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9NewsOne Reddit user said they felt they were "going crazy" after being told they had to pay a penalty.
Teen facing 20 years' jail in Dubai for having sex with 17-year-old
9NewsAn 18-year-old from the UK could be jailed for up to 20 years in Dubai for having sex with a girl less than a year younger than him.
A short family holiday for Marcus Fakana, from London, has become a months-long nightmare following a short romance with a 17-year-old girl who was staying at the same hotel.
The British government is now being urged to intervene on behalf of the Fakana family, the BBC reports.
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The 18-year-old's ordeal began in September when the girl's mother spotted photos and social media chats of their romance and reported the relationship to Dubai police.
The girl has since turned 18, according to human rights group Detained in Dubai.
Marcus said the couple planned to continue their romance when they returned to the UK.
"We had a wonderful time together. We really liked each other but she was secretive with her (British-Indian) family because they were strict," he told Radha Stirling, of Detained in Dubai.
"My parents knew about our relationship but she couldn't tell hers. She had to meet me without telling them it was to see a boy."
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Marcus was arrested by police at the hotel where he was staying with his parents.
"They said they were taking me in for questioning but wouldn't tell me why," he said.
"I couldn't imagine what for. I was frightened and my parents were terrified."
He was held at the notorious Al Barsha police station for three days, unable to make a phone call or speak with his parents.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office told the BBC it was supporting a British man in the United Arab Emirates and was in contact with his family.
Marcus' parents who work as warehouse cleaners were "worried sick" by their son's detention, according to Stirling.
She says the Briton could face up to 20 years in jail owing to the country's strict laws about sex outside marriage.
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"Dubai has only recently legalised out-of-wedlock sex for tourists but still hosts a strict Islamic legal system," said Stirling.
"The girl was just a few months younger than Marcus and he didn't know that at the time. Since his arrest, she has turned 18 and Marcus would not be facing 20 years in jail. This is not something Dubai should be prosecuting."
Marcus and his family are calling on the British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who is also their local MP, to help them.
The teenager is no longer being held in a police cell but is unable to leave Dubai.
His family have been hit with bills of £2000 ($3900) for Airbnb accommodation until the resolution of his case.
Doctors wouldn't take Julie seriously for years - and she's not alone
9NewsFor six years, Julie Snook couldn't get doctors to listen to her when the mystery illness wreaking havoc on her body landed her in the hospital emergency room.
Even specialists didn't take her seriously and the incurable disease was left to spread without diagnosis or treatment for years.
"I felt like I was making it up, and the amount of women that I have spoken to over the years who say the same thing ... you feel like you're going a bit crazy," the presenter, communications adviser and former 9News journalist told 9news.com.au.
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New Australian Bureau of Statistics data has revealed Snook was not alone - women are significantly less likely to report positive experiences with hospital ED doctors, specialists, and nurses than men.
The ABS' latest Patient Experiences report found that while 72 per cent of men felt they were "always listened to carefully" by hospital doctors and specialists, only 62 per cent of women felt that way.
Have you got a story? Contact reporter Maddison Leach at mleach@nine.com.au
Only 66 per cent of women felt they were "always shown respect" by doctors and specialists compared to 76 per cent of men.
And just 58 per cent of women said they "always had enough time spent with" hospital doctors and specialists compared 69 per cent of men.
Men also reported more positive experiences with hospital ED nurses than women.
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"Unfortunately this isn't really new information," Snook said.
She was 19 when she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, which affects one in seven Australian women, after years of begging dismissive doctors for answers.
It was only afterwards that she learned her experiences weren't unique.
Now Snook is an ambassador for Endometriosis Australia and has a deeper understanding of the challenges women can face when they don't feel listened to or respected by medical professionals, especially in a hospital setting.
For example, it takes 6.5 years on average to get an endometriosis diagnosis in Australia and many women report the reason it takes so long is because doctors dismiss their symptoms even when they present to hospital emergency departments.
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It was previously reported that two out of three women experience discrimination in healthcare and these new figures reinforce what some women have been saying about gender inequality in Australia's medical system for years.
"This isn't new information but I certainly hope it's enough to drive some change and some action," Snook said.
The ABS data also revealed that women are more likely than men to delay or not see a health professional for their own mental health when needed due to cost (24 per cent compared to 14.8 per cent).
That figure doesn't surprise Snook either.
"A lot of busy women, mums in particular, their focus is on everyone else," she said.
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Top 10 brands in Australia with the best 'customer experience'
9NewsAustralians are facing a cost of living crisis but are still willing to fork out cash if the brand has an excellent customer experience, KPMG has found.
Dry dunny? Check for unwanted visitors
9NewsIf you needed the bathroom before, that might go double after you saw this stall's new denizen.
These staircases might be the world's craziest
9NewsIt's not hard to encounter a staircase that makes you pause before tackling it - but one Facebook group has raised finding them to an art form.
There are now over three million Aussies at risk of homelessness
9NewsHomelessness services are buckling under increased demands for help as the number of Australians at risk of homelessness skyrockets.
In the six years between 2016 and 2022, the number of Australians in danger of falling into homeless increased by 63 per cent, according to a new Impact Economics report, Call Unanswered.
In 2016, there were 1.5 million to 2 million Australians at risk of homelessness, but in 2022 that surged to 2.7 million to 3.2 million, the report, released today, found.
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As part of the research, 23 specialist homelessness services were surveyed over two weeks in September 2024.
The majority were unable to cope with the overwhelming demand, with 83 percent of services unable to answer phone calls at times, 74 percent unable to respond to urgent emails; and nearly 40 percent of services forced to close their doors during operating hours.
"Demand for homelessness services has erupted and the system is so under-resourced that people who are homeless can't get in front of a worker who can help them," Homelessness Australia CEO, Kate Colvin, said.
"With more than three million Australians now at risk of homelessness, services are forced to close their doors, leave calls unanswered, and turn away families with children on one in five days."
A key driver was the 17.9 percent increase in people experiencing rental stress since the 2021 Census, the report found.
Queensland saw the biggest increase of all states and territories in the number of people at risk of homelessness, up 80 percent in the last six years. Western Australia also saw a higher-than-average increase at 77 percent.
The number of people in danger of becoming homeless in Victoria and New South Wales rose by 67 and 64 percent respectively over the same period.
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The biggest increase in rental stress was felt in the ACT at 31.3 percent, however this was the only state or territory to see a decrease in the number of its residents at risk of homelessness, falling 34 percent between 2016 and 2022.
"People who could have afforded private rentals just a few years ago are now resorting to couch surfing, sleeping in cars or pitching a tent," Colvin said.
Homelessness Australia is using the report to publicise its No one turned away campaign, which calls for funding for homelessness services to be increased, with a focus on prevention and the expansion of Housing First programs, so staff can respond to everyone seeking help.
Man in his 20s dies after early morning stabbing in Newcastle
9NewsA man has died from his injuries after being stabbed in Newcastle this morning.
Emergency services were called to Beaumont Street in Hamilton, about 2.40am today.
Upon arrival they found a man, believed to be aged in his 20s, suffering serious stab wounds.
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Paramedics treated the man before he was rushed to hospital, but he could not be saved.
He is yet to be formally identified.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation is under way, with the assistance of homicide detectives.
Police said Beaumont Street is closed between Tudor and Donald Street, with motorists and pedestrians advised to avoid the area.
Anyone with information about the incident, was in the area at the time or has dash cam or mobile phone footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
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This 'family photo' of world leaders may look very different next year
9NewsWorld superpowers have gathered in Peru for the annual APEC summit in a forum that will look very different this time next year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined the Asia-Pacific economic summit alongside US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the South American nation this week for a pre-Tump discussion.
The world leaders are attempting to arm against trade policies flagged by US president-elect Donald Trump.
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Biden also met with China's President XI Jinping, who skipped the summit in Lima, today.
"The two are wary of a threatened trade war between the superpowers that leaders here say would force prices up and cost jobs in Australia," Nine's political editor Charles Croucher said.
Albanese used the summit to "speak about the importance of free and fair trade between our economies".
"President Biden was in good form," Albanese said at a press conference later.
"I don't talk about the detail of private discussions, as you'd be aware, but it was friendly. I regard him as a good friend personally, but also a good friend of Australia."
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The PM met with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Peru's President Dina Boluarte in a move to highlight Australia's trade interests as the world braces for Trump's return to office.
During the summit leaders of the region posed for a 'class photo' of sorts, an annual tradition at the APEC forum.
Next year is set to be held in Korea, where Trump will represent US interests.
Truck driver arrested after allegedly ramming into police cars in pursuit
9NewsA truck driver has allegedly taken police on a lengthy pursuit before ramming into five police vehicles in Greater Western Sydney.
Police were called to Toongabbie Road in Girraween at midnight after reports that someone was trying to steal a truck.
Officers tried to stop the driver, but the truck allegedly kept driving and crashed into a parked prime mover.
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The truck then continued along Toongabbie Road, heading towards Magowar Road, before driving down Gilba Road and crashing into a fence on Oramzi Road.
Police followed the truck down several streets until it crashed into a parked Toyota Camry on Normac Road.
He allegedly kept driving onto the Great Western Highway in Toongabbie before road spikes were deployed and the truck was stopped.
A roadblock was established on the highway where the truck collided with five police cars at the intersection of Tarlington Place in Prospect.
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One vehicle was pushed into a power pole.
A police inspector who was inside was treated by NSW Paramedics and was uninjured.
It's alleged officers had to surround the truck with their police cars to get the driver to stop after he crashed into the police cars.
Early reports indicated the man was not cooperative and he was tasered.
The driver of the truck, aged 45, was arrested at the scene and taken to Westmead Hospital.
He remains there and will undergo a mental health assessment.
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