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“I tried my best”: Heartbreaking scenes as famous dad consoles Aussie Olympic teen

<p>Chloe Covell, the 14-year-old skateboard sensation, was left in tears midway through the final round of the street skateboarding event in Paris, when she struggled to land her tricks and repeatedly fell. </p> <p>At 14 years and 170 days, the teen was striving to become the youngest Australian to win a gold medal, and was even competing with a splint on her left hand after breaking two of her fingers. </p> <p>The record for the youngest Australian to win a gold medal is still held by Sandra Morgan, who was 14 years old and 183 days when she was was a member of the victorious 4x100m freestyle team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. </p> <p>The teen made a promising start with her first run, but struggled with her attempts after that. </p> <p>After conceding her third trick, the teen was in tears but pushed on, and despite the cheers from the crowd she struggled to smash her final two attempts as she fell on the concrete. </p> <p>Covell finished on 70.33, and although she was unable to realise her Olympics dream in Paris, the teen is looking on the bright side. </p> <p>“I tried my best and I just couldn’t land much. But it’s all good,” Covell said.</p> <p>“I just wanted to keep trying and not give up.</p> <p>“It was very hard work to get here ... I just have to come back better and stronger for the next time.”</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/C9-7a1eSFYt/?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/C9-7a1eSFYt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Skate Australia (@skate.australia)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Her father, former NRL player Luke Covell, immediately embraced his daughter on the course and shielded her further by taking over media duties. </p> <p>He said he was proud of her for not giving up, even tough she struggled in the first round where she rallied to qualify fourth. </p> <p>“It’s not always someone’s day,” Luke said.</p> <p>“We knew if you wanted to go for a medal, that you just had to go for it.</p> <p>“She did her best, it wasn’t her day, I’m just glad she backed herself and didn’t take the easy option.”</p> <p>He added that the splint on her hand was “definitely not” a factor.</p> <p>“When you get to the Olympic final, no one remembers who comes fourth,” he said.</p> <p>“All the girls were going for their best tricks.”</p> <p>Japan’s Coco Yoshizawa won the gold medal with a total score of 272.75, beating compatriot Liz Akama’s 265.95.</p> <p>Australians Liv Lovelace and Haylie Powell also missed out on spots in a final where the ages ranged from 14 to 19.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine/ Instagram / Skate Australia</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“He tried to kill me": Shock claims against former TV presenter

<p>Former Channel Seven presenter Liam David Cox has appeared via audiovisual link in Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Monday, following claims that he forcefully strangled a woman during a domestic dispute. </p> <p>The woman told police that Cox had wrestled her to the ground, straddled her, and proceeded to forcefully strangle her until she lost consciousness.</p> <p>“He tried to kill me,” she told police. </p> <p>The court heard that police found the woman bleeding from her nose and coughing up blood, when they attended the scene. </p> <p>They also found blood splattered on the bedsheets and pillows, and on tissues in the toilet. She was treated by paramedics before being hospitalised for her injuries. </p> <p>The alleged incident occurred at a house in Vaucluse, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on the night of May 4, and Cox was arrested at a hotel in Bondi Beach the following day. </p> <p>Cox has spent nearly a month behind bars, and was applying for bail during the court hearing on Monday. </p> <p>The court heard that the altercation occurred after he had attended a charity fundraiser with the woman where he had a few drinks before they became embroiled in a heated argument. </p> <p>Magistrate Greg Grogin said the facts stated that the woman had been “the instigator” and “quite aggressive”, adding that he wasn't "victim blaming" but adding context to the “extremely serious allegations” where Cox allegedly lashed out  after an “ongoing” argument. </p> <p>Cox's lawyer Ben Barrack told the court the couple had clashed three times that night, and the woman had punched and kicked him in the lead up to the alleged assault. </p> <p>The former TV presenter also claimed that he was acting in self-defence, but admitted that he had not used reasonable force. </p> <p>His lawyer added that the woman’s allegations were “highly problematic” and emphasised she had not yet provided a statement to police about the alleged assault.</p> <p>Police prosecutor Nellia Ng argued that Cox should not be granted bail because there was a risk that he would further endangered the alleged victim commit further offences, or fail to appear in court.</p> <p>However, the Magistrate determined that the risks could be mitigated if Cox resided in Queensland and was barred from contacting his alleged victim.</p> <p>He granted bail with strict conditions including having to surrender his passport, report to police, and abstain from contacting the woman.</p> <p>“Domestic violence should not occur anywhere at any time with anybody for any reason,” Magistrate Grogin said.</p> <p>“Any temptation to contact (the woman) will be a short-course way to come back before the court via AVL wearing green. You don’t need to do that.”</p> <p><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Legal

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Chris Dawson tries to overturn guilty verdict ahead of tell-all interview

<p>Chris Dawson has lodged the paperwork to begin the process of overturning his guilty conviction for the murder of his wife Lynette 40 years ago.</p> <p>The 74-year-old has spent the last five weeks in Sydney's Silverwater Jail, as he awaits his sentencing day in court on November 11.</p> <p>Despite the high-profile case producing a guilty verdict, Dawson has always maintained his innocence over the disappearance of Lynette, whose body still hasn't been found.</p> <p>Sources told <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11279117/Chris-Dawson-lodges-appeal-against-conviction-murdering-wife-Lynette-daughter-breaks-silence.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia</a> last month that Dawson's legal team had recently lodged a notice of intention to appeal with the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.</p> <p><em>Nine News</em> also reported on Tuesday night the paperwork flagging Dawson's intention to appeal his conviction has now been formally submitted, as the network prepares to air an interview with one of his daughters.</p> <p>Shanelle Dawson is preparing to open up about growing up without her mother, along with the torment and confusion that arose form her disappearance in a tell-all interview with <em>60 Minutes</em>.</p> <p>Shanelle, who was just four years old when her mum Lynette vanished in 1982, said she was always told by her father that her mother left because she didn't love her and her other sisters.</p> <p>"I feel a lot of rage and anger towards him," Shanelle says in the <em>60 Minutes</em> preview.</p> <p>"It was manipulative and gaslighting us."</p> <p>"Whatever he said or threatened me kept me quiet for the next 40 years."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / 60 Minutes</em></p>

Legal

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“I tried to protect her”: Victoria and David Beckham recount terrifying stalking incident

<p dir="ltr">David and Victoria Beckham have opened up about their ordeal with a stalker who has been charged with harassing the former athlete.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Beckhams are being represented by their lawyers in a Westminster Magistrate Court where 58-year-old Sharon Bell is facing stalking charges.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bell believed she was in a relationship with Beckham and, after trying to contact him through a series of letters, claimed he and his wife were conspiring to “steal her eggs from inside her body”, as reported by <em>The Daily Mail</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of the letters Bell sent to the football star read: “I do love you and have done so since we were children.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement read to the court, the father of four said he doesn’t have a relationship with Bell and had never seen her before.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I felt like the language in the letters was escalating and becoming more emotional and threatening towards me and my family and this worried me,” he said in his statement, addressing the impact the letters had on him.</p> <p dir="ltr">The court also heard of a terrifying event involving the couple’s youngest child, 11-year-old Harper.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bell reportedly appeared at Harper’s school in an attempt to abduct her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m Harper’s mother. I’m here to pick her up,” she reportedly told the school.</p> <p dir="ltr">After police were called to the school, Bell was taken away.</p> <p dir="ltr">A statement from Victoria was also read out in court by prosecutor Arizuna Asante, detailing the fashion designer’s concern for her young daughter following the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Due to the volume of attention [my husband and I receive from fans], we are rarely informed of the nature of communications from fans,” her statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I tried to protect her and I am worried about her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am very concerned and anxious about Harper going to the park or being taken on school trips.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Prosecutor Asante added: “She is now scared to go out and it has made things harder for her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She is worried, especially when Harper goes on school trips.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Bell, who is currently detained under the Mental Health Act, was deemed a risk to the couple's children because she was “obsessed with the family” by District Judge Michael Snow.</p> <p dir="ltr">Judge Snow charged Bell with stalking, though she will not face a criminal trial because of her mental health.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-67a13fe3-7fff-4486-81a6-ed6c3eb84440"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"We have tried everything": TV host stops cancer treatment

<p dir="ltr">British media personality Deborah James has shared that she had stopped treatment for her bowel cancer in an update she “never wanted to write”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 40-year-old took to Instagram to update her fans, saying that she will spend her remaining time at home with her family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The message I never wanted to write,” she began the post.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have tried everything, but my body simply isn’t playing ball. My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I’m not in pain and spending time with them.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ab24d231-7fff-cf6c-dbcf-98b91e9df4e0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">James was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016 and has been keeping her fans updated with her treatment and progress on social media.</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/CdWDrzYo3XM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdWDrzYo3XM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">In her latest update, James opened up about the condition she was in.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nobody knows how long I’ve got left but I’m not able to walk, I’m sleeping most of the days, and most things I took for granted are pipe dreams,” her post continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">The journalist added that even with “all the innovative cancer drugs in the world or some magic new breakthrough”, her body “continue anymore”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also reflected on the past five years of documenting her cancer journey, her writing, and her podcast <em>You, Me and the Big C</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In over five years of writing about how I thought it would be my final Christmas, how I wouldn’t see my 40th birthday nor see my kids go to secondary school - I never envisaged writing the one where I would actually say goodbye,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think it’s been the rebellious hope in me. But I don’t think anyone can say the last six months has exactly been kind!</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s all heartbreaking to be going through but I’m surrounded by so much love that if anything can help me through I hope that will.”</p> <p dir="ltr">James then announced an initiative called Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research to raise funds for several charities close to her, including Bowel Cancer UK.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All I ask if you ever read a column, followed my Instagram, listened to the podcast or saw me dressed as a poo for no reason. Please buy me a drink to see me out of this world, by donating the cost to Bowelbabe Fund which will enable us to raise funds for further life saving research into cancer,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To give more Deborah's more time!”</p> <p dir="ltr">She concluded her post saying that her whole family will be around her and will “dance through this together” and enjoying every moment.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You are all incredible, thank you for playing your part in my journey,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No regrets. Enjoy life, Deborah.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Messages of support poured in from James’ fans, with many thanking her for being an inspiration and teaching others to never take life for granted.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are all better people for having known you and knowing you today. Sending you and your family love,” one person wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"You changed so many peoples lives, you've spread so much joy and kindness," adds another, in reference to James' many social media posts dancing in a 'poo' emoji and holding a catheter bag.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-368927a1-7fff-f9a0-ab20-ab90f60d10f4"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @bowelbabe (Instagram)</em></p>

Caring

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Huge travel no-no: Woman tries to claim six resort sunbeds before 7am

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A TikTok user has angered</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">holidaymakers after dumping water bottles and towels on six vacant sunbeds at a resort in Hawaii to ‘reserve’ them before 7am. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The clip was shared by an American mother </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">impersonating people who shamelessly scatter their belongings across rows of sunbeds before walking away to return later.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video, which has racked up over two million views, was captioned, “We all know that one person at the resort.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the video, she walks around the poolside resort area and vigorously throws her personal belongings across the lounges, as the time stamp reads 6:55am</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video sparked a slew of angry online comments, with many people branding the poor etiquette as the ultimate holiday sin. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One person said, “I would be moving her stuff,” while another joked, “Ahh the vacation Karen.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One commenter said they would “move their stuff” if they didn't turn up after an hour, while another remarked, “I go on vacation to get away from people like this.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the comment section being flooded with angry remarks, some people admitted they have been guilty of the same actions while on their holidays. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One person commented, “Nothing wrong with reserving a few chairs. I've done this. Early bird gets the worm - that's what you get for sleeping until 10!”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another wrote, “I think this is ok and I'm ok with other people doing it. They worked for it by waking early.”</span></p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Baby tragically dies after mum tries to avoid swooping

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A Brisbane mother is in mourning after the sudden death of her baby girl following a devastating accident.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The mother is believed to have tripped with her child in her arms in an attempt to avoid getting swooped by a magpie. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Emergency services were called to the Holland Park West area in Brisbane around 12pm on Sunday to help the pair. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The Queensland Ambulance Service medical director and critical care paramedics responded and transported the infant to Queensland Children’s Hospital in a critical condition,” a spokesperson for Queensland Ambulance said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the best efforts of healthcare workers, the infant later died in hospital. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Holland Park West residents spoke with </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">9News</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> said they had complained several times to the council about the bird, and that it was a persistent, aggressive swooper.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"This magpie swoops everyone every time," one man said, adding the bird would frequently attack kids and adults.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since the tragic accident on Sunday, council workers have installed extra signage and caution tape at Glindemann Park.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not the first Australian death as a result of a magpie swoop.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In 2019, a 76-year-old man in Wollongong was startled by a swooping magpie while riding his bike.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The man swerved to avoid the aggressive bird and crashed into a fence, suffering fatal head injuries.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Magpie swooping season occurs each year across the country in September and October, and often swoop to protect their young from perceived threats.</span></p>

Caring

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"Holy guacamole!!": Today Extra host tries avocado hack that REALLY works

<div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>A DIY avocado hack that's gone viral on TikTok really works, according to<span> </span><em>Today Extra</em><span> </span>co-host Belinda Russell.</p> <p>The hack shows a really fast and smooth way to remove an avocado seed.</p> <p>"Holy guacamole!! Saw this hack a few months ago and I finally got to "avo-go" to see if it works. 🥑🤯" she captioned the video.</p> <p>"I saw this on TikTok about a month ago, and I haven't tried it out yet, so let's give this a go," the 43-year-old says in the beginning of the video as she picks up half of an avocado with a seed in it.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CRghPGODpg0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CRghPGODpg0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Belinda Russell (@belinda.russell)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>According to Russell, instead of using a knife, you put your index finger and middle finger in a V-like shape under the seed while cupping the back of the avocado with your thumb. Once you apply pressure to the seed, it should "pop" out.</p> <p>Many were impressed that the hack actually worked and appreciated the how-to video (which broke down the "pop" of the seed in slow motion).</p> <p>"Oh my, where have you been all my life. I'd have 10 fingers otherwise", one commenter joked.</p> </div>

Food & Wine

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Why this self-serve checkout “hack” should never be tried in store

<p>A self-serve checkout hack video has gone viral, amassing almost over a million views; but supermarket chains have warned customers against it.</p> <p>The video posted to TikTok was shared by a Woolworths customer who revealed that machines have a coin slot flap that can be lifted, which can allow shoppers to dump multiple coins at once instead of inserting them one-by-one.</p> <p>“Oi Aussies, did you know that at Woolworths you can pull this up to insert your coins when you have too many?” she said in the video.</p> <p>However, supermarket chains are asking customers not to try out the “hack” as it is not intended for customer use, and shoppers can risk jamming the machines.</p> <p>Woolies staff commented on the video, writing “Noooo don’t do this, the machine will jam then we gotta fix it.”</p> <p>Another said: “You’ll end up waiting longer … great way to jam the coin slot they have to individually go on a belt to be sorted so the machine knows what’s been put in,” another added.</p> <p>A Coles spokesperson told news.com.au it is not a simple hack shoppers should ever attempt.</p> <p>“The purpose of the coin flap is to prevent debris, food and other small objects from getting into the machine which could cause jams.</p> <p>“However, we do not encourage customers to put an excess amount of coins, i.e. piggy bank full of coins.”</p> <p> </p>

Retirement Life

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Dean Jones dead at 59 as Brett Lee tried to save his life

<p><span>Cricket legend Dean Jones died on Thursday night of a heart attack, aged 59, in a Mumbai hotel.</span><br /><br /><span>Australian cricket legend Brett Lee returned to TV just hours after he desperately tried to save his broadcast colleague’s life.</span><br /><br /><span>He and Lee were set to feature together in Star India’s English commentary for the 2020 Indian Premier League.</span><br /><br /><span>However Jones suffered a sudden heart attack in the lobby of their hotel, and Lee reportedly sprung into action and attempted CPR.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiXhLChhBH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiXhLChhBH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsun_sport)</a> on Sep 24, 2020 at 4:02pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>The sports veteran was taken by ambulance to hospital but was unable to be saved.</span><br /><br /><span>The tragic event took place only hours before the pair were due to go to air.</span><br /><br /><span>Lee eventually went on to front the cameras without his mate after the traumatic event.</span><br /><br /><span>“I think the thing we want to say about Deano is he would have wanted us to be here tonight,” Lee said.</span><br /><br /><span>“It’s pretty much the ‘Select Deano’ we call it. It’s Deano’s dugout tonight.</span><br /><br /><span>“He is an absolute legend.</span><br /><br /><span>“Firstly to his family and friends we send our condolences. It’s a real tough day for everyone, not only for his close mates and the whole cricketing world in general.</span><br /><br /><span>“What Deano would’ve wanted is for us to come out here in the dugout, get it done, have some fun for the game we all love.”</span><br /><br /><span>Just a few days earlier, Shane Warne had tweeted about how much he enjoyed the commentary team, to which Lee replied: “Yep it’s a lot of fun.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiMUcog_n7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CFiMUcog_n7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by wade smith (@foreverfamous__)</a> on Sep 24, 2020 at 2:24pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>The cricket world is mourning the loss of Jones.</span><br /><br /><span>Australian Men’s Head Coach Justin Langer said he was “shocked and very sad to hear of his passing”.</span><br /><br /><span>“Deano was a true legend of Australian sport and world cricket, one of the great players and personalities in a golden time for the game,” he said.</span><br /><br /><span>“His role in the team’s World Cup win in 1987 and the 1989 Ashes under AB were a huge turning point for Australian cricket.”</span><br /><br /><span>The operator of the broadcast, Star India, said Jones was one of the “great ambassadors of the game”.</span><br /><br /><span>“He was passionate about discovering new talent and nurturing young cricketers.</span><br /><br /><span>“He was a champion commentator whose presence and presentation of the game always brought joy to millions of fans.”</span></p>

News

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Don’t leave me: Dog tries to stop trainer from retiring

<p>Viral footage from China has captured the touching moment a detection dog tried to stop its retiring handler from leaving.</p> <p>The German Shepherd, named Bei Bei, can be seen holding onto the officer’s duffel bag with its mouth, unwilling to let go.</p> <p>It even tries to stop the car door from closing, and chases the moving vehicle after the trainer bids a tearful goodbye to his loyal friend.</p> <p>Millions of social media users were moved by the animal helper and the “true comradeship and love” between the sergeant and his four-legged partner.</p> <p>The retiring sergeant, Zhang Wei, was leaving the barracks in China’s north-western region Xinjiang when the <a rel="noopener" href="https://weibo.com/tv/show/1034:4542480302145580?from=old_pc_videoshow" target="_blank">footage</a> was filmed, according to Chinese media reports.</p> <p>During his retirement ceremony, the officer is seen handing over the sniffer dog to his colleague as he prepares to leave.</p> <p>As Zhang hugs another officer to say goodbye, Bei Bei suddenly bites the corner of his duffel bag, seemingly trying to stop its handler from leaving.</p> <p>The sergeant immediately bends down and gives the detection dog a kiss, trying to hold back tears.</p> <p>After Zhang climbs into the military van, Bei Bei barks profusely before eagerly running towards the officer again.</p> <p>The hound is seen resting its paws on the vehicle door, unwilling to move, as the officer rubs its head and waves goodbye.</p> <p>Bei Bei even tries to chase the moving car carrying its beloved best friend, before being pulled back by another officer.</p> <p>The heart-warming video has touched millions of Chinese citizens, with one commenter writing: “This has brought me to tears. This is the kind of real and inseparable friendship!”</p> <p><strong>IMAGES:</strong> Weibo/js7tv</p>

Family & Pets

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Dismantling the police: lessons from three places that tried it

<p>The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers sparked protests across the US and brought the Black Lives Matter movement back to the forefront of American politics. The intensity of these protests means that previously unthinkable demands for radical reform are now on the table.</p> <p>The defunding of America’s heavily armed police forces, a long-term demand of racial justice activists, looks increasingly achievable. In early June, a veto-proof supermajority of Minneapolis City council members supported efforts to <a href="https://theappeal.org/minneapolis-city-council-members-announce-intent-to-disband-the-police-department-invest-in-proven-community-led-public-safety/">“dismantle” and “abolish”</a> the police department and replace it with a new system of community policing. In Los Angeles, the mayor put forward a proposal to <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-06-03/lapd-budget-unrest-garcetti">divert between US$100 million and US$150 million</a> from the police department to invest in jobs and education for communities of colour.</p> <p>What this would look like in practice is still unclear. While reforms need to be matched to the specific national context and goals, there are a number of countries that have attempted to defund, demobilise and radically reform their police forces.</p> <p>Although this often occurs following armed conflict, the experience of three places in particular can provide important lessons for today.</p> <p><strong>Iraq and de-Ba’athification</strong></p> <p>Following the 2003 occupation of Iraq, the US ambassador Paul Bremer took the decision to “de-Ba’athify” the Iraqi state by removing civil servants from the era of Saddam Hussein en masse. US military planners <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep12200">had assumed</a> they would inherit a functioning state, including the security system. However de-Ba’athification changed this by essentially disbanding the Iraqi security forces, leaving its personnel with no re-integration programme or alternative source of work.</p> <p>This top-down imposition created <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02684521003588120">a large pool of unemployed men</a>, many of whom retained their access to arms and explosives in the post-war chaos. Many felt humiliated and hostile to the US forces, which <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Surge.html?id=9dQ_AQAAQBAJ&amp;redir_esc=y">researchers have argued</a> led to the <a href="https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Surge.html?id=9dQ_AQAAQBAJ&amp;redir_esc=y">political basis for the subsequent Iraqi insurgency</a>. From the elite level to the rank-and-file, these newly desperate men helped to create and sustain the insurgency, with many of Hussein’s ex-generals and spies going on to <a href="https://time.com/3900753/isis-iraq-syria-army-united-states-military/">direct the activities of the Islamic State group</a>.</p> <p>The Minneapolis Police Department will not be demobilised into an environment of generalised chaos, foreign occupation and sectarian violence. Nevertheless, the blunders in post-war Iraq provide a clear lesson: you shouldn’t take jobs away from people who are trained in the use of coercion and violence without some idea of how to retrain and reintegrate them.</p> <p>In the US context this would be unlikely to lead to outright civil conflict as in Iraq – although anything is possible. A more realistic worry is that the police could simply move sideways into private security, a <a href="https://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/industry-inequality-why-world-obsessed-private-security">quickly expanding sector</a> that was ironically trialled <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-dark-truth-about-blackwater/">with horrifying results</a> in Iraq and Afghanistan. The extended use of private security on US soil could be even <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/0731129X.2012.740907">more violent and less accountable</a> than the current system of policing.</p> <p><strong>Guatemala – rebranding not reform</strong></p> <p>The end of the 36-year-long Guatemalan civil war in 1996 saw an ambitious peace programme. It promised to demilitarise the country’s internal security by transitioning from a brutal military-led counterinsurgency to a civilian police force. However, in practice the reforms failed to effectively move past the legacy of wartime repression.</p> <p>One important factor was that the newly democratic government adopted wholesale the model of the Spanish Guardia Civil, a highly militarised internal security force. The Guardia Civil has been used for internal repression in Spain since its <a href="https://english.elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/20/inenglish/1413807111_949949.html">inception</a> in the mid-19th century, to the recent attempts to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/catalonia-independence-referendum-catalan-police-storm-ministries-arrested-josep-maria-jov-a7956581.html">target the Catalan independence movement</a>.</p> <p>Guatemala’s decision to follow the Spanish model ran against the idea of a new policing approach even at the time. The reasoning behind the government’s decision was unclear, but bears the hallmarks of the continued influence <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/3339023">of the Guatemalan military establishment</a>. The outcome is a security state that is still extremely violent towards both <a href="https://www.insightcrime.org/news/brief/extrajudicial-killings-on-the-rise-in-guatemala/">suspected criminals</a> and <a href="https://nacla.org/news/2018/06/21/terror-guatemala">political activists</a>.</p> <p>The lesson for the US here is that meaningful reform requires a clear sense of direction rather than simply a re-packaging of the existing model. Beyond this, it also shows the dangers of a fragmented security system. Changing the practices of local police forces will be less effective if agencies such as immigration and customs enforcement are able to continue engaging <a href="https://www.aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights/ice-and-border-patrol-abuses">in widespread violence</a>. This is a particular vulnerability for the US, given its <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0022343320913089">overlapping security agencies</a> which lack centralised Federal control.</p> <p><strong>Bougainville and bottom-up reform</strong></p> <p>More positive lessons can be taken from the experiences of countries that have radically re-orientated their policing model away from retribution and towards reconciliation and restoration. The autonomous region of Bougainville, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/12/30/789697304/trying-to-form-the-worlds-newest-country-bougainville-has-a-road-ahead?t=1591805961684">likely to become the world’s newest nation</a>, used the end of a secessionist conflict with Papua New Guinea in 1998 as an opportunity to return to a form of community justice which emphasised honesty, forgiveness and rehabilitation.</p> <p>This functioned as a way of overcoming wartime trauma and encouraging reconciliation but was also extended out as a general policing model. This approach, while supported by international donors and peacekeepers, relied on long-standing local customs and practice. The result is a society which, while not problem free, is <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273755447_Bougainville_Community_Crime_Survey_2006">significantly safer</a> than the rest of Papua New Guinea. Crucially, the community-based police force enjoys <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13533312.2013.853961">broad popular support</a> among previously victimised rural communities.</p> <p>The US can’t replicate the traditional cultural practice of Bougainville, but it can learn the lessons from its experience. Rather than imposing a particular model, local politicians and international peacekeepers empowered local people to take control of their own safety and security. It is this bottom-up, consensual approach that can form the basis of effective security reform in the US.</p> <p><em>Written by Daniel Odin Shaw. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/dismantling-the-police-lessons-from-three-places-that-tried-it-140303">The Conversation.</a> </em></p>

Caring

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Supermarket boss slams stockpiler who tried to return thousands of toilet rolls

<p>An Adelaide supermarket boss has slammed a man who tried to return thousands of toilet paper rolls and hundreds of hand sanitiser bottles as supermarkets continue to deal with grocery supply problems.</p> <p>Drakes Supermarkets director John-Paul Drake claimed a customer requested a refund for the highly sought-after products because his eBay site had been suspended, leaving him unable to sell his goods.</p> <p>“He said he wanted to get a refund on 150 32-packs of toilet paper and 150 units of one-litre sanitiser,” Drake said in a YouTube video.</p> <p>“I told him that,” he added as he flipped his middle finger.</p> <p>“This sort of behaviour is disgraceful. That is the sort of person that’s causing the problem in the whole country.”</p> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ITYVoVMDK7w"></iframe></div> <p>Drake said the man returned the next day to arrange another deal.</p> <p>“He had all the receipts, he came back and offered me a 30 per cent discount,” Drake said.</p> <p>“We have only been selling these items one at a time. He would have had to have come in 150 times to buy them. That’s 150 (other) customers who have missed out.</p> <p>“We’re all about supporting the local community. I want products bought here to stay here but this is ridiculous.”</p> <p>The supermarket director told <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/drakes-supermarkets-boss-blunt-message-for-toilet-paper-hoarder-during-coronavirus-crisis-c-975635">7News</a> </em>the hoarder had a team of 20 people buying the items.</p> <p>Drakes Supermarkets – along with other supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths – are not providing refunds on toilet paper or hand sanitiser.</p>

Caring

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"Stay in your lane!": Dr Chris Brown tries a little quarantine gardening and ends up in hospital

<p>Dr Chris Brown’s self-isolating hobbies do not appear to be working out too well for him as he admitted an inspired attempt to garden left him injured and in hospital over the weekend.</p> <p>On Monday morning, the TV star told Nova 96.9’s Fitzy &amp; Wippa he’d been left with an ulcerated eye while pruning in his garden on Sunday night.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Dz3DXp8sb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-Dz3DXp8sb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Chris Brown (@drchrisbrown)</a> on Mar 22, 2020 at 7:33pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“The only problem is, when you’re in this self-isolation period you tend to take on little challenges around the house that you probably shouldn’t,” he admitted to the hosts.</p> <p>“I mean yesterday, I was gardening and did a bit of pruning and didn’t realise I was pruning a highly toxic plant and broke off at the stem and put sap into my eye.</p> <p>“Sap from a toxic cactus ulcerated my cornea and I ended up in ER last night with an ulcerated eye.”</p> <p>Dr Brown went on to urge people to stick to what they’re good at during these difficult times</p> <p>“Stay in your lane, whatever you’re good at, just stick with that. Don’t try to diversify into other areas!” he warned.</p> <p>“The backyard is the most dangerous place on the planet let me tell you.”</p> <p>The TV vet took to Instagram to post about the unfortunate event and thanked emergency staff</p> <p>Posting to Instagram about the unfortunate incident, the TV personality thanked emergency staff for treating him.</p> <p>“The nurses and doctors at Prince of Wales emergency were amazing and diagnosed a burn on my cornea,” he wrote.</p> <p>“Possibly in a last desperate bid to make me feel better, they did assure me this was the second case of cactus induced conjunctivitis in the last 3 days. The lessons?</p> <p>1. Stay in your lane people.</p> <p>2. I’m a veterinary surgeon not a tree surgeon</p> <p>3. And self-isolation DIY injuries are a growth industry,” he joked.</p> <p>Brown went on to say: “On a serious note, the emergency staff in hospitals have never been under more pressure or in more danger yet they’re still fronting up to help us.</p> <p>“Help them by listening to the advice and self isolating. It might not save your life but it could save someone else’s.</p> <p>“I’m now off to kill a cactus. With protective eyewear.”</p> <p>The Channel 10 star recently said his lifestyle program<span> </span><em>The Living Room<span> </span></em>would be returning as a TV program “soon” despite 2019’s announcement seemingly confirming it had been axed for good.</p> <p>Last year, a Network 10 spokesperson said the program would not be returning.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B949jJZp3c_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B949jJZp3c_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Chris Brown (@drchrisbrown)</a> on Mar 18, 2020 at 2:26pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However, they did hint towards a new show set to hit our TV screens.</p> <p>“<em>The </em><em>Living Room</em> will not return in 2020,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>“We are thrilled that the brilliant team of Amanda, Barry, Miguel and Chris will be back at 7.30 on Friday nights next year, watch this space for more information.”</p> <p>Ten is yet to announce what is next for the four presenters, including a premiere date.</p>

Home & Garden

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"I want to get out": Panic as man tries to open door mid-flight

<p>A man who was suffering from a panic attack was restrained by fellow passengers after attempting to open the door of the plane mid-flight.</p> <p>Without warning, an agitated man tried pulling on the lever on the door at the back of the plane screaming “I want to get out!” in broken English.</p> <p>It was here that his fellow passengers intervened, but it wasn’t until half a dozen air stewards rushed down the aisle with one carrying handcuffs that the passengers felt safe.</p> <p>Ian McNally, who first spotted what was happening, was shaken up by the incident, but praised the efforts of another passenger.</p> <p>“I was mightily relieved when I saw him rushing to help,” he added.</p> <p>Another witness who did not want to be named was frozen in panic, according to <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/03/man-restrained-after-trying-to-open-door-of-ba-aircraft-in-midair?CMP=aff_1432&amp;utm_content=The+Independent&amp;awc=5795_1575396722_23a2856c3503f3524c8a7f4b83339901">The Guardian</a></em>.</p> <p>“I thought that was it,” he said. “Everyone who intervened were heroes.”</p> <p>Passenger Dean Whyte, who is a shocking 2 metres tall and a boxer, also intervened with the anxious man, telling him to “calm down”.</p> <p>“It was like something out of a movie. When I got there, he was shouting ‘I want to get out’ in broken English.</p> <p>“I managed to grab him and was preparing to slam him hard if necessary but myself and the steward could see he wasn’t quite right in the head, so I held him and tried to calm him down. Eventually it worked.”</p> <p>Whyte later took a screenshot of the article from <em>The Guardian</em> and said that he was just “happy I was there to help”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Just Happy I Was There To Help<a href="https://t.co/613bYU1ZRi">https://t.co/613bYU1ZRi</a> <a href="https://t.co/TlrtXY7RRm">pic.twitter.com/TlrtXY7RRm</a></p> — Dean Whyte (@DeanWhyte8) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanWhyte8/status/1201791740409241600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>A British Airways flight attendant said that they had “never seen anything like that before”.</p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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NBN tries to lure new customers with lower prices and faster speed

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The company whose in charge of building the National Broadband Network has decided to open the door to cheaper and faster internet plans.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It comes after abandoning an earlier and unpopular proposal that wanted to charge users more to stream videos.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NBN Co called it a “Netflix tax” on streaming video that was using up capacity on the network, but due to the backlash from customers has quickly distanced itself from this plan.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The NBN has indicated shifting its focus to maintaining reliable performance during peak periods as well as making higher speed tiers more affordable.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The majority of respondents in the first round of consultation highlighted streaming video as an important application driving the need for higher download speeds and more capacity inclusions,” NBN Co chief customer officer Brad Whitcomb said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Currently, NBN Co sells internet plans to retail service providers on a wholesale basis but providers have been complaining about the wholesale pricing is too high. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A bundle that was offered earlier in the year that offered up to 50-megabit-per-second downloads and up to 20 mbps uploads surged in popularity once the NBN lowered the price to $45 a month.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A number of respondents stated that a discount to the entry level wholesale bundle would help them to maintain an affordable retail broadband plan in a market with uncapped data inclusions,” Mr Whitcomb said.</span></p>

Technology

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"She tried to kill us”: Mother who adopted 9-year-old girl claims her new daughter is really a 22-year-old “sociopath”

<p>It sounds far-fetched but it’s an unfortunate reality for a family in Indiana, USA as they realised that the child that they adopted was really a 22-year-old woman.</p> <p>Kristine Barnett and her husband Michael are alleged to have dumped Ukrainian-born Natalia Grace at an apartment in Indiana in 2013 before heading to Canada and having contact cut off by Natalia.</p> <p>In an exclusive interview with<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7479061/Mom-claims-Ukrainian-daughter-9-adopted-really-22-year-old-dwarfism.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a>, Kristine has outlined the horrors of living with Natalia.</p> <p>“She would make statements and draw pictures saying she wanted to kill family members, roll them up in a blanket and put them in the backyard,” she told DailyMailTV.</p> <p>‘She was standing over people in the middle of the night. You couldn't go to sleep. We had to hide all the sharp objects.</p> <p>“I saw her putting chemicals, bleach, Windex something like that, in my coffee and I asked her, what are you doing? She said, ‘I am trying to poison you."</p> <p>“The media is painting me to be a child abuser but there is no child here,’ said Kristine through tears.</p> <p>“Natalia was a woman. She had periods. She had adult teeth. She never grew a single inch, which would happen even with a child with dwarfism.</p> <p>“The doctors all confirmed she was suffering a severe psychological illness only diagnosed in adults.”</p> <p>Natalia also had some odd behaviour issues, according to Kristine.</p> <p>“She was jumping out of moving cars. She was smearing blood on mirrors. She was doing things you could never imagine a little child doing.”</p> <p>The couple had just 24 hours to complete the emergency adoption and had no hesitation in accepting Natalia into their family of now five.</p> <p>There were few details of Natalia’s background, as she needed a home immediately, but she did have a Ukrainian birth certificate reading that she was born on September 4, 2003 and had been in the US for two years.</p> <p>Natalia also needed a home immediately as her previous adoptive parents had given her up for undisclosed reasons.</p> <p>“Out of compassion for their situation, I didn’t want to press them for information on what had gone wrong,” Kristine went on.</p> <p>As the family got closer, Kristine started to realise that something wasn’t adding up.</p> <p>“The boys rushed into the water and Natalia wanted to be carried into the ocean. Michael and I were physically exhausted, so we asked her to wait just a few minutes,” she said.</p> <p>“With that she just got up and ran into the ocean. I remember looking at Mike and thinking, what’s going on? She couldn’t walk a second ago and now she just got up and ran.”</p> <p>There were other circumstances that had the family questioning whether Natalia was who she said she was, as she didn’t have any traces of a foreign accent and when the family asked a Ukrainian friend to speak their native language, Natalia couldn’t understand a word.</p> <p>As Natalia’s mental health declined sharply, she was placed in a state-run psychiatric unit as she allegedly posed a risk to others. It was here that she confessed to being older than she appeared.</p> <p>A clinical therapist in January 2012 said that Natalia claimed to them that she was 18. The Barnett family successfully applied to Marion County Superior Court in Indianapolis to have Natalia’s age corrected so she could receive the help she needed as an adult.</p> <p>Kristine and her husband rented an apartment for Natalia and helped her get a social security number as well as apply for benefits.</p> <p>The Barnett family headed to Canada as their older son Jacob was attending the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, and left Natalia behind in the rented apartment.</p> <p>It was as they were in Canada that Natalia vanished.</p> <p>"The last time we spoke on the phone, she told me she was cooking spaghetti for her new family,” said Kristine.</p> <p>"I did not abandon anyone. I went to Canada to further my son's education. These accusations are absolutely devastating."</p> <p><em>Photo credits: Kristine Barnett and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7479061/Mom-claims-Ukrainian-daughter-9-adopted-really-22-year-old-dwarfism.html" target="_blank">DailyMail.com</a></em></p>

Family & Pets

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Worth reading: Tried and true manuals for success

<p><em>The Conversation Canada asked our academic authors to share some recommended reading. In this instalment, Michael Armstrong, an operations research professor at Brock University who has written for</em> The Conversation Canada <em>on topics as diverse as <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-well-do-students-perform-when-retaking-courses-82559">student success rates in school</a> to the <a href="https://theconversation.com/picketts-charge-what-modern-mathematics-teaches-us-about-civil-war-battle-78982">mathematics of Civil War battle</a>, shares the top three books that he recommends for guidance on making the most of your career at any age.</em></p> <p>Here are three books that I often recommend to my students and friends. All are practical guides that have stood the test of time. The first will help you start your career, the second will help you succeed in it and the third will help you profit from it.</p> <p><strong><em>What Color Is Your Parachute? </em></strong><strong><em>A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers </em></strong>by Richard N. Bolles (Non-fiction. Paperback, 2016 and others. Ten Speed Press.)</p> <p>This is a popular guide for job seekers. Like most such books, it gives advice on the mechanical details of job hunting, such as good ways to organize a resume.</p> <p>More importantly — and less commonly — it helps people figure out what they want to do with their lives. What kind of career will best fit your personality? Will you be happier working with people or with data?</p> <p>The book is an obvious fit for graduates seeking their first job. But it could also help teenagers choose the best education to pursue after high school, or adults trying to make their careers more satisfying.</p> <p><strong><em>The Ropes to Skip and the Ropes to Know: </em><em>Studies in Organizational Theory and Behavior </em></strong>by R. Richard Ritti, Steve Levy and Neil Toucher (Non-fiction. Hardcover, 2016 and others. Chicago Business Press.)</p> <p>Don’t let the academic-sounding subtitle deter you. This is a highly readable book. It consists of short stories or parables that illustrate how people behave and interact at work.</p> <p>Every workplace has an official structure and formal rules. But workplaces contain people with individual personalities and relationships. This book will help you understand the unofficial structures and unwritten rules, before they get you into trouble.</p> <p>I often recommend <em>The Ropes to Skip and the Ropes to Know</em> to people starting their first job. It would be especially good for someone promoted to their first management or supervisory role.</p> <p><strong><em>The Wealthy Barber: </em><em>The Common Sense Guide to Successful Financial Planning </em></strong>by David Chilton (Non-fiction. Paperback, 2002 and others. Stoddart.)</p> <p>Once you receive your first paycheque, you’ll want to read this beginner’s guide to personal finance. It covers the basics of investing: retirement savings, mutual funds, etc. It also introduces a lot of other financial topics: savings versus spending, insurance that you do or don’t need, and so on.</p> <p>This probably isn’t the only financial guide you’ll ever need, but it is a good first one. I typically recommend it to recent graduates starting their careers. But it also suits mature adults dealing with money issues for the first time, perhaps after the death or divorce of their spouse.</p> <p>Have an enjoyable and productive season!<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/82305/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Written by <span>Michael J. Armstrong, Associate professor of operations research, Brock University</span>. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://theconversation.com/worth-reading-tried-and-true-manuals-for-success-82305"><em>The Conversation</em></a><em>. </em></p>

Books

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Aussie woman opens up about cruise ship horror: “My partner tried to push me overboard”

<p>A woman, who was lucky to survive a five-day cruise, has bravely discussed the terrifying moment her partner attempted to throw her off their balcony.</p> <p>Kim and her partner David James Fysh, 46, saved up to cruise from Sydney to Tasmania on Radiance of the Seas for almost a year before they embarked on their holiday.</p> <p>However, less than 48 hours after departing on October 16, their getaway quickly turned into a nightmare, reported <em style="font-weight: inherit;">A Current Affair.</em></p> <p>Kim claimed David was uninterested in the cruise they had worked so hard to experience, focusing his time on drinking and sleeping instead.</p> <p>She also alleged that her fiancé packed Valium for the cruise.</p> <p>After growing frustrated by his disinterest, Kim confronted him before the pair got into an argument about him wasting the holiday.</p> <p>Kim then said the argument took a violent turn.</p> <p>“He locked me outside on the balcony and pulled the room out looking for them (Valium) and then when he couldn't find them, he came outside on to the balcony,” she said.</p> <p>“Had me by the back of my arms and was trying to push me overboard and I was just screaming.”</p> <p>When asked if she thought she was going to die during the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">ACA </em>interview, Kim replied with an emotional: “Yep.”</p> <p>“I was screaming, 'Please don't kill me, please don't kill me, please don't throw me overboard.’”</p> <p>Remembering the terrifying ideal, Kim said her partner didn’t say much as he allegedly held her over the balcony.</p> <p>She explained that she managed to free herself because she was wearing a silky robe and “slipped out of his grip like a ninja”.</p> <p>After escaping from her attacker, she locked him on the balcony and called cruise staff immediately.</p> <p>David was arrested and charged with attempted murder after the cruise docked in Hobart.</p> <p>Police allege that David tried to throw Kim from the cruise balcony by grabbing her under the arms at 3:30am.</p> <p>Kim claimed that passengers in nearby rooms heard her piercing screams.</p> <p>In the emotional interview, Kim said her relationship with David had been volatile and she felt guilty she let the abuse get as far as it did.</p> <p>David pleaded not guilty at Hobart Magistrates Court on October 19 and bail was not granted.</p> <p>In February, the case will appear before the Supreme Court.</p>

Travel Trouble

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The moment Emma Thompson tried to sneak a kiss from Prince William

<p>Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson has received one of Britain’s highest awards and used the opportunity to playfully joke with the second-in-line to the throne, Prince William.</p> <p>On Wednesday, the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Love Actually </em>star was invited to Buckingham Palace to be appointed a Dame Commander of the Oder of the British Empire.</p> <p>The honour, which is the female equivalent of a knighthood, was made even more special as it was given to her by her long-time friend.</p> <p>Recalling the ceremony to reporters, Thompson said: “I love Prince William. I’ve known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other. I said, ‘I can’t kiss you, can I?’ And he said, ‘No, don’t!'”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Congratulations to Dame Emma Thompson! Today at Buckingham Palace, the actor received her Damehood from The Duke for services to Drama. <a href="https://t.co/1gSfaawBii">pic.twitter.com/1gSfaawBii</a></p> — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1060200145969733632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Although Thompson didn’t receive a kiss from the prince, she praised the royal father-of-three for all his accomplishments.</p> <p>“He’s looking wonderful and doing so well,” the actress, who wore sneakers and a suit to the ceremony, commented.</p> <p>“He said, ‘This day isn’t about me, it’s about you.'”</p> <p>“It’s really lovely because I’ve always loved the boys, and I’ve always been a long-term correspondent with their dad,” Thompson added. </p> <p>“It’s a very lovely feeling.”</p> <p>After Prince Charles went through his divorce with Princess Diana in 1996, Thompson wrote him several letters to lift his spirits.</p> <p>“I would get periodical messages from the boys that look after him at Highgrove saying: ‘[Could you] drop him a note because he’s a bit low in the water,’ so I’d pick up my pen and write as funny a letter as I could think of,” Thompson revealed in the book <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Charles: The Heart of a King.</em></p>

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