Australian Woman, 32, With Terminal Cancer Is Auctioning Off Her Final Moments

MELBOURNE, Aug 25: "Time is meant for living in the present." This straightforward message is often overlooked, but imagine being able to see your minutes slipping away. Emily Lahey, a Melbourne resident, experiences this firsthand. The 32-year-old is battling NUT carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer with a typical prognosis of only six to nine months.

This weekend, Ms Lahey is auctioning parts of her remaining time to strangers in Sydney as part of a performance art piece called 'Time to Live'. During this event, a large projection counts down from three minutes, illustrating the fleeting nature of their time together.

The goal of this unique experience is to draw attention to the emotional and psychological burdens of living with a terminal illness or supporting someone who does, as well as to underscore the need for continued cancer research.

Before her diagnosis at 27, Ms Lahey was in peak health, running 5 to 10 kilometres daily. "I never thought cancer was a possibility," she shared with 7NEWS.com.au.
AD

Although she initially experienced chronic sinusitis and headaches, it wasn't until she began losing vision in one eye that doctors discovered a mass, roughly the size of a cricket ball, in her sinuses and skull.

The rare cancer does not respond well to standard treatments like chemotherapy, leaving her medical team uncertain about how to proceed. Genetic testing led to the consideration of an experimental treatment known as BET inhibitors, but she had to wait until her condition worsened enough to qualify for the government's special access program.

"This has given me extra time that I never thought I'd have, and my family and I are very thankful for that," she said.

Although doctors cannot predict how much time Ms Lahey has left, she embraces each day with gratitude. "Everything comes and goes in waves. It's like being on a constant rollercoaster," she said. "There were times I struggled to look beyond the next day or week. As time goes on, I'm gaining a bit more confidence to look towards the end of the year."

Cancer is Australia's leading cause of death, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Despite this, Lahey believes it's something people often assume won't affect them or their loved ones. "Time is incredibly valuable," she remarked. "Cancer can take too much of it."

Through this poignant and personal experience, Lahey hopes to inspire others to reevaluate their priorities and emphasize the importance of ongoing cancer research.

In the early 1990s, Australia's cancer survival rate was just over 50 per cent, according to AIHW data. By the late 2010s, nearly 70 per cent of Australians survived at least five years after diagnosis.

"Until survival rates approach 100 per cent, our community must continue supporting new, progressive cancer research," Ms Lahey said.

This bold artistic endeavour is an initiative of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation (ACRF), which supports innovative research across various cancers, including rare ones.

"There is still much work to be done," said Carly Du Toit, ACRF's General Manager of Fundraising and Marketing. "We hope this event emphasizes the critical need for funding groundbreaking research that could provide those affected by cancer, like Emily and her loved ones, with the most precious gift of all time."

'Kiss' for Rs 115, 'Drink' for Rs 461': Girls sitting on the road with rate cards

BEIJING, July 31: This peculiar trend has found its niche market, especially in China, where "love" is being openly sold on the streets. These makeshift stalls offer a menu of romantic experiences for a fee, catering to those who crave emotional connection without long-term commitment.

In the streets of China, a surprising and controversial market is thriving. Imagine walking down the road and seeing young women sitting with rate cards, offering not goods or services, but moments of affection and companionship for a price. This bizarre and unique business model has been catching the attention of many, both online and offline.

In a world where relationships often come with the weight of commitment, some prefer affection without the strings attached. This peculiar trend has found its niche market, especially in China, where "love" is being openly sold on the streets. These makeshift stalls offer a menu of romantic experiences for a fee, catering to those who crave emotional connection without long-term commitment. Curious? Let’s delve into the details.

Traditionally, we rent tangible items like houses, furniture, or cars. However, in China, the concept of renting has extended to relationships. On the streets of cities like Shenzhen, girls can be seen with rate cards, offering services such as kissing, hugging, and watching movies together. The prices for these moments of affection range from 11 rupees for a hug to 461 rupees for an hour of drinking together.

The South China Morning Post reported that these stalls have become a common sight, with photos and videos circulating widely on China’s social media platform, Weibo. The concept, although unconventional, has gained traction. Some girls have turned to this form of paid companionship to earn money, though it is essential to note that these interactions remain strictly non-intimate.

For instance, a simple hug costs around 11 rupees, while a kiss is priced at 110 rupees. Watching a movie together can set you back 150 rupees, and doing household chores together is 2000 rupees. The most expensive option, an hour of drinking together, costs 4100 rupees. This unusual trend has sparked a wide range of reactions. While some applaud the innovation, others criticise it as degrading to women.

This emerging market highlights a complex intersection of commerce and emotion, raising questions about the nature of modern relationships and the value we place on human connection.

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov Says He Has Over '100 Biological Kids'

NEW YORK, July 30: Pavel Durov, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Telegram recently revealed that he has over "100 biological kids". He took to the messaging app to share the same with his 5.7 million subscribers. "I was just told that I have over 100 biological kids. How is this possible for a guy who has never been married and prefers to live alone?" he said.

Durov said about 15 years ago, a friend approached him with a "weird request". "He said that he and his wife couldn't have kids due to a fertility issue and asked me to donate sperm at a clinic for them to have a baby. I laughed my ass off before realizing he was dead serious," he added.

He stated that the boss of the clinic told him that "high-quality donor material" was in short supply. The doctor went on to say that it is the 39-year-old's "civic duty to donate more sperm to anonymously help more couples."

Durov continued, "This sounded crazy enough to get me to sign up for sperm donation. Fast forward to 2024, my past donating activity has helped over a hundred couples in 12 countries to have kids. Moreover, many years after I stopped being a donor, at least one IVF clinic still has my frozen sperm available for anonymous use by families who want to have kids."

The entrepreneur stated that he now plans to open-source his DNA so that his biological children can find each other. Discussing the importance of healthy sperm, Durov said that he is proud that he did his duty. Of course, there are risks, but I don't regret having been a donor. The shortage of healthy sperm has become an increasingly serious issue worldwide, and I'm proud that I did my part to help alleviate it. I also want to help destigmatize the whole notion of sperm donation and incentivize more healthy men to do it, so that families struggling to have kids can enjoy more options. Defy convention - redefine the norm," he wrote on Telegram.

Since being shared, his post has been viewed by over 1.8 million people.

Italian Pastry Chef, Believed To Be Co-Creator Of Tiramisu, Dies At 81

MILAN, July 30: Roberto "Loli" Linguanotto, popularly known as the co-creator of the tiramisu, has passed away. He died on July 28, 2024, at the age of 81. He worked at Le Beccherie, a restaurant in Treviso in northern Italy, which is considered by some to be the birthplace of the beloved Italian dessert.

Although the exact origins of tiramisu are widely debated, many theories credit Chef Linguanotto and Alba di Pillo (the wife of the restaurant's owner) with the invention of what is now considered the classic version of tiramisu.

Luca Zaia, President of Veneto Region, paid tribute to the chef on Instagram. He wrote, "I join in mourning for the passing of Roberto "Loli" Linguanotto, pastry chef who marked the breakthrough of the Trevigiana and Veneta pastry shop by rediscovering and relaunching tiramisu, a traditional product today of culinary excellence recognized worldwide. The credit for a success of such a scale also goes to his pastry mastery and his willingness to make our Venetian delicacy unique and inimitable. To his family and friends, as well as those who appreciated him, my closeness and sympathy goes to him."

According to the BBC, Chef Roberto Linguanotto revealed that this famous sweet treat was the result of an accident while making vanilla ice cream. After having dropped mascarpone cheese into a bowl of eggs and sugar, he told Alba about "the mixture's pleasant taste". The duo then added lady finger sponges soaked in coffee and sprinkled them with cocoa, the BBC article states.

According to the website of Le Beccherie, tiramisu was the result of a long period of experimentation by Alba and Chef Linguanotto in 1971 and 1972. Alba was first inspired to try making a dessert of sorts after tasting a delicious combination of zabaglione and coffee prepared by her mother-in-law. She then enlisted Chef Linguanotto to perfect the delicacy. The website also revealed that the original shape of Tiramisu at this restaurant was circular.

As per reports, a 1981 issue of Veneto - a local food publication - carried the first official mention of tiramisu as we know it today. According to Gigi Padovani, a renowned Italian journalist and food writer, it was the Venetians who popularised the dessert around the world.

Prince Harry, Kate Middleton now 'separated' with 'no bridge to mend'

LONDON, July 4: Remembered for their easy camaraderie, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton were once called the "Fab Four" with William and Meghan by their side. Yet, a deep chill appears to have developed between the extended family.

Royal biographer Emily Andrews describes a sad picture, claiming they are "separated" with "no bridge to mend" their fractured relationship. This revelation is especially sad considering Kate has been diagnosed with cancer, a period when the support of family is crucial.

Harry and Princess Kate were known to have a very close bond before the Duke’s marriage to Meghan Markle. The two of them were known as the fun-loving duo who tagged along to watch games and enjoy outings with William and the kids. However, that relationship no longer exists and has only deteriorated further since the infamous Megxit.

According to Andrews in the Mirror, "What has kept her going are her family and friends rallying round." Sadly, the same cannot be said for her brother-in-law, whom she was once close to. Now faced with her darkest days, where has Harry been?

After exiting the royal palace and stepping down from their roles as working royals, Harry and Meghan found a new home in California, USA. The buzz surrounding their exit kept the tabloids speculating until the duo released their Netflix documentary, Harry and Meghan, aimed at telling their story while taking several jabs at royal members, including Kate. The duke even made comments referring to the princess as "formal" and someone who would fit the 'mold'.

“With his new life in the US, high-profile TV appearances and a scathing book to boot, it is unlikely that Harry's shoulder will be one Kate has sought to cry on,” Andrews continued. “But, there lies the rub. Surely illness is one of the most powerful reasons to reunite and to put the past firmly in the history books? Instead, the wedge appears to be even larger, with no sign of a bridge to connect the pair.”

Kate, who last made a public appearance at the Trooping the Colour, is known to rely on a very small, trusted circle that includes William and the King. Reports suggest she is also growing closer to Queen Camilla these days, but the Sussexes are far from that list. Harry could have been part of it, but the way news of her cancer spread to Harry and Meghan, like to the rest of the public, highlights the strained relationship between these estranged family members.

Aliens Might Be Living Among Us 'Disguised As Humans', Claims Harvard Study

BOSTON, June 13: The possibility of extraterrestrial life has always fascinated humans and we've been searching for alien life for some time now. However, despite decades of research, we still don't have a concrete answer to the question of whether we are alone in the universe. Now, a Harvard University study has claimed that aliens could be living among humans secretly on Earth.

A new paper by researchers at Harvard University's Human Flourishing Program posits that "unidentified anomalous phenomena" (UAP), more commonly referred to as UFOs and extraterrestrial beings, could be living underground, on the moon or even walking among humans. The research also explores the idea that UFOs, or unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) could be spaceships visiting Earth-based alien friends.

The paper states, "The author became increasingly aware of the depth of evidence and theory that also tentatively supports another extraterrestrial explanation: the 'cryptoterrestrial' hypothesis (CTH) – our focus here – which holds that UAP may reflect activities of NHIs concealed here on Earth (e.g., underground) and its environs."

The study further investigated the concept of so-called "cryptoterrestrials" -- beings that may be living among us disguised as humans, originating from Earth's future, or descending from intelligent dinosaurs.

The study claims that Cryptoterrestrials can come in four forms:

Human Cryptoterrestrials: A technologically advanced ancient human civilisation that was largely destroyed long ago, but continued to exist in remnant form

Hominid or Theropod Cryptoterrestrials: A technologically advanced non-human civilization consisting of some terrestrial animal which evolved to live in stealth (e.g., underground). These could be an ape-like hominid descendant or descendants of "unknown, intelligent dinosaurs."

Former Extraterrestrial or Extratempestrial Cryptoterrestrials: These beings could have arrived on Earth from elsewhere in the cosmos or from the human future and concealed themselves in stealth, such as in the Moon.

Magical Cryptoterrestrials: Entities that are less like homegrown aliens and more like "earthbound angels." These beings relate to the human world in ways that are less technological and more magical, such as "fairies, elves, nymphs."

The researchers admitted that their research was "likely to be regarded skeptically by most scientists," but urged the scientific community to consider their claim "in a spirit of epistemic humility and openness." The paper is yet to be peer-reviewed.

Earlier, a former US intelligence officer claimed that the US government is hiding an unidentified flying object (UFO) the "size of a football field".

Elon Musk Had Sex With SpaceX Intern, Asked Woman To Have His Babies, Claims Report

WASHINGTON, June 12: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been accused of having sexual relationships with two of his employees, including an intern, and asking another employee to have his babies, a report has revealed.

In an exclusive report, the Wall Street Journal said the tech billionaire created a culture in his companies - both SpaceX and Tesla - which made the women employees uncomfortable.

This is the latest in a series of allegations against Musk, who has previously been accused of regularly using drugs like LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, mushrooms and ketamine, at times at work with board members.

Earlier, the SpaceX chief was accused of nurturing a "hostile work environment" where jokes about sexual harassment were common, women were paid less than men and workers who complained were dismissed. In their complaints, former employees accused him of creating a sexist culture at the workplace, where sexual comments and other forms of harassment were tolerated or made light of.

The Wall Street Journal report cited women employees at Tesla who claimed that they were shown “an unusual amount of attention or pursued” by Musk. A SpaceX flight attendant had alleged that Musk exposed himself to her and offered to buy her a horse in exchange for sex in 2016.

Another woman, who resigned from SpaceX in 2013, alleged that Musk had asked her to have his babies, on multiple occasions. The billionaire, who has at least 10 children, has said that the world faces an underpopulation crisis and people with high IQs should procreate.

The report also claimed that a woman who worked at SpaceX received repeated invitations from Elon Musk to come to his house at night. The following details the text exchange between the two:

Elon Musk: “Come by! Look, it's either me or 6am [exercise] :)”

Elon Musk: “Just finished the Model 3 production call. It's def going to be hell for several more months.”

Elon Musk: “Are you coming over? If not, I will probably tranq out. Too stressed to sleep naturally.”

Elon Musk: “Probably best if we don't see each other.”

The next morning, the woman texted Mr Musk saying, “Oh man. I'm sorry, I'd already fallen asleep. I've been a late night person most of my life but have been trying to switch over because it seems responsible. Tbh. Sorry I crashed last night."

SpaceX and Musk's lawyers have rubbished the report claiming the information presented in it is full of "untruths". "The untruths, mischaracterizations, and revisionist history in your email paint a completely misleading narrative. I continue to be amazed by what this extraordinary group of people are achieving every day even amidst all the forces acting against us. And Elon is one of the best humans I know," Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president and chief operating officer, said.