Home | OverSixty

Shocking details after father faces court over drowning of 7-month-old

<p>A Queensland father accused of the manslaughter of his seven-month-old son has been denied bail after a court heard he woke up “laughing” and tried to flee the scene where the baby was found drowned.</p> <p>Jaye Lee Walton, 42, appeared via video link in Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday, facing a charge of manslaughter over the death of his son, Reef Hunter Walton, on July 12.</p> <p>The court was told Walton, his partner Amy Stevenson, and their infant son were camping overnight at Chatsworth Park near Gympie while travelling home to Innisfail in Far North Queensland. According to police, Walton consumed an entire four-litre cask of wine the night before the tragedy but still cared for his teething son through the night.</p> <p>Magistrate Robert Walker, reading from the bail affidavit, said the following morning Reef became unsettled during breakfast, and Walton offered to take him to the toilet block to clean him up. When he failed to return after 30 minutes, Ms Stevenson went to look for them.</p> <p>She allegedly found Walton asleep near the edge of a pond, while baby Reef was face down in the water, about 10 metres from the bank.</p> <p>“[She] started screaming at you, but realised you were asleep,” Magistrate Walker said. “She entered the water, recovered the child, returned to the bank and commenced CPR.”</p> <p>Walton was reportedly “smiling or laughing” when he awoke and appeared “oblivious” to the situation. He allegedly fled the scene on foot but returned shortly after due to the actions of bystanders.</p> <p>Police also allege that Walton refused to provide a breath sample at the scene, despite initially agreeing. The court heard he has a history of alcohol-related traffic offences but no significant criminal record.</p> <p>Defence lawyer Mark Butler argued the charge amounted to manslaughter by criminal negligence and said there was no evidence Walton had ever harmed his child or come to the attention of Child Safety authorities.</p> <p>“There is no allegation that my client has been anything other than a loving father,” Mr Butler said, referencing Ms Stevenson’s statement that described Walton as “amazing” with Reef and heavily involved in his care.</p> <p>However, Magistrate Walker questioned the negligence classification, citing witness claims that Walton was seen throwing the baby into the water.</p> <p>“One woman told [Ms Stevenson]: ‘The guys were saying they saw him throw him into the water,’” he said.</p> <p>Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Michael Read told the court some of the alleged witnesses had not yet been interviewed and that police inquiries were ongoing.</p> <p>Magistrate Walker ultimately denied bail, citing the risk to others posed by Walton’s drinking and concerns for his mental health. The court heard he allegedly told officers “there’s nothing else left” following Reef’s death and had attempted to harm himself while in custody.</p> <p>“There is good evidence that if released on bail, you would be a danger to yourself,” Mr Walker said.</p> <p>Walton is expected to return to court on August 4.</p> <p><em>Image: Queensland Police</em></p>

Legal

Why mental health might be picking your postcode

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40440745/">new analysis</a> of eight years of data from the <a href="https://www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/new-zealand-attitudes-and-values-study.html">New Zealand Attitude and Values Study</a> found how often we move and where we live are intertwined with our mental health.</p> <p>In some respects, this finding might seem obvious. Does a person feel the same living in a walkable and leafy suburb with parks and stable neighbours as they would in a more transient neighbourhood with few local services and busy highways?</p> <p>Probably not. The built and natural environment shapes how safe, supported and settled a person feels.</p> <p>We wanted to know to what extent a person’s mental health is shaped by where they live – and to what degree a person’s mental health determines where they end up living.</p> <h2>Patterns over time</h2> <p>Most research on the environmental influences on mental health gives us a snapshot of people’s lives at a single point in time. That’s useful, but it doesn’t show how things change over time or how the past may affect the future.</p> <p>Our study took a slightly different approach. By tracking the same people year after year, we looked at patterns over time: how their mental health shifted, whether they moved house, their access to positive and negative environmental features, and how the areas they lived in changed when it came to factors such as poverty, unemployment and overcrowding.</p> <p>We also looked at things like age, body size and how much people exercised, all of which can influence mental health, too.</p> <p>To make sense of such complex and interconnected data, we turned to modern machine learning tools – in particular <a href="https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/random-forest">Random Forest algorithms</a>. These tools allowed us to build a lot of individual models (trees) looking at how various factors affect mental health.</p> <p>We could then see which factors come up most often to evaluate both their relative importance and the likely extent of their influence.</p> <p>We also ran <a href="https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/monte-carlo-simulation">Monte Carlo simulations</a>. Think of these like a high-tech crystal ball, to explore what might happen to mental health over time if neighbourhood conditions improved.</p> <p>These simulations produced multiple future scenarios with better neighbourhood conditions, used Random Forest to forecast mental health outcomes in each, and then averaged the results.</p> <h2>A negative feedback loop</h2> <p>What we uncovered was a potential negative feedback loop. People who had depression or anxiety were more likely to move house, and those who moved were, on average, more likely to experience worsening mental health later on.</p> <p>And there’s more. People with persistent mental health issues weren’t just moving more often, they were also more likely to move into a more deprived area. In other words, poorer mental health was related to a higher likelihood of ending up in places where resources were scarcer and the risk of ongoing stress was potentially higher.</p> <p>Our study was unable to say why the moves occurred, but it may be that mental health challenges were related to unstable housing, financial strain, or the need for a fresh start. Our future research will try to unpick some of this.</p> <p>On the flip side, people who didn’t relocate as often, especially those in lower-deprivation areas, tended to have better long-term mental health. So, stability matters. So does the neighbourhood.</p> <h2>Where we live matters</h2> <p>These findings challenge the idea that mental health is just about what’s inside us. Where we live plays a key role in shaping how we feel. But it’s not just that our environment affects our minds. Our minds can also steer us into different environments, too.</p> <p>Our study shows that mental health and place are potentially locked in a feedback loop. One influences the other and the cycle can either support wellbeing or drive decline.</p> <p>That has real implications for how we support people with mental health challenges.</p> <p>In this study, if a person was already struggling, they were more likely to move and more likely to end up somewhere that made life harder.</p> <p>This isn’t just about individual choice. It’s about the systems we’ve built, housing markets, income inequality, access to care and more. If we want better mental health at a population level, we need to think beyond the individual level. We need to think about place.</p> <p>Because in the end, mental health doesn’t just live in the mind; it’s also rooted in the places we live.<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/260491/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-hobbs-1138967">Matthew Hobbs</a>, Associate Professor and Transforming Lives Fellow, Spatial Data Science and Planetary Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/sheffield-hallam-university-846">Sheffield Hallam University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-g-sibley-406029">Chris G. Sibley</a>, Professor in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-auckland-waipapa-taumata-rau-1305">University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/elena-moltchanova-1530664">Elena Moltchanova</a>, Professor of Statistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canterbury-1004">University of Canterbury</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/taciano-l-milfont-1172215">Taciano L. Milfont</a>, Professor in Environmental Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-waikato-781">University of Waikato</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-our-mental-health-determined-by-where-we-live-or-is-it-the-other-way-round-new-research-sheds-more-light-260491">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Mizzu Cho</em></p> </div>

Mind

Two teens charged with murder of Queensland CEO's husband

<p>Two teenage boys have been charged with murder following the brutal alleged stabbing of a 57-year-old man in the front yard of his luxury Sunshine Coast home.</p> <p>Zdravko “Zed” Bilic was found with multiple stab wounds to his abdomen outside the property he shared with wife and skincare entrepreneur Gry Susann Tomte in Warana on Monday night. He was declared dead at the scene.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the couple’s Napalle Street address around 7.35pm after a concerned neighbour found Mr Bilic unresponsive in the front yard. Ms Tomte, who was interstate at the time, had asked the neighbour to check on him after growing worried when she couldn’t reach him.</p> <p>“Following extensive investigations, police will allege a disturbance occurred at the address, resulting in the 57-year-old man sustaining fatal stab wounds,” Queensland Police said in a statement.</p> <p>Sunshine Coast detectives have since charged a 15-year-old boy from West Woombye and a 17-year-old boy from Beerwah with one count of murder each. They are due to appear before the Maroochydore Childrens Court.</p> <p>Mr Bilic and Ms Tomte relocated from Melbourne to Queensland in 2022, purchasing their five-bedroom, three-bathroom home for $2.5 million. Located in a prized beachside enclave, Warana is known for its multimillion-dollar properties and coastal lifestyle.</p> <p>Mr Bilic had previously shared his excitement about the move online, writing: “The most important thing that Melbourne gave me is my wonderful wife. We are super excited with our new adventure.”</p> <p>On Thursday, Ms Tomte paid tribute to her late husband in a heartfelt Instagram post.</p> <p>“There is no way I can capture the immense grief of losing the most beautiful man. My world for 28 years… He was my everything,” she wrote.</p> <p>Ms Tomte is the founder of HUD Skin and Body, a successful Melbourne-based skincare clinic with locations in St Kilda and Northcote. A self-made entrepreneur, she has received multiple industry accolades and built a loyal following through her personal journey and candid insights into skincare and business.</p> <p>She had been scheduled to speak at the upcoming Brisbane Aesthetic Summit next week.</p> <p>The couple frequently shared glimpses of their life on social media, including beach outings with their dog and overseas trips to New York and Europe.</p> <p>Police investigations into the incident remain ongoing.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

John Farnham's son breaks silence on serious health battle

<p>James Farnham, the youngest son of Australian music legend John Farnham, has revealed the success of a major surgery that helped him reclaim his health – and his life.</p> <p>In a candid social media post, James shared that he recently marked the one-year anniversary of the operation to reverse his colostomy and ileostomy, surgical procedures that divert waste from the intestines through a stoma in the abdominal wall.</p> <p>“Wow, what a difference a year makes,” he wrote. “Exactly 12 months ago today, I was going in for my third surgery, hoping to finally reverse my colostomy/ileostomy. It worked.”</p> <p>Farnham admitted he kept quiet about the procedure at the time, fearing another setback. “I was scared it would go wrong again. It always seemed to,” he said. “But this time, I healed properly and there were no complications.”</p> <p>Since the operation, Farnham said he has been rebuilding in every way – physically, mentally, and emotionally. He’s returned to the gym, cleared his head, and reconnected with his musical passions.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMJc6LwzhlJ/?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/DMJc6LwzhlJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by James Farnham (@jimbofarnham)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Adding to his joy, James also <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/welcome-to-the-world-john-farnham-s-double-celebration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">became a father for the first time this year</a>. He and his partner, Tessa Effendi, welcomed their son Jett in June. The baby weighed just over 3.1 kilograms at birth, and James described fatherhood as his “biggest dream.”</p> <p>Reflecting on how far he’s come, Farnham said, “Two years ago, I couldn’t imagine feeling this way. I was angry, lost, didn’t want to go anywhere or see anyone. Life felt like a dead end. Today, I can finally say, I love my life. I’m genuinely happy.”</p> <p>The uplifting post comes amid ongoing support for the Farnham family. James’ father, John Farnham, also endured a major health scare, undergoing a 12-hour operation for throat cancer in August 2022. He has since made a full recovery.</p> <p>James signed off his message with a note of encouragement: “If you’re struggling, just hang in there. Check in on your mates. Be kind to yourself. Life’s weird and unpredictable, but it can surprise you in the best ways.”</p> <p>Fans flooded the comments with praise and support, calling his journey “inspiring” and “incredible”.</p> <p>“Amazing mate. You should be bloody proud of yourself!” one wrote. Another added, “Onwards and upwards.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Niece of AFL legend learns of his passing live on air

<p>Beloved football icon Barrie Robran has died, with the devastating news prompting an emotional departure from radio presenter Jade Robran, who left her program mid-show following the family tragedy.</p> <p>Her co-host Tom broke the heartbreaking news live on air.</p> <p>“Jade unfortunately has had to go home, there has been some unexpected and very tragic news, there’s been a death in her family,” he told listeners. “Hope you’re OK, Jade, if you’re driving home listening right now. Jade, we love you, we hope you’re OK with the rest of the family. Hopefully she’ll be back tomorrow. That’s very, very sad news.”</p> <p>Tom continued hosting the show solo, while tributes began pouring in for Barrie Robran, widely regarded as one of South Australia’s greatest-ever athletes.</p> <p>While the cause of his death has not yet been made public, the outpouring of grief reflects the immense legacy he leaves behind.</p> <p>Robran, who hailed from Whyalla, made history as the first footballer honoured with a statue at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval. He played for North Adelaide between 1967 and 1980, and served as a playing-coach during his final three seasons.</p> <p>Over the course of his stellar career, Robran won three Magarey Medals – the highest individual honour in the SANFL – as well as two SANFL premierships and seven club best and fairest awards. He also represented South Australia 17 times, captaining the side in 1974.</p> <p>In recognition of his contribution to the sport, Robran was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1996 and elevated to Legend status just five years later.</p> <p>He stands alongside Sir Donald Bradman and Bart Cummings in the South Australian Sports Hall of Fame – a measure of his towering influence across generations.</p> <p>As the sporting world and wider South Australian community mourn his loss, thoughts remain with Jade Robran and her family during this incredibly difficult time.</p> <p><em>Images: North Adelaide Football Club</em></p>

Family & Pets

"Moronic mission": Sentences handed down for Sycamore Gap Tree vandals

<p>Two men have been sentenced to more than four years behind bars after chopping down one of the UK’s most beloved natural landmarks – the nearly 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree.</p> <p>Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were each sentenced to four years and three months in prison for what prosecutors described as a “moronic mission” that left the iconic tree destroyed and part of Hadrian’s Wall, a 2,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site, damaged.</p> <p>The destruction took place on the stormy night of September 28, 2023. Under the cover of Storm Agnes, the pair used a chainsaw to fell the tree near Crag Lough in Northumberland, the sound of their vandalism masked by howling winds. The Sycamore Gap tree, which famously appeared in the 1991 film <em>Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves</em>, had stood between two hills along the historic Roman wall and was a cherished location for generations.</p> <p>Sentencing the men at Newcastle Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Christina Lambert slammed their actions as senseless and self-serving.</p> <p>“You revelled in the coverage,” Judge Lambert said. “Taking evident pride in what you had done, knowing that you were responsible for the crime which so many were talking about.”</p> <p>She rejected claims made by Carruthers that he was intoxicated during the act, calling their actions deliberate and premeditated, apparently motivated by sheer “bravado”. Text messages between the men revealed they had filmed the destruction on a mobile phone and shared gleeful messages about it afterward.</p> <p>Although both men initially denied involvement, their lawyers said they later accepted responsibility while speaking to probation officers. Still, the motive behind the act remains unclear.</p> <p>The landmark sentencing marks the first time in UK history that anyone has been imprisoned for illegally felling a tree.</p> <p>Locals have mourned the loss of the tree, often called the “Robin Hood tree”, which was a popular site for picnics, proposals, birthdays and farewells. In 2016, it was named England’s “Tree of the Year”.</p> <p>Its absence has left a visible scar on the Northumberland landscape and in the hearts of those who cherished it.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty / Northumberland Police</em></p>

Legal

Aussie Vietnam hero finally awarded Victoria Cross after 60 years

<p>More than half a century after risking his life to save his mates in Vietnam, Richard Norden has finally received the nation’s highest military honour: the Victoria Cross.</p> <p>It’s a moment veterans, families and history-lovers have long hoped for: recognition for a young man from Gundagai whose extraordinary courage in 1968 helped save lives and left an unforgettable mark on those who served beside him.</p> <p>Norden was only 19 when his platoon was ambushed during the Vietnam War. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, he ran straight into enemy fire – killing two enemy soldiers, rescuing his wounded section commander Joe Kelly, and retrieving the body of his mate Chris Nisbet with grenades in hand.</p> <p>"If it wasn't for Dick, there would have been more of us coming home in body bags that day," fellow veteran Stan Barrett told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-cross-awarded-posthumously-to-vietnam-war-veteran-who-rescued-wounded-comrade/2fe31b9a-4057-4552-9b30-5ee746d0e89a" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a>.</p> <p>At the time, Norden was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. But even Sir Roden Cutler, himself a VC recipient and then-Governor of New South Wales, felt the recognition didn’t go far enough.</p> <p>For decades, friends, comrades and advocates continued the fight to have his bravery properly honoured. One of them was veteran George Hulse, who took on governments and the military until 2022, when the case for a Victoria Cross was finally accepted.</p> <p>"And (Cutler) said the words, ‘What does one have to do these days to get the Victoria Cross?’" Hulse recalled.</p> <p>In a cruel twist, Norden never lived to see the moment. After surviving Vietnam, he joined the Australian Federal Police, but tragically died in a motorcycle crash in 1972. He was just 24.</p> <p>On behalf of a grateful nation, Norden’s widow Robynn accepted the long-overdue medal in an emotional ceremony, honouring the love of her life and the hero he always was.</p> <p>For the men who served beside him, the recognition is bittersweet. But finally, Richard Norden’s name takes its rightful place in history.</p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

Family & Pets

Aussie MasterChef star sacked over allegations of racism

<p>Australian-British chef John Torode has been sacked from his long-standing role as a presenter on <em>MasterChef UK</em> after an allegation he used a racist term was upheld by an independent legal investigation.</p> <p>A spokesperson for production company Banijay UK confirmed on Tuesday that Torode’s contract will not be renewed, following the outcome of an internal probe led by law firm Lewis Silkin.</p> <p>“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint,” the company said in a statement.</p> <p>“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”</p> <p>The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie described the situation as “serious” and said the broadcaster had “drawn a line in the sand”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMIyRGDsn6h/?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/DMIyRGDsn6h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John Torode (@johntorodecooks)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Torode, who has fronted the hit cooking competition since its 2005 relaunch, claimed he first learned of his dismissal through media reports.</p> <p>“Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of,” he said in a statement shared to Instagram.</p> <p>“I hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that.”</p> <p>Torode said he had “loved every minute” of his time on the show but acknowledged “it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else”.</p> <p>The allegations relate to an incident in 2018 or 2019, reportedly in a social setting. Torode said he was told the individual involved did not believe the comment was intended maliciously and that he had apologised immediately.</p> <p>“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened,” he wrote. “However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.”</p> <p>He added that he was “shocked and saddened” by the outcome of the investigation and “would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”</p> <p>Torode’s exit follows the recent sacking of his longtime co-presenter Gregg Wallace, after more than 40 allegations of inappropriate behaviour – including unwelcome physical contact – were substantiated in a separate report commissioned by Banijay UK.</p> <p>The twin departures mark the end of an era for MasterChef UK, with both presenters having fronted the show for nearly two decades. The BBC and Banijay have not yet announced who will replace them.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Legal

News

Habemus Papam! – We have a pope!

<p>In a moment charged with history and hope, the Catholic Church has elected its first American pontiff: Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.</p> <p>The 69-year-old, who has spent much of his career in Peru, made his first appearance as pope from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at 7:24pm local time, just over an hour after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney, sending the world a long-awaited message: <em>Habemus Papam!</em> (We have a pope!)</p> <p>Cheers erupted from the tens of thousands gathered in the square, with flags waving, church bells ringing and emotion rippling through the international crowd as the new pontiff smiled, waved and offered a heartfelt greeting. His first words: <em>“La pace sia con tutti voi.”</em> (“Peace be with you.)”</p> <p>Delivering his inaugural speech in Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV struck a tone of unity, humility, and dialogue. “We must build bridges,” he declared, echoing the spirit of his predecessor. “Build bridges with dialogue, coming together, uniting, becoming one single people – one single people in peace.”</p> <p>The election of an American pope is a stunning departure from centuries of Vatican tradition, with many believing the idea had long been off the table due to the global influence of the United States. But Leo XIV’s unique path – from Chicago to Chiclayo – positioned him as a bridge-builder between North and South, tradition and change.</p> <p>His deep ties to Latin America, including years as a missionary and later as Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, along with his recent role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, gave him a global pastoral perspective. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.</p> <p>Leo’s election comes after a dramatic and closely watched conclave. On Thursday afternoon, the 133 cardinal-electors gathered for a fourth round of voting. Just after 6pm, the unmistakable white smoke billowed into the Roman sky – the signal that consensus had been reached.</p> <p>By the time the Swiss Guard and military band took their positions, the anticipation in the square was electric. Crowds, including school groups, pilgrims and reporters from around the world, packed the piazza. And when the ancient formula <em>“Habemus Papam!”</em> was pronounced from the loggia, followed by Leo XIV’s public appearance, the square exploded with joy.</p> <p>Leo’s election drew swift global attention. Even US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to extend congratulations, writing: “It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honour for our Country.”</p> <p>While the conclave was notably longer due to the large number of electors – 108 of whom were appointed by Pope Francis – it reflected the wide diversity of today’s global church. Cardinals came from places like Mongolia, Tonga and Sweden, a testament to Francis' efforts to make the Church more inclusive.</p> <p>Back in St Peter’s Square, the celebration continues, with some faithful expressing hope that Pope Leo XIV will carry forward Francis’ work of outreach and reform – and perhaps take it even further. As one young Argentine pilgrim, Pedro Deget, put it: “Francis opened the Church to the outside world. Let’s see what Leo can do now.”</p> <p><em>Images: Sunrise</em></p>

News

Rory McIlroy conquers Augusta at last with agonising final hole victory

<p>Rory McIlroy has finally done it! In a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat finale at Augusta National, the Northern Irish superstar captured his long-awaited first Masters title, ending an 11-year major championship drought in unforgettable fashion.</p> <p>After years of close calls and crushing near misses, McIlroy delivered a performance packed with drama. His road to the iconic green jacket was anything but smooth – and that's what made this triumph so electrifying.</p> <p>Sunday at Augusta began with fireworks as McIlroy double-bogeyed the first hole, immediately falling into a share of the lead with Bryson DeChambeau. But true to form, the four-time major winner stormed back, building a commanding five-shot lead midway through the final round over DeChambeau and English veteran Justin Rose.</p> <p>Just when it seemed McIlroy might cruise to victory, the course bit back. Disaster struck at the treacherous 13th when McIlroy found water and carded another double bogey, watching his lead evaporate as Rose surged to 11-under, becoming the shock leader.</p> <p>But Augusta’s relentless drama wasn’t finished yet. Rose bogeyed shortly after, and McIlroy steadied himself to reclaim the lead. DeChambeau, too, stumbled out of contention with a costly trip to the water hazard.</p> <p>As the tension mounted, Rose delivered under pressure with a brilliant birdie at the 18th, pulling level with McIlroy at 11-under and setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion. McIlroy birdied the 17th and had a golden chance to seal the victory with a simple par on the final hole. But golf, as ever, proved unpredictable – McIlroy’s putt went millimetres astray, forcing a playoff that had the gallery roaring with anticipation.</p> <p>In the playoff showdown, McIlroy's grit and class shone through. With unwavering focus, he outduelled Rose to capture the elusive green jacket, completing his career-defining triumph at Augusta on his 11th attempt.</p> <p>This moment was more than just a victory – it was the culmination of a decade-long pursuit of golfing glory. For McIlroy, it’s a Masters win for the ages, and for fans around the world, it’s a reminder of why we love this sport: the drama, the heartbreak, and the unforgettable joy of watching a champion finally reach the mountaintop.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

News

Captain Cook statue vandalised ahead of Australia Day

<p>A statue of Captain Cook has been vandalised in Sydney just days ahead of Australia Day. </p> <p>The statue, which sits on Belmore Road in Randwick, had its hand ripped off in the attack and parts of its face destroyed before it was covered in red paint. </p> <p>It's the second time in 12 months the statue has been vandalised, with the attack being condemned by Randwick councilor Andrew Hay. </p> <p>"The Captain Cook Statue has been vandalised again," he said in a statement. "They've broken the sandstone and cut off his hand and nose."</p> <p>"Low lives in Randwick know no bounds, or have any reverence for great people of history, and will vandalise him to make a political point that he's not directly related to."</p> <p>Randwick City councillor Dr Carolyn Martin told <em>2GB</em> radio that the vandals scaled the fence around the statue and left it in an "absolute mess".</p> <p>"It's absolutely disgraceful behaviour. We're all absolutely horrified," she said.</p> <p>Randwick mayor Dylan Parker also called out the vandalism, saying, "Vandalism has no place in public discussion."</p> <p>"Vandalism is an illegal act that does a disservice to progressing your cause, a disservice to the community and a disservice to reconciliation."</p> <p>"Council will clean and restore the statue. The statue was cleaned and restored last year after a similar incident in February 2024."</p> <p>Australia Day, which is recognised each year on January 26th, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. </p> <p>But for many First Nations people, it is regarded as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' because it marks the beginning of Australia's colonisation. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 2GB </em></p>

News

Man dies and several others injured after severe storms lash NSW

<p>A man has tragically died after severe thunderstorms pummelled New South Wales on Wednesday night. </p> <p>The extreme storm system swept through the eastern part of the state on Wednesday evening, leaving several people injured and thousands without power. </p> <p>In the central west town of Cowra, 300km west of Sydney, a man in his 80s was killed when a tree fell on his car as the region experienced wind gust speeds of 107km/h at the time, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.</p> <p>Police were in attendance at the scene and had launched an investigation into the incident, while the man has yet to be formally identified.</p> <p>Four campers have also been injured when their shelters were destroyed in high winds at Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region in the state’s southwest.</p> <p>The storm also triggered major power outages with Endeavour Energy reporting more than 47,000 impacted customers across the Blue Mountains, Western Sydney, Illawarra and the South Coast at 10pm, and Ausgrid reporting more than 62,000.</p> <p>On Thursday morning, the SES said they had received 2250 calls and responded to more than 1800 incidents in the last 24 hours, with the majority of the incidents were for fallen trees, powerlines and damaged properties.</p> <p>Scattered showers and severe storms are expected to continue on Thursday, particularly in the east and north east of the state. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

News

Travel

"Out cold": Hugh Grant naps through Wimbledon drama after chat with the Queen

<p>It was one of the hottest matches of the Wimbledon quarter-finals – on court and apparently off – but for Hugh Grant, it may have been just a little too warm and soothing.</p> <p>The ever-dashing <em>Love Actually</em> star, 64, became an unlikely viral sensation this week after he was caught on camera nodding off in the Royal Box during the men’s quarter-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Flavio Cobolli.</p> <p>Yes, while Djokovic and Cobolli were trading blistering shots, Grant was trading consciousness for a peaceful snooze, head tilted, sunglasses on and dreams possibly filled with tennis balls and polite applause.</p> <p>The moment, of course, did not go unnoticed. BBC cameras captured the actor mid-slouch, just moments after he’d been spotted chatting amiably with Queen Camilla – which, let’s be honest, is probably exhausting work for anyone before lunch.</p> <p>He had arrived at the All England Club with his wife, Anna Eberstein, both appearing in good spirits as they smiled, mingled and did all the necessary celebrity waving required in the Royal Box. But somewhere between “Hello Your Majesty” and “Advantage Djokovic”, the siren song of a padded seat and 26-degree heat proved too powerful.</p> <p><em>BBC Sport</em> couldn’t resist sharing the snoozy spectacle on social media, posting the clip with the caption: “It’s all got a bit too much for Hugh Grant,” along with the obligatory laughing and sleeping emojis. Predictably, the internet went berserk.</p> <p>Outrage quickly rallied among the very-online tennis purists. “COBOLLI I think HUGH GRANT owes you a massive apology,” one dramatic viewer huffed, as if the actor had personally insulted the sport with a stray snore. Another lamented, “T**ts like him… don’t deserve [Wimbledon tickets]!!!” – bold words from someone tweeting from a beanbag chair.</p> <p>But many others simply delighted in the absurdity. “Hugh Grant asleep in the Royal Box is the best thing I’ve seen at #WIMBLEDON this year!! I love this man!!” wrote one fan, while another quipped: “Now why Hugh Grant look like he's asleep at Wimbledon; Someone wake up Hugh Grant, dude is out cold.”</p> <p>To be fair, Wimbledon is as much about tradition and strawberries as it is about intense focus, and if anyone can pull off a mid-match nap in a suit and tie, it’s Hugh Grant.</p> <p>No word yet on whether he dreamed of Queen Camilla offering him a lukewarm Pimms, or if he simply mistook Centre Court for a very exclusive in-flight lounge.</p> <p>Either way, Wimbledon 2025 now has a new highlight: Hugh Grant, the man who slept through a tie-break and into our hearts.</p> <p><em>Images: BBC Sports / Nine's Wide World of Sports</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Dave Hughes almost gets into a scrap at Wimbledon

<p>Aussie comedian and radio larrikin Dave “Hughesy” Hughes has revealed he nearly served up more than just sass at the Wimbledon Championships, almost landing himself in a centre court-style showdown with a particularly chatty Brit.</p> <p>Taking to Instagram with a video of himself and teenage son Rafferty enjoying the match on Court 15, Hughesy shared the moment they almost made it onto the evening news for all the wrong reasons.</p> <p>“Nearly got into a punch-on at Wimbledon,” he captioned the post, clearly relishing the drama like it was a fresh scone at high tea.</p> <p>The pair had been watching Aussie battler Jordan Thompson grind out a gutsy five-set win when a local lad behind them apparently decided it was the perfect time to run his own live podcast commentary – loudly.</p> <p>“It was a very small court,” Hughesy explained, “and this English bloke behind us just would not shut up through the match.”</p> <p>Eventually, the usually mild-mannered funny man had enough and politely asked the man to pipe down. The response? Not so polite.</p> <p>“Mate, can you just be quiet?” Hughesy said.</p> <p>According to son Rafferty, the bloke immediately escalated to Defcon Insult, calling his dad “a little Hitler”.</p> <p>“Bit of an overreaction,” Rafferty said, summing it up like the future diplomat he clearly is.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLniR6YzS85/?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/reel/DLniR6YzS85/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dave Hughes (@dhughesy)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Hughesy admitted the jab was “hurtful”, although it seems the rest of the crowd didn’t exactly leap to defend Mr. Loudmouth. “Everyone around us was happy that I did it,” he said, adding for good measure: “What is it with entitled English wankers?!”</p> <p>The tension eventually fizzled out like warm Pimms, with the loud Brit reportedly going quiet after a tense verbal rally. “Three rows of seating, metres from the players, and this guy would not shut up,” Hughesy added in the caption. “After a long back and forth, he zipped it and everyone was happy – except him.”</p> <p>Support came flooding in from fans and celeb mates alike. Actress Regina Sorensen cheered, “Go you good thing”, while one commenter claimed they were in the row in front: “Love that you didn’t back down! Crowd totally had your back! He hardly said a word for the rest of the match!!”</p> <p>Comedian Rove McManus, never one to miss a punchline, chimed in with: “Good to know your fans are everywhere.”</p> <p>No word yet on whether Hughesy plans to return next year – but if he does, the All England Club might want to issue complimentary noise-cancelling headphones for all patrons. Or maybe just for that one guy.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Hero dad jumps overboard to save daughter who fell from Disney cruise ship

<p>A father and his daughter were rescued from the ocean after falling overboard from a Disney Cruise Line ship on Sunday afternoon, prompting praise for the ship’s crew and relief among passengers who witnessed the ordeal unfold in real time.</p> <p>The incident occurred aboard the <em>Disney Dream</em> as it sailed on a roundtrip voyage between Florida and the Bahamas. Passenger Gar Frantz said he was on the fourth-floor deck when he saw the child, who had been sitting on the ship’s railing while the father took a picture, fall into the water.</p> <p>“Then the child fell overboard,” Frantz recalled. “We watched it, you could see two little things ... it was crazy, it was horrific.”</p> <p>The father reportedly jumped in immediately after the child in an effort to save her.</p> <p>Fellow passenger Gail Merrick was playing bingo when she noticed a sudden commotion outside. “We came to find out that it was a child and then the father had gone in after the child, so we were watching with bated breath basically waiting for what would happen,” she told <em>NBC News</em>.</p> <p>Merrick said she saw a yellow rescue boat with crew members being deployed, and the <em>Disney Dream</em> itself made a sharp turn to return to the spot. According to Disney, the two guests were recovered within minutes.</p> <p>“We commend our Crew Members for their exceptional skills and prompt actions, which ensured the safe return of both guests to the ship,” Disney said in a statement. “We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our guests, and this incident highlights the effectiveness of our safety protocols.”</p> <p>Disney did not provide any identifying details about the guests or clarify how far into the journey the ship was when the fall occurred.</p> <p>Passenger James Tackett said he felt the ship lurch into a sharp turn before hearing what had happened. “When they did officially get the people, everyone cheered,” he said. “It was a good moment.”</p> <p>His mother, Brenda Tackett, who was also onboard, praised the crew’s swift and professional response.</p> <p>“You could tell they’ve practiced this – hopefully have never used it before – but they were great,” she said. “The whole thing was maybe 10, 15 minutes and they safely got back on board.”</p> <p>Disney After the rescue, the <em>Disney Dream</em> resumed its journey. “Thankfully it turned out positive,” Merrick said, “and we were able to enjoy the rest of the cruise.”</p> <p><em>Images: Disney Dream / NBC News</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Millions warned to prepare for "bomb cyclone"

<p>Eastern New South Wales is on high alert as a rapidly forming weather system threatens to bring dangerous conditions to a vast stretch of the state’s coast – including the heaviest rainfall Sydney has seen in years.</p> <p>The Bureau of Meteorology has warned of a potential east coast low – possibly a “bomb cyclone” – developing off the coastline. The intense system is already impacting the Mid North Coast today and is expected to deliver its most severe weather to Sydney on Tuesday.</p> <p>Hazardous wind and surf warnings have been issued for large sections of the NSW coast, and an initial flood watch is in place for the Hawkesbury-Nepean, Georges, Cooks, Sydney Coast and Illawarra Coast catchments.</p> <p>A “bomb cyclone” is a rapidly intensifying weather system that can form in just a matter of days and bring destructive conditions. If it continues to strengthen, this could be the first east coast low to directly strike Sydney since 2022.</p> <p>Rain and strong winds are forecast to escalate over the next 24 hours, with up to 90mm of rain predicted to fall over Sydney tomorrow. The Bureau is forecasting sustained winds of 45km/h, with gusts reaching a dangerous 125km/h.</p> <p>The NSW State Emergency Service has issued a broad warning to residents from Bega to Coffs Harbour, urging millions to prepare for cyclonic conditions.</p> <p>“We are urging the public to take this threat seriously,” an SES spokesperson said on Monday morning. “Now is the time to secure outdoor items, check on neighbours, and have a plan in case of flash flooding.”</p> <p>Authorities are closely monitoring the system, which is continuing to develop off the coast and could rapidly intensify overnight.</p> <p><em>Image: Weatherzone</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Health

Magda Szubanski shares humorous and heartfelt health update

<p>Magda Szubanski has shared a rare and deeply personal update on her cancer battle, months after revealing her diagnosis of stage-four Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive blood cancer.</p> <p>The 64-year-old star, adored for her iconic roles in <em>Kath & Kim</em> and <em>Babe</em>, took to Instagram on Monday with a touching and funny video that showed her bald from treatment but still full of spark and spirit.</p> <p>“Having the cancer is not all bad because, look,” Szubanski beamed, panning the camera to reveal a gifted Lego set. “I am such an 11-year-old boy trapped in a 64-year-old lesbian’s body. I don’t know how that happened, it just is what it is.”</p> <p>Donning a grey hoodie and trademark dry wit, she admitted the boredom was setting in. “Getting so bored now,” she quipped, though she was clearly delighted by the gift of a LEGO Land Rover, which she said would keep her occupied for a while.</p> <p>“Tricky with chemo-induced numbness in fingertips,” she added in the caption, referencing a common side effect of cancer treatment known as peripheral neuropathy. “But I’ve planned ahead and ordered a building kit with pliers and finger protectors.”</p> <p>The post quickly struck a chord online, amassing more than 113,000 views in just 15 hours. Famous friends including Kylie and Dannii Minogue, Lisa Wilkinson and Rove McManus were among the many to share their support.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMFNDpzyUJV/?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/reel/DMFNDpzyUJV/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Magda Szubanski (@magda_szubanski)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Szubanski first revealed her cancer diagnosis in May, calling it “serious” but assuring fans she was undergoing “one of the best treatments available” (the Nordic protocol) after the disease was discovered during a routine breast screen.</p> <p>“This is an obscure cancer and was only diagnosed incidentally,” she said at the time. “To be honest, I’ve been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and – voila!”</p> <p>In that initial post, she also encouraged others to trust their instincts and get tested: “Listen to your body”.</p> <p>Now, months into treatment, she says she’s “being lovingly cared for by friends and family” and is in “good hands, good spirits” – though she cheekily added: “I reserve my human right to be a cranky old moll.”</p> <p>As she continues her brave and candid journey, Szubanski remains a beacon of humour, heart and strength — reminding fans that even in the darkest moments, laughter can still be part of the medicine.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Police investigating after baby drowns at campsite

<p>A heartbreaking tragedy has unfolded at a popular Queensland campsite, where a seven-month-old baby has drowned in unexplained circumstances, prompting a police investigation and a public appeal for information.</p> <p>The infant boy was found unresponsive in a lake near the Chatsworth Park rest area, just north of Gympie, on Saturday morning. His mother had raised the alarm after discovering him in the water, only 50 metres from their family’s tent. The family had camped overnight while travelling home to Far North Queensland.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the scene, and multiple people performed CPR on the child before he was rushed to hospital. Despite desperate efforts to save him, the baby was pronounced dead later that evening.</p> <p>Queensland Police have since called in homicide detectives and are treating the death as “unexplained”.</p> <p>Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said investigators are working to piece together what led to the tragedy and have urged anyone who was in the area between 9am and 11am on Saturday to come forward.</p> <p>“We’re treating this as an unexplained death,” Mansfield said on Monday. “We’re actually just investigating further to try to establish why and how this incident occurred.”</p> <p>When asked about unconfirmed reports the baby may have been thrown into the lake, Mansfield said officers could not speculate but stressed the importance of eyewitness accounts.</p> <p>“There’s missing parts leading into [the child’s death] that we need to try to establish and square away. This is the part where we need public assistance to ascertain exactly how that occurred.”</p> <p>Mansfield confirmed there was no current evidence to suggest the incident was related to mental health concerns and said both parents were assisting police with inquiries.</p> <p>“The mother of the child did retrieve this child from the water. It’s been a very traumatic experience for her, clearly,” he said.</p> <p>Detectives are urging anyone who stayed at the campsite or passed through the rest area on Gympie Curra Road on Saturday morning to contact police immediately.</p> <p>As the investigation continues, the community is reeling from the devastating loss of such a young life.</p> <p><em>Image: WIN TV</em></p>

Caring

Richard Dreyfuss reveals grim health news

<p>Beloved <em>Jaws</em> actor Richard Dreyfuss has left fans heartbroken after announcing he was forced to cancel a public appearance due to illness.</p> <p>The 77-year-old Oscar winner was slated to attend SharkCon in Florida – a much-anticipated event for fans of the iconic 1975 thriller — but revealed in an emotional Instagram video that he has been diagnosed with viral bronchitis and has been advised not to travel.</p> <p>“I've been diagnosed with viral... what is it?” Dreyfuss asked his wife, Svetlana Erokhin, in the video, visibly struggling and leaning on her support. “I've been diagnosed with viral bronchitis and I've been told by my doctors that I cannot fly.”</p> <p>With deep regret in his voice, he told fans, “I'm terribly sorry because I had planned to be there and have been looking forward to it… I don’t want to get anyone else sick, and I don’t want to get sicker myself.”</p> <p>Dreyfuss, who rose to international fame for his role as Matt Hooper in <em>Jaws</em>, appeared genuinely crushed about missing the chance to connect with fans. “I feel terrible,” he said. “But I would feel even worse if I exposed you to this.”</p> <p>Fighting through the disappointment with a touch of trademark humour, he added, “I want you all to feel very sorry for me. And very sorry for yourselves.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL_Jm_5R9Qq/?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/reel/DL_Jm_5R9Qq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by SharkCon (@shark_con)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Despite the setback, Dreyfuss promised to make it up to his fans, saying he will “show up” at future events when his health improves. “That has to come first,” he said. “My health. And I feel very good about having the time and enough health [to recover].”</p> <p>The video was shared in a joint post by SharkCon and Field and Screen. In a follow-up message, SharkCon confirmed that all prepaid autograph and photo op purchases would be automatically refunded within 5–10 business days.</p> <p>Fans have flooded social media with messages of love and support for the veteran actor, many expressing hope that he gets the rest he needs and returns stronger soon.</p> <p>SharkCon won’t be the same without him – but the ocean waits.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

What happens the moment you give up alcohol

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/hangovers">pounding head</a> or <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-i-get-so-anxious-after-drinking-heres-the-science-behind-hangxiety-240991">anxiety</a>, to <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/what-are-the-effects-of-alcohol#longterm-effects">long-term</a> effects including <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health">cancer</a>.</p> <p>If you are thinking about taking some time off alcohol, you’ll find many quick wins and long-term gains for your health.</p> <p>How long will you have to wait to feel the benefits?</p> <p>We’ve made a timeline – based on scientific research – that shows what you might feel in the first days, weeks, months and years after taking a break from alcohol.</p> <p>Some benefits start immediately, so every day without alcohol is a win for your health.</p> <p><iframe id="tc-infographic-1187" class="tc-infographic" style="border: none;" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1187/3a7f432af336224429f29c110db908db78417797/site/index.html" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <h2>After one day</h2> <p>Alcohol takes <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system">around 24 hours</a> to completely leave your body, so you may start noticing improvements after just one day.</p> <p>Alcohol makes you <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20497950">need to urinate more often</a>, causing dehydration. But your body can absorb a glass of water <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3351614">almost immediately</a>, so once alcohol is out of your system alcohol dehydration is reduced, improving digestion, brain function and energy levels.</p> <p>Alcohol also reduces the liver’s ability to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573079">regulate blood sugar</a>. Once alcohol leaves the system, blood sugar begins to normalise.</p> <p>If you are a daily drinker you may <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/withdrawal#symptoms">feel a bit worse</a> to start with while your body adjusts to not having alcohol in its system all the time. You may initially notice disrupted sleep, mood changes, sweating or tremors. Most symptoms usually resolve in about a week without alcohol.</p> <h2>After one week</h2> <p>Even though alcohol can make you feel sleepy at first, it <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444626196000240">disrupts your sleep cycle</a>. By the end of an alcohol-free week, you may notice you are <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08870446.2020.1743840">more energetic</a> in the mornings as a result of getting better quality sleep.</p> <p>As the body’s filter, the liver does much of the heavy lifting in processing alcohol and can be easily damaged even with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523233262">moderate drinking</a>.</p> <p>The liver is important for cleaning blood, processing nutrients and producing bile that helps with digestion.</p> <p>But it can also regenerate quickly. If you have only mild damage in the liver, <a href="https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/lyl-alcohol-and-the-liver/#:%7E:text=Because%20the%20liver%20is%20able,weeks%20after%20giving%20up%20alcohol">seven days may be enough</a> to reduce liver fat and heal mild scarring and tissue damage.</p> <p>Even small amounts of alcohol can <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353">impair brain functioning</a>. So quitting can help <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353">improve brain health</a> within a few days in light to moderate drinkers and <a href="https://movendi.ngo/science-digest/quitting-alcohol-can-improve-cognitive-function-for-people-experiencing-severe-alcohol-use-disorder-in-just-18-days/">within a month</a> even for very heavy dependent drinkers.</p> <h2>After one month</h2> <p>Alcohol can make <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/alcohol-and-mental-health">managing mood</a> harder and worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. After a few weeks, most people start to <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/alcohol-and-mental-health#:%7E:text=Regular%20heavy%20drinking%20is%20linked,few%20weeks%20of%20stopping%20drinking.">feel better</a>. Even very heavy drinkers report better mood after <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-to-expect-when-you-quit-drinking">one to two months</a>.</p> <p>As your sleep and mood improve you may also notice <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32216557/">more energy and greater wellbeing</a>.</p> <p>After a month of abstinence regular drinkers also report <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32216557/">feeling more confident</a> about making changes to how they drink.</p> <p>You may <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/5/e020673">lose weight</a> and body fat. Alcohol contains a lot of <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Alcohol-and-weight-gain">kilojules</a> and can trigger hunger reward systems, making us overeat or choose less healthy foods when drinking.</p> <p>Even your skin will thank you. Alcohol can make you look <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31531169/">older</a> through <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcoholic-skin#summary">dehydration and inflammation</a>, which can be reversed when you quit.</p> <p>Alcohol <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5513683">irritates the gut</a> and disrupts <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6731">normal stomach functioning</a>, causing bloating, indigestion, heartburn and diarrhoea. These symptoms usually <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article-abstract/18/8/282/36760/Alcoholic-Gastritis">start to resolve</a> within <a href="https://arcr.niaaa.nih.gov/media/671/download">four weeks</a>.</p> <p>One month of abstinence, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/multimedia/vid-20536756">insulin resistance</a> – which can lead to high blood sugar – <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/5/e020673">significantly</a> reduces by 25%. <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blood-pressure">Blood pressure</a> also reduces (by 6%) and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cancer-growth-factor">cancer-related growth factors</a> declines, lowering your risk of cancer.</p> <h2>After six months</h2> <p>The liver <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33868869/">starts to repair</a> within weeks. For moderate drinkers, damage to your liver could be <a href="https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/lyl-alcohol-and-the-liver">fully reversed</a> by six months.</p> <p>At this point, even heavy drinkers may notice they’re better at <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4590616">fighting infections</a> and feel healthier overall.</p> <h2>After one year or more</h2> <p>Alcohol contributes to or causes a large number of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html#:%7E:text=Other%20chronic%20diseases,your%20chances%20of%20getting%20sick">chronic diseases</a>, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and seven different types of cancer, as well as mental health issues. All of these risks can be reduced by quitting or cutting back on alcohol.</p> <p>Alcohol increases <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254">blood pressure</a>. High blood pressure (hypertension) is the <a href="https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/hypertension/">top risk factor</a> for death in the world. A small <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12493255/">2mmHg increase in blood pressure</a> above the normal range (120mmHG) increases death from stroke by 10% and from coronary artery disease by 7%.</p> <p>Cutting back on alcohol to less than two drinks a day can <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254">reduce blood pressure significantly</a>, reducing risk of stroke and heart disease. Reducing blood pressure also <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868">reduces risk</a> of kidney disease, eye problems and even erectile dysfunction.</p> <p>With sustained abstinence, your risk of getting any type of cancer drops. <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795595">One study</a> looked at cancer risk for more than 4 million adults over three to seven years and found the risk of alcohol-related cancer dropped by 4%, even for light drinkers who quit. Reducing from heavy to moderate drinking reduced alcohol-related cancer risk by 9%.</p> <h2>Making a change</h2> <p>Any reduction in drinking will have some noticeable and immediate benefits to your brain and general health. The less you drink and the longer you go between drinks, the healthier you will be.</p> <p>Whether you aim to cut back or quit entirely, there are <a href="https://theconversation.com/trying-to-cut-back-on-alcohol-heres-what-works-179664">some simple things</a> you can do to help you stick with it:</p> <ul> <li> <p>set clear goals plus the smaller steps you need to take to get there</p> </li> <li> <p>pay attention to the benefits you notice from quitting</p> </li> <li> <p>monitor your progress with a <a href="https://hellosundaymorning.org/drink-tracker/">Drink Tracker</a></p> </li> <li> <p>get support from others, for example Hello Sunday Morning’s anonymous <a href="https://hellosundaymorning.org/daybreak-app/">Daybreak app</a>, <a href="https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au">SMART Recovery</a>, <a href="https://www.counsellingonline.org.au">CounsellingOnline</a> or <a href="https://www.soberinthecountry.org">Sober in the Country</a>.</p> </li> </ul> <p>If you are still wondering about whether to make changes or not you can check your drinking risk <a href="https://hellosundaymorning.org/nib_alcohol_self-assessment/">here</a>.</p> <p>If you have tried to cut back and found it difficult you may need professional help. Call the National Alcohol and other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 and they will put you in touch with services in your area that can help. You can also talk to your GP.</p> <p><em>We would like to thank Dr Hannah MacRae for assistance in identifying the research used in this article.</em><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/249272/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nicole-lee-81635">Nicole Lee</a>, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katinka-van-de-ven-159873">Katinka van de Ven</a>, Alcohol and other drug specialist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/even-a-day-off-alcohol-makes-a-difference-our-timeline-maps-the-health-benefits-when-you-stop-drinking-249272">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Pexels / </em><em>Helena Lopes</em></p> </div>

Body

Lifestyle

“She doesn’t know where she is anymore": Robbie Williams shares sad update on his mother

<p>Pop icon Robbie Williams has revealed the devastating toll dementia has taken on his family, sharing that his beloved mother no longer recognises him.</p> <p>The Angels singer, 51, made the emotional admission during a recent performance in Germany, telling fans that his mother Janet's condition has now progressed to the point where she doesn’t know who, or where, she is.</p> <p>“My mother has dementia and she doesn’t know who I am anymore,” he said quietly. “She doesn’t know where she is anymore.”</p> <p>Williams, who rose to fame with Take That before becoming one of the UK’s biggest solo artists, went on to detail the mounting challenges his family is facing. His father, Peter – also a performer – has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is no longer able to leave the house.</p> <p>“He used to sing with me every night on stage,” Robbie recalled. “He would come out, steal the show, be charming… and then wander backstage for a glass of red wine. Now he can’t leave the house.”</p> <p>He also shared his concern for his mother-in-law, who is currently battling lupus, Parkinson’s and cancer.</p> <p>“She is the most courageous lady and she is fighting, fighting, fighting,” he said, paying tribute to her strength.</p> <p>Clearly moved and grappling with the weight of his family’s health battles, Williams told the audience: “It’s a strange place to be, this place we find ourselves, 51 years old. It’s very strange to be the grown-up. I’m not ready for it.”</p> <p>Robbie has spoken before about his mother’s battle with dementia (an illness that also affected his grandmother) but now, the moment he feared has come: she no longer knows her son.</p> <p>“I’m in a different part of my life right now,” he reflected.</p> <p>The deeply personal revelation comes at a time when Robbie is also being recognised for his extraordinary contributions to music and charity. He was recently nominated for a knighthood, an honour that, if approved, will be confirmed by King Charles following recommendations from the honours committee and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.</p> <p>With 15 No.1 albums in the UK – tying The Beatles – and a legacy that includes seven chart-topping singles, 11 Comic Relief appearances, and over £100 million raised for UNICEF through Soccer Aid, Robbie is one of Britain’s most celebrated entertainers.</p> <p>But in the face of such public recognition, his thoughts remain firmly with his family.</p> <p>“I think Robbie should be knighted, 100 per cent,” said BBC Radio 2 host Scott Mills. “Let’s not forget, he’s the most decorated Brits winner in history. I think we should celebrate and acknowledge how much joy he has brought.”</p> <p>For Robbie, however, no accolade can ease the pain of watching those he loves fade before his eyes.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Jelena Dokic confirms joyous news

<p>Tennis legend Jelena Dokic has delighted fans with a heartwarming update on her personal life, confirming she’s found love again.</p> <p>The 42-year-old former world No.4 made the announcement via Instagram on Monday, sharing a beaming selfie with her new partner, whose identity she has chosen to keep private for now. In the snap, the couple sit closely together, with Dokic looking radiant next to the mystery man clad in a yellow puffer vest, hoodie and cap.</p> <p>“You are my calm, safe, peaceful and happy place. So glad I found you. ❤️” she captioned the photo — a simple but deeply felt tribute that quickly captured the hearts of her followers.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMEu22HpTUT/?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/DMEu22HpTUT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by JELENA DOKIC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@dokic_jelena)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Support and well-wishes poured in across the platform, with friends and fans overjoyed by the news.</p> <p>“COULDN’T LOVE THIS MORE,” gushed former Miss World Australia Erin Holland, while food blogger Paola Bacchia added, “Oh how simply gorgeous Jelena.”</p> <p>TV personality Shelly Horton chimed in with, “Love this for you!” — echoing the sentiments of thousands who have followed Dokic’s journey over the years.</p> <p>One fan summed up the mood best: “This is the absolute best and please take care of this angel-hearted girl... she deserves nothing but pure, sincere, golden love.”</p> <p>Known for her strength and openness about life’s highs and lows, Dokic’s joyful post has struck a chord with many – a reminder that love and happiness can bloom at any stage in life.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Son's sad farewell to beloved Aussie icon

<p>Eileen “Red” Bond, beloved Australian socialite and devoted matriarch, has been farewelled in a moving service at Fremantle’s St Patrick’s Basilica, remembered for her unwavering commitment to “faith, family, friends and fun”.</p> <p>Hundreds gathered on Monday to pay their respects to the former wife of entrepreneur Alan Bond, who died on July 2 aged 87 following a stroke. The service celebrated a woman who brought colour, warmth and strength to the lives of those around her.</p> <p>Delivering the eulogy, son John Bond described his mother’s deep Catholic faith and love of St Patrick’s as a guiding force through life’s darkest moments – none more painful than the loss of her daughter, Susanne.</p> <p>“This place gave her strength to get through the tough times in life, of which she had a few,” he said. “In times like these, this church was her refuge.”</p> <p>Known affectionately as “Red” for her bright red hair as a child, Ms Bond was remembered as a fiercely loyal mother and a friend to many.</p> <p>“To mum, family could do no wrong even when we obviously had,” John said with affection. “She would brook no criticism whatsoever of family members.”</p> <p>Her generosity and openness touched people from all walks of life. “She had an incredible knack of befriending anybody, at any time, in any circumstances,” John said. “She was vitally interested in people’s lives, and I think that was the key.”</p> <p>Eileen met Alan Bond as a teenager and he converted to Catholicism to marry her. The couple went on to raise four children – John, Craig, Susanne and Jody – and built a life of both privilege and public scrutiny. Through her husband’s spectacular business highs and painful lows (including bankruptcy and prison) Ms Bond remained a steadfast and loyal presence.</p> <p>“She never really changed,” John said. “Wonderful, exuberant, engaging and loyal to the end, she will be terribly missed.”</p> <p>Bond University, founded by Alan Bond in 1987, also paid tribute to Ms Bond. Vice chancellor and president Tim Brailsford remembered her as a “great friend and fierce supporter” of the university.</p> <p>“The room was always brighter once Red had entered,” he said. “Her cheeky sense of humour entertained many a crowd.”</p> <p>Though she lived a life that spanned continents and social circles, those closest to Eileen Bond said her truest joys came from home – her faith, her children, and the love she carried for all who knew her.</p> <p><em>Images: 96FM</em></p>

Family & Pets

"More magical than we could have dreamed": Delta Goodrem shares wedding snaps

<p>Delta Goodrem has finally shared the first official photos from her enchanting June wedding to fellow musician Matthew Copley, calling the day “more magical than we both could have dreamed”.</p> <p>The couple tied the knot under the sun-soaked skies of Mdina, Malta, surrounded by close family and friends in what can only be described as a real-life fairytale.</p> <p>“June 2025, Husband and Wife,” Goodrem captioned a stunning Instagram post, filled with images capturing the romance and joy of their big day. “We said I do under the Maltese skies in a family fairytale wedding brought to life by so many angels surrounding us.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL60L5guPoG/?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/DL60L5guPoG/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Delta Goodrem AM (@deltagoodrem)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The photos offer a breathtaking glimpse inside their historic venue, the 12th-century St Paul's Cathedral – a dreamlike setting for a love story nearly a decade in the making. The couple first met while touring in 2016 and became engaged in September 2023, with Copley proposing in none other than Malta.</p> <p>Goodrem’s bridal gown, a masterpiece by Australian fashion house Paolo Sebastian, was inspired by the frescoes of the cathedral itself. The dreamy off-shoulder French tulle gown featured a two-and-a-half metre train, a cathedral-length veil, and embroidered personal details including the wedding date.</p> <p>“Couldn’t have imagined anything more,” she wrote, describing the custom creation as “the dress of my dreams” – and promising to share more of its journey soon.</p> <p>Of course, one look wasn't nearly enough for the celebration. Goodrem also dazzled in two reception looks by designer Con Ilio: one a hand-beaded drop-waist gown sparkling with crystal and pearls, the other a sleek, high-neck silk dress perfect for “endless dancing”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DL615tKxLjc/?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/DL615tKxLjc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Paolo Sebastian (@paolo_sebastian)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And dance they did – with surprise performances by Vince Pizzinga and Conrad Sewell lighting up the night.</p> <p>Adding to the sparkle, Goodrem also shouted out her styling dream team, including her jeweller, glam squad, photographers and videographer, while paying tribute to the loved ones who flew across the world to be there.</p> <p>One of the photographers capturing the magic was Matt Porteous, known for his work with the Prince and Princess of Wales – a suitably regal touch for a celebration that felt positively royal.</p> <p>The happy couple is now looking forward to continuing the celebration back home. “We can’t wait to come back to Australia and celebrate as Mr & Mrs,” Delta wrote.</p> <p>From musical beginnings to a Maltese cathedral, Delta and Matthew's love story is now officially sealed, in the most joyful, glamorous and love-filled way imaginable.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Finance

Tragic update in drowning of 7-month-old after man arrested

<p>A community is in mourning after a seven-month-old baby boy died in a suspected drowning at a popular campsite near Gympie, north of the Sunshine Coast.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the Chatsworth Park rest area about 10.30am on Saturday, after the boy’s mother found him in a nearby lake, roughly 50 metres from their campsite.</p> <p>Bystanders desperately performed CPR while waiting for paramedics, who rushed the critically injured child to Gympie Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, the baby died later that night.</p> <p>The family had stopped at the free campground for the night while returning to their home in North Queensland.</p> <p>Detective Inspector Craig Mansfield said on Monday that the death was being treated as “unexplained”, and that investigations were ongoing.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">However, on Tuesday, a 42-year-old man – who police say is known to the child – was arrested in Bundamba, west of Brisbane. He has since been charged with manslaughter (domestic violence).</span></p> <p>The man is due to appear in Ipswich Magistrates Court.</p> <p>The heartbreaking case has shaken locals and left many seeking answers about how such a tragedy could unfold during what was meant to be a peaceful family stopover.</p> <p><em>Images: WIN TV / 7 NEWS</em></p>

Legal

Outrage after puppies found with mouths taped shut

<p>In a sickening act of cruelty that has shocked even hardened animal welfare officers, two young puppies were found dumped in Queensland bushland, their mouths and paws tightly bound with tape.</p> <p>The defenceless pups, believed to be just four to five months old, were discovered in the bush off Robin Street in Chuwar, Ipswich, over the weekend. A passer-by stumbled upon the horrific scene and immediately alerted authorities.</p> <p>One of the terrified dogs was rescued on Saturday by RSPCA inspectors, who returned the next day with the first pup in the hope it would coax the second out of hiding – a heartbreaking tactic that worked.</p> <p>But the horror didn’t end there. Investigators discovered black tape on all four of the puppies’ paws, strongly suggesting they had been deliberately restrained, rendering them utterly helpless before being dumped like trash in the wilderness.</p> <p>RSPCA Queensland Chief Inspector Sheree Nitkiewicz didn’t hold back, calling the case “one of the most disturbing” she had ever seen.</p> <p>“These puppies were left defenceless and in a condition that could have easily led to prolonged suffering or death if they had not been found in time,” she said. “The actions inflicted on these puppies are utterly unacceptable, appear to have been done with clear intent, and we are determined to identify those responsible.”</p> <p>Let’s be clear: this wasn’t an accident. This was calculated, cruel and criminal.</p> <p>Animal cruelty of this kind is punishable by up to three years in prison or fines of more than $320,000. For more severe cases, the maximum penalty rises to seven years behind bars, and it’s hard to imagine what could be more severe than this.</p> <p>What makes it all the more infuriating is that help was always available. Shelters. Rescue groups. Vet clinics. There are safe, humane options for people who can’t care for their animals. Instead, someone chose to tape up two puppies and dump them to die.</p> <p>“Abandonment is never the answer,” Nitkiewicz added.</p> <p>And she’s right. Whoever did this didn’t just break the law, they betrayed the most basic standards of decency.</p> <p>Thankfully, the puppies are now safe and receiving care, but their physical wounds may pale in comparison to the trauma they’ve suffered. As for justice, that’s where the public comes in. The RSPCA is pleading for anyone with information to come forward. If you saw anything suspicious around Robin Street in Chuwar, or if you know someone who recently had two puppies they no longer do, say something. Don’t let these pups suffer in silence.</p> <p>Information can be reported anonymously via the RSPCA Hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) or online at <a href="https://www.rspcaqld.org.au/contact-us/report-cruelty" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rspcaqld.org.au</a>.</p> <p>Let’s find the person responsible. And let’s make sure they face the full force of the law.</p> <p><em>Images: RSPCA</em></p>

Legal

Second childcare centre firebombed in suspected arson attack

<p>A second childcare centre in Sydney has been damaged by fire just days after another was deliberately set alight in a suspected firebombing attack.</p> <p>Emergency services were called to the Play and Learn centre on Excelsior Avenue in Castle Hill about 1.30am on Monday following reports of a blaze. Fire crews quickly extinguished the flames, which caused only minor damage to the building. No injuries were reported.</p> <p>NSW Police confirmed a crime scene has been established, with detectives investigating the circumstances of the incident.</p> <p>"Officers attached to The Hills Police Area Command have established a crime scene and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident," police said in a statement.</p> <p>Authorities are now probing whether the Castle Hill fire is linked to a suspicious blaze at another Play and Learn facility in Turramurra last Friday.</p> <p>In that incident, emergency services responded around 4.25am to find the centre engulfed in flames. Investigators believe a group of masked men broke through the front door, poured petrol inside the foyer and set it alight.</p> <p>The Turramurra centre also suffered minor damage, but the chilling nature of the attack has left staff and parents reeling.</p> <p>"No words, I'm just in shock. It just really hurts," Play and Learn head of operations Jemma Quinlan <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/second-childcare-centre-arson-sydney-castle-hill-play-to-learn/d8cedc59-9d9f-4089-9463-e2952537b158" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told 9News</a> after the Friday fire. "At the crux of it, we're here to serve the community and today we can't."</p> <p>The Turramurra centre was declared a crime scene and closed for the day. Parents were left shaken by the news.</p> <p>"I'm feeling a little bit scared, what is happening here," said parent Princi Chauhel.</p> <p>Police and forensic teams are continuing to investigate both incidents. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.</p> <p><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

Legal

Humble handbag smashes world auction record with $15m sale

<p>It started life on an air sickness bag. It ended with someone in Japan spending €8.6 million ($15.29 million AUD) on it. No, not the bag you reach for mid-turbulence – <em>THE</em> bag. The original, one-of-a-kind, barf-bag-born Birkin.</p> <p>At a Paris auction that had more gasps than a Eurovision final, the iconic prototype Hermès Birkin handbag – sketched by Jane Birkin herself somewhere over the English Channel – sold for a frankly nauseating €7 million ($12.44 million AUD) before fees, setting a new bar for luxury handbags and spontaneous aircraft doodles.</p> <p>As the price soared past €2 million ($3.56 million AUD)... €3 million ($5.33 million AUD)... €5 million ($8.88 million AUD), the crowd broke into applause, whistles and likely a few whispered prayers that their plus-ones wouldn’t get ideas. When it leapt from €5.5 million ($9.78 million AUD) to €6 million ($10.78 million AUD) in one go, some probably checked their own bags for loose sketches, just in case.</p> <p>The lucky winner? A still-anonymous bidder from Japan, who triumphed after a ten-minute telephone bidding showdown that could've been scored like a tennis match. In the end, they took the prize for €7 million ($12.44 million AUD), bringing the final hammer price with Sotheby’s fees to €8.6 million ($15.29 million AUD) – a mere snip if you ignore every financial decision you’ve ever made.</p> <p>The price absolutely destroyed the previous record for a handbag, which was a dainty $513,040 ($770,490 AUD) shelled out in 2021 for another Hermès bag (the White Himalaya Niloticus Crocodile Diamond Retourne Kelly 28 – a name with more syllables than most people’s resumes).</p> <p>This means the Birkin is now officially the second most valuable fashion item ever sold at auction. Only Dorothy’s ruby red slippers outrank it, having clicked their heels all the way to $32.5 million ($49.43 million AUD) last year. Somewhere over the rainbow, indeed.</p> <p>The original Birkin isn’t just expensive; it’s delightfully quirky. It’s the only one with a non-removable shoulder strap (because Birkin had things to do), and came with a nail clipper. Yes, a nail clipper. Practicality, thy name is Jane.</p> <p>As Morgane Halimi, Sotheby’s head of handbags and fashion, put it with appropriate reverence: “It is incredible to think that a bag initially designed by Hermès as a practical accessory for Jane Birkin has become the most desirable bag in history.” Not bad for a design born out of spilled baby bottles and boarding pass chaos.</p> <p>Jane Birkin (actor, singer, fashion muse and mother) reportedly kept the prototype for nearly a decade before auctioning it in 1994 for AIDS research. Since then, it’s changed hands a few times, making its way back into the spotlight like a seasoned celebrity on a comeback tour.</p> <p>The previous owner, known only as Catherine B (because if you own this bag, you don’t need a last name), told journalists: “The price is the price of the Hermès story.” Which, translated, roughly means: "It's a nice bag. Also, it's basically priceless."</p> <p>To be fair, it is more than just a bag. It’s a symbol. A cultural artefact. A reminder that sometimes brilliance strikes mid-flight, and that fashion history can be born in the same seat pocket where you once stashed a sad sandwich and a crumpled boarding pass.</p> <p>As Birkin herself once joked before her passing in 2023: “They’ll say, ‘Like the bag,’ or something.” Honestly, Jane, we could do a lot worse.</p> <p><em>Images: Sotheby's</em></p>

Money & Banking

Entertainment

Dolly Parton shares career decision after sad loss

<p>Dolly Parton has revealed she is stepping away from music as she grieves the death of her beloved husband, Carl Dean.</p> <p>The country music icon shared the devastating update during an appearance on the Khloe in Wonderland podcast with Khloe Kardashian, saying she “just can’t do it right now” when it comes to finishing the songs she’s been working on.</p> <p>In March, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/dolly-parton-s-husband-dies-at-age-82" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Parton announced </a>that Dean – her partner of nearly 60 years – had died aged 82.</p> <p>“I got so many other things that I can’t afford the luxury of, you know, of getting emotional right now,” she said, her voice full of sorrow.</p> <p>Despite saying she’s been “coming up with such wonderful and beautiful ideas”, Parton admitted she doesn't currently have the emotional capacity to follow through on them.</p> <p>Following Dean’s death, Parton released a tribute song in his honour titled If You Hadn’t Been There. She announced the release in a heartfelt Instagram post featuring a photo of her embracing Dean.</p> <p>“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” she wrote. “We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end.</p> <p>“They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him.”</p> <p>While she admits her grief has “stalled” her creatively, Parton hasn’t ruled out writing again someday. “I would happily write something else though if it comes,” she added.</p> <p>News of Dean’s death was first shared in a statement from Parton’s team on Instagram, which included a touching quote from the singer:</p> <p>“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” she said. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

The Project has been axed – but someone forgot to change the passwords

<p>Move over, NSW Police social media team – there’s a new sheriff in town, and they’re armed with memes, mischief and exactly zero supervision.</p> <p>Despite <em>The Project</em> being officially axed by Network Ten last Friday, the show’s Instagram account has come alive with the kind of unhinged humour usually reserved for group chats and late-night impulse tweets. And the results? Glorious chaos.</p> <p>“The bosses really should have changed the password from Password1,” read the first sign that something was afoot – or at least, afootloose.</p> <p>What followed was a gleeful digital coup. “Well, well, well, look who is in charge now… It’s me! The social media hero (that’s what I call myself),” the mystery admin announced. “So, one question: what should I do with these accounts?”</p> <p>So far, the self-appointed “social media hero” has shared six rogue posts that are funnier than half the comedy on TV right now – and that’s not just our opinion. Former co-host Lisa Wilkinson chimed in with, “I am SO HERE FOR THIS!!” while Rove McManus, part-owner of the show’s production company, added, “I just assumed the news stopped when we did.” Mood.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DLhO6vEzFDv/?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/DLhO6vEzFDv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Other ex-<em>Project</em> personalities Gorgi Coghlan and Georgia Love offered moral support in the form of popcorn and laughing emojis, which in 2025 might as well be legal tender.</p> <p>But the rogue admin isn’t just here for the nostalgia. They’ve been keeping up with current events – kind of. One post featured a video of a woman being taken out by wild winds during this week’s “bomb cyclone” in NSW.</p> <p>“We have been off air for less than a week, and a woman has been knocked over by a fridge box?” read the caption. “You just can’t make this stuff up.”</p> <p>Honestly? This person deserves their own spin-off show. Or at the very least, a raise – assuming they’re still employed.</p> <p>No word yet from Ten HQ, but we suspect someone in middle management is frantically Googling “how to revoke Instagram access”.</p> <p>Until then, we live, laugh and like.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Kyle Sandilands mocked after huge on-air meltdown

<p>Kyle Sandilands has come under fire after delivering an explosive and expletive-laden rant live on air, storming off The Kyle & Jackie O Show in protest over censorship – only to return to the mic a day later.</p> <p>The outburst was sparked when segments of the popular radio program, broadcast in Sydney and Melbourne, were censored during a discussion about former <em>Beauty and the Geek</em> star Tamika Chesser, who is alleged to have murdered and decapitated her boyfriend.</p> <p>Returning to air the following day, Sandilands launched into a tirade over what he described as overly strict rules for broadcasters discussing criminal matters.</p> <p>“OK, so the show got dumped in the middle of a planned discussion that I had already discussed with the legal team,” he said. “Why was that dumped, when I was using all the correct lingo?”</p> <p>Sandilands was told that the call to censor the broadcast came from show director Bruno Bouchet. His response escalated quickly: “Some laws are just so dumb and stupid, and I’m not playing ball.”</p> <p>“Until this show runs the way I intend it to be run, I will not be back on the air at all, in any way, shape or form,” he continued. “I do what I want to do and if you don’t like it, tough s***.”</p> <p>The veteran shock jock even went so far as to suggest he would “go on a hunt” for the show’s director “with dogs and a baseball bat”.</p> <p>Bouchet’s intervention was later backed up by Sandilands’ manager, who admitted to pulling the show to avoid contempt of court. “Yeah for the contempt of court stuff. I just don’t want you guys going to jail,” he explained.</p> <p>Sandilands responded with more profanities: “I’d rather be r***d in jail than be puppeteered by losers. That’s the show ripped up. Judges can shove it in their a***, ACMA can shove it in their a***, and so can the management of the radio station.”</p> <p>He then signed off with a dramatic farewell: “Enjoy the rest of the week, guys. Arrivederci from me.”</p> <p>However, despite declaring he’d be off the air until at least Monday, Sandilands was back on the show Thursday morning.</p> <p>Listeners wasted no time criticising the presenter’s dramatic walkout, calling it a textbook tantrum.</p> <p>“Ooop we’ve had a proper white entitled man public tantrum. Imagine being his wife!” one social media user wrote.</p> <p>“Big man throwing a tantrum, how embarrassing!” said another, while a third added: “Wow, men are so emotional.”</p> <p>As of now, neither the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) nor the radio network has commented publicly on the matter.</p> <p><em>Images: KIIS FM</em></p>

Music

Deborah Knight leaving 2GB for major role with Nine

<p>Veteran journalist Deborah Knight is making a full-time return to television, stepping down from her top-rating radio show Money News on 2GB to take on a major role at the Nine Network.</p> <p>Knight, 52, will anchor the national 9News Morning bulletin at 11.30am on weekdays and will also front the Sydney edition of 9News Afternoon, cementing her as a key face in Nine’s daytime news coverage.</p> <p>Currently hosting <em>A Current Affair</em> on Saturday nights, Knight will continue that role alongside her expanded responsibilities.</p> <p>“I’m incredibly excited to be stepping back into a full-time television role with 9News and Current Affairs,” she said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be part of the daily news cycle and connect with viewers during these important bulletins.”</p> <p>Knight also expressed gratitude to her Money News listeners, saying, “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time in radio… and I’m grateful for the wonderful listeners who tuned in.”</p> <p>Her final Money News broadcast will be on July 3, with her successor yet to be announced.</p> <p>Knight’s appointment brings stability to the morning and afternoon bulletins, which have recently featured a rotating roster of presenters including Kate Creedon, Sophie Walsh, Mark Burrows and Lizzie Pearl.</p> <p>Her broadcast career began at the ABC before moving to Network Ten, where she served as US correspondent. Knight joined the Nine Network in 2011 and has since held several prominent roles, including a controversial 2019 stint as <em>Today</em> co-host alongside Georgie Gardner, following Karl Stefanovic’s temporary departure.</p> <p>She replaced Steve Price on 2GB Afternoons in 2020 and went on to host Money News in early 2023, taking over from Brooke Corte.</p> <p>Knight’s full-time return to TV marks a new chapter in her versatile and enduring media career.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Property

A decade in the making: Jamie Durie finally unveils dream home

<p>After a decade of meticulous planning, popular TV host Jamie Durie has finally revealed his dream home, a breathtaking sustainable property on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.</p> <p>The Seven Network presenter took to Instagram to share an album of images showcasing the eco-friendly sanctuary he built for his family. "Grateful. 10 years of planning, 2 years of construction and we’re finally back home," Durie, 54, captioned the post.</p> <p>The luxurious and environmentally conscious home is now the residence of Durie, his fiancée Ameka Jane, and their two children: three-year-old daughter Beau and one-year-old son Nash.</p> <p>The entire process of planning and construction has been chronicled on Durie’s latest TV venture, <em>Growing Home With Jamie Durie</em>, airing on Seven.</p> <p>"It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to build an off-the-grid house," Durie told <em>Woman’s Day</em> in November. "Ten years ago, I sketched the house. We lodged the plans five years ago, and then the last two years have been dedicated to construction."</p> <p>Durie said that the journey to completion was anything but smooth. "I don’t think poor Ameka had any idea what she was signing up for when we met. But she came up with a number of ideas that added a lot of value to it."</p> <p>He also admitted that building the house tested the family in a variety of ways. "Any family out there who’s building their own house will go through the same as what we’ve gone through," he said. "Huge budget blowouts, rising interest rates, massive construction costs that are constantly going up. We’ve had to go back to the bank four times." </p> <p>Despite the hurdles, Durie and Jane remained committed to using innovative eco-friendly features wherever they could. "We challenged ourselves with new eco-initiatives that not many people would ever dream of trying, or may not even know about," he said, before describing the experience as "the toughest project I have ever taken on in my whole life".</p> <p>Following Durie’s Instagram reveal, a wave of celebrity friends flooded the comments section with praise for the spectacular home. <em>The Morning Show</em>’s Larry Emdur wrote, "Mate!!! Just wow";fFormer Bachelor star Anna Heinrich called it "incredible"; while TV personality Sally Obermeder simply stated, "WOW". </p> <p>Comedian Dave Hughes was equally impressed, writing, "That’s proper wow. My god." <em>Getaway</em> host Catriona Rowntree described the home as "bloomin’ gorgeous".</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Real Estate

Dr Chris Brown recalls "dramatic" personal renovation disaster

<p><em>Dream Home</em> host Dr Chris Brown has revealed his own renovation fail on the latest episode of the show. </p> <p>The vet turned TV star has taken on a new role where he guides six teams of aspiring renovators through the joys — and pitfalls — of house remodelling in the new Channel 7 reality show. </p> <p>Speaking to 7NEWS, the star recalled the terrifying moment his home nearly fell in on itself when he was trying to build a garage. </p> <p>“On my first renovation, I decided I needed a garage underneath my house,” he said, adding that he had council approval for the renovation. </p> <p>“With a couple of tradies, we went about digging out the garage underneath the house, in the sand.</p> <p>“We just kept on digging, digging, digging, until a rather large sound indicated the house was about to fall into the hole!</p> <p>“So that’s about as dramatic as it as it gets.</p> <p>“To have your house sort of falling in on itself, that was a pretty big learning curve.”</p> <p>He said that the problem was solved "very quickly" with a lot of underpinning and structural support. </p> <p>“A lot of those steel support posts that you can sort of wind up and down, they went in, and thankfully the house didn’t fold in half,” he said, laughing at the situation. </p> <p>He added that unexpected situations like this are what make renovation shows so appealing as "there’s so much natural drama, you don’t have to fake anything." </p> <p>“Choices have to be made, and it’s either the right way or the wrong way, and you only really discover that as you go along," he added. </p> <p>“Sometimes it’s too late to turn back once you realise you’ve made a terrible mistake.”</p> <p>Chris added that his role on the show is almost as a"coach" to the pairs, supporting them through the renovation challenges, and helping them get to the finish line. </p> <p>“What these couples are going through, and just how much they put on the line to get these renovations done, is quite inspiring and quite uplifting and but also thoroughly entertaining,” he said. </p> <p><em>Image: Seven</em></p>

Real Estate

Yoko Ono selling John Lennon's New York home for first time in 50 years

<p>For the first time in 50 years, the house where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived in New York City has hit the market.</p> <p>The brick, bluestone and terra cotta structure at 496 Broome St. was the first home the pair bought together in New York City before they moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. </p> <p>Yoko Ono has held onto the property since she first bought it with the late Beatles member, and has now listed it with her son with JLL Real Estate, for an asking price of $US5.5 million ($8.23m AUD).</p> <p>“The building on Broome St. was sort of like a base for their artistic ventures,” Philip Norman, author of “John Lennon: The Life,” told the <em><a href="https://nypost.com/2024/05/21/real-estate/yoko-ono-lists-former-nyc-home-for-5-5m/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a></em>. “Bank Street was their salon, where people could just walk in.”</p> <p>First built in 1885, the two-storey building has an open-plan format, with a gallery-like ground floor space with 14.4-foot-high ceilings, an open kitchen and a lofted bedroom.</p> <p>On the second floor, there’s a live-work space and a recording studio.</p> <p>“496 Broome St. is both a unique piece of New York history and popular culture and a prime investment opportunity for the right buyer,” said Paul Smadbeck, who holds the listing.</p> <p>“Versatile zoning and its location in one of the city’s most desirable and trendsetting neighbourhoods offers an exciting opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind property.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Mediapunch / JLL Real Estate </em></p>

Real Estate

Airbnb launches real-life "Up" house - and it actually floats!

<p>Airbnb is taking its latest listing to the sky - literally. </p> <p>The accommodation provider has announced a partnership that will see the iconic house from Pixar's hit film <em>Up</em> being lifted into the air, balloons and all. </p> <p>In their ongoing quest to redefine hospitality, Airbnb has launched a permanent category called “Icons,” which features partnerships with brands and celebrities that promise unforgettable experiences.</p> <p>Suspended over the New Mexico desert with the aid of a crane, the property looks like an exact replica of the home and contains adorable easter eggs from the film - including the Adventure Book. </p> <p>“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination — until now,” Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said in a statement.</p> <p>“As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world … we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth." </p> <p>The house offers a stunning view of the desert, which you can enjoy while sitting on replica's of Ellie and Carl's chairs or have breakfast with a view in the kitchen. </p> <p>Alternatively, you could look at the stars while sitting on the front porch - but don't look down because the adventure is out there. </p> <p>Of course there are questions about the logistics of the stay, including plumbing and electricity, but the accommodation giant has assured that the house is “fully functional,” connected to generators and utilities that will be seamlessly managed before and after its flight.</p> <p>Other fantastical listings include a replica of the mansion from the “X-Men ’97” cartoon, a stay at the Ferrari Museum in Italy, and Prince's house that was featured in the legendary film <em>Purple Rain</em>. </p> <p>Check out the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1126185893236246260?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1715826165_M2NkZDdkODdhMjcy&source_impression_id=p3_1715826166_A20M4770EGAtl8AV&modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Up</em></a> listing here, be warned the sweet listing may make you shed a tear or two. </p> <p><em>Images: Airbnb</em></p> <p> </p>

Real Estate

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment