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Kiss’s debut album at 50: how the rock legends went from ‘clowns’ to becoming immortalised

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/charlotte-markowitsch-1507417">Charlotte Markowitsch</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>It has been 50 years since Rock &amp; Roll <a href="https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/kiss">Hall of Famers</a> Kiss launched their thunderock-doused debut album into the pop culture stratosphere. The eponymous album, released on February 18 1974, became a platform-stacked foot in the music industry’s door.</p> <p>What followed established Kiss as one of the most memorable hard-rock bands of the 1970s and ’80s, with a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1386/ejac.37.1.19_1">globally recognised legacy</a>.</p> <p><iframe style="border-radius: 12px;" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/0NjpmoajQlllfKH9FaNliD?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe></p> <p> </p> <h2>The early days</h2> <p>In 1972, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons shelved their first ever rock outfit following a short stint in a band called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked_Lester">Wicked Lester</a>. The pair then <a href="https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/kiss-self-titled-debut-album/">hatched a plan</a> to form a far more aggressive and successful rock band. Drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley were recruited, and the new-generation Fab Four renamed themselves Kiss.</p> <p>By late <a href="https://www.kissonline.com/history">November of 1973</a>, the band had developed their bombastic live performance style, perfected their makeup and signed a deal with <a href="https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-first-record-contract/">Casablanca Records</a>. Yet they dealt with some rocky beginnings.</p> <p>Armed with reworked songs from Wicked Lester, Kiss entered New York’s Bell Sound Studios to record their debut. A mere three weeks later the album was complete – but the band quickly realised the studio recordings didn’t capture the essence of their high-energy live shows.</p> <p>As vocalist Paul Stanley <a href="https://loudwire.com/kiss-self-titled-album-anniversary/">told Loudwire</a>: "What was put down on tape was such a timid fraction of what we were in concert. I didn’t understand it because bands who were our contemporaries had much better-sounding albums."</p> <p>They took another blow while shooting the album cover with <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/obituaries/31brodsky.html">Joel Brodsky</a> when, after a mishap with Criss’s makeup, the band were allegedly handed balloons by the photographer since he thought they were clowns.</p> <p>Then, soon before the album was released, Warner Brothers pulled its financial backing and <a href="https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-casablanca-records-story">distribution deal from Casablanca Records</a> after witnessing Kiss play a New Year’s eve show. Although it’s said the band’s makeup was the last straw for the label, the show in question also featured Simmons <a href="https://www.loudersound.com/features/kiss-early-years-history">setting his hair alight</a> shortly after throwing a fireball at a fan’s face.</p> <p>Despite the blunders, the release of the first album set Kiss on a path to becoming immortalised. As Stanley says in his book <a href="https://www.paulstanley.com/face-the-music/">Face The Music</a>: "For all the minuses I felt about the sound or the cover, we now had a finished album which was the prerequisite for all the other things we wanted to do. We were in the game now."</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D0lit2sT6lY?wmode=transparent&amp;start=28" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>The Kiss sound</h2> <p>I first heard Kiss as a teenager. I’d just thrift-scored a pair of ’80s-era roller-skates with the band’s logo scrawled on the heels in glitter glue. The salesperson, responsible for the glitter glue, enthusiastically recounted seeing Kiss play VFL Park (now <a href="https://footy.fandom.com/wiki/Waverley_Park">Waverley Park</a> stadium) in 1980 and made me promise I’d listen to them.</p> <p>Overwhelmed by the band’s expansive discography, and the possibility that their name stood for <a href="https://www.loudersound.com/news/kiss-squash-long-standing-rumour-that-their-band-name-is-a-satanic-acronym-were-smart-but-were-not-that-smart">Knights In Satan’s Service</a>, I thought it best to begin from the start.</p> <p>With their reputation of on-stage pyrotechnics and gore, I’d expected something more akin to Black Sabbath’s Paranoid than the jangly riffs of Let Me Know or Love Theme From Kiss. A 1978 review by <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/kiss-194584/">Gordon Fletcher</a> for the Rolling Stone also noted this rift. Despite calling the album exceptional, Fletcher described its sound as a cross between Deep Purple and the Doobie Brothers.</p> <p>Stanley and Simmons have <a href="https://www.guitarworld.com/features/kiss-paul-stanley-gene-simmons-classic-tracks">spoken freely</a> about borrowing heavily from a number of mid-century legends, so it’s no surprise that sonically the album was nothing new. The Rolling Stones’ influence can be heard in the songs Deuce and Strutter, while Led Zeppelin and Neil Young are present in Black Diamond.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PEa4MrrG1xw?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The album initially hadn’t risen higher than #87 on <a href="https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-kiss-debut-album/">Billboard’s album charts</a>. A studio cover of <a href="https://ultimateclassicrock.com/kiss-nothin-to-lose/?trackback=twitter_mobile">Bobby Rydell’s Kissin’ Time</a> was released next as the lead single, but the track only bumped them up to #83. This <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2262575">commercial unviability</a> loomed over Kiss until the release of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alive!_(Kiss_album)">Alive!</a> in 1975.</p> <h2>Success and beyond</h2> <p>As the band’s first live album, Alive! bridged the gap between the audacious intensity of Kiss’s performances and the timidness of their studio recordings. Their early tracks were repurposed to let listeners remotely experience the infamous Kiss live spectacle.</p> <p>As <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFMD7Usflbg&amp;ab_channel=KissVEVO">Rock and Roll All Nite</a> claimed #12 on the <a href="https://loudwire.com/kiss-alive-album-anniversary/">Billboard charts</a>, the platform-stacked foot burst through the door to mainstream success.</p> <p>Fifty years after Kiss first stepped into Bell Sound Studios, the band played their final sold-out show at Madison Square Garden on December 2 2023. The performance served as a crowning jewel on their End of the Road world tour, a four-year effort with more than 250 live shows.</p> <p>Promised to be their <a href="https://www.triplem.com.au/story/kiss-add-more-dates-to-their-end-of-the-road-australian-tour-172305">biggest and best shows ever</a>, the farewell became a colossal celebration of the band’s legacy. Theatrical pyrotechnics, fake blood and Stanley’s classic opening line – “you wanted the best, you got the best” – were featured at each performance.</p> <p>While both Kiss’s anthemic numbers and earlier catalogue were performed in these final shows, the music came second to the celebration of the Kiss live spectacle.</p> <p>From their carefully designed makeup, to bombastic theatrics and hoards of merchandise, it was Kiss’s <a href="https://doi.org/10.1386/ejac.37.1.19_1">brand building</a> that <a href="https://www.wiley.com/en-au/Brands+That+Rock%3A+What+Business+Leaders+Can+Learn+from+the+World+of+Rock+and+Roll-p-9780471455172">set them apart</a> and embedded them in the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poetic.2009.09.006">heritage bracket</a> of popular culture.</p> <p>Despite the end of their live shows, Kiss endeavours to stay embedded in public memory. Referring to some of the band’s 2,500 licensed products, Simmons recently spoke on <a href="http://www.tommagazine.com.au/2022/08/19/kiss/">what’s next for Kiss</a>: "Kiss the entity will continue; what’s happening now is a metamorphosis. The caterpillar is dying, but the butterfly will be born."</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yl5PGoy5X6g?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>With a <a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/kiss-biopic-early-years-netflix-2024-1235291572/">Netflix biopic</a> and holographic <a href="https://www.stereogum.com/2246254/kiss-hologram-era-begins-in-2027/news/">avatars on the way</a>, Stanley and Simmons – the band’s two remaining members – <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/music/gene-simmons-says-kiss-farewell-tour-is-end-of-the-road-for-the-band-not-the-brand-3541117">have declared Kiss immortal</a>.</p> <p>Stanley even suggests the Kiss look has become so iconic it’s now bigger than any band member. This means the torch could be passed on to new-generation Kiss members.</p> <p>Kiss has (quite literally) breathed fire into live rock performance. Now, they’re breathing fire into our expectations of what rock royalty retirement looks like. I have to ask, who – or what – will wear the makeup next? <!-- 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/222284/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><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/charlotte-markowitsch-1507417">C<em>harlotte Markowitsch</em></a><em>, PhD candidate in popular music studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</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/kisss-debut-album-at-50-how-the-rock-legends-went-from-clowns-to-becoming-immortalised-222284">original article</a>.</em></p>

Music

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World Cup star files official complaint over "unsolicited kiss" with Spanish football boss

<p>Jenni Hermoso has filed an official complaint against Luis Rubiales over an "unsolicited kiss" at the Women's World Cup final. </p> <p>Following Spain's victory of England in the final, Rubiales, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) chief, kissed Hermoso on the lips while congratulating the team.</p> <p>The Spanish footballer is accusing Rubiales of sexual assault, as she said the kiss was not consensual. </p> <p>Despite this, Rubiales has defended his actions and is refusing to step down. </p> <p>The official complaint, which was filed on Tuesday, is key for a preliminary investigation into the incident, which prosecutors at Spain’s top criminal court have opened for the alleged crime of “sexual assault”, to move forward.</p> <p>In the days after the incident, Hermoso said the unwanted kiss had left her feeling “vulnerable and like the victim of an assault”, with a statement on social media describing it as “an impulsive, macho act, out of place and with no type of consent on my part”.</p> <p>Rubiales has apologised for his conduct but insists the kiss was consensual, as he has refused to quit his role despite both the RFEF and FIFA calling on him to do so.</p> <p>In a display of solidarity, <span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">56 national team members have </span><span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px;">condemned the government for what they deemed to be "<a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/impunity-for-macho-actions-is-over-why-the-entire-spanish-world-cup-team-has-quit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">macho actions</a>".</span></p> <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">A collective statement, issued through their union, was signed by all 23 members of the winning squad, including Hermoso, as well as 32 other team members.</p> <p>In the statement, they declared their refusal to participate in international matches as long as Rubiales remains at the helm of the RFEF.</p> <p>After the official complaint was lodged, the RFEF sacked the head coach of the Spanish women’s team, Jorge Vilda, after he was the only member of the women’s national team coaching staff not to resign in protest at Rubiales’s behaviour.</p> <p>Vilda’s dismissal was confirmed amid accusations he had repeatedly backed Rubiales and saw no issue with his behaviour. </p> <p>In addition to the complaint from Hermoso, Spain’s Sport Administrative Tribunal (TAD) opened a case against Rubiales for “serious misconduct”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p style="color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 22px; line-height: 28px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;"> </p> <figure class="sc-11i7hbm-0 eUyOEq" style="margin: 0px; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></figure>

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Is it okay to kiss your pet? The risk of animal-borne diseases is small, but real

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-mclean-1351935">Sarah McLean</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/enzo-palombo-249510">Enzo Palombo</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>Our relationship with pets has changed drastically in recent decades. Pet ownership is at an all-time high, with <a href="https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/media-release/more-than-two-thirds-of-australian-households-now-own-a-pet/">a recent survey</a> finding 69% of Australian households have at least one pet. We spend an estimated A$33 billion every year on caring for our fur babies.</p> <p>While owning a pet is linked to numerous <a href="https://www.onehealth.org/blog/10-mental-physical-health-benefits-of-having-pets">mental and physical health benefits</a>, our pets can also harbour infectious diseases that can sometimes be passed on to us. For most people, the risk is low.</p> <p>But some, such as pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems, are at <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/specific-groups/high-risk/index.html">greater risk</a> of getting sick from animals. So, it’s important to know the risks and take necessary precautions to prevent infections.</p> <h2>What diseases can pets carry?</h2> <p>Infectious diseases that move from animals to humans are called zoonotic diseases or <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.html">zoonoses</a>. More than <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3668296/#B18">70 pathogens</a> of companion animals are known to be transmissible to people.</p> <p>Sometimes, a pet that has a zoonotic pathogen may look sick. But often there may be no visible symptoms, making it easier for you to catch it, because you don’t suspect your pet of harbouring germs.</p> <p>Zoonoses can be transmitted directly from pets to humans, such as through contact with saliva, bodily fluids and faeces, or indirectly, such as through contact with contaminated bedding, soil, food or water.</p> <p>Studies suggest <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500695/">the prevalence of pet-associated zoonoses is low</a>. However, the true number of infections is likely <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/11/3789">underestimated</a> since many zoonoses are not “<a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/notification-of-illness-and-disease">notifiable</a>”, or may have multiple exposure pathways or generic symptoms.</p> <p>Dogs and cats are major reservoirs of zoonotic infections (meaning the pathogens naturally live in their population) caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. <a href="https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/rabies">In endemic regions in Africa and Asia</a>, dogs are the main source of rabies which is transmitted through saliva.</p> <p>Dogs also commonly carry <em>Capnocytophaga</em> bacteria <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/capnocytophaga/index.html">in their mouths and saliva</a>, which can be transmitted to people through close contact or bites. The vast majority of people won’t get sick, but these bacteria can occasionally cause infections in people with weakened immune systems, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/capnocytophaga/signs-symptoms/index.html">resulting</a> in severe illness and sometimes death. Just last week, such a death <a href="https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/tracy-ridout-perth-mum-dies-11-days-after-rare-bacterial-infection-from-minor-dog-bite-c-11748887">was reported in Western Australia</a>.</p> <p>Cat-associated zoonoses include a number of illnesses spread by the faecal-oral route, such as giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis and toxoplasmosis. This means it’s especially important to wash your hands or use gloves whenever handling your cat’s litter tray.</p> <p>Cats can also sometimes transmit infections through bites and scratches, including the aptly named <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cat-scratch.html#:%7E:text=Cat%20scratch%20disease%20(CSD)%20is,the%20surface%20of%20the%20skin.">cat scratch disease</a>, which is caused by the bacterium <em>Bartonella henselae</em>.</p> <p>Both dogs and cats are also reservoirs for <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10122942/">methicillin-resistant bacterium <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em></a> (MRSA), with close contact with pets identified as an important risk factor for zoonotic transmission.</p> <h2>Birds, turtles and fish can also transmit disease</h2> <p>But it’s not just dogs and cats that can spread diseases to humans. Pet birds can occasionally transmit <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/atypical/psittacosis/">psittacosis</a>, a bacterial infection which causes pneumonia. Contact with <a href="https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/pet-turtles-source-germs">pet turtles</a> has been linked to <em>Salmonella</em> infections in humans, particularly in young children. Even pet fish have been linked to a <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/fish.html">range of bacterial infections</a> in humans, including vibriosis, mycobacteriosis and salmonellosis.</p> <p>Close contact with animals – and some behaviours in particular – increase the risk of zoonotic transmission. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19398275/">A study from the Netherlands</a> found half of owners allowed pets to lick their faces, and 18% allowed dogs to share their bed. (Sharing a bed increases the duration of exposure to pathogens carried by pets.) The same study found 45% of cat owners allowed their cat to jump onto the kitchen sink.</p> <p>Kissing pets has also been linked to occasional zoonotic infections in pet owners. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3298380/">In one case</a>, a woman in Japan developed meningitis due to <em>Pasteurella multicoda</em> infection, after regularly kissing her dog’s face. These bacteria are often found in the oral cavities of dogs and cats.</p> <p>Young children are also more likely to engage in behaviours which increase their risk of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/specific-groups/high-risk/children.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fhealthypets%2Fspecific-groups%2Fchildren.html">getting sick</a> from animal-borne diseases – such as putting their hands in their mouth after touching pets. Children are also less likely to wash their hands properly after handling pets.</p> <p>Although anybody who comes into contact with a zoonotic pathogen via their pet can become sick, certain people are more likely to suffer from serious illness. These people include the young, old, pregnant and immunosuppressed.</p> <p>For example, while most people infected with the toxoplasmosis parasite will experience only mild illness, it can be life-threatening or <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/what-are-the-risks-of-toxoplasmosis-during-pregnancy/">cause birth defects in foetuses</a>.</p> <h2>What should I do if I’m worried about catching a disease from my pet?</h2> <p>There are a number of good hygiene and pet husbandry practices that can reduce your risk of becoming sick. These include:</p> <ul> <li>washing your hands after playing with your pet and after handling their bedding, toys, or cleaning up faeces</li> <li>not allowing your pets to lick your face or open wounds</li> <li>supervising young children when they are playing with pets and when washing their hands after playing with pets</li> <li>wearing gloves when changing litter trays or cleaning aquariums</li> <li>wetting bird cage surfaces when cleaning to minimise aerosols</li> <li>keeping pets out of the kitchen (especially cats who can jump onto food preparation surfaces)</li> <li>keeping up to date with preventative veterinary care, including vaccinations and worm and tick treatments</li> <li>seeking veterinary care if you think your pet is unwell.</li> </ul> <p>It is especially important for those who are at a higher risk of illness to take precautions to reduce their exposure to zoonotic pathogens. And if you’re thinking about getting a pet, ask your vet which type of animal would best suit your personal circumstances.<!-- 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/210898/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><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-mclean-1351935">Sarah McLean</a>, Lecturer in environmental health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/enzo-palombo-249510">Enzo Palombo</a>, Professor of Microbiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty </em><em>Images </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/is-it-okay-to-kiss-your-pet-the-risk-of-animal-borne-diseases-is-small-but-real-210898">original article</a>.</em></p>

Family & Pets

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KISS concert halted as Gene Simmons falls ill on stage

<p>KISS singer Gene Simmons gave fans - and bandmates - a fright when dehydration got the better of him live on stage, and the group were forced to bring their entire concert to a halt. </p> <p>In a video from the event, KISS’ Paul Stanley can be seen addressing the crowd, telling them that “we’re gonna have to stop to take care of him. Because we love him, right?”</p> <p>He goes on to call for a cheer for Simmons, with the 73-year-old catching his breath on a chair on stage - the same chair that he remained in for the rest of the show, after a five minute break to assure he was well enough to continue.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="pt">Gene Simmons, baixista e vocalista do Kiss, passa mal e show é brevemente interrompido na Arena da Amazônia. <a href="https://t.co/nphJEj1PQo">pic.twitter.com/nphJEj1PQo</a></p> <p>— A Crítica (@ACritica) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACritica/status/1646372105523478529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>And while fans were concerned for the singer, he later took to social media to assure them that he was “fine” and looking forward to the band’s next stadium performance. </p> <p>“I’m fine. Yesterday at Manaus Stadium in Brazil, [I] experienced weakness because of dehydration,” he explained. “We stopped for about five minutes, I drank some water, and then all was well. Nothing serious.”</p> <p>“Brazil is hotter than hell!!” one fan responded, “so glad you're okay and I can't wait to see you in São Paulo! Take care, god of thunder!!”</p> <p>“Even the God of Thunder needs hydration,” another agreed. “Good to hear you're doing well.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hey everybody, thanks for the good wishes. I’m fine. Yesterday at Manaus Stadium in Brazil, experienced weakness because of dehydration. We stopped for about five minutes, I drank some water, and then all was well. Nothing serious. Tomorrow, Bogota Stadium. See you there!</p> <p>— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) <a href="https://twitter.com/genesimmons/status/1646530305791266818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>And as news broke around the world of what had gone down in Brazil, Simmons returned with another round of assurances, writing that it was “not a big deal” while again thanking everyone for their well wishes. </p> <p>“Last night we played Amazon jungle Stadium/Brazil. Humidity and temperature were sky high. I was dehydrated and was forced to sit for a song,” he said. “We got back on stage in 5 minutes &amp; finished the show.”</p> <p>It was enough for his fans, who were quick to share their delight that their star was okay, as well as voicing their excitement for upcoming shows - with a good portion of requests for the singer to take care of himself, and avoid a repeat performance. </p> <p>“Happy to hear you're doing better,” one wrote. “Even more happy it wasn’t anything serious.Ya'll take care.”</p> <p>“Frankly, I don’t know [how] you do it every night. You’re amazing!” another declared. </p> <p>Meanwhile, some could see the humour in it all now that their fears had been put to rest, with one joking “and who says playing music couldn't be dangerous”.</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Caring

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KISS announce the details of their last ever shows

<p dir="ltr">After nearly 50 years on the road, rock legends KISS have announced their “absolute last shows” as part of their End of the Road tour. </p> <p dir="ltr">The final shows of their final tour, which kicks off in late October 2023 in Texas, will take place in the band’s hometown of New York with two back-to-back nights at Madison Square Garden. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Kiss was born in New York City. On 23rd Street. Half a century ago. It will be a privilege and honour to finish touring at Madison Square Garden, 10 blocks and 50 years from where we first started,” the band said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The two shows will take place on December 1st and 2nd after a whirlwind tour around the US. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Announcing - The Final 50 Shows. The End is HERE!</p> <p>Join the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KISSARMY?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KISSARMY</a> for access to the final <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndOfTheRoadTour?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndOfTheRoadTour</a> Presale tickets. Presale begins March 6th at 10am local time. </p> <p>General Onsale begins March 10th at 10am local time.</p> <p>Visit www.KISSOnline for all dates &amp; details now. <a href="https://t.co/ZhGkgK4diz">pic.twitter.com/ZhGkgK4diz</a></p> <p>— KISS (@kiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/kiss/status/1630946715141554177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Their final New York concerts were originally scheduled for July 2021, but were postponed due to Covid-19 restrictions. </p> <p dir="ltr">The band have been touring around the world for almost half a century, with the rock stars admitting they have reached the point where they need to slow down. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We can’t be running around for that much longer in 40 pounds of gear,” Paul Stanley previously <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kiss-sharks-airbnb-898357/">told Rolling Stone</a> of the farewell tour. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s nothing maudlin about it. It’s a celebration with our fans around the world. We wanted to raise the bar again as to what a band can do live. That’s really what we’ve always done: We’ve always wanted to be the band we never saw.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“There are a lot of shows out there that have Kiss DNA in them because they really weren’t shows of any magnitude before us.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Pugs and kisses! New London cafe takes the pug world by storm

<p>London has welcomed its very first pug-themed cafe, right in time for Christmas.</p> <p>Adorably dubbed "CuppaPug", seven rescued pugs have been dressed up in an array of cute outfits by the cafe owners, giving customers and super pug fans the chance to spend hours with the beautiful and chunky pups.</p> <p>If that wasn’t enticing enough, you can play with the puggies and give them plenty of cuddles while they’re dressed like Santa and his helpers.</p> <p>The cafe's motto is "pugs' welfare first, café second" and is home to seven resident pugs in descending age. Gaston is the oldest at six years of age, followed by, Bruce, Bowser, Beau, Gizmo, Bebe and finally Baloo – who is just six months old at the time of writing.</p> <p>Co-owner of the cafe, Aaron says that: "Pugmas is so special to us here at CuppaPug!</p> <p>“For Matt and I, "Pugmas" is about bringing festive joy and pugs to people really needing a strong dose of Christmas fun.</p> <p>“We are Christmas-themed with a pink Christmas Santa, pink Christmas trees, lights and decorations and, of course, the pugs in their little Santa outfits.</p> <p>"People walk back from work with a miserable face but once they see the pugs playing, it makes them stop in their tracks and smile, usually taking a heap of photos too. A lot of kids who visit tell us it's the best day of their lives!</p> <p>"The pugs are so well behaved with children and parents often bring children who've had bad experiences with dogs to try to overcome it. Reactions from customers are overwhelmingly positive; we really are a joyous place!"</p> <p>CuppaPug are looking to introduce PugLates, and cocktails will also be available on the menu soon.</p> <p>10% of their entry fee goes towards rescuing and rehoming pugs, and they have pugs brought in who need adopting, partnering with The National Pug Protection Trust, who provide customers with information and advice.</p> <p>Customers often boast how therapeutic the experience is, especially when the pugs are having quiet time in their beds or on people's laps – but equally, there can be lots of chaotic fun when playing or training with the animals!</p> <p>For more information, head to <a href="https://www.cuppapug.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.cuppapug.com/</a></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Mistletoe – famous for stolen holiday kisses – is a parasite that steals water and nutrients from other plants

<p>A parasitic plant with potentially poisonous berries might not sound like something that would boost your Christmas decorations to the next level. But, botanically speaking, that’s what mistletoe is.</p> <p>There are some <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/not-just-kissing-mistletoe-and-birds-bees-and-other-beasts">1,300 species of this evergreen plant worldwide</a>. They’re all parasitic or semiparasitic, meaning they can <a href="https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801443718/diseases-of-trees-and-shrubs/#bookTabs=1">survive only on a host plant</a>. Rather than being rooted in the ground, they live on the branches of other trees and shrubs.</p> <p>Just <a href="http://dnrc.mt.gov/divisions/forestry/docs/assistance/pests/fidls/147.pdf">two types are native to North America</a>. Twelve species of the American mistletoe can be found distributed largely across the southern half of the U.S., mostly affecting deciduous trees in the East as well as some evergreens in the West. Sixteen species of the leafless dwarf mistletoe infect only trees in the pine family and are mostly found along the West Coast.</p> <p>The American mistletoe, the one used at Christmas in the U.S., is in the genus Phoradendron, which means “<a href="https://www.usgs.gov/news/featured-story/not-just-kissing-mistletoe-and-birds-bees-and-other-beasts">thief of the tree</a>” in Greek. It has green leaves and is capable of photosynthesis and so produces much of its own food. But American mistletoe also sucks water and other nutrients out of its host plant by sending rootlike structures <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/B0-12-226865-2/00145-0">called haustoria</a> into the vascular tissue just under the bark of branches and twigs. These invading structures can live for many years inside a tree even if the mistletoe plant itself is removed.</p> <p>Mistletoes are what botanists call dioecious, meaning these plants have <a href="https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2009/2-4/monoecious.html">separate male and female versions</a>. The females produce the fruits, called berries, which are generally white, but can be pink or reddish depending on the species. Birds widely distribute the seeds after eating the berries. Seeds of some species can also be <a href="https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs_other/rmrs_1996_hawksworth_f001.pdf">shot out of the fruit</a> like a cannonball at up to 60 mph (100 kph) to a distance as far as 50 feet (15 meters). A sticky substance on the seeds helps them attach to any tree they land on until they germinate and begin to grow.</p> <p>In general, mistletoe won’t kill a tree unless it is heavily infested. Even then the tree doesn’t usually die from the mistletoe; most often death is an indirect effect of attacks from diseases or insects that take advantage of the stressed tree. Mistletoe’s parasitic ways can cause significant economic damage to forests industrially harvested for lumber.</p> <p>For a homeowner, though, it’s usually not necessary to control mistletoe – which is good, since getting rid of it can be difficult and takes patience and persistence. You can prune it out, being sure to get all those spreading haustoria under the host’s bark, or try chemical controls like the plant growth regulator ethephon.</p> <p>Maybe you’ll want to trim a sprig to decorate with during Christmastime. One of the most common traditions associated with mistletoe, <a href="https://time.com/5471873/mistletoe-kiss-christmas/">dating back at least to the 1700s</a>, is that anyone lingering beneath it would welcome a holiday kiss. Here in my home state of Oklahoma, mistletoe is our state floral emblem, apparently because it was the <a href="https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=MI047">only greenery available to put on graves</a> during the particularly hard winter of 1889. In other parts of the world, mistletoe is considered to bestow life and fertility, <a href="https://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/history/mistletoe.htm">serve as a peace offering</a> and protect against poison. </p> <p>About poison: Mistletoe has a reputation as a poisonous plant. While the European species <a href="https://doi.org/10.5811/westjem.2012.8.12572">Viscum album is reportedly toxic</a>, <a href="https://doi.org/10.3109/15563659609013810">American mistletoe is not deadly</a>. Better to keep it away from little kids and pets, though, and if you are concerned, stick with artificial mistletoe for decorative purposes.</p> <p>Mistletoe is an important part of the ecosystem in the places where it grows in North America. Lots of birds rely on mistletoe berries as a food source, as do elk, deer, squirrels, chipmunks and even porcupines, which will also eat the leaves when other fresh foliage is scarce. Tangled clumps of mistletoe, traditionally referred to as witches’ brooms, provide nesting sites for birds, including spotted owls and Cooper’s hawks, and other animals. Three kinds of butterflies in the U.S. are entirely dependent on mistletoes. And it’s also an important nectar and pollen plant for honey bees and other native bees. </p> <p>So this parasitic plant plays a valuable role in both ecosystems and human traditions. If it grows near you, enjoy it because you probably wouldn’t be able to completely get rid of it anyway. And at Christmastime, it just may come in handy.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/mistletoe-famous-for-stolen-holiday-kisses-is-a-parasite-that-steals-water-and-nutrients-from-other-plants-173555" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

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"This is the devil's work!": Nun pulls apart female models sharing a kiss

<p dir="ltr">A shocked nun caused quite a stir in the streets of Italy when she pulled away two female models who were kissing for a photoshoot.</p> <p dir="ltr">The nun was dressed in a white habit and rushed to stop Serena de Ferrari and Briton Kyshan Wilson who had locked lips in a Naples backstreet as they posed for a photo for Not Yet magazine.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What are you doing? This is the devil's work,” the nun shouted at them as they giggled.</p> <p dir="ltr">She looked around at the cameramen and crossed herself before saying: “Jesus, Joseph and Mary”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Make up artist Roberta Mastalia, who was on the shoot, said they had to ask the nun to leave thinking she was just joking.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We were on location in the Spanish Quarter in Naples, in a little sidestreet with the two models when all of a sudden the nun walked past,” he said, <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11027633/Italian-nun-splits-two-female-models-kissing-photoshoot-calling-devils-work.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Mail</a> reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She asked us if we had been to Mass that day and when we said 'No' she started blaming young people for Coronavirus and then she saw the two models posing up ready to kiss and that's when she ran forward to split them up.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our first reaction was we were all stunned. They took it as a bit of a joke and you can see from the video the two girls are laughing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We then had to ask the nun to leave as we explained we had work to do and she slowly walked off.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Both Serena and Briton shared clips of the incident to their social media with the caption “God doesn’t love LGBT”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Local priest Father Salvatore Giuliano The Church is constantly updating its views but some of the older generation have not yet accepted it.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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High school under fire for same sex kiss

<p dir="ltr">A high school has come under fire for it’s same sex kiss during a Shakespeare rendition of Romeo and Juliet.</p> <p dir="ltr">The “SHEkspeare” play included two female leads playing the roles of Romeo and Juliet at Campbelltown Performing Arts High in Sydney’s south west. </p> <p dir="ltr">The performance included a passionate kiss between the female Romeo and Juliet which sparked a barrage of complaints from parents to NSW MP Mark Latham.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Latham raised the issue in parliament where he criticised the fact that parents were not informed of the kiss beforehand. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s [a] passionate kissing scene going on stage,” he began, <a href="https://qnews.com.au/lesbian-kiss-in-a-sydney-school-play-has-mark-latham-in-a-spin/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">QNews</a> reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Some of the boys yelled out, others were distressed, some of the girls were upset.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The parents are very upset with the note that went out where there was no mention of this. The kids came home saying there were two women kissing.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s inappropriate, this shouldn’t happen in front of 13 and 14-year-olds unless you have parental permission, some of these kids haven’t even hit adolescence.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“There are Christian, Hindu, Muslim and socially conservative parents in the Campbelltown community who have a different view and were not given the option to opt-out.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Education Minister Sarah Mitchell agreed with Mr Latham that the kiss was “controversial” but fit in with the script. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The exchange of affection by actors during the play was considered appropriate to the script,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“[Permission was sought and] consistent with the Department of Education’s Controversial Issues in Schools policy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Adam O’Brien, Artistic Director of The Dire Theatre Company said it should be expected that the two characters would appear affectionate in the play. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty/Facebook</em></p>

Relationships

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Parents share heartbreak after kissing their daughter goodbye

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A mum has opened up about having to make the heartbreaking decision to turn her daughter’s life support off following a crash.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chloe Lee, her parents Geoff and Sommar, and her younger brother Declan were injured in a crash in the Western Australian Wheatbelt region on May 30.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The family was rushed to hospital after being cut from the vehicle.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Geoff came away from the accident with broken ankles, spinal injuries, and internal injuries while Somamar suffered a broken pelvis, wrist, and broken legs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chloe suffered head and spinal injuries and was put on life support at Perth Children’s Hospital.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to a </span><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/e3e94c-help-the-lee-family?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=sms&amp;utm_source=customer"><span style="font-weight: 400;">GoFundMe started for the family</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, Chloe’s life support was turned off days after the accident when the family was well enough “to kiss their baby girl goodbye”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In an update on the fundraising site, Sommar wrote about the difficulty of the decision she and Geoff made.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Where do I even begin, how do you go on when one of the [two] halves of your heart is gone?,” she wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When you are lying in your broken body unable to move to save your precious child.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Being told that your beautiful, sassy, amazing 10-year-old is being kept alive by life support and no it’s not like on TV, a miracle is not going to save her.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The decision was made even more difficult with the knowledge they had to tell their son, Declan, that his big sister “has to go to heaven”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Having to tell our son, that his other half, his best friend and sister, has to go to heaven. That the machines breathing for her and keeping her precious heart pumping, needs to be turned off, is the hardest thing we had to do,” she continued.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Especially not being able to hold him in our arms, barely able to hold his hand.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sommar also thanked the “amazing doctors and nurses” who helped at the scene of the accident and in the hospital while the family underwent treatment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. There are no words to describe the place you will always have in our hearts.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sommar said the family is now “stuck in limbo” as they recover from their injuries and mourn Chloe.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Lee family had recently moved to WA from Queensland for a “change of life”, with the fundraiser aiming to help them return to Caboolture in Queensland.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Geoff and Sommar also wish to return Chloe to Caboolture for a funeral with her friends and family.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The fundraiser has raised more than $64,000 in donations.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: GoFundMe</span></em></p>

Caring

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Woman develops incurable skin condition after New Year's Eve kiss

<p>When Aimee Godden kissed someone on New Year’s Eve, it triggered an incurable skin condition that ended up changing her life.</p> <p>Godden was diagnosed with a mild case of psoriasis when she was 14, an autoimmune condition that causes the skin to go red and inflamed.</p> <p>But as a teenager, the condition wasn’t too noticeable, and she was able to cover the inflammation with clothes or a small amount of makeup.</p> <p>But fast forward to 2018, Godden made the mistake of kissing someone who, unknown to her, had tonsillitis.</p> <p>That was when she started developing large patches of dry skin on her forehead, cheeks and chest.</p> <p>“A doctor diagnosed me with guttate psoriasis and said tonsillitis had triggered it,” she explained.</p> <p>“I was devastated to be told there was no cure and terrified I would look like this forever.</p> <p>“My face was completely different to the one I’d known my whole life.”</p> <p>It took such a huge toll on her life, that she moved back home and refused to leave or even look at herself in the mirror.</p> <p>But in the age of social media, Godden decided to speak up about her condition on Instagram, and that was when things took a dramatic turn.</p> <p>After she posted a photo of her condition, it didn’t take long for it to gain traction with the response she received being overwhelmingly positive.</p> <p>“In public, people have pointed at my face and said ‘urgh’, but online I’ve had such a positive response,” she said.</p> <p>“You expect acceptance and support from friends and family. And when it comes from strangers, it feels so genuine.”</p> <p>Now, she has learnt to accept her skin condition, even though there are times where she feels discomfort and pain.</p> <p>Psoriasis can be itchy and may give off a burning sensation.</p> <p>She manages the condition by living healthily and undergoing light therapy treatment.</p> <p>The first night she went out after developing the condition, she says she felt very self conscious - until a man walked over and asked if he could buy her a drink.</p> <p>They are now expecting their first child in October.</p> <p>“I’d worried psoriasis would stop me finding love,” she said.</p> <p>“But I feel so much love in my life right now.”</p> <p>Godden is now a passionate advocate of loving the skin you’re in.</p> <p>“Whether it’s a scar, spots, pigmentation, a birthmark, hair loss, or skin condition ... We are often told that we need filters, makeup, good lighting and a perfect complexion to look ‘good’,” she wrote in an Instagram post in May, announcing a “Face Equality” selfie challenge.</p> <p>“We are all constantly exposed to the idea that our perceived value is dictated by our appearance.</p> <p>“This week we come together to challenge stigma, to refuse to be othered, and to campaign for a world that no longer reduces our value to our appearance.”</p>

Beauty & Style

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Personal trainer suing date for $236k after kiss

<p>A personal trainer is suing his date after he claims he contracted painful cold sores that developed after he kissed her. </p> <p>Martin Conway, 45, is asking for $236,000 in compensation for her “negligence”, along with 30 years of therapy. </p> <p>Mr Conway says his work became seriously impacted after catching the herpes simplex virus in 2019 from his date, Joanna Lovelace and claims she had “a moral and ethical and legal duty to warn me of the risks that I would be exposed to.”</p> <p>“I was kissed before I was informed of any cold sore,” he added. </p> <p>“It is fair, just and reasonable for the court to impose a duty of care upon the respondent, due to the risk that was negligently being taken with my health, which was reasonably foreseeable, which led to three weeks of severe acute symptoms, leading to emotional, physical and financial distress.”</p> <p>The compensation case is being heard in the Central London County Court.</p> <p>“It is fair, just and reasonable for the court to impose a duty of care upon the respondent, due to the risk that was negligently being taken with my health, which was reasonably foreseeable, which led to three weeks of severe acute symptoms, leading to emotional, physical and financial distress.”</p> <p>Conway claims he became sick with flu-like symptoms and found eating painful a few days after his date with Lovelace.</p> <p>Doctors diagnosed him with the herpes simplex virus and prescribed medication.</p> <p>He also says he had a panic attack and collapsed after seeing more ulcers appear.</p> <p>Conway alleges he was incredibly fearful of leaving his apartment, and stayed inside for weeks with the exception of doctor’s appointments. </p> <p>Lovelace’s lawyers described the claim as “frivolous and vexatious” and doomed to fail, and have denied any liability for their client. </p> <p>“The statement of case discloses no reasonable grounds for bringing the claim,” her lawyers told the court, calling the action an “abuse of the process of the court”.</p> <p>Conway is claiming $182,000 for fortnightly therapy sessions until the age of 79.</p> <p>He also wants salary protection insurance costs and payments to cover lost earnings while he was ill.</p> <p>The case is due in court later in 2020.</p>

Legal

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Touching moment 90-year-old superfan kisses the Duchess of Cambridge’s hand

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Duchess Kate has continued to win the hearts of the people in South Wales as she met a 90-year-old superfan on her latest royal outing.</p> <p>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were greeting people who lined up on a pier in Swansea, where the Duchess made a beeline for Harvey Bentley from Swansea.</p> <p>Harvey was there with his son-in-law Mike Sutton Smith and Harvey chatted with the duchess before taking her hand and placing a kiss on the back of it.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none"> <p dir="ltr">Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/mikesuttonsmith?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikesuttonsmith</a> who shared this lovely clip of Kate meeting his father-in-law Harvey Bentley, 90, and got William to come and say hello too: <a href="https://t.co/1Dq8Ijn8er">pic.twitter.com/1Dq8Ijn8er</a></p> — Emily Nash (@emynash) <a href="https://twitter.com/emynash/status/1224714549724688387?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Duchess Kate bent down to talk to Harvey, asking if he was warm enough due to the “chilly wind”.</p> <p>Duchess Kate said to Harvey: “I hope you're keeping warm enough. You've wrapped up well? It's that chilly wind.</p> <p>“Thank you for coming to say hello to us. Very nice to meet you. I'll get William to come and say hello.”</p> <p>The Duke of Cambridge then came over to greet the retired mechanic.</p> <p>Harvey was over the moon with the meeting, saying that “they are the nicest people you could meet”.</p> <p>His son in law was impressed as well.</p> <p>“William told Harvey he didn't look a day over 60!' said Mike, according to<em> <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7966103/Touching-moment-90-year-old-royal-superfan-pecks-Duchess-Cambridges-hand.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a></em>. “This is the most exciting day Harvey has had in many years. We are so impressed with them, they are incredible.”</p> <p>Mike then thanked the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Twitter.</p> <p>“William and Kate, each of you paused to look my father-in-law in the eye today, to listen to him and be his friend for a few timeless beautiful minutes,” he wrote.</p> <p>“You are the real deal and he and our family will never ever forget. Thankyou xx”</p> <p><em>Photo credits: Twitter <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://twitter.com/emynash/status/1224715890672967682" target="_blank">@emynash</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div>

Beauty & Style

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KISS surprise fans and cancel Australian tour days before it was meant to begin

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rock legends KISS have cancelled their planned farewell tour of Australia just days before it was meant to begin.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">KISS fans have been through a whirlwind, as the group rescheduled the first date of the tour three days before announcing the cancellation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is due to the founding member and guitarist Paul Stanley’s ill health, and the new start date of the tour would have been the 19</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">th</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of November in Adelaide.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, the band decided to pull the plug on the entire tour.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“TEG Live and One World Entertainment, the promoters of KISS, regrets to advise the November/December tour has been cancelled,” a </span><a href="https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=KISS19"><span style="font-weight: 400;">statement released</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> reads.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Earlier this week it was announced that U.S doctors had advised Paul Stanley to rest due to a bad case of influenza, prompting the rescheduling of the tour’s first show in Perth to the end of the run and the cancellation of New Zealand. It was hoped the extra few days rest would allow Stanley the chance for a complete recovery so the tour could proceed as planned.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“However unfortunately this has not occurred. Stanley has an additional infection in his throat requiring complete vocal rest and medication for at least two weeks and possibly longer.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The news has devastated the loyal fanbase, as the tour has been billed as the last-ever Australian tour for KISS.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Words cannot begin to convey our massive disappointment in having to cancel our </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">End Of The Road</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> tour of your incredible country. Our connection to you is unparalleled and decades deep,” Stanley said in a statement.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We waited as long as we could and held out hope to the last minute that my situation would clear up and we would be able to march forward. Doctor’s orders ultimately have taken precedence and finally we now find ourselves with no choice but to surrender. With heavy hearts, KISS.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Information on refunds for the KISS tour can be found </span><a href="https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=KISS19"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and those who purchased tickets via card can expect full refunds in their accounts within 14 days. </span></p>

Music

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How KISS are preparing to make their mark in Australia

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rocker band KISS are known for delighting their fans and when they head to Australia, it’s looking to be no exception.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They’re performing for a new audience in November: Great White sharks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The band will be performing underwater to the sharks and eight lucky fans as they travel off the southern coast of Australia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to </span><a href="https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kiss-australia-great-white-sharks"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Fox News</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the band will stay above board on one vessel and the fans will be lowered beneath the surface of the water from a second boat into the viewing sub.</span></p> <div class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9"><iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v=XeepkIfg_r0"></iframe></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The area that they’ll be lowered into is well known for shark activity, and the band will begin to play using underwater speakers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The result? Sharks and submerged fans rocking out to KISS.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Research has indicated that low-frequency and pulsed sounds can be attractive to some shark species. Interestingly, different animals (even within the same species) appear to respond to sounds differently,” said Dr Blake Chapman, of Australia Geographic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Sharks are among the world’s most misunderstood animals. It’s important for people to learn that sharks are worthy of respect and protection.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The event will be taking place in the Indian Ocean off Port Lincoln in South Australia costs $50 and proceeds will be going to charity.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Not ones to disappoint, KISS will be in full makeup and costumes for the performance, which will be at least four songs.</span></p>

Music

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“Intolerable”: Leigh Sales speaks up about unwanted onstage kiss

<p><span>ABC journalist Leigh Sales has spoken up after receiving an unwanted kiss on the lips from a retired businessman in front of a charity dinner crowd.</span></p> <p><span>According to <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/02/leigh-sales-angered-unwanted-kiss-crowd-charity-dinner?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&amp;utm_content=buffer58594&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_campaign=buffer">The Guardian Australia</a></em>, Sales was about to host the black tie dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney on Saturday when she was introduced by Phil Newman, a retired businessman and a board director for the multiple sclerosis charity The Trish Foundation.</span></p> <p><span>Newman offered his cheek for Sales to peck but turned his head to connect his lips with Sales’ mouth. The <em>7.30 </em>host reportedly screamed in shock and said “hashtag me too” on the microphone before continuing to host the dinner. </span></p> <p><span>An audible gasp could be heard in the room, where the 200 guests included the former Liberal minister Brendan Nelson and the former premier of New South Wales Barry O’Farrell as the foundation’s joint patrons.</span></p> <p><span>“I was offended and angered by the incident on Saturday night,” Sales told <em>The Guardian Australia</em>. </span></p> <p><span>“I had strong words to the man involved, he apologised and I accepted that apology. That should be the end of it as far as I’m concerned.</span></p> <p><span>“The only reason I am commenting publicly is that given how many people witnessed the incident, I feel it would be gutless not to stand up and say that kind of behaviour is intolerable and the time for women being subject to it or having to tolerate it is long gone.”</span></p> <p><span>Newman said the kiss was “an attempt at humour and light entertainment” to start the event. </span></p> <p><span>“I apologised on the night profusely and she accepted,” he said. “I am upset my judgment wasn’t better. I am embarrassed I brought any disrespect on the foundation and on Leigh.”</span></p> <p><span>The chair of the Trish Foundation, Carol Langsford also apologised to Sales. “We are incredibly honoured that Leigh gives her valuable time and great professional skills to the Trish MS Research Foundation year after year,” Langsford said.</span></p> <p><span>“We are terribly upset that Leigh was embarrassed by one of our volunteers and of course, our volunteer and the Trish Foundation apologise sincerely and unreservedly.”</span></p>

News

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Should you stop kissing your pets?

<p><span>Giving your cat a peck or letting your dog kiss you on the mouth may be a part of your everyday routine. For many pet owners, this habit may seem like one of the many ways to show your affection to each other. However, common sense rebukes this as an unhygienic practice that may make the human sick.</span></p> <p><span>So, what are the real risks of giving your pooch a smooch?   </span></p> <p><strong><span>The risks</span></strong></p> <p><span>Pets’ mouths and noses may have ventured to questionable places, such as litter boxes, trash bins or the bottom of other pets. Because of this, they may carry bacteria, viruses, parasites and germs all over their body from scratching and licking. </span></p> <p><span>Viruses tend to affect one species and not the other – so you are unlikely to be affected by your pets’ cough. However, others can still play a part in transmitting zoonotic diseases to the owners. These may include:</span></p> <ul> <li>Parasites: <span>Hookworm, roundworm, Toxoplasma gondii and giardia</span></li> <li>Bacteria: Salmonella, E coli, Staphylococcus, Campylobacter and more</li> <li>Ringworm: <span>Fungal infection on the skin or scalp</span></li> </ul> <p><span>The effects of these harmful organisms range from stomach pain and fever to infections and birth defects. </span></p> <p><span>Experts say these illnesses won’t typically be serious – however, people with weak immune systems are more likely to be affected, with higher risks of contracting diseases and experiencing complications. </span></p> <p><span>This is why young children, pregnant women, the elderly and those with lower or compromised immune systems – including organ transplant recipients, people on cancer treatment – are advised to avoid kissing pets.</span></p> <p><strong><span>How to stay safe</span></strong></p> <p><span>Wash your hands after coming into contact with pets, pet food or pet bodily fluids such as saliva and waste. </span></p> <p><span>Wherever possible, make sure that your mouth, nose and eyes stay clean. According to Mia L Geisinger, associate professor and director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontology at the University of Alabama, the permeable mucous membranes in these areas are <a href="https://www.self.com/story/kissing-pet-health-effects">more vulnerable to germs</a> from your pets.</span></p> <p><span>Keep vaccinations up to date, and don’t forget to treat your pets for parasites and fleas regularly. </span></p>

Mind

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Novak Djokovic's sweet kiss on red carpet with wife Jelena

<p>World no. 1 tennis star Novak Djokovic made a stunning entrance with his wife, Jelena, on Sunday night for the Laureus World Sports Awards held in Monaco.</p> <p>Leading the glamour and adding to the long list of world-class athletes, the tennis star shared a sweet moment of affection with his wife while taking pictures on the red carpet.</p> <p>Looking absolutely smitten together, Jelena supported her husband as he accepted the Sportsman of the Year Award for the fourth time.</p> <p>In a heart-warming speech, Djokovic honoured 2018’s and 2019’s success, not before thanking his wife for her years of support.</p> <p>“A Laureus Award is what every athlete wants to win, and this one is a huge honour for me. Being among so many sporting greats here tonight … gives this award a special meaning for me,” said Djokovic.</p> <p>“Last year was an incredible season for me. Returning from injury to win Wimbledon and the US Open is something I’ll remember forever.”</p> <p>The world no. 1, who took out the Australian Open in January, previously won the trophy in 2012, 2015 and 2016.</p> <p>Other nominees who came close to taking the Sportsman of the Year Award this year included F1 driver Lewis Hamilton, American basketball star LeBron James, French football player Kylian Mbappe and Kenyan long-distance runner Eluid Kipchoge.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Honored to receive the Sportsman of the Year award 🙏 Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/LaureusSport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LaureusSport</a> for a wonderful evening celebrating our journeys and the power of sport to change the world. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Laureus19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Laureus19</a> <a href="https://t.co/HNFPWNbQgV">pic.twitter.com/HNFPWNbQgV</a></p> — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) <a href="https://twitter.com/DjokerNole/status/1097608278387843074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Djokovic also dropped a bombshell admission on Sunday night when he admitted coming close to quitting the sport that has given him 15 grand slam titles.</p> <p>"Your support has been tremendously significant to me in those moments when I was questioning everything, when I was going through my doubts and dilemmas whether I want to keep on playing tennis.</p> <p>“And yes, I did think about leaving tennis and I did think about everything else," Djokovic said.</p> <p>As well as his surprising admission, the star also revealed he had trouble finding meaning in his long-spanning and rewarding career – feeling “relief” more than accomplishment after his biggest wins.</p> <p>"Back in Roland Garros 2016 when I achieved the ultimate goal of tennis to hold all four slams at the same time, I felt a huge relief, I did not feel fulfilment to be honest.</p> <p>"I tried to understand why and I think it was because I didn't embrace or I didn't live the process or the journey as much as I needed and wanted that destination or that achievement of that goal.</p> <p>“When I actually reached it I realised that the goal would be nothing without that journey,” he finished. </p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see the sweet moment of affection between Djokovic and his wife, Jelena. </p>

News

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The moment Emma Thompson tried to sneak a kiss from Prince William

<p>Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson has received one of Britain’s highest awards and used the opportunity to playfully joke with the second-in-line to the throne, Prince William.</p> <p>On Wednesday, the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Love Actually </em>star was invited to Buckingham Palace to be appointed a Dame Commander of the Oder of the British Empire.</p> <p>The honour, which is the female equivalent of a knighthood, was made even more special as it was given to her by her long-time friend.</p> <p>Recalling the ceremony to reporters, Thompson said: “I love Prince William. I’ve known him since he was little, and we just sniggered at each other. I said, ‘I can’t kiss you, can I?’ And he said, ‘No, don’t!'”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Congratulations to Dame Emma Thompson! Today at Buckingham Palace, the actor received her Damehood from The Duke for services to Drama. <a href="https://t.co/1gSfaawBii">pic.twitter.com/1gSfaawBii</a></p> — Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1060200145969733632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Although Thompson didn’t receive a kiss from the prince, she praised the royal father-of-three for all his accomplishments.</p> <p>“He’s looking wonderful and doing so well,” the actress, who wore sneakers and a suit to the ceremony, commented.</p> <p>“He said, ‘This day isn’t about me, it’s about you.'”</p> <p>“It’s really lovely because I’ve always loved the boys, and I’ve always been a long-term correspondent with their dad,” Thompson added. </p> <p>“It’s a very lovely feeling.”</p> <p>After Prince Charles went through his divorce with Princess Diana in 1996, Thompson wrote him several letters to lift his spirits.</p> <p>“I would get periodical messages from the boys that look after him at Highgrove saying: ‘[Could you] drop him a note because he’s a bit low in the water,’ so I’d pick up my pen and write as funny a letter as I could think of,” Thompson revealed in the book <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Charles: The Heart of a King.</em></p>

News

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How Prince Harry and Meghan's royal wedding kiss will break tradition

<p>Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are poised to break tradition with their very first kiss as a married couple.</p> <p>Unlike the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Charles and Diana, who shared a kiss on the balcony of the Palace, Harry and Meghan will stage a post-wedding kiss on the steps of the chapel shortly after saying “I do”.</p> <p><img width="390" height="293" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/6b2611c99211596207bdfdf4362778ce" alt="Kate and William shared their romantic moment on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2011. Picture: Getty" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>TV cameras have been set up in the perfect position to capture Harry and his bride as they appear to the public for the first time as married man and wife at the West Steps of the Chapel, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/6296352/harry-and-meghan-to-share-post-wedding-kiss-in-front-of-millions-around-the-world/">The Sun</a></strong></em></span> report.</p> <p>US TV producers understand the kiss will be at the spot where the newlyweds meet the gathered fans outside the church at approximately 1.02pm.</p> <p>While there has been no confirmation from Kensington Palace, one NBC source insists “we are sure it’s going to happen”.</p> <p><img width="381" height="286" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/adb30676ce04afc3552d117bf2ae781a" alt="Diana and Charles at their wedding in 1981. Picture: Supplied" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>The LA-based senior figure at NBC said: “We have it on our schedule that Harry will kiss Meghan outside of the steps.</p> <p>“All the broadcast teams have been working with the organisers about the minute by minute breakdown of the day, so our team has been all over this.</p> <p>“We expect the couple to kiss when they come out to greet the crowds gathered outside.</p> <p>“This wedding is not like Kate and William’s where they will stand above the crowds on the balcony at the Palace for that natural crowd interactive moment.</p> <p>“For Harry and Meghan coming out of the chapel is a fitting place.</p> <p>“The public’s excitement for them too could mean they will be encouraged to kiss too, so that is why we are expecting that magical moment.”</p> <p>Harry and Meghan will walk out of the chapel into a carriage, which will take them on a 25 minute ride to St George’s Hall for the reception.</p>

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