Miracle

Jun 22, 2023

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The group, identified as Elliot Foote, Steph Weisse, Will Teagle, and Jordan Short, were discovered clinging to their surfboards, having spent 36 hours in treacherous waters.

The group of friends was part of a larger party of 12 Australians who embarked on a journey from Nias Island, located off the western coast of Sumatra, towards Aceh’s Banyak Islands.

The voyage took a dangerous turn as they encountered unfavorable weather conditions during the trip. While the second boat managed to reach shore safely, the four Australians along with crew members were reported missing, sparking a widespread search and rescue operation.

The ordeal came to an end when the missing surfers were spotted floating on their surfboards by Grant Richardson, an Australian man sailing his yacht named Sea Mi Amor. He spent the night tirelessly searching for the group and managed to locate them after nearly two days at sea. The families of the surfers expressed immense relief upon receiving the news of their survival.

Peter Foote, father of Elliot Foote, shared his emotions with the media, stating that the friends were “well” and their families were “stoked.” Elliot Foote himself sent a text message to his father confirming his rescue, saying, “I am alive, safe now, love you. Chat later.”

The rescue mission unfolded as a dramatic saga, with Steph Weisse being the first to be found, followed shortly by Jordan Short and Will Teagle. Elliot Foote was located later, potentially after attempting to paddle to a nearby island in search of help.

The bond between the group of friends was evident throughout the ordeal, as they supported one another during their time at sea. While the incident was characterized by some as “freak luck,” the families were relieved that the situation ended on a positive note.

As the news spread, well-wishes and relief poured in for the missing surfers, and Mr. Foote even expressed his desire for his son to continue enjoying his holiday if the surf conditions remained favorable.

Despite the challenges posed by poor weather and the absence of GPS on their vessel, the search and rescue operation continued until its successful conclusion. While the rescued surfers are in good spirits, there is still one Indonesian crew member unaccounted for.

The incident shed light on the risks associated with the journey from Nias to Pinang, emphasizing the importance of safety precautions in such conditions. The Banyak Islands are renowned among surfers for their impressive waves, and the Pinang Resort, where the group was headed, markets itself as an exclusive surf camp.

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The much-anticipated event is scheduled for 10am on September 12 in California, which translates to 3am on September 13 AEST for eager fans in Australia.

The company has chosen the tagline ‘Wonderlust’ to capture the essence of its forthcoming innovations.

The upcoming iPhone 15 range will be divided into two categories: entry-level models and high-end models.

One of the most significant alterations will be the replacement of the lightning connector charging port with a USB-C port across all models, aligning with new regulations from the European Union.

Additionally, Apple plans to introduce updated AirPods featuring a USB-C charging port at the same event.

Among the entry-level models are expected to be the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Plus, both benefiting from enhancements borrowed from the iPhone 14’s Pro models.

These enhancements include the A16 chip, Dynamic Island interface, and a high-resolution 48-megapixel rear camera.

Apple’s tradition of innovation is anticipated to shine through in the high-end models, the 6.1-inch iPhone 15 Pro and the 6.7-inch iPhone 15 Pro Max.

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U.S. District Judge Susan Illston ruled on Tuesday that the plaintiff, John Zeman, had presented sufficient evidence to support his claim that the layoffs had a more significant impact on older workers, allowing the proposed class action to move forward.

Zeman’s lawsuit contends that X laid off 60% of employees aged 50 or above, and almost three-quarters of those aged over 60, in contrast to 54% of workers under 50.

While the judge dismissed Zeman’s assertion that X intentionally targeted older employees for layoffs, she granted him one month to revise and elaborate on that particular claim in an amended lawsuit.

Shannon Liss-Riordan, the attorney representing Zeman, welcomed the decision as validation of their arguments, asserting that the discrimination claims are valid and should proceed.

This lawsuit is just one of numerous legal challenges faced by X following Elon Musk’s decision to lay off around half of Twitter’s workforce in November of the previous year.

The cases against X encompass a range of claims, including allegations that the company carried out layoffs without the legally required advance notice, and contentions that Musk’s approach discriminated against employees with disabilities by insisting on in-person work and demanding increased dedication.

Several lawsuits are seeking compensation from the company, with at least two asserting that X owes former employees a combined total of $500 million in severance pay. X has denied any wrongdoing in relation to these cases.

Shannon Liss-Riordan is also representing approximately 2,000 former Twitter employees who have initiated similar legal proceedings against the company through arbitration.

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Italy’s government convened a crisis meeting in response to the soaring prices of this staple food, which have increased more than double the national inflation rate.

Global production of durum wheat is on track for a 22-year low, leading Italy’s renowned pasta makers to explore unconventional suppliers like Turkey for their main ingredient.

In Toronto, Continental Noodles, a family-owned business, experienced a sudden 24% increase in the cost of a 20-kilogram bag of semolina flour, derived from durum wheat, over a few weeks in July.

This cost escalation, coupled with setbacks in tomato supply due to adverse conditions in Spain and India, has raised concerns for producers like Continental Noodles, which supplies pasta to outlets like Whole Foods.

Vincent Liberatore, one of the owners of Continental Noodles, expressed apprehension over potential further price hikes, unsure of how much additional cost consumers can bear.

He stressed that businesses are navigating an uncertain landscape marked by fluctuating costs.

Across the globe, retail pasta prices have risen by approximately 12% in Europe and 8% in the United States this year, according to market research firm Nielsen.

In tandem, the price of another essential staple, rice, has surged due to export restrictions in India.

The International Grains Council forecasts a notable decrease in global durum production for the 2023/24 period, resulting in the lowest production levels in 22 years and dwindling global stocks.

Canadian farmer Darold Niwa, based in Alberta, witnessed his expectations for a robust durum harvest diminish as drought conditions persisted.

His durum yield plummeted, producing only a fraction of the usual kernels per head. The adverse weather conditions have also impacted the United States, Spain, Italy, and France, causing supply challenges and fluctuations in quality.

Notably, Canada, accounting for approximately half of global durum trade, faces its second-smallest harvest in over a decade, with an expected yield of 4.3 million metric tons this year.

The spike in Euronext futures price benchmarks in early August, influenced by deteriorating supplies, compelled major importer Algeria to cancel a durum tender.

Meanwhile, Turkey emerged as an unexpected durum exporter, capitalising on a bumper harvest and substantial stocks. Turkish durum exports have temporarily influenced prices but are anticipated to escalate again when Turkey’s reserves deplete.

In response to the dire supply situation, pasta makers are exploring alternative options such as utilising more soft wheat in regions where regulations permit.

Soft wheat differs from durum, which produces the sought-after “al dente” texture in pasta.

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