News: Lady Gaga storms stage for a hug

Lady Gaga is a hugger

Pop superstar Lady Gaga doesn’t mind being a shoulder to cry on, it seems. The queen of odd rushed on stage to give a voted out X Factor contestant a big hug before inviting her out for a drink. Now that’s not a bad way to bow out.

Almost two thirds of net users shop online

Is that a surprising statistic? A survey of Internet using Australians (obviously not those living off the grid) by the Australian Communication and Media Authority (ACMA) has revealed about 62 per cent purchased goods or services online in the six months to April this year. That’s slightly above the preceding period. And the news has local retailers – particularly in the lead up to Christmas – a little concerned. How do you shop – and how has that changed over the past few years?

President Barack Obama arrives in Australia this afternoon

The President of the United State of America is flying into Australia today for a lightning fast tour, spent with the PM and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott in Canberra before heading to Darwin where he is expected to announce further details about basing US troops there. The Northern Territory Chief Minister has (jokingly, we can’t be sure) arrange for crocodile insurance for the President (worth $50,000). The travel plans for a 27-hour Presidential trip are phenomenal. Already the President’s two (one is a decoy) Cadillac limousines nicknamed The Beast are in town. They are explosion proof and come complete with tear gas canisters, reportedly vials of the President’s own blood and a mobile office. Up to 12 F/A-18 RAAF Hornets will patrol the skies above Canberra and Darwin. Obama travels with 200 Secret Service agents aboard Air Force One (and a second jumbo) with an array of support vehicles and helicopters arriving in two giant C17 Globemaster cargo planes. Phew. Oh and Michelle Obama is coming too and, because we can’t resist, here’s a gallery. Anyone else in love with her?

Inquest into death of home birth boy

A South Australian woman is at the centre of an inquest into the death of one of her twin children, delivered at home. The woman’s doctor Puvana Raman told the inquest she had advised the mother about the risks of a twin home birth. “She said she did understand there was a possibility either twin might die, but she was willing to accept that risk. She came across as someone who had already made up her mind.” The woman’s birth support person at the twins’ birth was de-registered midwife Lisa Barrett, already under investigation over the deaths of four babies during planned home births. A baby girl survived. The inquest continues.

Married families better for kids, says study

A study from the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS, an Australian Government research arm) of 5000 children across various family groups (married, single parent, non-married couples) has apparently shown those from married households are mentally and socially more stable. Ruth Weston, the researcher, said all the families showed love and affection but this was not always enough. Critics slammed the report as detrimental to single parent homes who already struggled against the stigma attached to their parenting.

13 year-old wins model comp, 16 is ‘too old’

She’s 13 and will soon be jetting off to New York after winning the Girlfriend Magazine / Rimmel model search, announced yesterday. Chloe Glassie also receives a modelling contract with Chic Management. The Daily Tele reported: Girlfriend editor Sarah Tarca says Glassie was selected as the winner because she is different to other models currently in the industry. “She’s a model that will be recognised on the international stage. She’s got that IT factor. She’s got a really unique look and it’s something that’s completely different to what we’ve got in Australia.” She said it would give Chloe a ‘head start’ on her career. This comes as a local casting agent said 16 was ‘too old’ for Europe because their catwalks demanded smaller shapes and sizes. “Australian (modelling) is going towards the healthy body image and that’s great for Australia and New Zealand,” said Naomi Fitzgerald de Grave from Gear Model Management. “But in Europe the demand is for smaller girls.”

Mum charged after young girl apparently swallows LSD

A mother has been charged with endangering a child by exposure after the four-year-old allegedly swallowed a tab of acid. The child is in a serious but stable condition at Gold Coast Hospital, Queensland.

And just for fun, here’s some early photos of Shane Warne and Liz Hurley.

Wow. The years they do go a changin’. From humble beginnings, Shane Warne and Liz Hurley moved through their respective careers, met and fell very publicly in love. There’s not much more to it other than to take notes if you’re into that sort of thing.