Fiji alcohol 'poisoning' victim speaks after near-death experience
An Australian tourist who was rushed to hospital after drinking a pina colada at a popular Fiji resort says she is convinced she was "poisoned" by tainted alcohol.
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News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Gold digger tests': The new way men are tricking women on dates
A growing number of people in the dating world are reporting a troubling new phenomenon known as 'gold digger tests' — deliberate situations where one person gauges the other's financial intentions by unexpectedly making them pay or setting traps to see if they're more interested in money than a genuine connection. Georgina*, 27, from Melbourne, recalls a bizarre experience on a recent date. 'I'd been on a few dates with a guy and things were going okay. He'd cover dinner, I'd grab drinks,' she tells 'But one evening, he invited me out for a casual frozen yoghurt date. When it came time to weigh the yoghurts, he rushed ahead to pay for his while I was still mid-chocolate drizzle. I was shocked, having to awkwardly weigh and pay for mine just moments later, while he hovered next to me. We ate in silence. He acted like nothing had happened and kept asking me out after that. 'He has a good job, so it was honestly so strange to me to do that over a $6 yoghurt.' Her experience is far from unique. Across social media and dating forums, more people are sharing similar stories. One 29-year-old woman detailed her unsettling encounter on Reddit. Set up by a mutual friend, she met a 31-year-old man at a cafe. 'It actually started really well,' she wrote. 'We had a lot in common, great conversation, and I was feeling positive. But when the $100 check arrived, the tone shifted.' She was prepared to split the bill, but was instead handed the entire amount and asked, 'Is it alright if you pay for this?' She said she was caught off guard but, unbothered by the amount, she agreed. 'Right after I paid, he grinned and said, 'Congratulations, you passed the test! You're not a gold digger,'' she recalled. When she probed him about this comment, he admitted he'd been burned before by an ex who expected him to foot every bill. Now, he 'tests' women to ensure they're not after his money. Christine Rafe, sex and relationship expert for Womanizer, sees this trend as symptomatic of broader cultural shifts. 'The rise of 'gold digger tests' reflects the growing gender divide and rhetoric on social media and 'alpha male podcasters' suggesting heterosexual women only want the 'top 10 per cent' of socially, financially and physically attractive men,' she explains. 'This baseless theory, popularised by Andrew Tate and his followers, encourages men to be suspicious of women's intentions, leading them to 'test' financial expectations by making women pay for dates or lying about their jobs to see if they stay interested. This is worsened by increasing rhetoric online and politically advocating a return to traditional gender roles, especially in modern heterosexual relationships.' Georgina believes dating app culture also plays a role. 'I'd estimate some men go on multiple dates a week with different women, and it adds up. The days of dating slowly and investing time in one person are almost gone. So even if a guy earns well, it's hundreds of dollars a week if he pays for every date,' she says. And with the cost of living rising, some men simply aren't willing to cover every bill. The Choosi Swipe Right Report supports this, and found Australians aged 18-49 spend an average of $158 per date, with men estimating $233 and women $101. Nearly three in four (74 per cent) agree dating has become much more expensive than before. Despite these pressures, Ms Rafe warns that financial 'tests' are manipulative and damage trust. 'These behaviours encourage lying and dominance from the very start,' she says. 'When one person sets a trap to see if the other will 'pass', they establish distrust that undermines emotional intimacy and connection.' She emphasises that healthy relationships are built on open communication, which these 'tests' can undermine. There are healthier ways to navigate financial expectations, she explains, such as asking about hobbies, lifestyle, travel plans, values, and how each person prefers to handle bills and shared expenses. 'These conversations give a clearer picture of someone's expectations without manipulation or testing,' she notes. She also encourages self-reflection. 'If you have concerns about expectations or motives in dating, explore them through therapy or journalling to understand where your views on status and money come from, and what a healthy relationship looks like,' she advises. 'When discussing these topics, share your vulnerabilities rather than projecting insecurities onto your date.' If you find yourself 'testing' someone's motives before even meeting, she says you should reflect on whether this suspicion comes from your own experience or unreliable sources. And if you've been on a date where someone set a dishonest 'test' or 'trap', see it as a sign of their emotional immaturity and inability to communicate openly — and move on.
News.com.au
8 hours ago
- News.com.au
Phins enforcer binned for CRUNCHING hit!
NRL: Dolphins' second-rower Felise Kaufusi was sent to the sin bin for a crunching hit on young Cowboys halfback Tom Duffy.
The Australian
10 hours ago
- The Australian
Australian man arrested in Bali with cocaine: Reports
Another Australian man has been arrested in Bali for alleged cocaine possession, Indonesian media has reported. A video from the Radar Bali news service appears to show the arrest taking place in the tourist hotspot of Bandung on Thursday. The man and a female passenger were reportedly stopped by police for not wearing helmets while riding a motorcycle. The video shows police officers inspecting a small bag, which appears to contain a white powder substance. 'Ah, no, no, no, no,' the man says when police discover the bag. The police allege the man was apprehended with cocaine. Picture: Andre/ 'Try it, it's panadol. Panadol brother,' the man shouts in the video. 'Test it, it's panadol!' The police claim the man later confessed the powder was cocaine. Local media reports the police said the bag had been sent for testing and the test showed the powder to be cocaine. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman confirmed an Australian had been detained in Bali. 'We are in contact with local authorities and stand ready to provide consular assistance, to any Australian citizen, should they request it,' the spokesman said. More to come. Brendan Kearns Cadet Journalist Brendan Kearns is a cadet journalist with News Corp Australia. He has written for The Australian, the Herald Sun, the Geelong Advertiser, CHOICE, Cosmos, and The Citizen. He won Democracy's Watchdogs' Student Award for Investigative Journalism 2024 and hosted the third season of award-winning podcast Uncurated. He studied as Master of Journalism at The University of Melbourne, before that he worked as a video producer and disability worker. @brendandkearns Brendan Kearns
