Placeholder Content Image

Police officer charged after allegedly punching 70-year-old woman

<p>A Victorian police officer has been stood down from duty after he allegedly punched a 70-year-old woman while in hospital. </p> <p>Sylvia Villani was being treated at the Northern Hospital in April when the alleged assault took place, and she said it came out of nowhere. </p> <p>"I threw a bit of bread on the ground. I had my leg in a plaster," Villani told <em>9News</em>.</p> <p>"I was in a wheelchair and he punched me," she claimed.</p> <p>After the alleged attack, she sustained a broken eye socket. </p> <p>"I can't walk, I can't sit, I'm buggered," she said.</p> <p>"I don't know why he did it.</p> <p>"I did call him some nasty names, I wasn't happy, (but) I didn't deserve it."</p> <p>Villani's son, Rick, told 9News that he was only alerted about the incident after receiving a call from doctors who told him that three police officers went to the hospital for a separate incident before his mother was allegedly assaulted. </p> <p>He claimed that his family has been left in the dark. </p> <p>"I know my mum's got mental health, and she's not perfect," he said.</p> <p>"They've treated me, my wife and my mother with no respect."</p> <p>Victoria Police have stood down the 26-year-old male officer who was on duty when the incident occurred, after an internal investigation. </p> <p>The officer has been charged with one count of recklessly causing injury and will appear before court on September 9. </p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Brisbane officer captured punching and tasering motorist

<p>Footage of a brutal altercation between a police officer and a motorist has surfaced online following a catastrophic three-car crash.</p> <p>The Queensland Police officer is captured on video punching the motorist through the window of his car in Strathpine in Brisbane’s north.</p> <p>Police allege the “highly agitated” man was drinking from a wine bottle and was under the influence when the officer arrived on the scene.</p> <p>“After the officer attempted to take the bottle away several times, it was allegedly thrown towards him,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said.</p> <p>“After giving numerous directions for the man to remain in the car, it will be alleged he continued to attempt to leave the vehicle by kicking the door into the officer, who used physical force to contain the man in the vehicle.”</p> <p>The heated exchange occurred around 1:45pm on June 22 after a collision at the intersection of Gympie and Samsonvale roads.</p> <p>The officer is seen in the video approaching the passenger side of a white car where the motorist tries to leave the vehicle through the open window.</p> <p>The officer is then seen grabbing at an object the motorist is holding, which police allege was a wine bottle, before allegedly hitting him multiple times.</p> <p>The video shows the man retreat inside the car before making another attempt to exit through the window, where he is then struck again.</p> <p>The motorist falls back again before trying to exit for a third time, blocked once again by the officer.</p> <p>Police allege the man continued to try and leave the car and “after several verbal warnings, a taser was deployed”.</p> <p>“Additional officers arrived on scene and another officer was allegedly spat on by the man,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>The man has since been taken to Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital while in custody to treat minor wounds.</p> <p>The scene was not short of witnesses, with several firefighters seen approaching the officer.</p> <p>“He needs to stop,” the woman filming the clip is heard saying.</p> <p>“Stop hitting him!”</p> <p>Senior police have reviewed body cam footage of the altercation as investigations continue.</p> <p><em>Image credit: 9News</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

French tourist arrested in Japan for punching woman in the face

<p dir="ltr">A 23-year-old French man Charlie Evan was arrested on suspicion of punching a woman in the face and leaving her on the streets of Tokyo.</p> <p dir="ltr">Local reports said Evan and his friends collided with the woman in her 20s, leading to her dropping her lunch box and prompting a fight.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video of the incident, which went viral on social media shows the woman grabbing Evan’s shirt as he backs away. Evan can then be seen punching the woman in the face, causing her to fall to the ground before he runs away.</p> <p dir="ltr">People are heard screaming and cursing at Evan in English and another man runs after him. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="fr">🔴 Un Français se rendant au Japon a été arrêté, après avoir frappé une femme au visage dans les rues du quartier Minato de Tokyo.</p> <p>C’est Charlie Evan, un ressortissant français de 23 ans, qui a été arrêté<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Japon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Japon</a> <a href="https://t.co/mnm7KzqgfN">pic.twitter.com/mnm7KzqgfN</a></p> <p>— Click Actu (@ClickActu) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClickActu/status/1648676032684146689?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">It was reported that the woman’s injuries will take three weeks to fully heal.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the Metropolitan Police Department, Evan denied all allegations against him. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I don't remember,” he reportedly claimed.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is unknown whether Evan was intoxicated at the time of the incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is also unknown whether he was formally charged in Japan as suspects there can be held for up to 23 days before charges are filed. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Twitter</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

"Proud mum": Opinions divided after mum praises teen daughter for punching bully in the face

<p dir="ltr">Bianca Austin, wife of former soccer star Charlie Austin has divided the internet after posting a tweet praising her daughter, Mallayla, for punching a bully in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">Last week, she tweeted: “After weeks of being bullied by the same girl, numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing, today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Proud mum,” she wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">After weeks of being bullied by the same girl, numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing,today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face👏🏻👏🏻 proud mum👏🏻</p> <p>— Bianca Austin (@BiancaAustin90) <a href="https://twitter.com/BiancaAustin90/status/1635307000992260097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The tweet, which now has over 2 million views and 17,000 likes, generated varying responses from those who sympathise to those who believe that hitting back is unacceptable.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Probably deserved!” commented one user.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca replied: “I told the school how proud of her I was for standing up for herself when they rang up to tell me Mallayla would be sanctioned for retaliating violently. No child should be able to make school hell for another child day in day out”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We all have our breaking points and can only be pushed so far. Does she feel better now she’s stood up for herself?” commented another user.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No, but she's hoping the girl will leave her alone now. X,” Bianca tweeted in response.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca then posted a follow up tweet expressing her dissatisfaction with the school’s response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“2 days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was 'only' verbally abusive🙃 No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools,” she wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">2 days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was 'only' verbally abusive🙃 No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools... head high Mallayla🙏🏻</p> <p>— Bianca Austin (@BiancaAustin90) <a href="https://twitter.com/BiancaAustin90/status/1635608089754841088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I get that bullying is awful and harmful but when I said that your daughter’s actions would make things worse, you can now see where I was going,” one user wrote in response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Bullying someone “back” by hitting is also bullying,” the user added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca went straight to the point with her response and asked them what their resolution would be.</p> <p dir="ltr">“School couldn't stop it, it was wrecking her mental health and affecting her GCSE studies. What is the right course of action here?!</p> <p dir="ltr">“Also she didn't "bully" back. Bullying is repeated behaviour,” she wrote, defending her daughter’s actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca also tweeted that her daughter had no malicious intent and only did it because she wanted to “be left alone to quietly enjoy school”.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Friends star claims Cameron Diaz punched him on date

<p dir="ltr">Matthew Perry claimed that Cameron Diaz punched him in the face while out on a date.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Friends</em> star revealed in his memoir titled <em>Friends, Lovers And The Big Terrible Thing</em>, that he was set up with the <em>Charlie’s Angels</em> star after she split up from Justin Timberlake in 2007.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair went out in a group setting but it was apparent to Perry that Diaz just wasn’t interested, and he says she immediately got stoned.</p> <p dir="ltr">Perry continued trying to get the actress’ attention by saying something “witty” during a round of Pictionary, which did not go down so well.</p> <p dir="ltr">He claims that Diaz, who was allegedly stoned, tried to hit him on the shoulder but then “accidentally” hit him in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">'Are you f***ing kidding me?' he recalled saying to Diaz.</p> <p dir="ltr">Perry and Diaz obviously did not eventuate into anything, with rocker Benji Madden eventually putting a ring on the actress' finger.</p> <p dir="ltr">In his memoir, Perry is exposing past relationships including a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/matthew-perry-reveals-rendezvous-with-julia-roberts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rendezvous with Julia Roberts</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Perry found himself on the receiving end of Roberts’ flirty messages before he found out that she only agreed to appear in Friends if they shared the storyline.</p> <p dir="ltr">The actors went on to date before Perry’s mental health deteriorated and the couple split.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Books

Placeholder Content Image

Man faces court after one-punch attack kills world champion surfer

<p>A man has faced court over the deadly one-punch assault that claimed the life of former professional surfer Chris Davidson. </p> <p>The former elite surfer is being mourned by the sporting community after he was attacked outside a pub on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. </p> <p>Police said they were called to Sportsmans Way at South West Rocks just after 11pm on Saturday following reports a man had been punched in the face, fallen and hit his head on the pavement.</p> <p>Officers arrived on the scene where they found 45-year-old Davidson unconscious on the pavement. </p> <p>He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the nearby Kempsey Hospital, where he died a short time later.</p> <p>A 42-year-old man was arrested at a nearby home early on Sunday, and was charged with assault causing death.</p> <p>At Port Macquarie Court on Sunday, he was refused bail. </p> <p>Surfing Australia says the sport's community is mourning the loss of the man affectionately known as "Davo".</p> <p>"Davo was an incredibly talented surfer and a true individual in our sport and community," the organisation said on Facebook.</p> <p>"Our thoughts go out to his two children, friends and family at this time."</p> <p>Eleven-time World Surf League champion Kelly Slater, who Davidson beat in two consecutive heats at Bells Beach as a 19-year-old wildcard entrant in 1996, called him one of the most naturally talented surfers he ever knew.</p> <p>"Lost another soldier yesterday. #RipChrisDavo. Had many a good battle with this guy," Slater said on Instagram.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

"Sad, old menacing coward:" Grace Tame reports childhood abuser to police

<p dir="ltr">Activist Grace Tame has revealed she continues to be harassed by the man who abused her as a child, having reported him to the police for “targeted harassment” online.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame was 15 when she was groomed and raped by her maths teacher Nicolaas Bester, who then bragged about his crimes online while she was unable to speak out due to Tasmania’s “gag law”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her legal fight to change the laws, which prevent sexual abuse victims from publicly identifying themselves, as part of the #LetHerSpeak campaign, saw Ms Tame pushed into the public eye and recognised for her efforts when she was named the Australian of the Year.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, on Wednesday the 23-year-old said she was “still dealing with open threats and harassment from the man who abused me and others”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This has been my reality for 12 years now, behind closed doors for my family and me,” she wrote on Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also shared screenshots of tweets appearing to be from Bester, where her childhood email is referenced and he threatens that “he is coming to show all too (sic) you”.</p> <p dir="ltr">In one message dated April 27, Bester uses her email address and writes, “at last I shall come for [email address]..... in good time…..”.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f717230e-7fff-daf2-45a4-7cf9c4cb0c6a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">In another, posted on August 28, he uses her email address again, writing that “the good old comeuppance on its way” with “only 4 weeks to go!!”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This has been the reality for 12 years now, behind closed doors for my family and me. </p> <p>Mark my words, I am not going anywhere though.</p> <p>— Grace Tame (@TamePunk) <a href="https://twitter.com/TamePunk/status/1564185208882352128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Here he is, the twice-convicted child sex offender, referring to my childhood email, which very few people know, in place of my name. It was the login to my old Facebook he and I communicated on,” Ms Tame wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s counting down to an act of revenge, planned for the day of my book’s release.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She alleged that his repeated comments constituted a federal offence and contravened <a href="https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/sexual-exploitation-policy">Twitter’s child exploitation policy</a>, which says that content that further contributes to the victimisation of children “through the promotion or glorification of child sexual exploitation” is also prohibited.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is targeted harassment of a known victim of his past crimes, designed to cause further harm,” Ms Tame said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve reported them to police, but our reactive justice system is too slow, and nothing’s changed.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Bester was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison for maintaining a sexual relationship with someone under the age of 17 and possession of child exploitation material, but only served one year and nine months before he was released.</p> <p dir="ltr">He has been free to speak about his abuse of Ms Tame for some time and has previously taken to social media to brag to his followers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The majority of men in Australia envy me,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was 59, she was 15 going on 25. It was awesome.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Bester’s account has since been suspended by Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame said her tweets were an act of reclaiming power “against a predator operating in plain sight”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This man seems to think he is still relevant and can maintain control over me,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This man who groomed and abused me when I was a child.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m not ashamed of any of it now.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But he should be. He was an adult who abused his authority.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just because I have found the anger and strength in me now, does it make me an aggressor, or a survivor?</p> <p dir="ltr">"I know who I am. I am a survivor. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I have the power to be vulnerable. He will never have that. He is too afraid, and too weak. He is too weak to be vulnerable. Instead, he exploits others who are. He knows no other way to be. I see that now. And because of that, he doesn't scare me anymore.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Tame added that her posts were “not for the critics” and were instead for survivors like her.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He is a sad, old menacing coward.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is not for the critics. They will say what they always say. This is for the people like me. And you know who you are too.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I stand with you. We have the power.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5922148f-7fff-0a6b-a1ff-adbf0776ba85"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em><strong>If you or someone you know needs support as a result of sexual assault or child sexual abuse, contact the Blue Knot Helpline and Redress Support Service on 1300 657 380, or LifeLine on 13 11 14 for immediate support.</strong></em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Hero dad coward-punched while trying to rescue car crash victim

<p dir="ltr">A 63-year-old father is fighting for his life after being coward-punched in the head while helping a teen in a car accident. </p> <p dir="ltr">Rob Seddon rushed to help a 17-year-old who crashed his Toyota Corolla into a caravan outside his home on Skyhawk Ave in Hamlyn Terrace on the Central Coast around 10pm on Saturday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Along with other neighbours, Mr Seddon assisted the teen before they were ambushed by a group of males who attacked them. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Seddon was allegedly hit from the back on the head which caused him to fall backwards, hit his head and lose consciousness. </p> <p dir="ltr">He was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition where he underwent brain surgery and remains in intensive care in a coma.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Seddon’s 21-year-old son was also allegedly attacked and suffered a broken nose.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I could hear the sheer horrible noises from this guy that was being hurt, I had tears in my eyes, I knew it was bad,” neighbour Diane Gardner told Nine News.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was absolutely horrible. You could hear his pain and he wanted help.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Police are asking anyone with information about the alleged attackers to come forward. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 17-year-old driver who crashed into Mr Seddon’s caravan was breathalysed at the scene and returned a positive blood-alcohol reading.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was then charged with negligent driving and drink-driving on P-plates.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

“Life is fragile”: Man sparks ire with late night punch

<p dir="ltr">Video footage of a late night fight has seen a UK man become the target of fierce criticism, after he attempted to hit another reveller in the back of the head.</p> <p dir="ltr">The clip of the fight, which seems to have involved several people shows a man in a yellow hoodie bracing himself to throw a punch at the back of another man’s head.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, his chequered-shirt-wearing target bent over to pick something up at the last second, with the man in the yellow hoodie hitting nothing but air before spinning straight to the ground and landing flat on his back.</p> <p dir="ltr">The clip was originally posted on Snapchat and shows a timestamp of 3.36am, though it’s unclear where it was filmed.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b63153d8-7fff-203e-c1f3-4d260c69def8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">When it began circulating on other platforms, a Twitter user who shared it posted the clip with the caption, “Got to love Worcester”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Got to love Worcester ay <a href="https://t.co/pjkG8ByzI3">pic.twitter.com/pjkG8ByzI3</a></p> <p>— Kurtis (@kurtisjbolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/kurtisjbolton/status/1542924457999831045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Other users pointed out how dangerous it could have been if the punch had landed - and how serious the consequences could have been.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These people need to learn why punches to the back of the head (rabbit punches) are illegal in boxing,” one said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Easily end up on a manslaughter charge behaving like that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Lucky he missed. A punch to the back of the head could of ended (sic) the other man’s life,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Made me REALLY angry seeing this, he could have killed him quite easily if connected,” a third commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These drunken morons don’t think. Life is fragile.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-07afebec-7fff-398a-9e4a-be1b144376e9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Body

Placeholder Content Image

Teacher sacked for punching and kicking horse has gone into hiding

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em>Content warning: This article contains mentions and depictions of animal abuse.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A UK school teacher </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/teacher-sacked-over-shocking-horse-video-in-the-uk/news-story/a098daeb99f46976d6e4363050ce4658" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">has been fired</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> after footage emerged of her seeming to kick and hit a distressed horse.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The graphic footage shows Sarah Moulds striking the white pony after it ran out onto the road in the UK’s East Midlands, </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17099018/rider-kicks-punches-horse-teacher-sacked/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Sun</span></a></em> <span style="font-weight: 400;">reports.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following the circulation of the footage, it was revealed that the 37-year-old woman from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire was being probed by the RSPCA.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Mowbray Education Trust also said Ms Moulds has been suspended during a formal investigation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the trust has said the mother-of-two has officially been dismissed from her roles as a teacher at Somerby Primary School and as a director of the Knossington &amp; Somerby Pre-School in Leicestershire.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can confirm that Sarah Mould’s employment with the trust has been terminated,” Paul Maddox, chief operating officer of the trust, told the </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-59728476" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BBC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Yesterday we filmed a <a href="https://twitter.com/CottesmoreHunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CottesmoreHunt</a> rider kicking and punching her horse in the face.<br />Watched on by lackeys Will Ashmore and son Ed.<br />Violence running through their veins.<a href="https://twitter.com/RSPCA_official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RSPCA_official</a> <a href="https://t.co/s37BlR4Hv3">pic.twitter.com/s37BlR4Hv3</a></p> — Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs (@HertsHuntSabs) <a href="https://twitter.com/HertsHuntSabs/status/1457304240079228929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The footage was shared last month by Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs, an anti-hunting group, who were monitoring the hunting event at the time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The woman alleged to be Ms Moulds was seen acting aggressively towards the horse, after it ran towards her when another young rider lost control of it while trying to lead it onto a trailer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She was filmed kicking and hitting the horse before pulling it into the horse trailer.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Moulds is believed to belong to the Cottesmore Hunt, a foxhound hunting group based in Rutland.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At the time, she was surrounded by other members.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After the incident, Cottesmore Hunt reportedly said it did not condone the actions depicted in the video “under any circumstances”.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBYBdUKiaN/?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> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBYBdUKiaN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Cottesmore Hunt (@cottesmorehuntofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The RSPCA was contacted by multiple people after the clip was posted online, and later issued a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This footage is really upsetting. We will always look into complaints made to us about animal welfare.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A spokesman from the Hunting Office in the UK said: “The Hunting Office expects the highest level of animal welfare at all times - both on and off the hunting field - and condemns the actions taken by this individual, who is not a member of the hunting associations.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Members of the public also condemned the woman online, labelling her behaviour as unacceptable.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As a horsewoman myself, nothing makes me angrier than seeing such footage as this. It is shameful. There is absolutely no excuse for this behaviour,” one person wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“No matter how frustrated you are, no matter if you’ve had a bad day. Horses are so sensitive. What a way to make them head shy.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @HertsHuntSabs (Twitter)</span></em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

"Act of a coward": Police slam fatal hit-and-run driver

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Home security footage has emerged of a driver walking away from the scene of a deadly crash that killed one man and seriously injured another.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The crash occurred in Carrum Downs, southeast of Melbourne, on Tuesday morning at about 7.15am.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A 44-year-old road worker died at the scene, while their 38-year-old colleague suffered life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detectives said the workers were struck by a red Holden travelling well above the speed limit, with the security footage showing him walking away from the crumpled car.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">CARRUM DOWNS: This is the moment a callous driver leaves the scene of a fatal hit run. A manhunt is on for his arrest. Details at 6pm <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsMelbourne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@7NewsMelbourne</a> <a href="https://t.co/r0QmNJ47sH">pic.twitter.com/r0QmNJ47sH</a></p> — Cassie Zervos (@cassiezervos) <a href="https://twitter.com/cassiezervos/status/1457949689941164032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After leaving the scene on foot, the man got into a black Hyundai SUV and was driven away.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Jarrod Dwyer described the driver as a “coward” who committed a “callous, cold act”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The driver has got out, looked directly at the victims and then run off,” he <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/travel/victoria-traffic/new-cctv-footage-captures-moment-hit-and-run-driver-walks-away-from-deadly-crash-c-4491791" target="_blank">told</a> reporters.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s the act of a coward.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Acting Senior Sergeant Dwyer said two “good Samaritans” who witnessed the collision came to the aid of the two workers and the driver.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When the driver started to run away from the scene, a member of the public pursued him and took photos of him while shouting for the driver to stop.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845469/police-chase1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1ea2d7b6916f47fdbf95252b3f2b8d72" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Police have released the photo taken of the driver by a bystander. Image: Victoria Police</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is believed he could have some facial injuries from the crash.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though the Holden’s exact speed has not been determined yet, it is believed to have been “well and truly” over the 40 km/h limit set due to road works.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Acting Senior Sergeant Dwyer <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-09/police-investigate-fatal-hit-and-run-carrum-downs-melbourne/100605028" target="_blank">said</a> police would be “pulling out all the stops” to locate the driver from the crash, as well as the one who picked him up.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845470/police-chase2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/edaa097cf07f4a2d901e5810d80735f7" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The driver was seen getting into a black Hyundai SUV before being driven away from the scene. Image: Victoria Police</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We will find these people,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Hand yourselves in. It’s very, very simple, you will be found, we’ve got your photograph.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Anybody who is attempting to harbour these people will face criminal investigations, criminal charges.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Authorities are also encouraging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the two men to contact triple zero.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Victoria Police</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Morrison calls social media a ‘coward’s palace’ as Joyce denies family rumours

<p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce have both taken social media companies to task today, declaring that ‘enough is enough’ and that more needs to be done about ‘completely and utterly fictitious’ rumours posted on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Morrison called social media a ‘coward’s palace’, saying, “People can go on there, not say who they are, destroy people's lives, and say the most foul and offensive things to people, and do so with impunity.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now that's not a free country where that happens. That's not right. They should have to identify who they are. The companies, if they're not going to say who they are, well, they're not a platform any more, they're a publisher. They're a publisher.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to talk about Australia’s role as a world leader in cracking down on social media companies, telling the media, “We intend to set the pace. We value our free society. And in a free society, you can't be a coward and attack people and expect not to be held accountable for it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce spoke to ABC Radio about<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/politics/barnaby-joyce-shuts-down-rumours-of-an-affair-between-john-barilaro-and-his-daughter-bridgette/news-story/2c39bcdae7117862748fe5f6032b4ad8" target="_blank">rumours regarding his daughter that had been spreading online</a>. The rumours focused on his 23-year-old daughter, Bridgette, who has worked in former Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s office since February. Posts that had been made on social media suggested Barilaro’s recent retirement from politics was because of an inappropriate relationship with Bridgette Joyce.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s total and utter rubbish”, Joyce said on Thursday. He said that more needed to be done to force social media companies like Facebook and Twitter to stop people spreading such lies. “From my own personal experience of recent times, you have got to get to a point where you say enough is enough.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These platforms just say, ‘Oh well it’s too hard to control’. It’s not too hard for you to collect your billions of dollars from it and apparently it’s not too hard for you set up vessels to avoid tax in Australia.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Rohan Thomson/Getty Images, Sam Mooy/Getty Images</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Outrage after nurse punched multiple times in the face

<p>Police are currently searching for a man in Canada they say punched a nurse in the face multiple times, knocking her to the ground after administering a COVID-19 vaccine to his wife without his permission.</p> <p>On Monday, around 9:15am, a man walked into a Brunet Pharmacy in Sherbrooke, a city in southern Qubec, accusing a nurse in her 40s of vaccinating his wife, police said.</p> <p>Right at the beginning, the suspect was very angry, very aggressive, he asked the nurse why she vaccinated his wife without approval, without his consent,” Carrier said.</p> <p>“He punched her right in the face multiple times so the nurse didn’t have the time to defend or explain herself….she fell to the ground and the suspect left running out of the drugstore.”</p> <p>No laws in Canada state that the individuals need their spouses’ permission to get vaccinated, and it is unclear if his wife had given consent.</p> <p>The nurse was taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance where she was treated for “multiple injuries to the face” he said.</p> <p>As a result of the incident, the pharmacy suspended vaccinations.</p> <p>Brunet Pharmacy’s parent company, The Jean Coutu Group Inc., declined to comment by told<span> </span><em>CNN<span> </span></em>they “fully condemn this act which is unacceptable towards the pharmacy teams who have been providing essential services since the beginning of the pandemic.</p> <p>Canada has a vaccination rate of 69.8 per cent of its population, surpassing the US by 15.6%, according to data from<span> </span><em>Our World in Data.</em></p> <p>Although, most Canadians have welcomed public health measures and the country has one of the highest vaccination rates worldwide, case counts and hospitalisations are on the rise, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, especially among younger, unvaccinated Canadians.</p> <p>Police do not have the name or photo of the suspect or security footage of the incident, Carrier said.</p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Jana Pittman punches Alicia Molik right off the show

<p>A confronting exercise on SAS Australia has seen celebrity recruits paired up for the vicious one-on-one battles, leaving one contender seriously injured.</p> <p>Brutal matches saw the stars fight each other as the rest of the group watched on until the ex-Special Forces soldiers told them they could stop.</p> <p>It ended with one recruit in hospital, and another walking away from the show.</p> <p><strong>Recruits must fight each other</strong></p> <p>In the second task of Monday night’s episode, the recruits had to test their physical and mental resilience in hand-to-hand combat.</p> <p>“You stand toe-to-toe at all times," said staff Ant Middleton. "This isn’t boxing. No f**king dancing around, no defending yourselves, the only form of defence is attack.</p> <p>“The only way you’re going to counter the violence, is with extreme violence."</p> <p>The first recruit up was former AFL player Heath Shaw. Asked to pick an opponent, he chose the biggest in the pack, ex-South Sydney Rabbitohs caption Sam Burgess, who eventually won the fight.</p> <p>The group was then asked to volunteer to fight surfer Koby Abberton, and five guys put raised their hands.<span> </span><em>Home and Away</em><span> </span>actor Dan Ewing was chosen to take on the Bra Boy surfer.</p> <p>Abberton came out the winner.</p> <p><strong>Recruits uncomfortable watching girls fight</strong></p> <p>In another alarming battle, the oldest recruit on the show, 55-year-old beach volleyball legend Kerri Pottharst, was paired with track athlete Jessica Peris, 28.</p> <p>Jess clearly overwhelmed the Olympic gold medallist who kept turning her back.</p> <p>Singer Bonnie Anderson teared up watching the fight, while Abberton was visibly upset, commenting, “Don’t hit too hard on her face.”</p> <p>He even lunged forward during the fight, wanting to intervene, and whispering, “Stop.”</p> <p>“My life has been around violence,” he admitted. “Violence towards women, that’s my mum’s life. Girls are strong people.</p> <p>“I have a five-year-old, I don’t want him to grow up the way I grew up, I don’t want him to see that sort of violence”.</p> <p><strong>Pete Murray injured</strong></p> <p>Next up, former tennis player Mark Philippoussis went against 51-year-old Pete Murray.</p> <p>They slugged it out as the directing staff chanted, “come on,” “keep fighting,” “punch straight.”</p> <p>Suddenly Murray dropped to the ground. He had painfully dislocated his elbow.</p> <p>The recruits looked uneasy as he held his arm in pain.</p> <p>“What are you staring at, this is what its all about,” DS Jason ‘Foxy’ fox said. “Get your head in the game, if you don’t like watching it, f**k off.”</p> <p>Murray asked the on-site doctor if he could pop it back into place, but was told he needed hospital and X-rays.</p> <p>Given the seriousness of the injury, he was medically withdrawn from the course.</p> <p>Middleton then addressed the rest of the recruits.</p> <p>“I told you, you’re going to get cuts, bruisers, stitches, breaks, it’s what I said at the beginning, this is not a f**king game,” he says.</p> <p>“If you don’t like it, give me your numbers, grab your kit and f**k off.”</p> <p><strong>Alicia Molik withdraws</strong></p> <p>The last fight of the night was dual Olympian Jana Pittman against tennis champion Alicia Molik.</p> <p>During the fight, Pittman was more of the aggressor and Molik stepped back and turned away.</p> <p>She then fully walked away and Middleton asked if she wanted to quit. She handed over her number, becoming the sixth to voluntarily withdraw from the course.</p> <p>“I just got scared,” she admitted. “I thought I’d be a good fighter, I tried my best."</p>

TV

Placeholder Content Image

Olympian hospitalised after brutal one-punch assault

<p>Irish Olympian Jack Woolley, 22, has been hospitalised in Dublin after being punched in the face in a random attack.</p> <p>Woolley competed at the Tokyo Olympics in taekwondo and was assaulted “out of the blue” by a stranger, shortly after midnight on Saturday night.</p> <p>He was taken to Dublin’s St. James’ Hospital for facial reconstructive surgery, as he share d the news from his hospital bed on his social media profile.</p> <p>“Last night I went for a meal with my friend. Followed by a bar for a couple of drinks,” Woolley posted.</p> <p>“Heading back along the River Liffey a gang of roughly 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk</p> <p>“Unfortunately I was victim to these random attacks as I was just walking by before I was punched in the face by one of these group members.</p> <p>“Only one punch and followed by ‘my mistake wrong person’ then they continued to run off down the road attacking more civilians minding their own business.</p> <p>“Luckily I was able to phone an ambulance and stay conscious.</p> <p>“My friends helped me throughout all over this and I’m glad to say they both are well and safe.”</p> <p>Woolley added he would be undergoing surgery on his mouth.</p> <p>According to local reports, police are investigating the assault.</p> <p>The <em>Irish Times</em> stated: “One man, aged in his 20s, was conveyed to St James’s Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the incident.”</p> <p>“No arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

Jacinda Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford jokes he's "punching above his weight"

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Clarke Gayford has joked that he is "punching above his weight" in his relationship with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.</p> <p>Gayford hosts fishing program<span> </span><em>Fish of the Day</em><span> </span>and shared some insight into his relationship with Ardern.</p> <p>He answered a question about how their relationship began on Australian radio station Nova 96.9.</p> <p>"I thought you were about to accuse me of punching [above my weight], and, well, you would be right!" he joked.</p> <p>Gayford explained to hosts Fitzy and Wippa that he met his now-fiancee through official channels.</p> <p>"This is slightly embarrassing, I had a constituency issue and I emailed my local MP and I got some really good advice," he laughed.</p> <p>The pair briefly met for the first time at an awards show in 2012, with Gayford reaching out to Ardern to discuss his concerns over a proposed bill.</p> <p>The pair's relationship became more high-profile in August 2017 as Ardern became the leader of New Zealand's Labour Party. Just seven weeks later, she was elected to the office of Prime Minister.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDGQlyUMOkS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDGQlyUMOkS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Clarke Gayford (@clarkegayford)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Gayford remembers that moment vividly.</p> <p>"As I was about to go down underwater I turned my phone off, like 'I don't want to know about this'," he told Nova's Fitzy and Wippa.</p> <p>"When I came back up the guy on the boat said, 'Yeah, mate, you might want to call back home. Your missus has had a promotion'."</p> <p>Gayford was diving in Queensland and was filming the new Discovery Channel documentary<span> </span><em>Shark Lockdown</em><span> </span>when Ardern was made Prime Minister.</p> <p>The pair are now engaged after having their first child, daughter Neve Te Aroha in June 2018.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

Australia reacts to NRL State of Origin's "coward" decision

<p>The NRL has been heavily criticised by a number of commentators after they backflipped on plans to scrap the national anthem from its State of Origin Series.</p> <p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison even spoke up to ensure Advance Australia Fair would be played before this year’s matches between NSW and Queensland after furious backlash.</p> <p>However, despite the league changing its mind, they are still copping a lashing.</p> <p><em>Sky News</em> host Chris Smith said the NRL “took the coward’s way out” with its original move to ban the anthem, adding it was “one of the most pathetic decisions ever made by a sporting organisation”.</p> <p>“A group of Indigenous Origin players refused to sing the anthem last year as a protest against the white invasion of Australia,” he said.</p> <p>“So to avoid embarrassment, (NRL CEO Andrew) Abdo took the coward’s way out and banned the anthem altogether.</p> <p>“The Australian anthem will now be played as it always should be,” Smith added.</p> <p>“As for the stance taken by some indigenous players, the NRL holds an indigenous round each year, has a great history of giving skilled indigenous players opportunities they wouldn‘t normally receive, and the code’s charity work in Aboriginal communities is second to none.</p> <p>“Those players should be using their status to unite black and white and commemorate the code’s indigenous history, not divide young fans of the game and guilt the NRL into no longer celebrating this great country.”</p> <p><em>The Daily Telegraph’s</em> Paul Kent said that the NRL’s political posturing needs to come to an end.</p> <p>“Why the NRL continues to try to position itself in political matters is something the game has not explained,” Kent wrote.</p> <p>“Sporting codes should represent everybody and not decide who is wrong or right, or force those who love their game to have to get behind a political position they don’t support.</p> <p>“Nobody tells NRL fans whether they should vote Liberal or Labor, and the rest of politics should be the same.”</p> <p><em>2GB</em> radio host Jim Wilson said the correction was “common sense”.</p> <p>“It’s an event of national significance and it’s our national anthem,” he tweeted. “The public has spoken and I’m glad the NRL had a rethink … This year more than ever we need to be united.”</p> <p>However sports journalist Brad Walters said the backflip was “not representative of the public’s view”.</p> <p>“Advance Australia Fair is divisive and offensive,” he tweeted.</p> <p>“I feel uncomfortable whenever it is played because of the hurt it causes Indigenous Australians. I’ve felt strongly about this for a long time and will continue to try to educate others.”</p> <p><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em> columnist Peter FitzSimons had his own opinion and took aim at Morrison for saying it had never been more important to come together and sing the anthem as one after a year of “struggle and heartbreak”.</p> <p>“Yes, Prime Minister. After a very tough year of plague and pestilence, of lockdown and a languishing economy, having the league players sing the national anthem will make it all better,” he wrote.</p> <p>Peter van Onselen from The Project also took issue with the Prime Minister getting involved.</p> <p>“Personally I think the national anthem should be played at the State of Origin,” he tweeted.</p> <p>“But a PM calling to demand it gets played feels like throwing ones weight around.”</p> <p>NSW coach Brad Fittler didn’t seem to have an opinion on the situation, saying “I’m not good at politics, I try to stay out of it,“ he said.</p> <p>“If they play it, they play it. If they don’t, they don’t. We’re there for a game of footy.</p> <p>“I do think it‘s time, the landscape has changed a little bit, to maybe revise the words or have a look at it, where they ask everyone in Australia.”</p>

News

Our Partners