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Jess Rowe explains her husband's absence from the news desk

<p>Jessica Rowe has shared the reason why her husband Peter Overton has been absent from his presenting duties on the <em>9News</em> desk for the last few weeks. </p> <p>Taking to her Instagram, Rowe explained that Overton has been at home recovering from surgery and will remain on leave for another few weeks. </p> <p>“Many of you have been missing Petee from your TV screens these past couple of weeks & have asked me where he is!” the 53-year-old began in her post. </p> <p>“Well he’s at home recovering from hip replacement surgery & getting lots of TLC. Petee will be back @9newssydney soon!”</p> <p>In her post, the former Studio 10 host shared a photo of her husband, 58, with his feet up on the bed, appearing in good spirits.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5r02QYydV1/?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/C5r02QYydV1/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jessica Rowe (@jessjrowe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Her followers thanked Rowe for the update while also wishing the beloved news anchor a speedy recovery from the extensive procedure. </p> <p>“Oh! We miss seeing you Pete! Get well soon,” wrote one, while another commented, “Thank you we have missed Pete wondering what had happened to him. Wishing Pete all the very best for a speedy recovery.”</p> <p>“Legend! The best in the business! Hope you are back reading the news soon. Miss seeing you read the evening news so much,” wrote yet another.</p> <p>Others who had undergone the same surgery shared their words of encouragement, with one person commenting, “OMG Peter I had hip replacement surgery 5 weeks ago. Hang in there buddy it gets better I promise.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

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Barry Humphries’ daughter explains absence from her father’s memorial

<p dir="ltr">Barry Humphries' daughter has explained why she didn’t attend her late father’s state memorial service which was held in Sydney on Friday. </p> <p dir="ltr">The entertainer’s youngest daughter Emily wasn’t in attendance at the ceremony, with many believing her decision not to attend was due to Richard Wilkins hosting the event.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Nine entertainment reporter forged ahead with hosting the memorial, despite alleged <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/the-unfunny-fallout-richard-wilkins-causes-bizarre-boycott-of-barry-humphries-memorial">objections</a> from members of Humphries’ family. </p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the rumours, Emily has now cleared up why she didn’t attend the service, taking to Facebook to share a lengthy post explaining her actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">She wrote, “I want to be loud and very clear. I am grateful to both Richard and the organisers for their part in this send-off.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Despite some complexities in my relationship with my father, I was proud of his achievements and think a public send-off is important for both him and his public.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She continued, “Privacy and intimacy were missing elements in my relationship with him so public comments have really bothered me. That they are inaccurate and hurtful to another fired me up.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Emily went on to say she didn't attend her estranged father's state memorial because “they're not my thing” and she was “away working on a film project in Sri Lanka”.</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to assure her followers that she did attend her father’s private funeral in Bowral, which was held in April at the home of artist Tim Storrier. </p> <p dir="ltr">Emily attended the service, which was closed to the public, with her stepmother Lizzie Spender, sister Tess, brothers Oscar and Rupert, and the comic's grandchildren.</p> <p dir="ltr">Enily and her father had reportedly been estranged for over 20 years, and only patched up their relationship in the months before his death. </p> <p dir="ltr">The late comedian's state memorial was held at Sydney Opera House on Friday, December 15th, following his tragic death in April. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Facebook / Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Why Nat Barr suddenly fled the Sunrise desk

<p><em>Sunrise</em> viewers were left shocked and confused on Tuesday morning when co-host Natalie Barr suddenly disappeared in the middle of the episode. </p> <p>While Kochie read the news headlines, Nat disappeared from the set and was suddenly replaced by presenter Monique Wright.</p> <p>As the show returned from a commercial break, Monique said, “Good morning! Back now for our 8am hour on <em>Sunrise</em>. Thanks so much for joining us.”</p> <p>“What the hell are you doing here?” Kochie teased beside her.</p> <p>Responding to his confusion, Monique jokingly said that “Nat just scurried out and I happened to have been under the couch.”</p> <p>As the hosts laughed along with presenters Mark Beretta and Edwina Bartholomew, Kochie explained the sudden change in hosts. </p> <p>“She’s dashing to the airport as we speak. We’ll bring that to you tomorrow,” he said.</p> <p>Later on Tuesday, Natalie revealed on her Instagram account that the reason she suddenly fled the <em>Sunrise</em> set was to fly to Melbourne for an exclusive interview with Olivia Newton-John’s family, daughter Chloe Lattanzi and husband John Easterling.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpMXkpcLFqg/?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/CpMXkpcLFqg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Natalie Barr (@natalie_barr7)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><em>Sunrise</em> has secured the Australian breakfast TV exclusive with the family of the late Dame Olivia Newton-John just days after her state memorial service in Melbourne. </p> <p>Speaking from Melbourne’s Como Hotel, where the interview was filmed today, Nat says, “the world knew her as the beautiful singer with the angelic voice, but now Chloe Lattanzi and John Easterling have sat down with me to share the part of Olivia Newton-John only they saw."</p> <p>“It was an emotional interview but a really funny one too, with two people who dearly loved Australia’s sweetheart.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Sunrise</em></p>

TV

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Kochie addresses Nat Barr's mysterious absence

<p><em>Sunrise</em> host Kochie has addressed why his co-host Nat Barr failed to show up for work on Monday morning. </p> <p>Nat was scheduled to return to the <em>Sunrise</em> desk on Monday after a week off to visit family in Perth. </p> <p>However, Kochie shared that Nat had unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19 upon her return to Sydney. </p> <p>"Well, everyone's been asking, 'Where's Nat?' Well, you may have noticed she's been missing over the past week or so," Koch began.</p> <p>"She's at home in isolation after testing positive for Covid."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Where's Nat???</p> <p>We found out what she's been up to while she's been in isolation and when she will be making her long-awaited return to Brekky Central. <a href="https://t.co/fFxJWcT9zE">pic.twitter.com/fFxJWcT9zE</a></p> <p>— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) <a href="https://twitter.com/sunriseon7/status/1551342684698120192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Monique Wright, who was filling in for Barr on Monday morning, said, "During her time off, Nat's been very busy: she's been trying new recipes, she has also been working her way through her new wardrobe, doing some early spring cleaning and organising, due to being stuck in her bedroom."</p> <p>Kochie joked that Barr was so bored in isolation she even "cleaned out the bathroom cabinets" and reorganised her sock drawer.</p> <p>He also assured the audience that Nat's symptoms have been mild.</p> <p>“She’s fully vaccinated of course - all the four doses, her cough is virtually gone,” he said.</p> <p>“We wish her a speedy recovery.”</p> <p>Nat is expected to return to Brekky Central on Wednesday. </p> <p>On her Instagram stories on Sunday night, Barr said, “I know I’m bored when I’m cleaning out the bathroom drawers #covid”.</p> <p>She then shared footage of her sharpening her lip liners, writing “Peak COVID excitement”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Sunrise</em></p>

News

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Thomas Markle slams Meghan and Harry’s memorial absence

<p dir="ltr">Thomas Markle has hit out at his daughter, Meghan, and son-in-law Prince Harry, for their “unforgivable” absence from Prince Philip’s memorial service.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Markle - who has never met Prince Harry or seen his daughter since before her 2018 wedding - said their decision not to fly to the UK to attend the service was “a slap in the face for the Queen”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Attending and giving respect and giving God’s grace to Prince Philip for a lifetime of service was very important to the Queen, and for them not to show up was a slap in the face to the Queen,” he fumed in a video posted to his YouTube channel.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was unforgivable. The British people won’t forgive them for that, and they shouldn’t.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t know what the reason was, but there’s no excuse at all. It’s a slap in the face for the Queen and the British people.”</p> <p dir="ltr">His remarks come as Prince Harry takes legal action against the Home Office for no longer providing him with armed police protection or allowing him to pay for that himself, according to the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/thomas-markle-blasts-meghan-and-harry-for-absence-from-philips-memorial-unforgivable/MKSV7W5YN6X7BPD3S2CF34V4VY/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The lack of police protection was cited as <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/arrogant-selfish-brat-ben-fordham-calls-out-prince-harry" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the reason</a> Harry didn’t join the rest of his family at the service celebrating Philip’s life last week.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-7c749cba-7fff-1e12-62ac-e39398b7d9ee"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Channel 5</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Budget winners, losers and one key absence

<p>On Tuesday night, the Morrison government shared their 2022 Federal Budget, with Aussies everywhere hoping for general living costs to be addressed.</p> <p>With the government feeling the pressure to help everyday Australians with the burden of living costs and soaring fuel prices, the main takeaway from the budget came in the form of a one-off payment to low income earners at tax time.</p> <p>For those earning under $126,000 a year, a one-off payment of $420 will be delivered in your tax return.</p> <p>Over the last two years, this payment was previously $1,080, with the payment designed to help being slashed by over half.</p> <p>In terms of petrol costs, the government has assured motorists that the price of fuel will drop in two weeks after slashing the fuel excise – the main tax on petrol – in half.</p> <p>Currently paid at 44.2 cents per litre, the fuel excise will be cut in half from midnight tonight to 22.1 cents per litre, saving motorists next time they go to fill up.</p> <p>The government has also pledged a one-off payment of $250 to eligible pensioners and and welfare recipients to help with living costs, which is expected to be paid in April.</p> <p>The budget also outlined $156.5 million in assistance to Ukraine, to help the nation fight an unsanctioned invasion by Russia, with at least $500,000 to help resettle Ukrainian refugees in Australia.</p> <p>While the Morrison government has previously committed to net zero emissions by 2050, there was nothing in the budget to dictate how this plan would be put into action.</p> <p>The budget bottom line will see future generations paying back Australia’s debt for decades to come, as net debt will reach $714.9 billion by June 2023 and is still growing.</p> <p>Despite all the promises from the budget, experts say there is one key missing element, as wage growth is tipped to increase by only half a percent despite major increases in living costs.</p> <p>The Opposition overnight criticised the government over failing to address the issue of Australian wages, calling it a “big challenge and big risk in the economy”.</p> <p>In a post on Twitter, Opposition leader Anthony Albanese said “what this Budget represents is again after almost a decade in office, they want a second decade, but with falling wages and with a trillion dollars of debt, with nothing to show for it”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

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How Prince William and Prince Harry are stepping up in the Queen’s absence

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>With the new coronavirus pandemic, it appears that Prince William is on the brink of facing his biggest test to date as the future King of England.</p> <p>The 37-year-old prince is likely to step up and take over some of the duties that are usually undertaken by the Queen in the coming months as her and Prince Charles go underground.</p> <p>According to royal expert Nigel Cawthorne, the prince will likely become the main physical presence for the British Monarchy while the Queen and Prince Charles continue to socially isolate for their own safety.</p> <p>"There has to be a physical presence to the monarchy, not just a virtual one. He's third-in-line to the throne and in robust health like his brother, and COVID-19 is unlikely to be any serious threat for him or his wife or children. He will do a great job," the biographer told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8129735/Prince-William-step-Queen-Prince-Charles-amid-coronavirus-crisis-plan-say-experts.html" target="_blank">the Daily Mail</a>.</em></p> <p>The seriousness of the situation might see Prince Harry stepping back into his royal role as Prince William and Prince Harry help to maintain the British Institution.</p> <p>"I am sure he would come back and be delighted to help out, too, and do anything to protect his father and grandmother," the royal expert added.</p> <p>The news came after the Queen shared a sweet message in support for the world during this unsettling period, after confirming that her and Philip are at Windsor.</p> <p>"At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation's history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal."</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/B97Au1YnjDm/?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/B97Au1YnjDm/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN . As Philip and I arrive at Windsor today, we know that many individuals and families across the United Kingdom, and around the world, are entering a period of great concern and uncertainty. We are all being advised to change our normal routines and regular patterns of life for the greater good of the communities we live in and, in particular, to protect the most vulnerable within them. At times such as these, I am reminded that our nation’s history has been forged by people and communities coming together to work as one, concentrating our combined efforts with a focus on the common goal. We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals - today and in the coming days, weeks and months. Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part. ELIZABETH R</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/theroyalfamily/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> The Royal Family</a> (@theroyalfamily) on Mar 19, 2020 at 9:32am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She continued: "We are enormously thankful for the expertise and commitment of our scientists, medical practitioners and emergency and public services; but now more than any time in our recent past, we all have a vitally important part to play as individuals - today and in the coming days, weeks and months."</p> <p>She ended with an empowering message, writing: "Many of us will need to find new ways of staying in touch with each other and making sure that loved ones are safe. I am certain we are up to that challenge. You can be assured that my family and I stand ready to play our part."</p> </div> </div> </div>

International Travel

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“Absence of empathy”: Donald and Melania Trump under fire over photo with El Paso shooting victim

<p>A backlash is building over Donald and Melania Trump after the US first lady posted a photo on Twitter showing the couple smiling broadly while holding a two-month-old baby whose parents were killed in the El Paso mass shooting.</p> <p>On a visit to the Texan city last week, the president could be seen flashing a thumbs-up when posing with the infant as well as hospital staff and first responders.</p> <p>The child, named Paul, lost his parents Jordan and Andre Anchondo after they attempted to shield him from the bullets in the August 3 shooting. The boy was discharged from University Medical Center, but reportedly brought back at the request of White House for Trump’s visit.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I met many incredible people in Dayton, Ohio &amp; El Paso, Texas yesterday. Their communities are strong and unbreakable. <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@potus</a> and I stand with you! <a href="https://t.co/SHzV6zcVKR">pic.twitter.com/SHzV6zcVKR</a></p> — Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1159511786695069697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The pictures have been widely slammed, with many people describing the Trumps’ gesture as insensitive. “Your husband is grinning like a game show contestant and giving a ‘thumbs up’ next to a baby orphaned during another mass murder,” one wrote in response to the first lady’s post. “If you had normal human empathy you’d realize how horribly odd this is.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 374.867px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829452/trumpselpaso.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/283bb8aeae9d445fa7a6841180934a99" /></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Your husband is grinning like a game show contestant and giving a "thumbs up" next to a baby orphaned during another mass murder.<br /><br />If you had normal human empathy you'd realize how horribly odd this is.<br /><br />Then again, if you did you wouldn't be married to him.</p> — John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/johnpavlovitz/status/1159846976399298561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I can’t look at this. I am just stunned &amp; horrified. How did this happen? Who thought releasing a photo of these monsters holding a newly orphaned infant, whose parents were killed thanks to their racist vitriol, with a grin &amp; thumbs up was somehow acceptable? They are heartless.</p> — Amie Wexler (@am_wex) <a href="https://twitter.com/am_wex/status/1159718367516712961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">THE THUMBS UP. I’m nauseous. Bringing an orphaned baby back for a photo op. It’s all horrible. <a href="https://t.co/0Ls8jaRREt">https://t.co/0Ls8jaRREt</a></p> — Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaSchwartzzz/status/1159883673102979072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>A hospital official told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/08/politics/trump-el-paso-victims-hospital-visit/index.html" target="_blank"><em>CNN</em></a><span> </span>there was a general assessment among patients that the president acted with “an absence of empathy” during the visit. “Some people didn’t want any visitors. Some didn’t want to meet [Trump],” the official said.</p> <p>The president did not meet with any of the eight survivors still receiving treatment in the hospital. Five declined to see Trump, while three were in poor condition or do not speak English.</p> <p>According to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/09/trump-el-paso-melania-orphan-baby-thumbs-up" target="_blank"><em>Guardian</em></a>, doctors at the Del Sol medical center also said Trump appeared to “lack empathy” after he boasted about drawing a larger crowd at a January rally in the city than “crazy” 2020 Democratic presidential contender Beto O’Rourke.</p> <p>Tito Anchondo, the uncle of the baby, told The Associated Press on Friday that Trump “was just there to give his condolences and he was just being a human being”. He told the <em><a href="https://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/2019/08/06/el-paso-texas-family-grieves-parents-who-died-protecting-newborn-son-walmart-attack/1937865001/">El Paso Times</a> </em>that his late brother supported Trump.</p> <p>He said, “We should be coming together as a country at this time instead of threatening each other with hate messages.”</p>

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The Chase host Andrew O’Keefe takes sudden leave of absence due to “personal issues”

<p><em>The Chase</em> host Andrew O’Keefe, 47, has suddenly taken a leave of absence in order to deal with “some personal issues”.</p> <p>Mark Klemens, the manager of O’Keefe, has confirmed in a statement to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/channel-7-star-andrew-okeefe-emotionally-exhausted-needs-a-break/news-story/eddcb6701d188598dca3a53be6dc19e5?utm_content=SocialFlow&amp;utm_campaign=EditorialSF&amp;utm_source=DailyTelegraph&amp;utm_medium=Facebook" target="_blank"><em>The Daily Telegraph</em></a> that O’Keefe is taking one month’s leave of absence as he is “emotionally exhausted” and “needs this break” to address his long-term health issues.</p> <p>"Andrew O'Keefe is currently taking some time off from his demanding and busy schedule to regroup and work through some personal issues," read the statement.</p> <p>"Over the past year or so AOK has had to come to terms with his marriage breakdown among a range of other issues.</p> <p>"He is emotionally exhausted to say the least and needs this break.</p> <p>"He is also determined to deal with these issues and is committed to getting back on track as soon as he can.</p> <p>"He is looking forward to full health and hopefully being back in the studio in a couple of weeks."</p> <p>Klemens also said that <em>The Chase</em> host has plenty of support around him whilst he takes a break.</p> <p>"He is a devoted and loving father and cherished son and brother. He is fortunate to have wonderful support around him."</p> <p>Repeat episodes of <em>The Chase</em> will be run this week as production of the show is currently suspended.</p> <p>O’Keefe separated from his wife Eleanor in 2017, and explained how it has been a bumpy year since then.</p> <p>"It has been a bit of a rough and bumpy year, on a personal front, having separated from Eleanor a year ago and trying to navigate what it means to be a co-parent, a single person, a single father and feeling slightly, I guess, adrift in the world," he admitted to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/" target="_blank"><em>The Herald Sun</em></a>.</p> <p>"I spent 25 years building a certain emotional castle, and creating all of the things that we like to think we are going to achieve in life, and at the age of 47 I feel like I am starting all over again."</p>

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Where is Melania Trump? US First Lady responds to conspiracy theories about her absence

<p>US First Lady Melania Trump hasn’t been seen in public for nearly three weeks and speculation about her lengthy absence was mounting online.</p> <p>To shut down the theories about her whereabouts, Melania has confirmed that she is indeed still at the White House.</p> <p>She tweeted: “I see the media is working overtime speculating where I am &amp; what I'm doing. Rest assured, I'm here at the @WhiteHouse w my family, feeling great, &amp; working hard on behalf of children &amp; the American people!”</p> <p>Melania’s last public appearance was 21 days ago on May 10, when she joined her husband to welcome three Americans who had been detained in North Korea back to the US.</p> <p>On May 14, she underwent kidney surgery at Walter Reed National Military medical centre.</p> <p>She remained at the medical centre for the remainder of the week to recover and her communications director, Stephanie Grisham, said “there were no complications”.</p> <p>On Wednesday, Grisham told Business Insider that the First Lady “is doing great” despite her long absence from the public eye.</p> <p>However, official statements did not stop the stream of conspiracy theories about her absence, suggesting that she may have undergone a more serious medical procedure or fled back to New York after her surgery.</p> <p>Grisham told Politico that the White House “deals with conspiracy theories all the time” and reiterated that “she was hospitalised for almost a week and is now home recovering”.</p> <p>At the end of June, Melania will attend a summer picnic for members of Congress and their families. </p>

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