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Line of Duty star's cause of death revealed

<p>The sister of <em>Line of Duty</em> star Brian McCardie has thanked loved ones and fans for their support since the tragic passing of her brother, while also revealing what caused his sudden death at the age of 59. </p> <p>Sarah McCardie shared a lengthy post on social media thanking people for their "overwhelming support" during the difficult time, adding that the Scottish actor will be laid to rest in a funeral on May 23rd at a church in his home country.</p> <p>She also revealed that Brian died due to an aortic dissection, a tear in the aorta.</p> <p>"The McCardie family would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support regarding the sudden passing of Brian James McCardie - beloved son, brother, uncle &amp; friend," she wrote.</p> <p>"Brian died due to an aortic dissection, causing short pain and a sudden death."</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/C7AAl3vLkfz/?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/C7AAl3vLkfz/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sarah McCardie (@sarahmccardie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"There will be a funeral mass held on Thursday 23rd May... where we will celebrate Brian's life before he takes his final bow."</p> <p>Sarah, who is also an actress, previously confirmed the news of his death in a heartbreaking tribute post to her late sibling, saying he "is gone much too soon".</p> <p>"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Brian James McCardie (59), beloved son, brother, uncle and dear friend to so many," her post began.</p> <p>"Brian passed away suddenly at home on Sunday 28th April. A wonderful and passionate actor on stage and screen, Brian loved his work and touched many lives, and is gone much too soon."</p> <p>"We love him and will miss him greatly; please remember Brian in your thoughts."</p> <p>The post was flooded with comments of condolences, as one person wrote, "One of Scotland's greats on both the stage and the screen."</p> <p>McCardie was best known for his role as Tommy Hunter on BBC's <em>Line of Duty</em>, the show <em>Time</em> with Sean Bean, and the film <em>Rob Roy</em> co-starring Liam Neeson.</p> <p><em>Image credits: BBC / Instagram </em></p>

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Legendary Aussie soap star dies just weeks before birthday

<p>Brian Wenzel has died aged 94.</p> <p>The beloved Aussie actor, known for his role on <em>A Country Practice</em>, passed away peacefully in an Adelaide nursing home, just weeks away from his 95th birthday.</p> <p>“It is with great sadness that we remember the life of beloved Australian actor Brian Wenzel,” the soap star's agent, Jennifer Hennessy confirmed in a statement. </p> <p>“His iconic and revered performances spanned multiple Australian generations with his wit and humour shining through to the end.</p> <p>“A passionate family man and devoted Carlton supporter leaves an irreplaceable mark on the Australian film and television industry.”</p> <p>Born on the 24th of May in 1929, Wenzel began his acting career at the age of just 17. </p> <p>He became a popular figure on Aussie TV in the 60s and 70s, starring in shows like <em>Homicide, Division 4</em>, and <em>Matlock Police</em>.</p> <p>He then scored his most memorable role as Frank Gilroy, an old-fashioned and uptight sergeant who was the heart of <em>A Country Practice</em> for 12 years. </p> <p>The show ran from 1981 to 1993, with a whopping 1,058 episodes, and he also briefly appeared on <em>Neighbours </em>after the show ended. </p> <p>Wenzel's role as Gilroy earned him a Logie Award for Best Actor in 1981.</p> <p>His final role on-screen was in 2014 for <em>John Doe: Vigilante</em>.</p> <p>In 2018 the actor had suffered two mini strokes that made him unable to walk unaided. </p> <p>“It’s terrible to not be able to walk and I can’t sing anymore, which is terrible. I’m hoping against all hope that I can get it all back again," he said at the time. </p> <p>Four years later, he was marred by his tragic battle with dementia and entered nursing care which he shared with his beloved wife Linda. </p> <p><em>Image: news.com.au/ Michael Marschall</em></p>

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"She was everything": Beach Boys' Brian Wilson shares devastating news

<p>The Beach Boys singer-songwriter Brian Wilson has shared that his wife of nearly 30 years has passed away.</p> <p>The 81-year-old musician broke the news on Instagram on Wednesday morning, saying that his "heart is broken" after his wife Melinda Ledbetter Wilson died aged 77. </p> <p>"Melinda, my beloved wife of 28 years, passed away this morning. Our five children and I are just in tears. We are lost," he wrote in his post, underneath two pictures of his wife.</p> <p>"Melinda was more than my wife. She was my saviour. She gave me the emotional security I needed to have a career," he said.</p> <p>"She encouraged me to make the music that was closest to my heart. She was my anchor. She was everything for us. Please say a prayer for her. Love and Mercy, Brian."</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/C2vSn-zO_32/?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/C2vSn-zO_32/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Brian Wilson (@brianwilsonlive)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In his post, he also shared a tribute that appeared to come from their five children collectively, which read, "It is with a heavy heart that we let everyone know that our mum, Melinda Kay Ledbetter Wilson passed away peacefully this morning at home."</p> <p>"She was a force of nature and one of the strongest women you could come by. She was not only a model, our fathers [sic] savior, and a mother, she was a woman empowered by her spirit with a mission to better everyone she touched. We will miss her but cherish everything she has taught us," the statement read.</p> <p>"How to take care of the person next to you with out expecting anything in return, how to find beauty in the darkest of places, and how to live life as your truest self with honesty and pride."</p> <p>They added, "We love you mum. Give Grandma Rose and Pa our love."</p> <p>Brian and Melinda first met in 1986 and married in 1995, before adopting their five children.</p> <p>Their love story and relationship was portrayed in the 2014 biographical drama film <em>Love &amp; Mercy</em>, which starred John Cusack and Elizabeth Banks.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Stepson of billionaire trapped on sub called out for gross behaviour

<p>The stepson of the billionaire trapped onboard the OceanGate Titanic submersible has been called out online for attending a rock concert while his step-father remains missing in the Atlantic Ocean. </p> <p>Brian Szasz is the stepson of billionaire Hamish Harding, who is trapped on the missing vessel along with four others, days after the group left on an expedition to the wreckage of the Titanic. </p> <p>While rescue efforts continue to locate the group, Szasz has caused a stir online after being spotted with a beaming smile attending a Blink-182. </p> <p>Among those furious and confused by Szasz's actions was rapper Cardi B, who slammed the man on Instagram to her 167 million followers. </p> <p>"One of the billionaires that's missing underwater from that submarine s–t …Their stepson is at a concert, right?" Cardi B starts.</p> <p>The rapper noted that she felt that attending a concert, and post about it online amid the search and rescue of a loved one felt tone deaf.</p> <p>"People is like, um, 'What is he supposed to do? Be sad at the house? Is he supposed to go look for him himself?' Yes," she said.</p> <p>"Isn't it sad that you a whole f—ing billionaire and nobody gives a f–k about you?" the rapper asks. "That's crazy. I'd rather be broke. I'd rather be broke and poor, but knowing that I'm loved."</p> <p>Szasz fired back at the rapper, telling her to "show some class for once in your life", while he responded to the media storm after he claimed his family "would've wanted him to go" to the concert. </p> <p>"Yes, I went to @Blink182 last night. What am I supposed to do, sit at home and watch the news? Not sorry this band has helped me through hard times since 1998."</p> <p>Just hours after the online backlash over attending the concert, Szasz was once again being slammed online for flirting with an OnlyFans model on Twitter.</p> <p>Szasz retweeted an image of Only Fans it-girl Brea flashing her backside in a G-string with the caption, “can i sit on u” on the social media site, with Szasz responding, “Yes please!”</p> <p>The post came just minutes after he asked followers to “please keep my family in your prayers.”</p> <p>One commenter wrote of the unusual behaviour, “Lmao quote tweeting a thirst trap while your stepdad is lost at sea is wild business”, as another slammed, “Unreal to be tweeting this [right now.]”</p> <p>Another user added, “This guy loves blink-182 and having ladies sit on his face and he’s not afraid to let the world know.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 16px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em>Image credits: Facebook / Action Aviation</em></p>

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Today shakes things up for the weekend

<p>The Nine Network has revealed that Jayne Azzopardi and Clint Stanaway will be joining the dedicated team of<em> Weekend Today</em>, alongside news presenter Sophie Walsh.</p> <p>And in celebration of their new gig, the two spoke to <em>9Entertainment</em>, with Stanaway sharing the team’s excitement and desire to bring a fresh experience to the show, keeping viewers entertained and informed along the way. </p> <p>"We're good listeners,” he explained, “and I'm really excited to sort of showcase people's stories. There's no doubt, I think both of us, and including Sophie, we want to bring a relaxed sort of vibe to the show and have some fun, but as well as keeping people entertained, we know we have a responsibility to keep people informed as well."</p> <p>And as Azzopardi added, “during the week, everybody's so rushed, trying to get the kids off to school and get out the door to work. On the weekend everything happens at a little bit of a slower pace.</p> <p>"So you can have us on the TV while you're eating breakfast and having your coffee and there'll be interesting conversations, and also maybe helping you make sense of things that have happened during the week that you've heard about, but you haven't really had a chance to read a lot about it because it's too busy."</p> <p>Azzopardi went on to note that working with Clint has “just been so easy”, and that they know they have each other’s support, as well as being able to “trust each other to be able to do our jobs properly, and all actually really, really like each other.” </p> <p>"I'm a sports veteran, Jayne's all about politics, and I love Sophie's cheek and humour,” Stanaway noted of their team dynamic. </p> <p>"And we're all from different parts of the country. I'm unashamedly a Melbourne guy, Jayne's from the Sydney shire, and Sophie's a Queenslander at heart, and I love that about us. And I think that's really showcased on our show.”</p> <p>He added that they had also known each other for “a long time as colleagues”. </p> <p>The difference in their career history - Stanaway reporting on sports, Jayne covering finance and politics - is likely to be the backbone of their success for the breakfast TV programme, with its variety in coverage across the realms of news and current affairs, weather, politics, lifestyle, and entertainment. And as Stanaway put it, “Jayne's the sensible one. She started out in finance. Right there is the contrast between us.”</p> <p>But they won’t be the only ones contributing to their broadcasts, with Azzopardi making sure to recognise everyone behind the scenes too, noting that “we've got fantastic producers and they work so hard and keep us on our toes. They pull us up if we're talking for a bit too long and keep things running to time."</p> <p>Stanaway then took the opportunity to point out, “because when we get started we can be hard to shut up!"</p> <p><em>Images: Today / Nine </em></p>

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"He loved so many people": Richard Wilkins' emotional tribute

<p>Richard Wilkins has shared an emotional tribute to his late friend Brian Walsh. </p> <p>The entertainment reporter fought back tears as he paid homage to the Foxtel executive, who <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/devastated-tv-legend-passes-away" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed away</a> on Thursday at the age of 68. </p> <p>Richard became emotional as he broke the news of Walsh's passing on <em>Today Extra</em> on Friday morning, describing the TV veteran as “so loved”.</p> <p>“So many close friends within the business and without the business,” he told his co-hosts, David Campbell and Sylvia Jeffreys.</p> <p>“And a real pro - he worked his tail off.”</p> <p>Jeffreys added that he was a “creative genius”, as she said,  “He genuinely cared about everything he produced, and everyone involved.”</p> <p>“He just loved the business, loved the people in the business, loved the business of the business,” Wilkins continued, visibly trying to hold back tears.</p> <p>“He loved people... so many people. Sorry, I don’t know what to say.”</p> <p>Wilkins’ emotional TV tribute came after Walsh's family released a statement on behalf of Brian's closest relatives about his sudden passing. </p> <p>“We are deeply saddened and shocked at the loss of our beloved brother Brian. There are no words to say just how heartbroken we are."</p> <p>“He had an extraordinary life and accomplished so much. His contributions were celebrated and widely acknowledged. We will always remember him by his love of family, his generosity and the value he put on a life not wasted but full and well lived."</p> <p>“His greatest gift was bringing joy to people including through the industry he was so passionate about and all those he collaborated with over so many years. We were so proud of him and we know Mum and Dad would have been too."</p> <p>“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love for Brian. Details of how we will celebrate his life will follow but for now we remember our darling Brian and ask for privacy during this difficult time.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Today Extra / Getty Images</em></p> <div class="media image portrait side-by-side" 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-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 338.492645px; float: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 14.099264px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div>

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"Devastated": TV legend passes away

<p>The death of a "much-loved" TV executive has sent the entertainment industry into mourning. </p> <p>Foxtel executive Brian Walsh, who was the company’s executive director of drama and senior content consultant, passed away in Sydney on Thursday at the age of 68.</p> <p>Walsh's employer confirmed the sad news in a statement released Friday morning, paying tribute to his significant contribution to its programming throughout its 28-year history.</p> <p>“This is a very difficult day for the Foxtel Group family, for Australia’s creative community and the millions of Australians who watched and loved the stories that Brian bought to life through television. Australia’s creative community has lost a much-loved figure in Brian. For us, the loss is heavily felt,” Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany said.</p> <p>“At the Foxtel Group, Brian was a long-time mentor, a confidant, a colleague and an unwavering friend to so many. Today, we are grieving Brian’s passing. Our condolences go to his family and to those closest to him. We have lost an icon of Australian television that will never be replaced. Rest in peace, Brian.”</p> <p>After staring his media career in radio, Walsh moved to Network Ten where he helped launch acclaimed series including <em>Vietnam</em>, <em>The Bangkok Hilton</em> and <em>The Dirtwater Dynasty</em>.</p> <p>He’s has also been credited with the global success of <em>Neighbours</em>, playing a crucial role in helping Ten acquire and repackage the soap after it was dumped by Seven.</p> <p>Walsh is also responsible for helping launch the careers of Aussie stars including Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce.</p> <p>Tributes for Brian have flown in from some of Australia's biggest media personalities, with Kyle and Jackie O expressing their sadness live on air after hearing of his passing. </p> <p>“Loved Brian. It’s a real shock …. He was very passionate. He was Foxtel,” Jackie O said.</p> <p>Sandilands added, “Love to his family and friends and everyone at Foxtel. He was one of the nice television types. "</p> <p>“That’s a shock to the system. When people you know die, it’s a shock to the system. We were close.”</p> <p>Other industry colleagues took to social media to pay tribute to the TV icon, with Ben Fordham calling him a "pioneer of radio and TV", and David Campbell dubbing him "a giant of this industry".</p> <div class="media image" style="box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 705.202209px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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"Arise, Sir Brian!": Legendary rocker knighted by King Charles

<p>Queen guitarist Brian May has been knighted by King Charles for his extraordinary contribution and influence on the music industry. </p> <p>The 75-year-old rockstar was supported by his wife of 23 years, actress Anita Dobson, along with other members of his family for the special day.</p> <p>He was not only honoured for his musical work, but also for his many years of working with charities. </p> <p>The songwriter and animal welfare advocate, who also has a PhD degree in astrophysics, has earned the new title of Sir Dr Brian May. </p> <p>May took to Instagram to share a photo of the honour formally being awarded to him as King Charles placed a sword on his shoulders.</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/CpxNrkwsKED/?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/CpxNrkwsKED/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Brian Harold May (@brianmayforreal)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"No words!," he wrote.</p> <p>The knighthood is not the first time May has been honoured for his work,  as back in 2005, he was appointed a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to the music industry and for charity work.</p> <p>Brian May recently reflected on one of his most notable performances: when he played <em>God Save the Queen</em> from the roof of Buckingham Palace during Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee in 2002.</p> <p>"The roof was a very special thing, that's something you do once in your life," he told the <a title="Express.co.uk" href="https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1667632/Brian-May-God-Save-The-Queen-Buckingham-Palace-roof" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Express.co.uk</a>.</p> <p>"It was riveting and it was terrifying for me and it changed me as a person."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">🧵2/2- That iconic moment when Brian May played on the roof of Buckingham Palace for the 2002 Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Sir Brian May is a legend 🙌👑🎶🎸 <a href="https://t.co/trzRwNqUei">pic.twitter.com/trzRwNqUei</a></p> <p>— Fifi ❤️ The Waleses / Cambridges 🇺🇸🇳🇮🇬🇧 (@hellen3030) <a href="https://twitter.com/hellen3030/status/1635678972385058817?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>He echoed a similar sentiment when he shared a clip of the performance on social media.</p> <p>"I was on top of Buckingham Palace. The loneliest place in the world, playing <em>God Save The Queen</em> and terrified out of my wits," he said in the caption.</p> <p>"But it's one of those times where you face the fear and you're never quite the same again after it."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Kate Walsh shares how she met the Australian love of her life

<p>Kate Walsh has revealed how she first crossed paths with her Australian fiancé, Andrew Nixon. </p> <p>On an episode of Kelly Clarkson’s talk show, the American actress -  best known for her role as Addison Montgomery on <em>Grey’s Anatomy</em> - confirmed the rumour that the two had met on a journey to Antarctica. </p> <p>“We were on a ship to the Antarctic,” she told Kelly when the singer expressed her disbelief, “and that's how I met him.”</p> <p>The trip took place in early 2020, and Kate explained how she had wanted to see Antarctica in the wake of the planet’s climate crisis, having already visited the Arctic. </p> <p>Kate shared some of the highlights from her trip, featuring everything from the animals to the scenery - including, of course, love at first sight. </p> <p>"It was incredible,” she said, “it was an incredible trip and then bonus, you know, found the love of my life. Saw the penguins, check. Ice, check. Whales, check. Man, check.”</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/B8eg95UnsAY/?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/B8eg95UnsAY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kate Walsh (@katewalsh)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple got engaged in 2022, with the 54-year-old actress revealing the news during an Instagram Live in October. Andrew Nixon, a Western Australian farmer and Kate’s fiancé, made an appearance in the video. </p> <p>Speaking with Kelly, Kate opened up about living in Australia, and how driving on the left side of the road has proven to be quite the change for the actress, admitting that it’s often as though “some old operating system clicks in”.</p> <p>Kate initially moved to Australia a month after the Antarctica trip. She was visiting friends and exploring the Margaret River when COVID-19 cases broke out across the country, and she made the decision to buy a property when lockdowns were enforced.</p> <p>"I got a little place up here in Perth and that's where I am," Kate told 9Honey Celebrity at the time,  "and I have to say, I love it. I really love Perth.”</p> <p>Kate and Andrew now live together in Perth, and made their red carpet debut as a couple in December for season 3 of Kate’s hit Netflix show <em>Emily in Paris</em>. </p> <p>Andrew posted a photo from the event, of the two of them smiling and matching in grey outfits. Fans were delighted to see the pair so happy together, with Kate commenting, “we cute.” </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/CmCDkkdLcp2/?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/CmCDkkdLcp2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Andrew Nixon (@andynix1)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Despite Andrew’s post, and the occasional appearance in Kate’s Instagram Lives, the farmer of over 30 years is primarily kept private when it comes to what Kate shares with her audience. </p> <p>Whatever their reasons, the couple appear to be happier than even. No wedding date has been announced, but supporters are eager for news, and thrilled for this exciting new chapter in their lives. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images, Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Isla Fisher shares family tragedy

<p>Australian actress Isla Fisher took to Instagram on Sunday to share that her father, Brian Fisher, passed away at the age of 85. </p> <p>“How do you live without someone that you can’t live without?” Isla captioned the post, posing the impossible question to her 1.9m followers. “How lucky am I to have had you as my dad. You were hilarious, positive and my best friend.</p> <p>“No matter what was going in my life on you always asked me if I was having fun. I know this pain is going to get worse as the days between when I last saw you increase and that is very scary. </p> <p>“I love you so much. Thank you for being the greatest father.”</p> <p>The post featured an image of Brian in a blue jacket, posing while staring at something off-camera. The day before, Isla posted a photo of them together, sitting at a table and smiling at the camera. </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/Cnqk07qqSVi/?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/Cnqk07qqSVi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Isla Fisher (@islafisher)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Isla, born to Scottish parents, moved to Australia at the age of six, and rose to stardom in 1994 with her role as Shannon Reed in <em>Home and Away</em>. In 2010, Isla married fellow actor Sacha Baron Cohen. The couple live in Sydney with their three children - Olive, Elula, and Montgomery. </p> <p>Familiar Hollywood faces took to Isla’s comment section to offer their condolences and support to their friend. </p> <p>Fellow British-born Australian actress Naomi Watts shared, “so sorry isla. This is heartbreaking news. I know how close you were. Sending big love.”</p> <p>“Oh friend. I'm so so sorry. I know how much you loved your daddy. Sending you all my angels,” wrote actress Reese Witherspoon.</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/CntGtilKQGF/?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/CntGtilKQGF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Isla Fisher (@islafisher)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Isla has been no stranger to sharing her love for her father with her fans, with a series of posts dedicated to Brian featured on her account. </p> <p>For Father’s Day in 2021, the actress shared a picture of the two of them, dressed up for an event, with the caption, “Happy Father’s Day. I love you so much Poppa Fish” and a string of hearts. </p> <p>In the same year, she posted an old, black-and-white photograph of her father, and wrote, “this is my dad, Poppa Fish. I love him, he’s the greatest and I am so thankful to have him in my life.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram, Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“She could’ve been protected that day”: Gabby Petito’s family files lawsuit

<p dir="ltr">The family of Gabby Petito, whose boyfriend admitted to killing her last year, have launched a wrongful death suit against Utah’s Moab Police Department, claiming officers’ negligence led to her death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Petito and her boyfriend Brian Laundrie were stopped by officers in Moab last year after a bystander allegedly saw Mr Laundrie hit Ms Petito and reported the incident to police.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple were ultimately not cited for domestic violence, and Ms Petito’s body was found weeks later after she had been strangled.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Thursday local time, Ms Petito’s parents and other family members announced their intent to sue the department for $US 50 million ($AU 77 million).</p> <p dir="ltr">The suit claims that police officers failed to effectively intervene in a domestic violence situation between Ms Petito and Mr Laundrie by failing to issue a domestic violence citation, claiming that officers disregarded signs of violence they should have been trained to notice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She could’ve been protected that day,” Nicole Schmidt, Ms Petito’s mother, said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The suit also claims that police officers “coached Gabby to provide answers that the officers used to justify their decision not to enforce Utah law", with the family claiming that officers “egregiously misinterpreted Gabby’s extreme emotional distress, seeing it as the cause of the domestic violence rather than its result”, per AP.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Despite the witness’s report, the officers treated Brian as if he were the victim of domestic abuse rather than the perpetrator,” the lawsuit reads, per Fox News.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In fact, the officers never directly questioned Brian about whether he hit Gabby or how she ended up with scratches on her face.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The purpose of this lawsuit is to honour Gabby’s legacy by demanding accountability and working for change in the system to protect victims of domestic abuse and violence and to prevent such tragedies in the future.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Moab police officer Eric Pratt is also alleged to have been “fundamentally biased” in his investigation by “choosing to believe Gabby's abuser, ignoring evidence that Gabby was the victim and intentionally looking for loopholes to get around the requirements of Utah law and his duty to protect Gabby", </p> <p dir="ltr">The family’s complaint is based on the claim of an unnamed woman referred to as “Witness 1”, who alleged that Officer Pratt threatened to kill her after their relationship ended while he was the police chief in the rural town of Salina, Utah.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement after the lawsuit was filed, the city of Moab said Ms Petito’s death was tragic but not the fault of the police department.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Our officers acted with kindness, respect and empathy toward Ms Petito," city spokesperson Lisa Adams said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"No one could have predicted the tragedy that would occur weeks later and hundreds of miles away, and the City of Moab will ardently defend against this lawsuit."</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement, the Moab Police Department said the 22-year-old’s death was a “terrible tragedy” that no-one could have predicted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The death of Gabrielle Petito in Wyoming is a terrible tragedy, and we feel profound sympathy for the Petito and Schmidt families and the painful loss they have endured,” it read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The death of Gabrielle Petito in Wyoming is a terrible tragedy, and we feel profound sympathy for the Petito and Schmidt families and the painful loss they have endured.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The attorneys for the Petito family seem to suggest that somehow our officers could see into the future based on this single interaction.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In truth, on August 12, no one could have predicted the tragedy that would occur weeks later and hundreds of miles away, and the City of Moab will ardently defend against this lawsuit.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The suit comes after a notice of claim was filed in August, and after an independent investigation found that police made “several unintentional mistakes”, including not issuing a domestic violence citation, in January.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4e45f712-7fff-846d-6ac5-c39de6e6428f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Legal

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Pauline Hanson to pay hefty price for defamation

<p dir="ltr"><em>Content warning: This article mentions sexual assault and harassment.</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Pauline Hanson has been ordered to pay $250,000 in damages to former One Nation senator Brian Burston after she falsely claimed he sexually abused a female staffer in his parliamentary office.</p> <p dir="ltr">The One Nation leader was ordered to pay the penalties by Justice Robert Bromwich on Wednesday for claims she made on the Nine Network.</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with accusations of sexual abuse, Hanson also claimed Burston had assaulted One Nation chief of staff James Ashby without provocation in the Great Hall of Parliament, which Justice said were both “seriously damaging” to Burston’s reputation.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I find that both (imputations) were seriously damaging to Mr Burston's reputation, being broadcast on a nationally broadcast television program watched by over 290,000 people at the time," Justice Bromwich said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They were both false.”</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Burston failed to prove a number of other claims were defamatory, including imputations that he sexually harassed staff in his office, including a female staffer, and that he brought the senate into disrepute due to his behaviour towards staff.</p> <p dir="ltr">Justice Bromwich described Burston’s behaviour as “objectively wrong and inappropriate” and said he hadn’t “kept up with changes in society” in relation to women’s rights.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Mr Burston had apparently not kept up with changes in society in relation to the rights of women, with the tide having turned even more decisively in recent years, most particularly in relation to the conduct of and around elected representatives and their staff," he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Burston launched the defamation suit in June 2020 over what he said were false claims of sexual harassment made on social media, television, and via text that painted him as a sexual harrasser.</p> <p dir="ltr">He has repeatedly denied the allegations of misconduct.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hanson filed a counter suit in November 2020, claiming Burston’s case and allegations made against her of sexual harassment amounted to sexual discrimination.</p> <p dir="ltr">During a seven-day hearing in June, the court heard from two of Burston’s colleagues who gave evidence of alleged harassment.</p> <p dir="ltr">Terri-Lea Vairy said Burston had regularly degraded, humiliated and disgusted her with acts of sexual harassment, including shoving $100 between her breasts.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fellow employee Wendy Leach said she was unfairly dismissed after telling Burston to stop his infatuation with Ms Vairy, and spoke of an incident where Burston allegedly offered her “a good f**k”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I am in no doubt that Ms Vairy suffered continued harassment from Mr Burston during her employment, predominantly of a sexual nature. Nor am I in any doubt that Mr Burston sexually propositioned Ms Leach," Justice Bromwich wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The court also heard that Burston smeared blood from his hand on Hanson’s door “like some hex”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Burston left One Nation to join the United Australia Party in June 2018 after a fall-out with colleagues over his stance on proposed tax cuts from then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the 2019 federal election, Burston failed to keep his seat.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-584d1efe-7fff-0a41-fe92-0cb2c364f1af"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

Legal

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Hollywood star engaged to Aussie farmer

<p>Hollywood actress Kate Walsh accidentally announced she is engaged to Aussie farmer Andrew Nixon during an Instagram Live video. </p> <p>The 54-year-old <em>Grey's Anatomy</em> actress was chatting with her former <em>Private Practice</em> co-star Amy Brenneman when her partner walked into the frame.</p> <p>“Here comes the jungle cat,” she said. “That is my fiancé.”</p> <p>The farmer smiled and waved at the camera as Brenneman, 58, told him, “She just 100 per cent outed your engagement.”</p> <p>Walsh, whose ring could be seen during the video, then confirmed, “I did. I just outed our engagement.”</p> <p>News of the pair's relationship originally broke in February 2021, with reports they had met on a cruise. </p> <p>The couple have been living together in Perth, with Walsh telling The Daily Telegraph in August 2020 that she got “stuck” away from home during the pandemic.</p> <p>“I didn’t really want to go back to New York in the middle of a pandemic when it was pretty gnarly to say the least,” she said at the time.</p> <p>“I couldn’t go home initially, and now that I can, I don’t really fancy going back,” she continued. “I have my own mother saying, ‘Don’t come home,’ my 86-year-old mum. We are in a very challenging time!”</p> <p>Until now, Walsh's relationship with Nixon has been kept extremely private, as they have both chosen not to post photos of each other on social media. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram </em></p> <div class="media image portrait side-by-side" 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-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 338.484375px; float: left; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 14.09375px; margin-bottom: 24px;"> </div>

Relationships

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Pop legend unrecognisable after bee sting

<p dir="ltr">Irish pop legend Brian McFadden has been left with a swollen face after being stung by a bee, and has joked about how it looks like he received free botox and fillers.</p> <p dir="ltr">The former Australian Idol judge shared a series of posts to his Instagram showing how badly swollen his face became after a bee sting.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 42-year-old’s first post was a video of himself singing I’m Sexy And I Know It by LMFAO while laying in a hospital bed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Stung by a bee and got an allergic reaction!! Owning that look! Free Botox and fillers!!!!!” his caption read as he laughed.</p> <p dir="ltr">In his next post, he shared photos from different angles showing massive lips and a swollen eye.</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/reel/ChFoNnkjRYU/?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/reel/ChFoNnkjRYU/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by brianmcfadden (@brianmcfadden123)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">He explained that the reaction from the bee sting was ongoing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Finally, his third post showed a selfie after his face had finally calmed down from the unfortunate incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My face is calming down again. Thanks for all your lovely messages,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Allergies to venoms caused by a stinging insect such as a bee, ant or wasp is known to cause an anaphylactic reaction.</p> <p dir="ltr">The most common symptoms include an all over rash, swelling of tongue or throat, trouble breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and a drop in blood pressure (shock).</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>What to do if you are stung by a bee</strong></p> <ol> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Remove the sting by sliding or scraping your fingernail across it, rather than pulling at it.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Wash the area and apply ice to reduce the swelling.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">If the person goes into anaphylactic shock the only treatment is an injection of adrenaline.</p> </li> <li dir="ltr"> <p dir="ltr">Immobilise the person, apply pressure to the bite and seek immediate medical help.</p> </li> </ol> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"I ended her life": Brian Laundrie's diary finally released

<p>Sinister details of Gabby Petito’s murder have been revealed in the form of handwritten notes made by her fiance Brian Laundrie. He offered an apology, along with his confession for killing Petito out of ‘mercy’.</p> <p>The notebook – which was recovered from the Florida nature preserve where Laundrie's body was found after the 23-year-old took his own life in October 2021 – has been shared by the Laundrie family’s attorney, Steven Bertolino.</p> <p>“I ended her life,” Laundrie wrote in the notebook, which was recovered near his body, before going on to detail his version of events of the day that Petito died.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Pages of Brian Laundrie’s diary released. On this page Laundrie appears to say he killed <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GabbyPetito?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GabbyPetito</a> out of mercy…because she had injured herself.<br />The diary doesn’t explain why he didn’t call for help <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nbc4ny?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nbc4ny</a> <a href="https://t.co/Dhps2JdEwr">pic.twitter.com/Dhps2JdEwr</a></p> <p>— Pei-Sze Cheng (@PeiSzeCheng4NY) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeiSzeCheng4NY/status/1540418661344808961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>“Rushing back to our car trying to cross the streams… before it got too dark to see… I hear a splash and a scream," the notebook pages read.</p> <p>“When I pulled Gabby out of the water she couldn’t tell me what hurt, she had a small bump on her forehead that eventually got larger.</p> <p>“Her feet hurt, her wrist hurt, but she was freezing, shaking violently.</p> <p>“Gasping in pain, begging for an end to her pain.”</p> <p>Laundrie then describes trying to keep her warm and awake while Petito was in “extreme” pain, but his entries do not explain any effort made to find medical attention.</p> <p>“I don’t know the state of Gabby’s injuries, only that she was in extreme pain.</p> <p>“I ended her life, I thought it was merciful, that it is what she wanted, but I see now all the mistakes I made.”</p> <p>Police encountered the pair during their trip in Moab on August the 12th<br />2021, after reports of domestic violence. The couple were on a cross-country road trip and sharing their adventures on social media.</p> <p>Bertolino said Laundrie flew home to Florida alone on August the 17th, and that Laundrie then returned to Utah six days later to “rejoin Gabby”.</p> <p>On September the 1st, Laundrie drove back to his parents' Florida home, again without Petito. He had been sending text messages from her phone to fool people into believing that she was still alive.</p> <p>Petito’s body was later found on September 19 in Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming, with an autopsy later revealing she had been strangled by someone’s bare hands, and likely died three to four weeks before she was found.</p> <p>The notebook was found in October 2021, along with human remains, a backpack and a revolver, and a month later the remains were identified as Brian Laundrie’s.</p> <p>Bertolino said he met with the FBI in Tampa, along with the Petito family attorney, where personal items belonging to Laundrie and Petito were handed back to their families.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Caring

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Emma Watkins fears due to debilitating condition

<p dir="ltr">Emma Watkins has opened about her greatest fears when it comes to starting a family due to a debilitating condition. </p> <p dir="ltr">The former Yellow Wiggle married partner Oliver Brian in a small afternoon garden party in the gorgeous Longmeadow Estate in the Victorian town of Tyrendarra earlier this month.</p> <p dir="ltr">She has since opened up about her fears of not being able to become a mum due to her endometriosis. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Speaking plainly, I just don’t know if I will be able to,” the 32-year-old told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/former-yellow-wiggle-emma-watkins-reveals-baby-battle-after-marriage/news-story/e66cf271152aa4a6f9480744ffa80cf4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“After stage four endo, I am pretty realistic in the fact I don’t know what my chances are. If it happens, that would be amazing, if it doesn’t, that is okay too.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Endometriosis is a disease that affects more than 11 per cent of Australian women and girls where the tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body. </p> <p dir="ltr">The debilitating condition which takes at least seven years to diagnose could also impact a woman's fertility. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check out Emma and Oliver’s wedding photos <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/emma-watkins-shares-gorgeous-wedding-snaps" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Gabby Petito’s murder to be turned into a movie

<p dir="ltr">The story of Gabby Petito’s disappearance and death looks set to be turned into a movie. </p> <p dir="ltr">Production company Lifetime has approved <em>The Gabby Petito Story</em> as part of their Stop Violence Against Women initiative.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Gabby Petito Story will explore Gabby and her fiancé Brian Laundrie’s complicated relationship and what may have gone wrong during their cross-country trip that resulted in Gabby’s tragic murder,” a statement from Lifetime reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">Gabby’s story became a wild sensation after she disappeared on a trip with her fiance Brian Laundrie.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 22-year-old travel blogger was reported missing in September 2021 by her parents when she did not return from her trip with Brian.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her fans pored over her social media posts for clues as to what happened to her, which eventually led to the horror discovery of her dead body in Wyoming.</p> <p dir="ltr">The film is set to premiere later in the year, right around the one year anniversary of her disappearance. </p> <p dir="ltr">It will explore her tragic death and the warning signs of her toxic relationship with Brian who eventually committed suicide. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Movies

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Brian Houston resigns from Hillsong amid more scandal

<p dir="ltr">Brian Houston’s reign as the head of Hillsong Church has come to a shocking end, after it was announced he resigned from the global megachurch.</p> <p dir="ltr">The church’s founder resigned as Global Senior Pastor after an internal investigation into two incidents involving Brian found he had breached the church’s code of conduct, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hillsong-church-brian-houston-resigns-as-head-of-megachurch/f4ead2f0-5292-418f-a38a-5c579ee2680b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dear Church, we would like to advise you that Pastor Brian Houston has resigned as Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church and the board has accepted his resignation,” a statement from the church read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Irrespective of the circumstances around this, we can all agree that Brian and (his wife) Bobbie have served God faithfully over many decades.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We ask that you continue to pray for them, and the entire Houston family, during this challenging time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The church revealed last week that Brian had breached its moral code following the investigation.</p> <p dir="ltr">He allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to a staff member a decade ago, and entered a woman’s room at a conference in 2019 after mixing medication and alcohol.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The first issue was approximately a decade ago and involved inappropriate text messages from Pastor Brian to a member of staff, which subsequently resulted in the staff member resigning,” last week’s statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At the time, Pastor Brian was under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hillsong said Brian apologised to the staff member and received help from the church for his use of sleeping pills.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Following an in-depth investigation, it was found that Pastor Brian became disoriented after a session at the Hillsong Conference, following the consumption of anti-anxiety medication beyond the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol,” the statement said of the second incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This resulted in him knocking on the door of a hotel room that was not his, entering this room and spending time with the female occupant.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Although members of the church were likely rocked by the news on Wednesday afternoon, this moment has been a long time coming for critics of the church and its leader.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brian Houston‘s resignation as Global Senior Pastor of the church comes just a month after he stepped down as the church’s figurehead last month while facing charges of concealing historic child sex abuse offences committed by his father, Frank.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was charged with concealing a serious indictable offence of another person in October last year, pleading not guilty to the charges after he returned to Australia from the US.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hillsong’s external legal counsel gave the board advice regarding the current charge I’m facing and that it would be best practice for me to step aside completely from church completely during court proceedings,” Brian previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">These aren’t the first scandals Hillsong has been embroiled in either, with accusations of homophobia, celebrity pastor infidelity, and the accepting of millions in tax-free donations from attendees being just a few.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With that tax-free status must come greater responsibility. If you don’t pay taxes, like you and me, then you ought to be more accountable,” former Senator Nick Xenaphon told <em><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/hillsong-church-critic-reacts-to-leader-brian-houstons-resignation/fe878186-9fa6-4b1b-adf1-345478595282" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Obviously there’s a lot to unravel here but if you’re the leader then the buck must stop with you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With Brian’s resignation, Phil Dooley and his wife Lucinda have now taken over leading the church.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it’s still possible that this will simply be an interim measure until a new leader is appointed.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0b1858bb-7fff-6b2b-a4e0-f89b17a71040"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Hillsong founder's daughter rants against media scrutiny

<p>The daughter of Hillsong founder Brian Houston has attacked the media in an online rant, while defending the religious group's party that outraged Australia. </p> <p>Laura Toggs, one of Brian's two children, is a pastor of Hillsong's "youth ministry" along with her husband Peter, and the pair are believed to be the key organisers of the recent youth camp in Newcastle. </p> <p>The event <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/absolutely-double-standards-hillsong-accused-of-breaching-health-order">caused outrage</a> across Australia, as music festivals and concerts were cancelled due to a new public health order, yet the event was allowed to go ahead on a religious basis as attendees were filmed partying maskless. </p> <p>Hillsong Church later apologised for the "<span>perception that we were not playing our part to keep NSW safe ... we sincerely apologise to the community at large."</span></p> <p><span>Despite their apology, Laura Toggs took to Instagram to slam the media in the wake of the controversy against the religious group. </span></p> <p><span>"I have watched the media willingly disregard any fairness for the sake of click-bait and to suit whatever profit they make off their agendas," she wrote.</span></p> <p><span>She labelled the media coverage of the event as "disgusting", "horrible", "immoral" and "low", and went on to claim the news outlets were "destroying peoples' lives one cheap headline at a time."</span></p> <p><span>While Ms Toggs didn't share any of the "disgusting" news articles that seemingly slated her event, she said it was "heartbreaking to watch people believe the lies".</span></p> <p><span>She went on to tell her followers that if they wanted to fill their minds with these sources, "then go ahead and buy into whatever s*** they spoon feed you."</span></p> <p><span>"But if you want truth to frame your heart and soul and mind, let the Bible be your source of wisdom and truth and guidance."</span></p> <p><span>After sharing a video that addressed the camp party, she told followers she was "mad".</span></p> <p><span>"I'm mad at the media reports that made our youth camps not only a national disgrace but an international news story."</span></p> <p><span>Laura continued on her rant by claiming the government has changed the rules on the organisation due to "media pressure", and not because of rising Omicron cases. </span></p> <p><span>"There is a clear agenda to drag Hillsong through the mud and to destroy our name," Ms Toggs claimed.</span></p> <p><span>After the public backlash of the event, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said Hillsong would escape a fine for the camp part, but said the organisers should face the consequences of flouting Covid restrictions. </span></p> <p><span>Laura ended her rant by urging her followers to "turn off the news, turn to the Word of God".</span></p> <p><span>As news of the event broke, Mr Perrottet said that he understood why the camp party angered so many Australians.</span></p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">"I echoed the frustration and anger other people right across the state felt," he said.</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font">"Even if technically it was within the rules, it certainly wasn't in the spirit of the rules. If we have to tighten loopholes, we will."</p> <p class="mol-para-with-font"><em>Image credits: Instagram @lauratoggs @hillsong</em></p>

News

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Brian Laundrie's cause of death finally released

<p><em>Image: Getty </em></p> <p>An autopsy report released on Tuesday has finally revealed that Brian Laundrie, whose disappearance sparked a nationwide manhunt in September after his fiancee, Gabby Petito, went missing and was later found murdered, did in fact commit suicide.</p> <p>In confirming the autopsy results, attorney for the Laundrie family Steven Bertolino stated that “Chris and Roberta Laundrie have been informed that the manner of death was suicide.</p> <p>“Chris and Roberta are still mourning the loss of their son and are hopeful that these findings bring closure to both families."</p> <p>Laundrie’s remains were found in a Florida nature preserve in late October, one month after 22-year-old Petito was found strangled to death on the edge of Wyoming’s Grand Teton national park, where the couple had been travelling together in a van.<br /><br />23-year-old Laundrie was named a person of interest in the case after he returned to his parents’ home in Florida alone in early September, then disappeared himself.</p> <p>The couple had been travelling across North America in a converted van and documenting their travels across social media platforms. The case gained national attention as authorities searched for both.<br />Petito’s remains were found in Wyoming on the 19th of September, with her death being ruled a homicide by strangulation. Laundrie’s remains were found in an area of the park that had previously been under water during searches of the 25,000-acre nature reserve in North Port, Florida.</p> <p>Laundrie was never charged in connection with Petito’s death, but a federal arrest warrant was issued after a grand jury indicted him for the unauthorised use of a debit card which Petito’s family say was hers.<br />FBI investigators have been searching for clues in belongings found near Laundrie’s body, including a water-damaged notebook, but are yet to release any statement on the progress of its investigation.</p>

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