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Tim Tam Jatz: How an April Fool's joke became a real product line

<p>Snack enthusiasts have been left both bewildered and ecstatic as Arnott’s has announced the release of the long-awaited Tim Tam Jatz – a fusion biscuit that promises to revolutionise the sweet and salty game. What started as a mere April Fool’s prank has now escalated into a reality stranger than fiction.</p> <p>For years, brands like Arnott’s and Macca’s have toyed with our taste buds, teasing us with tantalising new product announcements on April 1st, only to dash our hopes with the cold reality of jest. But Arnott’s, oh Arnott’s, they decided to take it one step further.</p> <p>Last year, amid the chaos of April Fool’s 2023, they dropped the bombshell: Tim Tam Jatz was on its way. The internet erupted in a cacophony of disbelief and desire. Comments flooded in, ranging from desperate pleas to joyous declarations of snack nirvana.</p> <p>Fast forward to the present, and Arnott’s has delivered the unthinkable. The Tim Tam Jatz is no longer a figment of our collective imagination but a tangible delight that will soon grace the shelves of Coles, bringing joy to snack enthusiasts everywhere. Combining the decadent chocolatey goodness of a Tim Tam with the unmistakable crunch of a salty Jatz cracker, this biscuit is poised to redefine the very essence of snack time.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5fBOF1veqy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C5fBOF1veqy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Arnott's Biscuits (@arnottsbiscuits)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Rebecca Chan, the mastermind behind this stroke of genius and Tim Tam’s marketing manager, expressed her delight at bringing this unconventional creation to life. “We love getting behind an April Fool’s prank, and dreaming up new ways to tap into Australia’s love of Tim Tam,” she wrote.</p> <p>“But following the overwhelming number of comments and requests, we knew we had to bring Tim Tam inspired by Jatz to the shelf and make it available for every Aussie to enjoy.</p> <p>"We can’t wait to share the latest Tim Tam creation, where consumers can expect something a little bit sweet, and a little bit salty in every bite.”</p> <p>The announcement sent shockwaves across social media, with food bloggers and snack enthusiasts alike losing their collective minds over the prospect of this culinary marvel. </p> <p>As word spread like wildfire, social media erupted in a frenzy of anticipation. “My sister is obsessed with Tim Tams and Jatz, so she will love this,” proclaimed one user, already envisioning the delight on their sibling’s face. “OMG I need it immediately,” cried another, echoing the sentiments of snack lovers everywhere.</p> <p>But amidst the jubilation, there were voices of caution. “Ooh, I will be trying, but I seem to only ever buy a new Tim Tam once and then run straight back to my beloved double coat,” confessed a hesitant fan, torn between loyalty and curiosity.</p> <p>Only time will tell if Tim Tam Jatz will live up to the hype, but one thing is for certain: Arnott’s has unleashed a culinary juggernaut that is sure to leave a lasting impression on snack history. So brace yourselves; the sweet and salty revolution is upon us, and there’s no turning back.</p> <p><em>Image: Arnott's</em></p>

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A rose in every cheek: 100 years of Vegemite, the wartime spread that became an Aussie icon

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-viney-1153558">Hannah Viney</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p>There are roughly <a href="https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/vegemite">22 million jars of Vegemite</a> manufactured in the original Melbourne factory every year. According to the Vegemite website, around 80% of Australian households have a jar in the cupboard.</p> <p>The cultural status of Vegemite is so enduring that, in 2022, the City of Melbourne Council <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/01/smell-of-vegemite-factory-given-special-heritage-recognition-by-melbourne-council">included the smell of the factory</a> at 1 Vegemite Way, Fishermans Bend, in a statement of heritage significance.</p> <p>Vegemite first hit Australian supermarket shelves in 1923, but it took a while to find its feet.</p> <p>Indeed, the now classic spread may have failed into obscurity as “Parwill” if not for a very clever advertising campaign in the second world war.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YNiOZInvLog?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>A product of war</h2> <p>Vegemite has German U-boats to thank for its invention.</p> <p>When the first world war began in 1914, Australians were big fans of <a href="https://www.marmite.co.uk/">Marmite</a>, the British yeast extract spread.</p> <p>As the Germans began sinking ships full of British supplies to Australia, Marmite disappeared from the shelves. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JHRM-06-2015-0019">Due to the conditions of its patent</a>, Marmite could only be manufactured in Britain.</p> <p>As a result, there was a gap in the market for a yeast spread.</p> <p><a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/walker-fred-8953">Fred Walker</a>, who produced canned foods, hired food technologist <a href="https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/callister-cyril-percy-5468">Cyril P. Callister</a> to create a homegrown yeast spread using brewer’s yeast from the Carlton Brewery.</p> <p>Callister’s experiments produced a thicker, stronger spread than the original Marmite. Callister’s inclusion of vegetable extracts to improve the flavour would <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/08949468.1993.9966612">give the spread its name, Vegemite</a>, chosen by Walker’s daughter from competition entries.</p> <p>Australians were wary of Vegemite when it first appeared on grocery shelves, perhaps due to brand loyalty to Marmite.</p> <p>To try and combat this, <a href="https://vegemite.com.au/heritage/">Walker renamed Vegemite “Parwill”</a> in 1928 as a play on Marmite: “if Ma might, Pa will”.</p> <p>This rebrand was short-lived. Australians were not any more interested in Parwill than they were in Vegemite.</p> <h2>A nutritious food replacement</h2> <p>In the 1930s, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JHRM-06-2015-0019">Walker hired American advertiser J. Walter Thompson</a>. Thompson began offering free samples of Vegemite with purchases of other Kraft-Walker products, including the popular Kraft cheese.</p> <p>Kraft-Walker also ran limerick competitions to advertise Vegemite. Entrants would write the final line of a limerick to enter into the draw to win a brand new car.</p> <p>It would take another world war, however, before Vegemite became part of Australian national identity.</p> <p>The second world war also disrupted shipping supply routes. <a href="https://www.oldtreasurybuilding.org.au/work-for-victory/housewives-to-action/food-rationing/">With other foodstuffs hard to come by</a>, Vegemite was marketed as a nutritious replacement for many foods. One 1945 advertisement <a href="http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1106308">read</a>: "If you are one of those who don’t need Vegemite medicinally, the thousands of invalids and babies are asking you to deny yourself of it for the time being."</p> <p>With its long shelf life and high levels of B-vitamins, the Department of Supply also saw the advantages of Vegemite. The department began buying Vegemite in bulk and <a href="https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1070486">including it in ration kits</a> sent to soldiers on the front lines.</p> <p>Due to this demand, Kraft-Walker foods rationed the Vegemite available to civilians. Yet the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/JHRM-06-2015-0019">brand increased advertisements</a>. Consumers were told Vegemite was limited because it was in demand for Australian troops due to its incredible health benefits.</p> <p><a href="http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1106308">One ad told Australians</a>: "In all operational areas where our men and those of our Allies are engaged, and in military hospitals, Vegemite is in great demand, because of its value in fighting Vitamin B deficiency diseases. That’s why the fighting forces have first call on all Vegemite produced. And that is why Vegemite is in short supply for civilian consumption. But it won’t always be that way. When the peace is won and our men come home, ample stocks of this extra tasty yeast extract will be available for everyone."</p> <p>This clever advertising linked Vegemite with Australian nationalism. Though most could not buy the spread during the rationing years, the idea that Vegemite was vital for the armed forces cemented the idea that Vegemite was fundamentally Australian.</p> <p>Buying Vegemite was an act of patriotism and a way to support Australian troops overseas.</p> <h2>Happy little Vegemites</h2> <p>In the postwar baby boom, Vegemite advertisements responded to concerns about the nation’s health and the need to rebuild a healthy population.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vLhk_wE4l2Q?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>This emphasis on <a href="http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46442748">Vegemite as part of a healthy diet</a> for growing children would remain the key advertising focus of the next 60 years.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nfsa.gov.au/collection/curated/happy-little-vegemites-jingle-1953">The ear-catching jingle was composed</a> in the early 1950s, first for radio and then later used in the 1959 television ad.</p> <p>The link between Australian identity and Vegemite was popularised internationally by Men At Work’s 1981 song Down Under, with the lyrics “He just smiled and gave me a Vegemite sandwich”.</p> <p>The 1980s also saw <a href="https://youtu.be/h5r3HAJh8es">the first remake of the 1950s television campaign</a>, re-colourising it for nostalgic young parents who had grown up with the original.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h5r3HAJh8es?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>In February 2022, the first international arrivals welcomed back into Australia post-COVID were greeted with a DJ playing Down Under, koala plushies and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/feb/21/today-we-rejoined-the-world-hugs-tears-and-vegemite-as-australia-reopens-international-borders">jars of Vegemite</a>.</p> <p>On Vegemite’s centenary in 2023, the unassuming spread is now firmly cemented as an Australian cultural icon. Love it or hate it, Vegemite is here to stay. <!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/204917/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-viney-1153558">Hannah Viney</a>, Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-rose-in-every-cheek-100-years-of-vegemite-the-wartime-spread-that-became-an-aussie-icon-204917">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Puzzles April 2023 Answers

<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The Free OverSixty Newspaper is regularly with Crosswords, Sudokus, Word Finders and more for your entertainment and to keep that grey matter limbered up.</span></p> <p>So! Without further ado, here are the solutions to <a href="https://over60newspapers.azurewebsites.net/OverSixty_April_2023_Digital/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all of the puzzles from the April 2023 issue</a> of the FREE OverSixty Newspaper. Enjoy!</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Crosswise Answers:</strong></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Crosswise_solution_april2023.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="1276" /></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Sudoko Answers:</strong></p> <p><strong><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Sudoku_solution_april2023.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="1245" /></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Before and After Answer:</strong></p> <p>MOUTH [ PIECE ] MEAL</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Word Finder Answers:</strong></p> <p>We found all of these words below in this issue's Word Finder. Did you find any more? Let us know via <a href="mailto:newspaper@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">newspaper@oversixty.com.au</a></p> <ol> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">EIGHT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ERG</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FOE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FOES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FOR</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FORE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FORESIGHT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FORT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FORTH</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FREIGHT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FRIES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FRIGHT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FRO</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FROTH</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">GIRT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FIRTH</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">GRIEF</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">GROT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HIE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HIRE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HIRES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HIS</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HOE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HOER</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HOERS</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HOES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HORSE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">HOT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">IRE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">IRES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ORE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ORES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ORGIES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ORT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">REF</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">RHO</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">RIG</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">RIGHT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">RISE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ROE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ROES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ROT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ROTH</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">SERF</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">SIGH</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">SIGHT</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">SIR</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">SIRE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">THIEF</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">THIS</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">THOR</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">THRO</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">THROE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">THROES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TOE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TOES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TOR</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TORE</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TORES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TORI</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TORIES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TORS</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TORSI</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TREF</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TRIES</li> <li class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TRIG</li> </ol> <p> </p> <p><strong>Word Pyramid Answer:</strong></p> <p>For this puzzle you were given a number of clues. The first answer had two letters, the second three letters, the third four – and so on. Each answer consisted of the same letters as the previous one with the addition of one letter.</p> <p><strong>SOLUTION:<br /></strong><strong>French article (LE)<br /></strong><strong>Falsehood (LIE)<br /></strong><strong>Reside (LIVE)<br /></strong><strong>Large organ (LIVER)<br /></strong><strong>Splinter (SLIVER)</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Word Circles Answer:</strong></p> <p>We asked you to unscramble the letters in each circle to produce two words that are opposite in meaning to each other.</p> <p><strong>SOLUTION: EQUALITY, IMPARITY</strong></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

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"That was flawless": Sunrise host falls for hilarious April Fools prank

<p dir="ltr"><em>Sunrise </em>host Monique Wright got tricked by co-host Matt Doran’s elaborate April Fools’ Day prank on Saturday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wright was convinced that she had scored an exclusive interview with US President Barack Obama, when in fact she was interviewing an impersonator called Reggie.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Mr Obama, what an absolute thrill to have you in the country,” she gushed “Gosh we love you here, and it was fantastic to have you on our programme.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you so much, safe travels home,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">To make the prank believable, the <em>Sunrise </em>team had intentionally distorted Wright’s screen so that she couldn’t recognise who she was speaking with over Zoom.</p> <p dir="ltr">Doran waited until after the interview to reveal the truth.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just before we let you go, perhaps it might be an opportune time just to let Mon know that we’re actually speaking to Reggie from LA who is the top Obama impersonator in the world,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“G’day Reggie! That was flawless.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Wright was left fuming and blamed her gullibility on bad technology.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Reggie, they’ve actually used a monitor which looks very strange, I can’t see you properly,” she said, to which Doran joked that it wasn’t a valid excuse.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then acknowledged the “extraordinary” acting abilities of the <em>Sunrise</em> team and exclaimed: “I hate you, I was so excited!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I ran down to get changed with two minutes' notice, so I would like to apologise to Chrissy the producer who saw me in my underwear,” she said, revealing how excited she was for the interview.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I hate all of you but I mostly hate you!” she jokingly said to Doran.</p> <p dir="ltr">Doran then tried to make her feel better by saying that anyone would’ve fallen for the same prank.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You were given no notice, Reggie was so convincing,” he said, adding that he was terrified of what Wright might do to get him back.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wright then joked that he should be terrified after throwing everyone into a frenzy and getting the “whole building” involved in his elaborate prank.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Watch this space, stay comfortable Matt,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Channel Seven</em></p>

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Neighbours reveals which stars are moving back to Ramsay Street

<p>New details have emerged over which <em>Neighbours</em> cast members will be returning to Ramsay St when the series launches on Amazon’s FreeVee late 2023. </p> <p>The show - axed after 27 years on air - will benefit from the presence of a few fan favourite faces, with Annie Jones, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Georgie Stone, and Tim Kano reprising their roles as Jane Harries, Terese Willis, Mackenzie Hargreaves, and Leo Tanaka respectively. </p> <p>And for those hoping to see Ramsay St’s iconic faces in the mix again, have no fear, Ian Smith will be returning at Harold Bishop. He will, however, only be returning as a guest, along with April Rose Pengilly (the actress behind Chloe Brennan), and Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson). </p> <p>The announcement is not the first to delight fans of the long-running soap, with the likes of Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy), Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy), and Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi) already having confirmed their commitment to the revival. </p> <p>Georgie Stone took to Instagram to share the news of her return, along with a series of snaps with her fellow cast members. </p> <p>“Ramsay Street here we come… (again!),” she captioned the image, noting her excitement and that fans should “stay tuned”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNEXARrsfH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNEXARrsfH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Georgie Stone (@georgiestone)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans were thrilled with the news, and showered Georgie with their enthusiasm in the comments - a few, however, were miffed that they’d been through an entire finale only to have to pick it all back up again. </p> <p>“Fantastic to see the familiar favourites all coming back!” gushed one fan. “Can't wait for <em>Neighbours</em> to start back again! Honestly, I barely watch TV anymore without my daily fix of Neighbours.”</p> <p>“Yes, can't wait for watch <em>Neighbours </em>again,” echoed one. </p> <p>“Cannot wait to have you back on our screens,” wrote another.</p> <p>And in a comment that appeared to speak for the masses, one declared “love that you guys are all back!” </p> <p>The news was also shared to Neighbours’ official twitter account, with a special video from the cast members to commemorate the announcement. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We're so excited to announce that Annie Jones, Georgie Stone, Rebekah Elmaloglou and Tim Kano will be reprising their roles in the new episodes of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Neighbours?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Neighbours</a> later this year! 🎉✨ Plus we will have special guest appearances by Ian Smith, April Rose Pengilly &amp; Melissa Bell! <a href="https://t.co/6ZLKkmKJWE">pic.twitter.com/6ZLKkmKJWE</a></p> <p>— Neighbours (@neighbours) <a href="https://twitter.com/neighbours/status/1630529084013834240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Neighbours</em>’ producers have announced that the series will not be jumping around with its timeline, instead picking up where the finale left off. </p> <p>The series is set to go into production in the next few months, with new episodes likely in the spring - Australians will be able to catch the first-run episodes on Channel 10, and one week later on Amazon Prime Video. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"She's my favourite superhero": Thor shares sweet snaps of daughter

<p dir="ltr">Chris Hemsworth has shared two heartwarming images of his daughter India Rose on the set of <em>Thor</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The actor shared the adorable before-and-after on his Instagram calling his daughter “my favourite superhero”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Here’s two pics of me and my daughter. One was the first time she was on set 11 years ago, the other is the most recent on <em>Thor: Love and Thunder</em>. She’s my favourite superhero,” the caption read. </p> <p dir="ltr">The first image shows the Aussie actor in his Thor outfit looking down at baby India who is looking up at him. </p> <p dir="ltr">The next image shows an 11-year-old India sitting in her father’s lap together on set while a director's clapperboard is seen in the foreground.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf42f-fvfTg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf42f-fvfTg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">India appears in <em>Thor: Love and Thunder</em> as the daughter of Christian Bale's Gorr at the beginning of the film</p> <p dir="ltr">Chris previously said that it was great having his kids on set but he wouldn’t want them to pursue a career in acting anytime soon.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's really cool. They really wanted to be in it," he told celebrity interviewer Kevin McCarthy.. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Taika [Waititi] had his children in there. Christian Bale had his. Natalie [Portman] had her kids as well.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I don't want them to now go and be child stars and actors. It was just a special experience we all had, and I loved it. They had a great time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Deborah James sees the rose named after her

<p dir="ltr">Podcast host Deborah James’ visit to the annual Chelsea Flower Show was made particularly special when she was able to see a rose that has been named after her.</p> <p dir="ltr">James visited the show on Tuesday with her husband, where the couple were taken on an hour-long private tour and posed for photos alongside her namesake flower.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Flowers are a reminder of our future,” James said, per the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61587714" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBC</a>. “We plant the seed not knowing what we might see grow.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Being around nature gives us a lift and it is a reminder that life continues to blossom, even in some of the hardest places, and brings a smile to all of our faces, even in the hardest of times - particularly mine.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-08540c7c-7fff-cd53-eb12-24d742270dba"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">James also shared the news with her fans on social media several days before her visit to Chelsea, admitting that she “actually cried” when Word of Roses and the Harkness Rose Company, which bred the rose, asked if they could name the flower after her.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdyqOLdomRQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdyqOLdomRQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Roses are my favourite flowers and I hope this one will brighten the smiles for all!” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">James said she hoped the flower might feature in her daughter Eloise’s wedding bouquet in the future.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What breaks my heart and brings me the most beautiful thought, is that this variety will and can now be grown forever, and maybe one day even Eloise might choose to have it in her wedding bouquet.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 40-year-old journalist <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/we-have-tried-everything-tv-host-stops-cancer-treatment" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently revealed</a> that she would be receiving end-of-life care for her bowel cancer.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7390d14b-7fff-e75f-e41c-3e2c2371b27b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Following her health update, over £3 million was raised for her campaign, the Bowelbabe Fund and James received a damehood from Prince William, who visited her home to present her with the honour.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgvKgJoPzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdgvKgJoPzN/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The sale of Dame Deborah James Roses will also contribute to her cause, with £2.50 from every rose sale being paid to the Bowelbabe campaign.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What also brings me so much joy is to know that the rose will also be incorporated into the company’s new Community Gardening Scheme which aims to get more vulnerable groups and people from underrepresented backgrounds involved in gardening,” James wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Harkness have pledged to give away 1,000 Dame Deborah James roses to community gardens across the UK this autumn time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">James described the rose variety as a “floribunda” which produces masses of white blooms with a subtle “ballet slipper pink” centre.</p> <p dir="ltr">The flowers will also be available to pre-order for delivery in Autumn 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-1cded974-7fff-fe43-7693-6aae9420c666"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @bowelbabe (Instagram)</em></p>

Caring

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Parachutes and underwater roller coasters: Did you fall for these pranks?

<p dir="ltr">Companies have made a tradition of making bogus, out-of-this-world announcements on April Fools Day - and even days before it they really want to get the jump on people - and travel companies are no exception.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-79aac467-7fff-1897-d967-1c98a3f53d1e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">This year, Destination Gold Coast got in on the festivities with their announcement of the world’s first underwater rollercoaster.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDestinationGoldCoast%2Fposts%2F5393004644043691&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="757" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">The tourism company revealed that the ride would be 40 metres tall, standing 20 metres above the water at full take, and would take riders on a 1-kilometre underwater journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though plenty were fooled by their joke, their posting of the announcement on March 31 saw them become the butt of plenty of other jokes, including some from their competitors.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Maybe don’t leave the work experience kid in charge of social media, shame, would have been funny … tomorrow!” Brisbane travel agency Premium Flyer commented on Thursday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Someone better look at a calendar … 31 days in March people,” another commenter wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-cf4dfa94-7fff-3727-a11e-8ffefc018818"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, <a href="https://mumbrella.com.au/april-fools-day-2022-round-up-here-we-go-again-731149" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Webjet New Zealand</a> announced the launch of a new seating option for passengers involving parachutes.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/20220224-WJNZ-BRAND-April-Fools-Day-header-banner-711-x-400.2-002-1.jpg" alt="" width="711" height="400" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Webjet NZ</em></p> <p dir="ltr">But, when you go to the <a href="https://www.webjet.co.nz/travel/outdoor-adventure/skydive-seats/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a> to find out more, a pop-up appears with the message, “April Fools!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“We asked legal and they said we’d have a lawsuit on our hands if we pushed people out of planes,” the pop-up continues.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If you’re not too upset with us and are still looking for cheap domestic flights, you can search and compare the best deals online.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-68f4bcc8-7fff-4df5-d8ee-aea4469ad7a8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Webjet NZ / Destination Gold Coast (Facebook) </em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Rundown Rose Bay mansion sells for 10,000 percent profit

<p dir="ltr">A crumbling mansion last sold in 1974 has gone under the hammer, selling for a 10,000 percent profit.</p><p dir="ltr">Despite sorely needing a paint job, its dilapidated roof, and <a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/sold/property-house-nsw-rose+bay-138314474" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a lack of interior photos</a> due to the state it was in, the property in Sydney’s Rose Bay was one of Sydney’s biggest auctions this year.</p><p dir="ltr">Its sky-high final price of $16.5 million can be attributed to its priceless 180-degree views of the city skyline, including the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.</p><p dir="ltr">The house was purchased by company director Norman Barrett in 1974 for $153,000, who died at 84, according to a death notice from last year.</p><p dir="ltr">The notice described him as the “loving father of Duncan and Amelia”, who he shared with the late actress Carmen Duncan.</p><p dir="ltr">Due to a caveat on the title, Duncan and Amelia stand to benefit from the property’s sale.</p><p dir="ltr">With nine registered parties and four competing in the sale, bidding opened at $12 million and jumped by increments of $100-200,000.</p><p dir="ltr">The new owner will build a new home on the 744 square-metre block to take advantage of the views, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.realestate.com.au/news/rose-bays-crumbling-mansion-that-last-traded-for-153000-sells-for-165m-at-hot-auction/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Realestate.com.au</a></em>.</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Realestate.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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P&O Cruises Australia Cancels More Sailings Until April 2022

<p><em>Image: Cruise Passenger </em></p> <p>P&amp;O Cruises Australia has cancelled further cruises until mid-April 2022.</p> <p>The extension of the government’s cruise ban in Australia marks two years since the line has sailed Down Under. Cruises departing from March 3 till April 16, 2022 from Sydney and Brisbane will be cancelled and this also marks the 23rd cruise cancellation announcement since the pandemic.</p> <p>President of <span>P&amp;O</span> Cruises Australia Sture Myrmell said that during this entire period guests had displayed incredible patience and loyalty to <span>P&amp;O</span> and cruising.</p> <p>“However, as we approach the two-year mark in our rolling pause in operations, it is understandable that our guests will be very disappointed and frustrated that there is still no agreed restart plan for cruising in Australia,” Mr Myrmell said.</p> <p>“Federal and state governments are yet to outline their requirements for restart despite the nation’s high vaccination rate, the cruise industry’s comprehensive health protocols, vaccination policies for guests and crew and the successful resumption of cruising in other international markets.</p> <p>“Our loyal guests, travel agents and many suppliers whose businesses depend on cruising along with thousands of jobs are simply looking for certainty so that they can plan for the future. Reaching this two-year anniversary is discouraging for so many of them.”</p> <p>Late last week, the Federal Government extended Australia’s cruise ban by another two months.</p> <p>“After an absence of two years, it will take us several months and significant cost to manage the complex logistics necessary to return a ship to service before sailing back to Australian waters,” Mr Myrmell said.</p> <p>“This includes engaging our crew and re-training them to meet new operating protocols when they are known as well as re-stocking the ship with local fresh produce and refreshing onboard guest service operations that have also been on-hold for such a long time.</p> <p>“It is a big task and we need to understand the operating environment before we begin the process of returning. To date, no government authority, federal or state, has provided feedback on the industry’s proposed operational guidelines to enable an informed decision on bringing our ships back to Australia.”</p> <p> </p>

Cruising

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"As fake as they come": Oprah blasted by fellow Hollywood star

<p>The talk show queen has come under fire by fellow Hollywood star, Rose McGowan, who claims her “fake” persona hides the “ugly truth”.</p> <p>Oprah was well-known for her top-rating talk show but now she’s become famous for being able to get all the biggest names to talk to her about how they really feel – including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.</p> <p>But now she’s being accused of faking her support of the #<em>MeToo</em> movement by activist and actress Rose McGowan.</p> <p>Known for her roles in major movies and the TV series <em>Charmed,</em> McGowan posted a scathing tweet about the talk show queen, describing her as “as fake as they come”.</p> <p>“I am glad more are seeing the ugly truth of @Oprah,” McGowan tweeted, along with an old photo of Winfrey, now 67, virtually kissing convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein.</p> <p>“I wish she were real, but she isn’t.” tweets McGowan.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I am glad more are seeing the ugly truth of <a href="https://twitter.com/Oprah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Oprah</a>. I wish she were real, but she isn’t. From being pals with Weinstein to abandoning &amp; destroying Russell Simmon’s victims, she is about supporting a sick power structure for personal gain, she is as fake as they come. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lizard?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lizard</a> <a href="https://t.co/RCuXNpWCU0">pic.twitter.com/RCuXNpWCU0</a></p> — Rose 🌊McGowan (@rosemcgowan) <a href="https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1432065449903153157?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>Herself an outspoken survivor of sexual assault, McGowan continues: “From being pals with Weinstein to abandoning &amp; destroying Russell Simmon’s [sic] victims, she is about supporting a sick power structure for personal gain, she is as fake as they come. #lizard.”</p> <p>Weinstein’s long list of alleged sexual assaults dating back to the 1970s was the catalyst for the #MeToo movement in October 2017, with McGowan being one of the first of dozens of women to accuse him of rape.</p> <p>The disgraced film producer, who has denied having “any non-consensual sex,” was found guilty of two felonies in February 2020 and is currently serving time in Wende Correctional Facility.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Russell Simmons has also been accused of rape and sexual misconduct by 20 women. The music executive, 63, has denied the accusations and kept a low profile in recent years, though he resurfaced in the Hamptons earlier this month.</p> <p><strong>McGowan’s tweet refers to an earlier documentary</strong></p> <p>It appears McGowan’s tweet refers to an earlier documentary which Oprah was going to be involved with. This 2020 documentary titled <em>On The Record</em> was centred around Simmons’ alleged sexual misconduct.</p> <p>While she was originally on board to executive-produce the project, she ended up backing out, citing differences with the film’s directors.</p> <p>In a statement, Winfrey said: “I have decided that I will no longer be executive producer on the untitled Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering documentary, and it will not air on Apple TV+,” Winfrey said in a statement to the <em>Hollywood Reporter</em> in January 2020.</p> <p>“I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard. In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured, and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision.”</p> <p><strong>Not the first time McGowan has accused a celebrity of ‘faking’ it</strong></p> <p>This is not the first time McGowan has publicly accused a high-profile figure of faking their support of the #MeToo movement.</p> <p>Last year, she hit out at her <em>Charmed </em>co-star Alyssa Milano, calling her a #MeToo “fraud”.</p> <p>The ugly Twitter spat occurred when Milano expressed her support for then-Presidential candidate Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.</p> <p>McGowan has long been opposed to Biden after claims he had sexually assaulted Tara Reade, leading her to label Milano a fraud and a liar.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

TV

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A beautiful new rose for Phillip

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Queen Elizabeth was overwhelmed when she was gifted a special present on what would have been Prince Philip's 100th birthday.</p> <p>Her Majesty is a Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society and was gifted a specially-bred rose that has been named in memory of her late husband.</p> <p>The flower, called the Duke of Edinburgh Rose, was gifted to the Queen on Wednesday the 2nd, but photos have only been released on what would have been the Duke's birthday, the 10th of June.</p> <p>"Whilst being very poignant, it was also a delight to give Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, the Duke of Edinburgh Rose to mark what would have been HRH The Duke of Edinburgh's 100th birthday and to remember his remarkable life," President of the Royal Horticultural Society, Keith Weed said in a statement from Buckingham Palace.</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/CP6rNW3HiPR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CP6rNW3HiPR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Harkness Roses (@harknessroses)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>&gt;</p> <p>"The Duke's devotion to raising public awareness of the importance of conserving the natural world leaves a lasting legacy."</p> <p>The rose was bred by Harkness Roses and has a "deep-ink colour dappled with white lines" and are "perfect as vase flowers".</p> <p>For every rose sold, the company will donate $5 to the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Living Legacy Fund.</p> <p>"We are thrilled to introduce this brand-new commemorative rose to remember the remarkable life of The Duke of Edinburgh," managing director Philip Harkness said.</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/COh1HEsn1q5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/COh1HEsn1q5/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Harkness Roses (@harknessroses)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"In buying this rose you will also be giving one million more young people the opportunity to do their DofE Award, so not only is this rose spectacular to look at, but you will also be raising funds for a very worthy cause."</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Home & Garden

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Mother and boyfriend “binge-watched” Netflix as 3-year-old died in hot car

<p>The mother of a three-year-old girl who was found dead after allegedly being left in a hot car during scorching temperatures has been released on bail.</p> <p>Laura Rose Peverill, 37, and her boyfriend of three months Aaron Hill, 29, both applied for bail at Townsville Magistrates Court on Monday following the death of Rylee Rose Black on Friday afternoon.</p> <p>The pair have been charged with the manslaughter of the toddler.</p> <p>Little Rylee was found unconscious in the backseat of her mother’s white Toyota Landcruiser Prado outside of their Burdell home.</p> <p>The young girl had allegedly been left in the locked vehicle for over five hours after she fell asleep on the morning school run.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839007/rose-reykee.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a81f0f630fa24c0f9831d0bb438b8cc7" /></p> <p>The court heard the couple had been inside the home binge-watching Shameless on Netflix while temperatures soared outside.</p> <p>Just before 3pm, Peverill allegedly realised Rylee had been in her booster and attempted CPR before taking her to Townsville University Hospital.</p> <p>However, it was simply just too late.</p> <p>Detective Senior Sergeant David Miles told reporters<span> </span>“Unfortunately (this was) a very preventable and unfortunate tragedy.”</p> <p>Peverill and Hill are expected to appear again in Townsville Magistrates Court on February 23.</p> <p>Rylee’s older three siblings are in the care of their biological father.</p> <p>Queensland Police on Monday have issued an appeal for anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to aid police in refining the timeline as they investigate the death.</p> <p>“It’s just a matter of us knowing that’s where the vehicle was, from our investigations, at different points during the day,” Miles said.</p>

Legal

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Hot car death could have easily been prevented

<p><span>A father is reeling from the loss of his daughter after 3-year-old Rylee Rose Black was found in the backseat of a boiling car in Queensland.</span><br /><br /><span>The toddler, who was the younger of four girls, was found unconscious inside her mother’s car on Friday afternoon after she was allegedly left locked inside of the hot vehicle.</span><br /><br /><span>Temperatures on the day soared to 33C, but experts claim it could have been as hot as 70C inside the locked vehicle.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838967/hot-car-queen-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a8a97249724b4faeb33b3a0e2a6c3d7f" /><br /><br /><span>Rylee’s mother, Laura Peverill, 37, and her boyfriend, Aaron Hill, took the toddler to Townsville University Hospital, but her life could not be saved.</span><br /><br /><span>A fundraiser has been created to support Rylee’s biological “loving, devoted and devastated” father and her three older sisters.</span><br /><br /><span>“Dear little Rylee Rose grew her angel wings on Friday 27th November, 2020,” the GoFundMe reads.</span><br /><br /><span>“No one should experience a loss like this.</span><br /><br /><span>“We are seeking your support to help this loving family get through this tragic time. Heartfelt thanks for your donation and words of comfort at this time.”</span><br /><br /><span>With charges now being laid against Peverill and Hill, Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Miles said that the horrific tragedy could have easily been prevented.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838966/hot-car-queen-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/46c8d4bb9792482d98fe42ecfb822718" /><br /><br /><span>“The charge of manslaughter indicates that there has been negligence on the part of the people responsible for the child’s health and wellbeing,” he told reporters on Saturday.</span><br /><br /><span>The case will next be heard on December 14.</span></p>

News

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Bunnings Karen holds seance with Princess Diana

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Lizzy Rose, known as "Bunnings Karen", has claimed that she summoned the spirit of Princess Diana in a seance, explaining she feels the late royal's "energy".</p> <p>She posted a Facebook status on Monday, where she claimed to have a spiritual encounter with the late princess.</p> <p>"I have worked with her energy most of my life whilst she was living and since her public death," Ms Rose's post reads. </p> <p>"I am working with her energy and essence to gain the answers that we seek."</p> <p>The Facebook post explained that she will record the answers on an audio file and will then be translated into a video and be released on her social media.</p> <p>"I feel we need to connect deeply to what's ahead of us as to prepare in safety, wisdom and intelligence for the sake of our humanity".</p> <p>She took questions from her followers and asked the spirit 33 questions, including what Princess Diana thinks of Meghan Markle and "is there a matrix hack we can use to unbind the police from the dark magic so they stand with the people on the day of the protest?".</p> <p>Lizzy Rose has been called "Bunnings Karen" after refusing to wear a mask despite it being mandatory in Victoria and filmed the encounter.</p> <p>She uses her social media to spread conspiracy theories, including a video of her "vaccination burn" to get rid of the current Victorian Government and Daniel Andrews.</p> <p>"Cast you and your agenda out. We say no to mandatory vaccinations against our will," she said in the footage.</p> <p>"We burn away your evil agenda. We, the awakened people, say no to mandatory vaccinations. We cast you out."</p> </div> </div> </div>

Relationships

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Karl Stefanovic defends interview with anti-masker Lizzy Rose

<p>Karl Stefanovic has defended the<span> </span><em>Today</em><span> </span>show’s choice to interview an anti-masker live on air.</p> <p>Lizzy Rose, who was behind the infamous Bunnings video was invited on the morning show to spout her views, saying the coronavirus pandemic was “orchestrated” and “biochemically engineered”.</p> <p>It didn’t take long for Stefanovic to abruptly end the interview, telling her: “You know, I can’t even listen to you anymore. Nup. It’s wrong.”</p> <p>While some praised the host for cutting the woman off, others criticised him for inviting her in the first place.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheTodayShow</a> I had to walk away while you gave that anti mask moron air time because people like that are dangerous and irresponsible. Please don't give these people more attention. More of the Langwarrin kiddos, less of the anti mask idiots please.</p> — Em Nanscawen (@EmNanscawen) <a href="https://twitter.com/EmNanscawen/status/1287879168521154562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheTodayShow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/karlstefanovic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@karlstefanovic</a> Why are you giving air time and oxygen to "anti maskers" like Lizzy? Glad to see she had time to put make up on for 15 seconds of fame on national TV but she won't wear a mask. Don't give her a platform or air time. Blur her face.</p> — Anna Condaa (@klawdan) <a href="https://twitter.com/klawdan/status/1287875908288667648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Followed by “but in our defence we did consider not having them on”</p> — James Mathison (@jamesmathison) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesmathison/status/1288275266570055680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>“Why have her on in the first place? It’s not like you can run an argument that she was going to have a reasonable, rational explanation,” another viewer <a rel="noopener" href="https://twitter.com/24absters/status/1287882643741085696" target="_blank">tweeted</a>.</p> <p>Clearing the air on KIIS FM’s<span> </span><em>Kyle and Jackie O</em><span> </span>show, Stefanovic and his co-host Allison Langdon defended their interview with the anti-masker.</p> <p>“She came on because I thought she had an explanation as to why she would be so aggressive,” Stefanovic said. “We wanted to see if she had an explanation that was reasonable. She didn’t and then I got a little bit sick of it and I said ‘that’s it’.”</p> <p>Stefanovic said it was important to hear from people who held different views.</p> <p>“I think having these people on is cool, we’re all about democracy and people having freedom of speech, but if you don’t have a good reason for doing it, then there’s no reason,” he said on KIIS FM.</p> <p>The Today host admitted that he had been frustrated by footage of anti-maskers confronting authorities in Victoria as the state battles a second wave of coronavirus.</p> <p>“It’s making me anxious looking at these people having a go at cops,” he said. “It’s enough!”</p>

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April Fools pranks amid COVID crisis could face hefty penalties

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>America is in serious trouble as coronavirus continues to ravage the country. The death toll for the country has skyrocketed past China’s official count with 3,500 deaths and counting.</p> <p>US President Donald Trump has urged people to continue to follow social-distancing measures through April to prevent the virus from spreading.</p> <p>"Every one of us has a role to play in winning this war. Every citizen, family and business can make the difference in stopping the virus," the president said, according to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/death-toll-york-state-passes-1000-live-updates-200329234257896.html" target="_blank">Al Jazeera</a></em>.</p> <p>"This is our shared patriotic duty. Challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days and this is a very vital 30 days," Trump told reporters at the White House.</p> <p>The US currently has over 159,000 confirmed infections, which is more than any country in the world.</p> <p>Around the world, Italy has reported that the infection rate appears to have levelled off and new cases could start to decline, as 11,591 people have died from the virus already. The total number of infections has surged past 100,000 with a shocking 4,050 new cases reported.</p> <p>Spain is also on lockdown after surpassing China in the number of cases and quickly approaching Italy when it comes to the number of deaths. A record number of 849 people died on Tuesday, which brings the death toll to 8,189 while 85,000 people haves tested positive for the virus.</p> <p>"We say to our community not to keep looking at the figures and what's going on," said Australian expat Mandy Keillor to the<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-01/spains-coronavirus-reality-is-grim-how-did-it-start-there/12103590" target="_blank">ABC</a></em>.</p> <p>"But you can't help it, because you have to be aware of what's happening."</p> <p>Spain have introduced tough new lockdown rules in the country as all non-essential workers are banned from travelling to work. People are only allowed to go outside to get food, visit a chemist or walk a pet as well as carry documentation explaining the outing.</p> <p>Worldwide, the total number of infections since the beginning of the outbreak have reached more than 775,000. Roughly, 160,000 people have recovered globally while nearly 37,000 have died.</p> <p>Worldwide from Thailand to India, countries have told people not to make April Fools’ Day pranks related to coronavirus, with some countries threatening jail time for spreading misinformation.<br />Tech giant Google, which is famous for its annual spoofs, has cancelled the tradition because of the pandemic which has killed about 40,000 people worldwide.<br />Thailand said on Tuesday that April Fools’ Day jokes about the virus could be punished under a law carrying a sentence of up to five years in prison.<br />“It’s against the law to fake having COVID-19 this April Fools’ Day,” the government said on Twitter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">People around the world are suffering from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Covid19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Covid19</a> outbreak, and that's reason enough why people should be more considerate and not use this as a prank or a joke. <a href="https://t.co/DvF5A1WOv6">pic.twitter.com/DvF5A1WOv6</a></p> — PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) <a href="https://twitter.com/prdthailand/status/1244917499361034240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen took to Facebook to tell people not to prank about the virus. </p> <div id="fb-root"></div> <div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/tsaiingwen/photos/a.390960786064/10156580820386065/?type=3&amp;theater" data-width="auto"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"> <p>大家都說4/1是愚人節，我想提前介紹 #愚人節好運貓貓，歡迎一起分享喔！ 　　 更重要的是，愚人節這天，忍不住的人可以發揮幽默，但切記...</p> Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tsaiingwen/">蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tsaiingwen/photos/a.390960786064/10156580820386065/?type=3">Tuesday, March 31, 2020</a></blockquote> </div> <p>She introduced her followers to Good Luck Cat, but quickly explained that article 63 of the prevention of infectious diseases act, saying that spreading rumours or false information about epidemics could result in up to three years in jail and/or a fine of up to NT$3 million ($A162,800).</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Calls mount for health insurers to suspend April price hikes

<p>Calls have mounted for private health insurers to cancel premium increases scheduled for April 1 amidst economic pressure from the new coronavirus pandemic.</p> <p>Consumer advocate CHOICE said health funds should relieve customers from more financial burden by freezing the increases.</p> <p>The demand came as non-urgent elective surgeries such as hip replacements and cataract surgery were postponed indefinitely by the government.</p> <p>“If people can’t use the normal services that would allow them to claim on their private health insurance, then insurers’ costs will be going down,” said CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland.</p> <p>He said health fund premiums have gone up by 61 per cent over the past decade. “Their justification is that the amount they pay out to cover your treatment is going up. But that doesn’t hold up this year. We don’t think people should be paying full price when they won't be able to access a full service,” he said.</p> <p>“There is no way they can justify increasing premiums in this context. Health funds should scrap their April 1 premium increases.”</p> <p>The first fund in Australia to commit to axe premium rises is Perth-based HBF, which was due to implement a 1.98 per cent increase.</p> <p>HBF’s CEO John Van Der Wielen said many of its one million members were affected by “extraordinary” financial circumstances.</p> <p>“Now more than ever access to the best healthcare is more important than ever,” he said. “We want to do everything we can to keep health insurance affordable for our members.”</p> <p>Other major health funds are yet to follow suit in cancelling the premium increases. The average increase across the industry this year is <a href="https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/privatehealth-average-premium-round">2.92 per cent</a>.</p> <p>Medibank and AHM announced a support package of more than $50 million on Thursday, allowing customers to suspend their policy or access reliefs on their premiums. Members would also receive benefits for coronavirus-related chest, heart, lung and kidney hospital admissions.</p> <p>Bupa also announced an assistance package of more than $50 million to help customers experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic. The insurer also confirmed all members with any hospital policy would be covered for COVID-19 related claims.</p> <p>GMHBA and HCF have also introduced financial hardship measures, encouraging customers who are struggling to pay premiums to reach out to discuss their options.</p>

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April fools? Harry and Meghan’s last day in office announced

<p>The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s lives as working members of Britain’s royal family will end on March 31, a spokesperson for the couple confirmed Wednesday.</p> <p>Harry and Meghan’s office at Buckingham Palace will be closed starting April 1, with the pair set to be represented through their UK charity team going forward.</p> <p><span>The two will continue on as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and retain their titles: The Earl and Countess of Dumbarton and the Baron and Baroness Kilkeel. They will no longer represent Her Majesty or receive public funds for royal engagements.</span></p> <p>The terms of Harry and Meghan’s separation from the royal family is due for review in one year, <a href="https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/prince-harry-meghan-confirm-day-working-members-britains-69072813">the spokesperson said</a>.</p> <p>“As there is no precedent for this new model of working and eventual financial independence, the Royal Family and the Sussexes have agreed to an initial 12-month review to ensure the arrangement works for all parties.”</p> <p>Harry and Meghan’s use of the word royal, as featured in their Sussex Royal branding, is <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/queen-steps-in-and-orders-prince-harry-and-meghan-to-drop-royal-sussex-brand">under review</a>. Any changes will be announced alongside the launch of the couple’s foundation, the spokesperson said.</p> <p>The nonprofit is said to retain the couple’s charitable goals to focus on causes including “the Commonwealth, community, youth empowerment and mental health, collectively”.</p> <p>The couple is set to reside in Canada but “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/19/harry-and-meghan-to-split-from-royal-family-on-31-march">will be in the United Kingdom regularly</a>”, sources said.</p> <p>They are expected to have their last official appearance as working royals at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on March 9 with the Queen and other senior members of the monarchy.</p>

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"My little hatchling!" Nicole Kidman shares first look at daughter's Hollywood debut

<p>Nicole Kidman’s youngest children are choosing to follow in her footsteps. </p> <p>The 52-year-old actress and mother of four celebrated her eight-year-old daughter’s voice role in the new kids movie <em>Angry Birds 2</em>. </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/B0mjbsXgPP0/" 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/B0mjbsXgPP0/" target="_blank">My little hatchling Faith in the #AngryBirds2Movie 💕</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/nicolekidman/" target="_blank"> Nicole Kidman</a> (@nicolekidman) on Jul 31, 2019 at 6:09pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"My little hatchling Faith in the #AngryBirds2Movie," the <em>Big Little Lies</em> star wrote on Instagram, with a short clip from the animated movie attached alongside.</p> <p>The movie features both Faith Margaret and her big sister, Sunday Rose, 11. </p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7829198/nicole-kidman.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5bd049cb97944986921ef4d52507ba5e" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Left to right: Faith Margaret, 8, Sunday Rose, 11, Nicole Kidman</em></p> <p>The two girls whose father is Keith Urban will play young hatchlings in the film alongside <em>Wonder Woman’s</em> Gal Gadot’s daughter.</p> <p>The celebrity children appearances do not end there though as Viola Davis’ seven-year-old daughter, Genesis will play a role in the film as well. </p> <p>This also isn’t the first time Faith Margaret and Sunday Rose have gotten a taste of what it's like to be on set as they intially made their acting debut earlier this year in two episodes of <em>Big Little Lies</em>. </p> <p>"They're not coddled on the set. And that's good for them,” Nicole told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.you.co.uk/nicole-kidman-interview-2019/" target="_blank"><em>You</em> </a>magazine earlier this year. </p> <p>“It's given them a stronger understanding of what I do. It's made us all closer.”</p> <p><em>Angry Birds 2</em> is Nicole’s little girls first major roles. </p> <p>Kidman met musician Keith Urban in 2005 and they married the following year. In 2008, she gave birth to Sunday Rose and later in 2010 welcomed Faith Margaret via surrogacy. </p>

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