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Italian village offers $1 homes to Americans upset by US election results

<p>An Italian village in Sardinia, Italy is offering one-euro homes to Americans seeking a new start following the results of the 2024 U.S election that saw Donald Trump being re-elected as president. </p> <p>Ollolai has long been trying to persuade outsiders to move in to revive the community after decades of depopulation. </p> <p>Now, it's selling dilapidated houses for as little as one euro — just over a US dollar or $AU1.60 — to entice Americans to move abroad. </p> <p>Following the November 5 outcome, they have launched a website aimed at potential American expats, offering cheap homes in hopes that those disappointed by the result and seeking a fresh start will snap up one of their empty properties. </p> <p>"Are you worned (sic) out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?" the website read. </p> <p>"It's time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia."</p> <p>Mayor Francesco Columbu told CNN that the website was specifically created to attract American voters in the wake of the presidential elections.</p> <p>The mayor loves the United States and is convinced Americans would be the best people to revive the community. </p> <p>"We just really want, and will focus on, Americans above all," he said. </p> <p>"We can't of course ban people from other countries to apply, but Americans will have a fast-track procedure. We are betting on them to help us revive the village, they are our winning card."</p> <p>The village is offering three tiers of accommodation: Free temporary homes to certain digital nomads, ($1.6) homes in need of renovations, and ready-to-occupy houses for prices up to $160,000.</p> <p>The mayor also set up a special team to guide interested buyers through every step of the process including finding contractors, builders and navigating required paperwork. </p> <p>"Of course, we can't specifically mention the name of one US president who just got elected, but we all know that he's the one from whom many Americans want to get away from now and leave the country," Columbo added. </p> <p>"We have specifically created this website now to meet US post-elections relocation needs. The first edition of our digital nomad scheme which launched last year was already solely for Americans."</p> <p>Photos and plans of available empty properties will soon be uploaded to the website. </p> <p>The website has since received nearly 38,000 requests for information on houses, with most of them coming from the United States</p> <p>In the past century, Ollolai's population has shrunk from 2,250 to 1,300 with only a handful of babies born each year. </p> <p>Over the last few years, this has dropped 1,150 residents. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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The five best European Christmas markets

<p dir="ltr">A savvy traveller has shared her top five favourite Christmas markets in Europe, after visiting more than 100 festive markets. </p> <p dir="ltr">Originally from Texas, Helene Sula became enamoured with European festive traditions since moving to Heidelberg, Germany, in 2016. </p> <p dir="ltr">She told <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-13982839/100-Christmas-markets-favourite-five-Helene-Sula-Germany-France-UK-Austria.html">MailOnline Travel</a></em>, “Heidelberg was my first ever Christmas market and I was obsessed. I made it my mission to see as many as possible. The feeling was like being a kid at Christmas all over again. The magic felt real.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite her love for her local Christmas market, Helene shared the other four markets that have captured her heart, all while paying homage to the one that kicked off her love affair with Christmas festivities. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Cologne, Germany</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">According to Helene, the Christmas market in Cologne is not to be missed. </p> <p dir="ltr">The travel blogger said, “Cologne’s Christmas market near the cathedral is breathtaking. The towering Gothic architecture of the Cologne Cathedral creates the perfect backdrop for the festive lights and stalls.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The market is expansive, with plenty of food options - make sure to try the Reibekuchen (potato pancakes) and mulled wine. It’s also great for families, with a skating rink and carousel.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Strasbourg, France</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The keen traveller said France always offers “authenticity” in their Christmas markets.</p> <p dir="ltr">Helene comments, “Known as the Capital of Christmas, Strasbourg is one of the oldest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“The entire city is transformed into a festive wonderland, with stunning decorations, multiple market squares, and delicious local treats like tarte flambée and bredele cookies. The charm and authenticity of this market are unmatched.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Heidelberg, Germany</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Despite travelling all over the continent for Christmas festivities, Helene’s local market of Heidelberg is still one of her favourites. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Heidelberg holds a special place in my heart as it was the first Christmas market I visited after moving to Germany,” comments the traveller. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The market goes along the Hauptstrasse, one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe! You'll wander through the beautiful historic old town, with the illuminated Heidelberg Castle overlooking the city.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The ice-skating rink and warm treats like bratwurst make this market feel intimate and magical. Also, get some fries!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Ribeauville, France</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">According to Helene, this historic market offers a step back in time to Christmas of years past.</p> <p dir="ltr">She said, “Ribeauville is a medieval-themed Christmas market, and it's one of the most unique I've ever visited.The town feels like it's straight out of a fairytale, with medieval music, costumes, and performances that transport you back in time.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“It's only open two weekends a year so you have to plan! I also recommend this as a family-friendly one, as it's great for kids!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Vienna, Austria</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The capital city of Austria is one of the largest in Europe, and is destined to impress anyone who attends. </p> <p dir="ltr">Helene explains, “Vienna’s Christmas markets are elegant and enchanting, with the market at Rathausplatz being my favourite. The backdrop of Vienna’s grand architecture combined with twinkling lights is truly magical.” </p> <p dir="ltr">“Try a Viennese sausage and a cup of punch, and enjoy ice skating at the nearby rink for a full festive experience.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p></p>

International Travel

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Tourism hotspot in Italy attracts attention for selling strange souvenir

<p dir="ltr">Italy’s picturesque region of Lake Como has started selling a unique souvenir, making many people raise their eyebrows. </p> <p dir="ltr">The north Italian tourist hotspot has long been known for being the backdrop of many Hollywood films, while also hosting countless celebrity weddings, with many famous faces owning houses in the region. </p> <p dir="ltr">For those travelling to the stunning Lake Como and wanting to purchase a souvenir to remind them of their travels, you can now forgo the classic keyring or magnet for a more unique souvenir item.</p> <p dir="ltr">Communications company ItalyComunica says it has bottled the very air of Italy’s picturesque Lake Como and is selling these cans for €9.90 ($16 AUD) apiece.</p> <p dir="ltr">Each can is said to contain 400 millilitres of “100% authentic air” collected from Lake Como, with the website stating buyers can “Open it whenever you need a moment of escape, tranquillity, or simply beauty.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In an attempt to capitalise on the ever-growing visitor numbers, marketing specialist Davide Abagnale originally created the e-commerce site to sell dedicated Lake Como posters, before delving into the world of the unique souvenirs. </p> <p dir="ltr">His latest initiative of selling canned air aims to “create a souvenir that could be easily transported in a suitcase for tourists” and “something original, fun and even provocative.” </p> <p dir="ltr">Abagnale told <em><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/04/travel/lake-como-air-cans-on-sale-intl-scli/index.html">CNN</a></em>, “It’s not a product, it’s a tangible memory that you carry in your heart,” adding that once tourists are home and have opened the can, they can repurpose it as a souvenir pen holder or plant holder. </p> <p dir="ltr">Not everyone was first onboard with the idea, as Como mayor Alessandro Rapinese said it wouldn’t be his first idea for tourists, and would prefer they take home other souvenirs, like the silk scarves the area is known for.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a novel idea, but not for everyone,” he told <em>CNN</em>. “But as mayor of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, if someone wants to take some of their air home, that’s fine as long as they also take beautiful memories of this area.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: ItalyComunica/CNN/Shutterstock</em></p>

International Travel

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Aussie Olympic legend announces fifth pregnancy

<p>Aussie Olympic champion Libby Trickett has announced that she is expecting her fifth child with husband Luke. </p> <p>The swimming legend shared her joyous news on Instagram on Friday with an ultrasound image and the caption: “Luke and I are absolutely thrilled (and ever so slightly terrified) to announce that we will be welcoming Baby Trickett 5.0 into the world in April."</p> <p>“Poppy is already excited for another baby, Eddie thinks it will be a little boy, Bronte thinks it will be a little girl and Alfie keeps pointing to my tummy and saying ‘baby’ but really has no idea what’s he’s in for.”</p> <p>The four-time Olympic gold medallist added that this will be her final pregnancy.</p> <p>She wrote: “We must be slightly unhinged or suckers for punishment. Probably both” and then added: “I really, really promise this is absolutely it”.</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/DCGpbIivSuT/?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/DCGpbIivSuT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Libby Trickett (@libby_trickett)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fellow olympians and friends took to the comments to congratulate the couple. </p> <p>“Amazing!!!!!!! Big families are the best” Olympian Jana Pittman commented. </p> <p>“This is Olympian level parenting!! Congratulations," added Neuroscientist Dr Sarah McKay.</p> <p>“The world needs more people raised in warm, loving homes. I am so thrilled for you all, Lib. You’ve got this. And we’ve all got you," wrote author Rebecca Sparrow. </p> <p>Trickett and her husband already share four children - daughters Poppy, eight, Edwina, five, and Bronte, three, and a son, Alfred, 18 months.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Readers response: What piece of travel memorabilia brings back the best memories for you?

<p>When we travel, many of us love to pick up a souvenir to remind us of our holidays and the destinations we loved. </p> <p>We asked our readers what piece of travel memorabilia brings back the best memories, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Jan Hall</strong> - Christmas Decorations! Then when I put my tree up it’s like a trip down memory lane, first one was 1973 from Singapore our first overseas holiday.</p> <p><strong>Debra Stone</strong> - A letter opener with a Paua shell on the handle. New Zealand wouldn't let us take it in our luggage, so we posted it home to ourselves!</p> <p><strong>Becky Murfet</strong> - In 1984 we went to Europe and I collected match boxes from different countries. Have them in a large glass bowl. Great to look at for memories sake.</p> <p><strong>Caron Castner</strong> - Stines from Germany.</p> <p><strong>Margie Buckingham</strong> - A palm-sided wooden carved elephant from a side trip off my cruise from Singapore to Malaysia &amp; Thailand and back to celebrate my 40th. It sits on my mantelpiece so to deliberately trigger good memories of a younger me.</p> <p><strong>Frank Nieuwenhuis</strong> - 2300 year old oil lamp bought in Israel.</p> <p><strong>Fay Russell</strong> - Turkish tea set. </p> <p><strong>Valma Blake</strong> - Of all the things I've bought on my travels, my favourite is my cat ornament collection that are decorated relative to the country or area I visited.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

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Prince William pops up in Robert Irwin's socials

<p>Prince William has made a surprise appearance on Robert Irwin's Instagram as the pair team up for an important award ceremony in South Africa. </p> <p>The Prince of Wales and the wildlife warrior posted a video from Cape Town as they take part in the annual Earthshot Prize Awards: an initiative founded by William, of which Irwin is an ambassador.</p> <p>“G’day, it’s Robert here, with, of course, Prince William,” Irwin began the video. “Lovely to see you. How are you enjoying South Africa so far?”</p> <p>“Good thanks, really good, having a lovely time so far, loving it,” the prince responded.</p> <p>“Robert, you’ve been a fantastic ambassador for us at the moment, so looking forward to the Prize on Wednesday – tune in!”</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/reel/DB_C75lP9Wa/?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/reel/DB_C75lP9Wa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Robert Irwin (@robertirwinphotography)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Irwin said that the event was “going to be amazing” before asking William, “We’re in South Africa, one of the most amazing countries and continents for wildlife – do you have a favourite African animal?”</p> <p>The future King pointed out it was a “really tough question”, adding, “My children ask me this regularly. I think it’s going to have to be the cheetah.”</p> <p>“Cheetahs, OK. Very cool. It’s chameleons for me, the unsung hero, I love them,” Irwin told him, before signing off the video, “Thanks so much for having me, for having us, Earthshot Week has been amazing so far and I cannot wait for tomorrow night … South Africa rules!”</p> <p>On the second day of Prince William's four-day tour of South Africa, he joined Irwin for a walk together towards Cape Town's Signal Hill, as the royal and the Aussie conservationist met with a variety of local park rangers and firefighters, with Irwin telling media afterwards that they had both “fallen in love with Cape Town”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em> </p>

International Travel

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The most underrated Europe destinations to see in 2025

<p dir="ltr">When travellers usually decide to head to Europe on their next holiday, they tend to stick to the capital cities and major tourist attractions.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, there is a lot to be said for going off the beaten track and exploring hidden gems. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.timeout.com/europe/travel/most-underrated-travel-destinations-europe">Time Out</a> has made your next European getaway even easier, compiling a list of the 21 most underrated destinations to put on your 2025 travel bucket list. </p> <p dir="ltr">The influential guide shared their arguments for exploring the lesser known corners of Europe, writing, “This summer saw a series of anti-tourism demonstrations in European hotspots, as locals reached breaking point with years of overtourism; Amsterdam is cracking down on new hotels, Venice is set to double its tourist tax in 2025.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“So there's never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“These destinations have got everything you want from your next holiday, with the added bonus of far fewer people jostling to see the same attractions.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Coming in at number one on the list is the hidden gem of Ulcinj in Montenegro, which is located at the southern tip of the country.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the Time out guide, Ulcinj “provides a different vibe to the more celebrated spots up north. Ulcinj’s Old Town is arguably the most dramatically situated in the country, and its beaches provide excitement and serenity in equal measure.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the entire list of 21 underrated European destinations below. </p> <p dir="ltr">21. Ponza, Italy</p> <p dir="ltr">20. Pamukkale, Turkey</p> <p dir="ltr">19. Isles of Scilly, UK</p> <p dir="ltr">18. Landes, France</p> <p dir="ltr">17. Dordrecht, Netherlands</p> <p dir="ltr">16. Imotski Lakes, Croatia</p> <p dir="ltr">15. Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina</p> <p dir="ltr">14. Vilnius, Lithuania</p> <p dir="ltr">13. Faroe Islands</p> <p dir="ltr">12. Extremadura, Spain</p> <p dir="ltr">11. Tartu, Estonia</p> <p dir="ltr">10. Emilia-Romagna, Italy</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Cluj-Napoca, Romania</p> <p dir="ltr">8. Bergen, Norway</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Levi, Finnish Lapland</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Plovdiv, Bulgaria</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland</p> <p dir="ltr">4. Gozo, Malta</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Gerês, Portugal</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Aarhus, Denmark</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. Ulcinj, Montenegro</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p></p>

International Travel

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How one elderly couple made their big move to Italy

<p>US couple Tony Smarrelli, 74, and his wife, Francine, 75, were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in Venice, Italy when they decided to move to Italy for good. </p> <p>The Smarrelli's, who are retired elementary teachers from New York and both of Italian descent relocated to the picturesque coastal town of Scalea in southern Italy. </p> <p>“We were in St Mark’s Square (in Venice) when a quartet started playing (classic Italian song) Malafemmina,” Tony recalled the day they decided to make the big move. </p> <p>“It brought tears to my eyes, because my father would put on his Italian records every Sunday for dinner and would sing that song to my mother.”</p> <p>Looking to reconnect with their Italian roots, they purchased a 139 metre property with three bedrooms, a dining room and a walk-in-closet for  for €150,000 ($A247,754) in November 2023.</p> <p>“We flew to Italy for the second time in 2023 and put an offer in for that home. We then secured our visas in the US in three hours, sold our home (in the US), packed up our belongings and flew back to Italy in December 2023,” Tony said.</p> <p>While their home in the peaceful coastal time was already livable when they bought it, the couple chose to renovate it, spending an extra €80,000 (about $A132,086) to retile the property, add a new plumbing and electric system, as well as two new bathrooms, an entire kitchen, doors, windows and screens.</p> <p>The property was renovated within four-months, and they said that a similar home in the US would have been nearly impossible for them to afford. </p> <p>“It would be easily $US1 ($A1.5) million to $2 million to live on a coast of South California or (a place with) any coastal views on the Eastern Seaboard,” Tony said. </p> <p>Tony's father and grandfather initially immigrated to the US in 1983 to make a better life for themselves, now 86 years later, Tony has returned to his homeland. </p> <p>“Some of my best friends said it takes a lot of guts to pick up and move to another country at 74 years of age.</p> <p>“I tell them it took guts for my father and grandfather to come to another country on a boat for eight weeks with no home, no work, very little money, no resources to make a better life for themselves,” Tony said.</p> <p>“In our modern world, it’s just a lifestyle change and for us, it was a good choice.”</p> <p>The couple said since their big move, they've cut back nearly y $3000 ($A4574) per month on expenses, which amounts to $36,000 ($A54,894) a year. </p> <p>The couple now spends about $1200 ($A1825) a month between the two of them.</p> <p>Back in the US, the couple's mortgage alone was  $US1500 per month ($A2281)</p> <p>“Monthly expenses in the US before leaving were between $US4800 to $US5000 a month. In all we are about $US3000 less monthly living here in Italy,” Tony said. </p> <p>Tony plans to apply for an Italian citizenship, and while his father was naturalised as an American citizen before he was born, he plans to rectify this by appealing to a local court. </p> <p><em>Images: CNN</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Readers response: What’s the most interesting cultural experience you've had while travelling?

<p>When travelling abroad, we are often exposed to new and fascinating cultures that can open our eyes to different ways of life.</p> <p>We asked our readers to share the most interesting cultural experience they've had while travelling, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Sandra Beckett</strong> - Staying overnight in a Ger in Mongolia miles from anywhere, listening to Throat singing accompanied by two traditionally dressed musicians playing Horsehead fiddles. Also, travelling across Russia by train, visiting the Galapagos islands, Skara Brae in the Orkneys, the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.</p> <p><strong>Denise Ryan</strong> - Listening to glorious classical music played in Havana’s Plaza de la Catedral and attending a stunning performance of Swan Lake in the Grand Theatre of Havana.</p> <p><strong>Deedee Cullum</strong> - Visiting Ypres in Belgium and staying the night so we could see the evening ceremony at the Menin gate.</p> <p><strong>Alison Davenport</strong> - 50 years ago visiting a Fijian village made me realise everyone didn't live like I did. Have been amazed at all travel experiences since.</p> <p><strong>Glenn Turton</strong> - Staying in a farmhouse in Normandy for a week. Visiting D-Day beaches and Mont St Michel from there and local villages and markets on the days between. Back to the farmhouse each night to cook local produce and sit by an open fire.</p> <p><strong>Karen Psaila</strong> - Sitting in a small ally sipping black sweet tea in Egypt looking at the pyramids and sphinx whilst camels are strolling by. Amazing.</p> <p><strong>Patricia Watson</strong> - Darwin. Spending a day with First Nation Women and Children in the bush and learning about food that grows and is edible in that area.</p> <p><strong>James Langabeer</strong> - This are my three top three most interesting cultural experiences.</p> <p>1. Japan's Tea Ceremony: Attending a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto, Japan, where I learned about the intricate rituals and Zen Buddhism's influence.</p> <p>2. Indian Holi Festival: Celebrating Holi, the Festival of Colors, in Mumbai, India, surrounded by vibrant colors, music, and joyful locals.</p> <p>3. Moroccan Hammam: Experiencing a traditional Moroccan bathhouse (hammam) in Marrakech, where I discovered local customs and relaxation techniques.</p> <p><strong>Margaret Mason</strong> - Staying for a couple of days in a small, traditional village in China.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

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Raygun shows off stunning post-Olympics transformation

<p>Infamous Australian breakdancer Raygun has debuted her new look on the front page of <em>Stellar</em> magazine, just months after gaining global notoriety at the Paris Olympics.</p> <p>Rachael “Raygun” Gunn's infamous performance at the Olympics gained her not one single point in the competition, with her unusual style of dance going viral and parodied around the world.</p> <p>Now, Raygun has ditched the green and gold Olympic tracksuit and debuted her new look for her cover story with <em>Stellar</em> magazine.</p> <p>With her hair sleekly pulled back, Raygun shared the photo of her looking radiant in a vibrant blue dress and strappy black sandals, complete with a bold red lip.</p> <p>Though the full interview isn’t released until Sunday, the cover offers a tantalising glimpse into Raygun’s mindset, with quotes reading, “You did not bring me down. You did not succeed. I still stand by what I did.” </p> <p>The quotes echo Raygun's <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/tv/weak-raygun-s-tell-all-interview-divides-audience" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tell-all interview</a> with Waleed Aly on <em>The Project</em> that she conducted after returning from Paris to a barrage of ridicule from Australia. </p> <p>While some people, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, thought Raygun gave it her best try, others were quick to call her out for "making a mockery of Australia". </p> <p>Speaking for the first time since the Olympics, Raygun told Waleed Aly in September that the backlash to her performance had a huge impact on her mental health. </p> <p>“I didn’t understand the scale of it,” she said. “I did preview some comments and I was like, ‘Oh, no’, and this kind of sick feeling started coming out. I was like, ‘Oh, goodness! What has happened?’”</p> <p>“It was really sad, how much hate that it did evoke,” she said. “There’s been a portion of very angry and awful responses, not only attacking me but attacking my husband, attacking my crew, attacking the breaking and street dance community in Australia, my family. The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram - Stellar</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Olympic champion inducted to Sport Australia Hall of Fame

<p>Olympic gold medallist Sally Pearson and surfing legend Mick Fanning have joined the most elite group of Australian sportspeople, after being inducted to the Sport Australia Hall of Fame (SAHOF). </p> <p>Pearson is one of only nine Australian women to win an Olympic track and field gold medal, winning her first gold in London 2012. She won a silver medal in 2008 for the 100m hurdles, and has World Championship success in 2011 and 2017.</p> <p>She is also the first Australian to be named World Athlete of the year, and won the SAHOF’s “The Don” Award twice. </p> <p> Pearson said it was “surreal” to be included in such esteemed company, including the likes of Cathy Freeman, her childhood hero.</p> <p>“I don’t think it’s really sunk in. It’s so surreal. It feels like it just happens to people you see on TV,” she said.</p> <p>“I still feel like I’m watching the Sydney Olympics and watching Cathy Freeman run. When Steve Hooker won gold in Beijing I was sitting on the sidelines.</p> <p>“Even though I won silver, I was thinking, this is really cool. I’m watching this person, this athlete, just doing amazing things. It’s a bizarre feeling that I’m one of those people now.”</p> <p>Surfing legend Mick Fanning, who is already a member of the World Surfers’ Hall of Fame and Australian Surfing Hall of Fame and said he was pretty “flabbergasted” to be elevated into the SAHOF. </p> <p>“Australia produces so many incredible sporting stars and to be honoured as one of those, among the greats, I’m pretty flabbergasted, to be honest,” he said.</p> <p>“It’s not something that we ever look for when we’re doing our sport, but to be acknowledged later in life is very special and I’m very honoured to be able to share it with people who have supported me.</p> <p>“I wasn’t the most talented person, I wasn’t the most gifted, I didn’t have the most money or anything like that, but I just gave it my all.’’</p> <p>Fanning enters as a three-time world champion for surfing. </p> <p>Motorsport great Mark Skaife, former Kookaburras’ captain Mark Knowles, lawn bowls trailblazer Karen Murphy and dual-sport Paralympics champion Liesl Tesch are some of the other 2024 inductees. </p> <p><em>Image: Colorsport/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Body

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Aussie Olympic hero reveals major health scare

<p>Ariarne Titmus has opened up about a recent health scare, which prompted the 24-year-old Olympian to reassess her priorities. </p> <p>In September 2023, Titmus revealed she had undergone surgery to remove a large growth found in her ovary. </p> <p>She initially went for scans on a hip injury, before finding out that her ovary was "8.5×7cm in size and contained 2 benign tumours called dermoids, both 4cm in size".</p> <p>Now in an interview with <em>Inherited podcas</em>t, she has opened up about how much the ordeal affected her and forced her to make a major life decision during an Olympic campaign. </p> <p>“It changed my perspective on life quite a lot actually,” she began. </p> <p>“I’m stumped with this, it’s a bit of a freak out moment.</p> <p>“The hardest part was going through all the tests, seeing how big it was, whether it was cancerous, how they were going to remove it.</p> <p>“For me and where I want to go in my life, there was just no other option. I had to get it out.</p> <p>“It put a lot of things into perspective for me. My body isn’t just a vehicle to train, my body’s purpose, really, is to carry a child one day.</p> <p>“And that really hit home to me, it made me realise how much I want to be a mum, and it made swimming almost seem a bit irrelevant at the time.”</p> <p>The four-time Olympic gold medallist had to spend several weeks out of the water to recover from the surgery and had to miss training in the lead up to the Paris Olympics. </p> <p>“I think after that operation I just went crazy. It was really, really challenging," she said</p> <p>“I was battling in my head, post-surgery, one side of me being like, ‘Let your body heal, let your body get better because you need to let yourself recover’. And then the other part of my brain was like, ‘No, you only have eight months (until the Olympics), you’ve got to get going’.</p> <p>“I had my coach pushing me and every day checking, like, ‘How’s it feeling? How’s it feeling?’</p> <p>“Because when you get your abdominal walls cut open, it takes a while to heal. And especially swimming, (which) is such a core-dominant sport.</p> <p>“It was really, really, really challenging, but I’m actually glad it happened because it made me have a different outlook on life.”</p> <p>She added that she would give up her swimming career to be a mum one day. </p> <p>“I’ve always wanted to be a mum, but it probably made me realise how much I want it,” she said.</p> <p>“I would give up every gold medal I’ve ever won to have a child.</p> <p>“I just have such maternal instincts, and I think the fear of potentially that becoming harder by the prospect of losing the ovary was really tough.</p> <p>“I’m so lucky that I’ve got the best mum in the world, and I just want to be that one day.”</p> <p>Since her return from Paris, the Olympian said she would be taking a break from swimming for a year. </p> <p>"I think I really just need a break away to reset and give my mind a bit of a rest.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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The best budget-friendly travel destinations for 2025

<p dir="ltr">As many people continue to battle with the cost-of-living crisis, eager travellers are looking for a way to pinch their pennies on their next trip. </p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, there are many destinations that are ideal for travellers on a budget. </p> <p dir="ltr">Travel app <a href="https://www.skyscanner.com.au/travel-trends/best-value">Skyscanner</a> has rounded up the ten best budget friendly places to go next year, with travel expert Jarrod Kris saying it's best to go off the beaten track for the best travel deals. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Aussies have experienced different ways of enjoying travelling over time, but one thing that remains consistent is the desire to find new destinations and to land a good bargain," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also said Aussies are getting more adventurous, adding, "We are certainly going beyond the obvious tourist destinations in search of a perfect spot to create memories."</p> <p dir="ltr">In terms of what makes a destination budget friendly, things like exchange rates, cost of visa, cost of tourist attractions and the overall costs of day-to-day living are taken into account, as well as the ever-changing airfares. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the top ten list of budget-friendly destinations below. </p> <p dir="ltr">10. Reykjavik, Iceland</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Bogota, Colombia </p> <p dir="ltr">8. Vientiane, Laos</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Chicago, USA</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Lyon, France</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Okinawa, Japan</p> <p dir="ltr">4. Budapest, Hungary</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Madrid, Spain</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Belfast, Northern Ireland</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. Krabi, Thailand</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

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Olympic legend given just two years to live

<p>British Olympic legend Sir Chris Hoy has announced that his cancer is terminal.</p> <p>In an interview with <em>The Sunday Times</em>, the six-time Olympic cycling champion revealed that doctors have told him he has between two and four years to live. </p> <p>He told the publication that he had initially been diagnosed with cancer in his prostate, which had spread to his bones. </p> <p>Despite the terminal cancer diagnosis, the athlete remained positive and expressed his gratitude for the messages of support he has been receiving since the article's publication on Sunday. </p> <p>"You may see in the news this weekend some articles about my health, so I just wanted to reassure you all that I'm feeling fit, strong and positive," he wrote on Instagram.</p> <p>"Overwhelmed by all the love and support shown to my family and me. Onwards."</p> <p>Fellow Olympic cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish was among the many British sporting stars to send their support. </p> <p>"Hero of a human being," Cavendish wrote on Instagram. </p> <p>Three-time Olympic track medallist, Dame Kelly Holmes, added: "Sending love to you Chris." </p> <p>"Legend," commented Team GB Paralympic cycling medallist Archie Atkinson.</p> <p>Scottish Cycling added: "Sending our love and best wishes to Sir Chris and his family from everyone in the Scottish Cycling community.</p> <p>"As ever, he continues to be an inspiration on and off the track."</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/DBJEVKhO00z/?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/DBJEVKhO00z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Skarper (@skarperofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed his support and admiration for Hoy's openness during such a difficult moment.</p> <p>"I'm in awe that Chris Hoy is meeting his cancer with the same positivity and resilience that has defined his life and career," Streeting wrote on X.</p> <p>"The whole country will be cheering him on as we have done so many times before and sending him and his family so much love."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sir Chris Hoy has been an inspiration to us all as a world class sportsman, decorated Olympian &amp; a proud Scot. He’s provided so much joy to millions. He is also incredibly brave. I send my very best wishes to Chris and his family at this difficult time.<a href="https://t.co/aoP5OTKmDb">https://t.co/aoP5OTKmDb</a></p> <p>— Ian Murray MP (@IanMurrayMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanMurrayMP/status/1847910282254758044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>Streeting, a cancer survivor himself, also told the <em>BBC</em> that he was "in awe" of Sir Chris's courage and positivity. </p> <p>"I'm in awe of his courage and positivity in face of a death sentence, which is what his cancer diagnosis is. The whole nation will be cheering him on now as we have done in the past," he said. </p> <p>"He is not the only person in this country today dealing with a terminal diagnosis... what a wonderful message of hope he has sent."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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Should King Charles apologise for the genocide of First Nations people when he visits Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebe-taylor-1379975">Rebe Taylor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greg-lehman-18970">Greg Lehman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a></em></p> <p>King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Australia from Friday <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-bbqs-to-the-csiro-king-charles-and-queen-camilla-s-australian-itinerary-revealed-20240910-p5k9gb.html">on a five-day tour</a> of Canberra and Sydney.</p> <p>The king will be the second ruling British monarch to visit Australia, after <a href="https://theconversation.com/16-visits-over-57-years-reflecting-on-queen-elizabeth-iis-long-relationship-with-australia-170945">Queen Elizabeth II’s 16 visits over 57 years</a>.</p> <p>These visits showcase Australians’ evolving relationship with the monarchy and our colonial past.</p> <h2>Changing attitudes</h2> <p>An estimated <a href="https://theconversation.com/16-visits-over-57-years-reflecting-on-queen-elizabeth-iis-long-relationship-with-australia-170945">75% of Australians</a> greeted Elizabeth on her first tour in 1954, at events that celebrated Australia’s growth as a prosperous nation.</p> <p>Historical milestones remained central to the queen’s subsequent visits.</p> <p>In 1970, she attended the re-enactment of Captain Cook’s arrival at Botany Bay. This included depictions of shooting at First Nations actors.</p> <p>The queen’s 1986 visit included <a href="https://www.naa.gov.au/students-and-teachers/student-research-portal/learning-resource-themes/government-and-democracy/prime-ministers-and-politicians/queen-elizabeth-ii-signs-proclamation-australia-act-cth-1986">signing the Australia Act</a> that severed Britain’s formal powers over Australia.</p> <p>Her 1988 visit coincided with the Australian bicentenary of <a href="https://www.royal.uk/queen-marks-australias-bicentenary">the arrival of the First Fleet</a> carrying convicts and officials from Britain. But by this time, many Australians had lost their royal fervour.</p> <p>Her final tour, in 2011, came 12 years after Australia had attempted <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/elections/referendums/1999_referendum_reports_statistics/1999.htm">to become a republic</a> by referendum.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61585886">The queen’s death in 2022</a> not only reignited questions over the future of the monarchy in Australia, it instigated a public discussion over the monarchy’s role in imperial colonialism.</p> <h2>Genocide in Australia?</h2> <p>On the eve of <a href="https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9789/#:%7E:text=The%20Coronation%20of%20Their%20Majesties,Coronation%20in%20nearly%2070%20years.">Charles’ coronation in 2023</a>, Indigenous leaders from 12 settler states including Australia and New Zealand cosigned <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/indigenous-people-around-the-world-have-sent-kin/rbfzwoyav">a letter calling on the new monarch</a> to apologise for the genocides that British colonisation brought to their territories.</p> <p>Australia was settled in the name of the Kingdom of Great Britain. Did that settlement result in genocide?</p> <p>Recent research led by Ben Kiernan for <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/series/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/445A52F1E949DCB6CA8FC6BD09F04DE0">The Cambridge World History of Genocide</a> has investigated this question using the 1948 <a href="https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&amp;mtdsg_no=IV-1&amp;chapter=4">United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide</a> as a framework.</p> <p>The convention defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group”.</p> <p>The term “genocide” itself is modern; coined <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/general-editors-introduction-to-the-series/986A5AFB44203A21265FF31C96C0DE3B">by Raphael Lemkin in 1944</a>. The <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-van-diemens-land-tasmania-18031871/ED82A107B2C76801551EB3F51CA6179D">colonisation of Tasmania</a> by the British provided Lemkin with one of the clearest examples.</p> <p>The prosecution of crimes before 1951 is not permissible under the convention, but it provides a definitional framework to evaluate past events as constituent acts of genocide.</p> <p>The Cambridge World History of Genocide <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/the-cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/E60C05ADB875E63EE57B5D41EC4BA485">Volume II</a> and <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/24002BE3CC6F69B96F0C21356E6D9282">Volume III</a> demonstrate how settlers and government agents committed acts of genocide against First Nations Australians from the beginning of settlement to the late 20th centuries.</p> <p>All parts of Australia are considered. Acts conforming to the convention’s clauses include killing, forcibly removing children and inflicting destructive conditions.</p> <p>Australian historian Lyndall Ryan’s chapter, <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/frontier-massacres-in-australia-17881928/D1B285AF2125CA9586DBB1AFAF0CF70E">Frontier Massacres in Australia</a>, draws on her research for a <a href="https://c21ch.newcastle.edu.au/colonialmassacres/map.php">Massacre Map</a> showing how British troops and settlers committed more than 290 massacres across Australia between 1794 and 1928.</p> <p>These massacres killed more than 7,500 Aboriginal people.</p> <p>Ryan found the massacres were not sporadic and isolated – they were planned and sanctioned killings, integral to the aims of the Australian colonial project.</p> <p>Rebe Taylor’s <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-van-diemens-land-tasmania-18031871/ED82A107B2C76801551EB3F51CA6179D">chapter on genocide in Tasmania</a> details a pattern of government-sanctioned mass killings in a colony where an estimated 6,000 Palawa (Tasmanian Aboriginal) people were reduced to about 120 by 1835.</p> <p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-northern-australia-18241928/69106AF545B4C98486752DBA88575E05">Raymond Evans</a> shows how as colonisation moved northward in Australia, massacres increased in size.</p> <p>Evans documents killings that persisted into the 1940s, postdating <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/genocide-in-northern-australia-18241928/69106AF545B4C98486752DBA88575E05">the 1928 Coniston massacre</a> widely regarded as the last frontier slaughter.</p> <p>These findings are underscored by <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/very-british-genocide/78EB24782843ABFA05965F5E4C7562CA">Tony Barta’s insight</a> that colonists’ destructive actions constitute a record of genocidal intent “more powerful than any documented plot to destroy a people”.</p> <p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/australias-stolen-generations-19142021/9219A470B4665A643DC99CC5BBE699D0">Research by Anna Haebich</a> documents the taking of Indigenous children during the 19th century.</p> <p><a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/cambridge-world-history-of-genocide/australias-stolen-generations-19142021/9219A470B4665A643DC99CC5BBE699D0">Joanna Cruikshank and Crystal Mckinnon</a> explain how these state-sanctioned removals in the 20th century were intended to eliminate First Nations people from Australia’s national life.</p> <p>The 1997 <a href="https://humanrights.gov.au/our-work/projects/bringing-them-home-report-1997">Bringing Them Home</a> report, commissioned by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, <a href="https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/IndigLawB/1997/95.html">concluded</a> the “Australian practice of Indigenous child removal involved […] genocide as defined by international law”.</p> <h2>A significant moment of resistance</h2> <p>The colonial governor of Tasmania began to exile Palawa people from their land in 1829.</p> <p>More than 200 survivors of the “<a href="https://theconversation.com/tasmanias-black-war-a-tragic-case-of-lest-we-remember-25663">Black War</a>” were removed to Flinders Island and subjected to life-threateningly harsh conditions. High death rates were caused by ill-treatment, disease and insufficient care.</p> <p>In 1846, the Palawa <a href="https://indigenousrights.net.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/395794/f85.pdf">petitioned Queen Victoria</a> to honour the agreement made when they were removed: that in exchange for temporarily leaving their country, they would regain their freedom.</p> <p>In this bold petition, Tasmanian Aboriginal people initiated a historic appeal to the British monarchy.</p> <p>Aware of Queen Victoria’s sovereign authority across the vast British Empire, this action marked a significant moment in their continued resistance to genocide.</p> <h2>An acknowledgement of wrongs</h2> <p>British sovereignty over Australia was imposed without <a href="https://www.foundingdocs.gov.au/item-did-34.html">the required consent</a> of its First Nations. The result has been continued dispossession and suffering.</p> <p>Despite the <a href="https://www.royal.uk/the-role-of-the-monarchy#:%7E:text=Monarchy%20is%20the%20oldest%20form,resides%20with%20an%20elected%20Parliament">Crown’s deferral of power</a> to its parliament, the call for an apology from the king has immense symbolic importance.</p> <p>It is rooted in the desire for acknowledgement of wrongs. These include genocide and the continuing destructive effects of colonisation across Australia.<!-- 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/239092/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><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebe-taylor-1379975"><em>Rebe Taylor</em></a><em>, Associate Professor of History, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greg-lehman-18970">Greg Lehman</a>, Professorial Fellow, Indigenous Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</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/should-king-charles-apologise-for-the-genocide-of-first-nations-people-when-he-visits-australia-239092">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Jacinda Ardern receives Damehood at Windsor Castle

<p>Jacinda Ardern has been officially made a dame in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle in London. </p> <p>The former New Zealand prime minister received one of the country's highest honours on Wednesday, The New Zealand Order of Merit, for her services to the state. </p> <p>She was appointed a Dame Grand Companion a few months after her shock resignation as prime minister in 2023, but only just formally received her damehood from Prince William at the investiture ceremony in London. </p> <p>Prince William and Princess Catherine posted a clip of the moment Ardern received her damehood in a social media post, where they called her a friend and extraordinary advocate. </p> <p>"It was a privilege to present you with this deserved award at Windsor today!" he wrote. </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/DBMNQx0tPjp/?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/DBMNQx0tPjp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jacinda said she was honoured and humbled by her damehood. </p> <p>"I feel really humbled by the chance to be here with my family, and really I see it as an acknowledgement of them and of every person I worked with, and of every person who's supported me, and that includes a very large number of New Zealanders."</p> <p>The former New Zealand prime minister was in the UK for a meeting of the prince's Earthshot Prize, which she is a trustee first. </p> <p>She advocated for the movement behind the prize, saying: "About telling every single person out there that we don't have to wait, for this catastrophe to happen to us, that there are things we can do and that are being done."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year revealed

<p>The finalists of the 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition have been revealed, with the talented photographers capturing the magic of the animal kingdom. </p> <p>The competition, run by the Natural History Museum, saw its largest number of entries yet, with 59,228 entries from 117 countries and territories.</p> <p>Shane Gross, a Canadian photojournalist, was the overall winner of Wildlife Photographer of the Year for his captivating image capturing the "magical underwater world of western toad tadpoles."</p> <p>Kathy Moran, Chair of the Jury and Editor said: "The jury was captivated by the mix of light, energy and connectivity between the environment and tadpoles. We were equally excited by the addition of a new species to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year archive."</p> <p>A few other winners included a photo of a "curious" leopard seal looking into the camera, a sleeping baby monkey, and a "wrestle" between an anaconda and caiman. </p> <p>Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum said: "Wildlife Photographer of the Year's longevity is a testament to the vital importance and growing appreciation of our natural world."</p> <p>"We are delighted to feature such inspiring images in this year's portfolio - these are photographs that not only encourage further wildlife conservation efforts, but that spark the creation of real advocates for our planet on a global scale."</p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">Take a look at some of this year's best entries below.</p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;"><em>Images: Wildlife Photographer of the Year</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;"> </p>

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From cheeky thrill to grande dame – the Moulin Rouge celebrates 135 years of scandal and success

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/will-visconti-805914">Will Visconti</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>When the Moulin Rouge first opened on October 6 1889, it drew audiences from across classes and countries.</p> <p>The Moulin offered an array of <em>fin-de-siècle</em> (end-of-the-century) entertainments to Paris locals and visitors. Located in <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mont/hd_mont.htm">Montmartre</a>, its name, the “red windmill”, alluded to Montmartre’s history as a rural idyll. The neighbourhood was also associated with artistic bohemia, crime, and revolutionary spirit. This setting added a certain thrill for bourgeois audiences.</p> <p>From irreverent newcomer to a French institution, the Moulin Rouge has survived scandal, an inferno and found new ways to connect with audiences.</p> <h2>Red and electric</h2> <p>In 1889, the Moulin Rouge was not the only red landmark to open in Paris. The <a href="https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/history-and-culture/133-years-and-1083-feet#:%7E:text=The%20Tower%20would%20open%20to,Eiffel%20workshop%20in%20Levallois%2DPerret.">Eiffel Tower</a>, built as part of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/worlds-fair#ref1122093">Universal Exhibition</a> and originally painted red, had opened earlier that same year. What set them apart, however, was their popularity.</p> <p>The Moulin Rouge was an instant hit, capitalising on the global popularity of a dance called <a href="https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/french-cancan-2/">the cancan</a>. Dancers like Moulin Rouge headliner <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_de_la_danseuse_de_cancan_Louise_Weber_(1866-1929)_dite_la_Goulue_(%C3%A0_gauche)_et_de_Grille_d%27%C3%A9gout_(%C3%A0_droite),_da,_PH41845.jpg"><em>La Goulue</em> </a>(“The Glutton”, real name Louise Weber) were seen as more appropriate emblems for the city than the Tower, which many <a href="https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/130-years/artists-who-protested-eiffel-tower">considered an eyesore</a>.</p> <p>In an illustration from <em>Le Courrier Français</em> newspaper, a dancer modelled on a photograph of La Goulue holds her leg aloft, flashing her underwear with the caption “<a href="https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1070090h/f1.image">Greetings to the provinces and abroad!</a>”.</p> <p>Every aspect of the Moulin spoke to the zeitgeist, from its design to the performances, the use of electric lights that adorned its façade, and its advertising.</p> <p>Its managers, the impresario team of <a href="https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/the-great-periods/#:%7E:text=The%20masters%20of%20the%20place%20were%20Joseph%20Oller%20and%20Charles%20Zidler">Joseph Oller and Charles Harold Zidler</a>, had a string of successful venues and businesses to their names. They recognised the importance of modern marketing, using print media, publicity photographs, and <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheret_Bal_au_moulin_rouge.jpg">posters</a> to spark public interest.</p> <p>Among the most iconic images of the Moulin is <a href="http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.339766">Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s 1891 poster</a>. At its centre is La Goulue, kicking her legs amid swirling petticoats.</p> <h2>She certainly can cancan</h2> <p>Found primarily in working-class dance halls from as early as the 1820s, the cancan became a staple of popular entertainment the world over.</p> <p>Part of the dance’s thrill lay in the dancers’ <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Goulue_y_Valentin_le_D%C3%A9soss%C3%A9_bailando_en_el_Moulin_Rouge,_Th%C3%A9ophile_Steinlen.jpg">freedom of movement</a> and titillation of spectators, as well as its anti-establishment energy. Women used the cancan to thumb their nose at authority via steps like the <em>coup de cul</em> (“arse flash”) or <em>coup du chapeau</em> (removing men’s hats with a high kick).</p> <p>The cancan was not the only attraction at the Moulin. There were themed spaces, sideshows, and variety performances ranging from belly dancers and conjoined twins to <a href="https://www.weirdhistorian.com/le-petomane/">Le Pétomane</a> (“The Fartomaniac”) who was a flatulist and the highest-paid performer. People watching was equally popular.</p> <h2>Scandals, riots, and royalty</h2> <p>Over the years, the Moulin has been no stranger to controversy.</p> <p>In its early years, it cultivated an air of misbehaviour and featured in pleasure guides for visiting sex tourists.</p> <p>In 1893 it hosted the <a href="https://read.dukeupress.edu/french-historical-studies/article-abstract/33/1/69/9638/The-Art-of-Posing-Nude-Models-Moralists-and-the?redirectedFrom=PDF">Bal des Quat’z’Arts</a> (Four-Arts Ball) held by students from local studios. Accusations of public indecency were made against the models and dancers in attendance, and violent protests followed after the women were arrested.</p> <p>In 1907 the writer Colette appeared onstage at the Moulin in an Egyptian-inspired pantomime with her then-lover, <a href="https://daily.jstor.org/the-cross-dressing-superstar-of-the-belle-epoque/">Missy, the Marquise de Belbeuf</a>. When the act culminated in a passionate kiss, a riot broke out.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7N_dvUptKX8?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Historical footage shows the Moulin Rouge as it was.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Kicking on and on</h2> <p>Over time, the Moulin Rouge shows changed their format to keep pace with public taste, though the cancan remained. The venue hosted revues and operettas, and various stars including Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli.</p> <p>Famous guests have included British royalty: from Edward VII (while Prince of Wales) to his great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, and her son, Prince Edward.</p> <p>Since its opening, the Moulin’s fortunes have waxed and waned.</p> <p>In 1915 the Moulin Rouge <a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/iht-retrospective.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/1915-fire-destroys-moulin-rouge/">burned down</a> but was rebuilt in 1921. Its famous windmill sails <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68895836">fell off overnight</a> earlier this year but were swiftly repaired.</p> <p>In the 1930s, it survived the Depression and rise of cinema (also <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019186/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4">capturing the attention</a> of <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025520/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3">several filmakers</a>). It also survived the <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/article/i-took-nazis-to-the-moulin-rouge-they-sent-me-to-auschwitz-s3lzxcwwn8q">Nazi occupation</a> of Paris in the 1940s.</p> <p>By the early 1960s, <a href="https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/the-moulin-rouge/history/the-great-periods/#:%7E:text=Charles%20Trenet-,F%20FOR%20FORMIDABLE,-In%201962%2C%20Jacki">Jacki Clerico</a> was managing the Moulin’s show after his father had revamped the venue as a dinner theatre destination. The younger Clérico oversaw additions like a giant aquarium where dancers swam with snakes, and its now-famous “nude line” – a chorus of topless dancers – in its shows.</p> <p>In 1963, the Moulin Rouge struck upon a winning formula: revues, all named by Clérico with titles beginning with the letter “F” – from <em>Frou Frou</em> to <em>Fantastique</em> and <em>Formidable</em>. Since 1999, the revue <em>Féerie</em> (“Fairy”, also a <a href="https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/383977/Feeries.pdf?sequence=1">French genre</a> of stage extravaganza) has been performed almost without interruption.</p> <p>Ticket sales were boosted thanks to Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/">Moulin Rouge!</a> and more recently <a href="https://moulinrougemusical.com/new-york/home/">Moulin Rouge! The Musical</a>.</p> <p>Since COVID, the Moulin Rouge management have diversified. The windmill’s interior has been <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/the-iconic-moulin-rouge-windmill-reveals-a-secret-room-for-an-overnight-stay-with-airbnb/">rented out via AirBnB</a> and the Moulin’s <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/moulin-rouge-yes-we-can-can">dance troupe</a> has performed on France’s televised New Year’s Eve celebrations. This year, the Moulin Rouge and its dancers were part of the <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saskyacnn/video/7398138810984320288?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7384693687676749320">Paris Olympics celebrations</a>, dancing in heavy rain.</p> <p>Though people have come to appreciate the Eiffel Tower too, the Moulin Rouge can still argue its status as the pinnacle of live entertainment in the French capital: immediately recognisable, internationally visible, and quintessentially Parisian.<!-- 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/239849/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/will-visconti-805914">Will Visconti</a>, Teacher and researcher, Art History, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</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/from-cheeky-thrill-to-grande-dame-the-moulin-rouge-celebrates-135-years-of-scandal-and-success-239849">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

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Breathtaking winners of the 2024 Panoramic Photo Awards

<p>The finalists of the 2024 Epson International Pano Awards have been revealed, with the talented photographers capturing the wonders of nature in all its glory. </p> <p>The annual contest is the world's largest competition dedicated to panoramic photography. </p> <p>With over 4,500 entries from more than one thousand professional and amateur photographers across 95 countries worldwide, all of them have captured the beauty of our planet.  </p> <p>But the overall winner is Kelvin Yuen, from Hong Kong, who captured "astounding" photographs from China to Patagonia, with a drone shot of a lightning strike above  China's Guilin karst formations landing him the title of  2024 Open Photographer of the Year. </p> <p>"On the day I took this photo, I woke up at 3am and was supposed to hike up for the sunrise. However, a heavy thunderstorm struck out of nowhere, so I decided to shoot it" he said of his winning shot, pictured above. </p> <p>David Evans, competition curator has praised all the entries from the 15th year of the Pano Awards. </p> <p>"The quality of entries is astounding, and I am endlessly fascinated by the spectacular windows to the world presented by highly talented photographers far and wide," he said. </p> <p>A few other photos that caught the attention of the judges include dolphins playing in Western Australia, a sunrise over Japan's Mount Fuji, and Norway's Northern Lights. </p> <p>Take a look at some of this year's best entries below.</p> <p><em>Images: The 15th Epson International Pano Awards</em></p> <p> </p>

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King Charles gives woman "the surprise of her life" on 87th birthday

<p>King Charles has given a woman "the surprise of her life" for her 87th  birthday. </p> <p>Alice Ryce was visiting Dumfries House for her special day, when she bumped into the monarch who was walking around the grounds. </p> <p>The sweet interaction happened last week, but was only just shared to social media on Tuesday, and showed the birthday girl chatting with His Majesty. </p> <p>"Whilst enjoying a visit to the estate, which is open to the public, Alice unexpectedly met His Majesty, who was delighted to share in her special day," the caption in the video read. </p> <p>"The King was in Ayrshire to support the work of The King's Foundation, headquartered at Dumfries House. Happy birthday, Alice!"</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/DAQ8jRSIPFi/?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/reel/DAQ8jRSIPFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dumfries House (@dumfrieshouse)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>King Charles was wearing a light coloured suit and surrounded by minimal staff and security. He also wore a pair of sunglasses and carried an outdoor walking stick. </p> <p>While it's not uncommon for those celebrating their 100th birthday to get a birthday message from the King, it's very rare for anyone else to receive a birthday message from the monarch, let alone chat with him. </p> <p>Just hours after the clip was posted it gained over 30,000 likes with hundreds of comments, many of them sending their birthday wishes to Alice.</p> <p>"How wonderful!! The King always seems so approachable and such a generous person, so glad to see him looking fit and healthy. And what a wonderful surprise for Alice on her birthday, one she’ll never forget! Happy Birthday Alice and God Save The King!!" one wrote. </p> <p>"Awe she must have been so happy to see you King Charles. What a lucky day for both of you," another added. </p> <p>"What a lovely surprise for Alice," a third wrote. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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