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Monty Python star's candid financial admission

<p>Monty Python star Eric Idle has made a candid admission about the state of his finances, revealing why he still has to work at the age of 80. </p> <p>The comic legend admitted he receives only a fraction of the millions the Python team have made in the past because the finances are a “disaster”.</p> <p>In messages on X, formerly Twitter, Idle wrote: “I don’t know why people always assume we’re loaded”.</p> <p>“I have to work for my living. I never dreamed that at this age the income streams would tail off so disastrously."</p> <p>“I have been working and earning for Pythons since 1995. And now no more.”</p> <p>Idle also took aim at TV lawyer Holly Gilliam, the daughter of fellow Python member Terry Gilliam, who took over the Python brand in 2013 as part of HDG Projects Ltd. </p> <p>He said, “I guess if you put a Gilliam child in as your manager you should not be so surprised”.</p> <p>“One Gilliam is bad enough. Two can take out any company.”</p> <p>Daughter Lily Idle backed him, writing online, “I’m so proud of my dad for finally finally finally starting to share the truth.”</p> <p>The Pythons, who also included John Cleese, 84, Michael Palin, 80, and the late Terry Jones — made a fortune thanks to their iconic cult films, including <em>Life of Brian</em>, hit stage show <em>Spamalot</em>, which Idle co-wrote, and the original <em>Flying Circus</em> BBC TV series.</p> <p>They were back in the limelight in 2014 with <em>Monty Python Live (Mostly) — One Down, Five to Go</em>: a reference to former member Graham Chapman who died in 1989 aged just 48.</p> <p>It featured interpretations of some of their famous sketches, and reportedly earned the surviving members at least £2 million ($3.87m AUD) each.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Retirement Income

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"I've lost complete blood flow": Robert Irwin's near miss with python

<p>Young wildlife warrior Robert Irwin suffered a near miss during a rescue mission over the weekend, when he tried to relocate a carpet python off the road. </p> <p>The 19-year-old took to Instagram on Sunday to share a video of him almost getting bit by the wild snake. </p> <p>"Gee, that gets the heart rate up - he missed me by that much," he said when the snake struck at him. </p> <p>"He's grumpy... he's really keen on biting me... what a gorgeous snake, he's big, he's not venomous but... they're designed to constrict," he said as the python began wrapping its body around his arm to ''constrict" him. </p> <p>"He's got a good grip there, I've lost complete blood flow to my hand, it's completely blue.. and I have no feeling left in my hand," he added. </p> <p>He eventually managed to rescue the snake, and relocated it to a safe spot in the bush the day after. </p> <p>"Near miss! Definitely had a good laugh with this grumpy carpet python - but great to get him rescued off the road and relocated to a much safer spot!" he captioned the post. </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/reel/C0Fc3k-hiy9/?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/reel/C0Fc3k-hiy9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans shared their shock and couldn't help but comment on how much the young conservationist was like his late father, Steve Irwin. </p> <p>"Dude you are killing us with these like-father-like-son bits,"  one fan wrote. </p> <p>"Holy crap. I actually thought I was watching Steve for a second and it took me back a moment. He's very much still alive in his family. No doubt about that," another added. </p> <p>"This is precarious yet hiss-terical !😂 all at the same time. Thank you for helping snakey dude slither to safety! 👍🏼💕" added a fellow conservationist. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Coca coila": Robert Irwin rescues a python stuck in a vending machine

<p>Robert Irwin has successfully rescued a carpet python stuck a vending machine at Australia Zoo. </p> <p>The young conservationist took to Instagram to share the moment he rescued the snake with the caption: "So this was a first for me…"</p> <p>The carpet python was visibly stuck behind a few soft drink bottles, and as the vending machine was being opened, the 19-year-old joked, "here's our chance, free Coca Cola!"</p> <p>He then got down to business, trying to coax the snake out while explaining, "what we don't want is for him to go up into the wiring.</p> <p>"We don't want to make him too upset, 'cause we want him to come out nice and smooth," he added as he pulled the snake out of the vending machine. </p> <p>The young conservationist sounded exactly like his late father, Steve Irwin, as he tried to calm down the non-venomous snake. </p> <p>"Keep coming, mate, keep coming. Nearly there buddy, nearly there," he said. </p> <p>As he examined the snake, he pointed out that the snake must have gotten injured before. </p> <p>"This bloke has obviously got a spirit of getting himself caught in weird situations, 'cause he's missing the end of his tail. </p> <p>"We'll relocate this guy," he assured, as the snake wrapped around his arm, Robert wags a finger at him and jokingly says: "don't go in any more vending machines, alright?!"</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/reel/Cw7cZl4hX4C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cw7cZl4hX4C/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans were in awe at Robert's striking resemblance to his late dad, and praised him for skills. </p> <p>"God you are the spitting image of the old man. He would be proud as punch," commented one fan. </p> <p>"I can hear his dad, “no more being a naughty boy!”" wrote another. </p> <p>"Call him coca coila," another quipped. </p> <p>"Watching you is like watching your dad many years ago. You're just such an incredible human," commented a fourth.  </p> <p>"Your dad must be screaming in the high heavens “that’s my boy” look at him fearless with the snake!" wrote another. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Outback wrangler helps his son tackle a two-metre python

<p>The world famous "outback wrangler" has divided the internet after sharing a video of his two-year-old son wrestling with a python. </p> <p><span>Matt Wright, who runs the Top End Safari camp in the Northern Territory, posted a video to Instagram of his son Banjo grappling with an olive python's tail, one of the largest snakes in Australia.</span><span></span></p> <p><span>Matt, who also hosts the popular National Geographic show <em>Outback Wrangler</em>, captioned the video "learning the ropes", as Banjo follows in his dad's footsteps. </span></p> <p><span>In the video, Banjo is seen dressed in his outback khaki outfit, as he desperately tries to pull the massive snake away from the family's property.</span><span></span></p> <p>“Pull him out buddy, pull him out,” Wright said, as Banjo holds onto the snake’s tail.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUdYl01hDbV/?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/CUdYl01hDbV/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by MATT WRIGHT - OUTBACK WRANGLER (@mattwright)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>“Oh no, he’s wrapped up, here I’ll help you,” he added, as the python wraps himself around the pole and heads towards Wright’s feet.</span></p> <p><span>Matt helps his son untangle the snake from the pole of the house's exterior, before encouraging Banjo to keep pulling the snake back towards the bushes. </span></p> <p>When the snake refuses to budge, Banjo drops the tail and yells, “Oh no, oh no” before running back to his dad.</p> <p>Matt continues to encourage his son, before sweeping him off the ground when the toddler almost puts himself in a dangerous position. </p> <p>“Watch out, he’ll bite ya,” Wright said.</p> <p>“What are we gonna do? Go back and grab the tail. There you go, grab the tail. Two hands! Two hands!”</p> <p>Banjo appears to lose interest in taking the snake back to the bushes, with Wright trying to encourage his son again.</p> <p>“Quick, grab him, he’s going to bite Dad,” Wright jokes.</p> <p>The video was praised by many, with a lot of commenters comparing Matt's relationship with Banjo to the late Steve Irwin's relationship with Bindi. </p> <p>Despite the many positive comments, the wild clip wasn't received well by some. </p> <p>“Normally I love your videos but I’m not a fan of this behaviour. No need to stress the animal just for an Instagram video,” one wrote.</p> <p>“In America they would call child services lol,” another added.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram @mattwright</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Woolworths shopper finds python snake in the spice section

<p>A woman shopping at Woolworths in Glenorie says she was looking in the spice aisle and her face was suddenly 20cm away from a three-metre-long python.</p> <p>Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au, the shopper – Helaina Alati - said: “I was browsing and turned to my left and he had come out and his face was about 20cm from mine, just looking at me.”</p> <p>“It was almost like he was asking me to take him outside!</p> <p>“I just happened to be the one that found it.</p> <p>“He must have been there for at least a few hours. He was sort of hidden behind the spices and I didn’t see him at first.</p> <p>As luck would have it, Alati is a former volunteer snake catcher, so she offered to rescue the slithery fellow.</p> <p>“It was super mellow, not aggressive at all. I’m guessing he came down from the ceiling. He was about 10ft (3 metres) long!” she said.</p> <p>“I’m glad I’m the one that found him, most people would have freaked out!” she added.</p> <p>“I told the staff I used to be a volunteer snake catcher so I grabbed my snake bag and relocated him into the bush.”</p> <p>Most shoppers at Woolworths would’ve have been so calm to find a three-metre python in the spice aisle of their local supermarket, but Alati said there was nothing to worry about.</p> <p>“He was so relaxed and non-aggressive,” she said.</p> <p>“Don’t want to demonise these beautiful animals anymore!”</p> <p>Alati bundled the python into a material bag and released the snake safely to the surrounding bushland shortly after.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Woolworths told 7NEWS.com.au the matter was dealt with calmly and safely.</p> <p>“A slippery and rare customer was spotted in the spice aisle of our Glenorie store yesterday morning,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>“Once it was sighted, our team members reacted quickly and calmly to cordon off the area for the safety of customers.</p> <p>“A snake catcher removed the slithery customer, who was released safely into bushland shortly after.”</p> <p>It’s still unknown as to how the snake came to be inside the store but it’s believed Woolworths has animal control measures in place and the Glenorie store has done some checks of these measures.</p> <p><em>Photo: 7NEWS.com.au</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Florida man goes head to head with five-metre python in terrifying battle

<p>A man who wrangled with a five-metre python has come out bruised and battered, but clearly proud of winning the battle against the serpent “monster.”</p> <p>Burmese Pythons are considered invasive species in Florida as they eat indigenous animals. </p> <p>Mr Kimmel says he went in search of “an invasive man eater” on June 7 to Martin County Trapping &amp; Wildlife Rescue, but quickly realised “she wasn’t coming without a fight” after finding one in a swamp.</p> <p>“I noticed her almost immediately as soon as we crossed paths, I could barely contain my excitement,” he wrote in a heartyFacebook post.</p> <p>“She definitely was not afraid of me and started to slowly cruise through the vegetation as I carefully walked next to her trying to gauge exactly how large she was because of all the grass and weeds it was hard to tell but I could tell she was an absolute monster.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836543/burmese-python-man.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/45e85b14e9384e98a8e28e37ae2d462b" /></p> <p><em>Image: Facebook</em></p> <p>He wrote she was tangled in vegetation making her capture difficult and described the animal as 68kg of “solid muscle”.</p> <p>“I knew going for her head first would be the easiest and safest capture method but I couldn’t turn down the chance to grab her by the tail and dance with the devil herself,” he wrote.</p> <p>“As soon as I grabbed a hold of her I sealed my fate. No turning back now, she was coming for me. </p> <p>“She immediately started to battle it out, taking strikes and pulling me into some tall grass with her, making it difficult to dodge her strikes. She was able to successfully get a bite on me.”</p> <p>Mr Kimmel’s arm went to explain he was punctured by her fangs, “piercing an artery and hitting some nerves”. </p> <p>Despite the damage, the pair continued to battle. </p> <p>Embed image </p> <p>“After losing about a gallon of blood I was able to tire her out and get her under control,” he wrote.</p> <p>“I then used a snake bag I had on my waist to tourniquet my arm because I was getting worried about how much blood I was losing, better safe than sorry. </p> <p>“I then had to drag all 150lbs (68kg) of her alive, working to control my breathing so I didn’t pass out from blood loss and the extreme heat that day, I would have been screwed.”</p> <p>The snake catcher says once he got the snake back to his boat, he euthanised her.</p> <p>It hasn’t officially been measured, but Mr Kimmel claims the snake was five-metres long and included a photo of it draped over his shoulders.</p>

Family & Pets

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Python eats massive cat

<p><span>A Queensland snake catcher has filmed the moment he caught a carpet python which had just swallowed a pet cat.</span></p> <p><span>Luke Huntley, from Noosa, was called to a home in the state’s southeast town of Kin Kin to relocate the non-venomous snake, which was hiding behind boxes by the yard. A large bulge could be seen in the middle of the snake’s body.</span></p> <p><span>“The cat was a very big boy. The snake also is pretty big too but it goes to show that even a massive cat is at risk of being eaten,” he wrote.</span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSnakeCatcherNoosa%2Fvideos%2F180371189836421%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=560" width="560" height="502" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p><span>Huntley advised cat owners to keep their pets indoors in the aftermath of the bushfires.</span></p> <p><span>“An indoor cat is a safe cat,” he said in the clip, citing cars as the main danger to felines. </span></p> <p><span>“Also, guys, if you do care about our wildlife, if you’re really upset by what’s happening with the bushfires in Australia and a lot of wildlife that died, then keep your cats inside because your cat will contribute to that, too.”</span></p> <p><span>According to <a href="https://www.wires.org.au/wildlife-info/wildlife-factsheets/domestic-pets-and-wildlife">Wildlife Rescue</a>, domestic cats and dogs pose a serious threat to wildlife by taking prey on other, more vulnerable species, including small mammals and birds.</span></p>

Family & Pets

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Tributes flow in upon the passing of Monty Python's Terry Jones

<p>Monty Python stars Michael Palin and John Cleese have led the tributes to Terry Jones, who has died at the age of 77.</p> <p>The actor and writer died at his North London home on Tuesday evening, four years after he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.</p> <p>“His work with Monty Python, his books, films, television programs, poems and other work will live on forever, a fitting legacy to a true polymath,” Jones’ family said in a statement.</p> <p>“We, his wife Anna, children Bill, Sally, Siri and extended family would like to thank Terry’s wonderful medical professionals and carers for making the past few years not only bearable but often joyful. We hope that this disease will one day be eradicated entirely.”</p> <p>Tributes have flowed for the late Python, with fellow <em>Flying Circus </em>stars leading the remembrance.</p> <p>“It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away,” John Cleese wrote.</p> <p>“Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of <em>Life of Brian</em>. Perfection.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Just heard about Terry J<br /><br />It feels strange that a man of so many talents and such endless enthusiasm, should have faded so gently away...<br /><br />Of his many achievements, for me the greatest gift he gave us all was his direction of 'Life of Brian'. Perfection<br /><br />Two down, four to go</p> — John Cleese (@JohnCleese) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnCleese/status/1219979583719690241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>“It’s too sad if you knew him, but if you didn’t you will always smile at the many wonderfully funny moments he gave us,” said Eric Idle.</p> <p>Co-writer Sir Michael Palin told PA news agency: “He was kind, generous, supportive and passionate about living life to the full.</p> <p>“He was far more than one of the funniest writer-performers of his generation, he was the complete Renaissance comedian – writer, director, presenter, historian, brilliant children’s author, and the warmest, most wonderful company you could wish to have.”</p> <p>Other celebrities and comedy figures also honoured Jones on social media.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Farewell, Terry Jones. The great foot has come down to stamp on you. My god what pleasure you gave, what untrammelled joy and delight. What a wonderful talent, heart and mind</p> — Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenfry/status/1219968120686813184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">May the dear, great Terry Jones find eternal peace in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. Or more likely of Brian.</p> — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/1220026467070832640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">May the dear, great Terry Jones find eternal peace in the loving embrace of Jesus Christ. Or more likely of Brian.</p> — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) <a href="https://twitter.com/rustyrockets/status/1220026467070832640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">💔 <a href="https://t.co/GRiFTZXztV">pic.twitter.com/GRiFTZXztV</a></p> — Pegg News (@simonpegg) <a href="https://twitter.com/simonpegg/status/1219971220801753089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Jones’ comedy series <em>Monty Python’s Flying Circus </em>first aired in October 1969. The show propelled the Monty Python group’s popularity and was followed by a number of films, including <em>Monty Python and the Holy Grail</em> (1975), <em>Life of Brian</em> (1979) and <em>The Meaning of Life</em> (1983).</p>

Caring

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20kg mating pythons crash through Queensland couple’s ceiling

<p>It’s snake breeding season in Cairns, North Queensland,<span> and a local couple got the shock of their lives as two massive pythons crashed through their ceiling whilst mating.</span></p> <p>The pair looked up to see the ceiling flex and crack under the weight of the two pythons, who are estimated to be about 20kg each. The pair managed to slither into the couple’s home via the roof.</p> <p>The size of the pythons and the rigorous activity was too much for the ceiling and the pythons crashed onto the floor.</p> <p>Matt Hagan and Jason Legg of Cairns Snake Catchers were called into the home.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fcairnssnakecatcher%2Fposts%2F2369206379992662&amp;width=500" width="500" height="795" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>“Extracting this dynamic duo was no easy feat and ultimately resulted in the ceiling giving way as these snakes made a particularly dramatic entry into the office!” the snake catchers wrote on Facebook on Sunday.</p> <p>“If you are lucky enough to host a scrub python party in your roof space this breeding season (end of July to late September) it can get pretty wild as males fight each other to impress females,” they warned.</p> <p>“Occasionally these interactions can result in strange smells wafting through different rooms, and even structural damage to your house in the form or ceiling stains or cracks.”</p>

Home & Garden

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Queensland mother spots monster two-metre python in backyard

<p>Queensland mother Megan Manly has described the “nightmare” of spotting a two-metre python in her backyard, before barricading herself and her toddler inside.</p> <p>It could have been much worse though, as she had repaid a hole in the screen door just two hours before discovering the menacing serpent lurking outside.</p> <p>Had she failed to do so, the massive snake might have been able to make its way inside where she was taking cover with her two-year-old son, Sam.</p> <p>"I was about to leave the house to pick up my eldest son from school when I saw my dog up on his hunches, with his hair standing up looking outside," she told the <em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em>.</p> <p>"Before the snake catcher came I had barricaded us in the lounge, in case the snake came through the screen door. If I hadn't have fixed it earlier that day, it would have come inside."</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmegan.manly.56%2Fvideos%2F10156416796495839%2F&amp;show_text=1&amp;width=560" width="560" height="543" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>Ms Manley shared footage of a snake catcher coming to the rescue, pulling the enormous serpent out of harm’s way and deftly placing it inside a bag.</p> <p>"It was horrific - I am petrified of snakes... I can take spiders, sharks and I would even rather a grizzly bear in my backyard over a snake," she told the <em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em>.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Have you ever encountered a snake this big?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Facebook / Megan Manly </em></p>

Home & Garden

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8-metre-long python discovered in Malaysia may be world’s biggest snake

<p>A giant python found on a construction site in Malaysia on Thursday may be the longest snake ever to be caught.</p> <p>The estimated eight-metre-long python was spotted stuck under a fallen tree on the island of Penang, where a new flyover is being built.</p> <p>The snake, though to be a reticulated python, has not been officially measured. Herme Herisyam, an official with Malaysian department that caught the snake, told the Guardian the snake weighed about 250 kilograms and took 30 minutes to rescue.</p> <p><img width="487" height="292" src="https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/18a8bb1d4317af85afbbc03f971f31fb77bddf0e/0_50_1280_768/master/1280.jpg" class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 11px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the current record for longest snake ever caught is 7.67 metres, held since 2011.</p> <p>The serpent unfortunately died on Sunday after laying eggs. </p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/handing-your-passport-to-a-hotel/"><em>Is it safe to hand your passport over to a hotel?</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/03/genius-idea-for-leftover-foreign-coins/"><em>Genius idea for leftover foreign coins</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2016/03/quick-tips-and-tricks-for-packing/"><em>Quick tips and tricks for packing</em></a></strong></span></p>

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Man finds 2 metre python in his Corn Flakes box

<p>When Sydney man, Jarred Smith, 22, went to the kitchen for his usual breakfast of Corn Flakes, he got the shock of his life.</p><p>Instead of those crunchy golden flakes, Smith found a gigantic two metre python curled up inside.</p><p>While snakes have been found in residential pools and even laundry baskets, this is perhaps the first time it has decided to seek shelter in a cereal box.</p><p>“I peaked in the box, saw its head pop out and that’s when I dropped my food on the counter and bolted for the door,” said Smith, who lives in Davidson on the northern beaches.</p><p>NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) were called and WIRES member Chris McGreal rescued the diamond python and returned it to nearby bushland.</p><p>“The python was over two-metres long and I couldn’t believe it was jammed into this small cereal box,” Mr McGreal said, continuing, “When I got there I actually had to tear the box to get it out, that’s how tightly squeezed in it. It’s likely it was hiding in there to feel secure.”</p><p>Despite their intimidating size, Diamond pythons are considered placid, timid and generally harmless, unless aggravated.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Related links:&nbsp;</strong></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/02/man-misses-whale-because-of-phone/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Man misses whale right next to him because of phone</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/01/frilled-shark-found-in-australia/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Unsightly prehistoric shark found in south-eastern Australia</strong></em></span></a></p><p><a href="/news/news/2015/02/seal-and-octopus-fight/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Seal and octopus fight to the death</strong></em></span></a></p>

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