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Vandals wreck roadside CCTV leaving locals with $300k replacement bill

<p>Two mobile roadside cameras have been targeted and damaged by a group of young men, leaving a local Aussie council with a large replacement bill. </p> <p>Video of the incident was shared on social media over the weekend and shows about a dozen men, most of them covering their faces , pushing over a camera trailer before swinging on the boom and hitting the camera. </p> <p>The "night time shenanigans" drew a mixed reaction, with some praising their antics saying: "Not all heroes wear capes."</p> <p>Others described them as "legends" and said  "good job fellas."</p> <p>However many slammed their acts of vandalism, with one person saying: "Total of 49 braincells combined."</p> <p>According to <em>Yahoo News</em>, the cameras were not monitoring drivers and are not managed by Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads. The cameras belonged to local government area intended to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime.</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/DAfgtmOPqxk/?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/reel/DAfgtmOPqxk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Its Called Straya 🇦🇺 (@its_called_straya)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Over the last week two of Council’s mobile CCTV camera trailers have been destroyed by vandals," a spokesperson for the council told the Townsville Bulletin.</p> <p>"The total replacement cost of both trailers is estimated to be more than $300,000 to ratepayers."</p> <p>According to council officials, the cameras were damaged in the suburbs of Woodstock and Bohle. </p> <p>"Townsville City Council has an extensive CCTV camera network of more than 600 fixed cameras and six mobile trailer cameras that can be deployed across the city to reinforce Council’s commitment to community safety," the spokesperson said.</p> <p>Police are investigating the incidents, urging anyone with information to come forward. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"So Australian": Local trust praised for response to illegal tree cutting

<p>A resident's decision to cut down a tree for a better view of Sydney Harbour has backfired after a sign was erected where the tree once stood, to condemn tree vandalism. </p> <p>Following multiple reports of resident carrying out tree vandalism along affluent streets, the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust has called out the behaviour by setting up the sign in the Sydney lower North Shore suburb of Woolwich. </p> <p>"Tree vandalism has occurred in this area," the sign read. </p> <p>"The Sydney Harbour Federation Trust protects and manages this land for the enjoyment of the public.</p> <p>"Acts of vandalism like this deprive all of us of the natural environment."</p> <p>The sign also warned that offenders could be subject to fines and/or prosecution as punishment, and urged those who notice any suspicious activity to contact 8969 2100. </p> <p>After an image of the sign was shared to a Sydney group on social media, the local trust's actions have been praised, with many saying they "loved how petty this is" and one even declaring the response  "so Australian". </p> <p>"I hope they keep this sign, as a reminder to anyone contemplating doing something similar," one commented.</p> <p>"We're petty but we have a right to be. You don't f**n poison or cut down trees. F**n unacceptable behaviour," another added. </p> <p>Others accused the person who cut down the tree of being "entitled". </p> <p>In last November alone, over 300 native trees and shrubs vanished in front of multi-million dollar homes along the Sydney Harbour waterfront strip.</p> <p>Lane Cove Council believe that hand tools were used to silently cut down the trees, which impacts plants, and local wildlife including wallabies, possums and dozens of other species. </p> <p>On Monday, the council put out a statement saying its "pursuit of justice" is now ramping up, referring to the incident as "the largest tree vandalism case in Lane Cove’s recent history".</p> <p>They are trying to obtain permission to put up a sign to block "the harbour view of the property which would most benefit from the mass clearing of the trees." </p> <p>"As the area is classified as a Threatened Ecological Community and contains some items of Aboriginal Heritage, it was important the appropriate approvals were in place before installing the signage," the council added.</p> <p>"The legal case and banner installation are important steps in our commitment to seeking the strongest possible recourse response to send a message that we stand tall against tree vandalism."</p> <p><em>Images: Reddit</em></p>

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Teens arrested after vandalising over 100 graves

<p>Three teenagers have been arrested after they allegedly damaged 100 graves in Toowoomba Cemetery last weekend. </p> <p>Police allege that about 100 headstones in the heritage-listed cemetery were vandalised overnight between Friday August 9 and Saturday August 10. </p> <p>Images from the cemetery show the extent of the damages with headstones pushed over and some even cracked in two. </p> <p>Two 15-year-olds and a 17-year-old all from Toowoomba have been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.</p> <p>“Police would like to thank members of the community for their assistance,” Queensland Police said in a statement.</p> <p>Councillors on the Toowoomba Regional Council have condemned the alleged acts of wilful damage. </p> <p>"If you are the person so angry at society that this sounded like a good idea, there are many other ways to vent frustration than this," Councillor Tim McMahon said.</p> <p>State MP David Janetzki also expressed his concern over the damages caused. </p> <p>"For criminals to target the sacred resting place of our community's departed loved ones is unforgivable," Janetki wrote on Facebook.</p> <p>Toowoomba Region Mayor, Geoff McDonald condemned the vandalism saying: “What occurred at Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery on Friday night August 9 is simply disgraceful, disappointing and disgusting." </p> <p>“Such criminal acts of disrespect not only undermine the sanctity of a place meant for remembrance and reflection, but also inflict deep emotional pain on the families of those interred.</p> <p>“Memorial headstones serve as a tribute to loved ones, and their destruction is an affront to the memories they represent.”</p> <p>He added that council workers are cleaning up the damage and repairing the gravestones. </p> <p><em>Images: Cemetery Tours Toowoomba</em></p>

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Climate activists throw soup at Mona Lisa

<p>Two climate change activists have hurled soup at the bullet-proof glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting, the Mona Lisa, at the Louvre Museum in Paris. </p> <p>On Sunday morning, local time, a video posted on social media showed two women throwing red and orange soup onto the glass protecting the painting to the shock of bystanders. </p> <p>The incident came amid days of protests by French farmers across the country demanding better pay, taxes, and regulations.</p> <p>The two women, with the words "FOOD RIPOSTE" or "Food Counterattack" written on their T-shirts,  managed to pass under the security barrier and stood in front of the painting, while shouting slogans for a sustainable food system.</p> <p>“What is more important? Art or the right to healthy and sustainable food?” they asked. </p> <p>“Your agricultural system is sick. Our farmers are dying at work,” they added, before the security put black panels in front of the painting, and asked visitors to evacuate the space. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fr">ALERTE - Des militantes pour le climat jettent de la soupe sur le tableau de La Joconde au musée du Louvre. <a href="https://twitter.com/CLPRESSFR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CLPRESSFR</a> <a href="https://t.co/Aa7gavRRc4">pic.twitter.com/Aa7gavRRc4</a></p> <p>— CLPRESS / Agence de presse (@CLPRESSFR) <a href="https://twitter.com/CLPRESSFR/status/1751538762687893894?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>On its website, the "Food Riposte" group said that the French government is breaking its climate commitments, and they demanded a state-sponsored health care system to be put in to give people better access to healthy food, while providing farmers with a decent income. </p> <p>The protests comes after the French government announced a series of measures for agricultural workers on Friday, which they believe do not fully address their demands. </p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span></p>

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Captain Cook memorial vandalised ahead of January 26th

<p>A memorial honouring Captain Cook in Catani Gardens, St  Kilda has been vandalised ahead of Australia Day. </p> <p>The statue of the British colonialist was cleanly sawn off from its stone base, which was also defaced with red graffiti and the chilling message: “The colony will fall”.</p> <p>The memorial is believed to have been cut down around 3:30 am on Thursday, after members of the public alerted police. </p> <p>“Several people were seen loitering in the area around the time of the incident,” police said.</p> <p>Liberal MP Angus Taylor called the incident an “egregious act of vandalism" and said that it is one of the acts that "everyone should condemn.”</p> <p>“Captain Cook was a man of the enlightenment. Why would they do this to I think a great human being,” he said on <em>Today</em>.</p> <p>Port Phillip councillor Marcus Pearl described the incident as “disheartening” and called for the vandal to be held accountable for their actions. </p> <p>“This is not a solitary act of mischief,” he said.</p> <p>“It’s a repeated pattern of disrespect, especially evident around Australia Day for the past six years. Such acts blatantly disregard our community’s hard-fought principles of debate and democratic expression.”</p> <p>The Captain Cook statue has been a target of multiple vandalism attempts, with vandals covering it in bright coloured paint, both in 2018 and 2022. </p> <p>The Port Phillip councillor has urged people not to let this incident “fuel division” but instead drive “constructive, inclusive conversations." </p> <p>“Our community’s strength lies in its ability to engage in respectful and open discussions,” he said.</p> <p><em>Images: Today</em></p> <p> </p>

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"You can't forgive that": Teen arrested after felling of iconic 200-year-old tree

<p>A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in northern England after what police describe as the "deliberate" felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree. </p> <p>The tree had stood next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hadrian's Wall for nearly 200 years before it was tragically vandalised. </p> <p>Both locals and tourists have frequently stopped to capture a photo and appreciate the stunning tree ever since it gained fame for its appearance in Kevin Costner's 1991 film, <em>Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves</em>. </p> <p>Now, photographs from the scene on early Thursday showed that the tree had been cut off near the base of its trunk, and the locals are fuming. </p> <p>"The tree is a world-renowned landmark and the vandalism has caused understandable shock and anger throughout the local community and beyond," Northumbria Police said in a statement.</p> <p>"This is an incredibly sad day," they added. </p> <p>"The tree was iconic to the North East and enjoyed by so many who live in or who have visited this region."</p> <p>Alison Hawkins, was the first person to spot the damage while she was walking on the Hadrian's Wall path. </p> <p>"It was a proper shock. It's basically the iconic picture that everyone wants to see," she said.</p> <p>"You can forgive nature doing it but you can't forgive that."</p> <p>The Northumberland National Park authority have asked the public not to visit the iconic tree, which was voted as English Tree of the Year in 2016. </p> <p>Police report that the teen has since been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage, and has been assisting officers with their inquiries.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p> <p> </p>

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Insane excuse for tourist's Colosseum vandalism revealed

<p>The tourist who was caught carving his girlfriend's name into Rome's Colosseum has apologised for his action, while giving a mind-boggling reason as why why he defaced the relic. </p> <div id="story-primary"> <p>Ivan Dimitrov, a 27-year-old Bulgarian-born fitness trainer living in England, penned an apology to the mayor of Rome begging for forgiveness after allegedly using a key to etch “Ivan + Hayley 23” into the wall of the UNESCO heritage site. </p> <p>Dimitrov is facing a steep fine and possible time behind bars for his actions, and told the government official that he did not understand the gravity of his actions until it was too late. </p> <p>His apology, which was published in the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero, reads, “It is with deep embarrassment that only after what regrettably happened did I learn of the antiquity of the monument.”</p> <p>He said he was unaware how old the Colosseum was, and it was only after he was identified by police after a five day search that he understand “the seriousness of the deed committed”.</p> <p>“Through these lines I would like to address my heartfelt and honest apologies to the Italians and to the whole world for the damage caused to an asset which, in fact, is the heritage of all humanity,” Mr Dimitrov said.</p> <p>Alexandro Maria Tirelli, Mr Dimitrov's lawyer, painted his client as a run-of-the-mill ignorant tourist.</p></div> <div> <p>“The boy is the prototype of the foreigner who frivolously believes that anything is allowed in Italy, even the type of act which in their own countries would be severely punished,” Mr Tirelli told Il Messaggero.</p> <p>Mr Dimitrov was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/tourist-busted-for-carving-name-into-world-s-most-famous-roman-relic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blasted onlin</a>e after the video of him carving his and his girlfriend's name into the monument went viral under the title, “A**hole tourist carves name in Colosseum in Rome”.</div> <div> <p>Ryan Lutz, who filmed the act of vandalism, said he had just finished a guided tour of the Colosseum, which was completed in the year 80AD by Emperor Titus, when he spotted the fellow tourist “blatantly carving his name” into the wall.</p> <p>“And as you see in the video, I kind of approach him and ask him, dumbfounded at this point, ‘Are you serious? Are you really serious?’” Mr Lutz said. “And all he could do is like smile at me.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p> </div>

Travel Trouble

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“Please go away”: Grieving mother slams “god-bothering” vandal

<p dir="ltr">A heart-broken mother has slammed a “god-botherer” who superglued a cross to her son’s memorial.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sydney parents Edwina and Anthony Symonds lost their son Sebastian, lovingly known as Seb, when he was just 10-months-old in 2018.</p> <p dir="ltr">After Seb’s death, the grieving parents organised for a memorial plaque to be fixed to a sitting rock located at a popular walk in the city's northern beaches – a place they frequented with Seb before his passing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Edwina told <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/sydney-baby-memorial-plaque-cross-super-glue-parents-message/348ed1ef-3155-4d56-977e-df84db43715b" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>9Honey</em> </a>that she is used to finding well-wishing trinkets people have left behind on Seb’s memorial.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Previously we've had little bibles left there, or small rocks that have been painted by children, or feathers," Edwina said, adding that the family usually takes the items with them as they go along.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Edwina said one passerby has taken it too far, by supergluing a religious cross to the plaque.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's obnoxious," Edwina says.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was informed of the unwanted addition to her son's plaque by a friend, and shared a post on a local Facebook page to explain her distress.</p> <p dir="ltr">"To be fair, I'm Catholic and I used to go to church every week when I was younger. I don't have a problem with religion," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I think I captured it well with what I wrote. But don't super glue your religion to me or my son."</p> <p dir="ltr">Her Facebook post read, "To the God-botherer that vandalised our son's plaque by supergluing a cross to it!!! I imagine somewhere in whatever religion you choose to follow, there is some sort of rule that says, 'Don't be a low-life by wrecking other people's property.' If not, there should be.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Religion is a nice ideal. You are entitled to your beliefs and no-one should take issue with that. I certainly don't.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"I am sure you had some lovely thoughts when you were sitting with Seb like, 'God took this baby to a 'better' place, or that he 'had a plan' for this child, or even the classic 'everything happens for a reason.'”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Cool story, but please go away. Seb doesn't need you to 'save' him. He died already. He can't be saved.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Anthony also commented on the post, not holding back with his frustration over the vandal’s actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">"To the god botherer, Seb is looking down having a laugh at your kooky effort and giving you his swear finger. At 10 months old, his heart was as pure as it gets, though he has subsequently learnt the words f--k you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"A narrow minded fool, keep away from Seb's little playground. Keep your ideas out of other people's lives unless invited in, the end.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While many of the comments expressed distress at news of her son's death at such a young age, Edwina was quick to explain they are managing to live with their grief, and that Seb's death isn't the issue at hand.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm sure they had good intentions, but their execution is s***house," Edwina told <em>9Honey</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I haven't been down there yet, you have to walk one kilometre along the walkway to see it. I'll have to go to Bunnings to get some bond remover or something. But I have two young kids, so it's just another thing on my to-do list."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Reward offered after "senseless vandalism" of giant statue

<p>An act of vandalism that is being treated as suspicious by local police has seen a beloved art installation destroyed in Mandurah, south of Perth.</p> <p>Described as "thoughtless and selfish" by WA Premier Mark McGowan, the brazen act has caused a flood of disbelief and anger, with police offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction.</p> <p>The fire – which took place on Friday night – caused irreparable damage to Vivi Cirklestone, one of five wooden sculptures created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo and hidden throughout bushland in Mandurah, with a sixth installed in the Perth suburb of Subiaco.</p> <p>Mourners gathered to leave flowers on the charred wreck of the popular sculpture, which is one of a handful of “protectors of the environment” built in the region as part of a cultural tourism project.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FwaIncidentsalerts%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0j7E3Ssk4YC2sd7b6FhGyvRAWnhB4qKQs1EVZ2uYPbFkmn7Ratwee2bmEVAzzbPxVl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="792" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">“The circumstances surrounding the cause of the fire are being treated as suspicious,” WA Police said in a statement. </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Mandurah Detectives and the Arson Squad are now working to find what sparked the fire that razed the installation.</span></p> <p>Police also stated that an image doing the rounds on social media that showed the sculpture on fire had been accounted for and was not what it first appeared to many.</p> <p>“The photograph that’s been distributed on social media actually was taken by the person who reported the fire to DFES and the person in the footage is one of his mates,” acting inspector Tom Tristram said.</p> <p>The Giants of Mandurah took Danish artist Thomas Dambo hundreds of hours to complete and were launched in November as a free Australian-first exhibition.</p> <p>“Me and my crew are obviously super sad to hear this news,” Dambo said. </p> <p>“I feel it is probably done by a troubled person and is not the feeling of the general population”.</p> <p>Premier Mark McGowan also weighed in on the incident, saying that he “hopes whoever is behind this thoughtless and selfish behaviour at some point reflects on the sadness they have caused, especially so close to Christmas."</p> <p>“The sculptures aren’t just works of art, they are meant to be positive and fun attractions for families not just in Mandurah but across Perth and beyond. This is senseless vandalism. That’s all it is. And the victim isn’t just the artist but the community as well.“</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / Courtesy of Visit Mandurah</em></p>

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Russian guard sentenced after doodling eyes on exhibit painting

<p dir="ltr">A Russian security guard has been found guilty of vandalism after doodling eyes on an abstract painting by avant-garde artist Anna Leporskaya last December.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <a href="https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/08/29/russian-museum-guard-yeltsin-centre-doodles-sentenced">Art Newspaper</a>, he must serve 180 hours of “compulsory labour” and undergo “psychiatric evaluation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The painting, titled <em>Three Figures</em> (1932–34), was on loan to the Yeltsin Centre from Moscow’s State Tretyakov Gallery and valued at 75 million rubles (US$1.2 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">News of the vandalism broke when visitors alerted gallery staff of two crude eyes drawn on the painting’s faceless figures in a ballpoint pen. </p> <p dir="ltr">A police investigation revealed the culprit was 64-year-old Aleksandr Vasiliev, a security guard employed by a private company who was on his first day on the job. </p> <p dir="ltr">After the damage was deemed “insignificant”, it was restored and has since been returned to the Tretyakov Gallery. </p> <p dir="ltr">Vasiliev’s lawyer, Aleskei Bushmakov, shared a letter on his Facebook page that he sent to Zelfira Tregulova, the general director of the Tretyakov Gallery.</p> <p dir="ltr">He wrote that “taking into account the circumstances of the criminal case, the damage inflicted to the painting <em>Three Figures</em>” and “the high level of public attention in connection with the incident,” the museum considered closing the case “via reconciliation” but ultimately decided that it “does not regard it as possible to take such an appeal to the magistrate.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In an interview with Russian news site E1, Vasiliev said he believed the 20th-century work by Leporskaya was a “children’s drawing” and claimed he was goaded by teenagers to deface it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m a fool, what have I done,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: State Tretyakov Gallery / The Art Newspaper Russia</em></p>

Art

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Qantas chief Alan Joyce’s home egged by unknown vandals

<p dir="ltr">A harbourside property belonging to Qantas boss Alan Joyce has been the target of egg and toilet-paper-wielding vandals.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property, purchased by Joyce and his partner Shane Lloyd for $19 million earlier this year, is believed to have been struck on Monday night, after splattered eggs and toilet paper were spotted littering the roof on Tuesday, per <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/vandals-toilet-paper-and-egg-qantas-boss-19m-harbourside-mansion/news-story/c67d2637924a3ee0c7723feb99a686a8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ae81cd11-7fff-99e3-40e0-bdccf944e31d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Police are yet to reveal any leads on the culprits.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/alan-joyce-vandals.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Alan Joyce’s home was seen covered in toilet paper and smashed eggs. Image: Nine News</em></p> <p dir="ltr">It comes as Qantas faces public backlash for its treatment of workers and the decline in the quality of its service since flights resumed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unions have slammed the national airline’s approach to saving money during the pandemic, which saw the company pocket $855 million in jobkeeper payments while two thirds of its 30,000-person workforce were stood down, as well as the outsourcing of 1,683 ground crew jobs - a move deemed illegal by the Federal Court.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Qantas has led a years-long war on workers to control the decline in wages and conditions in aviation,” Transport Workers Union national secretary recently said of the company’s behaviour under Joyce’s leadership.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though cost-saving measures have impacted Joyce’s salary, which was revealed to be $24 million in 2018, he still brings in a hefty $2 million a year post-pandemic.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2cc8cecf-7fff-b62b-8762-5ddb28776b99"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The couple have relocated to the harbourside six-bedroom home from their apartment in The Rocks, neighbours say they have spent little time there since.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News / Getty Images</em></p>

Real Estate

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Mona Lisa gets caked in climate activist stunt

<p>The Mona Lisa has been targeted by vandals, when a visitor at the Louvre museum in Paris smeared frosting all over the Renaissance-era painting’s protective glass.</p> <p>The man posed as an elderly visitor in a wheelchair and a wig as he approached the painting, before throwing a piece of cake at the famous artwork, according to a statement from the Louvre.</p> <p>The vandal then walked away from the scene before being approached by security. </p> <p>“A visitor simulated a disability in order to use a wheelchair to approach the work, which was installed in a secure display case,” the statement noted.</p> <p>“The Louvre applied its usual procedures for people with reduced mobility, allowing them to admire this major work of art."</p> <p>“While standing near the painting, this individual threw a pastry he had hidden in his personal belongings at the Mona Lisa’s glass case."</p> <p>“This act had no effect on the painting, which was not damaged in any way.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Can anybody translate what ole dude was saying as they where escorting him out?😂 <a href="https://t.co/Uy2taZ4ZMm">pic.twitter.com/Uy2taZ4ZMm</a></p> <p>— Lukeee🧃 (@lukeXC2002) <a href="https://twitter.com/lukeXC2002/status/1530940469492035584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>A spokesperson clarified that visitors in wheelchairs are allowed to move in front of other museum-goers to better see the artworks. </p> <p>The 36-year-old man was arrested and taken to a psychiatric infirmary in the police headquarters, according to the Paris prosecutor’s office.</p> <p>An investigation has been opened by the prosecutor for “the attempt of damaging a cultural property”.</p> <p>In a video shared by a museum-goer to Twitter, the man is heard yelling in French, “Think of planet Earth, there are people destroying it” while security escorts the man, with rose petals scattered on the floor of the museum.</p> <p>Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, arguably the most famous painting in the world, draws millions of visitors each year to see her enigmatic smile. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Twitter @klevisl007</em></p>

Legal

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"Smile for the camera!": Man caught trashing Bunnings van

<p dir="ltr">A vandal has been caught red-handed interfering with the windscreen wiper of a parked Bunnings vehicle over the weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">The act was caught on the car’s dashboard camera on Sunday, and shared to the Facebook page Dash Cam Owners Australia on Tuesday. The video shows a man approach the car from the passenger side before starting to tamper with the wiper, bending it back onto itself and then twisting it around. The man was dressed in a brown New York Yankees cap, grey shirt, blue board shorts and thongs. He then left the scene, walking in the opposite direction.</p> <p dir="ltr">The incident took place while the car was parked on Victoria Avenue in the Sydney suburb of Concord West. The video garnered over 70,000 views in less than four hours, as well as hundreds of comments.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many commenters were happy the culprit was caught, with one person writing, “Smile for the camera you angry little man! I hope he’s been identified,” while another wondered what prompted the attack, asking, “Makes you wonder why people actually do this. Crazy. I wonder if he is known to the dashcam owner? Seems like it’s revenge for something possibly?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Others wondered whether it was part of a vendetta against the hardware store, with someone suggesting, “Vandalism to a Bunnings van? Probably worked for Mitre10,” while another wondered if the man wasn’t just hungry, writing, “Hangry for a Bunnings snag! Maybe they should do a snag van like Mr Whippy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commenter pointed out that the attack wasn’t particularly effective, writing, “If you’re gonna be a vandal, at least be an intelligent one and do that to the driver’s side wiper. All he achieved there is made it ever so slightly more difficult to see out the extreme left of the windscreen, and some minor inconvenience by needing to replace it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Dash Cam Owners Australia</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Vandals of the UK’s Edward Colston statue learn their fate in court

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, that were sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a US police officer, protestors all around the world took it upon themselves to remove commemorative statues of slave traders. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the UK city of Bristol, four people removed a monument of Edward Colston from a town square, before pushing the statue into the nearby harbour. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many protestors joined the four in spray-painting and destroying the statue, with many onlookers filming the destruction on their phones. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edward Colston was a member of the Royal African Company, and was responsible for transporting thousands of slaves from Africa during the mid 17th century. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The four protestors - </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rhian Graham, Jake Skuse, Sage Willoughby, and Milo Ponsford - were all charged with criminal damage when they removed the statue without permission. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/05/four-cleared-of-toppling-edward-colston-statute"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Guardian</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the protestors did not deny that they had toppled the monument, but maintained their innocence over the charges. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite admitting their involvement, the four protestors were found not guilty and set free. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The graffitied monument of Colston has since gone back on view in view in Bristol in a museum, with historian David Olusoga saying that it is “the most important artifact you could select in Britain if you wanted to tell the story of Britain’s tortuous relationship with its role in the Atlantic slave trade.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images </span></em></p>

Art

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"Disturbing and disgusting": Five men charged after cenotaph damaged

<p>Five men have been arrested and charged after the cenotaph in Martin Place was vandalised in Sydney's CBD over the weekend.</p> <p>Police on Monday appealed for public to help identify the men seen on CCTV climbing on the cenotaph and sitting on the shoulders of the bronze statue of a soldier about 3:10 am on Saturday.</p> <p>The group is accused of vandalism that damaged the soldier's bayonet.</p> <p>The five men turned themselves in to the police after a few short hours and one even issued an apology on camera to "all the diggers".</p> <p>Josh Gilbertson apologised for his role in the display and blamed it on excessive alcohol use.</p> <p>“One too many drinks and before I knew it the boys were up there and I just decided to follow,” he told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/" target="_blank">7NEWS</a>.</p> <p>“To all the diggers that served our country, I’m very thankful for what you’ve done.</p> <p>“If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t do it again of course.”</p> <p>One man, aged 21, was on Monday afternoon charged with damaging property and committing an offensive act on a war memorial.</p> <p>He was granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on June 28.</p> <p>Three others, aged 19, 20 and 21, were issued court attendance notices for desecrating a protected place.</p> <p>The fifth man, also 21, was issued a court attendance notice for offensive conduct.</p> <p>The act of vandalism sparked outrage, with RSL NSW President Ray James telling 7NEWS it was “disturbing and disgusting” and was a “personal attack on all members of the community, all members, all Australians”.</p> <p>“It’s a very special memorial and it’s a special memorial for all Australians. Not just veterans, but all Australians,” he said.</p> <p>Earlier Premier Gladys Berejiklian also condemned the vandalism, saying it’s important to understand the sacrifices made by veterans.</p> <p>“I think it’s really hurtful that a small number of Australians don’t appreciate the sacrifices many Australians made, who lost their lives and lost their livelihoods over many, many decades for our freedoms,” Berejiklian told reporters.</p> <p>“It’s incumbent on us to make sure that every single Australian citizen is aware and grateful for the sacrifices made by our ex-servicemen and women.</p> <p>“Anyone who defaces what is sacred to all of us will receive the full force of the law,” Berejiklian said.</p>

Legal

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Chinese-Australian family at the centre of racist vandalism receives outpouring of support

<p>A Chinese-Australian family whose home was vandalised amid the coronavirus pandemic has received an outpouring of support from neighbours, celebrities and fellow Australians around the country.</p> <p>The home – located in the Melbourne suburb of Knoxville – was targeted by vandals for two nights in a row, leaving the garage covered in coronavirus-themed racist graffiti and one of the windows smashed with a large rock.</p> <p>“COVID-19 China die” was spray-painted on the garage door on Monday morning, while the window was smashed on Tuesday morning.</p> <p>Australian permanent resident Jackson, whose surname was not disclosed, said he reported the vandalism to the police.</p> <p>Jackson said he had been “busy buying CCTV systems, repairing glass and buying lamps” since the attacks.</p> <p>He said having his window smashed made him “fearful”, and that his family “wasn’t politically active and did not want to support or oppose anyone”.</p> <p>Jackson said the support from the local community and politicians has helped him calm his nerves, but he was still worried about the safety of his wife and child.</p> <p>Victoria Police told the <em><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-23/chinese-australian-family-racist-coronavirus-racist-attack-speak/12178884">ABC</a> </em>they were investigating two incidents of criminal damage.</p> <p>Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge have condemned the attacks.</p> <p>“There’s no place in our Victorian community for that sort of conduct. It’s just evil,” Andrews said on Wednesday.</p> <p>“At a time when we should be coming together and supporting each other, it needs to be called out for what it is. It’s just appalling, absolutely appalling.</p> <p>“And it won’t help us save lives, it won’t help us save jobs, it’s not only the wrong thing to do, it’s just not smart either.”</p> <p>Professor Tim Soutphommasane, former Race Discrimination Commissioner, said many Asian-Australians felt they were “being made scapegoats for the virus”.</p> <p>“We are seeing the spread of extremist propaganda and conspiracy theories, especially online. What’s really concerning is how quickly some of the sentiment appears to be working into mainstream opinion,” he told <em><a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200422xmlsb/racism-on-the-rise-as-asian-australians-made-scapegoats-for-covid-19-20200423">10 daily</a></em>.</p> <p>“There’s got to be an emphatic public message that there’s no excuse for racism, and for blaming groups in our society for the coronavirus.”</p> <p>An online database for anti-Asian racism in Australia has received 240 reports in less than a month.</p> <p>The survey, which was launched in early April by the Asian Australian Alliance, found that many of the respondents had been subjected to a racial slur or name-calling such as “stop eating bats” and “go back to China”, while others said they were “getting spat/sneezed or coughed on”.</p> <p>Earlier in April, 16 prominent Asian-Australians created a petition calling for “unity over fear and hatred” during the pandemic. At the time of writing, the public letter has been signed by more than 25,000 people, including celebrity chef Adam Liaw and writer Benjamin Law.</p> <p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison has condemned the racist abuse against Chinese-Australians, saying Asian migrants led the way in Australia’s response to the coronavirus crisis.</p> <p>He told <em><a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/scott-morrison-says-asian-australians-led-coronavirus-response-condemns-racist-attacks-against-community">SBS News</a></em>: “It was the Chinese Australian community that actually protected Australia. They led the way and the broader community is now following.”</p>

Caring

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Vandals ruin antique train carriages used for popular TV shows

<p>Vandals have caused “significant criminal damage” to antique train carriages that are regularly used in period television dramas including <em>Downton Abbey</em> and <em>Dad’s Army</em>.</p> <p>The incident followed a '60s alcohol-fuelled festival which welcomed thousands to enjoy live music just metres away from where the carriages were vandalised.</p> <p>It is believed the carriages were targeted because they were parked in a siding at Pickering according to North Yorkshire Moors Railway.</p> <p>General manager Chris Price said, “We were absolutely devastated to discover that the carriages had been damaged overnight.”</p> <p>“Until the set has been completely assessed we will not know the full extent of the damage caused.”</p> <p>“I doubt very much that the set will run again in the 2017 season.”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="645" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39926/in-text-train_499x645.jpg" alt="In Text Train (1)"/></p> <p>Supporters have already donated hundreds of pounds towards the repair of the antique carriages, which is thought to cost thousands to restore.</p> <p>The carriages, dating from 1930 to 1950, have appeared in various films and TV shows.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="360" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39927/downton-abbey_498x360.jpg" alt="Downton Abbey"/></p> <p>North Yorkshire Police said the vandals smashed windows to gain access to the train compartments and then proceeded to trash the carriages between 10 pm on Saturday and 7 am on Sunday.</p> <p>The carriages are owned and maintained by the London and North Eastern Railway Coach Association (LNERCA), a charitable organisation that restores heritage coaches for use on the NYMR.</p> <p>North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a historic line in Britain, takes visitors on journeys along an 18-mile railway line aboard steam and heritage diesel trains.</p> <p>“What has been a busy and enjoyable weekend for all those involved in the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, has now been overshadowed by this mindless act of vandalism,” said North Yorkshire Police Inspector Martin Dennison.</p> <p>“There is understandably a feeling of anger and outrage among the community and police are determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”</p>

TV

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Vandalism opens up opportunity for river cruises

<p>Vandalism has closed one opportunity but opened up another for a water tourism venture looking to expand across the Waikato River.</p> <p>Waikato River Explorer has been granted permission to move a pontoon and ramp from Acacia Narrows Reserve near Airport Rd, and relocate it to the Mystery Creek Events Centre a few kilometres away.</p> <p>The move would give the river cruise business an all-weather, secure mooring point, to connect the 12,000 to 15,000 tourists its river cruise carries each year, to new events planned at Mystery Creek. It would also connect visitors with the popular Te Awa Cycle Way which runs past the events centre.</p> <p>Company director Darren Mills said the floating pontoon at Acacia was used as an alternative when the cruise boat could not access the jetty at Mystery Creek.</p> <p>"The mooring at Mystery Creek is currently fixed, so when there is a flood, it's underwater. We were able to use the one at Acacia as an alternative because it's a floating pontoon.</p> <p>"But during the summer it was damaged by people using it as a ramp to dive into the river. They'd drive nails into the pole of the pontoon and use them as steps to climb up, and then dive into about 1.5 metres of water."</p> <p>Mills said originally the business planned to redevelop the Acacia pontoon but heard that the council wanted to remove it because of vandalism.</p> <p>"So we said we'd remove it at our cost, and asked if we could relocated it to Mystery Creek."</p> <p>The council's service delivery committee met to review Mills' request and gave it the nod. The decision would still have to be approved at a full council meeting.</p> <p>"What this will do is give us an all-weather, all-height access mooring to use. And the Acacia structure will fit that purpose."</p> <p>Mills said a one-way cruise from Hamilton Gardens to Mystery Creek had proved popular with visitors and he aimed to build on that interest.</p> <p>"What we have now is a situation where there are a lot of tourists arriving in Hamilton then getting on a bus and going to Hobbiton, Rotorua or Waitomo Caves.</p> <p>"We want to be able to offer cruises like this one, to keep them in the Waikato a bit longer."</p> <p>Mills said the business had grown since he and wife Vanessa restarted the river cruises in 2012.</p> <p>The Mystery Creek site would help propel the business forward in the coming years. The business has one cruise boat operating now but a second could be added in the future.</p> <p>"Boats aren't cheap and they have to be specifically built to your needs, in terms of how you're going to use them."</p> <p>Mills said the Hamilton City Council's river plan may also offer new mooring sites in the city and a further chance to grow cruise passenger numbers.</p> <p>Have you ever been on a river cruise? How did you find the experience? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/09/i-saw-the-best-of-europe-on-an-imperial-danube-cruise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>I saw the best of Europe on an Imperial Danube cruise</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/nerrida-romantic-getaway-on-a-barge-in-provence/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My romantic getaway on a barge in Provence</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/cruising/2016/08/13-things-to-do-to-make-the-most-of-a-river-cruise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>13 things to do to make the most of a river cruise</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising

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