Latest news with #Dusty
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Gold prospector 'scared' by crumbling five-metre discovery in Aussie bush
Deep in the bush are the ruins of pits that once contained one of the 19th Century's most dangerous and commonly used chemicals, cyanide. The pits were used to extract gold from ore, and their locations can prove valuable for modern-day prospectors searching for long-lost nuggets. Others search for ruined huts, abandoned mines and even old maps. Dusty, who quit her job to search for gold full-time, recently photographed several five-metre-wide pits outside the central Victorian town of Moliagul. 'I never knew it was there. I was just climbing up the hill and realised I was standing on top of the tank, it's wild to have this hidden history,' she told Yahoo News Australia, after reporting the find on her social media page. Back in the day, the pits were drained directly into the bush, and this could contaminate fresh water, killing off fish, wildlife and even people. Death in humans can occur within minutes of cyanide poisoning, and within seconds, exposure can cause headache, loss of consciousness, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Related: ⛏️ Gold prospector's incredible find in 'remote' Aussie bush Historical pictures show men standing on top of the pits at great risk to their own safety. 'When I come across them in the bush, I stand roughly where they would have been working, and I think one slip and they would have been in the tank, and they would have been dead,' Dusty said. 'I just don't know how people could have walked along with their big wooden paddles and stirred the cyanide slurry and thought nothing of it. It scares me even now, and it always blows me away when I find them.' Today, undisturbed pits pose little danger to walkers, according to Heritage Victoria, which manages several of the historic sites around the goldfields region. Although there are alternatives, cyanide continues to be used for gold extraction around the world. Even though the methods have been modernised, and the risks of contamination are low, University of Western Sydney water expert, Associate Professor Ian Wright, is concerned about the practice. 'There are different forms of cyanide, and there are lots that have long-term impacts,' he told Yahoo News. 🥺 Emotional decision looms as ancient graveyard faces one in 100 year storm prediction 🌵 Remarkable 26-year change revealed on Aussie desert property ☔️ Weather event sees Aussie town overrun by 'rarely observed' phenomenon Twenty-five years ago in Romania, a joint venture between the country's government and Australian company Esmeralda Exploration resulted in 100,000 cubic metres of water contaminated with cyanide leaking into the Somes River and then into the Danube. Foxes, otters and birds all died after eating contaminated fish, and the problem spread to neighbouring Serbia and Hungary. Last year, elevated levels of cyanide were detected around Victoria Gold's Eagle gold mine in Canada's Yukon Territory following the discharge of millions of litres of water laced with the chemical. The leak resulted in the company being placed in receivership and its stock being delisted. 'In most mine operations, they do things well. But the tragedy for something like cyanide, even if leaks are super rare, is that the consequences can be absolutely terrible,' Wright said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Geek Girl Authority
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
FIGMENT Is Free in the Mobile Epic Games Store
The Mobile Epic Games Store is now offering free game titles every week; all you have to do is remember to claim them. This week, face universal human fears in a surreal and magical realm of the mind in Figment. Figment. Act quickly because this loot is only free via the Mobile Epic Games Store for a limited time. For a while now, the Epic Games Store has been giving gamers free PC titles and in-game loot every single week. Now, mobile gamers can get in on the freebie action using the Mobile Epic Games Store app. All you have to do is download the app, log into your Epic Games account (or create a new one), and get the goods. Remembering to claim your freebies is the hardest part. Luckily, Geek Girl Authority will be there to remind you every week. RELATED: Love mobile games? Check out our Mobile Game Monday adventures Figment Figment (2017) is an action-adventure game developed and published by Bedtime Digital Games. Join Dusty on a musical adventure through a surreal realm of the mind known as Figment. This strange world is filled with the deepest thoughts, memories, urges, and voices of the human psyche. Dusty and his friend, Piper, find themselves in a once quiet mind whose recent thoughts turn into nightmares. As the mind's former voice of courage, it is up to Dusty to discover the root of these nightmares and face his fears. Overcome challenges using strength and smarts by swinging a sword and solving puzzles. RELATED: Mobile Game Monday: Lost in Play Music is an important part of Figment, from its rhythmic world to the musical monsters. Consequently, explore how your actions influence the dynamic environment and soundtrack. Help Dusty face universal fears and seize some peace of mind. Figment is free (a $5.99 value) in the Mobile Epic Games Store until July 10 at 10 am ET. Mobile Game Monday: DOWN IN BERMUDA
ITV News
09-07-2025
- General
- ITV News
'Dusty' the cat travels 400 miles from home from the Isle of Man to Devon after stowing away in van
ITV Granada Reports' Isle of Man reporter Joshua Stokes meets 'Dusty' after returning safely home to the island A missing cat has returned safely to the Isle of Man, after being located 400 miles away from home in Devon. 'Dusty' had stowed away in a van during the TT races in June, before being discovered by a van driver in the south of England. Much the surprise of her owners, Dusty had travelled in the back of the van from Douglas in the Isle of Man, across the ferry to Liverpool, and south to Tavistock in Devon. Dusty's owner Liz Skillicorn said she is known for venturing out across the island, but never expected her to find her way overseas. Dusty went missing during the TT fortnight on the island, and was last seen on the dashboard of a van. After days without being seen, Liz concluded that Dusty was missing. That was until she was contacted by a man who was working on the Isle of Man during the TT races, saying he believed Dusty was in the back of his van. Liz said: "He sent me a picture and I was like oh god she's alive she's safe... I was like where are you? I'll come and collect her. He said I'm in Tavistock... I was like where the hell is Tavistock!" Tavistock is 395 miles away from Dusty's home in Douglas, situated in Devon. Liz believes Dusty jumped inside the van before it left Douglas, where she was next discovered at the end of the journey in the south of England. A fundraiser then saw islanders donate over £1,000 to fund Liz's journey to collect Dusty and bring her home. Liz said: "I couldn't believe so many people wanted her back - to us she's just a family cat - but obviously she's at the hospital all the time so a lot of people know her." Dusty is notorious on the Isle of Man for visiting Noble's Hospital and spending time with the staff and patients. Liz said: "She wanders in and eats lunch with them, loads of visitors absolutely love her - she's actually got followers in New Zealand and America who say they can't wait to come over for the TT to see the cat!" Liz collected Dusty from Kit Hill Cattery a few days later, and they started their 400-mile journey back to the Isle of Man. Since returning home, Liz said Dusty "hasn't ventured very far as yet", but they have only recently started to let her out the house again. Despite her escapade, Liz said: "I don't think it's phased her at all!".
New Statesman
09-07-2025
- General
- New Statesman
This England: White-van Manx
A curious cat from the Isle of Man has been on her biggest escapade yet – ending up 400 miles from home after climbing into a van. Dusty, who regularly visits patients at Noble's Hospital close to her home in Strang, hopped into the back of the vehicle, which then travelled over sea and land to Tavistock in Devon. Owner Liz Skillicorn was contacted via the Facebook page Dusty's Adventures, which had followed the feline's jaunts, to confirm the missing cat had been found. BBC News (Amanda Welles) So long, suckers A 'Holy Grail' Lego octopus has been found by a stunned beachcomber decades after falling into the sea. The black octopus was one of millions of items lost on the Tokio Express cargo ship off Land's End in 1997. A freak wave knocked 62 containers and about 4,200 Lego octopuses into the sea. Only a handful have been found since, many of which washed up in Cornwall. Jenny Smith, 43, came across the latest one while out on the beach at Ginst Point. 'I squealed with excitement, shouted at my husband, and the kids and sat in complete shock,' she said. Cornwall Live (Adam Robertson) Guzzly bears Two young bears escaped from their Wildwood Trust enclosure in Devon – and devoured a week's worth of honey. In a tale straight out of Winnie-the-Pooh, Mish and Lucy immediately dashed for the food store during their hour of freedom. Visitors were 'promptly escorted to a secure building'. Sidmouth Herald (Steve Morley) [See also: Britain is growing old disgracefully] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Stowaway cat's 400-mile trip after climbing into van
A curious cat from the Isle of Man known for going on "adventures" has been on her biggest escapade yet - ending up 400 miles (643km) from home after climbing into a who regularly visits patients at Noble's Hospital close to her home in Strang, hopped into the back of the vehicle, owned by a visitor, which then travelled over sea and land to Tavistock in Liz Skillicorn was contacted via the Facebook page she runs called Dusty's Adventures, which follows the feline's jaunts, to confirm the missing three-year-old had been Skillicorn said she could scarcely believe the distance covered by her pet, which was now set to be "grounded for life" after the family go to collect her next week. But she added: "She's healthy, happy and most importantly safe and we can't wait to give her a big squeeze." The unwitting van driver had been taking down tents put up for the TT race festival at a pop-up campsite when Dusty had hitched a ride and left the island by boat last Skillicorn said he told her he had given the stowaway "lots of cuddles" before having to leave the the grey and white cat with a vet before she was transferred to a cattery, as he had to head to Glastonbury for his next cat's owner continued: "We were like oh my god what has she done now?""We get so many pictures sent through to the page of her sitting in an ambulance or sitting on someone's knee who is in a wheelchair, but this was something else."We were so relieved she was okay, then we realised we would have to go and get her." Set up by a fan of Dusty, an online fundraiser to pay for the travel costs needed has since received more than £1,000 in Skillicorn said: "We thought we were just going to have to work out a way to pay for the trip but it was amazing to see how much has been raised. "We couldn't believe how people have come together to help us. She's definitely lived up to the name of her page of Dusty's adventures." After the pet is collected, any money raised over the target of £750 will be donated to a Manx animal charity, the family fans of the feline's frolics can rest assured that Dusty's odyssey is unlikely to be her Skillicorn added: "Dusty's a nightmare, she hates staying at home." Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
