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Biggest box office bombs revealed

The biggest box office bombs for 2023 have been revealed, with Disney dominating the list. New data from <a href="https://deadline.com/2024/05/biggest-box-office-bombs-2023-lowest-grossing-movies-1235902825/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deadline</a> reports that four Disney films ranked topped the list of movies with the highest studio net loss for 2023. While the outlet reported that Disney typically “owns a majority of the year’s top 10 most profitable films thanks to Marvel movies,” that was not the case for 2023. According to their calculations, superhero film The Marvels had a studio net loss of $A358 million, after only earning the franchise $71 million at the box office in its opening weekend, their lowest number to date. In November 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger addressed the box office blunder at The New York Times’ Dealbook Summit, saying that because the film was shot during covid, “there wasn’t as much supervision on the set, so to speak, where we have executives [that are] really looking over what’s being done day after day after day.” Deadline claimed that another reason why the film flopped was because it "was trying to thread storylines from Disney+ shows like Ms. Marvel," which wasn't as well-received by fans compared to other series like Loki and WandaVision. Iger shared the same belief, saying that Marvel’s mass of content on Disney+ "diluted focus and attention," contributing to the franchise's failure at the box office. The Marvels was followed by The Flash, a Warner Bros. and DC production with a $234 million studio net loss. Three other Disney films also made the list, with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny coming in third place with a $216 million net loss, followed by Wish with a $198 million loss and Haunted Mansion with a $117 million loss. Image: Getty

Movies

Firefighter adopts baby girl found in drop-off baby box

When a US firefighter answered an alarm from within his own station, he could never have predicted the outcome. The man - who has chosen to remain anonymous - was working an overnight shift at his Florida station, Ocala Fire Rescue Station 1, when he was woken around 2am on January 2 by the noise. He recognised it straightaway as the alarm designed to notify first responders that a baby had been placed in their station’s Safe Haven Baby Box - a drop-off point specifically designed to allow someone to both safely and anonymously surrender a child. But as he confessed to Today, he “thought it was a false alarm” until he opened the box and discovered who was inside: a healthy baby girl swaddled in a pink blanket. “She had a little bottle with her and she was just chilling,” he said. “I picked her up and held her. We locked eyes, and that was it. I’ve loved her ever since that moment.” And he meant every word of it, with he and his wife going on to welcome her into their family, and to adopt her as their own. According to the firefighter, who is also a trained paramedic, he and his wife had been having trouble conceiving for more than a decade, and immediately he had started connecting the pieces. However, he hadn’t called his wife the second he found their future-daughter, hoping to avoid waking her, but that he’d known “she’d be on board” with his plan to take the baby to the hospital and ask about the likelihood of adopting her. He’d then gone through with that plan, writing a note to leave with the baby that “explained that my wife and I had been trying for 10 years to have a baby. I told them we’d completed all of our classes in the state of Florida and were registered to adopt. "All we needed was a child." It was then that he got in touch with his wife, filling her in on what had transpired that evening, and requesting that she not get too excited, as he himself was afraid the note might have been separated from the baby, and that “she’d be gone.” The days to follow were stressful for the hopeful couple, but just two days later on January 4, their dreams came true, and baby Zoey went home with her forever family. Three months later, they adopted her. The firefighter revealed that it was difficult not to become emotional when sharing their stories, and that he believed a higher power had been “helping us out” with the way she’d come into their lives. And as for why they’d chosen to share their story, he said it was in the hope that it would give young Zoey’s biological mother “some closure”, as they just wanted her to know that Zoey was “taken care of and that she’s loved beyond words.” Images: CBS News

Family & Pets

“Lunch-box-mum queen”: Woman goes viral over 2 ingredient cake mix

One Coles shopper has taken the internet by storm, revealing a “snack hack” with just two ingredients. Aussie mum-of-three Claudia creates content on TikTok on cheap Kmart buys, a day in the life of her family, and her most popular videos, her “snack hacks”. For her most recent hack, only two ingredients are required. “Snack hack! Again!” she said in the video, which has attracted more than 70,000 views on TikTok. “So, this one, I’m looking forward to. “This is not healthy. This is two ingredients — Nutella and eggs — and it’s supposed to make the gooiest, chocolatiest, yummiest cake ever. “I have not tried this before so let’s get to it.” Claudia didn’t have Nutella in her pantry, but she bought the Coles version, which she claims tastes very similar. “I’m a big believer in using what you have, but a few people said ‘check this out, make this, it’s delicious’ so I just had to,” she continued. “I did go and buy the Coles one, and it was very cheap, and I’m sure a lot of people do have Nutella in their cupboard.” For the snack hack, Claudia used one cup of the chocolate spread and four eggs to create a gooey cake mix. “If ‘trust the process’ had a cover photo, it would be this,” she said, visibly grossed out by the gooey batter. “It is safe to say I won’t be trying any of this cake mix.” Claudia instructed viewers to put the cake in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. “Do you know how good this smells?” she said as she took the cake tin out of the oven. She was even more excited by the time she tried it. “That is so good. So, so good. Like no exaggeration. So freaking good,” she said. People flooded the comments, applauding Claudia for another great “snack hack”. “I’m soooo trying this,” one person wrote. “Thank you, lunch-box-mum queen,” another added. “I honestly thought it was going to come out looking like chocolate scrambled eggs,” a third said. Claudia is renowned on TikTok for making snacks that are easy on household budgets, so people were grateful she used the cheaper Coles chocolate spread. “The Coles Nutella is just as good in my opinion,” one wrote. Image credit: TikTok

Food & Wine

Room to Move: Desperate renters forced into backyard boxes

Victorian tenants have taken desperate measures in their hunt for a home in the midst of a housing crisis, turning to portable rooms set up in their parent’s driveways and backyards. The portables - described as ‘stand-alone separate rooms’ - have been seen across Facebook Marketplace for up to $180 per week, in a time when Melbourne’s median rent has reached $460 each week. The company behind the Room to Move initiative have advertised a 7.2sq m room for $150 per week, and for those seeking a little more wiggle room, a 10.1sq m room is available for $180. However, a minimum hire period of six months applies to both, as well as a bond of $500, and a one-month written notice to end the lease. And for anyone just outside of Melbourne who might be interested, the rooms can be delivered within a three-to-four hour drive from the city - for a fee of $250. The spaces don’t come with bathrooms, but do feature weatherproof electrical sockets that power two double power points, two internal downlights, and a reverse cycle air conditioner. “There’s plenty of demand for people looking for a short term solution for accommodation,” Room to Move co-founder Nick Nottle said of the decision to launch the spaces. “Typically people place [the rooms] in their backyard or on their driveway back off the street a bit.” He noted that the spaces attracted the most attention from renters who were moving back in with family in a bid to save enough for their own house deposit, and that he and business partner Mike Rose launched Room to Move when they noticed a gap in the market, and saw an opportunity for portables that weren’t an eyesore in a residential environment. “Neighbours don’t really complain because people like the look of it,” he said, “it doesn’t look like you’ve just dropped a big shipping container in your backyard.” Beyond desperate renters, however, Nick believes the ‘properties’ also appeal to parents who want something self-contained to get their teenagers out of their hair, as well as having somewhere to house visitors coming from a long way away. And last but not least, according to Nick, “the other group is people using them as an office to work from home, or for studio-type businesses like a lash salon, tattoo parlour or hairdresser - things you can do from home rather than renting a space elsewhere.” Images: Facebook, realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Gaming 'loot boxes' linked to problem gambling

Gamers who purchase 'loot boxes' - digital treasure chests filled with random items that you buy in games using real-world currency - are more likely to have a problem with gambling, according to new research. A study published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2022.2141717" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Addiction Research & Theory</a> has found that 57 percent of adults surveyed who had bought loot boxes had gambled in the same year, compared to 37 percent of a control group who hadn't bought the virtual items. While previous studies have found a link between loot box purchasing, gambling and problem gambling, this study explored whether this link was due to psychological risk factors for gambling, such as childhood neglect, emotional distress, and the tendency to act rashly when upset. After analysing the purchase history and questionnaires of 1,189 Canadian university students, along with 499 adults recruited from the community, they found that a similar proportion of the students and adults had bought loot boxes, with an average spend between $90.63 and $240.94 respectively. Among the students, 28 percent of loot box-purchasers also gambled, in comparison to 19 percent of those who hadn't bought any loot boxes. Students who reported buying more loot boxes and other 'riskier' habits were also more likely to have a gambling habit. While this wasn't seen in the adult group, the authors argue this may be due to the small sample size. "Findings indicate that loot box purchasing represents an important marker of risk for gambling and problem gambling among people who play video games," Sophie Coelho, a PhD student at Toronto’s York University, said. "The persistent associations we observed between loot box purchasing and gambling may provide preliminary support for the role of loot boxes as a 'gateway' to gambling and eventually problem gambling. "Loot boxes may prime people to gamble and increase susceptibility to problem gambling." As for the role of gambling risk factors, the authors found that adverse childhood experiences, like abuse and neglect, were "most consistently associated with an increased likelihood of past-year gambling and greater problem gambling". They concluded that those with troubled upbringings have a "heightened vulnerability" to develop a gambling problem. “This may be compounded by engaging with gambling-like features embedded in video games, such as loot boxes," they added. Loot boxes, also called loot or prize crates, have become the subject of controversy recently, with concerns that their use of random chance to give players randomised weapons, armour, and items they can use to customise their character could be a form of gambling. In some games, loot boxes became a way to “pay to win”, with items that can affect gameplay and offer a competitive advantage, driving players to pay for more loot boxes to get items that allow them to compete with other players. Some countries have begun to introduce laws to regulate loot boxes, with Belgium and the Netherlands banning loot boxes altogether. In Australia, a law to restrict the use of loot boxes in games aimed at children has been proposed which could see games with loot boxes given a rating of R18+ or RC (“Refused Classification”, so they can't be sold in Australia) and carry warning labels. Image: Sameboat, CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Money & Banking

Five things to keep in your car's glove box

Whether it’s a long drive to visit family or a quick trip to the local shopping centre, your car should always be equipped with a few essential items. Does your car have all of these items? While many of today’s new cars feature the latest gadgets and technologies for comfort and safety, many don’t come with other useful everyday items which are vital in case of emergency or an unforseen event. For example, a flashlight would come in handy if you need to change a tyre in the evening or an in-car phone charger for when your battery has gone flat. By storing these types of essential items in your glove box, you’ll always be prepared for when life takes an unexpected turn. 1. Important documents wallet One item that should always be stored away in the glove box is a plastic folder or wallet with your vehicle documents, such as owner’s manual, emergency contact numbers and proof of insurance. A spare pen and paper will also come in handy. The owner’s manual should always be left in the car so you never lose it and should be the first point of reference for when experiencing car trouble. 2. Plastic bags and tissues You would be surprised at the number of times you’ll need a plastic bag or some tissues. There could be a spill, a car mess or a passenger may not be feeling well. All good reasons for keeping a few plastic bags handy. The same can be said for tissues or wet wipes, which will be useful if your hands get greasy from having to change a tyre or lift up the hood of the car to check the oil and water levels. 3. First aid kit Always a good inclusion no matter where you go. A basic first aid kit can be purchased from your local pharmacy. Along with the basic contents, such as bandages, antiseptic cream or solution, and a pair of tweezers, make sure you include any items specific to you. If your first aid kit won’t fit in the glove box, pop it under the front passenger seat so it’s easily accessible, if needed. 4. Torch For long trips, it’s a good idea to have a torch stowed away. You never know when you might need to change a tyre or inspect your vehicle for unusual sounds that might occur whilst driving at night. A small LED flashlight would do the trick – and remember to keep a spare pack of batteries in the glove box too. 5. Mobile phone charger Back in the days before we all had mobile phones, we actually remembered phone numbers! However, nowadays, many of us have these important digits stored away in our phones. This makes having a spare phone charger very important, especially when you need to contact someone and your phone has run out of battery. There are phone car charges which you can plug into the power outlet in your car to then charge the battery on your mobile phone. Image: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Top Gun: Maverick surpasses $1 billion worldwide

Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick has officially surpassed $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Over the weekend, the film saw a huge $30.5 million domestically and $44.5 million in overseas markets. This overall totals to $521 million domestic and $484 million international, putting it just past $1 billion globally. According to Paramount, more than 16 percent of the Top Gun: Maverick audience has seen the film more than once in theatres, while four percent have seen it four times or more. This is only the second time since the pandemic began that a Hollywood title jumped over the $1 billion behind Sony and Disney’s Spider-Man: No Way Home ($1.89 billion). The movie officially became the highest-grossing movie of Cruise’s career when it toppled over $800 million. His 2018 film Mission Impossible: Fallout previously held the highest rank with $791.1 million. Analysts don’t think the momentum will last long with Elvis hitting the screens and Top Gun sitting around the $900 million mark. Image: YouTube

Movies

(At least) five reasons you should wear gardening gloves

Gardening is a great way to relax, be one with nature and get your hands dirty. But lurking in that pleasant environment are some nasty bacteria and fungi, with the potential to cause you serious harm. So we need to be vigilant with gardening gloves and other protective wear. Soils contain all sorts of bacteria and fungi, most of which are beneficial and do helpful things like breaking down organic matter. But just as there are pathogenic bacteria that live on your body amid the useful ones, some microorganisms in soil can cause serious damage when given the opportunity to enter the body. This commonly happens through cuts, scrapes or splinters. Plants, animal manure, and compost are also sources of bacteria and fungi that can cause infections. <h2>1. Tetanus</h2> Traditionally, the most common and well-known infection is tetanus, caused by Clostridium tetani, which lives in soil and manure. Infections occur through contamination of cuts and scrapes caused by things in contact with the soil, such as garden tools or rose thorns. Fortunately, most people have been vaccinated against tetanus, which means even if you are infected, your body is able to fight back against the bacteria to prevent it becoming serious. Symptoms include weakness, stiffness and cramps, with the toxins released leading to muscular paralysis and difficulty chewing and swallowing – hence the common term for tetanus of lockjaw. <h2>2. Sepsis</h2> Bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes are often present in gardens as a result of using cow, horse, chicken <a href="http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/urban_hort/Gardening-Infectious-Disease.PDF">or other animal manure</a>. Bacterial infections can lead to sepsis, where the bacteria enter the blood and rapidly grow, causing the body to respond with an inflammatory response that causes septic shock, organ failure, and, if not treated quickly enough, death. A <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/03/solicitor-dies-from-sepsis-five-days-after-injuring-her-hand-gar/">high-profile case recently occurred</a> in England, where a 43-year-old solicitor and mother of two died five days after scratching her hand while gardening. This hits close to home, as a number of years ago my mother spent ten days in intensive care recovering from severe sepsis, believed to be caused by a splinter from the garden. <h2>3. Legionellosis</h2> Standing pools of water may hold Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria causing Legionnaires’ disease, more commonly known to be associated with outbreaks from contaminated air conditioning systems in buildings. Related bacteria, Legionella longbeachae, are found in soil and compost. In 2016 there were <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/77013947/8-dangers-lurking-in-your-garden-that-you-might-not-know-about">29 confirmed cases of legionellosis in New Zealand</a>, including a Wellington man who picked up the bug <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/76915471/potting-mix-nearly-kills-wellington-man">from handling potting mix</a>. Another ten cases were reported in Wellington in 2017, again associated with potting soil. In New Zealand and Australia, Legionella longbeachae from potting mix accounts for approximately <a href="http://hcinfo.com/about/outbreaks/recent/">half of reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease</a>. There were <a href="http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/cda-cdi4001e8.htm">around 400 total cases</a> of Legionellosis in Australia in 2014. The bacteria is usually inhaled, so wearing a dust mask when handling potting soil and dampening the soil to prevent dust are recommended. <h2>4. Melioidosis</h2> An additional concern for residents of northern Australia is an infection called melioidosis. These bacteria (Burkholderia pseudomallei) live in the soil but end up on the surface and in puddles after rain, entering the body through cuts or grazes, and sometimes through inhalation or drinking groundwater. Infection causes a range of symptoms, such as cough and difficulty breathing, fever or sporadic fever, confusion, headache, and weight loss, with up to 21 days before these develop. In 2012, there were <a href="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/warning-as-three-die-from-soil-disease/news-story/293f88df25be1ed673d8eea5c443e4dc?sv=d2b413f169f14cdab32b7c5257c75ced">over 50 cases in the Northern Territory</a>leading to three deaths, with <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-12/melioidosis-season-darwin-man-flees-deadly-dirt-disease/6846404">another case receiving publicity in 2015</a>. Preventative measures include wearing waterproof boots when walking in mud or puddles, gloves when handling muddy items, and, if you have a weakened immune system, avoiding being outdoors during heavy rain. <h2>5. Rose gardener’s disease</h2> A relatively rare infection is sporotrichosis, “rose gardener’s disease”, caused by a fungus (Sporothrix) that lives in soil and plant matter such as rose bushes and hay. Again, infections through skin cuts are most common, but inhalation can also occur. Skin infection leads to a small bump up to 12 weeks later, which grows bigger and <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/sporotrichosis/index.html">may develop into an open sore</a>. An outbreak of ten cases was <a href="http://outbreaknewstoday.com/australia-sporotrichosis-outbreak-reported-in-the-northern-territory-41184/">reported in the Northern Territory in 2014</a>. Aspergillus, usually Aspergillus fumigatus, and Cryptococcus neoformans are other fungi that can cause lung infections when inhaled, usually in people with <a href="http://www.livingthecountrylife.com/gardening/fungal-infection-garden-work/">weakened immune systems</a>. Gardening activities such as turning over moist compost can release spores into the air. Of course, there are plenty of other dangers in the garden that shouldn’t be ignored, ranging from poisonous spiders, snakes and stinging insects, to hazardous pesticides and fungicides, poisonous plants, and physical injuries from strains, over-exertion, sunburn, allergies, or sharp gardening tools. So enjoy your time in the garden, but wear gloves and shoes, and a dust mask if handling potting soil or compost. And be aware if you do get a cut or scrape then end up with signs of infection, don’t delay seeing your doctor, and make sure you let them know what you’ve been doing. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/at-least-five-reasons-you-should-wear-gardening-gloves-89451" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home & Garden

Black box from China flight wreckage uncovered

Emergency workers in China have uncovered one of two black boxes from the China Eastern flight that <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/terrifying-final-moments-of-crashed-passenger-jet-emerge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">crashed</a> earlier this week with 132 people on board. What is believed to be the cockpit voice recorder appeared to have survived the impact, a Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) official said on Wednesday. Flight MU5735 was en route from the southwestern city of Kunming to Guangzhou when it suddenly took a nosedive into the ground and erupted in a fireball on impact. According to the flight data, the plane had almost reached its destination after being in the air for more than an hour when it suddenly dropped from an altitude of 29,100ft to 9075ft in just two minutes and 15 seconds. The search for the second black box is continuing on the ground, while the cause of the crash has yet to be determined. Most of the plane appears to have disintegrated upon impact, although some debris and human remains have been found. “An initial inspection showed that the exterior of the recorder has been severely damaged but the storage units, while also damaged to some extent, are relatively complete,” CAAC official Zhu Tao said. The black box is being sent to a Beijing institute for decoding. Investigators are looking at several possible causes of the crash - including deliberate action, pilot error, or technical issues such as a structural failure or mid-air collision. Image credits: Twitter

Travel Trouble

"We are back to zero": Family speak out after son’s fatal sting

A 14-year-old boy who was stung by a box jellyfish in Far North Queensland has died. Mark Angelo Ligmayo was stung on Saturday at Eimeo Beach in the Mackay region and was taken to Mackay Hospital in a critical condition. He went into cardiac arrest on the beach and succumbed to his injuries about an hour after he arrived at the hospital. A witness told the <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/eimeo-beach-teenager-suffers-reported-cardiac-arrest-after-jellyfish-sting/news-story/d91418b68df167610cd2ecf652b2b5c6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mercury</a> that she saw him make it to shore with an “unreadable expression on his face” and his legs “covered in tentacles”. The publication also reported that the screams erupted on the beach from parents calling for their children to get out of the water while others rushed to help him. “We were there as he exited the water, quickly after that he was semi-conscious,” Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club president Ross Gee told the outlet. “We had a defib on him the whole time, he never lost his pulse, there was shallow breathing. “We doused him with approximately 30 litres of vinegar, all the vinegar on the beach.” The beach has been closed until further notice and the public has been urged to stay out of the water. Eimeo Surf Life Saving Club shared their condolences for the family on Sunday, and thanked the members of the public who assisted their volunteer lifesavers in helping Mark Angelo. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Feimeo.slsc%2Fposts%2F3137194476599351&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="725" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> Agnes Guinumtad, Mark Angelo’s mother, told <a href="https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/mackay/mackay-fatal-box-jellyfish-sting-parents-tribute-to-14yearold-boy/news-story/14d5421b775d48f88080528702a266e3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Mercury</a> the family had been excited to spend the day at the beach together three months after she, Mark Angelo, and his sister joined her husband in starting a new life in Australia. Nick Guinumtad came to Australia nearly a decade ago, working as a boilermaker and taking every opportunity to visit his family in the Philippines, where they waited for visas to join him. After Covid delayed their reunion, they were reunited in December last year and began to settle in. “I could see my son’s face, and I could see the pain,” Mrs Guinumtad said of the moment she saw lifeguards and bystanders attempt to save her son’s life. “I kept praying and praying, I didn’t stop praying. I prayed that he would say something.” With the death of Mark Angelo, his family said they don’t know where to go from here. “We are back to zero,” Mr Guinumtad told the outlet. Mrs Guinumtad has expressed her wish to take her son’s body back to the Philippines so that her parents, who often raised him while she worked, can say a final goodbye. “I don’t know the process, I don’t even know where to start,” she said. The family has asked for anyone in the community who may know how to help to reach out and have started a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-guinumtad-family-bring-their-son-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> to raise funds to take him home. They have also thanked the lifeguards and bystanders who worked so hard to save their son and others who cared for their daughter while they went with him to the hospital. Mark Angelo’s death marks the third fatal box jellyfish sting since 2006. Large box jellyfish - which are regarded as one of the world’s most venomous animals - have caused more than 70 fatalities in Australia, according to Queensland Health. “If you don’t have a protective suit and you know there could be stingers or jellyfish in the water, just don’t go in,” Queensland Health has previously <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/disaster-and-emergency/deadly-box-jellyfish-sting-kills-queensland-teen-near-mackay-c-5855865" target="_blank" rel="noopener">warned</a>. “It’s also important that people are familiar with resuscitation methods - early resuscitation after major stings from box jellies has saved lives in the past few years.” Image: Nic Guinumtad (Facebook)

Travel Trouble

Oh no you DIDN'T: Burglar breaks into home of boxing and rugby champ

Former Samoan international rugby and boxing star Lio Falaniko <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/burglar-picks-wrong-home-after-entering-former-samoan-heavyweight-boxing-rugby-stars-property/APAPH4CO2UDDYGZ7UHQ5ROZRWU/" target="_blank">has shared</a> his surprise encounter with a burglar - after the unidentified man attempted to break into his home. Falaniko was sitting in his underwear at his Perth home on December 28 and deciding which movie to watch on Netflix when the bizarre event unfolded. Speaking to Perth Now, the 51-year-old recalled how the burglar brazenly walked through his front door and headed towards the kitchen that afternoon - and what he did next. “I’d just got home from the shops and the dude just walked straight into my house,” he recalled. “There were so many things that went through my head … with my ability and skills as a former boxer, I could have punched him to the moon and back.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7846778/240398722_1526032987742718_4294637066855466906_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/061ded385baf49108788c288486ba24b" /> Rugby and heavyweight boxing star Lio Falaniko had a shock encounter with a burglar who strolled into his home one afternoon. Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook) After the burglar realised the huge mistake he had made, he attempted to double back and sprint out the door. Unfortunately for him, Falaniko had already gotten to his feet, grabbing the robber by the neck and bringing him back into the house. Though the former rugby star was ready to have a go at the man, he decided against it. “But the guy was so small, I felt sorry for him and he’s lucky I was still in the Christmas spirit,” Falaniko said. “So I told him to f*** off before I called the ambulance for him and wished him a Happy New Year. “He looked like he’d seen a ghost and ran.” With both Falaniko and the burglar walking away unscathed, the sports star had an important lesson to share. “You should be careful whose house you walk into,” he said. Perth locals soon weighed in on the situation, with many praising Falaniko’s decision not to harm the burglar. “What an absolute champion of a human being,” one person said. “I would not have been as forgiving. However, well done to this fine example of a man,” another shared. Others poked fun at the burglar, with one person saying: “He probably ran home to change his pants”. Born in the Samoan capital of Apia, Falaniko went on to represent Samoa 21 times in international rugby between 1990 and 1999. From 1996 until 1999, he also played Super Rugby for the Otago Highlanders and Wellington Hurricanes. As for his boxing career, Falaniko fought in 10 professional heavyweight bouts between 2005 and 2011 in New Zealand and was undefeated. He now works as a personal trainer in Perth. Image: Lio Falaniko (Facebook)

Legal

Royal family’s annual Boxing Day Hunt cancelled

The British Royal Family’s annual Boxing Day Hunt is likely going to be cancelled this year as a result of the cold temperature. The hunt, also known as Balmoral’s Glorious Twelfth, may not go ahead this Christmas as the colder than usual temperatures have contributed to fewer animal births. During the hunt, male members of the royal family hunt pheasants and grouse. Prince William is known to love the tradition, and was expected to bring his eldest child, eight-year-old Prince George, along with him. In 2018, there was speculation that Prince Harry would not attend the hunt amidst rumours his wife would not approve. However, reports later claimed that he did attend, with a source telling Us Weekly at the time, “There were never any questions that he wouldn't participate in that.” In addition, Meghan Markle accompanied sister-in-law Kate Middleton to the post-shoot lunch at the log cabin on the family’s estate. The hunt is not the only royal Christmas tradition in danger this year, after the Queen was forced to cancel her usual pre-Christmas lunch due to a spike of COVID-19 cases in the UK. Daily Mirror editor Russell Myers claimed on the Today Show that the Queen may also be forced to cancel her Christmas Day celebrations as well. Myers said of the Queen’s decision to cancel the pre-Christmas gathering, “The rates of COVID-19 are surging by the hour in the UK, so I think it was a sensible decision. The Queen was always going to consult her family to see whether they indeed wanted this party to go ahead." Image: Pool/Samir Hussein/WireImage

Family & Pets

Director blames millennials for box office flop

Director Ridley Scott has placed the blame for his latest movie’s poor performance on millennials for a bizarre reason: their mobile phones. Scott’s medieval film, The Last Duel, is based on a real-life ritual duel between knight Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) after Jean’s wife, Marguerite (Jodie Comer) accuses Jacques of sexually assaulting her. Despite the A-list cast and positive reviews ahead of its release in cinemas, The Last Duel has bombed at the box office after raking in $4.8 million on its opening weekend. It currently has a domestic gross of $10 million, a sliver of its $100 million budget. The 83-year-old director behind hit films like Alien, Gladiator, and Blade Runner first mentioned his gripe with the millennial generation during an appearance on Marc Maron’s WTF Podcast. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Today is Ridley Scott day on <a href="https://t.co/KBRiPQLutw">https://t.co/KBRiPQLutw</a>! Blade Runner, historical epics, his secret weapon in filmmaking, House of Gucci! Great talk! Do it up! Episode - <a href="https://t.co/PWcTZfeV3k">https://t.co/PWcTZfeV3k</a> On <a href="https://twitter.com/ApplePodcasts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ApplePodcasts</a> - <a href="https://t.co/utE9C6ox5Z">https://t.co/utE9C6ox5Z</a> On <a href="https://twitter.com/Stitcher?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Stitcher</a> - <a href="https://t.co/r1E9mtQF2k">https://t.co/r1E9mtQF2k</a> <a href="https://t.co/dPkQXhplgA">pic.twitter.com/dPkQXhplgA</a> — WTF with Marc Maron (@WTFpod) <a href="https://twitter.com/WTFpod/status/1462823039213572100?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2021</a></blockquote> Though many were expecting Scott to lay the blame on Disney after the entertainment conglomerate snapped up 20th Century Fox and its slate of films, he said Disney was pleased with the movie and he was happy with how they handled its release. “Disney did a fantastic promotion job. The bosses loved the movie because I was concerned it was not for them,” Scott said. “I think what it boils down to - what we’ve got today [are] audiences who were brought up on these f**king cell phones. Scott accused the “millenian” generation of refusing to learn anything unless it was taught through their phone and believed their attitude came from social media. “This is a broad stroke, but I think we’re dealing with it right now with Facebook,” he continued. “This is a misdirection that has happened where it’s given the wrong kind of confidence to this latest generation, I think.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVd0ZWELMtO/?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> <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/CVd0ZWELMtO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by 20th Century Studios (@20thcenturystudios)</a> </div> </blockquote> The film’s poor performance could be partially blamed on the COVID-19 pandemic, which would have kept older audiences - the movie’s prime demographic - away from cinemas. Recent box office trends have also found that most audiences have been flocking to superhero, science fiction, and horror films, rather than historical dramas like The Last Duel. Plus, the film has debuted in a bumper month of releases, competing against the likes of superhero film Venom: Let There Be Carnage, sci-fi epic Dune and the long-awaited No Time to Die. The Last Duel’s lacklustre performance could also point to a change in audience expectations, reported by <a rel="noopener" href="https://screenrant.com/last-duel-movie-failure-ridley-scott-millennials-response/" target="_blank">Screen Rant</a>. With audiences coming to cinemas to see epic, blockbuster movies, smaller films and period pieces like The Last Duel have become films audiences will wait to watch until they can be streamed. Image: Getty Images

Movies

Gaming or gambling: study shows almost half of loot boxes in video games constitute gambling

<div class="copy"> The Australian Senate has <a href="http://trade-media.com.au/news/read/australian-senate-passes-motion-investigate-loot-boxes/">passed a motion to investigate</a> whether purchasable random rewards in video games (known colloquially as loot boxes) constitute a form of gambling and whether they are appropriate for younger players. Our recent <a href="https://rdcu.be/ZXTg">paper</a>, which was cited in the senate motion, explores exactly these questions. We found that the loot boxes in almost half (45%) of the 22 games we analysed met the criteria to be considered psychologically similar to gambling, even though they are rated as appropriate for adolescent players under the age of consent for gambling. <h2>What is a loot box?</h2> Loot boxes are digital containers of randomised rewards, and are available in a number of video games. The box may contain rewards ranging from cosmetic items which alter the appearance of in-game characters to functional items that increase the player’s power in some way (for example a gun that fires faster or does more damage). In our research, we sought to answer two questions: are loot boxes like gambling and, if so, what should be done about it? First up, we want to clarify that video games are not evil. Games companies are not evil. Making money from video games is not evil. And playing video games with loot boxes is unlikely to result in young people flocking in great numbers to casinos. However, simultaneously, it may also be true that loot boxes represent a troubling and potentially inappropriate monetisation strategy, with the potential to cause short and long-term harm to some players. Our intent is to educate readers about loot box mechanisms, and promote a reasoned, evidence-based discussion about ethical practice in video games. Loot box rewards may be highly desirable or valuable (for example, a particularly valuable cosmetic item or very powerful weapon), or virtually useless and undesirable (items referred to as “vender trash”). Most importantly, the contents of the box are determined by chance. Some (but not all) loot boxes are purchasable for real money. In some cases, items earned from a loot box can also be “cashed out” for real world money. <h2>The gambling problem</h2> The problem is that spending real money on a chance outcome that results in some people “winning” and others “losing” is fundamental to gambling activities. Thus, we analysed the loot box features in 22 console and PC games released in 2016 and 2017, with a view to understanding how psychologically similar they were to gambling. We used five criteria to distinguish gambling from other risk-taking activities. These have been developed by Nottingham Trent University psychologist <a href="https://www.ntu.ac.uk/staff-profiles/social-sciences/mark-griffiths">Mark Griffiths</a> in his work on behavioural addictions and gambling disorders. To be considered psychologically similar to gambling, loot boxes must involve: <ul> <li>an exchange of money or valuable goods takes place</li> <li>an unknown future event determines the exchange</li> <li>chance at least partly determining the outcome</li> <li>non-participation avoiding incurring losses</li> <li>winners gaining at the sole expense of losers.</li> </ul> We took a reasonably strict interpretation of the final criterion; assuming that people only “won” if they gained some form of in-game competitive advantage (for example more powerful weapons). Arguably, this approach ignores the subjective value that might be created by the scarcity of, or player preference for, certain cosmetic items. However, it appeared to us to most closely resemble Griffiths’ intent. Loot boxes in just under half of the games (45%) met all five of Griffiths’ criteria and, thus, could be considered psychologically akin to gambling. All of the loot boxes operated on a variable ratio reinforcement schedule – a technical term for a reward given to a person on average every so many times they engage in a particular behaviour. This type of reward schedule results in people quickly learning new behaviours (for example buying loot boxes) and repeating them often in the hope of receiving a <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1990.tb00220.x">reward</a>. The strategy is effective because the next time a box is opened it might be the “big win”. Perhaps most concerning was the fact that at least five of the games had mechanisms available to on-sell virtual items, allowing players to cash out their winnings (though four of these five had terms and conditions explicitly prohibiting this). The ability to cash out winnings is something that many consider a legal requirement for an activity to be considered gambling. Although the legality of loot boxes is a question for individual regulators and governments, exposure to mechanisms which closely mimic gambling in a psychological sense is concerning to us, especially since all of the games we examined were rated as appropriate for those under the age of consent for gambling. The short and long-term consequences of engaging with these mechanisms are unknown. Plausibly, short-term consequences may include overspending on loot boxes. The potential for long-term consequences also concerns us because males (a <a href="http://www.theesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/EF2017_Design_FinalDigital.pdf">particularly large group within gamers</a>) exposed to gambling when young are particularly at <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10899-008-9088-6">risk of developing problematic gaming behaviours</a>. <h2>What to do about it</h2> There is cause for hope. Electronic Arts (one of the largest game studios in the world) has recently announced the <a href="https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/no-loot-boxes-anthem-1202838734/">removal of loot boxes</a> from upcoming titles. This suggests the games industry is taking consumer and expert feedback seriously, and may take steps to self-regulate. In our view, this is the optimal solution, given the diverse policy landscapes across the countries in which video games are sold. Where industry is not willing to self-regulate, and loot boxes are most similar to gambling, regulators may need to consider additional steps, although this should be undertaken selectively. Belgium and the Netherlands have <a href="https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-04-25-now-belgium-declares-loot-boxes-gambling-and-therefore-illegal">declared at least some loot boxes to be illegal</a>, while the US and UK have decided that they are <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-43906306">not a form of gambling</a>. As noted above, the Australian Senate unanimously supported a vote on the 28th of June to refer an inquiry into the legality of loot boxes in video games to the <a href="http://trade-media.com.au/news/read/australian-senate-passes-motion-investigate-loot-boxes/">Environment and Communications References Committee</a>. Most importantly, we recommend that loot box mechanics should be added to content warnings to give users and parents the information they need to properly assess whether particular games are appropriate for themselves or their children. Ensuring that users can make well informed decisions about the appropriateness of content remains one of the strongest consumer defences. We hope that this work will form the basis for a well-reasoned, evidence-based policy discussion about ethical and sustainable practices in video games. Our intent is not to stigmatise games or gamers, but to spark a discussion about what mechanisms are and are not appropriate for particular audiences, games and the industry more broadly. Image credit: Shutterstock </div> <div id="contributors"> This article was originally published by <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/people/social-sciences/gaming-or-gambling-study-shows-almost-half-of-loot-boxes-in-video-games-constitute-gambling/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and written by The Conversation. </div>

Money & Banking

Ellen DeGeneres causes outrage over $55 Be Kind boxes

Ellen DeGeneres has been known as the “Be Kind” lady for years and after multiple toxic workplace allegations came forward this year, she’s trying to build back her reputation with her new “Be Kind” boxes. The boxes, filled with goodies, are worth $270, with Ellen selling them for $55 a pop. But her initiative was not well received, with the boxes being inundated with complaints. The subscription box, full of Ellen’s ‘favourite things’ contains a painting set, earbuds, collapsible cup, a gold ‘hope’ necklace. But fans took to social media to voice their complaints. “The headphones in my box don’t work very well – very disappointed in the quality,” one Instagram user wrote. “Never got my summer box, can’t get anyone to respond to my emails? I don’t even have an account anymore for some reason, but I still have my invoice.” commented another. Another follower penned: “I am still waiting for my box … it’s been months.” The workplace scandal which recently came to light has seem to have caused a massive hit in her ratings. This season is averaging about 1.7 million viewers, which is nearly a 38 per cent drop from last year. In the season premiere, Ellen addressed the issue. “As you may have heard, this summer there were allegations of a toxic work environment at our show and then there was an investigation. I learned that things happened here that never should have happened,” Ellen told viewers. “I take that very seriously, and I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected. I know that I’m in a position of privilege and power, and I realise that with that comes responsibility, and I take responsibility for what happens at my show.” She added: “Being known as the ‘be-kind lady’ is a tricky position to be in. The truth is I am that person you see on TV. I am also a lot of other things. Sometimes I get sad, I get mad, I get anxious, I get frustrated, I get impatient. And I am working on all of that.”

Furious dad told to tone down kid’s lunch box

School lunches can vary from child to child, with some parents opting to keep things simple and others hand-carving fruits and vegetables into an assortment of different characters. But now, one dad has taken to the internet to rant about a teacher who asked him to tone the creativity down when it comes to his child’s lunches. “My kid is eight. Long story short, my wife tries to make really fun lunches for my daughter,” the man<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.reddit.com/r/AmItheAsshole/comments/joc042/aita_for_telling_my_kids_teacher_that_i_dont_care/" target="_blank"> wrote in his post to Reddit.</a> “She follows a couple of those school lunches pages on Instagram for inspiration or whatever. It’s important to us that our child likes her lunches and that she’s happy.” The man said their teacher had called and left a message asking them to tone the lunches down. “My daughter’s teacher called and left a message asking us that we simplify her lunches and do the typical sandwich thing because other kids ‘don’t have as elaborate as lunches and it might make them feel bad’,” he continued. So the dad did what many of us would have done (and sometimes later regretted) – he wrote an angry email. He basically said, “no we won’t and that I really don’t care, and that if other kids get upset then maybe it would be a good teaching moment for her,” but has now asked if he was wrong to do so. Most people agreed that this could have been a good teaching moment for the school. “Does your boss request that you drive a 2007 Corolla because your co-workers can’t stand to see a Tesla?” asked one person. Another said, “I could see the teacher being upset if it’s just completely unhealthy like the lunch box was filled with candy or a few bags of chips and nothing else. But the fact that it’s just decent food to be fun, I don’t think this should be any sort of issue.” A few pointed out the dad could have handled his response a lot better: “In the real world, an email like that could be considered a tad AHish; (a**hole-ish) could have been worded better. But yeah, the teacher is tons and tons of AH, because it is a teachable moment. I remember this really good phrase: ‘The only time you look in your neighbour’s bowl is to make sure that they have enough. You don’t look in your neighbour’s bowl to see if you have as much as them’.”

Food & Wine

Shop’s blunt sign causes stir online after banning gloves in store

A sign from an unknown store has caused furious debate online as it said all those wearing gloves would either have to remove them or be denied entry. The store, assumed to be located in the U.S, claims those wearing gloves are not stopping the spread of viruses, but in fact possibly creating cross contamination. “Absolutely no gloves allowed inside store - management,” the note says. “Gloves are meant to avoid cross-contamination. For instance, in a hospital, workers glove up to touch a patient and then DISCARD the gloves before moving on to the next task. If you are wearing the same set of gloves all over town, you are carrying germs everywhere! Every door you touch, the cart, the supplies, your phone, your face. “It would be far better to not wear gloves and WASH YOUR HANDS after every store or every task.” The photograph of the sign was shared over 60,000 times within the span of a week and gravitated many people who agreed with the note writer. “If you wear a clean pair of gloves into the store, pick up an item put it in your cart then pick up another item your gloves are contaminated, you have no idea who touched that item before you,” one person said. “Not everyone has common sense or knows anything about cross-contamination,” another wrote. “People are in fact wearing them store to store. Not even taking them off when they re-enter their vehicle after walking out of Walmart. “If there’s a medical condition, and you need gloves, wear them. But too many don’t understand their proper use, which isn’t helping and is preventing those that need them, from getting them.” Some people said they wash their gloves or change them between visiting each store. “So, I typically wash my gloves or wipe them with a Clorox wipe if going to a new store, usually I just use a new pair for each store. They absolutely are helpful,” said one woman in the comment section. Dr Catherine Bennett, chair in epidemiology at Deakin University explained to <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/shop-sign-why-wearing-gloves-isnt-protecting-you-201747209.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News,</a> that there is a risk of gloves transferring virus’ from one surface to another. “If the wearer is not practicing the usual hygiene and awareness of the surfaces being touched that we should all be practising, this risk of cross contamination of surfaces may be higher with gloves on,” she said. “If people are less mindful of what they are touching, including their own face, or tissues etc, then this may increase the risk of spreading the virus from surface to surface further. “It may also undo any protection to the wearer if they are more likely to touch their face with the gloves on with a false sense of security.” Virologist Professor Ian Mackay, from the University of Queensland urges people to stop assuming a pair of gloves will protect them at all costs. He says they can actually increase the chances of someone becoming sick. “They will drag their hands all over the place thinking they’re safe, but they’re actually spreading potential viruses to other people,” he said. “They then leave those gloves, in some cases, in the shopping trolley or in the car park for other people that clean up the shopping trolley to come in to contact with, and risk their health because of laziness.”

Body

Birds of Prey renamed after flopping at the box office

Margot Robbie’s Birds of Prey has been renamed after a disappointing opening weekend in the cinemas. Warner Bros. has changed the film’s name from Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) to Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, less than a week after its debut. A studio representative told <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/11/21132868/harley-quinn-birds-of-prey-name-change-seo-warner-bros-opening-weekend-trailers?utm_campaign=theverge&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter">The Verge</a> the name change is part of an effort to make it easier for moviegoers to find the flick. While the R-rated film opened at number one at the US box office, it only grossed US$33 million, coming short of the studio’s US$45 million projection. Industry expectations were around US$50 to US$55 million. The opening for Birds of Prey is the lowest so far for a DC Comics title, overtaking Shazam!’s record of US$53.5 million. In Australia, the film also earned <a href="https://mumbrella.com.au/birds-of-prey-flies-straight-to-the-top-of-the-australian-box-office-taking-almost-4m-in-its-first-weekend-616648">the top spot at the box office</a>, taking in $3.85 million across 528 screens on its first weekend. Directed by Cathy Yan, Birds of Prey depicts the story of Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) who finds herself becoming allies with Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) after her breakup with the Joker.

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