MasterChef contestants in crisis

On MasterChef Australia, Kira presents her croquembouche to the judges.

Falls short ... MasterChef contestant, Kira Westwick with her croquembouche. Source: Channel 10

KIRA Westwick reckons tonight's MasterChef Australia was a crock.

The 31-year-old nutritional coach was eliminated after a bizarre croquembouche pressure test against Colin Sheppard and Jamie Fleming.

The three MasterChef contestants had to each create a croquembouche without a full recipe. In a strange twist, Tracy Collins — the winner of last night's power apron — had to divide the recipe between the trio.

Tracy gave Jamie the choux recipe, Colin the caramel and assembly notes, and Kira the crème patisserie instructions.

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Under pressure ... Kira Westwick on MasterChef. Source: Supplied

Kira was eliminated by the slimmest of margins after judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan thought her profiteroles were cakey and biscuit-like.

The exit came despite the judges announcing that Kira's crème patisserie was the best of the three and her caramel delicious.

"It is disappointing that it wasn't an even playing field," Kira says. "I was surprised that before a pressure test that (recipe split into three parts) would happen.

On MasterChef Australia, the outcome of the competition is divided.

"I knew I could nail something like that (croquembouche) with a recipe and normally you get a recipe.

"There is only so much space in my brain. I didn't bother trying to memorise a recipe for a croquembouche because I always assumed we'd get the recipe.

"I'm incredibly proud with how I dealt with the situation. Despite having no idea of a recipe for a profiterole I managed to turn out my croquembouche first and it was standing and it tasted beautiful."

Trouble brews .. Kira, Colin and Jamie were challenged to re-create this croquembouche - without a complete recipe. Source: Supplied

It was Kira's first pressure test and she was thrown by the lack of a choux pastry recipe. Mehigan thought Kira should be more precise in her measurements but after the choux buns rose she moved on to her other elements.

On MasterChef Australia, Kira wings the choux pastry.

Jamie struggled to bring his crème patisserie to the desired consistency. Colin moved steadily through the cook without too much trouble.

The judges were impressed by all three profiterole towers. Jamie and Colin struggled with the spun sugar decoration. Jamie burned his fingers and palms.

In the tasting, Colin's choux buns were well cooked as was his crème patisserie, but his spun sugar was criticised.

On MasterChef Australia, the verdict is in from the judges and who gets the chop.

Jamie was marked down for buns lacking filling but all the other elements worked well.

Kira's less-than-perfect choux pastry was enough to send her home.

Kira, who lives on the Gold Coast, became passionate about healthy food and fitness after suffering chronic fatigue in her early 20s.

The mother-of-two also battled post-natal depression and low self-esteem issues in past years. She decided to enter MasterChef Australia to promote healthy eating, shying away from processed foods, oils, fats and sugars.

"I felt like a winner anyway," Kira says. "I didn't go home because I did a terrible job. It shows just how amazing the talent is this year."

Originally published as MasterChef contestants in crisis

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Right-wing firebrand’s ridiculous soccer rant

The Netherlands have come from behind to win their knockout match against Mexico, scoring twice in the final five minutes to win 2-1.

Costa Rica have qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup after defeating Greece in a penalty shootout.

Conservative commentator Ann Coulter. Source: AP

WORLD Cup fever is kind of, sort of taking hold in the United States, with the American team through to the round of 16.

The USA's match against Portugal last week drew a TV audience of more than 18 million people, making it the second-most-watched game of soccer in the nation's history.

For soccer fans, that's a heartwarming statistic. But according to prominent, provocative conservative columnist Ann Coulter, America's new-found enthusiasm for the sport is an unmitigated catastrophe.

"Any growing interest in soccer can only be a sign of the nation's moral decay," Ms Coulter says.

She's written a strident column denouncing soccer as, among other things, a boring, wussy sport that is only watched by Americans with foreign blood.

We've extracted Ms Coulter's key arguments below, and rated their relative craziness using a brand new invention — the Coultometer.

NOTE: When Ms Coulter refers to "football", she's talking about gridiron. When she mentions "liberals", she means people whose politics are to the left of centre.

Ann Coulter waves to the audience at CPAC, a conservative political conference. Source: AP

1. SOCCER INVOLVES NO INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT

"Individual achievement is not a big factor in soccer," Ms Coulter writes. "The blame is dispersed, and almost no one scores anyway. There are no heroes, no losers, no accountability, and no child's fragile self-esteem is bruised. There's a reason perpetually alarmed women are called 'soccer mums,' not 'football mums.'

"Do they even have MVPs in soccer? Everyone just runs up and down the field and, every once in a while, a ball accidentally goes in."

Really? Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar ... we didn't just draw those names out of a hat and decide to make them the superstars of football. They're singled out for their freakish individual skills.

I'm sure English striker and occasional pariah Wayne Rooney would have something to say about blame being "dispersed." He single-handedly blew every game for England, right?

Coultometer: 4/5 (alarmingly crazy)

Some would say the logic in Ann's column is a bit Messi. Source: News Limited

2. IT'S EVOLUTIONARY REGRESSIVE

"You can't use your hands in soccer," Ms Coulter says. "What sets man apart from the lesser beasts, besides a soul, is that we have opposable thumbs. Our hands can hold things. Here's a great idea: Let's create a game where you're not allowed to use them!"

Apparently, if your sport doesn't demonstrate the full extent of human evolution, it is not worth playing.

Coultometer: 2/5 (slightly crazy)

Ann Coulter attends Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People gala in 2009. Source: AFP

3. IT'S BORING

"No other 'sport' ends in as many scoreless ties as soccer," she writes. "If Michael Jackson had treated his chronic insomnia with a tape of Argentina v Brazil instead of Propofol, he'd still be alive, although bored."

Draw. It's called a draw, not a tie. Apart from that, this is actually a reasonable point. There have been five scoreless draws at this World Cup so far, and that's in an unusually high-scoring tournament.

Coultometer: 1/5 (not crazy)

Here's Ann on the cover of her book 'Godless: The Church of Liberalism'. Source: AP

4. SOMETHING SOMETHING THE METRIC SYSTEM

"Soccer is like the metric system, which liberals also adore because it's European. Naturally, the metric system emerged from the French Revolution, during the brief intervals when they weren't committing mass murder by guillotine," Ms Coulter writes.

"Liberals get angry and tell us that the metric system is more 'rational' than the measurements everyone understands. This is ridiculous. An inch is the width of a man's thumb, a foot the length of his foot, a yard the length of his belt. That's easy to visualise. How do you visualise 147.2 centimetres?"

I feel as though Ms Coulter got a little sidetracked here.

Coultometer: 5/5 (infinitely crazy)

Apparently this is relevant. Source: News Corp Australia

5. IT'S FOR WUSSES

"The prospect of either personal humiliation or major injury is required to count as a sport," Ms Coulter says. "After a football game, ambulances carry off the wounded. After a soccer game, every player gets a ribbon and a juice box."

Ever seen someone's leg get broken on a football field? That certainly counts as a "major injury." And there is no greater humiliation in sport than an own goal.

Having said that, it's hard to disagree with Ms Coulter's point when you see a grown man writhing around on the ground after suffering the wrath of a light, passing breeze.

Coultometer: 2/5 (slightly crazy)

OK, she might have a point here. Source: AP

6. IT'S REALLY, REALLY LONG

"I've held off on writing about soccer for a decade — or about the length of the average soccer game — so as not to offend anyone."

That sledge comes from a woman who prefers baseball and gridiron, both of which average about three hours of slow, stop-start action per game.

Coultometer: 3/5 (crazy)

Ann Coulter does not have a long attention span. Source: Getty Images

7. IT'S MASSIVELY OVERHYPED

"I resent the force-fed aspect of soccer," Ms Coulter says. "The number of New York Times articles claiming soccer is 'catching on' is exceeded only be the ones pretending women's basketball is fascinating.

"The USA-Portugal game was the blockbuster match, garnering 18.2 million viewers on ESPN ... Run-of-the-mill, regular season Sunday Night Football games average more than 20 million viewers."

It's hard to quarrel with this argument. How many times have we been told that football has finally "arrived" in Australia? When the World Cup is over, Americans will not suddenly go nuts for Major League Soccer.

Coultometer: 1/5 (not crazy)

This American fan has clearly bought into the hype. Source: AP

8. ONLY PEOPLE WITH FOREIGN BLOOD LIKE IT

"If more 'Americans' are watching soccer today, it's only because of the demographic switch effected by Teddy Kennedy's 1965 immigration law," Ms Coulter says.

"I promise you: No American whose great-grandfather was born here is watching soccer. One can only hope that, in addition to learning English, these new Americans will drop their soccer fetish with time."

I ... I can't even.

Coultometer: 5/5 (infinitely crazy)

Originally published as Right-wing firebrand's ridiculous soccer rant

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John has hand on his heart for Voice final

Kylie Minogue with her Voice team member John Lingard who will be singing a unique version of her hit Hand on Your Heart for this week's final. Picture: Channel Nine. Source: Channel 9

IMITATION may be the sincerest form of flattery, but for Team Kylie artist John Lingard it could also prove his last throw of the dice to be spared elimination on the live final of The Voice.

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While coach Minogue challenged the indie balladeer to perform Chris Isaak's Wicked Games during this week's rehearsals, Lingard blindsided the pop princess with his own reworking of her pop hit, Hand On Your Heart.

Singing 'This is what it feels like', Victoria's Jackson Thomas powers through his performance. Courtesy: The Voice

For the 26-year-old Bendigo singer, it was a risk worth taking, as team rivals Kat Jade and Robbie Balmer beat him on this week's iTunes chart.

Singing 'Happy', Victorian Johnny Rollins goes from back of the band to front man with ease. Courtesy: The Voice

"He's doing a new take on a classic and he sounds fantastic," Minogue said.

Originally published as John has hand on his heart for Voice final

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Blockhead Steve happy to kick on for Dad

Steve O'Donnell, winner of The Block, with his father Kevin who had prostate cancer and is now in remission. Picture: Mitch Bear Source: News Limited

THE Block winner Steve O'Donnell won't be able to wipe the smile off his face this week.

O'Donnell fulfils a dream Tuesday night when he plays in the EJ Whitten Legends game, and the moment is even more special being 15 years since his father Kevin was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

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"Dad's pretty excited I get to do this and Mum (Mary) is pretty excited too,'' O'Donnell said. "It will be quite a special night for all of us. Dad went through the wars with it and I don't know too many blokes who could tolerate the pain he's been through."

While his father was fighting his cancer battle O'Donnell took over his chimney-sweep work in Geelong. He said they were now all fighting fit.

"Dad was lucky he got checked when he did and he's always been quite good with analysis,'' O'Donnell said.

"It is super important for blokes to do it and a lot have that old mentality about it but we're getting better. This game really opens a platform of discussion for men's health and makes the community aware."

O'Donnell, a Geelong supporter, is hoping to get a kick at Etihad Stadium in front of family and partner Chantelle Ford. "Of all the things I've ever wanted to do ... this is just surreal,'' he said. "It hasn't quite sunk in yet. I'm so grateful to everyone to be involved."

Originally published as Blockhead Steve happy to kick on for Dad

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The bizarre case of Charlie Bothuell V

An 11-day search for a missing Michigan boy came to a bizarre conclusion Wednesday when he was discovered alive and well, hidden in the basement of his fathers home in Detroit.

Charles Bothuell IV shocked by his son's reappearance. AP Photo/Detroit Free Press, Eric Lawrence Source: AP

THE bizarre case of Charlie Bothuell V, found hiding in his parent's basement this week, has become even stranger as disturbing details of his home life are revealed.

The world was mesmerised this week by the reaction of Charlie's father when he was told on live television that his son had been found alive — hiding in the basement after being missing for almost two weeks.

Since then mystery has deepened over why Charlie went missing and whether someone had been helping him to hide.

Why did he hide? Charlie Bothuell V, 12, of Detroit, was missing for almost two weeks. AP Photo/Courtesy Detroit Police Department Source: AP

When Detroit police found the boy in the basement of his family's multiple-unit condo building, he was surrounded by chicken, softdrinks, cereal and gatorade. He was also barricaded behind a dresser and a 55-gallon drum.

"There's no way he could have erected this makeshift area of concealment, I'll call it. He certainly was excited to see us," Detroit Police Chief James Craig said.

Officers had searched the home at least three times before they found him on Wednesday afternoon. They do not believe he was there the whole time.

The basement was connected to other apartments via a tunnel that also provided access to the outside world.

In a petition filed by Child Protective Services for the removal of Charlie's half-siblings, the boy told investigators that his stepmother Monique Dillard-Bothuell put him in the basement and told him not to come out.

When the boy got hungry he would sneak upstairs to get food when no one was home.

Accusations of abuse have also emerged.

"He was very skinny, and almost looked like a cancer patient. He had marks all over his arms and chest," one of Charlie Bothuell's grandmothers told investigators.

A half circular scar was discovered on his chest, and the boy told investigators his dad drove a PVC pipe into his chest, according to the court records.

Old scars were reportedly found on Charlie's buttocks and were also believed to be caused by the pipe.

Other documents provided at a Friday afternoon custody hearing over Charlie, contained accusations that Charlie had bruises and marks after allegedly being abused by his father and stepmother Monique Dillard-Bothuell.

Denies abusing his son: Charlie Bothuell IV. AP Photo/Detroit News, Clarence Tabb Jr. Source: AP

"I read this petition. It says that Monique took (Charlie) into the basement and hid him and told him not to come out," Mark Magidson, the attorney for Charlie Bothuell's father and stepmother said. "Why would she do that? I don't understand that. It makes no sense. This is the same woman who then got the police involved and brought all of this on. None of this make sense."

There were reports that Charlie was often beaten with a PVC pipe that was reportedly found covered in blood at the home.

He was also home schooled and his father Charles Bothuell IV was strict about his workouts, forcing him to walk 4,000 steps daily on an elliptical machine. The average person does about 3,500 to 5,000 steps a day.

His stepmother told police the boy didn't complete his daily exercise routine and she had reported this to his father. Worried about his reaction, Charlie took off.

Monique Dillard-Bothuell was charged for a parole violation. AP Photo/Michigan State Police Source: AP

The boy's father, who made tearful television pleas for help while his son was missing, has said he had no idea the boy was in the basement. Charles Bothuell IV reported his son missing on June 14. The boy had been working out at home about 9pm, went to use the rest room and never returned, Bothuell told police.

There were also reports that Charlie may have been worried about being sent to military school later this year.

He has not been released into his father's care, instead he is staying with his mother and police have barred Bothuell from having any contact with his son.

Meanwhile Charlie's stepmother has since been arrested on a parole violation unrelated to the boy's disappearance. She was previously convicted of buying a gun without a permit.

Dillard-Bothuell has been ordered to wear a tether and a judge set personal bond at $5,000. She's due back in court July 11.

Her four-year-old son and 10-month old daughter have been placed in the custody of Child Protective Services.

Despite accusations that she had instructed the boy to go to the basement, both parents deny they had anything to do with Charlie's disappearance.

"My client, Mr Bothuell and his wife, had no participation in this. They would have not brought this entire media circus, ... FBI, all of this — for what purpose? For what gain?" Mr Magidson said.

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Son left in kindy shed has ‘ruined us all’

Debbie Williams is angry about the treatment of son Brock, 5, at the Parafield Gardens Children's Centre. Picture: Calum Robertson. Source: News Limited

Debbie Williams' son Brock, 5. Source: Supplied

DEBBIE Williams is angry and is looking for answers.

The Parafield Gardens mother wants to know just how her five-year-old son Brock became locked inside a shed at his local kindy.

She wants to know how long he was trapped and why none of his teachers ever noticed he was missing — despite the class leaving the grounds of the kindergarten.

Last September's incident has left the lively youngster with severe psychological conditions that have forced Ms Williams, 43, to abandon her thriving business to care for him full time.

It has now placed her family under severe financial strain.

Despite the admitted negligence of staff at the Parafield Gardens Childcare Centre, the Education Department has just refused her plea for financial assistance and the family now faces losing its home within months.

Ms Williams has now hired a lawyer to formulate a claim against the department.

Unless settled it is likely to lead to District Court action.

A distraught Ms Williams on Friday said the incident has shattered their lives and their lifestyle has been "turned upside down.''

"I feel a lot of blame for putting an innocent little boy in such a situation. Some days every time I think about it I am reduced to tears,'' she said.

Ms Williams, who has four children, was alerted to the incident when she arrived to pick Brock up on September 2 last year. She vividly remembers the director of the centre approaching her and profusely apologising before telling her what had actually occurred.

"The director said: 'First I want to say this has never happened before' and then she told me Brock had been locked in the shed on the playground,'' Ms Williams said.

She was told he had been found when another parent heard muffled cries when walking past the shed. When released Brock was sobbing uncontrollably, had soiled himself and had removed all of his clothing because of the heat inside the shed. The temperature that day was 28 degrees.

Ms Williams said when Brock came over to her he was still hot and could hardly talk because his voice was so hoarse.

"He still had a deep sob going he was so distressed,'' she said.

"I just grabbed his stuff and walked out. I didn't want to open my mouth because I didn't know what would come out. I didn't want to explode in front of the other children.''

Ms Williams said she was initially told Brock may have been locked in the shed "for between 10 and 15 minutes'' but now cannot get any further answers and believes he may have been trapped for much longer, given his state when found.

"I am sorry, that is not true. You are not going to pack off 40 kids for 15 minutes play. I think it was more like 10 to 15 minutes from when they first knew he was there until they got him out after finding someone with a key,'' she said.

"I would suggest it would have been an hour or two to get that distressed.''

Ms Williams said she withdrew Brock from the kindy the next day, but did not speak to the director for several days. When this occurred she was again assured this type of incident had never occurred before and the director she was "really sorry'' and understood if she did not want Brock to return.

Ms Williams advised her he would not be returning, but that she wanted a full report on the incident detailing exactly what happened including "who, what, where, how and when'' to enable her to comprehend it.

"I was so angry about not getting any information I then sent an email to the Minister of Education and the department,'' she said.

"They have told me policies are now in place, but still will not tell me how this happened in the first place.''

Ms Williams said last October she had been forced to give up the lease on her thriving business, the Wiggly Worms indoor play cafe at Glenelg North, to care for Brock full time. Husband Justin, a cabinet-maker, now works 50 hours a week to try and meet their commitments.

While the Education Department has paid around $2000 in doctors expenses for Brock's ongoing treatment, she approached it on March 13 requesting financial support for loss of income, supplying three years tax returns as evidence. Last month she was formally advised there would be no settlement and advised to engage a lawyer.

"I am only requesting what is fair and reasonable,'' she said.

"It is not fair. Just because someone can't count how many kids there are in the class we are going to lose everything. We are going to lose our house, everything.''

Ms Williams said Brock now attends school four hours a day, four days a week "at best'' and medicated to deal with psychiatric conditions he has developed as a result of the incident.

Her lawyer, Tim Downie, of Slater and Gordon, said she had attempted "to deal with a very difficult situation on her own for many months''.

"This is a unique case, created by a terrible incident involving a vulnerable little boy.

"The Education Department should take into account there are exceptional circumstances involved and assist Ms Williams in relation to her significant economic loss which is directly attributable to her son's injuries and has compounded the family's distress.''

Education Minister Jennifer Rankine on Friday said: "It is most regrettable this incident occurred.''

"In my letter to Ms Williams last year, I advised her that I had arranged for a senior officer to contact her to assist with any medical expenses incurred as a result of this incident,'' she said.

"I advised Ms Williams that any request for further compensation — including loss of income — would need to go through a formal process. The State Government's insurer SAICORP is handling this matter''.

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Meares breaks silence after crash

She was a model, TV personality and wife to one of the richest and most powerful men in the country, and tonight, Johdi Meares could be facing a stint in prison

The crash scene in Bellevue Hill: Jodhi Meares was involved in the crash. Source: Supplied

JODHI Meares has spoken out for the first time since her drunken car accident last Saturday night.

The 43-year-old fashion designer broke her silence on Instagram by supporting her soon-to-be husband Jon Stevens' new band The Dead Daisies.

MORE: Meares in smoking row before crash

PICTURES: Designer Jodhi Meares

She made no mention of the June 21 incident where she flipped her car on O'Sullivan Rd, Bellevue Hill in Sydney while more than three times over the legal limit.

"Slash and Johnny wrote this song together for Johnny's new band THE DEAD DAISIES- it seriously rocks- lock and load xx @thedeaddaisies #jonstevens #slash #rockandroll #awesome #lockandload," she told her 10,593 followers, along with the below video.

Stevens left his fiancés' side on Friday, heading to Queensland to play two shows.

Meares' fans also leapt to her defence on the social media site.

"We all make mistakes @willow079, that's because we are human. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!" one fan said.

"You have my support Jodhi, I'm a huge admirer of you, no one is perfect and through those imperfections we learn lessons x," another wrote.

Jodhi Meares broke her silence on Instagram. Picture: Stylerunner/Titus Pengelly Source: Supplied

It has since emerged that Meares and her rocker fiance had a public blow-up with fellow diners at popular Bondi cafe The Hill Eatery on the night she crashed.

Meares' licence had already been suspended due to fines when she crashed into three parked cars while driving her bronze Range Rover along O'Sullivan Rd, Bellevue Hill.

The former model and ex-wife of billionaire James Packer miraculously escaped without injury.

Police said a breath-analysis of Meares reportedly returned a reading of 0.181 — three times the legal driving limit. She was charged with high-range drink driving and driving with a suspended licence.

Meares is yet to show her face since the crash but her musician fiance has been frequently visiting her Point Piper home, seen carrying coffee and groceries throughout the week.

Joh Stevens outside their Point Piper address after Meares' driving incident. Source: News Corp Australia

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Sailors charged over navy scandal

Ship of shame ... HMAS Ballarat churns the waves. Source: News Limited

FOUR Navy sailors have plunged the Australian Defence Force into another scandal after they were charged with inappropriate behaviour.

Three of those charged have been suspended from duty and suspension is being considered for the fourth charged member.

"All of Navy has worked to make people accountable for their behaviour," Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs said.

"There is now no doubt that all personnel are aware that Navy has no tolerance for unacceptable behaviour."

The incident happened in 2011 and the case will go before a General Court Martial later in the year.

The alleged victim came forward after reports surfaced last year about the bizarre bastardisation acts on board HMAS Ballarat.

During the HMAS Ballarat incident, unrelated to this new matter, about 12 sailors were allegedly involved in smacking and anally penetrating fellow sailors with pens and other objects.

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You wouldn’t dare do this to your boss

Argentina finished atop the Group F standings largely thanks to Lionel Messi's double in the 3-2 win over Nigeria.

Ezequiel Lavezzi goes for a tumble against Nigeria. Maybe he should have listened to his manager after all. Source: AFP

EZEQUIEL Lavezzi clearly has no respect for his boss.

The Argentinian footballer, one of his nation's gazillion star forwards at the World Cup, indulged in a rather rebellious moment during the game against Nigeria this morning.

MORE: Controversial send-off rocks the World Cup

Lavezzi was on the sideline, preparing to enter the fray as a substitute. His manager, Alejandro Sabella, was issuing some fevered last-minute instructions.

Lavezzi celebrates Lionel Messi's second goal against Nigeria with the man himself. Source: AFP

Lavezzi didn't care very much for said instructions. In fact, he was listening with all the enthusiasm of a delinquent teenager stuck in maths class.

Finally losing his patience altogether, the player petulantly sprayed his water bottle on Sabella's lovely, crisp suit.

A strong, authoritative, egotistical manager such as Jose Mourinho or Alex Ferguson would probably have put Lavezzi in his place right there on the sideline.

Sabella seems to lack those qualities. His time in Brazil has been plagued by rumours that Argentina's players, particularly Lionel Messi, really call the shots in their dressing room. So, allowing the sneaky squirt to land on him without comment, Sabella just kept issuing his instructions.

The petulant moment was caught on camera. Source: AFP

When Lavezzi was questioned about the incident after the game, he told TyC Sports he sprayed his manager to calm the man down.

"I threw water on Sabella because I saw that he was too nervous," he said. "I don't think that I will ask him about it, because he is already used to it!"

Wait, he's used to it? This sort of thing happens all the time? It doesn't sound as though Argentina has a particularly healthy team environment.

Nevertheless, Argentina did finish on top of its World Cup group this morning, and it will play Switzerland in the round of 16 on Wednesday morning (AEST).

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Qantas flight attendant dishes the dirt

Owen Beddall with Katy Perry.

SHARING gossip with A-list celebrities such as Katy Perry, Lily Allen, Russell Brand and Cate Blanchett was all in a day's work for Qantas flight attendant Owen Beddall.

Now the one-time trolley jockey has launched his book Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant, which reveals all the dirty little behind-the-scenes secrets during his time at the Flying Kangaroo.

In fact, it was pop star Katy Perry who inspired Beddall to write about the weird and wacky world of a flight attendant.

"I was chatting to Katy in 2008 and telling her about my stories," he said.

"We got on so well and had such a connection, she encouraged me to write the book and turn it into something magical."

There's more to him than meets the eye, says former flight attendant Owen Beddall of Russell Brand. Source: Supplied

Beddall has worked with Qantas since 2001, becoming a first-class flight attendant in 2005.

Travelling to more than 40 countries meant he has looked after countless celebrities in first-class from Perry and Brand to Kylie Minogue, Cate Blanchett, Kelly Osbourne, Venus Williams, Lisa Raymond, Owen Wilson, Caroline Wozniacki, plus bands Franz Ferdinand and Oasis.

Have you been privy to first class hijinks? Let us know in the comments

Beddall said although the life of a flight attendant seemed glamorous, the reality was at times completely different.

"All sorts of things happen on a plane. I once looked after a man who was wearing an adult nappy," he said.

"Then there were the people taking sleeping pills, who would walk around the plane like zombies and not realise what they were doing.

"You're also trying to stop people from smoking in the toilets, and teenagers from having relations in there."

Former Qantas flight attendant Owen Beddall. Source: Supplied

The his tell-all book Confessions of a Qantas Flight Attendant. Source: Supplied

While Beddall said he was fortunate to work in one of the only jobs in the world that was "completely gay friendly", his most horrendous day was when he organised to work on board his boyfriend's flight as a surprise — only to find him travelling with his wife.

Beddall breaks down many of the illusions of a glamorous life in the air, all there are plenty of cabin crew adventures and misadventures in and out of uniform in far flung places.

His many mishaps include breaking his jaw in London and being bitten by snake in Bangkok.

The worst, however, was a career-ending spinal injury in 2011 during a training exercise.

Beddall said the ensuing fight to keep his job gave him time and incentive to finish the book.

"It was done during such a dark time in my life, because I was fighting through the pain, to keep my job and struggling to live in Melbourne away from my family," he said.

"Writing the book was cathartic and when I finished it, it wasn't long before Random House picked it up."

Beddall said initial reaction to the book had been overwhelmingly positive, however he was yet to hear from his former employer.

"I thought my grandmother would hate it, but she couldn't put it down," he said.

"Women are drawn to the book because the element of gossip, which they are drawn to.

"I haven't heard from Qantas yet, but I know their publicity department has contacted Random House for a copy of the book.

"Current employees have called me a traitor on social media, but that's fine because they're promoting the book for me."

For more about the book visit the Random House website.

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Oldman sorry for upsetting Jews

Veteran actor Gary Oldman attacks political correctness in a interview for Playboy magazine, taking aim at the media, his movies and even the Pope.

GARY Oldman has apologised for defending fellow actors Mel Gibson and Alec Baldwin from critics of their controversial remarks about Jews and gays.

"I am deeply remorseful that comments I recently made in the Playboy Interview were offensive to many Jewish people," Oldman wrote in an open letter to the Anti-Defamation League. "Upon reading my comments in print — I see how insensitive they may be, and how they may indeed contribute to the furtherance of a false stereotype."

During the expletive-laden Playboy interview, Oldman decried the "political correctness" that ensnared Gibson and Baldwin. Gibson delivered an anti-Semitic rant in 2006 while being arrested for drunk driving, and he later apologised. Baldwin last year was accused of using an anti-gay slur in a New York City street confrontation.

Oldman said that Gibson "got drunk and said a few things, but we've all said those things. We're all (expletive) hypocrites." He said he didn't blame Baldwin for using the slur because somebody bothered him.

REVEALED: Gary Oldman's bizarre Playboy interview

Offensive comments ... Gary Oldman has apologised. Picture: Frank Micelotta Source: AP

"Mel Gibson is in a town that's run by Jews and he said the wrong thing because he's actually bitten the hand that I guess has fed him, and doesn't need to feed him anymore because he's got enough dough," Oldman said in the interview.

In his later letter, first reported by the industry website Deadline.com, Oldman wrote, "I hope you will know that this apology is heartfelt, genuine, and that I have an enormous personal affinity for the Jewish people in general, and those specifically in my life."

Oldman's Playboy comments had drawn a sharp response from Jewish leaders.

"Gary Oldman wants Jews to 'get over' what Mel Gibson said. But what Gibson said, was the slogan that Adolf Hitler used to murder six million Jews," said Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. "(Oldman's) comment that Hollywood is a town 'run by Jews' has a very familiar sinister ring to it that is the anthem of bigots and anti-Semites everywhere. That has nothing to do with political correctness," Hier said in a statement to The Associated Press.

Friends with Oldman ... Alec Baldwin. Picture: Annie I. Bang Source: AP

Controversial ... actor-director Mel Gibson. Picture: Chris Pizzello Source: AP

Douglas Urbanski, Oldman's longtime manager, said in an earlier email to the AP that his client was not defending his fellow actors, despite Oldman's comment in the article that he was indeed defending the actors.

"It simply cannot be read any other way, and to put it any other way is simply cherry picking something, stating it inaccurately, and creating news where there is none," Urbanski said.

He said Oldman was "illustrating the absurd by being absurd."

Oldman stars in the upcoming "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," out July 11. Distributor 20th Century Fox declined to comment on Oldman's Playboy remarks.

Oldman also appears in a TV commercial for the HTC mobile phone company, which sought to distance itself Tuesday from the actor's remarks. "Mr Oldman's views are his own and do not reflect the views of HTC," the company said in a statement.

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Top aide quits over penis tweet

Mr Former porn star Jennifer "Ruby" Roubenes Allbaugh Source: Facebook

A SENIOR aide to a US Republican politician has resigned after his porn star ex-girlfriend tweeted at least one picture of his genitalia as revenge for breaking up with her.

Adam Kuhn, chief-of-staff to Ohio congressman Steve Stivers, quit after his former lover Jennifer "Ruby" Roubenes Allbaugh, posted "at least one photo" of Mr Kuhn's penis to Mr Stivers' Twitter account over the past week.

Revenge: Ms Allbaugh, who is married with children, destroyed Mr Kuhn's career after he ended their affair but says she's sorry now. Source: Facebook

In a statement to the press, Mr Kuhn said he was the victim of an attack by a woman with whom he had a personal relationship.

"I realise and apologise that I had used poor judgment in my personal life regarding this relationship," he said.

"The woman who posted this has reached out to me to apologise."

Mr Stivers appears to have accepted the resignation of his long-term adviser without so much as a "goodbye and good luck", despite the fact Mr Kuhn was a loyal employee for six years and did nothing illegal; Ms Allbaugh is married but Mr Kuhn is single.

Reaction to the penis post scandal on Twitter Source: Twitter

Mr Kuhn's genitalia continued to generate discussion today Source: Supplied

While Mr Kuhn has received a significant amount of support from social media users and within online forums. Many say he got what he morally deserved.

Ms Allbaugh told Washington newspaper POLITICO, which broke the story, that she tweeted the photos "to teach the pompous a..hole a lesson" after he ended their affair.

"I hate you, AJK, you selfish pompous a...hole," Ms Allbaugh tweeted on June 21 (Mr Kuhn's middle name is Joshua).

"Now we're even."

Ms Allbaugh has reportedly made a whopping 500 pornographic films Source: Facebook

Describing herself as "a disgruntled former girlfriend", Ms Allbaugh told POLITICO she was sorry for the stunt and claimed she was in love with Mr Kuhn and her husband at the same time.

"I was trying to make him hate me, I guess," she said.

Gawker reported that Ms Allbaugh deleted her Twitter account, "The Pornstar Pundit", after Mr Kuhn secured a cease-and-desist order against her.

That may be as far as he can take the matter; nine US states have introduced legislation against revenge porn but Ohio is not one of them.

A spokeswoman for Mr Stivers, Courtney Whetstone, said the congressman had accepted Mr Kuhn's resignation and would not comment on his personal life.

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One of world’s biggest mysteries could be solved

The Terracotta Army is one of the most famous historical collections. The figures vary in height according to their roles, with the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots and horses. Source: Supplied

ON 29 March 1974 a group of farmers were digging a water well in the Shanxi province in China, when they came across one of the greatest marvels in human history, The Terracotta Army.

An army of some 8,000 Terracotta Warriors depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor, were found in his tomb where they were placed to protect the emperor in the afterlife in 210–209 BCE.

One of the great mysteries that surrounds the Warriors is whether they were built using a template or were based on real soldiers from the Emperor's army.

Many experts have speculated that it is indeed the latter because the detail in their faces suggest that every Warrior is individual.

Now new 3D imagine technology may finally be able to solve the mystery once and for all.

A team of archaeologists are taking high-quality photos of 30 different warriors from different angles to analyse how different they really are. The images are fed into an algorithm and a 3D image is then produced to be analysed for any similarities.

Nature magazine reports that the team studying the Warriors has found that all the ears are unique and may have actually been modelled on real people. The team is also looking to analyse other features to deduce whether the Warriors vary in ethnicity.

It's all in the very early stages, but it looks like the answer is closer than ever.

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Guess who’s back on MasterChef?

On Masterchef, Sarah serves up a dish with raw chicken and the judges are not impressed. Courtesy: Network Ten

Nervous wait ... MasterChef eliminated contestants return for the chance to re-enter the competition. Source: Channel 10

SARAH Todd is back on MasterChef Australia, and her return to the reality TV show has social media fans of the show divided.

The 27-year-old model has been given a second chance after winning a Mystery Box challenge against 13 other previously-eliminated contestants on the Channel 10 cooking show.

Sarah, who made headlines with a recent topless photo shoot, was one of the favourites to win this year's MasterChef but was eliminated a fortnight ago after plating up raw chicken roulade.

Sarah had spent three months away from fiancee Devinder and three-year-old son Phoenix, both in London, in the lead-up to her elimination.

Devinder and Phoenix have flown to Melbourne to be at Sarah's side for the rest of the competition.

"It is massive to be given a second chance," Sarah says. "I was missing my family and it was affecting my cooking (when eliminated). Now I am rejuvenated. I've got nothing to lose."

MASTERCHEF'S TWIST: 14 contestants get a chance to return

SARAH TODD: Her raw chicken boob in MasterChef challenge

TASH SHAN: Makes serious claims about her MasterChef rivals

Relieved ... Sarah Todd (right) is congratulated by Georgia Hughes and the other contestants after winning her way back into MasterChef Australia. Source: Channel 10

The announcement of Sarah's return has shocked some social media fans of the show, who have claimed she was allowed to return because of her looks.

Others were thrilled she got another opportunity.

Contestants were presented with two options — to spend 60 minutes creating a dish using the ingredients that got them eliminated or 30 minutes replicating their best dish in the competition.

Sarah plated up against Georgia, Brendan, Deepali, Nicole, Nick, Emily, Scott, Sean, Steven, Rachael, Sam, Byron and Tash.

Sean chose the ingredients from the dish that saw him eliminated but this time he focused on making the produce the star. He put together a simple Garlic and Thyme Prawns with Herb Salad.

A favourite to win ... Sarah Todd, MasterChef contestant and model. Picture: Jay Town Source: News Corp Australia

Judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan were impressed, making it one of the Top 5 dishes of the day.

Brendan chose to cook the exact same dish that saw him eliminated — Chinese Pork Loin with Pickled Mushrooms and Wing Bean Salad. He nailed every element and made the Top 5.

Rachael also chose to make the dish that saw her eliminated. She made the Top 5 with a perfect version of Saltbush Encrusted Pork with Native Greens.

Hoping to impress again ... MasterChef contestants Sarah Todd. Source: Channel 10

Byron wasn't so lucky. He used the ingredients from Marco Pierre White's Roast Pigeon, the dish that had him eliminated. The result was over-complicated and difficult to eat.

Sarah and Georgia each decided to make chicken roulade. Sarah cooked her elimination dish of Stuffed Chicken Roulade with Carrot Puree and Jus. Georgia created something new from her elimination ingredients — Chicken Roulade with Moroccan Rice and Fig Jam. They both made the Top 5.

Plating up .... Sarah shows off her chicken roulade for judges Matt Preston, George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan. Source: Channel 10

Nick chose a dessert, plating up a White Chocolate Ganache with a Hazelnut Sponge and Citrus Crumble. Unfortunately the sponge was too dense.

Emily faltered with her Fish Head Stuffed Longan Fruit with Sweet, Hot and Sour sauce, with the judges unable to taste her dish.

Brendan, Sean and Rachael were complimented on their improvement since their initial elimination but the result came down to Rachael versus Georgia.

The judges announced that the combination of Sarah's apple stuffing and the complexity of her gravy lifted her dish to another level, earning her place back in the competition.

"For me, this challenge was about proving to myself and the judges that I could cook a great dish and it was just one thing that sent me home last time. I am really proud of the result.

"To win it is massive."

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Women ‘put off sport by breasts’

Carmen Electra played Baywatch babe Lani. Source: Supplied

NEARLY one in five women say their breasts stop them participating in physical activity, according to new research.

Physical activity levels are not influenced by breast size, which suggests they could be a barrier to exercise for women across all bra sizes, the survey by the University of Portsmouth's Research Group in Breast Health found.

Researcher Emma Burnett found that breasts were ranked fourth as a barrier to exercise after lack of energy, time constraints and health reasons.

They were ranked above other barriers, including cost of exercise, access to facilities, not having the right clothing, not having any company while exercising, and feeling embarrassed about doing sport.

PAMELA ANDERSON LEE ON THE SET OF BAYWATCH in 1996. Source: News Corp Australia

The research - published online in the Journal Of Physical Activity And Health - found that 17 per cent of the 239 women surveyed were discouraged from participating in physical activity because of their breasts.

The most influential factors preventing women taking exercise include not being able to find the right sports bra and being embarrassed by excessive breast movement.

"This latest research is crucial because it shows that breasts are an important factor to consider when investigating what deters women from exercising," Burnett said.

"One third of women in the study were not meeting physical activity guidelines, but improving breast health awareness may help to encourage participation for these women.

"We had plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that breasts are a barrier to exercise but this is the first study to provide evidence that they're affecting women's participation in sport.

"I expected the findings to show that breasts are a barrier but I was quite surprised at the percentage - it was higher than I thought."

Miss Burnett said she hoped the research will help educate women about breast health awareness and encourage them to get active. She would also like manufacturers to take note that some women struggle to find the right sports bra.

The survey of women from Portsmouth, Southampton and the surrounding areas of Hampshire found that those who know more about breast health are more likely to participate in physical activity and more likely to wear a sports bra.

Those with lower awareness were not as active.

"Women who aren't aware of the benefits of wearing a sports bra when exercising are those who exercise in the wrong kind of bra and then experience pain," she said.

This pain means they stop exercising, which is a shame because if they knew the difference a good sports bra can make, I'm confident they would have a more positive experience of taking part in physical activity."

Professor Joanna Scurr, who leads the Research Group in Breast Health, said that if women do not wear the right sports bra, they risk damaging the fragile Cooper's ligaments which, once damaged, are irreparable.

- Press Association

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Peter Greste’s family ‘devastated’

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop spoke of the governments shock and disbelief at the outcome of the trial of Peter Greste.

Long ordeal ... Australian journalist Peter Greste was arrested in December as part of a sweeping crackdown on Islamist supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi after the military overthrew him. Source: Supplied

AUSTRALIAN Al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste and his two Al-Jazeera colleagues have been sentenced to seven years in jail by an Egyptian court after being found guilty of aiding the blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood.

The verdict — delivered by a judge to a packed courtroom in Cairo — has caused outrage around the world and left Greste's Brisbane-based family devastated.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says the Australian Government will talk to the new Egyptian Government to see if intervention is possible.

"The Australian government is shocked at the verdict in the Peter Greste case," Ms Bishop said.

"We are deeply dismayed by the fact that a sentence has been imposed and we are appalled by the severity of it.

"The Australian government cannot simply understand it based on the evidence that was presented.

"Peter Greste is a well respected Australian journalist. He was not there to support the Muslim Brotherhood.

"We are all shocked by this verdict and that includes the Prime Minister.

"We will initiate contact the the highest level."

Ms Bishop said she had spoken to Greste's family, and they were "devastated".

"They are devastated as you'd expect, they were hoping there'd be a positive outcome ... that was the hope they held," she said.

SQUALID, OVERCROWDED: Aussie's brutal life in Egyptian jail

Trying to help ... Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop holding a press conference on Peter Greste. Picture: Kym Smith Source: News Corp Australia

Behind bars ... Al-Jazeera's award-winning Australian correspondent Peter Greste. Picture: Hamada Elrasam Source: AP

She added they were still considering their legal options including an appeal, but they were not sure how long an appeal might take.

"They are also mindful of the fact there is a long appeal process ahead of them, but it's fair to say they are absolutely devastated by the verdict," she said.

Ms Bishop emphasised the Australian government would provide ongoing support to Greste and his family.

"We will provide all consular assistance possible to Peter Greste and his family," Ms Bishop said in Canberra.

When asked if the Australian government had done enough to help Greste, Ms Bishop said she made repeated calls and "cannot think of what more" they could have done.

"I cannot think of what more we could have done, we have made constant representations at the highest level of the Egyptian government," she said.

Australian journalist Peter Greste has been found guilty and has received a seven year jail sentence.

"This is a very complicated case. It is a very complicated situation."

Ms Bishop fears Greste was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"We are doing what we can to have this Australian journalist brought home as soon as possible." Egypt's ambassador to Australia is due to meet with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials on Tuesday, she said.

Labor MPs were also shocked by the sentence. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said Labor would work with the government to try and secure Greste's release.

Australian Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young called the news "heartbreaking", while the minor party's leader Christine Milne urged Prime Minister Tony Abbott to take action with Egypt's government.

Al-Jazeera also slammed the decision as "unjust".

"We condemn... this kind of unjust verdict," the network's chief Mustafa Sawaq told the satellite news channel.

Greste and two other reporters working for Qatar-based Al-Jazeera English were among the 20 defendants in a trial that has triggered international outrage amid fears of growing media restrictions in Egypt.

Human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson QC weighed in on the outcry surrounding Greste's jail sentence, calling it an outrage. He called on the Australian government to act against Egypt under an international convention that guarantees freedom of expression.

"After Australia's success against Japan in the whaling case, we should be making more use of international legal avenues, and this is the only way in a world forum that Peter could be vindicated," he said in a statement

Greste's two brothers — Andy and Michael — were in the packed courtroom for the verdict.

His parents, Lois and Juris, watched the verdict live via social media and are devastated by the outcome, a family friend said.

The journalist's family say they will not be speaking to the media until 10am AEST on Tuesday.

The Australian journalist embraced his colleagues, Canadian-Egyptian acting Cairo bureau chief Mohammed Fahmy and Egyptian producer Baher Mohammed, in the moments before the verdict was read out.

Baher Mohammed, who also received an extra three years in prison on separate charges.

"I swear they will pay for this," Fahmy shouted angrily from the defendants' cage after the sentences were announced. Greste raised his fists in the air.

"They just ruined a family," said Fahmy's brother Adel, who was attending the session. He said they would appeal the verdict but added that he had little faith in the system. "Everything is corrupt," he said.

The trio were accused of supporting the Muslim Brotherhood, which the authorities have declared a terrorist organisation, and "spreading false news".

Temperatures soared to 45 degrees in the packed room during the lengthy wait for the verdict.

Family members waved to the defendants who stood behind bars in the courtroom.

The case has caused an outcry, with rights groups saying the prosecution of the journalists was politicised and undermines freedom of expression in Egypt.

The three were arrested in December as part of a sweeping crackdown on Islamist supporters of ousted President Mohammed Morsi.

Caged ... Peter Greste at an earlier court appearance in Cairo. Source: Supplied

Greste and his colleagues have been detained for nearly six months, along with six others.

Al-Jazeera says only nine of the 20 defendants are on its staff, including two foreign reporters who are abroad. A Dutch journalist, who is not working with the channel, is also among the defendants.

Nightmare ... Peter Greste's parents Lois and Juris with his brother Andrew. Picture: Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

Sixteen are Egyptians accused of belonging to the Brotherhood, which the military-installed government designated a "terrorist organisation" in December.

The four foreigners are also alleged to have collaborated with and assisted their Egyptian co-defendants by providing media material, as well as editing and broadcasting it.

The authorities also say the accused journalists were operating in Egypt without valid accreditation.

"On June 23, the entire world will be watching Egypt to see whether they uphold the values of press freedom," Al-Jazeera said.

On Sunday, US Secretary of State John Kerry also called for freedom of the press to be upheld in Egypt as he made a surprise visit to Cairo.

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Explain your rant, former first bloke told

Tim Mathieson has left a curt phone message with Premier Denis Napthine's electorate office.

VICTORIA'S Attorney-General Robert Clark has called on Tim Mathieson to explain himself after the former First Bloke left an angry message on Victorian Premier Denis Napthine's electorate office phone.

Mr Mathieson, the partner of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, is understood to have left the message on June 11 after he was mentioned in Victorian Parliament during a debate about the now suspended MP Geoff Shaw.

Part of the message said: "So, if he mentions the prime minister's partner one more time, one more time, there will be a legal action against Denis the vet.

Ex-PM Julia Gillard and partner Tim Mathieson. Source: News Limited

"You hear me? One more time against the ex-Prime Minister's partner there will be a lawsuit against him so long — I am not, I am not, anything to do with Geoff Shaw, in any way shape or form. So, if he mentions me one more time, I am telling you right now. OK? That's it. Bang!"

Mr Clark said that if Mr Mathieson did leave the message he must explain himself.

"Debates in the Parliament are free ranging and people are fully entitled to put the point of view and the materials before the house that they wish to," Mr Clark said.

"If this phone message was left by Mr Mathieson, he needs to explain himself."

Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark. Source: HeraldSun

Reports of the message circulated in Canberra last week, with Liberal staffers shocked that Mr Mathieson would threaten to sue the Premier.

Three years ago, Ms Gillard wrote a personal cheque for $4243 to repay the entitlements after Mr Mathieson used the Prime Minister's taxpayer-funded car to sell shampoo and hair products.

On June 11, the same day that Mr Mathieson left the message, Dr Napthine had ­referred to the incident in Victorian Parliament.

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The ten ways men text women

Teenage girl text messaging on her phone Source: ThinkStock

LET'S be honest — dating in the modern age is nothing short of a minefield.

And the fact that the majority of men don't know how to text doesn't make things any easier for women.

According to writer and life coach Jeff Wilser, despite the fact that we are ten years into the Texting Revolution, most guys still haven't mastered the fine art of text tone.

Texting, Wilser writes in New York Magazine, is an awkward medium.

Stripped of the nuance of eye contact and body language, he says, there's a blurred line between banter and downright insult.

Wilser — the co-author of the upcoming book It's Okay to Sleep With Him on the First Date: And Every Other Rule of Dating, Debunked — says men don't do themselves any favours.

Unlike women, blokes don't use tools such as as exclamation marks and emoticons, which can lighten the tone and change a sarcastic text into a playful one.

For his New York Magazine article, Wilser has listed the ten ways men text. None of them, he writes, are ideal.

The right tone ... this woman has just received a text from a guy and is smiling ... for now. Source: News Limited

1. The Tweener

This bloke, says Wilser, is so afraid of sounding abrupt that he overcompensates by throwing in "LOL" and "OMG". Not cool.

2. The Passive-Aggressive Texter

Ladies, most of you will be able to relate to this one. Mr Passive Aggressive sends those terse responses that seem to say so much by saying so little. You know the ones: "OK"; "that's fine"; "if you want". For the oblivious men who send them to women, Wilser writes, these texts are used as default and are not meant to cause offence. But the recipient can be left feeling cold and thinking: have I done something wrong?

Terse or straight to the point? ... passive-aggressive texts leave the recipient feeling confused. Source: News Limited

3. The Cliffhanger

Wilser says he often applies this tactic in order to avoid sounding passive aggressive. Cliffhanger texts such as "sounds good ..." and "hope you have a good night ..." can strike the right tone by sounding friendly. But there's a downside, he says. The recipient can be left feeling bewildered due to the multiple layers of subtext.

4. The Gusher

This guy often thinks his life is more interesting than it actually is and will bombard the recipient with mammoth texts that go on forever. The Gusher, writes Wilser, hates talking on the phone and fails to grasp that texts should be used primarily for logistics, banter and flirting.

Information overload ... the Gusher hates the phone and can't stop texting. Source: News Limited

5. The Buy-a-Voweller

Time is of the utmost importance to this bloke who texts like we used to in pre-smartphone era and forces the reader to decipher his shorthand. Sample texts, says Wilser, include "C u l8r", Ur 2 funny" and "K".

6. The Vanisher

For this man, texts are for business — not chitchat. If you're trying to engage this guy in some conversational back and forth, forget it, says Wilser. We've all been there. You text someone a joke or a quirky observation and all you get is ... silence. As a recipient you're left wondering — is he blowing me off or does he think I'm just not that funny?

Time waster ... don't even try to work out where The Vanisher's head is at — it may take years. Source: News Limited

7. The Exclaimer!

This one, says Wilser, sprinkles exclamation marks everywhere in a misguided attempt to sound friendly!

8. The Shouter

Sample texts: "SEE YOU SOON"; "SOUNDS GREAT". Enough said.

Sexting ... what's hot for some could be lukewarm for others. Source: ThinkStock

9. The Carver

This guy, says Wilser, models his texts after the short stories of American writer Raymond Carver. Sample texts: "Movie. I'll get tickets. 8pm see you there."; "I had fun."; "I liked meeting your parents. good people."

10. The Sexter.

Sample texts, says Wilster, include "What are you wearing" and "What are you doing right now? (at 2.07am). This guy reveals too much too soon and is borderline creepy. Of course, says Wilser, if the recipient likes the guy, it's game on. But if you're lukewarm, the exact same text will be viewed as slightly, well, ew.

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183 people sentenced to death in a single trial

An Egyptian man reacts outside the courtroom in Egypt's southern province of Minya. Source: AFP

AN EGYPTIAN court has confirmed death sentences for 183 Islamists, including Muslim Brotherhood chief Mohamed Badie, a prosecutor says, after a speedy mass trial that sparked an international outcry.

The court in the central city of Minya had initially sentenced 683 people to death, but it has now commuted death sentences of four to life in prison, including two women, and acquitted 496 other defendants.

Since the army ousted Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July last year, hundreds of his supporters and Badie himself have been sentenced to death in trials criticised by Egyptian and global human rights bodies.

The court confirmed death sentences for 183 Islamists. Source: AFP

Those sentenced today, in a session that lasted about 15 minutes, were accused of involvement in the murder and attempted murder of policemen in Minya province on August 14, the day police killed hundreds of Morsi supporters during clashes in Cairo. Saturday's sentencings came after the court's initial ruling was referred to Egypt's top Islamic scholar as required under the country's law.

In March, the same court presided by judge Said Youssef Sabry had reduced 492 of 529 death sentences to life in prison.

The court had initially sentenced 683 people to death. Source: AFP

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Nightmares are made of this

Those eyes. Source: News Corp Australia

SPIDERS that can catch and devour fish are crawling over each and every continent in the world. Except for Antarctica, a continent where we all need to move to.

A new report in journal PLOS ONE has found that these spiders are practically everywhere, with some that can even take down fish that are five times their own weight.

Marie Herbertstein from Macquarie University told National Geographic that "fish predation by spiders has always been a bit of an oddity". However she says this new study makes a "compelling argument" that this type of behaviour in spiders is widespread.

The spiders only live in freshwater areas like ponds and hunt for their little fish friends on foot, rather than using a web. Like Jesus, some can even walk on the water's surface.

To get their prey, the spiders "anchor their hind legs to a stone or a plant, with their front legs resting on the surface of the water," the journal says. Once they're in predator mode, even the slightest ripple in the water can cause them to attack.

The spider's mouth will then penetrate the fish's flesh, where it injects some lethal poison that goes straight for the nervous system and kills the fish. Once the fish is dead, the spider then sprays a chemical (or alien acid) on the body that liquefies it and makes it easier to eat.

We aren't sure about you, but none of us are sleeping tonight.

Can't sleep, spider will eat me. Source: Supplied

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Baby in HIV test after breast milk mix-up

Baby given the wrong breast milk at southeast Queensland hospital. Source: News Limited

A THREE-week-old baby is undergoing tests for HIV after being given breast milk from the wrong mother in a southeast Queensland hospital.

The Metro North Hospital and Health Service says it is urgently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which occurred at Caboolture Hospital on Thursday.

It says it has also apologised ``unreservedly'' to the baby's parents and the donor mother.

``Medical advice, provided to the families, is because of the good health of those involved there is negligible risk of health impacts to the baby as a result of this incident,'' a spokesman told AAP.

``However as a precaution, to give peace of mind and certainty to the families involved, blood and milk samples have been taken for comprehensive testing.''

Results are expected to be available within a week, with a routine confirmation test to occur again in 12 weeks.

The mix-up has caused a nervous wait for the baby's family.

The baby's grandmother, who only identified herself as Peggy, rang Brisbane talkback radio in distress on Friday morning saying her grandson was being tested for HIV, as well as Hepatitis A, B and C.

``My son and daughter-in-law are beside themselves,'' the upset grandmother told 4BC.

``We're on tenterhooks and to have something like that happen at a hospital, who's not doing their job?''

The grandmother said a nurse gave a bottle to her daughter-in-law only to return five minutes later and say it was the wrong one.

The health service spokesman said any issues identified by a formal investigation would be addressed to prevent a recurrence.

Staff involved in the incident had been counselled about the importance of following all protocols in relation to expressed breast milk, he said.

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CIA makes Osama terror toy

A prototype of the Osama bin Laden action figure doll, seen here is the regular head. Photo by Adam Goldman / The Washington Post via Getty Images Source: Supplied

IN THE fight against terror, the US was deadly serious about getting their man even if it meant waging a war using toys.

The Washington Post has revealed a surreal plan hatched by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in America to develop a custom-made Osama bin Laden action figure aimed at scaring children.

The face of the toy was painted with a heat-dissolving material designed to peel off and reveal a red-faced bin Laden who looked like a demon, complete with piercing green eyes and black facial markings.

The result looks a lot like Star Wars character Darth Maul.

Prototypes of the Osama bin Laden action figure doll. Photo by Adam Goldman / The Washington Post via Getty Images Source: Supplied

Spot the difference: Ray Park plays Darth Maul in scene from Star Wars: Episode I, The Phantom Menace. Source: News Corp Australia

Its goal? To scare children and their parents into turning away from the actual bin Laden.

At one stage the CIA may have considered putting the toys in goodwill backpacks they gave to children, which were filled with school supplies and colour-coded: blue for boys and pink for girls.

Even more bizarre was that the CIA turned to toymaker Donald Levine, who was instrumental in creating the popular GI Joe toys for Hasbro, for his expertise.

The exact number of figurines delivered, if any, is in dispute, but a source has said hundreds were made and sent on a freighter to Pakistan in 2006.

Packaged and ready to go: Osama bin Laden action figure doll. Photo by Adam Goldman / The Washington Post via Getty Images Source: Getty Images

The CIA is not denying it commissioned the toys but said the project was discontinued soon after the prototypes were developed.

"To our knowledge, there were only three individual action figures ever created, and these were merely to show what a final product might look like," CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani said.

"After being presented with these examples, the CIA declined to pursue this idea and did not produce or distribute any of these action figures. Furthermore, CIA has no knowledge of these action figures being produced or distributed by others."

Bin Laden was eventually caught and killed in 2011.

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Report: Schumacher awake during move

Formula One legend Michael Schumacher has come out of a six-month coma following a skiing accident in December and has been released from the Grenoble hospital where he was being treated.

Michael Schumacher signs autographs on arrival at the Albert Park track for the 2012 Australian GP. Source: HeraldSun

FORMULA One champion Michael Schumacher was conscious and had his eyes open during his top-secret transfer from a French hospital to a facility in Switzerland, Swiss newspaper Blick has reported.

Schumacher was moved on Monday after emerging from a coma following his devastating ski accident in December.

The paper said he had his eyes open for most of the journey by private ambulance, which was conducted like a secret service operation.

Artwork on the location at the Meribel ski resort where Michael Schumacher may have fallen. Source: Supplied

Schumacher did not speak, but he communicated by nodding his head during the 200km journey, the paper said.

The ambulance company was not told the identity of its world-famous passenger in advance, and staff had to give up their mobile phones when they came into contact with him.

The paper said Schumacher had lost a lot of weight during his 170 days in hospital in the French city of Grenoble.

It tracked down the Swiss ambulance company, whose head Mathias Volken confirmed its involvement, but refused to give further details.

Television vans are parked in front of the University Hospital of the Canton of Vaud in Lausanne. Source: AFP

The seven-time world champion's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm on Monday thanked the doctors in Grenoble and asked for "understanding that his further rehabilitation will take place away from the public eye".

The hospital where he is now being treated is one of Switzerland's best and has renowned neurology experts.

It is in the city of Lausanne, near where Schumacher, wife Corinna and two children live.

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Shocking MasterChef revelations

Trouble in the kitchen as Tash starts her rice too soon.

TASH Shan has taken aim at the other contestants on MasterChef Australia saying she felt lonely and marginalised by their behaviour.

The accusations come as the 27-year-old social media manager, of Malaysian descent, was eliminated from the Channel 10 cooking show.

Tash lost a risotto cook-off against Colin, Brent, Kira and Emelia after she put too much wine in her dish.

Tash puts her elimination down to the effects of the mounting pressure of being ignored by her rivals in the MasterChef house, where contestants must live for the duration of their stint on the show.

"I was having a really rough time in the house and felt a little bit marginalised by some of the goings-on," Tash says. "I think my head was not in a very good space.

"You've got so many strong personalities in the one house. It is in a way like going back to school where people have cliques.

"You literally spend 24 hours a day, seven days a week with the same people and so that can really mess with your head. You haven't seen anyone else from the outside world.

"I drew the short stick in that respect (lack of friends). If you're feeling alone at school or at work you get to go home at the end of the day to be with your family. In this situation it is so hard to get perspective."

AUSSIES IN MOURNING: Hottie Byron eliminated from MasterChef

LUCKY LADY: Laura gets this season's first immunity pin

Lost at home ... Tash Shan felt like she had no friends in the MasterChef house. Source: Channel 10

Tash is at a loss to explain the reason for being snubbed by her fellow contestants. She won't be drawn on whether it was racially motivated.

"I have no insight into that," Tash says. "People want to do what they want to do. (The MasterChef house) is a strange environment."

Tash went into the elimination cook-off against Colin, Brent, Kira and Emelia after the Blue Team lost last night's Taxi Kitchen team challenge.

The five had to cook the perfect risotto — nicknamed the 'MasterChef Death Dish' because there have been so many failures over the years — with an added dimension.

Earlier, Laura handed over the Immunity Pin she won earlier in the week so that she could sit out the challenge.

Knowing White was a traditionalist, Tash went for a simple, classic combination of asparagus with lemon and mint.

Under the pump ... Tash feels the pressure. Source: Channel 10

Emelia cooked fennel risotto with prawns. Brent prepared mushroom and pancetta risotto with thyme, hazelnut oil and poached chicken breast. Colin plated up dill risotto with prawns and Kira pumpkin and kale quinoa risotto with a tomato salad.

In the end, White as well as Matt Preston, George Calombaris, and Gary Mehigan said Tash had the creamiest of the five risottos but her flavours were overpowered by too much acidity from the lemon and the wine.

"I tasted the dish and I was happy with it," Tash insists. "I went with really clean, subtle flavours. For me it was about having those ingredients blend into the rice and having the creamy consistency throughout.

"The thing for me was that in the weeks before this I don't think I had put up a bad dish. This week my head was not in the right space.

"My head was not in it. In the state that I was in, I'm not even sure how I felt at that point (being eliminated)."

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Men and makeup? Yep, it’s a thing

More Aussie men are taking extra care of their appearance with skincare and makeup products. Source: Supplied

MEN and makeup? Yep, it's a thing.

Ladies, the next time you're shopping around for your makeup fix, don't be surprised if you bump into a bloke browsing among the eye creams and concealers.

More Aussie men are purchasing skincare and makeup products and incorporating them into their daily grooming routine, according to Priceline Pharmacy.

"Men too suffer from blemishes, age spots and under-eye dark circles (from those big nights out with the boys) and it is now clearer to them that a good grooming regime can help them treat their skincare issues," Senior Skincare Buyer at Priceline, Tania Yates-Hammond, told news.com.au.

"More and more men are adding a scrub to their shower ritual, or a moisturiser post shaving, or a concealer or bronzer for those big dates," she said.

A good skincare routine is becoming a high priority for more Australian men. Source: Supplied

Research from Priceline found the most popular products with men included an eye cream, serum, primer and anti-aging gel. BB creams (an all-in-one moisturiser, foundation and sunscreen) and loose and pressed matte face powder were also bestsellers.

And it seems the 'guyliner' trend isn't going away — two eyeliners features on Priceline's list of the 20 most popular products among male customers.

Australian make-up artist Max May, whose clients include Lara Bingle, Rose Byrne and Sarah Murdoch, says there has "definitely" been an increase in men taking an interest in makeup.

"It's makeup, but it's very 'non-makeup'," Mr May said. "The modern man definitely wants to take care of his skin and is asking more questions and looking for more ways to make themselves look better.

"They're not scared of it and they're not frowning upon it."

Makeup artist Max May. Source: Supplied

Mr May says women want guys to look the part and are encouraging them to take care of themselves.

"Skincare is the biggest trend that I'm seeing," he said. "It's more than just using a moisturiser. "The first questions I always get from guys is about eye creams — they want to hydrate the area and reduce dark circles.

But we're a long way before men will openly bust out a full case of products in front of other guys.

"Packaging is imperative," says Mr May. "[Buying makeup] is scary enough as it is. Packaging should be simple and clean and have a bit of a masculine feel. It shouldn't look too obvious in their toiletry bag."

Beauty salons are seeing more and more men booking appointments. Source: Supplied

Beauticians and salons are also are seeing huge increases in male clientele.

Gina Collins owns the Meticulous Organic Beauty Salon in Melbourne, and says 40 per cent of her clientele are male.

"Men from all walks of life, from corporate-types to tradies are making appointments for all parts of their bodies to be primped and preened just like the women in their lives," said Ms Collins.

"They watch their partners, sisters, mothers using a skincare regime and are starting to think about not only their muscles and hairstyles, but their skin as well."

Guys (and girls), what do you think? Would you use subtle makeup products and up your skincare regime? Join the converstion @newscomauhq | @beck_sullivan

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A living hell on the high seas

Looking for a new life ... migrants on a boat prior to their arrest and rescue by the Italian army off the coast of Sicily. Source: AFP

PACKED together like sardines, these incredible images reveal the dangerous and desperate attempts migrants are making in the hope of finding a better life.

More than 2,000 migrants arrived in Italy this week, bringing to a close an international operation to rescue refugees who had packed into 25 boats and travelled from Libya.

The migrants were taken to three Italian ports, with the largest contingent of 1,300 arriving at the southern Italian city of Taranto onboard a navy ship Etna, according to media reports.

The refugees, including hundreds of women and dozens of babies, were rescued as part of the Italian navy's "Mare Nostrum" operation, launched last year by Rome after two boats sank in October leaving more than 400 dead.

The majority of the migrants rescued at the weekend were Syrian and Sudanese.

They were likely to be taken to refugee centres across Italy.

Jammed in ... the Italian navy rescued asylum seekers travelling by boat off the coast of Africa from Libya. They were taken to three Italian ports and likely to be transferred to refugee centres inland. Picture: Massimo Sestini/Polaris, Australscope Source: Supplied

With standing room only, the asylum seekers are pictured in large boats, crammed in together.

A second contingent of 529 migrants were taken to the Sicilian capital, Palermo.

This group, transported to port on the Panamanian cargo ship City of Sidon, included 120 women, a dozen of them pregnant, and 19 children.

Thousands of refugees have been taken to Sicily in recent days where they are processed, though officials on the island said on the weekend they were no longer able to cope with the influx of people.

Many had no choice but to lie almost on top of each other, as they were rescued by the Italian Navy.

No room for comfort ... Syrian refugees sleeping on an Italian navy ship after being rescued from a fishing vessel carrying 443 asylum seekers. Picture: Massimo Sestini/Polaris, Australscope Source: Supplied

A third group of 211 asylum-seekers were taken to another Sicilian port, Pozzallo, but are likely to be transferred to another location as reception centres there already hold more than 400 people.

The operation to rescue the migrants involved the Italian, Maltese and US navies.

Favourable weather conditions mean that thousand of migrants from Syria, Eritrea and other sub-Saharan countries have arrived or are expected to arrive on the Italian coast in the coming days.

Saving lives ... migrants being rescued off the coast of Libya. At least 10 people died and many more were missing as the navy could save only 39 asylum-seekers after a rubber dinghy shipwrecked 40 miles north off the Libyan coast. Source: AFP

Italy says that more than 50,000 migrants have landed on its shores since the start of this year — around the same number as for the whole of last year.

Neighbouring Malta says 2,200 have arrived on its islands.

Gil Arias Fernandez, the head of Frontex, the European Union border coordination agency, said recently that "hundreds of thousands" of migrants were currently in Libya and hoping to leave as soon as possible because of growing lawlessness.

Italian Interior Minister Angelino Alfano estimated that number at between 400,000 and 600,000 people.

Needing help ... migrants wait to board the Orione Offshore Patrol Vessel after being rescued. Source: AFP

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Why we fear snakes, spiders and ... moths?

Irrational? Why do we have a fear of spiders? Maybe we should be more like Wildlife Sydney Zoo Invertibrate keeper Olga Kazakova who has no problem letting this huntsman crawl on her face. Source: News Corp Australia

BEING afraid of snakes and spiders are two of the most common phobias among humans but why do people get creeped out by moths, frogs and other insects? Once again we can blame the parents.

When it comes to snakes, researchers believe that humans have evolved to fear them and that's not such a bad thing.

Ottmar Lipp, who is a Professor of Psychology at Curtin University, said it would have been an evolutionary advantage for our ancestors to be afraid of snakes.

"Snakes eat primates and it has been proven that the ability to spot snakes quickly, to be alert to them and learn to be afraid of them was an advantage," Prof Lipp said.

Being afraid of snakes seems to be a physiological response and people have been shown to be more open to developing a phobia to them.

Prof Lipp said laboratory testing had confirmed people could develop a fear of snakes and spiders much more quickly than to other animals. It is also more difficult to treat these phobias.

"It is more difficult to get rid of a fear of spiders and snakes than other fears, such as fear of fish or birds," he said.

Not normal: Steve Irwin defied human's natural tendency to fear snakes. Source: News Limited

But where scientists have been able to establish a possible evolutionary link between a fear of snakes and their risk to primates, it was harder to pin down why people did not like spiders as they do not prey on humans.

Prof Lipp said theories about spiders were being investigated including that people did not like how unpredictable they were.

"Spiders are very quick and ... we want to be able to predict our environment and not be surprised, if something is moving in unexpected ways, it will draw our attention and make us wary."

However, he said that insects were also quick moving so there seemed to be something special about spiders.

Another theory was that people provoked disgust in people and this then becomes fear.

This could be related to how they look but also, "have you ever walked into a spider's web?"

As far as being dangerous to humans, Prof Lipp said it was actually quite rare to die from a spider bite, unlike snakes which still killed about a hundred people each year, especially in places like India and Indonesia.

Huntsman are not dangerous so why are we afraid of them? Source: News Corp Australia

When it comes to other phobias, Prof Lipp said this was often related to a negative experience, which mostly happened when people were young, or which they witnessed.

In the case of something like moths, someone's phobia could have developed because their first experience was of one flying into their face or hair. Or they could be around other people who are afraid of moths.

"If they see other people responding fearfully, especially if children see this, they can learn their fears vicariously," he said.

"If we know anything about fear and anxiety, it is that it is a learned response."

Prof Lipp said the biggest predictor of whether a child would have a negative response to a dentist was what the attitude of the parent accompanying them was.

"If mum or dad who accompanies them is reasonably relaxed then the child will be relaxed as well, because they take their cues from their parents."

No wonder Bindi Irwin is comfortable with snakes, just like her dad. Source: News Limited

He really did start her young, the late Steve Irwin with his daughter Bindi. Source: News Corp Australia

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MasterChef teen vs cooking giant

A must see MasterChef immunity challenge, Laura Vs Goliath tonight at 7:30pm on TEN.

Laura Cassai, one of MasterChef's youngest contestants. Source: Supplied

VIEWERS witnessed a true David and Goliath moment on MasterChef tonight, with one of the show's youngest contestants, Laura Cassai, facing off against an acclaimed chef.

And she triumphed.

The 19-year-old from Adelaide took on The Atlantic's Michelin Star trained Donovan Cooke at his own game of cooking seafood after beating Tracy and Ben in Marco Pierre White's onion chopping challenge.

MORE: Can a teenager win MasterChef?

An unlikely turn of events, which saw Cooke run out of time to plate up his barramundi and broth, meant that the university student beat the pro and was awarded the immunity pin.

Donovan, who was Marco's right-hand man in the kitchen for four years, was clearly striving for perfection, but perhaps relaxed a little too much when cooking off against the amateur.

"It was such a shock that he ran out of time, he maybe did overlook me a little bit," Cassai tells news.com.au.

"For a 19-year-old to come along and give him a run for his money, he didn't see it coming."

Laura Cassai was all smiles throughout the challenge. Source: Supplied

Cassai is not only the first contestant to win the pin this series, she's also the youngest person in MasterChef Australia history to pull this off.

The youngster, who finished high school in 2012, says her age has definitely meant she has been overlooked by fellow, more experienced contestants.

"I think in the first few weeks everyone just thought she's maybe here to fill numbers, but that's definitely what I wanted to do [surprise contestants] and I think I have done that," she said.

"I'm all about proving people wrong, age is just a number."

Cassai is quickly proving to be one of the dark horses of this season's cooking show. Could a teenager take out the MasterChef title?

A victorious Laura Cassai is awarded her immunity pin. Source: Supplied

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