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Gold medallist breaks down in tears over her late father's note

<p>An Olympic gold medallist has broken down in tears as she recalled an emotional and poignant exchange she had with her father before he died of cancer. </p> <p>Lola Anderson claimed the gold medal for Team Great Britain in rowing, beating The Netherlands by just 0.15 seconds in the women’s quadruple sculls. </p> <p>In her victory interview with the <em><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cnd06pg0k0wo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a></em>, Lola recalled a note her father Don had given her months before his death in 2019.</p> <p>Before his death, Lola's father asked her to retrieve a safety deposit box that contained an old diary entry that Lola wrote when she was just 14 years old. </p> <p>In it, she wrote about becoming an Olympic rowing champion after seeing Helen Glover win gold at London 2012.</p> <p>The note read: “My name is Lola Anderson and I think it would be my biggest dream in life to go to the Olympics and represent Team GB in rowing and, if possible, win a gold medal.”</p> <p>Lola soon threw the note in the bin as she started to doubt her dream, but unbeknownst to her, her father fished it out of the garbage and kept it, giving it back to her before he died. </p> <p>When asked about the note after the win, she told the <em>BBC</em>, “I’d forgotten about it obviously. A couple years ago my dad reminded me."</p> <p>“I know he’d be so, so proud. I’m just thinking a lot about him right now, it’s really lovely.”</p> <p>Speaking about the note to the <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/26/he-chose-to-believe-meet-lola-anderson-gb-rower-living-her-late-fathers-olympic-dream" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guardian</a></em> before the Olympics, Anderson said her father, who introduced her to the sport, believed in her when she didn’t.</p> <p>“I kinda thought that was a really cocky, arrogant thing to have written. Back then, on a good day I wasn’t capsizing. I ripped the page out and threw it in the bin,” she said. </p> <p>“It reflects to me how much he cared, invested and believed in me and my siblings, even when we couldn’t see it. There was nothing to show I had any talent when I first started rowing but he kept the note and chose to believe.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: BBC </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Dad cops furious note from "egotistical Karen" for parking in parent's bay

<p>A Perth dad has been left hurt after he was targeted by an "egotistical Karen" for parking in a parent's bay, while his wife was inside a shopping centre changing their seven-month-old baby. </p> <p>"Don't park here again, you selfish prick!" the note read. </p> <p>His wife took to Facebook on behalf of her hurt husband to question why someone would go out of their way to criticise him for parking in a space designated for parents. </p> <p>"My husband was putting a baby gate in the boot while I was in the forum changing our seven-month-old baby," she defended her partner, who parked at the Mandurah Forum. </p> <p>"He came back into the forum looking for me [and] when we returned, someone had put this note on our windscreen.</p> <p>"How about next time you be sure before insulting an innocent husband and father, you hero."</p> <p>The woman said that the note left her husband "hurt and almost feeling guilty" and she argued that he had every right to be there as a parent. </p> <p>Her post attracted over 300 interactions with many agreeing with the mum, and saying that the "Karen" should've gotten their facts straight before taking action. </p> <p>"There is no law for who can park in parents with prams spaces they are just convenience but anyone can park there and use,"  one man wrote. </p> <p>A few others shared the same sentiment and said that "it's not illegal to park in those bays" regardless of whether or not you have a baby. </p> <p>Some parents even shared their own experiences and why it is important to not judge someone based on looks alone. </p> <p>"This has happened to me also. I had a baby and a toddler and my husband took them inside the Mandurah forum while I unloaded our car," the person began. </p> <p>"A couple with a baby parked next to me and the man kept yelling at me that it was only for parents with prams, even though I told him I had young kids and a pram. But he didn't believe me and yelled loudly to move my car."</p> <p>One mum added that she doesn't see the need for parents with prams spaces altogether.</p> <p>"As a mum of just a five-year-old, I personally don’t see the need for parent spaces. They are not any bigger, just more convenient. Kids need exercise and prams have wheels, not hard to walk," she wrote. </p> <p>"I personally think they should be seniors bays instead, they are less mobile and struggle to walk long distances. Give them the spots."</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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Thief returns stolen truck with note of apology – and gifts!

<p>In the bustling world of Auckland cafés, where flat whites and smashed avocados reign supreme, one café owner recently found himself entangled in a plot that could rival a sitcom script.</p> <p>Varun Chada, the proud owner of Kati Street, had his beloved 4WD truck snatched right out from under his nose, leaving him in a state of disbelief that could only be rivalled by a magician's audience.</p> <p>Picture this: a sunny afternoon, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air, and Chada minding his own business when, suddenly, his trusty truck disappeared faster than a piece of cake at a weight loss support group meeting. The audacity! The cheek! Someone had the gall to pull off a vehicular heist right outside his beloved eatery.</p> <p>But it gets better.</p> <p>Four days later, as if the universe had decided to play a cosmic prank on poor Varun, the stolen truck made a triumphant return. Parked in the exact same spot, as if it had never embarked on a wild joyride. It was like the vehicular version of Houdini's vanishing act, only with less smoke and mirrors and more caffeinated confusion.</p> <p>To add a sprinkle of absurdity to the mix, the returned truck came with a heartfelt, handwritten letter of apology. Now, we applaud any criminal with the decency to apologise, but it seems this particular ne'er-do-well could use a grammar lesson or two. The apology note featured the word "sorry", albeit with a creative twist on spelling that would make any English teacher cringe.</p> <p>“I couldn’t believe it,” Chada <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/watch-cafe-owners-stolen-truck-returned-with-sorry-note/VTWKKMRGR5AOTNIQGJNKBP6H7E/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told The NZ Herald</a>. "The first time I thought I was losing my mind because I’d just walked inside, and the second time I rocked up, and it was parked there."</p> <p>As it turns out, the thief, in an attempt to excuse their vehicular misdeed, claimed to be a bit 'drunk' and in desperate need of a ride home. Because, you know, grand theft auto is a completely acceptable solution to a night out with one too many beers.</p> <p>"It was exactly where I’d parked it," Chada explained, "and I walked up to the window and there was a note inside it saying ‘hey mate sorry but I borrowed your car, was a bit drunk’ and none of us could believe it." </p> <p>But here's the twist that turns this tale into a comedy goldmine – the thief not only returned the truck unscathed but also left some new toys in the back for Chada's young son! It's like they momentarily transformed from a rogue car bandit to the world's most peculiar Santa Claus.</p> <p>Despite the surreal nature of the ordeal, Chada seems to be taking it all in stride. “I’m not condoning what they did is fine, but I mean, they gave it back and they said sorry, so, I don’t know, I’m just stoked to get it back, put it that way.”</p> <p>The saga has become the talk of the town, with Chada's Facebook and community pages buzzing with activity. Social media, the modern-day town square, has played a pivotal role in the unfolding drama, with hundreds of likes, shares and comments turning the café owner into an unintentional social media influencer.</p> <p>As for the truck, it's currently parked at Chada's house, awaiting the forensic scrutiny of the police. The investigation continues, but in the meantime, Aucklanders are left scratching their heads, wondering if their next caffeine fix might come with a side of unexpected vehicular shenanigans.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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Restaurant's "brutal" note divides customers

<p>A restaurant has come under fire for their "brutal" note to difficult patrons, encouraging "privileged" customers who wish to "customise or modify" their menu, to stay home instead.</p> <p>A sign posted to the restaurant's front door urged customers with allergies to eat elsewhere as staff simply cannot "provide the service they require".</p> <p>While some applauded the restaurant's no-nonsense stance, others were shocked by the "rude and disgusting" message.</p> <p>"No means no. Are you one of the small group of people who have been living and entitled and privileged life?" The sign reads.</p> <p>"Maybe your mother has taken the onions out of your salad, put the dressing on the side, or substitute your vegetables. Here, however, all meals are served precisely the way we prepare them. We do not offer custom meals."</p> <p>"Remember, we are not your mother and we are definitely not genies that will make your every wish come true."</p> <p>Chef Jozef and restaurant owner Nathalie listed alternative choices for the "privileged" few including hiring a private chef, cooking for themselves "precisely the way you like", trying another establishment or accept their hospitality as it is offered. </p> <p>"We have been cooking for almost 50 years. We have many kind, friendly people, acquaintances and families that have been coming for many decades," they wrote. </p> <p>"So look around, it is a pleasure to see their happy smiles and provide them with our best food possible."</p> <p>The message also called out those with allergies and food sensitivities, encouraging them to take their business elsewhere. </p> <p>"It is simply not possible to guarantee each product used in this kitchen. Furthermore, we do not have the qualifications to provide you with the service you require," they said. </p> <p>The strongly worded sign caught the attention of many online, with some praising the restauranteurs as "honest" and "brilliant". </p> <p>"Amen, the public is not always right. And actually most of the time they're not. This establishment is well within their right to post this," one person commented. </p> <p>"You know from the very start how things are. It's one restaurant. If you don't like it, there are so many others you can go to instead... No need to have a sook. Just go elsewhere. Some of us would enjoy a restaurant like this," a second pointed out. </p> <p>Despite some support for the restaurant's honesty, others were taken aback with lots of people criticising the hard-line stance for being "snarky" and "rude".</p> <p>One disgruntled person commented, "If you are not able or willing to provide what your guests need or even give service, it might seem better to be honest but this message is rude and disgusting. Don't seek employment in service roles and then complain."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Adorable reason behind Chris Hemsworth’s red carpet cheat notes

<p>Chris Hemsworth has been married to Spanish actress Elsa Pataky for almost 13 years, and while she speaks fluent English, Hemsworth is yet to master her native tongue.</p> <p>On June 8, he was at the premiere of his Netflix film Extraction 2 and was caught with some Spanish words scrawled on the palm of his hand.</p> <p>The 39-year-old was then photographed with what appeared to be a cheat sheet, which he personally found hilarious.</p> <p>“After years of coming to Spain and being asked ‘has my Spanish improved’ I can safely say it’s in the palm of my hand,” he wrote on Instagram alongside the photo.</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/CtOqVmTJ1sx/?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/CtOqVmTJ1sx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The actor revealed what was written on his hand during a guest appearance on local TV program El Hormiguero (Spanish for The Anthill).</p> <p>In the interview, Hemsworth also shared that his three children with Pataky - daughter India, 10, and twin sons Tristan and Sasha, 9 - find it funny that he doesn’t speak nor understand the language.</p> <p>“I try, but I can’t. My children laugh at me when I try to have a conversation with them in Spanish,” he admitted.</p> <p>“Sh*t, f**k, what happened? … I know that, that’s what my wife yells at me. The more she gets angry, the more she speaks Spanish.”</p> <p>Speaking to <em>Today</em> in 2017, Pataky said she had pretty much given up on teaching Hemsworth her native language, focusing on teaching their children instead.</p> <p>“He promised me, he said, ‘I’ll be speaking Spanish in two months.’ There we go, we have been together for six years,” Pataky – who speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French and Romanian - told <em>Today</em>.</p> <p>“That’s important, that’s what my mum did to me, talked in Romanian. I start to speak in English, I’m like, ‘I don’t express myself great.’ I got used to making an effort to speak to [the kids] in Spanish.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Movies

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“They snack-shamed my three year old”: Mum fires up on school note

<p>An American mother has taken to social media to share her Pringle problem with the world. </p> <p>As Megan Peavey explained in her TikTok video, she’d sent her three-year-old son to school with some chips in his lunchbox to enjoy when snacktime rolled around. </p> <p>However, the staff at the school weren’t exactly of the opinion that Pringles were the right choice, going so far as to suggest Megan had purposefully done the wrong thing and given her child something ‘unhealthy’. </p> <p>“Look at what happened to me today,” she said in the now-private clip. “I sent my son to school with Pringles, which is a very age appropriate snack for a three year old.” </p> <p>She went on to explain that the school had responded by sending the boy home with his empty chip container, the line “please help us make healthy choices at school” written across it in bold black marker. </p> <p>“They wrote that on his Pringles cup,” she said, “they snack shamed my three year old, they snack shamed me, by writing that passive-aggressively on his trash.</p> <p>After asking viewers what they might do in that situation, she described how she got in touch with the school, calling them out on what they’d done, and they “did not label things as healthy and unhealthy” in their house “because that starts eating disorders”.</p> <p>“Do you think that’s ridiculous?” came her final question. “Because I f***ing do.” </p> <p>Megan later shared an update on the entire situation, outlining how she had spoken to the school’s director, and was told “it was passive-aggressive of me to keep sending Pringles after the note”. </p> <p>But, as she pointed out, she didn’t believe Pringles to be an ‘unhealthy’ snack like they did.</p> <p>“I consider things like Doritos, Cheetos, and Milky Way bars to be unhealthy,” she noted, before adding that she regularly sends her son to school with the likes of granola bars with his other snacks, and that she just would have appreciated the school speaking to her directly without leaping to the note. </p> <p>Megan stood her ground and didn’t apologise to the educators, before she “walked downstairs and I just checked my son out - we’re done there.”</p> <p>Her comments were flooded by fellow parents who were more than eager to back her up, with many noting that they may not have handled it so well themselves - one even wrote that she’d have sent her child with an entire tub and a handwritten “no thank you” the next day. </p> <p>“I cannot even explain how out of line and wild this seems to me - on the school's part," another said.</p> <p>“On his birthday…send pringles for EVERY kid in the class,” someone suggested.</p> <p>And one pre-k teacher even came forward to share her take, noting “never would I ever tell a family to 'make healthy choices'. My girls get a bag of chips with their sandwiches, along with fresh fruit."</p> <p><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Woman slams parking note asking if she was “truly disabled”

<p dir="ltr">A driver has been left fuming after an “entitled” parking note was left on her mother’s car accusing them of misusing a disabled parking spot.</p> <p dir="ltr">Canberra resident Cheyenne took to <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/canberra/comments/12x8cr9/the_absolute_gall_to_leave_this_on_my_mothers_car/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reddit</a> to share her horrific experience and a photo of the note left on her mother’s car.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hi, are you truly disabled,” the note read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You both walked from your car like athletes. Please follow the rules.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Cheyenne who was left fuming at the situation captioned the post with “The absolute gall to leave this on my mother’s car in Gungahlin shops parking.”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then explained: “My mother is disabled, her disability isn’t visible. She was legally given a disability parking permit because she is DISABLED! What a moron”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-woman-slams-entitled-parking-note-how-dare-they-041811992.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo</em> News Australia</a>, Cheyenne said that “it’s frustrating” because her mum doesn’t look like she has a disability, even though she has “multiple”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also explained that her mum has suffered with a polycystic kidney and liver. After a kidney transplant caused further health issues, she was granted a disability badge.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Because she has all of her limbs and is able-bodied, many people have the wrong idea and get entitled," Cheyenne added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other Reddit users have shared similar experiences.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have arthritis in my spine and elsewhere – disabling, yet completely invisible. Have had old women yell at me for parking in the disabled spots, despite having a permit,” one user wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My mother recently had surgery so she’s not able to drive. Ordinarily she has a disabled permit anyway. I picked her up from a doctor's checkup and a woman gave me a serve for parking in the disabled bay as I was picking up my mum. People are so quick to judge,” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m sorry you found this note on your car. There’s no need to ever justify why you have a disabled ‘sticker’. It’s no-one’s business but your own,” commented a third.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Reddit</em></p>

Caring

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Senior bank robber’s unexpectedly polite note

<p>A 78-year-old woman has caused some commotion with her bizarre Missouri bank heist. </p> <p>Bonnie Gooch, who already has two bank robbery convictions to her name, has collected a brand new charge - one count of stealing, or attempting to steal, from a financial institution - for her actions at the Goppert Financial Bank in Pleasant Hill. </p> <p>However, it’s the note that Bonnie had for the bank’s teller that has drawn the most attention around the world, with the senior bank robber allegedly stating that she “didn’t mean to scare” anyone. </p> <p>As <em>The Kansas City Star </em>reported, Bonnie supposedly entered the establishment just after 3pm, ‘disguised’ by her facemask and sunglasses. After approaching the counter, she is said to have handed over a note that demanded “13,000 small bills”, and another that read “thank you sorry I didn’t mean to scare you”.</p> <p>Prosecutors in Cass County said surveillance video from inside of the bank showed Bonnie banging on the counter and demanding that the teller hurry up. </p> <p>Bonnie made her getaway from there, but was ultimately caught by law enforcement officers, who reported that her car smelled of alcohol, and had money spread across its floor. Despite this, she is not facing any alcohol related charges. </p> <p>Pleasant Hill Police Chief Tommy Wright described the incident as “just sad’, and noted that Bonnie - as far as they were aware - had not been diagnosed with any notable ailments.</p> <p>“When officers first approached her, they were kind of confused ... it’s a little old lady who steps out,” he explained. “We weren’t sure initially that we had the right person.”</p> <p>He also noted that in his three decades as a police officer, he had never encountered a robbery suspect of a similar age to Bonnie. </p> <p>But it wasn’t Bonnie’s first rodeo, with Bonnie having been convicted for her actions in California in 1977, and again in another Kansas City suburb in 2020. Her probation for the latter only ended in November 2021. </p> <p>At the time of her 2020 theft, court documents cited by <em>Fox 4 </em>note that Bonnie’s son explained she had left the house “angry” and had declared that she was “going to rob a bank”.</p> <p>She is now being held on a $25,000 USD (~$37,500 AUD) bond at a Cass County detention centre for her 2023 crime. </p> <p>And as Police Chief Tommy Wright also revealed to <em>Fox 4</em>, he and his team were evaluating whether or not Bonnie would require further services as her case progressed through the criminal justice system. </p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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Sour note spoils Hilary Swank’s double delight

<p>Hilary Swank has delighted fans around the world by announcing the birth of her “miracle” twins. </p> <p>The 48-year-old actress took to her social media with an image of herself at sunset, a baby - a boy and a girl - cradled in each arm, overlooking the water. Or, as Hilary called it in her caption, “pure heaven”. </p> <p>“It wasn’t easy. But boy (and girl!) was it worth it,” she wrote, before wishing her 1.5 million  followers a happy Easter. </p> <p>Hilary shares her happy new additions with entrepreneur Philip Schneider, who she married in 2018. The two have made no secret of their desire to expand their family, with Hilary opening up multiple times in interviews over the years, most recently to <em>Good Morning America</em> in late 2022 while publicly revealing her pregnancy. </p> <p>"This is something that I've been wanting for a long time,” she said, “and my next thing is I'm gonna be a mum. And not just of one, but of two. I can't believe it. It's so nice to be able to talk about it and share it."</p> <p>And as she told <em>Extra</em>, also in 2022, the timing hadn’t previously been correct, with the actress focussed on her career and unable to find the right relationship. According to Hilary, “all the elements needed to come together and be right” for motherhood. </p> <p>“It’s just something I thought about even as a young girl,” she added. “It’s something that was on my mind, so it’s nice to be here and just be pregnant."</p> <p>In 2020, Hilary spoke to <em>The Daily Mail </em>about how she felt she was “very maternal”, and shared her belief that not having children did not have the power to render someone - like herself at that point - unable to be maternal. </p> <p>"I’ve heard a lot of women say that they’ve been told, 'oh, you’re kind of a failure,'” she said. “Or, you know, 'didn’t you come here to procreate?’. There are so many different ways to procreate!</p> <p>“Any type of mothering, any type of nurturing, is being a mother.”</p> <p>Now that Hilary has taken her own nurturing to the next level, after months of sharing the various milestones and moments in her pregnancy journey with her supporters, she has been met with an outpouring of love and celebration from friends, fans, and family. </p> <p>“Aaaaahhhh!!!!! Congratulations,” wrote an excited Viola Davis. </p> <p>“So happy to see you turkeys soaking up the sea, the sun and the salt air! Love you. Welcome to planet earth little ones. Hope you have a lovely stay here,” gushed actor Misha Collins. </p> <p>“Congratulations!!!!!!!!! God bless!” declared actress Lindsay Lohan, who had recently shared that she was also expecting her first child. </p> <p>However, not all were on board with Hilary’s joy, with some mean-spirited souls taking issue with the actress’s move into motherhood at 48. </p> <p>“When she is my age, those kids will be fourteen. Ack. Why? I don't understand people,” one complained. </p> <p>“And I don’t understand people that leave comments like this one!” a fed up supporter shot back, while another opted for a humble facepalming emoji. </p> <p>“These kids are going to be well cared for and well loved,” another pointed out. “What’s not to understand and celebrate??”</p> <p>“It's not your place to understand! She's waited her entire life to have these babies, it's nobody's business at what age she wanted to have them or was actually to have them either!!” said one more passionate fan, before they added the most important piece of advice the troll would be receiving, “just be happy for her or just shut up.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Desperate rental times call for desperate rental note-taking

<p>Renting can be difficult at the best of times, and as many around the world can attest, some landlords have little interest in the upkeep of the properties they’re letting, or in those paying hundreds to thousands of dollars a week to reside in them. </p> <p>And one renter has had enough, deciding it only right to warn whoever might take over their lease after them - a move that Councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan wholeheartedly backed, sharing the renter’s cheeky tactics to Facebook for all to see. </p> <p>“If you’re moving out of a rental and your landlord/agent is showing the property to new prospective tenants,” he wrote, “consider leaving some notes or posters like this in a few prominent locations around the home. </p> <p>“Legally, an agent or landlord shouldn’t be touching or interfering with them in any way.” </p> <p>He later edited the post to include that “this is an actual photo from a Brisbane renter”, and to tell everyone that “no, it wasn’t me - I live on a houseboat.”</p> <p>Attached was an image of the renter’s bold move - a series of notes stuck to what appears to be the inside of a door, each one highlighting a different issue they had faced while living there, with no solutions - or even attempts at one - mentioned. </p> <p>“NOTE TO SELF,” the first one announced, with the following going on to list everything from recurring mould (a common issue faced by renters), nearby construction and its consequent dust and noise, as well as “non-negotiable” rent rises.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjonno.sri%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0MToFp2CzdfGPKD6fq9GYUiiG6H1Wxe8d2GJ9cpYtNP9qYusvm79eX4LaetnNVSptl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="716" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>People were quick to join the discussion - most were on the side of the renter, with one popular comment suggesting that “there should be a system that black lists landlords for breach of agreements, the same way tenants can be black listed for damage.</p> <p>“We also need a website to rate our property managers, landlords and properties.” </p> <p>“Yep. For far too long Landlords have had free reign to abuse their power with no sort of recording or accountability of their behaviour,” wrote one. “I’ve had some wonderful ones and some horrendous ones.” </p> <p>“I used to pull prospective tenants aside and fill them in,” shared another. </p> <p>“A few nervous and cranky landlords in this thread,” quipped one. </p> <p>Meanwhile, someone only had one thing to run by everyone, “so an artistic ‘beware ye, all ye who enter here’ wouldn't be beyond doing?” </p> <p>Others failed to see so much as the funny side - without even mentioning the underlying problems the renter and councillor were begging people to address - and instead tried to scare any like-minded renters from trying something similar. </p> <p>“And good luck with getting a positive rental reference after pulling a stunt like that,” said one. </p> <p>“If you don’t like the rental property just move on,” one suggested, leading many to suspect that they had never - or at least not in a long time - attempted to secure a rental property. </p> <p>“What I don't get is.... if something is causing you this much grief..... do it yourself or pay someone, if the realestate don't pay.... meh you can at least move on with your life for a few hundred dollars,” someone else said, apparently unaware of the limitations many renters are faced with when it comes to touching their rental. </p> <p>Councillor Sriranganathan returned to the post to share comments he’d made to <em>The Courier Mail</em>, adding that “too often, landlords and agents fail to disclose serious property maintenance and amenity issues when a lease is signed so they can trick tenants into paying more rent than a place is worth.</p> <p>“I think it’s great when outgoing tenants can inform future renters of property defects so they know the issues before they sign the contract. Perhaps there should even be a publicly accessible register where tenants can list maintenance issues that haven’t been rectified in order to hold property managers accountable.</p> <p>“Unfortunately the minor reforms (to minimum housing standards) … won’t do much to address unrectified maintenance issues, because many tenants are still afraid that if they request repairs or make complaints, their lease won’t be renewed.</p> <p>“It’s ridiculous to blame chronic maintenance issues on a shortage of tradies. The problem is that landlords who hoard houses are collecting tens of thousands per year in rent, but don’t care enough about their tenants’ welfare to repair dodgy power points or leaking roofs.”</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Real Estate

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Paul McCartney’s new collaboration hits all the right notes

<p>It took a long and winding road to get there, but Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones have finally decided to come together and collaborate for the group’s upcoming album. </p> <p>After a rivalry that has played out over half a century, a Rolling Stones representative confirmed to <em>CNN</em> that the 80-year-old former Beatles member will play the bass “on just one RS track.” </p> <p>Rumours had been circling that Ringo Starr would be recording on the album as well, but the <em>CNN </em>spokesperson denied the reports upon confirming there would be “no Ringo Starr at all.” </p> <p>The news was met with a chorus of delight from fans on social media, though some had been speculating long before the confirmation came through. </p> <p>“Dads everywhere, rejoice!” Tweeted <em>Entertainment Tonight.</em> </p> <p>“Holy cow!” wrote one supporter, “this is a dream collaboration.”</p> <p>“We love this!” another fan declared. </p> <p>No further information is available for the as-of-yet unnamed album, and it will be the group’s first release since their drummer, Charlie Watts, passed away from throat cancer in 2021. </p> <p>While to many it feels like just yesterday, it was in the 1960s that The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were two of the world’s most famous groups, setting the bar high for any and all that dreamed of following in their musical footsteps. </p> <p>Six decades on, The Rolling Stones are still touring here, there, and everywhere, but The Beatles came to an end in 1970. John Lennon then died in 1980, and George Harrison later in 2001. </p> <p>This isn’t the first time the music superstars have let it be to join forces and produce hits for the world to enjoy. Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote The Rolling Stones' ‘I Wanna Be Your Man’, and the Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger dropped by the studio four years later when The Beatles recorded their hit ‘All You Need Is Love’.</p> <p>According to <em>Rolling Stone </em>magazine,  “Jagger was a semi-regular guest of honor at Beatles sessions: He also turned up for the mixing of <em>Revolver</em> and the recording of the orchestral section of ‘A Day in the Life’.” </p> <p>With their collaborations in mind, it can be hard to imagine that the two groups were ever in competition. But any dissonance seems to have been minor, if their banter in recent interviews is anything to go by. </p> <p>In a 2020 interview with Howard Stern, Paul stated his belief that the “Beatles were better.”</p> <p>Mick Jagger responded to the comment in an interview of his own, stating that there was “obviously competition.” </p> <p>And just one year later, while promoting his book <em>The Lyrics</em>, Paul noted that he believes the Stones to be a “blues cover band”, and that the Beatles’ “net was cast a bit wider”. </p> <p>Wide enough, it seems, to take the steps to collaborate and give their fans some long awaited satisfaction.  </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Music

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"And so it begins": Royal expert predicts the end of Australia's relationship with the Crown

<p>A royal expert has claimed that King Charles could be ditched as Australia's Head of State, after it was announced his portrait will not feature on the new $5 notes. </p> <p>In a historic move, the Commonwealth country will erase the British monarch from its banknotes, but instead replace the image of the late Queen Elizabeth with a design honouring First Nations Australians and their rich culture. </p> <p>Anti-royalists hailed the decision as a step towards a republic Down Under, while Peter Hunt, the BBC's former royal correspondent, ominously tweeted, "So it begins. Slowly."</p> <p>King Charles is still set to appear on coins when they are released later in 2023, but will not feature on any banknotes like previous monarchs. </p> <p>The central bank said its decision was supported by the centre-left Labor government of Prime Minister Mr Albanese, who favours an eventual move to an Australian republic.</p> <p>Despite Albanese's stance, he has said a referendum will not be held in the near future.</p> <p>The Reserve Bank of Australia has not set a date for the new currency, but confirmed Charles would not be on it after "consultation with the Australian government, which supports this change".</p> <p>Officials had claimed there had never been any guarantee that King Charles would replace his late mother on the new iteration of Australia's $5 note. </p> <p>Liberal leader Peter Dutton said of the change, "There's no question about this that it's directed by the government and I think the Prime Minister should own up to it. He would have been central to the decision-making."</p> <p>"I think it's another attack on our systems, on our society and our institutions."</p> <p>The popularity of the royal family has consistently fallen in Australia since the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022, and has continued with the public bickering within the family since the release of Prince Harry's memoir <em>Spare</em>. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

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1886 cottage of Australian icon goes under the hammer

<p dir="ltr">The home that once belonged to the woman featured on Australia’s $20 bill has been listed for an auction.</p> <p dir="ltr">Built around 1886, the four-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Hunters Hill, in Sydney’s lower north shore, has been <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-hunters+hill-140773923" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed</a> with a $4.25 million price guide.</p> <p dir="ltr">The area was first settled by Mary Reibey, a convict who went on to become a successful businesswoman running her own shipping and trading enterprises.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since 1994, her face has been featured on the $20 note.</p> <p dir="ltr">She was known in the Hunters Hill area for building two small cottages to house convict labour for Figtree House, a farm that still stands today.</p> <p dir="ltr">If the home sells for its multi-million listing price and its new owner were to pay in $20 notes, they would need more than 210,000 - or about 10 briefcases worth.</p> <p dir="ltr">Its current owner, who wished not to be named, is selling the home after living there for a decade and is looking to downsize now their adult children have left home.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement shared with The Daily Telegraph, the vendors said they kept many of the original period features of the weatherboard home, including a vintage fireplace, out of a passion for its heritage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Over time the house was extended to take advantage of its perfect northern aspect, so its rambling layout has really suited our family, especially as the children got older,” they said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We love sitting on the veranda soaking up the all-day sun, especially at this time of year when the area’s deciduous trees come into leaf and it’s awash with jacarandas.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hunters Hill has an incredible history on every corner – it truly feels like a little French village on the harbour.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While historic features have been maintained, the home has also had its share of updates, including French doors that open to the wraparound verandah and an island kitchen with a gas stove top and modern appliances.</p> <p dir="ltr">Simon Harrison, the principal agent at Belle Property Hunters Hill who listed the home, said the 524-square-metre property had already garnered some interest due to its character.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve had a lot of interest from growing families and young couples, it’s a great location and a character home that has really appealed to potential buyers,” Mr Harrison said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think the knee-jerk reaction to the initial interest rate rises has settled down and we’re now seeing a new norm where buyers are willing to pay the right price for weatherboard homes like this one which don’t come around too often.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9d9169f0-7fff-d5b7-6276-415291aeebe9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Belle Property Hunters Hill</em></p>

Real Estate

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Queen Elizabeth's spot on the $5 note in jeopardy

<p dir="ltr">The Reserve Bank of Australia is in discussions with the government on whether or not King Charles III will replace his mother on the $5 note.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on Australia’s $5 note in 1992 and prior to that on the one pound note and $1 note. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her death on September 8 did not have any effect on the $5 note with the RBA declaring the money still legal tender. </p> <p dir="ltr">But now RBA’s governor Dr Philip Lowe is in discussions with the government to see if the tradition of having a monarch on Australia’s banknotes will end.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We recognise that this is an issue that is of national interest and there is a long tradition of the monarch being on Australia's banknotes," he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Indeed, the monarch has been on at least one of Australia's banknotes since 1923 and was on all our notes until 1953. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Given this tradition and the national significance of the issue, the bank is consulting with the Australian government regarding whether or not the new $5 banknote should include a portrait of King Charles III. </p> <p dir="ltr">"We will make a decision after this consultation with the government is complete."</p> <p dir="ltr">Assistant Minister for Treasury Andrew Leigh has previously confirmed that King Charles will replace his mother on the back of Australia’s coins. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Touching note from the Queen to a young Prince William goes viral

<p>A sweet letter from Queen Elizabeth to a young Prince William has gone viral online, with the touching note highlighting the relationship between the two. </p> <p>Posted on Twitter by the Real Royal Mail fan account of the royal family, the note was sent to the young prince by his grandmother along with an advent calendar. </p> <p>The hand-written letter reads, "William, I hope you enjoy opening this each day, Granny."</p> <p>The undated letter was written on official Buckingham Palace stationary, with the Twitter account saying the letter was purchased by a former employee of Princess Diana. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">"William, I hope you enjoy opening this each day, Granny"- A card written in the hand of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QueenElizabethII?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QueenElizabethII</a> &amp; sent to the young <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrinceWilliam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrinceWilliam</a> obviously along with an advent calendar. It was purchased from a former employee of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PrincessDiana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PrincessDiana</a>. <a href="https://t.co/qo6j882yUb">pic.twitter.com/qo6j882yUb</a></p> <p>— Royal Household Mail 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 (@RealRoyalMail) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealRoyalMail/status/1584756638099148803?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Fans of the royal family quickly went wild over the note online, with one writing, "Aww how lovely, beautiful, precious memory to treasure."</p> <p>Meanwhile another wrote, "Aww this is the sweetest thing."</p> <p>A third added, "I have never seen this! They had such a lovely relationship."</p> <p>The note originally went up for auction in December 2016, where it was expected to fetch up to £1,400 ($2,500 AUD).</p> <p>At the time, Robert Livingston, executive VP at Boston-based RR Auction, called the letter "a seldom-encountered piece of correspondence from within the royal family, enhanced by its fitting Christmas time association".</p> <p><em>Image credits: Twitter / Getty Images </em></p>

Family & Pets

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King Charles’ final words to his mother

<p dir="ltr">King Charles III bid farewell to his mother Queen Elizabeth II by leaving a note on her coffin.</p> <p dir="ltr">The UK’'s longest reigning monarch was laid to rest on September 19 and was privately buried at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel. </p> <p dir="ltr">During the funeral proceedings, a note was spotted atop a wreath on the coffin which read: “In loving and devoted memory. Charles R.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The King had also specifically requested flowers and foliage for the wreaths which were cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House.</p> <p dir="ltr">There was also rosemary for remembrance, and myrtle cut from a plant that was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen's wedding bouquet in 1947.</p> <p dir="ltr">Around 2000 people from around the world were invited to the historical event to bid farewell Queen Elizabeth II. </p> <p dir="ltr">Almost one million people were expected in London for the state funeral as mourned the loss of the Queen. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Queen’s coffin was carried on the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy, drawn by 142 sailors.</p> <p dir="ltr">King Charles III and his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward walked behind the hearse. </p> <p dir="ltr">Followed closely behind was the King's sons Prince William and Prince Harry, and Princess Anne’s son Peter Philips. </p> <p dir="ltr">The emotional service included recollections of the Queen’s coronation as a young woman back in 1953, as close family said their final goodbyes.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter/Nine</em></p>

Relationships

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What will happen to Australia’s coins and $5 note?

<p dir="ltr">Australia’s coins and $5 note are set to change to show the head of King Charles III following the death of his mother.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth II <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-dead-at-96" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed away at the age of 96</a> on September 8 after she was placed under medical supervision due to her deteriorating health.</p> <p dir="ltr">She died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland on September 8 at 8.30 pm local time (3.30 am AEDT).</p> <p dir="ltr">Her heartbreaking death has rocked the world, including Australia as questions are raised on what will happen to their coins and $5 note. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s been a long standing tradition, since 1966, that the monarch appeared on the country’s coins and the $5 note - so when will King Charles III have his head printed on them?</p> <p dir="ltr">“The monarch has traditionally appeared on the lowest denomination of Australian banknotes and it is our expectation that this would continue should there be a change in the monarch,” a RBA spokesperson said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All Australian banknotes issued from 1913 retain their legal tender status.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When the new coins and $5 notes are ready, there’ll be one significant change in that King Charles III will face the left. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Royal Australian Mint could hold another competition to help decide on the new design but will also be guided by Buckingham Palace's protocols.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Reserve Bank of Australia/Royal Mint</em></p>

Money & Banking

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"If I die young": Mum's heartbreaking note to her children before shock death

<p dir="ltr">A mother has tragically passed away on her 36th birthday from a mystery illness while on a family camping trip.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hayley Thompson, from Manchester in the UK, had not long opened her birthday presents when she became unwell on the trip in Devon. </p> <p dir="ltr">The mother then went to the bathroom, where she suddenly fell to the floor and suffered three seizures. </p> <p dir="ltr">Paramedics were called, and Hayley was pronounced dead at the scene. </p> <p dir="ltr">As her family grieves their loss, they have revealed Hayley posted a TikTok telling her daughter Ciana exactly what to do if she “died young” just months before her death.</p> <p dir="ltr">The note reads “If I die young… Give my jewellery to my baby.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Know that I was happy. Everyone is to wear yellow to the funeral.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“No suits or ties, I want FULL yellow suits or dresses. I want a DJ at the after-party. If anyone calls it a wake you’re barred.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Remind Kiana and Adam everyday how special they made my existence. I love my family, never forget.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wherever you see sunflowers I will be there.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While Hayley’s family knew she had been unwell in the recent years before her death, none of her loved ones had any idea who serious her condition was. </p> <p dir="ltr">In 2016, Hayley was admitted to hospital where doctors discovered she had scarring on her liver, but could not find the cause. </p> <p dir="ltr">After several more visits, Hayley was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant. </p> <p dir="ltr">What her family didn’t know was that without a transplant, her mysterious condition was fatal.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hayley was called to hospital for a potential liver match twice, but sadly neither of them were the right size for her. </p> <p dir="ltr">Due to being let down several times, her family say she just wanted to “enjoy her life to the max”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her sister, Liah Thompson said, “We all knew she was poorly and knew she needed a transplant but we didn’t think it was needed as soon as it was. I think she downplayed it a lot; I think she wanted to live her life because she had been called for transplants before and was disappointed.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“She just wanted to enjoy herself and I think that’s what sits well with me, that she was happy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Liah and her family are now <a href="https://gofund.me/3bba8afd">trying to raise funds</a> so they can pay a funeral director to bring Hayley home to Manchester.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok / Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Chilling note reveals Princess Diana may have predicted her fatal car crash

<p>Two years before the car crash that claimed the life of Princess Diana, the royal predicted she would "either end up dead or be seriously injured" in a car accident that "could be staged".</p> <p>The eerie revelation, which became known as the "Mishcon Note", is discussed in detail in the upcoming docuseries, <em>The Diana Investigations</em>, of which<em> </em><a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/08/17/princess-diana-predicted-fatal-car-crash-in-chilling-note/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Daily Beast</em> </a>obtained a preview.</p> <p>In October 1995, Diana requested a private meeting with her personal legal adviser, Victor Mishcon, allegedly to “tell him about something that was on her mind.”</p> <p>Mishcon took diligent notes during their conversation, in which Diana allegedly said “reliable sources,” whom she refused to name, had informed her “that a car accident might be staged.”</p> <p>Diana apparently predicted she would “either end up dead or be seriously injured.”</p> <p>Two years later, in August 1997, Diana died after her driver Henri Paul slammed their Mercedes into a pillar at 104km/h in Paris’ Pont de l’Alma tunnel.</p> <p>Paul was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs, but he was also trying to dodge the relentless paparazzi, who were trailing them on motorcycles.</p> <p>According to the experts in the docuseries, Mishcon gave the notes of his meeting with Diana to the London’s Metropolitan Police commissioner at the time, Sir Paul Condon.</p> <p>It wasn’t until after Condon’s successor, John Stevens, assumed the commissioner role that the public found out about the note, as Condon had locked it away in a safe.</p> <p>“When the coroner announced his inquest, I made sure that letter was immediately given to the royal coroner, who at that time was Michael Burgess and then subsequently became Lord Justice Scott Baker,” Lord Stevens told Daily Beast.</p> <p>“I saw Lord Mishcon about a month before he died, in about the spring of 2005, and he held course to the fact that he thought [Diana] was paranoid, and he hadn’t held much credence to [the note].”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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