An inquest is underway into the Sydney siege in the Martin Place Lindt Cafe and will today hopefully reveal answers into why police waited until a hostage had been killed before storming in.
Assistant Police Commissioner Mark Jenkins is giving evidence at the inquest into the stand-off that occurred on December 2014 ending with the loss of three lives, including gunman Man Haron Monis.
It is expected that Asst Comm. Jenkins will today be asked why he failed to order a rescue when Monis fired his first shots, while some hostages escaped.
Yesterday, he said that the behaviour of hostages were described by senior police as “jovial” after 12 hours of the siege had passed.
At 10pm that evening, he’d taken command of the siege, and said he found the comment comforting to hear.
“I must say it gave me a little comfort that they (were) able to move around (and) weren’t restricted,” he said.
The inquest is still continuing.
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An 18-year-old man from Texas, US, has allegedly killed his three-year-old stepson for simply jumping on the bed.
George Coty Wayman was arrested and charged over the horrific incident that took place inside the family’s trailer home.
According to prosecutors, little Dominic Tra’Juan Castro, 3, was shot in the back of the head when he was jumping on the bed.
Paramedics were called but he unfortunately died on the way to hospital.
Stories by witnesses of the incident changed. Initially they told police the little boy accidently landed on the gun which then discharged, according to the Chicago Tribute.
Witnesses then said Wayman told Dominic that if he didn’t stop jumping on the bed he’d shoot him.
“Investigators interviewed eyewitnesses in the bedroom at the time of this incident and have determined that Wayman is the individual that pointed and discharged the handgun that caused the death of the victim,” the arrest warrant read.
Wayman also faces one count of criminal trespass, and according to the Dallas Morning News, his bail is at $US505,000 ($AU700,000).
Dominic’s biological dad is reportedly in jail for several convictions.
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I knew nothing about multiple sclerosis when my doctor first mentioned it may be why I was experiencing trouble with my eyes. I couldn’t even spell it when I tried to google it but alarm bells were ringing loudly in my head. What if I couldn’t have a family?
I got married in October 2009. I was 34 years old and was excited to be marrying my love and starting a family.
Our honeymoon was magical but upon our return home, I started experiencing unusual symptoms including blurry eyes. It felt like I had a waterfall in front of my eyes but my eyes were dry. I went to see my GP who asked me immediately if I had been feeling pins and needles anywhere.
At that time I didn’t, but five years earlier I had pin and needles in my fingers for a few weeks that I just disregarded as nothing special. My doctor said my eyes looked ok and that it could just be an eye issue, but worst case scenario it could be MS.
I immediately went to the eye hospital for tests and I phoned my mum en route. She had been on ‘Doctor Google’ and we realised that I fit the criteria. I was a 30-year-old female and my symptoms all fit the description, but still I prayed we were mistaken.
I had been working on the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s Pink Ribbon Campaign which was stressful and add a wedding on top and I guess I was under pressure. For people with MS, it’s important to manage your stress as it can exacerbate the condition.
The eye hospital revealed nothing, but an MRI affirmed my fears were true. When my doctor gave me the news, I wasn’t shocked. I was expecting it but that didn’t make it easier. I wasn’t angry but when I left the surgery I found a quiet alley and I cried my heart out.
My husband and my family were incredibly supportive. I sought out as many people living positive lives with MS as I could and I kept a positive attitude about this new life of mine.
Now I feel that I’m living the MS dream. My eyesight returned to normal. I look like a healthy person. I exercise regularly. I had two healthy babies with no complications or exacerbations of MS symptoms during that time. I barely even know that I have it most of the time and I can run around after my two and five year old like any other mum.
After the dust settled, I approached MS Research Australia to do some volunteer work with Kiss MS Goodbye. Now I’m an ambassador for them and help with fundraising and awareness.
People with MS have to be brave because it’s a very uncertain disease. You just don’t know what each day will bring so we must continue to work tirelessly to unlock the mysteries of the disease so we can treat it better.
DANIELLE COLLEY
The thing I remember most vividly about my mum getting MS was the headaches.
Sometimes she would lie on the floor in agony and I wouldn’t know how to help. I would lie with her and massage her head, pulling little handfuls of hair in effort to relieve the pressure that was making my mum cry.
I was 13 and we were sitting in an airport when my mum first mentioned she had a blurry blob in her eye. It started with the vision but the thing I remember most graphically was the headaches.
A single mum-of-two, she worked very hard in a stressful job to keep all the family wheels turning, and then suddenly one day she was sick.
She wasn’t diagnosed with MS immediately. She flew to Sydney for tests with a brave face while my brother and I stayed with friends. We knew nothing but now I know that doctors were using words like brain tumour and stroke. She must have been terrified.
When she was finally diagnosed I was about 14 and our lives changed. Mum went from working all the time to not being able to work at all. She had life insurance which was paid out, and she went on a disability pension so we weren’t in financial trouble. It was still a big shock.
She didn’t get really sick, really quickly. For her it’s almost like watching a child grow. Or watching someone diet. When you see them all the time you barely notice the little changes but when I didn’t see her for months at a time, they became more apparent.
I moved out of home and she moved from NSW North Coast to Melbourne where the climate was better for her. The heat and humidity affect her negatively.
At the time I felt guilty that I didn’t stay and look after her. Looking back it’s a big responsibility for a 16-year-old to feel and she would never have wanted that anyway.
Mum’s legs started to be affected after a few years. By my 21st birthday she was using a walking stick, but she still danced to R&B with me in a smokey nightclub to celebrate.
When I was about 30, she began using a manual wheelchair when she was going out to places that required a lot of walking. We travelled to Cuba together – surely the least wheelchair-friendly place on Earth – but we had a wonderful adventure. The trip of a lifetime, she says.
By the time I turned 34 she was full-time in a motorised wheelchair.
She lives independently but with constant pain. You must never pity her, because she is the most incredible woman I have ever met. She always smiles, and is incredibly wise, and funny with just the right amount of silly. My mum is the most wonderful nana to her four grandchildren. They all rejoice in rides on her lap, or the “Nana Bus” as they call it.
She travels regularly to my home in Sydney and often goes for weekends away at my brother’s home with his wife and kids. She is the rock of our family and although her body may not work properly she is not defined by multiple sclerosis.
KATRINA HEMINGWAY
I was at a social function with my husband Mike one night when he leaned over to a chip bowl and he completely missed the bowl. He would be playing cricket with our kids but suddenly he would mistime his shots and miss the ball.
An MRI diagnosed that it was multiple sclerosis and we were relieved that it wasn’t a brain tumour – but this came with its own fears and worries. Mike experiences a range of symptoms but it is the constant nausea and dizziness that bothered him the most at first.
He has felt what we liken to morning sickness for 12 years. We’ve tried different treatments, and it’s not as bad as it was initially but it’s still there every day.
Mike had intravenous treatment similar to chemotherapy in August 2015, and he will have a booster shot in August this year. His neurologist has suggested that after this treatment he will hopefully stop progressing, but I still see him struggle with it every day.
Due to the progressive nature of the disease I feel that he’s never quite as good as he was the day before. We can only wait and see if this treatment is the answer we are hoping for. He will never be cured, but a cessation of progression would be something at least.
Mike is a very articulate and intelligent man who was a director of a company. He worked very hard all week but then he would need to sleep all weekend to recover. We went away on holidays three years ago and it was dreadful. His balance was awful, his memory was failing him a little bit. He wouldn’t remember names or important things so he began to implement technology to help. He would write note and reminders in his phone to help him remember things.
Mike stopped working when we realised that it was greatly affecting his quality of life. That was about nine years after his diagnosis.
He is now a member of the board for MS Research Australia so he spends a lot of time reading and working towards building relationships that will help fundraise for research and to gain more answers about this disease.
Our lives are quieter these days. If we have social engagements or business events they seem to really take it out of Mike. He used to be a great speaker who would give sharp and witty speeches off the cuff, but now he needs to prepare and he is often exhausted after an event. It doesn’t stop him though, and I’m proud of him for that.
Mike now walks with a walking stick, and we are the most comfortable in our own home. Loud places and too much stimulation overwhelm him so he retracts from the environment. We just don’t do the things that we used to do and have had to find new interests together.
The thing about MS is depending on where the sclerosis or the scarring occurs, in the brain or the spinal cord, is where the symptoms will emerge. I don’t feel that Mike has much scarring on his spine so he may never end up in a wheelchair. The cognitive issues Mike has indicates his scarring is in his brain.
He has said he would rather have a wheelchair because often sclerosis in the spinal cord leaves people with full cognitive function, but this disease affecting his brain has brought him to tears on occasion. It’s frustrating and frightening for him, and it’s hard to watch someone you love struggle.
Together, Mike and I have collectively contributed to raising $400,000 for MS Research Australia through walking events. Together we are very proactive in making sure this doesn’t ruin his life and he gets the most out of life regardless of this diagnosis.
To make a donation to help kiss goodbye to MS visit kissgoodbyetoms.org here.
Disney has released the first trailer for its live-action Beauty and the Beast film.
While we’ve been given just a glimpse, it’s clear the magic from Hogwarts has transcended to its Disney counterpart.
Live the magic and check out the trailer in the player below! Post continues…
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The teaser shows Emma Watson stepping into the role as Belle.
Arriving at the Beast’s castle, we hear her say, “Hello?” as she reaches for the rose.
The teaser was unveiled on Good Morning America.
With a delicate piano version of the film’s iconic music we also hear a snippet of dialogue from Ewan McGregor’s Lumiere the candelabra, who remarks, “Look, it’s a girl!… What if she’s the one?”
Oh my…
Cogsworth, the clock, voiced by Ian McKellen, replies, “Yes, I can see it’s a girl, you fool.”
Ignoring him, Lumiere adds, “What if she is the one?”
The trailer ends with the beloved words, “Be our guest.”
And honestly, we can’t wait!
It’s going to be so amazing!
The live-action version is set to hit theatres in March 2017 with Bill Condon, David Hoberman and Todd Li directing.
Along with Emma, the film boasts an impressive cast including Dan Stevens as Beast, Luke Evans as Gaston, Josh Gad as LeFou, Emma Thompson as Mrs. Potts, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, Kevin Kline as Maurice and Audra McDonald as Garderobe.
Fans created this photoshopped pic in celebration of Emma’s portrayal of Belle.
Clearly the beloved Harry Potter star steps into the inquisitive role of Belle with ease… and she some major support behind her!
Paige O’Hara, who lent her voice to Belle in the 1991 animated film, told Buzzfeed, “If I were producing the film, I would have cast her.”
“I think she’s absolutely perfect for the role.”
We do, too!
Watch the magical trailer in the video player above!
It’s been almost a month since the finale of Married At First Sight, and we’ve been doing a little Insta-stalk to see where the contestants are now!
Xavier and Simone were one of the couples on the show who didn’t work out – when it came down to the final decision, they had decided not to continue with the relationship.
And now, he’s posted a photo on Instagram of himself and what looks like his new girlfriend! And don’t they look like a power couple!
The two couples who decided to stay together – Christie and Mark, and Erin and Bryce – are clearly still going strong, after posting photos of the four of them going on a double date last week, and even hitting the town together on the weekend. CUTE!
Jono Pitman and his TV wife Clare also didn’t work out – but that didn’t stop him from joining in partying with the others – seen in the photo Erin posted to Instagram! He obviously doesn’t mind being the fifth wheel, LOL!
A video of a five-year-old Tauranga boy getting a ‘tattoo’ has gone viral, after the artist shared it on social media channels.
Artist Benjamin Lloyd promised he would paint the children of Auckland’s Starship Hospital for free if he got 50 likes in 30 seconds on Facebook. And after successfully reaching his goal, Ben visited Starship on Sunday to bring some joy to some sick children.
After 10 minutes, Ben had created a masterpiece on Jin Whitehead, a little boy from Tauranga.
Using non toxic Indian ink that can be washed off with ease, Benjamin says it’s enough just to see the joy on the kids’ faces.
“The kids are so amazed. As soon as they get the tattoo it boosts their confidence,” he told the New Zealand Herald.
The process only takes a few minutes, thanks to specially cut stencils that Ben then just airbrushes over.
Ben says his skill developed after he started to cover up a burn on his arm during school time with artwork, something he says other kids found “amazing.”
The self-professed ‘struggling artist’ now has millions of views on his airbrushing video, which has gathered thousands of likes and shares.
Coles has been caught out saying on their Facebook page that their Coles Brand fresh milk is actually “made from reconstituted milk powder”.
A customer posed this question on the Coles Facebook page: “Is it true that Coles $1/litre milk is at times made from reconstituted milk powder?”
Coles answered the question, confirming that it is made from milk powder but seemed to miss an extremely significant word in their reply – ‘not’.
It seems that Coles have put it down to a typo, with a spokesperson saying their brand milk was “100 per cent Australian fresh milk”.
The original comment was deleted, with a new comment posted this morning. It said: “we’re sorry for the confusion. This was a typo and we can confirm that Coles brand milk is fresh and not made from reconstituted milk powder.”
Awkward.
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Never did we ever think we would see the day that contouring became so yesterday.
But as it happens, the makeup trend that we have just finally gotten good at has now been taken over by a new one, which funnily enough requires less products, effort and time.
Speaking to Vogue UK at The Vogue 100 Festival, the glamour gal confessed that “non-touring” is the new contouring.
“I think right now it’s more about non-touring, like real skin with less make-up on it. I’m trying to wear less… and my husband loves me without make-up,” she announced from the Fashion, Friendship and Fabulous Lashes panel.
“Now when I travel, I just bring a small makeup case, and I’m content with that. I’m really into strobing now, so just highlighting the skin without using bronzer.”
The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star stepped out sans fake lashes and hair extensions earlier this week.
And the brunette beauty really did practice what she preached by sporting a much more natural look throughout the festival.
As she stood proudly showing off her post-baby bod in a stunning rose gold Talbot Runhof dress, the wife of Kanye West demonstrated her favourite new makeup trend with natural blush tones and dewy, highlighted skin.
Kim, pictured with friend and makeup artist, Charlotte Tilbury who famously admitted to never not wearing makeup – even whens she sleeps.
It was indeed a new, fresh look for the reality star who usually dons a full face of makeup, but she did admit to the one feature she simply couldn’t give up contouring.
“I don’t think I’d stop contouring my nose,” she told the audience. “I know people think I’ve had a nose job, but it really is just make-up!”
What do you think? Has Kim has work done to her nose, or does it all just come down to contouring?
Exchanging stories with makeup guru Charlotte Tilbury – who has famously revealed that her husband has never seen her without makeup as she reapplies a full face each night before bed – the mother of North, two and Saint, five-months, admitted that like Charlotte, she too gave birth all glammed up.
“For my first baby I wore full makeup giving birth, but none for my second.”
Find out how to strobe from Kim herself in the video player below!
A baby was left battered and bruised by his babysitter but the accused abuser won’t face any charges.
Why?
Because the poor infant can’t speak for himself. Yep, that’s actually the case.
Joshua Marbury’s one-year-old baby boy Jacob was covered in bruises and scars from the beating, but the babysitter has been let off the hook because of a 2012 Oregon Court of Appeals ruling that discourages prosecutors from filing charges since the toddler can’t talk.
His father Joshua is appalled that the charges have been dropped. Little Jacob was smacked so hard across the face that it left him with a black eye, bruises and a bright red palm print on his face.
Jacob’s mother Alicia Quinner told the Daily News: “I’m so extremely upset, it’s disturbing, on this little innocent baby. To think someone could do this to him.”
The strike could have been fatal, according to a detective, and Marbury said the babysitter actually owned up to the attack.
Marbury took to Facebook to express his frustration: “After TWO months of waiting we only find out that charges are dropped BECAUSE my one year old cannot tell you verbally he was abused and my son did not show he was in pain OR that this person ‘intentionally’ did this,” he wrote.
The babysitter won’t go to court over the alleged incident as a result of the 2012 ruling that the victim must be able to describe the pain suffered, according to Oregon Live.
Marbury told the News: “It doesn’t make sense that someone can go strike a dog and witnesses see it, that’s enough proof, but if you strike a baby… I don’t understand why this law is in effect.”
He also said the babysitter was once his best friend, and made up several lies and excuses to cover it up. He first suggested Jacob fell, then claimed he accidentally dropped him.
Quinner is fighting for the babysitter to be prosecuted, and also hopes to spur change in the loophole that protects child abusers.
Marbury’s Facebook post has now been shared more than 300,000 times.
