Month: August 2022

Categories
Technology

WhatsApp privacy updates: Silently leave group chats, appear offline, screenshot blocking

WhatsApp privacy updates: Silently leave group chats, appear offline, screenshot blocking

WhatsApp users will soon be able to “silently” slip out of group chats without everyone making a “big deal” out of it.

The update, which will start to roll out this month, is one of several new privacy features for the popular messaging app announced by parent company Meta on Tuesday.

Currently, leaving a group chat can be slightly awkward as everyone receives a notification.

“We love our group chats but some are not forever,” Meta said in a blog post.

“We’re making it possible to exit a group privately without making it a big deal to everyone. Now, instead of notifying the full group when you are leaving, only the admins will be notified.”

In another change rolling out this month, users will be able to choose who can see when they are online.

“Seeing when friends or family are online helps us feel connected to one another, but we’ve all had times when we wanted to check our WhatsApp privately,” Meta said.

“For the moments you want to keep your online presence private, we’re introducing the ability to select who can and can’t see when you’re online.”

A third new feature coming soon will allow screenshot blocking for “View Once” disappearing messages.

“View Once is already an incredibly popular way to share photos or media that don’t need to have a permanent digital record,” Meta said.

“Now we’re enabling screenshot blocking for View Once messages for an added layer of protection. We’re testing this feature now and are excited to roll it out to users soon.”

The updates build on WhatsApp’s existing privacy features including default end-to-end encryption for calls and messages, encrypted backups for chat history, two-step verification and the ability to block and report unwanted chats.

“We’ll keep building new ways to protect your messages and keep them as private and secure as face-to-face conversations,” Meta founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post.

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Ami Vora, head of product at WhatsApp, said in a statement the company was “focused on building product features that empower people to have more control and privacy over their messages”.

“Over the years, we’ve added interlocking layers of protection to help keep their conversations secure, and the new features are one way we continue to deliver on our commitment to keep messages private,” he said.

It comes as Meta makes a series of changes to Facebook and Instagram in order to win over younger users increasingly abandoning its platforms for Chinese rival TikTok.

Facebook recently launched a new “Feeds” feature allowing users to see the latest posts from their family and friends, separate to the main “Home” news feed which delivers content based on a recommendation algorithm.

“One of the most requested features for Facebook is to make sure people don’t miss friends’ posts,” Mr Zuckerberg wrote in a Facebook post. “So today we’re launching a Feeds tab where you can see posts from your friends, groups, Pages and more, separately in chronological order.”

More recently, Instagram was forced to roll back a series of controversial changes that boosted the appearance of recommended video content in news feeds, after backlash from high-profile users including Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner who accused the platform of “trying to be TikTok” .

Amid mounting criticism, Meta said last month it would be reducing the number of recommended posts and videos from accounts users don’t follow that they see in their feeds, as it works to improve its personalization algorithms.

“I’m glad we took a risk. If we’re not failing every once in a while, we’re not thinking big enough or bold enough,” Instagram head Adam Mosseri told TheVerge.

“But we definitely need to take a big step back and regroup. [When] we’ve learned a lot, then we come back with some sort of new idea or iteration. So we’re going to work through that.”

Meta last month posted its first ever quarterly revenue decline, following a privacy change from Apple allowing iOS users to opt out of data tracking, and growing competition from TikTok.

Revenue was down 1 per cent to $US28.8 billion ($A41.4 billion), while profit fell 36 per cent to $US6.6 billion ($A9.5 billion).

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Categories
Entertainment

The Block: Massive $250,000 prize could derail competition

The Block: Massive $250,000 prize could derail competition

The Block host Scott Cam has announced the biggest prize packet in the show’s history, and the revelation has already sent contestants into a frenzy.

Just days into the new ‘Tree Change’ season of the Channel 9 renovation show, which has seen the teams kick off with ‘bathroom week’, Cam dropped a “bombshell” that the winner of this week’s challenge would score a whopping $250,000 bonus for the coveted ‘kitchen week’ renovations.

The prize will be on top of the $10,000 nabbed by the winning team, and will be awarded in state-of-the-art upgrades to the team’s kitchen courtesy of Winning Appliances.

“The kitchen upgrade consists of V-ZUG and The Galley, and they are some of the world’s best brands to have landed in Australia and are exclusive to Winning Appliances,” Scotty teased of the Swiss and US products.

Block newcomer Rachel, who got the call-up to be Elle and Joel’s replacement alongside her partner Ryan, led the chaotic response to the major news.

“How funny is it that we’re all best friends now, but when they mention $250,000 I’m like, ‘f**k you lot, I’m outta here!’” she said.

Meanwhile, the “exciting” news sent Sharon into a spiral.

“That honestly is so stressful, it’s such a great thing that that’s what’s happening but your heart sinks when you think – that’s not going to be us,” she said in a piece-to-camera.

Block fans will know the judges often say “kitchens sell houses”, with the kitchen week reveal proving to be one of the most exciting episodes each season.

“If you win this, you’re going to win kitchen week,” Tom said. And [you have] a very good chance of winning The Block.”

The Block continues Wednesday on Channel 9 at 7.30pm

Read related topics:The Block

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Categories
Sports

Have the Roos been unfairly impacted by father-son/Academy draft rules?

Have the Roos been unfairly impacted by father-son/Academy draft rules?

Is it unfair on North Melbourne that arguably the best player in the draft has been unavailable to them three years in a row or is it simply the swings and roundabouts of the draft system?

In 2020, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan was tied to the Western Bulldogs via their Academy – the Roos had pick three and likely missed out on either Ugle-Hagan or Riley Thilthorpe depending on the Crows’ decision.

Last year, they were always likely to select Jason Horne-Francis, but had no ability to even pursue Nick Daicos, given his status as a Collingwood father-son.

Daicos has had a generational debut season with the Magpies, averaging 26 disposals per game, while Ugle-Hagan has begun to emerge as a key forward for the Dogs.

Compounding this, the top pick in the 2022 National Draft will likely be Will Ashcroft – a Brisbane father-son prospect.

Given the Roos are on the bottom of the ladder and stuck in a deep rebuild, have they unfairly missed out on the top talent available?

AFL draft expert Callum Twomey believes most clubs see the father-son rules as swings and roundabouts and every team will have their chance.

“I think it’s luck of the draw. Clubs will get different opportunities at different stages through father-son and Academy picks,” Twomey told SEN SA Breakfast.

“North Melbourne got Luke McDonald a little while ago and then Tarryn Thomas was the earliest next generation bid a few years ago, so swings and roundabouts to a degree.

“The timing for North Melbourne is obviously a bit different being back to back years.

“Last year they didn’t really have access to Nick Daicos, I know they didn’t bid on him, but they didn’t have access to him and this year Will Ashcroft is the number one player at this point.

“His other challenger has been George Wardlaw and if they both played all year it would’ve been interesting to see how close they would’ve been because Wardlaw has missed six or seven weeks with hamstring injuries, he missed some footy at the start of the year with illness as well.

“Overall I don’t think the clubs have a huge opposition to the father-son rule. I think they see that mainly it can just be luck of the draw and see what comes through.”

North Melbourne currently sits 18th and will hold pick one, but West Coast could still move into that spot if they suffer big losses to Fremantle and Geelong in the final fortnight.

Twomey is bullish on Ashcroft, believing he could be playing senior footy for the Lions this season.

“He’s Sam Walsh. That type of player. He’s relentless with his running from him, he’s added some burst this year which I think has made him really difficult to stop, ”Twomey said.

“He’s so consistent, he averages 35 touches in the NAB League, watched him have 38 on the weekend for the Sandringham Dragons, he just does it every single week.

“He’s starting to get a bit more attention too. I think he’s going to make a difference for Brisbane from day one.

“If he was thrown into that midfield (now) he’d make a difference as well. He’ll be playing a lot of footy next year.”





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Categories
Australia

Former Logan City councilor demands apology over dropped fraud charges that ‘destroyed lives’

Former Logan City councilor demands apology over dropped fraud charges that 'destroyed lives'

A former Logan councilor has described how fraud charges laid in the wake of an investigation by Queensland’s corruption watchdog destroyed her life and led to a barrage of public abuse.

Trevina Schwarz was one of eight former Logan City councilors who in 2019 were charged with fraud and sacked following a Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigation.

The charges were dropped last year due to insufficient evidence.

Ms Schwarz said the ordeal took a major toll on her family, saying it copped relentless abuse from the public.

“My son was abused in Bunnings and asked to come outside so the fellow could fight him. It really was awful,” Ms Schwarz told ABC Radio Brisbane.

“You’d walk in a home where you’d lived for 30 years and people would look at you and point as you were walking down the street.

“You couldn’t escape from it. It was on the news, it was on the radio, it was in the papers.

“It absolutely destroyed my life. And the toll that it also takes on your family is huge.”

Her comments came after leading Queensland corruption fighter Tony Fitzgerald yesterday handed down a report into how corruption is investigated in the state.

It included a string of recommendations.

Among them was the need for the CCC to consult with the state’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) before laying charges to avoid “unwarranted impact” and to rebuild public confidence.

The report also found the Logan City Council probe damaged the public’s perceptions of the CCC.

Calls for an apology

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk speaking to reporters in Brisbane
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk would not say if her government would issue an apology to the councillors.(ABCNews)

When Ms Schwarz received a call from the CCC notifying her that the charges had been dropped, she initially “thought it was a hoax”.

She said the CCC had failed to comply with its own rules during its investigation of the Logan City Council.

“Although there should be great and high protection for whistleblowers, first and foremost, you need to ensure that those complaints are factually correct and not malicious.”

While she is pleased with the recommendations in Mr Fitzgerald’s report, Ms Schwarz is hoping for an apology from the state government after cabinet meets on Monday.

“Wrongfully charging us has destroyed our lives, our careers and the reputational harm is irreparable,” she said.

“We’re all disappointed that we have not received an apology, a meaningful apology. That should be forthcoming,” Ms Schwarz said.

Former councilors considering legal action

Ms Schwarz also told ABC Radio Brisbane the eight sacked Logan City councilors were considering pursuing compensation from the state government.

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Categories
US

Burning body found hanging from tree in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park

Burning body found hanging from tree in Los Angeles' Griffith Park

A burning body was found hanging from a tree in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, according to authorities in the city.

Los Angeles Fire Department says that the gross discovery was made near the park’s merry-go-round on Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities say that the victim’s age, gender, and race are not yet known.

Firefighters called to the scene said that the victim was already dead when they arrived, according to NBC Los Angeles.

“It’s a death investigation. We’re assisting with body recovery,” an LAFD spokeswoman told Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Police Department has launched an investigation into the death.

Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States, covering 4,210 acres of land in the city’s Los Feliz neighborhood.

“Situated in the eastern Santa Monica Mountain range, the Park’s elevations range from 384 to 1,625 feet above sea level,” states the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

“With an arid climate, the Park’s plant communities vary from coastal sage scrub, oak and walnut woodlands to riparian vegetation with trees in the Park’s deep canyons.”

It is not the first body found in the park this year.

In April the body of a hiker who went missing two weeks ago was found in the park with his pet dog still sitting loyally by his side.

Oscar Alejandro Hernandez, 29, was found in a remote area of ​​Griffith Park after being reported missing on 16 March. His Golden Retriever from him, King, was emaciated but alive, having faithfully remained with his owner until his body from him was discovered.

A search and rescue team used a helicopter to remove Hernandez’s body from the steep hillside, also near the merry-go-round in the east end of the park.

Categories
Business

Fire escape plan reveals Air New Zealand’s top-secret lounge with incredible perks

Fire escape plan reveals Air New Zealand's top-secret lounge with incredible perks

The location and incredible perks of Air New Zealand’s top secret Koru Club – reserved for its wealthiest and most famous flyers – has been unveiled by Stuff Travel.

Membership to Elite Priority One (known as EP1) is highly secretive with Air New Zealand keeping it completely under wraps.

The airline has no publicly available information on its website about the programme.

The exact location of the clubs has long been rumored but never publicly revealed – until a missed morning shower led to the clue I’d long been waiting for.

After running late for an international trip, I decided to skip my morning shower and instead have one in the Koru Lounge at Auckland Airport.

On the hunt for hygiene, I wandered down a little-used corridor I’d never explored. It had a kids area and shower block.

There, innocently attached to the wall, was a fire escape plan. And it’s here I discovered a secret wing of the Koru Club right under my nose.

The map revealed that just a few meters further down the corridor I’d find an entrance. Sure enough, I found a semi-frosted door with the words “by invitation only”.

The floor plan revealed an expansive space including a boardroom, offices, and a stairwell leading to a mystery location.

A peek through the frosted glass showed large floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the main departures area, with plush decor. Gone is the usual Koru Club buffet; Meals are à la carte, with a premium selection of drinks.

Access to the EP1 program is understood to be by invitation from Air New Zealand’s CEO Greg Foran.

Membership is thought to number about 100, including chief executives of top New Zealand companies and a university vice-chancellor.

Stuff has previously reported that “details of where the lounges are located and the VIP treatment they offer are a closely guarded secret”.

That is, until now.

A design company that put together a welcome kit for EP1 members has posted mock-ups of what each member receives on its website, revealing lots about the scheme.

On being invited to join the programme, members get a personalized gift that is designed to look like a luxury travel bag.

It includes an ‘Aroha’ bottle of wine from Craggy Range, “a personalized boxed titanium pen, personalized artistic representation of their previous year’s flying data, and a cardboard welcome pack including; a welcome letter, membership card, personalized luggage tags, Deadly Ponies luggage tag holders, and a book of benefits”.

The exact perks of this exclusive program have also long been a closely-guarded secret.

However, in showing off its designs, the company posted a “book of benefits” – and if you zoom in, you can read them all.

Here is the full list of benefits:

Board as you wish: Nobody likes queuing, and if you’re an EP1 member, you don’t need to. The welcome kit explains, “let us know whether you like to board the aircraft early or towards the end of boarding, and we will arrange this for you”.

Gift status: You will become the most popular member of your family if you’re EP1 because you’re allowed to gift an Airports Elite membership to anyone. On top of that, you can also give an Airpoints Gold membership to a family member or friend.

Seat selection: Most of us pay $10 to select a good seat. If you’re EP1, you and five friends get any seat you want – guaranteed.

Yoflight meals: Have you ever sat in the last row of the plane, and when the meals finally reach you, the nice-sounding one has run out? If you’re an EP1, this will never happen – as you’re guaranteed your first meal choice regardless of which cabin you’re seated in. Chicken or beef? You can probably have both.

flexibility: Change of plan? No problem if you’re one of Air New Zealand’s most prized customers. You and five friends can change a flight without any cancellation or penalty fees, and you can change any domestic and short-haul flight on the day of travel free of charge – even if your ticket isn’t flexible.

Valet parking: How about checking in for your flight when you park your car? As an EP1 member, you get “unlimited” access to Air New Zealand Valet parking at Auckland and Christchurch airports. When using the Auckland domestic valet parking, you can check-in for your flight when parking and head straight to the lounge of the boarding gate.

A seat guarantee: Flight full? It doesn’t matter if you’re EP1. The benefits book explains, “For when you just have to be on a flight, you and one traveling companion are guaranteed an economy seat on any Air New Zealand operated service.”

Recognition Upgrades: These are essentially free upgrades gifted to Silver, Gold and Gold Elite members. However, it’s always a gamble if you’ll get the upgrade. Not a problem if you’re EP1, “your upgrade will be confirmed into an unsold seat at the time of the request.” If you have a person traveling with you, they also get the same benefit.

Lounges: You get access to the exclusive EP1 lounge at Auckland International Airport and Sydney International Airport. You can invite five other people, and “enjoy a selection of à la carte dining and a selection of premium beverages.” Traveling domestic? No worries, your exclusive experience continues with a “private Elite Priority One space” at Auckland and Wellington Airports.

meeting and greet: One of the most exclusive benefits is a VIP meet and greet service. When you arrive on an international flight (excluding Australia), “you’ll find one of our friendly staff waiting for you when you disembark.” They are tasked with doing “everything possible” to make your arrival “swift and seamless.”

Most benefits can also be given to up to five other traveling companions. When traveling domestically, you and five friends also get to access the Koru Lounge on arrival, where you can “enjoy à la carte dining and a selection of premium beverages.”

Stuff.co.nz

See also: Inside the invite-only Qantas lounge

See also: Sneak peek inside Virgin’s new exclusive, invites-only lounge

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Categories
Technology

Modern Warfare 2 Features A Formula 1 Map

Modern Warfare 2 Features A Formula 1 Map

Nothing between heaven and earth is immune from Formula 1 frenzy, not even the upcoming Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Beta, which will feature a multiplayer map based on Singapore’s Marina Bay Circuit (try to keep it in your pants).

“We understand that, with our agreement, Infinity Ward have announced they designed a Grand Prix Map as part of the #MWII Beta,” reads a post from Call of Duty’s Twitter accounts; clearly taking the piss out of the viral statement issued by Oscar Piastri in relation to Alpine F1 last week.

RELATED: ‘Call Of Duty – Modern Warfare 2’ Finally Has An Explosive Gameplay Trailer

“This is right, and the map will be playable for the 2022 Beta. We will be playing on Grand Prix in #MWII this year.”

At this stage, while there’s zero real-life Formula 1 branding to be seen in the early promo materials for the hit reboot’s sequel – or even Formula 1 team-based branding, for that matter – you can definitely fill in the gaps with a bit of imagination. Once you get past the fact the cars appear to be a strange fusion of the 2017 race rigs and recent F2 cars, of course. Still, it’s more than a passing resemblance.

Based on the footage previewed today, most of the combat will take place in the pits, where we’ve caught glimpses of certain machinery on fire (there’s your Ferrari). The F1 cars themselves also appear to be actively competing against one another. But whether this element of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 map – officially dubbed “Marina Bay Grand Prix” – will be purely ornamental or something players may actually interact with is currently unclear.

RELATED: Sweet Jesus… ‘Skate 4’ Will Be Free-To-Play On All Platforms

As per Activision Blizzard and Infinity Ward’s confirmation two months prior, the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 remake has locked in an October 28th, 2022 release date. The open beta, on the other hand, will be open for all platforms from September 24th to 26th of 2022 (cross-play enabled).

Check out the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Formula 1 map’s epic reveal trailer via the Twitter post above.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Formula 1 Map

Side notes: there’s a joke about missile strikes somewhere here.

Categories
Entertainment

How much did House of the Dragon cost HBO to make?

How much did House of the Dragon cost HBO to make?

More dragons. More money.

HBO’s upcoming fantasy series House of the Dragon reportedly cost even more to make than game of Thrones, Variety reports.

The 10-episode debut season of HotDwhich will premiere its first episode on Binge and Foxtel in Australia on August 22, is said to have racked up a bill of around $300 million.

In comparison, the eighth and final season of GoT cost about $130 million.

While thrones had fewer episodes than HotD for its final season, coming in at just six episodes, the prequel still cost more on a per-episode basis at just under $28.75 million per episode, compared to the $22 million it took to make each episode of GoT.

Back in 2011, before it became an international phenomenon, Thrones’ The first season was allocated $9 million an episode.

But with more computer-generated imagery required thanks to the amount of dragons involved in the storyline (there’s apparently 17 dragons), not to mention immense pressure due to the popularity of thronesit makes sense HBO allocated a substantial amount of cash for the hotly-anticipated prequel series.

In thrones, only Daenerys Targaryen is blessed with owning dragons, which were incredibly rare. However, the mythical creatures fly rampant in HotDwith almost every key character owning one.

Stream House of the Dragon from August 22 on BINGE or on FOXTEL. New BINGE customers get a 14-day free trial. Sign up at binge.com.au

It’s certainly an expensive genre, with Amazon’s upcoming The Lord of the Rings prequel series The Rings of Power reportedly racking up an eye-watering $668 million bill to produce its first season, comprising of eight episodes.

House of the Dragon is set 200 years before the events of the hit fantasy series, and will focus on the rise and fall of House Targaryen after the family becomes embroiled in a nasty civil war.

It’s based on George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire companion Book, Fire&Bloodwith Martin also having co-created the show alongside TV writer Ryan Condal.

House of the Dragon will premiere on Monday 22 August at the same time as the US, streaming on Binge. The series will also be available to watch on Foxtel in 4K Ultra HD

Read related topics:BingeFoxtel

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Categories
Sports

Richards to race at Pukekohe Supercars round

Richards to race at Pukekohe Supercars round


Slade Perrins

The Nissan Primera Supertourer

Five-time Repco Bathurst 1000 winner Steven Richards will race a Nissan Super Tourer at the New Zealand Supercars round.

Richards is set to compete in the Archibalds Historic Touring Cars category, which supports the ITM Auckland SuperSprint across September 9-11.

He will step into Murray Sinclair’s Nissan Primera Super Tourer for the weekend, having driven the same model car for Garry Rogers Motorsport in the 1997 Australian Super Touring Championship.

Richards joins John Bowe and Greg Murphy on the grid, who were confirmed last month to drive two famous Ford Sierras.

This year’s Supercars round at Pukekohe Park Raceway is set to be the last at the circuit after it was announced the venue will close to motorsport activities in April 2023.

“The Historic Touring cars represent the great memories we all have of fantastic on track battles in iconic cars from various eras gone by,” said Richards.

“I’ve been privileged over the years to participate in the Skope classic and Bathurst legends events at Hampton Downs.

“Racing at Pukekohe for a final time is special. It’s where [Jim Richards] cut his teeth as a teenager, while Nanna and Pop watched under the big Oak trees on the hill and where Pops ashes were spread after his passing.

“I’ve had great memories driving here in Supercars, NZ V8 Super Tourers and I rate it in the top 4 exhilarating race tracks that I had the pleasure of driving at.

“Huge thanks to Murray Sinclair for trusting me with his Nissan Primera, a car which I’m quite familiar with.

“To Nigel and Jimmy for the prep and to Pete Sturgeon for the opportunity.”

Categories
Australia

Jury discharged after nearly a week of deliberations in Brendan Pallant murder trial

Jury discharged after nearly a week of deliberations in Brendan Pallant murder trial

A Supreme Court jury in the trial of a Melbourne man accused of killing his new girlfriend’s toddler has been unable to come to a verdict.

WARNING: This story contains graphic content.

Brendan Pallant was on trial for the murder of two-year-old Jaidyn Gomes-Sebastiao in September 2019.

After nearly a week of deliberations the jurors told the court they were unable to agree unanimously on whether Mr Pallant was guilty or not guilty of the charge.

The toddler died of a brain injury which the prosecution alleged was inflicted by Mr Pallant using a 4.6kg coffee table.

“Sometime that afternoon it’s alleged that Mr Pallant, during a short but profound period of frustration, anger, impatience, and loss of self-control, entered the boy’s bedroom and seriously assaulted two-year-old Jaidyn Gomes-Sebastiao,” Mark Gibson QC said.

Defense lawyers shift blame to mother

Mr Pallant’s lawyers, however, argued the injury could have been caused by another person, including Jaidyn’s mother, Stacie Saggers.

“The evidence is equally consistent with someone, Stacie, pushing or throwing Jaidyn into it,” Rishi Nathwani said.

Jaidyn had been left napping in the care of Mr Pallant while his mother went to work at a cleaning job.

Not long after she arrived home, having had some food and a sleep, Mr Pallant had suggested waking the boy, the court heard.

It was then, the defense said, Mr Pallant found Jaidyn injured in his bedroom.

“Brendan Pallant gave Jaidyn CPR, mouth-to-mouth, and during that he vomited,” Mr Nathwani told the trial.

“Is that consistent with someone wanting to kill?”

During a month-long trial the court heard Jaidyn had been left in his bedroom napping in the care of his mother’s new boyfriend, Mr Pallant, on the day he died.

A photo of a toddle with blonde hair and blue eyes looking into the camera.
The court heard two-year-old Jaidyn Gomes-Sebastiao was in the care of Brendan Pallant on the day of his death.(Supplied)

Ms Saggers had met Mr Pallant just a month earlier, allowing him to move into her Langwarrin home days later.

The court heard the pair did drugs at the home and had taken some the night before Jaidyn’s death.

“[Ms Saggers] sold her son’s bed for drugs,” Mr Nathwani told the jury.

“There was methamphetamine and amphetamine in her son’s body, both in urine and in his hair.”

The crown prosecutor said despite the environment, Ms Saggers kept her home tidy and her children fed and clean.

“Sure, she was not a perfect mother, perhaps not even a good mother at times, but she was never, ever violent or physically aggressive,” Mr Gibson said.

He told the court Ms Saggers had started to notice signs Jaidyn was being injured shortly after Mr Pallant moved in, even taking photos of new bruises to monitor her suspicions.

Judge declares no verdict will be reached

Supreme Court Justice Jane Dixon discharged the jury on its sixth day of deliberations.

“Murder is a charge that requires a unanimous verdict,” Justice Dixon said.

“You’ve indicated that, despite all of that, you’ve not been able to reach a unanimous verdict.

“It’s not likely you ever will.

“This sometimes happens.”

Justice Dixon thanked the jury for its work during the month-long trial and its subsequent attempt at coming to a decision.

“You have not seen your family and friends since probably last Thursday, you’ve been cut off from communications with the world,” she said.

“You went through the Melbourne lockdowns, and you’ve been locked down again.

“On behalf of the community, you have been extraordinary, you have made such great sacrifices.”

Mr Pallant has been remanded in custody.

The case will return to court for a hearing next month to decide what happens next.

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