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Veteran Channel 7 news presenter announces shock departure

<p>Longtime presenter of Channel 7 news Jodie Speers has announced her departure from the program after 15 years. </p> <p>Jodie has long been the face of the early morning <em>7News</em> bulletin, but has decided to step back after a decade and a half behind the desk. </p> <p>Taking to Instagram on Friday, she announced it would be her final day on the job. </p> <p>Jodie shared a series of photos documenting her highlights from her many years in the role, while candidly sharing why she was calling it quits. </p> <p>“The end of an era! I didn’t expect to feel so emotional today! 💓” she said.</p> <p>“This job has given me so much over the past 15 years. From a stint in federal parliament, another one in the courts, and everything from crime scenes to red carpets, bushfires to brain surgeries, every day was different."</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/C4yhod8yjcd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4yhod8yjcd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jodie Speers (@jodiespeers)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Sometimes sad, often stressful, at times hilarious or completely bizarre 🤪”</p> <p>Speers then spoke of how the job impacted her family life, admitting it had been difficult balancing the unusual hours and being a mother to three kids, who she shared with husband Ben Fordham. </p> <p>“I’ve since spent years reading the early news ... juggling babies and toddlers, getting up at an ungodly hour ... but getting home in time to see my babies wake up."</p> <p>“I’ve been chipping away at a law degree for the last year and now looking forward to a new season ... getting back to court in a different capacity!"</p> <p>“As always, the people make the place — I’ve worked with so many over the years — and can’t think of a single bad egg. It’s these guys I will definitely miss the most ❤️🙏.”</p> <p>Friends and colleagues flocked to the comment section to send their well wishes to Jodie on her next venture, while congratulating her 15-year stint with Channel 7. </p> <p><em>Sunrise</em> weather presenter Sam Mac said, “Going to miss starting our day with you 🙌 But your new profession may come in handy for me one day 🤷🏽‍♂️ congratulations & well done 👏.”</p> <p>“You are incredible! I always loved seeing you if i was ever in Sydney. You are so warm, genuine and kind! Cannot believe you’ve been working, studying law and juggling 3 kids! Amazing! Big love and best wishes for the next chapter x,” former <em>7News </em>presenter Kendall Gilding said.</p> <p>“One of the best in TV! Absolute class act,” <em>Sunrise</em> presenter Shaun White said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

TV

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Anthony Albanese announces engagement

<p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced his engagement to partner Jodie Haydon on social media. </p> <p>Albanese shared a selfie with Haydon to X - formerly known as Twitter - on Thursday morning with the caption:  "she said yes" followed by a red love heart emoji. </p> <p>The post has already received 1800 likes and many comments congratulating the couple on their happy news. </p> <p> “Love is a beautiful thing. I’m so happy for you both!” Foreign Affairs minister  Penny Wong wrote in the comments. </p> <p>"Congratulations!" Labor frontbencher Clare O'Neil said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">She said yes ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/aU1Mk2WInH">pic.twitter.com/aU1Mk2WInH</a></p> <p>— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlboMP/status/1757884255643033715?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>The pair reportedly met at a Melbourne event when he spotted her in the crowd, according to Women's Weekly. </p> <p>He said he asked if there were any South Sydney fans in the audience, to which “Jodie yelled out, ‘Up the Rabbitohs’”.</p> <p>He  introduced himself to Haydon after leaving the stage, and the pair found that they had a lot in common. </p> <p>Albanese and Haydon have been dating since 2020. </p> <p>Prior to his relationship with Haydon, the Labor leader was married to Carmel Tebbutt for 19 years but the pair split in January 2019. They had been together for a total of 30 years and share one son, Nathan. </p> <p>Albanese was the first Australian prime minister to be sworn in as a divorcee, when he was elected into office in 2022. </p> <p>He is also the first Australian leader to get engaged while in office and potentially the first to get married while in office, if he survives the next election scheduled for before 2025.</p> <p><em>Image: X</em></p>

Relationships

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Ben Fordham spills on worst gift he ever gave his wife

<p dir="ltr">Coming up with a surprise is already a hard enough task, but Ben Fordham might’ve been a bit too creative when he planned this hilarious gift for his wife Jodie Speers.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 2GB radio host shamefully - and hilariously - spilled the tea on the "one-of-a-kind" gift he got for his wife on the latest episode of <em>He Said She Said</em> with Shelly Horton.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fordham recalled visiting a building site with their three children and letting them spray-paint parts of the building, including an old toilet.</p> <p dir="ltr">He then decided to bring the painted toilet home as a surprise, which ultimately, didn’t impress his wife.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Jodie didn't like it, and so she said, 'Get it out of the house,'" he told Horton.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fordham admitted that it stayed in the "corner of the backyard for about a year" before he got rid of it.</p> <p dir="ltr">He tried to hilariously justify his thought process, "I thought she'd think it was cute, it was painted by her children, her flesh and blood!"</p> <p dir="ltr">Horton quipped that this was "possibly one of the worst presents I've ever heard of."</p> <p dir="ltr">The radio host then shared that he and his wife usually "tip each other off" about the gifts that they want, but they occasionally try to surprise each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">Both hosts eventually came to the conclusion that "experiences" are excellent gifts for long-term couples who already have "everything."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram/9Honey</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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Aussies fuming as Albo takes a break just 11 weeks into the job

<p dir="ltr">Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is under fire for taking a break from his job JUST 11 weeks in. </p> <p dir="ltr">After winning the election with soaring figures on May 21, Mr Albanese announced on August 5 that he will be taking a break with Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles covering for him. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Albanese jetsetted across the country with his girlfriend Jodie Haydon to Perth and spent Sunday night at the world-renowned Sydney Cove Oyster Bar.</p> <p dir="ltr">The restaurant’s Facebook page shared a photo of the Prime Minister with the workers announcing that they had the pleasure of hosting him. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Last night we had the pleasure of having the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner Jodie Haydon joining us for a romantic dinner on the outside deck,” the caption read. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Much to our surprise they knew about our story and the move from Circular Quay to Broome. </p> <p dir="ltr">“At the end of their dinner he politely offered us a chance for a quick photo and we couldn’t resist.”</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fscoysterbar%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02GjLPwSMeDccnEFXjisev1ZeLwksMUGxon91QbLKjtyC26DGRvJeikBtsuGrr7vX9l&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="821" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">Then on Monday, Mr Albanese was spotted at the Art Above exhibition as they spoke to local artists.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also gave a speech about how important art is for different communities. </p> <p dir="ltr">Several photos show him and Jodie intrigued in conversation with the organisers of the event who also shared an announcement online. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Well… it’s not every day you get to yarn to the PM about your art, women’s footy and your story of how it all began,” the caption read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“@albomp and Jodie Hayden were perfectly humble, curious and kind - and so generous with their time to engage with all of our KAN artists at the Art Above the 26th exhibition while on holiday here. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The PM gave an impromptu speech about the significant role art plays in communities - including the importance of art about women’s footy.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And yes! It is important. This is a huge moment in our history that deserves to be duly noted for the benefits to our communities of people coming together.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It seems that Mr Albanese’s break was not taken lightly by Aussies as the cost of living soars, with grocery prices and gas prices peaking. </p> <p dir="ltr">Many took to social media to call out the Prime Minister for abandoning Australians so early into his new job.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A break from what? Lousy good for nothing imposter,” one wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I remember when he hit back at criticism over his globetrotting overseas travel insisting he hasn’t ‘had a day off in a very long period of time’. He’s just getting in early so as to avoid criticism. He really should learn to read the mood,” another commented. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You have got to be joking. 32% primary vote, higher electricity prices, higher food prices and higher interest rates equates to a job well done so it’s time to have a break. Really?” someone else wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Needs a holiday after all his overseas holidays he’s just been on,” another comment read. </p> <p dir="ltr">Others however said Mr Albanese deserved the break while they shut down any comparison with former prime minister Scott Morrison. </p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s done more in a month than Morrison did in three years,” one pointed out. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Good - he's earned it.  He's done more in 9 weeks than the LNP did in 9 years.  He has a competent team.  Hope he enjoys his break,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Great news. Thank you for sharing that! He has worked tirelessly since the election was called, including while having and recovering from Covid-19. Labor is a strong team of competent ministers, we’re in great hands,” someone else wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

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Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster reunite after 30 years

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Movie legends Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster reunited via Zoom to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of<span> </span><em>The Silence of the Lambs</em>.</p> <p>The pair were happy to see each other and reminisced about their experiences during and after filming.</p> <p>"It's a life-changing adventure, that movie, for both of us," Foster said during a one-hour remote conversation for<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://variety.com/2021/film/news/jodie-foster-anthony-hopkins-silence-of-the-lambs-30th-anniversary-1234887496/" target="_blank">Variety's Actors on Actors</a>.</p> <p>"I'm sure you still get people who come up to you and say, 'Would you like a nice Chianti?'" she joked to Hopkins.</p> <p>"Oh yeah, they do!" he agreed.</p> <p>Hopkins also revealed the real-life inspiration behind his iconic character, the manipulative killer known as Dr. Hannibal Lector.</p> <p>"He's like a machine. He's like HAL, the computer in 2001: 'Good evening, Dave.' He just comes in like a silent shark," Hopkins explained.</p> <p>"I remember there was a teacher at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and his name was Christopher Fettes. He was a movement teacher. He had a cutting voice, and he would slice you to pieces. His analysis of what you were doing was so precise; it's a method that stayed with me for all my life.</p> <p>"When I was doing it, I thought, 'This is Chris Fettes. This is the voice. This man is merciless.' I remember the cage scene, when I said, 'No!' Wrong, try it again. That, to anyone, to the observer, the recipient of that, is lethal and charismatic."</p> <p>He also recalled one of his favourite scenes involving Foster, which is where her character FBI cadet Clarice Starling gets into a Quantico elevator with her much taller male colleagues.</p> <p>"I'm like, 'This is brilliant, because you are a smaller person in this big, macho male world, coming in as the hero,'" Hopkins noted.</p> <p>Foster then shared the most important part of her character was nailing her rural West Virginia accent.</p> <p>"She had this quietness. There was almost a shame that she wasn't bigger, that she wasn't stronger, this person trying to overcome the failure of the body they were born in,' she explained.</p> <p>"I understood that was her strength. In some ways, she was just like the victims - another girl in another town. The fact that she could relate to those victims made her the hero."</p> <p>The classic film went on to win the five big Academy Awards, which are best picture, best director (Jonathan Demme, best actor (Hopkins), best actress (Foster) and best adapted screenplay (Ted Tally).</p> </div> </div> </div>

Movies

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Gladys responds to savage attack from Jodi McKay

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>The NSW Parliament resumed for the first time after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s ex-partner, former Wagga Wagga MP Daryl Maguire, finished giving evidence to ICAC.</p> <p>The ICAC probing was whether or not he abused his parliamentary power <span>for personal gain.</span></p> <p><span>This was not left unnoticed by Labor leader Jodi McKay, who hammered the NSW Premier during question time.</span></p> <p><span>McKay asked Berejiklian the following:</span></p> <p><span>“In July 2018, you knew ICAC was investigating Daryl Maguire’s dealings with Country Gardens and his commissions from property developers. We now know he told you about Country Garden, and we now know he told you about the commissions. Why did you not report this to ICAC as you were legally required?”</span></p> <p><span>The Premier responded: “I reject the imputations of the question, and secondly, she asked me the same question last week.”</span></p> <p><span>“And thirdly, we should allow the integrity body to do the work it needs to do while I do the work the people of NSW expect me to do: have the best COVID recovery plan in the nation, have the best and strongest economy and the best health administration.”</span></p> <p><span>The heated question time session came after a scathing tweet from McKay.</span></p> <p><span>“For the last year, I’ve looked (the Premier) in the eye when I’ve asked questions – believing she too wanted politics to be the best it can be. I respected my opponent. Today I’ll see a woman who has diminished the role of Premier &amp; set an impossibly low standard. All respect is gone,” she wrote.</span></p> <p><span>The Labor MPs have also seized on comments made by the Premier to radio host Ben Fordham, saying she didn't take any interest in Maguire's business deals as MPs are allowed to make money from side deals.</span></p> <p><span>“That’s the key thing, rightly or wrongly. MPs are allowed to do deals and make money, as long as they disclose it in the right way,” the Premier said on the 2GB program.</span></p> <p><span>Deputy Opposition Leader Yasmin Catley said that the Premier's comments on 2GB amounted to saying that corruption was "acceptable".</span></p> <p>“It is quite clear that she feels there is nothing wrong with members of this parliament receiving sales commissions from property developers,” Ms Catley said.</p> </div> </div> </div>

Legal

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“Vindictive and selfish”: Peter Dutton's harsh words for Malcolm Turnbull

<p>In a new TV documentary series which premieres on Sky News tonight, Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton did not hold back when talking about former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.</p> <p>The series called <em><a rel="noopener" href="http://badblood.skynews.com.au/" target="_blank">Bad Blood/ New Blood</a> </em>showcases the rise of Prime Minister Scott Morrison.</p> <p>Dutton claims that Turnbull’s resignation was “vindictive and selfish”.</p> <p>“He chose to leave in a way that John Howard never would,” Dutton said to <a rel="noopener" href="https://thewest.com.au/politics/federal-politics/peter-dutton-spills-beans-on-former-pm-malcolm-turnbull-ng-b881240191z" target="_blank"><em>The West</em></a>.</p> <p>“In a way that Kevin Rudd didn’t, in a way Julia Gillard didn’t and it was done simply out of spite.”</p> <p>The two part documentary series exposes the details of “spill week” and beyond to David Speers. Part one of the documentary looks at what happened to Turnbull.</p> <p>The documentary reveals how the leadership spill started, which due to a heated argument between Turnbull ally Craig Laundy and Queensland MP Luke Howarth.</p> <p>“When I got there Craig said something like, ‘You’re not supporting this madness, are you’ and then we just had a frank discussion,” Howarth said.</p> <p>“It was pretty straightforward and honest. What I was going to suggest to Malcolm is that actually he resign so we didn’t need a ballot and we didn’t need any division.”</p> <p>Laundy backs up this claim by explaining his side.</p> <p>“We lost our temper,” he said. “It was a tense exchange.”</p> <p>After the exchange, Laundy reached out to Turnbull to warn him about the potential move against him.</p> <p>“Malcolm said to me very clearly I would rather live on my feet than die on my knees,” Laundy said.</p> <p>A snap leadership spill was called the very next morning.</p> <p>The toxic relationship between former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull is also explored throughout the series.</p> <p>Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce said that “it was pathological”.</p> <p>“If you put them both in the room, there wouldn’t have been a metaphorical fight, it would have been a literal fight.”</p> <p><em>Bad Blood/New Blood</em> airs at 6 pm tonight on Sky News.</p>

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