on, and quite realistically too.</p> <p>“After further investigation it was determined that the driver of the vehicle had no insurance and was driving on a suspended licence,” police explained further, before adding: “Pro Tip: Don’t forget to draw the registration sticker.”</p> <p>While the ultimate penalty handed down to this particular driver remains unknown, reactions to his creative effort had people on Facebook highly amused.</p> <p>“I ain’t even mad,” commented one woman, “that’s dedication.”</p> <p>Another man added “you can’t knock that effort”.</p> <p>And even more went on to comment that the hand-drawn effort was actually surprisingly well done.</p> <p>“I mean... it doesn’t look half bad, if I’m being real,” wrote one commenter.</p> <p>“From art class to the jail house,” said another.</p> <p>Many others agreed that the police could perhaps have spent their time catching more serious perpetrators.</p> <p><strong>Image:</strong> Facebook / Millersburg Police</p>

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"Ridiculous speed": Mum's crucial decision that saved her baby's life

<p>A mum has shared a decision that she made that saved the lives of her family after her car was hit by a car going more than 160km/h.</p> <p>Hayley explained that she was driving with her one-year-old son to do a quick errand when they were hit from behind.</p> <p>“We were in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the mother wrote on Facebook.</p> <p>She explained that a car travelling at a “ridiculous speed” of more than 160km/h smashed into them.</p> <p>“Ran straight up the back of us and slingshot our car into the drain,” she wrote.</p> <p>Both mum and baby Miles escaped with minor injuries.</p> <p>“My son and I walked away from this terrifying crash a little battered and bruised, but nevertheless we were able to walk away,” Hayley wrote.</p> <p>The lifesaving decision that she and her husband made that saved the life of her one-year-old was choosing a child car restraint with rear-facing capabilities, which allowed Miles to continue to travel in the rear-facing position.</p> <p>“...the police officer ‘took her hat off to me’ for still having my 1-year-old REARWARD FACING! He only had two little bruises from the harness in all this carnage.</p> <p>“If he was facing forwards, the police officer said this would of been a whole different conversation we would of been having and his injuries would of been horrendous instead of minor,” she explained.</p> <p>She posted the ordeal on Facebook in the hope that other parents would think twice before changing their child's car seat to a forward-facing option.</p> <p>“Please, please, please keep your babies safe! Keep them rearward facing as long as possible! You just never know when the unexpected can happen,” she wrote.</p>

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City's fury as bashed grandfather wakes from induced coma

<p>Perth is in shock as an 84-year-old grandfather was bashed outside his own home in the city's south west.</p> <p>Emiliano Lombardi's story and images of him bruised and bloodied on his bed shocked Perth, but his children were just as shocked by the outpouring of community support.</p> <p>"We've all got a dad… it hit home because it could be anyone," son Don Lombardi said.</p> <p>Strangers have volunteered to look after Emiliano's dogs as well as sending dozens of get well cards to him while he's recovering in hospital.</p> <p>Tradies are repainting and replastering his home for free while other local businesses are supporting him by providing new furniture and bedding.</p> <p>"Suddenly we get this flood of emotion and support from everybody that wanted to tell us the world is good, wanted to tell us that Perth is good and it is," Don Lombardi said.</p> <p>"There's good in this community, just a few little percentage that have lost their way, but the majority of people are always there for you and do the right thing, it's good to see," his son Carlo Lombardi said.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837527/body-old-man.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0f3bbae722234015b1d5cb80a17e03bb" /></p> <div class="body_text "> <p>The 84-year-old lived alone and loved to garden, who would often share his fruit and vegetables with his neighbours.</p> <p>However, it is unknown whether he will feel safe living home alone.</p> <p>"I don't want him to be fearful, he's got a nice community and we are fearful he's going to lose that," his daughter Laura Hussein said.</p> <p>Quade Karsum Jones, 28, has been charged over the alleged random and unprovoked violent attack.</p> <p>Not wanting to be a bother, the stoic grandfather went to bed after the alleged assault and tried to sleep it off.</p> <p>If it wasn't for persistent police officers who repeatedly knocked on his door, he may never have woken up.</p> <p>"If it wasn't for those two and being persistent that my father was safe, he wouldn't be here today," Don Lombardi said.</p> <p>Emiliano Lombardi spent a week in an induced coma and recently underwent facial surgery.</p> <p>His children want to share a simple message to the community: "Thank you Perth."</p> <p><em>Photo credits: </em><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-grandfather-bashing-community-reaches-out-to-family/9e323228-3e5b-482f-a147-0d4179dc3523" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">9News</a></em></p> </div>

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“Sick to f*****g death”: Magda Szubanski calls out Pete Evans

<p><span>Australian actress Magda Szubanski has slammed former celebrity chef Pete Evans after he made a social media post that promptly received a load of fat-shaming insults and hurls of abuse.</span><br /><br /><span>The star of the Kath &amp; Kim series was featured in a Victorian government ad that urged citizens to comply with mask-wearing orders.</span><br /><br /><span>Pete Evans swiftly took to Facebook to slam the advertisement and took aim at the fun-loving character Magda played.</span><br /><br /><span>Acting once again as the beloved Sharon Skryzleki character from the Melbourne-based comedy series, the comedian wore a mask and reminded Victorians that the virus was the “enemy” and not the lockdown.</span><br /><br /><span>Taking to his social media page which boasts just shy of 1.5 million followers, Pete Evans, shared his horror at the ad.</span><br /><br /><span>He has been sharing coronavirus conspiracies for months on end and described the advertisement as “the most offensive and disgraceful ads I have ever seen on television.”</span><br /><br /><span>“Enough is enough,” he wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>“Imagine if they actually wanted to help people get healthy… how would an ad like that look and sound?”</span><br /><br /><span>In response, a number of the chef’s followers took to the comments to take aim at the star’s weight.</span><br /><br /><span>“What [a] picture of health Magda is, no wonder Dan picked her to lead his health campaign.,” one wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>Other horrible comments called her a ‘cow’ a ‘pig’ along with a number of other sad comments.</span><br /><br /><span>In response the Magda took to Twitter to slam the attack.</span><br /><br /><span>She called out Pete Evans in the process, saying she was “sick to f***ing death” of skinny people assuming they are morally superior.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837511/megda.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/003fc25ba4634bc4a2ddf2ebdbb1fe4b" /><br /><br /><span>“Frankly I am sick to f***ing death of skinny people (yes Pete Evans and your followers) assuming they are morally and spiritually superior,” she wrote on Twitter, sharing a screenshot of some of the more offensive comments.</span><br /><br /><span>“#fatshaming me &amp; assertion that fat people have no place in discussion about public health not only insults me but also all the fat nurses, doctors, ambos etc who give so much,” she initially wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>“My Polish gran was fat &amp; a nurse &amp; she risked her life to hide Jews from the Nazis #fattiesunite.”</span><br /><br /><span>The controversial chef has since responded to the criticism and took to Facebook to say his comment was misrepresented.</span><br /><br /><span>“So I post a comment that has nothing to do with what this person has alluded to, and yet the media gulp it down without any fact checking,” he began.</span><br /><br /><span>“This is the world currently...but it can and will change in the most beautiful way if we are willing to do what it takes.</span><br /><br /><span>“I will repeat myself...the current ads on tv using these people is a disgrace and the most offensive I have ever seen.</span><br /><br /><span>“I have always loved madga as an artist ✌️🌈❤️ #factshaming”</span></p>

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New Zealand mosque gunman sentencing begins

<p>The sentencing of an Australian white supremacist who killed 51 Muslim worshippers in New Zealand and live-streamed the massacre on Facebook is set to begin on Monday.</p> <p>Tight security is around a court in Christchurch, where Brenton Tarrant, the shooter, will hear statements from 66 survivors.</p> <p>The court building was sealed off with large orange barriers as armed police stood guard.</p> <p>Lawyers expect Tarrant to be the first person to be jailed for life without parole in New Zealand.</p> <p>The hearing is set for four days with survivors and Tarrant making submissions before High Court judge Cameron Mander announces his sentence.</p> <p>Tarrant is representing himself and is reportedly being held in a cell deep within the court complex to avoid transporting him to and from jail.</p> <p>On March 15th, 2019, he armed himself with a semi-automatic rifle and stormed into two mosques and opened fire on worshippers at Friday prayer.</p> <p>He was quickly arrested and initially pleaded not guilty to 41 murders, 40 attempted murders and committing a terrorist act.</p> <p>In March 2020, he changed his plea to not guilty.</p> <p>Prominent Christchurch lawyer Nigel Hampton said the "terrifying" crime probably "needs an extraordinary sentence", while law professor Chris Gallavin said "he'll never see the light of day again". </p> <p>Judge Mander has said the sentencing process was important for the victims, and "finality and closure is considered by some as the best means of bringing relief to the Muslim community". </p> <p>Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said that this week would be difficult for many.</p> <p>"I don't think there's anything I can say that is going to ease how traumatic that period is going to be," she told reporters. </p> <p>Increased police will be around the courthouse and victim support workers will also be present. Local mental health specialists will also be on standby for referrals. </p>

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Mum’s disbelief at hilarious new licence photo

<p>Young mum Jane Dodd from Tennessee in the US was a little shocked – but mostly amused – when her brand new driver’s licence arrived in the post.</p> <p>Instead of the usual awkward headshot of herself that we’ve all learned to dread seeing on our most trusted form of identification, there was simply an image of an empty chair.</p> <p>Ms Dodd had elected to renew her licence online, but was certainly not expecting to have her headshot replaced by a common piece of furniture from the licencing centre. So she immediately called up to alert them to the problem – believing, quite correctly, that she would encounter all kinds of issues if she actually tried to use the odd piece of ID out in the real world.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjadeisjaded%2Fposts%2F3898104436882647&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=552&amp;appId=261350607345818&amp;height=523" width="552" height="523" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> </p> <p>The problem then escalated, as Ms Dodd found it very difficult to even get anyone at the licencing centre to believe her.</p> <p>“The lady … did not really believe me when I was like, ‘Hey, I need my licence fixed,’ Ms Dodd told a local radio station after being interviewed. “Then she looked it up in the system and goes, ‘Oh, I need my manager for this’.”</p> <p>It turns out this was definitely a first for the licencing centre in question. Wes Moster from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security said was able to get to the bottom of mix-up, explaining to a local news outlet:</p> <p>“When the customer visited the Driver Services Centre a few years ago, an examiner made an error by capturing and saving the wrong photo (of an empty chair) to the customer’s profile. When the customer recently renewed her driver licence online, she received an image of a chair because that was the last picture taken on file.”</p> <p>That simple and perfectly reasonable explanation didn’t prevent the outpouring of hilarious reactions when Ms Dodd posted her predicament on Facebook.</p> <p>“What the heck? I’m not sure if I should laugh or what!?” commented one user.</p> <p>“Are you a vampire?” another joked.</p> <p>“Wait! You have super powers - Invisibility!” wrote a third.</p> <p>While the responses and mirth have not yet subsided, Ms Dodd has now had a replacement ID issued with her proper headshot in its place – but she will definitely be holding onto the unique original “just for a laugh”.</p> <p>Image Source: Jade Dodd / Facebook</p>

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Karen from Bunnings is back!

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Self-described exorcist and coronavirus denier Lizzy Rose who infamously made headlines as "Karen from Bunnings" has emerged to put a spell on Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews.</p> <p>She cast the spell in a bid to remove him from government and thwart his "evil agenda".</p> <p>The footage was posted online but has since been deleted due to backlash.</p> <p>Luckily, <em>The Daily Mail</em> was quick in embedding it to their website and it can be watched below.</p> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" width="698" height="573" scrolling="no" id="molvideoplayer" title="MailOnline Embed Player" src="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/2229112.html"></iframe> <p>Rose wrote that while her yard is in the middle of being "freshly landscaped", the message is "too important to wait until the WItches outdoor ritual space is finished".</p> <p>She stands behind a "viking cauldron" that looks like a fire pit and chants that the "awakened people" of Australia say "no to mandatory vaccinations".</p> <p>“We cast you out, we cast out your evil agenda of cruelty, deception and control. No, we will not be vaccinated against our will. You are to leave government. You are to walk away from your power and your position, for we cast you out,” the 50-year-old chanted.</p> <p>“No to mandatory vaccinations. No. This is against our will, this is against our right to freedom, to choice. The universal law is greater than any law of any land. Hail, and farewell, Daniel Andrews and blessed be.</p> <p>“Call forth the rain, to bless and cleanse this right. I call forth the heavens to open and bear down upon us on this day and on this night. Cleanse this government and all its ill will,” she intones.</p> <p>“Banish from state, territory, capital and the hill. Guardians of day and guardians of night, great mother Earth, in this cauldron of bounty, punish them, make them accountable by law, by honour, make them hear and make them see, and free our people both by land and by sea.”</p> <p>After her chant finishes, Rose goes on to manifest a lifting of restrictions.</p> <p>“Reopen our economy. For as we will it, so mote it be," she finishes.</p> <p>"It is done, it is done, it is done".</p> <p>The Premier has not commented on the spell.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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COVID doctor slams "irresponsible" Current Affair reporter

<p>The Melbourne medic at the centre of a parking fine storm has slammed<span> </span><em>A Current Affai</em><em>r</em>, saying a producer “turned up” at her door, breaking stage 4 restrictions.</p> <p>Dr Katarina Arandjelovic went viral yesterday after she shared a photo of a $99 parking fine she received after working “56 hours over four days” caring for “some of our state’s sickest patients”.</p> <p>Dr Arandjelovic who works in the intensive at The Royal Melbourne Hospital urged the City of Melbourne and Lord Mayor Sally Capp to do better as she revealed dozens of healthcare workers missed out on the council’s initial round of free parking permits.</p> <p>Her post garnered plenty of attention with angry Aussies across the country criticising those in charge.</p> <p>The City of Melbourne later confirmed the fine had been revoked, and announced from this Friday it would provide up to 5000 additional temporary parking permits to frontline workers responding to COVID-19.</p> <p>But the medical professional took to Twitter recently to call out<em><span> </span>A Current Affair</em><span> </span>producer Luke Mortimer, who she claimed invaded her privacy and broke lockdown rules in an attempt to score an interview.</p> <p>She says she made a decision to not speak to any journalists after Mortimer found her address, but issued praise to Australian media for covering the story respectfully.</p> <p>“My decision not to talk to journalists was tipped when Luke Mortimer from @ACurrentAffair9 turned up at my door – not outside my building – in the internal corridor of my building. No warning, no invitation. How my address was known remains a mystery,” Dr Arandjelovic tweeted alongside a photo of Mr Mortimer’s business card.</p> <p>“This is in breach of the 5km restriction, and is broadly irresponsible. I did not invite Luke inside. Further, many women and men are petrified of unexpected visitors in the setting of domestic violence. It is just not on – and very disappointing from @Channel9.</p> <p>“I must say thank you to all the media outlets that got in touch. I am a huge fan and friend of the media, and grateful for the endless advocacy for healthcare worker safety in this pandemic. I was grateful many were keen to cover this minor story – you all do awesome work.”</p> <p>Dr Arandjelovic told<span> </span><em>news.com.au</em><span> </span>“we all need to follow the rules so that we may keep ourselves, our loved ones, and our community safe” during the public health crisis.</p> <p>Journalism is considered an essential job in Victoria and those working in media are allowed to travel outside the 5km radius. </p>

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"Hell of a thank you": Doctors targeted with parking fines

<p>A Melbourne doctor was left furious after seeing she got a parking fine after working 56 hours over 4 days in the intensive care ward at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.</p> <p>Anaesthetics registrar Katarina Arandjelovic tweeted early on Tuesday morning to question the fine she received on Monday night after days of work "helping look after some of our state's sickest patients".</p> <p>Katarina also confirmed that her bike was stolen from outside the hospital the day before lockdown.</p> <p>"Public transport is off-limits to prevent exposure to the virus, and transmission to colleagues and patients," she wrote in a series of posts directed at the City of Melbourne council on <a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/KArandjelovic/status/1292943415055798273" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">Twitter</a>.</p> <p>"Your 'free permits' are long gone. There were too few to begin with. Many missed out."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Dear <a href="https://twitter.com/cityofmelbourne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cityofmelbourne</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SallyCapp_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SallyCapp_</a> <br />I am a doctor at the Royal <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Melbourne?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Melbourne</a> ICU.<br /><br />I worked 56 hours over four days in helping look after some of our state’s sickest patients.<br /><br />At 10pm last night, I left work to find a fine on my car dashboard. <a href="https://t.co/sA1oKE21lB">pic.twitter.com/sA1oKE21lB</a></p> — Katarina Arandjelovic (@KArandjelovic) <a href="https://twitter.com/KArandjelovic/status/1292943415055798273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 10, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>She explained that parking inspectors are inadvertently targeting frontline workers who are left with no option but to park in the streets around the hospital.</p> <p>"In lockdown, who do you think is parking in the streets by the hospital? It is the doctors, nurses, orderlies, pharmacists, physios, technicians, cleaners, cooks, ward clerks.</p> <p>"So when you send a parking inspector to Parkville, know that it is these people you are targeting.</p> <p>"We cannot work from home. We come here, and we sweat it out under our gowns, our voices muffled under masks, learning to 'smile with our eyes'," she said.</p> <p>"We wash our hands obsessively, hoping desperately we do not become part of That Statistic. We do not see our families for weeks.</p> <p>"It is not easy, but every single person in that building is working their butt off right now. It is inspiring. We make sacrifices and turn up — day in, day out, to serve you.</p> <p>"Slapping fines on our cars is one hell of a thank you."</p> <p>After seeing the outpouring of support, Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Cap said that Katarina's fines would be waived and that the council would provide 5,000 additional temporary parking permits to frontline workers.</p> <p>"If you believe you got a ticket when you shouldn't have please get in touch with the City of Melbourne and we will follow up," Cr Capp said.</p> <p>The Victorian Premier was also asked about the parking fine at his daily press conference.</p> <p>"I don't think that someone who's in there literally saving lives at considerable risk to themselves should be the subject of a parking ticket," Mr Andrews said.</p> <p>The total number of parking permits issued has jumped to 15,000.</p> <p>The City of Melbourne said that the allocation of temporary parking permits to frontline staff was handled by each hospital.</p> <p>"We recognise the invaluable work our health workers are doing, that's why we've issued 9,900 parking passes to frontline workers, including to the Royal Melbourne Hospital," the statement said.</p>

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"Lucky to be alive": Australian in Beirut recounts moment of devastation

<p>Lebanese rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors in the wreckage of buildings after an explosion at a port in Beirut killed at least 135 people and injured 5000 more.</p> <p>Up to 250,000 have also been displaced, with no home to live in after the explosion shattered their windows and sent their buildings tumbling.</p> <p>Samah Hadid from Australia is among those affected.</p> <p>She’s been forced to evacuate her neighbourhood which sits “within the zone” - just one kilometre from the port.</p> <p>Her apartment has been left “completely destroyed”, but authorities have also issued a warning about the toxic fumes circulating in the air, putting Samah’s health at risk too.</p> <p>“I’m really lucky to be alive,” she told<span> </span><em>The Latest</em>.</p> <p>“The damage was so extensive that it ripped through the entire building and the apartment so I’m really lucky to escape injury.”</p> <p>When the explosion occurred, Samah thought it was either a bomb or an earthquake as her building began to shake.</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/CDhu2u2lezp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDhu2u2lezp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">My sincere condolences and prayers go out to those affected in Lebanon 🙏🙏🙏🙏 #lebanon #beirut #beirutlebanon #beirut_lebanon #lebanonexplosion</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/vetmedmemesdaily/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> THE VET HUMOR PAGE</a> (@vetmedmemesdaily) on Aug 5, 2020 at 5:06pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“The ceilings came down. Furniture just ripped apart,” she said.</p> <p>Hadid escaped through the building’s stairwell but found “blood all over the staircase from people who were really severely injured”.</p> <p>“The hospitals were so overwhelmed and overcrowded that they should not accept any more people,” she said.</p> <p>“And this is happening in the middle of a pandemic where the health system here is already overstretched dealing with coronavirus and, to put it in perspective, Lebanon was already facing an economic crisis.</p> <p>“People were already living in poverty.</p> <p>“We’re already facing starvation, in my street alone, buildings have been destroyed, neighbourhoods have been ruined, brought to rubble.</p> <p>“The country has been brought to its knees. It’s facing crisis upon crisis.</p> <p>“It desperately needs support and needs international aid support, if people are going to be able to rebuild their lives.”</p> <p>The death toll is expected to rise from the blast that officials believe is due to a large amount of highly explosive material stored for years in unsafe conditions at the port.</p> <p>President Michel Aoun said 2,750 tonnes of seized ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures.</p>

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Appalling discovery along popular national park bike track

<p><span>Cyclists on the central coast of NSW made a horrifying discovery over the weekend while riding through a popular national park.</span><br /><br /><span>Many young families and bikers ride out to Bouddi National Park and Scott Uzelac, who is a keen mountain biker, is one of them.</span><br /><br /><span>While cycling with friends near Maitland Bay which is located inside the park, they were surprised when one suffered a flat tyre.</span><br /><br /><span>The group quickly realised what caused the flat.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837172/park-bike.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c0cece9748e74de2a0d8c3e49747d6cd" /><br /><br /><span>“I thought there must be a sharp root or something there so I started kicking the area and I couldn’t see anything,” he explained to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/central-coast-cyclists-booby-trap-discovery-bouddi-park-track-211146279.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News Australia.</a></em></span><br /><br /><span>Mr Uzelac then saw a leafy area which he also put his foot through, striking something hard.</span><br /><br /><span>“I got down on my knees and saw this row of nails sticking out a piece of 30 by 40 with two big anchor bolts... I couldn’t even count how many nails were sticking out.”</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837171/park-bike-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/10a1c9b4beac42b288b9eb556e72b106" /><br /><br /><span>Mr Uzelac says it’s an area he visits with his children, and “freaked out” over the startling discovery.</span><br /><br /><span>“I was shocked and a bit dumbfounded. I just couldn't believe somebody's done that, to be honest,” he said.</span><br /><br /><span>“If [my children] trod on it in the right way, the nails are that long it would have gone straight through their feet and through the other side.”</span><br /><br /><span>The Kincumber resident said many of the trails in the area, including the one he and his friends were on, have been created by mountain bikers due to a lack of routes.</span><br /><br /><span>However he says they are not recognised as official tracks.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837170/park-bike-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/15a52e11bd4d463ba1157dc5ed5d49a1" /><br /><span>The 41-year-old also pointed out that there has been an influx of walkers now using the unofficial tracks, who are furious with the cyclists using the paths.</span><br /><br /><span>“Some of the older walkers think they have the right [of way over cyclists], I’ve heard of some of the older bushwalkers throwing sticks on the trails so people can’t ride through them,” he said.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Uzelac took the booby trap to Terrigal police station.</span><br /><br /><span><a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/central-coast-cyclists-booby-trap-discovery-bouddi-park-track-211146279.html" target="_blank"><em>Yahoo News Australia</em></a> reports investigations into its placement on the track are ongoing.</span><br /><br /><span>The father said there was growing pressure among riders to have designated routes identified by the local council, to distinguish separate pathways for cyclists and walkers.</span></p> <p><em>Images: Scott Uzelac</em></p>

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How man flying Jetstar completely avoided quarantine after testing positive for COVID

<p>A young man who received a positive coronavirus test result in Queensland was found to be infectious on a domestic flight after returning home from overseas. </p> <p>The man remains in quarantine, and is the state’s only confirmed case on Sunday from more than 13,700 tests in 24 hours. </p> <p>He flew into Maroochydore from Sydney on Friday on Jetstar flight JQ790.</p> <p>Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said the man, who is in his 20s, was infectious on the flight. </p> <p>Health authorities are tracing people who sat near him.</p> <p>The man was allowed to take the domestic flight and quarantine at home as part of a select group of exemptions, Dr Young said. </p> <p>"He did everything that he should have done... but it does mean that this is a risk," she added.</p> <p>Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is urging people in Queensland to remain cautious as 13 COVID-19 cases remain active in the state. </p> <p>"We are very comfortable with the figures overnight, but that next week is very crucial," she said.</p> <p>"We are in a little bit of uncharted waters at the moment."</p>

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Sailors rescued from tiny island after writing giant "SOS" in the sand

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Three missing sailors have been found on a tiny island in the western Pacific after a desperate message saying SOS in the sand that was spotted from the air. </p> <p>The men were found on Sunday after they had been missing for three days, and were reportedly "in good health", according to the Australian Defence Ministry. </p> <p>Their call for help was written on the beach of Pikelot Island, 190 kilometres west of where they had set out and was seen by Australian and US aircraft.  </p> <p>A ship, the HMAS Canberra, headed to the sailors' aid and a helicopter landed on the beach. </p> <p>The ship brought water and food for the men as well as carrying out identity and health checks. </p> <p>The men were reportedly sailing between the atolls Poluwat and Pulap, a journey of 42 kilometres when they veered off course and ran out of fuel. </p> <p>A Micronesian patrol vessel, FSS Independence, is heading to the island to pick up the men. </p> <p>Canberra's Commanding Officer Captain Terry Morrison said the response by the ship's company to the operation was outstanding. </p> <p>"The ship's company responded to the call and had the ship quickly prepared to support the search and rescue," Captain Morrison said. </p> <p>"In particular, our embarked MRH90 helicopter from No. 808 Squadron and the four armed reconnaissance helicopters from 1st Aviation Regiment were instrumental in the morning search that helped locate the men and deliver supplies and confirm their welfare. </p> <p>"I am proud of the response and professionalism of all on board as we fulfil our obligation to contribute to the safety of life at sea wherever we are in the world."</p> <p><em>Photo credit: Australian Department of Defence</em></p> </div> </div> </div>

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Why teenagers travelled to VIC before bringing COVID-19 to QLD

<div class="body_text "> <p>Queensland is on edge after three new cases of coronavirus have emerged, with two being teenage women who allegedly lied on their border declaration and brought coronavirus into QLD's south-east.</p> <p>Their actions have been labelled as reckless, as major testing and tracing operation is underway to stop the spread.</p> <p>The two 19-year-old girls travelled to Melbourne, allegedly intending to commit thefts on high-end fashion stores.</p> <p>The pair also attended an illegal party on July 19 and were handed $1,600 fines for ignoring restrictions.</p> <p>On July 21, the pair flew from Melbourne to Sydney and by not leaving the terminal, they avoided border checks.</p> <p>The pair arrived in Brisbane and allegedly provided fake names and false border declarations.</p> <p>Hundreds of anxious members from the Parklands Christian College community are angry and fearing that they have been infected as the pair travelled to the area.</p> <p>“I think it’s disgraceful, how did they get up from Victoria?” one person asked.</p> <p>“I’m very very disappointed. I think it was reckless,” another told <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/qld/why-pair-of-teenagers-travelled-to-melbourne-before-bringing-coronavirus-back-to-queensland-c-1203213" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink"><em>7NEWS</em></a>.</p> <p>Queensland Police state disaster coordinator Steve Gollschewski said that an investigation into the women's movements was ongoing.</p> <p>“This is a criminal investigation we’re conducting,” he said.</p> <p>“This is a clear representation of how the actions of a few can impact many,” said Queensland Health’s Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young.</p> <p>“Because of the decisions of these two women, that brought the virus back to Queensland, thousands more will have to be tested and self-isolate.”</p> <p>Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has declared drastic action.</p> <p>“Queensland will now be declaring greater Sydney a COVID-19 hotspot,” she said on Wednesday.</p> <p>“it is going to cause an inconvenience to families, and I know there may be a lot of events planned, but it is too important,” Palaszczuk said.</p> <p>“We must protect our elders.”</p> </div>

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Why retail workers are wearing a second badge

<p>Since the start of the pandemic, retail workers have been at the forefront of people’s frustrations as they copped abuse on the daily.</p> <p>In April, one woman was filmed racially abusing workers at a Telstra store in Sydney, telling a staff member to “go back to China, while this week another customer berated retailers over their face mask policies, saying such views “have no basis in science or fact”.</p> <p>In a bid to curb the rise of abuse, particularly during COVID, staff at some of Australia’s biggest chains will now wear a second name badge.</p> <p>Employees at stores such as Woolworths, Target, Big W and KFC will have a tag on their uniform stating either “I’m a mother”, “I’m a father”, “I’m a son” or “I’m a daughter” to remind customers they are someone’s family member.</p> <p>A Woolworths employee recently went viral on TikTok after she explained the importance of the badge.</p> <p>“A lot of people have been asking on my videos what this says and it says ‘No one deserves a serve, I’m a daughter’,” Dakota Rae Shaw said in the video.</p> <p>“Basically the union brought them out to us so that people could imagine if it was their daughter they were speaking to.”</p> <p><img style="width: 323.727px; height: 500px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837116/screen-shot-2020-07-29-at-30527-pm.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e6d21d25f98e44dd8f805dd04bf6cbd9" /></p> <p>According to the union, over 85 per cent of workers are being abused while they work.</p> <p>SDA NSW secretary Bernie Smith said there has been a reported 44 per cent reduction in customer aggression since the badges were rolled out.</p> <p>“The idea of the badges is to humanise the person behind the counter, so the customer sees them as a person rather than somebody processing their sale,” he told Yahoo.</p> <p>“They’re someone who’s part of a family and part of a community, and the badges make people think twice.”</p> <p>A Facebook user recently shared her experience of a staff member wearing a badge saying “I’m a son” at Woolworths store at Lennox Head, on the northern NSW coast, on Saturday.</p> <p>“He was wearing a second badge … I started asking questions as to why, and he said it was an attempt stop the abuse that they cop,” she wrote.</p> <p>“He said he hasn’t experienced it in Lennox yet but in Byron Bay he did all the time because of (in his words) ‘the sense of entitlement most people there had’.</p> <p>“It breaks my heart that young people just trying to do their job, especially during a pandemic, have to put up with this c**p.</p> <p>“If you witness it, call it out. Not ok.”</p>

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Chris Hemsworth's wife forced to flee car due to floodwaters

<p>Chris Hemworth's wife Elsa Pataky was stuck in floodwaters as she tried to drive to her house in Byron Bay.</p> <p>She documented the journey on Instagram, saying that she was "a bit too optimistic" and was "so sure I could cross".</p> <p>The footage shows her car surrounded by floodwater.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837094/body-1-elsa.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/31b1c581acfb49078afb2db0967c58cb" /></p> <p>Pataky continued to show her followers the journey, saying "Oh god, what am I doing?" and announced that her only option was "through the window".</p> <p>After climbing out of her car, she waded out of the water and received help from her friends who towed the car out of the floodwaters.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837093/body-2-elsa.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7acd504605da4286ad90b70811c7af00" /></p> <p>“What would I do without you guys,” Pataky said to her rescuers.</p>

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