Making news: The face of Australian tourism isn't real as Madonna is crowned Queen of TikTok

All the news that's fit to mint.

All the news that's fit to mint.

What's happening in (The) Oz:

🇷🇺 Russia launches 75 missiles at Ukraine

🦘 The new face of Tourism Australia is not real

🏫 WA introduces consent into the curriculum

🏳️‍🌈 Queen of pop Madonna now the monarch of TikTok

💡 Maybe it's time to trial a raw diet for summer (to save money)

🙅🏻 Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen doesn't like temperature on Twitter

🇮🇪 A Sydney man was killed in that petrol station explosion in Ireland

👑 King Charles' coronation might be an Aldi version of QEII's

🪳Novak Djokovic is now a beetle

🔥 Beyonce issues a rare statement, with receipts attached

🍟 Anthony Albanese is not cheesy, identifies as a chicken man

🔙 We're all getting Lindsay Lohan for Christmas

🎭 Dark Mofo losing it's Lord of Darkness

Hello there,

Ok, don't panic but you know how we were talking about that bridge which connected Russia to the annexed Crimean peninsula being damaged on Putin's birthday?

Well, he's not too pleased and in retaliation fired 75 missiles into Ukraine late Monday night.

It is now escalating fear in the furtherest reaches of Ukraine with attacks on civilian targets such as busy street intersections, parks, and even the Klitshko Bridge - a pedestrian and cycle bridge in Kyiv - being hit.

But Putin has also sought to make everyday Ukrainian life difficult with attacks on critical urban infrastructure. Ukrainian officials have reported strikes on energy facilities in Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, Konotop, as well as Lviv.

"In case of any continuation of terrorist attacks in our territory we will respond in a very harsh manner and we will respond to the level of threats posed against the Russian federation. No one should have any doubt about this," Putin said in a national address after the fresh attacks.

The world once again saw the true face of a terrorist state that is killing our people. On the battlefield & in peaceful cities. A country that covers its true bloody essence & goal with talks about peace. It proves that the liberation of 🇺🇦 is the only basis of peace & security. pic.twitter.com/U08lD1POE9

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 10, 2022

Following the latest raids, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky was phoned by leaders of France, Germany, Poland and Qatar about what can be done to increase Ukraine's defence capabilities.

"One of the missiles struck next to the 27 storey skyscraper, 101 Tower, also known as the Samsung building, which is on the outskirts of Kyiv. Several countries, including Germany, had visa offices inside this building, which appeared to have sustained some damage to the lower floors. Australia’s embassy, which is co-shared with the Canadians, is located 15kms away in the centre of Kyiv," The Australian's Europe correspondent Jacquelin Magnay reports.

Belarus has now entered the war group chat with, President Alexander Lukashenko announcing his country would join with Russia to form “a joint regional group of troops”.

As of Tuesday night there were more than a dozen new airstrikes in Zaporizhzhia.

Summer by candlelight?

And maybe consider camping?

That is if you don't live in NSW where it's expected to rain (again) for months (again). 

Data out on Monday suggested power bills are set to be hiked by about 35%  as big energy users - aka mines and other big business operators - have been told to "brace for impact" when their electricity bills arrive.

"They are also powerless to avoid increases in network charges and other pass-through costs – such as the cost of state and federal programs and AEMO intervention. Regardless of contract status, these cost increases will begin to hit in the coming 12 or so months. There doesn’t appear to be a viable escape route." Energy Users Association of Australia chief executive Andrew Richards told the Diptyque to our Dusk  candles - The Australian.

"We may end up reducing emissions through demand destruction."

How the energy minister conserves energy

Chris Bowen - the artist more commonly known as the federal Climate Change and Energy Minister - has gone full Kanye when it comes to his online presence. 

Bowen hasn't gone down the the offensive content path, he's just imposed a ban - on himself.

Speaking at that aforementioned energy conference in Sydney on Monday, Bowen said he avoids reading his Twitter feed and notifications due to the heated debate and hot air expelled online about climate change.

"I don't read my Twitter feed. I don't recommend it because it's not good for my mental health,"Bowen said.

"Fifty per cent of it is saying there's no climate emergency and it's all a fraud and a hoax and the other 50 per cent says you're a sellout because you're not going fast enough.

"And that's just the world we live in. That's okay. We are just getting on with it."

Labor has set a target to cut 2030 emissions by 43%.

TO RECAP: The climate change bill is just the government renewing its vows

Your turn Victoria

Unfortunately as the weather is about to turn bad, really bad.

Authorities are warning Victorians to prepare for significant flash flooding across large parts of the state including Melbourne on Thursday, and widespread major riverine flooding later this week and into to the weekend.

A major storm is expected to hit the capital city within 48 hours, bringing up to 100mm of rain in some areas. 

"Thursday is very much a flash flooding and heavy rainfall day. Be prepared," Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Kevin Parkin said on Tuesday night.

A Severe Weather Warning has been issued for western and central #Victoria for Thursday.
Heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding is possible in this area during Thursday.
Check out the warning at: https://t.co/HLs2UYofag pic.twitter.com/i6xCBgrNVb

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) October 11, 2022

"Then, we'll be dealing with a riverine flood risk as the next several days unfold." 

Several hundred generators are on standby for communities that may lose power, as well as seven helicopters. 

Destructive winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour are expected on Thursday across the Grampians, central highlands and alpine peaks. 

"Now is the time to be cleaning out your storm pits, your gutters and making sure you don't have any debris around that might become a missile during strong winds," Parkin said. 

Consent will be added to the curriculum

In WA.

On Tuesday, the Big State's Education Minister Sue Ellery and Women's Interest Minister Simone McGurk announced updated education on consent the healthy relationships will be include in schools for students in pre-primary to year 10.

Little kids will be taught concepts like "keeping safe" and "saying no" while high schoolers will go on to be introduced to more realistic scenarios about consent, risk and boundaries.

"The Department of Education will support public school teachers to implement the new content in age-appropriate ways and within the context of their school community," Ellery said.

A draft version of the new consent curriculum for Western Australia has been published after consultation with teachers and experts. Public feedback is now being sought. 

The changes will come into effect from 2024.

"I’m proud that WA is one of the first jurisdictions to act on mandating consent education, which Western Australians have been calling for. Evidence shows that early education is a powerful tool in reducing sexual violence which we know can have lifelong consequences," McGurk said.

Rose Byrne's new gig

Is the voice of our new tourism ambassador.

Gone are the days of Paul Hogan throwing "shrimps on the barbie", Chris Hemsworth being...Chris Hemsworth and Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) asking "where the bloody hell are you?" - a CGI kangaroo is what the federal government is pinning its hopes on to lure people to come back and visit, post Covid.

Voiced by Bridesmaids star Rose Byrne, Ruby the Roo will bound on to billboards around the world over the next week to build anticipation for the rollout of Tourism Australia’s latest global campaign “Come and Say G’Day”.

Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell revealed the new brand ambassador in Tokyo on Tuesday, ahead of the full campaign launch in New York on October 19.

Senator Farrell said Ruby will help "showcase Australia’s most iconic destinations and support our tourism industry’s recovery, by converting the pent-up demand for an Australian holiday into bookings."

It's a genius move. Unlike a human "brand ambassador" a cartoon won't be able to fumble over questions about how visitors are going to navigate out of this world domestic airfares and lack of workers at the aforementioned destinations when they come and say g'day.

Madonna's reign continues 

The Queen of pop has reportedly "come out as gay". 

Madonna posted the "news" to TikTok.

However for some it's not new or even news, Madonna has been one of the most vocal and passionate advocates for the LGBTI communities since the early 1980s. She's taken on everyone including the Catholic Church and even past US Presidents during the AIDS epidemic.

@madonna

♬ original sound - nudy georges

Fingers crossed the power stays on long enough to see this

The Lindsay Lohan Renaissance is almost here.

The (underrated) star of The Parent Trap will star in a Christmas movie to rival both Love Actually and The Holiday.

It's her first film in more than a decade for Netflix called Falling for Christmas.

Twisties not taxes

Just don't add more GST to our favourite dinner ok Prime Minister?

Twitter was in a flap on Monday when Anthony Albanese was asked on FM radio about which flavour of Twisties he prefers over other issues like his government's plans to alter or cut the stage three tax cuts. 

He is team Chicken.

"That's a really easy answer," Albanese quipped after answering a question about which flavour is superior in the fried snack franchise.

Novak's a creepy crawly 

Novak Djokovic has been honoured by Serbian scientists who've named a new species of beetle after the tennis legend as they shared "the same qualities".

The insect, discovered in the western part of Serbia a few years ago in an underground pit, has been named "Duvalius Dokovici" in honour of the 21-time Grand Slam champion.

According to Serbian media, it's been named after Djokovic because the beetle is particularly strong, fast, flexible, durable and has an ability to survive in a difficult environment (except, maybe for the 2021 Australian Open in Melbourne).

The seemingly indestructible 35-year-old showed just why he's the entomologists' favourite in Kazakhstan at the weekend.  The anti-vaxxed star who avoids gluten still managed to beat Karen Khachanov to reach the Astana Open semi-final while playing well below from his best.

He then went on to win the tournament.

While Serbia is showering the champ in new accolades, the Australian government is holding out on letting him know if he can play in the 2023 Australian Open. 

He was deported earlier this year from Melbourne for not be vaccinated against Covid. 

Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley confirmed to the Herald Sun the former world No.1 wants to return to Australia to play next year, despite this year's debacle.

Tiley said Tennis Australia also wants to Djokovic to participate in the tournament, meaning whether he will play will come down to the federal government's decision.

Lord of the Darkness departs

The creative genius behind Dark Mofo is stepping into the light after a decade of meticulously planning and curating the program of Australia's premier arts and cultural festival.

Leigh Campbell reckons the time is right for renewal at the Tassie institution but will still be "somewhat involved".

“I’m not running out of ideas,” he told the Hobart Mercury.

“Darkness, I think, could be explored for the rest of our lives and not even scratch the surface.”

"But I think it’s important now after 10 festivals, 10 years, to hand over the reins to someone else with new younger energy to drive it forward for the next 10.”

Carmichael will lead the festival team for the final time next year, with the 2023 event to be held from June 8-22.

8—22 June 2023. Subscribe for updates.https://t.co/6XPf0eRBlv pic.twitter.com/J0ejV4HM0f

— Dark Mofo (@Dark_Mofo) October 9, 2022

Aussie toll 

A Sydney man has been named as one of the 10 victims who were killed in that fuel station explosion in Ireland at the weekend.

James O’Flaherty has been named as one of 10 people who died in a petrol station explosion Creeslough, in Ireland’s northwest.

The 48-year-old father was an engineering director with US-based company Jabil, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Four men, three women, two teenagers and a primary-school aged girl - who was buying her dad a birthday gift - died in the blast that flattened an Applegreen service station and damaged a nearby apartment complex.

Two two-storey residential buildings behind it collapsed, while the facade of a similar adjacent building was blown off in the explosion.

Police are investigating the cause of the blast, which Superintendent David Kelly told local media that it looked like a “tragic accident”.

O’Flaherty’s funeral will take place on Wednesday in Ireland.

King Charles goes cheap 

Tentative - and not at all confirmed - plans about the coronation of King Charles III have been reported in the British papers and from what the tabloids are saying, don't expect much pomp and ceremony from "congratulations on your new job" event.

It's looking likely it'll be staged mid-2023 and due to the biting cost-of-living crisis in the UK (and the wider Commonwealth 👋🏻) it will be more scaled back that the Queen's 1953 three-hour long, jewellery encrusted extravaganza.

King Charles’ “cost-of-living” coronation will apparently last just over an hour as he wants a scaled back ceremony to establish a modern, slimmed-down monarchy.

According to reports in The Sun, the guest list will be culled from 8000 to 2000 and the dress code will be more relaxed. Meaning other royals will be able to wear lounge suits rather than ceremonial robes.

His Majesty’s coronation is likely to be more religiously and culturally diverse, feature less outfit changes and have modernised language.

Prince William is said to be taking a major role in the planning. However some tradition will remain, like the King still being anointed and swear to be the “defender of the faith”.

He will also have to ride in the 1762 Gold State Coach - that's a non-negotiable apparently.

The coach was built for King George III in 1762, and was only used by the Queen three times - for her Coronation, her Silver and Golden Jubilees.

Right Said Fred are, in fact, wrong 

The stars behind the song I'm Too Sexy has labelled Beyonce "arrogant" for allegedly using the song without asking.

At the weekend, the singers Fred and Richard Fairbrass spoke of their annoyance at the 2022 Broadcast Music Inc Awards in London, expressing surprise that the singer used their song in her Renaissance track Alien Superstar.

"Normally the artist approaches us but Beyoncé didn’t because she is such an arrogant person... She just had probably thought ‘come and get me’, so we heard about it after the fact, when you did," The Sun reported.

"To use our melody they need our permission so they send us the demo and we approve it and if so we get a co-write credit,” they said.

"With this Beyoncé thing there are 22 writers, it’s ridiculous, so we would get about 40 pence. The reason that is happening we think is because there is so little money now in the actual sales people like friends, golfing partners, engineers, bookers and the guy who brings the coke, they all want a cut."

It's rare Beyonce responds to criticism however she was quick to quash this.

Beyoncé’s representatives called the claims "erroneous and incredibly disparaging".

"Permission was not only granted for its use, but they publicly spoke of their gratitude for being on the album," a statement read. "For their song, there was no sound recording use, only the composition was utilised … this accusation is fake."

They even tweeted about it when the album was released earlier this year.

Beyonce's receipts.

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