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"EXCITING UPDATE!": Big news on Molly the Magpie

<p>In a heartwarming turn of events, Gold Coast residents <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Juliette Wells </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">and Reece Mortensen have received an exciting update that has filled their hearts with joy and relief.</span></p> <p>After a series of ups and downs surrounding the fate of their cherished pet magpie, Molly, the couple has finally been granted a glimmer of hope, thanks to their unwavering determination and the power of community support.</p> <p>The journey began with the unlikely friendship between Molly and the couple's beloved Staffordshire bull terrier, Peggy. <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">From cuddling sessions to playful romps, </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">their bond captured the hearts of many as Juliette documented their playful antics and heartwarming moments on social media. </span></p> <p>However, their joy was soon overshadowed by complaints to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, forcing the family to make the heartbreaking decision to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/outcry-after-authorities-seize-internet-famous-magpie-from-queensland-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surrender Molly in March</a>. Despite the challenges they faced, Juliette and Reece refused to lose hope and tirelessly advocated for Molly's return to their loving home.</p> <p>Their perseverance paid off when they reached out to the office of Queensland Premier Steven Miles, igniting a chain of events that would ultimately lead to a long-awaited phone call. With relief flooding their hearts, Juliette shared the news with their followers on social media, announcing, "WE HAVE AN EXCITING UPDATE!!!!"</p> <p>The call, from someone closely associated with the Director General of the Department of Environment, Science & Innovation, brought promising news. While the legal complexities of the situation posed challenges, the authorities were actively exploring options to address the issue. Although details were scarce, one thing was clear – Molly was healthy, happy, and in good spirits.</p> <p>"After contacting the office of the QLD Premier Steven Miles we received a long awaited phone call from someone who works closely with the Director General of the Department of Environment ,Science & Innovation (DESI ) to say we are relieved is an understatement 😁</p> <p>"We weren’t given too much detail but we were assured that DESI are currently looking at options to proceed with what the Premier had suggested & the legalities of the situation is not an easy fix and its a process through legal frameworks . We will be contacted again by the end of the week with the process and updates .</p> <p>"We asked how Molly was ? We were told he was healthy , happy and in good spirits . We weren’t told of his location to protect his safety .</p> <p>"Stay positive , keep focused on the best outcome and NEVER give up on this noisy little magpie ❤"</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5QG7zFpusz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5QG7zFpusz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple's determination, coupled with the outpouring of support from their community, has helped Juliette and Reece remain focused on the best possible outcome, refusing to give up on their "noisy little magpie".</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

"Exciting news": MKR couple Carly and Tresne share heartwarming update

<p><em>My Kitchen Rules</em> couple Carly Saunders and Tresne Middleton have shared that they are expected a baby boy. </p> <p>The couple endured the worst when their daughter, Poppy Grace, passed away in February 2023 at just 20 months old after battling leukaemia. </p> <p>Just five months after Poppy's death, the couple were dealt another blow as they announced they had suffered a miscarriage.</p> <p>Now, a year on from Poppy's tragic passing, the women have shared some joyous news with their followers, sharing that they are expecting a new addition to their family.</p> <p>Posting the pregnancy announcement to their shared Instagram page, they wrote that their baby boy is due on August 24th this year: just one day before Carly's birthday.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4-FyQ6RJLe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4-FyQ6RJLe/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Carly Tresne (@carlyandtresne)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“We have some exciting news! Poppy Grace is going to be a big sister! 🎉” they said on Tuesday.</p> <p>“We’ve been battling with the right time to share this news, as we always want to be sensitive to those who have been going through their own challenges with cancer and fertility treatment. But this bump is getting too big to hide!”</p> <p>Carly continued writing of the challenging journey she and Tresne had gone through, both undergoing IVF while dealing with the grief of losing Poppy Grace.</p> <p>“We both struggle with visiting the hospital due to the difficult memories of our 17 months living in hospital with Poppy Grace," she wrote. </p> <p>"This darling little boy is something very positive for us to look forward to. Thank you to the people who have continued to be in our corner."</p> <p>"We want to give this sweet little boy the best possible chance, and we know that our beautiful Poppy will be excitedly looking down on us with happiness dancing in her heart. 🩵"</p> <p>The announcement prompted a flood of well wishes and congratulations for the couple, with one overjoyed fan writing, "Oh I’m so happy for you all. A beautiful little boy sent from above by their big sis."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

“I’m excited to be back”: Fergie joins list of luminaries Down Under

<p>Sarah Ferguson has returned to Australia for the first time in years to help battle a major problem facing our nation, while sharing her love for the country.</p> <p>The Duchess of York is visiting Melbourne to take part in the <a title="www.globalcitizen.org" href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/now/melbourne/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Citizen NOW</a> summit from March 4th, which is seeking to drive urgent action to end extreme poverty and address the climate crisis in the Asia-Pacific region.</p> <p>In an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/why-sarah-fergie-ferguson-duchess-of-york-is-back-in-australia/news-story/0a99dbcd4c518d12dcd56b11e89186ba" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a>, Fergie shared her love of Australia, describing the country as a "haven" and sharing her excitement to be back Down Under. </p> <p>“Australia feels like a home away from home to me,” the 64-year-old royal said.</p> <p>“My sister Jane has lived here for decades, so I have visited many times over the years. I have so many memories of wonderful moments."</p> <p>“I remember the excitement of going to the Melbourne Cup with my mother, for example. I’m excited to be back again to make new memories." </p> <p>“I love the Aussie outlook on life and of course I adore your incredible landscapes and wildlife, which are like nothing you see in Europe." </p> <p>“Australia has often been a haven for me. One thing I particularly like is that there is no culture of building people up in order to knock them down again later, which you see elsewhere.”</p> <p>Fergie will be joined at the summit by hundreds of other leading voices, famous personalities and political figures, including actor Hugh Jackman, musicians Crowded House and former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard. </p> <p>The Duchess said that she has taken a special interest in the issue of preserving the planet for future generations, worrying about what the state of the world looks like in the years to come for her grandchildren. </p> <p>“Becoming a grandmother has really changed my outlook on life,” she revealed.</p> <p>“I have always loved nature and the great outdoors, but now I find myself reflecting on what sort of world we are going to leave to our grandchildren’s generation."</p> <p>“Let’s be honest, it doesn’t look great, does it? So far, my generation has failed to take the big decisions necessary to safeguard the future of the planet, to the point that scientists are telling us the changes we are seeing to our climate and biodiversity are becoming irreversible."</p> <p>“I really hope we can take global, concerted action to change things. We have a responsibility to do so."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Caring

"Crossover of a lifetime": Bindi Irwin's exciting new career move

<p>Bindi Irwin has delighted fans with the news of an exciting new project. </p> <p>The wildlife warrior took to Instagram to share the news, which is set to be a hit with the whole family. </p> <p>The 25-year-old is following in the footsteps of many other Aussie celebrities, who have made their debut in the animated world of the hit children's TV show <em>Bluey</em>. </p> <p>Bindi announced that she will be narrating the new audiobook called <em>The Creek</em> for the <em>Bluey Book Reads </em>series, as the Bluey pandemonium continues around the world. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C33e0xUI6eY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C33e0xUI6eY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bluey (@officialblueytv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She shared a picture of herself along with the words: “Introducing <em>The Creek</em>, read by Bindi Irwin,”, adding, “Love you Bluey and Bingo!” in the post caption.</p> <p>Fans were delighted by the news, excited to see the young mum take on work outside of Australia Zoo.</p> <p>“Crossover of a lifetime, are you kidding me?” one fan wrote. “I am so excited.”</p> <p>“WHAT 😍😍 the perfect combo!!” added a second.</p> <p>“OK, definitely need the Irwin’s on <em>Bluey</em>!!!!” wrote a third.</p> <p>Another mum said Bindi was now fulfilling a role for her children that Steve and Terri Irwin had performed for her when she was growing up.</p> <p>“(Bindi’s) parents ‘helped raise me’ through the TV, and now she and Chandler are doing the same for the next generation! ❤️,” the fan wrote.</p> <p>“Bindi, Bluey and Bingo, what a trio,” noted another.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

Books

The Beast's exciting Down Under plans

<p>Mark Lambett, better known as The Beast on <em>The Chase Australia</em> is living in a state of "pure happiness" with his girlfriend.</p> <p>Months after going public, Mark and his partner, British presenter Hayley Palmer, are busy planning the next stage of their relationship. </p> <p>The couple could be heading to Australian shores, as Palmer told <a href="https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/the-chase-star-mark-the-beast-labetts-girlfriend-hayley-palmer-tells-of-australia-plans-c-12666368" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>7News</em></a> that it would be "a dream" to spend some quality time Down Under. </p> <p>“I would love to come out to Australia. Mark and I have talked about it,” she said. </p> <p>“I have been to Sydney and Manly Beach is my favourite,” she says, adding that the picturesque ferry ride from the city is part of the fun.</p> <p>“So I really do hope to come out — that would be an absolute dream. I must put it on my vision board.”</p> <p>Palmer admitted that part of her love of Australia comes from watching <em>Home and Away</em>, with the Channel 7 soap showcasing influencing her love of the country's sandy beaches. </p> <p>“I am a huge Home and Away fan. Anyone will tell you that. I absolutely love it,” the presenter says.</p> <p>A trip to Australia would be a welcome holiday for the couple, who have been doing long distance for most of their relationship. </p> <p>Lambett has been in Australia filming the local version of <em>The Chase</em> game show, while Palmer has been working in her native England. </p> <p>It is because of this that they have learned to embrace “long distance”, with Palmer convinced it is why their relationship “really works”.</p> <p>“I think regarding the long distance, we both have our passions and dreams that we follow, so you have your own thing going on and then when you come back with your partner it is the cherry on top,” she says.</p> <p>“It’s a lovely feeling when you get together."</p> <p>“We’re both quite similar like that. We’re always busy and we come together and it’s pure happiness.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Relationships

"Beyond excited": Graham Norton announces Aussie TV show

<p>Graham Norton, the beloved Irish television presenter and talk show host, is set to bring a wave of nostalgia to Australian screens with the revival of the iconic game show, <em>Wheel of Fortune</em>.</p> <p>While Norton is best known for his charismatic chat show, he's expanding his horizons and diving into the world of game shows, and fans are in for a treat.</p> <p>In a recent announcement from Channel 10, it was revealed that Norton would be the new face of <em>Wheel of Fortune Australia</em>, making its return in a primetime slot as part of the network's 2024 schedule.</p> <p>For those unfamiliar with the game, <em>Wheel of Fortune</em> is centred around a colossal carnival wheel. Contestants spin the wheel in hopes of landing on a lucky segment, which could lead to a life-changing cash prize. The show is a perfect blend of skill, luck and, of course, plenty of surprises.</p> <p>Interestingly, the revival of <em>Wheel of Fortune</em> also coincides with the news that Norton will be hosting a UK reboot of the same show, while Ryan Seacrest takes on hosting duties in the United States.</p> <p>In a statement, Norton expressed his excitement, saying, "I’m beyond excited to be bringing such an iconic American show to Australia with Network 10.</p> <p>"Hosting game shows is brilliant fun, and even more so when you have a giant wheel to spin! This show has it all, mixing skill, luck, and lots of surprises, and I hope the Australian audience loves it."</p> <p>This is not the first time that <em>Wheel of Fortune</em> has graced Australian screens. The game show was last seen in 2008 when it aired on Channel 7 under the name <em>Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune</em>, hosted by Tim Campbell.</p> <p>Sadly, the show met an untimely demise, being cancelled after just a month due to poor ratings. The decision to bring it back, albeit in a different form, indicates the enduring popularity and appeal of this classic game show.</p> <p>One noteworthy change in this revival is the location. Unlike its previous iteration, the new <em>Wheel of Fortune Australia</em> will not be filmed down under. Instead, it will be produced in the United Kingdom, with the charismatic Norton taking the helm and a variety of Aussie expats appearing on the show. </p> <p>But that's not the only exciting game show news for Australian viewers. Channel 10 also announced that the beloved Australian host, Grant Denyer, will be bringing back the iconic <em>Deal or No Deal</em>.</p> <p>The show, which had a global following and was beloved in 325 countries, will make a comeback in 2024, airing at 6pm on weekdays.</p> <p>Denyer expressed his excitement about the return of the show, saying, "In this time of the high cost of living, I can't wait to be a hyperactive 'human ATM,' handing out big cash and sending Australians off into the sunset with their pockets bulging and their lives changed. It's a magical feeling and a real privilege. I'm so damn excited."</p> <p>Additionally, the popular wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin is set to host I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! alongside Julia Morris (who has <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/julia-morris-promises-a-little-less-shameless-flirting-with-new-co-host" target="_blank" rel="noopener">promised to behave herself</a>) for the show's 10th season, taking over from former host Dr Chris Brown.</p> <p>And for fans of cooking shows, there's a reboot of <em>Ready Steady Cook</em> primed for Friday nights, featuring former <em>The Living Room</em> star and chef Miguel Maestre as the show's host.</p> <p>With these exciting announcements, Australian television is set to have a fantastic lineup of game shows and entertainment in the coming year. Whether it's spinning the iconic wheel or choosing between those elusive briefcases, the fun and thrill of these game shows are set to captivate viewers once again.</p> <p><em>Image: BBC One</em></p>

Robert Irwin's exciting new role

<p>Robert Irwin has reportedly landed a high-profile hosting role on Channel Ten.</p> <p>After Dr Chris Brown's departure from <em>I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here</em>, rumours have swirled over who would replace the veteran host. </p> <p>Many believed comedian Joel Creasey would be stepping into the hosting role, but reports have emerged from <a href="https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2023/09/15/exclusive-the-new-co-host-of-im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here-is/?feed_id=146232" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>TV Blackbox</em></a> that the 19-year-old wildlife warrior will be heading to the South African jungle to host alongside Julia Morris. </p> <p>The rumours have yet to be confirmed by Channel Ten, who said in a statement, “Any announcements regarding our program schedule for 2024 will be made at our intimate Upfronts presentations.”</p> <p>Despite being a relatively inexperienced host, Irwin has previously stepped in for hosting duties to replace <em>Sunrise</em> weatherman Sam Mac on occasion, and has certainly spent a lot of time in front of the camera. </p> <p>Robert’s expertise with dangerous creatures is also likely to come in handy on the jungle set for <em>I’m A Celeb</em>.</p> <p>Earlier this year, Julia Morris began teasing details about the new <em>I'm a Celeb</em> host, saying Dr Chris's replacement would have the show going "a completely different way". </p> <p>“I’m going to have to leave everything of the past behind,” she told <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/julia-morris-spills-on-new-im-a-celebrity-co-host-completely-different-012241033.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em></a>, explaining that she was doing “chemistry” tests with six potential candidates.</p> <p>“Whoever comes in is going to want to build that together. So there’s plenty of space for that person, we’re just looking forward to finding out who that’s going to be.”</p> <p>Morris also outlined the pressure that was on her and the successful candidate after many successful years of the show. </p> <p>“Whoever that person is going to have a huge effect on whether I’m working over the next few years, so I want it to work,” she said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Loch Ness monster back in headlines after "most exciting" photo in decades

<p>A recent potential Loch Ness monster sighting has generated immense excitement among monster enthusiasts, who claim these photographs are the most captivating seen in decades.</p> <p>The incident unfolded when Chie Kelly, 51, inadvertently captured images of an unidentified, sizeable creature gliding across the surface of Loch Ness five years ago in August.</p> <p>At the time, she hesitated to release the images, fearing public ridicule. However, her decision changed after the largest 'Nessie' search in over half a century took place last month – called The Quest Weekend.</p> <p>Kelly, accompanied by her family, was enjoying a meal at an inn nestled on the shores of the Scottish loch when she began snapping photos.</p> <p>According to the <a href="https://lochness.com/findings-revealed-from-the-quest-weekend/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lochness.com website</a>, Chie Kelly "had lunch in the Dores Inn and then started walking around. I was just taking pictures with my Canon camera of Scott and our daughter Alisa, who was then five, when about 200 metres from the shore, moving right to left at a steady speed was this creature.</p> <p>"It was spinning and rolling at times. We never saw a head or neck. After a couple of minutes, it just disappeared and we never saw it again.</p> <p>"At first I wondered if it was an otter or a pair of otters or a seal, but we never saw a head and it never came up again for air.</p> <p>"It was making this strange movement on the surface. We did not hear any sound. There were these strange shapes below the surface. I could not make out any colours – the water was dark. I could not accurately assess its length, but the two parts that were visible were less than two metres long together.</p> <p>"I don’t know what it was, but it was definitely a creature – an animal. At the time I did not want to face public ridicule by making the photographs public. But I met Steve Feltham at the weekend and showed him the images, and he said immediately that they were ‘very interesting’.”</p> <p>Feltham has dedicated more than 30 years to the search for Nessie since abandoning his job and selling his house in 1991. After looking at the images, he said, “These are the most exciting surface pictures I have seen. They are exactly the type of pictures I have been wanting to take for three decades.</p> <p>"It is rare to see something so clear on the surface. They are vindication for all the people who believe there is something unexplained in Loch Ness. They are remarkable. I have studied them and still do not know what it is. I persuaded them that these pictures were so important they should make them public. They warrant further investigation. It is not driftwood – it is a moving creature and totally unexplained.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrRewR8txip/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrRewR8txip/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chie Tchié Kelly-Kano (@kelly.chie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Reports of the Loch Ness monster have spanned ancient history, with stories dating back to an Irish missionary allegedly rescuing a swimmer from a creature in the loch during the 7th century.</p> <p>The completion of a road adjacent to the loch in 1933 led to a surge in monster sightings. Despite numerous searches over the years, a DNA survey conducted in 2018 failed to provide any evidence of a plesiosaur or other large animals residing in the lake.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / Chie Kelly</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

"So excited": Miranda Kerr's special announcement

<p>Miranda Kerr is pregnant! </p> <p>The Australian model is set to become a "boy mum" for the fourth time after announcing her pregnancy on Snapchat on Friday. </p> <p>“So excited to announce baby number 4,” she captioned the adorable photo of her cradling her bump. </p> <p>This is the model's fourth child, her third with her husband Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel. </p> <p>“And it’s a boy,” Kerr, 40, added in a second post with a bunch of blue hearts.</p> <p>She then posted a photo of of four pairs of white-and-yellow sneakers in various sizes with the hashtag “#boymom".</p> <p>The former Victoria’s Secret Angel did not look a day over 30 as she rocked a a flowy white lace crop top and a pair of low-rise jeans. </p> <p>The 40-year-old model had a beautiful glow as she wore rosy pink make-up and smiled for the camera. </p> <p>Kerr and Spiegel already have two children together, Hart, 5, and Myles, 3. </p> <p>The model also shares 12-year-old son Flynn with her ex-husband, Orlando Bloom.</p> <p>Kerr has been open to having more kids, which she admitted in an interview with <em>People magazine </em> at last year's Baby2Baby Gala. </p> <p>Back then she gushed about how wonderful it is to see the world through her children's eyes "and understanding that each of them has a different way of seeing" things. </p> <p>“Even though they’re three boys [and] they’ve grown up in a similar environment, they really have a different perspective,” she added, and gushed about how their "curiosity" is "infectious". </p> <p>Kerr and Spiegel have been married since 2017, following their engagement in the previous year. </p> <p><em>Images: Miranda Kerr Snapchat</em></p>

Family & Pets

Kate Middleton’s brother shares exciting family news

<p dir="ltr">James Middleton and his wife Alizee Thevenet are expecting their first child together!</p> <p dir="ltr">Princess Kate’s younger brother took to Instagram to share the positive news following a difficult start to the year after the death of their dog, Ella.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We couldn't be more excited … well Mable might be ❤️," James captioned the post, with a picture of his dog, Mable staring at his wife’s baby bump.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 36-year-old also shared another post on his company, Ella & Co. 's, Instagram account showing an alternate angle of Alizee’s bump.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We have a new member of the pack coming soon, we couldn't be more excited 🐾 ❤️," he gushed, in the Instagram account named after his late dog.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It was a very difficult start to the year after losing my beloved Ella however we will end the year with the most precious little addition to our growing family ❤️” he added in both posts.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuUwrtJoNdT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuUwrtJoNdT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by James & Ella (@ella.co)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The couple met thanks to their dog Ella, in an interview with the <em>Daily Telegraph</em> in 2019, James recalled the moment they were brought together.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The two of us were at the South Kensington Club in Chelsea," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Ella was lying at my feet under the table; realising she might want some water, I trusted her to take herself to the water bowl across the terrace. However, she made a beeline for Alizee. Rather embarrassed, I went over to apologise and bring Ella back."</p> <p dir="ltr">In an event that you often see in romcoms, Alizee had thought James was a waiter and ordered a drink from him and the rest was history.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans have shared their delight at the happy news and wished the couple well.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Great dog owners make fabulous parents!!” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Huge congratulations to you both.💛” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Amazing news!!! Congrats and wishing a healthy pregnancy to Alizee!” wrote a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm not crying 😭 luckiest baby with an amazing family, congrats!” commented a fourth.</p> <p dir="ltr">James and Alizee tied the knot in 2021 in an intimate ceremony with family and friends in France.</p> <p dir="ltr">Their new baby will be Carole Middleton and Michael Middleton's seventh grandchild.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Farmer Wants A Wife couple announce exciting news

<p dir="ltr"><em>Farmer Wants a Wife </em>couple Brad and Clare have announced that they are expecting their first child together.</p> <p dir="ltr">The lovebirds took to Instagram to announce the exciting news, with a picture of the pair posing alongside a tiny pair of shoes.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re so excited to meet our newest little farm hand! Baby Jones due December,” Clare captioned the photo.</p> <p dir="ltr">The surprise announcement comes just one month after the show finished airing on <em>Channel Seven</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair opened up about their family plans to <em>New Idea</em>, and shared that it has been a “crazy” time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We didn’t think it would happen as quick as it did,” Brad told the publication.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct71vikPGvh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct71vikPGvh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Clare Hockings (@clare_hockings)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Clare shared that she is currently in her second trimester and is feeling “pretty good” about her “pretty healthy” pregnancy so far.</p> <p dir="ltr">Clare also revealed that this will be the first grandchild on her side, and that her parents are ecstatic as they are already shopping for the new bub.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They are so excited,” she gushed. “Brad’s parents just welcomed a new granddaughter the other day, so it’ll be nice for our baby to have a little cousin close in age.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple have reportedly decided that they want to wait and find out the baby’s gender “the old-fashioned way”, and that they have yet to decide on a name for their baby.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brad and Clare have both been on the same page about their relationship goals and that they are “ready to settle down and start a family and get married”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans and friends congratulated the couple on their happy news.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Finally 😍😍😍 congratulations my loves ❤️❤️" commented former Farmer Wants A Wife contestant, Jessica Nova.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Oh my congratulations guys🥹❤️" commented a fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This is so exciting !!! Congrats you two 😍" commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Congrats guys, can’t wait," wrote a third.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Aussie Olympian’s exciting family news

<p dir="ltr">Olympic gold medalist Tom Slingsby and his wife, <em>The Bachelor</em>’s Helena Sauzier, are expecting their first child. </p> <p dir="ltr">The couple, who married in February 2023, announced their exciting news with a post to social media, where Slingsby shared a picture from their wedding along with a snap of their ultrasound. </p> <p dir="ltr">Their year had started on a high, and looks set to end on one too, with Slingsby’s caption declaring that their bundle of joy was due in December. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Little boy incoming,” his caption read. “So excited for the future with @helenasauzier and our new addition in December."</p> <p dir="ltr">The wedding picture was a throwback to the happiest day of their lives - and another post from Slingsby, when he shared the news of their nuptials with his followers after at least three years of dating. </p> <p dir="ltr">The competitive sailor had used his February post to gush about his new wife and their “perfect day”, just a few days after tying the knot aboard the Ghost II superyacht.</p> <p dir="ltr">His comments were awash with love and celebration from friends, family, and fans - just like his baby announcement.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct6KkAkrivk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct6KkAkrivk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tom Slingsby (@tslingsby)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Loved ones were more than happy to repeat the process, flocking to Slingsby’s comment section to shower their happy messages on the couple - directing them to both via Slingsby, as Sauzier’s account was private. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations on the buoy guys!” fitness enthusiast Andrew Pap wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Ahhhh Stahppp congrats you guys!!” former <em>The Bachelor</em> star Brittany Hockley said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Congrats mate,” Aussie yachtsman Jimmy Spithill shared, with near identical sentiments coming from Slingsby’s fellow Olympian Matt Graham. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Peanut … I love you squishy,” mother-to-be Helena chimed in. </p> <p dir="ltr">“PEANUT!!!! So so so excited for you and @helenasauzier! Love you guys so much xx,” a friend wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations, so glad to hear the Slingsby lineage will continue!!” one supporter gushed. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Awe how exciting. Wonderful news. Congratulations to you both,” another said. </p> <p dir="ltr">One had high hopes for the pair, that it was “simply gorgeous news”, and telling them “you’ll both make such great parents!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Gorgeous news! It will be the wildest ride you have ever been on!” another revealed. “May the lead up to your little man’s arrival and beyond be smooth sailing.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, sports broadcaster Kaylee Hartung had just one question for the happy couple, “will you name him Montell? Or Jordan? Congratulations!!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Dylan Alcott’s girlfriend shares exciting update

<p dir="ltr">Tennis star Dylan Alcott’s girlfriend, Chantelle Otten has shared an exciting update on the couple’s plans to expand their family.</p> <p dir="ltr">Otten took to her Instagram Stories to announce that she is currently undergoing hormone fertility therapy to freeze her eggs, in hopes of one day starting a family with the Paralympic star.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m actually going through my second round of egg freezing at the moment,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think a lot of people watched Dyl (Dylan) and I, on Big Miracles, a few months ago.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And yeah I’m just doing another round because I want to have them there for when we are ready but also I can donate afterwards as well.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know plenty of people who might not have as good of a journey as I am having with egg freezing because I have a lot of eggs unlike the Easter bunny so if anyone has questions about it please let me know,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Otten, who is a sexologist, met the seven-time Australian Open winner who represented Australia in the Paralympics, at one of his book readings in 2018 and the pair began dating that same year.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple made their relationship public at a tennis event in April 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple have been open about their plans to start a family and have appeared on <em>Nine’s</em> IVF documentary <em>Big Miracles</em> to share their fertility journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We're both young but also super pumped to be parents one day so it's something we're excited to think further about in the future,” Alcott had said in an interview for the documentary.</p> <p dir="ltr">Otten has shared that the couple started discussing their options for the future during COVID.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Honestly, we just came together and I said, 'I think I might freeze my eggs'. Dylan thought it was a great idea," she told <em>Nine</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We weren't sure what our fertility journey would be like as a couple so this felt like a natural next step in our process. It didn't take us long to think about it but in terms of taking steps and looking at options,” she added.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Revenge, excitement, or profit: why do people commit arson?

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/xanthe-mallett-160506">Xanthe Mallett</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joel-robert-mcgregor-369270">Joel Robert McGregor</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>The huge blaze that struck Randle Street in central Sydney last week is now the subject of an <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8210175/teens-sought-by-police-over-massive-sydney-cbd-blaze/">arson investigation</a>, authorities have confirmed.</p> <p>Many details remain unclear, including the safety and whereabouts of some of the people who were <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-27/wall-in-sydney-building-moves-after-major-fire/102401470">reportedly sleeping rough in the building</a>, as well as the nature of any criminal charges that may arise.</p> <p>Right now there’s also a fire burning on a southern Great Barrier Reef island, threatening a sensitive marine site, which local rangers are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-30/rangers-battle-suspicious-fire-on-great-barrier-reef-island/102408970">treating as suspicious</a>.</p> <p>While arson is yet to be confirmed in either of these specific cases, it’s timely to look at the issue of arson more generally.</p> <p>Aside from the personal and environmental implications, the financial burden of arson is huge. Recent data are difficult to obtain, although it was estimated that the total cost of arson in Australia was <a href="https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/rpp129.pdf">A$2.3 billion in 2011</a>, and the annual figure is likely to have increased since then.</p> <p>There’s a lack of scientific research attempting to understand the arsonist, perhaps because the “typical arsonist” doesn’t exist. Or maybe it’s because so few arsons are solved, and the rate of successful convictions remains low.</p> <p>However, the research that has been done suggests there are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B012369397700203X">six main</a> <a href="https://www.firehouse.com/community-risk/investigation-equipment/article/10464930/arson-investigation-the-six-motives-for-firesetting">types of</a> <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shelby-Miller-8/publication/342276745_Applications_of_Criminology_to_the_Multidimensional_Crime_of_Arson/links/5eeb748092851ce9e7ecad80/Applications-of-Criminology-to-the-Multidimensional-Crime-of-Arson.pdf">arsonist</a>.</p> <h2>6 types of arsonist</h2> <p>Arson, as <a href="https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/bfab/bfab1#:%7E:text=Arson%20is%20the%20act%20of,through%20the%20use%20of%20fire">defined</a> by the Australian Institute of Criminology, is the act of “intentionally and maliciously destroying or damaging property through the use of fire”.</p> <p>For a fire to be classified as arson there must be intent – the intention to cause harm or damage.</p> <p>Arson can also be the primary or secondary motive – is setting the fire the main purpose, or is the fire being used to disguise another activity?</p> <p>Here are the main six underlying reasons why someone might commit arson:</p> <p><strong>1. The ‘for profit’ arsonist</strong></p> <p>There are many ways someone can profit from arson. This includes extortion, or destroying a property to clear a piece of land. But most commonly these crimes are attempts at insurance fraud.</p> <p>There are different types of property insurance fraud, including residential, commercial and vehicular. Residential fraud is committed by the homeowner or tenant; commercial fraud is committed by an owner to destroy company statements or claim on insurance; and vehicular fraud may occur when someone can’t afford their repayments.</p> <p>These are largely one-off crimes and are very focused, and the offender is easier to catch than with other types of arson because they have a direct link with the damaged property or its owner.</p> <p><strong>2. Pyromaniacs</strong></p> <p>These perpetrators light fires for thrills and attention. Their fires range from bins to occupied buildings, and the size and risk associated with the fires may increase over time as the arsonist needs more excitement with each event.</p> <p>This type of offender is often voyeuristic, and may wait for emergency services to attend, sometimes even calling them themselves, as they want to be present at the scene. They may video or photograph the fire and the first responders.</p> <p>As a result, for investigators it’s important to capture images of the crowd to see who was watching.</p> <p>This category includes first responders who set fires in order to be a “hero” in attendance, seeking praise and recognition for their bravery.</p> <p>For example, a New South Wales volunteer firefighter was charged in January 2021 for allegedly <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/rfs-member-charged-with-lighting-30-fires-in-nsw-20210124-p56wei.html">starting more than 30 fires</a> during that summer.</p> <p><strong>3. Crime concealment</strong></p> <p>For these offenders, the arson is secondary to the concealment of another serious crime, such as murder or theft.</p> <p>Fire is a very successful means of destroying many forms of evidence, such as fingerprints that may have been left at a scene or clothing worn during the crime.</p> <p><strong>4. The revenge arsonist</strong></p> <p>These offenders are emotionally driven, and set fires out of anger or hatred, or for revenge for a real or perceived wrong. The need for retaliation could be based in a personal slight – such as an affair, or having been dismissed from a job.</p> <p>Targets vary from individuals to institutions. And because of the emotional state of the offender, these crimes are usually disorganised and use unsophisticated methods of starting the fire, meaning they leave more evidence behind than some other types.</p> <p><strong>5. Extremist motivations</strong></p> <p>Extremist arsonists are driven by religious, political or social agendas.</p> <p>There are two types of extremist arsonist, the first being those reacting to a civil disturbance, such as the death of a person in custody. Activities may include vandalism and looting, and the purpose may be to draw attention to a perceived injustice.</p> <p>For example, 36-year-old Jose A. Felan Jr was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison in the United States after he <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/jose-felan-36-gets-6-12-years-in-prison-for-multiple-arsons-during-george-floyd-unrest/">set fires</a> at a school and two shops, during the riots that followed the police killing of George Floyd during an arrest in May 2020.</p> <p>The second type are terrorist arsonists, known as pyro-terrorism, which is <a href="https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/pyro-terrorism-threat-arson-induced-forest-fires-future-terrorist">defined</a> as “the use of incendiary attacks to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population”. These offenders may use arson as one of a range of measures, and work alone or in cells.</p> <p>Because their crimes are premeditated with targets selected carefully to have the most social, economic or political impact, these offenders are often highly organised, and may use advanced incendiary devices. The purpose is to cause mass fear, beyond the actual target itself.</p> <p><strong>6. Vandalism</strong></p> <p>Vandal arsonists are typically juveniles, who set fire to bins, abandoned vehicles or empty buildings, and may do so to cover up other crimes such as theft. Often an additional factor in the starting of the fire is peer pressure or gang initiation, as these arsonists often act in groups.</p> <p>For these offenders, arson can be what criminologists call a “gateway crime” – a crime that may lead to more severe criminal activity.</p> <p>But if such offenders are given suitable support, rehabilitation can be highly successful to prevent them becoming serious, repeat offenders.</p> <p>Although these are the main motives for arson, each does not act in a vacuum, and more than one may jointly contribute to the arsonist’s motivations. For example, someone may be murdered out of revenge, and then the offender sets a fire to conceal that crime or destroy evidence.</p> <p>Arson is highly complex crime, with a wide range of social, psychological and environmental influences. More work needs to be done to understand the arsonist and their motivations, and how they can be identified, caught, convicted and hopefully rehabilitated.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206502/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/xanthe-mallett-160506">Xanthe Mallett</a>, Forensic Criminologist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joel-robert-mcgregor-369270">Joel Robert McGregor</a>, Lecturer in Criminology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/revenge-excitement-or-profit-why-do-people-commit-arson-206502">original article</a>.</em></p>

Legal

Serena Williams unveils exciting family news

<p>Tennis champion Serena Williams has surprised and delighted fans in equal measure by revealing she and husband Alexis Ohanian are expecting their second child together. </p> <p>The GOAT shared the news on Instagram before walking the Met Gala’s 2023 red carpet, posting a picture of herself and Alexis in their finest evening wear. Serena was glowing in her Gucci gown and pearls alongside her husband in the first picture, before she posed alone, showcasing her baby bump for the rest of the series. </p> <p>In her caption, Serena shared her excitement over the invite offered to “the 3 of us” by Anna Wintour, organiser of the Met Gala. </p> <p>The 2023 star-studded event was paying tribute to late designer Karl Legerfeld with its theme, and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/stars-lead-the-met-gala-carpet-in-stunning-black-and-white" target="_blank" rel="noopener">attendees spared no cost in honouring it with their glitz and glamour</a>, and it was style to that same measure that Serena and Alexis took with them as they posed for the cameras lining the carpet.</p> <p>Friends and fans were thrilled, whether they saw the announcement through coverage of the event or on Serena’s social media, with hundreds taking to her initial post to share their excitement, and to congratulate them - and their daughter Olympia - on the happy new addition. </p> <p>While many opted for the simple ‘congratulations’ approach - from the likes of singer Ciara to the official Barbie and Olympics accounts - actor Michael B Jordan could not contain his enthusiasm, writing “AAAAYYYEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!” instead. </p> <p>“What a reveal,” declared the Australian Open. “Congratulations from your AO family!”</p> <p>“Happy for u momma,” shared actor Colton Haynes. </p> <p>Meanwhile, one fan had to admit that they “had to look three times!!! 3x a charm!! Congratulations!!!”</p> <p>Another’s thoughts turned to their excitement for 5-year-old Olympia, writing, “congratulation!!!!! Olympia [is] gonna be a big sister!!!!”</p> <p>“Love this for you and your family!” said another. “Wishin’ you a very healthy pregnancy!!!”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CruD3jjLOPB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CruD3jjLOPB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Serena and Alexis’ happy news came eight months after she made the announcement she would be retiring from professional tennis, wanting to focus on her family.</p> <p>"I have never liked the word retirement,” she said at the time, before going on to note that the term itself didn’t feel particularly ‘modern’ to her. She decided that the best word for her situation may instead be “evolution”.</p> <p>"I'm here to tell you that I'm evolving away from tennis,” she continued, “toward other things that are important to me … soon after that, I started a family. I want to grow that family."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Céline Dion's exciting news amid ongoing health battle

<p>Céline Dion has taken fans by surprise - and given them something to be excited about after a challenging year - with her latest career announcement.</p> <p>The singer, who in 2021 was forced to cancel shows due to illness, has revealed that she will be releasing her first new music in almost four years. </p> <p>“Love comes to those who believe it,” Dion first wrote on Instagram, sharing a photo of her upcoming film with co-stars Sam Heughan and Priyanka Chopra, alongside the announcement that the movie would feature “new music from me [Dion]”. </p> <p>The single ‘Love Again’ shares a name with the movie, and will feature on its soundtrack.</p> <p>A day before the song’s release, Dion returned to her social media with another post, and fans were quick to share their excitement with their singing superstar. </p> <p>“SO EXCITED, it’s Celine's first song in 4 years!!!” one gushed. </p> <p>“We are waiting!!!! We miss you, but want you well of course!!!” another said. </p> <p>“Can't wait! The Queen returns to her RIGHTFUL throne!” came one declaration. </p> <p>“Been waiting for this magical remarkable moment since they finished the movie last year … still worth the wait,” one wrote, before adding that everyone missed her. “Speedy recovery Queen. Can’t wait to see [yo]u again soon.”</p> <p>Dion’s last single ‘Courage’ released in 2019, right before the singer took a step back from the limelight, reportedly due to both the pandemic and her own declining health. </p> <p>Late in 2022, Dion provided fans some insight into her situation, sharing a video on YouTube to explain what was going on in her day-to-day life, and the challenges she was facing - the same challenges that had led to the cancellation of her stage appearances.</p> <p>“I sometimes have a lot of difficulty walking and I can't always use my vocal cords to sing as I would like,” she confessed. </p> <p>It was revealed that Dion suffers from SPS (otherwise known as Stiff-Person Syndrome), a condition that causes both muscle spasms and severe pain. </p> <p>And as the star’s sister, Claudette Dion, told <em>Le Journal de Montreal</em>, the family have high hopes that Dion may yet be able to return to the stage. </p> <p>And while Claudette had previously been hesitant to discuss her sister’s health journey, she could now tell the publication that Dion had “done it with composure” while making her YouTube content, “I know she was holding herself back. It wasn’t done in a moment of crisis, with tears, in distress. She simply explained what it was.”</p> <p>“Rather than crying about her fate,” she went on, “I’m trying to send her positive vibes and to make sure that one day, she’ll be able to get back on stage." </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Jelena Dokic shares exciting career update

<p>Aussie tennis great Jelena Dokic has revealed she has two major projects coming up as her career continues to soar.</p> <p>Since retiring, Dokic, 39, has gained a loyal fan base thanks to her sharp tennis commentary and sharing the tough times she’s faced with online abuse, family violence, body-shaming and depression.</p> <p>The former World No. 4 regularly posts raw and inspiring content on Instagram, even sharing that at one point she came close to taking her own life.</p> <p>In an update on her career, she revealed she has a second book being released, and a documentary about her is wrapping up production.</p> <p>The 39-year-old’s autobiography <em>Unbreakable</em>, which focused on the physical and mental abuse she endured from her father, turned out to be a huge success.</p> <p>Her upcoming book, Fearless, will be focusing on her ongoing campaign against body shaming and her battle with mental health issues.</p> <p>The tennis champ is both working full time on the speaking circuit and appearing in fashion campaigns for Witchery.</p> <p>Speaking to Channel 9’s Today, Dokic told hosts, “I have been really busy,”</p> <p>“I thought I’d get a bit of a break after the Australian Open so I did for a week and that’s it.</p> <p>“(I’m) full time on the speaker circuit now as well which is amazing. I absolutely love that and love sharing my story.</p> <p>“A lot of important campaigns with a few fashion brands which are really focused on really good causes especially when it comes to women.”</p> <p>She also mentioned she has been “really busy writing my second book”.</p> <p>“We’re almost at the end,” she said.</p> <p>“It is coming out in September. It is (called) ‘Fearless’. We just came up actually with that headline now, 48 hours ago.</p> <p>“I am really excited because the first book was amazing. It was so successful. It was now five years ago since it’s come out. I have a bit of pressure with this one, I feel like. In a good way. I really want it to be another amazing piece that people can get something helpful out it.</p> <p>“The first book was purely my autobiography. This second one is going deep into mental health, trauma and healing, social media as well, body image and body shaming.</p> <p>“But ultimately I want it to be a book of hope and something that people can pick up, get a bit of inspiration from and just go really a little bit deeper into some of those things and some of the mental health things I have never even spoken about.”</p> <p>Her upcoming documentary <em>Unbreakable</em> is in post production stages and is set for release in 2024 after cameras followed her for three years.</p> <p>“We are pretty much done filming a lot of that,” Dokic said.</p> <p>“I am really excited because there will be a lot of other people in it, ex-players, former World No. 1s. To be able to tell my story but on screen is so powerful so I can’t wait for that to come out.”</p> <p>The tennis star has been very open about her experience with hate she receives online, describing the abusive comments she received during the Australian Open as “disgusting” and “a new low”.</p> <p>She added that she always tries to find the light in negative situations and her book will uphold that inspiring message.</p> <p>“I tried to keep it open and honest and raw as you know,” Dokic shared.</p> <p>“I want to be really real and authentic. That’s what I want to be known for and what I want my legacy to be.</p> <p>“I think we can turn lot of negatives into positives and I’ve learned that in my life so far whether that was on the tennis court as an athlete but also off the court.</p> <p>“I worked incredibly hard after retiring really early at 29 due to injury, how to reinvent myself as well and had to work really hard on that.</p> <p>“I think ultimately it is about finding the positives and not going back, not thinking about the past and trying to do good. I think we can do a lot and help other people.</p> <p>“If I can raise awareness about things that can save lives there is nothing better than that in the world. I want that to be my legacy.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

News

“An exciting place to be”: Carmen becomes first opera performed on Cockatoo Island

<p dir="ltr">Operas as we know them conjure up images of concert halls with soaring ceilings, tiered, cushiony seats, and singers projecting their voices for the whole audience to hear.</p> <p dir="ltr">To take opera beyond the theatre and into the great outdoors comes with plenty of challenges, many of which conductor Tahu Matheson has become all too familiar with while conducting the orchestra for <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/domestic-travel/fireworks-motorbikes-and-opera-carmen-on-cockatoo-island-review"><em>Carmen </em>on Sydney’s Cockatoo Island</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s quite tricky,” he tells <em>OverSixty</em>. “In particular, it’s the distance. The orchestra is a long, long way away from the grand outdoor stage.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With the orchestra located in one of the island’s historic buildings and the opera’s main stage on the water’s edge, Matheson and the cast rely on monitors to see each other and stay in time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I can see the stage but only really from a distance,” he explains. “So really, I just listen, basically, and try and follow the singers as much as possible.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And they've got a big monitor, and when they can they take note of the monitor.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Naturally, the elements present another challenge to be overcome with the help of microphones, and the help of sound designer Tony David Cray, who Matheson describes as a “sound genius”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He never stops working. When we’re all having a break, we hear moments of stuff that we’ve just done, and then he's just working on the sound and seeing if we can make this clearer and more beautiful, and more articulated,” Matheson says.</p> <p dir="ltr">But the most interesting part of this production for Matheson has been how it has changed from the original under the guidance of director Liesel Badorrek.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carmen, probably one of the strongest women in opera, is being sort of interpreted just slightly differently, from a woman’s point of view,” he says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s always a little bit of Carmen where, yes, she’s an incredibly strong character, but it’s definitely been written by a man, so a man’s idea of a strong woman.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And so Liesel just interprets that in a slightly different way… a strong woman from a woman’s perspective. I think it’s timely and it’s also slightly more interesting than we’ve had in the past.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Opera Australia’s version of <em>Carmen </em>draws attention to themes of violence against women at a time when sexual violence and coercive control have been in the spotlight.</p> <p dir="ltr">It also modernises the appearance of <em>Carmen</em> through costuming and set design, opening up questions of whether future productions could follow suit in a bid to appeal to modern audiences.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, Matheson says this can be tricky when dealing with an artform like opera.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think there are some things about opera, just the artform itself, that are so thrilling and exciting that I don’t think you're going to experience them in any other artform,” he says.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s very difficult because it’s a hybrid of three or four different artforms, each of which, in itself, is capable of reducing the audience members to tears, whether it’s just the spoken word alone, or just music in a concert, or just a singer with a piano.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And then you bring all these things together and then you add a dramatic plot to it - it has the ability to be something so thrilling and so amazing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But it also has this fragility because it depends on all four or five disparate parts working together. And so it can fail, and sometimes it does.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And I think it’s worth remembering as a member of the public that it has the possibility to be the most stunning experience that you’ve ever had in your life. </p> <p dir="ltr">“At the same time, we do need to modernise, think forward a little bit and [think]: How do we engage with people as well as wanting them to engage in the artform itself?’</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t think it’s as simple as going, ‘We’ll add more people in jeans and t-shirts so that people empathise with characters’, but somehow a mixture of both, I think it’s what we need.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Carmen </em>on Cockatoo Island is showing Tuesday through Sunday nights from November 25 until December 18, with tickets available <a href="https://opera.org.au/productions/carmen-on-cockatoo-island" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-307abfe6-7fff-5780-c848-baefb1e73f21"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Prudence Upton / Opera Australia</em></p>

Domestic Travel

10 exciting retirement adventure ideas

<p>In the words of Mark Twain, “Years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the one’s you did.” Now you’ve got a little bit of extra time up your hands heed these words and start your own retirement adventure, like one of the 10 ideas mentioned here.</p> <p><strong>1. Drive the Great Ocean Road </strong></p> <p>We’ve already talked about eight reasons everyone should drive the Great Ocean Road in Australia. Observe what remains of the 12 apostles, visit the many amazing sites and enjoy some of the best scenery Australia has to offer.</p> <p><strong>2. Discover the Red Centre</strong></p> <p>By land, air or water there’s never been a better time to discover the Red Centre. And because you’ve got nothing else going on you could do it all. It’s surprisingly cheap to book a helicopter tour of Uluru, a four wheel drive is classic and even a river cruise through Katherine Gorge is nice!</p> <p><strong>3. Head to a music festival</strong></p> <p>There are a number of festivals that cater to older (and more discerning) musical tastes. The Bluesfest in Byron Bay is a popular choice and recent festivals have included classic acts for all ages like Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Crosby, Stills and Nash.</p> <p><strong>4. Head to Asia</strong></p> <p>You’ve probably been to Asia before, but now you can really explore. Bhutan is one of Asia’s best kept secrets and retirement is a great time to finally explore it. This land of rugged mountains, ancient shrines and awe-inspiring natural wildlife is a must now you’ve got more time.</p> <p><strong>5. European Peace Walk</strong></p> <p>This newly started walking trail (self-guided) sees you walk 550km across central Europe from Vienna to Trieste, via Bratislava, Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia. This annual walk marks the anniversary of World War I and is designed to celebrate and promote the creation of peace in Europe.</p> <p><strong>6. Cross the Arctic Circle </strong></p> <p>This is an ambitious trip, but now that you’ve got some more free time you can afford to be a little bit more adventurous! Depending on your age, budget, fitness and appetite, you can do anything from a four hours trip to an extensive, week-long trek where you’re camping under the stars!</p> <p><strong>7. Master a new sport</strong></p> <p>Now’s your big opportunity to try and master a new sport! Sure, maybe you’ve left it a bit late to try cliff diving, or to get into the octagon as an MMA fighter, but that doesn’t mean there’s any reason to not give any sport you’ve considered trying (but never had the time to) a red hot go.</p> <p><strong>8. Go caravanning</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="../travel/international/2016/01/how-i-drove-a-motorhome-around-the-world/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As recently mentioned in our recent community contributor article</a></strong></span>, how I drove a caravan around the world in retirement sometimes retirement can signal the start of your adventures rather than the end! Explore Australia or even head abroad and enjoy the bliss of life on the open road.</p> <p><strong>9. Volunteering in retirement</strong></p> <p>Giving up a little bit of your time to help others can be an adventure in its own right. As we outlined in our article, <a href="../lifestyle/retirement-life/2015/12/reasons-to-volunteer-in-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>5 reasons to volunteer in retiremen</strong></span>t</a>, evidence shows that giving a little time to help others in retirement isn’t just good for the community, it’s good for you.</p> <p><strong>10. Pick up a new hobby</strong></p> <p>With a little bit of extra time on your hands, you’ll relish the opportunity to explore some of your interests. Whether it’s a new musical instrument, arts and crafts, or even <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="../news/news/2015/11/octogenarian-flies-helicopter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">learning how to fly a helicopter</a></strong></span>, with less restrictions on your time you’re only really limited by your imagination. </p> <p> </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <div class="advert" style="margin: 20px 0 20px 0; float: right;"> </div> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/retirement-income/2015/12/8-tips-to-help-downsize-in-retirement/"><strong>8 tips that will help you downsize in retirement</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/retirement-income/2015/12/driving-in-retirement/">Do I need a car in retirement?</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><em><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/retirement-income/2015/12/common-mistakes-first-time-investors/">5 common mistakes first time investors make</a></strong></em></p>

Retirement Life

"I'm so lucky": Leigh Sales shares exciting career update

<p dir="ltr">Leigh Sales has revealed she will be returning to Australian TV screens next year as the anchor of <em>Australian Story</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The ABC journalist will be just the second person to host the show in its history, after its long-term host Caroline Jones died earlier this year.</p> <p dir="ltr">“<em>Australian Story</em> is one of the most beloved programs in the country and I am so excited and humbled to be invited to front it. I can’t wait to be involved in the production process of such a talented team.” Sales said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her new role comes after Sales wrapped up 12 years as the host of <em>7.30 </em>following the federal election, and was announced as part of ABC’s virtual showcase of programming plans for next year.</p> <p dir="ltr">The national broadcaster will also reboot <em>Mother and Son</em>, with Matt Okine and Denise Scott taking over the comedy’s starring roles.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other shows slated for next year include scripted comedy <em>Gold Diggers</em>, which follows two sisters searching for rich, dumb husbands in the 1850s goldfields, as well as <em>Limbo </em>and a new season of <em>Utopia</em>.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d8a9e01-7fff-a56e-cd90-869a836f193e">In the wake of the announcement, Sales took to social media to share the news and an update on how she’s been spending her time since leaving <em>7.30</em>.</span></p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClVFcl5qAAh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClVFcl5qAAh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Leigh Sales (@leigh_sales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Hello everybody, long time no see,” she began in a clip of herself at home, dressed in a white t-shirt and pants.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have been so massively enjoying my long service leave and my break from the news - I’ve gone completely cold turkey, I’ve switched off the news - and I pretty much barely change out of, let’s face it, pyjamas. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve really let myself go, and I know that ‘letting yourself go’ is said as an insult … but is there really anything that sounds more luxurious to you than letting yourself go?</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anyway, I’ve got some news to share. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I am going to be, next year, anchoring the <em>Australian Story </em>program for the ABC.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so thrilled and excited about that, because, as you would all know, because it’s one of the most popular shows on the network, it is such a brilliant program with such a history of making the most brilliant shows and telling the most moving stories.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m just so lucky to get to go and work with and learn from the people who pull that show together and hopefully contribute some of my own ideas. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s also very humbling to be invited to front that show because it’s only had one anchor in its 25-year history, and that of course is the late, great Caroline Jones, so it’s really quite overwhelming actually, to be following on from such a legend.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just feel like I’m so lucky.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Sales received a flood of congratulatory messages from fans and fellow TV stars, including Dr Chris Brown and Lisa Wilkinson.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is the best news. But I’m even more excited about the cello introduction you’re going to give every feature story in 2023. That’s entertainment,” Brown commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Such fabulous news Leigh. Congrats, adn so deserved. Looks like we have something else to celebrate on our margarita date!! 👏👏👏 xxxx,” Wilkinson wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Woooooot! Great news. Congratulations on letting yourself go so luxuriously and let’s hope they’ve got a great team on board to put you back together 😆 can’t wait to watch 👏,” Leila McKinnon said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d619f5df-7fff-d3e5-fd59-65e27f112537"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

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