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Six covers of Bob Dylan songs that were better than the originals

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/glenn-fosbraey-424079">Glenn Fosbraey</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-winchester-743">University of Winchester</a></em></p> <p>He may never have strayed far from the minds of many music fans, but with his biopic A Complete Unknown hitting UK cinemas on January 17 and heartthrob Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, Bob Dylan may be about to gain an entirely new audience.</p> <p>Considered by many to be the <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/bob-dylan-on-the-simple-reason-he-became-a-songwriter/">greatest songwriter of all time</a>, Dylan’s influence on music can’t be understated. His voice, however, has divided listeners over the decades. Some find it <a href="https://www.insidehook.com/music/bob-dylan-singing-voice#:%7E:text=His%20voice%20has%20articulated%20an,has%20sounded%20like%20him%20since.">“mesmeric”</a> and others have likened it to that of <a href="https://www.insidehook.com/music/bob-dylan-singing-voice#:%7E:text=His%20voice%20has%20articulated%20an,has%20sounded%20like%20him%20since.">“a dog with his leg caught in barbed wire”</a>.</p> <p>Despite having, as a researcher of songwriting, something of a penchant for Dylan’s idiosyncratic and character-filled style, here are six covers of his songs which I believe outperform his versions.</p> <p><iframe style="border-radius: 12px;" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7epeDOmTqTFJbJ4q8P5RtW?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe></p> <h2>1. Girl from the North Country by Eels</h2> <p>Girl from the North Country first appeared on Dylan’s 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. But it featured again on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je4Eg77YSSA">Nashville Skyline</a> in 1969 as a duet with Johnny Cash. That version has been praised for the <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/news/bob-dylan-making-of-nashville-skyline">skip and groove of the acoustic guitar performances</a> and how Dylan and Cash’s vocals are <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/news/bob-dylan-making-of-nashville-skyline">instinctive and spontaneous</a>.</p> <p>Another view would be that the guitars are out of time and the vocals are under-rehearsed – and the same shortcomings are on display during the song’s performance on the <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/johnny-cash-bob-dylan-duet-girl-north-country/">Johnny Cash show</a>. Far superior in my humble opinion is the 2005 version by alt-rock band Eels.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OOCOxRIB2Zo?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Girl from the North Country by Eels.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>The band performed the song for their <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv3eel">Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall</a> DVD and album. Band leader Mark Everett switched it from acoustic guitar to piano. His gentle arpeggiated playing complemented his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/feb/27/popandrock.mainsection">gruff yet tender</a> vocals and drew every drop of emotion out of the lyrics and melody. He keeps in time, too.</p> <h2>2. Mr Tambourine Man by The Byrds</h2> <p>A masterclass in lyric writing, Mr Tambourine Man (1965) saw Dylan <a href="https://genius.com/Bob-dylan-mr-tambourine-man-lyrics">flexing his linguistic muscles</a> to reel off dozens of intricate internal and end rhymes, including my personal favourite:</p> <blockquote> <p>Though I know that evening’s empire has returned into sand<br />Vanished from my hand<br />Left me blindly here to stand, but still not sleeping.</p> </blockquote> <p>The Byrds’ version, released in the same year and hitting number one in both the US and the UK, isn’t better than the brilliant original (how could it be?) but it is brilliantly different.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swqw5a8I4b4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">The Byrds’ version of Mr Tambourine Man.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Abridging Dylan’s version in order to make for a more palatable running time for the singles market, what it lacks in lyrics it more than makes up for in melody. The harmonies in the chorus add to Dylan’s main vocal line. It was an era-defining moment that launched the folk-rock genre.</p> <h2>3. All Along The Watchtower by The Jimi Hendrix Experience</h2> <p>Dylan may have released the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT7Hj-ea0VE">original version</a> of All Along The Watchtower on his John Wesley Harding album in 1967, but it was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY">The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s cover</a>, released just six months later, which has largely been accepted as the definitive recording.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NdSyFxTDQUM?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">All Along the Watchtower performed by Jimi Hendrix.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Taking Dylan’s gentle acoustic guitar and harmonica number and feeding it through his legendary white Strat, Hendrix rocks seven shades of summer out of the song until it takes on a completely new life.</p> <p>So great was his reinterpretation (it seems derisive to merely label it a “cover”) that as well as being ranked at number 40 in Rolling Stone’s <a href="https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-30065/the-jimi-hendrix-experience-all-along-the-watchtower-30527/">500 Greatest Songs of All Time</a> list, Dylan amended the song’s structure for <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/what-did-bob-dylan-think-jimi-hendrix-version-along-the-watchtower/">later live performances</a> in order for it to be more like Hendrix’s.</p> <h2>4. If Not For You by George Harrison</h2> <p>Granted, I only heard Dylan’s recording of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyouhbgAiCA">If Not For You</a> after already being familiar with George Harrison’s version included on his 1970 album <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XscuV_R6tr4">All Things Must Pass</a> for several years, so it was always going to feel slightly foreign to me.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E28E1hEZN8g?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">George Harrison performs If Not For You.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>What I wasn’t expecting, though, was how unimpressive and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyouhbgAiCA">strangely flat</a> it seems compared to Harrison’s recording. Dylan’s run-together vocal lines were backed by oddly jaunty and accented side-stick drumming (with the snare struck on the second beat but then a quaver before the fourth instead of on the fourth itself) and punctuated with glockenspiel. It all adds up to a slightly confused and messy arrangement, which takes attention away from the sincerity of the lyrics.</p> <h2>5. If Not For You by Olivia Newton John</h2> <p>When Olivia Newton-John issued her own cover of If Not For You in 1971, she wisely opted for the <a href="https://americansongwriter.com/how-bob-dylan-and-george-harrison-helped-olivia-newton-john-land-her-first-hit/">same arrangement</a> as Harrison’s, thankfully, minus Phil Spector’s muddy over-production – and scored an international hit with it in the process.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aJvwcpkBN3A?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">If Not For You performed by Olivia Newton John.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>To my mind If Not For You remains one of Dylan’s most simplistic, beautiful songs – so long as he’s not singing it.</p> <h2>6. Ballad of Hollis Brown by David Lynch</h2> <p>Appearing on The Times They Are A-Changin’ (1964), Dylan presents the five-minute <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8xkxy3tXTA">Ballad of Hollis Brown</a> as its title suggests, as a <a href="https://pressbooks.pub/shawangunktest/chapter/pounding-in-your-brain-form-in-dylans-ballad-of-hollis-brown/#:%7E:text=%E2%80%9CHollis%20Brown%E2%80%9D%20is%20most%20assuredly,that%20plays%20is%20Dylan%27s%20guitar.">traditional ballad in both form and theme</a>. His voice is backed by a lone acoustic guitar, minus even his ever-present harmonica.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AXnqohIm9g4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">The Ballad of Hollis Brown by David Lynch.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Nearly half a century later, director David Lynch took time out from his day job to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXnqohIm9g4">reimagine the song</a> as drum-heavy claustrophobia, twisting the original until it would have been unrecognisable if not for its title and lyrics. Dylan diehards may want to give this one a miss, but for those of us who enjoyed the music from the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks series three, this is a winner.<!-- 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/246909/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/glenn-fosbraey-424079">Glenn Fosbraey</a>, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-winchester-743">University of Winchester</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </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/six-covers-of-bob-dylan-songs-that-were-better-than-the-originals-246909">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Paralympian Dylan Alcott's unexpected career choice

<p>Dylan Alcott has revealed his next career move after retiring from professional wheelchair tennis in 2021. </p> <p>Since his retirement, the 34-year-old Aussie Paralympian has taken on a commentating role and appeared at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but now he has confirmed a new career move that is a big step away from sports. </p> <p>Alcott told <em>Daily Mail Australia </em>that he wants to pursue a career in acting. </p> <p>After taking on his first ever acting role as Marcus in Stan's series <em>Bump</em>, he explained that he wants to get more roles in the film industry.</p> <p>"I'd been on set before as an athlete but not as an actor and I bl**dy loved it, " he told the <em>Daily Mail</em>. </p> <p>"It was a good test to me to see if I loved being on a set every day, and I really did so hopefully I'll have more opportunities soon."</p> <p>Alcott explained that he even took acting lessons and classes, and even hired a coach to make sure he was up to the standard he needed to be. </p> <p>"I didn't want to be that famous guy that just goes 'I can act', I've done lessons and classes and I've got an acting coach," he told the publication. </p> <p>"I tried to do the best that I can and everyone was really accommodating."</p> <p>Alcott, who starred in the fourth season of the show alongside Claudia Karvan and Angus Sampson, recalled how he was able to keep up with his co-stars, despite it being his first time acting. </p> <p>"The biggest challenge was everyone is a really, really good actor and I was like ''what am I doing?'' when I first got there," he recalled. </p> <p>"Then I realised that everyone was so accommodating but I could also hold my own."</p> <p>The Paralympian was fully involved in his role and even created some of his character's jokes, and even does his own stunts. </p> <p>"Often, if you're an able-bodied person writing a disabled character, you're not sure what you can and can't say, but I was like ''no let's push it'' and it was so cool," he said.</p> <p>He added that he was proud to be able to provide positive disability representation on screen, which was something he rarely saw growing up. </p> <p>"[Acting is] something I've wanted to do since I was a kid, I really struggled with disability representation on screen," he shared.</p> <p>"Whenever it was, it was always super negative and sad and not people being themselves. So that's why I started doing acting and when Claudia and Kelsey [Munro] called me with a role, I couldn't believe it!"</p> <p>Alcott will be returning to screens as Marcus in the fifth and final season of <em>Bump</em> on Boxing Day. </p> <p><em>Image: Allison Voight/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

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Sir Bob Geldof reveals new version of iconic Christmas song

<p>Sir Bob Geldof has shared the details of the 2024 reprise of the iconic song <em>Do They Know It's Christmas?</em>, revealing why the new version of the song will be the last. </p> <p><em>Do They Know It's Christmas?</em> was first released in 1984, and was sparked by Bob Geldof being disturbed by a news report on the famine in Ethiopia. </p> <p>He enlisted big names such as Bono, Boy George, Sting and George Michael to join in on the song to raise awareness and money for the famine.</p> <p>"I was sickened by it. I mean, that is really it," Geldof told <em>A Current Affair</em>.</p> <p>"I sat down and turned on the TV, and here was this devastating thing that put, you know, my pathetic, puny personal problems in a horrifying perspective."</p> <p>Since then, three more versions of the charity song have been made, in 2004, 2014 and now, in 2024 to mark the 40th anniversary of the original track. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CDiYk07FG1Y?si=TwdiduKB5vPX56V7" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Instead of recruiting new artists, this time Bob Geldof has remixed famous renditions from previous versions to combine the greatest voices of our time.</p> <p>Despite each iteration of the song having its own unique charm and voice, Geldof says it will be the last hurrah for the iconic Christmas tune.</p> <p>"I personally think, it's the definitive one and there will be no more," Geldof said.</p> <p>"The world has never been more fragile in my life, and I'm old, and I don't think people can take on board any more horror. They cannot absorb any more, but it's happening."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair </em></p>

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Forget Bob Geldof: this is why you don’t like Mondays

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/leon-lack-1142">Leon Lack</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a></em></p> <p>Feeling sluggish? Grouchy even? Difficulties getting out of bed? Mondayitis can happen to the best of us. But rest assured: it’s a phenomenon science can actually explain.</p> <p>In fact, there are a range of explanations: perhaps you hate your job and/or are bullied at work; or maybe you <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmin5WkOuPw">live it large at the weekends</a> and come down with a crash on Mondays.</p> <p>But perhaps the most common cause involves our body clock – i.e. our circadian rhythms – and how our weekend sleeping habits throw our normal rhythms out of whack.</p> <h2>Blue Monday</h2> <p>As Sally Ferguson of the University of South Australia explained in <a href="https://theconversation.com/keeping-time-how-our-circadian-rhythms-drive-us-17">a recent article for The Conversation</a>, your circadian rhythm is your “natural pacemaker”. It controls a range of bodily cycles including the 24-hour cycle that regulates your degree of alertness at various times of day.</p> <p>Normally, our rhythm helps sustain our wakefulness until the end of the day and sustain our sleep until we’re ready to arise in the morning.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/1062/original/mondayitis.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/1062/original/mondayitis.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=291&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/1062/original/mondayitis.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=291&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/1062/original/mondayitis.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=291&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/1062/original/mondayitis.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=365&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/1062/original/mondayitis.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=365&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/1062/original/mondayitis.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=365&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Image courtesy of Leon Lack.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>The above image shows how the normally-timed circadian “bed” (approximately 11pm to 7am) is surrounded by periods of low sleepiness (or alertness): this is also known as the “sleep forbidden zone” and the “wake-up zone”.</p> <p>In both, your body “wants” you to be awake: in the “sleep forbidden zone” you’ll find it hard to get to sleep, and in the “wake-up zone”, your body will “try” to wake you up.</p> <p>If the timing of your body clock changes – by partying till the wee hours, for example – these two zones can shift, making it harder to get to sleep at certain hours.</p> <p>In practice, this means that if you stay up a couple of hours later than normal one night, the “sleep forbidden zone” will drift to between 8pm and midnight, making it very difficult to get to sleep until after midnight.</p> <p>If this drifting occurs when it is necessary to get up early – e.g. on weekdays – you’ll lose sleep and be tired the next day.</p> <p>If this happens most days of the week, you’ll build up a sleep debt over the week that you will probably want to “pay off” when you have the opportunity to do so – on the weekend for most of us.</p> <h2>Sleep-in, and pay the price</h2> <p>How do you catch up on sleep on the weekend? You could go to bed earlier on Friday or Saturday night or you could sleep in later on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ah, the luxury of the weekend sleep-in! Isn’t that what weekends are for?</p> <p>Unfortunately, though, that long-awaited weekend lie-in can cause problems come Monday.</p> <p>By sleeping in, you actively delay your body clock <em>again</em>, which can make it hard to get to sleep on Sunday night and leave you not feeling properly awake until later on Monday morning.</p> <h2>I don’t like Mondays (tell me why!)</h2> <p>Thanks to your weekend lie-in(s), your circadian rhythms have drifted away from their normal position and so, when that alarm clock starts bleating, you’re still at your lowest body temperature (see image above).</p> <p>You are expected to be up and out into the world while still in your “circadian bed”.</p> <p>Sure, you’ll probably feel better by noon with the help of the circadian “wake-up zone” (and maybe a stiff coffee or two) but the bad start to Monday has put you behind and you spend the rest of the week in catch-up mode.</p> <p>This vicious cycle is a problem for many, particularly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_owl_(person)">“night owls”</a> whose rhythms are delayed even more than normal.</p> <p>So what can be done?</p> <p>Minimising the number of late bedtimes you have is a good start, as this will reduce your need for catch-up sleep.</p> <p>And if you do need to have catch-up sleep on the weekend, don’t sleep in late: get up about the same time you normally would and, if you need it, have a siesta instead.</p> <p>You’ll feel better for it come Monday morning.</p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/leon-lack-1142">Leon Lack</a>, Professor of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/flinders-university-972">Flinders University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </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/forget-bob-geldof-this-is-why-you-dont-like-mondays-828">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Sacked Olympic commentator hits back at "massive overreaction"

<p>Fired Olympics commentator Bob Ballad has hit back at the "massive overreaction" to the sexist comments he made about the Aussie swim team that cost him his job at the Paris Games. </p> <p>Ballard was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/commentator-sacked-after-sexist-comment-on-aussie-swim-team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sacked</a> by EuroSport after making a sexist remark about Australia's female swimmers after their gold medal win in the 4x100m freestyle. </p> <p>After the win, the former BBC commentator said, "Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like… hanging around, doing their make-up.”</p> <p>Ballard’s co-commentator Lizzie Simmonds laughed at the remark, calling it "outrageous".</p> <p>The commentator was then sacked from the Games, issuing an apology statement online, saying, "It was never my intention to upset or belittle anyone and, if I did, I apologise."</p> <p>However, speaking to British media outlet LBC on Tuesday, Ballard said the public's response to his sexist comments were an "overreaction". </p> <p>He said, "I am overwhelmed by the reaction I’ve had from the British public."</p> <p>"It was a throwaway line - some people might say it’s a bit old-fashioned but it was never meant to offend. It was never meant to upset everybody and I think there’s been a massive overreaction from my employers."</p> <p>"I’m dealing with it as best I can right now."</p> <p>These comments welcomed a fresh wave of backlash, with commenters on social media saying his sacking was the "right message to send" in response to everyday sexism. </p> <p>One person wrote on X, "This sort of “joke” for women is part of the every day, sexist, chipping away we are used to. People (often men, but women too) say it’s harmless but consider very recent news to see how this can contribute to much worse attitudes to women. It was the right message to send."</p> <p>Another person added, "Because even us oldies, who grew up in a different time, know it was inappropriate."</p> <p>After Ballard's comments during the Olympics, his employer EuroSport issued a statement to confirm that he would be let go from his commentating position. </p> <p>"During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment," EuroSport wrote online. </p> <p>"To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter (X) | Paul Kitagaki, Jr/ZUMA Press Wire | Shutterstock</em></p> <p class="text_text__nEn66" style="margin: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; font-size: var(--text-lg); line-height: var(--leading-7); word-break: break-word; font-family: system-ui;"> </p>

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Commentator sacked after sexist comment on Aussie swim team

<p>EuroSport commentator Bob Ballard has been removed from his duties following a controversial remark directed at Australia's women's 4x100m freestyle relay team. The incident occurred as the team celebrated their gold medal win on Sunday.</p> <p>During the medal ceremony, Ballard made a comment that quickly drew widespread criticism: "Well, the women just finishing up," he said. "You know what women are like … hanging around, doing their make-up." Despite attempting to laugh off the remark, his co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, immediately labelled it "outrageous". The comment soon went viral, leading to swift action from EuroSport.</p> <p>By Monday morning, EuroSport had announced that Ballard was relieved of his commentary duties. In a statement, the network said, "During a segment of Eurosport’s coverage last night, commentator Bob Ballard made an inappropriate comment. To that end, he has been removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect."</p> <p>Ballard is a seasoned broadcaster with a career spanning several decades and multiple Olympic Games.</p> <p>The incident overshadowed what was a celebratory moment for Australian fans. The quartet of Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon, and Meg Harris clinched gold in the 4x100m freestyle relay with a time of 3:28.92, continuing Australia's dominance in the event for the fourth consecutive Olympics.</p> <p>As the Paris Olympics continue, Ballard will be watching from the sidelines, his remarks coming at a time when the International Olympic Committee is promoting the Games as "The Equal Games".</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter (X) | Paul Kitagaki, Jr/ZUMA Press Wire | Shutterstock</em></p>

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Tributes flow for Bob Newhart

<p>Bob Newhart has died aged 94. </p> <p>The comedian and actor was best known for the television shows, <em>The Bob Newhart Show </em>and <em>Newhart</em>, and also starred in <em>Elf </em>and <em>Big Bang Theory</em>. </p> <p>His publicist, Jerry Digney confirmed that Newhart died in Los Angeles on Thursday morning local time, following a series of short illnesses.</p> <p>Digney called the star's passing the “end of an era in comedy”.</p> <p>Tributes have been pouring in for the "truly one-of-a-kind" talent, with <em>Newhart</em> co-star Julia Duffy sharing a special tribute on X, alongside an old cast photo. </p> <p>"Second most important man in my life," she began, while also referencing the loss of her son. </p> <p>"Glad they're together but I feel so alone now. #RIPBOB. How I will miss being teased. I love you."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Second most important man in my life. Glad they're together but I feel so alone now. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIPBOB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIPBOB</a>. How I will miss being teased. I love you.💔 <a href="https://t.co/edXgWzSfgX">pic.twitter.com/edXgWzSfgX</a></p> <p>— julia duffy (@mybadauditions) <a href="https://twitter.com/mybadauditions/status/1814027810606116901?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Star Wars</em> actor Mark Hamill also took the platform to share his condolences. </p> <p>"From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter," he wrote alongside an image of Newhart. </p> <p>"Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart! #RIP." </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">From his groundbreaking stand-up to his two classic sitcoms he gave us a lifetime of laughter. Truly one-of-a-kind. Thank you Bob Newhart!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP</a> <a href="https://t.co/NlkJNuOw80">pic.twitter.com/NlkJNuOw80</a></p> <p>— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkHamill/status/1814041289664684351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>Bill Prady, the co-creator of <em>The Big Bang Theory</em> also paid tribute to the actor and shared what a delight it was to work with the comedian. </p> <p>"Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him," he wrote in a tribute, with a photo of the pair. </p> <p>"Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Hard to explain how important Bob Newhart was to every comedian and comedy writer who came after him.</p> <p>Working with him ever so briefly was one of the greatest joys and honors of my life <a href="https://t.co/RjKIpfhF8T">pic.twitter.com/RjKIpfhF8T</a></p> <p>— Bill Prady ⚛️ (@billprady) <a href="https://twitter.com/billprady/status/1814034719258079475?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 18, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>Newhart was originally an accountant and advertising copywriter. </p> <p>He first rose to fame in the 1960's following the release of his comedy album, <em>The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart</em>, which was one of the best-selling albums of the year, and landed him a Grammy Award. </p> <p>In 1972, <em>The Bob Newhart Show </em>debuted, and ten years later, he debuted <em>Newhart</em>, which still has one of the most famous series finale in TV history, for the unexpected twist that tied the two shows together. </p> <p>Newhart was also a frequent guest and regular fill-in host on the <em>Tonight Show </em>during that era. </p> <p><em>Images: </em><em>Jim Ruymen/UPI/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

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Radio legend dies aged 97

<p>Australia's longest serving DJ Bob Rogers has died aged 97. </p> <p>The veteran radio presenter, who had a broadcasting career spanning 78 years, passed away at his Mosman home, surrounded by his family on Wednesday morning. </p> <p>Friend and family spokesperson, Derryn Hinch, paid tribute to the radio legend in a social media post dedicated to "my dear friend, my ‘brother’". </p> <p>"His show business career spanned nearly 80 years. Bob started in radio at Melbourne’s 3XY when he was 15. He was still doing a radio program on Sydney’s 2CH in his nineties," he wrote. </p> <p>"The words legend and icon are thrown around too easily these days but Bob Rogers was both.</p> <p>"As a kid I used to listen to him on my crystal set from across the ditch in New Zealand," he added. </p> <p>He then went on to describe one of Rogers' career highlights, when he represented 2SM and accompanied the Beatles on their 1964 tour through Europe, Asia and Australia - the only time the band toured the country.</p> <p>He<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> was nicknamed 'the fifth beatle' as a result. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fderryn.hinch.18%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0Uw4TWmLWFcJLzb1dN43qPuNGenhJuaoUFwKwScwbGaLQi8Gjw9Qc98LVHnmKur6kl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500&amp;is_preview=true" width="500" height="550" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></span></p> <p>Rogers worked for multiple radio stations across the country as a presenter, disc jockey and announcer, and was even awarded an OAM in 2010 for his contribution to broadcasting. </p> <p>Current 2GB broadcaster Clinton Maynard paid tribute to the radio legend, saying it was an honour to host the same show as him. </p> <p>"An honour to be broadcasting this morning from the same floor where Bob Rogers spent 18 years on 2CH and where he presented his last programs from at age 93. This was his studio. Rip legend," he shared on X.</p> <p>In addition to his radio career, he also hosted his late night TV variety show called The Bob Rogers Show on Channel Seven, which lasted for five years. </p> <p>His broadcasting career came to an end in 2020 after over seven decades on air. </p> <p>Rogers is survived by his wife Jerry, their four daughters and Rogers' son. </p> <p><em>Image: ABC News/ Facebook</em></p>

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Marcia Hines returns as Australian Idol fans cry foul over upset win

<p>The <em>Australian Idol </em>2024 grand finale left viewers stunned and divided as Dylan Wright emerged victorious, leaving many fans feeling that Amy Reeves had been unjustly denied the crown.</p> <p>The electrifying finale aired on Monday evening, showcasing the talents of Denvah Baker-Moller, Dylan Wright and Amy Reeves as they vied for the coveted title. However, it was Wright who clinched the top spot, much to the disappointment of numerous fans who had rallied behind Reeves.</p> <p>Throughout the season, Wright had consistently impressed both judges and audiences alike with his remarkable performances. His emotional reaction upon winning the <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">recording contract with Sony Music Entertainment Australia and a $100,000 cash prize </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">was palpable: “I’m about to cry!" he told the cheering crowd. "So, thanks!”</span></p> <p>The finale kicked off with hosts Ricki Lee and Scott Tweedie addressing the absence of judge Marcia Hines, who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/marcia-hines-rushed-to-hospital" target="_blank" rel="noopener">had been hospitalised</a> due to health issues potentially related to her Type 1 diabetes. The void left by Hines was temporarily filled by guest judge Guy Sebastian, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/guy-sebastian-reveals-what-happened-when-marcia-hines-collapsed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">who stepped in</a> to ensure the show's continuity.</p> <p>Despite her absence, Hines' spirit remained present as she conveyed her apologies via Instagram, assuring fans of her eagerness to return. “I feel fine,” she said on Monday night's show in response to Ricki Lee and Scott Tweedie<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">. “I want to thank everybody who reached out towards me, you know. I do appreciate it. And you guys need to know – I couldn’t have missed this for the world. I couldn’t have.”</span></p> <p>Hines admitted to having had stitches after collapsing backstage, and briefly lifted her hair to show the stitches on her forehead. “It is all good," she explained. "I’m good. I go back to the hospital tonight,” she added jokingly.</p> <p>As the finalists delivered their last performances, Reeves' rendition of Jessie J's "Bang Bang" stood out, earning praise from judge Kyle Sandilands and igniting a wave of support from viewers. However, despite her standout performance, it was Wright who ultimately clinched the title after a tense battle with Reeves.</p> <p>The decision sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many expressing disbelief and frustration over Reeves' loss. Some fans proclaimed Reeves as the most deserving contestant in <em>Idol</em> history. “Call the police!" they wrote. "A robbery has taken place on #AustralianIdol. Amy has been absolutely shafted. Easily the best performer in idol history.”</p> <p>Amidst the chorus of disappointment, there were voices of congratulations for Wright, acknowledging his talent and triumph in the competition. Despite the divided opinions, one thing remained certain – the passion and fervour of <em>Australian Idol</em> fans, who eagerly await the next chapter in the musical journeys of all the finalists.</p> <p><em>Images: Channel Seven</em></p>

TV

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“We’ve been keeping a secret”: The Block couple announce heartwarming news

<p dir="ltr"><em>The Block</em> couple Dylan and Jenny are expecting their first child. </p> <p dir="ltr">The fan favourite couple from the renovation series took to Instagram to share the exciting news, posting a series of photos of the soon-to-be parents posing on the beach with their ultrasound in hand. </p> <p dir="ltr">Writing on their joint social media account, the couple shared that their first baby is due this coming winter. </p> <p dir="ltr">"We've been keeping a little secret… Baby Adams due July 👶🏼," the elated couple wrote in the post.</p> <p dir="ltr">The post was met with an abundance of well-wishes from fellow <em>Block</em> stars, with Tom and Sarah-Jane commenting: "Yasssssssss 🙌🙌🙌 I am so thrilled for you guys! You guys are going to be phenomenal parents ❤️."</p> <p dir="ltr">El'ise and Matt added, "Congratulations beautiful people!!! The fun is about to begin," while Shelley Craft also shared her well wishes for the couple. </p> <p dir="ltr">The announcement of their growing family comes just less than a year after the couple got married in March last year, at the InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort on the Gold Coast.</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqPnmfJvu6R/?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/CqPnmfJvu6R/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dylan and Jenny (@dylanandjenny)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The wedding was attended by a host of <em>Block</em> couples, including Rachel and Ryan, Ankur and Sharon and Tom and Sarah-Jane.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dylan and Jenny were fan favourites on <em>The Block</em>'s 2022 Season, but their stunning Macedon Ranges house was passed in at auction.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 18pt;"><em>Image credits: Instagram </em><span id="docs-internal-guid-e6c363e0-7fff-a33b-dab5-e4580d7e479b"></span></p>

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Pitch to ditch the King from Aussie coins

<p>Bob Katter is calling for a major overhaul of Australian coins, saying King Charles' image should be scrapped from the currency. </p> <p>The federal MP touted an alternative design for the national coins, suggesting it could feature a Kalkadoon warrior or distinguished Australian soldier Ralph Honner.</p> <p>“Surely you’d put Kokoda hero Ralph Honner on your coin, not some British monarch, demonstrating that you don’t believe that all people are born free and equal and that you don’t believe you’re a separate country, that you’re a nationalistic Australian,” Katter said on Monday.</p> <p>The Queensland MP plans to move an amendment to the Crown References Amendment Bill to omit references to the monarchy and substitute the words “sovereign people of Australia”.</p> <p>“For heaven’s sake, get rid of the affirmation that we believe that all people are free and equal,” Katter said.</p> <p>“If you’ve got a monarch on your coin, you do not believe that all people are free and equal.”</p> <p>Katter's pitch comes just weeks after the Royal Australian Mint last month unveiled the effigy of King Charles III, which will be seen on Australian coins by Christmas.</p> <p>For decades, the country’s coins have carried an image of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022.</p> <p>The Royal Mint also recently announced the production of a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/new-commemorative-queen-coin-worth-serious-cash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commemorative coin</a> in honour of the late Queen Elizabeth, which is already in high demand among royal fans and avid coin collectors. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Former premier's emotional farewell after wife's sudden passing

<p>Helena Carr, the wife of former foreign minister and NSW premier Bob Carr, has been bid an emotional farewell at Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral after passing away last month in Vienna.</p> <p>The 77-year-old lost consciousness due to a brain aneurysm while on a trip with her husband. In a tearful eulogy, Bob Carr shared the raw pain of losing his beloved wife of 50 years, known affectionately to him as "H".</p> <p>Reflecting on their enduring partnership, Carr acknowledged the acceptance that their time together was not infinite. He described the calmness and wisdom they found, emphasising the joy they took in each other's happiness.</p> <p>"We seemed to be at peace in our 50-year partnership," he said. "We accepted without admitting it that our time would not be forever. We were in a resting place that meant we were happy to see the other one happy. No partner could have smiled more than she did.</p> <p>"As we walked across Vienna having fun on that last day, that was where our 50-year journey had taken us: to a kind of calmness and wisdom where it ended so suddenly, so cruelly cut off.</p> <p>“We are such stuff that dreams are made of, and our light rounded off with a sleep. That left me to say, my friend, as co-conspirator in this half-century collaboration, thank you my lucky star, my little friend.”</p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">In addition to being a supportive partner, Helena was recognised as an accomplished businesswoman who played a crucial role in her husband's political career. Born in Malaysia, she took over the security division producing postage stamps at Australia Post in 1984. Bob Carr praised her multifaceted contributions to their marriage, portraying her as "CEO, CFO, the chief strategist and the financial planner – which left me to be the entertainment director”.</span></p> <p>Carr reminisced about his wife's pivotal role in his political campaigns, showcasing her love for the play, humour, and personality of politics. He emphasised her ability to connect with colleagues and her integral part in the human comedy that brought smiles to those around her.</p> <p>In a touching revelation, Carr recalled a moment in 1971 when his wife declared him her "lucky star" after watching a film. However, he corrected the sentiment at the funeral, stating that Helena was, in fact, his lucky star.</p> <p>Education Minister Jason Clare conveyed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's tribute, describing Helena as the "steel in Bob's back" and "whip smart".</p> <p>The requiem mass, presided over by Father Frank Brennan SJ AO, celebrated Helena as a "peacemaker" who never sought the limelight. Political figures, including NSW Premier Chris Minns, deputy premier Prue Car, former prime ministers Malcolm Turnbull and Paul Keating, and federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, paid their respects at the ceremony.</p> <p>Helena Carr's passing marked the end of a remarkable journey that began when she emigrated to Australia to study economics at The University of Sydney. Meeting Bob Carr in Tahiti in 1971, the couple forged a partnership that lasted half a century. Despite the deep sorrow, Bob found a reason to carry on – for her.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

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"So eloquent": High-schooler's take on The Voice resurfaces

<p>A compelling <em>Q+A</em> video clip originally showcasing a 15-year-old high schooler's insights on "The Voice to Parliament" proposal in 2018 has re-emerged online and gained viral prominence, days before the nation votes on the Voice to Parliament referendum.</p> <p>Recent polling indicates that support for The Voice is waning, and it appears to be heading toward a defeat, with all but two states leaning toward a No vote. This shift in public opinion comes at a critical juncture in the debate surrounding this historical initiative.</p> <p>Dylan Storer, a journalist from Western Australia, took to X (Twitter) to express his support for The Voice. He shared a video clip of his appearance on the ABC's <em>Q+A</em> from five years ago. At the time, he was only 15 years old and was part of a special panel consisting of high school students from across the nation who discussed the pressing issues confronting their communities.</p> <p>In the video, Storer explained, "I come from a predominantly Indigenous school," emphasising the importance of educating young Australians about the American civil rights movement and Australian Aboriginal history. He believed that Australia had a unique opportunity to embrace and acknowledge the cultures that have existed on its land for an astounding 65,000 years, and that this cultural recognition could significantly shape the nation's identity.</p> <p>The episode in which Storer appeared on <em>Q+A</em> took place shortly after former Prime Minister Scott Morrison appointed Tony Abbott as a special envoy for Indigenous affairs in the government. Storer expressed his reservations about this top-down approach, asserting that it was counterintuitive to have Tony Abbott in that role, given the circumstances.</p> <p>In Storer's view, the root causes of racism and misunderstandings about First Nations people in Australia stem from inadequate education about the country's history. He argued that teaching Australians about Indigenous people from a young age could only strengthen the nation.</p> <p>The video clip resurfaced at a time when the Uluru Statement from the Heart, a significant document drafted after extensive consultations with 250 Indigenous representatives from across the country, was still fresh in people's minds. This statement emphasised Indigenous voices being at the forefront of determining their own destiny. According to Storer, this made the government's choice of appointing Abbott seem counterintuitive and at odds with these aspirations.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dylan Storer impressed the nation with his appearance on the Q&amp;A High School Panel in September, 2018. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> <a href="https://t.co/JAZ8Xk75UB">pic.twitter.com/JAZ8Xk75UB</a></p> <p>— QandA (@QandA) <a href="https://twitter.com/QandA/status/1194493372913684481?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 13, 2019</a></p></blockquote> <p>Storer's words in the video have now been viewed over 230,000 times and have ignited a lively discussion online. Praise for his eloquent and insightful statements has poured in, including commendation from former federal MP Tony Windsor, who wished him well and acknowledged his contribution to the national dialogue.</p> <p>Storer's youthful perspective from 2018 continues to resonate and engage audiences, reaffirming the importance of conversations about Indigenous rights and cultural recognition in Australia.</p> <p><em>Images: X (Twitter)</em></p>

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Ben Fordham calls out Bob Katter over Matilda's etiquette

<p>Bob Katter and Ben Fordham were among the tens of thousands of sports fans who showed up at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday to support the Matildas in their semi-final match against England. </p> <p>The two were seated close to each other by chance, with Katter sitting directly in front of Fordham for the entirety of the match. </p> <p>Fordham called out Katter's lack of etiquette, after the 2GB host missed half of the game as his view was obstructed by Katter's giant Akubra, which he kept on throughout the entire game.</p> <p>Ben shared a snap of his unfortunate view on Instagram, writing, “80,000 people at the Matildas and I get seated behind Bob Katter.”</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/CwAJ_tuRYl9/?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/CwAJ_tuRYl9/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ben Fordham (@benfordham9)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>People took to the comments to condemn the act calling it “rude” and egging Fordham on to nudge the hat off the Queensland politician's head.</p> <p>"Take that stupid hat off Bob!!! Ben can’t see!!!" one person wrote, while other commented, "Ask him to take it off, that is so rude."</p> <p>Weighing in on the controversial act during his regular <em>Today</em> show segment on Thursday morning, Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce called Mr Katter out for the faux pas.</p> <p>“They’re there to stop you from getting melanoma, possibly keep your head warm if it is cold, but not to be worn in the house and certainly not to be worn in front of somebody because the person behind you has paid for their ticket,” Mr Joyce said.</p> <p>“Bob, they want to watch the soccer, not the back of your head – take your hat off, why did you take it to the football? It was at night, wasn‘t it?”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

TV

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Richard Wilkins and Sir Bob Geldof catch up live on air

<p dir="ltr">Richard Wilkins is the man with a black book of celebrity contacts so it’s no surprise that he’s friends with rock legend Sir Bob Geldof.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Boomtown Rats</em> frontman was being interviewed for his own accomplishments, and the upcoming launch of his own independent radio station Disrupt Radio when he interrupted the interview to catch up with his old mate.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Lovely to see you, you're looking well I have to say," Wilkins told Geldof.</p> <p dir="ltr">Who replied: “I’m good how are you”, which Wilkins quickly responded to before asking his question.</p> <p dir="ltr">After answering a few questions about his upcoming gigs with <em>The Boomtown Rats</em>, the rock legend couldn’t hold his excitement of seeing his old mate and asked Wilkins how he was, for the second time.</p> <p dir="ltr">"How are things with you?" Geldof asked Wilkins.</p> <p dir="ltr">To which a slightly flustered Wilkins replied: "I'm good man, I will give you a call after the show," as he tried to get the show back on track.</p> <p dir="ltr">This elicited a chuckle from the <em>Today Extra</em> co-hosts Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Davies who quipped “it’s not about you, it’s more about Bob” before steering the conversation back to the original topic of interest.</p> <p><em>Image: Nine/ Today Extra</em></p> <p> </p>

Music

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Dylan Alcott’s girlfriend shares exciting update

<p dir="ltr">Tennis star Dylan Alcott’s girlfriend, Chantelle Otten has shared an exciting update on the couple’s plans to expand their family.</p> <p dir="ltr">Otten took to her Instagram Stories to announce that she is currently undergoing hormone fertility therapy to freeze her eggs, in hopes of one day starting a family with the Paralympic star.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m actually going through my second round of egg freezing at the moment,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think a lot of people watched Dyl (Dylan) and I, on Big Miracles, a few months ago.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And yeah I’m just doing another round because I want to have them there for when we are ready but also I can donate afterwards as well.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know plenty of people who might not have as good of a journey as I am having with egg freezing because I have a lot of eggs unlike the Easter bunny so if anyone has questions about it please let me know,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Otten, who is a sexologist, met the seven-time Australian Open winner who represented Australia in the Paralympics, at one of his book readings in 2018 and the pair began dating that same year.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple made their relationship public at a tennis event in April 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple have been open about their plans to start a family and have appeared on <em>Nine’s</em> IVF documentary <em>Big Miracles</em> to share their fertility journey.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We're both young but also super pumped to be parents one day so it's something we're excited to think further about in the future,” Alcott had said in an interview for the documentary.</p> <p dir="ltr">Otten has shared that the couple started discussing their options for the future during COVID.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Honestly, we just came together and I said, 'I think I might freeze my eggs'. Dylan thought it was a great idea," she told <em>Nine</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We weren't sure what our fertility journey would be like as a couple so this felt like a natural next step in our process. It didn't take us long to think about it but in terms of taking steps and looking at options,” she added.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"Change the law!": Bob Irwin's campaign against social media “idiots"

<p>Bob Irwin is calling for the Queensland government to close a legal loophole that allows social media users to enter crocodile habitats for content.</p> <p>The proposed changes would establish an offence for individuals who recklessly use a crocodile habitat, along with penalties for people who disturb crocodiles to make online content.</p> <p>Mr Irwin, father of the late Steve Irwin, has asked the Environmental Defenders Office to address the issue, calling for them to draw up amendments to the Nature Conservation Act.</p> <p>He said the online content creators were only endangering themselves and the crocs by entering the habitats. These careless individuals are filming content purely for the croc factor.</p> <p>"The government says idiots like these are not breaking any laws. Well, I say, change the law!" He said in a statement. Well, if the snap fits...</p> <p>Over 40 traditional owners, conservationists, scientists, business owners and community members have backed Mr Irwin’s proposed changes.</p> <p>In February 2023, a 4.2 metre croc was shot dead by wildlife officers after it attacked a man and ate a dog in far north Queensland.</p> <p>The man was swimming at Bloomfield River which is a well-known crocodile habitat.</p> <p>Traditional owner Kathleen Walker said the actions of reckless people are giving the otherwise safe communities a bad reputation.</p> <p>"We support the Environmental Defenders Office's recommendations in the name of creating greater protection for our totem animal, the saltwater crocodile, when human error is involved," she said.</p> <p>"We would like to see a no-tolerance approach to members of the public who take the risk in crocodile territory and for greater mitigation measures to be legislated.”</p> <p>These kinds of individuals are in de-Nile if they believe the scaly predators won’t bite.</p> <p>The notorious “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin once said, “Crocodiles are easy. They try to kill and eat you.” So, these croc-tent creators must leave it to the professionals, no matter how jaw-some the videos turn out to be.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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The Block couple lists stunning “dream home”

<p dir="ltr"><em>The Block</em> contestants Dylan and Jenny-Heath Adams are selling their newly built home located at 100 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach, Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">The five-bedroom and three-bathroom home will be up for auction on April 29, and the couple have said that they have always planned on selling it despite it being their “dream home”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think people honestly thought this was our dream home, but we’re going to build heaps of dream homes,” said Jenny.</p> <p dir="ltr">The stunning Hamptons-style abode boasts 6m-high cathedral ceilings with nine skylights allowing plenty of natural light in.</p> <p dir="ltr">The coastal home also includes beautiful timber floors, a spacious open living and dining area, a small breakfast bar, and a Hamptons-inspired kitchen complete with a stone island bench.</p> <p dir="ltr">While the interior is impressive, the exterior is equally stunning with a generous al fresco area that’s perfect for hosting events or family gatherings, a magnesium pool and outdoor shower so you can cool down in summer, and a firepit to keep you warm and snug in winter.</p> <p dir="ltr">The low-maintenance lawns are perfect for avid plant mums (and dads) or for families with kids who love to play outdoors.</p> <p dir="ltr">The property is also fitted with an energy-saving Red Earth battery system.</p> <p dir="ltr">This is another milestone for the couple who got <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/the-block-stars-lavish-gold-coast-wedding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">married</a>, built two houses, and sold one in the past year.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: realestate.com.au</em></p>

Real Estate

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Sesame Street legend dies at age 90

<p>One of the original stars of <em>Sesame Street</em> has passed away at the 90. </p> <p>Bob McGrath was one of just four cast members hired for the pilot of the children's TV show when it aired in 1969, and continued with the show for 47 seasons. </p> <p>News of the actor's death was shared by the family on his official Facebook page. </p> <p>"Our father Bob McGrath, passed away today. He died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family," said the post.</p> <p>After appearing on over 150 episodes of the show. numerous specials, direct to video movies, and two feature films, McGrath finally stopped acting on <em>Sesame Street</em> with his last episode entitled <em>Having a Ball</em> in 2017.  </p> <p>McGrath conducted lessons for children through his puppeteering and also wrote original sons for the production including <em>People in Your Neighbourhood</em>, <em>Sing a Song</em>, <em>If You're Happy And You Know It</em> and the <em>Sesame Street</em> theme song.</p> <p>McGrath played a character named Bob alongside Matt Robinson as Gordon, Loretta Long as Susan and Will Lee as Mr. Hooper when he began on the show. </p> <p>"We've always looked at children as just short people," McGrath told the<a href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2022/12/4/23493160/bob-mcgrath-dead-sesame-street-obituary-cast" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener"> Sun-Times</a> in 1998. "We've never talked down to them."</p> <p>"The kids we were meant to reach, I think we've reached," McGrath added. "They've grown up. They're in their 30s now. They have kids of their own, our Sesame Seeds, and they come up to me and say, 'Thank you very much. It made a major difference in our lives."' </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Bob Dylan apologises over controversial detail in new book

<p dir="ltr">Bob Dylan has issued an apology to fans who paid hundreds for his new book and discovered that they were signed using a machine, despite being advertised as “hand-signed”.</p> <p dir="ltr">It emerged that the 900 copies of <em>Philosophy of Modern Song</em>, which set fans back $US 599 ($AU 895) per book, all included identical versions of the star’s singer after fans compared notes online.</p> <p dir="ltr">Taking to social media, Dylan addressed the controversy and explained that he used an autopen - a device that allows signatures to be printed on demand - due to the COVID-19 pandemic and health issues that prevented him from signing them individually.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve hand-signed each and every art print over the years, and there’s never been a problem,” the 81-year-old <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bobdylan/posts/pfbid02smguWn7EsFwrKGqU8VkTyDr8LgoNeh5ogh6oCvQLDdkiPBLFw5R8woWwgKtw3dWRl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“However, in 2019 I had a bad case of vertigo and it continued into the pandemic years. It takes a crew of five working in close quarters with me to help enable these signing sessions and we could not find a safe and workable way to complete what I needed to while the virus was raging.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5d4cef7c-7fff-194a-ab74-38151e1dc89c"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“So, during the pandemic, it was impossible to sign anything and the vertigo didn’t help.”</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/Ck8noXItukF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ck8noXItukF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bob Dylan (@bobdylan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Dylan continued to explain that looming deadlines saw him consider a suggestion to use an autopen, which he was told was something done “‘all the time’ in the art and literary worlds”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Using a machine was an error in judgement and I want to rectify it immediately,” he concluded.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m working with Simon & Schuster and my gallery partners to do just that.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Days earlier, the publisher issued a statement regarding the signatures featured in the books.</p> <p dir="ltr">Simon & Schuster confirmed that the books have Dylan’s “original signature” but that it was a “penned replica form”, saying that those who had purchased the books would receive an immediate refund.</p> <p dir="ltr">"To those who purchased the <em>Philosophy of Modern Song </em>limited edition, we want to apologise," the publisher <a href="https://twitter.com/simonschuster/status/1594437832726040576" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As it turns out, the limited-edition books do contain Bob's original signature, but in a penned replica form. We are addressing this information by providing each purchaser with an immediate refund."</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4c952972-7fff-3cdf-e673-044c8b68308f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

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