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Deputy Premier Jackie Trad and Greens candidate Amy MacMahon have cast their votes as the battle for the hotly contested seat of South Brisbane gets under way. The queue at West End Public School started before polling even opened at 8am on Saturday as voters rose early to cast their ballot.  Ms Trad, who is facing a challenge from the Greens to retain the inner-city seat, gave hugs and took selfies with supporters at the entrance before she voted. Ms MacMahon stood just a few metres away handing out flyers before she moved to Brisbane State High to cast her vote. Ms Trad said she never felt "100 per cent confident" heading into an election because anything could happen, but was buoyed by the positive feedback she had received from the electorate.  "I feel like a member of this community and someone that people really regard as a strong champion for their values," she said. Ms MacMahon said she knew it was going to be close but was happy polling day h

JOHN Cena has always stood out in a crowd. And he is certainly impossible to miss as he enters a Sydney hotel. The 40-year-old is the subject of swivelled eyes and double takes — even from those who likely have no clue of his fame — as he strides forward, arm outstretched for a handshake you just know will be firm and commanding. Fair-haired, blue-eyed Cena is the epitome of a stereotypical US jock: all chiselled jaw, bulging muscles and wide, toothy grin. His confidence and an incontrovertible aura made him a breakout superstar in the wrestling ring throughout the 2000s — across nearly two decades, he has stirred up fans of the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), feuded with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and broken record after record. The scope of his success has led to a swag of big-dollar endorsement deals, motivational speaking tours, charity ambassadorships and film and TV roles. Standing out from the crowd. (Picture: Jason Bush/© 2017 Blue Sky Studios) So it’s jarring to

Tuesday’s sweeping victories for Democratic candidates can be viewed through many lenses. To be sure, the election results are a powerful repudiation of Donald Trump’s policies and divisive rhetoric, and a reminder that the coalition that twice backed Barack Obama is alive and well. But Tuesday’s results are also the story of the remarkable diversity of candidates who sought elected office for the first time — and won. Behind the vote totals and exit polls is a new generation of public servants, many of whom were motivated by Trump’s election to seek office. Tuesday’s victors might not look like the traditional face of politics, but they unquestionably represent its future. In Virginia, a House of Delegates that previously had 17 women out of 100 members, will now be comprised of nearly 30 women, including its first-ever Asian American and Hispanic female legislators. The stories of these winning candidates are quintessential American stories.

Anti-doping authorities said Friday they have come into possession of new intelligence that confirms allegations of widespread cheating at a Russian testing laboratory. World Anti-Doping Agency officials said they are confident the “enormous” backup computer file they acquired in late October is an information management database — containing expansive test data — from the country’s central Moscow facility. The evidence could influence ongoing deliberations about whether Russian athletes should be allowed to compete at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. WADA's long-running investigation has alleged that Russian athletes, coaches and officials participated in systemic cheating. "This new intelligence serves to reinforce our requirement of Russian authorities that they too publicly accept the outcomes so that we can all move forward in rebuilding public trust and confidence in Russian sport," WADA Presid

Kidnapping allegations levelled at former US security adviser Michael Flynn have been described by his lawyers as "outrageous" and "false". The Wall Street Journal reported Mr Flynn was under investigation in connection with an alleged plan to seize a prominent Muslim cleric and deliver him to Turkey. Under the alleged proposal, Mr Flynn was to be paid close to $20 million for delivering Fetullah Gulen to the Turkish Government. Laywers representing Mr Flynn, a former national security adviser to US President Donald Trump, rubbished report, that included allegations "ranging from kidnapping to bribery". Robert Kelner, Stephen Anthony and Brian Smith said out of respect for the various investigations into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 US election and possible collusion with the Trump campaign, they had avoided responding to, "every rumour or allegation raised in the media". "But today's news cycle has brought al

At UN climate talks in Bonn, Gore is heading an unofficial group trying to stop climate change – in the face of scepticism from Trump administration officials Al Gore has accused Donald Trump of surrounding himself “with the absolute worst of climate deniers” and said he has given up attempting to persuade the president to reverse his dismantling of policies combatting global warming. However, both Gore, the former US vice-president, and Jerry Brown, governor of California, told the Guardian they were confident the US will regain its leadership position on climate change if Trump is defeated in the next presidential election. Gore, Brown and Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York, are heading a broad coalition of climate change hawks from US states, cities and businesses in Bonn, where UN climate talks are being held. This alliance is in sharp contrast to the official US delegation, which is representing the only national government in the world t

Friday, November 10th, is National Cupcake Day! The dessert will make a perfect treat for the work office. The origin of the dessert dates back to 1796, but the earliest known documentation was recorded in 1828. The dish is traditionally baked in heavy pottery cups. Today we see them prepared in modern cupcake pans. The vanilla cupcake is the "OG" flavor. It can be decorated with various things including frosting, sugar, candy, and fruits. Be sure to grab a cupcake and enjoy!