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“Sky’s the limit”: Why Alex de Minaur is the one to watch at the Australian Open

<p>The tennis world is buzzing with excitement as Alex de Minaur, the 24-year-old Australian sensation, extends his remarkable winning streak in the lead-up to the Australian Open.</p> <p>In a recent charity match held in Melbourne, de Minaur displayed his lethal form by securing a notable victory over the reigning Wimbledon champion, Spain's Carlos Alcaraz.</p> <p>Despite the match's charitable nature, this win marks a significant milestone for de Minaur, who is now ranked No.10 in the world – the highest ranking he has ever achieved. As he gears up for the upcoming Australian Open, de Minaur's triumphs and confidence are setting the stage for an electrifying tournament.</p> <p>The charity match against Alcaraz proved to be more than just a philanthropic endeavour, as de Minaur secured his first-ever win over the reigning Wimbledon champ. Alcaraz, currently ranked No.2 in the world, faced a resilient de Minaur who claimed victory with a 6-4, 5-7, (10-3) scoreline. This triumph not only adds a feather to de Minaur's cap but also instills a newfound confidence as he prepares for the intense battles ahead in Melbourne.</p> <p>De Minaur's recent success in the charity match adds to his growing list of upsets, notably highlighted by his stellar performance in the United Cup tournament. The Australian tennis star showcased his prowess by defeating formidable opponents, including Team USA's Taylor Fritz, tennis legend Novak Djokovic, and world No.7 Alexander Zverev.</p> <p>Leading Australia into the semi-finals, de Minaur's exceptional form during the United Cup laid the foundation for his current confidence and high world ranking.</p> <p>Despite his commanding victory in front of a packed Rod Laver Arena, de Minaur remains humble and focused on the challenges ahead. In a post-match statement, he expressed his gratitude and outlined his motivational mantra, quoting, "'How big would you dream if you knew you couldn't fail?' ... I'm pushing myself every day and hopefully the sky's the limit."</p> <p>As the Australian Open approaches, de Minaur's exceptional form and recent triumphs are capturing the attention of tennis enthusiasts worldwide. With a newfound confidence and a career-high ranking, de Minaur is poised for an exciting and potentially groundbreaking performance in Melbourne.</p> <p>The stage is set for a riveting Aus Open, and fans eagerly anticipate witnessing how far de Minaur can push the limits in 2024.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

“I need a future”: New details on boy kidnapped for six years

<p>When concerned motorist Fabien Accidini <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/missing-boy-found-alive-after-six-long-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">happened upon Alex Batty</a> walking along a road in the foothills of the Pyrenees in France, he had no idea of the mysterious and tragic situation he had uncovered. </p> <p>“I said to myself, ‘That’s strange. It’s 3am in the morning, it’s raining, he’s all by himself on the road between two villages,’” Accidini told French news outlet BFMTV.</p> <p>Batty had gone missing from his home in England at the tender age of 11 back in 2017. Now 17, new details have emerged about the extraordinary six-year journey that unfolded since his disappearance.</p> <p>British and French authorities confirmed on Friday that the teenager discovered by Accidini was, indeed, Alex Batty. The initial family holiday to Spain turned into a six-year odyssey across Morocco, Spain and southwest France, as Alex and his family embraced a nomadic, off-the-grid lifestyle.</p> <p>French authorities revealed that Alex and his family moved from house to house, carrying their own solar panels, growing their own food, and living with other families in what the teenager described as a “spiritual community". However, last Wednesday marked a turning point as Alex suddenly appeared on a remote road in rural France, having parted ways with his mother.</p> <p>According to French prosecutor Antoine Leroy, Alex decided to strike out on his own when his mother expressed a desire to move yet again, this time to Finland. Leroy stated at a news conference in Toulouse, “When his mother indicated that she intended to leave for Finland with him, this young man understood that this journey had to stop.”</p> <p>Undeterred by the challenging circumstances, Alex walked for four nights, resting during the days and sustaining himself with whatever he could find in fields or gardens. It was during this solitary journey that Accidini spotted him on the rain-soaked road.</p> <p>Accidini offered assistance, and despite initial suspicion and a false name, Alex eventually opened up during the deliveryman's rounds. “He’d had enough. He said, ‘I am 17. I need a future.’ He didn’t see a future for himself there,” Accidini recounted.</p> <p>In an interview with La Depeche, Accidini shared more details about Alex's arduous journey: “He told me that he had been walking for four days, that he’d left from the mountains. He didn’t really know where.”</p> <p>Showing kindness, Accidini provided the thirsty teenager with water and allowed him to use his mobile phone to send a message to his grandmother.</p> <p>The message read, “Hello grandma, it is me, Alex. I am in France, Toulouse. I really hope that you receive this message. I love you. I want to come home.”</p> <p>Back in the UK, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Alex had spoken with his grandmother, Susan Caruana, via video call. Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes stated, “Whilst she is content that this is indeed Alex, we have further checks to do when he returns to the United Kingdom.</p> <p>“Our main priority now is to see Alex returned home to his family in the UK.”</p> <p>Alex is expected to return to the UK in the coming days, as the investigation into the full circumstances of his disappearance continues.</p> <p><em>Images: Greater Manchester Police</em> </p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

Missing boy found alive after six long years

<p>A 17-year-old British boy named Alex Batty, who went missing in Spain in 2017 at the age of 11, has been found after six long years.</p> <p>On a Wednesday morning, a concerned motorist discovered Alex walking along a road in the foothills of the Pyrenees. This Good Samaritan, Fabien Accidini, picked up the young lad, offering water and kindness. Little did Fabien know, he was playing a crucial role in reuniting a family torn apart.</p> <p>Alex, who had been living in the remote Pyrenean valleys, was shy at first but eventually opened up to Fabien about his incredible journey. He revealed that he had been in France for two years, leading a nomadic life in an itinerant commune. His dream was to find a big city with an embassy to seek assistance.</p> <p>The touching part of the story was how Alex, carrying a backpack and skateboard, asked Fabien if he could borrow his phone. He then used the phone to send a message via Facebook to his grandmother back in England, Susan Caruana, telling her that he was fine and longing to see her.</p> <p>Susan Caruana, Alex's legal guardian, received the unexpected message, bringing tears of joy to her eyes. "I am so happy," she told The Sun newspaper. "I have spoken to him, and he is well. It is such a shock."</p> <p>The news of Alex's discovery spread like wildfire. A<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">s authorities worked diligently to unravel the mystery, it became apparent that Alex's mother, Melanie Batty, and grandfather, David Batty, who did not have parental guardianship, were still missing – and </span>are still wanted by police in connection with his disappearance.</p> <p>The reunion also brought together international cooperation, with British police and consular staff rushing to France to bring Alex back home. Greater Manchester Police confirmed their collaboration with French authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of Batty. "This is a complex and long-running investigation," they said in a statement, "and we need to make further enquiries as well as putting appropriate safeguarding measures in place."</p> <p>The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued a statement, affirming their support for the British national in France and their ongoing communication with local authorities.</p> <p><em>Images: Greater Manchester Police</em></p>

Family & Pets

Aussie's genius juicer hailed as one of the best inventions of the year

<p>In a testament to Brisbane's growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge innovation, not one by TWO local companies have earned their spot on <em>Time</em> magazine's prestigious list of the best inventions for 2023.</p> <p>These Brisbane-based enterprises are making waves with their groundbreaking contributions to the world of technology and everyday convenience.</p> <p>At the forefront of practical ingenuity is Dreamfarm, a company founded by Alex Gransbury, dedicated to enhancing the functionality of everyday items. Dreamfarm's latest triumph, the Fluicer, a compact and user-friendly juicing tool, has garnered significant attention. This easy-squeeze device not only streamlines the juicing process but also folds flat, allowing it to seamlessly fit into kitchen drawers.</p> <p>The Fluicer has become a standout product for Dreamfarm, quickly climbing the ranks to become one of the company's top sellers. Its recognition by <em>Time</em> magazine as one of the year's 200 best inventions absolutely solidifies its status as a game-changer in the market. With a price tag of $24.95, the Fluicer has resonated with consumers globally, becoming one of the top five selling products for the company internationally.</p> <p>Dreamfarm, which originated from a humble backyard shed, has experienced remarkable growth under Gransbury's leadership. With products now available in 35 countries and 300 independent stores worldwide, the company is on track to finish the year with a turnover exceeding $22 million, nearly double its revenue from just three years ago.</p> <p>"I thought you'd have to cure cancer or childhood diabetes, but they give it out to juicers apparently," Gransbury said to <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/best-inventions-time-magazine-fluicer-dreamfarm-hologram-zoo-holographics/b05dbc8c-cf76-4344-8510-6d2e8dbd305b" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a>.</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Having already won several design awards and gained that all-important Oprah Winfrey bump when she recommended it to her viewers earlier this year, Gransbury is understandably chuffed with the attention. </span>"On the world stage Australians have a great reputation for coming up with something new and different," he said.</p> <p>Joining Dreamfarm on <em>Time</em> magazine's prestigious list is Axiom Holographics, helmed by Bruce Dell. Axiom is the visionary force behind the world's first hologram zoo and has contributed to other groundbreaking holographic installations, including Bill Gates' hologram aquarium in the Maldives.</p> <p>Based in Murarrie with a production centre in Yatala, between the Gold Coast and Brisbane, Axiom is not just a player in the entertainment industry; the company, which designs and manufactures microchips and hardware, has seen its revenue double to $125 million in 2022-23. With expectations of tripling revenue in the next 12 months, Axiom has become a formidable force in the holographic technology sector.</p> <p>"I think we can make Australia the hologram capital of the world, just like Nokia made Finland the mobile phone capital of the world," Dell said to <em>ACA</em>. "We are going to be rolling this out all over the world, so hopefully they pop up as common as cinemas or McDonalds and it becomes a new form of entertainment."</p> <p>With Aussie inventions like the Fluicer and Axiom's holographic marvels making waves, the world is increasingly turning its gaze toward Brisbane as a hotbed of forward-thinking and transformative ideas.</p> <p>To check out <em>Time</em>'s full list of 200 remarkable inventions for 2023, <a href="https://time.com/collection/best-inventions-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">click here</a>. </p> <p><em>Images: A Current Affair</em></p>

Food & Wine

Mark Latham sued over homophobic tweet

<p>Mark Latham is being sued by New South Wales independent MP Alex Greenwich, after he failed to apologise for a "disgusting" homophobic tweet. </p> <p>Greenwich said he will initiate defamation proceedings against the One Nation NSW leader in the coming days, after he gave Latham until Thursday May 18th to issue an apology for the tweet against the openly gay member for Sydney. </p> <p>Greenwich confirmed the legal action would proceed after being by Latham's lawyers that he had no intention of apologising. </p> <p><a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/mark-latham-under-fire-over-disgusting-homophobic-tweet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Latham's tweet</a> made headlines in March, after the politicians became engaged in a war of words over Twitter when discussing <span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">the violent protest at St Michael's Church in Sydney's west, which saw members of the LGBTQIA+ community be attacked by religious extremists. </span></p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">More than a dozen LGBTQIA+ protesters were ambushed by hundreds of men outside an event at the church where Mr Latham spoke about parental rights and religious freedom. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">In an article Mr Greenwich called Mr Latham a "disgusting human being" who risks causing a "great deal of damage to our state". </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">Latham was quick to respond on Twitter, saying "That's disgusting?" What about..." followed by a graphic and homophobic comment that OverSixty has chosen not to publish. </p> <p>Greenwich said his decision to take legal action against Latham was something that required much consideration, but something he feels he must do. </p> <p>"This is not a process I enter into lightly, and a process I wish I didn't have to engage in," Greenwich said in a statement.</p> <p>"However, Mr Latham's homophobic, sexualised attack has exposed me to contempt, ridicule and extreme abuse, based on my sexuality, and demands actions."</p> <p>Greenwich has lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification and sexual harassment against Latham with Anti-Discrimination NSW.</p> <p>He has also made a police complaint against Latham for using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend.</p> <p>"It's 2023 and LGBTQIA+ Australians shouldn't have to put up with abuse that targets our sexuality, character, or ability to do our jobs," Greenwich said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

Alex Jones to pay eye-watering sum in damages

<p dir="ltr">Alex Jones, the host of far-right radio show InfoWars, has been ordered to pay a total of $US 49.3 million ($AUD 70.51 million) in damages for falsely claiming the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax.</p> <p dir="ltr">A Texas jury ruled that Jones pay $45.2 million in punitive damages, after awarding $4.1 million in compensatory damages the previous day, per <em><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62444302" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jones has repeatedly claimed that the shooting at Sandy Hook primary school, Connecticut, where 20 children and adults were killed was a “hoax” carried out by actors who opposed the Second Amendment right to bear firearms.</p> <p dir="ltr">Nail Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, the plaintiffs in the case and whose son died in the shooting, asked the court for $150 million, claiming they endured harassment and emotional distress as a result of his misinformation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Heslin told the court that Jones’ falsehoods had made his life “hell” and led to harassment and death threats from people who believed he had lied about his son’s death.</p> <p dir="ltr">The $4.1 million in compensatory damages were issued on Thursday to cover the actual costs incurred by the plaintiffs as a result of Jones’ defamation, including the private security they hired out of fear a Jones supporter may attack them during the trial.</p> <p dir="ltr">The following day’s $45.2 million are meant to deter Jones from repeating his offence.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We ask that you send a very, very simple message and that is: Stop Alex Jones,” a lawyer for the parents said in court on Friday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Stop the monetisation of misinformation and lies. Please.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Lawyers representing Heslin and Lewis accused Jones of trying to hide evidence, arguing that he committed perjury by denying having sent any messages about the shooting - with one attorney revealing that Jones’ legal representative accidentally sent them two years of Jones’ text messages.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Did you know 12 days ago your attorneys messed up and sent me an entire digital copy of your entire cell phone with every text message you’ve sent for the past two years?” said attorney Mark Bankston, according to HuffPost.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And when informed did not take any steps to identify it as privilege?”</p> <p dir="ltr">"If I was mistaken, I was mistaken, you've got the text messages right there," Jones said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite his long-held position that the shooting was fake, Jones acknowledged that it was “100 percent real” in court.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I unintentionally took part in things that did hurt these people’s feelings, and I’m sorry for that,” Jones said.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the radio host has continued to use his media platform to claim the case was rigged against him, with his InfoWars depicting a judge being consumed by flames.</p> <p dir="ltr">During his brief appearance in court, Jones was rebuked several times by the judge for lying under oath, including one moment where he was told: “This is not your show.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The trial is one of three brought against Jones by family members of the Sandy Hook victims, and comes after he has lost a series of defamation cases filed by parents by default after he failed to produce documents or testimony.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, this is the first trial where a jury agreed to award financial damages.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-71a17443-7fff-4a6b-001a-e0fe0b49116b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

See inside “Jeopardy!” star Alex Trebek’s luxe LA home

<p dir="ltr">Just over a year after Alex Trebek, the beloved host of<span> </span><em>Jeopardy!</em>, passed away at 80, his children have decided to list his home near Los Angeles for a whopping $9.89 million ($USD 6.995 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3405-Fryman-Rd_Studio-City_CA_91604_M12859-49929" target="_blank">listing</a>, Trebek first bought the five-bedroom, 7.5-bathroom home in 1991 for $3.04 million.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an interesting turn of events, Trebek’s daughter Emily is the listing agent for the property, along with Renee Oigens at Compass.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the Trebeks have been forced to slash the price of their last home that hit the market - to the tune of $USD 200,000 ($AUD 280,000) - some experts believe they will actually sell the LA home for more than the asking price.</p> <p dir="ltr">Real estate experts have pointed to the home’s location in LA’s Fryman Canyon, a secluded hotspot for celebrities, as well as its famed pedigree.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We believe this home will go at or above the asking price,” Amy Herman, a licensed real estate salesperson who works with high-profile clients, told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/inside-alex-trebeks-home-los-angeles-how-much-its-worth-today/" target="_blank"><em>Realtor.com</em></a>. “This is in part because of Alex Trebek’s legacy, and in part because of the fabled Studio City urban/suburban, super niche neighbourhood.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Herman pointed out that the area is home to A-list celebrities such as Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, and George Clooney.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Plus, a 99-year-old Mediterranean mansion on 1.5 acres is super difficult to find,” she said. “The house has an extra-special library and movie theatre, which are especially reflective of Trebek’s iconic Hollywood legacy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Jason Gelios, an author and real estate agent in Detroit, said the kinds of buyers attracted to celebrity homes will tend to pay a higher price.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Celebrity properties tend to appeal to a different type of homebuyer in the luxury market,” he said. “Homebuyers who look for that celebrity touch on a property will pay the higher price.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Though the home does require some renovating, which could see the selling price take a hit, Californian broker and real estate agent Khari Washington says it’s a reasonable price.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There are smaller houses nearby that are fixed up and have sold in the $5 million range. With this home being more significant, the asking price is right on.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With features including a twin wrought-iron staircase in the double-height foyer, as well as cathedral-style ceilings, uniquely designed windows, and a separate wing housing a 13-metre-long home theatre, its new owners will have a lot to enjoy.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images, Realtor.com</em></p>

Real Estate

Karl's joke about the Queen's walking stick goes global

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Karl Stefanovic has made headlines across the UK after making a crude joke about the Queen using a walking stick at a public engagement for the first time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The monarch was seen using the stick while attending a service at Westminster Abbey marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844816/queen-stick.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3cde2b26359944cc9093727c65ca4188" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As Alex Cullen reported the day’s headlines on Wednesday, he said, “She was using a cane. She was 95.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stefanovic replied: “She could use it to beat you up.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’d let her win. She’s 95,” Cullen joked.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844814/cullen-queen.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3b7ca1c8bc49433780edab0d74303d73" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Today / Channel 9</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She would smash you bro,” Stefanovic continued, to which Cullen said: “She would smash me and then jump on me.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I suppose she is single,” Stefanovic replied, prompting laughter across the panel.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“And shout at me for being a proud Republican,” Stefanovic added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Since the episode aired, the hosts have received some backlash on social media.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">British supporters of the Queen took to Twitter to share their criticisms and call for Stefanovic’s firing, while British and US news publications described the joke as “crude”, “gross”, and “uncolored”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Today host Karl Stefanovic makes gross joke about Queen Elizabeth, 95, using a walking stick <a href="https://t.co/vsQdM43R2L">https://t.co/vsQdM43R2L</a></p> — USMAIL24 (@usmail24) <a href="https://twitter.com/usmail24/status/1448255493621886976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not the 1st time Aussie showbiz clowns have mocked Our Royal Family to try & improve their status, when it just shows how pathetically desperate the Aussie mainstream media is for presenters, they have to scrape scum from the barrels,” user Upstart Eagle tweeted.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m assuming [Stefanovic’s] aged about 12, in which case he needs his arse smacked and no supper,” author Peter Maughan tweeted.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Karl Stefanovic makes crude joke about the Queen using a walking stick. Stefanovic & Cullen should be fired for their rudeness, disrespect & crude insinuations, that stick is to help our 95 year old Queen & that sort of rubbish on our TV program should be dealt with harshly,</p> — Old Bill (@Cuthred) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cuthred/status/1448119643206529029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It was the first time the Queen used the walking aid since 2004, when she was recovering following a knee operation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though many are concerned for the Queen’s health, it is understood she used the stick for comfort.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Today / Channel 9</span></em></p>

Today Show newsreader welcomes baby boy

<p>Newsreader for <em>The Today Show</em> Alex Cullen has shared heart-warming news on Monday morning.</p> <p>The journalist and his wife Bonnie have welcomed a baby boy to their growing family. </p> <p>The baby boy was morning early on Sunday morning and has yet to be named by his adoring parents. </p> <p><em>Today</em> hosts Karl Stefanovic and Ally Langdon were thrilled announced the birth on air this morning with beaming smiles and well wishes for the parents. </p> <p>Ally said, "<span>"He's no longer the only man in the house, his beautiful wife Bonnie delivered a healthy baby boy early yesterday morning."</span><br /><br /><span>"His twin girls Audrey and Evie are very excited to have a little brother."</span></p> <p><span>They shares a series of photos form the parents of their new son, as well as a snap of a very tired Alex taking a nap alongside his baby. </span></p> <p><span>This is the third child for Alex and Bonnie who are also parents to two-and-a-half year old twins, Audrey and Evie.</span></p> <p><span>Alex also shared the exciting news with his thousands of Instagram followers, which welcomed a flood of </span>congratulatory messages. </p> <p>He captioned the photos with, "<span>We couldn’t be happier. Our healthy, happy little boy came into the world at 1.08 on Sunday morning weighing 3.7 kilograms."</span></p> <p><span>"After 41 and a half weeks it was well and truly worth the wait! Name TBC and can’t wait for his big twin sisters Audrey and Evie to meet him, boss him and shower him with cuddles."</span></p> <p><span>"I marvel at Bonnie’s strength especially in these very trying times. Just amazing. Mum and baby Cullen recovering well."</span></p> <p><em>Image credit: Channel Nine</em></p>

Family & Pets

Alex Pullin’s girlfriend leaves heartbreaking note on door: “Respect my privacy”

<p><span>Alex Pullin's mourning girlfriend has left a tear-jerking note on her front door just a day after losing her partner in a tragedy on the the Gold Coast.</span><br /><br /><span>Alex, 32, was a world champion snowboarder who lost his life after going spearfishing in the water at Palm Beach.</span><br /><br /><span>He suffered a blackout at about 10:30 am on Wednesday and did not wake up despite paramedics performing CPR for 45 minutes on Pullin.</span><br /><br /><span>On Thursday his girlfriend Ellidy Vlug honoured her boyfriend with a handwritten letter that she taped to a front door on the Gold Coast home.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836881/pullin-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5e2df3ca0b75477091fab15d77f55414" /><br /><br /><span>“Dear media, thank you for your thoughts, this is a very difficult time for me and I ask that you respect my privacy during this period of grief,” Ms Vlug wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>“Know that Chumpy absolutely loved life and lived life to the full.</span><br /><br /><span>“He lived for us – his family, our puppy Rummi, our amazing friends and the home we made together.</span><br /><br /><span>“He was living his dream, our dream.</span><br /><br /><span>“I am eternally grateful that I have lived my life with him and I am deeply saddened that his life has been cut short.</span><br /><br /><span>“Rest in peace my beautiful man.</span><br /><br /><span>“Kind regards, Ellidy.”</span><br /><br /><span>Earlier that day, Ms Vlug told Daily Mail Australia she last saw her boyfriend alive moments before he'd decided to go for a dive, telling him: “Love you, watch out for sharks.”</span><br /><br /><span>Ms Vlug then went for a walk by herself, and when she returned home, she was met by a neighbour at her door telling her a spear fisher had been pulled from the ocean.</span><br /><br /><span>She then raced to the beach with her mother, where she was told the body belonged to her boyfriend of eight years.</span><br /><br /><span>It's been little more than 24 hours since his death, and Ms Vlug and the couple's friends and family can still hardly believe their loss.</span><br /><br /><span>“I don't know what I'm going to do without him,” she said.</span><br /><br /><span>But the 28-year-old model and business owner says she is determined to make him proud.</span></p> <p><span><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836880/pullin-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/25ca6ac77f89425786952b2c6085cb9d" /></span></p> <p><span>The couple were parents to one-year-old Rummi, their beloved Kelpie puppy, and Ms Vlug said Pullin absolutely adored her.</span><br /><br /><span>“He was a family man through and through. Me, and his sister and parents and Rummi were his world,” she said.</span><br /><br /><span>Ms Vlug shares a tight-knit relationship with Pullin's parents and sister.</span><br /><br /><span>They all live in New South Wales, so were physically separated during the COVID-19 lockdown, but remained in close contact with each other.</span></p>

Caring

Karl Stefanovic storms off Today show live on air after Allison Langdon’s hurtful tweets

<p><span>Karl Stefanovic could not hide his hurt when it was revealed a colleague had “bagged him out” on social media on Friday morning. </span><br /><br /><span>The Today show host, 45, walked off set during a live broadcast after being told his co-anchor Allison Langdon had seemingly made a hurtful tweet about him. </span><br /><br /><span>Karl surprised viewers by calling out Langdon, 41, for making disparaging remarks about him and sports reporter Alex Cullen on Twitter. </span><br /><br /><span>Following Alex's sports update, Karl said: “I don’t think they'd be alone in bagging colleagues out privately, obviously.”</span><br /><br /><span>“Yeah, it happens,” Alex solemnly responded. </span><br /><br /><span>Karl went on to say: “It does happen, and it's not very nice. I've actually managed to intercept a tweet Ally sent Tim [Davies, Today's weather presenter], and this is what it says here.”</span><br /><br /><span>He then read aloud the hurtful Twitter post to his co-hosts and viewed at home.</span><br /><br /><span>“Hey Tim, I think Alex and Karl are LAZY and letting the team down. I'm so sick of carrying them every morning,” it read.</span><br /><br /><span>“So that's Allison Langdon to Tim. That's good, isn't it?” Karl said, bitterly.</span><br /><br /><span>“Alex added: “That hurts. That hurts me right in the bread basket.”</span><br /><br /><span>Allison defended her hurtful words: “Look, I stand by it!”</span><br /><br /><span>Karl then stood up and began to walk off set in protest, but stopped to confer with Alex, who was also pretending to have hurt feelings.</span><br /><br /><span>The pair swiftly moved on to talk about the NRL, and Allison went into a weather segment with Tim.</span><br /><br /><span>Karl's walk-off was revealed to simply be a joke, however, as a quick glance at Allison's verified Twitter account shows that she hasn't tweeted since May 29.</span><br /><br /><span>There are several websites that allow users to generate “fake tweets”, which seems to be what the Today show producers did for the cheeky segment.</span></p>

News

Tragic details come to light as Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin’s final moments are revealed

<p>The partner of Aussie Winter Olympics star Alex “Chumpy” Pullin witnessed his final moments as paramedics attempted to revive him following a drowning accident on Wednesday.</p> <p>The 32-year-old snowboarder was found by a snorkeller on an artificial reef at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast and pulled from the waters around 10.30am. Lifeguards performed CPR for about 45 minutes, but he did not survive.</p> <p>“He may have been spearfishing. The patient was initially found with a weight belt and there was equipment in the area where he was found,” said Queensland Ambulance Service officer Justin Payne.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, after a long attempt at resuscitation, the patient was unable to be revived.”</p> <p>According to the <em>Courier Mail</em>, Pullin’s long-time girlfriend Ellidy Vlug and her mother arrived on the scene to see the commotion and reportedly expressed hope that the two-time snowboard cross world champion was not the one involved.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8hpsgfF8J5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8hpsgfF8J5/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">❤️</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexchumpypullin/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Alex Chumpy Pullin</a> (@alexchumpypullin) on Feb 13, 2020 at 3:39pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In a letter to the media, Vlug paid tribute to Pullin.</p> <p>“Know that Chumpy absolutely loved life and lived life to the full,” she wrote.</p> <p>“He lived for us - his family, our puppy Rummi, our amazing friends and the home we made together.</p> <p>“He was living his dream, our dream.</p> <p>“I am eternally grateful that I have lived my life with him and I am deeply saddened that his life has been cut short.</p> <p>“Rest in peace my beautiful man.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEow7ogjES/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwEow7ogjES/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Alex Chumpy Pullin (@alexchumpypullin)</a> on Apr 10, 2019 at 3:56am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Snow Australia, the peak body for skiing and snowboarding, said the community was saddened by Pullin’s passing.</p> <p>“Our deepest condolences are with Alex's family, as well as his teammates and support staff,” it said.</p> <p>“Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed.”</p>

Caring

Roger Federer praises young gun Aussie “demon”

<p>Roger Federer has tipped “so many more things to come” for Australian tennis player Alex De Minaur after defeating him again. </p> <p>The 28-year-old sportsman has now won an unbelievable 103 career single titles - six shy of Jimmy Connors’ all time record. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4I4eb_H1t3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4I4eb_H1t3/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Phil Bonney 🇦🇺 (@phil_bonney)</a> on Oct 27, 2019 at 3:41pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>De Minaur is making his own strides in the tennis world however, who has three titles under his belt at 20-years-old. </p> <p>"I was really hoping that Roger was going to get sick of winning here and give someone else a chance," de Minaur said.</p> <p>"Too good again. That was amazing."</p> <p>Federer praised his opponent, saying: "So many more things to come for you. You are going up from here."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4D_xRjA9hs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4D_xRjA9hs/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Alex De Minaur Fan Page (@alexdeminaur_fan_page)</a> on Oct 25, 2019 at 6:09pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>De Minaur had won all three of his finals this year, but proved to be no match for Federer, who converted four of 10 break points and also didn't drop serve during the 68-minute clinic.</p> <p>"It was fast but very nice, I think I played a great match," Federer said. </p> <p>While Federer claimed a fourth title of the season to go with Halle, Miami and Dubai, de Minaur got a rankings rise into the world's top 20 for the first time on Monday - an incredible achievement in itself. </p> <p>"I thought Alex played a great tournament as well, and I think we both can be very happy," Federer said.</p> <p>"But what a moment for me to win my 10th here in my hometown of Basel."</p> <p>De Minaur’s defeat was his first loss in four title deciders this year, having won in Sydney, Atlanta and Zhuhai.</p>

International Travel

House Rules’ Katie hits back at judges' cruel remarks

<p>They were deemed the team to beat, but Katie and Alex’s good run on <em>House Rules </em>came to an abrupt halt last night when the entry, hallway and loungeroom they transformed fell flat for all three judges.</p> <p>The duo, along with the rest of the teams, faced one of House Rules' most challenging transformations, taking to the tools for Tim’s family home renovation in Melbourne. But with two of Katie and Alex's rooms being small, they admitted they didn’t have much to work with.</p> <p>Their design ideas this week were also criticised by the judges, with Wendy Moore branding the couple as “lazy”.</p> <p>Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen scored the pair a disappointing 3 out of 10. Bowen then went on to question the couple’s place in the competition.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">LLB didn't hold back with his feedback this week. It's been an emotional night for Katie and Alex 3️⃣😭🌧⚡️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HouseRules?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HouseRules</a> | <a href="https://t.co/CZshh2sR3c">https://t.co/CZshh2sR3c</a> <a href="https://t.co/9Xm9DMUqhZ">pic.twitter.com/9Xm9DMUqhZ</a></p> — #HouseRules (@HouseRulesOn7) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseRulesOn7/status/1132583573184081920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">26 May 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Katie spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/house-rules/house-rules-katie-alex-scores-judges-56007" target="_blank">Now To Love</a> about how the judges' feedback has impacted her and Alex.</p> <p>"Wendy's words probably hurt the most," she admitted, about being deemed "lazy".</p> <p>"It couldn't be further from the truth. We work so hard and we know we did all we could."</p> <p>She also said that Laurence’s score wasn’t fair.</p> <p>"It's really hard to understand how Laurence thinks we don't deserve a place in the competition, because we've been doing so well," Katie exclaimed. </p> <p>"He obviously had his reasons, but it really knocked us for six."</p> <p>Katie explained that her lack of confidence is impacting the next house makeover.</p> <p>"It really affected the next renovation for us," she admits.</p> <p>Following the rough comments from the judges, they were left with the lowest score with 14 out of 30.</p> <p>After the episode aired last night, fans rallied around the duo saying that the judges were too harsh – and Katie took to Instagram to say thank you for the support.</p> <p>"Your support is helping more than you know," the beaten down couple wrote. "What a moment... We are just heaaaartbroken by Wendy and Lawrence's comments this week. 'Lazy' and 'undeserving of a place in this competition' are the words still ringing in our ears.</p> <p>"We know now that we definitely could have done better, but we will never be able to agree that we didn't work as HARD and considerately as we possibly could. We will use this experience the best way we can to better ourselves next week, but for now, we can only hope that Tim and Mat love their home that every team has poured their souls into."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx7GGzTB3ko/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx7GGzTB3ko/" target="_blank">Your support is helping more than you know... 🙏✨ What a moment... We are just heaaaartbroken by Wendy and Lawrence’s comments this week. 💔 “Lazy” and “undeserving of a place in this competition” are the words still ringing in our ears... 😔😔 We know now that we definitely could have done better, but we will never be able to agree that we didn’t work as HARD and considerately as we possibly could. 💕 We will use this experience the best way we can to better ourselves next week, but for now, we can only hope that @timmatau love their home that every team has poured their souls into. 🏡💕 . . . . . @houserules @channel7 @johgriggs7 @lisaandyau @shayncarlyau @petecourtneyau @mikaelaelizaau</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/katiealexau/" target="_blank"> Katie & Alex</a> (@katiealexau) on May 26, 2019 at 4:03am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Don't miss Tim and Mat's reaction during their house reveal tonight. </p> <p><em>House Rules</em> airs Monday to Wednesday at 7.30 pm and Sunday at 7 pm on Channel Seven. </p>

Ivan Milat: How his brother Alex was responsible for his downfall

<p>When Alex Milat walked into Bowral police station in NSW's southern highlands in 1992, he did not know his tip would kickstart the investigation that led to the arrest and conviction of his brother Ivan as a serial killer.</p> <p>Alex, one of Ivan Milat’s 13 siblings, claimed he and a friend saw two vehicles entering the Belanglo State Forest – where the bodies of seven young people linked to Ivan’s case would be discovered – containing about seven men along with two gagged and bound women.</p> <p>Alex believed the two women could have been Caroline Clarke and Joanne Walters, two British backpackers who disappeared from the Sydney suburb of Kings Cross around the same time he saw them.</p> <p>“I saw that the male passenger in the rear seat, next to the female, appeared to be aged in his mid-20s, a caucasian, fair complexion with brownish colour hair, which was neatly groomed and cut to the ears and neatly trimmed around the sides to the rear,” Alex’s <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/how-ivan-milats-brother-alex-was-the-accidental-architect-of-his-downfall/news-story/36c6c187fd5c86e4f390f646921e93d7">statement</a> read.</p> <p>“He was clean shaven and appeared to be well dressed. From memory he was wearing an off-white colour, collar-style, long sleeve shirt ... At this time, I noticed his hands were not rough as if he was an office worker as opposed to a labourer and his hands were clean.”</p> <p>The detailed description was first dismissed by police as fanciful, considering that both Alex and the people in his account were in moving vehicles.</p> <p>Alex said he delayed reporting the sighting because he thought “it was just some young blokes taking some girls into the forest to have a good time”.</p> <p>He said, “From my knowledge and experiences in that area I am aware of countless times when young men and women are observed driving around the forest looking like they’re lost or looking for somewhere they can have a good time and I didn’t think that this instant was any different.”</p> <p>The police found Alex’s detailed report suspicious, as it didn’t match his hesitation to provide the information. That prompted them to look into the Milat family.</p> <p>Out of all the Milat brothers, Ivan stood out due to his lack of alibi. He also lived near the forest and sold a Nissan car with a bullet left under the front seat shortly after the first bodies were found.</p> <p>The second time Alex helped out with the investigation was when he notified the ABC about the massive clue inadvertently shown in its <em>Four Corners</em> report. An interview with Clive Small, the head of the manhunt taskforce, showed a whiteboard in the background that contained the word “Milat” – for Ivan Milat, who was chief suspect at the time.</p> <p>The ABC removed the footage from further broadcasts, keeping Ivan in the dark and prompting Alex to continue monitoring his brother for the authorities.</p> <p>The third time Alex put Ivan under the spotlight was a crucial moment that led the police to get a search warrant. Alex was being questioned for his brother’s case when his wife mentioned a backpack Ivan had given them as a gift.</p> <p>The bag turned out to belong to German hitchhiker Simone Schmidl, one of the victims.</p> <p>On May 22, 1994, Ivan was finally arrested at his home in Eagle Vale in a morning raid.</p> <p>In July 1996, Ivan was sentenced to seven life sentences for the murders in NSW between 1989 and 1993 with no chance of parole.</p> <p>Alex said carrying the same last name as his brother brought him a lot of trouble. </p> <p>“I do [regret keeping the Milat name], I f*****g do,” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/serial-killer-ivan-milats-brother-dies-on-sunshine/3189421/" target="_blank"><em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em></a> in 2015.</p> <p>“The first day I should’ve changed my name, it would definitely have been a better life … It’d amaze you the problems I’ve had with having this name.”</p> <p>He said he was not concerned about Ivan’s guilt. </p> <p>“The decisions are made by somebody else, more than likely for political reasons,” Alex said.</p> <p>“I don’t even worry about it [Ivan’s guilt]. I just try to live my life and enjoy it.”</p> <p>Alex died in 2017 from a heart attack at the age of 76, while Ivan was diagnosed with terminal oesophagus and stomach cancer last week. </p> <p>“I’ve been informed he's only got a couple of weeks to live,” Ivan’s nephew Alistair Shipsey told <a href="https://www.wollondillyadvertiser.com.au/story/6144518/wayback-wednesday-police-catch-a-serial-killer-photos/"><em>Ten News</em></a>.</p>

Legal

How this Aussie tennis star has won the nation's heart

<p>Australia’s new favourite tennis star Alex de Minaur wants to be known as a relentless fighter that goes “til the end” at the Australian Open.</p> <p>At just 19, we have watched his career being taken to extreme heights – and in just a few short months he’s won the nation’s heart.</p> <p>He rose to prominence during the Australian summer of 2018 and ended the year as the top-ranked men’s player.</p> <p>With a brilliant start to 2019 on Wednesday night, he beat Swiss qualifier Henri Laaksonen in his 7th consecutive win.</p> <p>Soon he will come head to head for the third time with 17-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal.</p> <p>de Minaur’s new-found fame has come as a surprise to him too, saying nothing has really changed for him.</p> <p>“It’s a different position for me, a position I’m not really used to,” he said. “It’s sort of come out of nowhere. It’s been an unbelievable year. I’m enjoying every second of it.”</p> <p>While everything is changing in his sporting career, de Minaur insists he’s still the same kid as he was before.</p> <p>“Look honestly I just do the same old things; the same things that I did three years ago, four years ago,” he told reporters.</p> <p>“I still go have an acai bowl in the morning. I do the same things a 19-year-old kid would do.”</p> <p>The Aussie teen will face Nadal again, knowing all too well what he is up against. This time, he says he hopes to avenge his 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 loss on centre court at the All England Court.</p> <p>“I feel like I learnt a lot from that experience. I’m really looking forward to just having fun, going out there and just competing,” he said.</p> <p>“Hopefully this time around I can go a bit more relaxed, just focus on myself, try to play some good tennis.”</p> <p>However, for Alex he is just excited to be playing the game.</p> <p>“I’m very fortunate to be in the position that I am, to be able to play the sport that I love every single day. I’m never taking that for granted. I’m just enjoying every single day.”</p> <p>Will you be watching Alex de Minaur compete in the Australian Open? Tell us in the comments below. </p> <p> </p>

News

Alex McKinnon opens up about the joy of being a new dad: “I bawled”

<p>In 2014, NRL star Alex McKinnon suffered a spinal injury that left him quadriplegic, changing his life forever.</p> <p>Now, more than four years later, the former Newcastle Knights player couldn’t be happier.</p> <p>The 26-year-old married his partner Teigan last year and six weeks ago, the couple introduced their baby daughter Harriet into the world.</p> <p>In a new interview on the <em style="font-weight: inherit;">Today</em> show, Alex discussed the impact his little girl has had on him.</p> <p>"I bawled," he admitted.</p> <p>"Alex is very emotional," Teigan explained.</p> <p>"There are photos and he is just full of emotion, and I was like relief, she is finally here... She looks like a Harriet to me."</p> <p>Alex also reflected on the whirlwind of emotions he encountered as his daughter was born at Newcastle hospital.</p> <p>“People tell you want to expect, but it’s crazy, just crazy,’’ he said.</p> <p>“It was just me and Teigan and the nursing staff and it blew my mind.</p> <p>“At that moment she arrived, I had so many thoughts — we were bawling our eyes out.</p> <p>“I put her (Harriet) in my lap and held her. Teigan and I just sat there smiling. It completely blew my mind. To see the reaction on Teigan’s face was amazing.</p> <p>“Teigan was a machine, inspirational, as always.’’</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqTQL3RntEo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqTQL3RntEo/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Mums Sunday morning photo shoot request 😀🙌🏻 @teiganmckinnon x #Harri</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexmmckinnon/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Alex Mckinnon</a> (@alexmmckinnon) on Nov 17, 2018 at 4:01pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>During the interview, the couple explained that they fell pregnant on their first round of IVF.</p> <p>Although little Harriet Anne McKinnon is only a few months old, her parents are already looking toward growing their family even more.</p> <p>"When I was leaving the hospital, everyone was saying see you soon and I was like, not too soon," Teigan joked.</p> <p>"I think I'm going to have three daughters", Alex said.</p> <p>As well as balancing his duties as a new dad, Alex has also started a new recruitment role with the Newcastle Knights and works for Fox Sports.</p> <p>He also attends rehab a few times a week. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BopyBFAAsRt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BopyBFAAsRt/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Harriet Anne Mckinnon 💜 7-10-2018.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexmmckinnon/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Alex Mckinnon</a> (@alexmmckinnon) on Oct 7, 2018 at 5:57pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p>

Caring

Little Princess Charlotte steals the show in candid photo from Princess Eugenie’s wedding

<div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>For the first time since her wedding to Jack Brooksbank on Friday, Princess Eugenie has taken to Instagram to post a charmingly candid wedding photo to her 526,000 followers.</p> <p>But it’s not the bride or the groom who are the centre of attention, but playful Princess Charlotte.</p> <p>In the photograph, Princess Eugenie and her new husband are surrounded by their bridesmaids and page boys including Isla Phillips, Maud Windsor, Theodora Williams, Louis De Givenchy and Prince George in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.</p> <p> </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo__xuAgO9w/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo__xuAgO9w/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Jack and I would like to thank everyone who was involved in making our day so special and for all the wonderful wishes as we start married life laughing together. @alexbramall</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/princesseugenie/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Princess Eugenie</a> (@princesseugenie) on Oct 16, 2018 at 9:01am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Isla’s older sister, seven-year-old Savanah Phillips, embraces the bride who looks lovingly at her little second cousin Princess Charlotte, who is cheekily pulling a face. Both the bride and groom look highly amused, in this joyous behind-the-scenes shot.</p> <p>Fittingly with the image, which has been liked almost 160,000 times, Princess Eugenie included the caption: “Jack and I would like to thank everyone who was involved in making our day so special and for all the wonderful wishes as we start married life laughing together.”</p> <p>In a throwback to their earlier collaboration, wedding photographer Alex Bramall shared some stunning black and white portraits of Princess Eugenie, taken for a <em>Harper's Bazaar</em> US shoot in 2016.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_gPzPB-pq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo_gPzPB-pq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">This is where it all started. Thank you to @princesseugenie @theroyalfamily @hrhthedukeofyork @harpersbazaarus @laurabrown99 @hayley_caine @attractabeauty @kenorourke1 @mfurlonger @john_munro @bencrawford__</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/alexbramall/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> A L E X B R A M A L L</a> (@alexbramall) on Oct 16, 2018 at 4:25am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>He wrote: “This is where it all started.”</p> <p>What is your favourite photo from Princess Eugenie's wedding? Let us know in the comments section below.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p> </p>

Art

Channel 7 releases second Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion video following backlash

<p>After Channel 7’s exclusive interview with Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion aired on Sunday night, the network received an immediate wave of backlash.</p> <p>Interviewer Alex Cullen was scrutinised for not asking the pair questions about whether they had misused funds from the public for travel and whether Mr Joyce had helped Ms Campion receive a lucrative job with the National Party.</p> <p>Seven Network responded to the criticism by posting a part two of the controversial tell-all.</p> <p>Retweeting the second video, Cullen wrote: “For those who asked."</p> <p>Before releasing the second video, Cullen had justified the decision to focus the TV interview on the couple’s relationship and their newborn son, Sebastian.</p> <p>Cullen said the former deputy Prime Minister had denied any wrongdoing and so there was “nothing new” to contribute to the interview.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I’d like to make it clear that q’s about Joyce’s alleged tax-payer funded travel rorts and claims of sexual misconduct were asked in our <a href="https://twitter.com/sundaynighton7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sundaynighton7</a> I/V. The response to these q’s was the same as we’ve heard time and time again. Vehemently denied hence nothing new. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Auspol</a></p> — Alex Cullen (@alextcullen) <a href="https://twitter.com/alextcullen/status/1003468641117978624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>But Channel 7 decided to release the extra footage last night, which showed Mr Joyce responding to the misused funds allegations and Ms Campion claiming she is owed money for her work in Parliament.</p> <p>In the newly released footage, Ms Campion shared with Cullen some of the insults that were thrown at her when it was first reported that she was pregnant.</p> <p>“I’m a rent-a-root,” Ms Campion said, gesturing with air quotes to share what she had read on social media written about herself.</p> <p>"Yeah,” Mr Joyce replied with an awkward laugh.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Barnaby_Joyce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Barnaby_Joyce</a> says he's not worried about the political consequences of a paid interview on Seven's <a href="https://twitter.com/sundaynighton7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sundaynighton7</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/Riley7News?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Riley7News</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/7News?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#7News</a> <a href="https://t.co/WPhI1my92U">pic.twitter.com/WPhI1my92U</a></p> — 7 News Sydney (@7NewsSydney) <a href="https://twitter.com/7NewsSydney/status/1003555417316720640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>The politician also responded to allegations the couple had misused funds from the public to take several trips.</p> <p>“They have investigated this to death,” Mr Joyce said, claiming he has been questioned by the Parliamentary Expenses Authority. </p> <p>“I’ve had like 160 inquiries and at this point not one, not one, has come up saying, ‘Oh, this is a problem’.”</p> <p>Ms Campion revealed that she is also having her expenses investigated.</p> <p>“They have found that they actually owe me money,” she said.</p> <p>Reports have suggested that Ms Campion’s high-paying jobs were created to move her out of Mr Joyce’s office when the affair started.</p> <p>However, Ms Campion claimed she took a pay cut to work with the Nationals after working with the NSW government.</p> <p>“I actually took a big pay cut. My wage actually dropped significantly,” she said.</p> <p>Yesterday, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull denied the couple’s allegations that they had been told by members of parliament to get an abortion.</p> <p>“I’m not aware of anybody doing that to anyone,” Mr Turnbull said.</p> <p>Last night’s episode of <em>Q&A </em>addressed the controversial interview with former Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie revealing she was worried about Mr Joyce’s health.</p> <p>“Look, I’m going to be very brutally honest and I have been about this all the way through. This is beyond a midlife crisis. This is not the Barnaby Joyce I know. I am concerned about his mental welfare. I’m not going to sit here and kick them while he’s down and out. My heart is going out to him and both of them,” she said.</p> <p>“But if you can’t keep it in your pants you’re going to pay the price. It’s as simple as that and he’s now paying the price for that.”</p>

MKR winners announced: “Pinch me. We’re finally gonna own our own place!”

<p>Last night, <em>My Kitchen Rules</em>’ contestants Alex and Emily were announced as the 2018 winners of the TV competition.</p> <p>After creating an impressive five-course menu, the pair were awarded the title as champions and received the $250,000 prize money.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="750" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818098/1_500x750.jpg" alt="1 (134)"/></p> <p>After hearing that they had won, Emily jumped in excitement as she said, “I’m so happy… so surreal!”</p> <p>“You are the My Kitchen Rules champions!” Judges Pete Evans and Manu Feildel announced as confetti fell from the ceiling.</p> <p>The winners, from the Gold Coast, scored a total of 55 points out of 60.</p> <p>Their Melbourne rivals, Kim and Suong, received a score of 52.</p> <p>After an intense two hours, the pair celebrated the news by kissing each other.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818099/2_497x280.jpg" alt="2 (72)"/></p> <p>Alex and Emily received the only 10 in the finale by judge Liz Egan, who said, “This was a grand final menu in every way. Tonight I score you... a 10.”</p> <p>Manu encouraged the runners up, telling them to be proud of how far they had come.</p> <p>“Unfortunately, you just missed out, but you should be so proud of what you have achieved,” he said.</p> <p>Kim and Suong congratulated their competitors after hearing that they didn’t win.</p> <p>“We are so happy for you – a well-deserved win!”</p> <p>Alex told Emily to “pinch me” as the judges announced: “Alex and Emily, you have just won $250,000. Congratulations!"<br /> “Winning MKR is our ticket to getting what we wanted, to making our dream a reality,” Emily said.</p> <p>“Everything that we've worked towards, everything in our lives that we've worked towards... we're finally gonna own our own place!” agreed Alex.</p> <p>The couple battled the stress of the finale, with Emily bursting into tears as they prepared their fourth course of the night.</p> <p>“Stop having a go at me! I work just as hard,” she told Alex.</p> <p>As Alex attempted to diffuse the situation, he said, “Babe, stop it. The pressure is really building up. This is the fourth course. We are exhausted. We're trying to keep our head focused, all these different elements.”<br /> “Stop having a go at me every time we plate. I'm kind of bored of it,” Alex continued. </p> <p>Emily started to tear up as she said, “You've just been having a go at me the whole time!"<br /> “Oh, honey. OK. OK, I didn't. OK, I'm apologising, alright? I'm sorry,” Alex said as he hugged his partner. <br /> “I love you. It's OK. It's OK. It's looking amazing, OK? Just try and hold it together, OK?"</p> <p>“Emily's really upset. I know I kind of snapped like I shouldn't have, but I'm just feeling, you know, so much adrenaline. It's kind of just coming out of me, and I don't mean it to be,” he later explained to the camera.<br /> The pair recovered from the emotional outburst as they returned to the kitchen to prepare dessert and await the results of the finale.</p>

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