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Unimaginable scenes as Baltimore bridge collapses

The tranquil waters of Baltimore's Patapsco River turned tumultuous in the early hours of Tuesday following a catastrophic event that shook the city to its core. The aftermath of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has left a community reeling, with one confirmed fatality and six individuals still missing as rescue efforts persist amid harrowing conditions. The calamity unfolded when a mammoth container ship lost power, careening into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on the US East Coast. The impact tore through the bridge's supports, sending vehicles and people plummeting into the frigid river below. In the chaos that ensued, heroes emerged as authorities swiftly responded, managing to halt traffic on the bridge, averting further catastrophe. However, the toll was already significant, with one individual confirmed dead and six others, believed to be part of a construction crew, still unaccounted for. As the day wore on, Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace provided updates on the situation, indicating that one survivor had been rescued and rushed to a local trauma centre in critical condition. Meanwhile, the US Coast Guard initiated a relentless search for the missing individuals, leveraging sonar technology to scour the depths of the river. The vessel responsible for the devastation, known as the Dali, was under the management of Synergy Marine Group, navigating under the Singapore flag. Although the crew and pilots were reported safe, the repercussions of the collision have reverberated far beyond the immediate vicinity. US President Joe Biden has pledged federal support for the reconstruction efforts: "This is going to take some time," he said. "The people of Baltimore can count on us, though, to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt." The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge not only claimed lives but also severed a vital link in the region's infrastructure. The Port of Baltimore, a bustling gateway for maritime commerce, now faces significant disruption, with vessel traffic suspended indefinitely. The reverberations of this tragedy extend beyond Baltimore, with logistical challenges expected to ripple along the entire East Coast. As the day progressed, stories of resilience and compassion emerged. Retired Chief Donald Heinbuch, startled from his sleep by the rumbling impact, bore witness to the unimaginable destruction. "Never would you think that you would see physically see the Key Bridge tumble down like that - it looked like something out of an action movie," he said. "And you just think about, most importantly, which is what we all should be thinking about right now, nothing but those families and people that are impacted and those people who are risking their lives right now, for not just Baltimore City and Baltimore County but all over the state, to try to save lives. That should be our focus - the preservation of life. Because no one wants to see that happen, let alone someone in their family someone that they know, be injured in an incident like this." Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott echoed the sentiments of a community in shock, emphasising the paramount importance of preserving life above all else. Images: Streamlive | 9News

Caring

Billy Joel lists New York estate for $73 million

Legendary rocker Billy Joel is <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/music/billy-joel-in-tears-over-career-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">saying goodbye to The Big Apple</a> as he prepares to sell his jaw-dropping estate. The New York native’s property on the affluent Oyster Bay Harbour has a price guide of a staggering US$49 million (AU$73.4 million). According to the Wall Street Journal, the 26-acre estate comprises the original 14-acre property Joel bought for $22.5 million in 2002 and the adjoining area he’s purchased over the years. The property covers more than 600m of frontage on Centre Island, with the focal point of the estate being the 1,858 sqm main house with breathtaking water views. The home includes five bedrooms, six bathrooms, two half-baths, a playroom, a spa and hair salon, a bowling alley, and a wine centre. There is also an indoor pool, which the Piano Man singer has covered up to use as a music room as it offers fantastic acoustics, according to listing agent Bonnie Williamson, of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. Parts of the main house are under renovation and are expected to be finished over the next several months. The magnificent estate also has a three-bedroom beach house, a three-bedroom guest apartment, and a four-bedroom gatehouse. Other amenities include a floating dock and boat ramp, two outdoor pools, and a helicopter pad. Image credit: Getty / Realestate.com.au

Real Estate

Tourist faces $10k fine for jumping into iconic harbour

Footage surfaced online of the man leaping from Opera Bar, just a few metres away from the Opera House. While his jump was certainly surprising, what shocked viewers was the hefty fine the tourist could be slapped with following his return from the water. Security helped the man back over the harbour ledge before telling him the risky stunt could see him $10,000 poorer. <iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7235491102143401234&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40futuretravellers23%2Fvideo%2F7235491102143401234%3Flang%3Den&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo03m1enFIeAeQNC0aCDgjQIXDXzvbjDTIIabA4%3Fx-expires%3D1686200400%26x-signature%3DoWRm%252BIslhOfB81xvrV77sRxfWog%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> “Well there's a very good reason why you've never seen anyone jump into the sea from the Opera House... I'll show you why,' Future Travellers said in a TikTok clip. In a second TikTok, the young man is seen talking to a group of police officers.<iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7239141948261534984&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40futuretravellers23%2Fvideo%2F7239141948261534984%3Flang%3Den&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fbc76967996de4cefb23cfe5e6930fddc_1685494092%3Fx-expires%3D1686200400%26x-signature%3DSY8QPztxLxbP%252FPfYm4itGUmYloE%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> However, a number of viewers commenting about the eye-watering fine also noted it was the least of the swimmer’s worries. "I'm a Sydney gal and it's not the $10,000 that scares me, it's the huge bull sharks that lurk in those waters,' one person wrote. “It’s a busy shipping lane and if it was full of floating tourists the ferries couldn't run,” another said. “I'm sure if he got run over by ferry his family would be suing NSW government for compensation,” a third added. Others were skeptical of the large fine. The official fine for swimming around the Opera House is a maximum of $1,100 with the law stating a person must not “swim to and enter on any part of the Opera House premises or swim from any part of those premises”. Several others were impressed by the young man’s jump and slammed NSW for being a “nanny state”. “Welcome to Sydney, please do not do anything,” one person remarked. “This guy is an absolute legend,” another wrote. 'Only $10,000 per dip? It's probably cheaper to live in the harbour than some apartments. Sign me up,' a third joked. “Australia has a fine for everything,” another claimed. Earlier footage of the risky trick was shared alongside a montage of the tourist showing his British mum around Australia. The first video left viewers astounded with one writing, “In all my life living in Sydney I've never seen anyone jump in at the opera house!” Image credit: TikTok

Travel Trouble

Italian historian makes major Mona Lisa breakthrough

A small town in Tuscany is revelling in excitement after it was claimed that a bridge in the backdrop of the Mona Lisa belongs to the town. Italian historian Silvano Vinceti determined that the bridge in the background of the most famous portrait in the world is in fact the Romito di Laterina bridge in the province of Arezzo: about 80km southeast of Florence. Leonardo da Vinci painted the masterpiece in Florence in the early 16th century, and ever since, it has been subject to disputes over the inspiration for the portrait. The identity of the woman in the painting - who is widely believed to be Lisa del Giocondo – has triggered as much speculation as the distant backdrop. Past theories have identified the bridge as Ponte Buriano, close to Laterina, as well as Ponte Bobbio in the northern Italian city of Piacenza. Using historical documents and drone images, and by making comparisons between the painting and photographs of the area, Vinceti said he is confident it was “the Etruscan-Roman bridge, Romito”. Vinceti told reporters in Rome that the most telling detail of the bridge’s identity is the number of arches. The bridge in Leonardo’s painting had four arches, as did the Romito. Ponte Buriano, on the other hand, has six arches, while Ponte Bobbio has more than six. Another telltale sign, according to Vinceti, is the fact that the bridge was once a “very busy, functioning bridge”, that provided a shortcut between Florence and Arezzo. Simona Neri, the mayor of Laterina, said Vinceti’s theory had caused a lot of excitement in the town of just over 3,500 people. She said, “We need to try to protect what’s left of the bridge.” Image credits: Getty Images

Art

How Ryan Gosling shut down Sydney Harbour Bridge

Footage has emerged from the set of Ryan Gosling’s new film The Fall Guy, which was filmed on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this Sunday. The iconic bridge was shut off in both directions today from 3 am to 10 am, with commuters redirected as the structure was closed off. The cycleway and footpath was also closed from 5.30 am to 10am. In a clip shared on Sunrise on Monday, Gosling's stunt double can be seen filming the high-speed stunt. The stunt double was filmed during an action-packed chase, where he was holding on to a shovel that was hanging on the back of a truck that sped across the Harbour Bridge. The actor and his stunt double were seen talking on set, wearing the same outfit, the red bomber jacket and the actor's stunning looks standing out in the picture. The Fall Guy is a movie adaptation of a 1980s TV series about a crime-fighting stuntman. Gosling, his wife Eva Mendes and their two children touched down in Sydney last September. The power couple have been spotted multiple times in Sydney, running errands, hanging out at a park in Rose bay, and trick-or-treating as a family in Bondi last Halloween. Image: Sunrise/ Bill Hearne

Movies

King Charles’ family friend snaps up historical Sydney mansion

A family friend of King Charles III has snapped up a historical home in Sydney’s lower north shore. Edward Dawson-Damer, the son of the seventh Earl of Portarlington and equerry (a senior attendant) to the Queen Mother, and his wife Joanne Grant paid an eye-watering $9.325 million ($NZ 10.04 million) for the 114-year-old Dalkeith mansion, per <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/king-charles-friend-buys-9-3-million-cremorne-home-2-1185842/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domain</a>. The Cremorne home was built in 1908 by English wool merchant and Freemasons grand master Frank Whiddon and sits on an almost 1500-square-metre block. In the early 1950s, the property was bought by the Norwegian Church Abroad, becoming the Norwegian Seaman’s Mission and providing community services to Scandinavian seamen until 1978, according to <a href="https://www.domain.com.au/8-bannerman-street-cremorne-nsw-2090-2018035301" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the listing</a>. While steeped in history, their new sandstone home has also undergone major renovations and an extension, which the listing described as “contemporary updates”, including an open-plan layout, modern appliances in the kitchen and an alfresco entertainment area with an in-ground pool and sandstone cabana. The home also boasts a billiard room that was formerly used as a chapel, with stained-glass windows and the original pew featured. Inside, the art-nouveau period features have been maintained, and each of the five bedrooms come with adjoining sunrooms. It comes as an upgrade for Dawson-Damer and Grant, who offloaded their home in Vaucluse for $6.45 million ($NZ 6.94 million) last year. Images: Domain

Real Estate

“A wake-up call for the cops”: Sydney protester Danny Lim released from hospital

Well-known Sydney activist Danny Lim has been released from hospital after injuries to his head and face during an attempted arrest by police that sparked outcry. The 78-year-old, recognised by many for his sandwich board signs bearing political messages, was hospitalised after officers tried to arrest him for failing to “comply with a move-on order” at the Queen Victoria Building on Tuesday. Criminal lawyer Chris Murphy, a lawyer at the firm that represents Mr Lim, confirmed that he had been released from St Vincent’s Hospital on Thursday with “a plan in place for ongoing monitoring”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Danny Lim has been released from hospital with a plan in place for ongoing monitoring. Thank you staff at St Vincent’s Darlinghurst for the loving care.Thank you to the community for your love & support, hope to get our happy icon back with his smiles and his signs. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/beautiful?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#beautiful</a> <a href="https://t.co/k4ZclbOCyg">pic.twitter.com/k4ZclbOCyg</a> — chris murphy (@chrismurphys) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrismurphys/status/1595493821323714560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 23, 2022</a></blockquote> “Thank you staff at St Vincent’s Darlinghurst for the loving care,” he wrote on social media. "Thank you to the community for your love and support, hope to get our happy icon back with his smiles and his signs." Mr Murphy also shared footage of the incident and updates on the activist’s health, with the <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/sydney-man-danny-lim-arrest-to-undergo-independent-review-after-outrage/c4vq7yd9m" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SBS</a> reporting that Mr Lim was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma on Wednesday. "Internal skull damage diagnose(d)," Mr Murphy said on Twitter. Mr Lim was wearing a sign that read ‘Smile cvn’t! Why cvn’t?’ while walking through Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building on Tuesday when security told him to leave. Police were called and confronted the protester, with footage taken by a witness showing Mr Lim being tripped and pushed down by two officers, falling head-first onto the tiled floor and being handcuffed. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> BREAKING NEWS:VIDEO VIOLENT NSW POLICE ARREST OF INNOCENT 80 YEAR OLD MAN WEARING BILLBOARD A COURT HAS FOUND LEGAL THE LAST TIME HE WAS WRONGLY ARRESTED FOR IT. CVNT LIKE CENT AND CANT IS NOT AN OFFENSIVE TERM. LAST TIME COURT CRITICISED HEAVY HANDED VIOLENCE NOW IN HOSPITAL. <a href="https://t.co/Ovy942m4tx">pic.twitter.com/Ovy942m4tx</a> — chris murphy (@chrismurphys) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrismurphys/status/1594898646981496832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2022</a></blockquote> When Mr Lim was picked up off the tiled floor, blood could be seen on the ground and on his cheek, and officers “discontinued” the arrest. Speaking to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/22/serial-protester-danny-lim-in-hospital-after-discontinued-arrest-in-sydney-cbd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guardian Australia</a> from hospital, Mr Lim said he had asked police to call an ambulance and informed them he had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “I told them to ring an ambulance,” he said on Tuesday. “They refused. “I could be dead when they threw me down like that.” Businessman Mike Ashley, a witness to the altercation, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/24/danny-lim-asked-police-to-call-ambulance-and-told-them-of-his-ptsd-before-arrest-witness-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told the outlet</a> that he noticed the hearted confrontation and heard Mr Lim repeatedly asked officers to call an ambulance. Mr Ashley said Lim had been begging for an ambulance to be called before he was thrown to the ground. “He let them know very clearly that he had PTSD, and that he needed an ambulance,” Mr Ashley said. “He voiced that very clearly at the outset. He became increasingly agitated as they approached him.” But, when Mr Ashley said he was threatened by officers when he tried to intervene and asked Mr Lim if he should call an ambulance. “The officer … said, ‘If you do that, we will charge you with hindering an arrest,’” he said. “It didn’t seem like the sort of thing that you might use to de-escalate [the] situation.” Following the incident, the actions officers took during the arrest will be subject to an independent review. In a statement, police said Mr Lim had failed to comply with move-on orders from security and officers. "Police will allege the man was subsequently issued with a move on direction by officers and failed to comply," they said. "The man's arrest was discontinued after he struggled with police and sustained an injury to his cheekbone ... "As inquiries into the incident continue, an independent review has been launched, which will examine the actions of police during the incident." His recent arrest has been condemned by many online and by politicians, including the NSW Greens. "The actions by the NSW Police yesterday were completely out of line and an indication of just how dangerous new police powers are to the vulnerable in our society," Greens MP Sue Higginson said on Wednesday. "This type of violent arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere." Independent member Alex Greenwich told <a href="https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/11/23/danny-lim-hospitalised-nsw-over-policing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Crikey</a> the incident was “deeply concerning” and an example of “over-policing”. “Sydneysiders have a great deal of affection for Danny Lim and people know who he is and that he is a peaceful protester and a harmless person. It’s deeply concerning to see over-policing, let alone over-policing leading to someone being injured,” he said. “I hope this is a wake-up call for the cops and I obviously hope that Danny has a full recovery.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Today after being smashed into the floor by New South Wales Police. Internal skull damage diagnose. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DannyLim?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DannyLim</a> <a href="https://t.co/Cc5IvO3nP9">pic.twitter.com/Cc5IvO3nP9</a> — chris murphy (@chrismurphys) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrismurphys/status/1594913582063706112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2022</a></blockquote> Amnesty International Australia said they had documented incidents where police used force against people, like Mr Lim, who were expressing their right to freedom of expression and hoped NSW Police would follow through on holding an independent review. “People like 78-year-old Danny Lim should be free to express themselves without fearing injury,” the organisation said. Mr Lim has previously been arrested and fined $500 for wearing the same sign, but was deemed to be allowed to wear it after a successful court case in 2019. Magistrate Jaqueline Milledge ruled at the time in favour of Mr Lim, saying “the police action was heavy-handed and unnecessary” and ruling that the signs may be cheeky but weren’t criminally offensive. Image: Twitter

Legal

800 Covid-positive cruise goers disembark at Sydney

Approximately 800 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 disembarked from the cruise ship Majestic Princess in Sydney over the weekend. The 4,400 passengers and crew disembarked at the end of a 12-night round-trip to New Zealand, with passengers who tested positive instructed not to take public transport after departing Sydney’s Circular Quay. In a statement, operator Carnival Cruise Line said that the positive cases - around 20 percent of the ship’s population - were kept separate from those who tested negative while disembarking. "All guests disembarking have undertaken a rapid antigen test in the past 24 hours, which will determine how they will disembark the ship,” the statement said. Carnival Australia president Marguerite Fitzgerald said at a press conference on Saturday that cases of Covid began to rise about halfway through the trip and that everyone who tested positive were asymptomatic or experiencing mild symptoms. In a statement shared with <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/majestic-princess-cruise-covid-coronavirus-docks-in-sydney/ea034a4c-9a10-42ed-a9e5-d720f0dddf71" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a>, Princess Cruises Senior Vice President Stuart Allison said staff were also assisting those who tested positive to find accommodations to help them continue to isolate. Fitzgerald told <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/13/australia/australia-covid-majestic-princess-cruise-passengers-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a> that the cruise line has been using “the most rigorous and strict measures which go well above current guidelines”, with staff and passengers being tested for Covid before boarding and a requirement for 95 percent of guests over the age of 12 to be vaccinated. She said that the more than 50 voyages made by Carnival Australia and over 100,000 guests onboard have been “unimpacted by Covid”. “However, the emergence of COVID in the community has meant we have seen a rise in positive cases on the last three voyages,” she added. The Majestic Princess has since travelled to Melbourne with 220 people from the original cruise, per <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/cruise-ship-carrying-800-covid-positive-passengers-docks-in-sydney/pf4suhrn6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SBS News</a>. In response to the news, many have taken to social media to share their thoughts, with some questioning why it was happening again after the Ruby Princess allowed Covid-positive passengers to disembark in Sydney in March 2020. “Didn’t… didn’t we already do this?” one person <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewPStreet/status/1591024965045800962?s=20&t=pkMBODwCjEj2M4w43AVkkg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>. “Back to square one. That’s how it started,” another <a href="https://twitter.com/DarcyAmaroo/status/1591166905435721729" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>. “Why would you still go on a crowded cruise ship with Covid still spreading through the population?” “As the Majestic Princess saga unfolds, it seems not just Covid is in the Circular Quay air, but also a real sense of déjà poo - the feeling that sh*t has happened before,” a third <a href="https://twitter.com/sahar_adatia/status/1591325017421541376" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>. The news comes as Australia begins to experience a fourth wave of Covid, with <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/nov/11/covid-19-case-numbers-exploding-across-australia-as-fourth-wave-takes-off" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian</a> reporting that 58,000 cases have been recorded across the country in the past week. The Queensland government has moved the state to an “amber alert” in response to the uptick in cases, while NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said the wave is expected to peak before Christmas. “The wave is taking off with some trajectory, it will be quite a steep wave and hopefully the decline will be equally as steep,” she said on Friday. “There is a sense that the wave may well peak before Christmas and we may be on the decline [by then]. “But the message is clear … this is an increased risk period for Covid, so please, now is the time to take those protective behaviours.” Meanwhile, New Zealand has reported 21,595 community cases of the virus in the past week, with computational biologist Dr David Welch telling the <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-health-officials-to-provide-weekly-update-on-cases/VKB7XS4BIVCIBK7GL3BVEDM43M/">NZ Herald</a> that the country may be “at or near a peak” in cases. Image: Getty Images

Cruising

Sydney lions’ great escape finally explained

The mystery surrounding the <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/five-lions-escape-from-taronga-zoo-enclosure">five lions that escaped from their enclosure</a> at Taronga Zoo has been solved, after the zoo revealed the big cats were able to roam free due to a small gap in the fence. Male lion Ato and 16-month-old cubs Khari, Luzuko, Malike and Zuri sent the Sydney zoo into lockdown last week after they got out of their enclosure. The five lions were found in an area adjacent to the main exhibit and returned to their enclosure before the zoo opened to the public. In a statement on Thursday, officials said that clamps used to join wire cables together had “failed”, leading to a cable unravelling to create a gap in the fence. “Preliminary independent engineering advice has confirmed that swages (clamps that join wire cables together) failed, enabling a lacing cable that connects the fence mesh to a tension cable to unravel,” <a href="https://taronga.org.au/media-release/2022-11-01/statement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the statement read</a>. ”The lions were then able to create and squeeze through a gap.” The review into the incident found that the lions were “playing and interacting” with the fence for around 20 minutes before the gap formed. While the lion and cubs took the opportunity to escape, “lioness Maya and one cub chose to remain in the exhibit”, according to officials, and were later called back into their dens by keepers. While families who were camping at the zoo overnight were taken to a safe area by staff, other Taronga Zoo employees worked to bring the lions back safely and used vehicles to “monitor and control the situation”. “This enabled keepers to use their relationships with the lions, as well as their training for such incidents, to calmly call the lions back to their exhibit, ensuring a peaceful and safe outcome for all people and animals,” the zoo said. “The four other cubs and adult male lion appeared to remain calm and investigated the other side of the main containment fence, remaining within metres of their exhibit, before actively trying to find their way back under the fence.” After the five lions escaped, two cubs then breached a second fence while trying to find access back into the exhibit, with one walking back to the exhibit without issue and the other needing to be tranquillised by vets and returned. The zoo concluded the statement by saying the lions would “remain in an outdoor, back-of-house holding area pending specialist engineering advice”. The ongoing review of the incident has recommended that the fence be investigated by an independent tensile-structure engineer, who would advise the zoo on how the clamps broke and how the fence can be fixed. Image: Facebook

Family & Pets

Fence and digging marks at the centre of lion’s escape

A fence and digging marks are at the centre of an investigation into how five lions managed to escape their enclosure at Taronga Zoo. One lion and four cubs were roaming around the Sydney tourist destination prompting emergency alarms to go off and people to run to safety. A family who was sleeping overnight at the zoo as part of the “Roar and Snoar” program were ordered to run as alarms blared “code one”. Luckily no one was injured and the lions are back in their enclosure with a statement revealing what caused the animals to escape. “An initial review of this morning’s incident has confirmed that an integrity issue with a containment fence enabled five lions to temporarily exit their main exhibit,” Taronga said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon. “The lions are now in a back-of-house holding area while a full review continues. “A full report will now be prepared for the NSW Department of Primary Industries. “Keepers and vets report all lions are doing well. “Taronga Zoo remains open and is extremely grateful to its staff and the community for their support today.” Image: Nine

News

Parents horrified at Halloween decorations

Parents in a Sydney suburb have questioned a family’s Halloween decorations resembling The Handmaid’s Tale in quite a disturbing way. Images shared to Facebook show a fake body in the show’s iconic red dress and white bonnet, while a male character is dressed in blue. Both bodies were seen hanging by their necks on the porch, in reference to the show in which people were killed when they disobeyed the rules. There was also fake blood smeared on the outside of the house reading, “Nolite te bastardes carborundorum” which translates to, “Don’t let the b******* grind you down”. Social media users were divided at the decorations with many pointing out that it is inappropriate for children to see. “Imagine children seeing this walking past,” one comment read. “Not good; totally inappropriate,” another wrote. “That’s horrible! Kids will be scared,” someone else commented. Others however defended the decorations saying it is the spirit of Halloween and people are encouraged to go all out with costumes. “OMG it’s Halloween, get over it, some of y’all need to lighten up,” someone wrote. “While we’re on the topic – how freckin good is Handmaid’s this season,” another fan wrote. The Handmaid’s Tale is an American dystopian television series based on the 1985 novel of the same name by Canadian author Margaret Atwood. It tells the story of June, played by Elisabeth Moss, who is forced into sexual slavery struggles to survive in a totalitarian, fundamentalist society in what used to be the United States. Image: Facebook

Real Estate

Airline responds to "fat-shaming" onboard comments

Dr Sydney Watson – a US-based Australian journalist and political commentator – took to Twitter on October 11 to complain about being sat between two obese people on an American Airlines flight. Her mid-flight comments caused an immediate furore as she posted that “I am currently - literally - WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight,” along with a photo of her personal space being invaded. “This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I'm stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours. “I don't care if this is mean. My entire body is currently being touched against my wishes. I can't even put the arm rests down on either side because there's no f***ing room. “I'm sick of acting like fatness to this extent is normal. Let me assure you, it is not. “If you need a seat belt extender, you are TOO FAT TO BE ON A PLANE. “Buy two seats or don't fly.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> I am currently - literally - WEDGED between two OBESE people on my flight. This is absolutely NOT acceptable or okay. If fat people want to be fat, fine. But it is something else entirely when I'm stuck between you, with your arm rolls on my body, for 3 hours. <a href="https://t.co/9uIqcpJO8I">pic.twitter.com/9uIqcpJO8I</a> — Dr. Sydney Watson (@SydneyLWatson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SydneyLWatson/status/1579609743244800006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2022</a></blockquote> Dr Watson said she asked the passenger on her right if he wanted to move to sit next to his sister to which he declined. She continued the rest of her flight sitting uncomfortably with no air hostess offering to switch her seat. Her complaint went viral with the official American Airlines Twitter account responding to Dr Watson saying: “Our passengers come in all different sizes and shapes. We're sorry you were uncomfortable on your flight.” This however was not enough for Dr Watson who eventually found out that “what happened to me went against American Airlines own policies regarding overweight passengers.” A few days later after her initial flight, an American Airlines worker got in contact with Dr Watson apologising for the inconvenience and offered her a $150 Trip Credit. “I'd rather take the $150 American Airlines offered me as a refund and give it to someone who needs a PT or a gym membership,” she tweeted in response. Still furious at what occurred on the flight, Dr Watson said she has no regrets over being in the news for fat shaming. “I'm not sorry. I meant everything I said. Justifying obesity is NOT OKAY,” she said. “And, rock on to anyone trying to lose weight and change their lives. I believe in you.” Images: Twitter/Instagram

Travel Trouble

“You can’t park there”: Elderly driver mistakes brake pads for accelerator

An elderly woman who mistook her accelerator for her brake pads when entering a shopping centre car park saw her vehicle end up on top of another. Shocking images shared to social media show a Honda Civic sitting on top of an expensive Mercedes in Westfield Hurstville, Sydney. It is understood that the driver was a 73-year-old woman who confused her brake and accelerator pedals. She drove through the boom gates before her car somehow drove onto the Mercedes about 9.45am on October 13. A 50-year-old man was taken to hospital with minor injuries following the terrifying incident. CCTV is yet to be released to show exactly how the incident occurred, with many questioning how the car wound up on top of the other. “I honestly don’t understand the physics behind this,” someone commented. “Imagine coming back from your shopping to see a car parked on top of yours,” another wrote. “You can’t park there,” someone else joked. Images: Nine News

Travel Trouble

About 200 dead whales have been towed out to sea off Tasmania – and what happens next is a true marvel of nature

Australians watched in horror as 230 pilot whales became stranded at a beach near Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast. Some whales were saved, but the vast majority died. This left a big problem: what to do with all the rotting whale carcasses? Authorities decided to tow the dead animals out to sea, hoping they’ll eventually sink to the seafloor. Such mass whale strandings are sad to witness. But in this case, the aftermath presents a fascinating opportunity for scientific discovery. As the dead whales decompose, an astonishing and rare chain of events is likely to flow through the marine ecosystem – ultimately leading to an explosion of activity and new life. <h2>A 600-tonne problem</h2> Mass whale strandings happen fairly regularly – especially in Tasmania – yet no one really knows why. Days before this latest incident, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-20/sperm-whales-stranded-off-king-island-tasmania/101457406" target="_blank" rel="noopener">14 sperm whales</a> became stranded off King Island, northwest of Tasmania. And in 2020, about 470 pilot whales <a href="https://theconversation.com/like-trying-to-find-the-door-in-a-dark-room-while-hearing-your-relatives-scream-for-help-tasmanias-whale-stranding-tragedy-explained-146674" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became stranded</a> at Macquarie Harbour. While many were pulled out to sea, some of those carcasses washed up and were left to rot on the beach – an entirely natural process. However, pilot whales are big animals. Males weigh up to 2,300kg, which means they take a long time to decompose. The smell of two tonnes of rotting whale blubber soon becomes unbearable, so carcasses are frequently buried. This time around, authorities <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-25/whale-carcasses-towed-out-to-sea-after-mass-stranding/101471166" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decided to tow</a> the dead animals out to sea. The ABC reported local salmon farm workers took almost 11 hours to dispose of 204 dead whales with a combined weight of between 500 and 600 tonnes. They were tied to a 400 metre-long rope and towed by boats for 40 kilometres, before being dropped into deep water in the Indian Ocean. Some carcasses may wash back to shore, but most are likely to disperse with the tides and currents. <h2>Shark bait? Probably not</h2> The big question is: what happens to all that whale mass dumped at sea? Initially, a dead whale tends to float to the surface as it begins to decompose and its innards expand with gas. As this happens, ocean scavengers such as sharks and seabirds are likely to feast on the remains. Some people <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-14/do-buried-whale-carcasses-really-attract-sharks/10996512" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can be concerned</a> that whale carcasses attract sharks that might pose a risk to humans. Granted, encounters between sharks and humans, are <a href="https://theconversation.com/fatal-shark-attacks-are-at-a-record-high-deterrent-devices-can-help-but-some-may-be-nothing-but-snake-oil-150845" target="_blank" rel="noopener">on the rise</a> in Australia and elsewhere. But they’re still very rare. A <a href="https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/167613/swim-humpback-whales-risks-sharks.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> to the Western Australian government in 2012 found whale carcasses were a risk factors associated with shark attacks, and said caution should be exercised near a dead whale in the water. But the same report noted that of 26 shark attacks investigated, the highest number occurred more than a kilometre offshore. While there is no doubt <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00655" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sharks are attracted to dead whales</a>, the data is <a href="https://hakaimagazine.com/news/beached-whales-are-a-lure-for-hungry-sharks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not clear</a> on whether a whale carcass leads directly to an increase in shark attacks on people. Research <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989419301854?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has shown</a> the likelihood of whale carcasses washing towards shore, where shark scavenging can be observed, is low. So as long as the carcass is taken far from shore and people keep their distance from it, the threat to humans from shark encounters appears to be exceedingly low. <h2>From death comes new life</h2> Inevitably, the whale carcass will start to sink. Most life in the ocean is found fairly close to the sea surface, so if the water is relatively shallow much of what’s left of the carcass will be quickly eaten by scavengers once it reaches the sea floor. But these carcasses have been disposed of in deep water. The deep ocean can be a barren place, where rich food sources are rare. So the appearance of a single whale carcass can supercharge an entire ecosystem. New life and activity can erupt around the dead animal in very little time. This process is known as “whale fall” and has been studied by scientists, sometimes using remotely operated vehicles. On the seafloor of the North Pacific, whale fall has been found to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2022.885572/full" target="_blank" rel="noopener">support the survival</a> of at least 12,490 organisms of 43 species. Deep sea sharks will make the most of the carcass. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZzQhiNQXxU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A host of other animals</a> including hagfish, octopus, crabs, lobsters, worms and sea cucumbers will join in too. All the while bacteria work away quietly in the background. <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to</a> Britain’s Natural History Museum, a single whale can provide animals with food for up to two years during the scavenging stage. Other animals and bacteria survive off the chemicals produced from the rotting carcass. These organisms, known as “chemotrophs” were thought to be unique to underwater volcanic vents, where they use hydrogen sulphide as the principal energy source. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2337" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has shown a similar suite of animals recruit around dead and decaying whales – generating a completely independent ecosystem based on a gas that <a href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-happens-when-whales-die.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smells like rotten eggs</a>. Only a few organisms can break down the bones that remain, in a process that might take up to ten years. So take a moment to consider the effect of 204 whale falls in a small part of the ocean off Tasmania. Right now, they are probably generating interconnected marine metropolises, the likes of which are rarely seen. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/about-200-dead-whales-have-been-towed-out-to-sea-off-tasmania-and-what-happens-next-is-a-true-marvel-of-nature-191340" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Twitter

Travel Trouble

Queen Elizabeth II mural painted over

A mural of Queen Elizabeth II has been painted over with the Aboriginal Flag a few days after the monarch was laid to rest. Queen Elizabeth died on September 8 at Balmoral Castle in Scotland and was buried on September 19 at King George VI Memorial Chapel in St George's Chapel. The day of her death saw local Sydney artist Stuart Sale paint the mural in the inner-west suburb of Marrickville. Bobby, another local member of the community, told OverSixty that Mr Sale had painted the mural at night, and had then come back the next morning to touch it up. “There was quite a crowd around him as he finalised the mural,” he said. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CiZohGyPHkA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CiZohGyPHkA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Stuart Sale (@stuartsale)</a> </div> </blockquote> The mural was left untouched for almost two weeks until Australia’s National Day of Mourning when it was painted over with the Aboriginal Flag. “It’s a very sensitive issue,” Bobby told OverSixty. Mr Sale shared an update to his Instagram of the altered mural with the caption, “Art can be so powerful”, along with three hearts in the Aboriginal Flag colours. He explained that the mural belonged to the people and that he did not have any plans on fixing it. “It belongs to the people in a way and that’s why I’m torn. I’ve painted this and given it to the street. I might let it stay for now.” Images: Sahar Mourad

Art

Queen's letter for Sydney that can't be opened until 2085

Sitting inside a locked, glass case, within the dome of Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building, is a letter from Queen Elizabeth II that can’t be opened until the year 2085. The letter was written by the monarch in November 1986 and has become the subject of conversation once again following the news of <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-dead-at-96" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Her Majesty’s passing</a> last week. Addressed to the Lord Mayor of Sydney, the Queen requested that her message be shared with the people of the city in 2085. “On a suitable day to be selected by you in the year 2085 AD, would you please open this envelope and convey to the citizens of Sydney my message to them,” the Queen wrote on the outside of the letter, signing it simply as, “Elizabeth R”. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/queen-letter-sydney-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="2560" height="1920" /> The letter in question will remain sealed until 2085. Image: Creative Commons She wrote the letter after the restoration of the Queen Victoria Building in the 1980s, which was saved from demolition in the late 1950s by “ardent public campaigning” from Sydneysiders. According to <a href="https://7news.com.au/entertainment/queen-elizabeth-ii/queens-secret-letter-is-hidden-in-sydney-vault-and-cant-be-opened-for-63-years-c-8193155" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7news.com.au</a>,it is unknown what the Queen wrote in the letter, even among her personal staff. In 2012, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/hidden-treasures-to-expose-secrets-in-plain-sight-20121026-28b3l.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sydney Morning Herald</a> reported that the letter came to be in the building when the Queen visited, with then-centre manager Natalie Douglas telling the outlet that the monarch put the letter inside a time capsule and buried it in the central dome. “Nobody knows what it says,” Ms Douglas said. It seems that mystery will continue to surround the letter until its fateful opening many decades from now. Image: Getty Images

Domestic Travel

Cheering erupts as “unruly” passenger escorted off plane

A woman who kicked up a storm over not having a window seat on a plane was kicked off the flight to the sound of cheering passengers. The Aussie woman was travelling from Phuket in southern Thailand to Sydney on Jetstar flight JQ28. It is alleged that she began to abuse other travellers and staff members after being given the aisle seat and not one next to the window. Incredible footage shows two passengers gesturing to the woman to move along before a staff member arrives. The video then cuts to her being escorted off the plane to the sound of cheering passengers. Jetstar confirmed that an “unruly” passenger was removed from their flight for being disruptive and abusive. "An unruly passenger was escorted off our flight prior to take off in Phuket after becoming disruptive and using abusive and inappropriate language towards other customers and our team members," the spokesperson said. "Airport security in Phuket was called and the passenger was escorted off the flight. "We take safety and security very seriously and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on our aircraft.” Watch the footage <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jetstar-passenger-kicked-off-flight-phuket-thailand-to-sydney/4fb9135f-d33f-444b-b343-efc52ea59ee2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Image: Nine

Travel Trouble

"Almost knocked me out": Shaq and Hasbulla's Sydney Harbour stoush

Pint-sized superstar Hasbulla has finally touched down in Sydney, sending his huge fanbase into a frenzy. The social media sensation shared a cheeky clip on his Instagram story over the weekend of him and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal together on a yacht in Sydney Harbour. Quite the mischievous start flowered into a beautiful friendship between two of the most popular celebrities on the planet. The pair were both in Sydney for public engagements and while it remains unclear why they linked up, the meeting sent social media crazy with everyone buzzing over the adorable clip. The video posted to Shaquille’s Instagram from aboard the yacht shows Hasbulla playfully striking the three-time NBA champion. <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/ChwWdsbs7KX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChwWdsbs7KX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by DR. SHAQUILLE O'NEAL Ed.D. (@shaq)</a> </div> </blockquote> “(Hasbulla) almost knocked me out,” O’Neal wrote. Hasbulla tweeted the same video saying: “Australia has been great, Shaq isn’t even that tall." O’Neal then posted on Monday morning, after what was no doubt a busy weekend of back-to-back events for the two, showing them together asleep on a couch with the caption “tired boss”. The rendezvous saw the likes and retweets coming in thick and fast. O’Neal’s jam-packed trip saw the basketball superstar visit Melbourne for the sold-out fan experience “An Evening with Shaquille O’Neal” at Melbourne’s Margaret Court and DJ gigs late last week before he headed to Sydney for the second stop of the touring event. Hasbulla is also in Australia for his “Hasbulla visits Down Under” tour. The beloved 19-year-old was born with a rare Growth Hormone Deficiency condition that is responsible for his diminutive size. He quickly gained a following on social media in 2020 thanks to his fight training and adorable prank videos. Hasbulla has a fiercely loyal fanbase, clocking up billions of views with high engagement on his content. What can we say, he is a very loveable little man. Image: Instagram

Domestic Travel

Why turning old city bridges into new urban parks is such a great idea

The recent opening of the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castlefield-viaduct/features/a-garden-in-the-sky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Castlefield Viaduct Sky Park</a> in Manchester, UK, has brought fresh attention to the growing number of projects that reuse urban infrastructures to create linear parks. When the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/jun/07/paris-promenade-plantee-free-elevated-park-walkway-bastille-bois-de-vincennes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Promenade Plantée</a> opened in 1993 on top of an abandoned railway viaduct in Paris, it was reportedly the first of its kind. It provided local residents a green escape, ten metres above the tarmac of the street below, and a beautiful, three-mile meander from the Bois de Vincennes to Bastille. The opening of New York’s fabled <a href="https://www.thehighline.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High Line</a>, in 2009, further cemented this type of urban regeneration as something for cities to aim for. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ztZl6fYuXhQ?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Post-pandemic, finding innovative ways to eke out accessible green spaces in the urban environment is <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-cities-can-add-accessible-green-space-in-a-post-coronavirus-world-139194" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more urgent than ever</a>. Doing so provides <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10708-021-10474-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">health</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-green-cities-to-become-mainstream-we-need-to-learn-from-local-success-stories-and-scale-up-119933" target="_blank" rel="noopener">environmental</a> benefits alongside <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-investing-in-green-infrastructure-can-jump-start-the-post-coronavirus-economy-139376" target="_blank" rel="noopener">economic</a> ones, by <a href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12876" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promoting</a> biodiversity, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721036779" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mitigating</a> air pollution, and in some (though <a href="https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2019/09/the-solution-to-urban-heat-is-not-one-size-fits-all/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not all</a>) cases, reducing <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6458494/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the heat island effect</a>. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477844/original/file-20220805-7920-f8qtwx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477844/original/file-20220805-7920-f8qtwx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477844/original/file-20220805-7920-f8qtwx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477844/original/file-20220805-7920-f8qtwx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477844/original/file-20220805-7920-f8qtwx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477844/original/file-20220805-7920-f8qtwx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477844/original/file-20220805-7920-f8qtwx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Plantlife spills over the edges of an elevated railway above a busy intersection" /><figcaption>The High Line in Manhattan. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/new-york-usa-july-2017-entry-1371108503" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Krzysztof Stefaniak | Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> How a local approach to high lines is needed Since the 2000s, city planners across the world have tried to replicate what has been called <a href="https://publicjournal.online/the-high-line-effect/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">“the High Line effect”</a>. Built on top of a disused stretch of elevated freight rail line in western Manhattan, the High Line garnered considerable <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/arts/design/09highline-RO.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">press</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x4e1dALkhc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">media</a> coverage from the outset. It has been rightly championed as a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/arts/design/15highline.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">success story</a>, attracting eight million visitors a year and <a href="https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nycs-high-line-park-marks-10-years-of-transformation/1646268/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fostering new economic activity</a>. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M8H8dqMjUCo?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> But not everywhere else is wealthy Manhattan. By reinvigorating the industrial heritage and cultural identity of a place, this approach can <a href="https://idus.us.es/bitstream/handle/11441/116705/TS2_Libro-de-Actos_-Proceedings-Book-1-655-669.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increase tourism</a> which can have mixed results. <a href="https://cityparksalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Equity_and_Parks_Funding_7.16.19.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Recent research</a> has shown that without policies in place to ensure that lower-income local communities can enjoy the benefits of newly greened spaces, including health benefits, these projects can actually exacerbate inequality by raising property values and causing the displacement of long-term residents who can’t afford to stay. Urban planning experts talk about green gentrification, as has been noted in the case of the <a href="https://www.chicagoreporter.com/green-gentrification-and-lessons-of-the-606/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">606 linear park in Chicago</a>, among others. Instead of simply trying to copy what has been done elsewhere, this type of regeneration is best done when attuned to the local heritage. As Historic England <a href="https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/wellbeing-and-the-historic-environment/wellbeing-and-historic-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has emphasised</a>, the best way to steward heritage sites and the historic environment is by keeping people’s wellbeing in mind. In particular, it’s about giving local people a voice, a place to be active and a sense of belonging. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477850/original/file-20220805-26-ub4qtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477850/original/file-20220805-26-ub4qtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=322&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477850/original/file-20220805-26-ub4qtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=322&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477850/original/file-20220805-26-ub4qtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=322&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477850/original/file-20220805-26-ub4qtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=405&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477850/original/file-20220805-26-ub4qtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=405&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477850/original/file-20220805-26-ub4qtg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=405&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Signposts at a junction in a pedestrianised green space." /><figcaption>The 606 elevated trail in Chicago. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/chicago-usa-september-20-2018-chicagos-1184490604" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Carlos Yudica | Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> Why reusing existing structures is best <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-have-reusable-cups-bags-and-bottles-so-why-are-our-buildings-still-single-use-171345" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adapting</a> existing infrastructure is an integral part of <a href="https://theconversation.com/future-cities-new-challenges-mean-we-need-to-reimagine-the-look-of-urban-landscapes-151709" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rethinking the city</a> in an era of <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/150152/a-july-of-extremes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate emergency</a>. The era of <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/1587078" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grand visions for public parks</a> is largely over, as most cities are already full. Both spatially and economically, forming large green spaces from scratch is not possible. Reworking old railway lines and bridges into parks, conversely, contributes to a wider strategy of adaptive reuse and what designers term <a href="https://www.archdaily.com/948304/urban-acupuncture-regenerating-public-space-through-hyper-local-interventions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">urban acupuncture</a>. Since the 1960s, <a href="https://theconversation.com/parks-help-cities-but-only-if-people-use-them-103474" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pocket parks</a> have been created out of small, hidden or overlooked bits of land between existing buildings. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477847/original/file-20220805-22-e4y1ly.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477847/original/file-20220805-22-e4y1ly.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=404&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477847/original/file-20220805-22-e4y1ly.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=404&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477847/original/file-20220805-22-e4y1ly.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=404&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477847/original/file-20220805-22-e4y1ly.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=508&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477847/original/file-20220805-22-e4y1ly.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=508&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477847/original/file-20220805-22-e4y1ly.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=508&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="A pond set between planted beds in an elevated walkway." /><figcaption>The Promenade Plantée in Paris. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/seoul-korea-21-september-2019-top-1539297443" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joao Paulo V Tinoco | Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> The hyper-local nature of this type of urban greening makes it easier for residents to access and benefit from these spaces. As pressure increases on how we use resources and keep carbon in the ground wherever possible, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10708-021-10474-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">enabling everyone</a> to have access to green space for <a href="https://theconversation.com/more-parks-and-waterways-in-cities-could-prevent-premature-deaths-study-finds-170973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">health reasons</a> is critical. This can be challenging in those cities where a large proportion of residents do not have access to private gardens. Capitalising on a city’s vertical space – as elevated walkways do – is a huge advantage in high-density cities where significant pressure on ground-level space exists. What’s more, the structures being turned into parks are usually found in those parts of a city that are post-industrial and in need of regeneration. In terms of environmental impact, these parks have great potential. Each year the High Line, for example, <a href="https://www.landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/high-line" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sequesters</a> over 1.3 tons of atmospheric carbon and its tree canopies collect over 24,340 gallons of stormwater. <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477848/original/file-20220805-12-mu1w4h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/477848/original/file-20220805-12-mu1w4h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477848/original/file-20220805-12-mu1w4h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477848/original/file-20220805-12-mu1w4h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477848/original/file-20220805-12-mu1w4h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477848/original/file-20220805-12-mu1w4h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/477848/original/file-20220805-12-mu1w4h.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="An overhead shot of an elevated park in a city centre." /><figcaption>The Seoullo 7017 Skygarden. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/seoul-korea-21-september-2019-top-1539297443" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Keitma | Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> Further, by reusing existing industrial structures rather than demolishing and replacing them, embodied carbon can be <a href="https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/15481-continuing-education-embodied-carbon-adaptive-reuse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kept where it is</a>. Research on the <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/143/1/012061" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seoullo 7017 Skygarden</a> in Seoul, a linear park built atop a disused highway overpass which cuts across the city’s main rail station, has shown that rewilding and landscaping urban infrastructures is more cost effective and less environmentally impactful than completely replacing them. There is growing evidence of how important <a href="https://academic.oup.com/bioscience/article/67/9/799/4056044" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biodiversity in cities</a> is, not just during daylight hours but <a href="https://theconversation.com/cities-need-to-embrace-the-darkness-of-the-night-sky-heres-why-149129" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at night</a> too. Reused infrastructure projects can play an important role in providing ecological corridors across <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1439179121000074" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cities for nocturnal creatures</a>. Supporting both human and non-human life in this way is a valuable step towards <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/06/cities-ecosystems-biodiversity-climate-change/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">improving</a> the sustainability and resilience of places. Linear parks thus <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329947799_The_Sustainable_Vertical_City_Research_Project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">weave nature</a> into the flow of a city. They support wildlife. They encourage sustainable transport and physical activity (walking, biking, jogging). They are, as landscape architect Diana Balmori puts it in her 2010 book, <a href="https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300156584/a-landscape-manifesto/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Landscape Manifesto</a>, dynamic spaces: “not peaceful retreats but ways”.<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/188182/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-dunn-131665" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nick Dunn</a>, Professor of Urban Design, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/lancaster-university-1176" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lancaster University</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-turning-old-city-bridges-into-new-urban-parks-is-such-a-great-idea-188182" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>. Image: Getty Images

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"It's a miracle": Aussie hospital rolls out cancer treatment

Two years ago, Tony Jiang was told he had advanced, terminal lung cancer. Today, he is fighting fit thanks to a new treatment requiring the pop of just one pill per day. "It's a miracle. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm a patient," Jiang said. He reports that this a dramatic turnaround from the day he was diagnosed. Prior to diagnosis he suffered two months of a persistent cough which eventually landed him in hospital. "They didn't think about cancer because of my age, I never smoked, I had a pretty much healthy lifestyle." Doctor Vanessa Chin at St Vincent's Hospital Medical Oncologist said Jiang's right lung was filled with fluid. "By the time I'd met him he already had a tube inserted into that lung to drain off the fluid and a biopsy had been performed," Chin said. A tissue biopsy of Jiang's lung was sent off for genetic sequencing. Alterations in his cancer cells meant that he was eligible for a subsidised treatment, and no longer needed chemotherapy or radiation. "Just taking a tablet, one tablet every day and I'm just back to my normal life," Jiang said. Jiang's doctor Chin said the tumours on his scans virtually disappeared and that he experienced very few side effects. "When we do scans it's actually hard to tell that he has anything wrong," she said. New technology now allows pathologists at Sydney's St Vincent's Hospital to test hundreds of genes in one go – a task that just two years ago was impossible. Anatomical pathologist Dr Tao Yang from St Vincent's Hospital said the technology used can load 24 patient samples at once and deliver results overnight. Image: Nine News

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Unimaginable scenes as Baltimore bridge collapses

Billy Joel lists New York estate for $73 million

Tourist faces $10k fine for jumping into iconic harbour

Italian historian makes major Mona Lisa breakthrough

How Ryan Gosling shut down Sydney Harbour Bridge

King Charles’ family friend snaps up historical Sydney mansion

“A wake-up call for the cops”: Sydney protester Danny Lim released from hospital

800 Covid-positive cruise goers disembark at Sydney

Sydney lions’ great escape finally explained

Fence and digging marks at the centre of lion’s escape

Parents horrified at Halloween decorations

Airline responds to "fat-shaming" onboard comments

“You can’t park there”: Elderly driver mistakes brake pads for accelerator

About 200 dead whales have been towed out to sea off Tasmania – and what happens next is a true marvel of nature

Queen Elizabeth II mural painted over

Queen's letter for Sydney that can't be opened until 2085

Cheering erupts as “unruly” passenger escorted off plane

"Almost knocked me out": Shaq and Hasbulla's Sydney Harbour stoush

Why turning old city bridges into new urban parks is such a great idea

"It's a miracle": Aussie hospital rolls out cancer treatment

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