Full House remake ‘being considered’

Playing house ... The Olsen twins started out sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House. Source: Supplied

UNCLE Jesse, Danny, Joey, DJ, Stephanie and Michelle might return to our TV screens with TV Guide reporting that Full House might be revived

The hit sitcom, which aired from 1987 to 1995, is going through a bit of a resurgence (via TV repeats in the US), a fact which has reportedly caused Warner Brothers to consider a new take on the show featuring some of the original cast.

Reunion ... The cast of Full House, Source: Supplied

John Stamos, who has an ownership stake in the show, is reportedly champing at the bit to get the series up and running. Original executive producer Bob Boyett and creator Jeff Franklin are also said to be involved.

Three men and a baby ... Dave Coulier, Bob Saget and John Stamos with Mary Kate Olsen. Source: Supplied

Of the original cast, TV Guide is reporting that Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Bob Saget and Dave Coulier are all said to be involved. There's been no word on whether the Olsen twins will have any involvement (but somehow we think it's highly unlikely).

Just last month, Stamos, Bure, Barber, Saget, and Franklin attended Coulier's wedding to Melissa Bring.

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A car that can avoid a kangaroo

Kangaroo crash test dummies ... Holden has tested its cars in kangaroo crash tests dummies for decades, but Volvo will go one giant leap further. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Volvo introduces autonomous driving so you never have to park your car again. Courtesy: Volvo

SWEDISH car maker Volvo says it is a step closer to coming up with technology that can spot a kangaroo and slam on the brakes to avoid impact — and has already started testing in Australia.

The latest Volvo cars can already brake automatically to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front, and can spot pedestrians and cyclists day or night, but it has now turned its attention to animals.

Volvo safety engineers say they are starting with big, slow moving animals first, such as cows and sheep, but they say trying to detect and then avoid a jumping kangaroo is "not impossible".

VOLVO XC90: World's safest soccer mum car

PEDESTRIAN AIRBAG: Volvo offers a world first

Common site on Australia's roads ... A kangaroo warning road sign in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. Source: ThinkStock

Volvo has sent two engineers to Australia over the past 12 months to study the roadside behaviour of kangaroos, and filmed hours of footage to take back to Sweden when developing the software.

"As we have discovered, kangaroos are really unpredictable and difficult to avoid, but we don't think (avoiding them) is impossible," said Volvo safety expert Martin Magnusson.

"Kangaroos are smaller than the other animals we are trying to detect and their behaviour is more erratic, but we are working on it very intensively."

Mr Magnusson said the technology that can avoid kangaroos and other animals is still a few years away, but he is confident of finding a solution.

"We are sure we have the technology to detect a kangaroo, either standing or on the move, the next thing we need to understand is what action to take with the car, when should it brake, and so on," he said at the launch of the new Volvo XC90 in Sweden overnight, which the company claims is the world's safest SUV.

There are about 20,000 collisions with kangaroos in Australia each year, according to insurance industry data.

"We are starting with the large animals first, the ones that pose the greatest risk to drivers, such as a moose, a horse, or a cow, then we are working on ways to detect other animals, including kangaroos," Magnusson said.

Unfortunately man's best friends — dogs and cats — are not on the list of those to save. "Driver safety is not an issue when it comes to a collision with those animals. Of course it's a pity, and I happen to like cats, but there are no plans to [detect dogs or cats]," Magnusson said.

Volvo is yet to create a kangaroo crash test dummy similar to the one used by Holden in the 1990s.

Road Kill ... Hitting a kangaroo in a vehicle cannot only be deadly for the animal. Source: News Limited

But Volvo says it hopes to return to Australia in the next year or so to test the system on real kangaroos, during development.

"Eventually, we will have to test it in an environment with real kangaroos," said Mr Magnusson.

The system will not swerve the car to avoid a kangaroo (which safety experts strongly advise against) it will instead apply the brakes at full force to reduce the impact speed from, say, 110km/h to 70km/h.

A radar sensor in the grille scans the road 100 metres ahead to detect cars, cyclists and pedestrians. A camera in the windscreen works in parallel with the radar to detect which way the object is moving and help the computer decide what action to take, if any.

The system processes 15 images every second and can react to an emergency in half the time of a human, Volvo claims.

Magnusson says it takes 1.2 seconds for an attentive driver to detect danger and then apply the brakes, compared to about 0.5 second for the computer system.

"This truly is state of the art technology, because the brakes can be primed in milliseconds, much faster than a human," Magnusson said. "And we are only at the beginning of what is possible."

Volvo says it is not designed to take responsibility away from drivers. "It is a back-up in case they are distracted," Magnusson said.

The Volvo system will join a long line of gadgets designed to avoid crashes with kangaroos. Australian inventions mounted to the front of cars include plastic "whistles" and electronic sound transmitters that apparently only kangaroos can hear.

However, a 2006 study by the CSIRO found electronic sound emitters were not effective at deterring kangaroos. It tested one such device by switching it on in a paddock full of kangaroos and they didn't budge.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling

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Plane diverted over seat row

Flight fight ... A United Airlines flight had to be diverted after two passengers ended in a fight over a knee defender. Source: TheAustralian

A FLIGHT had to be diverted after two passengers ended up in an argument when one clipped a knee defender on to the seat of the woman in front of him so she couldn't recline her chair.

The man had bought the gadget, which retail for about $22, and decided he would use it on his United Airlines flight from New Jersey to Colorado, The Independent reported.

A number of airlines, including United, have banned the devices, saying they cause too many arguments.

He failed to tell the woman in front of him and clipped the knee defender onto her seat so he could keep working on his laptop.

After she was unable to move her seat back she complained to a flight attendant who asked the man to remove the device.

How it works ... An image of a knee defender which can be bought for about $22. Source: Supplied

He refused and that's when the woman threw a glass of water in his face.

The pilot decided to divert the plane to Chicago after the row got even more heated and neither passenger was permitted back on the flight.

While we all know leg room can be a bit tight at times, both passengers were in the Economy Plus section, meaning they had an extra four inches of leg room more than those in regular economy.

Chicago Police decided not to make any arrests, saying it was a "customer service issue."

The Knee Defender was invented by Ira Goldman, who at 6ft 4in had always had a problem with leg room.

He told USA Today that passengers should be "courteous" and follow the flight crew's instructions.

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Shocking truth about sex assaults overseas

Brave Laura is speaking out for the first time about what happened to her on Malaysia Airlines flight MH20 because she feels let down by the actions of the airline. In this international investigation, Sunday Nights chief investigations reporter Ross Coulthart goes in search of answers. Courtesy Channel Seven.

Be careful when reporting sexual assault overseas, especially if drugs or alcohol were involved. Source: ThinkStock

IT'S a truly horrifying thought that a traveller sexually assaulted overseas could end up being the one who lands behind bars instead of their attacker. But unfortunately it's a scenario that rings true in some of Australians' favourite holiday spots, a travel insurance company has warned.

Sure, you may think it will never happen to you, but it does happen. There are on average 30 cases of sexual assault involving Australians overseas filed to Travel Insurance Direct (TID) every year, with the majority being 18-30-year-old women in a range of locations, the company's Head of Emergency Assistance Lisa Fryar revealed.

And it's not just women who are affected; on average 5 per cent of the victims are men, most of whom were travelling in South East Asia and had their drinks spiked. These figures are just the tip of the iceberg, with many cases going unreported.

"When you're on holiday your guard's down a bit, you're more vulnerable," Ms Fryar told news.com.au of sex assault overseas. "You just don't expect these kind of things to happen."

Fryer says that unsuspecting and traumatised victims may find themselves in trouble after reporting the crime to local authorities, due to surprising laws. They may also be forced to undergo invasive physical tests and toxicology screenings that could have implications if drugs or alcohol are detected in their system.

These kind of nightmare situations even play out in major tourist hubs frequented by Australians such as Dubai and Bali.

"The Middle East is quite a different place for a female to report sexual assault, they're at risk of being incarcerated for adultery," Fryar said. "And if they've had anything to drink, which is also illegal over there, they could end up being jailed for that."

Fryer said she hasn't heard of a single case of a tourist successfully reporting a sexual assault in the Middle East without ending up behind bars themselves. But that certainly does not mean you should not report the crime. Actually the opposite. Just be aware of the steps you should take.

"Sadly, we see so many of these cases (sex assault). Rather than saying not to report it, always call the Australian embassy or travel insurance company to find out the best way to handle the situation."

If toxicology tests are pushed on you when reporting rape overseas, Fryar says to resist if possible.

"There are certain countries where we wouldn't advise you to consent to toxicology tests if you've had drugs or alcohol or been drugged. If the authorities find any trace of forbidden drugs you could be jailed. Especially in Indonesia, you could get a death sentence."

She said that in many countries, you could be forced to undergo a toxicology test if you report the crime to local police before contacting the Australian embassy. But if you report the incident when back home in Australia, you could take the tests over here instead.

Victims of sex assault also need to be cautious when dealing with local authorities in India and South America due to corruption.

"There could be further assault (by the authorities), they could take advantage of you financially (bribes), and the other thing is in a lot of countries they don't have appropriate trauma counselling or medical assessment," she said.

"And in Africa if you report rape and then have a medical assessment they won't necessarily start you on antiviral treatment straight away, so you're at a greater risk of contracting a disease such as HIV."

It's a timely alert that comes days after Australian tourist Laura Bushney went public about her fight in a French court against a man who allegedly molested her on a Malaysia Airlines flight.

Laura Bushney, 26, claims that she was assaulted by the chief steward on flight MH20 from Kuala Lumpur to Paris. She underwent invasive physical tests in France and was forced to confront her attacker in court where her claims were read out and she was asked if she wanted to retract them. It has been a gruelling process.

Laura Bushney claims she was sexually assaulted on a Malaysia Airlines plane. Source: Channel 7

And Ms Bushney is far from the only traveller who has had to deal with the aftermath of sexual assault overseas.

In a shocking case last year, Norwegian traveller Marte Deborah Dalelv was sentenced to 16 months in jail for reporting her rape in Dubai. She said she'd never expected that telling the police would end up being a bad decision.

"I called the police," Ms Dalelv said. "That is what you do. We are trained on that from when we are very young."

But she claims she became nervous when the officers asked her some uncomfortable questions such as: "Are you sure you called the police because you didn't like it?"

Ms Dalelv's passport was confiscated, her money taken and she was charged with having extramarital sex, drinking alcohol and perjury. She was later pardoned after an outcry.

But not everyone has been set free in such a scenario. Australian Alicia Gali was jailed for adultery for eight months in 2008 after she complained to police that her co-workers at a resort in nearby Fujairah drugged and raped her.

Alicia Gali 29 was raped after her drink was spiked at a hotel. Picture: Jamie Hanson Source: News Limited

Here's a guide of what to do (and not to do) if sexually assaulted overseas:

Middle East

Regardless of blame, be warned that a woman may be incarcerated for adultery (and for

drinking alcohol — if that has happened) if she is raped. So we suggest this course of action:

• Call the Australian Embassy immediately and ask to be taken to the Embassy clinic (or

one they recommend)

• Do not consent to toxicology screening

• Demand antiretroviral treatment immediately

• Call your travel insurance provider's emergency assistance team as soon as practicable.

(Generally insurers will arrange flights to get you to the nearest reliable medical facility or

back home so the issue can be dealt with properly.)

South America

You may be dealt with fairly, however high levels of corruption among local police, have led

to complaints in dealings of the situation. A suggested course of action is:

• Call the Australian Embassy immediately

• Call your travel insurance emergency assistance team. For example, TID will arrange

medical treatment at a trustworthy facility as soon as practicable.

Indonesia

• Do not consent to toxicology if you suspect you have been drugged (screening is very

limited and not comprehensive, it is better to get it done properly and thoroughly in Australia)

• Call the Australian Embassy immediately and ask to be taken to an embassy-preferred

clinic

• Demand being moved to Australia for medical treatment (particularly if you have been

drugged with methanol)

• Call the your insurance company's emergency assistance team.

India

If you're in a large city in India, the below course of action is suggested:

• Call the police on 100 and report the incident. Have someone with you to act as a

witness when you are being interviewed.

Or if no-one is with you:

• Call the Australian Embassy and ask them to conference the call with the local police

• Call your travel insurance emergency assistance team to arrange treatment.

Africa

There are potentially very serious health risks from unprotected sexual contact throughout

this region. If assaulted:

• Call the your insurance company, to arrange a referral to an international

clinic to start precautionary treatment immediately.

Everywhere else:

• When in doubt call the insurance emergency assistance team and report the incident immediately. They are equipped to deal with this immediately and sensitively and get you to safety as soon as possible.

Victims can end up behind bars. Source: Supplied

Warning from the Government

The Government's Smartraveller website also advises caution when reporting sex assault overseas: "You should be aware that in some countries sex outside of marriage is illegal. It is possible that victims of sexual assault may face criminal prosecution rather than being considered the victim of a crime.

"There have been cases where sexual assault victims have been imprisoned after reporting an incident to local police or upon seeking medical assistance. If you have any doubts about possible legal repercussions, we strongly advise that you contact the nearest Australian embassy, high commission or consulate or DFAT's 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre as quickly as possible to obtain relevant information on these issues and guidance on what support services may be available."

General travel safety tips:

• If travelling solo and you're nervous about it, wear a wedding band

• If travelling with your male partner/travelling companion in Middle East/Nepal/India —

suggest you are "married" or long term partners. This will ward off unwanted attention

but also validate why you are travelling together

• If travelling solo, talk about a special man in your life, even if there is not one

• If you wake up in a location and with someone that you cannot remember going to bed

in, the chances are you could have been drugged and raped.

• Travelling with a sarong/shawl is a good idea, especially when considering visiting

temples. A sarong or shawl can be used to cover shoulders/or legs. By not covering

your shoulders, you could be sending a message that you are "available".

The Australian embassy's Consular Emergency Centre 24 hour phone service can be reached on 1300 555 135 within Australia (local call cost) or +61 2 6261 3305 from outside Australia.More advice on dealing with sexual assault abroad can be found on their Smartraveller website.

news.com.au has contacted DFAT for comment.

What you need to know before going to Dubai

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Boston bomb victim weds nurse

Happy ... Boston Marathon bombing victim James Costello has married Krista D'Agostino, a nurse he met in rehab hospital. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

A BOSTON Marathon bombing survivor and the pretty nurse who helped him recover from his devastating injuries took the plunge last weekend — a happy ending after more than a year of painful surgeries and gruelling rehabilitation.

A dashing James Costello and his beaming bride Krista D'Agostino "danced the night away" at the Hyatt Regency Boston, according to Emily Sharp, a rep for the downtown hotel.

"It was an elegant, Nantucket type of theme, which is one of the couple's favourite places, a nod to their cherished memories together, a real fairy-tale vision," Sharp told The New York Post.

"It was just so much fun."

About 150 family and friends packed the hotel's ballroom for Saturday's nuptials, where they toasted the 31-year-old newlyweds with a special "Brewlywed Ale" donated by Boston's Sam Adams brewery.

Married ... Nurse Krista D'Agostino and James Costello on the US Today show after their engagement. Mr Costello said he's actually happy he was injured because he got to meet his wife. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

And there were few dry eyes in the house when the happy couple danced their first dance to the John Legend hit All of Me, with its chorus " 'Cause all of me loves all of you."

Ms D'Agostino — a nurse at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital — was resplendent in an Allure Couture gown featuring a sheer-illusion neckline and sleeveless bodice encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

She will later donate the gown to the Semper Fi Foundation to benefit a Boston-area member of the US Armed Forces.

Mr Costello — who was pictured in the media dazed with his clothes in tatters and legs burned, seconds after the April 15, 2013, blasts — wore a custom-made, two button, navy Brooks Brothers suit.

Attack ... Mr Costello pictured shortly after the Boston Marathon bombing. He was waiting with friends at the finish line when the bombs went off, killing three and injuring 260 people. Picture: AP Source: AP

The couple got engaged last December, and Mr Costello recounted on Facebook at the time how they had met.

"I saw a nurse in passing, this would turn out to be Krista. After sharing a handful of conversations I realised not only how beautiful she was but also what a kind heart she had," said Mr Costello, who was at the finish line with pals when the bombs detonated.

He told the US Today show back then that he was actually happy he had been one of the victims — because that's how he met Ms D'Agostino.

"She hates when I say this, but I'm actually glad I got blown up," Costello said.

"I wish everyone else didn't have to, but I don't think I would have ever met her if I didn't, so I'm pretty happy."

The twin blasts left three dead and more than 260 injured.

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Full House remake ‘being considered’

Playing house ... The Olsen twins started out sharing the role of Michelle Tanner on Full House. Source: Supplied

UNCLE Jesse, Danny, Joey, DJ, Stephanie and Michelle might return to our TV screens with TV Guide reporting that Full House might be revived

The hit sitcom, which aired from 1987 to 1995, is going through a bit of a resurgence (via TV repeats in the US), a fact which has reportedly caused Warner Brothers to consider a new take on the show featuring some of the original cast.

Reunion ... The cast of Full House, Source: Supplied

John Stamos, who has an ownership stake in the show, is reportedly champing at the bit to get the series up and running. Original executive producer Bob Boyett and creator Jeff Franklin are also said to be involved.

Three men and a baby ... Dave Coulier, Bob Saget and John Stamos with Mary Kate Olsen. Source: Supplied

Of the original cast, TV Guide is reporting that Candace Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Bob Saget and Dave Coulier are all said to be involved. There's been no word on whether the Olsen twins will have any involvement (but somehow we think it's highly unlikely).

Just last month, Stamos, Bure, Barber, Saget, and Franklin attended Coulier's wedding to Melissa Bring.

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Giant sinkhole appears overnight

Phenomenal ... Landowner John Hensby says he heard 'rumbling and smashing and crashing from down below'. Picture: London Telegraph Source: Supplied

A GIANT sinkhole that opened up in north east England is so deep that its bottom cannot be seen.

The huge hole, thought to have been precipitated by old mine works, grew to seven times its size since its discovery and poses a hazard to a nearby farmhouse as well scores of curious visitors, the London Telegraph reports.

The 35-metre-wide sinkhole was first discovered last Thursday by Sam Hillyard, 39, while she was out walking on her property at Cowshill.

John Hensby hopes he's not responsible for securing the sinkhole. Source: Supplied

Sightseers have been attracted to the unusual phenomenon, despite warning signs. Source: Supplied

Her partner, John Hensby, 71, told the Guardian he went to inspect the hole and described the sound it made as it grew.

"At the time, it was about five metres round. Throughout Thursday night it got bigger and bigger until it was about three times that size on Friday morning.

"It is about 35 metres wide and you can't see the bottom of it.

"The sound was phenomenal. We could hear rumbling and smashing and crashing from down below — all of these great lumps of earth were falling in and falling in.

"If one of the dogs or the sheep fell in we would never see them again."

Monstrous void ... the figure of John Hensby is seen top right, dwarfed by the giant scar on the landscape. Picture: London Telegraph Source: Supplied

Not to mention sightseers who have been attracted to the unusual phenomenon, despite warning signs and closure of a nearby footpath by the local council. "It still doesn't stop people wandering up against the rules and leaning over," Mr Hensby told the Telegraph.

"If you fall in you won't be able to get out, and it would be impossible to get close enough to rescue you," he told the BBC.

The hole is only 80 metres from the couple's two-storey house, which is situated between two former mines, and they have been warned that once predicted rainfall arrives, it will grow even larger. "So naturally that's of fair concern to me," says Mr Hensby.

"This is the old mine manager's house," Mr Hensby said. "One hopes he was not stupid enough to mine under his own home, unless his miners did not like him of course."

Work is underway to determine who is responsible for the sinkhole and Mr Hensby says he is sincerely hoping it's not him.

Earth from above ... the gaping sinkhole has already grown to 35 metres wide. Picture: London Telegraph Source: Supplied

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I am root. This tree’s got wood

Territorian Adriana Andrews pays homage at the sacred redwood. Picture: Adriana Andrews Source: Facebook

TERRITORIANS have been making the pilgrimage to the Mecca of nature shaped like a penis - a redwood with a walloping tree cock.

The tree, which could be of the variety Sequoia semperviren, is in California and has a protuberance that hangs down from the trunk near the bottom of the tree.

That's a bloody big tree. Picture: Adriana Andrews Source: Facebook

Just insert your own wood and dick jokes here, we'll wait.

To show due reverence to nature, some visitors like to reach up and kiss the end of the mighty excrescence.

WE ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT WANDERING COCK

Darwinite Adriana Andrews - whose childhood dream came true when she was photographed with it - simply said the "large apendage hanging off it made me notice it". And well it would for any red blooded Territorian.

"And yes, although it's not a photo I'm happy my mum seeing, it delivered the point I was trying to get across," she said.

The "line went dead" before we could find out what the greater point about tree shaped phallus she had been intent on making.

MAJESTIC SKY PENIS

Her mum was not contactable yesterday.

In 1961 John Steinbeck wrote about redwoods in his book, Travels with Charley: In Search of America.

Territorian Lars poses in the cleft of another giant redwood tree. Picture: Adriana Andrews Source: Supplied

"The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always," he wrote.

" ... The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe."

It is not known if he was writing about this exact tree.

I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT THIS TOURIST MAP IS SHAPED LIKE

The tree however is a fine example of the well known phenomena of Penidolia which is where someone sees a penis in nature - such as in a tree, a cloud, or a crudely altered road sign.

The Sequoioideae, the scientific name for redwoods, is a subfamily in the family Cupressaceae and has three genus. They include the tallest tree in the world and the largest by volume.

Originally published as I am root. This tree's got wood

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Barber gives homeless free haircuts

Pay it forward ... Mark Bustos cuts hair and then posts the photos to Instagram hoping to inspire others. Source: Supplied

MARK Bustos may work in a high-end hair salon in New York but once a week he takes to the streets to give homeless people free haircuts.

Bustos got the idea when he was visiting the Philippines and paid a barber to provide services to poor children.

"The feeling was so rewarding, I decided to bring the positive energy back to NYC," he told the Huffington Post.

He says he approaches people and tells them, "I want to do something nice for you today."

Bustos has been offering free haircuts every Sunday since May 2012. His girlfriend often comes along and brings the "client" food.

He says a haircut he gave Jemar Banks was probably the most rewarding.

"After offering him a haircut and whatever food he wanted to eat, he didn't have much to say throughout the whole process, until after I showed him what he looked like when I was done ... The first thing he said to me was, 'Do you know anyone that's hiring?'" he said.

Bustos says the haircuts don't just make people look good on the outside but also feel good on the inside.

He says he always cuts hair in public so people can find inspiration in good deeds.

"Every human life is worth the same, we all deserve a second chance," he says.

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ISIS: ‘Time journalist is next’

Execution threat ... Islamic State has threatened the life of another captured journalist, said to be Steven Joel Sotloff, if the United States does not cease air operations over Iraq. Source: Supplied

FOLLOWING the beheading of American journalist, Iraqi militants say Time journalist Steven Joel Sotloff is next unless the US ends its air strikes.

ISIS released a horrific video on Tuesday that shows the beheading of American photojournalist James Wright Foley — with the execution aimed at forcing President Obama to end US air strikes.

The US confrimed overnight that the video was authentic.

National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said intelligence officials analysed the video and confirmed its authenticity.

Foley, 40, who was kidnapped in Syria nearly two years ago, was forced to recite anti-American hatred before a masked ISIS killer put the knife to his neck.

The militants then display Sotloff with the group saying he would be next unless the United States backs off.

Sotloff was abducted in Syria in August 2013.

"The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision," the masked man says.

MAN BEHEADED BY 'BRITISH JIHADIST'

FOLEY A VICTIM OF BLOODY HOSTAGE BUSINESS

'DON'T GIVE ISIS WHAT IT WANTS'

Statement ... John Foley, far left, and his wife Diane, back to camera, talk with supporters. Source: Supplied

In a statement posted on a Facebook page affiliated with the Foley family, James' mother, Diane, said, "We have never been prouder of our son Jim. He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people.

"We have never been prouder of our son Jim. He gave his life trying to expose the world to the suffering of the Syrian people," she said.

"We thank Jim for all the joy he gave us. He was an extraordinary son, brother, journalist and person."

She also called for an end to ISIS brutality, saying "We implore the kidnappers to spare the lives of the remaining hostages. Like Jim, they are innocents."

Mr Obama was briefed on Foley's barbaric murder while flying on air force One to Martha's Vineyard to resume his vacation.

Kidnapped before ... Vision of US journalist James Foley describing his abduction in Libya. Source: YouTube

Two US officials said they believe the video is authentic, although White House National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said US intelligence is still analysing it.

"If genuine, we are appalled by the brutal murder of an innocent American journalist and we express our deepest condolences to his family and friends," Hayden said.

The Washington Post reported that European officials were going over the video to compare the voice of the executioner — who seemed to have a trace of a British accent — with ex-Guantánamo Bay inmates who had British ties.

ISIS — the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria — had warned the United States of the potential murder in an earlier video, saying, "We will drown all of you in blood" in revenge.

Tributes pour in ... Twitter image of US journalist James Foley, who was abducted in Syria in 2012. Source: Twitter

It came as celebrities including actor Mia Farrow urged their followers to shun the horrific beheading footage.

Thousands of ordinary users from around the world have also backed the plan to deny ISIL publicity in horror at what they have done, using the hashtag #ISISmediablackout.

Twitter's chief executive, Dick Costolo, said the firm was taking action against accounts which spread the video.

He wrote: "We have been and are actively suspending accounts as we discover them related to this graphic imagery. Thank you."

Instead of the graphic video, large numbers of people were sharing pictures of Foley smiling at work, encouraging people to disseminate them in his memory instead.

Rosemary's Baby star Farrow tweeted: "Blackout on group that murdered James Foley. Don't share video. Give them nothing. #RespectJamesFoley."

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Twitter revises policy on the dead

Forced off Twitter ... Zelda Williams quit Twitter after fake images of her father, Robin Williams's body were posted. Source: Supplied

TWITTER has said it will remove images and videos of dead people upon request of family members following the fake Robin Williams image and James Foley's beheading.

PCWorld reports that the social media site made the decision a week after Williams's daughter, Zelda, said she would quit Twitter after receiving gruesome fake images of him from online trolls.

Calls have also come on Twitter for people not to share the ISIS video purportedly showing journalist James Foley being beheaded.

Beheaded ... James Foley seen here in Benghazi, Libya. Source: AP

"In order to respect the wishes of loved ones, Twitter will remove imagery of deceased individuals in certain circumstances," Twitter spokesman Nu Wexler said.

"When reviewing such media removal requests, Twitter considers public interest factors such as the newsworthiness of the content and may not be able to honour every request."

However loved ones will have to provide documents including a death certificate and government-issued identification.

Family members or other authorised people can request the removal of photos or video of deceased people on Twitter "from when critical injury occurs to the moments before or after death," it said.

Twitter now has 271 million active monthly users.

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I am root. This tree’s got wood

Territorian Adriana Andrews pays homage at the sacred redwood. Picture: Adriana Andrews Source: Facebook

TERRITORIANS have been making the pilgrimage to the Mecca of nature shaped like a penis - a redwood with a walloping tree cock.

The tree, which could be of the variety Sequoia semperviren, is in California and has a protuberance that hangs down from the trunk near the bottom of the tree.

That's a bloody big tree. Picture: Adriana Andrews Source: Facebook

Just insert your own wood and dick jokes here, we'll wait.

To show due reverence to nature, some visitors like to reach up and kiss the end of the mighty excrescence.

WE ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT WANDERING COCK

Darwinite Adriana Andrews - whose childhood dream came true when she was photographed with it - simply said the "large apendage hanging off it made me notice it". And well it would for any red blooded Territorian.

"And yes, although it's not a photo I'm happy my mum seeing, it delivered the point I was trying to get across," she said.

The "line went dead" before we could find out what the greater point about tree shaped phallus she had been intent on making.

MAJESTIC SKY PENIS

Her mum was not contactable yesterday.

In 1961 John Steinbeck wrote about redwoods in his book, Travels with Charley: In Search of America.

Territorian Lars poses in the cleft of another giant redwood tree. Picture: Adriana Andrews Source: Supplied

"The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always," he wrote.

" ... The feeling they produce is not transferable. From them comes silence and awe."

It is not known if he was writing about this exact tree.

I THINK YOU KNOW WHAT THIS TOURIST MAP IS SHAPED LIKE

The tree however is a fine example of the well known phenomena of Penidolia which is where someone sees a penis in nature - such as in a tree, a cloud, or a crudely altered road sign.

The Sequoioideae, the scientific name for redwoods, is a subfamily in the family Cupressaceae and has three genus. They include the tallest tree in the world and the largest by volume.

Originally published as I am root. This tree's got wood

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Fund manager’s sex deal outrage

"I will not leave Berlin without having sex with you. Deal?' ... The email Gesche Haas received from a fund manager. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

NETWORKING with fund managers is nerve-racking for start-up founders.

Gesche Haas, from New York, got a proposition she did not expect — sex. She was to find out she was not alone and has decided to speak up about it on valleywag on gawker.

At the event in Berlin, Haas had managed to secure 20 minutes with Pavel Curda, a tech entrepreneur and investor from the Czech Republic, a contributor at TheNextWeb, and adviser to Seedcamp, an annual accelerator program for start-ups.

"'Provides tough love and tactical hands-on help with business strategy, go-to-market, fundraising and hiring" ... Pavel Curda. Picture: Pavel Curda / Twitter Source: Twitter

Business meeting turned to sex deal ... Gesche Haas has gone public with the "inappropriate" actions of an influential fund manager. Picture: Meetup.com Source: Supplied

Haas, working at a start-up named Conjure.io, wanting to learn she could from her brief talk with Curda.

When she returned to her hotel, she was pleased to see an email from Curda had arrived. But when she read it, she was shocked and upset.

Upset and shocked ... What fund manager Pavel Curda sent after a 20-minute business meeting to discuss her company. Picture: Gesche Haas / Twitter Source: Twitter

She told valleywag: "I was so flustered. I couldn't sleep for an hour or two. What did I indicate to him?"

The next day Haas said she discovered that another woman at the conference had received the same email from Curda.

"That eliminated the factor that I'd brought this on myself," she said.

When she next saw Curda — who says on his website that he specialises in "connecting talent with right investors" and "providing tough love and tactical hands-on help with business strategy, go-to-market, fundraising and hiring" — she told him that his email was 'inappropriate' and never spoke to him again.

Haas did not want the story to be made public. Two other American tech women — Amy Vernon and Allyson Kapin — contacted valleywag. Haas then gave an interview.

"I believe that when women see what I posted, next time it happens, they'll call them out. Opting to be too scared to associate my name to something like this just did not seem to be the right answer, or the type of example I'd like to set."

Her decision has received widespread support.

Outed the shocking behaviour of powerful business people ... Some of the support for Gesche Haas' decision to make the "sex' advance public. Picture: Gesche Waa-Yi Haas / Facebook Source: Facebook

When the story became public knowledge Curda took to Twitter to explain what had happened.

Did not initially want to go public ... Gesche Haas. Picture: Facebook Source: Facebook

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Bush takes Ice Bucket Challenge

Soaked ... Laura Bush pours a bucket of ice water over George W Bush's head for charity. Source: Supplied

GEORGE W Bush's ice bucket challenge is possible the best one yet. But how much money is the latest fad actually raising for charity?

The #IceBucketChallenge is the latest charity craze continuing to take the internet by storm, with people pouring iced water over their heads in a bid to raise money for charity.

David Beckham did it topless. Lady Gaga performed it in her signature quirky style. Bill Gates did it in slow motion. And Vin Diesel put the challenge to Vladimir Putin.

So far the challenge seems to be working with thousands of dollars raised for cancer and motor neurone disease charities.

Macmillan Cancer Support said 85,000 people have donated so far and about STG250,000 ($456,329) has been raised, and while the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association was not able to give a figure at this stage they said they had received "a lot" of donations and the total so far is believed to be in the thousands.

Meanwhile, in the US, the ALS Association — a motor neurone disease charity network — said it had received $US22.9 million ($24.78 million) in donations compared to $US1.9 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 19).

Bill Gates accepts Mark Zuckerbergs ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and nominates Elon Musk, Ryan Seacrest and Chris Anderson from TED to participate and raise awareness for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease.

Golfers Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods did it together, taking it in turns to pour the iced water over each others' heads.

McIlroy challenged fellow sports star Wayne Rooney to do it, and Rooney's wife Coleen posted a picture of a bucket full of ice on Twitter this morning.

The Irishman also challenged George W Bush to take part, while Woods challenged tennis player Rafael Nadal.

A giggling Simon Cowell appeared to be on a boat in a sunny destination when he did the deed, and through his giggles he nominated X Factor judges Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Louis Walsh and Mel B.

Other big names to have stepped up to the challenge include Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, Oprah Winfrey, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber, with the latter nominating US president Barack Obama.

Sally Light, chief executive of the MND Association, said the craze was an "unprecedented opportunity to raise awareness of what is a devastating terminal disease".

"The amazing sums of money being donated across the world and with sister organisations in the USA and Australia too will go a long way towards finding out more about the disease for which there is no current cure."

To take part, people need to have their experience filmed and then share it via sites such as Facebook and Twitter, challenging others to do it within 24 hours, before donating money to charity.

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Aussie girl, 3, narrowly escapes death

Lucky escape ... A Twitter photo of two double decker buses that collided in New York City's Times Square. Source: Supplied

AN AUSTRALIAN three-year-old holidaying with her family in New York has narrowly escaped death after a traffic light pole fell and crushed her stroller when two double-decker tour buses collided in Times Square.

Lila Meredith was taken to a nearby hospital, but her father said apart from being "a little shaken" she was given the all clear.

One of the bus drivers, William Dalambert, 58, of New Jersey was charged with driving while impaired.

Dalambert was allegedly the driver of a CitySights bus that slammed into a stopped Gray Line bus near the corner of West 47th St and Seventh Avenue on Tuesday.

Close call ... Emergency personnel respond to a collision between two double-decker buses on New York City's Times Square. Source: AP

The Gray Line bus mounted the sidewalk and knocked down the traffic light pole, striking Brisbane's Meredith family, who were walking through Times Square, according to police.

At least 15 people were hurt, although none had life-threatening injuries, police said.

It was decided Lila should be checked out at the hospital.

"It's just a precautionary check," Lila's father, Martin, told the Wall Street Journal.

"She'll be fine.

"A little shaken as you would expect."

Bird's eye view ... In aerial photo shows emergency personnel responding to a bus crash in New York City's Times Square. Source: AP

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Gang-rape photo shoot outrage

Controversy ... One of the photos by Raj Shetye in a series called The Wrong Turn. Source: Supplied

AN INDIAN fashion shoot has sparked outrage and calls for legal action for showing a woman being assaulted on a bus, echoing a fatal gang-rape that shocked the nation.

The project by photographer Raj Shetye called The Wrong Turn appeared in his online portfolio in recent days before being taken down, but the pictures have since been carried by various media outlets.

They show a female model dressed in high-end fashion garments being groped on a bus by a group of men, also stylishly dressed, in various poses.

In one image, the woman is on the floor with a man standing over her, while one shows her struggling with two men gripping her arms, and another has two men pinning her down on the seats.

The shoot has drawn a torrent of criticism on social media in India, where the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in December 2012 sparked nationwide protests over levels of sexual violence against women.

Nirmala Samant, chairwoman of the National Commission for Women, has written to Mumbai's chief of police calling for an investigation over the photographs.

"Any person with common sense will understand this is nothing but glorifying of violence," Samant said.

"I'm of the strong opinion that there should be some legal action because this is not artistic freedom, certainly not."

Protests ... Many Indians have railed against a spate of gang rapes in the country. Source: AFP

Mumbai-based Shetye issued a statement in defence of his work, saying he had "tried to express myself through the medium I know best" and that the controversy was based on misinterpretation.

"The aim is purely to create art that will garner public opinion about issues that concern women," he said.

"It breaks my heart to see my mother, my friends, my sister constraining themselves professionally and personally just to be safe."

He said the clothes' designers had not been credited as the shoot was not for commercial gain.

In the 2012 attack in New Delhi, a gang of six men raped a 23-year-old physiotherapy student, including with an iron rod, after she was tricked into boarding a private bus on the way home from the cinema with a male friend.

The woman died 13 days after the attack from her injuries, after being flown to a Singapore hospital for specialist treatment.

The parallels in the fashion shoot drew anger on Twitter, with users describing the images as "shocking", "disgusting" and "mind boggling".

Four men were convicted and sentenced to death last year over the 2012 attack.

Another was found dead in his cell in an apparent suicide and a juvenile was sentenced to the maximum of three years in detention.

The gang-rape shone a global spotlight on India's treatment of women and led to tougher laws to deter rapists, although attacks continue to be reported across the country daily.

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Molesting ‘not at lower end of scale’

Thai medical authorities are threatening to take legal action against a Thai surrogate mother.

Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua with baby Gammy, the child that the surrogate mother accused a Bunbury man and his wife of abandoning. Source: AFP

FURTHER details have emerged about the criminal history of the WA man accused of abandoning baby Gammy.

It comes as child protection authorities are continuing their search for the Bunbury man and his Chinese wife who have been caught up in the Thai surrogate storm.

The couple paid a young Thai woman around $15,000 to carry their child.

The surrogate, Pattaramon Chanbua, had twins, a boy and a girl, and claimed the pair wanted her to abort Gammy who has Down syndrome and a congenital heart defect.

SURROGATE WOMAN: I want Gammy's twin sister back

COMMERCIAL SURROGACY: Aussie woman's Thai fears

Claims the biological parents rejected Gammy ... Thai surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua, 21, with Gammy, who was born with Down syndrome. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Following publicity surrounding her plight it was revealed the man, who initially denied knowing Gammy's existence, had been jailed in the late 1990s for three years after admitting to sexually molesting two girls.

News Corp Australia reported this week the girls were aged just seven and 10, and the offences occurred over a two-year period.

It has now emerged that the offences occurred in the 1980s. The man faced trial in March 1997, after the victims brought charges against the man when they were adults.

According to court documents, the man held "secretive meetings" with the young girls at their home, sometimes taking them into the garden shed where he rubbed and touched them.

He also procured one of the girls to perform a sexual act on him.

It has also emerged that while he was still in prison he was charged again with six counts of indecent dealings with another child under the age of 13.

Those offences were said to have occurred over a 10-month period in the mid-1990s. He was found guilty and received an 18-month jail term.

According to the sentencing transcript from January 30 1998, the man touched the young girl indecently in her home.

District Court judge Ivan Russell Gunning said his actions had a profound effect on the young girl and that he did not consider his offending was at the lower end of the scale.

He said he also did not believe the man was remorseful because he would not accept guilt and dismissed his attempts at therapy.

"You have undergone some counselling, perhaps it may have had some affect but I'm a bit cynical with respect to that, " he said.

"That is reinforced by your refusal to accept any guilt and of course there is no remorse. But doing the best you personally can in the circumstances, you will sentenced to 18 months."

Scarpered ... A notice on the deserted home of the Banbury, WA, couple who used a surrogate mother in Thailand to give birth to their daughter and left her disabled twin son behind. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Corp Australia

The revelations came as the Thai surrogacy agent cast doubt on Gammy's birth mother's version of events, claiming the Australian parents did not want to leave him behind in Thailand.

Kamonthip "Joy" Musikawong told the Herald Sun that Gammy's surrogate mother Pattaramon Chanbua refused to give baby Gammy to his biological parents.

"Before the parents flew back home," she said, "They told you [Pattaramon] that they wanted to take both babies, why didn't you give the boy back to the biological parents?"

Yet Musikawong told the ABC that the surrogate mother saved them from a difficult decision.

"We just didn't know, if this happened, what we are going to do ... until the surrogate came up with a solution ... we, just like, I was very impressed with her solution,' Kamonthip said.

"She said "I will take the dumb baby but not the ... I will take the boy. Like, nobody need to worry."

Kamonthip, owner of IVF Parenting in Bangkok which arranged the surrogacy, said Pattaramon's has encouraged other women to become surrogate mothers.

"If you have had sad experience about being surrogate, why did you recruit surrogate mothers for some agencies just two months ago?" Kamonthip said.

Originally published as Molesting 'not at lower end of scale'

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Safety tips from Costa Concordia captain? Oh, dear

Outrage ... Costa Concordia captain Francesco Schettino has given a lecture on ship safety. Source: AP

ITALY'S notorious shipwreck captain, accused of a fatal delay in sounding the alarm as his Costa Concordia cruise liner sank, has sparked outrage by giving a lecture to students on best emergency practices.

Francesco Schettino, dubbed "Captain Coward" after allegedly abandoning ship before his passengers were safe, was invited by a professor to speak for two hours at a criminology seminar linked to Rome's La Sapienza university — despite being on trial for the deaths of 32 people in the 2012 Costa Concordia disaster.

Italy's Education Minister Stefania Giannini said the news was "disconcerting", while the university's dean distanced himself from the seminar, saying he had not been informed of Schettino's address, which he viewed as an "inappropriate and unworthy choice".

"I was called to speak because I am an expert. I had to talk about panic management," Schettino told La Nazione daily, saying he had used a 3D model of the doomed Costa Concordia cruise liner to demonstrate how emergency evacuations are carried out.

"I know what to do in these sorts of situations," he said.

Shipwreck ... the Costa Concordia lays on its side after it ran aground off the coast of the Isola del Giglio island, Italy. Source: AP

Schettino is accused of refusing to give the order to evacuate until the vast ship had begun to topple over after he struck rocks off the Tuscan island of Giglio.

The prosecution says the delay meant lifeboats on one side of the ship could no longer be launched, forcing people to jump into the sea.

Disbelief turned to outrage after the former captain went on to compare the Concordia shipwreck to the September 11, 2001 in New York, La Nazione said.

"I really am outraged by what can happen in this country. What sort of example is this to give to our young people?" said the prosecutor in Schettino's trial, Francesco Verusio.

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‘Monkey owns rights to selfie’

Self-portrait ... Wikimedia have decided this monkey owns the copyright to this image because it took the photo. Picture: Wikimedia/David Slater Source: Supplied

WIKIMEDIA has declined a photographer's requests to remove an image he says is being used online without permission, claiming the copyright belongs to the monkey who pressed the shutter button.

British nature photographer David Slater was in Indonesia in 2011, photographing crested black macaques, when one of the creatures stole off with one of his cameras and took hundreds of selfies, the London Telegraph reports.

Although many of the images were blurry, several of them were undeniably charming — including the macaque seemingly grinning for a self-portrait — and were widely distributed internationally.

The fun didn't last for Mr Slater, who now faces a legal battle with Wikimedia, after the organisation added the image to its collection of more than 22 million royalty-free images and videos online.

Caught on film ... What happens if I press this? Source: Supplied

A peculiar charm ... the crested black macaque. Source: Supplied

Mr Slater claims that decision is jeopardising his income, because Wikimedia have decided the monkey owns the copyright because it took the photo. In the information attached to the image regarding reuse, Wikimedia say: "This file is in the public domain, because as the work of a non-human animal, it has no human author in whom copyright is vested."

The author credit reads "self-portrait by the depicted Macaca nigra female".

"If the monkey took it, it owns copyright, not me, that's their basic argument. What they don't realise is that it needs a court to decide that," he said.

Mr Slater has complained several times to the media organisation, and sometimes the images have been removed, only to be re-uploaded by a different editor. "Some of their editors think it should be put back up. I've told them it's not public domain, they've got no right to say that its public domain. A monkey pressed the button, but I did all the setting up."

Mr Slater said that trip alone was very expensive, yet he had made very little income from the highly popular shots it yielded. Taking legal action will cost him 10,000 pounds ($18,000), he says.

"For every 100,000 images I take, one makes money that keeps me going. And that was one of those images. It was like a year of work, really."

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Suspect in Schu records probe dead

Prosecutors opened an investigation into suspected violation of professional secrecy after Michael Schumacher's family filed criminal complaints. Picture: Dennis Grombkowski Source: Getty Images

SWISS prosecutors say a man arrested in connection with the suspected theft of former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher's medical records has been found hanged in his cell.

The man, who worked for the Rega air ambulance service, was found dead Wednesday morning in a city police jail. Initial investigations indicated that no one else was involved.

The man, whose name wasn't released, was arrested Tuesday.

Michael Schumacher, seen here in 2012, was transferred in June from a hospital in France to a hospital in Switzerland, to continue his recovery from a skiing accident. Picture: Jens Kalaene Source: News Corp Australia

Prosecutors opened an investigation into suspected violation of professional secrecy after Rega and Schumacher's family filed criminal complaints.

Rega arranged the seven-time F1 champion's transfer in June from a hospital in France to a hospital in Switzerland, to continue his recovery from his December 29 skiing accident.

Schumacher's manager later said medical documents purported to be Schumacher's were being offered for sale to news media.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, SANE Helpline on 1800 18 SANE (7263) or beyondblue.

Originally published as Suspect in Schu records probe dead

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Chefs make Big Mac meal fancy

The challenge ... two chefs squared off in the kitchen in an attempt to make the Big Mac fancy. Picture: Imgur Source: Supplied

TWO amateur chefs have challenged themselves to transform the McDonalds Big Mac meal into culinary art, creating tantalising cheeseburger sliders, potato towers and seasame-seed-bun croutons.

Imgur user allspo8184, who shared photos of the competition on Saturday, said the pair was only allowed to use the deconstructed components of the meal: the burger, fries and drink.

Ingredients ... the Big Mac deconstructed. Picture: Imgur Source: Supplied

He decided to cut the fries evenly and trim the burger patties.

Preparation ... the french fries are cut down. Source: Supplied

The finished dish: "5 times cheeseburger with a potato tower, salad with sesame seed bun croutons & mac sauce garnish".

Final product ... Five-times cheeseburger with a potato tower, salad and sesame-seed-bun croutons. Picture: Imgur Source: Supplied

Here's a "dramatic photo" of his creation.

Impressive ... who knew fast food could look so good? Picture: Imgur Source: Supplied

Pour the Coke into a wine glass and add real tableware and you've got a "fancy big mac meal".

Dinner is served ... straw and all. Picture: Imgur Source: Supplied

His friend opted to mash the fries and chop up the burger for mini shepherds pies with sesame seed crisps and a salad.

Another take ... Big Mac mini shepherds pies with sesame seed crisps and a salad. Picture: Imgur Source: Supplied

The results are surprisingly impressive. Who do you think won?

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