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"Absolute disappointment": Home and Away fans slam season finale

<p>Fans of <em>Home and Away</em> have been left outraged after the finale of the 2024 season, with many claiming it was "boring and predictable".</p> <p>Viewers of the long-running Aussie soap were disappointed by the feature-length episode that  promised "bloodshed" and "deadly consequences" and while it ended with two lives hanging in the balance.</p> <p>The show is set to return on January 13th and pick up where it left off, leading to the resolution that will see fans waiting almost two months for answers.</p> <p>After Thursday night's finale, hundreds of fans flocked to social media to share their annoyance over all the drama being crammed into the last 10 minutes of the episode, despite its 90-minute runtime. </p> <p>"Found the last episode so boring and predictable," one fan said. "How many more coppers are going to end up in jail?"</p> <p>"I have to say, that was ridiculously s**t for a season finale," another complained. "The best bit was the last 15 seconds."</p> <p>"That was the worst ending," someone else said, with another agreeing. "What an absolute disappointment for this year's final episode. Love Home and Away, but this was by far the worst final episode of the season ever."</p> <p>"I was so disappointed with the ending," another fan said. "I expected it to be more drama/suspense but it was quite boring in my opinion. Now an almost 2 month wait for the show to return."</p> <p>While many were disappointed, others were excited to see how the dramatic storyline is set to be resolved in the new year. </p> <p>"I'm so excited for the new season," one fan said. "What am l going to do without this lol it’s pretty sad when you so look forward to it at 7pm," another lamented. "I can't believe I've got to wait till next year, it's already killing me," someone else agreed.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Home and Away </em></p> <p> </p>

TV

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Tourist's disrespectful Machu Picchu act slammed

<p>A tourist has been slammed online after she was filmed sprinkling her loved one's ashes at Peru’s Machu Picchu. </p> <p>The clip posted to TikTok by Peruvian tour operator IncaGo Expeditions has been taken down amid fierce backlash, but not before it was reshared on other platforms online. </p> <p>In the video, the woman stood atop one of the 15th-century Inca citadel’s terraces as she scattered the ashes. The footage ended with her taking a bow and embracing another person. </p> <p>Her actions have been slammed online, with one person saying: “may the full weight of the law fall on the person who did this act, there was no respect for Machu Picchu." </p> <p>“What is the need to do it in a universal jewel, such as Machu Picchu?” another commented. </p> <p>The sacred landmark,  has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage landmark in Peru, and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. </p> <p>Peruvian cultural officials have also criticised the behaviour and called for greater action in preserving the history of the landmark. </p> <p>T’ika Oregón, a lawyer with the Cusco Commission of Jurists, told local media that “archaeological areas are not repositories of any type of ashes, much less of a deceased person,” reported the <em>Daily Mail</em>. </p> <p>She also claimed that the ceremony could've been a promotional stunt orchestrated by the tour operator. </p> <p>“It must be determined if it is an agency that is dedicating itself to this objective or if it is a person, and according to the level of participation, of seriousness, the maximum penalty will have to be given,” she said.</p> <p>The Ministry of Culture is currently trying to identify the woman and tour agency responsible for the desecration. </p> <p>“Machu Picchu deserves respect and protection from visitors and tourism operators, who are obliged to comply with the provisions contained in the regulations for visiting the Inca city of Machu Picchu,”  they said in a statement. </p> <p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Completely out of touch" boomer slammed for housing advice

<p>An Aussie boomer has been slammed online after sharing advice for younger generations to buy a house, with her words of wisdom being labelled as "infuriating". </p> <p>The Sydney homeowner shared her matter-of-fact views when asked about her own property journey for a TikTok video by property app Coposit Street, who regularly hit the streets to ask people of all ages about their opinions on home ownership. </p> <p>The woman, who chose not to disclose her age or how much she has in savings, didn’t hold back when asked about younger Aussies, saying they “don’t make sacrifices” in order to break onto the property market. </p> <p>“When I was younger …. I never did brunches and partied and now (it’s what) they wanna do, she explained in the video, before admitting “it’s harder for them now”. </p> <p>“Things are so expensive but they can start off small. A lot of people buy places that are too big but you’ve got to make sacrifices.”</p> <p>When asked how she built her savings, she added, “I take my own lunch to work, I always have.” </p> <p>“If you want a place of your own, start small but make the sacrifices, do two jobs, work a lot. Don’t go out as much as you want to.”</p> <p>“I mean I feel sorry for the younger generation now because they’re thinking why bother because it’s too expensive, I’m just going to party and have a good time, which you can still do.”</p> <p>“When I entered (the property market) it was quite a while ago. I had a lot of difficulty because I was a single woman and I had prejudice against me so my father had to go guarantor and that was able to help,” she explained.</p> <p>“I had two jobs, I worked really hard. I was actually trying to save to go overseas and then I cancelled that and I was renting … and I thought, well, maybe if I saved a bit of money and worked hard, I could put a deposit down for myself.”</p> <p>These days, the woman acknowledged the cost of living in Sydney is “very expensive”, saying, “It’s terrible … Rents have all gone up and everyone’s willing to pay for everything so people are just thinking we’ll charge this and then everyone’s charging on top, and people aren’t getting assistance so it’s hard these days.”</p> <p>The woman's comments were met with a wave of backlash online, with many younger Australians calling her advice "infuriating". </p> <p>“We’ve turned our cars into taxis and our spare rooms into hotels to try and afford the same thing they had on a single income,” one person wrote. </p> <p>“How are people this completely out of touch?” another wrote. “Most of my mates have worked since 14/15 (years old), Not gone away internally (sic), have clacked out cars and still only scrape by. I’m 20 and I can’t even remember the last time I went clubbing.”</p> <p>“Yes not buying coffee is going to be enough to save for a house,” another sarcastically quipped.</p> <p>The woman's comments come after research conducted last year shows Gen Z and Millennials have a tougher path to buying a home than previous generations, with the latter facing mortgages 12 times their average income.</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

Money & Banking

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“Is it really that bad?”: New mum slammed for baby name choice

<p>One woman has taken to social media to explain her dilemma after people around her made her second-guess the name she and her husband chose for their unborn son. </p> <p>The woman shared her situation on Reddit, and explained that the name has a special family significance to her, but so far people around her have absolutely hated it. </p> <p>"My grandpa was my favourite person in the whole world. Growing up, I always loved his name because I thought it was unique and I loved him. I always said if I had a son I would name him after my grandpa," she explained in the post. </p> <p>"Now I'm pregnant, and the very few people I've told the name to HATE IT. The name is Earl. Is it really that bad?"</p> <p>She added that she doesn't want her son to grow up hating his name, but she still wants to use it as it is so special to her. </p> <p>"Few other things: husband is on board and loves it, and it does sound really nice with our last name," she added. </p> <p>Many of the commenters urged her to go with the name if she loves it and to disregard what anyone else says. </p> <p>"This. Is. Your. Baby You don't need to poll the audience or tell anyone the baby's name before he is born. Protect your peace, and Earl's," replied one person. </p> <p> "I love Earl! Easy to say and spell. Uncommon but not made up. The emotional connection is wonderful too!" commented another. </p> <p>"It's a lovely name!!! Don't let other people shame you out of using it because you'll regret listening to them later," a third person assured her. </p> <p>"Earl is dated and country but it's cute and it means something to you and you both love it. It will be fine," another woman said. </p> <p>Some suggested that if she was really struggling with the name after the hate she received, there are other ways to incorporate it. </p> <p>"It's extremely dated but not bad. I personally think it's better as a middle name," replied one person. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

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King Charles' $97k arrival gift slammed as "waste of money"

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are set for a lavish welcome to commemorate their first visit since 2018, but taxpayers are not impressed with the massive cost. </p> <p>The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated from 8pm on Friday for four minutes with images from previous royal visits intended to show the "diverse ways in which Their Majesties have engaged with and celebrated NSW and Australia over the years."</p> <p>“We are lighting up the Sydney Opera House to warmly welcome The King and Queen to our beautiful harbour city," Premier Chris Minns said in a statement.</p> <p>"The photo projection on the Opera House sails celebrates a historic moment - The King’s first visit to NSW as Sovereign - and is a fitting tribute."</p> <p>The gesture does not come cheap, costing taxpayers an estimated $97,030, and many were unhappy about it. </p> <p>"Cannot support wasting our taxes on people who wouldn’t be here if we didn’t pay," one person wrote on Facebook. </p> <p>"At a time when rents are sky high ...more and more homeless.. Hospitals are overcrowded...Food and petrol prices are ridiculous...Do you really think it excites battling Aussies...having money spent this way?" another person asked.</p> <p>"How many homeless could be housed with the money spent on a visit by millionaires, paid by us?" another wrote. </p> <p>"Waste of money! Channel the funds to the needy. King who with the horse?!," another remarked.</p> <p>However, there were a few others who expressed their excitement about the royal visit. </p> <p>"I will definitely head in with the kids to see this," one wrote. </p> <p>"As a monarchist, yes I'm going there to warmly welcome them," another commented. </p> <p>"Can’t wait for their majesties arrival," a third added. </p> <p>Royal fans will have a chance to meet or see the monarchs, as they plant to engage with members of the public on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on October 22nd at 4.20pm. </p> <p>Their appearance will be followed by a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, featuring an Australian Defence Force fly past.</p> <p>Members of the public can see the ships and fly past from various vantage points including  Farm Cove, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at approximately 4.50pm.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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"Absolutely despicable": Anthony Albanese slammed for Tourette's comment

<p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has issued an apology after making a sarcastic comment about Tourette Syndrome during Parliament’s Question Time on Tuesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">During a heated discussion, the PM addressed Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor and said, “The idea - I mean this nonsense that they carry on with, the idea that we’re... have you got Tourette’s or something? You know, you sit there, babble, babble, babble.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Albanese immediately withdrew the comment and apologised. </p> <p dir="ltr">He went further on Tuesday evening, saying he knew the comment was inappropriate as soon as he said it. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Today in Question Time I made comments that were unkind and hurtful,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I knew it was wrong as soon as I made the comment. I apologised and I withdrew as soon as I said it but it shouldn’t have happened.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“And I also want to apologise to all Australians who suffer from this disability. I regret saying it, it was wrong, it was insensitive and I apologise.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite his apologies, his comments drew much criticism from Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston, who said that “mocking a disability is no laughing matter”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is absolutely despicable behaviour from (Albanese). The Prime Minister must immediately apologise to the entire Tourette’s community,” she posted on X, formerly Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Australians living with Tourette’s deserve the PM’s respect, not his ridicule.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia president Mandy Maysey, who has three children with the neurological disorder, was also outraged by the prime minister's comments, saying she was “absolutely livid”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m incredibly disappointed and just gobsmacked somebody that has the national stage would use that platform and Tourette syndrome to make an insult,” she told <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/news/anthony-albanese-slammed-for-tourettes-slur-during-question-time-c-16321667">7News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That’s my perspective as president of the association. As a parent, I am absolutely livid and disgusted. It shows a lack of education.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“At the very least he owes the Tourette’s community an apology,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This shows we have a very long way to go until Tourette syndrome is taken seriously as a condition.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Caring

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Nat Barr slammed for “out of touch” comments about the housing crisis

<p dir="ltr">Nat Barr has been widely slammed online for her comments on the housing crisis, with many claiming she is “stirring the pot”.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Wednesday’s <em>Sunrise</em> show, Barr was just joined by two experts to discuss Labor’s Help To Buy Bill, which would allow Australians earning under $90,000 to buy a home with just a 2 per cent deposit.</p> <p dir="ltr">While discussing the legislation, Barr said she’s worried her two sons — aged 19 and 22 — won’t be able to purchase a home after finance spokesperson Jane Hume claimed “Australians have already rejected this policy right around the country”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m in the lucky position that I got to buy mine when they were cheaper years ago but I don’t know how my kids are going to buy one,” Barr said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Barr, who has hosted Sunrise since 2020, has never spoken publicly about her salary, but it has long been speculated that she earns more than $1 million per year. </p> <p dir="ltr">Viewers were quick to slam her comments on Facebook, claiming Barr will “set her kids up”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She is the last person who should speak. she’s wealthy and will set her kids up,” one person commented, while another added, “So many young people are buying houses every day without the help of mum and dad. Nat’s just stirring the pot.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another commenter added, “She makes enough money to buy a house for each of her sons. They’ll be just fine. Check your privilege, Nat.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram / Sunrise</em></p>

TV

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The Block stars slam Scott Cam's "very distasteful" comments

<p><em>The Block's</em> longtime host Scott Cam has come under fire after he criticised this year's cast for being "less resilient" than previous years. </p> <p>After almost 14 years on the show, the TV personality gave his honest answer when asked how he thinks the contestants have changed since 2010. </p> <p>“The contestants are less resilient than they were 20 years ago, 15 years ago,” he told <em>news.com.au</em>. </p> <p> “There’s more expectation of it getting easier, but it’s not. It gets harder… And people aren’t ready for how hard it is.”</p> <p>His comments didn't sit well with this year's cast, with Paige and Jesse telling <em>Yahoo Lifestyle </em>that they thought Scott's remarks were "very distasteful". </p> <p>“A lot of people didn't like what Scott said. A lot of people did not like that,” Paige shared. </p> <p>“I think that was very distasteful.”</p> <p>The couple were first pair to ever quit the show mid filming. </p> <p>“It’s different now. We’re 20 years through and the show's changed,” Jesse added. </p> <p>“We probably don't do as much building as 15, 20 years ago, because you can't. You have consultations every single day.”</p> <p>The WA-based team added that contestants were made to “run around to sponsors 10 hours a day, with this year's Phillip Island location making it difficult to attend the consultations and getaways in Melbourne. </p> <p>“This year was a lot of driving, like you’re on the road for eight to 10 hours a day,” Jesse continued. </p> <p>“That’s a big part of <em>The Block </em>this year, and a lot of people don't actually realise that.”</p> <p>Paige and Jesse also revealed that viewers don't see the full story play out on TV. </p> <p>“They’re creating a storyline which we know about,” Jesse said. </p> <p><em>Images: Channel Nine</em></p>

TV

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TikTok couple slammed for leaving toddlers unattended in cruise cabin

<p>TikTok Influencers Matt and Abby Howard have been slammed online for their controversial parenting choice while on a family vacation. </p> <p>In a now deleted video, the couple explained that they had brought their sons Griffin, 2, and August, 1 on a family cruise, and they went to dinner without the boys, but monitored the room through FaceTime. </p> <p>"So we ended up taking them for 5 nights and it became apparent that they weren't enjoying it and therefore we weren't either," they said in the caption. </p> <p>"So THEN we switched our dinner time to AFTER their bedtime and FaceTimed the monitors while we ate."</p> <p>Abby noted that baby monitors "don't work on board unless you're only like 10 feet away", adding that their dinnertime solution worked out "much better for everyone" </p> <p>Social media users were quick to respond to their decision, with many highlighting the safety concerns. </p> <p>"They literally could not have gotten to them fast enough if anything had happened and I cannot stop thinking about that. It’s sickening," one wrote on Reddit. </p> <p>"It's literally common sense that you do not leave a baby alone unsupervised," another added. </p> <p>"The fact that they would so willingly leave their children in an unfamiliar environment completely alone is shocking," another added. </p> <p>"Are they seriously that f****** dumb? Do they not watch the news, have they not seen what happened to Madeline McCann?" a fourth wrote.  </p> <p>Following the controversy, the couple released a video claiming that a family member was always with the children while they were at dinner, although they didn't clarify who. </p> <p>"We take our roles as parents extremely seriously and we love our children more than anything in the entire world, and we're very protective of our kids," Matt said in the video. </p> <p>"We had someone with our children at all times on this boat," he continued adding that the speculation surrounding them is "completely untrue". </p> <p>"I do want to clarify that we have not, would not, will not ever leave our children unattended. We would would never, ever want to put them in harms way in anyway," Abby added. </p> <p>She explained that her family would "tag team" to help the couple out with watching their children. </p> <p>Viewers were quick to speculate whether they were telling the truth, while others were glad they clarified. </p> <p>"Thanks for the clarification because it did come off like the boys were alone- context is everything," one wrote. </p> <p>"I hope this is the truth," another added. </p> <p>"For them to post about it like it's some genius parenting hack is just wild," a third wrote. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

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"Someone is going to die": Kerri-Anne slams "irresponsible" Elle Macpherson interview

<p>Kerri-Anne Kennerley has slammed Elle Macpherson for announcing that she allegedly "cured" her breast cancer after shunning the advice of doctors and opting for "holistic" treatment paths instead, while also taking aim at <em>60 Minutes</em> for airing an interview with the supermodel where she doubled down on her beliefs. </p> <p>In her new memoir, <em>Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself</em>, Macpherson revealed that at the age of 53, she was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/elle-macpherson-reveals-secret-battle-with-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">diagnosed</a> with breast cancer and decided to go against doctors orders for her treatment. </p> <p>The 60-year-old recalled how her doctors recommended a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, plus reconstruction of her breast to fight the illness, and how she instead decide to forge her own path of "holistic wellness" to beat the disease without the use on conventional medicines, which she claims "cured" her cancer. </p> <p>“It really gave me an opportunity to dig deep in my inner sense to find a solution that worked for me," she told <em>Australian's Women's Weekly</em>. “It was a wonderful exercise in being true to myself, trusting myself and trusting the nature of my body and the course of action that I had chosen.”</p> <p>Macpherson then doubled down on her decision in an exclusive interview with <em>60 Minutes</em> on Sunday, in which she claimed that there is “no possibility” of her breast cancer recurring given “the body has the infinite capacity to heal”, and making the bizarre remark that it’s “fear” that actually makes people ill. </p> <p>Kerri-Anne Kennerley, who is also a survivor of breast cancer, was one of <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/shockingly-irresponsible-elle-macpherson-slammed-for-holistic-cancer-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many</a> who found problems with the interview, as she said it was dangerous for the news program to broadcast such information. </p> <p>“Think of the poor oncologists, surgeons and doctors today … inundated with phone calls from people (saying) ‘I’m rethinking my treatment because Elle Macpherson said this and that’,” she told <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/someone-is-going-to-die-kerrianne-kennerleys-warning-on-elle-macphersons-breast-cancer-message/news-story/39ddfd8c848375d1690faeb50b391e18" data-tgev="event119" data-tgev-container="bodylink" data-tgev-order="39ddfd8c848375d1690faeb50b391e18" data-tgev-label="business" data-tgev-metric="ev"><span id="U841616461166fgF"><em>The Australian</em>.</span></a></p> <p>“I understand Elle … did what she thought was good for her personally, but the very fact she has resisted any other medical treatment … absolutely terrifies me.”</p> <p>“Without question, it will result in the future that somebody will take that line and feel confident enough to try and do it themselves naturally, and someone is going to die.”</p> <p>Kennerley, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, said the <em>60 Minutes</em> report should've been more "balanced" by having expert testimony from doctors as a counterargument to Elle's claims. </p> <p>“(<span id="U841616461166N1H">60 Minutes </span>reporter) Tracy (Grimshaw) did a piece to camera about it. But to be seriously responsible, you have to have an oncologist who could actually balance Elle’s remarks,” Kennerley said. </p> <p>“I believe <em><span id="U84161646116646C">60 Minutes</span></em> was irresponsible by not having an oncologist who would give an alternative point of view. Elle’s given her natural point of view, and she’s followed through with it. They should have absolutely gotten an oncologist that said ‘as an oncologist, I’ve seen this type of cancer and many other types of cancers in my 30-year career. People who have not followed the advice have died.'”</p> <p><em>Image credits: 60 Minutes / Instagram</em></p>

Body

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"Shockingly irresponsible": Elle Macpherson slammed for "holistic" cancer treatment

<p>Elle Macpherson has been subjected to widespread backlash online after revealing she opted for a "holistic" cancer treatments. </p> <p>The 60-year-old supermodel has revealed in her book, <em>Elle: Life, Lessons, and Learning to Trust Yourself</em>, that at the age of 53, she was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/elle-macpherson-reveals-secret-battle-with-cancer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">diagnosed</a> with breast cancer following a lumpectomy. </p> <p>She went on to share how she shunned the advice of doctors who recommended  a mastectomy with radiation, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, plus reconstruction of her breast to fight the illness, deciding to forge her own path of "holistic wellness" to beat the disease without the use on conventional medicines. </p> <p>Since going public with her decision, Macpherson has been slammed online, with other cancer sufferers saying her comments are irresponsible and dangerous. </p> <p>One person wrote on X, "This is shockingly irresponsible from Elle Macpherson. She was lucky that clearly the lumpectomy removed all the cancerous cells and it hadn't spread, but implying she 'cured' cancer holistically is reckless beyond belief."</p> <p>Another person said, "Going through my own breast cancer battle atm I wish I there was a 'holistic approach' but there’s not... What I do have is different options &amp; I’ll take whatever treatments both my oncologist’s offer me to ensure I live a longer life to be with my husband and kids."</p> <p>A third person added, "A lumpectomy isn't holistic, and she wouldn't have even known about the cancer 'to treat holistically' had she not gone the conventional medical route in the first place."</p> <p>Many took aim at the dangerous rhetoric, with one person saying, "There is real toxic wellness/positivity culture out there at the moment that is both unnerving and dangerous," while another added, "As a survivor, I am absolutely livid. This nonsense costs lives."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

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Residents slam "entitled" picnic table act at popular beach

<p>With the weather warming up in Sydney, locals have started to take advantage of the sun and head to beach, but with sunny days come debates about picnic (or any) table etiquette. </p> <p>One beachgoer has copped some backlash after they taped up a sign to a public picnic table in Balmoral Beach on Saturday, which read: "Reserved 31/8 from 1pm" - and with no one in sight. </p> <p>A frustrated local shared an image of the table on Facebook, writing: "Really? Love to know where you place the official booking. Both tables 'reserved'."</p> <p>In the comments some labelled the move "unacceptable" while others were quick to point out that reserving tables is "not allowed". </p> <p>"Yeah, nah. Can’t reserve public tables. You want it, put the effort in and sit there the whole day from 8am," one wrote. </p> <p>"If you won't remove the reserved sign please update this post to add a picture of the group when they claim their tables. If they're that bold and brazen to make the reserved sign they will appreciate the free publicity," another added. </p> <p>A third wrote that they would be "ok if they said for a wedding or a super important event I would let them go for it" but others disagreed.</p> <p> A Mosman Council spokesperson told <em>Yahoo,</em> "council does not take bookings for picnic tables or promote reserving them."</p> <p>This is not the first time someone has tried to reserve a public picnic table, with one person etching a "reserved" note in chalk on the pavement at a park in Brisbane. </p> <p>Locals shared a similar response, calling the move "entitled." </p> <p>"Pretty sure that message on the concrete would motivate others to sit there when they otherwise wouldn't. I know I would," one wrote. </p> <p><em>Images: Facebook/ Yahoo</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Bride slammed for asking wedding photographer to commit fraud

<p dir="ltr">A bride-to-be has been slammed online over a “dodgy” email she sent to her wedding photographer, in which she asked him to commit a crime to lower the wedding cost. </p> <p dir="ltr">The young woman, who works in event planning, was shocked when she realised the cost of her wedding photographer, and was worried the cost didn’t fit in her budget. </p> <p dir="ltr">She came up with a plan to lower the cost, not knowing that she was asking her photographer to commit fraud. </p> <p dir="ltr">In an email to the photographer, the woman pitched an idea to charge her business some of the wedding costs to lower the overall price of her big day.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are so excited to have you as a wedding photographer. Hard to believe it's only a few months away,” the email began. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I wasn't sure how to approach this with you, but the budget has been rapidly expanding as we go through this process. I'm sure that happens with a lot of weddings and you've dealt with it many times.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was wondering if we could work something out. I work in the events department at [a company], and I'm wondering if I could hire you to photograph some events there, and you could overcharge them, and whatever you overcharge you could take off our remaining balance.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“What do you think? Do you have any other ideas?”</p> <p dir="ltr">The shocking email saw the “unhinged” bride labelled as “tacky” and “criminal”, with many people urging the photographer to report the bride-to-be to her place of work. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Is this person also telling the florist, the caterer, or any other vendor this?” one asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Stop expecting to bargain with creatives like photographers. If you can't pay for a professional photographer, ask a relative or friend to get a few shots. This is so tacky.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Many couldn't believe the bride would stoop so low, as one woman suggested, “Just write back, 'I respectfully decline because I don't want to go to jail'.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another person added, “I beg your finest pardon? I thought she was going to ask for an extension or a payment plan - not fraud!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Legal

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Bride and groom slammed over their “draconian wedding rules”

<p dir="ltr">A wedding planner has exposed a bride and groom she worked for who had an exhaustive list of rules for their big day.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ivy Miller shared a now viral TikTok about the couple’s “draconian” demands for their wedding day, that left many people saying they would “rather stay home” than attend the restricted day. </p> <p dir="ltr">Miller shared that the couple didn’t want any wedding guests making song requests to their DJ, with the bride and groom allegedly suggesting, “Just go to the club if you want your songs played.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The wedding planner also claimed that the couple asked guests not to ask their professional photographer to take photos of them, with the post reading, “I did not pay 10,000s of dollars for random portraits.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, guests were told to join a shared photo album on a group app where they could crowd source photos from the day.</p> <p dir="ltr">Additionally, Miller said the couple did not permit any guests to bring a plus one, saying, “I’m not stressing and paying for strangers I’ve never met.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Finally, Miller’s post revealed that the couple had banned alcohol from their wedding because they wanted their guests to “actually remember” their celebrations.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No plus one? No alcohol? Is this a wedding?” questioned one TikTok user in response to the list of rules.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sounds like a business convention rather than a wedding,” another person said of the unusual demands.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I went to an alcohol free wedding,” another commenter added. “[It was] the most boring wedding I’ve ever been to. Pretty much everyone went at eight and most of the evening guests didn’t turn up.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Those are all the reasons people attend the wedding for,” a fourth person claimed. “I would recommend a really small wedding because that way your guests don’t end up secretly hating you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">However, other users defended the bride and groom’s requests, with one person saying, “It’s their wedding, their rules.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Relationships

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"Stop the blame game": Kochie slams young Aussie homebuyers

<p>David Koch has called on young Aussies to stop blaming baby boomers for their financial woes in his latest newsletter for finance website Compare The Market. </p> <p>The former <em>Sunrise</em> host and current economic director for the finance company said that young Aussies need to “stop the blame game” in regards to the housing crisis, arguing that baby boomers should be called the "scapegoats" instead. </p> <p>He explained that young homebuyers believe that his generation has “put them on the chopping block” despite the “Bank of Mum and Dad” sitting sixth largest home lenders.</p> <p>“Not enough houses? Boomers are hoarding them. Not enough home units? Boomers throw down cash before first-time buyers can say boo!” he wrote.</p> <p>He said that while he understood that young Aussies are struggling to buy a home, as the median price of one in Australia is currently 14 times the average annual income, in 1990 it was five times the average annual income. </p> <p>“When we bought our homes, prices were more accessible, and while interest rates were sky-high, our wages were aligned with housing costs.”</p> <p>“Housing markets have inflated, wages have stagnated, and opportunities for younger generations are considerably diminished.”</p> <p>He added that government policy is largely to blame for the dire housing situation, and that the rise in property costs was not because they wanted to hang younger Aussies out to dry, but because the economy favoured real estate as a safe, long-term investment. </p> <p>“Governments have simply not planned for either the generational housing change or the big increase in migration to ensure enough properties have been built to meet demand,” he wrote.</p> <p>He then referenced the State of the Housing System report which found that Australia will fall 40,000 units short of its 2029 new home construction target of 1.2m million.</p> <p>Kochie defended the boomers, saying that not many of them could be considered as the "wealthy, elite stereotype we often see in the news”, as many of them had to work hard to become a homeowner. </p> <p>“It's essential to recognise this diversity and avoid vilifying the entire generation,” he wrote.</p> <p>Kochie called on young Australians to "stop the blame game" and instead of "pointing fingers" they should focus on  “how we can work together” to make housing affordable again. </p> <p>“A bit of compassion and creative thinking could go a long way. Otherwise, the scapegoats and sacrificial lambs of the world will continue their bleating,” he wrote.</p> <p><em>Images: Realestate.com.au</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Channel 9 slammed for "pathetic" Olympics move

<p>Aussie viewers have vented their frustrations at Channel 9 after the broadcaster chose not to show Jess Hull's Paris debut on their main channel. </p> <p>Viewers at home were eagerly waiting to see Hull's heat live, as she broke the 2000m world record in the lead up to the Olympics, but instead they were shown replays of the surfing heat from earlier. </p> <p>While Hull's race was shown on other secondary streaming channels on Nine, it was not on the main broadcast. </p> <p>Many were forced to watch Hull's race after it had already occurred. </p> <p>"Where is the 1500m heat with Jess Hull?" a confused viewer tweeted. </p> <p>"Agree, pathetic," replied another. </p> <p>“Channel 9 cutting to a surfing replay over showing Jess Hull’s 1500m heat live might just be the stupidest sh*t I’ve ever seen in sports producing in my life. And yes. I watched it on 9Now. But seriously,” Sprinter and athletics coach Tim Rosen said. </p> <p>“I wondered the same thing, why wouldn’t they show the third heat live with Jess Hull considering they spent the last half-hour talking her up?” Journalist Luke Dennehy tweeted. </p> <p>“Disgraceful @Channel9, Jess hull is racing, top hope and you cut to go to equestrian and rock climbing. Ridiculous decision,” one fan wrote. </p> <p>"Can’t wait to watch Jessica Hull’s heat on 9! Our fastest ever women’s 1500m runner and gold medal chance! Wait- what’s this? Surfing with no waves (at least an Aussie was in the final) equestrian, springboard diving … No Jess! Thanks @Channel9,” another wrote. </p> <p>“What is wrong with Channel 9’s coverage … prelim diving and surfing replay on their 2 free to air channels!! No Jess Hull!! …. do they not cover track and field unless there’s a big name competing!! … Really disappointing! Second rate coverage," a third added. </p> <p>“We missed the action because you completely forgot about it. Jess Hull is our only odds-on favourite for a track medal — she just ran her one and only Aus prime time race and you completely missed it," a fourth wrote. </p> <p>Hull finished in the top six and landed a spot in the semis, and she wasn't the only Aussie qualifier, with Georgia Griffith finishing fourth. </p> <p><em>Image: JAMES ROSS/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

TV

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Incredible moment huge whale body slams boat

<p>The incredible moment a humpback whale launched out of the water and slammed itself onto an unsuspecting boat has been caught on camera. </p> <p>The incident, which was filmed off the coast of New Hampshire in the US, showed the whale leap from the water and onto the back of a small boat. </p> <p>Two fishermen were seen scrambling off the boat before it flipped onto its side and capsizes. </p> <p>There were reportedly no injuries, but the US Coast sent out an alert to nearby mariners to assist the two men if possible, according to <em>TMZ</em>. </p> <p>A nearby boat helped the two men and brought the capsized boat back to safety. </p> <p>The video has gone viral, with former NHL player Ryan Whitney reacting to the video on X: “There is a pissed off whale patrolling the waters of Portsmouth NH today. Head on swivel if you’re out there.”</p> <p>Experts have also spoken out on the incident, saying that it was just a coincidence, that had nothing to do with the humpback's temperament. </p> <p>“It was an accident,”  Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation co-founder and director of research Dianna Schulte told <em>The New York Post</em>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">There is a pissed off whale patrolling the waters of Portsmouth NH today. Head on swivel if you’re out there <a href="https://t.co/xQPIHs8ZjN">pic.twitter.com/xQPIHs8ZjN</a></p> <p>— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryanwhitney6/status/1815803088306933987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 23, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>According to the researcher, the humpback whale was feeding when it came up and hit the boat. </p> <p>“The whales will come up through schools of fish with their mouth wide open and close their mouth, either right before they break the surface or even after they break the surface,” she said. </p> <p>“The boat was in the wrong place.”</p> <p>A population boom in Atlantic menhaden, where whales, dolphins and sharks can usually be found, could be the reason why the mammal is coming closer to the coast, according to Schulte. </p> <p>She said that it could be using the shallow waters to its advantage as it builds its hunting skills. </p> <p>“The boaters that are in the video, they should have known better to not be fishing with a large whale in the area, because (an accident) can happen,” she said. </p> <p>“The whales, when they’re feeding on the fish schools, when they’re that dense, they just can’t see through the fish school, so they don’t know what’s above them, especially on a cloudy day like today. So the whale had no idea that the boat was even there,”  she added. </p> <p>“I’ve been watching whales and researching whales for 30 years, and I’ve never seen a humpback whale purposely hit a boat.”</p> <p>She warned that boaters and fishermen should give the mammal as much as 100 yards of space, especially during mealtime. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <div class="more-coverage-v2" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; border-top: 1px solid #e0e1e2; float: right; margin-left: 16px; max-width: 40%; padding: 16px 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', HelveticaNeue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> </div>

Travel Trouble

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"Cut this rubbish out": Channel 7's fresh "news" segment slammed

<p>Channel 7's major bulletin shake up has not been well received by some viewers. </p> <p>On Friday night, they kicked off their new comedy segment with Mark Humphries, whose satirical humour was intended to be used to "cut through political spin and translate current affairs in the universal news language of taking the piss” according to appointed news director Anthony De Ceglie. </p> <p>Humphries’ three minutes comedy segment premiered under the banner <em>The 6.57pm News</em>, and was made to look like a continuation of the news. </p> <p>That night, they were discussing US President Joe Biden's press conference which aired earlier in the day. </p> <p>“His press conference was delayed for over an hour, presumably because the President was running late … or more likely waddling late,” Humphries said in the segment. </p> <p>“Biden who is 81 – but doesn’t look a day over 90 – spoke smoothly on a variety of issues and allayed voters fears about his age … is what I wish I could tell you.</p> <p>“Instead, this happened …”</p> <p>He then played a clip of Biden confusing  Kamala Harries with Donald Trump, followed by another clip of him whispering on the lectern. </p> <p>“Very reassuring and not weird at all,” the comic said.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TGVSTTozZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TGVSTTozZ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Mark Humphries (@humphriesmark)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Humphries then tried to make a joke out of it saying that Biden was suffering from a condition called “that guy old” with symptoms including confusing names, long pauses, “and keeping your mouth just that little bit open with that slightly disappointed look like Bunnings just told you the sausage sizzle is closed”.</p> <p> “But if you think that’s bad, wait till you find out the condition the other candidate has ‘that guy convicted felon’,” he concluded. </p> <p>While some Channel 7 viewers "loved" it and thought it was “better than <em>The Project</em>,” a few others were less impressed. </p> <p>“This was an appalling segment … hire, rather than sack, journos,” read one comment on social media. </p> <p>“It was a deplorable segment that has no place in a news bulletin,” another added. </p> <p>"It was absolutely ridiculous. I hope channel 7 cut this rubbish out," wrote a third. </p> <p>"This was cringe," another said. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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"You guys can't touch me": Djokovic slams Wimbledon crowd

<p>Novak Djokovic has launched into a staggering tirade after emerging from the Wimbledon courts victorious, after claiming the crowd was being "disrespectful" by booing him. </p> <p>The Serbian tennis champ accused the audience after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Danish player Holger Rune, calling out the behaviour during his winning speech. </p> <p>“To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,” he said.</p> <p>“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player, in this case me, have a goooood night."</p> <p>“Goooood night, goooood night, have a good night,” he continued.</p> <p>The on-court interviewer suggested that the crowd was chanting “Rooooon” and was not in fact booing, but Djokovic was determined. </p> <p>“I’m hoping they were just commenting on Rune and they weren’t disrespecting you,” the courtside interviewer said, as Djokovic responded, “They were, they were, they were, they were.”</p> <p>“I am not accepting it. No, no, no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo."</p> <p>“Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years."</p> <p>“I know all the tricks. I focus on the respectful people that pay for the ticket, and love tennis and appreciate the players."</p> <p>“I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me ... you guys can’t touch me.”</p> <p>He then headed for the Centre Court exit to initial applause before further chants of "<em>Ruuuuuuune"</em> followed.</p> <p><em>Image credits: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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“Greedy” woman slammed after being “disappointed” with engagement ring

<p dir="ltr">A woman has been dubbed “ungrateful” and “greedy” online after sharing a lengthy post about how she was “pretty disappointed” with the ring her boyfriend proposed with. </p> <p dir="ltr">The bride-to-be took to Facebook to say that while she still loves her fiancé, she was upset at being given a lab-made diamond as opposed to a natural one. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm not going to lie, I was pretty disappointed, especially since my future husband has enough income to afford a real diamond,” she said in the lengthy post. </p> <p dir="ltr">She also confessed to feeling like “a spoiled brat for complaining”, but went on to compare how her fiancé was previously engaged to another woman and proposed with a ring costing more than $75,000, so the cheaper diamond left her feeling “second best”. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman’s post was met with ridicule online, as thousands of people commented on her post to express their disbelief. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person quipped, “I require my diamonds to be exploitative.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“People sure do get upset when their diamonds aren't the result of human rights abuses and environmental destruction, huh,” another said, slamming the woman's “entitled attitude”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another woman was quick to agree that the bride-to-be's “greedy” disappointment was in bad taste.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carbon is carbon,” another person said, referring to the material that diamonds are made of, whether from the ground or in a lab.   </p> <p dir="ltr">“Such a weird hill to die on! I told my husband I wanted a lab created diamond for this exact reason: because diamond mining claims lives! Having a chemically perfect diamond is a bonus,” another woman said. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

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