‘Plus size isn’t derogatory, it’s a no-brainer’

Plus size models and real-life couple Jesse McNeely and Laura Wells. Picture: John Appleyard Source: News Corp Australia

PLUS SIZE: It's a term you either love or hate. On one side, you have those who believe it propagates unhealthy living or is denigrating; on the other, you have those who think it's pretty much the only size that should exist.

Even those within the industry argue about its relevance. On the one hand, you have people like Melbourne model Stefania Ferrario, who posted a topless picture of herself captioned "I am a model FULL STOP. Unfortunately in the modelling industry if you're above a US size 4 (Australian size 8) you are considered plus size, and so I'm often labelled a 'plus size' model. I do NOT find this empowering ... Let's have models of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities, and drop the misleading labels. I'm NOT proud to be called 'plus', but I AM proud to be called a 'model', that is my profession!"

Stefania Ferrario Source: Instagram

On the other hand, you have people like Laura Wells, who not only loves the term plus size, but credits her success to it.

"If I wasn't called a 'plus sized model' I wouldn't have a job. There wouldn't be a spot for me in the industry," Wells told news.com.au as she gets ready to board a flight from Sydney to Melbourne for a job.

"That title has empowered me, it has put me in magazines where people can see me, and that wouldn't have happened if the industry had not created that category for people like me, people who are the average size 14. The industry is forging the way for new body shapes and ages and sizes. I get a lot of positive attention from women and men, saying how encouraged they are and how good it is to see me in campaigns or magazines. Without 'plus size' I wouldn't be able to empower anyone because I wouldn't be there in the first place."

The problems begin, according to Wells, when people misinterpret plus size within fashion to be plus size in real life. A size 14 is plus size in the modelling industry because the person is between 3-6 sizes larger than an industry-standard model. In real life, this might be considered an average size, but in fashion, it's just not.

"I've never had a problem with the terminology, because it's an industry term. That's what people have to understand," Wells explains.

"For me, plus size has just been a job title. I've never thought of it as derogatory. What the fashion world deems as plus size is not what plus size is in reality. We know that, and it's important others know that too.

Laura Wells in action. Source: Supplied

"If I stand next to a straight size model, you can see the difference. It's obvious I'm larger than straight size models. Why say otherwise? The fact that we're called plus size may be a point of concern to the outside world, but within the fashion world it is fine, and it's actually empowering. We're on the first stepping stone to having plenty of shoots with models of all different sizes."

Ajay Rochester is a defiant opponent of plus size as a term, last month slamming The Upside for using Wells in its campaign,.

"How the f*** can this woman be considered plus size? Any idea the kind of damage you do to the minds of young girls by even using those words with a picture like this? Where is there PLUS of anything. Anything less of her and she'd be a MINUS something. Seriously this is so ridiculous and harmful! This is not empowering anyone," she tweeted at the time.

But far from shy away from the criticism, Wells confronted it head on.

"Miss Ajay Rochester the campaign, nor I, are not bulls**t, and the fact you would put that out there is not exactly campaigning successfully or positively for body image diversity. It's the first time a regular sized active wear brand had used a plus size model let alone anyone over a size 8AU. We need to stop shaming other people's bodies, be happy that models like me are helping to change the tide of the industry," she said.

"I'm in my seventh year of full time modelling and I've noticed a really big change in the industry," Wells tells news.com.au. "In the last few years especially we've seen a lot more plus size models getting editorial work in European magazines, fashion campaigns, Sports Illustrated spreads … people are really relating to it and loving it, it's refreshing to see different body shapes."

"Look I think anyone with half a brain will see the plus size industry as common sense and a great reflection of society," adds Jesse McNeely, fellow plus size model and fiance to Wells.

"When [Ajay] was criticising Laura, she couldn't care less and neither could I. People do things and say things to get attention, and the plus size 'debate' is an easy target.

"We both get a lot of people saying 'it's about time' when the see us in campaigns, which is cool. A lot of people think, thank God, this puts fashion back into a more realistic realm. We don't let an industry or a label govern how we act or feel."

Jesse McNeely for Johnny Bigg. Source: Supplied

Since entering the modelling world by chance after meeting Wells' agent at a Christmas party (both are now signed to BGM models) McNeely, who comes from an army background, has gone on to star in campaigns for Johnny Bigg and Big W.

"It's a no brainer that there's a market for plus size in Australia. There are larger men in Australia, and not just in terms of fat, in terms of build. It's about time that there's a clothing line that's fashionable for men," he remarks.

"For anyone who takes it too seriously or builds it up into something it's not, I just say, calm down, it's just fashion. I don't consider myself obese or unhealthy or crazy fit. I love my fitness, I've been in the army 12 years, but the whole debate about it has become a bit silly. Plus size as a label sits with me fine. At the end of the day I'm a certain size, like a lot of other people, and if you call that plus size so be it."

McNeely has also starred in an Embody Denim campaign with Wells, an opportunity Wells particularly relished.

"It's great we've been able to work together, and it means he's able to understand more about my full time job and what I've been doing," she says.

"I think it's only positive that we're able to showcase a part of our lives that makes us happy. We are normal people who do normal things. We work out together, and we work out apart as well, it just depends. We have bodies that you don't see in the media every day, but it doesn't mean that we're any less.

"The most important thing is to be happy and healthy, and we are. Your dress size does not dictate your worth. Your personality isn't dictated by your shape. You've just got to stop caring about what other people think."

McNeely and Wells for Embody Denim. Source: Supplied

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Missing teen’s chilling last words

Vanished ... Marion Rees hasn't been seen for 40 years. But could she really be alive? Source: News Corp Australia

THE last words Marion Rees said to her young brother have haunted him for decades. But did they also offer a clue to the mystery that was about to unfold?

It was April 7, 1975 and the then 13-year-old Marion was walking with her eight-year-old brother John to the bus stop in Hillsdale, in Sydney's southwest.

That last morning they spent getting ready for school and then, unusually, they walked to the bus stop together.

It was then she spoke the words he has never forgot.

"Take care of your sister and everything will be all right."

She never made it to Matraville High School that day and hasn't been since. An inquest into her disappearance was held earlier this month and Deputy State Coroner Sharon Freund is expected to release her findings today.

When she hadn't arrived home early that evening John asked a neighbour to call their mother Margaret, who was at work at a nursing home.

A frantic search was began and the police were called. But there was no sign of the "happy girl with big red hair".

One of the last ever pictures of Marion Rees, who was 13 when she vanished in 1975. Source: Supplied

Joanne Rees is the younger sister Marion spoke about that morning at the bus stop. The fact the family are no closer to finding the truth is as devastating to her as it is frustrating.

"I'm just completely blown away by it. I don't even know what to say anymore."

Ms Rees told news.com.au the bus stop conversation was puzzling.

"It sounds as if she knew. She must have known something was up."

Ms Rees had been told that Marion suddenly got off the bus, before she got to school. "What did she see out the window that made her get off the bus?"

The night before Marion disappeared, their mother had a strange feeling there was something wrong.

The last words Marion Rees spoke to her younger brother John have haunted him. Source: News Corp Australia

Marion Rees and her siblings, John (left) and Joanne (right) Source: Supplied

Marion Rees' family was "torn apart" after she vanished aged just 13. Source: Supplied

"She felt there was something up with her — that maybe she wanted to tell her something. Those feelings are usually right, aren't they?"

Police have explored a number of theories, including abduction, murder and even that she disappeared deliberately.

Marion had been babysitting for an Eastern European couple who had asked Margaret Rees if Marion could look after their children when they went on a 12-month trip around Australia. Mrs Rees wasn't happy with that arrangement and said no.

The fact the Eastern European couple haven't come forward, even to inquire about Marion at the time she vanished, makes her sister suspicious.

Those suspicions increased after she learned there was a link with that couple to a family friend she had long suspected had something to do with Marion's vanishing act.

"It's a gut feeling I've always had."

As much as she wants her sister to be alive, Ms Rees thinks its far more probable she's dead. "Why wouldn't she get in touch? There is a Facebook page set up looking for her that mentions our Mum has died. It doesn't make sense."

Marion Rees would have turned 54 this year.

Despite her beliefs that it is likely foul play is involved she has no confidence anyone will be ever brought to justice.

John Rees has never given up hope his sister could still be alive. Source: Supplied

Joanne Rees: "Why wouldn't she get in touch?" Source: Supplied

Sergeant Dean Betts thinks there is a chance Marion Rees is still alive. Source: Supplied

"It's just been too long. I mean, everyone [connected to the case] is dead or dying."

Ms Rees said her sisters case was initially dismissed as a "teenage runaway" — and potential evidence was lost forever.

"I'm completely dumbfounded by it. I feel that let my family down, let my sister down ... This has really torn us apart and affected all of our lives."

She has nothing but praise though for Sergeant Dean Betts, who is now the officer in charge of the case.

Sgt Betts told Network Ten's Wanted television show it was possible she was still alive.

"There is a theory that she may have disappeared of her own accord, and there is an angle she may have had some assistance."

Asked for his view on what happened he said: "My own personal opinion is that she has disappeared and she may be still out there somewhere."

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World leaders’ personal details leaked

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Barack Obama. Source: AP

PERSONAL details of every world leader attending the Brisbane G20 summit were accidentally leaked by Australia's immigration department, and they were kept in the dark about it, The Guardian reports.

The passport numbers and visa details of leaders, along with other personal details of leaders including US president Barack Obama and Russian president Vladimir Putin were reportedly passed on to organisers of the Asian Cup football tournament in an email.

German chancellor Angela Merkel, Chinese president Xi Jinping and British PM David Cameron's details were all exposed in an email sent by an employee of the Australian Immigration Department.

The privacy breach occurred in November last year and the Australian Privacy Commissioner was contacted by the agency seeking advice.

British PM David Cameron's details were accidentally leaked. Source: Getty Images

In an email marked "URGENT", obtained by the Guardian, the commissioner was informed of the breach, caused by "human error".

"The personal information which has been breached is the name, date of birth, title, position nationality, passport number, visa grant number and visa subclass held relating to 31 international leaders (ie prime ministers, presidents and their equivalents) attending the G20 leaders summit," the officer wrote.

"The cause of the breach was human error. [Redacted] failed to check that the autofill function in Microsoft Outlook had entered the correct person's details into the email 'To' field.

"This led to the email being sent to the wrong person."

The email trail reveals the commission recommended the world leaders not be informed of the breach.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also part of the breach. Source: AP

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Did pilot watch plane crash film?

Six short stories involving distressed people.

Too soon ... the release of the film in Britain has been met with criticism. Source: News Corp Australia

CINEMAGOERS have pointed out the disturbing similarities between the newly released film Wild Tales and the Germanwings air crash.

Produced by Pedro Almodovar, the Argentinian film — billed as a a black comedy — opens with a sequence in which a pilot deliberately crashes a plane full of passengers.

In one chilling scene, a terrified passenger tries to break down the cockpit door to gain access to the plane's controls.

Terrifying scene ... a character in the film tries to break down the cockpit door. Source: News Corp Australia

The film, which was released in Britain last Friday, was screened in Germany last year.

Some have questioned whether the film had an effect on the actions of Andreas Lubitz, the Germanwings co-pilot who crashed an Airbus plane into the French Alps, killing 150 people.

Others took to Twitter to point out that the idea that Lubitz had watched the film was pure speculation, but that the decision to release the film after the crash was bad timing.

The film — described by one critic as a "a ferociously dark, hilarious ride" — comprises six stories about revenge.

In the first, the man gathers passengers together on a flight to tell them that they have wronged him. The passengers include a lover who jilted him and a colleague who gave him a hard time at work.

Once the passengers realise they are connected, the man locks himself in the cockpit and crashes the plane into his parents' house.

The film was nominated for the Palm d'Or at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival and an Academy Award at this year's ceremony.

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Will the MH370 search go on?

A Malaysia Airlines towelette, which washed up on a WA beach is now being investigated in connection with missing aircraft, MH370. Courtesy: Channel Nine/The TODAY Show

Endless hunt ... the MH370 search area covers 60,000 square kilometres. Source: Supplied

IN JUST over a fortnight, key ministers from Australia, Malaysia and China will meet to decide if the search for MH370 should go on.

The tripartite meeting in Kuala Lumpur will consider the feasibility of expanding the current underwater search in the southern Indian Ocean, where the aircraft is believed to have crashed.

Other options to be considered remain unclear with authorities insisting they are looking in the right place for the Boeing 777.

MH370 decision makers ... Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss with Malaysian Transport Minister Dato Sri Liow Tiong Lai and Chinese Vice-Minister of Transport He Jianzhong. Source: News Corp Australia

Almost two-thirds of the Federal Government's budget for the MH370 search is yet to be spent, leaving a sizeable sum for further investigations into the plane's disappearance.

A total of $89.9 million was allocated in last year's budget for the complex underwater search now into its sixth month.

To date, $30 million has been spent on the search and related costs with Malaysia's Government pitching in an equivalent sum.

The money has been split between the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, plus set up costs for the Joint Agency Coordination Centre.

A spokesman for Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said the final bill would depend on a number of factors "including the outcome of procurement processes for specialist services and the length of the search".

Committed ... Warren Truss has indicated Australia will leave no stone unturned to find MH370. Pic by Gary Ramage/News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

Next month's meeting will decide the next step should MH370 not be found in the primary search area, he said.

"There are sufficient funds from our end should the ministers agree to continue beyond the current search area," said the spokesman.

So far, more than half of the 60,000 square kilometre search zone has been scoured by vessels towing sensitive underwater sonar scan equipment.

Hard slog ... Fugro Discovery experiencing bad weather in the search for MH370. Picture: ABIS Chris Beerens, RAN. Source: Supplied

Every day, 24-hours of data collected from the equipment is sent back to an office in Perth for further analysis but as yet no trace of the plane has been found.

The Malaysia Airlines' jet disappeared on March 8, 2014 after going offcourse less than an hour into a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

There were 239 people on board including six Australians.

Although there has been official explanation for the plane's disappearance, a report released by the Malaysian Government this month indicated there was no reason to suspect foul play by the pilot or co-pilot.

Still missing ... a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 similar to the one that disappeared on March 8, 2014. Source: AFP

The report did reveal a large shipment of lithium ion batteries on board the plane had not been security screened prior to loading.

US and Australian carriers have now banned shipments of lithium ion batteries in the cargo holds of passenger and freight planes after studies found they were flammable when overheated.

Passengers are still permitted to carry mobile phones, ipads and laptops powered by lithium ion batteries.

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Letting ‘em know who’s boss

Cricket World Cup: Mitchell Starc gets Brendon McCullum out for a duck in the opening over of the World Cup final.

Michael Clarke and Brendon McCullum will lead their respective countries into action. Source: News Corp Australia

Follow our coverage of today's World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for blow-by-blow action.

6pm — HALF WAY HOME

The Aussie bowlers can consider it a job well done. Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA has one hand on the World Cup after a complete performance in the field restricted New Zealand to 183.

Glenn Maxwell claimed the final wicket with a piece of magic in the field to run out Trent Boult at the non-striker's end.

It completed a collapse of 7/33 after the dismissal of Ross Taylor (40) in the 36th over.

James Faulkner and Mitchell Johnson both finished with three wickets but this was the ultimate team performance.

Grant Elliott (83) was the only Kiwi batsman to have any real success against the Aussie bowlers and engaged in a verbal battle throughout his innings.

He was given a big send-off after becoming Faulkner's third victim.

5.55pm — ONE TO GO

Mitchell Johnson has saved his best for the World Cup final. Source: News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIA looks set to chase a score under 200 after Matt Henry became Mitchell Johnson's third scalp.

Henry hit a low full toss straight to Mitchell Starc at cover-point to depart for a duck.

5.40pm — ELLIOTT FINALLY FALLS

James Faulkner is in the mix for man of the match honours. Source: AP

GRANT Elliott's impressive innings has come to an end as he became James Faulkner's third victim.

Elliott (83) was fooled by Faulkner's world-class slower ball and was through his stroke so early he sent an outside edge to Brad Haddin. New Zealand is 8/171.

5.35pm — JOHNSON KNOCKS OVER VETTORI'S CASTLE

We've seen some of the best of Mitchell Johnson today. Source: AP

AUSTRALIA is just three wickets away from bowling New Zealand out after Mitchell Johnson dismissed Daniel Vettori.

Johnson sent an in-swinging yorker straight through Vettori to leave the Kiwis 7/167 after 41 overs.

Grant Elliott (79 not out) continues to play a lone hand.

5.15pm — CLASS CAPTAINCY FROM CLARKE

Mitchell Starc has been a handful today. Source: AFP

IF Michael Clarke's decision to bring Glenn Maxwell on earlier today was shrewd, than his latest piece of captaincy was genius.

Clarke not only decided to bring Mitchell Starc back into the attack after James Fauklner's breakthroughs but also placed himself back at first slip.

The result? Luke Ronchi sending an edge straight to Clarke and New Zealand falling to 6/151.

5pm — FAULKNER TAKES TWO IN AN OVER

This New Zealand batting lineup (Grant Elliott aside) is being chewed up and spat out. Source: AP

JAMES Faulkner has helped Australia regain full control of the World Cup by dismissing Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson in the space of three deliveries.

Faulkner drew an edge from Taylor with a slower ball that was sensationally caught by Brad Haddin and upheld on review.

Anderson was clean bowled two balls later to leave New Zealand 5/150 in the 36th over.

4.30pm — ELLIOTT PASSES 50

South Africa couldn't get Grant Elliott out, will Australia? Source: News Corp Australia

GRANT Elliott has posted a half century and looms as the key wicket in today's World Cup final.

The man who guided the Kiwis past South Africa in the semi-final has managed to score at a run a ball despite the dire situation of the innings when he came to the crease.

New Zealand is 3/115 after 28 overs and starting to position itself for a late innings assault.

4pm — REVIEW ALLOWS ELLIOTT TO SURVIVE

Maxwell was denied a second wicket by DRS. Source: News Corp Australia

WAS that the review that turns around New Zealand's World Cup final?

Grant Elliott made the correct call to challenge an LBW decision after being given out when he was on 15.

It was overturned on review as replays showed the delivery from Glenn Maxwell was going to miss leg stump.

Elliott and Ross Taylor (18 not out from 32 balls) are trying hard to rebuild the Kiwi innings, taking the score to 3/66 from 20 overs.

3.25pm — JOHNSON FOOLS WILLIAMSON

Mitchell Johnson has been near perfect in his first three overs. Source: Getty Images

THE wheels are close to falling off New Zealand's innings after Kane Williamson joined Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill back in the changerooms.

Williamson popped up an easy caught and bowled opportunity to Mitchell Johnson on 12 to leave the Kiwis 3/39.

Johnson has looked like taking a wicket almost every ball in an inspired spell.

3.20pm — MAXWELL SLIPS ONE THROUGH

Martin Guptill saw off Mitchell Starc but couldn't survive the Big Show. Source: News Corp Australia

MARTIN Guptill won't want to see replays of that one.

The in-form Kiwi opener missed a slow, straight delivery from Glenn Maxwell and was bowled for 15.

His dismissal leaves New Zealand 2/33 in the 12th over and makes Michael Clarke's decision to introduce Maxwell early look like a shrewd move.

3.15pm — AUSSIES PUT CLAMPS ON

Kane Williamson has scored just four runs from 22 balls. Source: News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIA's fast-bowling unit has made a near perfect start to this contest, restricting the Kiwis to just 24 runs from the opening nine overs.

Mitchell Starc (1/8 from four overs), Josh Hazlewood (0/11 from four) and Mitchell Johnson (0/1 from one) have hit great areas as Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson look to make a slow rebuild after the early loss of Brendon McCullum.

2.35pm — STARC'S HISTORY-MAKING START

Meet your new national hero. Source: News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIA could barely have dreamed of a better start to today's World Cup final.

Mitchell Starc has upended Brendon McCullum's stumps with the fifth ball of the opening over to give the home side a huge boost.

Starc was all over the Kiwi captain, nearly bowling him with the first delivery he sent down to McCullum and then forcing a play and miss with the second.

It was third time lucky for Starc who went head to head with the opposition's best — and won convincingly.

Starc became the first bowler in history to take a wicket in the opening over of a World Cup final to leave the Kiwis 1/1 after one.

2.15pm — BLACK CAPS TO BAT FIRST

Mitchell Starc will get proceedings underway at the MCG. Source: AFP

NEW Zealand has won the toss in sunny conditions and will bat first in today's World Cup final against Australia at the MCG.

It might be seen as a significant win for the Black Caps but any Aussie fans concerned about bowling first should know this — Australia has won its past 17 World Cup games when batting second.

Both sides have named unchanged line-ups.

New Zealand is appearing in its first World Cup final while Australia has won four titles, most recently in 2007.

"It gives us a great opportunity to put runs on the board," New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said.

"We know we'll be tough to beat. The guys are excited about today. Certainly not fearful.

"It's going to be a great final. We're very privileged to be here."

Australia captain Michael Clarke, who is quitting one-day cricket after this match, said he would have also chosen to bat first.

"But it doesn't matter so much. It's a good wicket," he said.

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (c), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (c), Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Grant Elliott, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi, Daniel Vettori, Matt Henry, Tim Southee, Trent Boult.

— News Corp's Greg Buckle

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Stop making fun of the man in your life

Crazy and stupid? No, couples need to work through the power grabs. Source: Supplied

YOU know the moment. You're at a backyard barbecue when one of the wives starts telling silly tales of her husband's misdeeds.

She tells them with a smile and may even be hugging her husband when she does it. Still, though, there's this cord of tension that you can just feel. She's mocking him in front of his friends and is doing it in such a way that he will seem "sensitive" if he gets upset about it.

It might be called "passive-aggressive".

Instead of saying what's really bothering her, she lets him know through "a joke."

Others may call it "emotional manipulation."

She's being mean and then making him feel like he's overreacting if he brings it up or gets offended because she was "just joking."

Maybe as an isolated incident, we can look at this as simple, emotional manipulation.

However, this isn't just one incident.

It's part of a larger pattern where women are seeking control by implying that men are stupid. It's a move for power in an area where they are feeling a loss of control.

Yashar Ali noted a few years ago, that men engage in a power play with women, too, by implying they are "crazy".

He called this gaslighting and explained that men, when placed in defensive positions, will act and speak in such a way that it is implied a woman is crazy for having the reaction that she is.

All men aren't stupid. It won't help your relationship to make 'jokes' about them in public. Source: Supplied

Why is there a need to imply that men are stupid?

Men are showing themselves to be exceedingly adept in areas that we have been socialised to see as "feminine" or something that women just do better.

This is the same reason men began engaging in gaslighting … because women were beginning to excel in areas where traditionally men succeeded.

This gender warfare is the unfortunate side effect of the fight both men and women are having for gender equality.

While women want to be seen and recognised for things outside of home and family, men want to be seen as capable of being present for all that is involved with home, family, and relationships.

Just as we have seen women shut down in the workforce, we're seeing men shut down on the home front.

This is what it looks like:

Men are working hard to be more 'equal' at home, an adjustment for women. Source: ThinkStock

Argue with our good intent when confronted

It can be hard for any of us to admit when we've been let down or when our feelings have been hurt. It's hard to hear it, too. Women, in an attempt to ease the discomfort, can play the "but look at everything I have done for you" card when a guy mentions being hurt. They dodge the hurt they instilled by listing everything else they have done right. It can make a guy feel like they were overreacting and being unappreciative. Men, in response to the onslaught of "good intent", usually back off and stay silent, letting the hurt go.

Make you feel selfish or inappropriate for having needs

I was recently sitting with a man who walked away from a 15 year marriage. He'd been living in hurt and disappointment for years. He told me how he and his wife bought a large house with the intent of having large family gatherings around for Christmas. They wanted their house to be the one that anyone who didn't have anyone could come and feel welcome. In all the years they were married, they never had one Christmas there.

When the time came around for their first festive season came around, his mother-in-law raised a big stink about it, not wanting her own tradition to change. His wife, who had shared his dream for their home, didn't want to go against her own mother and said to him "Really? You want to take Christmas away from my mother? Who knows how many Christmases she has left?"

Listening to him describe it, it was as if the conversations about their wish for their home never even happened. He was out of his mind for considering such a thing. Yet, she had been there. She had been present for the dream. She couldn't confront her mother and couldn't disappoint him so she dodged the whole thing by making him look like a jerk for wanting to spend the holidays differently.

This dynamic can become even more apparent when men are seeking validation, affection, loving gestures, or sex. Women will lean on the "men are oversexed" stereotype and make men feel ridiculous for wanting that kind of attention. It's belittling, demeaning, and shaming. Men are left questioning their needs, their worthiness, and their importance in the lives of the people they love.

Women will lean on the "men are oversexed" stereotype and make men feel ridiculous for wanting that kind of attention. Source: News Corp Australia

We cry or emotionally flood

Nothing can stop a man in his tracks or make him forget what he was saying like a storm of emotion or feelings. If we're emotional and overreacting to something, men will feel like jerks for still insisting that their thoughts or feelings be taken into consideration. After all, we're already so upset. Men will often choose not to further burden us and whatever the original conversation was supposed to be, is effectively stopped.

We imply that a lack of insight is a lack of intelligence

If a man misses a social cue, doesn't understand what's going on, or becomes frozen at the expression of emotion, women can sometimes reply with something like "Of course you don't get it." It can be seen in an eye-roll, a glance between two women, or a sigh. However it's delivered, the message is clear: "Men just don't get it."

We uphold the belief that there are things only women can do

Women can play the condescending "Leave it to me, honey" card just as well as any man. There's a reason that we've needed a dads movement. Women have chosen convenient times to uphold the women's work stereotype that they've tried so hard to dispel. Mums can easily play that card in a parenting debate when in disagreement with their husbands. Men can be mocked for doing parenting differently or for appearing awkward in their attempts to do something. In ways that are subtle and obvious, women keep the bumbling dad jokes alive and circulating.

We negate feedback or feelings when they aren't delivered perfectly

InThe Most Loving Thing a Woman Can Do for a Man, I wrote about how my husband and I ended up in an argument after he mentioned that I'd hurt his feelings. Well, he didn't just mention it. He snapped at me. He was a jerk. That's why we had the argument. However, at the end of it, he was right. I was doing what he initially accused me of. I took advantage of his inappropriate delivery to dodge responsibility and make him look the jerk.

If we want men to stop playing the "crazy" card and expect women to stop implying that men are stupid, we have to relinquish the power we've held in our respective gender roles. Source: Supplied

We have to stop believing our own hype

For generations, women were socialised to believe that they excelled at certain "feminine" tasks. They were the nurturers, caregivers, and emotional ones. They were "good" at relationships and were the "real" parents.

Men were socialised to believe they were the task masters and problem solvers. They weren't expected to have or talk about feelings. They could earn the bread and leave most everything else to the women.

If we want men to stop playing the "crazy" card and expect women to stop implying that men are stupid, we have to relinquish the power we've held in our respective gender roles. Until we're ready to sit in that vulnerability, both genders will continue to battle the stereotypes they are so desperate to be rid of.

*Heather Gray is a therapist and writer with The Good Men Project

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NSW election craziness sets in

Voting is underway across NSW with the latest poll showing Premier Mike Baird is set for a convincing win.

Premier Mike Baird goes head to head with Labor challenger Luke Foley today. Source: News Corp Australia

WELCOME to our rolling coverage of the NSW election. Keep an eye on this story throughout the day for the latest updates and live results.

If you're voting, here's what you need to know about the NSW election.

6.20pm — Controversy at polling booths

It was a big day on the hustings, one which was not without controversy.

A poster of Labor candidate for East Hills Cameron Murphy, running in the most marginal seat in the state, was plastered with stickers reading "pedophile lover", among other things.

Other candidates had to deal with vandalism too, including Liberal candidate for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet. Only his daughter was the one drawing all over his face.

A man wearing a Liberal party shirt was also seen walking away from a booth carrying a poster of Labor candidate O'Bray Smith.

6:00pm — Polls have now closed

Counting is underway. We'll have results here as they come in.

5.45pm — Exit polls show Baird on track for victory

Exit polls show that Premier Mike Baird and the Coalition are on track to reclaim NSW decisively, The Daily Telegraph reports.

A Seven News-ReachTEL poll put the Coalition ahead of Labor 54-46, while Nine's exit polls show the government is ahead 55-46.

Here's the full story.

5.35pm — Election craziness sets in

It looks like election night craziness has started to set in. Labor MP Anthony Albanese shared this pic via Instagram of Today show host Karl Stefanovic with the caption: "That @karlstefanovic is a friendly dude :) #nswvotes."

Albo is part of Channel Nine's election night coverage, hosted by Stefanovic.

5.30pm — Gotta love an Aussie election

Surfer Steve Rose votes at Bondi Bathers Surf Life Saving Club. Source: News Corp Australia

Here's democracy in action in Bondi, with Steve Rose snapped casting his ballot with his surf board under his arm. There are only 30 minutes left until polls close.

5.10pm — "I think it's going to be very close": The battle for a new seat

One of the more interesting races in the election is for the newly created seat of Newtown.

Situated in the heart of Sydney's trendy inner west, Newtown is not a battle between Liberal or Labor, but a fight between Labor and Greens.

The seat, which was created due to the growing inner-city population, is notionally Green, but the high-profile Labor candidate, MLC Penny Sharpe, is expected to perform strongly.

News.com.au reporter Charis Chang caught up with Greens candidate Jenny Leong at the polling place at Newtown Public School and she said "I think it's going to be very close".

"I do know we've inspired people ... and that feels good," she said.

4.55pm — Have The Greens managed to squeeze electoral advertising into cake stall?

Paddington is seeing green. Source: NewsComAu

Call us crazy, but have The Greens managed to squeeze some electoral advertising into a cake stall?

News.com.au's entertainment editor-at-large Melissa Hoyer snapped this pic at her polling place in Paddington, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, this afternoon.

4.45pm — Seats to watch

Although the Coalition is tipped to retain government when the votes are counted, Labor is expected to claw back some of the seats it lost when it was roundly kicked out of office in 2011.

Here are six of the key seats to watch, according to AAP:

● EAST HILLS, 0.2 per cent margin (Lib): Traditionally held by Labor and could easily be lost by the Liberals. The ALP's candidate is Cameron Murphy, former president of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties and son of former federal Labor attorney-general and High Court judge Lionel Murphy.

● SWANSEA, 0.3 per cent (Lib): Highly likely to fall to Labor. Sitting member Garry Edwards is suspended from the Liberal Party amid allegations heard before Independent Commission against Corruption he received banned property donations in the lead-up to 2011 election. He is standing as an independent.

● PROSPECT, 1.1 per cent (Lib): The renamed seat of Smithfield, held for 17 years by prominent former Labor MP Carl Scully, is now in Liberal hands. But with a margin of just 1.1 per cent, sitting MP Andrew Rohan will have to fight to retain this outer western Sydney electorate.

● MACQUARIE FIELDS, 1.8 per cent (Lib): Despite it being held by Labor's Andrew MacDonald, a recent redistribution actually has made it a notionally Liberal seat. But an expected swing against the Baird government could mean this seat stays in Labor hands.

● MONARO, 2.0 per cent (Nat): Former Labor minister Steve Whan is aiming to win his old seat back from The Nationals. He had earlier put his hand up to lead the Labor Party after the resignation of John Robertson.

● NEWTOWN, 4.4 per cent (GRN): A newly created seat after the 2013 redistribution. It is a notionally Green seat but will be tightly contested by Labor upper house MP Penny Sharpe.

Read the full list of seats to watch here.

4pm — Castle star's message to major parties: "Tell 'em they're dreamin'"

A little something to think about for Saturday.Authorised by Michael Caton. Spoken by Michael Caton. Performed by Michael Caton....... in a last ditch attempt to keep the bastards honest. #nswvotes

Posted by Michael Caton on Tuesday, 24 March 2015

The man who played Darryl Kerrigan in the Aussie classic The Castle has weighed into the NSW election. What's his message for the major parties? "Tell 'em they're dreamin'."

The Aussie actor has posted a video onto his Facebook page where he endorses candidates who have the most environmentally responsible policies in "a last-ditch attempt to keep the bastards honest".

He urges voters to dump the incumbent Nationals member for Barwon, Kevin Humphries, because he endorses a plan to mine for coal seam gas in the Pilliga State Forest, which Caton calls "an important recharge area for the Artesian Basin".

"He's the Minister for Water? Given me a break," Caton says.

The actor suggests voters instead put their support behind independent candidate Rohan Boehm.

"I give him my vote, just to shove it up the two major parties," Caton says.

He also endorses the Greens candidate for Upper Hunter, John Kaye, due to his opposition to further open-cut coalmining in the region.

"Now if you've driven through the place recently, it looks like something from the dark side of the moon, huge coalmines ripping through this once pristine valley. I mean famous vineyards covered in coal dust, to say nothing of kids lungs," Caton says.

3pm — Snag yourself a sausage sanger

It's still all about the sausage sizzles.

2.30pm — Baird makes last-ditch play for marginal seat

NSW Premier Mike Baird paid a last minute visit to the most marginal seat in the state as thousands attended polling booths to cast their vote in today's state election.

Mr Baird joined sitting East Hills Liberal MP Glenn Brookes, who holds the seat by 0.2 per cent or 107 votes, at Padstow Park Public School this afternoon, mingling with residents and even spinning the school's chocolate wheel.

2pm — Leaders cast their votes

An anxious time for the leaders now they have cast their votes.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Oppn Leader Luke Foley have restated their policies before casting their votes.

1.30pm — Aussie-as on election day

A very Aussie polling booth.

12.25pm — Turnbull fronts up for Liberal colleagues … but where's Abbott?

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has been tweeting pics of himself out supporting Liberal candidates in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

The vote today will not be a reflection on the federal government or Tony Abbott, he says.

No sign yet, though, of the Prime Minister.

11.50am — Leaders final pitch for votes

The leaders have voted and are naturally both talking up their chances.

Premier Mike Baird voted with his wife at Manly this morning and joked it was at least "two votes", while Labor leader Luke Foley cast his vote in western Sydney and promised there'd be no negativity today.

"Mike's a good bloke," he told Network Seven with a laugh. "He's my second choice for premier today."

11.30am — LOLs at the polls

Who said elections were boring? There's loads of comedy at the polling booths today. Which made up for the lack of sausages at some locations.

But alas, some people had to go without sausages.

11am — What voters really care about at the ballot box: Sausage sizzles and cake stalls

Find out where to get the best snags on election day. Source: News Corp Australia

Sure, the policies are important, but there's one thing that voters really care about when they head to the polls today.

And that's where to find the best sausage sizzles and cake stalls! Check out these awesome websites — Election Sausage Sizzle and Democracy Sausage — for your nearest snag sanger and lamington.

Here are some other important details:

● Polling places close at 6pm

● Voting is compulsory. You may be fined $55 if you fail to vote.

● Check whether your enrolment is up to date, which electorate you're in and where to vote by clicking here. Or phone 1300 135 736.

● If you know which electorate you're in, enter it below to see which candidates are running.

● Prepare to be handed a tablecloth. The upper house ballot paper has more candidates than ever: 394. For the Legislative Council (known as the Senate in Canberra), you can place a "1" above the line for the party of your choice. If you want to, you can then mark your subsequent preferences from "2" and so on. Or, you can vote for your preferences below the line by placing at least 1-15. If you're really keen, you can rank all 394 candidates.

● The smaller ballot paper is for the lower house, the Legislative Assembly. There you can simply mark "1" for your preferred candidate, or fill out the rest, starting with "2" if you wish.

MORE: What the candidates are saying, and what they really mean

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Woman dead after skydiving accident

A woman is dead and a man seriously injured after a skydiving accident near Byron Bay this afternoon. Source: News Limited

A WOMAN is dead and a seriously injured man has been airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital after a skydiving accident near Byron Bay this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to an area off the Pacific Highway at Tyagarah, north of Byron Bay about 3.30pm following reports two skydivers had hit the ground.

Initial investigations suggest the man and woman were skydiving when their parachutes became entangled.

They were treated at the scene by paramedics, however the woman died at the scene.

She is yet to be formally identified.

The man has been airlifted to Gold Coast University Hospital with serious injuries.

Police from Tweed/Byron Local Area Command are investigating the incident and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Originally published as Woman dead after skydiving accident

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Pilot ‘used axe’ on cockpit door

'Took the plane down' ... copilot Andreas Lubitz, 28, lived with his parents and had begun flying as a teenager. Picture: Twitter/Facebook Source: Supplied

A French prosecutor says the Germanwings plane most probably crashed by voluntary descension.

AS police made a 'significant discovery' at Germanwings co-pilot Andreas Lubitz's home, reports emerged of how the captain used an axe to try and get back into the cockpit.

German daily Bild cited security sources saying the captain, Patrick Sonderheimer, tried using an axe to break down the cockpit's armoured door.

This could not be immediately confirmed, but a spokesman for Germanwings confirmed to AFP that an axe was on board the aircraft.

Such a tool is "part of the safety equipment of an A320," the spokesman told Bild.

The news comes after Lubitz reportedly suffered a major breakdown following a recent relationship breakdown.

According to The Telegraph in the UK, Lubitz was engaged to be married next year, but had recently broken up with his fiancee. It is understood that the 28-year-old was struggling to cope after the relationship failed.

The theory emerged hours after The Guardian reported Lubitz stopped his training to be a pilot six years ago because he was suffering from "psychological problems".

The report, quoted from German daily Bild, said the Lufthansa flight school in Phoenix designated Lubitz at the time as "not suitable for flying".

Today, police made a 'significant discovery' at his home in Dusseldorf.

Markus Niesczery of Dusseldorf Police told the Daily Mail: "We wanted to search to see if we could find something that would explain what happened."

Discovery ... Investigators carry boxes from the apartment of Andreas Lubitz. Picture: Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"We have found something which will now be taken for tests. We cannot say what it is at the moment but it may be a very significant clue to what has happened," Mr Niesczery said.

No other details were released by local officials however, it's understood they have confirmed it was not a suicide note.

CNN also reports transponder data revealed the autopilot on the doomed flight was reprogrammed by someone in the cockpit to change the plane's altitude from 38,000 feet to 100 feet, according to Flightradar24.

More evidence ... Police carry a computer, box and bags out of Andreas Lubitz' parents' home. Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Prosecutors say Lubitz deliberately crashed the passenger plane, killing 150 people.

Marseilles prosecutor Brice Robin said the 28-year-old German crashed the plane "intentionally" and locked the captain out of the cockpit on Tuesday.

Now the mother of Lubitz's former classmate says he was forced to postpone pilot training around 2009 and suffered from "burnout or depression".

Significant find ... A suicide note was not thought to be the discovery. Picture: Sascha Steinbach/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"I can only image the whole thing was a knee-jerk reaction. It can't have been planned, although it was actually like a killing spree," she told The Mirror.

In a press conference overnight, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr confirmed that Lubitz had taken several months off work without disclosing why, but said he was considered mentally and physically fit to fly.

He said Lubitz had passed all psychological tests required to begin training and underwent regular physical examinations.

A Spiegel reporter, Matthias Gebauer, tweeted that friend of Lubitz said he had "burnout or depression" in 2009 and took a break from his pilot training.

Mr Spohr said that it appears the captain punched in the emergency number into the cockpit door to gain entry, but the co-pilot deployed the five-minute override.

Mr Robin said there is no indication this was an act of terrorism, but stopped short of declaring it suicide, saying only it was a "legitimate" question to ask.

On the question of suicide, Mr Spohr said: "We can only speculate what might have been the motivation of the copilot. In a company that prides itself on its safety record, this is a shock. We select cockpit personnel carefully."

Mr Robin refused to give details on the pilot's religion or ethnic background, saying: "I don't think it's necessarily what we should be looking for."

Lubitz lived with his parents in Montabaur and also kept an apartment in Dusseldorf, a Germanwings hub, according to Montabaur mayor Gabriele Wieland.

Mystery ... A police officer stands in front of Andreas Lubitz' apartment building lived in Dusseldorf, Germany. Picture: AP Photo/Martin Meissner Source: AP

The town of Montabaur published a news release on Thursday expressing sympathy with the family, although it did not name Lubitz.

At the house believed to be his parents', the curtains were drawn and four police cars were parked outside. Police kept the media away from the door of the Montabaur home.

Investigation ... A policeman carries bags out of the Lubitz' parents' residence. Picture: Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Neighbour Johannes Rossmann said Lubitz appeared to be in good health and was a regular jogger. He described the pilot as calm and low-key.

"I do not believe he killed himself and claimed other people's lives," the 22-year-old Rossmann said. "I can't believe it until it is 100 per cent confirmed."

Lubitz was also identified by a flight club at which he was a member, according to the Wall Street Journal.

"Andreas became a member of the club as a youth to fulfil his dream of flying," the Luftsportclub Westerwald said in a death notice on its website. "He began as a gliding student and made it to become a pilots on an Airbus 320."

Lived at home ... police hold media away from the house where Andreas Lubitz lived in Montabaur, Germany. Picture: AP Photo/Michael Probst Source: AP

"He fulfilled his dream, the dream he now paid for so dearly with his life," the club said.

"He was happy he had the job with Germanwings and he was doing well," glider club member Peter Ruecker told the Independent. "He gave off a good feeling."

Ruecker said that he remembers Lubitz as "rather quiet but friendly" when he first showed up at the club as a 14 or 15-year-old.

Club chairman Klaus Radke said he rejected French prosecutors' conclusion that Lubitz put the Germanwings flight intentionally into a descent when the pilot had left the cockpit.

"I don't see how anyone can draw such conclusions before the investigation is completed," he said.

Ruecker said Lubitz also trained in Phoenix, Arizona, and had a girlfriend but did not have many more details about his life. A recently deleted Facebook page bearing Lubitz's name showed him as a smiling man posing in front of the Golden Gate Bridge in California.

Childhood dream ... aviation club member Peter Ruecker stands beside a glider that was flown by Andreas Lubitz in the hangar of the club in Montabaur, Germany. Picture: AP Photo/Michael Probst Source: AP

Lubitz joined Germanwings in September 2013 and had about 630 flight hours. He joined Germanwings straight from the Lufthansa Flight Training School in Bremen, the London Telegraph reports.

Lubitz first worked as a flight attendant, according to Thomas Winkelmann, the Greenwings managing director, who said there was nothing unusual in the results of Lubitz's training.

Runner ... Andreas Lubitz, the co-pilot believed responsible for crashing the Germanwings plane in France, is pictured running a half-marathon in 2013. Picture: Supplied Source: News Corp Australia

A 2013 article in the Aviation Business Gazette reported the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) inclusion of Lubitz in the prestigious FAA Airmen Certification Database, for having "met or exceeded the high educational, licensing and medical standards established by the FAA".

"FAA pilot certification can be the difference between a safe flight and one that ends in tragedy," the journal says.

Sympathy extended to family ... a nameplate at the home of Andreas Lubitz in Montabaur, Germany, where he lived with his parents. Picture: AP Photo/Michael Probst Source: AP

Mr Robin outlined Lubitz's actions for the press in a chilling account of the plane's last 20 minutes.

"For the first 20 minutes of the flight, the pilots spoke in a normal way, you could say cheerful and courteous," Mr Robin said. "We heard the flight commander prepare the briefing for landing at Dusseldorf and the response of the copilot seemed laconic. Then we heard the commander ask the copilot to take the controls.

The captain has been identified as Patrick Sonderheimer. According to Bild and Europe1, Sonderheimer was married and the father of two children. He had more than 6000 flight hours, mostly on Airbus jets.

Mr Robin said the co-pilot's responses, initially courteous, became "curt" when the captain began the mid-flight briefing on the planned landing of the Germanwings flight which crashed in France, killing 150 people.

Mr Robin told a press conference the actions that took the plane down occurred during the last eight minutes of the flight, the Guardian reports.

While the copilot was alone at the controls, he initiated the descent of the plane, selecting the altitude in such a way that could only have occurred deliberately.

Devastation ... the crash site of the Germanwings Airbus in the French Alps, near Seyne, France. Picture: F Balsamo/Gendarmerie nationale/Ministere de l'Interieur via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"Forty-eight hours after the crash … the interpretation for us is that the co-pilot deliberately refused to open the door of the cockpit to the flight commander, and pushed the button causing a loss of altitude."

"We heard several calls from the flight commander asking for access to the cockpit," Mr Robin said. "There was a visual and audio interphone and he identified himself. There was no response from the copilot.

"We heard at the same time the sound of a seat being pushed back and the sound of a door closing."

Mr Robin said Lubitz could be heard breathing right up until the point of impact, suggesting he had not lost consciousness. However, he failed to respond to increasingly desperate calls from the commander trying to break down the cockpit door, or to air traffic controllers.

AUSTRALIA REVIEWS COCKPIT SAFETY PROCEDURES

Australian aviation authorities will review cockpit security procedures in the wake of the horrific Germanwings' crash.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the review would consider whether any changes were needed to regulations that allowed pilots to be left alone in the cockpit for brief periods.

Already several overseas carriers have changed their policy, to ensure no-one is ever left alone in the flight deck.

Since the September 11 attacks, US carriers have been required to have a flight attendant take the pilot or co-pilot's place when they leave the cockpit for a toilet break, or other reason.

"Careful consideration needs to be made following thorough investigation to ensure that altering current procedures does not open other potential vulnerabilities," Mr Truss said.

Making changes ... safety is our first priority. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

"Our two major international and domestic airlines are undertaking their own safety and security risk assessments of cockpit procedures following the recent tragedy."

Mr Truss said Australian travellers should have confidence in the strict safety regulations already in place to safeguard passengers.

"We take a preventative, layered approach to aviation security," he said.

"Airline pilots are psychologically tested as part of their recruitment process.

"Pilots must also undergo at least annual medical, including mental health checks under Civil Aviation Safety Authority licence requirements."

A Qantas Group spokesman said they were "monitoring the information coming out of the French investigation and considering if any changes to our existing safeguards are needed".

"This includes discussions with regulators," he said.

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Smith’s over of pure genius

Cricket World Cup: Steve Smith has hit an impressive century to put Australia in a strong position in their match with India.

Michael Clarke will lead Australia in a World Cup semi-final for the first time. Source: AFP

Follow our coverage of the World Cup semi-final between Australia and India at the SCG.

It's a warm day in Sydney with a temperature around 27C.

For blow-by-blow coverage scroll to the bottom of the page.

6.15pm — IS 328 ENOUGH ON THIS PITCH?

The Aussie batsmen left Mitchell Starc and the bowling unit with work to do. Source: News Corp Australia

INDIA fought back well but still faces an imposing run chase of 329 for victory in today's World Cup semi-final against Australia.

The home side looked capable of a score in the 350-400 range after Steve Smith (105 from 93 balls) and Aaron Finch (81 from 116 balls) set a great platform with a 182-run second wicket partnership.

But from 2/232 in the 37th over Australia was restricted to just 96 more runs as a steady fall of wickets continually killed momentum.

Glenn Maxwell (23 from 14), Shane Watson (28 from 30) and James Faulkner (21 from 12) all played cameos but crucially fell before their innings really took off.

It was left to Mitchell Johnson (27 not out from nine balls) to add the finishing touches and ensure Australia still posted an impressive total.

6pm — FAULKNER AND WATSON ON THEIR WAY

Umesh Yadav has been expensive but he has four wickets. Source: Getty Images

JAMES Faulkner and Shane Watson added some valuable late innings runs before becoming the sixth and seventh Australian wickets to fall.

Faulkner was clean bowled by Umesh Yadav to cut short a promising innings. The all-rounder blasted 21 runs from 12 deliveries before becoming the Indian paceman's fourth wicket.

Watson opened his shoulders late to reach 28 from 30 balls before also holing out.

5.30pm — AUSSIES STUMBLING HOME

Late innings hitting isn't Michael Clarke's game. Source: News Corp Australia

FROM 400, to 350, to 320 and now probably 300.

Australia has had to quickly readjust it's 50 over target after a steady flow of wickets since Steve Smith left the crease.

Michael Clarke (10 from 12 balls) was just caught at midwicket trying to hit over the top to leave the score at 5/248 from 42 overs.

5.10pm — MINI COLLAPSE HAS INDIA BACK IN THE GAME

It was short but sweet from Maxwell today. Source: Getty Images

INDIA removed Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch in consecutive overs to revive its hopes of keeping Australia to a chaseable score.

Maxwell looked capable of anything while racing to 23 off 14 balls but sent a Ravi Ashwin delivery straight to Ajinkya Rahane on the boundary to leave Australia 3/232.

Finch, who never really clicked into gear while scoring 81 from 116 balls, was dismissed the following over by Umesh Yadav.

Michael Clarke is now at the crease with Shane Watson and Australia's plans to push towards 400 have to be reeled in.

4.50pm — SMITH FALLS FOR 105

Smith reached his century in 89 balls. Source: News Corp Australia

STEVE Smith has added another chapter to a glorious summer with a potentially match-winning century against India.

The young superstar hit Mohammed Shami for two fours and one six in the span of four deliveries to reach triple figures.

But he was out shortly after for 105 after skying a ball off Umesh Yadav to Rohit Sharma.

Australia took the batting power play at the start of the 33rd over as they look to push towards of score of 350+.

4.10pm — AUSSIES IN CONTROL AT HALFWAY POINT

It hasn't always been pretty but Aaron Finch is still in the middle. Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA can set its sights on a total of 300+ after building a great platform at the halfway point of its innings.

Steve Smith (66) and Aaron Finch (47) have added 117 runs for the second wicket to leave the home side 1/132 after 25 overs.

3.30pm — SMITH'S OVER OF PURE GENIUS

Smith predicted the Indians' short-pitched bowling could work against them and it's proving that way. Source: AP

AT 1/40 after nine overs, Australia was well in India's control in today's World Cup semi-final.

But the man who has tormented the Indians all summer, Steve Smith, changed that with one over of batting magic.

The Aussie No. 3 hit the first two deliveries of Umesh Yadav's over to the fence, before breaking his bat playing a drive on the third ball.

He called for a new one and promptly hit the next two balls for four to collect 16 runs for the over and singlehandedly put Australia ahead in the game.

3.15pm — SMITH SETTLES THE INNINGS

Steve Smith has looked in nice touch. Source: News Corp Australia

DAVID Warner is gone and Aaron Finch has crawled to 11 from 27 deliveries but there's a sense of calm at the SCG because of one man — Steve Smith.

Smith immediately settled the Australian innings after Warner's wicket and has raced to 30 from 25 balls to leave Australia 1/56 after 10 overs.

2.45pm — WARNER FAILS AS AUSSIES START POORLY

David Warner lasted just seven deliveries. Source: Getty Images

UMESH Yadav drew a leading edge to remove David Warner cheaply and put Australia on the backfoot early in today's World Cup semi-final.

Warner hit a four and a six to race to 12 in the fourth over before presenting an easy catch to Virat Kohli.

Out of form opener Aaron Finch has looked scratchy early, scoring just one run from his first 12 balls.

2pm — AUSSIES TO BAT FIRST ON SCG DUSTBOWL

Australia's players arrive for a training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Source: AFP

THE SCG groundsman is probably the most nervous bloke in Australia right now as fears heighten he's produced a pitch that will favour India.

The Indians — who rely heavily on the spin of Ravi Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja in the middle part of the innings — could only dream of being able to play on a dry wicket.

But it appears they may have got their wish.

"It's the most friendly conditions they could play in," Ian Healy said.

Australian captain Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to bat. There are no changes to the Australian or Indian teams from the quarterfinals.

Earlier this week Brett Lee moved to down play fears of the Aussie pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood being negated by a lifeless deck.

"The way that Mitchell Starc has been bowling with the brand new ball, most of the work is done through the air and also with his pace," Lee said.

"If he's bowling massive yorkers with the brand new ball it doesn't matter what surface you're playing. The key most importantly is not to worry about the wicket."

Spin king Shane Warne, during an inspection of the pitch today, described the pitch as extremely dry.

"It looks like downtown Chennai," Warne said.

But he said it wasn't time to panic for Australia.

"It's rock hard ... it won't spin as much as you think," Warne said.

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (capt), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravi Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav

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Cousins could become involuntary patient

Police are considering requesting fallen AFL star Ben Cousins be made an involuntary patient for a psychiatric assessment. File image. Source: News Limited

POLICE are considering requesting fallen AFL star Ben Cousins be made an involuntary patient for a psychiatric assessment, WA Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan said.

Mr O'Callaghan said Cousins may become an involuntary patient for a 28-day assessment under the Mental Health Act if a magistrate deemed the former West Coast Eagles captain a risk.

Cousins, who has a history of substance abuse, has been hitting headlines repeatedly in the past fortnight after a string of alleged incidents.

A police car leaves the Armadale Medical Complex where Ben Cousins is being treated Source: News Corp Australia

"Clearly, Ben is suffering from a significant mental issue at the moment and that's what needs to be resolved," he told 6PR on Thursday.

"There is some minor offences being committed, but the main thing is we've got to be concerned about his safety and his welfare, and the community has got be able to respond to that in some way and provide the care that he needs."

Later, Mr O'Callaghan told reporters that Cousins was being considered for a psychiatric assessment, but he was unable to confirm "whether it's been done".

"The problem is that people are usually only experiencing psychosis either when they are taking the drugs or for some time after the taking of the drugs," he said.

"So for argument's sake, on a methamphetamine bender it's likely you might have been awake for 48, 72 hours or longer without sleep. It starts to affect your thinking patterns and you start to get psychotic.

"The way to treat that of course is to put people to sleep, to calm them down, to let them recover, but if they recover in two or three days there is no power under law to keep them in an institution for therapy.

"I think in some cases, where there is a history of behaviour that is repeated over a number of days, there might be a stronger case to go to the court and ask for a 28-day psychiatric remand, where people are forced to stay in care for 28 days for assessment and that assessment is provided to the courts."

Ben Cousins back in 2010 during a Richmond recovery session at St Kilda Beach. Source: Supplied

Mr O'Callaghan, whose son Russell has also struggled with drug addiction, sympathised with the Brownlow medallist's family, but said it was difficult to get people into therapy unless they want to be.

"You can only imagine what his family are going through at the moment," he said.

"I've had problems within my family too with Russell.

"The amount of worry that you do about your kids when they're in this sort of state and you can't do anything about it really makes it very difficult to deal with."

Cousins was charged on March 11 with reckless driving, failing to stop and refusing a breath test.

Four days later, he was detained for breaching security at an SAS base, and was hospitalised for a mental health assessment.

On Monday, he was again hospitalised after allegedly driving erratically outside a Sikh temple he had just photographed, and climbing onto the roof of a two-storey home.

So far, no charges have been laid over those two incidents.

Cousins was suspended from the AFL for one year in 2007 for bringing the game into disrepute before making a comeback with Richmond. He retired in 2010.

Cousins is scheduled to appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court on April 8.

Originally published as Cousins could become involuntary patient

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JK Rowling’s amazing response to young fan

JK Rowling's reaction to a fan asking about Dumbledore's sexuality is beautiful. Source: AP

JK Rowling is being praised for her response to a young Harry Potter fan who asked why Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore is gay.

In a tweet that has since been deleted, the fan wrote: "Thank you so much for writing Harry Potter. I wonder why you said that Dumbledore is a gay because I can't see him that way."

The Harry Potter author simply replied: "Maybe because gay people just look like ... people?"

The fan then praised the powerful response, saying: "Amazing answer ... Yes you are absolutely right. Such an inspiration!!!"

It's been almost a decade since Rowling revealed Dumbledore's sexuality in 2007 — after the final book in the Harry Potter series was published.

At the time, she defended the character's sexuality, saying:

"It has certainly never been news to me that a brave and brilliant man could love other men. He is my character. He is what he is and I have the right to say what I say about him."

Considering almost ten years has passed, why are gay characters in kids' movies and TV shows still so rare?

For years there have been characters in classic animated films that have been questioned.

Some people describe the characters as "coded" — they have the qualities of a stereotypical gay character and it's hinted at through coy lines, but it's never explicitly made clear.

Ursula in The Little Mermaid was inspired by a drag performer. Source: Supplied

One of these character is the flamboyant Genie in Aladdin. Another is Scar in The Lion King — all effeminate and sarcastic. Some people don't know that the character of Ursula in The Little Mermaid was inspired by a drag performer named Divine.

What would happen if there was a gay character in a kids' movie that didn't skirt the edges and leave people wondering? We don't need to see two guys or girls locked in a tongue battle — maybe there are just two dads or two mums in a movie. For kids who live in this reality, it would be nice to see — and for kids who don't, it would help form an awareness and understanding.

Maybe one of the characters could even just simply acknowledge it like Gobber the Belch in How To Train Your Dragon.

Even Gobber came out.. Source: News Corp Australia

In the latest instalment to the franchise that was released last year, Gobber witnesses a married couple fighting.

He quips: "This is why I never got married," and then Craig Ferguson, who voiced the character, improvised the line: "Yup, Gobber is coming out of the closet."

The line was kept in the film. It was a subtle acknowledgment but it made it clear.

The film's writer and director Dean DeBlois said the reason to include the line was simple.

"It's progressive, it's honest, and it feels good, so we wanted to keep it...It does make for an interesting revelation because now, what does that mean, do we shed a little more light on Gobber's love life?" he said.

Nothing bad happened. There was no major backlash. It's almost like we're living in 2015.

What do you think? Should there be more gay characters in kids' films?

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Sex teacher made teens take turns

Guilty ... former teacher Erica Lynne Mesa had sex with four high school students. She is due to be sentenced in May. Picture: Stafford County Sheriff's Office Source: Supplied

A TEACHER who made her high school students wait their turn in her cellar before having sex with them has pleaded guilty to several sex assault charges.

Erica Lynne Mesa, 28, who was a maths teacher and a volleyball coach at a US high school, pleaded guilty to two counts of electronic solicitation of a minor and two misdemeanour counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after having sex with four students.

Local press in Virginia The Free Lance-Star reported that Mesa — who is already serving jail time since her arrest in September last year — can face a maximum penalty of 22 years in prison at her sentencing hearing in May.

Tip-off ... Erica Lynne Mesa was a teacher at Colonial Forge High School in Virginia. Source: Supplied

She was caught after police started hearing rumours in 2014 about a Colonial Forge High School teacher having sex with her students, eventually receiving an anonymous tip-off with Mesa's name.

Mesa was charged with having sex with two students, but eventually confessed to sleeping with four, one of which was under 18 at the time.

She said she had sex with one of the boys on his 18th birthday, and with others at her house while her husband was away.

In one incident, she had sex with one teen while making another hide in her cellar to wait his turn.

When asked why she did it, Mesa replied that having sex with the teenagers made her feel "attractive and wanted"

Mesa's defence lawyer, Mark Gardner, said the former teacher had suffered enough, and was sorry for what she did. He also said she was not a paedophile.

"She was not preying on people who had no interest in participating."

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The words that simply cannot be said

Florida Governor Rick Scott speaks to the media as he attends a road expansion event at the Casa Maiz restaurant as he fields questions from reporters about climate change. Source: AFP

POLITICS in a modern representative democracy is dominated by semantics and sales pitches.

One astute politician in the United States understands this so well he has decided to pick and choose the words his state's officials are allowed to use.

The governor of Florida, Rick Scott, has reportedly disallowed his employees to use the phrase, "climate change" and "global warming" when speaking in public.

In a perfect example of the farcical nature of such a policy, video has emerged of one Florida official having a hard time navigating the unspoken rule.

Bryan Koon, Florida's emergency management chief, testified before the state senate's budget subcommittee last week. Throughout his testimony he was forced to employ some linguistic gymnastics in order to avoid uttering the outlawed phrases — much to the amusement of those in attendance.

Assuring the senate subcommittee that future mitigation plans will contain financial provisions for incidents of man-made nasty weather, Mr. Koon was careful not to use particular words.

"Future version of our mitigation plan will be required to have language discussing that issue," he said.

Knowing the politician was backed into a corner, the senator asked with a cheeky grin: "What issue is that?"

"The issue that you mentioned earlier ..." Koon meekly responded as the committee panel erupted in laughter.

Senator Jeff Clemens, who ran the senate subcommittee, had facetiously offered the term "atmospheric re-employment" earlier in the discussion as an alternative phrase "the governor could get behind."

The Florida Centre for Investigative Reporting first broke the story of the climate change silent treatment earlier in the month.

"We were told not to use the terms 'climate change,' 'global warming' or 'sustainability,'" said Christopher Byrd, an attorney with the Department of Environmental Protection's Office of General Counsel, reported the FCIR.

Since then, several ex-state employees as well as contractors, researchers and volunteers, have come forward to make the same claim.

The governor has repeatedly denied allegations he has outlawed the phrases, simply saying "there is no policy." But the performance of Mr. Koon paints a very different picture.

One anonymous Florida official that spoke with The New Republic admitted they might just have to wait it out. "Well, the governor only has three more years, so that's kind of like the light at the end of the tunnel," they said.

Some 400 activists lie on the sand to form a message during a Greenpeace protest against global warming at a beach in Dania, Florida in November 2006. Source: AFP

Florida has a lot to loose from the effects of climate change. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, global warming is responsible for beach erosion in the peninsula.

The state has 4,500 square miles of land within 1.37 metres of sea level, and with the IPCC predicting global sea levels will rise another 26 to 98cm by 2100, Florida would be significantly effected.

If predictions by a majority of climate scientists turn out to be correct, it will be tough for Floridians to ignore the impacts of climate change. They just won't hear about it from state officials while Rick Scott is in charge.

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Jolie has ovaries, tubes removed

Cancer detected ... Angelina Jolie has undergone surgery to remove her ovaries and Fallopian tubes. Source: Supplied

ACTRESS Angelina Jolie has undergone surgery to remove her ovaries and Fallopian tubes after doctors detected early signs of cancer.

The star revealed the news in a column for The New York Times, like she did for her double mastectomy in 2013.

She said after undergoing the preventative breast surgery in 2013 to reduce her risk of cancer, she had been planning for some time to have her ovaries removed.

Actress Angelina Jolie has revealed she had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer, so decided to remove them.

Devoted ... Angelina Jolie says husband Brad Pitt was on a plane from France within hours when she told him of her cancer scare. Source: Getty Images

But the 39-year-old was forced to make a speedy decision to have the operation — which has forced her into menopause — when the early signs of cancer were detected a fortnight ago through a blood test.

Jolie, who carries the mutated BRCA1 gene, lost her mother, actress Marcheline Bertand, grandmother and aunt to cancer.

Family ... Angelina Jolie with her twins Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt. Source: News Corp Australia

"I went through what I imagine thousands of other women have felt," Jolie wrote.

"I told myself to stay calm, to be strong, and that I had no reason to think I wouldn't live to see my children grow up and to meet my grandchildren."

Jolie called her husband, Brad Pitt, who was on a plane from France within hours.

"The beautiful thing about such moments in life is that there is so much clarity. You know what you live for and what matters. It is polarising, and it is peaceful," the mother of six wrote.

Jolie revealed she was treated by the same surgeon who treated her mother Marcheline Bertrand, who died in 2007 at the age of 56 from ovarian cancer.

She wrote: "I last saw her the day my mother passed away, and she teared up when she saw me: 'You look just like her.'. I broke down.

"But we smiled at each other and agreed we were there to deal with any problem, so 'let's get on with it.'

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‘It was the most terrifying moment of my life’

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Aust will continue to support Vanuatu as it recovers from Cyclone Pam.

Zoe Marshall is safe and well, but worried about her host family on Pentecost Island. Source: NewsComAu

FOR the desperate parents of Canberra teenager Zoe Marshall, the week she was missing in Vanuatu following Cyclone Pam was torture, but they had no idea how harrowing the situation was for the volunteer teacher herself.

There were celebrations when the 18-year-old returned to Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on Friday after being stranded on Pentecost Island since the fatal storm tore through the island nation, killing at least 11 people.

Zoe Marshall arriving back in Port Villa. Pic: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

But while she made contact with her relieved family telling them it was all OK, smiled for waiting cameras at the airport and kept her cool being introduced to foreign minister Julie Bishop, the 18-year-old held back on revealing the harrowing ordeal she'd endured over the past week, and her concerns for the devastated village she left behind.

Scarce food, dirty drinking water, sudden sickness and ducking falling trees to find shelter defined the days following the cyclone warning.

The school Zoe was teaching at was destroyed and the village's one water tank that survived the storm had run dry. Although she was happy to make contact with her family and be transported to Port Vila by an ADF helicopter on Friday, Zoe says she's left behind a community in crisis.

"I was so happy to be able to tell my parents that I was OK, but really it's not about me, the place is in crisis," she tells news.com.au.

"They've got no food, no drinking water, and all the homes and buildings have been destroyed."

Some of the devastation in Vanuatu, a week after Cyclone Pam tore through Pic: Nick Perry. Source: AP

Since arriving on the outer island in February as a volunteer teacher with global development group Lattitude, the worst Zoe had been through was a rainstorm.

When her village got warning of a category 3 cyclone coming on the Wednesday, almost two weeks ago now, they weren't too concerned.

"We weren't really worried but we were kind of preparing," she says.

"On Wednesday classes were cancelled, we took out three or four of the really big trees and reinforced all of the teachers' houses.

"We didn't realise how bad it was until the day before it hit us when we got the message that it was now a category five."

That was Thursday, when Zoe sent a text message back home to her mother, Alison Abernethy, that has since been read thousands of times after Ms Abernethy shared their correspondence as she delivered a plea for help in finding her daughter.

"Sorry for the early text but don't know when phone will work. We've got a cat 5 warning. Should hit us tonight. Should be all good," Zoe wrote.

Zoe's text message struck a chord and made headlines. Source: Supplied

Zoe's dad Rob Marshall, mum Alison Abernethy, and little brother Angus Marshall. Source: News Corp Australia

It was more than a week before she made contact with anyone outside the island again.

"Friday morning we woke up after reinforcing the roofs and went down to the kitchen for breakfast like normal," she says.

"But the wind had really started to pick up. Coconuts were falling on the roof and we went up to a sleeping house where I stayed with 11 kids, my placement partner Courtney, and one of the mothers when it hit."

The group didn't last long in the fragile house as they watched trees and bits of buildings flying around them outside.

"At one point the house that I was in was on a 45 degree angle from the ground, and after about three hours our host mother said we couldn't stay there any more, it wasn't safe," she says.

Zoe describes the dash down a hill which was "pretty much vertical" to find another safe spot as "the most terrifying moment of my life".

"It was pouring rain. We had 15 people to get down that hill, little kids," she says.

"We had trees coming down on us so we had to keep running and stopping, running and stopping.

"At one point I thought a big tree had landed on one of our seven-year-olds. That was the worst feeling, the most terrifying moment."

After the 30 minute journey the group found shelter in one of the brand new houses in the village of Wosak where Zoe's host family lives, staying overnight as the chaos outside continued.

"Waking up the next day was so weird," she says.

"Eventually we were able to go back up to the school and it was just silent. The day before had been pretty hairy, it was chaos, but then there was no noise, it was so strange."

Zoe Marshall from Canberra and Courtney Tilby from New Zealand after arriving back in Port Villa. Pic: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

Zoe said she and the rest of the community felt lucky. The buildings were destroyed, their gardens where they grew their food were completely flattened, but "everyone survived".

She knew her family would be worried about her and tried every day to call her mum and dad, but she couldn't get through as Pam taken out the island's phone towers.

Illness — "like a really bad cold" — spread through the village and there were a couple of days where Zoe couldn't even get out of bed.

Food was running out and the tank was running dry.

Since arriving on Pentecost at the start of February the 18-year-old had learnt to crack coconuts for fun, but never thought she'd have to do it for survival.

"We spent a good few hours cracking about 20 coconuts and filling our water bottles because the water in there was sterile," she says.

"We knew that it would be clean even though it tastes kind of gross, and there were little kids who needed something to drink."

It was after seven days that an Australian Defence Force helicopter flew over the island bringing back five Australians to their base at Port Vila but couldn't land to pick up Zoe and her Kiwi colleague.

Supplies were dropped off to the village and the following day Zoe was picked up and brought back to Port Vila.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop met with Zoe and her fellow volunteers in Port Vila yesterday. Pic: Mark Calleja. Source: News Corp Australia

Today she's assisting with distributing water to areas outside of Port Vila affected by the cyclone, and worrying about her host family.

While she has no official plan of where to go now, Zoe says she's determined to stay in Vanuatu but won't return to her specific placement.

"There's a food crisis in the village, it's not fair on them for me to be there when that's going on," she says.

"My family which has a mum a dad, and two siblings including baby sister lost their house in the storm. Any houses that are still standing they're just stuffing with people. It's a bit of a mess.

"They need new water tanks. It's an absolute crisis. They need water and food."

Zoe's mother Alison has revealed to news.com.au they have organised with a contact in Vanuatu to charter a helicopter so the teenager can deliver supplies and say goodbye to her host family, hopefully within the week.

Aid packages and Australian troops have arrived on the Vanuatu island of Tanna after Cyclone Pam.

During a flying visit to Vanuatu yesterday to see the effects of Cyclone Pam, foreign minister Julie Bishop said Australia would support Vanuatu for as long as it needs.

The people of Vanuatu have been through a very devastating experience," she said.

"But they are resilient and they are stoic.

"We will be here for as long as it takes to respond to short term needs and we will also be here for the long term recovery."

Australia is providing more than $10 million in relief funding to help Vanuatu recover.

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