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Why Ray Martin is planning his own funeral

<p>Ray Martin is planning his own funeral as he prepares for his 'Last Goodbye', as part of an eye-opening new series. </p> <p>The veteran journalist will be planning his memorial service for an upcoming SBS documentary series which explores cultural traditions surrounding death.</p> <p>The three-part series, called <em>Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye</em>, will explore various taboos surrounding death with comedic and witty anecdotes. </p> <p>The series will investigate various funeral trends and rituals around the world and will address some deep questions, including why people choose certain ceremonies, songs and resting places, and how geography, religion and social class impacts these choices. </p> <p>At 79 years old, Ray said in a statement that statistically he is only four years away from his own death and wants to explore the topic with a serious yet funny nature. </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/C9QoU-goAtY/?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> <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/C9QoU-goAtY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by SBS Australia (@sbs_australia)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Martin will also have a range of special guests on the show, including veteran presenter Gretel Killeen, 61, and comedian Alex Lee.</p> <p>SBS Commissioning Editor Bethan Arwel-Lewis said, "At SBS we aren't scared to tackle those subjects that are sometimes provocative or difficult in our programming."</p> <p>"So an exploration of death – one of our last taboos is the perfect subject for us to lift the lid on, and who better to take us into this world and get us talking and even laughing about death, than Ray Martin."</p> <p>Last year, Martin insisted that he still has a lot of life left in him, as he grows older gracefully and continues to work. </p> <p>"I'm never going to retire. David Attenborough is in his 90s and he's my role model. He says you've got to keep doing what you love," he told <em>Woman's Day</em> magazine.</p> <p><em>Ray Martin: The Last Goodbye</em> will premiere on Wednesday, August 14 at 8.30pm on SBS and SBS On Demand.</p> <p><em>Image credits: SBS</em></p>

TV

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Olympic icon announces split from husband

<p>Leisel Jones has split from her husband of five years, Damon Martin.</p> <p>The Australian olympic gold medallist announced the news live on-air yesterday afternoon on  <em>Triple M's Rush Hour with Leisel Jones, Liam and Dobbo</em>.</p> <p>"We have separated. It's incredibly sad news," Jones said during the broadcast. </p> <p>She added that listeners would've probably noticed that something wasn't right as she hadn't mentioned Martin on air for months. </p> <p>"I have the deepest respect for Damo. It's a very sad situation for both of us and a very hard decision to come to," she continued.</p> <p>"I think it takes a lot of bravery and two grown ups to decide what's not right for them at a certain time and to realise that you are better off going separate ways."</p> <p>Jones added that she is now "out in the wilderness on [her] own", but is doing relatively well despite the "very sad announcement". </p> <p>"I'm actually OK. We had done a lot of work beforehand, we put a lot of effort in," Jones said.</p> <p>"I'm conscious I am 38, I am now single, and I don't have any children and I might have missed that window, so that's a little frightening," the former elite swimmer continued. </p> <p>"It's a really big adjustment to do things on your own. Damo is a such a wonderful guy, a great guy. We are both extremely heartbroken."</p> <p>Jones and Martin met in 2016 and got engaged a year later before tying the knot in 2018. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Martin Scorsese exposes Leo DiCaprio’s irritating on-set habit

<p dir="ltr">Martin Scorsese has exposed Leo DiCaprio’s irritating on-set habit that came to light while the pair were filming the new movie <em>Killers of the Flower Moon</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The award-winning director called out the A-list actor in a conversation with the <em><a href="https://www.wsj.com/style/martin-scorsese-killers-flower-moon-b4989f0c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wall Street Journal</a></em>, saying that the <em>Titanic</em> star tends to flesh details out and improv while filming, describing his technique as “endless, endless, endless!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Although Scorsese and DiCaprio have worked together on six other films, there was one more actor on the set of the new film that could not stand the ad libbing: Robert de Niro.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Then Bob didn’t want to talk,” Scorsese explained. “Every now and then, Bob and I would look at each other and roll our eyes a little bit. And we’d tell him, ‘You don’t need that dialogue.’”</p> <p dir="ltr">While de Niro wasn’t able to deal with DiCaprio’s improv, director Quentin Tarantino said the actor’s famous freakout scene as Rick Dalton in <em>Once Upon a Time in Hollywood </em>“wasn’t in the script,” but was brought to the table by DiCaprio himself, and took the film to another level. </p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the “endless” technique of DiCaprio’s acting, Scorsese said the actor was instrumental in the film’s success, after he helped determine that the film needed a rewrite in order to avoid being a “movie about all the white guys.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It just didn’t get to the heart of the Osage,” DiCaprio told <em><a href="https://deadline.com/2023/05/martin-scorsese-interview-killers-of-the-flower-moon-leonardo-dicaprio-robert-de-niro-1235359006/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deadline</a></em> in May, with reference to the original script. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It felt too much like an investigation into detective work, rather than understanding from a forensic perspective the culture and the dynamics of this very tumultuous, dangerous time in Oklahoma.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Killers of the Flower Moon</em> is in cinemas now. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Movies

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Ally Langdon cited as a reason the Voice failed

<p>The tense interview between Ally Langdon and Ray Martin has been cited as one of the key reasons why most Australians voted No in the Voice to Parliament referendum. </p> <p>The <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/i-would-say-it-again-ray-martin-doubles-down-on-voice-comments" target="_blank" rel="noopener">interview</a>, which took place two weeks before the nationwide vote, saw Langdon and Martin butt heads on <em>A Current Affair</em>, where Martin defended his comments about no voters being "ignorant". </p> <p>During the interview, Langdon, who repeatedly interrupted Martin throughout the conversation, went on to say that the proposed law was confusing, and people "didn't understand it". </p> <p>Since the defeat of the Voice referendum on Saturday, prominent author and former journalist Martin Flanagan collated the list of reasons the county voted No in a <a href="https://footyology.com.au/the-voice-a-letter-to-the-39-per-cent/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"letter to the 39 per cent"</a>.</p> <p>Flanagan cited the <em>ACA</em> interview as crucial in voters minds, and contributed to the resounding defeat of the Voice.</p> <p>“Ally said Australians didn’t understand the Voice and, as proof of this proposition, said, ‘I mean, my parents don’t understand it. They’ve looked at it, their group of friends who have looked at it and don’t understand it, that is a massive problem’,” he explained.</p> <p>He appeared to take a shot at Langdon for using the revelation about her family’s lack of understanding to make a point about the entire Australian population.</p> <p>Flanagan wrote that the No campaign's slogan “If you don’t know, vote no” was an extremely effective tool in making sure undecided voters voted No, rather than educate themselves, describing it as is “the second most epoch defining campaign slogan I have seen in my adult lifetime, the other being ‘It’s Time’ in 1972,” which was the slogan used by Gough Whitlam in the federal election.</p> <p>Flanagan then went on to lay some of the blame squarely at Langdon's feet: "To commemorate the 2023 slogan, I would like to establish a media award named after Ally Langdon from A Current Affair. </p> <p>"Ally grilled Ray Martin after he said dinosaurs were voting NO. Ally said Australians didn’t understand the Voice and, as proof of this proposition, said, 'I mean, my parents don’t understand it. They’ve looked at it, their group of friends who have looked at it and don’t understand it, that is a massive problem.'"</p> <p>"The prize for my media award is a cartoon with a group of dinosaurs looking up at a billboard saying “If You Don’t Know, Vote No”. It’s not just the Voice referendum – it’s all the other things we don’t want to know about. We’ve got an overpopulated, overheating planet with two global conflicts raging as we speak. Major environmental catastrophes could have hundreds of millions of people on the move, the effect of climate change on the world’s agricultural regions could cause widespread famine etcetera etcetera. But back to you in the studio, Ally. Tell us what do your parents and their friends think."</p> <p>According to Flanagan, the Yes vote failed due to "Trump-like tactics" from the No side, as he accused them of tactfully confusing and besieging Australians to “make the whole thing dull and heavy” so no one had “energy to explore the Yes case”.</p> <p>He went on to say that a lack of organisation within the Yes team and a lack of continuation of momentum that was prevalent at the beginning of campaigning were also contributing factors to the Voice defeat.</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

TV

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"I would say it again": Ray Martin doubles down on Voice comments

<p>Ray Martin has been grilled in an explosive interview over his divisive comments about No voters ahead of the Voice to Parliament referendum. </p> <p>The veteran journalist appeared on <em>A Current Affair</em> to double down on his comments, saying he does not regret what he said. </p> <p>On Wednesday, Ray Martin spoke to supporters of the Yes campaign at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west, as he <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/ray-martin-s-scathing-voice-to-parliament-speech" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called out</a> those who are voting No, suggesting they are too lazy to educate themselves by performing a simple Google search, and instead are being driven by division and fear.</p> <p>Martin said, “If you don’t know, find out what you don’t know.” </p> <p>"What that excellent slogan is saying, is if you’re a dinosaur or a d**khead who can’t be bothered reading, then vote No.” </p> <p>In the tense interview, in which Langdon continuously interrupted Martin, the ACA host suggested the Voice debate “needs to calm down and get back to being respectful”. </p> <p>“Do you regret those comments, Ray?” she asked</p> <p>“No, I don’t,” Martin said.</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/CyAmMGOyEqw/?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> <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/CyAmMGOyEqw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by A Current Affair (@acurrentaffair9)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“This is a really important referendum. And I did not call No voters those words, I was talking about the slogan. ‘If you don’t know, vote No.’ That is an endorsement of ignorance. If you don’t know, find out, do not vote ignorantly. That is a dinosaur."</p> <p>"It is such an important vote, it is so important, and you need to find out.”</p> <p>“A lot of families have a lot of stuff on the plate,” Langdon said. “They are worried about power and food prices and crime, and many of them are the people that you’re calling names.”</p> <p>Martin insisted “no I am not”.</p> <p>“This is not a difficult one — you do not need a dictionary to find out what it is about,” he said.</p> <p>“It is about two things. It is about recognising First Australians in the Constitution, and do we give them a Voice … no veto, a Voice after 200 years of being told what to do. It is not about treaties or reimbursements. It is about nothing apart from these two things.”</p> <p>Langdon said Martin was a “respected journalist for many years” and knew “language is important, and the language used in that speech was inflammatory”, but Martin stood by his words. </p> <p>“I do not think it is and I stick by the language,” Martin said. “I would say it again. It was at Marrickville Hall when I was speaking, I was not speaking at the Catholic church up at the lectern. I was not talking to Women’s Weekly.”</p> <p>Asked again if he thought his language was disrespectful, Martin said, “I’ll tell you what’s disrespectful — voting, and admitting your ignorance, and going ahead and voting on such an important issue as this.”</p> <p>Ray Martin went on to say the language he used was “part of the Australian vernacular and you will hear it all the time on morning radio”, calling out conservative broadcasters who use similar insults to throw at the Yes campaign.</p> <p>Langdon admitted she watched Martin‘s full speech and while much of it was “very powerful”, the debate had “become inflammatory and divisive” and “you know that the most controversial thing you say is what is going to be picked up, and it has”.</p> <p>“I have been a journalist almost 60 years and I think people trust me,” Martin said.</p> <p>“I have reason to be trusted and I think this is really important. I do not think we should be scared by a scare campaign. I do not think we should look for something that is not in the referendum and I think that has happened. That is what the No side is doing.”</p> <p>He continued, "I do not think it is confusing. We have only made it confusing. The words are simple. Do you recognise the First Australians? Do you want to give them a Voice for the first time? Instead of telling them how to run their lives. When we listen to them in community health, community education and community life, we do much better. Instead of telling them what to do.”</p> <p>Martin admitted that the Yes campaign has not been perfect, but that was not a good enough reason to vote No on October 14th.</p> <p>“If you’re asking me has the campaign been good, I would say no,” Martin conceded.</p> <p>“And if you ask me whether this referendum will end poverty and disadvantage, the answer is no. But it is unquestionably a step forward.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

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Ray Martin's scathing Voice to Parliament speech

<p>Ray Martin has ripped into No voters while discussing the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum, calling them "dinosaurs and d**kheads". </p> <p>The veteran TV presenter spoke to supporters of the Yes campaign at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville, in Sydney's inner west, and did not hold back on what he thought of those voting no on October 14th.</p> <p>He called out those who are voting No, suggesting they are too lazy to educate themselves by performing a simple Google search, and instead are being driven by division and fear.</p> <p>Martin said, “If you don’t know, find out what you don’t know.” </p> <div id="story-primary" data-area="story-primary"> <p>“What that excellent slogan is saying, is if you’re a dinosaur or a d**khead who can’t be bothered reading, then vote No.” </p> <p>He went on to argue that No voters kept begging Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the details of the referendum, but the details “could not be simpler”. </p> </div> <p>“At this stage of the game, the details simply don’t matter. They never did matter, honestly. They’re irrelevant,” he said. </p> <p>“Over the next 10 to 20 years, no matter who is in government, the details will change, inevitably. As will the members of the Voice delegation from around Australia, according to the needs, the priorities and the policies that are meant to close that bloody gap. </p> <p>“You can’t write all that in the constitution in 2023.”</p> <p>He explained that as governments and priorities will change over the years, so will the roles and responsibilities of the Voice representatives. </p> <p>“It’s a big country with lots of different demands and needs. How do you give the details of all that in the Australian constitution? Of course you don’t.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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"Their memories will live on forever": Tragic twist as young brothers lost in car crash identified

<p>Two young lives were tragically cut short in a devastating car crash in the southern part of Sydney. The victims, young brothers Xavier and Peter Abreu, aged ten and nine, are being remembered for their innocence and vibrancy as the community mourns their loss. The incident occurred on Friday night August 25 when the Subaru WRX they were travelling in collided with a tree along Grand Parade in Monterey at approximately 9:50pm.</p> <p>The boys' relative, Jimmy Martin Brito, 33, who was also driving the vehicle and is the father of a nine-year-old girl who was a passenger and sustained minor injuries, has been taken into custody and charged in connection to the incident. He faces charges including two counts of dangerous driving causing death and one count of causing bodily harm by misconduct.</p> <p>In the wake of this tragic event, the boys' stepmother, Jivonne Garrido, has established a fundraising campaign to support the grieving family. She expressed in a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/xavier-abreu-and-peter-abreu" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GoFundMe</a> post on Sunday that while the boys' lives were tragically cut short, their memories will forever remain with the family. </p> <p>"The beautiful boys lost their lives in tragic circumstances however their memories will live on forever with the family Father Samuel Mother Olivia, brothers Alex and Jacob along with Auntie Joanne and Grandmother Dimitria."</p> <p>"We thank everyone who has already shown the size of their hearts with heartfelt messages and flowers at the site and call for assistance from the public that this event may resonate with. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts."</p> <p>The legal proceedings surrounding the incident have begun, with police alleging that Brito was operating the vehicle recklessly, leading to the fatal crash. Brito was expected to appear in court for a hearing, but it was adjourned due to his ongoing recovery from injuries sustained in the crash. His defence lawyer, Fahim Arya, conveyed that his client has had limited communication with his sister, the mother of the two boys who passed away while he was in the hospital. Despite her distress, the mother is reportedly standing by Brito.</p> <p>Mr Arya said the mother was 'distraught and distressed' but 'still supports and stands by him.' He added that Brito was 'fresh out of surgery' and on medication as he begins his long road to recovery. 'I don't know if he knows the two little ones have lost their lives,' Mr Arya said.</p> <p>While the legal process unfolds, the community has united in grief, visiting the crash site to pay their respects to the young brothers. A makeshift memorial has been established at the tree where the accident occurred, adorned with flowers and teddy bears. The profound impact of the crash is evident, with marks etched into the tree and debris scattered around the area.</p> <p>Authorities are looking into the possibility of street racing playing a role in the tragedy. They are particularly interested in locating a grey sedan believed to have been present during the incident, as captured by CCTV. The investigation aims to determine whether the Subaru and the grey sedan were involved in street racing prior to the collision.</p> <p>For anyone with relevant information, dash cam footage, or CCTV recordings, the police urge you to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation. Information can be shared with the authorities or Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.</p> <p><em>Image: GoFundMe</em></p>

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Major change ahead for Sunrise

<p dir="ltr">Sunrise has had a lot of readjusting to do in 2023, with their casting change in the wake of longtime host David Koch’s departure being just the beginning. </p> <p dir="ltr">And now, the show is faced with another new development, as Channel 7 looks to pack up its Martin Place residence to move to its new studio. </p> <p dir="ltr">Fans of the show will be familiar with the window backdrop that came with the CBD location, as it’s where the company has called home for almost two decades. But<em> Sunrise</em> is next up to make the move to 7’s new Eveleigh studio, with<em> 7 NEWS</em> anchor Mark Ferguson giving the final go ahead.</p> <p dir="ltr">Over the course of a month, Channel 7’s flagship morning shows will be following their nightly counterparts to the new location, with <em>Sunrise</em>, <em>Weekend Sunrise</em>, and <em>The Morning Show</em> next on the removalist’s to-do list.</p> <p dir="ltr">They won’t be alone in the new studio, with the likes of <em>7NEWS.com.au</em> and <em>7 NEWS Spotlight </em>already having parted ways with Martin Place. </p> <p dir="ltr">And according to Seven West Media Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer James Warburton, the change marks the first time in 40 years that the network’s Sydney operation will be “under one roof”, as they embark on “the beginning of a landmark chapter”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Martin Place has served as an exceptional home for us but as we aim to unite even more Australians across our much-loved news and public affairs content, our transition to the purpose-built, state-of-the-art studio space in south Eveleigh is a pivotal move,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“<em>7 NEWS</em>’s relocation to south Eveleigh marks the start of this exciting phase and we look forward to Sunrise and The Morning Show joining our cutting-edge, new location soon.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Network Director of News and Public Affairs Craig McPherosn had his own words to share, noting that the move “marks a new beginning” for everyone involved.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Since first turning the lights on at Martin Place on August 30, 2004, Seven’s News and Public Affairs team has broadcast a mammoth 70,000 hours of television from the Martin Place studio,” he explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hundreds of careers started there, as did programs. Not all lasted but the constant demand for the content never wavered. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a wonderful workplace for all of us, but it had served its time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Sunrise / Channel 7</em></p>

TV

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Ray Martin discusses interviewing “arrogant” senior royal

<p dir="ltr">Veteran journalist Ray Martin has interviewed many high profile figures over his stellar career in the media.</p> <p dir="ltr">Some of his most noteworthy conversations have been with members of the royal family, including the late Princess Diana, and another senior royal that Martin said confirmed his “worst suspicions” about the institution.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking with news.com.au’s<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ray-martin-names-arrogant-royal/id1593788055?i=1000602980406" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em> I’ve Got News for You</em></a> podcast, he shared the details of his 1981 interview with the late Prince Philip, who he recalled as being “arrogant”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The interview took place when Martin was a reporter for <em>60 Minutes</em>, as he was offered a rare sit-down with the late Duke of Edinburgh, about his role as the international president of the World Wildlife Fund.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unsurprisingly, it was a tightly-controlled environment on board the royal ship Britannia, where the interview took place.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was strictly about World Wildlife, we couldn’t talk about anything else,” Martin told the podcast.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t like Prince Philip – he was quite priggish and arrogant, and that confirmed all my worst suspicions of the royals.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite his unpleasant memories of the late royal, he said he felt completely differently about King Charles, who he first interviewed in 1994 amid a growing Republican movement, describing him as “very pleasant, very comfortable”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“(He was) a little shy, and went out of his way to be nice and polite to our team … He certainly made it easy for all of us, and I went away thinking, ‘You’re not a bad bloke’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ray went on to say although no topics were officially off limits, he chose not to pry about personal issues with the now King.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Of course, I was tempted,” Martin admitted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t remember them saying he wouldn’t talk about (Princess Diana), but protocol was that he was prepared to talk about the Republic and other issues like that, so that was it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After their interview concluded, Ray took a chance and asked the royal if he wanted to join the crew for a drink, given the warm Brisbane weather.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a really hot Queensland day, and I said, ‘we’re going down to the Gold Coast for a swim and a beer, would you like to join us?’” he revealed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And he laughed and said, ‘I would like to join you, but I’ve got to give a bloody speech in Auckland... but I’d much prefer to go to the Gold Coast and have a beer.’ So it was kind of funny. I think he enjoyed the day, and we enjoyed it.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Steve Martin discusses his love for Indigenous Australian art

<p dir="ltr">Comedian and actor Steve Martin has long been an avid art lover and collector. </p> <p dir="ltr">After making onto ARTnews Top 200 Collectors list several times in the 1990s, he has recently turned his attention to Indigenous Australian art and its deep cultural history. </p> <p dir="ltr">With his wife Anne Stringfield, he’s bought works by Indigenous artists such as Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Timo Hogan, Carlene West, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, and Doreen Reid Nakamarra, among many others.</p> <p dir="ltr">His love for these works began almost 10 years ago, as he shared with <a href="https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/actor-steve-martin-on-the-joys-and-the-difficulties-of-collecting-contemporary-indigenous-australian-art-1234644806/">ARTnews</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said, “It all started with one picture by this artist, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri. I just really liked it, bought it, and hung it in our house for several years. I really didn’t know that there was a whole big funnel going back this way of its history.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“I hadn’t really seen anything like this before. And they were available, which is an aspect of the art world now that is the opposite—most things are unavailable. And I loved them. I thought they were great.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He said his collection, which includes over a hundred works, is “hard to improve” when dealing with art pieces that are increasingly rare. </p> <p dir="ltr">Some of the works he owns have been displayed in non-selling shows at Gagosian locations in New York and Beverly Hills, California, with Steve saying he “loves just getting these pictures seen” by like-minded art fans. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Art

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Ricky Martin hits back at “maladjusted” nephew with massive lawsuit

<p dir="ltr">Ricky Martin has filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against his 21-year-old nephew who previously accused the singer of sexual abuse.</p> <p dir="ltr">The suit comes a month after Martin’s nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/truth-prevails-ricky-martin-addresses-nephew-after-harassment-case-heard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">withdrew a restraining order</a> laid against the 50-year-old celebrity.</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin filed the $US 20 million suit on Wednesday, as reported by TMZ, which contains claims from Martin that his nephew is a “maladjusted individual” who would message him up to ten times a day over a four-month period, threatening to “assassinate his reputation and integrity” if he didn’t give him cash.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Livin’ La Vida Loca</em> singer also alleged that Sanchez shared his mobile phone number online and made an Instagram account for one of Martin’s children.</p> <p dir="ltr">He believes he has missed out on lucrative business opportunities, according to the suit, and is seeking the hefty sum for damages.</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin, who parents his four children with husband Jwan Yosef, said he and his family felt “unsafe” in Puerto Rico due to Sanchez’s alleged behaviour.</p> <p dir="ltr">In July, Martin shared a clip explaining why he hadn’t addressed Sanchez’s claims the pair were in an incestuous relationship when they first emerged.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For two weeks, I was not allowed to defend myself because I was following procedure, where the law … obligated me not to talk until I was in front of the judge,” Martin said in the clip while dressed in a suit and tie.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-f5ea56f4-7fff-6297-835b-a33656e0d008"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Sanchez, who is the son of Martin’s half-sister Vanessa Martin, alleged he and Martin were in a relationship for seven months and that his uncle stalked him at his house following their breakup.</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/CgRx1HwL36j/?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> <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/CgRx1HwL36j/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">In the video, Martin shared his relief over the dismissal of the case but noted the negative impact it had on his loved ones.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank God these claims were proven to be false, but I’m going to tell you the truth, it has been so painful and devastating for me, for my family for my friends,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t wish this upon anybody.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-81b23761-7fff-62df-22c9-bb98fa88ba6c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @ricky_martin (Instagram)</em></p>

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Steve Martin's big career news

<p dir="ltr">With a career spanning more than five decades, Hollywood veteran Steve Martin has said he’s “not going to seek” any more acting work.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 76-year-old film and TV star said he might be considering retirement after he wraps filming on the upcoming third season of his Hulu series, <em>Only Murders In The Building</em>, co-starring Martin Short and Selena Gomez.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/steve-martin-career-retirement-only-murders-in-the-building-1235195571/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hollywood Reporter</a></em>, Martin said it was becoming difficult to stay in the game at this point in his career.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s a time in your career when people are dying to see you … Now is the time in my career when I’m the one who’s got to show up,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When this television show [<em>Only Murders In The Building</em>] is done, I’m not going to seek others. I’m not going to seek other movies. I don’t want to do cameos. This is, weirdly, it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The star, who has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor (Comedy) at this year’s awards for his work on<em> Only Murders In The Building</em>, started out in stand-up comedy. Martin made his name in the 1960s for his writing work on <em>The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour</em>, before becoming a host on <em>Saturday Night Live.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">After retiring from comedy, Martin transitioned to the big screen in the 80s, starring in hit films such as <em>Three Amigos, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Father of the Bride, Pink Panther</em>, and <em>Cheaper By The Dozen</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin has earned himself five Grammys, an Emmy, and an Honorary Academy Award, meaning he only needs to score a Tony award to achieve the prestigious EGOT status.</p> <p dir="ltr">In his personal life, Martin became a father for the first time at the age of 67, welcoming a daughter with his wife of 15 years, Anne Stringfield.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though he says he won’t be looking for more acting work, Martin hasn’t retired just yet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My wife keeps saying, “You always say you’re going to retire and then you always come up with something’ … I’m not really interested in retiring,” Martin added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m not. But I would just work a little less. Maybe.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ee6894dc-7fff-1200-680e-60f02a9a7b9f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Movies

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Controversial Diana interview to air in new documentary

<p dir="ltr">A new documentary about Princess Diana will air snippets of her 1995 Panorama interview with BBC journalist Martin Bashir once again, despite Prince William insisting it “should never be shown again”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The HBO documentary, titled <em>The Princess</em>, uses archival audio and video footage as part of its exploration of Diana’s complex relationship with the media, including how she often used the press to her advantage with dire consequences.</p> <p dir="ltr">Its release in select Australian and New Zealand cinemas in August comes a year after William made a forceful statement condemning the 1995 interview and describing it as a “major contribution to making my parent’s relationship worse”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Snippets from the interview show the late Princess of Wales speaking about her marriage to Prince Charles, her extramarital affair, and her belief that a campaign was being “waged against” her for her refusal to “go quietly”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is my firm view that this Panorama program holds no legitimacy and should never be aired again,” William said in May 2021.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It effectively established a false narrative which, for over a quarter of a century, has been commercialised by the BBC and others.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Prince Harry later echoed William’s statements, saying that “our mother lost her life because of this and nothing has changed”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The BBC has distanced itself from the documentary, saying licences allowing for “any or all” of the interview to be aired had not been granted, per <em><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2022/07/28/dianas-disgraced-panorama-interview-aired-sky-against-prince/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Telegraph UK</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">It has since emerged that Bahir lied to Diana to gain her trust prior to the interview, showing her forged bank statements and other documents as proof that her most-trusted advisors and staff were spying on her in order to get her to agree to the interview.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tim Davie, the BBC’s director-general, vowed last week to never show the interview in its entirety or in parts ever again, saying there would only be “few and far between” reasons to use extracts for journalistic purposes and urging other broadcasters to “exercise similar restraint”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also apologised to Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry for “the way in which Princess Diana was deceived and the subsequent impact on all their lives”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Princess</em> isn’t expected to provide context for the BBC interview, as segments from it will be shown alongside other news bulletins and footage of some members of the public - out of an estimated 23 million people who watched it at the time - watching it in a pub and reacting to it.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement, HBO described the film as “intensely emotional” and a “visceral submersion” into Diana’s life under the spotlight of the media.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The film unfolds as if it were in the present, allowing viewers to experience the overwhelming adoration, but also intense scrutiny of Diana's every move and the constant judgement of her character,” the statement reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Through archival material, the film is also a reflection of society at the time, revealing the public's own preoccupations, fears, aspirations and desires."</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-ea73afec-7fff-008f-91a2-935b7a7cd4f1"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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"Truth prevails”: Ricky Martin addresses nephew after harassment case heard

<p>Ricky Martin’s 21-year-old nephew’s protection order against the popular singer has been dismissed following bombshell incest allegations.</p> <p>Attorneys for Martin, aged 50, have reported that the court in Puerto Rico did not extend Dennis Yadiel Sanchez’s temporary protection order just as they had anticipated.</p> <p>“The accuser confirmed to the court that his decision to dismiss the matter was his alone, without any outside influence or pressure, and the accuser confirmed he was satisfied with his legal representation in the matter,” lawyers Joaquín Monserrate Matienzo, Carmelo Dávila and Harry Massanet Pastrana said in a joint statement.</p> <p>“The request came from the accuser asking to dismiss the case. This was never anything more than a troubled individual making false allegations with absolutely nothing to substantiate them.”</p> <p>The attorneys concluded: “We are glad that our client saw justice done and can now move forward with his life and his career.”</p> <p>Martin also released a statement himself, via a two-minute video.</p> <p>In the video he explained his earlier silence and spoke directly to his nephew, saying he hopes he “doesn’t hurt anybody else.”</p> <p>“I’m in front of the cameras today because I really need to talk in order for me to start my healing process,” Martin said. “For two weeks, I was not allowed to defend myself because I was following a procedure where the law - the law - obligated me not to talk until I was in front of the judge and got this claims were proven to be false.”</p> <p>“But I’m going to tell you the truth. It has been so painful. It has been devastating for me, for my family, for my friends. I don’t wish this upon anybody. To the person that was claiming this nonsense, I wish him the best - and I wish he finds the help so he can start a new life filled with love and truth and joy - and he doesn’t hurt anybody else.”</p> <p>“Now, my priority is to heal and how do I heal? With music,” Martin continued. “I cannot wait to be back on stage. I cannot wait to be back in front of the cameras and entertain, which is what I do best.”</p> <p>“Thank you to all my friends. Thank you to all the fans who always believed in me. You have no idea the strength that you gave me with every comment you wrote on social media. I wish you love and light - and here we come with the same strength and passion.”</p> <p>Martin’s husband of five years also broke his silence, posting a photo of the couple together with the caption: “Truth prevails.”</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/CgSOwN7PGev/?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/CgSOwN7PGev/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jwan Yosef (@jwanyosef)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Ricky Martin responds to allegations of domestic violence

<p>Ricky Martin has responded to shocking accusations of domestic violence, which were publicised by the singer's own nephew. </p> <p>Ricky denies all allegations of domestic violence and incest, which could land him behind bars for 50 years. </p> <p>Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, 21, was identified as Ricky’s accuser in the case over in Puerto Rico, meaning the incident could possibly involve incest.</p> <p>Ricky’s brother, Eric, reportedly identified Sanchez as the alleged victim as Ricky is scheduled to appear in court on July 21st.</p> <p>While it is currently unknown exactly what charges Ricky could be facing, Puerto Rico has much stricter laws on crimes of a sexual nature when the victim and accused are related. </p> <p>The pop star is accused of "exercising physical and psychological attacks" on Sanchez during their seven-month relationship, which ended about two months ago.</p> <p>When reached by <a title="nypost.com" href="https://nypost.com/2022/07/15/ricky-martin-accused-of-incest-in-shocking-puerto-rico-reports/">The Post</a> on Friday, Martin’s attorney Marty Singer said, “Unfortunately, the person who made this claim is struggling with deep mental health challenges. Ricky Martin has, of course, never been — and would never be — involved in any kind of sexual or romantic relationship with his nephew.”</p> <p>“The idea is not only untrue, it is disgusting. We all hope that this man gets the help he so urgently needs. But, most of all, we look forward to this awful case being dismissed as soon as a judge gets to look at the facts,” Singer said. </p> <p>Spanish news website Marca reported that Ricky would face up to 50 years if he’s convicted.</p> <p>“The allegations against Ricky Martin that lead to a protection order are completely false and fabricated,” said Ricky’s reps in a statement to People.</p> <p>“We are very confident that when the true facts come out in this matter our client Ricky Martin will be fully vindicated.”</p> <p>Ricky also made a statement on Twitter writing, “The protection order entered against me is based on completely false allegations, so I will respond through the judicial process with the facts and the dignity that characterise me. </p> <p>“Because it is an ongoing legal matter, I cannot make detailed statements at this time. I am grateful for the countless messages of solidarity, and I receive them with all my heart.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <div class="media twitter" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 705.3308715820312px; margin-bottom: 16px;"> </div>

News

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Sean Connery's personal James Bond Aston Martin on sale for first time ever

<p>A piece of Hollywood history has gone up for sale, with car enthusiasts everywhere dying to get their hands on it. </p> <p>Sean Connery's personal 1964 Aston Martin DB5 is being offered for sale through <a href="https://www.broadarrowauctions.com/vehicles/009/1964-aston-martin-db5" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Broad Arrow Auctions</a>, with the iconic vehicle expected to fetch between $US1.4 million and $1.8 million ($AU1.9-2.5m).</p> <p>The car boasts a Snow Shadow Grey colour, as per it's appearance in the Bond movie <em>Goldfinger</em>, over a show-stopping red leather interior.</p> <p>The vehicle was delivered brand new to its original owner in the UK in 1964, where it remained until Connery bought it in 2018 and relocated it to his property in Switzerland. </p> <p>It is worth noting that the car was originally black, and Connery had it painted to match his famous on-screen co-star.</p> <p>The Snow Shadow Grey colour was limited to the prototype DB5 used in the James Bond films, and was replaced by Silver Birch as the 'factory' DB5 colour.</p> <p>The car is on sale for the first time, with the lucky owner also receiving driving training from Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart.</p> <p>Many of the proceeds from the sale benefitting the Sean Connery Philanthropy Fund, a charity supporting young people of Scotland.</p> <p>The auction for the car will take place on August 17th 2022. </p> <p><em>Image credits: drive.com</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Ray Martin offloads home for 10 times what he paid

<p dir="ltr">TV legend Ray Martin has sold his family’s Sunshine Coast holiday home in a deal that’s earned him ten times what he paid for it two decades ago.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former <em>60 Minutes</em> presenter bought the land in Mount Coolum in 2001 for $250,000, where he built a four-bedroom, five-bathroom townhouse, and has now sold it for $2.65 million.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the property records, the home was sold to Peter Warton, the CEO of costume company Rubies Deerfield.</p> <p dir="ltr">Marcus Dolby, a marketing agent from Dolby Property Group, told <em><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/tv-veteran-sells-qld-holiday-home-for-10-times-what-he-paid-for-it/?rsf=syn:news:nca:news:spa:rca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">realestate.com.au</a></em> the buyer was a keen golfer who could see the potential benefits of buying in the area.</p> <p dir="ltr">With its prime position in the exclusive Lakes estate, proximity to the newly renovated PGA Palmer Coolum golf course and lakeside views that can be enjoyed from the home’s multiple terraced and decked areas, it’s easy to see why Warton spent as much as he did.</p> <p dir="ltr">The newly-renovated home also boasts high ceilings, oversized bedrooms with their own ensuite bathrooms, a cinema, and a “private tropical entry”, according to <a href="https://www.dolbypropertygroup.com.au/property/101/unit-13-87-toolga-st-mount-coolum-qld" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the listing</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin and his wife <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/ray-martin-lists-exclusive-sunshine-coast-home" target="_blank" rel="noopener">listed the home late last year</a>, telling <em>Domain </em>at the time that he and his wife Diane were planning on spending more time in Sydney with their family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The truth is, life moves on and you have to chase new dreams,” he said at the time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The COVID lockdowns have drastically changed our habits and our expectations. So have our family circumstances changed – especially now with gorgeous grandkids to dote on.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Work-wise, my television life is still chaotic but very different to the nightly shows – even though I spend as much time on an aeroplane as I ever did, until COVID grounded everybody, of course. So, for a myriad of good reasons, we’re moving on – with a thousand great photos and a million even better memories.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-744f6944-7fff-b3b6-c5c1-7e30df394211"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images, Dolby Property Group</em></p>

Real Estate

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"It’s time": Ray Martin shares his thoughts on Scott Morrison

<p dir="ltr"><em>60 Minutes</em> legend Ray Martin has opened up about his “very strong” political views ahead of the federal election, all while sharing scathing views of the current Prime Minister.</p> <p dir="ltr">During <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/culture/celebrity/i-wouldn-t-change-a-thing-ray-martin-on-life-in-journalism-20220218-p59xtg.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an interview</a> with columnist and author Peter FitzSimons last week, the five-time Gold Logie winner admitted his political views were hard to figure out from an outsider’s perspective.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Do you have strong political passions one way or another?” FitzSimons asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Very strong. But back then nothing pleased me more than doing an interview with John Howard, Bob Hawke or Paul Keating and have 50 percent of the people say ‘It’s clear from that interview, you’re a card-carrying Commie, and the other half, you’re a blue ribbon Liberal’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When probed further, Martin referenced Gough Whitlam’s 1972 ‘It’s Time’ campaign and told FitzSimons he thought “it’s time again”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have interviewed every Prime Minister since Bob Menzies and I think this is the most incompetent government we’ve had. It’s time,” he said of the government under Scott Morrison.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 77-year-old also spoke about the criticism he copped after revealing to the public that he was 1/16th Indigenous, adding that he doesn’t identify as Indigenous.</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin explained how he discovered that his great-great-grandfather had settled down with a Kamilaroi woman outside Gunnedah in northeast NSW.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m very proud of it and I wrote a piece in the <em>Woman’s Weekly</em> about that and the hit-back [was ferocious] that a percentage of my blood was Aboriginal,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I acknowledge that 15/16th of my blood is Irish, 1/16 of my blood is Aboriginal, and I’m very proud of both.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The journalist has been working to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous people for the last 40 years, well before he found out about his heritage.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m ashamed of Australia’s Aboriginal policy over the years,” Martin continued. “As Sir William Dean says, that’s probably the festering sore of Australian society that we still shamefully treat our First Australians, so badly.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin is best-known for his time hosting <em>The Midday Show</em>, <em>A Current Affair</em>, and <em>60 Minutes</em> during his eventful five-decades-long career.</p> <p dir="ltr">Working alongside his fellow correspondents - first George Negus and Ian Leslie, then Jana Wendt - they went on to become rock stars of Australian journalism.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-44a150b4-7fff-0381-a9b0-7afc4f9a9247"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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Ray Martin lists exclusive Sunshine Coast home

<p dir="ltr">Legendary TV journalist Ray Martin and his wife Dianne have put their Sunshine Coast holiday home up for sale after more than 20 years, in defiance of the trend of people moving further north during COVID-19. The couple say they are planning on spending more time in Sydney with family.</p> <p dir="ltr">The four-bedroom home can be found at 13/87 Toolga Street, Mount Coolum, and it went up for sale this week.<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dolbypropertygroup.com.au/" target="_blank">Dolby Property Group Noosa’s Marcus Dolby</a><span> </span>declined to share with<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.domain.com.au/news/ray-martin-and-wife-dianne-list-their-luxury-sunshine-coast-holiday-home-1107565/" target="_blank"><em>Domain</em></a><span> </span>what the exact asking price was, but confirmed that similar properties in the area were listed for more than $3 million. The couple paid just $250,000 for the home in 2001.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dolby said of the decision to sell, “They’re like a salmon going the wrong way upstream. But it is a gorgeous house and it’s the perfect opportunity for them to sell.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ray Martin told<span> </span><em>Domain<span> </span></em>that the family loved the home because of the restaurants, cafes, and clothing stores, describing the area as a “church for the soul”. “That’s why it’s been our second home … besides, it lets us claim we’re Queenslanders when the Maroons whip the Blues in the State of Origin, which they so often do,” he joked.</p> <p dir="ltr">He continued, “We call it ‘the Coolum state of mind’. The minute we open our front door, we hit the shorts and the T-shirts – and the blood pressure drops to chilled. Deadly. ‘How good is this?’ is the standard, rhetorical question.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The home is located in Mount Coolum’s exclusive The Lakes estate, and is adjacent to the Palmer Coolum Golf Resort, meaning avid golfers can simply open a gate and walk to the nearby course to play a round or two.</p> <p dir="ltr">The two-storey home features a gourmet kitchen, home cinema, and views of the Coolum Lakes and Mount Coolum from most rooms. It also boasts a large library and office, which is connected to each of the bedrooms. It has enough parking for two cars, and, naturally, a golf buggy.</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin told<span> </span><em>Domain,<span> </span></em>“The truth is, life moves on and you have to chase new dreams. The COVID lockdowns have drastically changed our habits and our expectations. So have our family circumstances changed – especially now with gorgeous grandkids to dote on.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Work-wise, my television life is still chaotic but very different to the nightly shows – even though I spend as much time on an aeroplane as I ever did, until COVID grounded everybody, of course. So, for a myriad of good reasons, we’re moving on – with a thousand great photos and a million even better memories.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Martin became a household name in Australia for his work on a number of current affairs programs, and throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he was the host of<span> </span><em>The Midday Show,<span> </span></em>winning five Gold Logies for his work on both<span> </span><em>The Midday Show</em><span> </span>and on<span> </span><em>A Current Affair.</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images</em></p>

Real Estate

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Jane Fonda talks about working with Lily Tomlin

<p>When Jane Fonda was last in Australia, we asked her what it’s been like working with Lily Tomlin on the much-acclaimed Netflix series, <em>Grace and Frankie. </em></p> <p>Fonda told us working with Tomlin was: “Paradise. I admire her and love her so much.”</p> <p>“It’s like working with a genius… She really is – there are so many people inside of her. Watching her work and watching how she is in life, is an inspiration.”</p> <p>“I feel so lucky to be part of Team Lily,” she concluded. You can watch her talking in the video below.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bLpsP045rWE" title="YouTube video player" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><strong>Four episodes of the seventh and final season of Grace and Frankie released </strong></p> <p>So far, there are four episodes of the seventh and final season of G<em>race and Frankie</em> streaming on Netflix because filming was delayed because of COVID. Netflix says it plans to load more episodes as they’re available.</p> <p>Many of us have enjoyed this Emmy-nominated series and this is majorly due to the great work from the actors Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. Netflix announced last year that the seventh season will be the last of the series but it still makes the show the longest-running original Netflix series to date.</p> <p>The first season of <em>Grace and Frankie </em>premiered in May 2015 and all the previous six seasons of the hit show are now streaming on Netflix.</p> <p>With the addition of this seventh season, which will end up consisting of 16 episodes, the show will have run for 94 episodes – a large number and this is what makes the show is Netflix’s longest-running original series to date.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/useJWxOqbJI" title="YouTube video player" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p><strong>The star power <em>of Grace and Frankie</em></strong></p> <p><em>Grace and Frankie </em>has always had all the components needed to keep us glued to our screens whenever we watch it. As well as Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, it also features Martin Sheen and Sam Waterson as their husbands.  </p> <p>B<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brooklyn_Decker">rooklyn Decker</a> plays Mallory Hanson, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Embry">Ethan Embry</a> plays Coyote Bergstein, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Diane_Raphael">June Diane Raphael</a> is Brianna Hanson and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baron_Vaughn">Baron Vaughn</a> is Bud Bergstein.</p> <p>The show has won fans all along the way because it has such an interesting storyline – all revolving around Grace and Frankie, who’ve know each other for many years because of the long-standing friendship between their husbands.</p> <p>That is, until their two husbands come out and say they’re gay and they wish to live as a couple. This leaves the women to live their own life and although they’re very different, they find they bond through this experience.</p> <p>The series was created by Marta Kauffman and Howard J. Morris and airs on Netflix. As Kauffman and Morris have said: “It’s thrilling and somehow fitting, that our show about the challenges, as well as the beauty and dignity of aging, will be the oldest show on Netflix.”</p> <p><em>Images and Video: YouTube</em></p> <p><em> </em></p>

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