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Pirates of the Caribbean actor and former pro surfer killed in shark attack

<p>Tamayo Perry, renowned surfer and actor known for his role in <em>Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides</em>, tragically lost his life in a shark attack off Oahu's North Shore on Sunday.</p> <p>The 49-year-old was surfing near Goat Island when the incident occurred, as confirmed by Shayne Enright of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department.</p> <p>Perry, who played a buccaneer in the popular movie franchise, had a distinguished career with appearances in films such as <em>Blue Crush</em> and the television series <em>Hawaii Five-O</em>. Beyond his acting career, Perry was celebrated as a former professional surfer and a beloved lifeguard.</p> <p>Responding to an emergency call just before 1pm local time, personnel from Honolulu Ocean Safety, alongside the city's fire, police and emergency medical services departments, rushed to Malaekahana Beach. The caller reported seeing a man who appeared to have suffered shark bites. Lifeguards promptly brought Perry to shore, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival. In response to the attack, Ocean Safety personnel posted shark warnings in the area.</p> <p>"Tamayo's personality was infectious, and as much as people loved him, he loved everyone else more," said Honolulu Ocean Safety acting chief Kurt Lager at a news conference. "Tamayo was a legendary waterman and highly respected," added Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, describing Perry's death as "a tragic loss".</p> <p>Perry, alongside his wife Emilia, ran the Oahu Surfing Experience, a business offering surfing lessons. According to his biography on the company's website, Perry surfed professionally for over 15 years, notably winning the Pipeline Master trials in 1999. He began his career as a lifeguard on the North Shore for the City and County of Honolulu Ocean Safety in July 2016. That same year, he appeared in <em>Pirates of the Caribbean</em> and an episode of <em>Hawaii Five-0</em>.</p> <p>Perry's wife Emilia shared a heartfelt tribute to her lost husband on Instagram, writing: "We all want to be the hero of our own story, one of the redeeming characteristics of humanity is our desire to follow our convictions always and without fear. Few of us are able to truly be that hero, Tamayo Perry was is and will be forever.</p> <p>"He was everyone’s big brother, stern and uncompromising with an infectious and kolohe smile. He was your rescuer in time of need, your safety when all things fell apart. He was a knight forged in the fires of the North Shore in the 90’s, his faith in Christ the rock upon which he stood. Few are those who truly follow in the footsteps of Jesus, Tamayo never took his eyes off the path.</p> <p>"Tragic though his passing may be, he left this world doing what he loved where he loved to do it. We find strength in knowing he is in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, trading barrels at Pipeline with his friends that have gone before him."</p> <p>The World Surf League also expressed their condolences in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to share that the surf community lost a beloved icon yesterday. A well-known surfer and lifeguard, Tamayo Perry, passed away after injuries from a shark attack that occurred on the East Side of Oahu. Tamayo was a Pipeline/Teahupo’o specialist, freesurfer, former competitor, and member of the WSL for many years. He became a lifeguard for the city and was a big part of the North Shore community. Our hearts go out to Tamayo’s family and friends."</p> <p>Perry's passing has left a profound void in both the surfing and local communities, where he was deeply admired for his skills, charisma and generous spirit.</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/C8nL-QeS5C2/?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/C8nL-QeS5C2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tamayo Perry (@oahusurfingexperience)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Image: Walt Disney Studios | Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Leaker of gruesome shark attack photo revealed

<p>The New South Wales Ambulance Service is facing criticism and backlash after a staff member <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/leaked-photo-of-sydney-shark-victim-sparks-urgent-probe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaked a graphic image</a> of the wounded leg of Sydney shark attack victim Lauren O'Neill.</p> <p>The incident occurred after O'Neill fell victim to a bull shark attack in Sydney Harbour, just metres away from her residence. This breach of privacy has not only added to the distress of O'Neill and her loved ones but has raised serious concerns about the protection of patient confidentiality.</p> <p>The graphic image, taken inside the emergency room as medical professionals worked to stabilise O'Neill, was shared online by a member of the NSW Ambulance staff. This action not only violates the fundamental principle of patient privacy but also calls into question the ethical conduct expected from healthcare professionals in such sensitive situations.</p> <p>NSW Ambulance issued a public apology, acknowledging the breach of privacy and expressing sincere regret for the additional distress caused to O'Neill and her family.</p> <p>The statement also revealed that discussions with O'Neill's family led them to believe that a NSW Ambulance staff member was responsible for the privacy breach.</p> <p>“NSW Ambulance sincerely apologises to Ms O’Neill for the breach of her privacy and the additional distress it has caused her and her loved ones at this most difficult time,” a spokesperson said. “We spoke with Ms O’Neill’s family this afternoon and informed them that we believe a NSW Ambulance staff member was responsible for the breach of her privacy.</p> <p>“NSW Ambulance takes its patient privacy obligations very seriously and is continuing to investigate this breach to determine the full details of the incident.”</p> <p>St Vincent's Hospital, where Ms. O'Neill was taken for urgent medical attention, has launched its own investigation into the matter, along with the involvement of NSW Police. The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that O'Neill's right leg was in jeopardy, and the medical teams worked tirelessly to save it.</p> <p>O'Neill, a microbiologist, has expressed her gratitude to the heroic neighbours, to NSW Ambulance paramedics, Kings Cross Police and the surgical teams at St Vincent's Hospital for their swift and caring actions. However, the unfortunate leak of the graphic image has marred what should have been a focus on her recovery and gratitude towards those who aided her in the aftermath of the terrifying attack.</p> <p>As O'Neill transitions from the Intensive Care Unit to a recovery ward, it is crucial for the public to reflect on the importance of patient privacy and the trust placed in healthcare professionals during moments of vulnerability. The breach has sparked outrage among the public, with many demanding accountability and stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Leaked photo of Sydney shark victim sparks urgent probe

<p>The sanctity of patient privacy has come under scrutiny at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital following the leak of a graphic photograph depicting the treatment of <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/woman-bitten-by-shark-in-sydney-harbour-identified" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shark attack victim Lauren O'Neill</a>.</p> <p>The 29-year-old suffered a serious injury after being attacked by a bull shark near a private wharf in Elizabeth Bay, sparking both a medical and privacy crisis.</p> <p>The photograph in question, which we are not going to publish, shows Ms O'Neill's uncovered leg being attended to by medical staff, and has stirred concerns about the vulnerability of patient privacy in the digital age. St Vincent's Hospital has launched a comprehensive investigation into the breach, expressing deep regret and extending apologies to Ms O'Neill.</p> <p>"St Vincent’s has become aware of photos in the public domain that appear to have been taken in the Emergency Department and are related to those of a patient injury," said hospital spokesperson David Faktor.</p> <p>"We have sincerely apologised for any part St Vincent’s played in the photos being taken." </p> <p>The investigation aims to uncover the identity of the person responsible for taking the photograph and how it ended up in the public domain. Faktor aptly described the incident as a "wake-up call", highlighting the ease with which privacy can be compromised in today's digital landscape.</p> <p>Ms O'Neill, who is on track for a full recovery, expressed her gratitude to the heroic neighbours, emergency services and medical professionals who aided her. However, her appreciation comes amid the distressing breach of her privacy during a vulnerable moment.</p> <p>As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial for St Vincent's Hospital to implement robust protocols and security measures to prevent future breaches and reassure the public of their commitment to patient confidentiality.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Woman bitten by shark in Sydney Harbour identified

<p>A 29-year-old woman may lose her leg after being bitten by a bull shark while swimming in Sydney Harbour. </p> <p>On Monday night, Lauren O'Neill went for an evening swim near a private wharf in Elizabeth Bay when she was attacked by the shark, screaming out to neighbours for help.</p> <p>Michael Porter told NCA NewsWire he had just gotten home from work when he heard the woman’s scream.</p> <p>“I saw Lauren climbing out of the Harbour on the ladder and she was sort of pulling herself up quite weakly, she didn’t have much strength and there was a whole pool of red blood in the Harbour,” Mr Porter said.</p> <p>“Her leg was limp.”</p> <p>An ambulance was called and transported Lauren to St Vincent's Hospital, where she remains with "serious injuries".</p> <p>While her condition is stable, the 29-year-old is facing the possibility of losing her leg.</p> <p>Marine biologist Lawrence Chlebeck told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/woman-bitten-in-sydney-harbour-shark-attack/news-story/c59017954729f2452efc7f26a8a3f0b1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a> it was “highly likely” to be a bull shark that bit Ms O'Neill, and warned people against swimming in the harbour, particularly in low light.</p> <p>“Bull sharks know they can come into Sydney Harbour and score an opportunistic feed,” he said.</p> <p>“If they can’t see or the water is cloudy, these animals will bite just to determine what something is and whether it’s prey. Unfortunately, Sydney Harbour after dusk is simply not a safe place to swim.” </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Nine News</em></p>

Caring

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Deb Knight urges Influencers to stop "glorifying tanning"

<p>Deborah Knight, 51, has spoken out against influencers who glorify tanning as she shared the results from her annual skin check. </p> <p>The TV and radio presenter, shared a series of photos showing the sun damage on her skin, as she reminded her followers to stay sun safe and get their skin checked. </p> <p>"Got off pretty lightly from my annual skin check. Just a few barnacles zapped but nothing serious this time round," she began in the caption. </p> <p>"Timely reminder to get your skin checked and protect it from the sun in the first place," she added, before tagging two melanoma treatment specialists and the Melanoma Institute Australia. </p> <p>She signed off the post with the hashtag #stopglorifyingtanning. </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/C2n1Rtth20D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C2n1Rtth20D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah Knight (@deborah_knight)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The <em>Money News </em>2GB<em> </em>host has regularly shared her skin journey and has previously opened up about the "true extent" of the "damaging effects of the sun" on <em>9Honey</em>.</p> <p>"As a blonde, fair-skinned child growing up by the beach, I resisted putting on zinc and sunscreen as much as my own children do now," she said in the interview in 2023. </p> <p>She added that she now has to pay the price and has to get her age spots frozen off every year. </p> <p>"I've had a Basal Cell Carcinoma surgically removed from the bridge of my nose, leaving a scar far worse than the damage it could have done if left untreated, possibly spreading and destroying skin, tissue, even bone," she said. </p> <p>She also spoke out about the influencers who glorify tanning. </p> <p>"These are often the same influencers who recommend spending a fortune on anti-ageing treatments and creams and serums, despite willingly exposing their skin to the most damaging ageing element there is – the harsh Aussie sun," she added. </p> <p>According to the <a href="https://melanomaresearch.com.au/about-melanoma/what-is-melanoma/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Melanoma Research Foundation</a>, one in 17 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetimes, with melanoma reportedly the third most common cancer in the country, following prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"Get out of the water!" Huge shark spotted at crowded beach

<p dir="ltr">Dramatic footage has revealed the moment a shark was spotted swimming in shallow waters at a crowded beach in Florida.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the video filmed at Navarre beach on Monday, a sizeable fin can be spotted zipping past swimmers as panicked onlookers screamed for them to get out.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Get out of the water!" one person screamed, as stunned swimmers ran for their lives.</p> <p dir="ltr">However there was an eerie lack of urgency for a few others who took their time exiting the waters, with no worries whatsoever to the frustration of a bystander who commented: "They're still out there."</p> <p dir="ltr">Cristy Cox, who filmed the footage, told the <em>Pensacola News Journal</em> that the shark was simply chasing a fish, but warned people to be aware of their surroundings.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It all happened so fast! A dolphin was actually side by side with the shark at first and then just disappeared,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The shark was just trying to feed as they are expected and just passed by swimmers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everyone was stunned as it moved down the beach chasing the school of fish. We all just have to remember this is natural and we are in their home, so stay alert!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Beach Safety Director Austin Turnbill confirmed to the publication that a shark had been spotted at the beach, but for people to not be alarmed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s sharks in the Gulf, everywhere. We see sharks almost every day and there’s nothing to be alarmed of for 99.9% of the time,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Cristy Cox Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Mum sparks fury for admitting to tanning newborn

<p>A young mother split the internet in half when she shared the shocking news on social media that she was self-tanning her four-month-old son. </p> <p>In a clip posted to her TikTok, the 21-year-old could be seen holding her baby, with the text “when everyone is telling me to stop self-tanning my baby but the loving tan employees have families to feed” across the screen.</p> <p>The video hit viral heights, gaining over 1 million views along with its varied - and passionate - response. </p> <p>Many were quick to voice their outrage at the young mum and her “selfish” move, calling into question the health risks that such a tanning process might pose to Kylen Suttner’s son, Suede. </p> <p>“Gosh, those chemicals can hurt a little one's skin,” one dismayed user wrote. “Their skin is so sensitive when they're babies.”</p> <p>“Disgusting!” another declared. “So horrible.”</p> <p>One was concerned that Suede was going to “grow up thinking he isn’t good enough naturally, especially to the one person who would love him unconditionally”.</p> <p>“Why does a baby need a fake tan... so unnecessary,” someone else said. </p> <p>Meanwhile, another just wanted to know “is this a joke, I can't tell?"</p> <div><iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7206061715535105326&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40kylensuttner%2Fvideo%2F7206061715535105326&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F87e23b7fac564434b6df488f764e493f%3Fx-expires%3D1684490400%26x-signature%3DdBQQZLY5FaqakQuevOWiYIisLiM%253D&amp;key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>Others seemed of the opinion that it was, with some even replying to similar questioning comments to share that the baby reportedly had jaundice, and this was his mother’s way of making light of the situation. </p> <p>And it turns out that that was exactly the case. </p> <p>As criticism continued online, heating up as the story blew up across news outlets, Kylen made the confirmation with The Post that it had all been a joke. </p> <p>“He had jaundice and looked really tan when he was born,” she explained to the outlet. “Everyone commented on his colour, so I decided to make a joke about it. </p> <p>“I would never actually use self tanner on my baby.</p> <p>“I feel like most people understood it was a joke. But the few who didn’t were appalled that I would self tan my baby.”</p> <p>For those who understood the truth of the situation, it was an opportunity to get in on the fun with Kylen, with many making the announcement that this would be “me as a mum” too. </p> <p>“I love this,” one said. “I wish I had his skin colour.”</p> <p>“You gotta keep the tan up,” came one joke, referencing a popular Family Guy meme, “it’s a lifestyle Brian”.</p> <p>“So funny to me that people think you’re being Fr [for real],” another shared.</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

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Is Kyle too cruel even for Australian Idol?

<p>Kyle Sandilands, known across Australia for his controversial no-filter commentary, has once again caused a stir with his take on one<em> Australian Idol </em>contestant’s audition. </p> <p>Kyle, the only original cast member to return for the show’s reboot, was joined by Meghan Trainor, Harry Connick Jr, and fellow Australian Amy Shark.</p> <p>Ali Morriss, a 27-year-old aged care worker from Brisbane, kicked off her audition with an unusual technique - handing out copies of her young adult novel Outside to the judges. The book is published under the pen name RA Bissmire.</p> <p>Kyle’s inappropriate remark came after Ali informed the judges which song she’d be performing for her audition, <em>Untouched</em> by The Veronicas. </p> <p>“Is it because you are untouched?” Sandilands asked. </p> <p>Ali replied, “I don’t know if I can answer that.” </p> <p>Kyle’s comment, which had nothing to do with Ali’s singing ability and everything to do with his “shock jock” approach to commentary, drew varied reactions from his fellow judges. </p> <p>“Oh my god,” Meghan Trainor exclaimed, waving a hand in Kyle’s direction from her position next to him on the panel, “oh my god. It’s a family show.”</p> <p>Amy Shark managed an uncomfortable laugh, leaning away. </p> <p>Meanwhile, Harry Connick Jr did not dignify Kyle’s jab with a response, keeping his gaze down and locked on Ali’s gifted book. </p> <p>Ali’s situation wasn’t set to improve, with her rendition of <em>Untouched</em> falling short of what the judges were searching for. </p> <p>“This is a hardcore singing show,” Harry Connick Jr told her in a bid to soften the rejection, “and as lovely as you are, you’re just not ready for that.”</p> <p>Amy Shark agreed with Harry’s take, telling Ali that she’d selected a difficult song in the first place, even adding, “I feel like it’s a song only the Veronicas can crush.”</p> <p>It was then that Kyle chose to follow up on his initial approach to Ali’s audition, holding her book up as he told her, “I think you should go outside.” </p> <p>Kyle’s attitude has left a bad taste in the mouths of many viewers, especially given the show’s approach to “respecting” their talents this season. </p> <p>In a pinned tweet from January 30, producers invited the audience to join them for a “respectful season”. It appears Sandilands missed the invitation. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here's your golden ticket to a respectful season of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustralianIdol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustralianIdol</a> 💙 <a href="https://t.co/t1R2gZk0XO">pic.twitter.com/t1R2gZk0XO</a></p> <p>— Australian Idol (@AustralianIdol) <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianIdol/status/1619954465641234432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>People were quick to share their take on that, given Kyle’s presence on the panel, and the fact that <em>Australian Idol </em>was choosing to broadcast the less-than-ideal auditions in the first place. </p> <p>“Lol lol lol lol lol,” began former journalist and reporter Mark Kearney, “says the show that’s platforming serial misogynist Kyle Sandilands?”</p> <p>“So why put them up for public ridicule?” asked one fan. </p> <p>“Except the judges are reacting and comment some terrible stuff,” wrote another, “and being straight up rude- it’s not even funny.”</p> <p>One commenter took the opportunity to point out the show’s hypocrisy, posing the question to the <em>Australian Idol</em> account, “aren’t you using people as a platform knowing they are terrible?”</p> <p>It appears that <em>Australian Idol </em>is shaping up to be a bumpy ride, with some noting that it hasn't changed in the 14 years since its previous seasons, surmising that it’s “back to its old ways of humiliating young people.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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Idyllic Sydney beach evacuated after several shark sightings

<p>Swimmers have been called to leave the water after a school of sharks have been spotted cruising close to the shore at the popular Sydney beach on Tuesday morning.</p> <p>It is understood that up to 15 hammerheads got within metres of swimmers at Palm Beach, prompting an alarm to be raised around 1pm.</p> <p>The beach was shut and flags taken down as lifeguards monitored the situation from the water on jet skis and from the sand.</p> <p>Swimmers have since been able to return to the water at Palm Beach. The sighting comes a week after another hammerhead shark was spotted at the same iconic beach.</p> <p>Australia has not recorded a human fatality from an attack by a hammerhead shark, according the Australian Marine Conservation Society website.</p> <p>The event has renewed debate on the use of shark nets in NSW, with some saying sightings should not cause alarm.</p> <p>There are 15 shark nets on the Northern Beaches between Palm Beach and Manly.</p> <p>“With all the new drones that the beach patrols have these days they can monitor the sharks, shark nets only tangle up other sea life,” one person said on social media.</p> <p>“Sharks being sharks in their own environment, who would have thought?” another said.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"False sense of safety": More sharks spotted inside nets on popular beach

<p>The effectiveness of shark nets is in question after two hammerheads were filmed inside the nets at Bondi Beach.</p> <p>Footage shared on Instagram by Drone Shark App founder Jason Iggledenm shows two sharks moving through the water, even showing the pair circling each other.</p> <p>“Two hammerhead sharks inside the shark nets at Bondi Beach this morning,” he wrote. “Great to see they diverted the nets safely.”</p> <p>“There were no swimmers in the area as it was just before sunrise,” he added.</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/reel/Cl0UPTkDOSs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl0UPTkDOSs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by MARINE LIFE SHOW🐳🐬🐋🦈 FROM Air (@dronesharkapp)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It is understood the sharks were safely chased further out to sea by Bondi Lifeguards. However, if this was a day earlier, the situation would have been more alarming with thousands hitting the water for the iconic Bondi to Bronte swim.</p> <p>Many praised Jason, who named one of the sharks as a well-known local called Homer, for sharing the footage and a vital lesson.</p> <p>“Good job getting this message out!” one person wrote. “So important to debunk the ‘barrier’ myth.”</p> <p>“The fact these two were spotted on the beach-side of the net shows how outdated and ineffective this measure is,” Dr Leonardo Guida, a shark scientist and conservationist at the Australian Marine Conservation Society told Nine News.</p> <p>Earlier this year, the mayor of Waverly called for the shark nets to be removed saying they “create a false sense of safety” but the bid was ultimately rejected by the NSW Government.</p> <p>While the government says shark nets are not designed to create a total barrier between swimmers and sharks, it insists they are helpful in deterring sharks from establishing territories, thereby reducing the odds of a shark encounter.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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Surfers not worried about shark attacks

<p>The sight of a dorsal fin knifing through the waves might send many swimming for the shore, but a survey of surfers shows it won’t deter many from catching a wave.</p> <p>A University of South Australia study published in Marine Policy reveals 44% of surfers say a shark sighting would not stop them from being in the water. While more than half of the 391 surfers surveyed had seen a shark while they out on the water, 60% were not afraid of the marine creatures.</p> <p>The survey also revealed more surfers have been bitten by sharks than we think.</p> <p>But the global survey of surfer attitudes towards sharks, undertaken by behavioural scientist Dr Brianna Le Busque, found surfers had generally positive views on these apex predators.</p> <p>Le Busque told Cosmos, to date there has been very little research on surfers’ perceptions of and interactions with sharks.</p> <p>“A lot of the shark policies, shark nets and things like that are implemented, in part to protect surfers. But there hasn’t really been a lot of research to actually ask them what they want,” she says.</p> <p>Le Busque says the study may help to change people’s negative perceptions of sharks. This is important because fear of sharks can act as a barrier to conserving them.</p> <p>“Shark conservation is important. As apex predators at the top of the food chain, if sharks become endangered or extinct this can have flow on effects for the entire ecosystem.”</p> <p>Globally, 100 million sharks are killed each year with a quarter of shark species threatened by extinction.</p> <p>But conserving sharks is complicated because they can harm humans, and many people fear them.</p> <p>“When people are afraid of sharks, they don’t want sharks to be conserved … it’s also a driving motivation for having certain shark policies. So things like shark culls, shark nets, they are implemented because of people’s fears of sharks,” Le Busque says.</p> <p>Le Busque says research indicates the public have a higher perception of risk when it comes to sharks, compared to the low likelihood of encountering one.</p> <p>Surfers’ relaxed views on sharks contrasted with those of the wider public. </p> <p>This was despite the survey finding quite a high share of surfers (17%) had been bitten, or knew someone who had been bitten by a shark. Le Busque says, this is quite a high percentage, higher than shark attack statistics suggest. </p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/surfer-shark-survey/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Petra Stock.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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"Where is the diversity?": Australian Idol judging panel hits first major snag

<p dir="ltr"><em>Australian Idol </em>is yet to hit the screens but it’s already facing a major problem with its lack of diversity.</p> <p dir="ltr">Radio shock jock <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/he-s-a-real-crooner-kyle-reveals-judging-line-up-for-return-of-australian-idol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kyle Sandilands announced</a> that he will be joined by US singers Meghan Trainor and Harry Connick Jr and Australian pop star Amy Shark as judges on the talent show.</p> <p dir="ltr">The show’s social media accounts also shared the news but many people asked about the lack of diversity with the judges.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Where is the diversity?” queried former ABC News reporter Mark Kearney.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The OG Australian Idol had at the heart of its panel Marcia Hines. This one has … a foul shock jock with a history of racism, misogyny and homophobia? Yucky.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Co-founder of Media Diversity AU Antoinette Lattouf sarcastically said there was a bit of diversity because one of the judges has a hyphen in their name.</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/CjBmkvnhDq_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjBmkvnhDq_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Australian Idol (@australianidol)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“This is an epic and exciting opportunity to get judged by six white people. (To be fair there is some diversity, one has a hyphen in their name.)” she tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Not sure why anyone is surprised about the Australian Idol judging panel - the other talent shows on our screens are just as bad. If they want diversity they always just have Mel B on,” someone else commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I LoVe tHiS rEpReSenTatiOn oF oUr MuLtiCuLtuRaL cOunTrY,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Australian Idol</em> first hit the screen 10 years ago and will come back on Channel 7 in 2023.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(We) start filming the auditions next week. It’ll be me. The other Australian I’ve chosen, Amy Shark will be the other Australian. She’s excellent. She’s a nice girl but she’s been busy, she writes songs, she works hard, she’ll be fabulous,” Sandilands said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Meghan Trainor … and from American Idol … Harry Connick Jr. Yes grannies, get your panties wet now. Harry Connick Jr. is on Australian Idol. He’s a real crooner.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It will take back its old format in which contestants from around Australia will audition before a top 12 is chosen for live shows.</p> <p dir="ltr">Past seasons have come out with incredible stars including Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy and Casey Donovan.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Food blogger eats protected species

<p dir="ltr">A Chinese food blogger has landed herself in hot water after illegally cooking and eating a protected great white shark.</p> <p dir="ltr">The foodie, known as Tizi, shared a video of herself eating the protected species which authorities believe she bought illegally from a seafood shop in the southwestern city of Nanchong in Sichuan province.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then recorded herself laying down next to the 2 metre long great white shark to show its size in comparison to her. </p> <p dir="ltr">The shark was then cut into several pieces before it was barbecued and the head boiled in a broth. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It may look vicious, but its meat is truly super tender,” Tizi says in the video. </p> <p dir="ltr">Viewers were outraged at Tizi for eating the protected species, with some challenging her to prove that the animal was “bred in captivity”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tizi has since removed the video from her account and is being investigated by authorities for illegally cooking and eating the protected species.</p> <p dir="ltr">If found guilty, Tizi faces five years’ imprisonment or criminal detention and a fine for purchasing rare and endangered wildlife products.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Weibo</em></p>

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The text message that sparked fury among Wimbledon stars

<p>Harmony Tan pulled out of the Wimbledon doubles tournament on Wednesday the 29th of June. This comes just hours after stunning Serena Williams, leaving her partner “sad, disappointed and angry”.</p> <p>The French player was scheduled to play women’s doubles with Tamara Korpatsch but withdrew due to a thigh injury. She had sent her would-be teammate a text message to break the bad news.</p> <p>“She just texted me this morning,” a furious Korpatsch wrote on Instagram. “Let me wait here 1 hour (alone on the court) before the match started. I’m very sad, disappointed and also very angry that I can’t play my 1st Doubles Grand Slam.</p> <p>“It’s really not fair for me. I didn’t deserve that. She asked me before the tournament if I wanna play doubles and I said yes. I didn’t ask her, she asked me!</p> <p>“If you’re broken after a 3h match the day before, you can’t play professional. That’s my opinion.”</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/CfY-C0_NdXR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CfY-C0_NdXR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tamara Korpatsch (@tami.korpatsch)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Korpatsch included a series of critical hashtags in her post, including “unsportsmanlike”, “unfair” and “mad”.</p> <p>Tan recorded the biggest win of her career with a three-set triumph over Williams on Wednesday the 29th of June.</p> <p>Playing her first ever match at Wimbledon and only her ninth grand slam match overall, Tan secured a dramatic 7-5 1-6 7-6 (10-7) victory.</p> <p>“When I first saw the draw, I was really scared. Because it’s Serena Williams, she’s a legend,” Tan said afterwards.</p> <p>“When I was young I was watching her so many times on the TV. For my first Wimbledon this is just... wow.”</p> <p>Williams has brushed off any talk of retirement after the defeat by insisting she is “motivated” to play at the US Open later this year.</p> <p>“The US Open was the place where I won my first slam, it’s super-special. There’s definitely a lot of motivation to get better and play at home,” the 40-year-old said.</p> <p>Williams refused to speculate on whether or not she will be back at Wimbledon in 2023, as doubts had been growing about whether Williams would return to the sport after dropping from number one to 1204th in the rankings after taking time off to recover from an injury.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

News

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Illegal fishers and wayward sharks are in the sights of new multispectral imaging

<p>The oceans are warming. Reefs are dying. Fish are on the move.</p> <p>As a result, sharks and illegal fishers are scouring Australia’s coast in search of an increasingly elusive catch, and that, says ESpy Ocean founder Ian Dewey, is having an immense impact on everything from regional tourism to ocean ecologies.</p> <p>Illegal fishers, like sharks, are elusive predators. Their survival depends on being fast, silent and unexpected. They’re threatening a $1.6-billion regional Australia industry.</p> <p>Sharks also aren’t behaving the way they used to. They’re turning up in unexpected places, at unexpected times, which can result in tragedy.</p> <p>“Everyone says use drones or dirigibles to spot them,” Dewey says. “But everyone knows that when we’re on the beach in our string bikinis and Speedos, the last thing we want is a drone above us.”</p> <p>With dark fleets of illegal fishing boats turning off their tracking systems to breach international boundaries, time is of the essence in addressing the problem, just as it is with wayward sharks.</p> <p>“Both are increasing problems,” Dewey says. “I only know in terms of the illegal fishing missions that we’ve been involved in, but invariably there are people around protected areas on a daily basis”.</p> <p>Traditional spotter aircraft can’t cope, and using satellites to track vessels isn’t anything new. What is new is multispectral imaging.</p> <p>A regular camera captures an image on just three channels red, green and blue (RGB) –  generating a crisp image of the visible spectrum if the weather is clear.</p> <p>A multispectral image has up to 110 different frequencies, ranging from ultraviolet to microwave.</p> <p>This imaging technology is nothing new. What is new is applying machine learning to identifying what it “sees”.</p> <p>“So it was a matter of working out what we can do through clouds in all kinds of weather, preferably right on dawn,” says Dewey. “I just started going through what frequencies can do what and – if we are looking for a boat – what the hell’s it gonna look like?”</p> <p>It’s a similar story for sharks – what multispectral signatures do different species give, at what depth, under what conditions, at what time?</p> <p>Dewey says the potential to extract such detail from hyperspectral imaging is enormous.</p> <p>It can identify what a boat is made from, what sort of paint has been used (and how old it is), and what equipment is on the deck.</p> <p>“All these things mean that your picture is different to every other boat in the ocean,” he says. “If we see you today, we can see you tomorrow, match those frequencies, and say – we got you!”</p> <p>ESpy demonstrated the potential of the technology for New South Wales Fisheries over the last Easter long weekend. Suitable satellites were identified, access to their hyperspectral cameras was secured, and patrol vessels were stationed in strategic locations waiting for a call to action.</p> <p>“Our system is incredibly fast, which gives us the edge,” Dewey says. “Generally, our system allows boats to be caught red-handed. That makes it so much easier where the courts are concerned.”</p> <p>The shark-spotting challenge is a more recent project. ESpy is in initial discussions with NSW Fisheries and the University of South Australia’s Industrial AI Research Centre to develop techniques to spot the predators first thing in the morning and use established behavioural patterns to predict where they could move during the day.</p> <p>While trespassing trawlers present a major issue, the deadliest offender is often someone much closer to home. One dragnet can strip an ecosystem of everything from algae and small crustaceans to dolphins and turtles, leaving damage that can take years to recover.</p> <p>“Our big problem in Australia is the little guy who throws out a net once or twice,” Dewey says. “He’s generally local, or at least from within 100-or-so kilometres. But he’s got a high risk of being caught, so he just wants to get in and take as much as possible as quickly as possible.”</p> <p><em><strong><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=195119&amp;title=Illegal+fishers+and+wayward+sharks+are+in+the+sights+of+new+multispectral+imaging" width="1" height="1" />This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/oceans/espy-oceans-tracking-waters/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Jamie Seidel.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <div id="cosmos-link-back"></div>

Travel Trouble

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Shark House owner not happy about protected status

<p dir="ltr">A whopping 7.6-metre sculpture of a shark diving through the roof of a house in Oxford, England has been made a protected landmark - but the man who lives there isn’t pleased by the news.</p> <p dir="ltr">Magnus Hanson-Heine loves the sculpture, which his father, Bill Heine, erected with the help of a local sculptor, but says making it protected as a “special contribution” to the community ignores some key messages his father was trying to make.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Heine first installed the unusual sculpture in 1986 as an anti-war, anti-nuke protest, after he heard US warplanes fly over his house and discovered they were going to bomb Tripoli in retaliation for Libyan sponsorship of terrorist attacks on US troops.</p> <p dir="ltr">The image of a shark crashing through the roof captured the shock that would have been felt when the bombs dropped on people’s homes, Mr Hanson-Heine said.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, Mr Hanson-Heine’s issue with the protection of the sculpture comes after it was installed without the approval of local council officials, with his father arguing that he didn’t think they should be able to decide what art people see.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Hanson-Heine said that the decision was “absurd” after the council had spent years trying to remove it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Using the planning apparatus to preserve a historical symbol of planning law defiance is absurd on the face of it,” Mr Hanson-Heine told <em><a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-oddities-oxford-nuclear-weapons-a6b004db12f62eac6fa3efdd2e962757?utm_medium=AP_Europe&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Associated Press</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Heine, who passed away in 2019, built the great white shark out of fibreglass with his friend, sculptor John Buckley in April.</p> <p dir="ltr">They installed it on August 9, the 41st anniversary of the day the US dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki during World War II.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Hanson-Heine said the sculpture’s anti-war message is just as relevant today, with Russian bombs falling on Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin delivering thinly veiled threats of nuclear war.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s obviously something that the people in Ukraine are experiencing right now in very real time,” the quantum chemist said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But certainly when there’s nuclear weapons on the stage, which has been through my entire life, that’s always a very real threat.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite its serious message, the shark is also the subject of some more light-hearted content, with photos on its very own <a href="https://www.headingtonshark.com/Home/Gallery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> including one of Mr Heine sharing a glass of wine with the shark and another of a passer-by posed to look as if she’s eating it.</p> <p dir="ltr">When asked whether the shark's head can be found inside the home, Mr Hanson-Heine laughed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I believe it was an urban myth for a while that it was poking above the toilet,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But no.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2417d899-7fff-c4bb-fec1-b5f68f591200"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: The Shark House</em></p>

Art

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"Traumatised" shark attack witnesses condemned online

<p>Witnesses to Sydney's deadly shark attack on Wednesday have come under fire online for how they responded to the tragedy unfolding before them. </p> <p>Footage taken by a beachgoer of the attack has circulated on social media, sparking a furious response to both its grisly content and how witnesses reacted. </p> <p>Bond University Associate Professor of Environmental Science Dr Daryl McPhee, who specialises in the study of human-shark interactions, says this condemnation has to end. </p> <p>“Scapegoating of the witnesses who were at the scene must stop. They themselves are traumatised by what they have seen."</p> <p>Initial reactions from those on the shore seemed show a lack of remorse as the tragedy unfolded, but Dr McPhee said this emotionless response is common when in a state of shock. </p> <p>Dr McPhee also stressed that the victim and their loved ones should be considered in the conversation. </p> <p>“The victim’s family and friends should be foremost in our minds,” he said. </p> <p>“We need to let the authorities get on with their investigations."</p> <p>“I’d also urge news and social media outlets to take down videos of the attack and its immediate aftermath.”</p> <p>Following the deadly attack on Wednesday, NSW Ambulance inspector Lucky Phrachnanh said the swimmer “suffered catastrophic injuries and there was nothing paramedics could do”.</p> <p>Human remains and half of a wetsuit were later found in the water.</p> <p>Popular beaches in the area have closed since the attack, with Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders ensuring that  Primary Industries would work with other authorities to determine if the killer shark - or any others - remained in the vicinity.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Sad news after fatal Sydney shark victim identified

<p>A devastated friend of Sydney shark attack victim Simon Nellist has revealed the 35-year-old British man’s wedding to the “girl of his dreams” had been delayed due to Covid before he was killed.</p> <p>The swimmer was mauled to death by a great white shark as he trained for a charity ocean swim, ahead of his planned wedding to Sydney’s Jessie Ho.</p> <p>He was only 150m away from the beach at Buchan Point, near Little Bay in Sydney, when the shark struck. This has been the first fatal attack in the area in nearly 60 years.</p> <p>The British expat’s remains were found in the water on Wednesday afternoon following the ordeal. The tragedy happened as the former Royal Air Force (RAF) serviceman was due to marry the “girl of his dreams”.</p> <p>A close friend of Mr Nellist told The Sun: “Him and Jessie were due to get married last year but that got put off because of Covid.</p> <p>“It’s just horrendous. We spent most of yesterday just hoping and praying it wasn’t him. It’s still incredibly raw.”</p> <p>“Simon was amazing. That’s all there is to say really. He was just the best.<br />“He was the nicest, kindest human. It is a huge loss.”</p> <p>The close friend of Mr Nellis revealed that Simon “fell in love” with Australia after going travelling around six years ago. He also claimed Simon was an “experienced swimmer who really knew the water”.</p> <p>“He was massively into wildlife and knew exactly what he was doing. He wasn’t daft. It’s just a freak accident.</p> <p>“Simon was doing his diving and he would send us the most amazing videos of the wildlife out there. He was so respectful of the wildlife.</p> <p>“He finished in the RAF about six years ago and he went travelling and then just fell in love with it out there. Then he fell in love with Jessie.</p> <p>Witnesses said they heard the victim yell out for help in desperation as the shark pounced just after 4:30 pm on Wednesday.</p> <p>The great white allegedly “attacked vertically” before dragging the man’s body out of the ocean.<br />Expert Lawrence Chlebeck said that the ferocious shark probably mistook the swimmer, reportedly wearing a wetsuit, for a seal when it launched and attacked.</p> <p>The 35-year-old was a regular swimmer in the bay where the frenzy occurred, according to local MP Michael Daley.</p> <p>One of the swimmer’s heartbroken friends, Della Ross, told Seven News: “Everything that is connected to Simon is connected to the ocean.<br />“He loved the water, he loved diving.”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

News

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Horror details emerge after Sydney's first fatal shark attack in 60 years

<p dir="ltr">Sydney’s first fatal shark attack in almost 60 years has left onlookers reeling.</p><p dir="ltr">A man was killed at Little Bay Beach in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs after he was attacked on Wednesday afternoon.</p><p dir="ltr">In a <a href="https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/news/news_article?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGZWJpenByZC5wb2xpY2UubnN3Lmdvdi5hdSUyRm1lZGlhJTJGMTAwMTMzLmh0bWwmYWxsPTE%3D" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, NSW Police said emergency services were called to the scene after receiving a report of the attack.</p><p dir="ltr">The victim has not been formally identified and human remains were found in the water, with NSW Police confirming that DNA from the victim's remains was being used to help identify them.</p><p dir="ltr">After witnessing the attack from just metres away, onlookers said the “big shark” came “out of nowhere” and attacked the man.</p><p dir="ltr">“Out of nowhere we just heard like ‘Agh’ and something came up and, yeah, it was just a big shark in the air, totally airborne, hit the guy very, very quick,” one witness told <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-shark-attack-witnesses-shocked-as-man-killed-metres-away/03322a55-187e-42af-9125-705ecad46b8f" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p><p dir="ltr">“Came back down and we realised it was a shark attack on a swimmer. Just ten metres off the rocks. We couldn’t do anything about it.”</p><p dir="ltr">Kris Linto, another witness, claimed the shark was about 4.5 metres long.</p><p dir="ltr">“(The person) was swimming and a shark came and attacked (them) vertically,” Mr Linto said.</p><p dir="ltr">“We heard a yell and turned around, it looked like a car had landed in the water, a big splash then the shark.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-51158c3e-7fff-d96f-5acc-35ec64a148ee"></span></p><p dir="ltr">“It was really bad.”</p><p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/shark-attack-boat.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p><p dir="ltr"><em>The search for the shark which killed a man at a Sydney beach is resuming. Image: 9News</em></p><p dir="ltr">The search for the shark continues, as Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) volunteers assist police and officials from the Department of Primary Industries.</p><p dir="ltr">“This is a terrible tragedy, the first fatal shark incident in Sydney for decades. Our thoughts are with the man’s family and friends,” SLSNSW President George Shales said.</p><p dir="ltr">Steven Pearce, the organisation’s CEO, said the attack’s proximity to the rock shelf made it “particularly horrific” for witnesses.</p><p dir="ltr">“We had our Life Savers helicopter on the scene within minutes,” he told Ben Fordham on 2GB.</p><p dir="ltr">“When they arrived, there was nothing they could do.”</p><p dir="ltr">The Department of Primary Industries has recently tagged several bull sharks near the area of the attack, but Mr Pearce said the species of the shark involved was still unknown.</p><p dir="ltr">But, judging by witness reports, he said “it’s a huge shark”.</p><p dir="ltr">“When we decide to go into the water, we have to remember it is their domain,” he said.</p><p dir="ltr">“(But) what happened yesterday, it makes everyone sick just thinking about it.”</p><p dir="ltr">Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker said the incident at a normally “calm”, family-friendly location has left the community in shock.</p><p dir="ltr">“The coast is our community’s backyard,” he said.</p><p dir="ltr">“Little Bay is normally such a calm, beautiful place enjoyed by families.</p><p dir="ltr">“To lose someone to a shark attack like this is chilling. We are all in shock.</p><p dir="ltr">“Our entire community’s hearts go out to the family of the victim.”</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d3681dd2-7fff-f819-39c4-81e4adc3cdfb"></span></p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: 9News</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Man’s skin ruined after tanning injection disaster

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Before a much anticipated holiday to Spain, 28-year-old Dylan Wright wanted to boost his golden tan. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To get the glow he was searching for, he purchased $18 tanning injections, and administered two of them before leaving for the airport. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, at the end of his six-day trip, his complexion was a lot darker than he expected. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dylan says that looking back, he probably should’ve used only one syringe, but didn’t want to run the risk of bringing the injections through airport security. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I bought them before to make the most of the sun. I went on the sunbeds a bit before the holiday but didn’t take the injections until just before I left,” he told </span><a href="https://swns.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">SWNS</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sharing his story to TikTok, Dylan said he has been left with permanent physical reminders of the injections, and even experienced a cancer scare as a result. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The doctors called me an idiot and told me it’s a side effect from the drug, but now I’m stuck with [freckles],” he said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve got freckles like I’m in my 50s or 60s. It feels like my skin’s aged.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The injections contain a lab-made hormone called melanotan II to increase melanin production, but at the cost of lasting skin damage. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now that Dylan’s  excessive tan has faded, he is trying to spread awareness of the dangers of tanning injections, and urging people to do their own research. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s really not worth it. There’s safer ways to tan, like fake tanning,” he said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It gave me a wake-up call … It’s a classic case of being 20 and thinking you’re invincible.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: TikTok</span></em></p>

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