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Revenge, excitement, or profit: why do people commit arson?

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/xanthe-mallett-160506">Xanthe Mallett</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joel-robert-mcgregor-369270">Joel Robert McGregor</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>The huge blaze that struck Randle Street in central Sydney last week is now the subject of an <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8210175/teens-sought-by-police-over-massive-sydney-cbd-blaze/">arson investigation</a>, authorities have confirmed.</p> <p>Many details remain unclear, including the safety and whereabouts of some of the people who were <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-27/wall-in-sydney-building-moves-after-major-fire/102401470">reportedly sleeping rough in the building</a>, as well as the nature of any criminal charges that may arise.</p> <p>Right now there’s also a fire burning on a southern Great Barrier Reef island, threatening a sensitive marine site, which local rangers are <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-30/rangers-battle-suspicious-fire-on-great-barrier-reef-island/102408970">treating as suspicious</a>.</p> <p>While arson is yet to be confirmed in either of these specific cases, it’s timely to look at the issue of arson more generally.</p> <p>Aside from the personal and environmental implications, the financial burden of arson is huge. Recent data are difficult to obtain, although it was estimated that the total cost of arson in Australia was <a href="https://www.aic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-05/rpp129.pdf">A$2.3 billion in 2011</a>, and the annual figure is likely to have increased since then.</p> <p>There’s a lack of scientific research attempting to understand the arsonist, perhaps because the “typical arsonist” doesn’t exist. Or maybe it’s because so few arsons are solved, and the rate of successful convictions remains low.</p> <p>However, the research that has been done suggests there are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B012369397700203X">six main</a> <a href="https://www.firehouse.com/community-risk/investigation-equipment/article/10464930/arson-investigation-the-six-motives-for-firesetting">types of</a> <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shelby-Miller-8/publication/342276745_Applications_of_Criminology_to_the_Multidimensional_Crime_of_Arson/links/5eeb748092851ce9e7ecad80/Applications-of-Criminology-to-the-Multidimensional-Crime-of-Arson.pdf">arsonist</a>.</p> <h2>6 types of arsonist</h2> <p>Arson, as <a href="https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/bfab/bfab1#:%7E:text=Arson%20is%20the%20act%20of,through%20the%20use%20of%20fire">defined</a> by the Australian Institute of Criminology, is the act of “intentionally and maliciously destroying or damaging property through the use of fire”.</p> <p>For a fire to be classified as arson there must be intent – the intention to cause harm or damage.</p> <p>Arson can also be the primary or secondary motive – is setting the fire the main purpose, or is the fire being used to disguise another activity?</p> <p>Here are the main six underlying reasons why someone might commit arson:</p> <p><strong>1. The ‘for profit’ arsonist</strong></p> <p>There are many ways someone can profit from arson. This includes extortion, or destroying a property to clear a piece of land. But most commonly these crimes are attempts at insurance fraud.</p> <p>There are different types of property insurance fraud, including residential, commercial and vehicular. Residential fraud is committed by the homeowner or tenant; commercial fraud is committed by an owner to destroy company statements or claim on insurance; and vehicular fraud may occur when someone can’t afford their repayments.</p> <p>These are largely one-off crimes and are very focused, and the offender is easier to catch than with other types of arson because they have a direct link with the damaged property or its owner.</p> <p><strong>2. Pyromaniacs</strong></p> <p>These perpetrators light fires for thrills and attention. Their fires range from bins to occupied buildings, and the size and risk associated with the fires may increase over time as the arsonist needs more excitement with each event.</p> <p>This type of offender is often voyeuristic, and may wait for emergency services to attend, sometimes even calling them themselves, as they want to be present at the scene. They may video or photograph the fire and the first responders.</p> <p>As a result, for investigators it’s important to capture images of the crowd to see who was watching.</p> <p>This category includes first responders who set fires in order to be a “hero” in attendance, seeking praise and recognition for their bravery.</p> <p>For example, a New South Wales volunteer firefighter was charged in January 2021 for allegedly <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/rfs-member-charged-with-lighting-30-fires-in-nsw-20210124-p56wei.html">starting more than 30 fires</a> during that summer.</p> <p><strong>3. Crime concealment</strong></p> <p>For these offenders, the arson is secondary to the concealment of another serious crime, such as murder or theft.</p> <p>Fire is a very successful means of destroying many forms of evidence, such as fingerprints that may have been left at a scene or clothing worn during the crime.</p> <p><strong>4. The revenge arsonist</strong></p> <p>These offenders are emotionally driven, and set fires out of anger or hatred, or for revenge for a real or perceived wrong. The need for retaliation could be based in a personal slight – such as an affair, or having been dismissed from a job.</p> <p>Targets vary from individuals to institutions. And because of the emotional state of the offender, these crimes are usually disorganised and use unsophisticated methods of starting the fire, meaning they leave more evidence behind than some other types.</p> <p><strong>5. Extremist motivations</strong></p> <p>Extremist arsonists are driven by religious, political or social agendas.</p> <p>There are two types of extremist arsonist, the first being those reacting to a civil disturbance, such as the death of a person in custody. Activities may include vandalism and looting, and the purpose may be to draw attention to a perceived injustice.</p> <p>For example, 36-year-old Jose A. Felan Jr was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison in the United States after he <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/jose-felan-36-gets-6-12-years-in-prison-for-multiple-arsons-during-george-floyd-unrest/">set fires</a> at a school and two shops, during the riots that followed the police killing of George Floyd during an arrest in May 2020.</p> <p>The second type are terrorist arsonists, known as pyro-terrorism, which is <a href="https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/pyro-terrorism-threat-arson-induced-forest-fires-future-terrorist">defined</a> as “the use of incendiary attacks to intimidate or coerce a government or civilian population”. These offenders may use arson as one of a range of measures, and work alone or in cells.</p> <p>Because their crimes are premeditated with targets selected carefully to have the most social, economic or political impact, these offenders are often highly organised, and may use advanced incendiary devices. The purpose is to cause mass fear, beyond the actual target itself.</p> <p><strong>6. Vandalism</strong></p> <p>Vandal arsonists are typically juveniles, who set fire to bins, abandoned vehicles or empty buildings, and may do so to cover up other crimes such as theft. Often an additional factor in the starting of the fire is peer pressure or gang initiation, as these arsonists often act in groups.</p> <p>For these offenders, arson can be what criminologists call a “gateway crime” – a crime that may lead to more severe criminal activity.</p> <p>But if such offenders are given suitable support, rehabilitation can be highly successful to prevent them becoming serious, repeat offenders.</p> <p>Although these are the main motives for arson, each does not act in a vacuum, and more than one may jointly contribute to the arsonist’s motivations. For example, someone may be murdered out of revenge, and then the offender sets a fire to conceal that crime or destroy evidence.</p> <p>Arson is highly complex crime, with a wide range of social, psychological and environmental influences. More work needs to be done to understand the arsonist and their motivations, and how they can be identified, caught, convicted and hopefully rehabilitated.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206502/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/xanthe-mallett-160506">Xanthe Mallett</a>, Forensic Criminologist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joel-robert-mcgregor-369270">Joel Robert McGregor</a>, Lecturer in Criminology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/revenge-excitement-or-profit-why-do-people-commit-arson-206502">original article</a>.</em></p>

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6 signs of commitment issues, from 4 psychology experts

<h2>Do you know someone with a fear of commitment?</h2> <p>Commitment may be the most critical component of successful long-term relationships. After all, says Lawrence Josephs, PhD, a professor at the Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University, New York: The more committed you are, the more stable, successful relationship you’ll have.</p> <p>Commitment is a decision, Dr Josephs says. It moves you and your partner beyond the initial chemistry that propelled you into the relationship in the first place to stay bonded after the initial period of bliss diffuses.</p> <p>John Lydon, PhD, a professor of psychology at McGill University in Montreal, explains: “Commitment is the general motivation to maintain one’s relationship.”</p> <p>Know somebody who seems like they could be lacking that motivation? Here are some tell-tell ways to recognise a fear of commitment – even in yourself.</p> <h2>Why does someone fear commitment?</h2> <p>Jessy Levin, PhD, a psychologist, says the reasons an individual is averse to commitment can vary, and some commitment-avoidant people may have more than just one of these reasons. Dr Levin adds that some people just don’t want to be in a long-term monogamous relationship ever.</p> <p>But how come? Well, says Dr Josephs, some people fear commitment because it implies responsibilities. Those may be financial: Maybe they’re not so keen on the idea of paying for two at dinner, the thought of buying gifts for holidays or birthdays, or they’re not interested in the thought of one day raising children (which typically demands financial stability and investment). Maybe they just loathe the idea of having to be somewhere on time for plans you’ve made.</p> <p>Other times, it may be a question of becoming more mature; more willing to shift one’s time and focus away from solely their own interests.</p> <p>You may have also had a brush with a case when an individual’s unwillingness to commit has been rooted in their childhood. Early family dynamics and previous trauma can play a role, says Matt Cohen, PhD, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina. “We are driven by a such a rich tapestry of our own histories,” Dr Cohen observes. “So many things impact how we show up in a relationship.”</p> <h2>Inability to compromise</h2> <p>Relationships, especially long-term ones, require give and take. Your partner hates musicals. You counted down weeks to the premiere of tick, tick…BOOM! In a healthy, balanced relationship, they’d need to be willing to subject themselves, at least sometimes, to your interests that they don’t particularly share.</p> <p>But what signifies actual commitment phobia? “A commitment is a willingness to sacrifice for the team,” says Dr Josephs. “Pay attention to how your partner deals with not getting his or her own way.” Put simply: If someone is consistently unwilling to compromise, that’s a sign they might not be prime long-term partner material.</p> <p>In that case, you might be called to decide: Is an inability to compromise one of your relationship deal breakers?</p> <h2>Being self-centred</h2> <p>Dr Josephs says being overly self-focused goes hand-in-hand with an unwillingness to compromise. “People who are high in narcissism have problems with commitment,” says Dr Josephs. “They’re more likely to feel that the grass is greener in other places. They put their own needs ahead of others.”</p> <p>Ever known anybody like that? It’s possible identity was also part of the issue. Dr Lydon explains: “When people define themselves in terms of their relationship, they are motivated to think and behave in ways that help sustain the relationship.” If you’d prefer a commitment, a suitable partner is likely someone who doesn’t just show the occasional behaviour that they care – instead, their love for you is a practice; a way of being for them every day. You’re an intrinsic part of their world, of their days – something so obvious that you’d barely think to question it.</p> <h2>Angering easily</h2> <p>At times, anger can be productive and even healthy for the relationship if it’s expressed appropriately, as it tells others that it is important to listen to us. Keeping the lines of communication open is necessary to maintain intimacy.</p> <p>Still, it might be a sign of wavering commitment if a person’s concern with their own self-interests leads to anger or frustration whenever they don’t get their way. “Some people are hypersensitive to rejection and abandonment, and if they’re disappointed, might respond in an angry retaliatory way,” says Dr Josephs. Tolerating abusive or violent words or behaviour? That’s a no.</p> <h2>Problems dealing with adversity</h2> <p>Adversity is sometimes the “stress test” for commitment, says Dr Lydon. “A person may say they are committed because they are highly satisfied and everything is going wonderfully, but will they stick with it when life presents some challenges to the relationship?” says Dr Lydon.</p> <p>Committed people stick with you through the good times and the bad. In fact, some couples find their partner shines – and even grows more lovable – when times are tough, and they weather through together.</p> <h2>Prior history of troubled relationships</h2> <p>Relationship history can provide clues about a person’s ability to stay in a long-term relationship. This can include past family relationships, lovers, or even platonic friends.</p> <p>There is often an association between a history of trauma and difficulty with intimacy and commitment. However, because some people with traumatic pasts still experience stable personal relationships, this factor alone doesn’t indicate a lack of commitment, according to Dr Cohen.</p> <h2>Being distracted</h2> <p>A seemingly distracted partner could signal someone who is not committed, says Dr Levin. An example might be observing that they back off from physical and sexual contact, not making dates in advance, or being emotionally withdrawn. “If a person is going through the motions in a lacklustre way, that’s a pretty good clue that they haven’t come to a place where they’re committed,” says Dr Josephs.</p> <h2>What to do if your love interest seems non-committal</h2> <p>Don’t lose heart if all these signs point to the likelihood that you or your partner lacks a desire to commit. If you’re in a dating situation and this is the case, clarifying that you’re on two different pages may offer the opportunity to allow each other to pursue the life you each truly crave. “A relationship has to meet the needs of each person,” Dr Levin says.</p> <p>And if you’re the one who’s not big on coupling up but you’d like to work on allowing a loving partnership into your life, therapy can be a great place to start.</p> <h2>Can you make someone commit?</h2> <p>The ultimate question for many dating people: Can you get someone to commit? Dr Levin suggests that in some cases, it may be possible for two people to commit equally to the relationship, even if one hasn’t been fully onboard. He alludes that it takes a mutual willingness to wade gently together out of the non-committal partner’s comfort zone, but a heads-up: This requires each person to communicate their needs, and to support the other.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/6-signs-of-commitment-issues-from-4-psychology-experts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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Meghan "embarrassed" Prince Harry by committing faux pas

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Meghan Markle "embarrassed" Prince Harry by announcing that she was pregnant on Princess Eugenie's wedding day in new claims in this fiery book.</p> <p>The Duchess of Sussex allegedly told the Royal Family that she was pregnant with the pair's first child at the wedding in October 2018, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11984341/meghan-markle-embarrassed-prince-harry-by-announcing-pregnancy/" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink"><em>The Sun</em></a><em>.</em></p> <p>The Duke of Sussex was reportedly left reeling when his wife announced the pregnancy at the wedding.</p> <p>In the new book <em>Royals at War</em>, authors Andy Tillett and Dylan Howard claimed that Eugenie and her mother Sarah Ferguson were "furious" at Meghan's decision.</p> <p>“Meghan put her foot in it when she decided that it would be the ideal moment to announce that she and Harry were expecting their first child,” the pair wrote.</p> <p>“This was a huge social gaffe, even if you were not a royal – stealing the limelight from Eugenie, who was furious, as was her mother, Sarah.”</p> <p>Royal insiders have previously denied this claim.</p> <p>According to <em>Bazaar.com</em>, The Sussex's told the Queen and Prince Philip, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall and Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank before the wedding.</p> <p>However, the public announcement of Meghan's pregnancy on social media as Twitter users noticed that Sarah Ferguson posted a picture of Eugenie's wedding at the same time.</p> <p>The book also claims that Prince Harry is "secretly tortured" over his decision to leave the Royal Family, with his feelings made worse as his father, Prince Charles, tested positive for coronavirus.</p> <p>“On top of it all, he’s got cabin fever," an insider claimed.</p> <p>“It was far from an ideal situation. Harry’s gone from feeling excited about the move to feeling secretly tortured.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Are you committing a crime by importing cigarettes into Australia?

<p>The tax on tobacco in Australia is astronomical, pushing the average price of a cigarette packet beyond forty dollars in recent months.</p> <p>The tax has been justified on public health grounds, and has been partially responsible for significantly reducing the consumption of tobacco products in Australia.</p> <p>The tax has been accompanied by a range of restrictions on the importation of tobacco products, with the number of cigarettes that a person can bring into the country without a permit being reduced from 200 just a few years ago, to one unopened packet of up to 25 cigarettes and one open packet of up to 25 cigarettes.</p> <p>Restrictions have also been placed over the years on the use of tobacco, with prohibitions on a range of venues and public places.</p> <p>The exorbitant price of tobacco has contributed to a <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/cheap-cigarettes-available-over-the-internet/">thriving black market</a>, with many arranging for the importation of products by mail and others packing it into their luggage.</p> <p>And while many feel there’s little wrong with bringing a few extra packs into the country, the law says something completely different.</p> <p><strong>The law on importing tobacco products</strong></p> <p>Since 1 July 2019, tobacco products including cigarettes, loose leaf tobacco, shisha/molasses tobacco and ‘heat not burn’ tobacco <a href="https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/categories/tobacco">have been classified as prohibited imports</a>, which means it is a criminal offence to import them in the mail. A permit is required to import them otherwise.</p> <p>A permit is not required to import cigars or up to 1.5 kilograms of chewing tobacco and snuffs intended for oral use, provided duties and taxes are paid.</p> <p>Travellers into Australia do not require a permit to import tobacco products in personal effects, provided they are 18 years or older, declare the product/s upon arrival and pay duties and taxes. Permission is, however, required from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commissioner to bring in more than 1.5 kilograms of chewing tobacco or snuff.</p> <p>Travellers who contravene these rules are subject to having their visas cancelled, being issued with infringement notices (fines) or being criminally prosecuted.</p> <p><strong>Criminal offences</strong></p> <p><a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/criminal/legislation/customs-act/smuggling-tobacco-products/">Section 233BABAD of the Customs Act 1901</a> (Cth) sets out four separate criminal offences which relate to tobacco products.</p> <p>Subsection (1) prescribes a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for ‘importing tobacco goods’ with ‘the intention of defrauding the revenue’.</p> <p>The offence applies, for example, where a person brings tobacco products into the country in breach of the rules or arranges for their importation in the mail.</p> <p>Subsection (2) sets the same maximum penalty for possessing or conveying tobacco products in the knowledge that they were imported with the intention to defraud the revenue.</p> <p>The offence applies to those who receive or transport tobacco products for which they know duties and taxes haven’t been paid.</p> <p>In addition to prison, those who are guilty under subsection (1) or (2) are subject to fines equivalent to up to five times the amount of the applicable duty or, if the court is unable to determine that duty, a maximum of 1,000 penalty units (currently $210,000).</p> <p>Subsection (2A) prescribes a maximum penalty of five years behind bars for importing tobacco products in circumstances where the person is reckless as to whether there would be a defrauding of the revenue.</p> <p>A person is ‘reckless’ for the purposes of the subsection if they were aware it was likely that there would be a defrauding but went ahead with their actions regardless.</p> <p>And subsection (2B) sets the same 5 year maximum penalty for possessing or conveying tobacco products where the person is reckless as to whether they were imported with the intention to defraud the revenue.</p> <p>A person is ‘reckless’ if they were aware it was likely that the products were imported with the intention to defraud but went ahead with their actions regardless.</p> <p>In addition to prison, those who are guilty under subsection (2A) or (2B) are subject to fines equivalent to up to three times the amount of the applicable duty or, if the court is unable to determine that duty, a maximum of 500 penalty units (currently $105,000).</p> <p>For the purposes of the Act, ‘tobacco products’ are broadly defined as including:</p> <ul> <li>Unmanufactured tobacco and tobacco refuse,</li> <li>Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of tobacco and tobacco substitutes, and</li> <li>Other manufactured tobacco and substitutes, extracts and essences, including water pipe tobacco.</li> </ul> <p>See <a href="http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ca1901124/s4.html">section 4 of the Customs Act</a> which refers to <a href="http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/cth/consol_act/cta1995178/sch3.html">Schedule 3 of the Customs Traffic Act 1995</a>.</p> <p>Going to Court for an Offence Involving Tobacco Products?</p> <p>If you have been charged with an offence involving tobacco, call <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/">Sydney Criminal Lawyers</a> anytime on (02) 9261 8881 to arrange a free first conference with an experienced defence lawyer who will advise you of your options and the best way forward, and fight to ensure you receive the optimal outcome.</p> <p><em>Written by Ugur Nedim. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/is-it-a-crime-to-import-cigarettes-into-australia/">Sydney Criminal Lawyers.</a></em></p>

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Hugh Jackman reveals: The “pretty simple but powerful choice” that saved my marriage

<p>Hugh Jackman, 50 and his wife, Deborra-lee Furness, 63, are one of Hollywood’s most successful couples.</p> <p>Jackman, who is currently in Australia on his<span> </span><em>The Man. The Music. The Show.</em><span> </span>tour, recently revealed the “simple but powerful choice” that he made to his wife back when they were younger and before they had children.</p> <p>In an extract from <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.the-father-hood.com/article/incoming-the-father-hood-book-is-ready-to-drop/" target="_blank"><em>The Father Hood: Inspiration for the New Dad Generation</em></a>, a new book about fatherhood with letters penned from various celebrities, Hugh made a pact with his wife. The extract was published in this week’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.who.com.au/" target="_blank">WHO</a> magazine.</p> <p>He wrote: <span>“Before we had kids, Deb and I made a pretty simple but powerful choice to look each other in the eye at every crossroads in life. Those crossroads are sometimes big, sometimes they're small, sometimes you don't even realise they are crossroads until you look back.</span></p> <p>“But at those moments, we said we'd ask each other, ‘Is this good or bad for our marriage?’ Or, now that we've got kids, ‘Is this good or bad for our family?’</p> <p>“And as often as possible, we do the thing that is good for our family.”</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/BzsaCAtn0Gz/" 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/BzsaCAtn0Gz/" target="_blank">When somebody loves you ... #mydebs</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/thehughjackman/" target="_blank"> Hugh Jackman</a> (@thehughjackman) on Jul 9, 2019 at 4:11am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jackman revealed to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://people.com/movies/hugh-jackman-says-intimacy-secret-to-long-marriage/" target="_blank">People Magazine</a> </em>that “intimacy” is key to a happy marriage.</p> <p>“Without a doubt, it is the most important thing.</p> <p>“People talk about intimacy and assume that means in the bedroom. Of course it is that, but really, intimacy is being able to share everything together – good, bad, fears, successes.</p> <p>“Deb and I had that from the beginning. We've always been completely ourselves with each other.”</p> <p>The book features chapters written by Osher Günsberg, Mark Wahlberg, Ben Stiller, David Beckham, Tim Cahill, John Krasinski, Steve "Commando" Willis and many more other prolific celebrities who explain how fatherhood has changed and shaped their lives.</p>

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Duchess Camilla commits fashion faux pas in front of the Queen

<p>The Commonwealth Day service held on Monday was believed to have caused a stir amongst guests as they watched both the Queen and the Duchess of Cornwall appear in seemingly matching outfits.</p> <p>The event marked the 70th anniversary of the modern Commonwealth which saw Queen Elizabeth and her royal brood all together again – that is the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.</p> <p>Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, looked stunning in a deep purple velvet Bruce Oldfield coat, with a matching hat decorated with vibrant feathers.</p> <p>However, what stole the show was not her deep violet ensemble – it was the fact Queen Elizabeth looked eerily similar to her daughter-in-law in an almost identical outfit.</p> <p>Queen Elizabeth’s outfit was a slightly lighter shade of purple, by private dresser Angela Kelly. The getup came off as characteristically regal and as bright as the Duchess’ – choosing to accessorise with her Kent Amethyst brooch, which included a necklace and earrings once owned by Queen Victoria.</p> <p>The fashion faux pas made by Duchess Camilla was not overlooked by the public who took to social media to not critique the royal member for the blunder but commend her fashion choices.</p> <p>“Camilla wins my vote. Queen’s purple is lovely as well,” one user quipped.</p> <p>“Not sure it matters. I bet the colours appeared more dissimilar in person. Camilla's seemed a bit more navy to me, the Queen more purple. They both looked wonderful,” another wrote.</p> <p>One royal fan took to Twitter to question how the fashion faux pas could have happened.</p> <p>“So, the double purple day (Camilla and The Queen) leads me again to wonder how much communication/coordination happens between the royal ladies prior to a joint appearance,” the user wrote.</p> <p>“Do their stylists work independently or consult the stylist of the higher-ranking lady?”</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the royal duo both in purple outfits at the same event.</p> <p>What do you think of the Duchess of Cornwall’s fashion faux pas? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Beauty & Style

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President Trump committed a royal faux pas during his visit with the Queen

<p>Following President Donald Trump’s visit with Queen Elizabeth II on Friday, royal fans are counting all the times he breached royal etiquette.</p> <p>Trump and First Lady Melania met with the Queen at Windsor for tea and to watch a military parade.</p> <p>A video on Twitter shows Trump walking ahead of Her Majesty as they walk through the grounds of Windsor Castle.</p> <p>The Queen appears to gesture Trump forward and then he paces a few steps forward before pausing, unsure of where she is.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"> </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Donald Trump inspects the Queen's Guards as they stand outside Windsor Castle <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrumpVisitUK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TrumpVisitUK</a> <a href="https://t.co/bRNrNHaMFM">https://t.co/bRNrNHaMFM</a> <a href="https://t.co/NXfUqKht0m">pic.twitter.com/NXfUqKht0m</a></p> — ITV News (@itvnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/itvnews/status/1017807802398584832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>The interaction was considered a faux pas by the President of the United States as it is considered rude to turn your back to the Queen or walk in front of her, reported the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em style="font-weight: inherit;">BBC</em></strong></span></a>.</p> <p>After footage of his mistake surfaced online, Brits defended the 92-year-old monarch.</p> <p>"Did Donald Trump just WALK IN FRONT OF THE QUEEN?!?!?!" asked one Twitter user.</p> <p>"I detested how Trump dared walk in front of the Queen today," wrote another.</p> <p>For the 70 years Prince Philip and the Queen have been married, the Duke of Edinburgh has always walked a few steps behind her when they appear together in public.</p> <p>Even Prime Ministers are familiar with this protocol – leaving the weekly audience with the monarch by backing out of the room without turning around.</p> <p>Trump was also criticised for not bowing to the Queen upon his arrival.</p> <p>Critics also said the president was late getting to the castle, forcing the Queen to wait in the Quadrangle of the castle.</p> <p>However, others insisted that he was on time.</p> <p>"For all those asking, no, Trump did not keep the Queen waiting. He was due at 5 pm and the motorcade drove into the Quadrangle at 4.59pm," Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter noted.</p> <p>“Not a royalist but didn't like the way Trump was late for the Queen didn't bow &amp; walked in front of her. Shows how disrespectful to women he is if he is like that to the most famous woman in the world!," tweeted a user.</p> <p>Despite the many protests in England about Trump’s visit, the President said he was looking forward to meeting the monarch.</p> <p>"I really look forward to meeting [the Queen]. I think she represents her country so well," Trump said in an interview with <em style="font-weight: inherit;"><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Sun</strong></span></a>. </em></p> <p>“If you think of it, for so many years she has represented her country, she has really never made a mistake. You don’t see, like, anything embarrassing. She is just an incredible woman." </p>

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Cardinal George Pell to stand trial: "There is enough evidence to commit him"

<p>Cardinal George Pell is scheduled to face Victoria’s County Court today a day after being committed to stand trial on historical sex offences, as part of an administrative hearing that is expected to lock down possible dates and durations.</p> <p>The 76-year-old pleaded not guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates Court yesterday after being ordered to stand trial on multiple charges.</p> <p><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>9news.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> Magistrate Belinda Wallington had dismissed some of the more serious charges against the senior Catholic due to a lack of evidence.</p> <p>"The most serious offending alleged could not have occurred in the time frame alleged," she said.</p> <p>"I find that the evidence as a whole is not of sufficient weight for a jury to convict."</p> <p>Among matters proceeding to the trial are accusations about incidents at a swimming pool, as well as allegations he removed ceremonial robes at a church to engage in a sexual act.</p> <p>This ruling follows a four-week pre-trial committal hearing where 30 people were cross-examined by Pell’s legal team, and the cardinal’s barrister, Robert Richter QC, has said that there is a possibility his client would be facing separate trials.</p> <p>Pell has taken leave as the Vatican’s treasurer and is prohibited from leaving Australia as the trial commences, as part of his bail conditions.</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

Legal

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“I almost committed suicide”: Why police didn't investigate Jelena Dokic abuse

<p>Tennis Australia has today spoken out about the horrifying allegations revealed in Jelena Dokic’s new autobiography Unbreakable.</p> <p>The sport’s governing body said officials reported concerns about Dokic’s welfare to police at the time of the abuse, but without cooperation from those involved, they could not be fully investigated.</p> <p>Former tennis champion Jelena Dokic has revealed she nearly killed herself after suffering years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her father.</p> <p>The 34-year-old has opened up about the extent of her suffering as a child and teenager almost every time her father and coach Damir Dokic was displeased with her performance on the tennis court.</p> <p>The shocking revelations include such claims that she was regularly beaten with a belt and a hard-capped boot by her father. Once a beating knocked her unconscious.</p> <p>After her semi-final loss in 2000 at Wimbledon she was kicked out of the family hotel room, which her tennis career was funding, and forced to sleep at the courts.</p> <p>But it was the emotional abuse from her father who often labelled her a “whore” that Dokic says drove her to suicidal thoughts.</p> <p>The former World No. 4 says she suffered abuse as a child and teenager almost every time her father was displeased with her performance on the tennis court.</p> <p>A polarising figure in the Australian media during her tennis career, Dokic was often branded a “spoiled brat”. </p> <p><img width="437" height="291" src="http://www.juice1073.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Jelena-Dokic-enews.jpg" alt="Image result for jelena dokic unbreakable" class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Tennis Australia’s statement reads: “All of us at Tennis Australia applaud Jelena’s courage in telling her story and will continue to support her in any way we can</p> <p>“There were many in tennis at the time who were concerned for Jelena’s welfare, and many who tried to assist with what was a difficult family situation.</p> <p>“Some officials even went as far as lodging police complaints, which without cooperation from those directly involved, unfortunately could not be fully investigated.</p> <p>“Over the past ten years tennis has been constantly improving and updating policies to increase protection for children.</p> <p>“Tennis Australia is working closely with the Australian Childhood Foundation to strengthen the safeguarding of children across the sport.”</p>

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“Eat, Pray, Love” author weds terminally-ill girlfriend

<p>Elizabeth Gilbert, the acclaimed author of <em>Eat, Pray, Love</em>, has held a commitment ceremony with her terminally ill partner, Rayya Elias. Gilbert, 47, took to Instagram to share a touching photo from the couple’s “ceremony of love” – a bittersweet moment for the couple, who know their days together are tragically numbered.</p> <p><img width="500" height="624" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/37835/image__500x624.jpg" alt="Image_ (333)" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>“Over the last year, Rayya Elias and I have been through some really difficult days together – but not today,” Gilbert captioned the sweet snap. “Today was precious and perfect. A simple and spontaneous ceremony of love, surrounded by a small handful of friends and family.</p> <p>“Our ceremony was nothing legally binding (no need to alert the authorities, folks!)... just a quiet and private celebration of what we have long known to be true: We belong to each other.</p> <p>“More difficult days are to come. It doesn't get easier from here. Her illness is grave. But our love is strong. We will walk together as far as we can go together. After that, it all gets turned over to God.</p> <p>“Create beauty with every day you are given,” the post concludes.</p> <p>The couple had been best friends for years, but upon hearing of Elias’ diagnosis with pancreatic and liver cancer, Gilbert knew it was something more. “I do not merely love Rayya, I am in love with Rayya,” she wrote on Facebook last September, just two months after announcing her separation from husband José Nunes.</p> <p>Congratulations to the happy couple, we hope they enjoy their precious remaining time together.</p> <p><em>Image credit: elizabeth_gilbert_writer/Instagram.</em></p>

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