Three bodies found on Darwin property

Police and State Emergency Services volunteers at the Freshwater Road at Jingili. Picture: Patrina Malone Source: Supplied

POLICE have swarmed on a suburban Darwin property where three badly decomposing bodies have been found.

The caretaker of the block at Freshwater Rd, Jingili, spotted the body of a woman on the ground outside at 10am today.

Detective Acting Superintendent Lee Morgan described it as a horrific scene.

But he was unable to give any identifying details.

"We're still contacting family and next of kin," he said.

The property on Freshwater Road at Jingili where the bodies were found. Picture: Patrina Malone

"I won't offer any other information at this stage.

"It was quite a horrific scene.

"Three people deceased is not a good thing to attend.

"We're still waiting for forensics."

Detective Senior Sergeant Lee Morgan speaks to media at the scene. Picture: Patrina Malone

Police believe the bodies have been deceased for 24 to 48 hours as they are quite badly decomposed.

Mr Lee said the caretaker visited frequently, and it was a horrific scene for him.

The woman's body was about 20m to 30m from the two male bodies, which were located in a tent.

"We haven't ruled out anything," he said.

"There's a whole range of possibilities.

"Three deaths, we're definitely going to say it was suspicious.

"There was no one else on the block at the time.

Police will be doorknocking the area very shortly.

Major crime detectives have been at the bush block since about 10.20am.

There are four police cars on the property and several more have been coming and going from the gate all morning.

Neighbour Juliet Castanares noticed the property's wheelie bin hadn't been collected since bin day on Wednesday.

"I noticed the bin and it was Wednesday and wondered why it was still outside," she said.

There are four police cars on the property and and several more have been coming and going from the gate all morning.

Neighbours who spoke to the NT News were unaware of any incident.

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Three bodies found on Darwin property

Police and State Emergency Services volunteers at the Freshwater Road at Jingili. Picture: Patrina Malone Source: Supplied

POLICE have swarmed on a suburban Darwin property where three badly decomposing bodies have been found.

The caretaker of the block at Freshwater Rd, Jingili, spotted the body of a woman on the ground outside at 10am today.

Detective Acting Superintendent Lee Morgan described it as a horrific scene.

But he was unable to give any identifying details.

"We're still contacting family and next of kin," he said.

The property on Freshwater Road at Jingili where the bodies were found. Picture: Patrina Malone

"I won't offer any other information at this stage.

"It was quite a horrific scene.

"Three people deceased is not a good thing to attend.

"We're still waiting for forensics."

Detective Senior Sergeant Lee Morgan speaks to media at the scene. Picture: Patrina Malone

Police believe the bodies have been deceased for 24 to 48 hours as they are quite badly decomposed.

Mr Lee said the caretaker visited frequently, and it was a horrific scene for him.

The woman's body was about 20m to 30m from the two male bodies, which were located in a tent.

"We haven't ruled out anything," he said.

"There's a whole range of possibilities.

"Three deaths, we're definitely going to say it was suspicious.

"There was no one else on the block at the time.

Police will be doorknocking the area very shortly.

Major crime detectives have been at the bush block since about 10.20am.

There are four police cars on the property and several more have been coming and going from the gate all morning.

Neighbour Juliet Castanares noticed the property's wheelie bin hadn't been collected since bin day on Wednesday.

"I noticed the bin and it was Wednesday and wondered why it was still outside," she said.

There are four police cars on the property and and several more have been coming and going from the gate all morning.

Neighbours who spoke to the NT News were unaware of any incident.

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Nine companies that know everything about you

Data brokerages can figure out if you're a fan of The King. Source: News Limited

Big Brother is watching us, but what about the person sharing your bed? As global positioning technology improves, so too are the apps that track our movements and those of our loved ones. Quentin Fottrell reports on Lunch Break. Photo: Connect

YOU hear it all the time. How much data the likes of Google and Facebook have on you. How they're tracking your every move across the internet.

Or maybe it's how we should all be terrified of the NSA or other national intelligence networks who are supposedly spying on you. Maybe.

But it's nothing compared to the actual information these nine companies know about you. And you've probably never even heard of them. According to Quartz, the nine companies you should be worried about are Acxiom, Corelogic, Datalogix, eBureau, ID Analytics, Intelius, Peek You, Rapleaf and Recorded Future.

They're called data brokerages. In other words, they amass and then sell the data they have on you to other companies.

Did you just buy a puppy? They already know about it, and probably whether your canine friend prefers wet or dry dog food. Source: News Limited

The way these companies collect data on you is multi-pronged and what it knows about you can include your social media activity, your financial transactions and history, your current and past home addresses, what magazines or other media you've subscribed to, your household make-up and your household income.

Other demographic information such as your ethnicity, gender, marital status, education level, the languages you speak and your criminal history are probably expected.

But more than that, data brokerages can figure out things about you like whether you're a big spender or thrifty, what music you like, whether you have a pet, your political affiliation, sport preferences, whether you like hipster crafts, whether you believe in alternative medicines or if you collect Elvis memorabilia.

Data brokerages are back in the spotlight this week due to a report from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) who has concluded these companies operate with a "fundamental lack of transparency".

That holiday to the Pacific Islands? They know about that too. Source: Supplied

The data they have on you can be compiled into profiles such as 'organic lifestyle' or 'new mum' so when a brand selling organic baby clothes is looking for a particular kind of consumer to target, they know where to go.

Of the nine companies analysed by the FTC, many of them have an Australian presence, including Acxiom, Corelogic (which owns RP Data) and eBureau.

Late last year, Acxiom told US consumers it would open its data files so they can see exactly what information it has on them, and give them the opportunity to correct any mistakes. However, critics argued the company was merely pre-empting any potential government regulation or it was a marketing ploy.

The FTC has now recommended the US Congress enact legislation to lift the shroud of mystery around data brokerages for the average consumer.

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Bad girls: Aussie women let loose

Women are being arrested at faster rate than males in New South Wales. Source: Supplied

WOMEN are being arrested by police at a faster rate than men with big increases in drugs, harassment and threatening behaviour.

A report released today by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research shows the number of females arrested in New South Wales has grown by 2.5 per cent over the past decade, soaring past men who had an annual increase 1.7 per cent.

Dr Don Weatherburn, the Director of the Bureau, called it a "significant" change — but one that wasn't restricted to New South Wales.

In recent years there has been a rise in females committing crimes throughout Australia, notably illicit drugs and public order offences.

Women are being arrested at a rate of 2.5 per cent a year — higher than men at 1.7 per cent Source: Supplied

Those arrests were fuelling a big increase in the number of women being jailed. Since 2003 there has been a 27 per cent increase in women behind bars while men have seen an 11 per cent increase.

Of the arrest figures Dr Weatherburn said: "It's certainly a dramatic change. The gap [between men and women] is closing fairly quickly."

He admitted the numbers were a shock to researchers. "It did surprise me, I wasn't expecting it."

Women were most prolific at shoplifting (16.3 per cent), domestic assault (9.2 per cent) and non domestic assault (6.4 per cent).

But the largest increases were:

• in possession and use of ecstasy, up 21.4 per cent a year

• possession and use of other drugs, up 17.1 per cent

• harassment, threatening behaviour and private nuisance, up 14 per cent

• dealing and trafficking in amphetamines, up 13.4 per cent

• possession and use of amphetamines, up 10.6 per cent

He told news.com.au the intimidation and harassment could be related to stalking "of an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend" whether it be lurking outside their house or through making malicious phone calls.

Experts say if the trend in more women being arrested continues there could be long-term consequences for the criminal justice system. Source: Supplied

Dr Weatherburn said this meant changes in the criminal justice system were needed. "The important question for Governments is, how long are you going to let this continue?"

The new report, coupled with the crime trend in recent years, meant there was a definite trend occurring. "It's no flash in the pan and not a one-off thing.

"Most people tend to think of crime as a male problem and not a female one."

He said monitoring by the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre showed no increase in female use of these drugs over the last few years but small groups of women becoming more active in illicit drugs couldn't be ruled out.

The proportion of crime being committed by women in NSW has risen between 2003 and 2013, from 17.3 per cent to 18.3 per cent, so the vast majority of crime is still being committed by men.

The number of juvenile females being dealt with by police is up slightly but has not increased at as fast a rate as the adults.

Dr Weatherburn said even though crime rates were coming down arrest rates were going up. That was explained by policing catching more criminals, even though there was a smaller number overall.

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Would you eat a World Cup burger?

The Aussie burger features crispy chicken, sweet chilli lime and creamy buffalo sauces on a soccer ball bun. Source: Supplied

AS THE entire world gears up for the World Cup, McDonald's is one step ahead.

Never failing to realise a marketing opportunity, McDonald's is at the ready with a special collection of World Cup burgers.

In honour of the FIFA 2014 World Cup, more than 800 McDonald's locations in Brazil will offer burgers based on the international soccer teams. And yes, they're coming to Australia too.

The fast food chain has created seven burgers, honouring Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and USA.

Australian restaurants will be getting the Aussie, Brazil, France and Argentina burgers. Those lucky enough to be in Brazil for the World Cup will get to taste the others.

Each burger will be offered on one day of the week. They're available now until at least June 25.

As the official restaurant of the World Cup, McDonald's wanted to "bring the international flavour of the FIFA World Cup tournament to [its] loyal and soccer-loving customers in Brazil," Woods Staton, CEO and president of Arcos Dorados, the largest McDonald's franchisee in the world, including McDonald's locations in Brazil, said in a press release.

Seeing how McDonald's views the world through burgers is quite interesting.

Apparently France and Spain like crispy chicken, while Germany prefers "rib meat".

We'll hand it to them for giving the US barbecue sauce, but we're fearful of France's melted cream cheese.

See below for details on each McDonald's World Cup burger. Which would you vote for?

The McBrazil

The McBrazil Source: Supplied

Angus beef, mayonnaise, special Brazilian vinaigrette, lettuce, and emmental cheese.

The McSpain

The McSpain Source: Supplied

Crispy chicken with olive oil mayonnaise, bacon spicy cheese, tomato and lettuce.

The McGermany

The McGermany Source: Supplied

Rib meat, German mustard sauce, red onion, pickles and bacon spicy cheese.

The McFrance

The McFrance Source: Supplied

Crispy chicken, melted cream cheese, grated parmesan cheese, lettuce, tomato and emmental cheese.

The McItaly

The McItaly Source: Supplied

Polpettone meat, with tomato sauce, grated parmesan cheese and pepperoni.

The McArgentina

The McArgentina Source: Supplied

Angus beef, with chimichurri mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, bacon and cheddar.

The McUSA

The McUSA Source: Supplied

Angus beef, with barbecue sauce, crispy onions, pickles, lettuce, bacon and cheddar cheese.

This article originally appeared in The Huffington Post.

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MH370 was never there at all

Today's top trending stories and news.

Koji Kubota of the Japan Coast Guard keeps watch for debris from Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Photo: AFP. Source: AFP

THE final resting place of MH370 is no closer to being known after Australian authorities today discounted an area that had been considered the most likely zone.

The triangle of water in the Indian Ocean was seen as the prime area largely as a result of acoustic pings picked up last month,and thought to be from the plane's black box.

But the Australian Transport Safety Bureau today advised that the search in the vicinity of the acoustic detections can now be considered complete and that the area can be discounted as the final resting place of MH370.

Transport Minister Warren Truss told parliament today the hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane will continue in the Indian Ocean even though it was not found in the recent search zone. He said search is about to move into a new phase and Australia was committed to doing everything it can to find the plane.

"We are still very confident that the resting place of the aircraft is in the Southern Ocean," he said.

The next search begins in August and is expected to take about 12 months.

"Unfortunately this is a painstaking effort in a very large ocean." The next area could be 800 kilometers long and 70km wide, he said.

Manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, said the hopes of many had been dashed by the failure to find the plane in the most recent search zone.

"Once again we offer our condolences and words of comfort to the families and friends of the passengers on MH370 who still await more news," he said.

FLIGHT PATH: MH370 report confirms search delays

Mystery disappearance ... it is now believed the pings came from a source not related to the missing Malaysia Airlines plane. Source: AFP

The official word came after a US Navy official told CNN this morning that the pings are now universally believed to have come from a man-made source unrelated to the missing jetliner, and not from the plane's data or cockpit voice recorders.

Michael Dean, the Navy's deputy director of ocean engineering, said that if the pings had come from the recorders, searchers would have found them.

"Our best theory at this point is that (the pings were) likely some sound produced by the ship ... or within the electronics of the Towed Pinger Locator," Dean said.

"Always your fear any time you put electronic equipment in the water is that if any water gets in and grounds or shorts something out, that you could start producing sound."

No sign of the plane ... specialists prepare to launch the Phoenix Autonomous Underwater Vehicle 'Artemis' Bluefin-21 from the vessel Ocean Shield. Source: AFP

When asked if the other nations involved in the search effort also believed the pings were unrelated to MH370, Dean answered "yes".

He went on to tell CNN that it is not possible to categorically rule out that the pings came from the black boxes but that there is no evidence to suggest they did.

The US Navy later dismissed Mr Dean's comments as "speculative and premature" — but that was before the ATSB's announcement this afternoon.

"The US has been working cooperatively with our Malaysian, Australian and international partners for more than two months in an effort to locate MH370," US Navy spokesman Chris Johnson said in a statement.

It's over ... the search for the plane in the Indian Ocean has come to an end. Source: AP

"Mike Dean's comments today were speculative and premature, as we continue to work with our partners to more thoroughly understand the data acquired by the Towed Pinger Locator.

"As such, we would defer to the Australians, as the lead in the search effort, to make additional information known at the appropriate time."

The ATSB said Bluefin-21 completed its last mission yesterday afternoon searching the remaining areas in the vicinity of the acoustic signals which were detected in early April by the Towed Pinger Locator deployed from ADV Ocean Shield.

"The data collected on yesterday's mission has been analysed. As a result, the JACC can advise that no signs of aircraft debris have been found by the Autonomous Underwater Vehicle since it joined the search effort," it said in a statement.

'Debacle' ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott with search coordinator Air Chief Angus Houston. Source: News Corp Australia

This comes after News Corp Australia last week revealed that underwater scientists have labelled the search for MH370 a "debacle" and say Prime Minister Tony Abbott was playing politics when he prematurely announced the black box pingers had been found.

The acoustic experts, who do not wish to be identified, said the four crucial signals detected by a US pinger locator were almost certainly not from the missing Malaysian Airlines plane's black boxes, but from another man-made source.

They insisted that the signals were in the wrong frequency and detected too far apart to be from the boxes.

"As soon as I saw the frequency and the distance between the pings I knew it couldn't be the aircraft pinger," one scientist said.

That conclusion is supported by the lack of success from a detailed search of the area conducted by the US deep sea drone Bluefin 21.

In answer to questions from News Corp Australia the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC) said that the signals were "likely" sourced from electronic equipment and were "believed to be" consistent with the Flight Data Recorder.

However the scientists said the 33.3 kilohertz frequency of the signal was very different to the 37.5 kilohertz generated by underwater acoustic beacons. The signals were also detected some 30km and four days apart.

The JACC has refused a request to release recordings of the signals for independent analysis and it did not release the exact location or precise depth of the signals.

Agency head retired defence chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said the signals were still being analysed to ensure nothing was overlooked.

Meanwhile the families of passengers aboard missing flight MH370 accuse Malaysia of a cover-up over newly released satellite data, saying it is incomplete and does not prove that the plane crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

This comes as the first stage of the search off the west coast of Australia concludes without finding any debris from the missing Boeing 777.

The Malaysian Airlines flight, with 239 passengers and crew on board, disappeared in the early hours of March 8 on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. Since then no trace of the jetliner has been found, despite a multi-million dollar search effort.

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The shocking scars of verbal abuse

Rich Johnson's 'Weapon of Choice' photo project aims to raise awareness about the painful impact of verbal abuse. Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

A PUNCH in the face is far more painful than a verbal taunt, right?

Not true, says photographer and founder of the 'Weapon of Choice' photo project, Richard Johnson.

His photo series uses a make-up artist to paint victims of verbal abuse with bruises and scars in the shape of the hurtful words thrown at them.

The 32-year-old New Jersey photographer told news.com.au he wanted to show the power of verbal abuse and provoke a conversation about the problems of domestic violence, child abuse, and bullying.

"There absolutely is not enough conversation on this subject," Mr Johnson said. "I was raised in a very poor household, with six other brothers and sisters.

Mr Johnson's stepfather frequently abused his mother and siblings.

"We were all exposed to every type of abuse, but verbal seemed to be by far the easiest and most frequent method.

"By keeping my mother verbally and mentally down he prevented her from being a witness that could do something to help her children and herself."

Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

Mr Johnson posted a request for photo subjects on Facebook, asking for "children between the age of 5-17 for a quick shoot with little make-up for a series on verbal abuse."

"I was soon swamped with messages and phone calls from actual victims wanting to help in any way!" he said.

"When the shoot date arrived, the make-up artists and I came up with a list of words to help when the participants came in. [But] most of them brought their own.

"Some of the children in the series were not abused, but represented their parents as children. "Some had been directly affected by their word and until the shoot were embarrassed, but left motivated to speak up for others.

"They all came to stand up to this massive issue and wore the bruise like war paint! It was inspiring and life changing for me and my entire crew."

Here are some of the powerful images:

Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

Photo: Richard Johnson/Spectacle Photo Source: Supplied

To find our more about the project visit hurtwords.com.

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Inside the world’s coolest tattoo convention

Worth the pain. Source: Getty Images

THOUSANDS of inked-up fans and 350 tattoo artists descended on Alexandra Palace in London on the weekend.

They had come far and wide to attend the Great British Tattoo Show.

The event showed off tattoos and their association with fashion, with the aim to "transcend our material differences and join us together as one big, beautiful, painted party".

It's the third year the illustrated crowd gathered to be tattooed, impress with their markings or learn more about this growing society.

Here's a look inside the creative showcase.

This guy shows off his wild side. Source: Getty Images

Someone you can rely on. Source: Getty Images

A headstart on many other attendees. Source: Getty Images

A beautiful woman graces one man's arm. Source: Snapper Media

Face tattoos were not an unusual sight. Source: Snapper Media

One man takes his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles obsession to a new level. Source: Snapper Media

Many had changed their appearances drastically for their art. Source: Snapper Media

The Queen of tattoos didn't miss her moment. Source: Snapper Media

A model expresses her love of all things pink with her ink. Source: Snapper Media

These days, tatts are often accompanied by a beard and glasses. Source: Snapper Media

Nothing was off limits. Source: Snapper Media

Even for the ladies. Source: Snapper Media

Attendees added to their collections. Source: Getty Images

With some interesting designs. Source: Getty Images

One tattoo is never enough. Source: Getty Images

Some designs were cute. Source: AP

Others were gory. Source: AP

A striking tattoo freshly inked at the convention. Source: Getty Images

Fantasy references were common — such as this Alice in Wonderland tattoo. Source: AP

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World’s best airport to be stuck in

Changi Airport in Singapore is the world's best. Source: Supplied

BEING caught up in delays at the airport or enduring hellishly long stopovers is never fun. But there is one airport in the world that has been designed to take the pain out of travelling. Changi Airport, Singapore, has a list of offerings that puts Disneyland to shame.

It is actually so much, dare I say it, fun, here, that locals come just to hang out. That's right, local Singaporeans love coming to Changi to shop, eat and sit in air conditioned comfort.

"There are people who come to the airport just to hang out with friends over a cup of coffee or spend some family time at the airport, with a wide variety of dining and shopping options to choose from in the public areas," said Eugene Wong, corporate communications at Changi.

Singapore is serious about its shopping. Source: Supplied

In fact, travellers love it so much that Singapore Airlines allows its passengers to check in up to 48 hours ahead of time just so they can spend time at the airport.

For most people, this may seem a little mind boggling. Isn't the aim to spend as least time as possible in transit? Don't we try and check-in late and find the quickest exit out of there on the way back?

But this is Changi, and it's been voted the best airport in the world for 26 years running by UK Business Traveller magazine and five times by Skytrax. It's made up of three terminals, with a fourth and fifth on the way and they are proud of being number one.

It's normal to see groups of school kids hanging out at the airport. Source: Supplied

There are review stations wherever you go. Source: Supplied

With more than 53 million passengers passing through the airport in 2013 and more than 6,900 flights each week (that's around one every 90 seconds), they have become the airport gurus.

So I wanted to know, could I spend 24 hours in this airport and actually enjoy it? Here goes …

10am breakfast

OK, so I'm a bit of a foodie, and quite adventurous when it comes to trying new things and Singaporeans love their food. There is no shortage of places to eat but I'm here to try the breakfast Hugh Jackman swears by. If its good enough for the Wolverine, it's definitely good enough for me.

Soft boiled eggs with Kaya toast — white bread spread with a mixture of eggs, sugar and coconut milk dipped into eggs. Remember when mum used to make you soldiers? Washed down with a deliciously naughty coffee — they roast their coffee beans in butter and sweeten it with condensed milk — I was ready to shake off my jet lag and start exploring.

Traditional Singaporean breakfast. Picture: katrina.alana. Source: Flickr

11am fish spa

I have always wanted to try this and I'm pretty sure I won't be allowed back after my high-pitched shrieks but this is pretty cool.

A popular foot treatment in Asia, you dip your feet into pools filled with hungry skin eating fish — that's right, they suck onto you like leeches. Sounds gross, and it is but after a while your feet start to tingle and you begin to enjoy it and after a long flight my feet need some pampering.

Just grin and bear it. Source: Supplied

Skin eating fish? So weird. Source: Supplied

12pm emails

I stop at one of the many free internet stations dotted around the terminal for a quick email check and then head to one of the transit hotels (I'll get to this later) for a shower and change of clothes.

So what's happening back in the office? Source: Supplied

1pm beer garden

It's 3pm in Sydney, definitely beer time. And the best bit, it's outside. OK, so Singaporean humidity is a little intense and my camera lens fogged up the moment I stepped foot outside. But how good is to be able to get some fresh air?

Called the Cactus Garden, it feels like a Mexican resort. Take a perch at the bar, order a cold glass of the local tipple and let your mind take you to a tropical beach far away.

The outdoor cactus garden with a bar. Source: Supplied

1.30pm lunch

There is no shortage of places to eat at Changi with a mix of Western and Asian cuisine.

I love Japanese food. I think I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so when I heard Terminal Three had a seriously good Japanese restaurant, I jumped on the Skytrain (the monorail that links all three terminals), beelined it through duty free and joined the lunch line.

Do I see abalone guts on the menu? I'll stick to my salmon and avocado roll thanks, but yes it is good and fresh and everyone else seems to think so too, it's packed.

Abalone with guts? Source: Supplied

2pm snooze lounge and foot massage

All that eating has made me a little sluggish, it could be time for a little kip. There are dedicated snooze lounges throughout the airport with chairs shaped like ergonomic beds. They're popular too and I find it hard to snag my own.

The perfect chair for a nap. Source: Supplied

Feeling refreshed I track down the free massage chairs. It's your choice of a foot massage or full body massage chair and they're oh so good. Although I wonder how many other people have put their feet in these too (note to self, take socks).

Free foot massages, don't mind if I do. Source: Supplied

3pm butterfly garden

Terminal three has an awesome butterfly garden. The outdoor enclosure is home to thousands of beautiful butterflies where the aim is to get one to land on your hand (I did it!).

Finally one lands on my hand. Source: Supplied

Thousands of beautiful butterflies live in the garden. Source: Supplied

They're hard to pin down, it took so long to get this shot. Source: Supplied

3.30pm pool

There's a pool! Just when you may have drifted back into "I'm in an airport" land, I head upstairs in terminal one to the outdoor pool and jacuzzi. Themed like a Bali villa, it costs $13 Singaporean dollars and comes with a pool bar and deck chairs.

Seriously, a pool at the airport? Source: Supplied

4pm giant slide

There is a giant slide and it's really fun. It even records your time. I think lunch weighed me down, that must be it.

Yep, I just came down that. Source: Supplied

4.30pm social tree

While I'm still acting like a kid, I visit the Social Tree — a giant, glowing Avatar-like tree that takes your photo and stores it for one hundred years.

Strike a pose, edit it with your choice of backgrounds and colours and it's saved in the trees memory bank for you to revisit on your next Changi stopover.

The social tree looks like something out of Avatar. Source: Supplied

The tree has captured me like this for one hundred years. Source: Supplied

5pm spa visit

This is what holidays are all about. Pampering and relaxation. So I visit the Wellness Spa in terminal two.

I start with a foot massage — I've never actually had one before (apart from the mechanical one a few hours earlier) and in between yelps of pain and assurances that I will still be able to walk for the next couple of days, there's something painfully therapeutic about the whole experience.

Should I be worried about my upcoming back massage?

I'm not sure why he's smiling. This really hurts. Source: Supplied

7pm dinner

I said I was adventurous with food, but this may be a little too game. I head to a Singaporean restaurant that serves local food and ask for a selection of the most popular dishes (mistake number one).

A dish arrives that looks like a tuna steak, but with a grey colour and covered in a chilli. I take a few eye watering bites and gingerly ask what it is. 'Sting ray' they tell me. Gulp. 'Everyone eats it', they say. I'm not convinced.

9pm shopping

A quick stop at the Hard Rock Café with unique Changi airport T-shirts and I pick up a few items duty free. Duck into Uniqlo — I love this Japanese chain store, pick up some TWG tea for mum and restrain myself from Victoria's Secret and the high end strip (of which there are many).

Hard Rock Changi. Source: Supplied

There's even a supermarket and I'm told locals come here to shop. I'm still getting my head around this whole 'people come to the airport to hang out' idea.

10pm bed

The transit hotels at the airport are so popular that travellers have to book a room at least three weeks in advance. But it's worth it. Lights out for me.

It's been a busy day. Source: Supplied

10am

That's it, I've made it. 24 hours in an airport. 24 HOURS. And I'm still sane, feeling fresh and almost needing some more time (there was a really cute top in Prada and that handbag in Miu Miu), but it's time for me to go.

I'll have to leave the movie theatre for next time. Source: Supplied

This reporter travelled courtesy of Changi Airport, Singapore.

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Teen drowns after trolley prank

18-year-old Chance Werner drowned during a botched game in which people launch someone off a dock in a shopping trolley. Courtesy: Fox 5 News

Tragic loss ... Chance Werner, 18 drowned while playing a game in which someone is launched off a dock in a shopping trolley. Picture: Facebook/Chance Werner Source: Supplied

A TEENAGER died hours after graduating from school during a botched game involving a shopping trolley.

Chance Werner, 18, from Catersville in Georgia, drowned on Saturday while playing a game in which people launch someone off a dock in a shopping trolley.

He was playing the game with other teens and an adult at Dock D, at the Holiday Harbor Marina in Bartow County, just before midnight.

Usually when people play this game, the cart is tied to a pole at the dock — but in this instance, Werner decided to act as the anchor point, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

NEW: Photo of 18 y/o Chance Werner who died in shopping cart game at Lake Allatoona http://t.co/FbAZEDD48e #wsbtv pic.twitter.com/2YJnmKhxft— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) May 26, 2014

Melissa Cummings, spokeswoman for Georgia Department of Natural Resources, said the rope was tied to the cart and Werner's belt loop.

When the cart was pushed off the dock, it dragged Werner down and he drowned, she said.

His body was found early Sunday morning in about nine metres of water and he was still tied to the cart.

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Parents’ frantic search for killer

The alleged Isla Vista shooter, Elliot Rodgers wrote a chilling 140 page document providing graphic details of his murderous plot. Courtesy: Fox News

Scene of the shooting ... in California. Picture: France Kirsten, Twitter Source: Supplied

WHILE Elliot Rodger was out killing innocent people his parents madly tried to find him after receiving a chilling manifesto from their son, it's been revealed.

The 22-year-old sent a 140-page document via email to his parents — as well as a dozen others — just before the shootings began, family friend Simon Astaire told CNN.

Devastation ... Peter Rodger is seen in public for the first time since his son went on a deadly drive-by rampage. Picture: Splash Source: Splash News Australia

Rodger's mother, Lichin, who saw the e-mail at 9.17pm, immediately went to Rodger's YouTube page, where he had been known to post videos about himself.

According to Astaire, that's when Rodger's mother saw her son's latest video, called "Retribution," that he posted Friday, the day of the shootings.

Grieving mum ... Lichin Rodger, the mother of killer Elliot Rodger, called 911 after seeing her son's chilling YouTube video. Picture: Splash Source: Splash News Australia

In the video, Rodger outlined his plan of "slaughtering" women at a sorority house at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

His mother called her former husband, British-born director Peter Rodger, and said he had to watch the YouTube video. At the time, Peter Rodger had not yet seen the manifesto.

In cold blood ... Elliot Rodger killed six people before taking his own life. Source: Supplied

FULL TRANSCRIPT: Read Rodger's hate-filled YouTube rant

'WHY DID CHRIS DIE?': Father lashes out

KILLER WAS A 'VERY DISTURBED BOY': grandmother tells of fears

Lichin Rodger called 911, and the parents set off for Santa Barbara from Los Angeles, according to Astaire.

En route, they heard there was a shooting. Later that night, they found out their son was behind the violence.

Less than 24 hours after the bloody rampage that left six innocent victims dead in a California college town, the manifesto also arrived at a local TV station.

In the rambling document, titled "My Twisted World", Rodger outlined his plans to take vengeance against those female students who had rejected him.

Elliot Rodger details the reasons behind his mass shooting, the day before carrying out the horrific attack. WARNING: Some viewers may find disturbing.

He had sent the document to a friend who then passed it on to KEYT-TV Channel 3 in Santa Barbara, which provided a copy to The Los Angeles Times.

"All of those beautiful girls I've desired so much in my life, but can never have because they despise and loathe me, I will destroy," wrote Rodger, the son of Peter Rodger, an assistant director on The Hunger Games.

"All of those popular people who live hedonistic lives of pleasure, I will destroy, because they never accepted me as one of them. I will kill them all and make them suffer, just as they have made me suffer. It is only fair."

Rampage ... a Facebook selfie of Elliot Rodger, who stabbed to death three of his room-mates before killing three students in a drive-by shooting in Santa Barbara. Source: Supplied

The Santa Barbara City College student took his own life after his deadly rampage, which began in his own apartment.

"I would have to kill my housemates to get them out of the way," he wrote in his manifesto. "In fact, I'd even enjoy stabbing them both to death while they slept."

It appears as though Elliot Rodger was planning the killing spree "for at least a year," Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown told CNN on Sunday morning.

In his manifesto, Rodger divided his rampage up into three parts.

Deadly ... Elliot Rodger in his black BMW, which he drove during his killing spree. Source: Supplied

"On the day before the Day of Retribution, I will start the First Phase of my vengeance: Silently killing as many people as I can around Isla Vista by luring them into my apartment through some form of trickery," he wrote.

CHILLING VIDEO: 'I will slaughter you like animals'

His Second Phase, he said, would represent his "War on Women".

"I will punish all females for the crime of depriving me of sex. They have starved me of sex for my entire youth, and gave that pleasure to other men," he wrote.

"In doing so, they took many years of my life away.

"I cannot kill every single female on earth, but I can deliver a devastating blow that will shake all of them to the core of their wicked hearts. I will attack the very girls who represent everything I hate in the female gender: The hottest sorority of UCSB."

Senseless killing ... student Chris Martinez was shot dead in the gun rampage. Source: No Source

The final phase, he said, would be his "ultimate showdown in the streets of Isla Vista".

In this section, he spoke of killing his family and using his parents' Mercedes SUV as "killing machines against my enemies."

Rodger also spoke of his plans for "retribution" in a chilling video posted on YouTube.

"On the day of retribution I am going to enter the hottest sorority house ... and I will slaughter every single spoiled single stuck up blonde s--t I see inside there," he said.

Earlier, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown detailed how the horror of Rodger's rampage unfolded.

Rodger "repeatedly stabbed" three male victims at his apartment prior to the shootings in the town of Isla Vista, near the University of California's Santa Barbara campus.

Grief ... students attend a candlelight vigil in the college town of Isla Vista. Source: AFP

Once outside, Rodger targeted three women from across a street, killing two of them aged 22 and 19, Brown said.

Driving in his car, a black BMW, Rodger found his next victim, a 20-year-old student named Christopher Martinez, shooting him dead.

Police then went after him, Brown said, as Rodger shot indiscriminately at passers-by — injuring at least 13 — and drove all over the road.

Rodger was shot in the hip in a shootout, before zooming off once more and hitting a cyclist, throwing him onto the hood of his car.

"The suspect's vehicle then collided with several parked cars and came to a stop," said Brown, but Rodger "was obviously dead with an apparent gunshot wound to the head."

So much grief ... Students gather at the University of California's Santa Barbara campus in Isla Vista to pay tribute to the victims. Source: AFP

Three nine-millimeter semiautomatic handguns were recovered from the BMW — all legally purchased and registered — and Rodger had dozens of unused rounds of ammunition.

It has emerged that police had "contacts" with Rodger on three separate occasions before Friday's killings, the first time in July 2013, Brown said.

Richard Martinez, father of Christopher, choked up several times as he paid tribute to his son and blamed politicians and the gun lobby, asking in an emotional and at times angry speech:

Father's pain ... Richard Martinez, whose son Christopher was killed in the mass shooting, breaks down as he talks to the media. Source: AP

"When will this insanity stop?" "Our family has a message for every parent out there: you don't think it'll happen to your child until it does," he said, his face contorted with despair and rage.

"Chris was a really great kid, ask anyone who knew him. His death has left our family lost and broken." His voice shaking with emotion, Martinez rounded on politicians and the powerful National Rifle Association.

Hollywood family ... Elliot Rodger's father, British director Peter Rodger. Source: Getty Images

"Why did Chris die? Chris died because of craven, irresponsible politicians and the NRA," Martinez said, raising his voice.

"They talk about gun rights. What about Chris's right to live? When will this insanity stop?"

The bloodshed was just the latest in a string of gun massacres that have rocked the United States in recent years and is likely to trigger more passionate debate about gun rights.

Horrific ... Elliot Rodger took his own life after his deadly rampage in Santa Barbara. Source: Supplied

Anti-gun campaigner Michael Moore responded to the massacre by posting a statement on his Facebook profile describing America's national symbol as "the gun, not the eagle".

"With due respect to those who are asking me to comment on last night's tragic mass shooting ... I no longer have anything to say about what is now part of normal American life," Moore wrote.

A community in mourning gather for a candlelight vigil to honour the victims of Friday night's mass shooting in Santa Barbara, California. Courtesy: Instagram

"Everything I have to say about this, I said it 12 years ago: We are a people easily manipulated by fear which causes us to arm ourselves with a quarter BILLION guns in our homes that are often easily accessible to young people, burglars, the mentally ill and anyone who momentarily snaps."

Devastated students from the University of California's Santa Barbara campus hugged each other and wept as they gathered at a candlelight vigil for those killed in the rampage.

Katie Cooper, shooting victim. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

Veronica Weiss, shooting victim. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

Earlier, residents at the Alpha Phi sorority reported hearing loud and aggressive banging on the front door that lasted for about two minutes. Shortly afterwards witnesses reported seeing young women standing outside shot by Rodger from across the street.

Those inside who refused to open the door were saved from certain death.

"He [Elliot] banged on the door, but no one opened the door so he just drove off and opened fire everywhere," said one student.

Alan Schifman, the lawyer for the Rodger family, said the 22-year-old was being treated by several therapists. He added that his parents and a social worker knew of his difficulties and had been so alarmed by his behaviour they had reported him to police.

Schifman said Rodger was a high-functioning patient with Asperger syndrome who had faced bullying through his schooling and had difficulty making friends.

Mass shooting ... bodies are seen covered on the ground after the mass drive-by shooting. Picture: AP Photo/KEYT, John Palminteri Source: AP

In the YouTube video, Rodger rants about women who have allegedly rejected him, saying he doesn't understand why he is a 22-year-old virgin and wanted to seek his revenge.

He says: "Tomorrow is the day of retribution, the day in which I will have my revenge against humanity, against all of you.

"For the last eight years of my life, ever since I hit puberty I've been forced to endure an existence of loneliness, rejection and unfulfilled desires all because girls have never been attracted to me.

"Girls gave their affection and sex and love to other men, but never to me.

"I'm 22 years old and still a virgin. I've never even kissed a girl.

"I've been through college for two and a half years … and I'm still a virgin. It has been very torturous. I've had to rot in loneliness. It's not fair.

"Girls have never been attracted to me. I will punish you all for it. It's an injustice, a crime."

Murder ... paramedics at the scene of the rampage next to the University of California. Picture: NOOZHAWK Source: Supplied

Bloody scene ... Seven people, including the suspected gunman, died during the shooting rampage. Picture: AP//KEYT, John Palminteri Source: AP

A student said he saw shots fired from a BMW, fatally striking one woman and critically injuring another woman.

"I heard shots, scream, pain," Michael Vitak said.

"All emotions. I hope she is going to be fine."

Wrecked car ... a BMW sedan sits wrecked on an Isla Vista sidewalk after the driver — who allegedly gunned down six people during a blocks-long shooting rampage Picture: Urban Hikers Source: Supplied

Andrew Jun, a third year economics and accounting student who witnessed the rampage, told AFP the situation was "pretty surreal." "It's unbelievable that this kind of thing can happen," he said. Other witnesses said they initially mistook the gunshots for fireworks or firecrackers.

Sienna Schwartz, her voice breaking, recalled how she came face-to-face with the gunman.

At first, she mistook the attacker's "little black pistol" for an airsoft gun. "I turned around, and I started walking the other way. He shot, and I felt like -- I just felt, like, the wind pass right by my face," Schwartz told CNN as she choked back tears.

Nine crime scenes ... night-time drive-by shooting in a student enclave next to the University of California. Picture: NOOZHAWK Source: Supplied

By grisly coincidence, in 2001, the son of Ally McBeal and The Wire television series director Daniel Attias ran down four pedestrians with his car on a crowded street just a block away from the scene of Friday's assault.

Witnesses said that part-time college student David Attias got out of the car after his deed and shouted "I am the angel of death." He was ruled insane and locked up in a state hospital after being initially convicted of second-degree murder.

If you or someone you know may be at risk of suicide contact Lifeline 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 22 46 36, or Salvo Care Line 1300 36 36 22.

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The internet history of a mass murderer

Elliot Rodger details the reasons behind his mass shooting, the day before carrying out the horrific attack. WARNING: Some viewers may find disturbing.

Misogynist: Elliot Rodger hated women as they would not have sex with him. AFP Photo/Robyn Beck Source: AFP

ELLIOT Rodger, who killed six people on Friday and ranted on YouTube about the "injustice" of women not being attracted to him, had further links to misogynistic groups.

A survey of his subscribed channels reveals the 22-year-old was a Men's Rights Activist, or MRA. This branch of the men's liberation movement focuses on what it considers to be issues of male discrimination and oppression.

He regularly posted to online forums and late last year made a call to arms against women: "Start envisioning a world where WOMEN FEAR YOU."

Rodger subscribed to several YouTube channels including RSDfreetour and The Player Supreme Show, which rails against the feminisation of men and gives tips on how to pick up women.

This includes a video titled "Player Supremes New PUA Technique Guaranteed ACTION from women" which shows a naked man approaching women in a busy street.

RELATED: Manifesto outlines killer's plans for 'retribution' before drive-by shooting

RELATED: Full transcript of Elliot Rodger's pre shooting video

Guaranteed pick up: Walk the streets naked, according to Player Supreme Show video. Source: News Corp Australia

According to the Huffington Post, Rodger was also an active member of PUAhate, an online forum aimed at exposing dodgy pick-up artists and dating gurus.

The forum, which has been taken down since the shootings, is not aimed at exposing the confidence men for their hatred of women, but rather for their failed techniques to trick women into sex.

It reportedly has threads with titles such as "Are ugly women completely useless to society?" and "Have any hot women ever committed suicide?".

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Rodger also posted a message in January in which he expressed his outrage at white women socialising with racial minorities.

"I passed by this restaurant and I saw this black guy chilling with 4 hot white girls. He didn't even look good," Rodger said in his post.

"Then later on in the day I was shopping at Trader Joe's and saw an Indian guy with 2 above average White Girls!!!

"What rage-inducing sights did you guys see today? Don't you just hate seeing these things when you go out? It just makes you want to quit life."

The self-pitying members of PUAhate often describe themselves as "incels" — short for involuntary celibate.

In November Rodger reacted angrily when another user suggested that lucid dreaming could be a stand-in for sex.

"If all incels were to start getting sedated by lucid dreaming, incels will become docile and there will be no revolution," he wrote. "If we can't solve our problems we must DESTROY our problems."

He concluded with a call to arms against women: "One day incels will realise their true strength and numbers, and will overthrow this oppressive feminist system.

"Start envisioning a world where WOMEN FEAR YOU."

A world where women fear you: Elliot Rodger's ideal. Source: Supplied

The MRA movement has been criticised for teaching men that women are to blame for their unhappiness, that they lie, cheat, trick and manipulate.

Also that men are dominant over women and that they are entitled to women's bodies.

In Rodger's video, posted shortly before his killing spree, he declares that he is a virgin.

"College is the time when everyone experiences those things such as sex and fun and pleasure. But in those years I've had to rot in loneliness. It's not fair.

"You girls have never been attracted to me. I don't know why you girls aren't attracted to me. But I will punish you all for it.

"I'm going to enter the hottest sorority house of UCSB and I will slaughter every single spoilt, stuck-up, blonde s**t that I see inside there. All those girls that I've desired so much, they would've all rejected me and looked down on me as an inferior man if I ever made a sexual advance towards them.

"I'll take great pleasure in slaughtering all of you. You will finally see that I am, in truth, the superior one. The true alpha male ..."

Rodger's case also has chilling similarities to another girl's death at a Connecticut high school.

The victim, Maren Sanchez, a 16-year-old student, was stabbed to death by a boy who was angry that she had rejected his invitation to the prom.

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‘Faz’ wasn’t toeing line: Maxwell

Nick Maxwell isnt Collingwood captain any more, but he is not afraid to let teammates know when they dont meet team expectations, giving Fasolo a massive spray in the second quarter.

Nick Maxwell isn't afraid to let teammates know if he thinks they've let the side down. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

COLLINGWOOD defender Nick Maxwell says he has no regrets about getting physical on the field with teammate Alex Fasolo during Saturday evening's win over West Coast.

The former Pies skipper was seen yelling and Fasolo, or 'Fas' as he's known at the Westpac Centre, during the second term after not carrying out instructions to Maxwell's liking.

Fasolo, once a smooth half forward, is a newcomer to the Collingwood defence this season.

Speaking to 3AW on Sunday, Maxwell said his younger teammate was making good progress in his transition to hard-nosed defender but sometimes needed a hand.

GUTSY PIES NOTCH FAMOUS WIN

"Look, in the heat of the moment you do what you've got to do to get the job done," Maxwell said.

"Fas is still obviously learning a new position and I really believe that he's going to be good down at half back with his kicking power but he's got to win his one on ones first," Maxwell said.

"His starting points are really good, and then he's just drifting off and probably (not) concentrating, so a couple of times I told him what I wanted from him and he just hadn't quite done what I'd asked of him.

Collingwood have won a classic match against the West Coast Eagles 109-101 at the MCG.

"So I had to get across there and make sure I told him in no uncertain terms that he had to make sure he changed it and got it right

"Obviously at half-time the first person I went to was Fas and he goes 'Mate, no problems at all. That's exactly right (and) want you to keep being hard on me' ...

"In the heat of the moment you've got to do what you've got to do to make sure that you're getting the job done and Fas has been really important for us."

BRAVE PIES NEED FINE TUNING

Maxwell's direct approach drew criticism from some quarters but praise from others.

The veteran was a standout in the Pies' win, guiding his side's undermanned backline in the absence of some key pillars.

"A lot of people, they comment on it as much as they like to, but when you're down back, a bad possession or a bad decision — and that's not even with the ball, that's if you don't go with your opponent or whatever it is — can result in a shot on goal.

"If the forwards make a mistake, the opposition still have to run the ball to the other end to score to really make you hurt."

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Most epic Game of Thrones fight scenes

THE lack of a new episode of Game of Thrones this week, thanks to the American holiday weekend, means that we've been given an extra seven days to salivate over the prospect of Oberyn Martell taking on Ser Gregor Clegane in fierce, mano y mano combat.

And given that Oberyn's an expert in the field of, um, "manos," perhaps we've finally found the guy who can take down "The Mountain" and put an end to his reign of terror and torture.

Oberyn won't just be fighting for himself, of course. Sure, he's been seeking revenge against the parties responsible for his sister's brutal rape and murder for decades, but for this particular battle Tyrion's life is also on the line. Yes, in the next episode "The Mountain and The Viper," Oberyn's fighting for two.

So he's going to have to be at the top of his game.

As we wait for this showdown, let's use this opportunity then to pull from three and a half season's worth of fight scenes.

Bloody, knock down, drag out brawls to the bitter end. Clanging swords, ripping knives, things on fire that shouldn't be on fire.

Game of Thrones has nearly seen it all. And given the official title announcement of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice this week, let's look back all the times GoT characters have "v"d the hell out of each other. Here are eight great fights...

Bronn vs. Ser Vardis Egen

Let's first check in with the last time Tyrion demanded a "Trial By Combat" - when Jaime wasn't available to ride to his brother's rescue and a sellsword named Bronn (of House Bronn in Bronnlandia?) stepped in to officially rep the rascal. We know Bronn did the deed for a lot of Lannister gold, but now we also know that a big part of his decision was that he knew that he could easily take a noble nitwit like Ser Vardis. After all, anyone who's sworn their allegiance to a crazy woman and her simpleton son can't be all that sharp himself.

He sure did do a great impression of bird s*** though.

"I regret so much!!!" Source: Supplied

Jaime Lannister vs. Brienne of Tarth

Aren't all road trips destined to go sour at some point? There just comes a moment when everyone gets on each other's nerves and it's time to throw down. Someone keeps humming the same Lady Gaga song over and over. Another dude's stopped wearing deodorant because "it's not natural, maaaan." The giant lady warrior's sick of being called an ugly whore. The usual.

Not only was Brienne obviously the better fighter of the two, but she had the tougher job. She had to keep Jaime intact. So while he was actually trying to run her through, she couldn't let any harm come to him. So she just wound up toying with him, like a dire wolf batting around a ball of intestines.

♪"Clang, clang, clang went the Jaime..." Source: Supplied

Ned Stark vs. Jaime Lannister

This was the big fight that Season 1 seemed to be leading up to, what with Jaime constantly getting in Ned's face and being all smug and sneery. And if this were typical TV show, Ned would have probably vanquished the arrogant, preening sister-humper at the end of the season, standing tall and noble among a city of liars and weasels. But this is Game of Thrones, so it happened in the middle of the season and Ned took a spear to the leg from an overeager guard. And then the two of them would never meet again and we'd forever bid farewell to any notions of closure on this series. Or in life. Basically I can't trust that any of my dreams will come true now.

Khal Drogo vs. Mago

Remember that time that one Dothtraki's dude was like "Your wife's a bitch!" and Khal Drogo was like "Hey, that's the moon of my life, mother***er!?" And it was on! And the leader of the horde proved why he was top of the heap. Sure, Drogo wound up succumbing to an infection caused by the little scratch he picked up during the scuffle, but let's not be too hard on him. Everything back then was covered in dust and faeces. It's a wonder anyone made it past age seven with all their limbs not-amputated.

If you're having trouble recalling this brawl, it's the one where Drogo made all the ladies hot and bothered by ripping out his enemy's tongue. Through his enemy's neck. Which is actually the Dothraki word for "thank you."

"You've got a little remoulade on your...Here, let me just..." Source: Supplied

The Hound vs. Beric Dondarrion

It was Sandor Clegane vs. Westeros' resident Mr. Potato Head (It's true. If you checked Beric's butt there'd be a compartment holding a second nose and some new ears).

One would think that lighting one's sword on fire would give you an ample leg up on the flame-phobic Hound. I guess it just speaks to how much Beric sucked as a swordsman that he couldn't overcome Sandor with a blade covered in pyro. Good thing his platformer came with extra lives and a save/continue function.

They really go all out at Benihana's nowadays. Source: Supplied

Daario Naharis vs. The Champion of Meereen

There was a big build up to this showdown, but it took Daario all of four seconds to dispatch Meereen's exalted heavyweight champion. He had flowers to pick and Khaleesis to woo. He didn't have time for a bunch of sand-covered silliness.

This one ended impressively quick, which was hopefully not the case in the episode "Mockingbird", when Daario was commanded to use his other sword for an important royal task.

Ser Gregor "The Mountain" Clegane vs. Horse

In what's hopefully not a preview of what lies ahead for Oberyn, here's the scary skirmish between The Mountain -- played by a different actor at the time -- and a horse who made the mistake of being a horse standing next to The Mountain when he was angry about horses. Man, Glamorous Glue didn't even make it out of the gates in this one.

This article originally appeared on IGN.

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Innocent kiss will cost actor

Iranian actor, Leila Hatami, angered Islamists in Iran. Source: AFP

IRANIAN actor Leila Hatami Friday apologised for kissing the Cannes film festival's president on the cheek, an act which angered authorities in the Islamic republic, state news agency IRNA reported.

"I am so sorry for hurting the feelings of some people," she wrote in a letter to Iran's cinema organisation, cited by IRNA.

She underlined her respect for Islamic rules of behaviour in public, but festival president Gilles Jacob, 83, "had forgotten the aforementioned rules, which comes with old age.

The kiss that's ignited outrage in Iran. Picture: CanalPlus France. Source: 20Minutes.fr. Source: Supplied

"My pre-emptive action of hand shaking was fruitless," Hatami wrote, explaining the kiss.

"Although I am embarrassed to give these explanations, I had no choice but to go into details for those who could not understand the inevitable situation that I was stuck in," she said.

"In my eyes, he is certainly like an old grandfather who was also my host." A photograph carried by Iranian media showed Hatami kissing Jacob at the opening of the festival earlier this month, prompting a reprimand.

Leila Hatami in hot water after Cannes kiss. Source: AFP

"Those who attend intentional events should take heed of the credibility and chastity of Iranians, so that a bad image of Iranian women will not be demonstrated to the world," Deputy Culture Minister Hossein Noushabadi said on Sunday.

"Iranian woman is the symbol of chastity and innocence," he said. Hatami's "inappropriate presence" at the festival was "not in line with our religious beliefs".

A group of female Islamist students are seeking legal action against Hatami, calling for her to be sentenced to a jail term and lashed, according to the Iranian website Tasnim News.

Born into a family with a background in cinema, Hatami gained worldwide fame for her role in Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation," which won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

She was on the jury this year at the annual Cannes festival in southern France but lives in Iran.

According to Iran's interpretation of Islamic (sharia) law, in place since the 1979 revolution, a woman is not allowed to have physical contact with a man outside her family.

Some Iranians called her presence at Cannes "inappropriate." Source: AFP

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Footballers’ nude photo scandal

Boys will be boys. The Orlando Pirates heat up the shower room. Source: Twitter

A GROUP of top-flight footballers in South Africa could face a disciplinary inquiry after a photograph showing them posing naked in the showers with a trophy appeared on social media.

The photograph shows the Orlando Pirates players covering their genitals with their hands in the dressing room showers alongside the Nedbank Cup trophy following their victory in the final last Saturday.

The picture was also widely published in South Africa's mainstream media.

Pirates administrative manager Floyd Mbele told the South African Press Association on Friday that those involved could be disciplined, although he said "this is the first time that we are dealing with such an issue in the club."

Mbele said the photo being made public and not the celebrations was the problem.

"Who are we to condemn players for celebrating?" he said. "I mean you can ask most sports codes and it's something that happens, so this is not unique to Pirates. The fact that it's out in the media is another thing. But how many players get into their dressing rooms and do funny things after winning matches?"

The players shown smiling and covering their modesty apparently include current South Africa internationals Lehlohonolo Majoro and Thabo Matlaba. Midfielder Thandani Ntshumayelo took responsibility for initially posting the photo on social media.

He apologised on Twitter, saying "at the time I thought it was a joke, sorry to my teammates."

Ntshumayelo is one of the players in the photo and is crouching naked behind the trophy and appears to be hugging and planting a kiss on it. Some of the players are wearing flip flops but nothing else. It was unclear who took the photograph.

South African newspaper The Times said on its website: "Next season's Nedbank Cup winners might have to sterilise the trophy."

Orlando Pirates is one of South Africa's biggest clubs. It came from a goal down to beat Bidvest Wits 3-1 in the season-ending Nedbank Cup final, the country's version of the FA Cup final, at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban last weekend.

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Formula One star’s brush with death

Kimi Raikkonen was almost a late withdrawal from the Monaco Grand Prix after narrowly avoiding being hit by Sebastian Vettel in pit lane, with the Fin seemingly unaware he was in the way of the German.

A Red Bull Racing staff member saves Ferrari's Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen. Source: AFP

FORMULA One star Kimi Raikkonen was pulled to safety moments before rival Sebastian Vettel sped past, narrowly avoiding disaster at the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Finnish driver was standing in pit lane during free practice overnight, completely oblivious to the fact Vettel's Red Bull was about to be released by his team — straight at him.

A quick-thinking Red Bull mechanic jumped out into pit lane and grabbed Raikkonen and moved him out of the way.

The rescuer appeared to find the situation amusing, while Raikkonen was stunned.

Watch the incident in the video above

Kimi Raikkonen has the Red Bull mechanic to thank for his close call in Monaco. Source: AFP

Meanwhile, championship leader Lewis Hamilton overslept his alarm and had to be roused by two team members banging on his door before practice.

But this delayed start to his working day did nothing to slow him down as he went on to clock the fastest lap overall in the rain-hit session.

Hamilton was quickest in the morning with a best lap of one minute and 18.271 seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg and Red Bull's Australian star Daniel Ricciardo (1:18.506).

Sebastian Vettel in action for Red Bull. Source: AFP

The positions meant little, but Ricciardo said he felt that he and Vettel had a chance to challenge for victory in Sunday's classic 78-lap race.

"The morning went well," Ricciardo said.

"It is still early, but we are there or thereabouts with them — and with a few little tweaks, if we get it the way we want, we will give them a run.

"I think if it (winning) is going to happen anywhere, this is the place for it."

Vettel was more cautious.

"They were very quick this morning and we see that, come Saturday, they are usually able to pick up their pace, so we will try to do the same," he said.

"Potentially, we are a little bit closer here, but at the moment it is all guessing."

- with AFP

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Kim and Kanye: A love story

As 'the wedding of the century' edges ever closer, high profile guests have began flocking into Paris for the Kimye extravaganza that is Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's wedding.

WHETHER you love them or hate them, the Kim Kardashian, Kanye West wedding is set to have the world talking this weekend. What will Kim wear, where will they exchange vows, how big will the reception be, and will the groom crack a grin ...

But long before they were Kimye and parents; before they were lovers, or a mega couple, they were just good buds.

Eye on the prize ... Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Kanye West in 2008. Source: Getty Images

GALLERY: Kardashian wedding fever

GALLERY: Kimye's most unguarded pictures

Let's take a look at how it all began.

Beginnings

Socialite Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian at North Bondi Beach in Sydney. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

Cast your mind back to 2006 when Paris Hilton was the 'It' girl of the day, the millionaire socialite whose fame grew immeasurably after the release of her sex tape with former boyfriend Rick Salomon.

Hilton took a trip down under where she frolicked in the warm waters of Bondi Beach with her bestie, none other than Kim Kardashian.

Kim Kardashian drew a crowd on Bondi Beach in 2006. Picture: Toby Zerna Source: News Corp Australia

Kim, herself, was a girl about town in L.A. Her father Rob Kardashian was the main defence lawyer at the O.J. Simpson murder trial in the early 90s. Her mother Kris Jenner had married former Olympian Bruce Jenner.

In 2000, at the tender age of 19 Kim married music producer Damon Thomas. Sadly the relationship didn't last, but it was around this time that Kim first became friends with Paris Hilton.

Rumours begin

In 2007, just prior to the premier of E! Entertainment's Keeping Up With The Kardashians a sex tape was leaked of Kim and former boyfriend, rapper Ray J. Kim was dating footballer Reggie Bush at the time.

It was around this time that reports linking Kardashian and West start ...

2009: NFL Player Reggie Bush and Kim Kardashian. Source: Getty Images

In 2008 West breaks off his engagement with fashion designer Alexis Pheifer, who he'd been with since 2002.

2007: Alexis Pfeiffer, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian an event in L.A. Source: Getty Images

A tangled affair

Kanye starts a relationship with model Amber Rose, the pair are pictured looking happy and in-love, but Rose maintains she was undermined by Kim who repeatedly tried to start affairs with West.

On the rocks ... Kanye West and model Amber Rose in 2009. Source: Getty Images

Kanye West and Amber Rose in 2009. Source: Getty Images

Awkward double date ... Kanye West, Milla Jovovich, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush attend New York Fashion Week in 2009. Source: Getty Images

Kim's relationship was complicated by her sex-tape, with Ray J. Both couples broke things off in 2010 but Kim and Kanye publicly maintained they were 'just friends'.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West pictured hanging out inside the future Dash store in Soho, downtown Manhattan. Source: Splash News Australia

She fell in love with 'him'

2011 ... Kim Kardashian and Kris Humphries. Source: Getty Images

Kardashian started seeing NBA basketballer Kris Humphreys in October 2010.

In his song, Way Too Cold, West penned the lyric:

"And I'll admit, I had fell in love with Kim

Around the same time she had fell in love with him' alluding to Kim's relationship with Humphries, who was playing with the New Jersey Jets, which was owned by West's close friend, rapper Jay-Z.

The line is followed by: "Well that's cool, baby girl, do ya thang

Lucky I ain't had Jay drop him from the team".

Looking back, Kanye needn't have worried. Kim famously filed for divorce after just 72 days citing 'irreconcilable differences'.

Kim and Kanye make it official

Finally the scene is set for 'Kimye' to bloom.

Happy in love ... Kim Kardashian and Kanye West talk from their courtside seats at the 2012 NBA Playoffs. Source: Getty Images

Power couples. Singer Beyonce, rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West and television personality Kim Kardashian attend the 2012 BET Awards. Source: Getty Images

Obviously ecstatic over finally being in his dream relationship West famously told his future mother-in-law Kris on her talk show: "There's times when I wasn't with [Kim], I wanted to be with her so bad I thought about taking up sports".

Late in 2012 rumours swirled that Kimye was expecting a bundle of joy, which only fuelled the world's obsession with the famously public, yet somehow private pair.

In May, while heavily pregnant, Kim copped a savaging from fashion writers everywhere for her custom-made Ricardo Tisci floral dress.

Floral fail ... Kim Kardashian and Kanye West attend the 2013 Costume Institute Gala. Source: Getty Images

Cheating rumours

The pair stuck together that year amid claims by a Canadian model that she'd slept with West during Kim's pregnancy. The Kim look-alike alleged Kanye had said his relationship was "for publicity and nothing serious."

Canadian model Leyla Ghobadi has been linked to Kanye. Pictures: Leyla Ghobadi Facebook Source: Facebook

Ghobadi later backtracked on the statement saying her affair with West actually happened years before he was with Kardashian.

Meanwhile the couple welcomed their daughter, North.

Now a mum, Kim wasted no time in reminding everyone of her most famous asset.

Picture: Kim Kardashian/Instagram Source: Supplied

And sharing their love for the world to see on social media.

Kimye went from strength to strength as Kanye romantically proposed to Kim at a baseball game.

US rapper Kanye West rents out an entire baseball field as he proposes to reality star Kim Kardashian. Courtesy mels239/YouTube

On the cover of Vogue Magazine

Kim and Kanye on the cover of Vogue Magazine. Source: Supplied

The duo appeared on the cover of Vogue Magazine, which broke sales records around the world, much to the disgust of many who felt that Vogue had lowered their standards by featuring the reality star on its iconic cover.

Kanye hit out at naysayers: "t here's no way Kim Kardashian shouldn't be on the cover of Vogue. She's like the most intriguing woman right now."

But the pair looked loved-up and happy as they posed for the photoshoot.

The wedding of the year

Now as we enter the countdown to the wedding. The streets of Paris are filled with excitement, love and above-all Kardashians as they plan the final parts of the wedding.

Kardashians hit fever pitch

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Aussie cities could be shrouded in smog

Scenes of heavy smog in north-eastern China, whic is adding to public pressure on Chinese officials to address the issue of air pollution. Courtesy: WSJDigitalNetwork

Are Australian cities at risk of becoming like Beijing? AP Photo CHINA OUT Source: AP

IMAGINE living in a city that contains some of the world's most beautiful skylines but being unable to admire it.

Or worse still, being so worried about pollution that you won't allow your children to play outside for a least half of the year.

This scenario might seem far fetched but many Australians may be shocked to know that at least one major city is dangerously close to exceeding air quality guidelines, putting residents at increased risk of dying from stroke, heart disease and lung cancer.

They may also be shocked to find out that more than 3000 Australians die each year because of urban air pollution.

According to a new report released today and produced by Environmental Justice Australia, air pollution is inadequately regulated, monitored and enforced in Australia.

The organisation has called for the Commonwealth Government to create a national scheme for air pollution that is binding on states and territories.

Nicola Rivers, director of advocacy and research Environmental Justice, said governments could be doing more to prevent the 3000 deaths every year, and this figure was probably higher as it was based on a 2007 study.

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Sydney as seen with Beijing-quality air: 1

Ms Rivers said despite the fact that tiny particles called PM2.5 had been identified as a risk factor in lung cancer and other diseases, levels of these killer particles was not regulated.

These tiny particles can penetrate and lodge deep inside the lungs and could come from coal mines, coal fire power stations and diesel trucks.

Although most Australians thought they enjoyed clean air, levels of PM2.5 could be extremely high in some areas.

"One residential street in Melbourne has 7000 diesel cars and trucks go down it every day," Ms Rivers said.

Residents in Frances St, Yarraville have long been concerned about the health impacts of exhaust fumes, and studies in 2001 and 2013 show levels of PM2.5 exceed recommended levels.

Despite the risks, a meeting last month of state and territory environmental ministers decided to abandon plans to produce a national air pollution plan by 2016.

"They have now decided to 'work towards' an agreement in 2016, so we don't even know if it's going to happen," she said.

Ms Rivers said PM2.5 should be regulated, not just monitored, in Australia, to protect residents' health and has called on the Federal Government to enforce a national standard.

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Melbourne as seen with Beijing-quality air: 1

SO WHERE ARE AUSTRALIA'S WORST HOT SPOTS?

Environmental Justice Australia has identified some of the worst hot spots for air pollution and has found that those communities impacted were often the most socially and economically disadvantaged.

While residents in larger cities were generally exposed to higher levels of air pollution than those in rural areas, certain communities suffer disproportionate impacts because of how close they are to polluting facilities.

This includes coal mining regions such as the Hunter Valley in NSW, the Latrobe Valley in Victoria, communities near industrial sites such as the Port Pirie lead smelter, and suburbs close to major roads and rail.

Air pollution hot spots in Australia. Supplied by Environmental Justice Australia. Source: Supplied

The World Health Organisation also released a report this month with air quality figures from around the world that shows only 12 per cent of people living in cities that report on smog, experience conditions that meet their guidelines.

The most recent figures for Australian cities date back to 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Although no Australian cities exceeded the WHO guidelines, at least three cities in Victoria are close, including Melbourne.

Air pollution is measured using concentrations of PM particles, which can contain sulfate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water.

While PM2.5 is the most worrying type of particle because it is very small and can be absorbed deep inside the lungs, more coarse particles called PM10 are also of concern.

Melbourne has an annual mean PM10 rating of 18, close to the WHO recommended maximum rating of 20.

However, the Victorian capital is not the worst city in Australia, this honour goes to the regional southeast mining centre Traralgon, which has a reading of 19.

Meanwhile former manufacturing port city Geelong, also has a reading of 18.

Surprisingly, Sydney recorded a reading of nine, the lowest annual mean of all the capital cities.

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Brisbane as seen with Beijing-quality air: 1

EVEN SMALL LEVELS OF AIR POLLUTION CAN BE DANGEROUS

Compared to other countries Australia has very good air quality but residents cannot afford to be complacent.

WHO has found that small particulate pollution can have health impacts even at very low concentrations.

"Indeed no threshold has been identified below which no damage to health is observed," the health organisation explains in a fact sheet.

"Therefore, the WHO 2005 guideline limits aimed to achieve the lowest concentrations of PM possible."

Seven million people around the world were estimated to have died due to air pollution in 2012, according to the WHO report.

"This finding more than doubles previous estimates and confirms that air pollution is now the world's largest single environmental health risk," the statement said.

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Canberra as seen with Beijing-quality air: 1

Chronic exposure contributes to the risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as lung cancer.

When considering the health impacts, PM2.5 is particularly important because these particles have been directly linked to health risks.

Scientific studies have suggested links to asthma, bronchitis, acute and chronic respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath and painful breathing, and premature deaths.

Children are more susceptible to these impacts because their immune and respiratory systems are still developing, and problems such as asthma are believed to be linked.

In Australia, levels are lower than WHO guidelines but one Western Australia town, Busselton, has recorded a mean PM2.5 of 9, which is close to the recommended annual mean of 10.

Three other cities recorded a mean of 8: the South Australian capital Adelaide; Bunbury, south of Perth, and Launceston in Tasmania.

SO SPARE A THOUGHT FOR RESIDENTS IN DELHI AND BEIJING ...

Although Australia's measurements seem to be high compared to recommended limits, they are no where near the levels experienced by the world's most polluted city, Delhi in India.

Delhi has a mean PM10 of 286, and PM2.5 of 153. This is a mean figure so on some days levels are much higher.

Australia also compares favourably to Chinese capital, Beijing, which recorded a mean PM10 of 121 and PM2.5 of 56. However, levels in Beijing are thought to be worse as the data quoted is from 2010.

The latest available data has prompted WHO to call for greater awareness of health risks caused by air pollution, implementation of effective air pollution mitigation policies; and close monitoring of the situation in cities worldwide.

"Too many urban centres today are so enveloped in dirty air that their skylines are invisible," said Dr Flavia Bustreo, WHO Assistant Director-General for Family, Children and Women's Health.

Yes, this is real: View of the Palace Museum in heavy smog in Beijing. Source: AP

The levels in cities like Beijing are so bad they are no where near recommended levels, and residents instead monitor how harmful they are to human health.

The US embassy pollution index in Beijing produces an Air Quality Index, which measures six pollutants including PM10 and PM2.5 particles.

Last year Beijing reportedly experienced 189 days of pollution.

According to the index, which follows US Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, an air quality level of more than 100 is "unhealthy for sensitive groups", more than 150 is "unhealthy", and more than 300 is considered "hazardous".

At one point last year Beijing's smog was measured at more than 750.

CHINA HAS ACTUALLY 'DECLARED WAR' ON POLLUTION

The problem is so bad that Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said he was "declaring war" on pollution in March this year.

Former Beijing resident Kevin Yeoh said he would check PM2.5 readings every morning on his phone.

"If PM2.5 was below 150, you would go outside, 150-200, you'd still go outside, but not for long periods of time. Above 200 you'd definitely try to stay indoors. Above 300, you're crazy to go outside," Mr Yeoh said.

"Mentally it gets you down. One of the problems with air pollution is that you don't know what the long term consequences are, particularly for small children," the father-of-two said.

Mr Yeoh said it was common for new visitors to cough up black stuff and have watery eyes.

"Winter is the worst time because that's when demand for electricity is at its highest."

It's clear we need to avoid this: Polluted smog over Tiananmen Square. Source: AP

Mr Yeoh said after working in Beijing for five years he finally decided to leave in 2012 and one of the major reasons was because of the smog.

"Everyone in Beijing is impacted. And everyone's always talking about it. Among our friends, we were one of the first to buy a Swiss air filter and it arrived within five days," he said.

"But demand is now so great that you might have to wait up to three months before you can get one. It's actually an appreciating asset.

"When we left Beijing we were able to sell it for the price we paid even though it was two years old."

Air pollution can be caused by fuel combustion from cars, power plants, wood burning, industrial processes, and diesel powered vehicles such as buses and trucks.

It will be difficult to reduce but WHO has identified measures including that houses are energy efficient, that urban development is compact and well served by public transport routes, street design is appealing and safe for pedestrians and cyclists, and waste is well managed.

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