Search

Placeholder Content Image

France’s pledge to Ukrainian artists

<p dir="ltr">In order to help struggling artists in Ukraine who have been impacted by the Russian invasion, the French government has announced a $1.5 million relief fund to help workers in the arts. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to a statement from the French Ministry of Culture, the initiative will also be available to “dissident” Russian artists fleeing the nation’s crackdown on free speech.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The emergency reception program will finance Ukrainian artists and cultural professionals and their families for a period of three months, via the Pause program, [consisting of] residencies within the network of public establishments of the ministry and through the Cité internationale des arts [an artist-in-residence building in Paris],” the ministry’s statement said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Two thirds of the funds will be dedicated to an emergency telephone service offered in both Russian and Ukrainian that will offer support to imperilled artists through networking with regional professionals and studio space opportunities.</p> <p dir="ltr">The remainder of the funds will be directed to help Ukrainian students to enrol at colleges and cultural organisations in France. </p> <p dir="ltr">Roselyne Bachelot-Narquin, the French minister of culture, said the ministry “wants Ukrainian artists to be supported so they can continue their creative work in France…This additional support will be in the form of research grants and funding for artistic projects, but also for organising exhibitions.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Russia’s unprompted attack on Ukraine began on February 24th, and has seen at least 2.6 million Ukrainians flee their war-torn home country. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the French interior minister, Gèrald Darmanin, the French government has pledged to accept around 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Art

Placeholder Content Image

Denzel Washington to star in R-rated Macbeth

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Academy Award winner Denzel Washington will be taking on the titular character of Macbeth in </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Tragedy of Macbeth</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, a new adaptation of the famous Shakespearean tragedy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://movieweb.com/the-tragedy-of-macbeth-teaser-a24/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">new teaser</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> sees Washington depict the fictional Scottish lord in stark black-and-white in an eerie and otherworldly version of medieval Scotland.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845673/_0-19-screenshot-1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6feccf71e63c402d99b87f90984344e9" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frances McDormand will star alongside Washington in the new adaptation. Image: A24</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“In meticulously world-weary performances, a strikingly inward Denzel Washington is the man who would be king, and an effortlessly Machiavellian Frances McDormand is his Lady,” the New York Film Festival’s announcement of the film reads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The film is directed by Joel Coen - one half of the Coen brothers - though this time he will be working solo. </span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRoxy5pIXjd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRoxy5pIXjd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by A24 (@a24)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Famed actress Kathryn Hunter will also join the cast as a trio of ‘weird sisters’, alongside Brendan Gleeson as King Duncan, Corey Hawkins as Macduff, and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Queen’s Gambit </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">star Moses Ingram as Lady MacDuff.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Though it echoes the forbidding visual designs - and aspect ratios - of Laurence Olivier’s classic 1940’s Shakespeare adaptations, as well as the bloody medieval madness of Kurosawa’s </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throne of Blood</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Coen’s tale of sound and fury is entirely his own,” the announcement reads.</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDKPNFrkku/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUDKPNFrkku/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by A24 (@a24)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coen previously shared his aspirations for the film, with hopes it will be a “boldly inventive visualisation of the Scottish Play” and “an anguished film that stares, mouth agape, at a sorrowful world undone by blind greed and thoughtless ambition”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The film made its debut at the 2021 New York Film Festival in September and is due to be released in select theatres on December 25. It will then be streaming on Apple TV+ on January 14, 2022.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">See the latest teaser trailer below.</span></p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bk6VArB6_us" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: A24</span></em></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Watch award-winning Nomadland on Disney+

<p><em>Nomadland</em> won three Academy Awards this year - for Best Picture, Best Director (Chloé Zhao) and Best Actress (Frances McDormand).</p> <p>The director - Chloé Zhao - has made a film with heart and passion and by choosing Frances McDormand to play the lead role, she made sure all this passion was conveyed so well.</p> <p>The movie revolves around Fern (played by McDormand), who, following the economic collapse of a company town in rural Nevada, packs her van and sets off on the road exploring a life outside of conventional society as a modern-day nomad. McDormand produced the film as well, along with Peter Spears (<em>Call Me by Your Name</em>), Dan Janvey (<em>Beasts of the Southern Wild</em>), Mollye Asher (<em>The Rider</em>), and Zhao (<em>The Rider</em>).</p> <p><em>A</em>ademy Award nominee David Strathairn stars as well (<em>Good Night, and Good Luck</em>), along with actors Swankie, Bob Wells and Linda May, all of whom appeared in Jessica Bruder’s acclaimed book, which Zhao adapted for the screen.</p> <p>Zhao directed and edited the film, with Joshua James Richards (<em>God’s Own Country</em>) serving as the Director of Photography and Production Designer. The movie’s sound team was M. Wolf Snyder (<em>The Rider</em>), Sergio Diaz (<em>Roma</em>) and Zach Seivers (<em>Assassins</em>).</p> <p><strong>More on the awards</strong></p> <p>It was special to see Zhao make history by winning the award for Best Director because in the Academy’s 83-year history, she is only the second woman and the first woman of colour to ever receive this award.</p> <p>Frances McDormand won an Academy Award for Best Actress in the movie and this is her third time winning such an award. McDormand is a well-established actress known for her meaty roles – for example, <em>Fargo</em>, <em>Three Billboards Outside Ebbing and Missouri. </em></p> <p><strong> Where you can watch Nomadland</strong></p> <p>You can watch <em>Nomadland</em> on the streaming platform, Disney+, and on Star - the new entertainment brand, launched as part of the Disney+ platform earlier this year.</p> <p><em><strong>Nomadland</strong></em><strong> is streaming now on <a href="https://www.disneyplus.com/en-au">Disney+ on Star…</a></strong></p> <p><em>Photos: Disney+</em></p> <p> </p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Adorable first image of Tony Abbott's new grandson

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frances Loch, Tony Abbott’s daughter, has shared adorable photos of her newborn just two weeks after his birth.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This guy…,” she captioned the most recent photo on Instagram.</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRzKUWGjf-j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRzKUWGjf-j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by FRANNY (@francesloch)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frances, who is married to former Olympic rower Sam Loch, previously shared her “intense” experience while giving birth and how it was all “forgotten” when she met her newborn son.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Birth was intense and incredible. Every part that was difficult and uncomfortable was forgotten in the next moment and 100 times worth it because it was bringing him closer to us,” Loch wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I used my breath and all my strength. I trusted my body, my baby and my team (My ride or die Sam Loch and our amazing doula Kim). Not only was this beautiful nine-pounder born, but also a mother, father, and family.”</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRfIT8Ljq1U/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRfIT8Ljq1U/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by FRANNY (@francesloch)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frances and Sam announced the birth of Ernest on July 19.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Tipping the scales at an even 9lb [4kg]. Brought into existence by his mum with nothing but breathing, coconut water and heart,” Sam wrote on Instagram.</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRNmd4QLCjK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRNmd4QLCjK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Sam Loch (@samloch)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple were engaged two weeks after meeting, and married three months later.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frances is the second of Abbott’s three daughters.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She currently lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Frances Loch / Instagram</span></em></p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Frances McDormand comes out on top

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Frances McDormand is officially the greatest living actress as determined by Oscar wins, even beating Meryl Streep.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With three Oscar wins at Best Actress, McDormand is ahead of the pack that includes Streep’s win for a supporting role.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two-time winners of the Best Actress award include Jane Fonda, Maggie Smith, Glenda Jackson, Jodie Foster, Sally Field, and Hilary Swank.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The only one to beat McDormand was Katharine Hepburn, who claimed four prizes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">McDormand won Best Actress in 1997 for </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fargo</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and for </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2018.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 2021 Oscars saw McDormand win the award for her role in </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nomadland</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chloe Zhao’s </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nomadland</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> also won Best Picture, and had been a strong contender for the award following wins at the Venice and Toronto film festivals more than six months ago.</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKpOr2BnVT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMKpOr2BnVT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Nomadland (@nomadlandfilm)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nomadland </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">sees McDormand play a retired woman struggling to make ends meet following the 2008 crash, travelling through America’s west.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zhao, who is Chinese-American, also took home the award for Best Director, becoming the second woman and first woman of colour to win.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Frances McDormand won two Oscars tonight, one for Best Actress (her third win in the category) and one for Best Picture as a producer on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nomadland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Nomadland</a>. More here: <a href="https://t.co/QGwDlmpx6l">https://t.co/QGwDlmpx6l</a> <a href="https://t.co/POcXXH3azT">pic.twitter.com/POcXXH3azT</a></p> — IndieWire (@IndieWire) <a href="https://twitter.com/IndieWire/status/1386556898464333827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">McDormand’s competition included actresses Viola Davis for </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and Carey Mulligan for </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Promising Young Woman</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Following on from her win, the actress will soon appear opposite Denzel Washington in a </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Macbeth</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> film.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quoting the play in her acceptance speech, she said, “I have no words. My voice is in my sword.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We know the sword is our work. And I like work. Thanks for knowing that, and thanks for this.”</span></p>

Movies

Placeholder Content Image

Princess Diana’s twin! Charles Spencer shares rare photo

<p><span>Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has shared a photo of his mother – showing just how much she looked like Diana.</span><br /><br /><span>Royal fans could not help but point out the uncanny resemblance of Princess Di and her mother, Frances Shand Kydd.</span><br /><br /><span>Charles Spencer, Diana's younger brother, took to Instagram to share a stunning portrait of his late mother to mark her birthday on January 20.</span><br /><br /><span>The resurfaced image depicts a young Frances, with a blonde wavy bob, rosy cheeks and blue eyes.</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKQuAVOFVAD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CKQuAVOFVAD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Charles Spencer (@cspencer1508)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>"My mother - on this, her 85th birthday. She was born in Sandringham, Norfolk, on the very same day that King George V died - in the same parish," Charles wrote in the caption.</span><br /><br /><span>"She died 3 days after the 50th anniversary of her marriage to my father. This portrait is to be found in the Library at @althorphouse."</span><br /><br /><span>Charles is the 9th Earl Spencer and currently resides at Althorp House where the portrait is hung.</span><br /><br /><span>Fans were quick the point out how alike the mother and daughter looked.</span><br /><br /><span>"Looks just like the little one. The eyes are always the giveaway. Spencer genes are strong," one fan commented.</span><br /><br /><span>"So beautiful. You and Princess Diana look like her. ♥️" another said.</span><br /><br /><span>"'Beautiful, I can see where Diana got her stunning looks from," a third added.</span><br /><br /><span>Frances wed Earl Spencer Johnnie at just 18 years of age in 1954.</span><br /><br /><span>However the marriage did not last and the couple divorced in 1969.</span><br /><br /><span>She passed away at age 68 in her home in Scotland.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839594/diana-mother-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ad07461f5d46448e8d7010683ee524ea" /><br /><br /><span>Charles was candid about his relationship with his sister in the two-part ABC television event, The Story of Diana.</span><br /><br /><span>The 53-year-old discussed his state of mind following his sister's untimely passing, admitting he partly blamed himself.</span><br /><br /><span>"I was furious, I wasn't just angry," he said. "[I thought] what could I have done.</span><br /><br /><span>“But you always think, God, I wish I could've protected her. It was just…it was devastating."</span><br /><br /><span>He then added: "I always felt…intensely protective towards her."</span></p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

France under siege after beheading in church

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p><strong>WARNING: GRAPHIC STORY CONTENT</strong></p> <p>France was hit by two suspected terror attacks which have left three dead, including a woman who was beheaded by a knifeman allegedly shouting "Allahu Akbar".</p> <p>Two separate assailants are understood to have launched attacks in Nice and Avignon in the south of the country just hours apart.</p> <p>The woman, who was one of three killed, passed away shortly after 9 am local time.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/world/europe/nice-suspected-mass-stabber-kept-shouting-allahu-akbar-after-arrested-in-france/news-story/3640cb6f1a6d98047190a8656061ca94" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">Her last words</a>, according to a member of the French Senate, were: “Tell my children that I love them.”</p> <p>Police have identified the suspect in Nice as Brahim Aouissaoui, who is believed to have arrived in Europe only recently after being born in Tunisia.</p> <p>Almost at the same time, a security guard at the French Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia was stabbed and left with minor injuries.</p> <p>In Avignon, 250kms away from Nice, a man shouted "Allahu Akbar" while brandishing a knife, but was shot dead. No one else has been reported injured.</p> <p>It's currently unclear if the attacks are related, but local politicians are drawing links, with French Republican Eric Ciotti tweeting "Attack in Nice, attack in Avignon, attack on the French consulate in Saudi Arabia. It is not a coincidence, the Islamists want to annihilate us! We must destroy the Islamists!".</p> <p>French President Emmanuel Macron has visited the site of the attack as France raised its attack level to “urgent” and Prime Minister Jean Castex said the government’s response will be “relentless and immediate”.</p> <p>Nice mayor Christian Estrosi said: “The attacker kept shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ even after he had been shot and as he was given medical care.</p> <p>“Enough is enough. The suspected knife attacker was shot by police while being detained, he is on his way to hospital, he is alive.</p> <p>“I must say that Nice, like France, but perhaps more than other places in the country today, is paying too heavy a price by being once again the victim of islamofascism.”</p> <p>There have been heightened security fears in France over cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed published by <em>Charlie Hedbo</em>, with a teacher in France being beheaded after he showed his pupils the cartoons as part of a class on free speech.</p> <p>In response to the beheading, French president Emmanuel Macron delivered a speech in defence of free speech and the offending cartoons were projected onto government buildings in France.</p> </div> </div> </div>

News

Placeholder Content Image

France told to sell Mona Lisa to cover coronavirus losses

<p>France should offset its financial losses from the coronavirus pandemic by selling Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece Mona Lisa for at least €50 billion, a tech CEO has suggested.</p> <p>Stephane Distinguin, founder and CEO of tech company Fabernovel, told <em>Usbek &amp; Rica </em>magazine that the country should “sell the family jewellery” to help deal with the “unfathomable” crisis.</p> <p>“Day after day, we list the billions engulfed in this slump like children counting the fall of a stone into a well to measure its depth,” Distinguin said.</p> <p>“We are still counting, and this crisis seems unfathomable.</p> <p>“As an entrepreneur and a taxpayer, I know that these billions are not invented and that they will necessarily cost us. An obvious reflex is to sell off a valuable asset at the highest price possible, but one that is the least critical as possible to our future.”</p> <p>Distinguin said France has “a lot of paintings”, which are “easy to move and therefore to hand over”.</p> <p>He said: “In 2020, we have to get the money where it is. So sell family jewellery … The price is the crux of the matter and the main subject of controversy. The price has to be insane for the operation to make sense.”</p> <p>The 46-year-old also suggested that the 16th century Italian Renaissance painting could be “tokenised” with a form of cryptocurrency, allowing it to be shared between countries around the world.</p> <p>“It would be like a big global subscription,” he said. “Legally and technically, this solution would have many advantages: it would allow France and the Louvre to keep control of the painting.”</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/Issues/2020/04/14/weo-april-2020">International Monetary Fund</a> expected France’s GDP to contract by 7.2 per cent in 2020 as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Many French tourism operators also <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tamarathiessen/2020/05/02/forget-french-travel-this-year-tourism-operators-warn/#4719c0b554bd">fear the country will remain off-limits to international visitors this year</a>.</p>

Art

Placeholder Content Image

5 minutes with author Frances Whiting

<p><span>In <em>5 minutes with author</em>, <em>Over60</em> asks book writers about their literary habits and preferences. Next in this series is Frances Whiting, a novelist, feature writer and columnist based in Brisbane. She published two collections of her columns – <em>Oh to Be a Marching Girl</em> in 2003 and <em>That's a Home Run, Tiger!</em> in 2006 – before releasing her debut novel <em>Walking on Trampolines </em>in 2009. Her second novel, <em>The Best Kind of Beautiful </em>is out now.</span></p> <p><em><span>Over60</span></em><span> talked with Whiting about Ernest Hemingway, the detective series she could not get enough of, and the role of panic in her writing.</span></p> <p><strong><em><span>Over60</span></em><span>: What is your best writing tip?</span></strong></p> <p><span>Frances Whiting: I love that quote from Ernest Hemingway: “There’s nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein.” It makes me laugh – and wince a little bit – because it’s true. The best writing tip I can give it just to put in the time. A large part of the process is committing to it. Just sitting down, taking a deep breath, and beginning…</span></p> <p><strong><span>What was the last book that made you laugh/cry?</span></strong></p> <p><span>I’ve just discovered Kate Saunders, who writes these lovely mystery series in the vein of Agatha Christie. The protagonist is a genteel lady detective Laetitia Rodd. She is such a delightful and witty character I look forward to reading more of her adventures. The book I read was <em>Laetitia Rodd and the Case of the Wandering Scholar</em>, and I enjoyed it immensely.</span></p> <p><strong><span>What does your writing routine look like?</span></strong></p> <p><span>Panic, most of the time, to be honest. I work full time, I have a teenager, a tweenager, a husband, a 95-year-old mother and a very large dog to take care of, so I squeeze it in between all that! Mostly very early in the morning when the house is quiet, I can get an hour or two in. </span></p> <p><strong><span>Do you deal with writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?</span></strong></p> <p><span>Walk. Walk. Walk. </span></p> <p><strong><span>What book do you think more people should read?</span></strong></p> <p><span>When it comes to books, I don’t think the word “should” belongs. Reading is so very personal, isn’t it? But if I wanted to recommend a book that beautifully illustrates the flow and rhythm of writing, I would gift someone any P. G. Wodehouse novel. </span></p> <p><strong><span>How have your other jobs, past and present, influenced your fiction writing?</span></strong></p> <p><span>All of them have in some way. From primary school teacher, waitress, go-go dancer (not really), nanny, event manager, journalist and lecturer, it’s all the stuff of life, isn’t it? Which is the stuff of books!</span></p> <p><strong><span>Which author, deceased or living, would you most like to have dinner with?</span></strong></p> <p><span>Mary Wesley, because books-wise she was a bit of a late bloomer, like me!</span></p> <p><strong><span>What cliché(s) do you wish novels would stop using?</span></strong></p> <p><span>I like to be surprised by books, and I really don’t like it when we can see what is coming a mile away. I hope my books are less obvious to the reader and that when the surprises come, they really are just that.</span></p>

Books

Placeholder Content Image

Scott Morrison’s awkward moment at G7 summit in France

<p>Scott Morrison was left standing by himself as other world leaders mingled at the G7 Summit in France.</p> <p>In a photo opportunity, the Australian prime minister was spotted standing on his own and fumbling with his phone without getting much acknowledgment from other dignitaries, including US president Donald Trump, British prime minister Boris Johnson and German chancellor Angela Merkel.</p> <p>After the photo of the world leaders was taken, Morrison stayed at the back of the group while the others were joined by their partners.</p> <p>The Project<span> </span>highlighted the moment in a segment on Monday night. “Why is nobody hanging out with our prime minister?” host Pete Helliar asked.</p> <p>“Probably don’t like him,” Steve Price said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">That feeling when you arrive late to a networking event and everyone’s already deep in conversation.....so you try and look busy with emails 😂 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/scomo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#scomo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/g7?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#g7</a> <a href="https://t.co/40zfhFDviH">pic.twitter.com/40zfhFDviH</a></p> — Michael Macolino (@michaelmacolino) <a href="https://twitter.com/michaelmacolino/status/1165923257796587520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Why is our Prime Minister the most socially awkward representative at the G7 Summit? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Auspol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Auspol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G7Summit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G7Summit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Scomo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Scomo</a> <a href="https://t.co/vU1LnVVKdk">pic.twitter.com/vU1LnVVKdk</a></p> — CARINA STATHIS (@carinastathis) <a href="https://twitter.com/carinastathis/status/1166137850800140289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The rest of Morrison’s visit has been more successful, with the PM making a brief, friendly discussion on cricket with his British counterpart Johnson.</p> <p>Morrison congratulated Johnson on England’s win in the third Ashes test against Australia before moving on to diplomatic matters such as free trade and joint military mission near Iran. “Well, we’ve got two to go, we’re not taking anything for granted,” Johnson said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Fantastic to meet with Australian PM <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottMorrisonMP</a> this morning. He seemed in very high spirits, despite the 🏏 yesterday. <a href="https://t.co/PcaB8OFOEf">pic.twitter.com/PcaB8OFOEf</a></p> — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1165903377819197441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>In the 45th G7 summit, the leaders of the seven country members – France, Germany, Britain, Italy, the US, Canada and Japan – came together to discuss global economic, political, social and security issues. Australia joined the summit as an observer alongside India, Chile and South Africa.</p> <p>On Sunday, Morrison met with several world leaders. He said he discussed Australia’s decision last week to contribute troops, a surveillance plane and a Navy frigate to help in the US-led effort to protect shipping lanes from Iran during meetings with Merkel and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe.</p> <p>“[They had] a great respect for the way that Australia thinks through these issues and is very clear about how we pursue our national interests and do so in a way which is very, very well-targeted,” Morrison told reporters.</p> <p>He also spoke about the contribution during meetings with Johnson and Trump. When he sat down with the latter, Morrison reiterated Australia’s concerns about the escalating US-China trade dispute and its impact on the global economy. Trump announced a further increase in tariffs ahead of the France event.</p> <p>“These types of responses, I would say they’re fairly obvious in terms of how that would play out until this matter is resolved,” Morrison said. He said while both sides had raised legitimate grievances about the other, “you can’t just sort of brush these issues aside forever, they have to be dealt with”.</p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Why you need to visit France before 2020

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">France are planning on introducing a new charge on plane tickets from next year. The country plans on using the revenue to fund environmentally friendly alternatives, according to the country’s transport minister Elisabeth Borne.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The “ecotax” will cost between 1.50 euros ($AUD 2.40) and 18 euros ($AUD 29) and will apply to most flights departing from France.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, industry group IATA is favouring a system that allows airlines to offset their emissions by paying for carbon reduction efforts elsewhere. They are calling the ticket charge system “misguided”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“National taxes will do nothing to assist the aviation industry in its sustainability efforts,” IATA spokesman Anthony Concil said, according to </span><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/france-to-slap-new-ecotax-on-plane-tickets-from-2020/news-story/660d5b3771308c35a386b9571502c2e4"><span style="font-weight: 400;">news.com.au</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This alone won’t do much, but it’s at least a recognition by the French government that more is required,” said Andrew Murphy, an air travel expert at Brussels-based group Transport and Environment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Germany, Italy and some Nordic nations have ticket taxes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Germany’s Environment Ministry said on Tuesday that it supported discussions on additional CO2-based pricing systems for air travel to reduce the industry’s contribution to man-made greenhouse gas emissions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“What’s more, the conditions for competition between air, road and rail travel need to be made fairer,” the ministry said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This is something we in Europe need to achieve together.”</span></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

One year on: Home and Away star Cornelia Frances' son pays touching tribute

<p>The son of late <em>Home and Away</em> star Cornelia Frances has paid tribute to his mother to commemorate the first anniversary of her death.</p> <p>Last year, Frances passed away after a battle with cancer at the age of 77.</p> <p>Lawrence Eastland, the only son of the actress, honoured his late mother in an Instagram post on Wednesday.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx_3OCCARwX/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx_3OCCARwX/" target="_blank">One year ago today I held your hands as you passed away, it was one of the biggest days of my life and not a single second has gone by with out me missing you insanely. I still feel you around me my dear beautiful mum! Lost but never forgotten. . . . . . . . #cornelia #corneliafrances #mum #RIP #oneyear #imissyou #love #mymum #restinpeace #😢 #neverforget #family</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/neonlolly/" target="_blank"> 😝 🍩 །ཨོཾ་མ་ཎི་པ ་དྨེ་ཧཱུྃ། 🍩 😝</a> (@neonlolly) on May 28, 2019 at 12:29am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“One year ago today I held your hands as you passed away, it was one of the biggest days of my life and not a single second has gone by with out me missing you insanely,” wrote Eastland.</p> <p>“I still feel you around me my dear beautiful mum! Lost but never forgotten.”</p> <p>In an interview with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/cornelia-frances-son-48906" target="_blank"><em>Woman’s Day</em></a> last year, Eastland said he was with Frances when she died. </p> <p>“I was by her side, holding her hand when she took her last breath. She slipped away in her sleep,” he shared.</p> <p>“It was serene. There was no pain. I feel relieved that Mum is finally at peace.”</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjTcQy8Aqh5/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BjTcQy8Aqh5/" target="_blank">A very personal photo of my mum during one of her resting moments, she is so peaceful, soft and serene. I truly love this woman. THIS IS NOT A PICTURE OF MUM WHEN SHE HAD PASSED AWAY, IT WAS TAKEN A WEEK BEFORE SHE PAST. #fuckcancer #beautiful #cornelia #mum #iloveyou #whatawoman #peace #sleepytime #sleep #rest #divinefeminine #strong #inspiring #iloveyoumum</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/neonlolly/" target="_blank"> 😝 🍩 །ཨོཾ་མ་ཎི་པ ་དྨེ་ཧཱུྃ། 🍩 😝</a> (@neonlolly) on May 27, 2018 at 7:07pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Frances, who rose to popularity through her role as Sister Scott on <em>The Young Doctors</em>, was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2016.</p> <p>She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but the cancer spread. </p> <p>“Despite the pain, Mum never complained. She was so classy right up until the end,” said Eastland.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgGnMA8l8X-/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgGnMA8l8X-/" target="_blank">What Mum? This is fun! #omg #corneliafrances #redhead #love #ohgod #thenthishappened #whatareyoulookingat #crazy #fuckcancer #justlove #bekind #loveisallyouneed #x #🤪</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/neonlolly/" target="_blank"> 😝 🍩 །ཨོཾ་མ་ཎི་པ ་དྨེ་ཧཱུྃ། 🍩 😝</a> (@neonlolly) on Mar 9, 2018 at 4:58am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>His father and Frances’s former husband, Michael Eastland, died of cancer four years earlier.</p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Inside Princess Diana’s complicated relationship with her mother

<p>It’s no secret that Princess Diana and her mother had a complicated relationship.</p> <p>It is said that Diana’s relationships with different men after her marriage with Prince Charles ended, is the reason behind the feud with her mother Frances Shand Kydd.</p> <p>Diana was famously linked to many high profile men, including heart surgeon Hasnat Khan, businessman Gulu Lalvani and son of Egyptian billionaire Dodi Fayed.</p> <p>But after discovering details about one relationship in particular, Frances had decided to unleash on the late Princess.</p> <p>Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/princess-dianas-explosive-feud-mum-13090276" target="_blank"><em>The Mirror</em></a>, Diana’s former butler Paul Burrell recounted what happened the day an emotional Diana was on the receiving end of an abusive phone call from her mother.</p> <p>“I heard her call, ‘Paul come quick’,” he said.</p> <p>“She waved me over with her hand. I joined her on the floor cross-legged and stuck close beside her. I leant my ear as near to the phone as possible and listened to the conversation – albeit one-way.</p> <p>“It was the slurring voice of Ms Frances Shand Kydd. What I heard was a torrent of abuse, swearing and upsetting innuendo towards the Princess and towards the male company she was keeping.</p> <p>“It was a hate-filled personal attack on the men and their religious beliefs.”</p> <p>The exact words that were said were revealed in a documentary Burrell was featured in.</p> <p>“[She said] you’re nothing but a prostitute and a whore, that’s what I’ve brought up, a prostitute,” Burrell shared.</p> <p>Diana then reportedly told him: “Paul, I’ll never speak to my mother again as long as I live.”</p> <p>Prior to Diana’s tragic death, Frances had a few things to say to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1463517/Obituary-Frances-Shand-Kydd.html" target="_blank"><em>Hello! Magazine</em></a>.</p> <p>Speaking on the topic of Diana’s divorce and her battle with bulimia, Frances said it was “absolutely wonderful” that the late royal had lost her HRH title.</p> <p>Her interview haunted Diana and according to Burrell, Diana never spoke to her mother again.</p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

10 places to visit in France that aren’t Paris

<p>Paris is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest metropolises, but if that’s your only stop on a trip through France you’re doing yourself a disservice. There’s so much to see and do in this beautiful country besides the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, and travellers who are willing to get off the well-worn tourist track are bountifully rewarded.</p> <p>We’ve put together a list of 10 incredible places to visit in France that are not Paris. Not only will you get a deeper, more unique experience, odds are you won’t have to deal with as many annoying tourists during your stay.</p> <p>To see the places, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Have you been to any of the places mentioned?</p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

“Mum is finally at peace”: Cornelia Frances’ son opens up on losing his mum

<p>Cornelia Frances’ son Lawrence Eastland says his beloved mother fought to the very end as she battled cancer before <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/05/home-and-away-star-cornelia-frances-dies-aged-77/">passing away at the age of 77 last week.</a></span></strong></p> <p>"Mum's specialists were stunned by her fighting spirit. She went into palliative care in February, before passing away peacefully last Monday around midday," Lawrence Eastland, 46, told <em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/celeb-news/cornelia-frances-son-48906">Woman's Day.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p>"I was by her side, holding her hand when she took her last breath. She slipped away in her sleep. It was serene. There was no pain. I feel relieved that Mum is finally at peace."</p> <p>The past few years have also been tough on Lawrence, who stopped working as a graphic design work in Byron Bay to care for his mother after she was <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2018/01/home-and-away-star-cornelia-frances-devastating-health-battle/">diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2016</a></span>.</strong></p> <p>"When she first told me, I broke down in tears," says Lawrence, whose father, Cornelia's former husband Michael Eastland, died of cancer four years prior.</p> <p>Cornelia underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, but the cancer spread.</p> <p>"We kept hoping for a miracle and, I guess, that miracle was the extra time we had together. I'm so grateful for that blessing," he adds.</p> <p>"Despite the pain, Mum never complained. She was so classy right up until the end."</p> <p>His mum was renowned for playing villains but Lawrence says she was nothing like her on-screen characters.</p> <p>"Mum was renowned for playing tough-as-granite bitches on stage and screen. She said they were the best roles, so much fun to play," says Lawrence.</p> <p>"But she was nothing like her villainous alter egos. She was kind, generous and funny. She loved hosting dinner parties and was a sensational cook.</p> <p>"Little known fact: Mum holds the record for having, possibly, the shortest career as a TV newsreader. She used to delight in telling how, in 1967, she was offered a job reading the news in Perth."</p> <p>"She was live to air and was supposed to flick a switch to cut off her voice during commercial breaks. She forgot and mouthed off with some expletives about being nervous. Viewers heard the lot and she was fired on the first night," says Lawrence.</p> <p>Lawrence added that Cornelia loved being a grandma to Lawrence's 17-year-old daughter Tipani.</p> <p>"When Tipani was born, her eyes lit up. She always had so much love to give, which is why she was so loved in return," he says.</p> <p>"The outpouring from friends and fans since her death has been hugely comforting. Mum would have felt very humbled by so many kind words."</p> <p>Lawrence says even in her last days, his mum kept on smiling.</p> <p>"She barely ate, but she loved a cheeky glass of her beloved Mumm champagne," he says.</p>

Family & Pets

Placeholder Content Image

Home and Away star Cornelia Frances dies aged 77

<p>Australian TV legend Cornelia Frances has died at the age of 77, following a battle with cancer.</p> <p>The veteran actor – who famously starred as Alf Stewart’s sister Morag in Home and Away as well as hosting quiz show The Weakest Link – was <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2018/01/home-and-away-star-cornelia-frances-devastating-health-battle/">diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2017</a>.</strong></span></p> <p>Appearing on Channel Nine's A Current Affair earlier this year, she said playing "naughty and wicked" villains on-screen was great fun.</p> <p>"I've always played the strong ladies," she said. "I'm going to fight it [the cancer], by God I am. That 60 years in the industry... it's been a wonderful road and I've loved every minute of it. I've loved every soapie I've been on."</p> <p>Home and Away actor Ray Meagher led tributes, telling <em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/actor-cornelia-frances-dead-at-77/news-story/beb174d1ea9451ca9e33cd79654c5274?utm_medium=Twitter&amp;utm_campaign=EditorialSF&amp;utm_content=SocialFlow&amp;utm_source=DailyTelegraph">The Daily Telegraph</a></span></strong></em>: “Cornie was an incredibly loved and valued member of our cast over many, many years. We had a moment of silence for her on set this morning and she’ll be sadly missed by both cast and crew.”</p> <p>Channel 7 also paid tribute to the actor.</p> <p>“Cornelia Frances was a unique person,” a Seven spokeswoman said. “Her on screen presence inspired a generation of actors. This gift was coupled with an ability to bring a sense of dignity and presence into each room she entered. Her energy and character will be missed.”</p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

France’s First Lady says Melania Trump is “really fun” but “can’t go outside”

<p><span>France’s First Lady Brigette Macron has shared remarkable details regarding Melania Trump’s life in the White House, after visiting with her husband last week. </span></p> <p><span>Donald Trump played host to French President Emmanuel Macron last week, and while the two world leaders were meeting their better halves got a chance to get well acquainted. </span></p> <p><span>Brigitte <a href="http://www.lemonde.fr/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>told French newspaper Le Monde</strong></em></span></a>, getting to know Melania was “actually really fun.”</span></p> <p><span>“We have the same sense of humor. We laugh a lot together,” Brigitte said, adding that she found the Frist Lady to be, “kind, charming, intelligent and very open.”</span></p> <p><span>But the 65-year-old Macron noted her 48-year-old counterpart had to deal with a tremendous amount of restrictions regarding her everyday life. </span></p> <p><span>She “cannot do anything,” Brigitte told Le Monde. “She can’t even open a window at the White House. She can’t go outside.”</span></p> <p>Brigitte added, “She’s someone who has a strong personality, but works hard to hide it. She laughs very easily, at everything, but shows it less than I do.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <div id="ad-728x90_LL_td_1" class="ad ad-container ad-wrapper type-728x90 instream-ad tablet-ad desktop-ad tgx-processed" data-dimensions="728x90" data-tgxtargeting="%7B%7D" data-tgxlazy="50" data-tgxposition="2" data-google-query-id="CI-d4NLO4NoCFUQolgodAUoMGQ"></div>

Home & Garden

Placeholder Content Image

UPDATE: Cornelia Frances’ poignant last words about her cancer battle in final interview

<p>Cornelia Frances spoke about the pain she was suffering while battling cancer in her final interview before she passed away on Tuesday.</p> <p>The beloved Australian actress - who died surrounded by her loved ones - bravely said she was feeling “fine” during an interview with <a href="https://www.9now.com.au/a-current-affair/2017" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>A Current Affair</strong></em></span></a> from her hospital bed in February.</p> <p>Cornelia's last interview has re-emerged after the actress, known for her roles in <em>Home and Away, Prisoner</em> and<em> Sons and Daughters</em>, died age 77.</p> <p><img width="454" height="341" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/e199edec0d2cac724cacdf8a6a0d9123" alt="The popular actrress says she is determined to put up a fight." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2017 before being told it had spread to her hip, Cornelia is just like her TV personas – strong and determined to fight.</p> <p>In an interview from her hospital bed, Cornelia told A Current Affair she was determined to fight the disease.</p> <p>“It’s a hard road but we’ll get there,” she said.</p> <p>“I’m feeling fine, albeit what’s inside me. The pain comes and goes but that’s par for the course. We’re going to fight this, by God, I am.”</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FACurrentAffair9%2Fvideos%2F1459444477495258%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>In a twist of fate, Frances is being treated at the Sydney hospital which was used as the set for the fictional Albert Memorial Hospital in Young Doctors.</p> <p>She played villainous Sister Scott, the role that propelled her to fame in the 1970s.</p> <p>In her interview, Frances laughingly said being a patient is “a different thing altogether”.</p> <p>She appeared positive as she joked that her looks made her the perfect candidate for “evil” characters.</p> <p>“Take a look at the face — red hair, green eyes. Very strong. I’ve always played the strong ladies.”</p> <p>She described her long career as “a wonderful road” and said she had “loved every minute”.</p> <p><img width="316" height="421" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/3d9fe40c57df03674921ddf5c64c2174?width=316" alt="The actress shot to fame in The Young Doctors." style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Cornelia <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/2018/01/home-and-away-star-cornelia-frances-devastating-health-battle/">first revealed</a></span></strong> her health battle to The Daily Telegraph last month and described how she almost died due to her cancer.</p> <p>“I discovered I had bladder cancer. This then spread to my hip bone which fractured, and then I almost died from loss of blood due to an ulcer in my throat. Despite all this, I am still here, as the old song goes.”</p> <p>She said if it were not for the work of incredible surgeons and the love of her son, Lawrence, she would never have made it.</p> <p>“When I got the ulcer in my throat, I did truly believe that this time my luck had finally run out,” Cornelia said.</p>

Caring

Placeholder Content Image

Frances Abbott’s Valentine’s Day secret revealed

<p>The daughter of former prime minister Tony Abbott has revealed her incredible Valentine’s Day secret, marrying her partner in a ceremony yesterday.  </p> <p>Frances Abbott, 26, and her Olympian partner Sam Loch, 34, who have only been together four months, exchanged vows in a low-key registry ceremony in Melbourne.</p> <blockquote 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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BfK0vkSgwRZ/" target="_blank">A post shared by @samloch</a> on Feb 13, 2018 at 11:42pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/11/tony-abbott-slammed-for-reaction-to-daughters-engagement/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>pair had sensationally engaged mid-November</strong></span></a> after only knowing each other a fortnight.</p> <p>"Two weeks was all it took to know that forever with you was a mighty fine idea," Ms Abbott has wrote at the time.</p> <p>Mr Loch was the first one to break the news on Wednesday, noting the family celebration will take place in a couple of months, but adding, “We made it official in the eyes of the law today. We’re the motherf---ing Mighty Morphin Power Rangers of love.”</p> <blockquote 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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></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/BfK7tQeFKt3/" target="_blank">A post shared by Frances Abbott (@notanotherfitnessblogger)</a> on Feb 14, 2018 at 12:43am PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Ms Abbott posted: “YOU... Happy Valentine’s Day” and “Always and forever”.</p> <p>What are your thoughts on this relationship? Do you think it’s moving a bit too quickly</p>

Relationships

Placeholder Content Image

Home and Away star Cornelia Frances's devastating health battle

<p><em>Home and Away</em> regular Cornelia Frances, who plays Alf Stewart’s sister Morag on the popular Aussie soap, has revealed she is battling bladder cancer.</p> <p>The 76-year-old, who is also known for her roles in <em>Sons and Daughters</em> and <em>Young Doctors</em>, told the<em> </em><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/tv-legend-cornelia-frances-in-fight-for-life-against-cancer/news-story/5d5b287c7ff416c53856fac107072893" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>Daily Telegraph</em></span></strong></a> the news was just another blow in an already difficult 2017.</p> <p>“I swear I have had a hex placed on me for the past 12 months,” she said.</p> <p>“I discovered I had bladder cancer. This then spread to my hip bone which fractured, and then I almost died from loss of blood due to an ulcer in my throat. Despite all this, I am still here, as the old song goes.”</p> <p>The TV legend admitted she was so close to the brink of death, even her doctors thought it was the end. “I did truly believe that this time my luck had finally run out. I was a total mess according to my surgeon. He told me he didn’t believe they could get me back from the brink but somehow they did.”</p> <p>Thankfully, Cornelia’s son Lawrence has been with her every step of the way, sneaking in McDonald’s and chocolate to his recovering mum. “With the way hospital food can taste, it was a Godsend.”</p> <p>Despite her recent health struggles, Cornelia still holds hope that she might make an appearance on <em>Home and Away</em> this year to celebrate the show’s 30th year on air. “I would dearly love to go back to Summer Bay but haven't heard anything as yet.”</p>

Caring

Our Partners

Over 60

© Copyright 2024 OverSixty.All Rights Reserved.