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Peter Dutton defends comparing pro-Palestine rally to Port Arthur massacre

<p>Peter Dutton has doubled down on controversial comments he made comparing a pro-Palestine rally to the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. </p> <p>The leader of the opposition sparked fierce criticism fort he remarks he made when discussing the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia as the Israel-Palestine war rages on. </p> <p>He compared a pro-Palestine protest that took place outside Sydney Opera House on October 9th, just days after the first attacks by Hamas, to the deadly massacre in Tasmania in which 35 people were killed which prompted major gun reforms in Australia under the Howard government.</p> <p>Dutton later repeated the comments, insisting Mr Howard’s response had been “strong” and claimed Mr Albanese has not done enough to stem the rise in anti-Semitism.</p> <p>The Opposition Leader appeared on <em>Today</em> on Friday morning where he again defended his comments when asked if he had gone too far with the comparison. </p> <p>“The point I was making, which is absolutely a legitimate one, is that I thought this was a time for the Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) to show leadership and to step up,” Mr Dutton said.</p> <p>“I think, with John Howard, who stood up at a point of national importance for our country, demonstrated leadership and changed the course of history for the better. The Prime Minister has allowed this rise of anti-Semitism in our country.”</p> <p>“I don’t resile from that at all.”</p> <p>Mr Dutton’s fury was sparked by comments made by the Foreign Minister Penny Wong in her own speech earlier this week, which left the door open for Australia to back Palestinian statehood in the UN. </p> <p>“Penny Wong never went to cabinet with this proposal. It’s not agreed to by the Palestinian leaders here in Australia,” he said. </p> <p>Government Services Minister Bill Shorten then chimed in on the debate, arguing there was nothing new in Senator Wong’s comments as the war in Palestine continued to claim thousands of innocent lives. </p> <p>“Labor has had as its policy for a very long time, the whole time I’ve been a member of the Labor Party, support for a two state solution,” he told Nine. </p> <p>But he said it was a grave mistake to conflate Port Arthur with the “unacceptable” rise in anti-Semitism.</p> <p>“I think probably if he had his time again in the privacy of his own head, he would probably not do (that),” Mr Shorten said. </p> <p>“They’re two separate issues. Port Arthur was a shocking, murderous, evil act in Australia. And John Howard certainly spoke up about it."</p> <p>“I think Peter, you know, has got to make his point. That’s his job. But I think he should work with the Prime Minister to call out inflammatory language here.”</p> <p>Mr Dutton went on to clarify he was just trying to make a parallel between the two leaders’ responses. </p> <p>“John Howard stood up for our country at a time when he needed moral clarity. He did that he changed the course of history with gun laws,” he said. </p> <p>“That’s the parallel that I’m making to the absolute absence of leadership from the Prime Minister at the moment, which has given rise to those in the Jewish community talking about feeling unsafe in our country.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <div class="media image" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 705.202209px; max-width: 100%;"> </div>

Legal

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Beloved Aussie news reader dies aged 98

<p>Australian broadcasting veteran Arthur Wyndham has passed away aged 98. </p> <p>The media icon who was a program director and newsreader for ABC, among other achievements, died on October 6 according to his obituary published in the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/veteran-of-australian-broadcasting-from-the-pre-television-era-20231207-p5epuu.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em></a>.</p> <p>He was one of the last veterans of Australian broadcasting from the pre-television era, with a career that started in 1947. </p> <p>His daughter Susan Wyndham penned the obituary which read: “Arthur died in Sydney on October 6 at the age of 98. </p> <p>"He was one of the last veterans of Australian broadcasting from the pre-television era, as well as a pioneer in television in the 1950s, and an innovator who oversaw the introduction of the youth station 2JJ (now Triple J) with funding from the Whitlam government.”</p> <p>Wyndham was part of the launch of ABC TV in 1956, and also covered the Melbourne Olympics that same year. </p> <p>As TV was rolled out across the country, he became acting program director for each state, and achieved many firsts including first cricket telecast, football match, and orchestral concert from the Sydney Town Hall.</p> <p>He retired from the ABC in 1985, but continued broadcasting. </p> <p>Former colleagues from 2JJ have paid tribute to the media icon, describing him as “a cool dude," who was an open-minded and supportive boss. </p> <p>Actor Lex Marinos, who was a presenter at 2JJ said: “He unfailingly had a sparkle in his eye and a witty observation, and he always showed an interest in what I was doing.”</p> <p>Wyndham's daughter, Susan also paid tribute to her dad in an Instagram post. </p> <p>"Farewell to my dear dad, Arthur Wyndham, who died last Friday at the grand old age of 98. He had a full, interesting life as a broadcaster, traveller, father of three, grandfather of six, friend and colleague of many around the world. Love, gratitude and admiration always," she wrote, not long after his passing. </p> <p>Wyndham is survived by his three daughters and six grandchildren.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram </em></p>

Caring

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"She’d be furious!": New insight into Betty White and Bea Arthur’s relationship

<p dir="ltr">Just one month after her passing, Hollywood gossips are looking for dirt on beloved actress Betty White - and they have uncovered just how frosty her relationship was with her co-stars.</p><p dir="ltr">Joel Thurm, the casting director for <em>Golden Girls</em>, <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/revealed-golden-girls-co-stars-vicious-insult-to-betty-white/6ENEB66WZQRHQE7YZRZMJ2XO5A/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> that White’s main co-stars Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan thought little of her and described her using quite colourful language during his appearance on <em><a href="https://theoriginals.libsyn.com/the-originals-24-bad-timing-special" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Originals</a></em> podcast.</p><p dir="ltr">He shocked the podcast hosts with the intensity of Bea Arthur’s language relating to White, saying their fury came after she mocked fellow <em>Golden Girls</em> actress Estelle Getty in front of a live audience when she began to forget her lines.</p><p dir="ltr">“That may seem like a minor transgression, but it really does get to you … I have no idea how Estelle Getty felt, but I know the other two did not like (White) at all,” Thurm said.</p><p dir="ltr">Getty passed away in 2008 from Lewy body dementia after retiring from acting in 2001 due to ailing health.</p><p dir="ltr">Andrew Goldman, the host of <em>The Originals</em>, took to Instagram following the episode.</p><p dir="ltr">“When I got into journalism, maybe I didn’t dream at 49 I wouldn’t be refereeing a fight between deceased sitcom stars,” he <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZz5yr1rTe2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p><p dir="ltr">“I’m very happy for the attention my latest episode of ‘The Originals’ is getting because Bea Arthur and Rue McClanahan apparently used the ‘c-word’ to describe Betty White.”</p><p dir="ltr">White had previously spoken about her tense relationship with Bea Arthur, revealing that her co-star had little fondness for her during a 2011 interview with Village Voice.</p><p dir="ltr">“Bea had a reserve. She was not that fond of me. She found me a pain in the neck sometimes,” White said at the time.</p><p dir="ltr">“It was my positive attitude - and that made Bea mad sometimes. Sometimes if I was happy, she’d be furious!”</p><p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

TV

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Arthur Boyd's new Bundanon art gallery opens

<p><span style="font-size: 16px">After bushfires came within a kilometre of destroying one of the nation's most important collections of a single artist's work, plans to build a more secure gallery were expedited.</span></p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">The result is the stunning new fire-and-flood-resistant Bundanon gallery near Nowra on the NSW South Coast. This gallery will host the $46 million collection of renowned artist Arthur Boyd. </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">While planning for the site had been underway since 2015, the build became even more important when the Black Summer fires almost destroyed the collection. Bundanon Trust chief executive Rachel Kent said staff managed to have the work trucked out, just in time.</p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">Architect Kerstin Thompson said the gallery buildings were now as disaster-proof as buildings could be. </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">The new buildings include a trestle bridge, which will allow floodwater to flow freely away from the property towards the Shoalhaven River, as well as an underground gallery museum.</p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">"There are two important principles that drive the whole project.</p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">"One is about fire resistance, and the gallery is founded on that idea, and the second part is about resilience and about being able to go with the flow with things like flood." </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/Gallery-2.jpg" alt="" width="452" height="254" /></p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">The new gallery is built into the ground, and can hardly be seen on the surface.</p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">The $33 million facility, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, is designed to keep the artworks safe and thermally stable, as well as provide a fire shelter for staff at the site. </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">The work of Arthur Boyd is internationally loved, from flamboyant costume designs, to Shoalhaven-inspired landscapes painted at the Bundanon property.</p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">The new museum will showcase not just Boyd's work, but the work of modern artists who spend time in residence at Bundanon or are inspired by his work.</p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">Head of curatorial and learning Sophie O'Brien said this was exactly what Arthur, who died in 1999, and his wife, artist Yvonne who died in 2013, intended for the site. </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">"The vision of Bundanon from Arthur and Yvonne Boyd was always to have a place to show the work of new artists," Ms O'Brien said. </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">Ms Kent said the pandemic presented challenges in being able to officially open the gallery, but she expected that, ultimately, international visitors and locals alike would want to visit Bundanon. </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px">"I imagine it will draw people from right across the region, immediate family and community, as well as NSW, eventually Australia and, of course, an international audience as well," she said. </p><p class="_1HzXw" style="margin-bottom: 1rem;font-size: 16px"><em>Images: ABC</em></p>

Art

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Handsome young royal set to mark historic milestone

<p>Arthur Chatto, 21, is about to become the first ever Royal to join the Marines – and of course he shared his exciting news with the Queen first, gaining her approval and making her proud.</p> <p>The young royal is the son of Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto, while his grandmother (Princess Margaret) is the Queen’s younger sister, making Arthur 29th in line for the throne.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843640/arthur-chatto-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ff51e3734579446488d99da9f7c07892" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p> <p>Chatto’s excitement for this new chapter of his life has seen him off into the wilds around Balmoral Castle on multiple camping trips and hiking long distances all throughout the Scottish Highlands while visiting his Royal Family. All of this done in preparation for commando training.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843641/arthur-chatto.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4667573b0f4649099822dd7e14504b51" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram @artchatto</em></p> <p>After having gained serious popularity on social media it is obvious Arthur is super self-confident and takes a lot of pride in both his appearance on and offline. With the support of Prince Edward, he is no doubt going to achieve great things. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Beauty & Style

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“Awful”: Steve Price slams upcoming Port Arthur movie

<p>The film about the 1996 Port Arthur massacre has proven to be a massive controversy, with many saying it should not be made.</p> <p>On Wednesday night’s episode of The Project, Lisa Wilkinson asked Steve Price his opinion on the upcoming film.</p> <p>“A controversial new film about the 1996 Port Arthur massacre has been widely condemned. It is due for release next year. Survivors have branded it ‘tasteless and inappropriate,’” Lisa stated.</p> <p>“The film focuses on the gunman who killed 32 people and injured 23 others in what became one of Australia’s worst mass shootings.”</p> <p>“Steve Price was at the scene after that horrific event unfolded in 1996.</p> <p>“There are films made about 9/11, World War II and here in Australia about Snowtown. What is different about this one?” Lisa asks.</p> <p>“Well, Lisa, I think it is probably too soon and too close to home. I mean, the 35 people who were killed there, their relatives today I would think would be having flashbacks,” Price said.</p> <p>“The 21 people injured by that gunman would be feeling uncomfortable. I saw an interview back with Walter who did it from the ABC, where he was talking about how he lost his wife and his two children and he described how the gunman had left the cafe and was driving back down the road. He saw his wife. He jumped out of the car. He killed her. He then shot one of the daughters. The other was hiding behind a tree. He turned around the side of that tree and gunned her down as well. I stood in front of that tree the day after that happened and I can tell you, and I wasn’t there on the day but I was there the next day, it still haunts me. It was an awful feeling and awful place and it would be an awful movie.”</p> <p>“Is it fair to protest a film – we don’t know what is in the film. Is it fair to protest a film which has not been made yet?” asked co-host Joel Creasey.</p> <p>“We all know how it ends and the end is grim and awful. I don’t know what sort of job this filmmaker will make of this movie. I won’t see it. I am sure anyone there on the day will avoid it at all costs. I agree it should not be made,” he said.</p> <p>“I don’t see the point in making something which was an awful stain on our history.”</p> <p>Waleed Aly asked him whether the film could be seen as a crucial way to learn lessons from the tragedy, as there was no trial.</p> <p>“It sounds like an important story to tell. Isn’t this a way to do that?” Waleed asked.</p> <p>But Price didn’t think so.</p> <p>“The big lesson we learn is there’s no place in Australian homes for automatic and semiautomatic weapons. We learnt that John Howard took guns off people after that. A lot of people turned weapons in and we’ve not had as may a mass shooting as that ever since. That is the lesson we learnt. What did we learn about the gunman? What we have learnt today is we’re not using his name. That is a good lesson. I don’t though how a movie can be made without using the person it is about and saying their name.”</p> <p>The movie based around the events leading up to the horrible tragedy will make its cinematic debut in 2021.</p>

Movies

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Pauline Hanson caught on camera "questioning" Port Arthur tragedy

<p>One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been recorded on camera making a controversial comment and suggesting that the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which a gunman shot and killed 35 people, was a government conspiracy.</p> <p>The hidden camera footage, released as part of Al-Jazeera's three-year <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/australia-nation-offered-change-voting-system-cash-190327170846167.html">investigation</a>, showed the Queensland Senator saying she had “a lot of questions” about the mass shooting.</p> <p>"An MP said it would actually take a massacre in Tasmania to change the gun laws in Australia," said Hanson.</p> <p>"Haven't you heard that? Have a look at it. It was said on the floor of parliament."</p> <p>In another footage, Hanson could be seen telling her chief of staff James Ashby, "They were precision shots … I've read a lot and I have read the book on it, Port Arthur. A lot of questions there."</p> <p>In response to the 1996 massacre, which left 35 people dead and 23 wounded, the Australian government established stricter gun laws, banning automatic and semi-automatic long guns as well as introducing more stringent licensing and registration system for firearm ownership.</p> <p>The new video also showed One Nation's Queensland leader Steve Dickson requesting political funding from American energy giant Koch Industries in a meeting September last year. Dickson could be seen telling the company's representative: "<span>What you can do to help us and it's going to get down to money at the end of the day … we can change the voting system in our country, the way people operate, if we've got the money to do it."</span></p> <p>On Tuesday, Dickson and One Nation official James Ashby faced the media after the two men were <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/one-nation-officials-on-the-sauce-when-seeking-20-million-donation-from-us-gun-lobby/" target="_blank">caught on record</a> talking about asking for a $20 million political donation from the US’ biggest gun lobby group, the National Rifle Association (NRA).</p> <p>Ashby and Dickson were also receiving advice from the NRA on ways to weaken gun laws in Australia. </p> <p>"Just shame [gun control supporters] to the whole idea," Lars Dalseide, a member of the NRA's public relations team, told them in one of the footage.</p> <p>Ashby said at the press conference, "The conversations that have been recorded where there is talk of $10 and $20 million dollars – I’ll be the first to admit, we’d arrived in America, we’d got on the sauce, we’d had a few drinks."</p> <p>Hanson, who is <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/pauline-hanson-unrecognisable-after-suffering-facial-paralysis-amid-one-nation-scandal">reportedly suffering facial paralysis</a> after being bitten by a tick, is expected to front the media today over the scandal.</p>

News

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Meet the world's most eligible royals who are yet to marry

<p>Even though Prince Harry has officially been off the market for a while now, since marrying his forever love Duchess Meghan in May last year, there are still plenty of eligible royals that have not yet tied the knot yet – including Princess Margaret's grandson Arthur Chatto and Princess Diana's niece Lady Kitty Spencer. </p> <p>These eligible royals are still bachelors and bachelorettes and looking for their prince or princess. From the attractive prince who just landed a modelling contract to the newly-single princess looking for love, we reveal the most eligible royal members who haven’t walked down the aisle yet.</p> <p>Scroll through the gallery above to see some of the world’s most eligible royals.</p> <p><strong>Prince Nikolai</strong></p> <p>Prince Nikolai of Denmark is the eldest son of Prince Joachim and Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg.</p> <p>He is the nephew of beloved Princess Mary and is the sixth-in-line to the Danish throne.</p> <p>In 2018, the 19-year-old was signed with a modelling agency and has shown his skills by walking the catwalk for Dior and Burberry.</p> <p><strong>Lady Amelia Windsor</strong></p> <p>Lady Amelia Winsor, from the UK, is 23 years old and is a distant cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry. She is the granddaughter of the Queen's cousin who is the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward.</p> <p>The royal is the 37th-in-line to the British throne and on occasion works for Dolce &amp; Gabbana as a model. She was once deemed the “most beautiful royal” by <em>Tatler</em>, a British tabloid, and it’s not hard to see why.</p> <p><strong>Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor </strong></p> <p>Lady Marina-Charlotte Windsor is 26 years old and is the eldest sister of Lady Amelia. She is not included in the line of succession for the throne as she is Roman Catholic.</p> <p><strong>Prince Abdul Mateen</strong></p> <p>The prince is the fourth son of the Sultan of Brunei and the 27-year-old is certainly one of the world's most eligible bachelors.</p> <p>He is currently doing a master’s degree in international diplomacy at SOAS University of London and has an Instagram account with over 1 million followers.</p> <p><strong>Crown prince Al-Hussein Bin Abdullah II</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BnIos_yFZZV/"></a></p> <p>The crown prince is the eldest child of King Abdullah II and Queen Rania, and he is the first in line to the Jordanian throne.</p> <p>The 24-year-old prince shares images to his Instagram account which has amassed over 1.8 million followers. In June 2018, he made headlines around the world after posting a picture of himself and Prince William watching the World Cup from his bachelor pad in his palace in Jordan.</p> <p><strong>Viscount Althorp</strong></p> <p>Louis Spencer, who holds the official title Viscount Althorp, is the eldest son and fourth child of Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer, and his first wife Victoria Lockwood</p> <p>He is the first cousin to Prince William and Prince Harry and is Prince Diana’s nephew.</p> <p>Louis, 24, will inherit the Althorp estate as his oldest sister, Lady Kitty Spencer, is unable to due to British primogeniture law.</p> <p><strong>Lady Kitty Spencer</strong></p> <p>Lady Kitty Spencer, 28, is the named UK ambassador for the luxury jewellery brand Bulgari. She has modelled for a number of fashion magazines and walked down the runway for Dolce &amp; Gabbana.</p> <p>She is the eldest child of Princess Diana's brother Charles Spencer and his first wife, Victoria Lockwood. The royal is regularly seen attending events, including Prince Harry’s wedding to the Duchess Meghan in May 2018.</p> <p><strong>Hamdan bin Mohammed</strong></p> <p>Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the heir to the Dubai throne and 36 years old.</p> <p>The Crown Prince is an intellectual political figure and is known to mingle with his ‘people’ frequently by dining at local restaurants and driving his own car through the streets of Dubai.</p> <p><strong>Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana</strong></p> <p>The 32-year-old princess is the daughter of the current ruler of Thailand, King Vajiralongkorn.</p> <p>Princess Sirivannavari is a fashion designer and attends some of the world's biggest fashion shows regularly.</p> <p>She famously played professional badminton winning gold with her team at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.</p> <p><strong>Princess Elisabeth</strong></p> <p>Princess Elisabeth of Thurn and Taxis is a member of Germany’s defunct nobility and has been a style editor-at-large for <em>Vogue</em> in the UK since 2012.</p> <p>She usually goes by the nickname TNT.</p> <p><strong>Albert con Thurn und Taxis </strong></p> <p>Albert von Thurn und Taxis is the 12th prince in his family line. Although Germany no longer rules under a monarchy, the noble families continue to use and pass on their titles.</p> <p>His family is worth an estimated US$1.6 billion and is a champion race car driver.</p> <p><strong>Arthur Chatto</strong></p> <p>Arthur Chatto has made headlines for his topless Instagram posts, constantly posing shirtless as he travels the world.</p> <p>He is the 20-year-old grandson of the late Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth’s sister. He is the son of Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel Chatto.</p> <p><strong>Princess Alexandra of Luxemborg</strong></p> <p>Princess Alexandra from Luxembourg is from one of the most prominently wealthy royal families in the world. The Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg is worth an estimate of US$4 billion.</p> <p>She is 24 years old and is the only daughter of Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. For now, she is the fifth-in-line to the throne – just behind her two older brothers and her niece and nephew.</p> <p><strong>Prince Constantine-Alexios.</strong></p> <p>Prince Constantine-Alexios of Greece is 20 years old and currently attends Georgetown University in Washington D.C. The prince’s grandfather, Constantine II – the last King of Greece – is a close friend and second cousin to Prince Charles. King Constantine II is Prince William’s godfather.</p> <p>Prince Constantine-Alexios is the son of Crown Prince Pavlos Greece and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal. </p> <p><strong>Princess Iman and Princess Salma </strong></p> <p>18-year-old Princess Salma recently celebrated her completion of a commissioning course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, which her brother, the Crown Prince attended.</p> <p>Her older sister, Princess Iman bint Abdullah, is the second child and eldest daughter of the king of Jordan, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania. She is 22 and is currently studying at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.</p> <p>Do you recognise any of these royal members? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Relationships

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Betty White reveals behind-the-scenes secrets of The Golden Girls

<p>They were best friends on screen, and it seems the stars of <em>The G</em><em>olden Girls</em> were just as close behind the scenes too. According to <a href="http://www.closerweekly.com/posts/betty-white-golden-girls-secrets-138510" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Closer Weekly</em></strong></span></a>, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty and Bea Arthur loved to gossip and chat on set, helping each other through a number of heartbreaking personal tragedies.</p> <p>“We adored each other,” 95-year-old Betty said. “It was such a special experience. Between scenes, instead of going to our dressing rooms, we’d sit there and yak about very intimate things.”</p> <p>The ladies’ first real bonding experience came in the show’s second season, when both Bea and Betty sadly lost their mothers. “It was a pretty rough year,” Bea admitted. Their grief was so deep that at one point, director Lex Passaris considered shutting down production. “But both ladies said, ‘No. We need to work.’”</p> <p>And despite the rumours of a rift between Betty and Bea, the two were very close. “Bea wouldn’t go to dinner between shows unless Betty would walk with her,” Rue once said. Bea’s son Matthew Saks confirmed it, telling <em>Closer</em>, “Betty would pick my mum up in the driveway, or my mum would pick her up.”</p> <p><em>The</em> <em>Golden Girls' </em>close bond also endured during heartbreak, with Betty’s husband passing away before the series entered production and Rue’s fifth marriage crumbling during filming for the first season.</p> <p>“They confided in each other,” an insider revealed. “Rue was a great listener and a sympathetic shoulder. She had a sounding board in Betty as well.”</p> <p>It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the beloved show came to an end, but Betty says she’d give anything to go back to those golden days. “I’ve missed <em>The </em><em>Golden Girls</em> since we went off the air,” she confesses. “It was just heaven. It was like being with your family every day.”</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, were you a fan of <em>The G</em><em>olden Girls</em>? Who was your favourite character? </p>

TV

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Memorial service marks 20 years since Port Arthur massacre

<p>Twenty years ago today, 28-year-old Martin Bryant opened fire on the Broad Arrow Café in Port Arthur, Tasmania, killing 35 innocent people and injuring 23 others. The country was changed forever, with the massacre prompting the introduction of strict gun control laws by the Howard Government just months after the tragedy.</p> <p>Today, a memorial service will be held to honour the victims of this senseless crime, and for some survivors will mark the first time they’ve visited the site since the attack. Also in attendance will be friends and families of the victims as well as Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman, Governor Kate Warner and former Prime Minister John Howard. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten are also expected to attend.</p> <p>Due to begin at 12.30pm, the service will include a keynote speech, wreath laying and performances by opera singer Amelia Farrugia (who narrowly escaped the gunman by minutes) and Hobart’s Collegiate Singers.</p> <p>"Today is also a time when we again look to find sense in the senseless." Hodgman told AAP. "What happened that day will never define us, but the way we responded does. Just as we stood together then, we stand together today.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/04/ali-elamine-posts-photo-with-children-in-beirut/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ali Elamine shares happy photo of children in Beirut</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/04/stan-beazleys-memories-of-war/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My memories of war will always remain</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/04/malcom-turnull-double-dissolution-trigger/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Malcolm Turnbull handed double dissolution election trigger</span></em></strong></a></p>

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