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Fran Drescher calls for an end to “bull***t” vaccine mandates

<p dir="ltr">Fran Drescher has divided audiences after using her platform to go on a tirade about bringing an end to “bull***t” vaccine mandates. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former star of <em>The Nanny</em> took to the stage at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards on Sunday, and used the opportunity to voice her controversial opinions about Covid-19 restrictions. </p> <p dir="ltr">“As the nation declares an end to the Covid emergency this May, I hope we will see everyone return to work in equal opportunity,” Drescher, 65, said in her speech during the telecast,<em> <a href="https://nypost.com/2023/02/27/fran-drescher-calls-for-end-to-vaccine-mandate-in-sag-speech/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&amp;utm_medium=SocialFlow&amp;utm_source=NYPTwitter">Page Six</a></em> reports. </p> <p dir="ltr">The entertainment industry’s pandemic protocols were originally set to end on January 31st, but have been extended until April 1st. </p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, more than 20 US states still enforce vaccine mandates to varying degrees.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our industry brings billions of production dollars to states across the nation, but if they want our business, let’s wield our financial influence to make governors act in the best interest of freedom, diversity, inclusion and democracy,” Drescher said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As my character Bobbi Flekman said in <em>This Is Spinal Tap</em> – money talks and bulls**t walks!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Her divisive comments were met with a mixed reaction online, with many viewers claiming it was “irresponsible” for Drescher to use her platform in such a way.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Fran Drescher’s comments on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CovidVaccine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CovidVaccine</a> were irresponsible. Using her logic, people wouldn’t be universally vaccinated against diseases like measles and tetanus. Public health is PUBLIC because it takes collective work.</p> <p>— 🇺🇦мег 🇺🇦 (@sassybibrarian) <a href="https://twitter.com/sassybibrarian/status/1630038810095648768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">God I love Fran Drescher, but her speech at the SAG awards could have been an email.</p> <p>— Francis (@Fusterduster) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fusterduster/status/1630022506668249088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Woody Harrelson and now Fran Drescher. Big weekend for anti-vaxxers.</p> <p>— 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐬 ⁽ʷʰᵒ ⁱˢ ᵍᵃʸ⁾ (@cinema_gay) <a href="https://twitter.com/cinema_gay/status/1630021950293655554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Elsewhere in her speech, Drescher also discussed her efforts to help make Hollywood more environmentally friendly by joining with Green Council with a goal to eliminate single-use plastic both on camera and behind the scenes.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also applauded IMDb for “taking a stand against ageism, stereotyping and gender rigidity by allowing our members to define themselves their way on their profile page – for free.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-1cf5b55a-7fff-4610-144c-c7e3ae12e9d4"></span></p>

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Prince Charles, Duran Duran and a giant bull: All the highlights of the Comm Games Opening Ceremony

<p>The 2022 Commonwealth Games are officially underway, after the impressive opening ceremony kicked off on Thursday evening. </p> <p>The extravagant ceremony captivated the attention of local and international fans, with TV viewers around the word tuning in to the Birmingham event. </p> <p>Prince Charles arrived at the Alexander Stadium in style, driving the same Aston Martin the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge famously left Buckingham Palace in on their wedding day.</p> <p>The Prince of Wales drove his luxury, vintage car out onto the arena before a display where several motor vehicles combined to form a perfect Union Jack on the arena surface.</p> <p>The ceremony celebrated aspects of the rich history and culture of Birmingham, with a 10 metre tall mechanical "Raging Bull" being waltzed into the stadium. </p> <p>The Bull Ring is a major shopping district in the city, which also features a sculpture of a bull, while the mascot for these Commonwealth Games is Perry the Bull.</p> <p>Female chain makers dragged the bull into the stadium, representing the chains used during the slave trade. </p> <p>The bull then broke free of those chains — symbolising the abolition of the slave trade and the 1910 wage strike that paved the way for women to break free from poverty.</p> <p>Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai addressed the audience early in the ceremony, sharing a heartfelt message about how Birmingham became her home and welcomed her family.</p> <p>Musical act Duran Duran, who began their career in Birmingham, closed the ceremony as they belted out fan favourite tracks such as <em>Save A Prayer</em>, <em>Planet Earth</em> and <em>Ordinary World</em>.</p> <p>The Commonwealth Games will run until August 8th, with 72 countries competing in 19 sports over the 11-day event. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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“This is bulls***”: Kyle hits out on censoring of Pauline Hanson

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s has sparked more controversy, after she was censored for attempting to undermine Australia’s vaccine rollout on one of Sydney’s biggest radio shows.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Hanson was sharing her anti-vaccination views on KIIS 106.5’s </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kyle and Jackie O Show</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, when producers intervened and began censoring the audio mentioning vaccinating.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While Ms Hanson was describing why she was choosing not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, all the audience could hear was a drawn-out “bleep”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The show is on a 30-second delay and has a censor to block any comments that can’t be verified live or that could cause trouble for the network.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When callers alerted him to the censoring, host Kyle Sandilands had a strong reaction when he found out the reason behind it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Can somebody tell me what’s being beeped out and why it’s being beeped out?”, Sandilands asked producers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our censor is saying some of what Pauline is saying is not government approved,” one producer replied.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’re not a government show,” he said. “This is not the ABC.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The same producer told Sandilands the show has to “be mindful of what we’re telling listeners”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Based on what?”, Sandilands queried.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“[Based on] the public health system and what they’re telling us,” they replied.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sandilands then apologised to Ms Hanson, who said it wasn’t the first time she had been censored for her views on vaccinations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’ve been censored also by Channel Nine and 2GB because they won’t have me on because of what I say,” Hanson explained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can’t have a difference of opinion in this country anymore because they shut you down. So therefore you’re letting the authorities control what you say and think.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m a member of parliament, surely I have a right to actually express my opinion.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A spokeswoman for ARN, which represents the popular radio show, said the live to air censor “monitors all content and makes a decision on what is appropriate to be broadcast on air and be published in accordance with the station’s regulatory obligations”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Kyle and Jackie O don’t shy away from talking about the hot topics that matter to their audience,” the spokeswoman told </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“KIIS1065 makes every effort to fairly represent the views of its guests but has an obligation to balance freedom of expression against expression of views that may be out of step with government health advice.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We take our responsibilities very seriously, and appreciate that some views expressed by guests on the station may not always be shared by the wider community.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ARN said the governing body for broadcast media, the Australian Communications and Media Authority, has a “focus on protecting the Australian public from misinformation about COVID-19 and information that is out of step with government advice.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pauline Hanson’s claim on the show that COVID-19 vaccines haven’t been tried and tested like those for diseases such as measles and mumps is unfounded.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance’s (NCIRS) </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ausvaxsafety.org.au/safety-data/covid-19-vaccines" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">AusVaxSafety</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> surveillance initiative, 53.9 percent of Australians who have been vaccinated reported no adverse event, while 46.1 percent reported adverse side effects including fatigue, headaches, injection site pain, and muscle aches.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Instagram</span></em></p>

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Dannii Minogue opens up about being “pitted” against Kylie

<p><span>In a candid interview, Dannii Minogue has revealed just what it was like to be the little sister of one of the biggest pop stars in the world, admitting it was anything but easy.</span><br /><br /><span>When the sisters first started out and Kylie blew up into stardom, Dannii told You magazine she felt a lot of judgement when she moved home to Australia from the UK in the 90s.</span><br /><br /><span>The Masked Singer judge said that during that era, supermodels such as Kate Moss were the norm on magazine covers and that “wasn’t her”.</span><br /><br /><span>“I was definitely pitted against my sister: ‘She’s thin and perfect and you’re not, you’re fat and…’ – I’ve had every word said to me. It was difficult,” Dannii said.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtlZISFcOJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtlZISFcOJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by danniiminogue (@danniiminogue)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>The Aussie singer said she and her big sisters were forced to discuss their issues as she didn’t want it to consume all of their time together.</span><br /><br /><span>Dannii also touched on being a mentor on shows such as X Factor in the UK, revealing it taught her a lot about herself and being a mother.</span><br /><br /><span>“My sister had always said she definitely wanted to have kids, whereas I never thought I would. At all. So then it’s weird that I have a son and she doesn’t have kids – you just never know how it’s going to turn out,” she said.</span><br /><br /><span>Dannii has a 10-year-old son Ethan, who she shares with British model Kris Smith.</span><br /><br /><span>Dannii now lives in Melbourne.</span><br /><br /><span>Her return home caused uproar after it was revealed she and her son quarantined at a Gold Coast residence instead of at a government-mandated hotel.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840108/danni-minogue-kylie-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f7ad7c04fdd44dd197afa1ab08edbe1e" /></p> <p><em>Image Source: Instagram</em><br /><br /><span>Queensland’s Health Minister Steven Miles confirmed on ABC radio that Dannii was in isolation at a private home with Ethan.</span><br /><br /><span>The pair returned from the United States, but were not forced to stay in a hotel for 14 days.</span><br /><br /><span>It is believed she was granted permission by the Queensland government to head straight to the Gold Coast property.</span><br /><br /><span>She admitted to TV Week that homeschooling her son was “the hardest” part of lockdown.</span><br /><br /><span>"Seriously, I would do live TV any day of the week rather than try to be a teacher for my son,” she said.</span><br /><br /><span>"I'm Googling non-stop.</span><br /><br /><span>“I even called his teacher to ask how she does that each day and then go home to two kids, but she reassured me it's always harder to teach her own kids."</span></p>

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Shark attack victim recounts horrifying ordeal

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>54-year-old Perth man Cameron Wrathall was attacked by a bull shark in the Swan River and spoke about how he almost died from his injuries.</p> <p>He said to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/wa/swan-river-shark-attack-victim-cameron-wrathall-recounts-his-terrifying-ordeal-c-2121537" target="_blank"><em>7NEWS</em></a><span> </span>that the shark was almost three metres wide and attacked him with such force that it broke his hip.</p> <p>“The shark hit me really hard, it’s the biggest impact I’ve ever felt of something hitting me. It was then trying to shake from side to side to tear part of me away,” he said.</p> <p>“It all happened very quickly, and I just did a kick onto part of it and a thrust down on my hands to push it off me - and hit it pretty hard with the palms of my hands, and it went.”</p> <p>After fighting off the shark and swimming to shore, Wrathall's injuries were severe.</p> <p>He was left with a broken hip, one leg paralysed and had gaping bite wounds from his groin to his buttocks.</p> <p>“In the ambulance, I did die, most likely from blood loss, and I’m very thankful to the ambulance officers for bringing me back,” he said.</p> <p>Wrathall nearly died in hospital from his injuries and was unconscious for two days as trauma surgeons rushed to save him.</p> <p>“I’m very happy to be here and I can’t thank you enough for all you and the people in this hospital have done for me,” he said.</p> <p>Ironically, Wrathall used to swim in the ocean but switched to the river as he wanted to avoid sharks.</p> <p>Despite the fact it may be almost two years before he can walk again as his sciatic nerve was severed in two places, Wrathall is just thankful to be alive.</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span></em><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/news/wa/swan-river-shark-attack-victim-cameron-wrathall-recounts-his-terrifying-ordeal-c-2121537" target="_blank">7NEWS</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

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Running of the Bulls: Spain’s most iconic (and controversial) festival

<p>This ancient festival is one of Spain’s most iconic – and controversial.</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>Dating back to at least the 13th century, the Fiesta de San Fermin (or, in English, the Running of the Bulls) began as a way to move bulls through the city of Pamplona from the corral to the bullfighting ring. People began to join in around the 1800s and now run through the streets just in front of the herd. Ernest Hemingway made the festival famous in his 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises, which was the first time most people outside of Spain became aware of it. It is now one of the biggest and most famous festivals in the world, a week-long party that transforms the city.</p> <p><strong>Where is it?</strong></p> <p>The city of Pamplona is the capital of the Navarre province in northern Spain. It is part of the fiercely independent Basque region and is dotted with fortifications, castles and cathedrals dating back to the 16th century.</p> <p><strong>What should I expect?</strong></p> <p>The opening ceremony is held on July 6 and the main square of Pamplona overflows with people dressed in white with red scarves, drinking lots of sangria and waiting for the mayor to set off the rockets that signal the start of the festival. It’s madness – a huge crush of people, screaming and chanting, and things can get a little out of control.</p> <p>The festival itself runs for a week, from July 7 to 14, with a run every day at 8am. The course is around 850 metres long, with six fighting bulls and six tame oxen wearing bells winding through the narrow streets of the old city. Thousands of participants from around the world join in and many thousands more watch from the sidelines or balconies above the chaos. It only takes a few minutes and the runners (and bulls) will burst into the bullring and out of harms way.</p> <p>Traditional bullfights are held each evening in the Plaza del Toros, though these are fights to the death and may not be for everyone.</p> <p><strong>Why is it controversial?</strong></p> <p>This is the tricky part. The festival has drawn criticism for a number of reasons. Firstly, many animal rights groups claim that it is cruel to the bulls, especially the bullfighting. The Spanish maintain that it is an integral part of their culture, so you’ll have to decide for yourself. Each year, many participants are injured during the run and some even die. Matadors have also been badly gored and killed in the bullring. Then there’s the drinking – people come from around the world to party at San Fermin and it can become overwhelming. Huge crowds of drunk, generally young, people will fill the streets and it often descends into chaos. Having said all that, it is a truly incredible experience for any traveller. Just be prepared.</p> <p>Have you ever been to the Running of the Bulls? Share your opinion in the comments below.</p>

International Travel

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Handler pulls red-bellied black snake from 10-metre pit

<p>In case you had any doubt in your mind that the folks at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SnakeCatchersAdelaide/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Snake Catchers Adelaide</strong></span></a> are at the very top of their game, a new video has emerged of a dramatic rescue of a deadly red-bellied black snake that had fallen into a 10-metre pit in Victor Harbor.</p> <p>The gripping video shows the catchers making a precarious descent into the pit at a plant at Trility, an irrigation company, to get the snake back on solid ground.</p> <p>Ange, one of the staff at Snake Catchers Adelaide, posted the video on Facebook with the caption, “There’s only one way out – up!”.</p> <p>You got to take your hat off to the handler in the video. And goodness knows how they decided which one was going to have to go down the hole!</p> <p><em>Facebook/Snake Catchers Adelaide via Storyful</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/01/snake-eats-wallaby/"><em>Snake devours an entire wallaby whole</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2017/01/croc-surprises-aussie-town-on-nye/"><em>Croc gives Aussie town a wild New Year’s Eve surprise</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/12/snake-found-lurking-in-toilet-bowl/"><em>Snake found lurking in toilet bowl</em></a></strong></span></p>

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Pit bull can’t stop smiling after being rescued

<p>The American pit bull has long been one of the most misunderstood breeds of dog after gaining a reputation as aggressive and dangerous – but public opinion is beginning to change, with hundreds of beautiful dogs being rehabilitated, rehomed and given a second chance at life.</p> <p>“Meatball” (or “Meaty” as he’s known by his family) is just one of those lucky dogs, and thanks to his gorgeous personality, he’s won tens of thousands of fans online. Meaty has one particular quirk that seems to be melting hearts around the world – since his rescue, he simply can’t stop smiling.</p> <p>Lisa Reilly adopted the cute 30kg canine two years ago from Fresno Bully Rescue in the US after spotting him at the shelter and getting a feeling that he was “the one”.</p> <p>However, their first day together didn’t exactly go to plan. “I woke up to a sea of chewed shoes,” Reilly wrote in a <a href="https://community.petco.com/t5/Blog/Adoption-Stories-Fat-Little-Brown-Dog/ba-p/67095?cm_mmc=facebook-_-blog-_-holiday-wishes-fat-little-brown-dog-_-20160210#prclt-vqKNH1PX" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">blog post</span></strong></a>. “He barked and yodelled at me when he wasn't fed on time; he chased our little dogs; and he would just lay down on walks, refusing to budge any further. I won't even mention his snoring or excessive gas. Such a gem, he was.</p> <p>“Luckily for him, I had gone on my first date with a great guy just two days before picking Meaty up from Fresno Bully Rescue, who became responsible for carrying 65-pound Meaty home from his protestations on those first few walks. We quickly got him into training with a recommendation from our neighbouring Petco. That fat little brown dog turned out to be quite the smarty pants and an agility star in a jelly roll body!”</p> <p>Meaty has since become an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/loveabulllisa/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Instagram</span></strong></a> star, with his gorgeous smile earning him more than 60,000 followers and encouraging countless others to learn more about this lovely but sadly misunderstood breed. “I think his huge cheeky grin resonates with what a lot of people say about this breed without having to say anything at all,” Reilly told <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/meatball-pit-bull_us_57cf3f1ae4b0a48094a6714c" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Huffington Post</span></strong></a>. “He’s just pure joy.”</p> <p>Take a look at Meaty’s infectious smile in the gallery above – you might even see the special part he played in his owner’s proposal! Have you ever adopted a pet from a shelter? Share your experience with us in the comments below.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/the-scientific-reason-dogs-make-us-happier/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The scientific reason dogs make us happier</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/dog-trapped-in-barn-for-six-years-finally-gets-a-haircut/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dog trapped in barn for six years finally gets a haircut</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/09/chihuahua-saves-elderly-owner/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Heroic Chihuahua saves 92-year-old owner</strong></em></span></a></p>

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15 bull sharks spotted in popular Australian swimming spot

<p>Swimmers have been warned to think twice about jumping into southeast Queensland’s North Pine River after 15 bull sharks were spotted lurking in the waters.</p> <p>As you can see from the video above, there’s good reason for doing so.</p> <p>The video, uploaded to Facebook earlier this month by Stephen Jolly, clearly shows the one-metre bull sharks swimming around the popular sport.  </p> <p>Jolly told the <a href="http://www.couriermail.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Courier Mail</strong></span></a>, “I’ve always seen them swimming around by themselves or in pairs, but 15 in one spot was nothing I’d seen before. This isn’t unusual though, there are bull sharks in the North Pine River all the time.”</p> <p>Freshwater habitats are a common nursery for sharks, which can reportedly live in areas for up to 12 months before eventually returning back to sea.</p> <p>Have you ever seen sharks in the wildlife? What do you think you would’ve done if you spotted them when about to go for a dip?</p> <p>Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><em>Video credit: Facebook / Moreton Bay And Surrounds Sportfishing</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/03/top-10-favourite-cat-sleeping-positions/"><em>Top 10 favourite cat sleeping positions</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/03/cutest-pet-criminal-duos/"><em>10 of the cutest pet criminal duos</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/05/gallery-of-very-important-cat-jobs/"><em>12 very important cat jobs</em></a></strong></span></p>

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7 best sports films of all time

<p>Sports films have long been a fixture of the cinema world, ever since the Charlie Chaplin’s 1915 silent comedy <em>The Champion</em>. Since then we’ve seen everything from comedies like <em>Happy Gilmore</em> to serious stories like <em>The Blind Side</em>. Here are our picks for the best sports movies ever made.</p> <p><strong><em>Rocky</em></strong></p> <p>Sylvester Stallone shot to international fame after he both wrote and starred in the iconic 1976 film <em>Rocky</em>. Inspired by the championship fight between Muhammad Ali and Chuck Wepner, Stallone wrote the rags-to-riches story of struggling boxer Rocky Balboa. The low-budget film was an unexpected hit, raking in US$225 million and spawning six sequels.</p> <p><strong><em>Chariots of Fire</em></strong></p> <p>Who could forget that theme song? This 1981 British film told the story of two athletes competing in the 1924 Olympics – a Scottish Christian and an English Jew fighting to overcome discrimination. It won four Academy Awards and was used heavily in during the 2012 London Olympics.</p> <p><strong><em>Million Dollar Baby</em></strong></p> <p>Clint Eastwood’s 2004 Best Picture-winner <em>Million Dollar Baby</em> followed the story of a burnt-out boxing trainer who takes on an amateur female fighter, played by Hilary Swank. Swank and Morgan Freeman both won Oscars for their roles, and Eastwood took out the Best Director gong.</p> <p><strong><em>Caddyshack</em></strong></p> <p>This 1980 golfing film starring Chevy Chase and Rodney Dangerfield became a cult classic, even spawning a chain of Caddyshack Restaurants. The film told the story of a brash new golfer who ruffles feathers at a prestigious country club, meanwhile the greenkeeper (played by Bill Murray) must grapple with a gopher infestation.</p> <p><strong><em>Bend It Like Beckham</em></strong></p> <p>Starring Keira Knightley, this critically-acclaimed 2002 comedy-drama explored the struggle of Jesminder, the football-fanatic daughter of Punjabi Sikhs. While battling discrimination and going against her family’s wishes, Jesminder befriends a female footballer (played by Knightley) and joins a local team.</p> <p><em><strong>The Karate Kid</strong></em></p> <p>“Wax on, wax off.” <em>The Karate Kid</em> produced so many memorable quotes and characters, including Pat Morita as Mr Miyagi, the karate expert who takes on a schoolboy, transforming him into the Karate Kid. The film, released in 1984) was surprisingly successful, both critically and at the box office, where it earned over US$90 million.</p> <p><strong><em>Raging Bull</em></strong></p> <p>Last but certainly not least is the 1980 film that solidified Robert De Niro as one of the greatest actors of our time. Based on the true story of Italian-American boxer Jake LaMotta, <em>Raging Bull</em> was not hugely well-received upon release but has come to be regarded as one of the best films of all time. De Niro notably gained 27 kg to play an older version of the character.</p> <p>Which of these films is your favourite? Do you have any to add to our list? Let us know in the comments below!</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/05/8-classic-films-getting-remakes/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 classic films getting remakes</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/05/most-iconic-movie-shots/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 most iconic movie shots of all time</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/04/successful-over-60s-action-stars/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 over-60s action stars who still have it</strong></em></span></a></p>

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Vet technician comforts rescue pit bull after surgery

<p>Sometimes animals can be just like humans. This video, shared on the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter's Facebook page last week, shows surgical assistant Dennis Modes lovingly cradling a pit bull after she was de sexed.</p> <p>The post says that Maddie the rescue dog was feeling disoriented as the anaesthesia wore off, so the kind veterinarian took it upon himself to comfort her. Bailey Deacon, BARCS director of communications, assured The Huffington Post that Maddie would not have been in pain.</p> <p>Watch as the caring technician rocks a sleepy Maddie back and forth while kissing her. Just incredible!</p> <p>Maddie is now safe and happy in her forever home with her new family (see image below).</p> <p><img width="500" height="500" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/16334/pit-bull-pic_500x500.jpg" alt="Pit Bull Pic"/> </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/02/shelter-dog-joyful-reaction-to-being-adopted/">Shy shelter dog’s joyful reaction to being adopted</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/dogs-with-no-concept-of-personal-space/">These dogs have no concept of personal space</a></strong></span></em></p> <p><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/12/dont-feed-pets-table-scraps/">Why you shouldn’t feed your pet table scraps</a></strong></span></em></p> <p> </p>

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Pit bulls acts as surrogate mum to blind cats

<p>Not all stories about pit bulls are good ones, but these rescue dogs act as surrogate mothers to three blind cats.</p> <p>Three cats with severe eye problems had their eyes removed in a bid to give them the best chance at living normal and pain-free lives. However, after the operation the cats were having difficulty adjusting to the darker side of life.</p> <p>Sherry Stewart, a volunteer at Faithful Friends who has fostered over 80 animals, decided to nurture the cats at her home where her two rescued pit bulls resided, constantly giving the family special attention and extra doggy love.</p> <p>It was the combination of both pit bulls’ nurturing personalities that helped heal and foster the cats.</p> <p>Stewart says “They kind of act like surrogate moms…they seemed to have sensed they (cats) need little extra TLC.”</p> <p>Ever since the three cats have arrived in Stewarts home, the trio is really thriving, thanks to her pups’ affection which is evident in an adorable picture of the cat having a nap on the dogs back. The cats have shown an immense improvement, one who was shy and reserved has now come out of his shell and doesn’t have trouble finding things or getting around the house and overall Stuart says the animals have all really formed a very special relationship.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/clever-dog-performs-a-handstand/">Watch gorgeous toy poodle perform a perfect handstand</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/alarm-clock-rug/">You won’t believe this new rug that’s an alarm clock</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/2016/01/make-your-smartphone-battery-last-longer/">How to make your smartphone battery last longer</a></strong></em></span></p> <div> <div class="advert"> <div id="adspot-300x250-pos3" class="ad"> <div> <div> <div class="advert"> <div id="adspot-300x250-pos3" class="ad"></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

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