Search

Placeholder Content Image

Crowds, water guns and protests: could ‘slow tourism’ be the answer to an overtourism backlash?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amy-errmann-1360032">Amy Errmann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>With overtourism in the spotlight as the travel industry continues to rebound after the pandemic, popular destinations around the world are feeling the strain.</p> <p>Bali is overwhelmed by <a href="https://thebalisun.com/concerns-increasing-about-impact-of-trash-and-traffic-on-bali-tourists/">waste and traffic</a>, Australia’s sacred sites have suffered <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-50151344">environmental damage</a>, New York is facing rising rents <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/oct/23/new-york-airbnb-crackdown-rules-housing">due to short-term rentals</a>, and Singapore’s scenic spots are becoming <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/overtourism-locals-tourists-sustainable-tourism-stb-focus-4517681">clogged with crowds</a>.</p> <p>Frustrated locals are pushing back – from <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/barcelona-locals-spray-tourists-with-water-guns-during-protest-over-housing-costs/FUFHXKO5X5F5NNPSU6ELNVGSIA/">spraying water at tourists </a>in Barcelona to <a href="https://adventure.com/venice-locals-squatting-against-overtourism-photography/">organising protests in Venice</a>. As the northern hemisphere high season ends, Aotearoa New Zealand is preparing for an influx of visitors ahead of its summer tourism season.</p> <p>And much like those other <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/08/world/europe/greece-cruise-ships-tourists-islands.html">tourist hotspots</a>, the government is looking at how to manage the negative effects of tourism on local communities and the environment. This includes tripling the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/sep/04/new-zealand-to-nearly-triple-tourist-tax-for-international-visitors">international tourist tax</a> from NZ$35 to $100.</p> <p>The aim of the increase is to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/11/new-zealand-tourism-minister-makes-pitch-to-the-rich-as-he-spurns-10-a-day-travellers">attract tourists</a> who are more mindful of their impact and willing to contribute to its mitigation, while also <a href="https://theconversation.com/welcome-to-nz-now-pay-up-the-risks-and-rewards-of-raising-the-foreign-tourist-tax-232138">reducing visitor numbers</a> to protect the country’s unique landscapes and cultures.</p> <p>But are there other ways the tourism industry can evolve to ensure benefits for both travellers and the communities they are visiting? So called “slow travel” could be the answer.</p> <h2>Hunting the perfect photo</h2> <p>Overtourism isn’t just about too many people in one place. It’s also about <em>how</em> people travel.</p> <p><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/social-media-tourism-effect-scn-wellness/index.html">Instagram-famous</a> landmarks draw massive crowds, <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/406195/visitors-ignore-ban-continue-to-visit-mermaid-pools-in-northland-hapu">disrupting local life</a> and sometimes even <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/vermot-town-famous-for-fall-foliage-bans-instagram-tourists-from-streets/BHKEYKKUTNHORFT6QCZ5TW333A/#google_vignette">leading to closures</a>.</p> <p>Travellers often pack their itineraries with as many sights as possible, racing from one place to another in a frenzy to capture the perfect photo. This hurried approach not only creates <a href="https://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2015-06-19/barcelona-bhutan-places-that-limit-tourist-numbers">congestion</a> but also limits <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-024-02859-z">meaningful engagement with the destination</a>.</p> <p>And it’s not just a numbers game. The way tourists behave also plays a critical role.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018690535/tropical-trash-the-impact-of-holidaying-in-the-pacific">2019 report</a> from the United Nations raised concerns about trash from tourists in developing small island states, including the Pacific Islands. According to the report, a tourist visiting these communities produced about 7kg of waste a day, compared to about 2.5kg produced by a local.</p> <p>The issue is not necessarily about travelling less, but about <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211973623000284">travelling more responsibly</a>. The tourism industry needs to be encouraging travel habits that allow both visitors and locals to enjoy tourism without compromising the integrity of the destination.</p> <h2>The rise of slow travel</h2> <p>Mindfulness – being fully present in the moment – has gained popularity since the 1970s. The concept has influenced a number of sectors, including <a href="https://slowfoodauckland.co.nz/">slow food</a>, <a href="https://ourwayoflife.co.nz/slow-fashion-101-what-to-buy-and-what-to-avoid-to-reduce-your-clothing-footprint/">slow fashion</a>, and now <a href="https://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/wanaka-stories/how-to-be-a-slow-mindful-traveler-in-wanaka/">slow travel</a>.</p> <p>It’s about <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-63569-4_44#:%7E:text=Slow%20travel%2C%20mindful%20travel%2C%20or,spiritual%20well%2Dbeing%20of%20people">experiencing destinations</a> at a relaxed pace, focusing on deeper connections with local cultures and sustainability. This often means <a href="https://guestnewzealand.com/about-us/eco-travels-new-zealand/">staying longer in fewer places</a> and choosing eco-friendly transport.</p> <p>Understanding slow travel and mindfulness is important because they create <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogersands/2024/06/08/the-beauty-of-slow-travel/">richer, more memorable experiences</a>. Fast, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261517724000487">hectic travel</a> often leaves little positive impact. Slow immersive travel, on the other hand, fosters lasting memories and reduces overtourism, pollution and cultural damage.</p> <p><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00913367.2024.2325144">Research</a> shows when we consciously immerse ourselves in our surroundings we can have more meaningful experiences. Surprisingly, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261517724000487">even luxury travel</a> – often dismissed as wasteful – can encourage respect and mindfulness for those who invest financially and mentally in their journey, unlike cheaper, mainstream tourism.</p> <p>Activities such as “<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666957921000197">forest bathing</a>”, <a href="https://www.visitutah.com/articles/mindful-hiking">hiking</a> or engaging with <a href="https://www.outofyourcomfortzone.net/a-guide-to-slow-travel-immersing-yourself-in-local-cultures/">local cultures</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6723984/">boost wellbeing and meaning</a>, going beyond just “taking a photo for likes”.</p> <p>This mindful approach can <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738321001419">change our behaviour on a personal level</a>. By focusing attention on fewer experiences, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00913367.2024.2325144">travellers can heighten</a> their sense of awe and appreciation, making the travel more memorable.</p> <p>This idea is evident in “<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/002216786200200102?casa_token=PrIQTkCMjx0AAAAA:wtswfg0cuEuQec0zVg-Mbf9MuXYoqhQkWbaQCGdjxWkYUpVOwBu8Op5jC6V4nOghnow3xpwN3fDn">peak experiences</a>”. Disney, for example, creates <a href="https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/docam/vol9/iss2/6/">emotionally-charged moments</a> that stick in visitors’ minds. Other experiences, such as “<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/14614448211072808">digital detoxes</a>” or <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jcr/article-abstract/45/6/1142/4999270">pilgrimages</a> can leave a contemplative impression.</p> <p>By concentrating on a single aspect of a visit, it <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160738320300797?casa_token=Np4PXLk5RqsAAAAA:Q3440A-lsf-XTAWuboPPbIcnvBAhk8nnIoWyF-gynHkSPmyPaykzfpBhTLbFDBHZEX0bbtZJgQ">becomes special and memorable</a>. Even in busy places like Disneyland, focusing on one unique element can make the experience feel slower and more meaningful.</p> <h2>The sustainability of tourism</h2> <p>In the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0261517724000487">Faroe Islands</a>, slow travel helps protect local traditions and landscapes by encouraging thoughtful visitor behaviour, such as using local guides to minimise environmental impact.</p> <p>New Zealand can leverage its natural beauty to offer similar immersive experiences. <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/travel-well-what-is-mindful-hiking-walking-for-wellbeing-boost/67MYS6ZSNXC7ZH6OTZ2DLBGFL4/">Tramping</a> (hiking), for example, can promote a mindful connection with the environment.</p> <p>But even here, there needs to be a focus on balancing tourism with preservation. Popular spots, such as the Department of Conservation huts and the Te Araroa Trail, are <a href="https://www.wildernessmag.co.nz/te-araroa-trail-shows-pressure/">already becoming crowded</a>. It is essential to educate visitors on <a href="https://www.mpi.govt.nz/outdoor-activities/tramping-tips-to-prevent-spreading-pests-and-diseases/biosecurity-considerations-walking-and-tramping/">responsible practices</a> – such as cleaning equipment – to ensure they understand their <a href="https://www.doc.govt.nz/heritage-and-visitor-strategy#:%7E:text=The%20natural%2C%20cultural%20and%20historic,wellbeing%2C%20enabling%20communities%20to%20thrive.">role in protecting nature</a>.</p> <p>Travel that fosters a deeper appreciation for local cultures and environments benefits both visitors and the destinations they explore. The challenge is finding the right balance – encouraging meaningful travel experiences while still ensuring accessibility for all.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/238316/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/amy-errmann-1360032">Amy Errmann</a>, Senior Lecturer, Marketing &amp; International Business, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/auckland-university-of-technology-1137">Auckland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/crowds-water-guns-and-protests-could-slow-tourism-be-the-answer-to-an-overtourism-backlash-238316">original article</a>.</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

"You guys can't touch me": Djokovic slams Wimbledon crowd

<p>Novak Djokovic has launched into a staggering tirade after emerging from the Wimbledon courts victorious, after claiming the crowd was being "disrespectful" by booing him. </p> <p>The Serbian tennis champ accused the audience after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Danish player Holger Rune, calling out the behaviour during his winning speech. </p> <p>“To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,” he said.</p> <p>“And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player, in this case me, have a goooood night."</p> <p>“Goooood night, goooood night, have a good night,” he continued.</p> <p>The on-court interviewer suggested that the crowd was chanting “Rooooon” and was not in fact booing, but Djokovic was determined. </p> <p>“I’m hoping they were just commenting on Rune and they weren’t disrespecting you,” the courtside interviewer said, as Djokovic responded, “They were, they were, they were, they were.”</p> <p>“I am not accepting it. No, no, no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo."</p> <p>“Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years."</p> <p>“I know all the tricks. I focus on the respectful people that pay for the ticket, and love tennis and appreciate the players."</p> <p>“I have played in much more hostile environments, trust me ... you guys can’t touch me.”</p> <p>He then headed for the Centre Court exit to initial applause before further chants of "<em>Ruuuuuuune"</em> followed.</p> <p><em>Image credits: ADAM VAUGHAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Crowd cheers as fan booted from US Open after vile Nazi slur

<p>During a US Open tennis match held early on Tuesday morning, a spectator found themselves ejected from the event following an incident involving German tennis player Alexander Zverev.</p> <p>The disruption arose when Zverev, seeded number 12, was locked in a fierce fourth-set battle against Italy's Jannik Sinner, seeded number six.</p> <p>At a critical juncture in the match, just as he was about to serve, Zverev approached chair umpire James Keothavong and pointed out a fan situated right behind the umpire's chair.</p> <p>Zverev raised the issue, stating, "He [the fan] just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is..."</p> <p>Zverev then expressed his strong disapproval, exclaiming, "It's unacceptable, this is unbelievable."</p> <p>In response to Zverev's concerns, Keothavong scanned the crowd and repeatedly asked, "Who said that? Who said that?" amid raucous boos from the audience.</p> <p>The umpire swiftly made a decision, asserting, "We're going to get him out," much to the relief of those watching in Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p> <p>Keothavong also took a moment to remind the crowd to maintain respect for both players. Shortly after, during a changeover, spectators seated near the offending fan identified him, and security promptly removed him from the venue. The crowd responded with cheers as the fan was escorted up the stadium stairs.</p> <p>A US Tennis Association spokesperson, Chris Widmaier, confirmed the incident, stating, "A disparaging remark was directed toward Alexander Zverev. The fan was identified and escorted from the stadium."</p> <p>Despite the disruption, Zverev went on to triumph over Sinner in a gruelling five-set match and secured his spot in the quarterfinals, where he would face the defending US Open champion, Carlos Alcaraz.</p> <p>This epic match, which Zverev won with scores of 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, endured for an impressive four hours and 41 minutes, making it the lengthiest match of the tournament up to that point. The contest concluded at 1:40 am local time in New York.</p> <p>Reflecting on the incident in the post-match press conference, Zverev revealed that while he had encountered fans making derogatory comments before, this was the first time he had experienced an incident involving Hitler.</p> <p>He shared: "He started singing the anthem of Hitler that was back in the day. It was ‘Deutschland über alles’ and it was a bit too much.</p> <p>"I think he was getting involved in the match for a long time, though. I don’t mind it, I love when fans are loud, I love when fans are emotional. But I think me being German and not really proud of that history, it’s not really a great thing to do and I think him sitting in one of the front rows, I think a lot of people heard it. So if I just don’t react, I think it’s bad from my side.”</p> <p>Despite the disturbance, Zverev remained composed and noted, “It’s his loss, to be honest, to not witness the final two sets of that match.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Elton John's final message to crowd at last concert ever

<p dir="ltr">Elton John has officially retired from touring.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 76-year-old award-winning musician took to the stage for the last time ever in Stockholm, Sweden, <a href="https://www.eltonjohn.com/tours" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to his website</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Elton had reportedly ended his touring days with <em>Your Song</em> and <em>Goodbye Yellow Brick Road</em>, before sharing a heartfelt message to his fans.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I've had the most wonderful career, beyond belief. 52 years of pure joy playing music, how lucky am I to play music? But I wouldn't be sitting here if it wasn't for you," the music legend told his fans as he closed what he claimed to be his final show.</p> <p dir="ltr">"You bought the singles, albums and CDs and more importantly you bought the tickets to the shows and you know how I love to play live."</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's been my lifeblood to play for you guys and you've been absolutely magnificent – thank you," he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I will never forget you guys. I've played so many concerts, how could I forget? You're in my head, and my heart and my soul and I thank you so much."</p> <p dir="ltr">The singer also took to Instagram prior to his final show to share the announcement.</p> <p dir="ltr">"What a journey this tour has been and now we find ourselves at the end of it. Tonight is the final night,” he wrote in the caption.</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/CucC7nWAQ8K/?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/CucC7nWAQ8K/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">He posted a clip of a 2018 interview he did with CNN, when he first announced that he was going to retire from touring.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's the last time that I will be touring and traveling the world," John said in the clip.</p> <p dir="ltr">The tour, which had over 300 shows, kicked off in 2018 and was meant to end in 2021 but was postponed due to Covid, and has since been attended by over 6 million fans across the world.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Music

Placeholder Content Image

"Get out of the water!" Huge shark spotted at crowded beach

<p dir="ltr">Dramatic footage has revealed the moment a shark was spotted swimming in shallow waters at a crowded beach in Florida.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the video filmed at Navarre beach on Monday, a sizeable fin can be spotted zipping past swimmers as panicked onlookers screamed for them to get out.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Get out of the water!" one person screamed, as stunned swimmers ran for their lives.</p> <p dir="ltr">However there was an eerie lack of urgency for a few others who took their time exiting the waters, with no worries whatsoever to the frustration of a bystander who commented: "They're still out there."</p> <p dir="ltr">Cristy Cox, who filmed the footage, told the <em>Pensacola News Journal</em> that the shark was simply chasing a fish, but warned people to be aware of their surroundings.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It all happened so fast! A dolphin was actually side by side with the shark at first and then just disappeared,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The shark was just trying to feed as they are expected and just passed by swimmers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everyone was stunned as it moved down the beach chasing the school of fish. We all just have to remember this is natural and we are in their home, so stay alert!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Beach Safety Director Austin Turnbill confirmed to the publication that a shark had been spotted at the beach, but for people to not be alarmed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s sharks in the Gulf, everywhere. We see sharks almost every day and there’s nothing to be alarmed of for 99.9% of the time,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Cristy Cox Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

5 tips on avoiding crowds while travelling

<p>Don’t let the frustration of dealing with pushy travellers ruin your trip.</p> <p><strong>1. Book tickets in advance </strong></p> <p>Purchase tickets online before you leave home and skip the crowds and endless lines at your destination. Smart travellers can avoid the queue when visiting abroad – the London Eye, Britain’s Houses of Parliament, Italy’s Vatican Museums, and the Louvre in Paris all help you keep your cool with online ticket sales.</p> <p><strong>2. Talk to people </strong></p> <p>Your hotel’s concierge or the assistant at the tourist office know their city’s attractions inside and out. Have a chat and get their take on the best times to visit popular sites.</p> <p><strong>3. Sign up for special tours</strong></p> <p>Often special organisations get after-hours or behind-the-scenes access to famous places. You’ll get a guided tour and beat the rush. A note of caution – these tours can be costly, but if large crowds routinely ruin your experience, splashing a little extra cash will save your sanity.</p> <p><strong>4. Visit during the week </strong></p> <p>For shorter lines, fewer people, and better opportunities to interact and enjoy the attraction, stop by during the week. In many cases, you’ll have the place to yourself. Take it one step further, and head to museums, galleries or tourism hot spots after 2pm when visiting school groups will have returned to class.</p> <p><strong>5. Watch the weather </strong></p> <p>Spooked travellers often cancel their plans when there are reports of a storm on the approach. While some travel advisories are the real deal, sometimes they’re not as bad as they sound. By keeping an eye on weather broadcasts, brave souls can often score great last-minute deals or empty attractions.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article first appeared in <strong><a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/tips/tips-on-avoiding-crowds">Reader’s Digest</a></strong>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestsubscribe?utm_source=readersdigest&utm_campaign=RDSUB&utm_medium=display&keycode=WRA85S"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>offer.</strong></span></a></em></p>

Travel Tips

Placeholder Content Image

New flag furore erupts as Djokovic crushes Aus Open final

<p>Novak Djokovic has won the Australian Open in convincing fashion to equal Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam record, a year after he was deported over his COVID vaccination status.</p> <p>The Serbian star defeated Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets in the final in Melbourne on Sunday, making it Djokovic's 10th Australian Open title – equal to Nadal's Grand Slam record of 22 men's singles titles.</p> <p>However, during the broadcast an eagle-eyed viewer couldn’t help but single out the disturbing appearance of a flag bearing a controversial far-right symbol, waved by a Djokovic supporter.</p> <p>“Why am I seeing a Chetnik flag amongst the Serbian crowd at the Tsitsipas vs Djokovic match?” wrote Twitter user Sophie Mak. “Are ultra fascist symbols allowed in the Australian Open now?”</p> <p>The Chetniks were paramilitary ultranationalists who committed war crimes during WWII. Respected tennis journo Ben Rothenberg then responded by calling for future Australian Opens to be completely flag free if security cannot control such incidents.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I really think they need to make the 2024 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AusOpen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AusOpen</a> a flag-free zone if their security repeatedly can't figure this stuff out.</p> <p>Tournament security has been pretty abysmal (though we haven't had the ~annual court invader during the men's final yet). <a href="https://t.co/Mztq6NstPg">https://t.co/Mztq6NstPg</a></p> <p>— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/BenRothenberg/status/1619649716932988929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“Tournament security has been pretty abysmal (though we haven’t had the ~annual court invader during the men’s final yet),” added Rothenberg.</p> <p>Tennis Australia were moved to introduce a complete ban on Russian and Belarusian flags earlier in the Australian Open after a Belarusian flag was spotted being waved during a Ukrainian’s match. </p> <p>Djokovic’s father Srbjan was then caught up in a controversy when he inadvertently posed alongside pro-Vladimir Putin protesters outside the stadium who were holding up a flag with the Russian leader’s face on it. Srbjan then elected not to attend the semi-final nor the final of the tournament in which his son was victorious for a record tenth time.</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

“A wall of people”: Aussie among 153 killed in Halloween stampede

<p dir="ltr">A young Australian is among 153 people who died in a Halloween crowd crush in South Korea.</p> <p dir="ltr">The news was confirmed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Sunday, as “urgent inquiries” continue to help other affected Australians.</p> <p dir="ltr">At least one other dual citizen is in a stable condition in intensive care, as reports emerge that several other Aussies were injured after thousands of people crowded into a narrow street in Seoul to celebrate Halloween on Saturday night.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Australian embassy in Seoul has been notified of the death of an Australian at the tragic event in Seoul,” DFAT said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Consular officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are providing consular assistance to the individual’s family in Australia.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Consular officers are also assisting a number of other Australians who were present at the event.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Australian government sends its condolences to the family and others affected by this tragic incident. We ask for the family's privacy to be respected during this difficult time.”<br />Nathan Taverniti, who survived the incident, spoke to Yonhap News Agency, identifying himself as a friend of the victim, a 23-year-old woman, and later spoke about the lack of response from authorities on TikTok.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just can’t believe it. I was in the front of where it happened,” he said while wiping away tears outside Soonchunhyang University Hospital where some of the victims’ bodies were located.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All I could see was a wall of people.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Taverniti said it was “impossible” to save his friend.</p> <p dir="ltr">“People need to know how bad it was and how little help there was,” he said, adding that he spent Sunday desperately searching for her body.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t know where she is,” he continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can’t find any info … the consulate doesn’t know where she is.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In his TikTok video, Mr Taverniti condemned South Korean authorities for their slow response time, claiming it took half an hour for police to arrive and even longer for other emergency services.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was there when she said she couldn’t breathe,” he said through tears.<br />“There was no stampede. It was a slow and agonising crush.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This crush was not caused by drunk people. It was a lack of planning (from the) police force and emergency services, and nobody was willing to help.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I watched as people sang and filmed and laughed while my friends were dying, along with many other people.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nobody was doing anything to make the crowd stop.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to officials, dozens of attendees went into cardiac arrest following the fatal crush of a 100-000 strong crowd at around 10.22 pm, with hundreds believed to be injured.</p> <p dir="ltr">Olivia Jacovic, an Aussie living in Seoul, told Channel Nine about how she managed to escape the crush, describing the crowd as “shoulder-to-shoulder”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was really hard, I had bruises on my arms from trying to manoeuvre out but we got on the sidelines luckily and we were standing up on this brick wall and we could see above,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was just shoulder-to-shoulder, people couldn’t breathe the shorter people were trying to look up in the air to get some air.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just wanted to get out of there... I don’t care that my clothes were getting ripped.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to local emergency responders, many of the victims were women in their teens or early twenties.</p> <p dir="ltr">Officials added that the incident was believed to have occurred after a large crowd began pushing forward in a narrow alley upon hearing that a celebrity was nearby.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-16cea9fb-7fff-ec20-c6b8-882c6dcecfe7"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Along with 1700 emergency workers, 15 ‘disaster’ medical teams were also deployed to help in the aftermath, but emergency services were still overwhelmed by the sheer number of victims.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Wild allegations suggest Prince Frederik's brother has a "secret crush" on Princess Mary

<p dir="ltr">The feud between Prince Frederik and his younger brother Prince Joachim has made headlines after wild allegations have suggested Joachim has been harbouring a secret crush on his sister-in-law, Princess Mary. </p> <p dir="ltr">The rumours began when Spanish magazine <em>Vanitatis El Confidencial</em> reported that Joachim had drunkenly tried to kiss the princess. </p> <p dir="ltr">“With obvious signs of drunkenness, it seems that the youngest son of Queen Margrethe tried to stamp his lips on his sister-in-law’s mouth,” a source told the publication. </p> <p dir="ltr">“[Mary] got as out of the way as she could and with an unperturbed smile, while [Joachim’s wife] Marie witnessed the embarrassing moment.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Spanish magazine went on to allege that Joachim was “deeply in love” with Mary, and “it didn’t help that in 2007 he announced his engagement to a French girl [Marie] with the same name and striking physical resemblance.”</p> <p dir="ltr">If the shocking allegations prove to be true, it may explain the long-simmering tensions between the royal brothers.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Fred and Joachim haven't been close for years, and this so-called crush on Mary could very much be the reason why," an insider told <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/international-royals/prince-frederik-prince-joachim-in-love-with-princess-mary-75150" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woman's Day</a> exclusively. </p> <p dir="ltr">"It also explains why Mary and Marie have clearly never been very close, despite being sisters-in-law."</p> <p dir="ltr">Relationships within the Danish royal family were <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/denmark-s-queen-strips-grandkids-of-royal-titles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">further fractured recently</a> after Queen Margrethe stripped Joachim’s children of their royal titles.</p> <p>"Joachim is furious about how it's all played out, and blames Fred's ego and his powers of persuasion over their mother," a source told Woman’s Day.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

Horror crash sees cyclist launch into crowd

<p>The opening session of the track cycling event at the Commonwealth Games has been cancelled after a horrific crash left several athletes and spectators injured. </p> <p>A cyclist and his bike were catapulted over the barrier and into the crowd in an incident that brought down several riders in a sickening scene during the men’s 15km scratch race qualifying at the Lee Valley Velodrome.</p> <p>Medical staff rushed to the area where they were seen tending to British cyclist Matt Walls for more than 40 minutes before he was taken to hospital. </p> <p>England’s Commonwealth Games team then provided a positive update on Matt's condition later in the day. </p> <p>“Matt is alert and talking (as he has been throughout) and is being given medical attention in hospital,” the team statement read.</p> <p>The 24-year-old was trying to avoid riders who had fallen in a crash lower down the banking but as he rode up, he clipped another wheel and went over the top into the crowd.</p> <p>Witnesses said that, because of the gradient of the banking, spectators in the front row had been unsighted for the crash. </p> <p>One man received treatment for cuts to his arm while a young girl also received medical attention.</p> <p>Isle of Man rider Matt Bostock was also taken away from the scene on a stretcher. </p> <p>A Birmingham 2022 spokesperson said three riders and two spectators were treated by the on-site medical team. </p> <p>All three riders were taken to hospital, while the spectators were tended to at the scene. </p> <p>The session was abandoned moments later with one more event still scheduled. </p> <p>England’s Commonwealth Games Team released a preliminary statement sending its best wishes to all those involved.</p> <p>“Following a crash in the cycling men’s scratch race, Matt Walls has been taken to hospital for precautionary checks,” the statement read.</p> <p>“We send our best wishes to the riders and spectators involved in the incident, and will provide a further update when we can.”</p> <p>England’s racing team also tweeted, “Thoughts are with all the riders involved in the crash in the velodrome.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Aussie airports brace for record crowds over Easter

<p dir="ltr">Aussie travellers are facing ongoing mayhem across the country as airports feel the pressure of the Easter long weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sydney Airport is at the epicentre of the chaos, with travellers in the airport’s domestic terminals experiencing <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/give-us-patience-chaos-continues-at-sydney-airport" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lengthy queues</a> and hours of waiting to check-in and get through security. </p> <p dir="ltr">With an already stretched staffing system and 82,000 people expected to go through the domestic terminal gates on Thursday - the busiest the airport’s been since 80,000 people filed through on March 6, 2020 - it’s unlikely that the pressure will ease anytime soon.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-72648aaa-7fff-12e4-a353-d8b7b6a6fc84"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">An additional 79,000 people are predicted to travel through the terminals on Good Friday, with numbers dropping to around 60,000 on Saturday and Sunday before picking up again.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Melbourne airport 5:45am.. big queues for bag drops but flights being called out to make sure people aren’t missing them. With traffic into airport too the advice is definitely still to get here early though! <a href="https://twitter.com/10NewsFirstMelb?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@10NewsFirstMelb</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/melbourneairport?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#melbourneairport</a> <a href="https://t.co/R0M8HcdoO2">pic.twitter.com/R0M8HcdoO2</a></p> <p>— Caty Price (@caty_price) <a href="https://twitter.com/caty_price/status/1513968147052736512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 12, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">But the chaos hasn’t been limited to Sydney, after Melbourne and Adelaide airports saw similar situations unfolding on Thursday morning.</p> <p dir="ltr">Melbourne is also expecting crowds over the Easter break, with 380,000 people set to walk through the airport over the entire long weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brisbane hasn’t been spared either, with foot traffic of 56,000 predicted for Thursday.</p> <p dir="ltr">In response, Australians have been advised to arrive at least two hours before their domestic flight - or three hours for international flights - and expect delays.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lyall Stranby, the chief executive of Melbourne Airport, told <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/warnings/sydney-airport-chaos-to-continue-with-more-than-80000-people-expected-on-thursday/news-story/d7b9b0d277cd44cf7240de7ca36dcc5d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em> impacts of the widespread redundancies among airline and airport staff during the pandemic are still being felt despite efforts to rapidly expand the workforce.</p> <p dir="ltr">“COVID-19 decimated airlines and airports and resulted in thousands of highly-skilled workers being stood down or made redundant,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7e015a95-7fff-460f-1493-cd76edce2e9e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“The airlines and their suppliers are now scaling up their workforce but given the safety-critical nature of the jobs they do; recruitment and retraining can take time.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">As someone who works at Sydney Airport, please be kind to us, we are trying to get you to where you need/want to be. Short staffed due to being dead quiet for like 1.5 years and then suddenly going full speed once the borders opened.</p> <p>We get it, it’s hard for us too</p> <p>— louis (@louis20016) <a href="https://twitter.com/louis20016/status/1512282830478356482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Travellers in Melbourne have also faced lengthy wait times for their luggage, with some waiting up to an hour to pick up their bags.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sydney Airport chief executive Geoff Culbert said this period has been challenging for everyone, including passengers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve got staff shortages, we’ve been rebuilding the business from the ground up,” Mr Culbert told 2GB’s Chris Smith on Wednesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You go back to November last year, and we were all in lockdown, we were operating at one percent of normal capacity and we all started recruiting for Easter back in December last year, right when we got a sense of the borders were going to open but we just haven’t been able to get enough staff.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then you add on top of that the Covid issues, on any given day up to 20 percent of staff can’t come to work due to Covid. So we’re running at 60 percent of ordinary staff capacity.”</p> <p dir="ltr">As staff face the crowds, senior staff at Sydney Airport have been told to leave their offices to help manage queues, while retail and IT staff have been redeployed onto the security floor, as reported by <em>news.com.au</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">With airport service staff, including security workers, now recognised as critical workers in NSW and Victoria, they are exempt from isolating for seven days if they are close contacts and have no COVID-19 symptoms.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-115b4b9c-7fff-6be5-306d-6fc435f40145"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @cajlamb (Twitter)</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

One side-splitting moment made crowd lose it at Shane Warne’s memorial

<p dir="ltr">Amid feelings of joy and teary despair, there was one moment at Shane Warne’s memorial service that saw the crowd erupt with laughter, per <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/moment-that-made-the-crowd-lose-it-at-shane-warnes-memorial/news-story/ae03125ea937033e231e46399634d7c9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">A panel of Warnie’s good friends - including former St Kilda player Aaron Hamill - were asked about his fashion choices, including the Peaky Blinders inspired hats he had been wearing in recent years.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hamill explained how the late cricketer’s love of old school hats led to him making an unusual request.</p> <p dir="ltr">“[Shane] said, ‘I’ve got this great idea’, as he always did,” Hamill recalled.</p> <p dir="ltr">Warne decided to email the producers of Peaky Blinders, which follows a family of gangsters in 1900s England, to say that he was a keen fan of the show and ask if he could be on it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So he did that and he rang me back and said, ‘I got the email back’,” Hamill continued. “I said, ‘Please, read it out to me’.</p> <p dir="ltr">“‘Dear Shane, thanks very much. We love your enthusiasm, but unfortunately porcelain veneers weren’t around in Birmingham in 1931. But we love your support. Thank you very much.’”</p> <p dir="ltr">With many fans likely picturing Warne’s great big smile in their minds, they burst out laughing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But that’s what he was like,” Hamill said. “He was ambitious. He was driven. He wouldn’t take no for an answer.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The panel, hosted by Andy Lee, attracted the most laughs the whole night, which saw more than 55,000 gather at the MCG while a billion people watched it from around the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He would be gobsmacked by this,” footy great Sam Newman said of the memorial while he appeared on the panel alongside cricketer Dimitri Mascarenhas, and comedian and actor Glenn Robbins.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll tell you what, I’m finding it hard to get over, the United Nations are a part of this.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I thought, ‘that is extraordinary. He’s actually infiltrated the United Nations and they are here. That is staggering.’”</p> <p dir="ltr">A United Nations representative spoke earlier in the service of Warne’s involvement with a wildlife conservation initiative called The Lion’s Share. They also announced a new “Shane Warne conservation grant” to “memorialise his service and catalyse more action”.</p> <p dir="ltr">As much as there were laughs during the night, there were also plenty of tears and spine-tingling moments.</p> <p dir="ltr">MC Eddie McGuire read out a letter written by Warne’s brother Jason 30 years ago, in which he predicted the legacy Warne would leave behind.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Now is the time to put everything, and I mean everything, into it and make it work for you,” the letter said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So, come on, make some more sacrifices and give people the opportunity in 20 years’ time to say ‘Remember Shane Warne. We’ll never get another leggie like him. He was the best spinner Australia ever had’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Warne’s three children - Summer, Jackson and Brooke - also spoke about their love for their dad and how much they missed him, and fans could be seen wiping away tears.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It has been exactly 26 days since you went to heaven and I miss you more than anything in the whole world,” Summer said, as the first of the three to speak to the crowd.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve had to come to terms with the fact that you won’t be able to walk me down the aisle on my special day. You’re not going to meet your grandchildren that you’re going to have someday, but instead you will be someone I will tell my kids about and how much of an amazing father you were to me. How good of a grandfather you would have made and how they would have loved and adored you just like I do.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1558e40b-7fff-61aa-8645-7862786f29e5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The tears were later replaced by cheers as the siblings unveiled the Shane Warne Stand for the first time.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

"Low IQ": Medvedev beats Kyrgios then takes a swipe at unruly crowd

<p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p>Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev had a go at tennis fans after his four-set defeat of Australian star Nick Kyrgios.</p> <p>Medvedev prevailed 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 in front of a capacity crowd on Rod Laver Arena.</p> <p>Medvedev did his best to block out the crowd's loud antics during the match, even when they were whipped into a frenzy by Kyrgios. However, Medvedev's poise broke post-match in interviews, taking issue with some people in the crowd for booing or cheering between serves when two-times Australian Open champion turned tennis presenter Jim Courier asked him how he kept his emotions in check.</p> <p>"Sorry, I can't hear you," Medvedev said. "Show some respect for Jim Courier, he won here. Let him speak, please, if you respect somebody, at least respect Jim Courier."</p> <p>Medvedev then further admonished the Melbourne Park crowd in an interview with Eurosport.</p> <p>"Break point, second serve and people are cheering like you already made a double fault. That's just disappointing," he said.</p> <p>"It's not everybody who is doing it but those who are doing it probably have a low IQ.</p> <p>"It's not good for the game I think to do it, because probably people don't know, but when you're getting ready for the second serve, it's a tough moment."<br />Despite admitting the need for the crowd to observe etiquette at times, Kyrgios said he thought rowdy crowds were good for the evolution of the sport.</p> <p>"I thought the atmosphere was awesome," Kyrgios said.</p> <p>"You've got, like, you know, the most entertaining player playing in his home slam on Rod Laver, you'd expect the crowd to be like that.<br />Karl Stefanovic appeared to take issue with the Russian tennis star's comments, as he blasted Medvedev on the<span> </span><em>Today Show</em><span> </span>on Friday morning.</p> <p>“Daniil Medvedev, my accountant has a better personality,” Karl said.</p> <p>“Daniil Medvedev, he makes Ivan Lendl look like Beyonce. Daniil Medvedev,<span> </span><em>Terminator 4</em><span> </span>had more facial expressions.”</p> <p>He added: “Insulting the fans like that – they weren’t actually booing him. He misunderstood what was happening.”</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Crowd goes nuts as man learns he's a dad on the big screen

<p><em>Image: Youtube</em></p> <p>A new dad-to-be has been given the surprise of his life while attending a basketball game – and as far as pregnancy announcements go – this is up there with one of the best we've seen.</p> <p>The Orlando Magic fan was happily watching the big game with his partner when the ‘kiss cam’ panned across to them during a break.</p> <p>The man and his partner looked suitably delighted at the attention – but something about the woman's behaviour was not quite right. Almost as though she knew something ELSE was about to happen.</p> <p>Sure enough, as the camera lingered on the couple, a special message appeared along the bottom of the screen: ‘Congrats James! You are you going to be a dad’.</p> <p>At first James did not notice the message – but slowly it became apparent that the rest of the crowd certainly had, as the cheering swelled to a giant crescendo.</p> <p>Then the magic moment arrived: the dad-to-be finally looked a little closer at the big screen, took a second or two to comprehend what he was reading, and was then completely overcome with shock, surprise and pure joy. His reaction will be preserved forever for the young family, and it really was a tremendous one.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fNWuld3hwa8" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>Sadly, James’ team lost the game – going down to the Charlotte Hornets 106-99. But there's no question that he went home a happy man regardless, with a story he will be able to share for many years to come.</p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Local council accidentally crushes woman's car and belongings

<p dir="ltr">A NSW grandmother is still awaiting compensation three months after the local council admitted to accidentally seizing and crushing her car.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wendy Tucker said she is upset at how heartless the council has been when it came to offering help, fixing its mistake, and being clear about what happened to her 1997 Toyota Camry and personal belongings, while critics described the incident as embarrassing and evidence of incompetence on the Central Coast Council’s behalf.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Tucker told<span> </span><em>A Current Affair,<span> </span></em>"I just thought the council would have been more forthcoming.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It was my only car, and it had things in it - personal belongings, emotional things - you get attached to your vehicles regardless of how good or bad they are."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Tucker said that three months ago, she rang the police and council rangers, fearing her car, which was parked near her daughter’s home, had been stolen. The 61-year-old high school science lab assistant claims she was told by the council that the car had been towed, and to expect a letter in the mail that would outline the next steps she should take.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, the next day she received a call from the council informing her that the car had been accidentally crushed. The warning letter from the council arrived a few days later.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Tucker said, "I thought they were exaggerating but apparently it had been crushed completely.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Former Central Coast councilor Greg Best said “heads should roll” after the incident. "Surely they should have just sat down with Mrs Tucker over a cup of tea and said 'sorry, here's what we're going to do'.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This council wracked up the largest financial debt and financial loss of any council in Australia and it has now gone to an all time high in its incompetence and embarrassment."</p> <p dir="ltr">The Council confirmed the car was left in a street at Point Clare for roughly eight weeks during NSW’s COVID-19 lockdown, and that it towed the vehicle following complaints from nearby homeowners. While this is within the council’s power, it is required to contact the registered owner and give warning that the car had been impounded.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Central Coast Council<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/aussie-grandmothers-car-crushed-by-nsw-council-without-warning/b04415f6-ce57-42aa-a2ca-c263a61073f8" target="_blank">provided two statements</a><span> </span>to<span> </span><em>A Current Affair,<span> </span></em>and later offerred an apology to Mrs Tucker. Their most recent statement says, amongst other things, that the “Council apologies to the car owner that adequate notice wasn't provided by letter to the registered address, and despite Council undertaking the process lawfully within the legislation, compensation is assured to the car's owner.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Channel 9</em></p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

What caused the deadly scenes at Astroworld

<p><em><strong>Warning: This story contains graphic content which may distress some readers. </strong></em></p> <p><strong>What is Astroworld?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Astroworld is an annual festival held by 30-year-old rapper Travis Scott in his native Houston, Texas.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The festival, named after his critically acclaimed album, has been running for three years after being founded in 2018 (there was no 2020 show due to the pandemic).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The festival sees young rap fans from all over the country come to enjoy their favourite artists, but the 2021 event was vastly different to the years prior. </span></p> <p><strong>What happened?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On the first night of the festival on Friday night in Houston, the festival began with over an estimated 50,000 people in attendance. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During the course of the evening as Travis Scott took to the stage as the final performer of the night, the crowd began to be crushed by each other. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fans were squeezed in so tightly between other festival-goers and a series of barricades that they could not breathe or move their arms. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As fans started to jump around and dance to the music, people began to fall to the ground and become trapped under a sea of bodies. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fans became compressed towards the front of the stage, as people began to pass out from a lack of oxygen, as paramedics were unable to get to everyone who needed help due to the overwhelming capacity of the crowd.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Houston police have reported that at least 8 people have died in the mass casualty event, and hundreds more people were gravely injured. </span></p> <p><strong>How did this happen?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throughout the beginning of the festival, people began posting photos and videos to social media of people storming the barricades and by-passing security to make it into the event. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fans recounted their time trying to make it into the venue, saying they noticed many people come into the event who didn’t have tickets or the required wristbands to the sold-out concert. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">As we were arriving to the Astroworld Festival at NRG Park right at 2:00, a stampede burst through the gates. Hundreds of people destroyed the VIP security entrance, bypassing the checkpoint. People were trampled. Some were detained. <br /><br />(Excuse any language you may hear) <a href="https://t.co/d0m2rjqAAk">pic.twitter.com/d0m2rjqAAk</a></p> — Mycah Hatfield (@MycahABC13) <a href="https://twitter.com/MycahABC13/status/1456704812456845316?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Fans just broke through the fence to get into <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AstroWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AstroWorld</a><a href="https://t.co/mpi70ZzTOs">pic.twitter.com/mpi70ZzTOs</a></p> — XXL Magazine (@XXL) <a href="https://twitter.com/XXL/status/1456724589560598537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As fans knocked down the barricades, many got stuck under the sea of people storming the venue. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many people believe that as people without tickets pushed their way into the show, the venue quickly rose to maximum capacity, and was filled with people at an unsafe number. </span></p> <p><strong>Why did the concert continue?</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the majority of the injuries and deaths happened while Travis Scott, the main performer of the night, was on the stage, many in the crowd tried to start a chant of “Stop the show”.  </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Fans urged and pleaded with Travis Scott to stop the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASTROFEST?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ASTROFEST</a> show amid the mass casualty event. He continues to sing. <a href="https://t.co/xsBdX2Ew3x">pic.twitter.com/xsBdX2Ew3x</a></p> — Drama For The Girls (@dramaforthegirl) <a href="https://twitter.com/dramaforthegirl/status/1456974764879269890?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Due to the overwhelming noise of the concert production, these cries went underheard by the performer and by concert officials. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two concert-goers even climbed on a platform where a cameraman was filming the event, as they tried to get someone to notice what was happening. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The young woman, Seanna, posted her detailed recount of the event to her </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV7NkBiLf3L/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instagram</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, as another person captured her pleas to the cameraman, saying “Someone is dead in there”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">“There is somebody dead.”<br /><br />“Stop the show. Stop the show. Stop the show.”<br /><br />And the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AstroWorld?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AstroWorld</a> show continued<a href="https://t.co/uHJKGiSosX">pic.twitter.com/uHJKGiSosX</a></p> — David Leavitt (@David_Leavitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/David_Leavitt/status/1457017187038908424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In her recount, Seanna said that as she desperately asked the cameraman to do something, the cameraman told her “he would push me off the 15ft platform if I didn’t get down” because “they were live-streaming the show”. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At one point throughout the show, Travis stops performing and says “Who asked me to stop?” before ignoring the cries of his audience and continuing the concert. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">tw/// astroworld <br /><br />the screams for help oh my God <a href="https://t.co/W1RMyxbE2z">pic.twitter.com/W1RMyxbE2z</a></p> — ★Reena★ (@harujukoo) <a href="https://twitter.com/harujukoo/status/1457053492049285125?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><strong>Has anything like this happened before?</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Yes. At the 2019 Astroworld festival, three people were </span><a href="https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-astroworld-2019-three-people-trampled-20211106-ulo2z6uderci5edpsqbz7s37e4-story.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">trampled and hospitalised</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as fans rushed to the entrance of the music event. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Crowd crushings have long been deadly and led to casualties, as </span><a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/rock-roll-tragedy-why-11-died-at-the-whos-cincinnati-concert-93437/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">11 people died in 1979</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as fans scrambled to enter an Ohio venue for a concert by The Who. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At Sydney’s Olympic Stadium, </span><a href="https://www.abc.net.au/doublej/music-reads/features/how-the-big-day-out-lost-its-innocence/11606956"><span style="font-weight: 400;">teenager Jessica Michalik died</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> after being crushed in a mosh pit at the Big Day Out festival in 2001. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><strong>What now?</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Houston officials are investigating the events that led to the devastating concert, as Travis Scott says he is “absolutely devastated” by what happened at Astroworld. </span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/ijXKslw7E2">pic.twitter.com/ijXKslw7E2</a></p> — TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) <a href="https://twitter.com/trvisXX/status/1457018948109705217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following the deaths of 8 people, the second day of Astroworld was cancelled and the investigation remains ongoing. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images / Twitter</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

"How dare you": Novak Djokovic reacts to frosty reception at Wimbledon

<p>Novak Djokovic has won a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title and sixth Wimbledon crown on Monday morning (AEST) with a four-set victory over Italian slugger Matteo Berrettini with rival superstar Roger Federer hailing the achievement as a "wonderful performance".</p> <p>The world number one triumphed 6-7 (4/7) 6-4 6-4 6-3 to move level on 20 majors with Federer and Rafael Nadal.</p> <p>His victory has put him three-quarters of the way to the first calendar Grand Slam of all four majors since 1969.</p> <p>“I could definitely envisage that happening and I hope I will give it a shot. I’m in great form and played well and having my best form at Grand Slams is my number one priority,” said Djokovic.</p> <p>This was Djokovic's sixth victory at the All England Club, who was playing his 30th final.</p> <p>The win has been added to his previous achievements, as he has won nine Australian Opens, two Roland Garros and three US Open titles.</p> <p>Should he win a fourth title in New York in September, he will become just the third man in history after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) to complete the calendar Grand Slam.</p> <p>“It was more than a battle. He is a true Italian hammer, I felt it on my skin,” said Djokovic of Berrettini.</p> <p>Of sharing the majors record with Federer and Nadal, he added: “It means none of us three will stop. Roger and Rafa are legends, they are the reason I am where I am today.</p> <p>“They showed me what I needed to do to get stronger, physically, tactically and mentally. Over the last 10 years it has been an incredible journey that’s not stopping here.”</p> <p>But despite his incredible efforts, Djokovic was not the crowd favourite.</p> <p>Earlier in the tournament he was given a frosty reception, with spectators leaning towards Berrettini.</p> <p>Tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg noted “these are some loud ‘Matt-e-o!’ chants” while Adam Peacock tweeted: “Novak could be playing a parking officer and still have minority support.”</p> <p>However, the top seed wasn’t going to be affected. After saving two break points to hold for 4-2 in the third set, Djokovic insisted he couldn’t hear the crowd.</p> <p>“I can’t hear you,” he said as he cupped his ear with his racquet.</p> <p>One English TV commentator said: “That’s a very strong hold and that’s full of character. Who do you think you’re dealing with here? The best player of all time.</p> <p>“To come here and win five times, ‘You still don’t love me? How dare you’.”</p> <p>Another commentator added: “That’s exactly the conversation he’s having.”</p> <p>In a post-match press conference, Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic said: “The crowd, it’s normal they were for Matteo, they want him. But still he (Djokovic) is amazing. He doesn’t want to go. Like in the movies. You have to kill the guy 27 times &amp; still he gets up &amp; you have to kill him again &amp; he gets up, he gets up. He just, you can’t.”</p> <p>Ivanisevic also said he thinks the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) debate in men’s tennis is already closed in favour of his charge, but added: “If he wins the US Open, I think it’s over.”</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

"Crushed with guilt": Decision to put down "pandemic puppy" causes heated debate

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A journalist has sparked debates online over her decision to euthanise her dog she adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Madeline Bills published a piece on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Slate </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">sharing the story of her adoption of Bennie, “a six-year old beagle whose photo melted my heart”, just before Christmas.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Like many others last year, I was thrilled to adopt a dog,” she wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The so called pandemic puppy boom made for what felt like stiff competition at the time.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, the journalist said the New Jersey animal shelter she adopted Bonnie from likely failed to inform her of the dog’s history of aggressive behaviour.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After six months of behavioural training and “daily dog anxiety meds” seemed to make no difference to Bonnie’s biting, Bilis made the decision to try and rehome the pooch.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But I soon learned the shelter where Bonnie came from wouldn’t help me. A volunteer explained that Bonnie was too dangerous to adopt out again, and their affiliated sanctuaries - including several beagle-specific rescues - declined to take her,” she wrote. “Another dog rescue organisation in New York City told me that her bite history - seven bites at the time, though that number would grow - was too extensive for her to even qualify for a special rehabilitation program.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bilis said both conversations ended with the same conclusion: “behavioural euthanasia”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She was adorable - and violent,” Bilis wrote. “I found a resolution many choose but few acknowledge.” </span></p> <p><a href="https://twitter.com/madelinebilis/status/1402611855252668417"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://twitter.com/madelinebilis/status/1402611855252668417</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The article drew praise from some readers for addressing a difficult topic, which described how Bonnie was involved in several biting incidents.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Last Christmas morning, I patted my bed, invitingly my newly adopted beagle, Bonnie, to jump and cuddle,” she began in the piece.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My boyfriend, still under the covers, reached out to pet her soft little head, which was now wedged between us. I turned away to grab my phone, and it happened: a guttural bark, followed by a human scream. I whipped around to see my boyfriend’s hand covered in blood. It was Bonnie’s second bite in the week since I’d adopted her.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bilis recounted another incident where Bonnie bit a man walking past them on the footpath, though she was surprised “the man brushed off the incident”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the number of incidents continued to grow, Bilis said her “desire to stop living with a dangerous animal” grew too.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“As the weeks went by and no new options appeared, I realised I had a choice: I could send her off with a stranger one day - someone she would certainly injure, and who would perhaps end up euthanising her anyway - or I could allow her to leave this terrifying world peacefully with someone she loves.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She stressed the choice to pursue behavioural euthanasia was “not a decision made out of convenience”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Crushed with guilt, I wondered if there was more I could have done to help my sweet beagle,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unsurprisingly, the article drew criticism online, with other owners of adopted dogs claiming the decision was motivated by inconvenience.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One user said that in her “30-year-plus career as a veterinarian who works on dogs with anxieties and behavioural issues, I’ve only had to euthanise two dogs for child safety reason.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many also defended Bilis, agreeing she had no choice in the matter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“A lot of people angry about this article but obviously the correct thing to do with a violent and dangerous domesticated animal is put it down,” wrote </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Daily Wire</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> host Matt Walsh.</span></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Melbourne crowd's disgraceful act after Djokovic wins 18th Australian Open

<p>A chorus of boos was heard around Rod Laver Arena before Novak Djokovic and Banil Medvedev addressed the crowd following the Australian Open final.</p> <p>Djokovic secured an incredible ninth titled title at Melbourne Park - his 18th grand slam crown - by defeating Medvedev in straight sets as he put on a stunning display in the Victorian capital.</p> <p>Jayne Hrdlicka, the chair of Tennis Australia appeared on stage during the post-match ceremony on Sunday night and would not have been expecting the backlash that erupted over some of her comments.</p> <p>After congratulating the two players, Hdlicka thanked several people while also addressing the pandemic.</p> <p>Needless to say, a few of her remarks were not well received by the Melbourne crowd.</p> <p>The first moment which spurred a negative reaction was Hrdlicka’s mention of the recent COVID-19 vaccine rollout.</p> <p>“It’s been a time of heartfelt challenge. It’s been a time of deep loss and extraordinary sacrifice for everyone,” Hrdlicka said.</p> <p>“With vaccinations on the way, rolling out in many countries around the world, it’s now a time for optimism and hope for the future.”</p> <p>The comment sparked outrage amongst fans, who could be heard booing from the stands.</p> <p>Professor Lisa Harvey-Smith tweeted: “People booing vaccines at the #ausopen need to take a long hard look at their privilege. Disgraceful behaviour.”</p> <p>The crowd once again booed after Hrdlicka thanked the Victorian Government for their support.</p> <p>Premier Daniel Andrews has plenty of supporters in his home state, but there are also many who are unhappy with the strict lockdowns he’s imposed as Victoria fought to prevent the spread of COVID-19.</p> <p>“There are many other people to thank that enabled this great night to take place in the last couple of weeks,” Hrdlicka said.</p> <p>“The top of that list is a Victorian Government, without you we could not have done this.”</p> <p>Spectators repeatedly interrupted Hrdlicka, with the TA chair eventually losing her patience and coldly saying: “When you’re finished …”</p> <p>Hrdlicka added: “You are a very opinionated group of people, but whether you’re at home or here tonight, we are really thankful that you’re here. We look forward to seeing you next year.”</p> <p>There was plenty of criticism reserved for the crowd's response.</p> <p>Former Australian tennis star Rennae Stubbs tweeted: “These fans booing are disgraceful! Honestly!!! Grow up!”</p> <p>Journalist Isabelle Lane posted: “Embarrassing scenes at this #AusOpen presentation. Tennis Australia boss Jayne Hrdlicka booed by parts of crowd when mentioning the coronavirus vaccine rollout and thanking the Victorian government for the event. Hrdlicka notably failed to thank the people of Melbourne/Vic.”</p> <p>Cricket reporter Danyal Rasool tweeted: “Booing the Victorian government, one of the few in the world that actually took the measures that made it possible for them to sit in the crowd to boo in the first place, is a next-level self-awareness fail.”</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Christian school expells 8-year-old for crush on another girl

<p>A girl has been expelled from school after admitting to a fellow student she had a crush on her, according to her mum.</p> <p>8-year-old Chloe Shelton was expelled from Rejoice Christian School in the US state of Oklahoma, after four years due to the school's beliefs on same sex relationships.</p> <p>Speaking to CNN, Delanie Shelton, Chloe's mum, said the vice-principal told her daughter: “the Bible says that women can only have children with a man”.</p> <p>Ms Shelton said the vice-principal asked her about homosexuality to which she replied saying she has "no issues with it".</p> <p>Chloe was sent home and was told not to return on Friday. The superintendent then contacted the family to let them know they were "ending their partnership" due to differing beliefs, and also expelled Chloe's five-year-old brother.</p> <p>"I was so blindsided. I was angry, hurt, betrayed, sad... so many different emotions. I just couldn't believe it," she told CNN.</p> <p>Superintendent Joel Pepin refused to comment on the issue due to privacy reasons.</p> <p>The school's handbook does state that students should not engage in public displays of affection, and any form of "sexual immorality" such as "professing to be homosexual/bisexual" goes against its beliefs.</p> <p>To compromise on this means students forfeit their enrolment.</p>

Legal

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.