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Things to remember when booking a group tour

When it comes to travelling abroad, many people opt to take part in a group tour to get the most out of their holiday. However, there are always a few logistics to iron out before you book your trip, because running into issues on a tour can make or break your vacation. Thankfully, travel expert Dilvin Yasa has shared her go to tips for getting the most out of your group tour. Budget accordingly When planning your group tour, budgeting is one of the most important factors, as these trips are rarely all-inclusive. Dilvin Yasa told <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/things-first-timers-get-wrong-on-group-tours/61fa10d2-ce80-40bb-ab92-9008b3d9296d">9Travel</a> it’s important to “read the itinerary carefully before you book and add up all the exclusions until you arrive at your 'real figure'.” Extra costs on a group tour could include lunches, dinners, attractions and additional activities, so make sure you factor these potential costs in. Know your geography Yasa advised against skipping between different destinations, as strict time constraints could prevent you from partaking in back to back tours. “If the itinerary doesn't list distances or time between destinations, hit up Google Maps to get an idea of how long you're expected to be in transit during each leg of the tour.” Don’t arrive at the last minute The travel expert said if you’re heading on a group tour, don’t leave it until the day the tour departs to arrive at your destination. “The last thing you want is to miss a connecting flight or hit any other sort of delay that could see you miss the first or two of the tour you've paid for,” Yasa said. “Aim to arrive the day before at the very latest and give yourself a little extra free time at the tail end as well - just in case.” Keep some cash on hand While most of your tour should already be paid for before you depart, you should always be prepared for extra expenses. Especially when travelling to more remote locations, or if you’re visiting smaller food vendors or markets, you shouldn’t assume everywhere will take card payments. Yasa said, “Make sure you have local currency on you at all times and you're good to go.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Tips

"That was so good!" Pink shocks local theatre group with standing ovation

The magic of theatre collided with the star power of Pink in an unforgettable moment that left the Sydney community buzzing with excitement this week. The community theatre group PACA Sydney received the surprise of a lifetime as the iconic American singer, Pink, graced their final performance of "In The Heights" at Chatswood Concourse. Accompanied by her husband Carey Hart and their kids Willow and Jameson, Pink's presence sent shockwaves of delight through the theatre. What's even more heartwarming is that the global superstar reportedly purchased her own tickets, embodying humility and genuine support for the arts. As the curtains closed, the real show began backstage, where Pink mingled with the performers, leaving them star-struck and overjoyed. A video capturing their ecstatic reactions flooded social media, showcasing the sheer disbelief and elation of the theatre group as Pink showered them with praise and admiration. <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/C3POaWjJ5jg/?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/C3POaWjJ5jg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Pan Academies of Creative Arts (@panacademies)</a> </div> </blockquote> Expressing her admiration for the performance, Pink shared her own struggles to stay seated, confessing, "I want to dance too!" In a touching moment, Pink's genuine appreciation for the show was evident as she applauded the cast with a standing ovation. The impact of her visit resonated deeply with the performers, who were left speechless by her kind words and support. Choreographer and event coordinator Janina Hamerlok captured the essence of Pink's visit, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13077395/Pink-shocks-Sydney-theatre-group-surprise-visit-Australian-tour.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">describing her as</a> "completely lovely and extremely down to earth". Pink's recognition of the production's homage to the Latino community, on which "In The Heights" is based, really showed her genuine appreciation for the arts. Despite her superstar status, Pink opted for tickets in the upper level dress circle. However, her presence inevitably led to a well-deserved upgrade to house seats. Pink's surprise visit clearly uplifted the spirits of the theatre group. As she continues her Summer Carnival tour across Australia, her impromptu visit shows her unwavering support for the arts and her genuine connection with fans – especially in Australia! Images: Instagram

Music

8 signs you should be booking a group tour

Not sure if you should take a tour or go it alone? These are the times you’re going to want that expert on hand. 1. When you’re on a really tight schedule A tour will help you squeeze in as much as possible in a very short time. It will plan out a sensible itinerary with no backtracking or wasted journeys and will give you a realistic idea of how much you can fit in for a day. Plus you won’t have to puzzle out public transport for yourself. 2. When you’re feeling nervous Arriving in a new place can be scary sometimes, so having someone to walk you through it will make all the difference. If a city has a reputation for being unsafe or if it’s just your first time in a foreign country, a tour will give you a great worry-free introduction. 3. When there’s a big language barrier We’re lucky in that much of the world speaks English, so we can usually muddle our way around. But in some countries you’ll find there’s a significant language barrier, so having a native speaker is going to make all the difference. 4. When you want to meet some locals This might sound counterintuitive, but an organised tour can be one of the best ways to meet some locals. First of all, your guide is likely to be local and can introduce you to their hometown. Secondly, it’s daunting to walk into a crowded bar or cool café when you don’t know anyone. A guide can smooth the way and ensure you don’t get stuck in tourist traps. 5. When it’s really busy If you don’t fancy joining the huge line outside a popular museum or waiting hours for tickets, a tour could be the way to go. They can often organise private or after hours visits, get special passes to cut the line or take you to areas that are off limits to the general public. 6. When it’s the law Want to visit North Korea? You’re going to need to join a tour. Some governments have restrictions in place that mean foreign tourists can only visit when accompanied by a registered tour guide and independent travel is simply not an option. 7. When you’re doing something really adventurous Trekking, white water rafting, canyoning or safaris – for safety reasons you’re going to need to join a tour. These kinds of activities can be dangerous, so you don’t want to be risking them on your own. A tour or private guide will show you the best way to get your heart pumping. 8. When you’re going right off the grid Places like Antarctica, the Arctic, remote corners of Africa or tricky countries like Russia are best done on a tour. Often the logistics of simply getting there are impossible for the independent traveller or you will need help navigating the complex visa process. In these instances, it’s a relief to put yourself in someone else’s hands and just concentrate on having fun. Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

Women's fitness group praised for stopping man from allegedly drowning his son

In a heart-pounding moment of courage and quick thinking, a group of women in an outdoor fitness class have rescued a 5-year-old boy after his father allegedly tried to drown him. The alleged incident occurred at the Dampier foreshore, in the remote region of Pilbara Western Australia. Police allege that the 26-year-old man drove his four-wheel drive into the ocean, before repeatedly forcing the child's head under water. The group of women intervened and helped save the child, with one believed to have punched the man several times, injuring her hand in the process according to the Sydney Morning Herald. WA Police have praised the “bravery” of the community members, who allegedly hit the man until he released the child. “Without their involvement, their courage and their bravery to get involved, it could have ended a lot worse,” WA Police spokesman told ABC Pilbara. “They responded without hesitation and contacted the police.” Emergency services were called to the foreshore around 6am on Monday, with the man arrested shortly after. The five-year-old child was taken to the hospital for assessment but is believed to be uninjured. The 26-year-old man from Nickol has since been charged with a number of offences, including attempting unlawfully to kill, two counts of assault with intent to commission a crime, reckless driving and one account of no authority to drive (never held). He was refused bail and will appear in Karratha Magistrate’s Court at a later date. Image: news.com.au

Legal

Over-55s the only group to receive Centrelink payment boost

Older recipients of JobSeeker will receive a higher welfare payment as the federal budget is set to include an increase in payments for 227,000 Aussies. According to 7News, the budget will include an increase in the base rate of the JobSeeker for people aged 55 and above. The change honours Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ promise that an increase “will be focused on the most vulnerable”. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher previously committed to a “significant improvement” in terms of the budget. When asked if the rate of JobSeeker would be lifted, Gallagher revealed the budget would contain “ongoing” investments to help people with cost-of-living pressures, in addition to one-off measures. “This budget will have a significant cost-of-living package and that cost-of-living package will be targeted to the most vulnerable Australians,” she said. About 227,000 Jobseeker recipients are 55 and over, which is the highest number of any age group and the group most likely to be unemployed long-term, meaning they are without a job for five years or more. The majority of people in this group are women. Senior sources reportedly told 7News that the increase will be modest, not the $100-a-week advocates are hoping for but what the budget can afford. The change is unlikely to please Raise the Rate campaigners, who have called for the government to bring payments above the poverty line. 7News reported that the government will sell the moderate increase as a “responsible first step”, an increase that will help the most vulnerable of JobSeeker recipients and honours its election commitment to do what it can to help within the restraints of the budget. The pressure continues to pile up for the government to substantially increase income support payments above $49.50 a day for singles on JobSeeker and $40.20 a day for Youth Allowance. An open letter to the Prime Minister, which has been signed by more than 300 politicians, community advocates and prolific Aussies, called for an increase to be included in the budget to support those most in need. “Right now, the rate of JobSeeker is so low that people are being forced to choose between paying their rent or buying enough food and medicine,” the letter, coordinated by the Australian Council of Social Service, read. In 2022, the council’s research found six in 10 people on income support were eating less or reporting difficulty getting medicine or care due to their inadequate income. This increased to seven in 10 in March 2023. The budget plans to extend single-parenting payments and increase rental assistance - particularly for women. Around $120 billion in Morrison Government road and rail projects will be reviewed and money reprioritised, with hundreds of smaller projects likely to be stopped. Image credit: Getty

Money & Banking

The surprising habit that can help you live longer

Most of the time when we hear about life-extending wonders, it’s usually a bizarre new superfood or crazy exercise fad. But this is one we can get behind. <a href="http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/6/2/e010164" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A new study</a> from researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that people who join social groups in retirement increase their quality and length of life. Researchers Dr Niklas Steffans and Dr Tegan Cruwys teamed up with UQ professors to track the health of 424 UK-based subjects over the age of 50 for six years and compare them to people of the same age, sex and health status who still worked. They found that the retirement group had a significantly higher quality of life, most notably if the retiree was a member of one or more social groups. “For retirees who belonged to two social groups before retirement, their chance of death was two per cent if they maintained the same number of groups for six years afterwards,” Dr Steffans told <a href="https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2016/02/want-longer-life-join-club" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UQ News</a>. “For those who lost membership of one group, the risk of death rose to five percent, while those who lost membership of both groups had a 12 per cent chance of dying in the six years that followed.” Dr Steffans believes that a sense of belonging and identity helps retirees “sustain a meaningful and healthy life”. Also, many social group members were found to have higher levels of physical activity, which could account for a boost in longevity. “As people reach the end of their working lives, they are typically exposed to a lot of advice about how to plan their finances, medical care, and physical exercise in order to have a long and healthy retirement,” Dr Steffans told <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-retirement-socializing-idUSKCN0VP2KL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>. “One important way for all of us to enhance the health of those who are retired is to support them in their efforts to be part of groups that provide them with a sense of communality and belonging.” Tell us in the comments below, are you a part of any social groups or clubs? If not, will these findings inspire you to join one? Image: Getty

Retirement Life

Brave grandmother defends grandson from group of violent thieves

An elderly woman in Queensland has been injured while defending her grandson from a group of alleged teen thieves. The incident took place inside a carpark in a shopping centre, located in Maryborough, and the video has been shared around social media. Footage shows the group of youths opening the back of a red car and attacking the boy inside. They’re seen throwing punches and attempting to grab his legs. It is believed they were trying to steal the victim’s shoes. The woman, who is understood to be the boy's grandmother, attempted to intervene by trying to grab one of the attackers, placing herself between her grandson and the other boys. The woman in her 70s was injured and the group fled before the police could arrive. They are yet to be charged but police urge anyone with information to come forward. “This was obviously a concerning incident, where a number of youths approached a youth in the carpark who was there with his grandmother,” Maryborough Inspector Paul Algie said. Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

Small group of Aussies set to be $9000 better off

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is set to hand down his Labor government's first federal budget on October 25th, in the face of soaring inflation and an ongoing cost of living crisis. Despite the cost of groceries continuing to rise in the wake of the devastating floods, treasurer Jim Chalmers is warning Australians to brace for spending cuts and limited cost-of-living relief. While most Aussies are battling day to day with the reality of inflation and a dark outlook for the global economy, Labor has refused to cancel the former government’s stage three tax cuts – meaning some 600,000 high-income earners will be better off by up to $9075 per year when the changes come into effect in 2024-25. “There will be a substantial impact on the cost of living [from the floods], there will be a substantial impact on the budget and there’s no pretending otherwise,” Dr Chalmers told the Nine’s Today on Tuesday. “We don’t yet know what the full impact will be on the cost of living, we don’t yet know how many billions of dollars this flood and its recovery will cost. What we don’t want to do, and we’ve seen this overseas, is provide cost-of-living relief in a way that just creates more inflation and pushes interest rates up higher than they would otherwise be.” Chalmers then referenced the UK, where Prime Minister Liz Truss and Chancellor of the Exchequer Kwasi Kwarteng’s tax-cutting mini-budget last month caused chaos in money markets and brought the country’s pensions schemes to the brink of implosion, while the cost of the Great British Pound tanked around the world. “The UK government itself is recognising that perhaps they got this balance wrong and they’re trying to recalibrate their settings,” he said. “That is an important lesson for all of us. What we’ve tried to do is make sure that the cost-of-living relief that we give doesn’t make the job of the Reserve Bank harder.” Labor has warned of a tough budget as global recession fears continue to loom, with Chalmers saying, “It won’t be fancy. It won’t be flashy. It will be responsible. It will be solid.” Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

The age group that experiences ageism the most

Australians over the age of 50 consider ageism to be a serious problem particularly as they get older. A new poll of 1,000 Aussies conducted by RedBridge Group placed them in age groups - 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s age groups, ahead of the nation’s Ageism Awareness Day on Friday. The research found that 68 per cent of people aged over 50 have experienced ageism and consider it a huge issue. However, those in their 80s dismissed ageism by being the group to complain the least about it. Dr Marlene Krasovitsky, the head of EveryAGE Counts, said it is evident that from the poll results, Aussies are feeling “powerless” when it comes to ageing. "Ageism is pervasive, but often hidden. The only way we can end it is to bring it out of the shadows,” she said. "Often older Australians feel powerless when we encounter ageism. However, if we know what it looks like and name it, we can take constructive actions in response. In this way each of us can help build an Australia without ageism. "People often don't know how to approach difficult conversations about ageism, but we know there are approaches that work better than others. For example, it's tempting to argue that 'one day you'll be in my shoes,' but the latest research shows people find it hard to conceptualise their future selves, and that it may actually be more persuasive to simply explain the impact the ageism had on you personally.” Ageism Awareness Day ambassador Monica Trapaga suggested a way to tackle the negativity surrounding ageism is by spreading awareness. “So much ageism happens unconsciously, and it's allowed to keep happening because we don't feel sufficiently informed or empowered to push back,” she said. Image: Shutterstock

Retirement Life

6 major muscle groups you need to train to keep fit

There is no question that strength is beauty. Not only will resistance training make you look toned, strong and beautiful, it is the key in the fight against aging. This is because adults lose muscle every decade of their life, which underlies all the perils of aging, osteoporosis, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, unwanted weight gain and an increased susceptibility to illness and fall related injuries. Weight training can slow or even reverse this process. A muscle group is exactly what it sounds like: a group of muscles situated close together on your body that perform similar movements. You want to train all six major muscle groups for optimum health and strength and to keep your body symmetrical. Focusing on the 6 major muscle groups listed below will get you on track to your best body. You can complete this full body workout using half a dozen weight machines at the gym and this will provide you with efficient and effective results. 12 -15 repetitions x 3 sets for each machine. <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Chest – Your chest is involved in every type of push movement that you do, like pushing a door open. Working your chest will strengthen your pectoral muscles, give your breasts a more lifted appearance and is also extremely important for your posture. The chest press machine is essential and probably the most commonly used machine for upper body strengthening. It also engages the arms and shoulders. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Back – Strong backs not only look good and are important for posture but are also needed for all pulling, lifting and carrying actions. Working both lower and upper back muscles will stabilise and protect the spine. A strong back therefore is required to perform daily tasks and is protective against injury. The lat pull down is the machine to use here. After the chest press it is one of the most recognised in the gym. It targets many muscles of the back, but most importantly the latissimus dorsi which is the largest back muscle. Like the chest machine it also incorporates the arms and shoulders. The second machine for your back is the seated cable row machine. It works all the muscles across your middle back and in addition uses the triceps and biceps as stabilisers. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Arms – Strong toned arms look amazing. Beyond aesthetics however, regular arm exercises are closely linked to longevity as they strengthen your heart, improve circulation and can generally reduce the risk of heart disease. The assisted pull up (or chin up) machine is a fabulous way to work your arms and you can target different areas with different grips. A neutral (palms facing each other) and narrow grip is a highly effective way to work biceps and triceps especially for women who are still building upper body strength. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Shoulders – The shoulders – or deltoids -are among the most important we use in daily life. Whether we are pushing, pulling or lifting things over our head, they always come in to play. Great shoulders also make us look strong and confident. The shoulder press machine improves shoulder size, strength, stability and mobility. It also extends these benefits to the tricep muscles in the arms. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Legs – Leg exercises are excellent because not only do they make our legs look toned and beautiful they improve your overall body fitness and flexibility. Leg workouts engage the major muscle groups of the body which support healthy movement patterns daily life. The leg press machine is so popular, you practically need a reservation to get a few sets in. It is a powerful compound lower body exercise that works your quads glutes and hamstrings. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Calves – Keeping the calves strong is extremely important because your calves propel you forward and absorb load with every step. You can use the Leg press machine to strengthen your calves by placing your toes and the balls of your feet on the lower part of the platform. </li> </ol> Becoming strong and toned isn’t nearly as complicated and difficult as you might think. One of the biggest myths about building muscle and strength is that you have to spend long hard hours in the gym. This is just not the case, you simply need to put your 6 major muscle groups under pressure with some heavy weights once to twice a week. This type of training will increase your muscle mass, literally transform your body and set you on the path to a healthier, stronger, more youthful life. Lyndal Linkin, author of To Age or Not to Age, is a 56-year-old anti-aging expert who’s spent her lifetime learning about anti-aging solutions. A successful entrepreneur, corporate leader and mother, she uses her years of research and personal experience to explain the most effective methods so you can look and feel younger. Find out more at <a href="http://www.lyndallinkin.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.lyndallinkin.com.au</a> or Instagram: @lyndallinkin Image: Shutterstock

Body

Religious group members charged over eight-year-old’s death

Members of a religious group in southern Queensland have been charged over the death of an eight-year-old girl earlier this year. Elizabeth Struhs died on January 7 at her home in Rangeville, Toowoomba, after she was allegedly denied insulin for the treatment of her type 1 diabetes for about six days, per the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-05/religious-group-arrests-over-8yo-elizabeth-struhs-death/101208762" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a>. Five men and six women have been charged as a result, with one 60-year-old man being charged with one count of murder and failing to supply the necessities of life, while the remaining eleven - aged between 19 and 65 years old - have been charged with one count of murder. Elizabeth’s parents, Jason and Kerrie Struhs, have previously been charged with murder, torture, and failing to provide the necessities of life. Police allege the dozen involved were aware of Elizabeth’s condition and didn’t seek medical assistance, adding that emergency services weren’t contacted until about 5.30pm on January 8. It is alleged the parents and other members of the religious group prayed for Elizabeth’s recovery instead. The charges laid against them come after six months of investigation by the Toowoomba Child Protection and Investigation Unit, the Child Trauma Unit, and the Homicide Investigation Unit. More than 30 officers conducted a search at a residence in Harristown, where the 12 residents were arrested. Detective Acting Superintendent Gary Watts said the investigation was unlike anything he had ever seen. “In my 40 years of policing, I’ve never faced a matter like this,” he said. “And I’m not aware of a similar event in Queensland, let alone Australia.” According to sources that spoke to the ABC, the religious group is small, tight-knit, and has no ties to any established church in Toowoomba. In a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-brothers-and-sister-of-elizabeth-struhs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fundraiser</a> set up to support Elizabeth’s siblings, her older sister Jayde Struhs said her estranged parents were part of a “fear-driven and controlling” cult that took religion to its extremes. She said her younger sister’s death had left their extended family “completely shattered and heartbroken”. “We have faced the brutal reality that the people who should have protected her did not, and we may never know the full extent of what took place,” she said. The people charged in relation to Elizabeth’s death are expected to appear in court on Wednesday, while her parents will return to court later in July. Image: Supplied

Travel Trouble

Scam alert: Kmart customers targeted in bargain hunting Facebook groups

Kmart customers have been warned about a new scam circulating in bargain hunting Facebook groups. They have been warned to watch for advertisements offering Nintendo Switches for $2.95. The fake Facebook post has been circulating in parents' groups online and has already fooled a number of Aussies into handing their card details over. The post includes a photograph showing a doctored Kmart price tag displaying that the gaming device has been reduced from $379.86 to $2.95. It also claims that the lower price point is due to a contract dispute between Kmart and Nintendo. Not only is this is factually incorrect, but it is one of the first signs something is obviously fake, as it is too-good-to-be-true. “Kmart broke its contract with Nintendo and is giving away a Nintendo Switch game console to every Australian for $2.95,” the caption on the scam post reads. One shopper claimed her friend had lost $700 after falling for the scam, as the fraudsters took her bank details and withdrew money. “BEWARE. Another scam page going around, also there is a Dyson one,” she said. “Do not fall for it. Friend did and has lost around $700. They just keep taking from your bank. Can't stop it unless you email them and threaten with lawyers.” “Unfortunately I was one of those people who thought it was real,” another woman said. Some believe the advertisement is so fake it's the consumers fault that they fell for it in the first place. “Phishing messages are designed to look genuine, and often copy the format used by the organisation the scammer is pretending to represent, including their branding and logo,” ACCC's Scamwatch website said. Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

$3,000 bonus for one group of workers

The NSW government has announced a one-off $3000 payment for health workers to thank them for their ongoing efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet announced the decision on June 6, adding that the state’s health workforce would see a major boost of over 10,000 staff over the next four years, per <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/at-work/3000-cash-bonus-to-one-group-of-workers-for-efforts-during-covid19-pandemic/news-story/2f5b90844a5a495e0eae05881e6b8dec" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. “I want to pay special tribute to our health workers who over the past two years have done an outstanding job,” Mr Perrottet said. Paramedics and nurses will also be receiving a boost to their annual wage increases, with the wages of all public service workers being lifted from a 2.5 percent to a 3 percent increase this year, followed by a 3.5 percent increase in the next financial year. “That’s up to 6.5 percent pay increases for our public servants over the next two years,” Mr Perrottet said. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHealthServicesUnionNSW%2Fvideos%2F551732946613372%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> The increase comes as an addition to natural progression within the public sector and will apply to new industrial agreements made from July 1, 2022. The one-off payment will be available to permanent staff employed by the NSW Health Service, including paramedics, midwives, and cleaners. Between now and 2026, the government will spend $4.5 billion on bringing new doctors, nurses, paramedics and other health staff into the system. The NSW Health Services Union welcomed the influx of staff that has come as a result of ongoing “pressure” placed on the government, which has followed calls from many in the industry for better pay and working conditions. “We’ve been fighting nonstop for two years: fighting an international pandemic; fighting for recognition; fighting for what we’re worth,” the organisation wrote on Facebook. “Significant staffing increases will be welcomed by tired HSU members, but we’re not taking the pressure off. We need real pay rises from this government.” Image: NSW Health Services Union (Facebook)

Money & Banking

Group rescued after drawing SOS in sand

Two men, a woman and a toddler have been rescued from a remote beach after a huge SOS was spotted in the sand. The two men, a 19-year-old and a 23-year-old, a 23-year-old woman and a two-year-old girl left Pormpuraaw in a car headed for Kowanyama, in Far North Queensland about 2pm on Friday. Their vehicle was located by a member of the public, abandoned and bogged south of the Coleman River. It is believed they may have left the vehicle on foot in search of assistance. A ground and aerial search ensued before Queensland Government Air Helicopter spotted the SOS drawn in the sand. The group was eventually located safe and well about 11.30am on Sunday. Acting Senior Sergeant Rob Morris said it was important to stay with their vehicle in the event it breaks down and not wander off. "People who wander off to seek help run the risk of perishing if they do not have the adequate supplies or knowledge on how to stay safe," he said. He also recommended having emergency water and food supplies. Image: Queensland Police

Travel Trouble

Boy with autism viciously attacked by group

A mother has been left fuming after her son with autism was bashed by a group of people at a local shopping centre. Horrific CCTV shows the 14-year-old boy cornered by the group of attackers before being thrown onto the ground at CS Square Shopping Centre in Caroline Springs, Melbourne on Tuesday. The boy’s mother claims her son was asked whether he knew someone called “Harry” before he was set upon. “He was just like a rag doll that was just thrown and kicked about. They have viciously grabbed him and violently assaulted him,” she told <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/vic/melbourne-mum-says-autistic-son-stomped-on-in-vicious-shopping-centre-bashing-c-6611932" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>. “They stomped all over his head. He’s got bruising, quite a bruise to his eye, scratches where they grabbed around his neck as well. Stomped on his shoulder. “He was quite distraught and distressed, crying and screaming.” A security guard arrived after the incident occurred with arrests yet to be made for the vicious assault. The mother said she wants justice for her son. Image: 7News

Caring

“I am one of the group”: Francis Coppola reflects as ‘The Godfather’ turns 50

American writer and director Francis Ford Coppola has made dozens of films and gone on to win five Academy Awards and six Golden Globes, but The Godfather may just be his crowning achievement. With the first film in the trilogy celebrating its 50th anniversary, the acclaimed director shared the dramatic effects its success had on his life in an exclusive interview with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/francis-ford-coppola-godfather-at-50-changed-my-life-exclusive/" target="_blank">Empire</a> magazine. “Well, it’s odd, of course. To think that 50 years has gone by since the adventure of The Godfather, and when that changed my life so dramatically,” he told the publication. “Because now the Coppola family is considered synonymous with [the film by] many people, [but] when I came to LA, to UCLA Film School, I just dreamed to get a peek inside a studio. “Movies were an exotic fairyland.” While making the film and in the leadup to its initial release, Coppola was under financial pressure to support his wife and kids. But, its debut in 1972 - prompting lengthy queues just to buy tickets - saw Coppola’s fortunes change drastically. “I went from having zero money at all and a family to support, to having several million dollars, which was astonishing,” he recalled. “No one in my family had that kind of money. I went from being unknown and poor with a lot of family responsibilities - I was married young and I loved my kids and my family - to having some money and acclaim. I was famous, everyone knew about The Godfather and everyone knew about me.” Though The Godfather certainly provided Coppola with fame and wealth, the 82-year-old says it gave him something else he had always wanted: a sense of belonging. “The way I look at it, I always wanted to be one of the group,” he said. “As first, I was an outsider, and I wasn’t included in the group because I was a new kid, or I was poor. Then I became famous, and a success, so I still wasn’t one of the group. “In my heart, all I ever really wanted was to be considered one of the group, which I am now because when they talk about all the big directors of the ‘70s, they say George Lucas and Francis Coppola and Marty Scorsese and Steven Spielberg and Brian De Palma and Paul Schrader. “So I have what I want - I am one of the group.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Trailer for the 50th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece ‘The Godfather’, which will be released in select theatres on February 25 <a href="https://t.co/7vgsBADsF1">pic.twitter.com/7vgsBADsF1</a> — Lost In Film (@LostInFilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/LostInFilm/status/1481648113307701259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2022</a></blockquote> To celebrate the film’s milestone, Paramount Pictures and Coppola’s production company American Zoetrope have restored the trilogy - which will be released in 4K Ultra HD for the first time in March this year. “We felt privileged to restore these films and a little in awe every day we worked on them,” <a rel="noopener" href="https://thelatch.com.au/the-godfather-50th-anniversary-australia/" target="_blank">said</a> Andrea Kalas, the senior vice president of Paramount Archives. “We were able to witness first-hand how the brilliant cinematography, score, production design, costume design, editing, performances, and, of course, screenwriting and direction became famously more than the sum of their parts. “It was our commitment to honour all of the filmmakers’ exceptional work.” The Godfather 50th Anniversary will be released in select cinemas from February 25, 2022. Image: Vivien Killilea (Getty Images) / Silver Screen Collection (Getty Images)

Movies

Group of cold case investigators claim they’ve identified the Zodiac Killer

A group of 40 former law enforcement investigators that calls itself The Case Breakers is claiming to have discovered the identity of the Zodiac Killer. The group, which works independently from law enforcement agencies and focuses primarily on cold cases, said they discovered his identity using new physical and forensic evidence and information from eyewitnesses. According to a press release, the man in question is Gary Francis Poste, who they believe passed away in 2018. <a rel="noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/06/us/zodiac-killer-identity-law-enforcement-investigation/index.html" target="_blank">CNN’s attempts</a> to contact members of the family were unsuccessful. The group has reportedly filed court affidavits and secured decades’ worth of pictures from the man’s former darkroom. Their proof includes a furrowed forehead on the sketch artist’s drawing that matches Poste’s brow scarring, an allegation that one of the Zodiac’s mysterious ciphers could possibly be unlocked using Poste’s full identity, and claims that Poste may have killed a waitress named Cheri Jo Bates, an assumed (but not confirmed) Zodiac victim. Social media users have found traces of Poste online, including a memorial post made by a friend of his in November 2018 accompanied by a caption that includes ‘Zodiac?’, as well as a forum post also made in November 2018 by seemingly the same man, identifying Poste as the Zodiac killer. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> The funniest thing about them identifying the Zodiac killer is apparently some guy knew it was him and was just like hanging out with him <a href="https://t.co/ecjanXUjev">pic.twitter.com/ecjanXUjev</a> — Quinton Reviews 🎬 (@Q_Review) <a href="https://twitter.com/Q_Review/status/1445837540620218369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://t.co/kBPEI8GY6o">pic.twitter.com/kBPEI8GY6o</a> — Sibs (@SibsSwearsAlot) <a href="https://twitter.com/SibsSwearsAlot/status/1445844112188403713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2021</a></blockquote> In response to the news, the San Francisco Police Department confirmed to CNN that the investigation is still open, saying in a statement, "We are unable to speak to potential suspects as this is still an open investigation.” The FBI also did not acknowledge the claims, writing in a statement shared with CNN, "The Zodiac Killer case remains open. We have no new information to share at the moment.” Meanwhile, at least one Zodiac expert has called the identification ‘hot garbage’, with Tom Voigt, writer of Zodiac Killer: Just the Facts and owner of ZodiacKiller.com telling <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/zodiac-killer-expert-debunks-identity-theory-1238068/" target="_blank">Rolling Stone</a>, “It’s all bullshit, by the best way, simply to get that out of the best way. This is sizzling rubbish. I don’t know why it received any protection in any respect. It was principally a press launch.” The Zodiac Killer is believed to be responsible for at least five murders that occurred in Northern California between 1968 and 1969. He gained notoriety, including the nickname ‘Zodiac Killer’, by writing letters to police and local news outlets boasting of committing the murders, including letters written in code.

Legal

The sneaky way anti-vaxx groups are remaining undetected on Facebook

Anti-vaccination groups on Facebook are relying on an interesting tactic to avoid detection from those who don’t share their beliefs. The groups are changing their names to euphemisms like ‘dance party’ or ‘dinner party’ to skirt rules put in place by the social media giant. Harsher bans were put in place by Facebook to crack down on dangerous misinformation about COVID-19 and subsequent vaccines. The groups are largely private and difficult to find on the social networking site, but still retain a large user base and have learned how to swap out detectable language to remain unseen. One major ‘dance party’ group has over 40,000 followers and has stopped allowing new users to join due to public backlash. The backup group for ‘Dance Party’, known as ‘Dinner Party’ and created by the same moderators, has more than 20,000 followers. Other anti-vaxx influencers on Instagram have adopted similar tactics, such as referring to vaccinated people as ‘swimmers’ and the act of vaccination as joining a ‘swim club’. These devious tactics have been recognised by governments internationally, as there is mounting pressure for officials to increase pressure on the social media platforms to do more to contain vaccine misinformation. An administrator for the ‘Dance Party’ wrote that beating Facebook’s moderating system “feels like a badge of honour”, as they urged users to stay away from ‘unapproved words’. Using code words and euphemisms is not new among the anti-vaxx community, as it borrows from a playbook used by extremists on Facebook and other social networking sites for many years. Image credit: Shutterstock

Technology

Waitress receives $2k after group refuses to tip

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A waitress has received over $2,000 from her local community after a group who she served refused to tip in protest about the restaurants COVID-19 policies. Glenbrook Brewery in New Jersey currently has a 90-minute time limit for dining in customers which adheres to the state's COVID-19 rules. The currently policy requires indoor dining to operate at 50 per cent capacity as well as parties or of eight or less dining and all tables being six feet apart. One table didn't like the new rules and refused to tip after their $100 meal, deciding to leave a snarky reply on the receipt instead. "I'm sorry the server gets screwed on this. Don't kick paying customers out after 90 minutes," the receipt reads. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840656/receipt-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/74d2f6c4cc1840d682bc849c8c699dad" /> The waitress, Beth, told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/new-jersey-restaurant-almost-2g-covid-rules" target="_blank">Fox News</a> said the table "fought back" when she told them their 90-minutes was almost up, asking later to speak to the manager, after they paid, which is when she noticed the note. "Bars and restaurants are operating at 50% so we need to invoke 90 minute table limits to turn tables to keep a constant revenue stream," Jamie Lauren wrote, pointing out the adjustments eateries have been made over the past 12 months., including less wait staff and wearing masks. "We are struggling to make a living after being shut down for months and still aren't operating at full capacity," she continued. "We have adapted the best we can to serve our community. We would all love to be back to "normal" where we don't have to follow so many rules but sadly this is life during the pandemic." Locals have now raised almost $2,500 in response to the note but the waitress has said she'll only take out the money she should've been tipped and is dividing the rest with her co-workers. "It's really lovely what these people did and I just want to do some good with it," Beth said. "It's just really important to do some good with that money because it's – I didn't earn it, so if I can somehow try to reinvest it back into this amazing place, then yeah, that's exactly what we're going to do." </div> </div> </div>

Money & Banking

Jacinda Ardern admits mistake after group selfie

Jacinda Ardern has admitted she “made a mistake” after she took a selfie with fans, breaching social distancing measures. The New Zealand Prime Minister went to Massey University at Palmerston North on Thursday while on the campaign trail. Excited students followed her around campus and as she left, the PM was met by a group who wanted to take a photo with her. The prime minister reportedly asked the crowd to step back at first, but eventually joined them for the selfie. Ardern has admitted her mistake on Monday while announcing the easing of coronavirus restrictions. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7837997/jacinda-ardern-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bcb974e3cf7f40b796fef5218d838935" /> Image: Twitter "All the way through on the campaign trail and even before during alert level settings, I work really hard not to shake people's hands," she said. "I sanitise. I wear my mask in Auckland, and I work hard to try to keep my social distance. "In that particular photo I did make a mistake. I should have stepped further forward. I should have asked them to step apart from each other, and I acknowledge that." New Zealand is set for an election on October 17, which presents a unique challenge for candidates and voters during the COVID pandemic. Ardern spoke about the challenges on Monday. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Have I woken up in an alternate reality? Ardern: “I’ve acknowledged it was the wrong thing, I shouldn’t have taken a selfie...I’m sorry for it...I need to take responsibility for it...I should have not done it”<a href="https://twitter.com/TheAMShowNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheAMShowNZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/jacindaardern?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jacindaardern</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nzpol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nzpol</a> <a href="https://t.co/QL0hSZZmfu">pic.twitter.com/QL0hSZZmfu</a> — The Orwellian 🇳🇿 (@TheOrwellianNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOrwellianNZ/status/1308146584517894144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2020</a></blockquote> She says the country's social distancing restrictions are decided based on health advice and not on campaign needs. "None of our decision-making around these alert levels, actually are based on the politics or the campaign," she said. Restrictions in New Zealand have now eased, however Auckland still faces tougher rules than the rest of the country. "We are in a strong position to make our next move down our alert settings," Ardern said. "Auckland needs more time."

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Waitress receives $2k after group refuses to tip

Jacinda Ardern admits mistake after group selfie

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