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Aussie mum jailed after faking her own death for major insurance payout

<p>A Perth woman who faked her own death to secure a $700,000 insurance payout has been sentenced to three years behind bars. </p> <p>Karen Salkilld, 43, an F45 gym franchise owner, claimed she died in a car accident in Broome in December 2023. </p> <p>The mother-of-two, also provided a falsified death certificate, a coroner report and funeral documents, when she made the claim in January.</p> <p>A month later, she received more than $718,000 from Insuranceline, which she accessed by posing as her former partner who was the beneficiary of the sum and opening a bank account in her name. </p> <p>The "relatively sophisticated" scheme was initially successful, until police became suspicious and froze her account after she moved large amounts of the money around, according to<em> Nine News</em>. </p> <p>Salkilld had to visit Palmyra Police Station in person to certify her fake documents, but after three visits, officers realised something was up and arrested her in March. </p> <p>There is no evidence that her former partner knew of the crime. </p> <p>The fitness instructor admitted that she got the idea from a movie after she fell into debt, although she didn't specify which one. </p> <p>"Your offending could not be described as opportunistic," Judge Vicki Stewart told Perth District Court said in sentencing the fitness instructor. </p> <p>"It was calculated and required both effort and persistence."</p> <p>"You were living beyond your means and over-committed yourself," Stewart added. </p> <p>Salkilld pleaded guilty to gaining benefit by fraud and knowingly using a false record to defraud, and was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday. </p> <p>She was ordered to pay a $101,771 compensation to the insurance company. A restitution order for funds in the bank account was also issued - one for $549,195 and another for $67,995 - with the latter being held in the bank's fraud recoveries account. </p> <p>Speaking to <em>Nine News</em> outside court after the sentencing, Salkilld's estranged sister Ann said "it doesn't surprise me that she is capable of doing things like that."</p> <p>She will be eligible for parole in February 2026.</p> <p><em>Image: Nine News </em></p>

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Jimmy Barnes warns fans about fake accounts

<p>Jimmy Barnes has issued a "fake account alert" to his fans.</p> <p>The Aussie singer took to Instagram to warn his followers that there have been an increase in the number of people online pretending to be him or claiming to have direct access to him. </p> <p>"There have been an increasing number of fake profiles appearing in the comments of my socials media posts, claiming to either be me, have direct access to me, sell tickets to shows, and even going as far as posing as a fan trying to connect with other fans," he wrote. </p> <p>"These accounts also send friend or follow requests, which then progresses to more false claims, often requesting large or small sums of money," the<em> Cold Chisel</em> star added. </p> <p>He then urged his followers to take action against these fake profiles. </p> <p>"Please block and report any profile and or comment that makes these claims, as it would never be myself or any of my team. Look after each other," he continued. </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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C84CmW9yKBs/?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/C84CmW9yKBs/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jimmy Barnes (@jimmybarnesofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>He then shared screenshots of all the social media accounts posing as him, and a montage of all the messages they send to fans. </p> <p>One of the scammers wrote: "Hello thank you for your like and comments on my official page and for being a fan, it's great to know I have such a devoted fan. Much love, click on this page to send me a message." </p> <p>Many of the scammers had similar messages, asking fans to message them, click on a link or add them on social media. </p> <p>This is not the first time scammers have tried using the singer's name to con devoted fans. </p> <p>In 2022, Barnes slammed scammers pretending to be him and using a fake "farewell" ad on social media, which was nothing more than a cryptocurrency scam, according to <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>. </p> <p>Speaking through his manager, John Watson, Barnes said at the time that he was angry about the "illegal and misleading ads" that have allowed "scammers to prosper". </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Woman's fake parking fines divides internet

<p>Finding a parking ticket on your windscreen is the last thing you'd want to see after a day out - but last month dozens of drivers were greeted with fake fines made by one woman who wanted to spread "a little kindness". </p> <p>Melbourne woman Karina went viral for her odd marketing tactic, where she put handmade fake fines onto cars, public phones and lamp posts across the city's southeast, in a bid to promote her photography business. </p> <p>The "infringement" note read: "Notice to owners: We saw you pull into this car park and I wanted to tell you that you look absolutely beautiful today, your smile could light up a whole room...</p> <p>"Just to make your day a little more special than you already are, I want to give you $30 towards my beach prints from my travels."</p> <p>When asked why she did it, Karina told <em>Yahoo News</em>: "I decided to do it to make people's day by spreading a little kindness. It was a reminder that life is too short."</p> <p>"They're going to think it's a fine but little do they know that it's actually some money towards a print for our store."</p> <p>While there were a few that praised her "hustle" mentality, saying that they "love this idea" and thought it was "cute", others were less pleased. </p> <p>"No this would make me have a panic attack," one wrote. </p> <p>"I thought this was wholesome until I realised ya'll are just trying to sell stuff," another added. </p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Money & Banking

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5 ways to fake a clean bathroom

<p>Got a friend popping around for a catch up, and, your bathroom is less than sparkling? Don’t stress. Follow our foolproof tips to fake it so no one knows you didn’t have time to do a proper clean.</p> <p><strong>1. Scrub the loo</strong></p> <p>The toilet is often a telltale sign that your bathroom is in need of a clean. If you haven’t already invested in a leave-in cleaner for your bowl, simply get in there with some toilet cleaner and give a good squirt under the rim. Leave it to do its job while you get on with the rest of the bathroom.</p> <p>Then when it’s had a few minutes to soak, give it a once over with the toilet brush. Grab some toilet paper (or an antibacterial wipe) and give the rim and the top of the toilet a once over to remove any dust.</p> <p><strong>2. Eliminate any obvious mould and grime</strong></p> <p>Find yourself some good-quality mould spray that you can apply and then leave to work its magic while you move on to other areas of the bathroom. After 10 minutes (check your packet for the optimal time) you should be able to spray it with warm water from the shower and then wipe it clean.</p> <p><strong>3. Do a quick dust bust</strong></p> <p>Grab yourself a clean cloth or antibacterial wipe and go over the shelves and basin to get rid of any dust or dirt you can see.</p> <p><strong>4.Change your bathmat and hand towel</strong></p> <p>There’s nothing like a fresh and clean bathmat to trick your guests into thinking that you’ve just finished scrubbing the bathroom. Add a clean hand towel to complete the look.</p> <p><strong>5.Add a sweet scent</strong></p> <p>Give your bathroom a look of freshness by popping a small vase of flowers in there. You can also try a scented candle on top of the toilet to give off a nice scent and hide any odours.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home & Garden

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“Is that Snoop Dog?!”: Man caught with fake passenger in carpool lane

<p>A US motorist has been handed a traffic infringement after police found him using a dummy to drive in the carpool lane. </p> <p>Not only did his hilarious attempt to bypass morning traffic with the fake passenger whose goatee was "just a little too sharp" get him fined, he helped authorities answer the common question: “If I have a mannequin in the passenger seat, does that count as a second occupant in the vehicle? </p> <p>"The answer is simple… NO."</p> <p>According to an Instagram post shared by the California Highway Patrol Santa Fe Spring, authorities stopped the unnamed driver for crossing a double line when they noticed the plastic passenger. </p> <p>"Officer Kaplan made an enforcement stop on this vehicle for crossing solid double lines only to realise the driver was the only occupant in the vehicle with their plastic friend," they wrote. </p> <p>The mannequin in question had a human-like mask, sported a hoodie and sunglasses, and was seated upright with his seatbelt buckled in just like any other passenger. </p> <p>And he would've gotten away with it too if it weren't for the fake facial hair. </p> <p>"The goatee was sharp … just a little too sharp," they shared. </p> <p>"We've gotta give it to them, the appearance is next-level modelling but at the end of the day ... plastic is plastic." </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/C6K7Thkr2CO/?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/C6K7Thkr2CO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by CHP Santa Fe Springs (@chp_santa_fe_springs)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The driver was issued with a number of citations for carpool violations, but many online commenters shared their amusement at the light-hearted nature of the traffic violation. </p> <p>"Is that snoop dog?!" wrote one commenter. </p> <p>"Leave Stevie wonder alone," joked another. </p> <p>"I really don’t see a problem here because most people are fake and have lots of plastic on them anyways," quipped a third. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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Outrage after grandma beaten at home by fake officers

<p>The quiet neighbourhood of Girrawheen, Perth, has been rocked by a vicious assault perpetrated by three assailants disguised as police officers. The aftermath of this cowardly act has left an older couple traumatised and the community reeling with shock and outrage, with police releasing a graphic image of one of the victims in an attempt to help bring the perpetrators to justice.</p> <p>The victim of this brutal attack, 73-year-old Nannette, bore the brunt of the assailants' aggression, enduring a savage beating while her husband, Phillip, was bound and left traumatised inside their own home. The assailants, described as having olive complexions, fled the scene after ransacking the house and stealing jewellery of significant value.</p> <p>The image released by Western Australia Police, with Nannette's approval, was a stark portrayal of the brutality inflicted upon her. Police Commissioner Col Blanch condemned the attack in the strongest terms, expressing his disgust at the violence perpetrated against innocent civilians in their own home. “I saw the photo of the victim this morning, and it made me sick to my stomach,” Blanch said. “To have people at home suffer that type of attack is a disgrace.”</p> <p>Detective Inspector Gary Butler, visibly disturbed by the severity of the incident, highlighted the need for the community to come together to support the investigation and ensure that justice is served. "Violence of this nature is unacceptable, and it will not be tolerated," he said.</p> <p>The daughter of the victims also spoke out, shedding light on the harrowing ordeal her parents endured. She described her mother as a resilient individual who had recently battled cancer and was in the process of recovering. The attack has not only left physical scars but has also shattered their sense of security in their own home. “They tied my dad up, in their own home," she said. "So it’s not safe to come back.”</p> <p>Nannette, reportedly traumatised and in pain, requires medical treatment for her injuries. The psychological toll of such a traumatic experience is immeasurable, not only for the victims but also for their loved ones and the wider community.</p> <p>In the wake of this despicable act, Inspector Butler issued a plea for information, urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to come forward. "We will not stop until these offenders are apprehended and placed before the courts," he said.</p> <p>Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.</p> <p><em>Images: WA Police | Nine News</em></p>

Caring

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Top End tourism surge after massive search for fake Aussie town

<p>In an absolute boon to Top End tourism, it appears that Google users have been working overtime trying to locate a little slice of Northern Territory paradise known as Agnes Bluff and its nearby neighbour Mia Tukurta National Park. Why, you ask? Because they're convinced it's the next hidden holiday hotspot. But here's the catch: it's completely made up.</p> <p>This newfound obsession with Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park is all thanks to Amazon Prime's latest hit series, <em>The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart</em>. People have been binge-watching the show and drooling over the stunning landscapes, causing Google searches for these places to shoot up like a rocket on a sugar rush. </p> <p>According to <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/northern-territory/google-searches-surge-for-agnes-bluff-an-aussie-town-that-doesnt-exist/news-story/59f00cc1e89074de0e6464c0072ae4b8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>, Google searches for Agnes Bluff skyrocketed by a whopping 1640 per cent between July and August in Australia, and then another 40 per cent in September, all thanks to the series. And it's not just our fellow Aussies on the hunt for these mystical places – folks from Spain, Canada, the UK, the United States and Italy are also joining the imaginary treasure hunt.</p> <p>Can we blame them for trying to uncover these hidden gems? After all, in the show, Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park look so darn spectacular that even the Loch Ness Monster might want to visit. But chin up, dear travellers! While you can't exactly book a one-way ticket to Fantasyland, you can still visit the real-life locations that inspired the series.</p> <p>This show was born from the creative genius of Aussie author Holly Ringland, who drew inspiration from her time living on Anangu land in Australia's Western Desert. In her news.com.au interview, she said, "To know people are Googling these places I fictionalised feels like a shot of joy straight to my heart – I don't know that there could be a greater compliment given to my writing." </p> <p>So, where was the series actually filmed? Well, it turns out they filmed all over Central Australia, including places like the Alice Springs Desert Park, Simpsons Gap, Ooraminna Station, Standley Chasm and Ormiston Gorge – just to name a few.</p> <p>And that crater that had everyone drooling? It's called Tnorala, or Gosses Bluff, and it's a mere 175km from Alice Springs.</p> <p>In fact, search interest in Gosses Bluff crater has hit a 15-year high in Australia, increasing by a whopping 500 per cent in August alone – so, it seems like people are genuinely eager to find their own piece of Alice Hart's world.</p> <p>Now, if you're wondering about the burning question that's on everyone's minds, it's this: "What is the crater in <em>The Lost Flowers for Alice Hart</em>?" And let me tell you, Gosses Bluff, or Tnorala, is the crater-du-jour.</p> <p>But here's the best part – this place is absolutely real; it's not a mirage or a figment of some writer's imagination. You can actually go there, touch it (not the crater itself, though), and breathe in the stunning views. Sure, you can't frolic inside the crater, but there are viewing points that will have you oohing and aahing like a kid in a candy store.</p> <p>And so, while Agnes Bluff and Mia Tukurta National Park might be the stuff of dreams, Gosses Bluff is the real deal. So it could be  ime to pack your bags, grab your camera and get ready for an adventure that's so real, it'll make your Google searches feel like a distant dream. </p> <p><em>Images: Prime Video</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Woman dies after being accused by doctors of faking symptoms

<p>A woman from New Zealand has passed away from a debilitating illness after being told by a doctor that her illness was “all in her head”.</p> <p>Stephanie Aston, 33, died after a long and public battle with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare  genetic disorder affecting the body’s connective tissue, on September 1st. </p> <p>EDS, of which there are 13 different variants, is often referred to as an "invisible illness", as sufferers can often appear healthy despite experiencing excruciating symptoms, such as severe migraines, dislocating joints, easy bruising, abdominal pain, iron deficiency, fainting and an abnormally fast heart-rate.</p> <p>Aston said she was dismissed by a doctor in 2016, who dismissed her symptoms and told her that she was faking her disease. </p> <p>Despite being diagnosed with EDS by three different specialists, one doctor in Auckland, who Aston referred to as 'Doctor A', suggested she was not seriously unwell and indicated she was causing her illnesses, <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/stephanie-aston-death-eds-sufferers-call-for-change-after-doctors-accused-woman-of-faking-illness/VX4Q6CAWRVH25I6OCKGQ4KTW4M/">The NZ Herald</a></em> reports.</p> <p>Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes New Zealand founder Kelly McQuinlan said Stephanie's death has shocked the community, and said more needs to be done for those suffering with the debilitating condition. </p> <p>“A lot of people are feeling very lost,” she said.</p> <p>“I think most people in these rare positions or invisible illnesses, definitely experience setbacks and disbelieving because things can’t be seen but really the clinical symptoms are there that are being ignored.”</p> <p>Ms McQuinlan described Ms Aston as a “beacon” for those with the illness in a tribute to her on Facebook.</p> <p>“Most people in our community have experienced some form of sort of doctors not believing them or questioning their diagnosis which is extremely hard,” she wrote.</p> <p>“When they see someone in their community pass away, the first thing they think is ‘What if my care is not looked after? What’s going to happen to me?’.”</p> <p>“At the end of the day, if symptoms aren’t managed correctly, anyone can get sick enough that they will pass away.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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Man fakes own death to teach his family a tough life lesson

<p>A Belgian TikToker has become the subject of the internet’s scorn after playing a prank on the loved ones and mourners gathered to bid him farewell at what they believed to be his funeral. </p> <p>They were under the assumption that the service was being held for the recently-departed David Baerten - their 45-year-old friend who was not, it turns out, dead after all. </p> <p>Instead, Baerten had devised a plan with his wife and children to trick everyone into believing he’d passed on, all so that he could teach them a ‘valuable’ lesson in the importance of staying in touch.</p> <p>In a bid to make Baerten’s friends and followers believe the lie, one of his daughters even posted to social media about his passing, writing “rest in peace Daddy. I will never stop thinking about you.</p> <p>“Why is life so unfair? Why you? You were going to be a grandfather, and you still had your whole life ahead of you. I love you! We love you! We will never forget you.”</p> <p>The ‘funeral’ was held near Liege for the TikToker - who uses the name Ragnar le Fou for his social media antics - with his family and friends coming together for what they thought was a final farewell. But as they prepared for that difficult task, things took a sharp turn. </p> <p>Baerten, who had been alive the entire time, descended in a helicopter with a camera crew in tow to surprise them all. In a video later shared to social media, he could be heard telling them “cheers to you all, welcome to my funeral.” </p> <p>Another user - who was present at the time - shared a clip of Baerten in the arms of his sobbing loved ones, while others took the opportunity to complain about the entire “joke”. </p> <p><iframe style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; display: block; font-family: proxima-regular, PingFangSC, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.01em; text-align: center; background-color: #ffffff; width: 605px; height: 740px; visibility: unset; max-height: 740px;" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7243399474553425179?lang=en-GB&amp;referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-12190705%2FMan-fakes-death-arrives-funeral-helicopter-teach-family-lesson.html&amp;embedFrom=oembed" name="__tt_embed__v11218062736010092" sandbox="allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-scripts allow-top-navigation allow-same-origin"></iframe>They were complaints that continued online, as the videos gained traction and many raced to condemn him for the heartless stunt. </p> <p>“Really shocking, it should be punishable by law!” one user declared. </p> <p>“I'm shocked,” another said, before asking how he’d been able to do that to those close to him. </p> <p>“He wanted to see who would be there with his eyes,” one said, “what narcissism”.</p> <p>Someone else agreed, noting that “you really have to be full of yourself to do such a thing.”</p> <p>The feedback was so strong that Baerten was forced to explain his actions, claiming that “what I see in my family often hurts me. I never get invited to anything. </p> <p>“Nobody sees me. We all grew apart. I felt unappreciated. That’s why I wanted to give them a life lesson, and show them that you shouldn’t wait until someone is dead to meet up with them.”</p> <p>And while he is yet to share his own professional footage from the day, his plan had worked.</p> <p>“Only half of my family came to the funeral,” he said. “That proves who really cares about me. Those who didn’t come, did contact me to meet up. </p> <p>“So in a way I did win.”</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Schumacher’s family suing German magazine over fake interview

<p dir="ltr">Michael Schumacher’s family is preparing to take legal action against German tabloid magazine <em>Die Aktuelle</em>, for publishing an AI-generated “interview” with the star.</p> <p dir="ltr">The publication has been slammed for using Michael’s face on their April 15 front cover, promoting the piece as “the first interview” since the star’s skiing accident in December 2013.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No meagre, nebulous half-sentences from friends. But answers from him! By Michael Schumacher, 54!” read the text in the magazine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It sounded deceptively real,” they added in the strapline, which was the only indicator that the piece was fake.</p> <p dir="ltr">The “interview” included quotes that insensitively described Schumacher’s recovery, following the accident where he suffered a serious brain injury.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was so badly injured that I lay for months in a kind of artificial coma, because otherwise my body couldn’t have dealt with it all,” the quote read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve had a tough time but the hospital team has managed to bring me back to my family,” they added.</p> <p dir="ltr">It was only at the end of the article that the publication revealed that they used Character.ai, an AI chatbot, to create the interview.</p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for Schumachers confirmed their intention to take legal action against <em>Die Aktuelle</em> to <em>Reuters</em> and <em>ESPN</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">This isn’t the first time Schumacher’s family have taken action against <em>Die Aktuelle</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">In 2015, Michael’s wife, Corinna Schumacher filed a lawsuit against the magazine after they used Corinna’s picture with the headline: “Corinna Schumacher – a new love makes her happy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The story was actually about their daughter, Gina, but the lawsuit was dismissed.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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"Not guilty": Richard Wilkins addresses fake arrest photos

<p>Richard Wilkins has spoken out about a series of photos that have gone viral online, depicting his apparent arrest. </p> <p>The entertainment report set the record straight while chatting to 2GB's Ben Fordham, saying the photos were fake. </p> <p>"I have never been arrested," Wilkins said. </p> <p>He went on to say he has never been in such trouble with the law, claiming the images were either photoshopped or AI-generated. </p> <p>"I got arrested in London yesterday," Wilkins sarcastically told Fordham, referring to the image which shows him being grabbed by two police officers. </p> <p>"I don't know what to do about it, this has been going on for some time," he continued, noting how he has no idea why or how he's been put at the centre of "all this", with "this" including a false story circulating that he's been charged by the Bank of Australia for giving out incorrect financial advice live on air alongside Karl Stefanovic on <em>Today</em>.</p> <p>"It never happened," Wilkins said of the Bank of Australia scam, noting how the transcript of the false <em>Today</em> segment provided "looks really legit" but the fabricated conversation did not actually occur.</p> <p>"It's complete BS," Wilkins said. "The thought of anyone investing in anything because I was recommending it is quite disturbing, and I'd hate to think that that was happening."</p> <p>He went on to say that his name and face have been used for several months to try and fool people, with both staffers from Facebook and the Nine Network lawyers have been involved for months to resolve the issue, but it's only "getting worse."</p> <p>"It's a pain in the derrière," Wilkins said.</p> <p>Wilkins' discussion with Fordham comes days after his son, Christian Wilkins, denied his father's arrest took place.</p> <p>"For those wondering, yes these posts are fake," Christian wrote on his Instagram Story last week.</p> <p>He joked, "There's no way [Wilkins] would be seen not wearing skinny jeans."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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Royal photographer admits to faking iconic shot

<p>Jason Bell, the photographer responsible for the official family portraits from Prince George’s 2013 christening, has revealed the truth about the shots - and admitted to faking one significant detail. </p> <p>In the documentary <em>Portrait of the Queen</em>, Bell admitted to feeling pressure over getting the shot just right. It was, after all, the first time that four generations of direct heirs had been captured together in over a century - since Queen Victoria’s reign specifically. </p> <p>The iconic picture sees the Queen and her four heirs - Prince Charles (now King Charles), Prince William, and Prince George - gathered around the chair upon which the Queen sits in the Morning Room at Clarence House, with sunlight streaming in around them. </p> <p>The catch? The light wasn’t real. </p> <p>“A christening picture is a happy picture,” Bell explained, “and when I think about happy, I think about - sort of - summer, and sun, and light, and bright. </p> <p>“So I think in a way, that was my first creative decision going into it. I want[ed] it to feel like a beautiful, warm, summer-y afternoon.</p> <p>“Obviously, the problem with that was I was actually doing the shoot in October in London and, you know, I’m a longtime Londoner, and I know that you can’t rely on London weather.</p> <p>“So, what I did was I put big heavy lights around all of the windows and the window behind them outside in the street. And, you know, to get enough light coming through the windows to really feel like a sort of summer afternoon, you know, you need quite a lot of light.”</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/03/Portrait_of_the_Queen_Sharmill.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>As well as the big creative decisions necessary on the day, Bell had to plan well ahead, and explained how “it’s always important to research around the project and you know, see what people have done before – who goes where. Where does the Queen go? Where does Prince George go?</p> <p>“You’re thinking about the sort of lineage, if you like, and the structure of the picture wants to reflect [that].”</p> <p>Bell also admitted that he drew inspiration from a portrait of Queen Victoria and her heirs in 1894 - in that picture, Queen Victoria was holding her youngest direct heir, who would go on to become King Edward VIII. </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/CisbmEIu2vP/?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/CisbmEIu2vP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jason Bell (@jasonbellphoto)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And with the opportunity may have been daunting, and the stakes for his career high, Bell noted that one detail in particular stood out to him, confessing that he was “quite drawn” to it. </p> <p>“The personal element of it, you know, is the same as it is in any other family,” he said, “and that’s kind of interesting watching, you know, them be[ing] a family together if you like.”</p> <p><em>Images: @jasonbellphoto / Instagram, </em><em>Portrait of the Queen / Sharmill</em></p>

Art

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Harry and Meghan defend "fake" photos

<p dir="ltr">Representatives for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have defended the use of stock imagery and footage, after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/that-s-nonsense-harry-and-meghan-documentary-called-out-for-fake-photo">the couple came under fire</a> for the inclusion of deceitful photos and clips in trailers for their upcoming Netflix documentary.</p> <p dir="ltr">A source familiar with the making of <em>Harry &amp; Meghan</em> told <em>The Telegraph</em> UK that Harry and Meghan Markle do not have editorial control over what appears in the trailers.</p> <p dir="ltr">They also said that including stock photos and vision is “standard practice”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple and Netflix were called out for the inclusion of several scenes of paparazzi and press photographers out of context and at events the royal family didn’t attend.</p> <p dir="ltr">A photo of a horde of photographers taken at the premiere of <em>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two</em> was one of the sources of controversy, particularly given that it was taken in 2011, years before Harry and Meghan met.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, footage included the documentary’s second trailer was taken outside a court case involving model Katie Price, while other clips were from Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen being photographed in America.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage of Diana being hounded by paparazzi and then-Kate Middleton being pursued by press before her wedding were also included.</p> <p dir="ltr">The source said using such footage and imagery was “standard practice in documentary and trailer production”, countering claims of ‘misinformation’ from viewers.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes ahead of the release of the first three episodes of the documentary on Thursday night.</p> <p dir="ltr">The series is expected to primarily focus on the Sussexes’ relationship with the press and the “challenges” the couple faced when they were “forced” to step back as senior working royals.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5ae21bc3-7fff-9d1d-2d43-74be2eb7810e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Netflix</em></p>

TV

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"That's nonsense": Harry and Meghan documentary called out for fake photo

<p>Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been called out for using a deceitful photo in the latest trailer for their upcoming Netflix documentary. </p> <p>In the recently released trailer, a photo is shown of a swarm of photographers, seemingly capturing pictures of the royal couple. </p> <p>However, the photo was actually taken at a <em>Harry Potter</em> film premiere in 2011: five years before the couple event met. </p> <p>Eagle-eyed viewers recognised the photo, and pointed out that it was taken at the red carpet premiere for <em>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part Two</em> in central London, the final film of JK Rowling's franchise, which no royals attended.</p> <p>The picture is shown as Harry narrates, "I had to do everything I could to protect my family."</p> <p>Royal expert Ingrid Seward told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/20647848/harry-meghan-netflix-doc-hounded-by-press/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">The Sun,</a> "I don’t imagine Harry would have realised, but Netflix have been careless here as it weakens Harry’s comment about protecting his family. This fake picture weakens his point."</p> <p>The Sun photographer Doug can be seen in the shot used by Harry and Meghan’s team.</p> <p>He said, “I remember going to the premiere. It was a huge event. Crowds and crowds of fans had turned out in the rain and camped overnight to see the actors. There were no members of the Royal Family there."</p> <p>“In the Netflix trailer it’s implied the photographers, including me, were trying to get a shot of the royal couple — but that’s nonsense.”</p> <p>“For a picture from that premiere to turn up in this trailer about Harry and Meghan seems like lazy picture research.”</p> <p>Rather than the photo capturing the royal couple as insinuated, the photo appears first under search results for 'paparazzi' on stock image website Alamy.</p> <p>The first trailer for the six-part series was released last week - threatening to reveal further details of family difficulties and explain the "real story" behind why Prince Harry and Meghan left the royal family. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2rlVhiXlcHU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Netflix</em></p>

TV

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Labelling ‘fake art’ isn’t enough. Australia needs to recognise and protect First Nations cultural and intellectual property

<p>The latest <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/indigenous-arts/draft">draft report</a> from the Productivity Commission on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts and crafts confirms what First Nations artists have known for decades: fake art harms culture.</p> <p>Released last week, the report details how two in three Indigenous-style products, souvenirs or digital imagery sold in Australia are fake, with no connection to – or benefit for – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.</p> <p>This is a long-standing problem. As Aboriginal Elder Gawirrin Gumana (Yolngu) <a href="https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1133887?from=list">explained</a> in 1996, "When that [white] man does that it is like cutting off our skin."</p> <p>The Productivity Commission has proposed all inauthentic Indigenous art should be labelled as such. But we think a much bolder conversation needs to happen around protecting the cultural and intellectual property of Indigenous artists. </p> <p>Australia has no national licensing or production guidelines to protect Indigenous cultural and intellectual property within commercial design and digital spaces. Our work hopes to see this change.</p> <h2>‘This is storytelling’</h2> <p><a href="https://apo.org.au/node/318268">Our research</a> focuses on supporting and representing First Nations artists within design and commercial spaces, understanding how to ensure cultural safety and appropriate payment and combat exploitation.</p> <p>Many First Nations artists we spoke to told us stories of exploitative business models. They were blindly led into licensing agreements and client relations that were not culturally safe. Clients thought commissioning a design equated to “owning” the copyright to First Nations art, culture and knowledge.</p> <p>Gudanji/Wakaja artist and winner of the 2022 NAIDOC poster competition <a href="https://nardurna.com/">Ryhia Dank</a> told us, "We need clear recognition, structures and licensing guidelines to protect all of what First Nations ‘art’ represents. I know a lot of us, as we are starting out don’t know how to licence our work […]"</p> <p>"One of my first designs was for a fabric company and I didn’t licence the design correctly, so that company is still using my design and I only once charged them $350 and that was it. Having legal support from the start is critical."</p> <p>Arrernte and Anmatyerre graphic novelist <a href="https://www.stickmobstudio.com.au/">Declan Miller</a> explained how many clients and businesses are misguided in thinking commissioning a design equates to owning the copyright to First Nations knowledges.</p> <p>“Our art is not just art,” he said. "Clients need to be aware this is storytelling. This is culture. We will always own that. But we are happy for clients to work with us, and use our art and pay us for it, but we have to keep that integrity. This is our story, this is where we are from, this is who we are and you can’t buy that or take that from us."</p> <h2>Protecting property</h2> <p>Transparent labelling of inauthentic art is a great start, but there is more work needed. </p> <p>Intellectual property laws and processes should adequately protect First Nations art.</p> <p>“Indigenous cultural and intellectual property” refers to the rights First Nations people have – and want to have – to protect their traditional arts, heritage and culture.</p> <p>This can include communally owned cultural practices, traditional knowledge and resources and knowledge systems developed by First Nations people as part of their First Nations identity.</p> <p>First Nations products should be supplied by a First Nations business that protects Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, with direct benefits to First Nations communities.</p> <p>The outcomes of our research have resulted in the recent launch of <a href="https://solidlines.agency/">Solid Lines</a> – Australia’s only First Nations illustration agency to be led by First Nations people. An integral part of this agency is the Indigenous cultural and intellectual property policy designed specifically for the design and commercial art industry.</p> <p>The agency hopes this policy, created with <a href="http://marrawahlaw.com.au/">Marrawah Law</a>, will help create and support culturally safe and supportive pathways for First Nations creatives.</p> <p>For First Nations artists represented by Solid Lines, our policy also means obtaining culturally appropriate approval to use family or community stories, and knowledges and symbols that are communally owned.</p> <h2>Recognition and protection</h2> <p>The report from the Productivity commission focuses on fake art coming in from overseas, but fake art also happens in our own backyard.</p> <p>In our research, we have spoken to Elders, traditional custodians, and community leaders who are concerned that Western and Central Desert designs, symbols and iconography are now used by other First Nations across Australia. </p> <p>This work often undermines customary laws and limits economic benefits flowing back to communities.</p> <p>Community designs, symbols and iconography are part of a cultural connection to a specific land or country of First Nations people.</p> <p>Embracing Indigenous cultural and intellectual property policies will mean designs, symbols and iconography can only be used by the communities they belong to.</p> <p>The Productivity Commission calculated the value of authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, crafts, and designs sold in Australia in 2019-2020 at A$250 million. This will only continue to grow as Australia’s design and commercial industries continue to draw upon the oldest continuing culture in the world.</p> <p>Visible recognition and protection of First Nations cultural and intellectual property will allow for new creative voices to respectfully and safely emerge within Australian art and design industries.</p> <p>Through embracing guidelines around Indigenous cultural and intellectual property, First Nations artists will be supported in cultural safety, appropriate payment and combat exploitation. This is the next step beyond labelling inauthentic art.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/labelling-fake-art-isnt-enough-australia-needs-to-recognise-and-protect-first-nations-cultural-and-intellectual-property-187426" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Art

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How to live in a double-storey home with two fake knees

<p>After working tirelessly to build her risk management company over the past 30 years, Norine had a very clear vision of the “forever home” she wanted to find to begin her retirement.</p> <p>“For a long time, I lived in high-rise apartment in the Melbourne CBD without a garden of my own,” says the self-confessed green thumb. “And so, in retirement, I wanted to have a small garden, live close to public transport and my family, with a spare room for guests and an office – because, if I’m honest, I couldn’t imagine not doing some work at least for a few years.</p> <p>“Prior to my first knee replacement, the orthopaedic surgeon indicated that replacement knee joints would last 16 to 20 years or longer, depending on how I used them. He said that stairs, particularly going downstairs, wears the knee joint due to the impact of weight on each step and the risk of falling.</p> <p>“I soon found out that to get everything I wanted in my forever home, I would have to buy a double storey home. So, I needed a solution.”</p> <p><img class="alignnone wp-image-21353 size-full" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/NEW_O6O_Norine-Lift-from-Front.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>Norine’s extensive background in risk management and workplace safety meant that she had the tools to undertake a risk assessment approach to living in retirement. “I basically went about researching ‘How to live in a double-storey home with two fake knees’,” she explains. What she discovered immediately seemed to make sense to her professional point of view.</p> <p>“Firstly, it was a no brainer,” says Norine. “I needed a lift functionality on a day-to-day basis. I wanted a lift that was compact, unobtrusive and simple to operate, while transporting anything from a cup of coffee to a heavy plant upstairs.</p> <p>“I also investigated the downside of lifts, particularly doors malfunctioning. That rang true to me since there were so many times in my CBD apartment when the lift doors were out of order. I didn’t want the expense nor inconvenience associated with lift door malfunctions.”</p> <p>In her research, Norine discovered a doorless lift, which meant it was simple and quick to use. “I did a risk assessment on the doorless lift design,” she says. “For me, it was a far safer option – it’s more likely I could be caught out with a non-functioning door than fall from a lift with a safety grip.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21270" src="http://www.wyza.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/WYZA_Norine-Lift-with-Stairs-132259.jpg" alt="" width="880" height="500" /></p> <p>“<a href="https://resilift.com.au/?utm_source=O60&amp;utm_medium=website_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RESiLIFT</a> is the only residential lift on the market that is doorless, and it ticked my other safety boxes too,” says Norine. “The lift has a manual override, which means I can lower the lift myself in the unlikely event of a power outage.</p> <p>“The mechanism to operate the lift means you hold down a button to move in any direction. As soon as you remove your finger off the button the lift stops. This makes it pretty foolproof, and I still have one hand free for my coffee cup!”</p> <p>Norine then set about obtaining the dimensions of the various models on offer and used these to determine the practicality of lift installation at every “open for inspection” home she visited.</p> <p>“Once I found the home I hoped to buy, a <a href="https://resilift.com.au/?utm_source=O60&amp;utm_medium=website_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RESiLIFT</a> representative came with a template to confirm it was suitable,” Norine recalls. “All of this happened prior to me making an offer on a home.”</p> <p>What happened next only helped confirm to Norine that she was on a winner, in both a practical and stylistic sense. “When I bought the house, I positioned my lift in the corner of the dining room,” she says. “Recently, I had eight friends for dinner, and the next day a friend emailed me to say that she’d forgotten to check out the lift – where was it? I explained that it had been about two feet way from where she had been sitting.</p> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-21272" src="http://www.wyza.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/WYZA_Norine-in-Lift-with-Coffee-120159_body.jpg" alt="" width="880" height="500" /></p> <p>“The lift is now quite a point of entertainment with friends given it’s practically invisible yet extremely effective.</p> <p>“I have the <a href="https://resilift.com.au/?utm_source=O60&amp;utm_medium=website_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RESiLIFT</a> Miracle, which is large enough for a walker should I need one in the future. The specs say that it is for two people, but you need to be friends!”</p> <p>It’s been almost a year since Norine moved in – and in all that time she has only used the stairs three times in total, “Which is exactly what I wanted,” she says.</p> <p>“I now have my forever home with garden, and everything is set up for perfect and safe retirement living. It wouldn’t be possible without a <a href="https://resilift.com.au/?utm_source=O60&amp;utm_medium=website_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RESiLIFT</a>.</p> <p><strong><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with </em></strong><a href="https://resilift.com.au/?utm_source=O60&amp;utm_medium=website_article" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><em>RESiLIFT</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Woman arrested for faking her own kidnapping

<p dir="ltr">A US woman has been arrested in Delhi, India, for allegedly staging her own kidnapping.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to police, the 27-year-old faked her abduction to “blackmail” her parents into sending her more money after her funds ran out.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having arrived in India on May 3, the woman phoned her mother on July 7 and said she was being assaulted by a man, per <em>NDTV</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">After her family made a complaint to the US Embassy, which was forwarded on to police in Delhi, they began to investigate her whereabouts.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having traced the IP address the woman used to send an email to the American Citizen services and make a video call to her mother, police traced and arrested a 31-year-old Nigerian man, the <em>Indian Express</em> reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">During his interrogation, the man said the woman was staying in an apartment in Noida, on Delhi’s outskirts.</p> <p dir="ltr">“After her rescue, it was revealed that she had staged the incident to blackmail her parents,” Amrutha Guguloth, New Delhi’s deputy commissioner of police, told the <em>Indian Express</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Police said she met the man through Facebook and had been staying with him since she arrived in May.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having discovered that both the woman’s visa and the man’s passport had expired, police said they would take action against the pair for staying in India without valid documents.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb739aca-7fff-2c15-824b-29e2fd7800bc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Why fake news and misinformation is sabotaging the election

<p dir="ltr">After a messy election campaign, a lot of Australians have been left feeling confused about who they should be voting for at the polls this weekend. </p> <p dir="ltr">With conflicting media reports about both Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese, it’s easy to get lost in what is the correct information. </p> <p dir="ltr">A recent report published by Avast, a global leader in digital security and privacy, has warned Australians to be wary of fake news and misinformation when casting their vote. </p> <p dir="ltr">The new research commissioned by Avast found that over half of Australians say they have believed a fake news story in the past, and a staggering 9 in 10 believe that fake news has the ability to impact Australians and their vote in the upcoming election. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stephen Kho, cyber security expert at Avast says, “Sensationalist fake news is often used to generate clicks onto a webpage to improve ad revenue. It has also been used to influence public thought…it’s increasingly important that Australians are aware of how to spot misinformation and misleading news that isn’t based in solid fact.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Concerningly, the research found that 38% of Australians are not confident in their ability to identify fake news online, as Stephen Kho recommends readers run through these three criteria when assessing a news source for misinformation.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Check the source</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Readers should question the source, ask themselves if they have ever heard of it, and assess the source's appearance. </p> <p dir="ltr">Readers should also research the source, to see what has been reported on the source and if the source has a vested interest in subjective reporting. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Check the headline</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Clickbait articles are designed to garner as many clicks as possible and often have very catchy headlines. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is therefore important for readers to question articles where the headline and the actual story have little or no connection, and short articles bringing little to no insights.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Check the publication date</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Readers should check the date of articles, regardless of if they are real or fake, to make sure they are reading the most current information.</p> <p dir="ltr">Stephen Kho also shared helpful tips on how to avoid fake news, and how to spot blatant misinformation.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Avoid relying on social media</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While social media giants are making an effort to flag fake news shared within their networks, it's best to avoid consuming news and current affairs via social media news feeds.</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead, go directly to a news site you trust.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Read a variety of sources before forming an opinion</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Reading multiple, reliable news sources, can help people avoid fake news. If one article is reporting a story with different facts, the news could be fake.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Mind

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Watch out! Fake Kyle Sandilands stealing from the unwary

<p>Aussie Facebook users are being warned about falling victim to bogus cash prizes, with scammers posing as radio hosts such as Ray Hadley and Kyle Sandilands to steal credit card information. </p> <p>One woman from Sydney was conned out of $500 after a scammer posing as Kyle Sandilands asked her to provide her credit card information in order to claim a $1,000 "prize".</p> <p>54-year-old Marina told <a href="https://honey.nine.com.au/latest/australian-women-scammed-fake-facebook-pages-ray-hadley-kyle-sandilands-lost-money-credit-card-scam/2caf4436-5257-45fa-ade2-c43c27de8358" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9Honey</a> that she had originally commented on the official Kyle and Jackie O page, when a different account claiming to be the KIIS FM host contacted her saying she has won a promotion. </p> <p>"I commented on the page and then I had a friend request from a Kyle Sandilands, it seemed real because it had thousands of followers," Marina explains.</p> <p>"They said to me I'd won $1000 but I had to fill out a questionnaire, but part of it asked for my card details. I messaged him and asked about it, and the person said it would just take a 1 cent hold, but they needed it for my prize."</p> <p>After putting her details into the form and sending it back, she never heard anything back. </p> <p>Instead, Marina claims she got a notification on her phone one week later that $500 had been withdrawn from her account. </p> <p>She immediately called her bank to cancel her credit card, with her bank thankfully reversing the charge. </p> <p>Despite getting her money back, the single mum was still shocked at how easy it was to fall for the scam in the first place. </p> <p>"They really pulled me in, it seemed legit," she says.</p> <p>Sandilands' name is used for several fake Facebook accounts, with another page titled 'Kyle Sandlands' sharing false giveaways and asking users to enter their card details before they can claim a cash prize.</p> <p>Another woman almost fell for a similar scam on a Facebook page linked to Ray Hadley. </p> <p>Kelly was contacted by a Facebook page claiming to be the 2GB presenter and asked for her credit card details to deposit a cash win. </p> <p>Instantly hesitant of the message, Kelly blocked the unofficial Facebook page and didn't hand over her card number. </p> <p>She the called into Ray Hadley's morning show to discuss the matter, to which he told listeners that he doesn't have a personal Facebook page, and only used the official <em>Ray Hadley Morning Show</em> page. </p> <p>To avoid scams like these, it's important to look out for a few key red flags. </p> <p><strong>Question the urgency</strong></p> <p>Scammers don't want to give you the time to think about the request for confidential information. </p> <p>If a message requests you to take action immediately, think things through rationally and use your better judgement to identify if it's a scam. </p> <p><strong>Be cautious with personal details </strong></p> <p>Don't feel pressured to give out personal information over the phone, whether it's through a phone call or text message. </p> <p>The same goes with credit card information. If you are online shopping, make sure you are using a secure server. </p> <p><strong>Be wary of attachments</strong></p> <p>Never open any attachments or links in a text or email if they're from an unknown source. </p> <p>There have been phishing emails and texts appearing to come from well-known companies, so it always pays to be cautious.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Money & Banking

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Fake viral footage is spreading alongside the real horror in Ukraine. Here are 5 ways to spot it

<p>Amid the alarming images of <a href="https://theconversation.com/russia-invades-ukraine-5-essential-reads-from-experts-177815" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russia’s invasion of Ukraine</a> over the past few days, millions of people have also seen <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/24/social-media-platforms-russia-ukraine-disinformation-00011559" target="_blank" rel="noopener">misleading, manipulated or false information</a> about the conflict on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Telegram.</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=891&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=891&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=891&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1119&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1119&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/448664/original/file-20220226-31488-1blhz2o.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1119&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Screenshot of fake news TikTok video" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Old footage, rebadged on TikTok as the latest from Ukraine.</span> <span class="attribution">TikTok</span></figcaption></figure> <p>One example is this <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@notimundo/video/7068170668507974918?_t=8Q8LwdZRa8s&amp;_r=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">video of military jets posted to TikTok</a>, which is historical footage but captioned as live video of the situation in Ukraine.</p> <p>Visuals, because of their persuasive <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12525-019-00345-y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">potential</a> and attention-grabbing nature, are an especially potent choice for those seeking to mislead. Where creating, editing or sharing inauthentic visual content isn’t satire or art, it is usually <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/21670811.2017.1345645?casa_token=t8LANzDiQGUAAAAA:3vZ76fwtwpHt82jeB3mFJXPOpfsks4aRZHhDiCpcNVgJtDFIFcqskhUL796_P609UZm2KVwxeHy8xM4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">politically or economically motivated</a>.</p> <p>Disinformation campaigns aim to distract, confuse, manipulate and sow division, discord, and uncertainty in the community. This is a common strategy for <a href="http://repository.ou.ac.lk/bitstream/handle/94ousl/928/journalism_fake_news_disinformation_print_friendly_0%20(1).pdf?sequence=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highly polarised nations</a> where socioeconomic inequalities, disenfranchisement and propaganda are prevalent.</p> <p>How is this fake content created and spread, what’s being done to debunk it, and how can you ensure you don’t fall for it yourself?</p> <p><strong>What are the most common fakery techniques?</strong></p> <p>Using an existing photo or video and claiming it came from a different time or place is one of the most common forms of misinformation in this context. This requires no special software or technical skills – just a willingness to upload an old video of a missile attack or other arresting image, and describe it as new footage.</p> <p>Another low-tech option is to <a href="https://www.grid.news/story/misinformation/2022/02/23/autopsied-bodies-and-false-flags-how-pro-russian-disinformation-spreads-chaos-in-ukraine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stage or pose</a> actions or events and present them as reality. This was the case with destroyed vehicles that Russia claimed were bombed by Ukraine.</p> <p>Using a particular lens or vantage point can also change how the scene looks and can be used to deceive. A tight shot of people, for example, can make it hard to gauge how many were in a crowd, compared with an aerial shot.</p> <p>Taking things further still, Photoshop or equivalent software can be used to add or remove people or objects from a scene, or to crop elements out from a photograph. An example of object addition is the below photograph, which purports to show construction machinery outside a kindergarten in eastern Ukraine. The satirical text accompanying the image jokes about the “calibre of the construction machinery” - the author suggesting that reports of damage to buildings from military ordinance are exaggerated or untrue.</p> <p>Close inspection reveals this image was <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-ukraine-alteredmachinery-idUSL1N2UT2W0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">digitally altered</a> to include the machinery. This tweet could be seen as an attempt to downplay the extent of damage resulting from a Russian-backed missile attack, and in a wider context to create confusion and doubt as to veracity of other images emerging from the conflict zone.</p> <p><strong>What’s being done about it?</strong></p> <p>European organisations such as <a href="https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2022/02/23/documenting-and-debunking-dubious-footage-from-ukraines-frontlines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bellingcat</a> have begun compiling lists of dubious social media claims about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and debunking them where necessary.</p> <p>Journalists and fact-checkers are also working to verify content and <a href="https://twitter.com/AricToler/status/1494738571483353092?s=20&amp;t=bndDHkpko9nibN9LjRmaWw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raise awareness</a> of known fakes. Large, well-resourced news outlets such as the BBC are also <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/60513452" target="_blank" rel="noopener">calling out misinformation</a>.</p> <p>Social media platforms have added new <a href="https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/state-affiliated" target="_blank" rel="noopener">labels</a> to identify state-run media organisations or provide more <a href="https://9to5mac.com/2018/04/03/facebook-newsfeed-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">background information</a> about sources or people in your networks who have also shared a particular story.</p> <p>They have also <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/02/24/social-media-platforms-russia-ukraine-disinformation-00011559" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweaked their algorithms</a> to change what content is amplified and have hired staff to spot and flag misleading content. Platforms are also doing some work behind the scenes to detect and <a href="https://transparency.twitter.com/en/reports/information-operations.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">publicly share</a> information on state-linked information operations.</p> <p><strong>What can I do about it?</strong></p> <p>You can attempt to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17512786.2020.1832139" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fact-check images</a> for yourself rather than taking them at face value. An <a href="https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-resources/how-do-you-fact-check-an-image/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">article</a> we wrote late last year for the Australian Associated Press explains the fact-checking process at each stage: image creation, editing and distribution.</p> <p>Here are five simple steps you can take:</p> <p><strong>1. Examine the metadata</strong></p> <p>This <a href="https://t.me/nm_dnr/6192" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Telegram post</a> claims Polish-speaking saboteurs attacked a sewage facility in an attempt to place a tank of chlorine for a “<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-are-false-flag-attacks-and-did-russia-stage-any-to-claim-justification-for-invading-ukraine-177879">false flag</a>” attack.</p> <p>But the video’s metadata – the details about how and when the video was created – <a href="https://twitter.com/EliotHiggins/status/1495356701717020681?s=20&amp;t=DSIyWgyKfPu2vKvVQLjnOw">show</a> it was filmed days before the alleged date of the incident.</p> <p>To check metadata for yourself, you can download the file and use software such as Adobe Photoshop or Bridge to examine it. Online <a href="http://metapicz.com/#landing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">metadata viewers</a> also exist that allow you to check by using the image’s web link.</p> <p>One hurdle to this approach is that social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter often strip the metadata from photos and videos when they are uploaded to their sites. In these cases, you can try requesting the original file or consulting fact-checking websites to see whether they have already verified or debunked the footage in question.</p> <p><strong>2. Consult a fact-checking resource</strong></p> <p>Organisations such as the <a href="https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Associated Press</a>, <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/media-and-communication/industry/factlab/debunking-misinformation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RMIT/ABC</a>, <a href="https://factcheck.afp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Agence France-Presse (AFP)</a> and <a href="https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2022/02/23/documenting-and-debunking-dubious-footage-from-ukraines-frontlines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bellingcat</a> maintain lists of fact-checks their teams have performed.</p> <p>The AFP has already <a href="https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.323W3V8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">debunked</a> a video claiming to show an explosion from the current conflict in Ukraine as being from the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-ammonium-nitrate-the-chemical-that-exploded-in-beirut-143979" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 port disaster</a> in Beirut.</p> <p><strong>3. Search more broadly</strong></p> <p>If old content has been recycled and repurposed, you may be able to find the same footage used elsewhere. You can use <a href="https://www.google.com/imghp?hl=EN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Images</a> or <a href="https://tineye.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TinEye</a> to “reverse image search” a picture and see where else it appears online.</p> <p>But be aware that simple edits such as reversing the left-right orientation of an image can fool search engines and make them think the flipped image is new.</p> <p><strong>4. Look for inconsistencies</strong></p> <p>Does the purported time of day match the direction of light you would expect at that time, for example? Do <a href="https://twitter.com/Forrest_Rogers/status/1496254107660738568?s=20&amp;t=KSr6GYxwMhqW719GhZPvlA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">watches</a> or clocks visible in the image correspond to the alleged timeline claimed?</p> <p>You can also compare other data points, such as politicians’ schedules or verified sightings, <a href="https://earth.google.com/static/9.157.0.0/app_min.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Earth</a> vision or <a href="https://www.google.com/maps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Google Maps</a> imagery, to try and triangulate claims and see whether the details are consistent.</p> <p><strong>5. Ask yourself some simple questions</strong></p> <p>Do you know <em>where</em>, <em>when</em> and <em>why</em> the photo or video was made? Do you know <em>who</em> made it, and whether what you’re looking at is the <em>original</em> version?</p> <p>Using online tools such as <a href="https://www.invid-project.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">InVID</a> or <a href="https://29a.ch/photo-forensics/#forensic-magnifier" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forensically</a> can potentially help answer some of these questions. Or you might like to refer to this list of <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kRfo1ToexG8dEiMqurXKqzEeXdyHn7Ic/view" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 questions</a> you can use to “interrogate” social media footage with the right level of healthy scepticism.</p> <p>Ultimately, if you’re in doubt, don’t share or repeat claims that haven’t been published by a reputable source such as an international news organisation. And consider using some of these <a href="https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-resources/how-do-you-know-what-information-sources-to-trust/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">principles</a> when deciding which sources to trust.</p> <p>By doing this, you can help limit the influence of misinformation, and help clarify the true situation in Ukraine.<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/177921/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/t-j-thomson-503845" target="_blank" rel="noopener">T.J. Thomson</a>, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication &amp; Media, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-angus-12403" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daniel Angus</a>, Professor of Digital Communication, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paula-dootson-129022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paula Dootson</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/fake-viral-footage-is-spreading-alongside-the-real-horror-in-ukraine-here-are-5-ways-to-spot-it-177921" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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