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"Pretty brutal": Peter Garrett slams Taylor Swift for price gouging tickets

<p>Peter Garrett has taken aim at Taylor Swift, calling out her extrationate ticket prices for a place at the Eras Tour. </p> <p>The Midnight Oil frontman  joined <em>107.1 SAFM’s Bec & Soda</em> radio show on Friday when he was informed that he was co-host Mark “Soda” Soderstrom’s favourite artist, or in other words, “his Taylor Swift.”</p> <p>Garrett didn't take too kindly to the comparison, and launched into a rant about the price of Swift's concert tickets. </p> <p>“I’m not price gouging like Taylor, to be blunt,” he began.</p> <p>The radio hosts reminisced about attending a Midnight Oil concert in 1985 when tickets were just $15.90, compared to Swifts forking out hundreds of dollars for the highly anticipated Eras Tour. </p> <p>Tickets for Swift’s Australian tour ranged from $79.90 for G-reserve tickets to $379.90 for A-reserve ticket, while also offering fans multiple VIP packages, reaching an eye-watering $1249.90 for a single ticket. </p> <p>Some diehard fans were quick to complain about the lack of added value in the packages, which included premium seats with add-ons such as a tote bags, collectable pins, stickers and postcards.</p> <p>Garrett continued, “I wouldn’t begrudge anyone’s success, that’s the first thing to say."</p> <p>"She’s obviously touching a chord with masses of people, particularly people of a certain age group who have experienced growing up at a certain time, and what she’s singing and talking about is really ringing true with them.” </p> <p>However, he also said that “the dollar end of it having looked at it from a distance, having been in this business forever, is pretty brutal.”</p> <p>Garrett continued to share his disapproval of Swift's Australian domination, complaining about how five of her albums dominated the ARIA charts, booting Aussie artists off the ladder. </p> <p>“She is so pervasive, she has become such a phenomenon, that she is displacing artists left right and centre. In our ARIA top 100 chart – that’s the Australian record industry chart – I think at one point in the last week or two, we only had three Australian artists in that top 100,” Garrett said. </p> <p>“Not good enough! And that’s not me crying about it, I’ve had an incredible run. But I think about the younger artists coming through and it’s extremely hard for them now.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Money & Banking

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Lisa Curry’s son suffers brutal injury

<p dir="ltr">Jett Kenny has suffered a brutal injury just after making his TV debut on the Channel 10 rebooted series of <em>Gladiators</em>.  </p> <p dir="ltr">Lisa Curry’s son was only on the show for one episode before it all came crashing down for the Aussie athlete. </p> <p dir="ltr">Ahead of the episode airing, Kenny shared a photo to Instagram, with his Olympian mum commenting, “My Viking”.</p> <p dir="ltr">During one of the first games of the episode, Kenny, aka Viking, was seen tackling a contestant in an effort to block him from dropping a ball into a basket and scoring a point.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, as they fell to the ground in a brutal battle the star appeared to land awkwardly on the ground. </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/C2JWx6AB3a2/?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/C2JWx6AB3a2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jett Kenny (@jettkenny)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">While his rival jumped up and continued with the game, Kenny remained laid on the floor seemingly writhing around in pain. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Fingers crossed it looks worse than it was,” said some of his fellow Gladiators as the narrator revealed that the injured star had been rushed to the medical team for treatment. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s really unfortunate to see. Man, he was tough out there,” said contestant Chris, who was the one that tackled the star to the ground.</p> <p dir="ltr">Concerned viewers flocked to share their shock on social media with one person tweeting: “I was expecting only the contestants to get maimed,”, while another hoped Kenny was alright, adding: “Poor Jet I know he was out a while after that”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Later in the show, it was revealed that Kenny wouldn’t return for the rest of the episode after seemingly dislocating his shoulder, but would hopefully be back later in the season. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

TV

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Kochie's brutal message to Baby Boomers

<p>David Koch has shared his brutal thoughts on the housing crisis and rising interest rates, claiming millennials have been dealt the "short end of the stick", while boomers have been spared. </p> <p>The former <em>Sunrise</em> host, who is now the Economic Director at Compare the Market, said young borrowers are copping the brunt of rising interest rates and soaring inflations. </p> <p>“If you bought your home in early 2022 under the pretence that interest rates would stay low for longer, you’ve now been lumped with the short end of the stick,” Mr Koch said.</p> <p>He went on to say young people had difficulty generating any decent savings due to record rental prices and cost-of-living, and those that can scrape together a deposit on a home now face onerous interest charges.</p> <p>Recent data from Compare the Market found homeowners who bought their homes at the peak of the market in early 2022 were far worse off compared to those who bought three years earlier. </p> <p>Those who also bought property before the Covid lockdown have also benefited from a rise in their equity, as property prices have significantly increased over the past four years.</p> <p>Kochie said the repayment hike as a result of rising interest rates was a "tough pill" for young Aussies who had no time to accrue a strong savings buffer.  </p> <p>Given these factors, Kochie said many Aussie baby boomers have been spared the pain of rising interest rates.</p> <p>"Meanwhile, a lot of mature Australians have missed this pain altogether after selling their properties at the peak and having reaped the benefits over more equity for years," he said.</p> <p>"A lot of mature Australians have been shielded from the rate rises, and it's already widely believed that their spending drove inflation."</p> <p>A recent report from CommBank iQ found that baby boomers spending on luxuries appears to be further fuelling Australia's inflation crisis as millennials are forced to cut back on essentials.</p> <p>This goes a long way to explaining why the current cycle of interest rate rises are not dampening inflation as expected, as the new big spenders are older people who own properties outright and are therefore unaffected by rate rises.</p> <p>Boomers are are going on holidays and dining out more often, while millennials, battling higher rents and mortgage repayments, rare being forced to reduce their spending to cope with the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.</p> <p>Koch said, "It's time policy-makers should be asking: how could the pressure be more evenly spread?"</p> <p>Aussie baby boomers have long claimed that they had to make the same sacrifices when they were buying their first homes, given the home loan rate in 1989 to 1990 was at 17 per cent, compared to today's six per cent variable rates.</p> <p>However, Kochie debunked this claim, saying current house prices are far higher when measured against average salaries, and that level was only accelerating, far outpacing wages growth.</p> <p>"Back in the 80s, the average cost of an Aussie house was $70,000, now it's $700,000 - ten times more expensive," he said. </p> <p>The financial guru explained how in the 1980s the average salary was $19,000, compared with $94,000 in 2023.</p> <p>"So in the 80s, the price of a house was four times the average person's income," he said.</p> <p>"In 2023, it's eight times the average Aussie salary."</p> <p>Kochie urged mortgage holders hit with higher repayments to call their banks and explore whether refinancing to a lower-rate loan is possible. </p> <p>"We urge people in mortgage pain to reduce the interest on their repayments as much as possible by shopping around for a better deal," Koch said. </p> <p>"When every dollar counts, 2024 should be the year of the new lender."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Compare the Market </em></p>

Money & Banking

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90-year-old grandma's secrets, regrets and brutal "advice"

<p>An amazingly sprightly 90-year-old grandmother has appeared on TikTok to share her deepest regrets in life, leaving viewers both amused and contemplative with her surprising take on being a nonagenarian.</p> <p>The video, which has garnered a whopping 70,000 views, features the wise words of wisdom from a woman who has seen it all, or at least enough to make her wish she hadn't seen quite so much.</p> <p>The nanna, who spilled the beans to her inquisitive granddaughter <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@racheljdillon?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rachel Dillon</a> – an online fitness coach –  began by revealing what she wishes she did less of in her life.</p> <p>"Probably less of nothing," she admits. "I mean I never worked after I was married or anything like that. I wish I had probably done more mixing with people with that. More socialising." </p> <p>It's then that the truth bombs really start to drop. When Rachel asks, "Do you have any regrets", a cloud of laughter fills the room, before the answer comes.</p> <p>"Yes, I do regret marrying too young," she says emphatically. "I met my husband when I was 13 and he was 15. We got married at 17 and 19. I met him at the library. He used to ride me up on the bicycle when I was going to the library."</p> <p>Then, when asked about the secret to turning 90, Rachel's grandma confesses not only that there isn't one, but that she regrets having made it this far at all.</p> <p>"I didn't really want to get to 90," she declares with the nonchalance of someone choosing between tea and coffee. "I've had enough. I've had all I wanted out of the world. I am quite happy to go and meet my little puppy dog waiting there for me."</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">When asked about her secret to looking so young, Rachel's grandma almost brushes the question aside, laying the blame simply in the quality of her genes for having "always been a fox", according to Rachel.</span></p> <p>The final question, and the final brutally honest response – which may have made Rachel regret asking about regrets – was simply: "Do you have any advice for us?"</p> <p>"Oh God no," comes the world-weary answer. "Not the way the world's going. No, I'm just glad I'll be gone. I don't want to be part of anything that I can see going on."      </p> <p>TikTok users were quick to commend the grandmother, not just for her unexpected revelations but also for her timeless beauty. "She looks absolutely amazing," gushed one admirer, proving that age is just a number – albeit one that sometimes takes us by surprise.</p> <p>In the end, this nonagenarian nanna has become an unexpected sensation, leaving us all to ponder life's mysteries, library love stories, and the prospect of meeting puppy dogs in the great beyond.</p> <p>If her story has taught us anything, it's that life is unpredictable, love can blossom in the unlikeliest of places (like a library), and sometimes it's OK to regret that hasty decision to say "I do" before you even knew how to do your taxes.</p> <div class="post_body_wrapper" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 8px 0px 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #323338; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, 'Noto Sans Hebrew', 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif;"> <div class="post-body-container" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div class="post-body-renderer-component post_body" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: top; position: relative; transition: max-height 0.14s ease 0s; overflow: hidden; color: var(--primary-text-color); max-height: none;"> <div class="post-body-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 630px; overflow: auto hidden;"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 15px 15px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; position: relative; overflow: auto; color: var(--primary-text-color); font-family: var(--font-family); line-height: 1.5; word-break: break-word;"> <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 600px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7311465610821651720&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40racheljdillon%2Fvideo%2F7311465610821651720&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fo49EYZFdsEDJhfBAiE2gfGE8l3IAR2qBQx14iB%3Fx-expires%3D1702681200%26x-signature%3DL%252FvO6dLXwqFOi09XENAbVmG4tgs%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div> <div> <div> <div><em>Images: TikTok / @racheljdillon</em></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Retirement Life

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"Blah": Brutal reactions to royal family's 2023 Christmas card

<p>Royal fans have shared their mixed reviews of the 2023 Christmas card portrait, featuring Prince William, Kate Middleton and their three children. </p> <p>The Prince and Princess of Wales shared their family photo to their Instagram account on Sunday, with the snap showing the royal family of five all dressed in similar outfits: simple black pants or jeans, and white button up tops.</p> <p>The photo, taken in black and white, shows Kate and William standing behind their three kids, while Prince George and Prince Louis standing around Princess Charlotte, who was seated for the photo. </p> <p>The post of their family Christmas card picture has racked up over 2 million likes, with thousands of people sharing their thoughts on the snap in the comments. </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/C0pf0IXNv15/?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/C0pf0IXNv15/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Many were quick to comment on the similarities between the younger royals and their predecessors, with many stating that "Princess Charlotte looks like a young Queen Elizabeth", while others shared their thoughts on how much Prince Louis is looking like his mother. </p> <p>Despite many royal fans delighting over the card, there were some mixed reactions from others. </p> <p>Royal commentators online were quick to point out how this year's card, all in black and white, is a stark contrast to last year's photo, which shows the family walking hand-in-hand in the sunshine. </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/CmH_qcOtUx_/?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/CmH_qcOtUx_/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While acknowledging that the photo is objectively lovely of the family, some wish that the portrait had a bit more Christmas spirit. </p> <p>One person wrote on X, "This doesn’t look like a Christmas Card. Looks like a Vogue edit’s choice cover from the 90s. Beautiful but not Xmassy!"</p> <p>Another added that the image looked like it was "taken at a photo studio in a shopping mall," while another disappointed fan said it was "Kind of... Well, blah."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Kyle Sandilands leaves brutal voicemail for Steve Price

<p>In the latest episode of "Australia's Got Voicemails", shock jock extraordinaire Kyle Sandilands unleashed a verbal tempest upon fellow broadcaster Steve Price. What sparked this war of words? Apparently, Price had the audacity to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/steve-price-slams-buffoon-kyle-sandilands-over-move-to-melbourne-airwaves" target="_blank" rel="noopener">label Sandilands a "grubby buffoon"</a> on national television. And you thought your family gatherings were awkward.</p> <p>Let's rewind to the moment when Price, with all the subtlety of a kangaroo in a china shop, decided to throw some shade on <em>The Project</em>. With the finesse of a wordsmith, Price declared, "I don't think grubby buffoons work in Melbourne." Ouch. Melbourne, known for its coffee, culture, and now apparently, a grubby buffoon ban.</p> <p>In response, Sandilands, not one to be outdone in the art of verbal gymnastics, left Price a voicemail that would make a sailor blush. "Hey, you piece of sh*t," Sandilands began, setting the tone for a heartfelt exchange of pleasantries, "we’ve spoken before, last time you forgot that you’re not allowed to mouth off about me.</p> <p>“Steve, it’s Kyle obviously, there is probably a long list of people who ring you.</p> <p>“Again just surprised at your feigned reaction on The Project, can’t you just be yourself? Can’t you just say your true thoughts? I can’t wait to see you face-to-face buddy, it’s been too long.</p> <p>“It’s disappointing that as you’ve gotten older you have turned into a real piece of sh*t. Feel free to play this on tonight’s Project because that’s the last gig you will ever have.</p> <p>"See you mate, by the way love the alcoholic nose, bye bro.”</p> <p>Despite the verbal thrashing, Price seemed unconcerned. "I described him as a grubby buffoon, and that's it," <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/page-13/pieceofsh-radio-war-of-words-between-steve-price-heats-up-with-veiled-threats/news-story/ed616773a1064b8e8afd8e448977b40b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Price retorted</a>, probably sipping tea and counting the days until the next headline-grabbing voicemail. It's all in a day's work for a grizzled commentator who's clearly impervious to verbal beatdowns.</p> <p>In the grand tradition of radio feuds, this clash of titans unfolded after Sandilands and his partner-in-crime, Jackie 'O' Henderson, inked a jaw-dropping $200 million deal live on air.</p> <p>As the radio waves settle from this tempestuous encounter, we can't help but marvel at the drama that unfolds in the seemingly mundane world of talk radio. Who needs reality TV when you have Australian broadcasters providing this level of entertainment?</p> <p>In the end, whether it's a buffoon's brawl or a radio roast, one thing's for sure – the Australian airwaves are never short of surprises. Tune in next time for another episode of <em>He Said, He Said</em>, where words are sharper than claws, and feuds are settled with voicemails, not handshakes.</p> <p><em>Images: Network Ten / KIIS FM</em></p>

TV

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"It was a brutal moment": Qantas employee recalls mass firing

<p>A former Qantas worker has recalled the "brutal" moment he and almost 1,700 employees were fired from the airline. </p> <p>Ramp supervisor Don Dixon spoke to <em>A Current Affair</em> about his time with the Qantas, just hours after the High Court ruled the Aussie airline <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/jubilant-scenes-as-high-court-hands-down-judgment-against-qantas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">illegally sacked</a> hundreds of employees during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p> <p>“I absolutely loved Qantas. It was a fantastic company to work for until Joyce took over,” the former employee of over 20 years told Ally Langdon. </p> <p>“Some of the people I worked with [had been there for] 40 years, and it was an iconic Australian company, and it was a fabulous place to go to work." </p> <p>“The last 15 years were just awful.”</p> <p>Mr Dixon said that when Alan Joyce took over as CEO, “everything changed” revealing that loyalty diminished, and he was made to feel like a “dinosaur”.</p> <p>According to Mr Dixon, he and his team found out they had three months until they would be terminated via an announcement over a loudspeaker in the lunch room. </p> <p>Host Allison Langdon, floored by the revelation, asked, “Is there any more cowardly way to tell someone who has served loyalty for 20 years they no longer have a job?”</p> <p>“They could have mailed something, but I don’t think they would have paid for the stamp,” Mr Dixon responded.</p> <p>“Over the loudspeaker, in the lunch room, we were all together. It was just a brutal moment.”</p> <p>Mr Dixon claimed that finding other work after he was fired was challenging, given that the 20 years at Qantas left him with a specific skill set. </p> <p>“Nobody wanted to employ you – when you worked at Qantas, it was a career, it was a lifetime, no one was going to leave because it was that good.”</p> <p>“It’s not as if every company in Australia has a role for washed-up baggage handlers and cleaners.”</p> <p>He said Wednesday marked the first day since what has been dubbed one of the largest sackings in Australian corporate history that he, as a union delegate, had heard “happy voices” on the other end of the phone line. </p> <p>“We were a small part of history today – we won – we did it.”</p> <p>In the landmark decision that saw former employees pumping their fists in celebration inside the courtroom, Qantas has issued a formal apology to its workforce after the High Court declared its actions unlawful when it terminated the employment of over 1,700 ground crew members during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p> <p>The court upheld two prior rulings from the Federal Court that deemed the airline's outsourcing of baggage handlers, cleaners and ground staff to be in violation of the law.</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

Legal

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"His hero narrative has massively failed": Qantas staff's brutal response to Alan Joyce's early exit

<p>A former Qantas pilot and several current staff members have recounted the moment they found out about now former-CEO Alan Joyce's early exit from the company. </p> <p>Joyce was planning to retire from his CEO role in November, but shocked the nation on <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/alan-joyce-announces-shock-early-departure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tuesday</a> when he decided he would be stepping back, effective immediately. </p> <p>His resignation comes after 22 years in the role, as Qantas continues to face mounting pressures over unprecedented customer dissatisfaction, and a looming glass action lawsuit over cancelled flights. </p> <p>Upon hearing the news, past and present Qantas employees erupted in celebration. </p> <p>Retired Qantas pilot captain Richard de Crespigny was on board a flight on Tuesday when the news broke mid-air that Joyce was gone, sparking extraordinary celebrations.</p> <p>"I was on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne this morning and when I landed the cabin crew were giving each other high-fives," de Crespigny told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/former-qantas-pilot-richard-de-crespigny-speaks-out-following-ceo-alan-joyce-resignation/18040563-db75-41c4-af7c-b5ed8af84bf6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a>.</p> <p>Another ground staff member said, "We're celebrating wildly, not just because he's leaving but because his hero narrative has massively failed."</p> <p>Mr de Crespigny, who worked for Qantas for 34 years warned the airline won't regain trust overnight just because Joyce has taken off. </p> <p>"It's built in teaspoons and destroyed in shovel loads," he said.</p> <p>"It takes incredible skill, determination and empathy to build it up; it's got to be protected."</p> <p>Mr de Crespigny went on to say the Qantas business restructure after the travel industry was decimated by the Covid pandemic was not good enough, and the upper management made some terrible decisions. </p> <p>During the pandemic, Mr Joyce locked out employees during an industrial dispute before hundreds of staff lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic.</p> <p>"Some of them didn't come out of it well at all. They lost their jobs, they lost their houses, they lost their marriages," de Crespigny said.</p> <p>"The workers that held Qantas up … they really suffered greatly."</p> <p>"And it hasn't been a good vision to see the executive team, the CEO, continue to get bonuses at the expense of maybe baggage handlers and other people that have lost their jobs. This is not a good example of leadership."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Restaurant's "brutal" note divides customers

<p>A restaurant has come under fire for their "brutal" note to difficult patrons, encouraging "privileged" customers who wish to "customise or modify" their menu, to stay home instead.</p> <p>A sign posted to the restaurant's front door urged customers with allergies to eat elsewhere as staff simply cannot "provide the service they require".</p> <p>While some applauded the restaurant's no-nonsense stance, others were shocked by the "rude and disgusting" message.</p> <p>"No means no. Are you one of the small group of people who have been living and entitled and privileged life?" The sign reads.</p> <p>"Maybe your mother has taken the onions out of your salad, put the dressing on the side, or substitute your vegetables. Here, however, all meals are served precisely the way we prepare them. We do not offer custom meals."</p> <p>"Remember, we are not your mother and we are definitely not genies that will make your every wish come true."</p> <p>Chef Jozef and restaurant owner Nathalie listed alternative choices for the "privileged" few including hiring a private chef, cooking for themselves "precisely the way you like", trying another establishment or accept their hospitality as it is offered. </p> <p>"We have been cooking for almost 50 years. We have many kind, friendly people, acquaintances and families that have been coming for many decades," they wrote. </p> <p>"So look around, it is a pleasure to see their happy smiles and provide them with our best food possible."</p> <p>The message also called out those with allergies and food sensitivities, encouraging them to take their business elsewhere. </p> <p>"It is simply not possible to guarantee each product used in this kitchen. Furthermore, we do not have the qualifications to provide you with the service you require," they said. </p> <p>The strongly worded sign caught the attention of many online, with some praising the restauranteurs as "honest" and "brilliant". </p> <p>"Amen, the public is not always right. And actually most of the time they're not. This establishment is well within their right to post this," one person commented. </p> <p>"You know from the very start how things are. It's one restaurant. If you don't like it, there are so many others you can go to instead... No need to have a sook. Just go elsewhere. Some of us would enjoy a restaurant like this," a second pointed out. </p> <p>Despite some support for the restaurant's honesty, others were taken aback with lots of people criticising the hard-line stance for being "snarky" and "rude".</p> <p>One disgruntled person commented, "If you are not able or willing to provide what your guests need or even give service, it might seem better to be honest but this message is rude and disgusting. Don't seek employment in service roles and then complain."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em></p>

Food & Wine

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"Cruel and brutal": John Farnham's sons provide health update

<p>John Farnham's sons have shared an update on their father's journey with cancer, following his recent stint in hospital. </p> <p>The legendary singer was diagnosed with mouth cancer in October 2022, and underwent an extensive surgery to remove the tumour. </p> <p>The 73-year-old was then hospitalised at the end of March with a lung infection and spent several weeks in hospital. </p> <p>Now, Farnham's sons Robert and James have shared an update on their father's health, praising his bravery and strength throughout his lengthy health battle. </p> <p>Speaking with <a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/aww" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Australian Women's Weekly</em></a>, the men shared their admiration for their father's positive attitude. </p> <p>"You have to keep positive and not get bogged down," Robert told the publication. "It's cruel and brutal but they're the cards you're dealt in life and cancer doesn't care who you are."</p> <p>Robert said that both he and James are "really proud" of their father for his resilience in the face of such a devastating health blow.</p> <p>When Farnham was admitted to hospital for a respiratory infection in March, his family confirmed that he was undergoing treatment. </p> <p>"He is comfortable and receiving the very best care," a statement, released by his wife Jill, read.</p> <p>"John continues his recovery following last year's successful surgery," she said. "He's always been a strong and determined person with everything he's ever done and we are all so very proud of him. He is responding well to the specialist care he's receiving."</p> <p>"The family would like re-iterate their appreciation for all the medical staff that have attended to John over the past 6 months and for all the kind messages that been received from across Australia and the world."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Tracy Grimshaw shares "brutal" sexist advice she received

<p>Tracy Grimshaw has shared the sexist advice she received when she began her first job in the media industry. </p> <p>The <em>A Current Affair</em> presenter spoke with talkback radio host Ray Hadley on Wednesday morning, and opened up about a "brutal" comment she received when she was just 21-years-old. </p> <p>Speaking about her first job as a journalist, she said, "Cameramen are quite brutal, quite blunt they certainly don't pull any punches."</p> <p>"This guy said to me, 'You should marry that rich boyfriend that you've got because you're not gonna have a long career because you certainly won't be here when you're 40'."</p> <p>The TV presenter revealed that the advice didn't put her off, since she had already decided her career in TV was unlikely to be long-term.</p> <p>"I'm 21 years old and I am thinking 'well 40 is pretty ancient, well I want to be out the door when I'm 40 I reckon'."</p> <p>"And then I kinda liked it."</p> <p>Grimshaw, who is now 62, stayed in the TV journalism industry and spent 41 years on camera, with the last 17 years spent in the hosting chair of <em>A Current Affair</em>. </p> <p>In September, she <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/tracy-grimshaw-s-huge-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> this would be her last year at <em>ACA</em>, saying she was "tired" from doing "shift work".</p> <p>Despite the sexism she encountered when first entering the industry, Grimshaw believed the media had "changed" during her time and questioned whether affirmative action was now needed to correct any gender imbalance.</p> <p>"We should get work on merit," she said.</p> <p>"We shouldn't get a job based on gender and we shouldn't lose a job based on gender either."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

TV

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Karl Stefanovic's brutal verdict on Meghan Markle's emotional funeral display

<p>Karl Stefanovic has shared his brutal thoughts on Meghan Markle's emotional display at Queen Elizabeth's funeral. </p> <p>Covering the Queen's final farewell in London, the Today host couldn't resist taking a swipe at his least favourite royal as the coverage of the high-profile event started rolling in. </p> <p>As the Duchess of Sussex was seen wiping tears from under her eye, Karl made the outlandish claim that she wasn't actually crying. </p> <p>Stefanovic made clear his verdict on Meghan's public display of emotion, emphasising the word "apparently", which didn't go unnoticed by his co-host Allison Langdon.</p> <p>The moment occurred while Stefanovic and Langdon were speaking to royal photographer Chris Jackson outside Buckingham Palace as the day of the funeral drew to a close. </p> <p>Karl noted how several photos from the funeral were open to interpretation, particularly in regard to whether certain members of the royal family were crying, going on to imply that pictures of Meghan wiping away tears were perhaps misleading.</p> <p>"There's been lots of photos around and interpretations of photos and reading into photos [meanings] that may or may not be true," he said.</p> <p>"There's a couple of Meghan, um, with a tear running down her face - apparently - and also even one of Princess Charlotte that everyone was saying she was crying, and we don't know if it was true or not."</p> <p>As Stefanovic cast doubt on Meghan's tearful display with the word 'apparently', Langdon smiled nervously then offered him a knowing look.</p> <p>Meghan wept as she watched Queen Elizabeth II's coffin being carried out of Westminster Abbey in London on Monday evening, as she stood alongside other members of the royal family. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Today show, Twitter</em></p>

TV

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Brutalism is back with a luxury twist

<p dir="ltr">Known for bold lines, stark colours and minimalist designs, brutalism has come back into the fore, this time with some added luxury.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the hallmarks of the controversial architectural trend remain - think clean lines, a colour scheme featuring grey, and concrete as a material of choice - this new iteration emphases beauty and comfort.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We call this look Brutal Beauty - it celebrates the popular architectural and interior aesthetic of Brutalism, but in a more inviting and appealing way," Heather Nette King, an interior stylist and style ambassador for Carpet Court, explains.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Designers and architects are putting a contemporary spin on the Brutalist aesthetic by using raw concrete in new and inventive ways – think kitchen islands, furniture, benchtops, cabinetry and even home accessories. And they’re introducing contrasting materials, such as beautiful, textured fabrics and luxurious metallics, to add softness and elegance. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-2d627624-7fff-1ab1-b9c5-23ce5303706d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a celebration of contrasts, resulting in homes that speak of minimalism, yet feel refined, sophisticated and supremely comfortable."</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/brutal-beauty1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The revived trend of Brutalism, known as Brutal Beauty, features raw concrete, minimalist design, and luxurious accents. Image: Carpet Court</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Using raw concrete as a primary design element has surged in recent years according to King, appearing in new builds and extensions across the country.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It speaks of strength, authenticity and our growing desire to live more simply – the idea of building once and building well," she adds.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As a look, Brutal Beauty works particularly well in new dwellings or contemporary renovations where architectural ornamentation is quite minimal."</p> <p dir="ltr">If you're thinking of incorporating some aspects of Brutal Beauty into your home, Nette King has four top tips to help you out.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Rein in the colours</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">When it comes to Brutalism and colour, a minimal selection is best. Nette King recommends setting the mood of your home with layers and light and dark greys across your flooring and upholstery, accented with bold black art and accessories.</p> <p dir="ltr">To keep your spaces feeling open and bright, she suggests using white on your walls and ceilings.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Opt for furniture with strong, sculptured lines</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-93a56779-7fff-5bc2-9187-741697291df2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Brutalism is all about defined lines and minimalism, which you can embrace with minimalist seating and coffee and dining tables with simple, curved lines.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/08/brutal-beauty2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Bold artworks, a limited colour palette and furniture with simple, curved lines are hallmarks of Brutal Beauty. Image: Carpet Court</em></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Comfort is key</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Unlike its predecessor, luxury and comfort are key considerations. Nette King suggests furnishing your spaces with deep-seated sofas, upholstered bedheads and tactile bedlinen to emphasise the sense of luxury.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Add warmth with timber</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">With critics of Brutalism describing its limited colour scheme as cold, selecting cabinetry or furniture featuring rich timber tones, such as walnut, can help you avoid this and create some cosiness in your home.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7184a3fb-7fff-abfd-6a92-f9e434229287"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Carpet Court</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Shocking footage shows brutal baseball attack on police officer

<p dir="ltr">Body-cam footage of a baseball bat attack on two Victorian police officers has emerged in court, with one of the officers telling the court he would have died if not for his partner’s intervention.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video shows an altercation between officers Rowan Baldham and William Ringin, a teenage boy, and Warrnambool man Steven Cleary in October last year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Baldham and Ringin can be seen questioning the teen about why he wasn’t wearing a mask amid Victoria’s COVID-19 restrictions, when Cleary pulls over and emerges from his car with a baseball bat.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cleary then yells at the boy to “pick up your bags and go” and tells police to “get your hands off him”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The situation escalates when the teenager allegedly reaches for Ringin’s gun, while Cleary begins hitting Baldham with the bat several times before Ringin manages to wrestle it from Cleary’s hands.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 21-year-old officer then hits Cleary with the bat before he is eventually capsicum sprayed and tasered by both officers.</p> <p dir="ltr">After Cleary is cuffed and taken away in another police vehicle, the body-cam footage shows Baldham sitting on the curb with blood streaming down the side of his head.</p> <p dir="ltr">Appearing in court on Wednesday, Cleary pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including affray, causing injury intentionally, and assaulting an emergency worker on duty, per <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/news/crime-melbourne/shock-moment-police-officer-is-bashed-with-a-baseball-bat-during-confrontation-over-masks-c-7587408" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Both officers were also present, with an emotional Baldham breaking down when he saw the shocking footage again.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hearing the sound I made when I’m hit is the worst bit for me,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t know I was capable of making such a sound.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He told the court he was “convinced” he would have died if his partner hadn’t stepped in to help.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am convinced that without his intervention – I would have been beaten to death,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cleary, who is due to be sentenced on Friday, suffered from a delusional mental illness which he wasn’t being treated for, according to his lawyer, and at the time of the incident believed in Covid conspiracy theories.</p> <p dir="ltr">The two officers had planned to serve in the police for life, but are considering leaving following the incident.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d8bca054-7fff-c2ea-625b-3004fdd77ef6"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

Legal

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"Arrogant" Prince Harry's brutal royal snub

<p>In a brand new tell-all interview, Prince Harry has snubbed the Queen and the royal family several times. </p> <p>While in The Netherlands for the Invictus Games, the Duke of Sussex sat down for an exclusive interview on US television. </p> <p>Harry opened up about his "special relationship" with the Queen, and admitted to missing his family while living in the states. </p> <p>However, he appears to have also snubbed his family five times with some off-handed comments throughout the interview. </p> <p>Here's how.</p> <p><strong>Uncertainly over the Jubilee</strong></p> <p>Prince Harry refused to say whether he would be returning to the UK in order to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June, which will honour her 70 years on the throne. </p> <p>Instead, he said making the trip would be difficult due to his ongoing disagreements with the UK government over his security. </p> <p>When asked whether he will return to the UK for the celebrations, Harry said, “I don’t know if I’ll come. There are lots of issues with security and everything else.”</p> <p><strong>Missing Lilibet</strong></p> <p>Harry told US journalist Hoda Kotb that the Queen hasn't met his daughter Lilibet yet, despite him visiting the UK twice since she was born. </p> <p>But with his uncertainty around returning for the jubilee, it is unlikely Her Majesty will get to meet her namesake any time soon.</p> <p>Harry said, “I’m trying to do everything to make sure my kids can meet her.”</p> <p><strong>His new home in America</strong></p> <p>Two years after leaving the UK to relocate to America, Prince Harry seems to have firmly cemented himself in the States. </p> <p>He praised his neighbours in the Montecito area of Santa Barbara in California for welcoming his family.</p> <p>Harry said, “Home for me now, for the time being, is in the States and it feels that way as well."</p> <p>“We’ve been welcomed with open arms and we have such a great community up in Santa Barbara.”</p> <p><strong>His "special relationship" with the Queen</strong></p> <p>During the interview, Harry gushed over his "special relationship" with his grandmother. </p> <p>He said she is able to open up with him as a confidant, which gives her "peace".</p> <p>Harry said, “We have a really special relationship."</p> <p>“We talk about things that she can’t talk about with anybody else, so that is always a nice peace to her.”</p> <p><strong>Protective grandson</strong></p> <p>The Duke reveals that he wants the "right people" around the Queen, as his strained relationship with other members of the royal family continues. </p> <p>He said, “Being with her, it was great. It was just so nice to see her. You know, she’s on great form."</p> <p>“She has always got a great sense of humour with me and I’m just making sure she’s protected and has got the right people around her.”</p> <p>Royal experts branded his misguided remark a “gross insult” to his family that showed his “arrogance”.</p> <p>Author Angela Levin remarked, “His comment on US TV is a gross insult to all the royal family, the royal doctors and all the aides around HM. His arrogance knows no bounds.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Karl Stefanovic slams Scott Morrison with brutal election comments

<p>Karl Stefanovic has grilled Prime Minister Scott Morrison over his approach to the upcoming federal election, calling into question his "character" and "uninspiring" campaign pitch. </p> <p>Appearing on the Today show on Monday morning, the host made the dig at the PM, whose government is trailing in the polls and facing an uphill task to retain power at the May 21st election.</p> <p>"If this election is based on character which is a pretty easy task for Labor, you lose don't you?" Karl asked.</p> <p>ScoMo brushed off the question not knowing how to answer, and instead took the opportunity to champion the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, while slating his opponent Anthony Albanese. </p> <p>"This guy, no-one knows really what he's about, what he stands for or what his plans are and if you can't do that, he's had three years to tell the Australian people what he's about and they still don't know," he said.</p> <p>"I've got a strong team that's delivered for Australia, kept us strong."</p> <p>"What it would need is continued strength in leadership not the weakness on economic management and each-way bet we've seen from those who oppose us."</p> <p>During his announcement of the election date, Scott Morrison claimed that the upcoming poll was about the voters and not him, but also defended his approach to leading Australia. </p> <p>"My character, I'm happy to stand by every single day," he said. "Every single day because it's the strength that we've needed to get through this pandemic."</p> <p>"Not everybody agrees with everything I've done and not everybody will necessarily like me."</p> <p>Stefanovic called the Prime Minister's election campaign uninspiring, summarising the Coalition's re-election pitch as "we've made mistakes, but stick with us".</p> <p>The prime minister was eager to cast this election as a case of "the devil you know" against Labor and Anthony Albanese, who remains an untested opposition. </p> <p>Mr Morrison has pulled ahead of Mr Albanese as preferred prime minister according to the latest Newspoll.</p> <p>The Newspoll conducted for <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/newspoll" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Australian</a> showed Mr Albanese fell three points to 39 per cent while Mr Morrison rose a point to 44 per cent.</p> <p>The survey showed Labor's primary vote dropping further to 37 per cent, just a point ahead of that of the Coalition.</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Today Show - Nine </em></p>

News

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Karl's brutal budget day blow

<p>Karl Stefanovic unleashed on the Morrison government on the Today Show on Tuesday morning with a brutal budget day slam, accusing them of spending like “drunken sailors” ahead of the election.</p> <p>Appeared on the Today Show to spruik the government’s economic management ahead of Tuesday evening’s budget announcement, Finance Minister Simon Birmingham claimed Australians had experienced “lower levels of government spending” – and this caused Stefanovic to fire back.</p> <p>“Sorry, where do you get lower levels of spending from?” Stefanovic said.</p> <p>Senator Birmingham went on to insist that the amount of spending had seen a “nominal reduction”.</p> <p>“We've been very careful to make sure that we actually squirrelled away and saved some of the dividends of the stronger economy,” he said.</p> <p>Dealing with the aftershock of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the rising costing of living in Australia, it is expected our government will spend around $2.5 billion to address these pressures.</p> <p>Senator Birmingham said the measures, such as a one-off $250 payment to low-income workers and a reduction in the fuel excise, have been designed to get Australians through this transitional period.</p> <p>“We will also have a very comprehensive package of measures to support Australians through these temporary shocks,” he told the ABC.</p> <p>But the Australian Council of Social Services’ Cassandra Goldie said it won’t be enough.</p> <p>“It's not going to make enough of a difference,” she told Sky News.</p> <p>“For people on low and modest incomes, we need to lift the income so that you’ve got more cash in your hand and not as a one off payment.</p> <p>“That's not going to cover the cost of essentials week after week after week.”</p> <p>Treasurer Josh Frydenberg conceded cost of living pressures was the “number one topic” for Australians.</p> <p>“There are real pressures right now on Australians,” he told reporters in Canberra.</p> <p>“This is a responsible budget with temporary targeted measures designed to ease the cost of living pressures now, but importantly a long-term economic plan to create more jobs.”</p> <p>The Treasurer’s fourth budget is expected to predict unemployment in Australia could drop to as low as 3.75% by September.</p> <p>However, Deloitte Access Economics partner Chris Richardson said workers shouldn’t expect their wages to rise anytime soon.</p> <p>“The job news is good for a handful of people. The weak spot is wages,” the budget expert told Sunrise.</p> <p>“(Employers) have more reasons now to pay higher wages anytime since the mid-1970s. They are absolutely desperate for workers.</p> <p>“But wage growth in Australia, it lifts slowly. So yes it will improve, just don’t hold your breath.”</p> <p><em>Image: The Today Show</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Brutally honest housemate ad applauded

<p dir="ltr">A man has been praised online for his brutally honest advertisement for a roommate, in which he laid out some very specific ground rules for potential tenants.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man from Perth posted the ad on the Perth Buy And Sell Western Australia Facebook group, stating he “really really didn’t want a housemate” but needed someone to share the rent so he could “save for a motorbike”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to list the many traits he wanted in his future housemate, which included someone who smokes outside, “no paedophiles” and a preferably introverted roommate who largely kept to themselves. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I really really don’t want a housemate, especially someone who talks too much or who has lots of visitors,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Prefer someone who just wants to use the room to set up a lan for computer hacking 9-5 or FIFO workers 4/1.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“No eye contact or boring ‘polite’ casual conversations.”</p> <p dir="ltr">On offer in the home was one large room with high ceilings, unlimited internet, with access to a large contained backyard complete with a lemon and orange tree, with the rent also enticingly priced at $165 a week.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also went on to say the prospective roommate could grow marijuana or magic mushrooms in the backyard but only “if you share”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man who shared the ad has been praised online for being “refreshingly honest” and upfront, with many commenters appreciating his transparency. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Best room to rent ad ever. Expectations and boundaries laid upfront,” one woman wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">It is as yet unclear if the man has found a roommate that meets his list of demands to move in with him – but we sure hope so. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em></p>

Real Estate

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Woman brutally dumped after donating an organ to her partner

<p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p> <p>Donating a kidney to somebody in need is not an easy decision. But when a young woman named Colleen had the chance to change her boyfriend’s life six years ago, she didn’t think twice about donating the vital organ.</p> <p>In a series of viral videos, the TikTok star explained how she made the decision to have the procedure to save his life according to<span> </span><em>The Sun.</em></p> <p>When they first got together, Colleen said her boyfriend had been upfront about how he’d been struggling with chronic kidney disease since the age of 17. This meant he had to be on dialysis and his kidneys functioned at just 5% at average capacity.</p> <p>She explained: “I decided to get tested to see if we were a match because I didn’t want to watch him die.” Luckily for the couple, the surgeries went well and both parties recovered.</p> <p>But while you’d naturally assume the man would be eternally grateful to his girlfriend for what she did for him, he then cheated on her seven months later.</p> <p>In a follow-up video, Colleen explained how her ex-boyfriend told her he was going to Las Vegas for a bachelor party with some guys in his church. At the time, the TikToker was in a busy exam period and trusted her boyfriend completely so didn’t think anything of it.</p> <p>Until he turned up on her doorstep and confessed to cheating.</p> <p>“A lot of arguments later, I eventually forgave him and gave him a second chance,” she said. However, three months later the now ex brutally dumped Colleen over the phone.</p> <p>She claims he said: “If we are meant for each other, God will bring us back together in the end.”</p> <p>Unfortunately, the break-up only got messier from there, when her ex told her: “You only donated your kidney to look good”.</p>

Relationships

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