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.
Air New Zealand’s exclusive EP1 lounge has remained a closely guarded secret, until now. Photo: Supplied
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.
A fire escape plan at the Auckland International Koru Lounge reveals the Elite Priority One lounge, indicated by the red rectangle. Photo: Brook Sabin/Stuff
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.
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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.
Air New Zealand’s new business premiere luxe suite has a sliding door for privacy – perfect for the EP1 crowd. Photo: Supplied
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.
Members receive a personalized gift. Photo: DONNAROBERTSCREATIVE.COM
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
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’sTwitter 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.
We understand that, with our agreement, @infinityward have they announced a Grand Prix map as a part of the #MWII Beta. This is right, and the map will be playable for the 2022 Beta. We will be playing on Grand Prix in #MWII this year. pic.twitter.com/8kbaSEkChU
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.
Side notes: there’s a joke about missile strikes somewhere here.
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
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.”
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.
Key points:
The jury has been discharged after being unable to reach a unanimous verdict following six days of deliberations.
Brendan Pallant is accused of murdering his former girlfriend’s two-year-old son
The case will return to court next month for a hearing
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.
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.
Yaser Said was convicted of capital murder Tuesday in the 2008 fatal shootings of his two teenage daughters, 18-year-old Amina Said and 17-year-old Sarah Said.
After hearing closing arguments and deliberating for three hours, the Dallas County jury reached the guilty verdict. Judge Chika Anyiam sentenced Said to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty in the case.
Patricia Owens, the mother of Amina and Sarah, addressed her ex-husband on the stand after the verdict. “You deserve to die now, not in prison,” Owens said. “You took my life. You took my family all in one night.”
Said was placed on the FBI’s most-wanted list after the murders and evaded arrest for more than 12 years. Said, who had worked as a cab driver, was arrested in August 2020 in Justin, Texas. He denied killing his daughters from him when he took the stand Monday, entering a not guilty plea,
Prosecutors claim Said, who is Muslim, murdered his daughters because he was upset that the girls were dating.
“He wouldn’t even let these girls go to a movie. He wouldn’t let them date,” a prosecutor said during closing statements Tuesday.
ABC News local affiliate WFAA reported that police have described the murders as “honor killings” — defined as the killing of a relative, especially a girl or woman, who is perceived to have brought dishonor on the family in certain cultures.
During the trial, prosecutors read a December 21, 2007, email Amina wrote to her history teacher 10 days before she and her sister were killed, saying their father “made our lives a nightmare” and that she and her sister wanted to run away.
“I am so scared right now,” Amina wrote, according to prosecutors. “OK, well as you know we’re not allowed to date and my dad is arranging my marriage. My dad said I cannot put it off any more and I have to get married this year.”
“He will, without any drama nor doubt, kill us,” she also wrote.
Yaser Said, who took the stand Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, denies killing his daughters, entering a not guilty plea.
WFAA
The girls, along with their mother and their boyfriends, fled their Texas home to Oklahoma on Christmas Day 2007, four days after Amina sent the email. Witnesses said the girls returned to the Dallas area on New Year’s Eve when their mother de ella said Said convinced her to return home.
The girls’ bodies were found on New Year’s Day 2008 in a taxi cab prosecutors said Said drove.
Last Wednesday, the prosecution played the 911 call Sarah allegedly made the night of her death. During the call, a woman can be heard frantically screaming that her father had shot her and that she was dying.
During her testimony in court last Thursday Owens pointed to her ex-husband, calling him “that devil.” She testified that Said was controlling and abusive throughout their relationship, adding that she and her daughters de ella left him several times over the years, but they always returned out of fear.
Owens declined to comment on the case until her ex-husband is convicted, she told ABC News.
In a letter written to the judge overseeing the case, Said said while he disapproved of his daughters’ “dating activity,” he denied killing the girls.
“I was upset because in my culture it’s something to get upset about,” said Said through a translator. I have testified that I immigrated to the US from Egypt in 1983 and later became a US citizen.
Said told jurors that the evening his daughters were killed, he was taking them to dinner because he wanted to smooth things over and “solve the problem.”
However, Said claims he left the vehicle, fleeing into a wooded area before the girls were killed because he thought someone wanted to murder him, testifying that he spotted an unknown person in a car stalking them while they were driving to dinner.
Said said he did not turn himself in after the murders because he didn’t think he would get a fair trial.
The defense team claims that Said was targeted by law enforcement because of his Muslim faith and cultural beliefs.
“Everybody has a preference in how they discipline their kids, just like they have a preference for what kind of food they eat, what kind of people they date, what religion they want to practice,” Baharan Muse, Said’s defense attorney, said in closing arguments Tuesday. “Discipline does not mean you murdered your children. Your culture does not mean you murdered your children.”
Said’s defense team alleged prosecutors sought to “generalize” and “criminalize an entire culture, to fit their narrative.”
The prosecution rejected the claim that Said was unjustly accused for his religious beliefs.
“If you intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another in Dallas County, we are coming for you. Period. You will be prosecuted. Period. It has nothing to do with your race or religion,” prosecutor Lauren Black said in her closing argument .
Retailing for £1,299, the Williams Esports Edition of the Razer Enki Pro claims to have that luxurious feeling when it’s time to sit down and game. The seat itself is a mix of Alcantara plush with leatherette-type of lining. It has 110 degrees of extended shoulder arches and a 21-inch ultra-wide seat base.
Inside and around the Enki Pro, there’s a built in lumbar arch for the back, adjustable seat positioning with up to 152 degrees of recline, and there’s also a piece of memory foam disguised as a head cushion for head and neck comfort and support.
This particular gaming chair comes in two other variants if the Williams Esports branding isn’t what you’re looking for. There is a Koenigsegg Edition that also costs £1,299, decked out in bright yellow and black Alcantara upholstery. Also, for only £999, the same Enki Pro chair comes in all black with the green Razer trim and logo.
There are wheels on the bottom of the seat, so unless you’ve got a rig that holds the wheels down, like the Next Level Racing Wheel Stand 2.0 does, or you opt to not install the wheels for whatever reason, this is going to be most useful for desk gaming/racing or casual chilling in your gaming room.
Either way, it’s quite luxurious in the pricing. What do you think about this new gaming chair, is it a must have for Williams Racing or Esports fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
As Serena Williams prepares to farewell the sport she dominated for two decades, an Australian coach has revealed the lengths young players on the women’s tennis tour are going to so they can have long careers without interruption.
Key points:
Serena Williams said one of the reasons she will be retiring soon is because she wants another child
Williams used 45-year-old NFL quarterback and father of three Tom Brady as an example of men who do not have to make that choice
Australian coach Rennae Stubbs says some young women on tour are freezing their eggs to have kids after their careers
Williams flagged in a Vogue article titled Serena’s Farewell that she was not far away from ending her tennis career, hinting that it may be after the US Open, which starts at the end of the month.
The 23-time major winner said “something’s got to give” for a number of reasons; partly because she turns 41 at the end of September, partly because of her many business interests that are a full-time job in their own right, and partly because she wants to have a second child.
Williams, who was two months pregnant with daughter Olympia when she won her last major, the 2017 Australian Open, pointed out that while she “loved every second of being pregnant” it was unfair that she had to choose one or the other while most male athletes do not.
“I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair,” she said, pointing to 45-year-old father of three Tom Brady, who retired as an NFL quarterback and then un-retired last off-season.
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Rennae Stubbs on the choice women have to make around tennis careers and parenthood
“If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family.”
Former doubles world number one Rennae Stubbs told Radio National Breakfast that many players on the WTA tour were exploring fertility options early in their careers so they could play tennis for a decade or more without missing their window to have kids.
“I know players who want to have children, who want to have a family, have [frozen] their eggs, because they want to play until their mid-30s or 40s,” Stubbs, who coached stars Sam Stosur, Karolína Plíšková and Eugenie Bouchard, said.
“And there’s so much money in tennis now, they want to keep going and they can sustain themselves and their families.
Rennae Stubbs (left) has coached a number of players on the women’s tour, including former world number one Karolína Plíšková (right).(Getty: Chris Hyde)
“So they freeze eggs so they can have kids later on in life. But think about Tom Brady or Roger Federer or Rafa [Nadal] now; you can have children and keep playing because you’re not the one birthing it and taking nine months to have the child and then the recovery after the child.
“There’s no question that it’s way more difficult for women. No question about it.”
It is not only globe-trotting tennis players who have made the decision, with WNBA stars Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, English Super Netball player Geva Mentor and USWNT forward Sydney Leroux speaking openly about their egg retrieval processes.
In a post on the Reproductive Health and Wellness Center’s website about UFC fighter Carla Esparza freezing her eggs, the Orange County-based IVF and fertility experts wrote that the procedure is becoming increasingly “popular with young professional women who lead busy, active lifestyles and don ‘t want to run the risk of waiting too long before starting their family for fear of egg viability.”
“Women in the professional athletic field often face the risk of fertility issues frequently, as the nature of intense athletic professions may put women at a higher likelihood of irregular ovulation,” the website reads.
“Women who exercise frequently and/or are athletes are often at risk for irregular ovulation and fertility issues later in life due to the intense physicality their bodies are put through. When their bodies are physically strained, the brain will not stimulate the ovaries in a normal way.
“For those who have a passion for intense exercise or make it their primary job, having to keep fertility in mind while also keeping one’s body as fit as possible is a difficult balance.”
Returning to sport after having a baby
AFLW superstar Erin Phillips and Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt have both continued playing while their partners gave birth to their children in recent years.
But tennis and other sports are full of women who sat out long periods of their athletic prime to start a family, with comebacks sometimes yielding further success and sometimes not.
Belgian great Kim Clijsters stepped away while ranked in the top five in 2007, had her first child the next year and made a triumphant return, winning three more major titles from 2009 to 2011.
Williams herself has been strong but not her usual dominant self since coming back in early 2018, having endured a difficult birth with Olympia, including a pulmonary embolism and postpartum depression.
Having played in all but two of the 10 major finals leading up to her break from tennis, winning six titles in the process, Williams has reached four deciders since her comeback and has been unable to win one to reach the record 24 singles titles won by Margaret Court across the amateur and Open eras.
Coincidentally, on the same day Williams’s Vogue article was released, 41-year-old Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson was named in the Opals’ squad for the World Cup, which starts in September.
Jackson stepped away from the game in 2016 and raised her two sons, before making a comeback earlier this year.
Basketball Australia (BA) has had a spotty record with working mothers at times, engaging in a childcare dispute with Abby Bishop, who has custody of her sister’s child.
BA initially said Bishop would have to pay for flights, care and accommodation for Zala, leading to Bishop taking time away from the national set-up until the dispute was resolved in 2015.
An aged care home that failed numerous safety standards and raised the ire of the community is recruiting an interim CEO.
Key points:
Warrnambool’s Lyndoch Living has today confirmed it is actively recruiting an interim CEO
A WorkSafe inquiry is underway following allegations of bullying and intimidation of staff and residents
A community group wants the federal government remove the board and chief executive and appoint an administrator
Warrnambool’s Lyndoch Living today confirmed it was actively recruiting while current CEO, Doreen Power, takes leave.
It comes amid a WorkSafe inquiry that is underway after allegations of bullying and intimidation of staff and residents were leveled against Ms Power.
Last week south-west MP Roma Britnell used parliamentary privilege to accuse Ms Power of acting with “subterfuge and arrogance”.
Ms Britnell told the Legislative Assembly the aged care provider’s board should remove her.
“The aged care provider has had more than 200 staff leave over the past couple of years amid claims of bullying and intimidation from the upper management that’s created a toxic workplace,” Ms Britnell said.
“I believe Ms Powell is the source of many of these problems, especially the toxic workplace environment.
“I fear residents’ wellbeing is now at risk.”
Liberal MP Roma Britnell speaks at a community rally against Lyndoch earlier this year.(Supplied: Roma Britnell)
Community unrest has been growing since Ms Power’s tenure began in Warrnambool in 2015.
In recent years, a community action group called “Keep Lyndoch Living” was formed and amassed over 700 members.
According to its Facebook site, the page was created to “give people in the Warrnambool region a space where they can safely discuss the future prosperity of our primary community-based aged care facility, Lyndoch Living.”
Group member Jim Burke said the situation had continued to deteriorate.
The group wants the federal government to remove the board and chief executive and appoint an administrator.
“They need to sort out a more representative board that is accountable to the community. At the moment they elect themselves.”
More than 100 local applications for membership from community members were denied in 2021 with no explanation.
More than 100 applications for membership to Lyndoch from community members have been denied.(Supplied: Jim Burke)
Prior to her seven-year Warrnambool stint, Ms Power was CEO of Plenty Valley Community Health for two years between 2012 and 2014, and CEO of Seymour Health from 2007 to 2014.
Ms Power has been contacted by the ABC for comment.
Lyndoch Living board president Susan Cassidy said Julie Bertram — the current director of innovation and organizational development — would lead the executive team until an interim CEO was appointed.
“We assure the Lyndoch and broader communities that our priority is the care and safety of our residents and staff, as we face continued challenges caused by workforce shortages in our region,” she said.
“We thank each and every one of our staff members for their dedicated service.”
Audit finds non-compliance
Lyndoch Living has failed numerous safety standards in three consecutive aged care commission audits.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission told the ABC an unannounced audit in April this year at Lyndoch’s hostel and nursing home found the hostel non-compliant in seven areas, and the nursing home non-compliant in five areas.
Areas of noncompliance included falls, choking and unexplained weight loss.
From July 19 to 22 the commission conducted a second unannounced site visit to Lyndoch’s May Noonan Center and is compiling a report now.
“The Commission is closely monitoring the services,” a spokesman for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission said.
“If we assess at any point that consumers are being placed at immediate and severe risk of harm, we will not hesitate to act urgently and without delay to protect consumers.”
Ms Britnell’s federal counterpart, Liberal MP Dan Tehan, said the commission had received 43 complaints about Lyndoch since July last year.
Minister for Disability, Aging and Carers Colin Brooks told the ABC he has written to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission about Lyndoch Living.
“I am aware of the community’s concerns regarding Lyndoch and have written to the commission to ask for their continued support in working with Lyndoch,” Mr Brooks said.
