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The Super Mario Bros. Movie: don’t watch it for the story but for how it successfully represents gameplay

<p>The first videogame I ever played was the arcade game <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp2aMs38ERY">Donkey Kong</a>. Released in 1981, it took us into a blocky-looking world where a carpenter in overalls raced along platforms and up ladders in a building site to rescue a lady kidnapped by a large ape. Its humble hero, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario">Mario</a>, went on to feature in scores of multi-million dollar grossing games, becoming an icon <a href="https://www.dukeupress.edu/recentering-globalization">as popular as Mickey Mouse</a>.</p> <p>Having grown up in the 1980s, the new <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnGl01FkMMo">Super Mario Bros. Movie</a> meant more to me than the average fantasy animation film. Watching <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKxaYsn_F78">Mario and Donkey Kong have it out</a> on a massive screen – at a resolution so high you can see a single hair or wrinkle on these crisp-looking, toy-like characters – was remarkable.</p> <p>Yet, it felt like the mission of this movie wasn’t just about creating flashy, fleshy cartoon characters or trying to tell a compelling story – it was about doing justice to the feel of these videogames that span decades and are still enjoyed by millions around the world.</p> <h2>A film about jumping</h2> <p>Story-wise, this is another of those PG-rated fantasy comedies that celebrate the 1980s and games culture. There’s a beta male baddy (Bowser, a fire-breathing dragon-turtle hybrid) and his army who must be defeated by a good-hearted guy (Mario) – helped by his brother (Luigi), a strong independent woman (Princess Peach), and a cast of zany allies.</p> <p>But what makes the film worth watching is how it tips its hat to aspects of gameplay.</p> <p>One of its biggest achievements is the unpretentious, funny recreations of moments from the videogames. Sometimes this happens by staging action-packed scenes that are <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP-Qduvw9zY">framed from the same perspective as the videogame players</a>. For instance, seeing Mario and Luigi dash through a building site with the camera zoomed out to capture the entire screen from a side perspective is the filmmaker’s nod to the pleasures of platform games.</p> <p>The film also humorously reflects on player experience. Anybody who has enjoyed a Mario game might recall the disappointing feeling of falling down a pit after a failed attempt to reach a high platform. In the movie, Mario is initially inept at all of this. He is put through a funny 1980s montage of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKKBlSzMs4o">trial and error</a>, which reminds us how players got the hang of these games.</p> <p>The emphasis on replicating gameplay may be the influence of Japanese games design superstar <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/the-super-mario-bros-movie-shigeru-miyamoto-koji-kondo-nintendo-interview-easter-eggs-1234706449/">Shigeru Miyamoto</a>, the creator of Mario, who co-produced the movie.</p> <p>Where other designers may have attempted to create a “proper” Mario movie by focusing on realism or a more sophisticated story, Miyamoto has long been adamant about seeing videogames <a href="https://shmuplations.com/miyamoto1989/">as toys</a>. Now he has created a true videogame movie.</p> <h2>Games as toys</h2> <p>Approaching games as toys is consistent with the long history of Kyoto-based games company Nintendo. It started back in 1889 producing playing cards, and even <a href="https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/n-b-block-series">competed with Lego</a> before going on to revolutionise the videogaming medium with titles such as Super Mario Bros. in the early 1980s.</p> <p>In most of Nintendo’s games, the end goal is not necessarily found in the stories – rather, these serve the pleasure of playing. In Super Mario Bros., for example, the damsel-in-distress narrative of Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach merely kicked off a game mostly about jumping.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Al_DShXX0">Other Mario adaptations for the big screen</a> have sought to translate gameplay with varying success. Take the 1993 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuXwMHF9y1Y&amp;ab_channel=RottenTomatoesClassicTrailers">Super Mario Bros. live action</a> film, which was critically panned but has gone on to gain cult status. As a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/29/movies/review-film-plumbing-a-video-game-to-its-depths.html">reviewer in the New York Times</a> put it: “This bizarre, special effects-filled movie doesn’t have the jaunty hop-and-zap spirit of the Nintendo video game from which it takes – ahem – its inspiration.”</p> <p>Gone, now, are the days of third-party licensing when cinematic game adaptations were left in the hands of external developers, resulting in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKqFEV9rA1U">output that could look very different</a> to the games themselves – such as Super Mario Bros. Super Show! from the late 1980s. This animated show was not particularly faithful to the games: Mario and Luigi had a different kind of Italian-American accent and a Princess Toadstool. The live-action segments also featured crasser and more adult iterations of the characters.</p> <p>This time, however, Nintendo has worked with Universal Pictures to adapt the game, so the new animated movie is more faithful in brand continuity.</p> <h2>Mario’s most successful cinematic appearance</h2> <p>There are now entire TV series based on story-driven games, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNF27c3-5Qw">whose scripts replicate the game almost verbatim</a>. For instance, the recent hit series The Last of Us saw fans cross-reference scene by scene with the original game.</p> <p>In contrast, the Super Mario Bros. Movie looks like an attempt to make a film that works more like a game. And in spite of a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/apr/09/the-super-mario-bros-movie-review-game-over-for-this-lazy-animated-mess">lukewarm reception from critics</a>, the new film stands to be the most successful cinematic Mario appearance yet.</p> <p>While the film has been downplayed by some as a “marketing machine” to sell Nintendo toys, critics overlook the fact that its success might be connected to how popular these toys already are. The games have <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/7/23589075/nintendo-switch-q3-2023-earnings-sales-console-third-bestselling">sold in the 100 millions</a>, which may explain the film’s ability to <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/super-mario-bros-movie-box-office-b2317192.html">smash box-office records</a>.</p> <p>This film will have gameplaying fans poring over frames to identify references to the games and “Easter eggs” – messages hidden for knowing watchers to look out for. Older and new fans alike will recognise <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otZ-D3OJeW4">the GameCube jingle in Luigi’s ringtone</a>, and enjoy vintage gaming items such as the “hammer power-up” that are on sale in the film’s antique shop.</p> <p>Many viewers will also recognise the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QilqLbynOsY">iconic musical motifs from the Super Mario Bros. levels</a>, and how the maps are reminiscent of Super Mario World. They will spot cutesy fan-favourites <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o6yvb5E2Sw">Yoshi</a> and Toad.</p> <p>The Super Mario Bros. Movie may indeed work to re-market Nintendo’s four-decade back catalogue of gaming classics to both nostalgic parents and kids. But in being driven by the very success of gaming culture, it defies critics looking at it as “just another movie”. Instead, they should see it as an extension of the videogame, and a celebration of how this expansive world makes people feel.</p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-super-mario-bros-movie-dont-watch-it-for-the-story-but-for-how-it-successfully-represents-gameplay-203592" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Universal Pictures</em></p>

Movies

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“I didn’t have a voice”: Natt Barr's frank question for Candice Warner

<p>Candice Warner has spoken candidly of her experience following her 2007 bathroom ‘scandal’ with rugby’s Sonny Bill Williams, revealing the real reason she kept her silence for so long. </p> <p>It was during an interview on <em>Sunrise</em> with host Natalie Barr, where Candice was promoting her memoir <em>Running Strong</em>, that she faced another round of questioning over the 16-year-old incident. And it was one question in particular, from Natalie, that prompted the floodgates to open.</p> <p>“Did you think about coming out straight away and talking more about it?” Natalie asked. </p> <p>“This was 16 years ago,” Candice responded. “16 years ago, we lived in a society where we didn’t have the voice, women didn’t have the voice that we do now. I didn’t have the opportunity.</p> <p>“Back then, I was forced to apologise for - I was single - for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nowadays that just wouldn’t happen.</p> <p>“I didn’t have a voice back then, now I do, and our society has changed. </p> <p>“It still has a long way to go, but I feel like as a woman, I now have the confidence to be able to tell my side of the story and be heard.”</p> <p>The former ironwoman - who now dedicates her time to her family and her career with Triple M radio and Fox Sports - went on to explain that the reason she hasn’t previously opened up was because of her three daughters with husband David Warner. </p> <p>“In part it was for my three daughters,” she told Natalie, “who in time will be able to read the book, and I wanted them to get a better understanding of my story without any interference or judgement from outside.”</p> <p>Candice has offered a similar explanation in the past, after confronting abuse at the cricket in 2022. </p> <p>“A long time ago, when I was young, I got myself in a compromising position, which I regret,” she said during her appearance on <em>SAS Australia</em>. </p> <p>“It had a huge impact on my family. Huge. It was just a personal situation. Too many drinks.</p> <p>“Living with that and having to explain to my kids in the future is going to be very difficult. Especially when you’ve got three girls.</p> <p>“I remember sitting on the side of the street and not being able to take it anymore.</p> <p>“Yes, I’d made a mistake. But is that really worth, every single day, the media trying to drag me down? I don’t think so.</p> <p>“It’s not something I am proud of but it’s something I can never take back.”</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

TV

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"You can’t park there, bro”: Perth valet smashes TWO lambos in costly mistake

<p>A valet driver at the Crown Hotel in Perth has found himself in hot water after smashing two Lamborghinis while trying to park one.</p> <p>The luxury vehicles belonged to billionaire Laurence Escalante and both were damaged after they collided in the hotel driveway, a spokesperson for Crown Perth said.</p> <p>Footage captured and shared by Jiu-Jitsu athlete Craig Jones shows the valet driver behind the wheel of a blue Lamborghini Aventador Ultimae, a car valued upward of $940,000, smashing into the rear of a purple Lamborghini.</p> <p>“Help! I’ve really f***ed it up.” The driver said in the footage before running out to assess the damage.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Coa-BoPDhZS/?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/Coa-BoPDhZS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Craig Jones (@craigjonesbjj)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In response to the crash, the driver claimed he was “trying to park it just like everybody else,” adding that the pedals were “too close together.” He then claimed he thought he was pressing the brake but instead hit the accelerator, causing him to crash into the rear of the purple Lamborghini.</p> <p>The owner of the luxury vehicles appeared to have witnessed the collision and could be heard questioning the driver.</p> <p>“What are you doing?” Jones said. "He moved it right in his rear ... you can’t park there, bro," he added.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Crown Resorts confirmed the accident is still under investigation, also informing the media there were “no injuries sustained.”</p> <p>"The safety of Crown’s team members and guests remains our priority," they said in a statement to News.com.au. "We are conducting a full assessment of the incident together with those involved.”</p> <p>The Crown is "working positively with us to fix the cars and put this behind us all,” a spokesperson for Mr Escalante told The West Australian. "We appreciate accidents happen and most importantly no one was injured," they said.</p> <p>A similar incident occurred in Sydney in 2018 when a valet driver parked a Porsche Carrera underneath another vehicle. As the driver attempted to park the Porsche, the car reportedly accelerated and ended up under a Sports utility vehicle (SUV).</p> <p>Police were notified and had to cut the driver, who was left unharmed, out of the vehicle.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram / @craigjonesbjj</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Acclaimed actor David Warner dies at 80

<p dir="ltr">David Warner, a famous British actor who acted in a range of different classics has died at 80 years old.</p> <p dir="ltr">Warner's family said he died from a cancer-related illness on Sunday at Denville Hall, a retirement home for entertainers in London.</p> <p dir="ltr">Often cast as a villain, Warner had roles in the 1971 psychological thriller Straw Dogs, the 1976 horror classic The Omen, the 1979 time-travel adventure Time After Time — he was Jack the Ripper — and the 1997 blockbuster Titanic, where he played the malicious valet Spicer Lovejoy.</p> <p dir="ltr">Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Warner became a young star of the Royal Shakespeare Company, playing roles including King Henry VI and King Richard II. His 1965 performance in the title role of Hamlet for the company, directed by Peter Hall, was considered one of the finest of his generation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite his success as a stage actor, chronic stage fright led Warner to prefer film and TV work for many years, seeing him nominated for a British Academy Film Award for the title role in Karel Reisz's Swinging London tragicomedy Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment, released in 1966. .</p> <p dir="ltr">He had a prolific career on film and TV in both Britain and the United States, and became beloved of sci-fi fans for roles in Terry Gilliam's Time Bandits, computer movie Tron, Tim Burton's remake of Planet of the Apes, and the Star Trek franchise, where he made several appearances in different roles.</p> <p dir="ltr">Warner returned to theatre in 2001 after almost three decades to play Andrew Undershaft in a Broadway revival of George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara.</p> <p dir="ltr">Warner's family said he would be remembered "as a kind-hearted, generous and compassionate man, partner and father whose legacy of extraordinary work has touched the lives of so many over the years."</p> <p dir="ltr">"We are heartbroken," the family said.</p> <p dir="ltr">They said Warner is survived by his partner Lisa Bowerman, his son Luke, daughter-in-law Sarah, "his good friend Jane Spencer Prior, his first wife Harriet Evans and his many gold dust friends".</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

News

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Mariah Carey shimmers in her eccentric date-night outfit

<p dir="ltr">Mariah Carey is known for her style and iconic looks, and her latest night on the town has seen her embrace glitter and glam in the name of Pride Month.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-329161db-7fff-7083-2129-7328173bbf3f">The Queen of Pop was spotted at a special screening of her friend Billy Eichner’s new film <em>Bros </em>in a black glittery mini dress with ‘Bros’ written across her chest in gold, paired with a rainbow-striped, sequined jacket, diamond stacked bracelets, and Christian Louboutin stilettos.</span></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/mariah-pride1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Mariah turned heads with her bedazzled look at a screening of ‘Bros’, accompanied by her partner, Bryan Tanaka. Images: Getty Images</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Carey attended the event - which she also hosted - with her partner, Bryan Tanaka, who styled a black leather varsity jacket with a white T-shirt and light-wash denim.</p> <p dir="ltr">The film in question is a romantic comedy co-written by and starring Eichner, the first openly gay man to write and star in his own major studio film according to the movie’s <a href="https://www.brosthemovie.com/synopsis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>, which also features an entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast.</p> <p dir="ltr">Later taking to social media, Carey had nothing but praise for her friend's new movie, due to be released on September 30, and shared how it was an honour to celebrate Pride through the screening.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d1f12bd7-7fff-8f1f-df89-c545b260f09b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“It was an honour to celebrate PRIDE 🌈 &amp; host a special screening of @brosthemovie for LGBTQ+ orgs!” Carey captioned a trio of photos from the night.</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/CfHN3rYq64E/?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/CfHN3rYq64E/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“My friend @billyeichner has created something truly special, important and hilarious!!!”</p> <p dir="ltr">Eichner was quick to respond to Carey’s praise, commenting in all caps: “YOU ARE MY RAIN-BRO 4 LYFE!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!! 💓🌈🦋”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans dubbed the singer “Queen of the gays” and “Queen of Pride”, while others showered her with praise for her outfit.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love u queen,” one wrote. “Celebrating every moment of pride month with you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“You look stunning queen,” another said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7fc953a6-7fff-a57f-67eb-12e6bab7feb0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Warner Music buys David Bowie’s $250 million catalogue

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Warner Music Group has bought David Bowie’s entire musical catalogue that spans across six decades and 26 studio albums. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As well as his entire collection of tracks released throughout his lifetime, the deal between Warner Music and Bowie’s estate included his posthumous studio album called </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Toy</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While Warner Music did not disclose the amount the catalogue sold for or the financial terms of the deal, a person close to the matter said the monumental purchase was worth approximately $250 million. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The deal is the latest move in the media rights sector, where companies have sought to boost royalties through the purchase of artists’ catalogues after the pandemic affected physical music profits. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sale comes just days before the rockstar would have turned 75 on January 8th. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">David Bowie died at age 69 in 2016, after shooting to fame with his </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Space Oddity</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> release in 1969 that was largely inspired by Stanley Kubrick's film,</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><em> 2001: A Space Odyssey</em>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite this iconic release, it was Bowie’s 1972 portray of a doomed bisexual rock envoy from space, Ziggy Stardust, that propelled him to international noterity. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Music

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"We miss you a lot": David Warner shares sweet message from daughter

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Australian cricket legends including David Warner and Steve Smith are isolating in India after the Indian Premier League was suspended due to the shocking coronavirus outbreak.</p> <p>A senior Indian cricket board official has said that players of other countries will begin returning home from Wednesday.</p> <p>“We have been working on their travel plans in consultation with their respective boards so that each of them reach home safely,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) official said requesting anonymity.</p> <p>“Some of them will return home tomorrow.”</p> <p>The cricketers are urgently trying to return home after the tournament was suspended indefinitely.</p> <p>As Warner is currently in India, he shared a sweet and touching message from his daughter who wants him to "come home straight away".</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/COckwierDzF/?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/COckwierDzF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Please Daddy come home straight away. We miss you a lot and love you,” the message signed by his three daughters Ivy Mae, Indi Rae and Isla Rose read.</p> <p>As India currently has more than 20 million active COVID-19 cases and more than 220,000 deaths from the virus, the tournament has been suspended.</p> <p>“The tournament stands suspended,” IPL chairman Brijesh Patel said.</p> <p>“Right now, we can’t say when we can reschedule it.”</p> <p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also spoken about the ban, saying that it'll last until May 15th and currently has threats of five years in jail and fines of up to $66,000 for people who try to return.</p> <p>Former Australian cricketer Michael Slater, who was in India as a broadcaster for the IPL, said that Morrison has "blood on his hands" and said that the ban was a "disgrace".</p> <p>Morrison has said that the likelihood of anyone being charged or fined is "pretty much zero" after intense backlash from Australians and human rights lawyers.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

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"He has never said his part": Candice gets candid on cheating scandal

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Candice Warner has revealed that her husband, Aussie cricket star David Warner, has more to say than he's letting on about the infamous ball-tampering scandal of 2018.</p> <p>She also implied that fans don't know the whole story as he's been keeping parts of it private.</p> <p>Warner and then-captain Steve Smith were banned from international and domestic cricket for 12 months and batsman Cameron Bancroft was given a 9-month suspension after the trio were found to be using sandpaper to alter the state of the cricket ball during a Test match in South Africa.</p> <p>Warner, in particular, was crucified for his role in the scandal, as he was identified as the ring leader and encouraged the youngsters to cheat.</p> <p>Candice spoke about the scandal on Channel 7's <em>SAS Australia</em> and hinted there was more to the story.</p> <p>Asked if Warner had tampered with the ball, Candice said: “No. That’s other people’s opinion. He has never said his part.”</p> <p>“Too many people I feel are quick to make a judgment or opinions on myself or my family,” she added.</p> <p>“The media make us out to be people that we’re not — bad people, bad parents.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGzUx8PDCjd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGzUx8PDCjd/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">For Recruit #2 Candice Warner, it's all about making her family proud. #SASAustralia</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sasaust7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> SAS Australia on 7</a> (@sasaust7) on Oct 26, 2020 at 2:37am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Candice also opened up about how she was mocked by cricket fans who were wearing Sonny Bill Williams face masks, a cruel reference to her tryst with the footy star in a hotel 13 years ago.</p> <p>“There were incidents in South Africa where people were trying to make fun of me, mock me. Belittle me in front of my family,” she said.</p> <p>“Because of an incident that happened in the past. And they think it’s funny.”</p> <p>David Warner has refused to open up publicly about the incident, but his manager James Erskine <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket/he-has-never-said-his-part-candice-warner-on-ball-tampering-crisis-20201026-p568n0.html" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">said</a> that his client "will write a book" when the time is right.</p> </div> </div> </div>

TV

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Portia de Rossi speaks out on wife Ellen deGeneres

<p>Portia de Rossi is standing by her wife Ellen DeGeneres as scandals and controversy continue to surround the daytime talk show <em>The Ellen DeGeneres Show</em>.</p> <p>There have been multiple reports about the toxic work culture and environment on the show, with many former staffers speaking anonymously about the culture of "racism, fear and intimidation".</p> <p>This didn't stop de Rossi from expressing her support for her wife on Instagram.</p> <p>"To all our fans, we see you. Thank you for your support," she wrote. The Australian actress concluded her post with the hashtags #stopbotattacks, #IStandWithEllenDeGeneres, #IStandByEllen, #IstandByEllenDeGeneres and #bekindtooneanother, the phrase DeGeneres uses to close out her show.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDb1I_Jp2S1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDb1I_Jp2S1/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">To all our fans....we see you. Thank you for your support. #stopbotattacks . #IStandWithEllenDeGeneres #IStandByEllen ‪#IstandByEllenDeGeneres ‬ . . #ellendegeneres #ellen #theellenshow #ellenshow #bekindtooneanother</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/portiaderossi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Portia de Rossi</a> (@portiaderossi) on Aug 3, 2020 at 10:03am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>De Rossi's attempt might have backfired, as angry fans were quick to comment.</p> <p>“This can’t be real. Have some accountability. It isn’t made up when it’s dozens of employees and years of bad stories. Stop acting like she is a victim when there are real victims,” one user wrote in a comment which attracted nearly 2,000 likes.</p> <p>“Do you think those employees who are coming out and complaining are liars?” another asked.</p> <p>Her post comes just one week after WarnerMedia announced it was launching an internal investigation into the talk show after the accusations went viral.</p> <p>Ellen DeGeneres also addressed the accusations in an apology to her employees.</p> <p>"My name is on the show and everything we do and I take responsibility for that," she wrote. "Alongside Warner Bros, we immediately began an internal investigation and we are taking steps, together, to correct the issues. As we've grown exponentially, I've not been able to stay on top of everything and relied on others to do their jobs as they knew I'd want them done. Clearly some didn't. That will now change and I'm committed to ensuring this does not happen again.</p> <p>"We all have to be more mindful about the way our words and actions affect others, and I'm glad the issues at our show were brought to my attention. I promise to do my part in continuing to push myself and everyone around me to learn and grow. It's important to me and to Warner Bros. that everyone who has something to say can speak up and feels safe doing so."</p> <p>Dozens of former employees from the show have also spoken out about alleged incidents of sexual misconduct and harassment by top executives as well as outraged stage crew who had been kept in the dark about their employment on the show but watched on as non-union crews helped Ellen run the show from her home.</p>

Relationships

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Birds of Prey renamed after flopping at the box office

<p>Margot Robbie’s <em>Birds of Prey </em>has been renamed after a disappointing opening weekend in the cinemas.</p> <p>Warner Bros. has changed the film’s name from <em><span>Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) </span></em><span>to <em>Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey</em>, less than a week after its debut.</span></p> <p><span>A studio representative told <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2020/2/11/21132868/harley-quinn-birds-of-prey-name-change-seo-warner-bros-opening-weekend-trailers?utm_campaign=theverge&amp;utm_content=chorus&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter"><em>The Verge</em></a> the name change is part of an effort to make it easier for moviegoers to find the flick. </span></p> <p><span>While the R-rated film opened at number one at the US box office, it only grossed US$33 million, coming short of the studio’s US$45 million projection. Industry expectations were around US$50 to US$55 million.</span></p> <p><span>The opening for <em>Birds of Prey</em> is the lowest so far for a DC Comics title, overtaking <em>Shazam!</em>’s record of US$53.5 million.</span></p> <p><span>In Australia, the film also earned <a href="https://mumbrella.com.au/birds-of-prey-flies-straight-to-the-top-of-the-australian-box-office-taking-almost-4m-in-its-first-weekend-616648">the top spot at the box office</a>, taking in $3.85 million across 528 screens on its first weekend.</span></p> <p><span>Directed by Cathy Yan, <em>Birds of Prey </em>depicts the story of Harley Quinn (played by Margot Robbie) who finds herself becoming allies with Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) after her breakup with the Joker.</span></p>

Movies

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David and Candice Warner welcome third child

<p>David and Candice Warner have welcomed their latest addition to the family in London after a major win for the cricketer in the Australian opener.</p> <p>The sportsman rushed to be by his wife’s side once Australia took the win over New Zealand for the birth of baby number three.</p> <p>The parents jointly announced the arrival of their baby girl, Isla Rose Warner, to the world on Instagram, sharing the tiny tot was born at 10:30 pm on Sunday night (Monday morning AEST).</p> <p>It is believed Candice gave birth to her third daughter with her husband in the exclusive Lindo Wing in London where Duchess Kate, Princess Diana and Amal Clooney had their own children.</p> <p>Isla Rose joins two big sisters, Ivy Mae and Indy Rae.  </p> <p>“We welcomed our newest family member Isla Rose Warner at 10:30 pm late last night. @candywarner1 was absolutely amazing. Mum and Bub doing very well, and her big sisters are over the moon. #prouddad,” David shared on Instagram.</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/BzXnMSFJJQD/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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/BzXnMSFJJQD/" target="_blank">A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31)</a> on Jul 1, 2019 at 2:22am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The family are in England for the World Cup followed by the Ashes campaign which will commence next month.</p> <p>Warner has opened up about the couple’s difficult 15 months and how the journey had changed his outlook during his time away from cricket.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzXnR77h9Gr/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BzXnR77h9Gr/" target="_blank">Welcome to the world our gorgeous Isla Rose Warner. Born June 30th at 10:30pm. Our little family is now complete. Ivy and Indi are so proud of their sister. @davidwarner31 Your support was and is amazing. Isla we love you. #blessed.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/candywarner1/" target="_blank"> Mrs Candice Warner</a> (@candywarner1) on Jul 1, 2019 at 2:23am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Both David and Candice suffered two separate miscarriages during the sportsman’s 12-month ban after the ball tampering scandal in Cape Town.</p> <p>“Yeah, definitely [gives it all perspective],” Warner said last week.</p> <p>“It was unfortunate we had the two miscarriages during that time, and we would have had one (baby) before this.</p> <p>“The stats are there, one in four I think it is.”</p>

Family & Pets

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Australian cricketer David Warner breaks silence on his return to international cricket

<p>Australian cricketer David Warner has broken his silence on his return to international cricket and has spoken publicly for the first time since his ban after the ball tampering scandal.</p> <p>While Steven Smith and Cameron Bancroft have given TV interviews during their suspension, Warner stayed quiet as he served his 12-month ban.</p> <p>He spoke to reporters after being named man of the match for his 107 against Pakistan in the World Cup in Taunton.</p> <p>Warner spoke fondly of his wife and children, saying that Candice especially was “my rock”.</p> <p>“I was always coming back to international cricket if selected,” Warner said. “The thing that kept me going was my wife and my kids. Got great support at home, my family.</p> <p>“And my wife is just, she’s just my rock. She’s unbelievable. She’s determined, disciplined, selfless.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwtT5yupVR7/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwtT5yupVR7/" target="_blank">Extremely grateful my family got to come enjoy Incredible India again with me for the @iplt20 2019. Family means the world to me and having them by my side when I do what I love gives me great comfort. Next time the family visits there will be 3 little Warner kids 🤔 #getready #lookout #anotherone @candywarner1 @kezzron</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/davidwarner31/" target="_blank"> David Warner</a> (@davidwarner31) on Apr 25, 2019 at 11:02pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“And I hold a lot of credit to her. She’s a strong woman. And she got me out of bed a lot in those first sort of 12 weeks, and got me back running and training as hard as I could, and prepared for the other formats of the game I was playing and I did play.</p> <p>“I’m looking forward to seeing the kids and the wife. Obviously we’re fortunate enough to have our families away with us which is great and obviously we’re going to be here for a while in the UK. So, look, I’m excited that they’re over here.”</p> <p>He also spoke about how he was worried whether or not he might not get another chance to play for Australia again after the scandal.</p> <p>“There was always that going through my mind. And I think that’s what drove me to keep being as fit as I can, keep scoring as many runs as I can in the Twenty20 tournaments that I was playing in.</p> <p>“And I think going through those tough times and sort of regrouping with myself to put myself in the best position to come back to international cricket, I did everything I could. I really, really knuckled down and trained my backside off.”</p> <p>Warner stayed “grateful” and realised that he’s “pumped to be back”.</p> <p>“And I’m just grateful for this opportunity and as I said before, I’m just really looking forward to what’s coming ahead of us here in the World Cup. Pumped to be back, and the boys are on fire here.</p> <p>“We’ve got a great sort of group harmony, a lot of smiles on the faces as you can see in a lot of the training sessions and out in the field. So, look, I’m pumped.”</p>

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Candice Warner reveals tragic miscarriage

<p>Candice Warner has revealed she suffered a tragic miscarriage shortly after the ball-tampering scandal involving her husband David Warner erupted.</p> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> the incident occurred just one week after the tearful press conference where her husband apologised to the nation for his role.</p> <p>The 33-year-old one-time ironwoman shared the revelation with the Australian Women’s Weekly, describing it as a, “a heartbreaking end to a horror tour”.</p> <p>“I called Dave to the bathroom and told him I was bleeding. We knew I was miscarrying. We held one another and cried,” she told the A<em>ustralian Woman’s Weekly</em>.</p> <p>“The miscarriage was a heartbreaking end to a horror tour. The ordeal from the public humiliations to the ball tampering had taken its toll and, from that moment, we decided nothing will impact our lives like that again.”</p> <p>“I was beginning to feel that first stage of being pregnant — the subtle changes to my body were kicking in. We were overwhelmed, knowing another little Warner was on the way,” Ms Warner told the <em>Women’s Weekly</em>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I sat down with Women’s Weekly and the talented Lizzie Wilson to reveal coming through our darkest days and how Dave and the girls will always come first. <a href="https://t.co/FRs5pzSG6n">pic.twitter.com/FRs5pzSG6n</a></p> — Candice Warner (@CandyFalzon) <a href="https://twitter.com/CandyFalzon/status/999242071331426306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 23, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>“I don’t think either of us realised how much we longed for this baby. We had been trying since last July and I did a test when we first got to Cape Town.”</p> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> Ms Warner said the 23-hour flight home from South Africa and the media awaiting the family at Sydney Airport only added to the stress.</p> <p> “We got the longest and tough route. No one knew I was pregnant and Dave did everything to get me home safely, fearing any more strain could affect our unborn child,” she said.</p> <p>Ms Warner also added that she was a spiritual person.</p> <p>“I truly believe it wasn’t their time to be with us,” she said.</p> <p>Our thoughts are with the Warners as they deal with this tragedy.</p>

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Steve Smith and David Warner’s investment properties left in ruins

<p>Steve Smith and David Warner will undoubtedly be smarting from the fact that they won’t be able to pull on the baggy green for at least 12 months, but it’s not just their life on the pitch which has been affected by Cricket Australia’s ban.</p> <p><a href="http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/warner-and-smiths-investment-properties-left-in-ruin/news-story/c500c5da14766a42add3ba91ef7bca4c" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>News.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> Smith and Warner’s property empires have been left in ruins, with pictures revealing the shambolic state of several the pair’s investments.  </p> <p>Both cricket stars have amassed numerous properties over the years. Warner’s property portfolio is believed to be worth $10 million, and was once quoted in an interview as saying, “My financial adviser told me: ‘If you have to work after cricket, I haven’t done my job properly’.”</p> <p>But <a href="http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/warner-and-smiths-investment-properties-left-in-ruin/news-story/c500c5da14766a42add3ba91ef7bca4c" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>images provided to News.com.au</strong></em></span></a> reveal the properties to be dilapidated.</p> <p>One neighbour <a href="http://www.news.com.au/sport/cricket/warner-and-smiths-investment-properties-left-in-ruin/news-story/c500c5da14766a42add3ba91ef7bca4c" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>told News.com.au</strong></em></span></a>: “Trucks have been coming and going for months, but then we don’t see anything for a couple of weeks. We expected this to be built by now — he bought the place ages ago and it’s not pretty to look at.</p> <p>“I pity the neighbours who live right next door, as they’ve had to live next to a building site. If I were him, I’d make it extra secure, as I can’t see people welcoming him with open arms, even before all the recent drama.”</p> <p>The cricket ban could prove costly for the Aussie duo. It’s understood they both earn $2 million a year from Cricket Australia and are set to miss out on $2.4 million each from deals in the lucrative Indian Premier League.</p> <p>Smith is having similar issues, with the three-bedroom cottage in Balmain he purchased for $4 million in June 2017 strewn with rubbish, junk and an overgrown garden.</p> <p>To take a look at the property empire that’s been left to ruin, scroll through the gallery above.</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Twitter / geopost 24/7</em></p> <p><em>‏</em></p>

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David Warner decides on his cricketing fate

<p>David Warner, who was widely expected to appeal his 12-month ban handed down to him by Cricket Australia, has instead followed in the footsteps of his former skipper Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.</p> <p>Warner tweeted on Thursday afternoon that he had "fully accepted" Cricket Australia's punishment for his involvement in the ball tampering scandal.</p> <p>Warner has previously fronted the public in a charged press conference on Saturday when he said he would be seeking advice about his ban.</p> <p>The investigation had found the 31-year-old former vice-captain was the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/03/the-mastermind-behind-the-ball-tampering-scandal-revealed/">mastermind behind the ball-tampering scandal.</a></strong></span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I have today let Cricket Australia know that I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me. I am truly sorry for my actions and will now do everything I can to be a better person, teammate and role model.</p> — David Warner (@davidwarner31) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidwarner31/status/981767390332465152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Warner was seen meeting with advisers on Wednesday where he confirmed he would be looking at whether to appeal the penalty.</p> <p>However, he’s ultimately decided against appealing and announced he accepted the sanctions 90 minutes before the CA imposed 5pm deadline</p> <p>"I have today let Cricket Australia know that I fully accept the sanctions imposed on me," said Warner in a statement.</p> <p>"I am truly sorry for my actions and will now do everything I can to be a better person, teammate and role model."</p> <p>Warner is banned from all cricket in Australia for 12 months and forbidden from ever holding a leadership position again in Australian cricket.</p>

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The 10 words that proved Steve Smith’s failure as captain

<p>The toxic culture of the Australian cricket team that culminated in the ball-tampering scandal has been fully laid bare by former cricket players, coaches, executives and commentators.</p> <p>In a new documentary Caught Out, which aired on ABC on Monday night, several cricketing experts and insiders claim our national team’s “win-at-all costs” culture has been intensifying for years and would ultimately lead to the poor decision-making that has seen captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and player Cameron Bancroft suspended for 12 months.</p> <p>However, one question has still puzzled fans since the scandal was exposed – why did they risk it?</p> <p>After Warner’s infamous staircase fracas with Quinton de Kock in Durban in early March, sparked by disparaging comments about Warner’s wife Candice, “a siege mentality seemed to have overtaken the side”, says cricket commentator Jim Maxwell.</p> <p>Smith publicly backed Warner after the incident as the team prepared for the second Test against South Africa.</p> <p>“Davey plays well when he’s aggressive and he gets into a contest,” Smith said.</p> <p>“He has to be careful not to cross the line. Sometimes you can go over the line and that’s not what we want to see.</p> <p>“I can’t promise it’s not going to happen again in the future.</p> <p>“But we’ll be doing our best to ensure our behaviour’s in a good place.”</p> <p>They were words that would come back to haunt Smith as footage of the interview was replayed all over the world as the ball tampering scandal unfolded.</p> <p>“A lack of maturity of the leadership and the narrowness of their approach to the game, particularly in dealing with their emotions, made sure there would be an error of judgment, that unfortunately, came to pass,” Maxwell observed.</p> <p>But it was what Smith said when he learnt of the ball tampering plan that would truly damn his captaincy.</p> <p>The plan to ball tamper was devised during the lunch break of day three.</p> <p>“Warner was trying to pass on responsibility to look after the cricket ball to the younger player [Bancroft]. Almost press ganging him into doing what he needed to do to the ball,” Maxwell said.</p> <p>“And Steve Smith overheard what was going on and says ‘what are you blokes up to? I don’t want to know’. And that’s when he should have jumped in and been more vigilante.”</p> <p>According to BBC cricket commentator Alison Mitchell, “David Warner’s a stronger personality than Steve Smith, and Steve Smith may be not able to question things maybe that David Warner was saying”.</p> <p>The critics claim that although Smith is arguably the best batsman in the world, he lacked the maturity and leadership ability needed of a captain, and was often overpowered by his vice captain.</p> <p>But according to union representatives, there’s one place everyone should be looking at when it comes to why the cricket team risked it all.</p> <p>Australian Cricketers’ Association president Greg Dyer said “culture comes from the top ... it doesn’t come from the bottom”.</p> <p> </p>

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The mastermind behind the ball tampering cricket scandal revealed

<p>Ex vice-captain David Warner has been revealed as the mastermind of the ball tampering scandal by Cricket Australia.</p> <p>The sports governing body has given the charges for each player involved in the incident, which includes David Warner and Steve Smith both being stripped of their leadership abilities and receiving a one-year ban from the sport.</p> <p>Warner will never be able to be placed in a leadership role again, while Smith is banned from any leadership involvement for 12 months.</p> <p>Cameron Bancroft will be banned for nine months, after he was caught on camera attempting to hide a piece of sandpaper by putting it down his pants.</p> <p>On Wednesday, Cricket Australia confirmed that all three players had been charged with a breach of Article 2.3.5 of the code of conduct, which means that their behaviour was “contrary to the spirit of the game” and brought the game into disrepute.</p> <p>The players also received individual charges, with David Warner being charged with the “development of a plan” to tamper with the surface of the ball.</p> <p>As well as creating the plan, Warner’s offences also included instructing a junior to carry out the plan, advising him and showing him how to do it.</p> <p>He also failed to report his knowledge, misled match officials and failed to voluntarily report his knowledge after the incident occurred.</p> <p>Smith was charged with knowledge of the plan, failure to take steps to prevent it, directing the evidence be concealed, seeking to mislead officials and making misleading public comments regarding the incident.</p> <p>Bancroft was charged with a breach based on knowledge of the plot, carrying it out, concealing evidence, seeking to mislead officials and making misleading public statements.</p> <p>CEO of Cricket Australia James Sutherland said he is “satisfied” with the punishments given in order to protect the integrity of cricket.</p> <p>Shane Warne said the “jump to hysteria” means the “punishment just might not fit the crime”.</p> <p>“There are those countries that don’t like Australia, don’t like individuals in the team, and there has been a build-up of hate which has exploded and created this tornado of hysteria,” he wrote.</p> <p>Do you think the punishment is fair? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

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Why David Warner's comments are coming back to haunt him

<p>The Australian Test team are facing the music after former captain Steve Smith admitted he and the side’s “leadership group” instructed young opener Cameron Bancroft to use a piece of tape to tamper with the ball during the third Test.</p> <p>The Australian cricket team hasn’t seen an embarrassment this bad since the infamous underarm incident in 1981 with Trevor Chappell.</p> <p>Now, former comments made by deputy David Warner about cheating in the gentleman’s game have resurfaced.</p> <p>When South Africa toured Australia in 2016, Warner inferred that ball tampering was just as bad as match fixing.</p> <p>After South African skipper Faf du Plessis used a mint to shine the ball, Warner spoke about his actions at a press conference as the scandal broke.</p> <p>“I won’t comment on the way (South Africa) have been behaving but I just know from an Australian cricket perspective: we hold our heads high and I’ll be very disappointed if one of our teammates (did that),” he said.</p> <p>“The rules are in place for a reason, if you’re not gonna use them, then why bother having them?”</p> <p>Warner then explained that offending players would face severe consequences for their misbehaviour.</p> <p>“That’s the fortunate thing these days,” Warner said in 2016. “(Officials have) got the rules and they’re going to stand by their decision, and I think that’s going to be a good thing.</p> <p>“We’ve all been on the back end of them from time to time. Now that they’re cracking down on it, especially with the points system, we as players know the guidelines now, so if you’re going to overstep that mark and you get fined, be prepared to miss Test matches as well.”</p> <p>Now, Warner must endure the consequences of his own actions with veteran cricket writer Robert Craddock revealing Warner is set to join Steve Smith on the sidelines for the Johannesburg Test.</p> <p>Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland is expected to touch down in South Africa today to discuss the future of the Aussie team. </p>

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David Warner shares sweet tribute to wife Candice

<p>She’s become the unwitting victim of a vicious sledge from South African cricket fans, but Aussie cricketer David Warner’s wife Candice isn’t letting it get to her.</p> <p>Taking to Instagram yesterday, David shared a photo collage to celebrate Candice’s 33rd birthday, praising his wife of three years as a “sweet, caring, loving mother and wife”.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgPDAoYHdMo/" target="_blank">A post shared by David Warner (@davidwarner31)</a> on Mar 12, 2018 at 12:35pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Happy birthday to the lady of my life,” he wrote. “May your day be a great one filled with happiness and joy. Can’t wait to spend the day with you.”</p> <p>The heartfelt tribute comes just days after David was caught on camera losing his temper at Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock while on his way to the dressing room during the first Test in Durban.</p> <p>It was later revealed that David was reacting to a personal comment de Kock had made about Candice. In the days that followed, the couple were sledged by South African cricket fans over Candice’s 2007 “toilet tryst” with rugby player Sonny Bill Williams, despite the incident occurring years before David had even met the ironwoman.</p> <p>Former Aussie netball captain Liz Ellis launched an emotional attack on South African fans after they were photographed wearing Sonny Bill Williams masks, telling Channel Nine’s <em>Sports Sunday</em> program the abuse was “abhorrent”.</p> <p>“Everyone is focusing on the sledging,” she said. “What I think is the controversy is that 40 years after the sexual revolution ... 40 years after that in the middle of the #MeToo movement, in the week of International Women’s Day, a player’s wife is being dragged through the mud because they’re attempting to shame her for her past.</p> <p>“My problem is we focus so hard on the sledging we haven’t focused on the bigger issue. We haven’t focused on the issue of what is being said about Candice Warner has nothing to do with the game.”</p> <p>David admitted his reaction to de Kock’s comment was “probably out of line”, but that he’ll “always stick up for my family”.</p> <p>“I responded emotionally and regretted the way I played out,” he said.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Candice Warner/Instagram.</em></p>

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Liz Ellis slams South African cricket fans for “abhorrent” sledge

<p>Australian netball great Liz Ellis has launched a scathing attack on South African fans who mockingly shamed David Warner’s wife Candice during the second cricket Test in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.</p> <p>After footage of altercation between Warner and South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock in the stairwell on the way to the dressing room during the first Test in Durban, it was revealed Warner was reacting to a personal sledge about his wife.</p> <p>Although both players were charged with bringing the game into disrepute, the fallout continued in the second Test when some fans in the stadium wore masks of All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams – a reference to Candice’s drunken sexual encounter with Williams in the bathroom of a Sydney pub in 2007.</p> <p>Cricket South Africa was forced to apologise after two of its officials were photographed posing with fans who were wearing the Williams masks.</p> <p>Speaking on Channel Nine’s Sports Sunday program, Ellis, a regular panellist, said the incident had been made so much worse because it was during the very week the world celebrated International Women’s Day.</p> <p>The former Australian netball captain slapped down the shameful stunt, saying it was about shaming women with out-of-date beliefs that have no place in sport or society today.</p> <p>“Everyone is focusing on the sledging. What I think is the controversy is that 40 years after the sexual revolution ... 40 years after that in the middle of the #MeToo movement, in the week of International Women’s Day, a player’s wife is being dragged through the mud because they’re attempting to shame her for her past,” Ellis said.</p> <p>“It really does slam home this idea that some Neanderthals have that women are the property of men.</p> <p>“Do you know what? It upsets me to the core because I think sport is a real driver in society and generally it’s a driver for good. You think of all the good things that have happened and been started in sport and here we have an international sporting contest that is essentially saying to women, the message is, ‘You come here as a Madonna, you come here pure or you don’t come here at all.’</p> <p>“I don’t see fans turning up to All Blacks games with Candice Falzon masks so how dare they turn up at a South African cricket game in masks of the wife of one of the cricketers (because of someone) she was formerly involved with in some way.</p> <p>“It is disgraceful, it is upsetting.”</p> <p>Ellis also said the defence for sledging - what happens on the field stays on the field – didn’t wash because the South African fans had taken the sledge off-field into the public domain.</p> <p>“My problem is we focus so hard on the sledging we haven’t focused on the bigger issue. We haven’t focused on the issue of what is being said about Candice Warner has nothing to do with the game,” Ellis said.</p> <p>“Why in the 21st century are we talking about defending a woman? For a reference to her past relationships? The whole thing is abhorrent.”</p> <p> </p>

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