stopped his Sydney concert on Thursday night to pay tribute to incident in Laos. The band was performing the first of their Sydney shows when they stopped to speak to the crowd after it was announced on Thursday afternoon that Bianca had died. Bianca died in a Thai hospital after spending over a week on life support following the suspected mass poisoning event at a popular tourist bar in Laos, alongside best friend Holly, who is fighting for her life in hospital. Eddie took a moment to share his heartbreak over the "senseless" tragedy, telling the crowd, "The one young woman Bianca Jones, she’s passed, and her friend Holly Bowles is hanging on, and we wish her the best, and we are thinking about her parents." He added that he didn't want his well-wishes to come off empty, adding, "It can’t be empty if there’s 50,000 of us. We are sending you everything we got your way. So sorry." Many Pearl Jam fans have praised Eddie's message, with one Instagram user writing, "Was amazing last night. Eddie is a class act." "Eddie Vedder has always been one of the good guys. So touching," another said. "This man is everything society needs to be," a third said. "Forever grateful Eddie and Pearl Jam." "Was there last night and it was a beautiful tribute," another agreed. for her "infectious charm and tenacity", her smile, exuberance and "happy nature [which] made her a delight to be around." The president of the AFL club both poisoned Australian teenagers played for said Bianca's family is "completely shattered" and shaken by the unimaginable loss, but have taken comfort in the fact they were able to be by her side at a Thai hospital prior to her death. "It's just taken it to another level of grief and we're all just trying to cope with at the moment," Beaumaris Football Club President Nick Heath told ABC News Breakfast on Friday morning. "The good thing, if there is such a thing in this situation, all of the family were with her at the time. They embraced her and said goodbye in a way that the family would have liked to." Heath said the girls formed part of the "Covid generation" and had only just begun to enjoy their adult lives. "[They] missed out on their social lives for a couple of years and they'd finished their schooling and both worked hard in their part-time jobs to get some money to have their dream overseas trip," he said. "And off they went, full of zest for life and quest for adventure. "I think that's why so many people relate to this because it could happen to anybody. And that really smacks you right between the eyes. These young people deserve some social life and deserved their time in the sun, and now this happens. It's devastating." Police confirmed Bianca died as a result of methanol consumption, which was detected in high quantities in her body. "The physician who examined her said the cause of death was a methanol poisoning, from fake liquor," Phattanawong Chanphon, a police official in the Thai city of Udon Thani told Reuters. "The amount of methanol in her body was high, leading to swelling of the brain." Bianca's death follows two Danish women in their twenties and an American who were drinking in the area at the time.3f fortune shoppers corp 。

Scottish artist Jasleen Kaur has won the Turner Prize for her solo exhibition Alter Altar, which includes an installation of a car with a giant doily on it. Happy Valley actor James Norton announced the winner in a ceremony held at Tate Britain on Tuesday evening. The five jury members chose Kaur for “her ability to gather different voices through unexpected and playful combinations of material, from Irn-Bru to family photographs and a vintage Ford Escort, locating moments of resilience and possibility”. Kaur, who was born in Glasgow but lives and works in London, used her speech to advocate for the people in Palestine. The 38-year-old said she wanted to “echo the calls of the protesters outside” who had gathered after an open letter urged the Tate to cut ties with “organisations complicit in what the UN and ICJ are finally getting closer to saying is a genocide of the Palestinian people”. “This is not a radical demand,” Kaur said on stage. “This should not risk an artist’s career or safety. We’re trying to build consensus that the ties to these organisations are unethical, just as artists did with Sackler,” she said, referencing the family linked to the opioid epidemic. “I’ve been wondering why artists are required to dream up liberation in the gallery but when that dream meets life we are shut down. “I want the separation between the expression of politics in the gallery and the practice of politics in life to disappear. “I want the institution to understand that if you want us inside, you need to listen to us outside.” Kaur concluded her speech by calling for a ceasefire, adding: “Free Palestine.” BBC reporter Katie Razzall had to apologise to viewers after Kaur used a swear word in her speech. The artist was nominated for an exhibition that was held at the Tramway in her home city last year. The display, a series of installations exploring religious identities, politics and history, makes heavy use of different sounds, embedded into the exhibition by way of worship bells, Sufi Islamic devotional music, Indian harmonium, and pop tracks. This year the arts prize, named after British painter JMW Turner, which awards £25,000 to its winner, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Established in 1984, the prize is awarded each year to a British artist for an outstanding exhibition or other presentation of their work. Previous recipients include sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor (1991), artist Damien Hirst (1995), and filmmaker Sir Steve McQueen (1999). In 2025, the prize will be presented in Bradford at Cartwright Hall art gallery, marking the 250th anniversary of Turner’s birth. The exhibition of the four shortlisted artists – Pio Abad, Claudette Johnson, Delaine Le Bas, and Kaur – is at Tate Britain until February 16 2025.MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.

Kyrie Irving's big second half leads Mavericks past HawksThe mugshot of , the 26-year-old arrested in relation to the , has been released. On Tuesday (local time) NYPD Police Commissioner confirmed that after being identified in a McDonalds in Pennsylvania. Following his arrest, Altoona Pennsylvania Police Station has released Mangione’s mugshot, which has been reshared across social media. Alongside Mangione’s mugshot, footage of him being led to court by police following his arrest has also been shared on social media by journalist . “Shooting suspect Luigi Mangione seen for the first time since being arrested in PA. Police led him into court,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). BREAKING: Shooting suspect Luigi Mangione seen for the first time since being arrested in PA. Police led him into court. Why was Luigi Mangione arrested? On December 4, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in front of the Hilton Hotel. Although the 50-year-old was transported to hospital, he later died due to his injuries. In the following days, NYPD scrambled to find the person responsible for the attack. On Tuesday, NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that Luigi Mangione — who they’ve identified as a “strong person of interest” in the incident — had been arrested. Mangione had been arrested on firearms charges, and was reportedly found with a gun, a silencer, four fake IDs and other items authorities claimed were Tisch also confirmed that one of the four IDs matched an ID “our suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting”. Mangione was also found with a three-page manifesto with “ill will towards corporate America” and allegedly detailed his motivations behind the incident. The internet has been sent into a frenzy over Magione’s identity, with many people displaying their thirst for the 26-year-old, by using photos from his social media accounts. LUIGI MANGIONE MUGSHOT OMFGGGG HIS LETHAL FACECARD IS INSANEEEEEEE ?!?!?! me at the luigi mangione/unitedhealthcare trial Me and the girls distracting the guards so Luigi Mangione can escape Both his X and Instagram accounts have since been deleted.Malik Nabers tees off on 'soft as f---' Giants after embarrassing home loss

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Even if we lived in a fishbowl, the turbulence in our political scene would be important. New Democracy finally rid itself of a former prime minister who was continually seeking attention by playing the popular roles of embittered messiah and compulsive Cassandra. SYRIZA abdicated the role of official opposition by splitting continually in its search for leadership and a policy. PASOK emerged stronger from its own leadership election and is winning back some of the strength that it lost when its support plunged from 44 percent in 2009 to 4.68% in 2015. SYRIZA and PASOK have changed places and percentages, the government is dealing with ever greater fatigue and voter discontent, offering hope to smaller parties for a greater influence. Normally, there would be sufficient time until the next elections for this ferment to lead to new dynamics and new balances which might avert the danger of the political scene’s fragmentation. But Greece has to deal with the great disturbance playing out internationally at dizzying speed and with unpredictable consequences. Whatever happens in the United States, in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Europe, will affect domestic developments and our place in the world. The Trump Restoration will disrupt much that we know, without anyone able to predict whether this will lead to a new sort of balance or whether things will spiral out of control. Europe is frozen in midstep, as its leading powers, Germany and France, turn inwards to deal with domestic turbulence. Greece’s political leadership must deal with an exceptionally fluid situation without standing on stable ground. This responsibility has seldom made an impression on those who consider themselves protagonists of our public life, as the traditional priority is personal vindication and revenge. They speak on behalf of Greece while they serve their own interests. Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ government is our only choice today. It remains to be seen whether it is good enough to deal with the situation. We shall also see how the various political forces develop in coming months. The government needs a credible opposition and tireless, constructive self-criticism. This is where the “elders” of public life ought to contribute, not in the pursuit of new supporters with outdated theatrical outbursts.Arcane season 2 wrapped up with the release of act 3 yesterday, and it also confirmed a major fan theory that players of League of Legends had. If you've not finished the show yet, I'd advise you stop reading, as there are major spoilers for episode 7 and beyond coming up. Arcane is based on the popular MOBA League of Legends. The show has taken a lot of creative liberties, changing up the lore whenever it likes so as to not confuse newcomers. While this may not be ideal for die-hard fans of the game, they should be very... Issy van der Velde

Christian vote, especially Catholics, critical to Trump's historic winTuesday, November 26, 2024 Facebook Instagram Twitter WhatsApp Youtube Personal Finance Education Entertainment Jobs Alert Sports Hindi Technology Complaint Redressal. Fact-Checking Policy Correction policy Authors and Team DNPA Code of Ethics Onwership and Funding Cookie Policy Terms of Service Disclaimer Contact US About Us More Search Home Personal Finance Credit card rules are going to change in this bank from December... Personal Finance Credit card rules are going to change in this bank from December 20, know what will be the changes By Shyamu Maurya November 26, 2024 0 13 Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Credit card rules are going to change in this bank from December 20, know what will be the changes After December 20, 2024, if Axis Bank customers redeem EDGE Rewards or Miles Cash, then they will have to pay an additional Rs 99 along with 18 per cent GST. Credit card rules: Axis Bank is changing the rules for its credit card customers from 20 December 2024. In this, new charges are going to be levied on the customers using credit cards, redemption fees for using EDGE Rewards or Miles. The bank had already informed the customers about this. How much extra charge will have to be paid After 20 December 2024, if Axis Bank customers redeem EDGE Rewards or Miles Cash, then they will have to pay an additional Rs 99 along with 18 per cent GST. Similarly, if customers want to transfer the points received through credit card to the mileage program, then they will have to pay Rs 199 along with 18 per cent GST charge. These new charges will not be applicable on all Axis Bank cards. Rather, only selected card holders will have to pay additional charges. New charges will not be applicable on cards like Axis Bank Olympus and Horizon. Know on which credit cards new charges will be applicable – · Samsung Axis Bank Infinite Credit Card, · Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card, · Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card, · Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card, · Samsung Axis Bank Credit Card. What is the option If customers using the above mentioned Axis Bank credit cards use or transfer all the points received on their cards before 20 December 2024, then the customers will not be affected by these changes. These changes have also been made – · Monthly interest rates have been reduced to 3.75 percent. · Two percent or Rs 500, whichever is less, will be charged on payments made on check return and auto debit reversal. Apart from this, Rs 175 will have to be paid in case of cash payment. · One percent charge will have to be paid in rent transactions. · If customers make education related payments through any third-party apps, then they will have to pay a charge of one percent on it. On the other hand, if customers pay directly to educational institutions, then they will not have to pay this charge. 1% charge will be levied for wallet load exceeding Rs 10,000, utility bill exceeding Rs 25,000 and gaming transaction exceeding Rs 10,000. Join Informal Newz Tags Credit Card Rules Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Telegram Previous article ICSE ISC Exam 2025: CISCE 10th and 12th board exams will start on this day, datesheet released, check complete schedule like this Shyamu Maurya Shyamu has done Degree in Fine Arts and has knowledge about bollywood industry. He started writing in 2018. Since then he has been associated with Informalnewz. In case of any complain or feedback, please contact me @informalnewz@gmail.com RELATED ARTICLES India ICSE ISC Exam 2025: CISCE 10th and 12th board exams will start on this day, datesheet released, check complete schedule like this November 26, 2024 Personal Finance Public Holiday: Now all schools, colleges and offices will remain closed for these many days – list released November 25, 2024 Personal Finance Banking Rules: Cash deposit and withdrawal limit in savings account as per Income Tax, know the rules of IT department November 25, 2024 - Advertisment - Most Popular ICSE ISC Exam 2025: CISCE 10th and 12th board exams will start on this day, datesheet released, check complete schedule like this November 26, 2024 Public Holiday: Now all schools, colleges and offices will remain closed for these many days – list released November 25, 2024 Banking Rules: Cash deposit and withdrawal limit in savings account as per Income Tax, know the rules of IT department November 25, 2024 Railways has issued a new rule regarding lower berth, now the lower seat will be reserved for these passengers, Details here November 25, 2024 Load more Recent Comments Gul Mohiudin on Kavita sister-in-law wore a sari without a blouse, seeing the pictures you will also be... Venkatesh on Urfi Javed crossed all limits, wore a front open hoodie top without inner, see photos and videos Gul Mohiudin on Malaika Arora came out in a backless strappy dress late at night, someone had to handle the gown and someone held her hand Gul Mohiudin on Priyanka Chopra reached award function without bra, shame had to be saved repeatedly in open jacket Venkatesh on Disha Patani shared a bo*ld picture while taking a bath, seeing Tiger Shroff’s heart beat will increase EDITOR PICKS ICSE ISC Exam 2025: CISCE 10th and 12th board exams will start on this day, datesheet released, check complete schedule like this November 26, 2024 Public Holiday: Now all schools, colleges and offices will remain closed for these many days – list released November 25, 2024 Banking Rules: Cash deposit and withdrawal limit in savings account as per Income Tax, know the rules of IT department November 25, 2024 POPULAR POSTS ICSE ISC Exam 2025: CISCE 10th and 12th board exams will start on this day, datesheet released, check complete schedule like this November 26, 2024 Public Holiday: Now all schools, colleges and offices will remain closed for these many days – list released November 25, 2024 Banking Rules: Cash deposit and withdrawal limit in savings account as per Income Tax, know the rules of IT department November 25, 2024 POPULAR CATEGORY Personal Finance 17668 Entertainment 17065 India 4398 News 3785 Technology 2227 Jobs Alert 785 Travel 652 Education 451 ABOUT US INFORMALNEWZ brings the Latest News & Top Breaking headlines on Politics and Current Affairs. 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Coles announces huge $2m giveawayUruguay's voters choose their next president in a close runoff with low stakes but much suspense

EnerVenue Provides RWE with Long-Duration Energy Storage VesselsTM for Pilot Project – The global renewables giant is evaluating the metal-hydrogen batteries at its U.S. testing facility in WisconsinBillionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has turned his attention to the gaming industry, sharply criticising the increasing prevalence of "woke" agendas in modern video games. Musk, who is no stranger to controversy, recently took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his disdain for the trend, highlighting how games infused with progressive themes have failed to resonate with players. In a series of posts, Musk openly attacked the inclusion of pronouns in fantasy games, labelling it " utterly unacceptable ". His comments were prompted by a post from former video game executive Mark Kern, who highlighted the use of pronouns in the upcoming role-playing game Avowed . Kern described the move as symptomatic of a " woke mind virus ," urging gamers to reject such trends. Musk amplified Kern's sentiments, stating that the presence of pronouns in such games detracts from their artistic integrity. Per a video shared by Elon Docs , Musk also criticised interruptions in gaming experiences caused by what he called "DEI woke bullsh*t," referring to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Musk argued that such elements disrupt the immersive nature of video games, stating, "You do not want to do things that damage art. It breaks you out of the story." Musk's criticism comes amidst a broader cultural backlash against political messaging in video games. This sentiment has been mirrored by failures in the gaming industry, where several "woke" titles have flopped spectacularly. Among the most notable examples is Concord , an online multiplayer game developed by Sony. According to Ryan Watterson , an AI expert and filmmaker, the game's failure was due to its overtly ideological themes that alienated its target audience. Watterson observed that Concord struggled to attract players not because of gameplay issues but because its marketing and narrative clashed with gamers' values. "No one wanted to be caught dead playing or supporting it," he remarked. Similarly, other titles such as Dustborn and Suicide Squad have been criticised for prioritising political messaging over player satisfaction. The failures of games like Concord and Dustborn are emblematic of a broader miscalculation within the industry. Per reports from Mario Nawfal , host of the Largest Show on X, Concord failed to maintain even 100 concurrent players, while Dustborn peaked at a dismal 83 players. In stark contrast, Black Myth: Wukong , a non-political game, sold 10 million copies within three days of release, showcasing the significant gap between player expectations and the industry's current direction. Nawfal summarised the issue succinctly: "Gamers want content, not ideology." He argued that games steeped in political narratives often fail because they neglect the core audience—predominantly young, multicultural men—who are drawn to gameplay and storytelling rather than divisive messaging. Watterson echoed this sentiment, stating that developers are wasting massive budgets on games that cater to ideological agendas rather than consumer demand. He likened these efforts to " taking Marvel-sized money to fund Pureflix-level projects ," warning that continued failures would shrink budgets and leave room for competitors who understand market realities. The backlash against "woke" gaming may mark a turning point for the industry. Players are increasingly demanding that developers return to the fundamentals of engaging gameplay and creative storytelling. According to FandomWire , Musk's criticism has resonated with fans who are eager for games to focus on entertainment rather than activism. As failures like Concord and Dustborn continue to pile up, the gaming industry faces a critical choice: adapt to player preferences or risk further financial and reputational damage. For now, Musk's statements have amplified the call for developers to abandon divisive themes and prioritise the art of gaming itself.A judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge's order maintains the seedings and pairings for the tournament. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year. ____ Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana. Mead Gruver And Amy Beth Hanson (), The Associated Press

HIGH radiation levels found in drinking water is the last straw, Upper Hunter residents say, making terrible quality water even worse. Login or signup to continue reading It is not only smelly, discoloured, foul-tasting and full of minerals which ruin appliances, many residents now fear that it is also unsafe. Former police officer Michael Blades said that, long before recent water tests showed the maximum possible radiation dose from the bore water was double the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines, it had been known to cause health issues, such as rashes in young children. "I moved to Merriwa to live in a police residence from Western Sydney where the water quality was ok," Mr Blades said. He noticed immediately that there was a "considerable issue" with the water quality, he said. "It was terrible," Mr Blades said. "It is very hard water with a lot of minerals in it. It is foul-tasting, it smells, and we have had to replace washing machines, hot water elements... "Every time we had a bath or shower the water would affect my family, especially my children." When he moved to the area, in 2017, his then 12-year-old daughter developed "terrible rashes" from her neck down to her knee caps, Mr Blades said. "Local doctors knew of the problem and said it was a common thing with the town's water," Mr Blades said. "The only way to escape it was not to have a bath." He was paying $150 per month for bottled water, because rain water ran out quickly during dry weather and bushfire season. "It has impacted our health, and it has impacted locals' mental health, especially finding out there might be radiation in our drinking water." Merriwa resident Brad Foster said the water quality had always been "a bit how's it going" but it had deteriorated significantly during the past 12 to 18 months. "My wife and I don't wash our cars in town ,... it just leaves white scaly spots and they build up," Mr Foster said. "We have had to replace all the water and sewage under the house due to the scale building up in it." When the water smells particularly bad, the smell lingers, he said, and reminds him of going to a public pool or a water park at the start of the season, when the water is being heavily treated. Mr Foster said it was hard to believe the council had not communicated with the community since it first announced it was investigating higher than usual levels of radiation in the water , in early August. "That happened, and nothing has happened since," Mr Foster said. "You wash your clothes in it, you wash yourself in it, you wash everything in it, you cook with it ... even if the standard is one one hundredth of what would be potentially harmful exposure, it's cumulative." Residents have taken to social media to vent their concerns, including images of ruined kitchen items. The issue was being raised at a council meeting on Monday (November 25) by whistleblower and Councillor Troy Stolz. He is calling on the council to lobby the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for funding to improve the poor-quality drinking water in Merriwa and Cassilis "with a sense of urgency". Regardless of recent information from NSW Health saying that the higher levels of radiation found in the water were "not dangerous", the water quality was sub-standard, he said. "I have seen first-hand photos of local children who are suffering medical conditions such as severe rashes after bathing. This is not good enough." In August, a Upper Hunter Shire Council statement said it had moved the town's supply to two groundwater bores with the lowest radioactivity "as a precaution" while further investigations into radiation levels took place. Testing has revealed the maximum possible radiation dose from the bores is double the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. In the statement, the council said a result above the screen values does not mean the drinking water is unsafe, but further investigation was required. Detailed radionuclide testing by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) would take about 10 weeks, it said. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment said it was a council responsibility, along with local water utilities, to "monitor and manage" the delivery of clean drinking water to their communities. That included managing water quality issues and maintaining infrastructure, a spokesperson said. "Our department plays an important supporting role, providing technical advice and valuable training for councils across regional NSW when they need additional resources," a statement issued to the Newcastle Herald said. "This includes working closely with NSW Health in providing support to Upper Hunter Shire Council in responding to the ongoing situation in Merriwa and Cassilis." The department cited a $32.8 million Town Water Risk Reduction Program, which it says has been extended for another year, which focuses on raw water quality monitoring and advanced operational support for water operators. Responding to Cr Stolz, council staff said there were few avenues for the council to explore by way of external funding. "Although there are no current grants available, exploring alternative funding options for the full scheme, including political advocacy and user-pays systems, will be vital to securing an improved water quality system." Community health & welfare, social justice, investigations, general news.Gabriel.Fowler@newcastleherald.com.au Community health & welfare, social justice, investigations, general news.Gabriel.Fowler@newcastleherald.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. 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