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

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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." 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. The stage is set for a riveting Aus Open, and fans eagerly anticipate witnessing how far de Minaur can push the limits in 2024. Image: Getty

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

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. “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. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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.” Showing kindness, Accidini provided the thirsty teenager with water and allowed him to use his mobile phone to send a message to his grandmother. 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.” 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. “Our main priority now is to see Alex returned home to his family in the UK.” Alex is expected to return to the UK in the coming days, as the investigation into the full circumstances of his disappearance continues. Images: Greater Manchester Police

Family & Pets

Missing boy found alive after six long years

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. 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. 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. 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. 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." The news of Alex's discovery spread like wildfire. As 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 are still wanted by police in connection with his disappearance. 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." 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. Images: Greater Manchester Police

Family & Pets

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

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 Time magazine's prestigious list of the best inventions for 2023. These Brisbane-based enterprises are making waves with their groundbreaking contributions to the world of technology and everyday convenience. 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. 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 Time 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. 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. "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">A Current Affair</a>. 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. "On the world stage Australians have a great reputation for coming up with something new and different," he said. Joining Dreamfarm on Time 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. 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. "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 ACA. "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." 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. To check out Time'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>. Images: A Current Affair

Food & Wine

Mark Latham sued over homophobic tweet

Mark Latham is being sued by New South Wales independent MP Alex Greenwich, after he failed to apologise for a "disgusting" homophobic tweet. 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. Greenwich confirmed the legal action would proceed after being by Latham's lawyers that he had no intention of apologising. <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. <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 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 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. Greenwich said his decision to take legal action against Latham was something that required much consideration, but something he feels he must do. "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. "However, Mr Latham's homophobic, sexualised attack has exposed me to contempt, ridicule and extreme abuse, based on my sexuality, and demands actions." Greenwich has lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification and sexual harassment against Latham with Anti-Discrimination NSW. He has also made a police complaint against Latham for using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend. "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. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Bob Hawke’s widow cops loss on luxury apartment

Blanche d’Alpuget, the widow of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, has offloaded her luxury apartment in the heart of Sydney’s CBD after offering a sizable discount. With an initial price guide of $4.3-4.5 million in July, the guide was reportedly adjusted to $4.2 million in September before eventually selling for an unconfirmed $3.73 million, per <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/bob-hawkes-widow-blanche-dalpuget-sells-372m-luxury-pad-in-the-one30-hyde-park-sydney/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">realestate.com.au</a>. D’Alpuget’s two-bedroom apartment in the One30 Hyde Park tower was sold after she switched listing agents from Ray White to <a href="https://boutiquepropertyagents.com/property/1403-130-elizabeth-street-sydney-nsw-2000/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boutique Property Agents</a>. The author and journalist moved in after she and Hawke settled on it in March 2019 and sold their waterfront property in Northbridge. The 131-square-metre apartment was originally three bedrooms before being reconfigured, and boasts views of Hyde Park and Sydney Harbour. After the apartment’s sale, d’Alpuget will be moving to the apartment tower next door, having spent $4.6 million on another apartment. Images: Getty Images / Boutique Property Agents

Real Estate

Alex Jones to pay eye-watering sum in damages

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. 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 <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62444302" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC News</a>. 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. 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. 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. 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. The following day’s $45.2 million are meant to deter Jones from repeating his offence. “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. “Stop the monetisation of misinformation and lies. Please.” 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. “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. “And when informed did not take any steps to identify it as privilege?” "If I was mistaken, I was mistaken, you've got the text messages right there," Jones said. Despite his long-held position that the shooting was fake, Jones acknowledged that it was “100 percent real” in court. “I unintentionally took part in things that did hurt these people’s feelings, and I’m sorry for that,” Jones said. 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. 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.” 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. But, this is the first trial where a jury agreed to award financial damages. Image: Getty Images

Money & Banking

New Bob Hawke book drops multiple bombshells

Bob Hawke's widow has <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/sex-addict-bob-hawke-had-multiple-affairs-in-lodge/news-story/5ef8467f5fea97b75e66f9d30fc5b471" target="_blank" rel="noopener">claimed</a> he was a sex addict who used a taxpayer-funded security team to see women in a new bombshell biography about the former PM. The autobiography, Demons and Destiny, is written by Troy Bramston and contains revelations about the former Prime Minister from his second wife, Blanche d’Alpuget, among many others. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> It’s thrilling to tear open a box and hold your book for the first time! Very proud of my biography of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BobHawke?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BobHawke</a>, packed with new interviews/archival discoveries, can’t wait for people to read it. In bookshops 1 March. Pre-order <a href="https://twitter.com/PenguinBooksAus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PenguinBooksAus</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/auspol?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#auspol</a> <a href="https://t.co/ai0oQUkgBf">https://t.co/ai0oQUkgBf</a> <a href="https://t.co/xELhOiqlqz">pic.twitter.com/xELhOiqlqz</a> — Troy Bramston (@TroyBramston) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyBramston/status/1490203872077492225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote> Ms d’Alpuget has revealed that her late husband had at least four lovers during his stint as Prime Minister, and that he used extramarital sex as a form of stress relief while he was still married to his first wife, Hazel Hawke. “Sex will calm people down, and he was a very highly strung man,” she said. “At the end of a day of intense activity, he somehow had to let off steam, as it were, and there’s nothing like a roll in the hay or five to do that.” When asked if she believed her late husband was a sex addict, Ms d’Alpuget replied, “I think so.” The new biography contains several other surprising revelations, including that Mr Hawke’s longest-running affair was with Jean Sinclair, his personal assistant at the Australian Council of Trade Unions, who was also married. Their affair continued during his time in parliament, as she went on to join his parliamentary and prime ministerial staff. The biography also reveals that Mr Hawke visited Ms Sinclair several times as she battled cancer in a Melbourne hospital in 1991, and that he was too distressed to speak at her funeral. Ms d’Alpuget, whose affair with Mr Hawke was on-and-off from 1976, said he was even unfaithful to her during their marriage. “Getting in to see him at The Lodge was (often) the only palace that we could meet,” she said. She also recalled a particular rendezvous where she wore a red wig and stetson hat to meet Mr Hawke, and that they “rushed into each other’s arms, laughing” upon seeing each other. Roger Martindale, the former head of Mr Hawke’s VIP protection service, revealed that the Australian Federal Police sometimes drove him to see his paramours so he wouldn’t gain extra attention from driving his Commonwealth car with its Australian flag. “We were all adults,” Mr Martindale explained. “He never asked anything of us. He just expected discretion from everybody.” Wendy McCarthy, a friend of Hazel, said she was less concerned with her husband’s affairs and more with his drinking. “The alcohol mattered more than the affairs,” Ms McCarthy said. “She would not have been happy about it but there was nothing she could do about it. She was resigned to it.” The autobiography claims Mr Hawke nearly drank himself to death during the 1970s, despite claiming he gave up drinking when he became Prime Minister. Demons and Destiny will be published in March, 2022. Image: Getty Images

Books

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

Just over a year after Alex Trebek, the beloved host of Jeopardy!, 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). According to the <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. In an interesting turn of events, Trebek’s daughter Emily is the listing agent for the property, along with Renee Oigens at Compass. 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. 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. “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 <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">Realtor.com</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.” Herman pointed out that the area is home to A-list celebrities such as Bruno Mars, Miley Cyrus, and George Clooney. “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.” 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. “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.” 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. “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.” 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. Images: Getty Images, Realtor.com

Real Estate

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

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. The monarch was seen using the stick while attending a service at Westminster Abbey marking the centenary of the Royal British Legion. <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" /> Image: Getty Images As Alex Cullen reported the day’s headlines on Wednesday, he said, “She was using a cane. She was 95.” Stefanovic replied: “She could use it to beat you up.” “I’d let her win. She’s 95,” Cullen joked. <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" /> Image: Today / Channel 9 “She would smash you bro,” Stefanovic continued, to which Cullen said: “She would smash me and then jump on me.” “I suppose she is single,” Stefanovic replied, prompting laughter across the panel. “And shout at me for being a proud Republican,” Stefanovic added. Since the episode aired, the hosts have received some backlash on social media. 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”. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 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> — USMAIL24 (@usmail24) <a href="https://twitter.com/usmail24/status/1448255493621886976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2021</a></blockquote> “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. “I’m assuming [Stefanovic’s] aged about 12, in which case he needs his arse smacked and no supper,” author Peter Maughan tweeted. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 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, — Old Bill (@Cuthred) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cuthred/status/1448119643206529029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2021</a></blockquote> It was the first time the Queen used the walking aid since 2004, when she was recovering following a knee operation. Though many are concerned for the Queen’s health, it is understood she used the stick for comfort. Image: Today / Channel 9

Today Show newsreader welcomes baby boy

Newsreader for The Today Show Alex Cullen has shared heart-warming news on Monday morning. The journalist and his wife Bonnie have welcomed a baby boy to their growing family. The baby boy was morning early on Sunday morning and has yet to be named by his adoring parents. Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Ally Langdon were thrilled announced the birth on air this morning with beaming smiles and well wishes for the parents. Ally said, ""He's no longer the only man in the house, his beautiful wife Bonnie delivered a healthy baby boy early yesterday morning." "His twin girls Audrey and Evie are very excited to have a little brother." 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. This is the third child for Alex and Bonnie who are also parents to two-and-a-half year old twins, Audrey and Evie. Alex also shared the exciting news with his thousands of Instagram followers, which welcomed a flood of congratulatory messages. He captioned the photos with, "We couldn’t be happier. Our healthy, happy little boy came into the world at 1.08 on Sunday morning weighing 3.7 kilograms." "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." "I marvel at Bonnie’s strength especially in these very trying times. Just amazing. Mum and baby Cullen recovering well." Image credit: Channel Nine

Family & Pets

The moment that made Bob Hawke come clean

When former Prime Minister Bob Hawke shared that he was leaving his wife - and mother of his four children - the news came as one of the biggest scandals in Australian political history. Hawke admitted to having a two-decade-long affair with journalist and author Blanche d’Alpuget while married to Hazel Hawke. Hawke was the first of Australia’s Prime Ministers to divorce when he ended his marriage four years after leaving office. The wake-up call The affair began in 1976 and ended a few years later with the pair remaining with their respective partners until the mid-1980s. Hawke and d’Alpuget had no contact following the publication of Hawke’s biography - written by d’Alpuget - in 1982. D’Alburget divorced from husband Tony Pratt in 1986, and a surprise call from Hawke asking to meet her resparked their affair. They continued to meet in secret until 1992, when the politician had his wake-up call. Following a light plane crash in Queensland involving d’Alpuget, Hawke’s belief that she had died in the incident left him devastated. After discovering she had come out of the crash completely fine, Hawke realised he had to come clean about the affair so he could be with her. Within two years, Hawke had divorced Hazel and married d’Alpuget. Though Hazel and Hawke had a difficult marriage - with Hawke’s heavy drinking and infidelity causing a lot of strife - he still cared for her. After her death in 2013, Hawke said: “I remember Hazel with a deep affection and gratitude. She was more than a wife and mother, being father as well during my frequent absences as I pursued an industrial then political career.” Hazel died in 2013 at age 83, after being diagnosed with dementia. Bob Hawke died in 2019, aged 89, after a short illness. Image: 9honey

Relationships

"Struggling to survive": Blanche d’Alpuget speaks about late Bob Hawke

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> It's been almost two years since former Prime Minister Bob Hawke passed away and his wife of 24 years Blanche d’Alpuget remembers him with "great affection and admiration". Hawke died at the age of 89 on May 16th, 2019. D’Alpuget spoke with Michael Usher on The Latest on Thursday night about how her life has changed since her husband passed away as well as dealing with her grief and battling breast cancer. “It took up so much of my time, because first I had months of chemotherapy, and then I had to recover from that,” she said. “Then I had a big surgery and recover from that, and then have more drugs pumped into me. “So in a way, the first anniversary of his death wasn’t as bad because I was just struggling to survive.” As she struggled with chemotherapy, she felt "so tired". “But there’s a feeling of sisterhood and brotherhood between all people who’ve experienced cancer, really; only they know what it’s like,” she said. “I didn’t think I was going to die during any of it; I knew I was going to survive.” She also reflected on Hawke before he passed away as he became "sweeter and sweeter" as he got older. “It was really wonderful. Our love just got stronger and stronger,” she said. “My life is simpler now, but it’s missing an element, a very large element.” </div> </div> </div>

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The Bob Hawke and Paul Keating interview that almost never happened

Ray Martin has reminisced on a 1989 TV interview between former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and Treasurer Paul Keating that almost never happened. The two politicians sat down for their first TV interview together on the Midday Show over 30 years ago during a period where the pair had been at the helm of the Australian government for seven years. Former host of the show, Ray Martin told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/latest/ray-martin-bob-hawke-paul-keating-midday-show-exclusive/1c578c45-1db6-4dec-af96-f2cdc151325c" target="_blank">9 Entertainment</a> that the legendary interview almost never happened. "They didn't want to be there. Bob Hawke's people talked him into it," Martin said. "On the day there was fog in Canberra and Keating rang up the producer and said he couldn't make it, that the fog was blocking the plane, so we got in touch with Hawke's office and he arranged for an RAF plane to fly him down so he couldn't get out of it." The interview had the entire nation talking. "We got enormous publicity. We saw two extraordinary, powerful political creatures who both wanted to be Prime Minister, but only one was and he wasn't going to step aside," Martin recalled. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.3573883161512px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838860/the-midday-show-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/256a362f3b1b43838747020aac545396" /> Soon after the episode went to air, a report revealed that Hawke and Keating had met with each other at Kirribilli House for a secret meeting 12 months prior. Together they had decided that Hawke would step aside after two years to allow Keating to move into the role of Prime Minister. However, the TV interview made it clear that Hawke no longer had that intention. "He was talking to me about staying for another four years, I didn't know that he had a deal that he was only going to stay for two years," Martin said. "When you look back now you can see Paul Keating was obviously miffed that here before a million people the boss was saying 'I'm not stepping aside'." Martin says Keating wasn't at all happy with how he came across in the in interview. "I'm not sure Paul Keating liked it or ever forgave us for it, but I think he bears grudges,” he recounted. “But Hawke would have moved on. Paul was a far more private character for a public figure."

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Bob Hawke’s widow opens up about "sheer hell" after his death

Blanche d’Alpuget, a writer and widow of former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, has opened up about the “sheer hell” of breast cancer treatment, saying she almost skipped it at first. Sitting down with A Current Affair’s Tracy Grimshaw, Blanche spoke candidly about the grief following Mr Hawke’s death in May last year. “I had eight weeks of chemotherapy which was sheer hell,” she said. ”Then I had to have four weeks recovery to get over that, the operation. I had the operation and now I’m having immotherapy so that’s a bit more poison.” The treatment left her feeling “very tired” and “dopey”, and due to the coronavirus pandemic, she wasn’t able to take public transport or sit in taxis. Blanche discovered a giant lump in her breast one day while changing her clothes, saying it “was like a mushroom had come up overnight”. “I had one mammogram and it hurt, I‘ve never had another one … it was quite a surprise and serves me right, really,” she said. She has been told that her stage two breast cancer was hormone sensitive and she questions if it has to due with her taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after Mr Hawke’s death. When she was diagnosed, Blanche revealed she was in “shock and disbelief” and almost considered not going through with the treatment. But she changed her mind after thinking about her son, Louis Pratt. “Well, it was really thinking about my son and how horrendous it would be if it had gone through first lung cancer, then brain cancer, and that’s what spooked me – the thought of that,” Ms d’Alpuget said.

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

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. Alex, 32, was a world champion snowboarder who lost his life after going spearfishing in the water at Palm Beach. 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. 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. <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" /> “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. “Know that Chumpy absolutely loved life and lived life to the full. “He lived for us – his family, our puppy Rummi, our amazing friends and the home we made together. “He was living his dream, our dream. “I am eternally grateful that I have lived my life with him and I am deeply saddened that his life has been cut short. “Rest in peace my beautiful man. “Kind regards, Ellidy.” 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.” 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. She then raced to the beach with her mother, where she was told the body belonged to her boyfriend of eight years. 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. “I don't know what I'm going to do without him,” she said. But the 28-year-old model and business owner says she is determined to make him proud. <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" /> The couple were parents to one-year-old Rummi, their beloved Kelpie puppy, and Ms Vlug said Pullin absolutely adored her. “He was a family man through and through. Me, and his sister and parents and Rummi were his world,” she said. Ms Vlug shares a tight-knit relationship with Pullin's parents and sister. They all live in New South Wales, so were physically separated during the COVID-19 lockdown, but remained in close contact with each other.

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

Karl Stefanovic could not hide his hurt when it was revealed a colleague had “bagged him out” on social media on Friday morning. 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. Karl surprised viewers by calling out Langdon, 41, for making disparaging remarks about him and sports reporter Alex Cullen on Twitter. Following Alex's sports update, Karl said: “I don’t think they'd be alone in bagging colleagues out privately, obviously.” “Yeah, it happens,” Alex solemnly responded. 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.” He then read aloud the hurtful Twitter post to his co-hosts and viewed at home. “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. “So that's Allison Langdon to Tim. That's good, isn't it?” Karl said, bitterly. “Alex added: “That hurts. That hurts me right in the bread basket.” Allison defended her hurtful words: “Look, I stand by it!” 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. The pair swiftly moved on to talk about the NRL, and Allison went into a weather segment with Tim. 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. 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.

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

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. 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. “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. “Unfortunately, after a long attempt at resuscitation, the patient was unable to be revived.” According to the Courier Mail, 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. <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> <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 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 </div> </blockquote> In a letter to the media, Vlug paid tribute to Pullin. “Know that Chumpy absolutely loved life and lived life to the full,” she wrote. “He lived for us - his family, our puppy Rummi, our amazing friends and the home we made together. “He was living his dream, our dream. “I am eternally grateful that I have lived my life with him and I am deeply saddened that his life has been cut short. “Rest in peace my beautiful man.” <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 </div> </blockquote> Snow Australia, the peak body for skiing and snowboarding, said the community was saddened by Pullin’s passing. “Our deepest condolences are with Alex's family, as well as his teammates and support staff,” it said. “Alex was a beloved member of the Snow Australia community and he will be dearly missed.”

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Bob Hawke’s widow faces heartbreaking cancer diagnoses less than a year after husband’s death

Bob Hawke’s widow Blanche d’Alpuget has been diagnosed with breast cancer less than one year after the death of her “soulmate”. The 76-year-old recently revealed that she is undergoing chemotherapy at the Kinghorn Cancer Centre in Darlinghurst, Sydney. “I detected the lump in my left breast about six or seven weeks ago,” she told The Sunday Telegraph. Ms d’Alpuget strongly advised older women to get their breasts checked regularly after discovering the cancerous lump by “accident”. “You never think you’re going to get cancer – not at my age, but it happens. I’d like to encourage all older women to have their breasts checked. I found the lump by accident,” she said. Her husband and former prime minister died last year on May 16, aged 89. He held office from 1983 to 1991, making him the longest serving Labor leader. The news comes after Mr Hawke’s youngest daughter, Ms Dillon is contesting his will and claiming the $750,000 he left each of his children isn’t enough. Ms Dillon has demanded funds to purchase a $2.5 million house in Sydney – furnished with towels worth $4000 – and wants $30,000 for a new set of teeth. Ms d’Alpuget will face her stepdaughter for a private mediation on May 7 – less than two weeks before the first anniversary of Mr Hawke’s death.

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Bob Hawke's widow responds to Rosslyn Dillon's rape claims

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke’s widow Blanche d’Alpuget says that she “didn’t know anything” about shocking claims that Hawke told his daughter not to report an alleged rape as it would negatively impact his career. Rosslyn Dillon alleged in an affidavit that she was raped by Labor MP Bill Landeryou in the 1980s and Hawke covered it up to protect his career. As neither man can defend the allegations due to their passing, it is up to Hawke’s widow to defend her former husband. “I didn't know anything, and I can't say anything,” Ms d'Alpuge said at the launch for her revised book 'Bob Hawke: The Complete Biography' in Sydney's north shore on Sunday, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/blanche-dalpuget-says-she-knew-nothing-of-bob-hawke-daughters-rape-claims/news-story/7b6a25cc09e07735ed6a070a4c829592" target="_blank">The Australian</a> reported. “I don't know what she said.” The 75 year old added that she had been advised by her lawyers to not comment on the incident. She also referred to advice from her lawyers when she was questioned about Rosslyn Dillon’s request for claims to the Hawke estate. D'Alpuget said she is worried about her late husband’s daughter after the death of Hawke earlier this year. “I am very concerned that Rosslyn is grieving so much, I really feel for her,” she said. Rosslyn claims that when she told her father of the allegations in the 1980s, he said “You can’t go to the police”, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2019/12/07/hawke-daughter-rape-legal/" target="_blank">The New Daily</a>. “You can't go to the police. You can't. I can't have any controversies right now. I am sorry but I am challenging for the leadership of the Labor Party,” Hawke is alleged to have said. Rosslyn said that she was “shocked and hurt that her father asked this of me” in the 25-page affidavit. “I thought to myself I could not make any bigger sacrifice to the (my father’s) political career if I had tried,'' the affidavit continues. "He asked me to let the matter go for him and I did so for him. "I am still haunted by the sexual assaults. I feel that I may have had a chance to get over these rapes if I was able to report the incidents to police."

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Bob Hawke's widow responds to Rosslyn Dillon's rape claims

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