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Stephen Fry rushed to hospital

<p>Beloved British icon and actor Stephen Fry, aged 66, found himself in a hospital bed following a dramatic tumble off the stage at London's O2 Arena. The incident occurred right after he had delivered a talk about artificial intelligence (AI) at the CogX Festival.</p> <p>Reports indicate that Fry plummeted an alarming six feet to the ground, resulting in injuries to his leg and ribs. A spokesperson for the conference issued a statement expressing their concern and support for Fry, explaining that the unfortunate accident transpired after his inspiring discourse on the influence of AI. They emphasised their collective thoughts and well-wishes for his speedy recovery. They also mentioned that they had initiated their own investigation but were unable to disclose further details at the moment.</p> <p>Prior to his fall, Fry had engaged the audience with thought-provoking ideas, saying, "We have to choose whether we want to be Prometheus or Zeus." He humorously added, "The one thing we can agree on is that it's a f--king weird time to be alive."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thanks to everyone who joined us at CogX Festival’s 7th AI &amp; Transformational tech event at London’s iconic O2 arena.</p> <p>Watch our quick Day 3 recap and visit our website to be the first to hear about our plans to make it even bigger and better next year!<a href="https://t.co/K1fBIE0R0G">https://t.co/K1fBIE0R0G</a> <a href="https://t.co/IqRwpRwwiZ">pic.twitter.com/IqRwpRwwiZ</a></p> <p>— CogX Festival (@CogX_Festival) <a href="https://twitter.com/CogX_Festival/status/1704538018369954103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>In another intriguing revelation, Fry discussed an incident where a historical documentary utilised an AI-generated replication of his voice without his consent. He clarified to his fans that he had not uttered a single word in the narration; instead, a machine had performed the task.</p> <p>He expressed astonishment at the technology's capabilities, noting that it could potentially manipulate his voice to convey any message, from a call to storm Parliament to explicit content, all unbeknownst to him and without his authorisation. "And this, what you just heard," he said, "was done without my knowledge."</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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"One of the greats": Elton John's stirring tribute to Michael Parkinson

<p>The entertainment world has been cast into a somber veil of mourning as it bids farewell to the iconic Michael Parkinson, the legendary interviewer who has left us at the age of 88.</p> <p>Elton John, David Attenborough, Michael Caine, Eric Idle ...the long list of luminaries who have joined the chorus of heartfelt tributes to the "TV titan" and the undisputed "king of the chat show" seems limitless.</p> <p>The poignant words of Oscar-winning Michael Caine resonate with a sense of irreparable loss: “Michael Parkinson was irreplaceable," he wrote. "He was charming, always wanted to have a good laugh. He brought the best of everyone he met. Always looked forward to be interviewed by him.”</p> <p>David Attenborough's reflection on his interactions with the man affectionately known as "Parky" evokes a sense of melancholic nostalgia: “He was extremely generous, he wanted you to shine and would always laugh at your jokes and give you an opportunity to make them sound funnier than in fact they were. It was always friendly, it was always thorough, it was always intelligent, it was always a pleasure to do it and I think that came over no matter who his interviewee was.”</p> <p>Elton John said Parkinson was “a TV legend who was one of the greats. I loved his company and his incredible knowledge of cricket and Barnsley Football Club. A real icon who brought out the very best in his guests. Condolences and love to Mary and his family."</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/CwC4JoBMmKq/?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/CwC4JoBMmKq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Elton John (@eltonjohn)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The reminiscences continue, with Stephen Fry's words dripping with a bittersweet tone, saying that being interviewed by Parkinson was an experience of impossibly intense thrill.</p> <p>“The genius of Parky was that (unlike most people (and most of his guests, me included) he was always 100 per cent himself. On camera and off. ‘Authentic’ is the word I suppose,” he wrote. “For one of the shows I was on with Robin Williams, a genius of unimaginable comic speed and brilliance. Now they’re both gone.</p> <p>“One should get used to the parade of people constantly falling off the edge, but frankly one doesn’t. So long #parky.”</p> <p>The poignant announcement of the loss came from Parkinson's family. “After a brief illness Sir Michael Parkinson passed away peacefully at home last night in the company of his family,” the statement read.</p> <p>“The family request that they are given privacy and time to grieve.”</p> <p>The memories flood in as the recollection of Parkinson's rise to prominence in the 1970s fills the air with a sense of wistfulness. His list of more than 2000 interviewees includes luminaries such as Sir Billy Connolly, Muhammad Ali, Prince Philip, Sir Elton John, Madonna, and Paul McCartney.</p> <p>Four-time guest Muhammad Ali's absence echoes through time as Parkinson's voice emerges: “When people ask me who I most enjoyed interviewing, I’m unable to give them an answer”, Parkinson once said in an interview. “If they ask me who was the most remarkable man I ever met, I answer without hesitation – Muhammad Ali. I interviewed him four times – I lost on every occasion.”</p> <p>These titanic verbal sparring matches stand as poignant testimonies of the show's indelible legacy, underscoring their magnetic effect on millions of viewers.</p> <p>Among the program's other poignant moments, the chaos induced by Rod Hull's puppet Emu assaulting Parkinson on his own talk show couch remains etched in memory. Parkinson jestingly admitted that his career would forever be epitomised by "that bloody bird".</p> <p><em>Images: Getty / BBC 1</em></p>

Caring

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Ready-made foods you should avoid at all costs

<h2>Pasta dishes</h2> <p>Those ready-made spaghetti Bolognese and creamy pasta dishes are comfort foods at their finest, but they’re not the best for your body. Skip the frozen dishes, which tend to be loaded with sodium and fat, and throw your own healthy pasta recipe together, suggests paediatric dietitian Jodi Greebel. Not only is boiling pasta quick and easy, but you also have more control over what goes into the sauce and sides. Load yours up with nutritious veggies and throw in a tin of lentils for a healthier twist on your guilty-pleasure pasta.</p> <h2>Kids’ meals</h2> <p>Parenting is a 24/7 job, and if you cook separate meals for your little ones, sometimes you lack the energy and time. It’s tempting to pop a frozen kids’ meal in the oven and serve dinner 20 minutes later, but that meal probably isn’t something you really want in your child’s belly. “Some meals have more than half the amount of fat a child needs for the whole day,” says Greebel. With just a teensy bit more effort, you can dish up something you can feel confident feeding your child. For standby freezer aisle meals, Greebel recommends baked chicken nuggets with frozen veggies, but fresh food can be just as easy. Pick up a rotisserie chicken to serve with two vegetables – food that will feed not just your children but the adults in the house too. Any leftovers use in tacos for tomorrow night’s meal.</p> <h2>Low-protein veggie burgers</h2> <p>Skipping the traditional cheeseburger for a meatless option can be better for your belly and the planet, but there’s a catch. A lot of people look at all plant-based burgers as healthy protein substitutes, but some are much higher in carbohydrates and fat than protein, says nutrition program creator Ilana Muhlstein. “Protein is important for keeping us full and preventing overeating.” Leave it on the shelf if the nutrition facts say just five grams of protein, and hunt down another veggie patty with ten grams or more, she suggests.</p> <h2>Frozen stir-fries</h2> <p>Frozen meals like stir-fries are loaded with sodium, thanks in part to the sauces they come in. Luckily, a healthier version is just as easy and freezer-friendly. Buy a pack of plain frozen veggies – some stores even sell stir-fry vegetables without the sauce – and throw them in your wok or frying pan with chicken or beef, suggests Greebel. Use just a bit of low-sodium soy or teriyaki sauce to keep the salt to a minimum.</p> <h2>Fried foods</h2> <p>So, how bad are fried foods? Chips and other frozen fried food is tasty, but it shouldn’t be a part of your regular diet. Loaded with sodium and saturated fats, it could increase your risk of heart disease and obesity. Keep some healthier snack options on hand so you’re not tempted by the fried stuff. Throw together a pita pizza instead of frozen pizza, or make chicken tacos.</p> <h2>Two-serving meals</h2> <p>When you’re looking for a quick and healthy single-serving dinner, buyer beware: some frozen foods look reasonable in calories, fat, and sodium at first glance, but they’re actually two servings disguised as one. Double-check the portion size before you dig in to make sure you’re not biting off more than you’d want to chew. Swap the poser out for a single-serving meal, or set half aside for leftovers.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/kitchen-tips/ready-made-foods-you-should-avoid-at-all-costs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Food & Wine

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The unusual wedding style trend causing a stir

<p dir="ltr">Every year, a new wave of wedding trends rolls in for brides and grooms to either embrace or reject as they plan their big day. </p> <p dir="ltr">The latest trend, focused around the bride’s attire, has caused a stir online, sparking a heated debate over whether it's stylish or tacky.</p> <p dir="ltr">Instead of opting for the traditional white (or some variation of) heels for their big day, brides are reaching for bedazzled crocs to wear for their nuptials. </p> <p dir="ltr">In some cases, the entire bridal party has stormed the reception wearing the divisive shoes stamped with jewels and words like “wifey”, “bride” and “I do”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Traditionalists have blasted the fad, calling it “classless” and “gross”, while others see the value in the comfortable shoe, saying it makes perfect sense.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“That's the problem. People have no class anymore. No one dresses up, it's all about comfort,” one horrified critic said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I hate few things in life but crocs are at the top of my list, and when coordinated with an outfit. Lord help me I physically shudder,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the criticism, one bride defended her decision to wear bedazzled crocs on her wedding day, saying she was comfortable all day and all night while insisting she “regrets nothing”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The $70 shoes have long been praised by fans of the shoes for their comfort, breathability and lightweight material, making them a perfect all day wedding shoe. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I am not a heel person at all - Converse for the ceremony and crocs for the reception,” one bride said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The appearance is not unpleasant and let's face it, dancing in heels is painful and challenging. One must be comfortable to enjoy such a wonderful and momentous day,” another said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the mixed reaction of the wedding trend, online businesses who specialise in personalising and bedazzling crocs for brides are booming, with the shoes regularly retailing for between $200 and $300 a pair. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Twitter</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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"More babies!": Robert Irwin's latest family pic causes a stir

<p>Australia’s sweetheart Robert Irwin has sent fans into a frenzy after posting two new family photos at Australia Zoo. </p> <p>The black-and-white photographs, captioned “My favourite days”, feature the whole bunch: Robert, his sister Bindi, and mother Terri, as well as Bindi’s husband Chandler and their young daughter, Grace. </p> <p>Fans from around the world wasted no time in sharing their love for the Irwins, delighted with the insight into their happy family moment, with one reminiscing, “Steve’s real legacy.” </p> <p>“Steve would be proud of all of you,” agreed another. </p> <p>“That look in Terri's eyes says it all,” said one comment, “Steve would be so proud.”</p> <p>The references to the late legend Steve Irwin didn’t stop there, with some suggesting vacant spots in the pictures for a Photoshop opportunity, and one even drawing a likeness between Grace and her grandfather, “first pic she looks like she just finished wrestling crocs after a long day.”</p> <p>“Love these photos! They capture just how much joy your family has and it warms my heart ,” said one, with a wave of similar comments to follow. </p> <p>A near echo of Robert’s own caption came with the comment, “days with the family are always the best”. </p> <p>In the images posted to Instagram, the Irwins are gathered around a pool of water at Australia Zoo, with Grace playing while the others watch on. However, many eagle-eyed viewers took note of what couldn’t be seen instead. </p> <p>Bindi’s pose - crouched, with her arms resting on her knees to cover torso - led many to speculate about a future addition to the family.</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/Cnf3KhJJaRT/?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/Cnf3KhJJaRT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Bindi and Chandler’s first child, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, was born early in 2021, and fans took to the comments to share their enthusiasm at the prospect of another Irwin. </p> <p>“Absolutely precious! Can't wait for #2 baby! Grace will be a good big sissy,” gushed one fan.</p> <p>Many shared such excitement, with one supporter suggesting that it was “maybe time for another bub to share the limelight. Crikey, we would all love that!” </p> <p>Pregnancy rumours have followed Bindi ever since Chandler’s birthday in November, when Bindi’s placement in pictures from the event saw her standing behind an extravagant 26th birthday cake.</p> <p>Neither Bindi or her family have made an official announcement, but fans are keen for news, and thrilled for any glimpse into the lives of the Irwin family. </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Standing ovation for Pink's stirring tribute to Olivia

<p>P!nk has received a standing ovation for her emotional tribute to Olivia Newton-John at the 50th annual American Music Awards. </p> <p>The singer, whose real name is Alecia Moore Hart, took to the stage in front of a monitor flashing images of the late singer and performed a rousing rendition of <em>Hopelessly Devoted to You</em>. </p> <p>The song was originally sung by Newton-John for the hit musical film <em>Grease</em>, and its accompanying soundtrack went on to reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Adult Contemporary chart.</p> <p>Melissa Etheridge first came on the the AMA stage to introduce P!nk, but before the pop star came to the stage, Etheridge shared a few sweet sentiments about Newton-John.</p> <p>"From the moment you were in the presence of Olivia Newton-John, you sensed her sweetness, you stood in awe of her welcoming beauty, and you basked in the feeling that she was connecting to you alone," she began.</p> <p>She went on to share how to hear her sing "was to feel the power of art to transform feelings, the feelings we all have of love and elation and disappointment into something sublime."</p> <p>P!nk then took to the stage for her emotional performance, with members of the audience singing along. </p> <p>By the end of the performance, the crowd erupted into a loud applause that quickly transformed into a standing ovation, that was led by Pink's husband Carey Hart, 47, and their two children, 11-year-old daughter Willow and five-year-old son Jameson. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dOmHZj8n71w" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Stirring musical tribute to Olivia Newton-John

<p>In honour of Olivia Newton-John, two musical powerhouses have delivered an emotional tribute to the late entertainer. </p> <p>While on their world tour, British rock band Coldplay were joined on stage at London's Wembley Stadium by singer Natalie Imbruglia to perform a hit song from <em>Grease</em>. </p> <p>Together, they performed the track <em>Summer Nights</em> to the 90,000-strong crowd, with the audience singing along to every word. </p> <p>For their rendition, Imbruglia handled the role of Sandy while Coldplay’s Chris Martin sang the part of John Travolta’s character, Danny, duetting on its shared chorus along with Jacob Collier.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1PEqVarGq14" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Before the tribute to Olivia, Coldplay and Imbruglia also performed <em>Torn</em>, which Imbruglia popularised when she released her version of the Ednaswap song as her debut single in 1997.</p> <p>Natalie Imbruglia was among the thousands of entertainers to pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John after she died of breast cancer at age 73, writing an emotional post online. </p> <p>She said, "Devastated to hear of the passing of Olivia Newton John. When I was a little girl I used to close my eyes and sing her songs and dream of one day being on a stage somewhere, singing, just like her. She was magic."</p> <p>"A huge inspiration to me and so many other young kids who where singing into their hairbrush."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Music

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Lidia Thorpe causes a stir after mocking the Queen

<p>Outspoken Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe has been forced to take a second oath of allegiance in the Senate.</p> <p>This comes after causing quite the stir by openly describing the Queen as a “coloniser”.</p> <p>The controversial Victorian Greens Senator has previously said that the Australian parliament had no permission to be here and that her role as an Indigenous woman was to “infiltrate” the senate.</p> <p>She was asked to recite the oath of allegiance, then marched towards the despatch box with her fist in the air before stating: “I, sovereign Lidia Thorpe, do solemnly and sincerely swear that I will be faithful, and I bear true allegiance to the colonising Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”</p> <p>MPs present then interjected, warning that she would not be officially considered a senator if she failed to recite the pre-written oath properly.</p> <p>“Senator Thorpe, Senator Thorpe, you are required to recite the oath as printed on the card,’’ Senate President Sue Lines said.</p> <p>Senator Thorpe then took the oath again, mispronouncing "heirs and successors" as the Queen’s “hairs” and successors.</p> <p>Later, taking to Twitter, she declared: “Sovereignty never ceded.”</p> <p>This isn’t the first time the Greens Senator has raised public concerns about colonisation.</p> <p>In June when speaking to the ABC, she argued that the Australian flag represents “dispossession, massacre and genocide” and accused the media of pitting her against Liberal Senator Jacinta Price.</p> <p>“The colonial project came here and murdered our people. I’m sorry we’re not happy about that,” she said.</p> <p>“If people are going to get a little bit upset along the way, well that’s just part of the truth telling. The truth hurts.”</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

News

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Man who threatened to kill Jacinda Ardern causes stir in court

<p dir="ltr">A man who threatened to kill New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made claims he had been “kidnapped” by police and illegally detained during an outburst in court.</p> <p dir="ltr">Richard Trevor Sivell was arrested at a rural property in Te Puke, in the Western Bay of Plenty on the North Island, which is owned by the Ministry of Education.</p> <p dir="ltr">He claimed he owned the property through “allodial title”, an archaic law meaning that the property had no owner.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6b8bee9d-7fff-7c87-37f0-e54c94043c08"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">His arrest was filmed by his supporters and shared online and later re-shared by anti-conspiracy theorist groups on social media.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=315&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDebunkingConspiraciesAotearoa%2Fvideos%2F381405037137867%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="430" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">He was later charged with three offences, including intentionally obstructing a police officer during the arrest, failing to comply with police, and threatening to kill.</p> <p dir="ltr">The details of the threatening to kill charge have been suppressed and cannot be reported, per the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/court-outburst-richard-sivell-charged-with-threatening-to-kill-pm-forced-by-police-into-dock/JFTRYCT6MOCWOC5FGRQDAZH5Y4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Sivell went on to appear before the Tauranga District Court on Monday, where he repeatedly chose to stand in the public gallery and refused to enter the dock when instructed by Judge Thomas Ingram.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to his appearance in the courtroom, Mr Sivell arrived with a Bible and a one-page document which he called a “counterclaim”, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/300557520/man-who-threatened-to-kill-pm-dragged-into-dock-by-police-after-refusal-to-move?fbclid=IwAR2-VkhHDyZXBR1xATPr33YsTvYHoBQcFcS6QGMvfMtTaizRX0na0GmrYOg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">After presenting the document to the court office, he sat in the courtroom, maskless, and asked to be referred to by his first name rather than his last name by the judge.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he still refused to go beyond the public gallery, two police officers and a court security officer forcibly moved him to the dock - a distance of about 10 metres - and even carried him by the arms and legs at one stage. After continuing to resist the officers, Mr Sivell was pinned to the ground and handcuffed, at which point he accused the officers of assaulting him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m a man of peace, stop assaulting me, I haven’t done anything, I haven’t broken the law. You guys are traumatising me again,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he was in the dock, Judge Ingram asked if he wanted a few minutes to catch his breath.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I appreciate this is not a lot of fun for you,” the judge said. “You certainly will be somewhat traumatised … by what’s occurred.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Sivell then asked if the judge had received “the data”, to which Judge Ingram replied, “I’ve seen a piece of paper from you, yes.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Without receiving the data we can’t proceed, your honour,” Mr Sivell replied.</p> <p dir="ltr">Judge Ingram said: "You can parrot that as much as you want Mr Sivell, but I'm going to proceed with the matter on the basis that the law of the land applies to you as it applies to everybody else."</p> <p dir="ltr">After refusing to acknowledge the judge's questions, the case was adjourned for half an hour. </p> <p dir="ltr">When he reappeared, he continued to refuse to speak, even when asked whether he wanted legal representation.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm a man of peace, I'm here under duress. I've been assaulted and kidnapped," Mr Sivell said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The case was then adjourned for two weeks, and Mr Sivell was remanded on bail on the condition that he made no contact with Ms Ardern or used a device capable of connecting to the internet.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Threats appeared on Telegram</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Sivell tracked the arrival of police through a series of posts on Telegram - the encrypted messaging app which has become home to conspiracy theorists and Nazi sympathisers.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-stand-off-with-richard-sivell-who-allegedly-made-death-threats-against-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern/VUJLWAJCY3LWQZBMMIE3ANMBG4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZHerald</a></em>, Mr Sivell used the same account to post what could be considered as threats to kill Ms Ardern and several journalists.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They are going to die. We are not going to allow them to share this world with us anymore,” Mr Sivell said in an audio message posted to the Counterspin channel on Telegram. “Same as Jacinda. She is going to die. Execute these motherf***ers. I look forward to hearing their necks snap.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Fake journalists and accusations of communism</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Outside the court, Mr Sivell was met by his supporters, as well as members of the public posing as journalists.</p> <p dir="ltr">One of the 'journalists' interviewed Mr Sivell, who said New Zealand was becoming a "communist police state" and accused Ms Ardern of being a communist.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said those responsible for the vaccination program, which he described as a "bioweapon", should be held accountable under "Nuremberg law".</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-84b0bc66-7fff-ac97-d899-173ef54700fd"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Newlyweds cause stir with $328 bill for no-show guests

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A newlywed couple has sparked controversy after invoicing no-show wedding guests for their share of wedding costs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A photo of the invoice was shared on Twitter and soon went viral, with the poster commenting, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wedding reception invoice before lol”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I don’t think I’ve ever seen a wedding reception invoice before lol <a href="https://t.co/ZAYfGITkxP">pic.twitter.com/ZAYfGITkxP</a></p> — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Phil_Lewis_/status/1430276198823829508?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The pictured invoice was sent by a couple whose wedding at the Royalton Negril Resort &amp; Spa in Jamaica cost $164 a head.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple - identified by </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The New York Post</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> as Doug Simmons and Dedra McGee - called out guests who didn’t attend in the notes section of the invoice.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This invoice is being sent to you because you confirmed seat(s) at the wedding reception during the Final Headcount,” the invoice reads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The amount above is the cost of your individual seats. Because you didn’t call or give us proper notice that you wouldn’t be in attendance, this amount is what you owe us for paying for your seat(s) in advance.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You can pay via Zelle or PayPal. Please reach out to us and let us know which method of payment works for you. Thank you!”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The post quickly divided the internet, with some wishing they had thought of doing the same thing themselves, while others claimed it would end relationships.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I wish I’d thought of this. A third of the people who RSVP’d for our wedding didn’t show up. We paid for a lot of food that went to waste (though it was a lot less than $US 120 a plate),” said fellow Twitter user Jackie Barbosa.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You are so special to us that we invited you to our wedding. However, we are going to severe [sic] that relationship for $US240 because you didn’t let us show off in person. But we will send an invite to our baby shower at some point, so show up with a gift or face collections,” said one critic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the controversy, when </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The New York Post</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> reached out to the groom, he admitted that had been a “little petty” but he is “not some trifling person who is going to bill somebody”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Simmons stressed that it wasn’t about the money, saying that he and his bride were more hurt and feeling disrespected by those who didn’t show up to their wedding.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Four times we asked, ‘Are you available to come, can you make it?’, and they kept saying, ‘Yes’,” Simmons told </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The New York Post</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. “We had to pay in advance for Jamaica - this was a destination wedding.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, when they got to the final headcount they discovered that not everyone followed through.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“No one told me or texted me, ‘Hey, we can’t make it’,” Simmons said. “That’s all I was asking.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If you tell me you can’t make it, I would be understanding - but to tell me nothing, but then let me pay for you and your plus ones? Four people became eight people. I took that personally.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Facebook</span></em></p>

Relationships

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Serena Williams' stirring words of support for Meghan Markle

<p>Serena Williams has thrown her support behind Meghan Markle after her highly publicised interview with Oprah.</p> <p>“Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life – and leads by example – with empathy and compassion,” Williams wrote.</p> <p>“She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she’s experienced.</p> <p>“I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of colour to minimise us, to break us down and demonise us.</p> <p>“We must recognise our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism. The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimisation are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal.</p> <p>“I want Meghan’s daughter, my daughter and your daughter to live in a society that is driven by respect.</p> <p>“Keep in your memory the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.”</p> <p>It's not the first time Williams has defended the Duchess.</p> <p>In 2019, Meghan visited Wimbledon to watch Williams play courtside.</p> <p>But the appearance attracted a flurry of negative press, with those sitting close by reportedly warned by security not to take photos of her.</p> <p>Speaking at a Wimbledon press conference, Williams was asked by one reporter whether Meghan would watch her play in the finals given the “negative media” surround her last appearance.</p> <p>“You know I didn’t know there was negative media out there,” Williams replied. “Every time I see her name attached to anything I don’t read it.”</p> <p>The tennis superstar praised Meghan — who she has been close with since meeting at a celebrity volleyball event in 2014 — for being a good person.</p> <p>“She couldn’t be a better friend to me — low moments, high moments she’s always there and that’s all I want to be to her,” she said.</p>

Relationships

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Why Bridgerton's steamiest scenes are causing such a stir

<p>Australia, along with the rest of the world, has been enraptured by the Netflix series <em>Bridgerton</em>.<br /><br />It has everything it needs to make it the perfect afternoon watch – drama, cattiness, classic woes, but most of all, raunchy sex scenes.<br /><br />Lovehoney’s psycho-sexologist Chantelle Otten weighed in on what <em>Bridgerton </em>is doing right, and what they could also stop doing to make it the best series possible. </p> <p><strong>*** A warning for those who haven't yet binged the oh-so-binge-worthy show, there are spoilers ahead – and some of it is a bit on the naughty side. *** </strong><br /><br />The first sex scene to enter on the screens is the solo one in Episode Three.<br /><br />The Duke and Daphne have a conversation where he questions her about whether she has touched herself.<br /><br />He is quickly shocked when he learns she has not, but quickly instructs her to do so anywhere on her body that gives her pleasure when she’s alone until she reaches a “pinnacle”.<br /><br />The scene finishes when Daphne reaches the “pinnacle” the duke speaks of.<br /><br />Otten has some very specific views on this scene. “(In 1813) times were very different and pleasure, and especially female pleasure, was not talked about openly or prioritised like it is now, although we still have a long way to go,” says Otten.</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/CKZn8MWjZtM/?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/CKZn8MWjZtM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bridgerton (@bridgertonnetflix)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br />“The scene delicately portrays Daphne exploring her sexuality, however it is important to reinforce that every vulva owner is different … Solo play is a journey and it can take some time and exploration to discover what you enjoy and what works for you.”<br /><br />In Episode 5 of <em>Bridgerton</em>, there is a hallway "menage a trois".<br /><br />The second-born Bridgerton son accidentally walks in on Henry Granville having intercourse with another man.<br /><br />Benedict then goes on to have a particularly steamy session with Granville’s wife and Genevieve Delacroix.<br /><br />“This scene is hot,” Otten says.<br /><br />“It feels secretive and like the characters are letting go of their inhibition.”<br /><br />“As long as exploring sexual experiences with someone outside your relationship is something you have agreed with a partner, exploring sexuality (for example with someone of a different sex) is a great way to take your pleasure to new heights.”<br /><br />Episode 5 follows with a scene that everyone watching the show has patiently (not so much) been waiting for.<br /><br />The couple head on their honeymoon and once they get alone time, the sexual tension builds and they give in to desire.<br /><br />“This scene is beautiful and tender," says Otten. "One thing in particular that sticks out to me is the Duke’s approach to consent.<br /><br />“As they start to kiss, the Duke asks Daphne, ‘Do you want me to stop?’ Daphne then gives the Duke a visual cue to indicate that she doesn’t.”<br /><br />Otten goes on to say: “The reality of penetrative sex for the first time is that it can often be a bit awkward, messy and uncomfortable, which is not portrayed in this scene.<br /><br />“However, I will give the scene kudos for subtly and delicately approaching the topic of consent, which is a topic that comes up again later in the series. </p> <p>Like with any relationship, open communication is vital and consent must be at the foundation of every sexual encounter.”</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/CJ3wsSKjauI/?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/CJ3wsSKjauI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bridgerton (@bridgertonnetflix)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br />Episode 6 is one you might want to watch by yourself as it is as steamy as it gets!<br /><br />Daphne and the Duke run outside in the rain to a Secret Garden-like setting where they engage in innocent activities to begin with, but eventually go on to have intercourse.<br /><br />It is the first time viewers are forced to notice the Duke rolling off of his wife when he’s about to climax.<br /><br />“While it’s a visually beautiful scene and quite exciting, the main thing this scene gets wrong about sex is that it insinuates that heterosexual sex ends once the man orgasms. It is also telling us that sex lasts around 13 seconds and ends in a mutual climax at the exact same time, which of course we know is not the truth at all,” Otten says.<br /><br />“It also skips foreplay. We all know the importance of building up to arousal for pleasurable sex through kissing and touching, and now we also have the benefits of things like vibrators and lubricants to enhance pre-penetrative and post-penetrative play.”<br /><br />A controversial scene also comes up in Episode 6 when Daphne realises the Duke is not infertile and he has been persuading her to believe he is.<br /><br />Daphne takes matters into her own hands.<br /><br />“When the Duke propositions her for sex once again, she obliges. However, this time she gets on top and won’t get off, forcing him to climax inside of her. This is defined as non-consensual sex which is sexual assault,” says Otten.<br /><br />“This scene highlights three very important things when it comes to sex: first and most importantly, is sexual consent and not taking advantage of someone sexually, regardless of the situation. Secondly, is the importance of sexual education and thirdly, communication, and learning how to respectfully communicate sensitive topics with a partner.”</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/CJlx0gqjG3w/?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/CJlx0gqjG3w/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bridgerton (@bridgertonnetflix)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br />Episode 7 contains the staircase scene and is one Otten says made her happy.<br /><br />“I must have had a big smile on my face when I watched this scene, because this male on female oral sex is a depiction we rarely see on screens, especially in such detail,” Otten explained.<br /><br />In this scene, the Duke performs oral sex on Daphne on a lavish staircase.<br /><br />“I’m not sure if it’s the beautifully intricate balustrade or the sex that made me more excited. This is where <em>Bridgerton </em>gets it very right. I hope these types of male on female oral action becomes more the norm on our screens,” Otten went on to add.</p>

TV

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Princess Mary’s stirring message to followers

<p><span>Crown Princess Mary has delivered a stirring message for followers of the Danish Royal Palace.</span><br /><br /><span>The official Instagram page for the family showed Mary working from her first residence in Denmark, with it being the first glimpse of Mary in 2021.</span><br /><br /><span>The caption referenced the Australian royal’s virtual meeting with the ICPD25 High Level Commission, established by the UN Population Fund.</span><br /><br /><span>"The Commission was set up to work to ensure that women and girls have the necessary knowledge and tools to ensure that they can control their own bodies and thus their own lives," The Palace explained.</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/CKPHGxBAzRd/?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/CKPHGxBAzRd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>"The meeting today focused on the work of ensuring that every pregnancy is desired, that every birth is safe and that no one is exposed to gender-based violence or harmful customs such as girl circumcision or child marriage.</span><br /><br /><span>"These are major challenges that require focus, commitment, investment and a common strong will. Especially now that COVID-19 has rolled the development back in so many areas," the caption continued.</span><br /><br /><span>"We know that COVID-19 reinforces existing challenges. For example, 25 million unsafe abortions are performed worldwide each year, and due to COVID-19, another three million women are expected to have an unsafe abortion this year."</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839582/meghn-princess-mary-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e80aabad26214bf6a0d93581a187f74f" /><br /><br /><span>The post concluded by explaining that gender-based violence statistics are also worrying. "We heard that the increase in some places was up to 40 percent ... There is a lot to be done to create a better world," the caption roughly translated to.</span><br /><br /><span>Princess Mary has done a substantial amount of work surrounding women and girls, especially in the realm of education.</span><br /><br /><span>While the royal has been unable to travel across the globe as she usually does, she has continued working hard from her Danish base with regular virtual meetings.</span></p>

Caring

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Sky-high memories: Vintage Ansett Airlines menu causes a stir

<p>A person on social media site Reddit has shocked users by sharing a picture of a 1970s-era drinks menu from former airline carrier Ansett Australia.</p> <p>The menu shows cans of beer for 30 cents, a can of Coke for 10 cents and packets of cigarettes sold for a low price of 45 cents.</p> <p>For whisky fans, miniature bottles of imported whisky were sold for 45 cents, and specially selected red and white wines were sold at 40 cents a glass.</p> <p>These prices are incredibly low, especially by today's standards.</p> <p>People made jokes about the menu.</p> <p><img id="__mcenew" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838857/plane.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d80895744fd44933beac0e89320e48a0" /></p> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>“No wonder they went bust with these prices,” one person commented.</p> <p>“I was born too f**king late,” another said.</p> <p>“Cigarettes on a flight. Yikes,” someone said.</p> <p>One person reminisced about smoking on planes.</p> <p>“I’ll never forget flying Qantas as a kid up the back of the plane with the smokers for 12 hours to LAX and back,” one person commented.</p> <p>“I’m just old enough to remember being in a plane when smoking was allowed,” another said.</p> <p>“Only a curtain separated the smoking and non-smoking sections. It was absolutely foul.”</p> <p>Ansett suddenly collapsed in 2001, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and around 16,500 people out of work.</p> <p>The collapse followed years of financial trouble, tough competition, cash flow problems and an ageing fleet.</p> <p>By the time the company went bust, it was said to be bleeding money to the tune of $1.3 million a day.</p> <p>It remains one of the most infamous airlines collapses in Australia's history.</p> <p><em>Photo credit: Reddit</em></p> </div> </div> </div>

International Travel

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Scott Morrison causes a stir over miners' salary remark

<p>Scott Morrison has caused a stir by suggesting that FIFO miners earning $180,000 a year aren’t rich.</p> <p>The Prime Minister made the comments while defending the federal government’s planned tax cuts for high income earners while visiting Queensland on Wednesday.</p> <p>“It’s hard work, you’re away from your families. It’s fly in and it’s fly out. And you do earn a bit more when you’re doing that,” Morrison said of mining work.</p> <p>“But I tell you what, you put a bit of it away, too. And I don’t think they should be penalised and treated like they’re some merchant banker in Sydney.”</p> <p>“They’re not, they’re hardworking people working out on mines and difficult parts of the country. I think they deserve a tax cut.”</p> <p>Morrison answered questions about his planned tax for high income earners after Labor leader Anthony Albanese hinted at scrapping the policy if he wins the next election.</p> <p>The Coalition’s stage three tax cuts are due July 2024, with this on a $200,000 income receiving an extra $11,640 back each year.</p> <p>Morrison’s comments have divided public opinion, including the Sunrise Hot Topic panel.</p> <p>“I guess it depends where you live in Australia as to whether or not you’re wealthy on $180,000,” Sunrise Host Samantha Armytage said.</p> <p>“In Sydney, probably not.”</p> <p>Social commentator Jane Caro said Morrison’s statement was a slap in the face to women who have suffered the most during this coronavirus recession.</p> <p>“For the many women over 60 surviving on $40 a day on the old Newstart rate then $180,000 is beyond their greatest dreams,” she said.</p> <p>“The thing about these tax cuts is they disproportionately favour higher earners and they therefore favour men and we know this recession has hit women much harder than men.”</p> <p>“They have lost more jobs, they have lost more work.”</p> <p>“We need to be doing more to help women and we’re doing absolutely nothing,” she claimed.</p>

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That’s not cabbage!

<p>Shoppers who purchased a pre-packaged bag of stir fry mic from a Queensland Woolworths store say they bit into and consumed a frog which was in the food.</p> <p>Kathy McGee from the Ipswich area south-west of Brisbane spoke to 9News and said she purchased the Rainbow Vegetables pack from Woolworths’ Brassall store around lunch-time on Sunday and prepared it for dinner around 5pm.</p> <p>It was then that her partner said he thought he had bitten into a bad piece of cabbage.</p> <p>"He was trying gnaw on it and he's a bit a bit off and he's swallowed it and he said, 'I don't know what it is, it doesn't taste like cabbage', and he pulled it out of his mouth and he realised it was a frog," Ms McGee said.</p> <p>"He's pulled the whole frog out and there's a leg missing and he's quite convinced that's the part he's bit off and swallowed.</p> <p>"Both of us were quite sick in realising what he'd just consumed. We were peeving."</p> <p>The 61-year-old revealed that they both ran to the bathroom to throw up after discovering the animal and called Woolworths the next morning.</p> <p>"(The number) took me to a menu for online orders, so I rang the shop that I bought it from and I explained my situation to them," she said.</p> <p>"They passed me onto a man... from Produce. He asked me if I could send a statement and photos to his email address and he would pass it onto the appropriate people."</p> <p>Within half an hour of the second phone call, the same person rang Ms McGee back and said all Woolworths could offer them was a refund and replacement package of stir fry mix.</p> <p>"Nobody from wherever it was packaged has come forward and said anything about it," Ms McGee said.</p> <p>"I'm still angry about it. My husband — he's a big eater but he's been very cautious about what he's eaten in the last few days and he hasn't eaten much at all, it's put him off his food.</p> <p>"He's got it in his head that he's consumed a part of a frog.</p> <p>"I'm not happy with the response. I'd like to see them put better measures into how they package their food.</p> <p>"This was diced salad but the frog was whole, so how did it get into the package after the salad was mixed? I don't know. They obviously aren't managing their safety regulations very well."</p> <p>Woolworths told 9news.com.au in a statement that it treats "food safety very seriously and are concerned about these claims".</p> <p>"We're following the matter up with our salad supply partner and store team urgently," a spokesperson said.</p> <p>"We're unaware of any further reports of a similar nature on pre-mixed salad products at this time."</p>

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Brand new luxury Coles dessert station causes a stir

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Coles has upped the ante with the new launch of Coles Local, a new type of supermarket that aims to merge convenience and speciality stores.</p> <p>After three successful ventures in Melbourne, the first Coles Local will officially open in Rose Bay, Sydney and the offerings are a bit different to your normal supermarket.</p> <p>There’s a pick and mix treat bar for dogs, mini gelato cones and macarons, a station that offers to peel your pineapples for you, freshly squeezed juice and fancy breads you can cut in store.</p> <p>Each store specifically caters to the demographic of the area, so the store in Rose Bay includes more than 500 convenience products that cover breakfast, lunch and dinners as well as the largest vegan and vegetarian range of any Coles store in NSW.</p> <p>Local businesses are thrilled with the latest venture from Coles as it offers a new opportunity to sell their items in store.</p> <p>"I think the local demographic plays a big part in what we put in the store. There are quite a few South Africans in the area so we have Field to Fork... they sell biltong which is fantastic for our customers," Coles chief property and export officer Thinus Keeve said to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coles-local-new-sydney-supermarket-tailored-to-suburb-demographic/90c10b33-7d0c-4f74-b496-4a847d778ab6" target="_blank">9News</a></em>.</p> <p>"We are very excited about the vegetarian section, the biggest in NSW, we also have a pet treat bar.</p> <p>"You can bring your dog and enjoy a treat on us."</p> <p>A recent video on TikTok is making the rounds on social media that outlines just what you can experience in store in the Glenferrie Melbourne Coles Local store.</p> <blockquote style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" class="tiktok-embed" data-video-id="6822918365569355013"><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mmercedesmclean" target="_blank" title="@mmercedesmclean">@mmercedesmclean</a> <p>Literally the most boujee Coles I have ever seen. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou" target="_blank" title="foryou">##foryou</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" title="fyp">##fyp</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryoupage" target="_blank" title="foryoupage">##foryoupage</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/coles" target="_blank" title="coles">##coles</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/melbourne" target="_blank" title="melbourne">##melbourne</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/australia" target="_blank" title="australia">##australia</a></p> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-6822918311077088006" target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - mmercedesmclean">♬ original sound - mmercedesmclean</a></blockquote> <p>The video details what you can find in store, including a pasta station, the ability to grab a coffee while you shop, a gelato cone station as well as a candy bar station.</p> <p>Melbourne student Mercedes McLean, who posted the video, said she saw extra steps being taken to prevent the store from becoming a “coronahazard”.</p> <p>“From what I saw there are disposable gloves for you to wear when using the tongs and the workers are always wiping everything down,” she wrote in response to one commenter’s question.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

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Katy Perry causes a stir in the MasterChef kitchen with raunchy comments

<p>Many dream about having someone like Katy Perry prancing around their kitchen while they whip up a weeknight meal, and that’s exactly what happened on last night’s episode of<span> </span><em>MasterChef</em>.</p> <p>The soon-to-be-mum was invited to guest judge<span> </span><em>MasterChef: Back to Win</em><span> </span>and not only did she send the contestants into a spin but was also praised by those watching at home for being “weird”, “wonderful” and “chaotic”.</p> <p>But in true Katy Perry fashion, it was her string of raunchy comments that had everyone in Australia in hysterics.</p> <p>When tasting the first dish, which was Sarah Tiong’s pork, the 35-year-old songstress told judge Jock Zonfrillo she had a sprained thumb so she couldn’t cut her own food.</p> <p>“Party in mouth. Put it in my mouth, Daddy!,” Perry said excitably.</p> <p>The racy comment was met with laughter, with fellow judge Andy Allen saying, “Can you cut mine too please Daddy?”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Katy Perry calling Jock ‘daddy’ has made my entire week. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a></p> — Georgia Duncan (@_georgiarae) <a href="https://twitter.com/_georgiarae/status/1260882576295821312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">did... did katy perry just call jock... daddy? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a></p> — 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦 🍉 (@goldenwildfIwr) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldenwildfIwr/status/1260880781460729856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Hopefully Katy Perry’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> legacy is not the theme song but everyone calling Jock ‘Daddy’</p> — Jess Chandra (@jesschandra) <a href="https://twitter.com/jesschandra/status/1260880967108984834?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>And that wasn’t all.</p> <p>After tasting Reece Hignell’s cake, she folded a napkin into a set of breasts.</p> <p>“You’re the tits, Reece,” she said.</p> <p>While everyone was ecstatic about Perry’s presence, Reece became completely starstruck as he struggled to focus on the cook.</p> <p>“Oh sh*t,” he said, laughing and looking down at his workspace as the star introduced herself.</p> <p>“I don’t know how to talk, I don’t know how to move, I’m just shutting down,” Hignell had told the camera, taking a deep breath.</p> <p>Poh, Reynold, Sarah, Simon and Reece were fighting for immunity as the singer entered the kitchen.</p> <p>The challenge – something “hot and cold” in honour of the show’s theme song performed by Perry.</p> <p>“Reece, the only thing is I don’t love really fishy things, so anyone that’s doing anything very fishy,” Perry tells Hignell during their brief – and giggly chat.</p> <p>“Well we’re doing cake,” he responded shyly.</p> <p>“Oh I love a cake,” Perry bellowed bizarrely.</p> <p>“Ever since I became with child, I’m definitely into it.</p> <p>“I have a serious allergy to gluten though … JK,” the cheeky songstress added to an awe-struck Reece.</p> <p>“You’re stirring very aggressively,” she teased before wandering off.</p> <p>“Katy Perry is just like a goddess, she’s just floating through the kitchen,” he later said, still in disbelief.</p> <p>According to New Idea: “She took a day out of her busy schedule to film<span> </span><em>MasterChef</em><span> </span>under a military-like veil of secrecy,” the publication’s source revealed.</p> <p>“The judges and contestants couldn’t believe their eyes when pop superstar Katy strode into the<span> </span><em>MasterChef<span> </span></em>kitchen.”</p> <p><em>MasterChef: All Stars continues Sunday night from 7.30 pm on Channel 10.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Shop’s blunt sign causes stir online after banning gloves in store

<p>A sign from an unknown store has caused furious debate online as it said all those wearing gloves would either have to remove them or be denied entry.</p> <p>The store, assumed to be located in the U.S, claims those wearing gloves are not stopping the spread of viruses, but in fact possibly creating cross contamination.</p> <p>“Absolutely no gloves allowed inside store - management,” the note says.</p> <p>“Gloves are meant to avoid cross-contamination. For instance, in a hospital, workers glove up to touch a patient and then DISCARD the gloves before moving on to the next task. If you are wearing the same set of gloves all over town, you are carrying germs everywhere! Every door you touch, the cart, the supplies, your phone, your face.</p> <p>“It would be far better to not wear gloves and WASH YOUR HANDS after every store or every task.”</p> <p>The photograph of the sign was shared over 60,000 times within the span of a week and gravitated many people who agreed with the note writer.</p> <p>“If you wear a clean pair of gloves into the store, pick up an item put it in your cart then pick up another item your gloves are contaminated, you have no idea who touched that item before you,” one person said. </p> <p>“Not everyone has common sense or knows anything about cross-contamination,” another wrote.</p> <p>“People are in fact wearing them store to store. Not even taking them off when they re-enter their vehicle after walking out of Walmart.</p> <p>“If there’s a medical condition, and you need gloves, wear them. But too many don’t understand their proper use, which isn’t helping and is preventing those that need them, from getting them.”</p> <p>Some people said they wash their gloves or change them between visiting each store.</p> <p>“So, I typically wash my gloves or wipe them with a Clorox wipe if going to a new store, usually I just use a new pair for each store. They absolutely are helpful,” said one woman in the comment section.</p> <p>Dr Catherine Bennett, chair in epidemiology at Deakin University explained to<span> </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/shop-sign-why-wearing-gloves-isnt-protecting-you-201747209.html" target="_blank">Yahoo News,</a><span> </span>that there is a risk of gloves transferring virus’ from one surface to another.</p> <p>“If the wearer is not practicing the usual hygiene and awareness of the surfaces being touched that we should all be practising, this risk of cross contamination of surfaces may be higher with gloves on,” she said.</p> <p>“If people are less mindful of what they are touching, including their own face, or tissues etc, then this may increase the risk of spreading the virus from surface to surface further.</p> <p>“It may also undo any protection to the wearer if they are more likely to touch their face with the gloves on with a false sense of security.”</p> <p>Virologist Professor Ian Mackay, from the University of Queensland urges people to stop assuming a pair of gloves will protect them at all costs. He says they can actually increase the chances of someone becoming sick.</p> <p>“They will drag their hands all over the place thinking they’re safe, but they’re actually spreading potential viruses to other people,” he said.</p> <p>“They then leave those gloves, in some cases, in the shopping trolley or in the car park for other people that clean up the shopping trolley to come in to contact with, and risk their health because of laziness.”</p>

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Oo la la: “Sultry” Paris 2024 Olympics logo creates a stir

<p>If the logo is anything to go by, the 2024 Olympics are going to be sultrier than anything.</p> <p>Paris introduced “Marianne” to the world this week – and she’s winning hearts around the globe.</p> <p>“It is a SULTRY logo,” wrote<em><span> </span>USA Today’s</em><span> </span>Nate Scott. “This logo will stub out a cigarette on the sidewalk in front of you, give you a coy smile, and haunt you forever.”</p> <p>Freelance journalist Megan Clement had her own thoughts.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">The French Olympic logo tumbles out of bed on a Parisian morning. She tousles her messy bob, dons breton stripes and ballet flats and whisks down the stairs from her fifth-floor apartment to grab a baguette before enigmatically texting two men who are pursuing her romantically. <a href="https://t.co/5R2PVaXaa6">pic.twitter.com/5R2PVaXaa6</a></p> — Megan Clement (@MegClement) <a href="https://twitter.com/MegClement/status/1186368272037494785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 October 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">The French Olympic logo has an expresso and a cigarette for lunch. She hops on a vintage bicycle and pedals past the Eiffel Tower on her way to a café where she will sit and read Baudelaire with her fluffy white dog at her feet.</p> — Megan Clement (@MegClement) <a href="https://twitter.com/MegClement/status/1186369325113978881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 October 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">The French Olympic logo's child does not have tantrums. He eats dinner with her in restaurants at 10pm, and the French Olympic logo lets him have some of her wine, of course.</p> — Megan Clement (@MegClement) <a href="https://twitter.com/MegClement/status/1186372456782729216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">21 October 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The logo is comprised of the Olympic flame sitting inside a gold medal. It also includes the lips and outline of Marianne, the personification of the French Republic since the revolution in 1789.</p> <p>The circular design has generated quite a bit of noise for all the right reasons.</p> <p>The organiser said the three symbols combined to deliver a “simple and powerful” statement: “The gold medal, symbol of sport. The flame, icon of the Olympic and Paralympic movement. Marianne, image of France. These symbols reveal a face that embodies our ambition to put people at the heart of the Games.”</p> <p>They said it’s a “new phase” in the project where the objective was no longer the bid but the promotion of the Games themselves to the public and potential sponsors.</p> <p>“For the first time in the history of the Games, our emblem will be common to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games,” they said.</p> <p>“Because we are taking on both challenges with the same passion, the same determination, the same ambition.</p> <p>“Through this artistry, the emblem honours French culture and creativity. It expresses the pride of a country which will welcome the world in 2024, to its capital city, Paris.”</p>

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