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Aussie mum jailed after faking her own death for major insurance payout

<p>A Perth woman who faked her own death to secure a $700,000 insurance payout has been sentenced to three years behind bars. </p> <p>Karen Salkilld, 43, an F45 gym franchise owner, claimed she died in a car accident in Broome in December 2023. </p> <p>The mother-of-two, also provided a falsified death certificate, a coroner report and funeral documents, when she made the claim in January.</p> <p>A month later, she received more than $718,000 from Insuranceline, which she accessed by posing as her former partner who was the beneficiary of the sum and opening a bank account in her name. </p> <p>The "relatively sophisticated" scheme was initially successful, until police became suspicious and froze her account after she moved large amounts of the money around, according to<em> Nine News</em>. </p> <p>Salkilld had to visit Palmyra Police Station in person to certify her fake documents, but after three visits, officers realised something was up and arrested her in March. </p> <p>There is no evidence that her former partner knew of the crime. </p> <p>The fitness instructor admitted that she got the idea from a movie after she fell into debt, although she didn't specify which one. </p> <p>"Your offending could not be described as opportunistic," Judge Vicki Stewart told Perth District Court said in sentencing the fitness instructor. </p> <p>"It was calculated and required both effort and persistence."</p> <p>"You were living beyond your means and over-committed yourself," Stewart added. </p> <p>Salkilld pleaded guilty to gaining benefit by fraud and knowingly using a false record to defraud, and was sentenced to three years in prison on Monday. </p> <p>She was ordered to pay a $101,771 compensation to the insurance company. A restitution order for funds in the bank account was also issued - one for $549,195 and another for $67,995 - with the latter being held in the bank's fraud recoveries account. </p> <p>Speaking to <em>Nine News</em> outside court after the sentencing, Salkilld's estranged sister Ann said "it doesn't surprise me that she is capable of doing things like that."</p> <p>She will be eligible for parole in February 2026.</p> <p><em>Image: Nine News </em></p>

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Dad cops furious note from "egotistical Karen" for parking in parent's bay

<p>A Perth dad has been left hurt after he was targeted by an "egotistical Karen" for parking in a parent's bay, while his wife was inside a shopping centre changing their seven-month-old baby. </p> <p>"Don't park here again, you selfish prick!" the note read. </p> <p>His wife took to Facebook on behalf of her hurt husband to question why someone would go out of their way to criticise him for parking in a space designated for parents. </p> <p>"My husband was putting a baby gate in the boot while I was in the forum changing our seven-month-old baby," she defended her partner, who parked at the Mandurah Forum. </p> <p>"He came back into the forum looking for me [and] when we returned, someone had put this note on our windscreen.</p> <p>"How about next time you be sure before insulting an innocent husband and father, you hero."</p> <p>The woman said that the note left her husband "hurt and almost feeling guilty" and she argued that he had every right to be there as a parent. </p> <p>Her post attracted over 300 interactions with many agreeing with the mum, and saying that the "Karen" should've gotten their facts straight before taking action. </p> <p>"There is no law for who can park in parents with prams spaces they are just convenience but anyone can park there and use,"  one man wrote. </p> <p>A few others shared the same sentiment and said that "it's not illegal to park in those bays" regardless of whether or not you have a baby. </p> <p>Some parents even shared their own experiences and why it is important to not judge someone based on looks alone. </p> <p>"This has happened to me also. I had a baby and a toddler and my husband took them inside the Mandurah forum while I unloaded our car," the person began. </p> <p>"A couple with a baby parked next to me and the man kept yelling at me that it was only for parents with prams, even though I told him I had young kids and a pram. But he didn't believe me and yelled loudly to move my car."</p> <p>One mum added that she doesn't see the need for parents with prams spaces altogether.</p> <p>"As a mum of just a five-year-old, I personally don’t see the need for parent spaces. They are not any bigger, just more convenient. Kids need exercise and prams have wheels, not hard to walk," she wrote. </p> <p>"I personally think they should be seniors bays instead, they are less mobile and struggle to walk long distances. Give them the spots."</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook</em></p>

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“Don’t be alarmed”: Better Homes and Gardens star makes shock announcement

<p dir="ltr"><em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> star Karen Martini has announced she will be “stepping back” from her role on the program. </p> <p dir="ltr">After almost two decades on the show, the 52-year-old admitted she has “so much on my plate” this year as she balances a range of different projects. </p> <p dir="ltr">The chef and restaurateur will be taking a break from the show to focus on work, while also making more time for her teenage daughters, Stella, 17, and Amber, 15.</p> <p dir="ltr">She told <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/entertainment/tv/better-homes-and-garden-star-karen-martini-makes-shock-announcement-stepping-back-c-13310981">7News</a></em>, “With my two new restaurants— Johnny’s Green Room already open and Saint George set to launch soon — as well as so many other projects on the go, 2024 is shaping up to be my busiest year ever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“My daughters are in their last teenage years too — it’s quite daunting as Stella is in year 12 and also on her Ls.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“With so much on my plate, I’ve made the decision to step back from <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> (BHAG) this year while I focus on some of my other exciting projects.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“So don’t be alarmed if I’m not in your living room every Friday night.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Karen will continue to make the occasional guest appearance on the show, but will not feature in every episode. </p> <p dir="ltr">After the news of Karen’s departure was announced on the <em>Better Homes &amp; Gardens</em> Instagram account, longtime viewers shared their messages of support to the chef in her next ventures. </p> <p dir="ltr">One person wrote, “Been watching since you joined in 2007 and I’ve loved watching you in the kitchen. All the best.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The 52-year-old also shared her excitement over the newest addition to the <em>Better Homes</em> line-up: chef and <em>MKR</em> judge Colin Fassnidge.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so excited that my mate Colin Fassnidge is entering the <em>Better Homes</em> kitchen,” she went on.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think his cheeky flavour is sure to spice up the show and I can’t wait to see him on air when we are back on Friday, February 2.”</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-f58c99fe-7fff-4b7e-1eb4-bc9024fbdc3d"></span></p>

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“People don’t understand boundaries”: Woman ruins couple’s romantic proposal

<p dir="ltr">A young couple has been left devastated and mortified after their marriage proposal was crashed by an inconsiderate “Karen” on the beach. </p> <p dir="ltr">Zenicca Llanza, a 24-year-old from the Philippines, shared a video of her boyfriend getting down on one knee at the beach and asking her to marry him. </p> <p dir="ltr">Her partner had arranged a romantic set up on the beach, complete with a tent, picnic table, proposal sign, a cake and rose petals. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, when the time came for him to pop the question, a beach goer began to interfere and rearrange the set up, interrupting the romantic moment. </p> <p dir="ltr">In the video posted to TikTok, Zenicca’s partner got down on one knee and began to recite a speech, as the unnamed woman walked into shot. </p> <div><iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7269928964536192298&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40warngwarng%2Fvideo%2F7269928964536192298&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F80e87476646048bca323b002688ff427_1692662253%3Fx-expires%3D1692910800%26x-signature%3D2CX7o9uY0RsEB7creGyXnWP8mas%253D&amp;key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p dir="ltr">She then moves the proposal sign before walking over to the couple to get a look at the ring, before Zenicca even got a chance to wear it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How to quickly ruin a proposal,” Zenicca wrote on TikTok.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Please be mindful of other people's once in a lifetime event! You never know you're already ruining it,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The video has racked up tens of thousands of views, with many people being outraged on Zenicca’s behalf. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You could excuse the first few seconds w good intentions but the rest I feel like we’re just really bad manners and not having any self awareness,” commented one person. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This made me physically ill. I'm so sorry omg,” added another. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Aw I could tell she had good intentions but was ignorant in the moment that she was slightly ruining something y’all would cherish forever,” commented a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just tell her it’s a personal moment. Sometimes people don’t understand boundaries.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

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Damning first draft of Clare Nowland statement found

<p dir="ltr">New documents have brought forth allegations that the NSW police force removed key elements in their initial statement regarding the death of 95-year-old Clare Nowland. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/clare-nowland-dies-officer-charged">The mother-of-eight passed away</a> in Cooma Hospital on May 24, one week after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/furious-response-to-95-yr-old-woman-tasered-by-police">she was tasered by a police officer</a> at her Yallambee Lodge aged care facility. Nowland had reportedly been approaching law enforcement with her walking frame and a steak knife when she was tasered, before she fell backwards and fractured her skull. </p> <p dir="ltr">In the wake of the incident, Police Commissioner Karen Webb reportedly approved a 71-word press release - one that made no mention of the knife, the taser, or even Nowland’s movements. </p> <p dir="ltr">“A critical incident investigation has been launched after an elderly woman sustained injuries during an interaction with police at an aged care facility in the state’s south today,” it read. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The 95-year-old woman was taken to Cooma District Hospital, where her condition is being monitored. A critical incident team will now investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. That investigation will be subject to independent review.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No further details are available at this time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">However, ‘new’ documents - obtained by the Australian Associated Press under Freedom of Information laws - have revealed that there was another draft, 100 words longer than the released statement, that mentions those key aspects of the case. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the<em> Sydney Morning Herald</em> - who obtained the internal emails regarding the statement - that draft had been sent to NSW Police Executive Director of Public Affairs Elizabeth Deegan for review, but had been cut by more than half mere hours later, leading the <em>SMH</em> to run with the headline "<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/top-nsw-cops-covered-up-tasering-of-clare-nowland-20230621-p5di67.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Top NSW cops covered up Tasering of Clare Nowland</a>".</p> <p dir="ltr">The original 171-word document made mention of the reports that a Yallambee Lodge resident had a knife, and noted that two officers had arrived to find a woman “still armed … in a small room”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Police and paramedics attempted to speak to the woman; however, all instructions were ignored,” it continued. “When she stood up and moved towards officers, a taser was deployed by a constable.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It explained that the woman had received treatment from paramedics at the scene, leaving room for information on her condition. It even mentioned that the officer who had deployed the taser was under review.</p> <p dir="ltr">Commissioner Webb defended the decision to edit their original draft while speaking to 2GB’s Ben Fordham, denying that the police force had hidden anything when she told him that “early in the investigation it was necessary for us to make sure that the family were aware of what the circumstances were.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Mrs Nowland has a large family and we didn’t want that family to hear on the radio on TV what had happened to their mum, and so we had to be a bit sensitive to that, and when we were able to talk about it we did.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that it was “a very sensitive matter”, and that it was an “unusual” circumstance with everyone seeking answers, but that “it’s appropriate we think about and respect that family, and certainly they deserve that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was important that the family were informed of the situation in a factual manner before we went public on it - I think that’s very necessary and I’m sure that family appreciates that now.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: 9News / Nine</em></p>

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Alluring, classic, glamorous: the history of the martini cocktail

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ursula-kennedy-560331">Ursula Kennedy</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></em></p> <p>The martini cocktail has existed in a range of guises throughout its ice-cold, crisp life.</p> <p>Several stories exist as to its origins. The “classic” martini is made with gin and vermouth (a fortified wine infused with spices) and garnished with an olive or a twist of lemon. It is quintessentially American.</p> <h2>The contested origins of the martini</h2> <p><a href="https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/143103">Many believe</a> the martini was invented in the 1860s at the Occidental Hotel in San Francisco by bartender Jerry Thomas.</p> <p>Thomas evolved a one part sloe gin, two parts sweet vermouth, maraschino and a dash of bitters with a lemon concoction into a drink he called the Martinez, which he made for passengers departing on the ferry to the town of the same name. It was said to also be prepared for miners celebrating striking gold.</p> <p>Others believe it was invented in 1911 at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York by bartender Martini di Taggia, served to billionaire John D. Rockerfeller with equal parts London dry gin and dry vermouth. However, recipes for the drink were published as early as 1862, in Jerry Thomas’s Bartenders’ Guide.</p> <p>Stronger versions of the martini include two parts gin, and even up to five parts gin, to one part vermouth, garnished with olive or lemon.</p> <p>A “dry” martini has little to no vermouth at all – the focus being gin. Author T.S. Eliot once said:</p> <blockquote> <p>There is nothing quite so stimulating as a strong dry martini cocktail.</p> </blockquote> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=380&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=380&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=380&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=478&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=478&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521990/original/file-20230420-16-tnbdz5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=478&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">A classic martini with olives as the garnish.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>The martini’s rise, fall and rise again</h2> <p>During the <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/19th-century/gilded-age">Gilded Age</a> (1880-1900), the martini rose in popularity and remained so through to the mid-20th century.</p> <p>Prohibition in America during 1920 to 1933 did little to harm the martini’s popularity, as backyard gin production was reasonably easy.</p> <p>In the 1960s the drink’s popularity started to wane due to the burgeoning quality and availability of other beverages such as wines and beers. There were also concerns about alcohol consumption and health.</p> <p>With the increasing popularity of “retro” style and culture in recent years the martini has made a comeback, with <a href="https://vinepair.com/articles/martini-hype-train/">reports of increased demand</a> for the drink among young people.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=458&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=458&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=458&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=576&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=576&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521989/original/file-20230420-22-ci80sy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=576&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Customers at a Philadelphia bar after Prohibition’s end, Dec. 1933.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Martini and its variations</h2> <p>Today, the martini (or a common variation of it) is best known for its identity in popular culture, most famously as the drink of fictional British Secret Service agent, James Bond. The famous phrase “shaken, not stirred” was first uttered on screen by actor Sean Connery playing Bond in the 1964 movie Goldfinger. Bond’s tipple of choice is prepared with vodka rather than gin.</p> <p>While most purists believe the gin martini is the classic form of the drink, there are myriad variations that use the martini name or are closely related to the original drink, such as <a href="https://www.liquor.com/recipes/gibson/">the Gibson</a>, a classic martini garnished with cocktail onions instead of olives.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=597&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=597&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=597&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=750&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=750&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521991/original/file-20230420-3001-awnpdc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=750&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Sean Connory as James Bond, making his signature vodka martini.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wikimedia</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p><a href="https://www.spiritshunters.com/cocktail/the-history-of-the-dirty-martini/">The “dirty” martini </a> is currently popular, which is gin soiled with a generous dash of brine from the olive jar. According to the Oxford Companion to Spirits &amp; Cocktails, the practice of adding brine to a martini has been around since at least 1901. The term “dirty martini” seemingly wasn’t coined until the 1980s, however.</p> <p>US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt may have been an early proponent of using olive brine in cocktails. Allegedly, the president “would shake up a drink at the drop of a hat … and was reported to have splashed a bite of brine in his drinks at the White House,” writes Robert Simonson in The Martini Cocktail: A Meditation on the World’s Greatest Drink, with Recipes.</p> <p><a href="https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/espresso-martini-vodka-cocktail">The story goes</a> that London bartender Dick Bradsell first made the espresso martini, a fusion of espresso, sweet coffee liqueur and vodka, in the late 1980s when supermodel Kate Moss (or sometimes Naomi Campbell) asked for a drink that would “wake me up and fuck me up”.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=399&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=399&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=399&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=502&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=502&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/521984/original/file-20230420-2604-g4y6r4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=502&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">The espresso martini.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>There are many modern drinks that use the iconic martini glass to justify using martini in their name – however, they bear little resemblance to the original cocktail. An appletini is vodka blended with apple juice, apple cider or apple brandy, while the “French martini” consists of vodka, pineapple juice and raspberry liqueur. The TV show Sex and the City popularised the “flirtini”, containing vodka, champagne and pineapple juice.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8STeT9WrYtU?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Keeping cool</h2> <p>A martini glass – a classic conical bowl on a long straight stem – is one aspect of the drink that does not change.</p> <p>The glass was <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/design-moment-martini-glass-1925-1.4094434">formally unveiled at the 1925 Paris Exhibition</a> as an alternative to the classic champagne glass.</p> <p>The long stem allows the glass to be held while the drink remains cool, not warmed by the drinker’s hands. The wide rim allows the drinker’s nose to be close to the liquid when sipping, so the aromatics can be easily appreciated.</p> <h2>Never out of style</h2> <p>While Bond embodied the glamorous side of the martini, studies of writer Ian Fleming’s famous spy indicate that Bond had a <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-names-bond-james-bond-and-im-an-alcoholic-21440">severe problem with alcohol</a> consumption. On occasion he may have had a blood alcohol concentration of .36% – almost fatal.</p> <p>The martini should be consumed with deference … and in moderation.<!-- 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/195913/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/ursula-kennedy-560331">Ursula Kennedy</a>, Lecturer of Wine Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern Queensland</a></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/alluring-classic-glamorous-the-history-of-the-martini-cocktail-195913">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Assault victim breaks silence after Rolf Harris' death

<p><em><strong>Warning: This article contains information about sexual assault which some readers may find distressing. </strong></em></p> <p>One of Rolf Harris's victims has spoken out about the "impact of evil" the disgraced entertainer had on her life, after the news of his death broke around the world. </p> <p>Karen Gardner, a presenter for the the BBC, accused the convicted pedophile of assaulting her three times when she was his 16-year-old bag carrier for the show <em>Star Games</em> in 1977.</p> <p>Upon hearing the news of his death, Gardner wrote on Twitter, "Very few of us escape the impact of evil people. What we have to do is expose them, share and stand together to dilute the pain."</p> <p>"For me it was Rolf Harris but he inflicted much worse on other girls."</p> <p>Ms Gardner shared the details of her harrowing experience in the recent ITV documentary Rolf Harris: Hiding in Plain Sight, which aired just last week. </p> <p>She told the program, "In the space of I guess about 35 minutes, he assaulted me three times in plain sight. And it was horrible because you're surrounded by people, and he had a method of operating."</p> <p>"I won't talk about the actual details, but he was paying me attention, he was saying how great I had been, and he, he hugged me, and that that's when, when it happened. And it was humiliating and degrading and awful and your, your blood turns to concrete."</p> <p>"And then it was mid-afternoon and they had organised a couple of taxis and one of the cars came to get him. And I had to get in the back seat of the car."</p> <p> </p> <p>Ms Gardner said Rolf got beside her and assaulted her again, adding, "Maybe because there wasn't anyone there, I did tell him to f**k off. And he said something, which makes, still makes me feel sick now. He said to me, 'You're irresistible.' I was 16. He was 48. He was 10 years older than my dad."</p> <p>Harris was acquitted of assaulting Ms Gardner after the jury could not reach a verdict at two trials.</p> <p>Rolf Harris' <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/rolf-harris-cause-and-date-of-death-confirmed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> was confirmed on May 23rd, while his death certificate states he died at the age of 93 on May 10th, after a battle with neck cancer. </p> <p><em>Image credits: ITV / Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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No cake for Karen: Karl mocks Hemsworth birthday detractors

<p><em>Today </em>co-hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo have said their piece (of cake) amid the internet controversy that has erupted over a birthday celebration in the Hemsworth-Pataky household. </p> <p>In a photo shared to Instagram to wish their “two little men” - 9-year-old twins Tristan and Sasha - a happy birthday, the family can be seen gathered around a table. On said table is a cake, with one of the kids bent over it, face pressed against it, and the others watching on - some in a show of surprise, all smiling. </p> <p>The image - which appears to be a screenshot from a video - was paired with Chris’ caption stating that there is “Only one way to eat cake in this house and that’s to have mum slam your head into it face first!!”</p> <p>Despite the fact that this was only a brief glimpse into the family’s festivities that day, Chris’ followers wasted no time in slamming them for their birthday prank, with some even going as far as to accuse them of wasting an entire cake without any proof that that was the case. </p> <p>“Why people smash their kids’ face[s] in the cake is above my understanding but whatever,” said one critic. </p> <p>“Agreed,” wrote another. “I think it’s ridiculous.” </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/Cp_TjmPP_LW/?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/Cp_TjmPP_LW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>And when entertainment reporter Brooke Boney asked Karl and Sarah for their take on the situation, the two let loose. </p> <p>“Chris Hemsworth has been called out by his fans, with some saying his latest Instagram post is violent, and shows him putting his son in an unsafe situation,” Brooke explained. </p> <p>“I'm all for holding people accountable,” she added, “but saying that this is a violent image is a bit too much.</p> <p>“It's a bit of a stretch - they look like they’re a family having fun.”</p> <p>Karl hopped straight to responding, imitating a much older - and sarcastic - version of himself when he quipped, “I think it sends a bad message.” </p> <p>“He’s such a terrible father,” Sarah deadpanned. </p> <p>“People need to wake up to themselves,” Brooke agreed, hands up in amused exasperation. “It’s such a joke!” </p> <p>“It’s face in a cake,” Karl powered on through his own laughter, “now we’re not going to be able to pin the tail on the donkey.” </p> <p>“Unacceptable,” a straight-faced Sarah mused, “unacceptable.” </p> <p>When Karl asked Sarah if she played pin the tail on the donkey, she finally broke, laughing as he told her “you can’t do it anymore.” </p> <p><em>Images: Today / Nine, Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Karen’s Diner slammed for "crossing the line"

<p dir="ltr">Karen’s Diner has been slammed for crossing the line and body shaming a man for his receding hairline.</p> <p dir="ltr">The popular restaurant popped up and instantly became a sensation where the staff are basically required to be “very rude” to customers.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, in this instance, the staff at Karen’s Diner in Brisbane went a step too far and made a comment about a man’s receding hairline.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What’s one thing your f***ing sign says,” the visibly angry man yells at the workers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No body shaming,” he said as he pointed to the sign of instructions which must be followed.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the man’s feet are some napkins and straws which suggest the man may have thrown them in fury.</p> <div><iframe title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7146733441411828994&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40bechardgrave%2Fvideo%2F7146733441411828994%3F_r%3D1%26_t%3D8Vycdj6hoP4%26is_from_webapp%3Dv1%26item_id%3D7146733441411828994&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr">The video was shared to TikTok by Bec Hardgrav who said that during her time there, the staff were commenting about people’s looks.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They were making offensive comments about people’s appearances," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They told my friend she needs to brush her hair, like how mean is that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They told my other friend that she was too old and threw cups at us.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I know they’re paid to be mean to you but it was a little hectic. Safe to say I probably won’t come back."</p> <p dir="ltr">Some people commented on the video saying that people should not go to the restaurant if they can’t handle the banter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You should all know the risks before entering. If you’re too soft, don’t eat there,” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Karen's shouldn't go to Karen's diner,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Do people not understand the concept on this place? If you’re going to get offended and mad, don’t go- simple,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others however, were on the man’s side saying he knew the rules more than the staff did and applauded him for his stance.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Literally the guy at the end is on the right,” someone commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s a difference between Karen’s and bullies,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The guy at the end is well in the right,” someone else wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Karen’s Diner website also has the house rules which must be followed otherwise people will be asked to leave for breaking them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No racist, sexist, homophobic or ableist comments or slurs will be tolerated,” the list begins.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No body shaming, no sexual harassment, any damage or vandalism of the venue will lead to instant removal from the venue, keep your food and drink on your tables, don’t throw them, it’s not fun.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Even though this is Karen’s Diner, OHS rules still apply. We are a functioning restaurant so do not interfere with hospitality processes.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just sit down, shut up, eat your food and bring on the banter.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Food & Wine

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REVIEW: Does Karen’s Diner live up to the hype?

<p dir="ltr">Karen’s Diner: a restaurant franchise with intentionally bad service and equally as bad food. Marketed as a one-of-a-kind interactive experience, it seems quite appealing – as I myself come from a customer service background and understand how frustrating it can be to keep up a polite facade when consumers are blatantly rude and demanding. Going in with an open mind, we set off on our search for a good meal and an overall unique experience. </p> <p dir="ltr">To ensure we were going to eat that night, we booked our seats in the Karen’s Diner Sydney four days out, and excitement grew after we spent the ensuing days reading the rave reviews posted on social media. The office was buzzing with excitement. Could we become repeat customers? Time would tell. </p> <p dir="ltr">Shortly after arriving, we were immediately shoved aside for an additional 20 minutes waiting to be seated, and the staff weren’t even vaguely apologetic about the wait time. However, hungry and keen to try a few different burgers, we weren’t about to be deterred. </p> <p dir="ltr">Walking to our table, the servers shoved a bottle of table water and glasses in my arms. I was caught quite off guard by that and found it somewhat hazardous. Immediately, I became aware of the ambiance and felt awkward, as it is neither welcoming nor inviting. In photos we’d seen earlier, the venue looked like an old-fashioned style ‘50s diner, specifically designed as the perfect backdrop for the “unique” experience. </p> <p dir="ltr">The venue itself could do with a thorough clean though, with the floors sticky and covered in streaks of grime and spilled drinks. I was unsure whether or not this was part of the act, but there’s a difference between standard OH&amp;S practices and supposed dinner theatre. </p> <p dir="ltr">Our server was neither mean nor polite. I don’t usually like to be judgmental - as long as the job is done efficiently. The overall service experience was inconsistent. The waitress was cold and direct, all while seeming to be disinterested in putting effort into the gag of purposeful meanness. We ordered drinks and she immediately started to roast us – which wasn’t particularly funny or enjoyable (we ordered the most basic soft-drinks, FYI) and considering that a majority of the customers were hanging onto the edge of their seats for the “rude” service, her act was less than impressive. </p> <p dir="ltr">Moving onto the food, we ordered two vegan burgers: The “Vegan Karen” and “Oktoberfest Karen”, as well as two regular burgers: The “Deep Fried Karen” and “Royale Karen”. </p> <p dir="ltr">I am confident the food here is a catfish situation and honestly felt somewhat betrayed. The food looked appealing and delicious online, especially through photos on Instagram – but in reality, we were served up a variety of pale and tasteless burgers, which I personally found reminiscent of cardboard. </p> <p dir="ltr">The sauce on the Vegan burgers tasted like glue and even had the same texture. I think it was just off, as the mock-meat was rubbery and cold and the buns were for sure expired. </p> <p dir="ltr">As for the burgers served with meat - the contents fell out of the bottom and dripped down the hands of my coworker, leaving her less than impressed (her exact word was “filthy” – which I’d have to agree with). </p> <p dir="ltr">For the price tag ($120 all up) I would expect a satisfying meal, with quality, fresh ingredients. For the same price tag, you can visit your local KFC and have a way better dining experience.</p> <p dir="ltr">If I was looking to improve the customer experience at Karen’s Diner, I would start by using fresh produce and revising the prices to reflect what is actually being served and sold. I would also offer the staff training – or hire aspiring actors, rather than those who put minimal effort into the experience. </p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e451c460-7fff-b2b9-8034-85f67a6eca8f"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Overall, would I recommend Karen’s Diner? Absolutely not. For $120 and everything Sydney has to offer, I would simply find somewhere else to eat. I rate the food 2.5 stars and the service (or lack thereof) a solid 2 out of 5. When we paid the bill, they gave us the classic Karen “F*** off,” and you know what? I very gladly will.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Teenage "speed camera warrior" confronted by grouchy "Karen"

<p>Teenage "speed camera warrior" Beau Jackson has been confronted by a disgruntled middle-aged woman as he warned motorists of an upcoming speed camera. </p> <p>The Central Coast local has dedicated his free time to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/i-ve-been-saving-them-heaps-teen-speed-camera-crusader-hailed-a-hero" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alerting drivers</a> to hidden speed cameras that can often result in <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/speed-camera-crusader-cops-highly-dubious-fine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hefty fines</a>. </p> <p>While parked on the side of the road with a sign bringing attention to the sneaky cameras, thankful motorists often show their appreciation to Beau by honking their horn. </p> <p>Despite his noble cause, the 17-year-old had his first unpleasant experience with a local, and shared the confrontation on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@scamerasloveme/video/7088872965651172610?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social media</a>. </p> <p>Beau filmed the woman, who he dubbed 'Karen' walking away and said from behind the camera, "This lady tried getting me by complaining about the honks - tried getting a photo of my number plate."</p> <p>"It's the first Karen interaction," he laughed, as another passer-by honked their horn.</p> <p>"She tried to take a photo of my number plate - I'm legally parked, there's nothing she can do about it."</p> <p>When speaking to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10753241/Beau-Jackson-teenage-speed-camera-warrior-confronted-grouchy-Karen.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia</a>, Beau explained the woman lived close to where he was parked, and got sick and tired of the honking noise. </p> <p>"She asked me to move because she was sick of the honking," he said.</p> <p>"I told her I was only parked there because the speed camera van was parked a few metres in front of me."</p> <p>The woman was unfazed about his mission to save locals from spending hundreds of dollars in speeding tickets and continued demanding that he move.</p> <p>When he continually refused, she started taking photos of Mr Jackson and his bike.</p> <p>"So I started taking photos of her," he recalled.</p> <p>"She backed right off when I did that, and then she starting making phone calls."</p> <p>Beau was unsure of who the woman was calling, but explained that as soon as the mobile speed camera took off from the area, so did he. </p> <p>"When they left, I had no reason to be there anymore so I left," he added.</p> <p>As Beau's video of the encounter racked up thousands of views, many people left comments telling the teenager to ignore the haters and keep protecting the community. </p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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New Tim Tam flavour hitting the shelves

<p dir="ltr">Arnotts gave Aussies the opportunity to vote for the new Tim Tam flavour and the results are in!</p> <p dir="ltr">The options were between Dark Choc Espresso Martini Tim Tam or Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam. </p> <p dir="ltr">Voting closed on April 11, with the winning flavour announced as Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam.</p> <p dir="ltr">The delicious, decadent flavour will hit Coles’ shelves in July. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam has rich brown sugar and toffee notes paired with a creamy blend of buttery smooth butterscotch cream, also coated in delicious milk chocolate.</p> <p dir="ltr">Compared to the Dark Choc Espresso Martini which is made with roasted espresso and vodka flavoured cream sandwiched between two crunchy biscuits, all coated in decadent dark chocolate.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam flavour will make a delicious addition to the pantry, alongside your other favourite Tim Tams.</p> <p dir="ltr">Rebecca Chan, Arnott's Senior Brand Manager said it’s always fun getting Aussies to vote for a new flavour, proving it successful in previous years. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We know how passionate Australians are about Tim Tams and we love giving them the opportunity to choose a new flavour each year,” she said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The two flavour contenders are certainly our most indulgent so far, bringing an espresso martini into mouth-watering biscuit form, with the ultra decadent Butterscotch and Cream alongside as a fierce contender.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Arnotts</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Beloved sitcom star dies in house fire

<p dir="ltr"><em>EastEnders </em>star Anna Karen has passed away at 85.</p> <p dir="ltr">Karen died after her house in the east London suburb of Ilford was ablaze on February 22.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-fed15391-7fff-1c88-1f7f-515079ecc3a3">The actress, who was popular in the 1970s and played Olive in the UK sitcom <em>On the Buses</em> for four years, was the last surviving cast member of the show, which ran for seven series between 1969 and 1973.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sad news that Anna Karen has passed away in a house fire at the age of 85 R.I.P Anna. God bless you 😇🙏 <a href="https://t.co/9OqKCudmGr">pic.twitter.com/9OqKCudmGr</a></p> <p>— 🇬🇧📺 Classic British TV 📺🇬🇧 (@Classicbritcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/Classicbritcom/status/1496497325920899073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Shane Collins, Karen’s agent who also represented her late friend Barbara Windsor, released a statement following her passing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s very sad news,” Collins <a href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/eastenders-anna-karen-dead-at-85-house-fire/c1001a95-24ec-48b7-b939-0968a71d74d7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’m happy that Anna will now be with her best mate Barbara and her beloved husband Terry Duggan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anna was a great lady and a really nice person. She was a fantastic client to look after. I can’t tell you how much I liked her.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She went through a hard time after she broke her hip a few years ago but came back to work again and appeared in <em>EastEnders </em>with a stick.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Over the last couple of years she has been at home with friends popping by and her neighbours looking out for her.”</p> <p dir="ltr">On Tuesday night at 10.20pm local time, 20 firefighters across three fire engines arrived at Karen’s home and attempted to get the blaze under control, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/17744012/anna-karen-dead-fire-on-buses/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, Karen died at the scene.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to police, the fire was contained by 11.38pm and the cause is being investigated - though it doesn’t appear suspicious.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1e030b00-7fff-3322-1db3-52106b90166a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Tributes to the British actress have quickly emerged online from fellow actors, those who knew her, and fans.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Anna Karen, who played Aunt Sal, has passed away. An EastEnders spokesperson has said “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away... Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.” <a href="https://t.co/vF5NDIu21a">pic.twitter.com/vF5NDIu21a</a></p> <p>— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) <a href="https://twitter.com/bbceastenders/status/1496512327025365001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Carol Challis, the wife of the late British actor John Challis, wrote: “So sorry to hear that Anna Karen has died. John and I met her often at conventions and she was such a lovely lady. Not fair.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A spokesperson for <em>EastEnders </em>said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away… Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Author and broadcaster Morris Bright described the actress as “the loveliest of ladies” and shared a clip of her discussing her <em>On the Buses</em> role.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2c3e4e8c-7fff-494e-9ca7-4660fa2b0334"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Devastated to hear <em>On the Buses</em> star, actress Anna Karen, has died in a house fire aged 85. She was the loveliest of ladies,” he wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Devastated to hear On the Buses star, actress Anna Karen, has died in a house fire aged 85. She was the loveliest of ladies. Here she is with Reg Varney &amp; OTB writers Ronalds Chesney &amp; Wolfe discussing the iconic role of Olive with me back in 2002. Remembered with huge affection. <a href="https://t.co/KmfjSNK4Yt">pic.twitter.com/KmfjSNK4Yt</a></p> <p>— Morris Bright MBE (@Morris__Bright) <a href="https://twitter.com/Morris__Bright/status/1496499627725627400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Here she is with Reg Varney &amp; (<em>On the Buses</em>) writers Ronalds Chesney &amp; Wolfe discussing the iconic role of Olive with me back in 2002.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c1147734-7fff-6305-f810-9afde7f4614d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Remembered with huge affection.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Cheryl Baker, the singer from 1980s pop band Bucks Fizz, also shared a touching tribute to her “fabulous mate”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I have just heard the awful news that my fabulous mate, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AnnaKaren?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AnnaKaren</a> has died in a house fire. What an horrific way to die, I can’t bear to think about it. I adored her - She was an absolute treasure, both on and off the screen.</p> <p>— Cheryl Baker (@Cherylbaker) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cherylbaker/status/1496492500118351883?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 23, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I have just heard the awful news that my fabulous mate, Anna Karen has died in a house fire,” Baker wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What an horrific [sic] way to die, I can’t bear to think about it. I adored her - She was an absolute treasure, both on and off screen.” </p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-08db75a6-7fff-7f19-3db8-046662940c6b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @bbceastenders (Twitter)</em></p>

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Be a Richard, not a Karen: Kind note touches grieving mum

<p>A grieving mother has shared a note she received from a kind stranger on a plane after her daughter had a mid-flight tantrum. </p> <p>Lindsay took to TikTok to explain her difficult situation, and the understanding passenger who helped her. </p> <p><span>"This weekend, we took our first flight since the loss of our two-year-old daughter."</span></p> <p><span>"Our oldest is very outward with her grief and we found ourselves afraid of the unkind world who might not be gentle with us."</span></p> <p><span>"She had a tantrum mid-flight and we braced ourselves for angry looks but got this instead."</span></p> <p><span>The note Lindsay received from the stranger read, </span>"My name is Richard. I have four kids and I can tell you guys are great parents."</p> <p><span>"Patient and kind, the world needs that. Just wanted to say that. God Bless."</span></p> <p><span>The </span>emotional mother captioned the video, <span>"Be a Richard in a world of Karens."</span></p> <p><span>Lindsay posted a follow-up video explaining that her daughter Luna fought a difficult battle over several months with blood cancer, after passing away this July. </span></p> <p><span>Their older daughter, two-year-old Olive, was Luna's bone marrow donor.</span></p> <p><em>Image credit: TikTok</em></p>

International Travel

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New pop-up “Karen” restaurant delivers rude service on purpose

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A unique pop-up dining experience is set to open in October, with a very different and potentially divise gimmick. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Karen’s Diner will serve up American comfort dishes alongside terrible service and ‘Karen’ stereotypes. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The diner’s catchphrase, "Great Burgers &amp; Rude Service", has already started to create a buzz, as people anticipate their grand opening in Sydney this October. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The restaurant is the latest project from the Sydney-based experiential hospitality company, who have previously been behind Wonderland Bar — a Mad Hatter-themed pop-up.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The 1950s-style diner pokes fun at ‘cancel culture’ by flipping the golden rules of hospitality on its head. </span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844383/burgers.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c873ce11fa5b4295b174c7f61e365ccb" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: bemorekaren.com</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The tongue-in-cheek concept was inspired by the rise in complaining ‘Karens’ in popular culture, a pejorative trope referring to an entitled and privileged white woman, often seen demanding to "speak to the manager".</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As part of the unique dining experience, staff are encouraged to be rude to patrons, while customers can have fun and go along for the ride. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the controversial service, the creators of the venue have assured customers that the food will be of an extremely high quality, with a menu of comfort classics including burgers, wings, shakes and cocktails on offer. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Their menu items even feature Karen-themed names, with drink titles including 'The Music Is Too Loud’, ‘I’ve Been Waiting 10 Minutes for Some Service’, and ‘You’ve Just Lost My Business’.  </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There will also be a number of vegan and vegetarian options available for those with dietary requirements. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The hospitality group regularly works with actors, so their staff will definitely be brutal in their off-beat offences. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Viral Ventures co-founder Aden Levin says the concepts are all designed to be fun and offer customers "something they have never experienced before".</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Particularly after the last few months, we just want people to have fun and this is our approach to all our venues and pop-ups around Australia," he says.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information or to book a table, visit </span><a href="https://www.bemorekaren.com/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bemorekaren.com</span></a></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Shutterstock / bemorekaren.com</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Woman driven to tears by ungrateful "Karen" customer

<p><em>Image: TikTok</em></p> <p>A Queensland small business owner has been left in tears after a vegan ‘Karen’ customer sent her a rude email about a free lolly that was included in her order.</p> <p>Carissa Collins, founder of TLC Body, took to TikTok earlier this week sharing her feelings about the email.</p> <p>She has been adding lollies to her packages sent to her customers as a thoughtful gesture.</p> <p>“So once again I’m in a position where I will not be buying from you again because I no longer trust your word” the email read.</p> <p>“I don’t eat lollies – vegan or not – what do you think you are gaining by sending someone a bit of sugary junk in the first place? I’d rather pay less for my product than get something I never asked for or wanted”</p> <p>“If they were vegan I could have at least appreciated the thought”.</p> <p>The email from the customer ended with them saying they would never buy Collins again.</p> <p>In a teary video on TikTok, Collins shared the email, asking “when did it become okay to speak to people like this?”</p> <p>“I literally just received an email from a customer complaining about me giving them a lolly. A bloody lolly in their order”, Collins said in the video.</p> <p>“Honestly, how this email was worded, it was almost as if I had stabbed them or something. What the hell. I am trying to do a nice thing by giving free gifts with orders. If you don’t like a lolly, don’t eat it”.</p> <p>Following her video, Collins received a massive amount of support, with fellow TikTokers commending her for the “lovely gesture”.</p> <p>“This lady is clearly a Karen” one person said.</p> <p>“You don’t want customers like that, it’s a blessing in disguise, don’t let this put you down” another said.</p> <p>In a follow up video she said she has been blown away by support.</p> <p>“All I can say right now is wow these last two days have been crazy”.</p> <p>“I really want you guys to know I appreciate you so much, thank you for your support and kind words”.</p> <p>The young business owner says she will not let the customer get her down and will continue to throw free lollies in to her orders.</p>

Food & Wine

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The great car parking debate: is this allowed?

<p>A woman dubbed "Parking Karen" prevented a teenage driver in Queensland from parking by standing in an empty spot with a dog because she was holding the space for her husband.</p> <p>Taking to TikTok to post footage of the incident, Marli McLaren from Mooloolaba wrote: “Anyone else dealt with a Karen before? (She) tried to reserve a park by standing in it HAHA.”</p> <p>The video, which was posted on Wednesday, shows the woman in standing with her dog on a leash in the middle of a parking spot.</p> <p>“Please move,” the teenager can be heard saying to the woman, who initially ignores her and waves her husband’s car over.</p> <p>“I’m not moving, I’m sorry, you can’t do that,” the teenager says.</p> <p>Instead, the woman walks over and says, “is there any reason why you’re filming me?”</p> <p>“Because you can’t do that,” the teenager responds.</p> <p>The woman then says she is going to call the police.</p> <p>The video went viral, accumulating over 1000 comments and 60,000 views.</p> <p>“The dog would be so embarrassed,” one person wrote.</p> <p>“Nothing says ‘I lost the battle’ quite like calling the police over nothing,” another said.</p> <p>“OMG even at Mooloolaba! There’s so many Karens on the coast, it’s deadly,” a third joked.</p> <p>But some didn't have an issue with the woman claiming the space.</p> <p>“I would have just let her have it, some battles aren’t worth fighting,” one person wrote.</p> <p>Others branded the teenager as a "Karen" for not allowing the woman to take the spot.</p> <p>But some users couldn't believe people were defending "Parking Karen" and attacking the teenager.</p> <p>“It’s called a car park, meaning u get your car and park there - not a human park,” one observed.</p> <p>McLaren posted a follow-up video to explain what happened afterward.</p> <p>The woman didn't end up calling the police and ended up moving because her husband found another parking spot - but not before calling the teenager "immature" for recording her.</p> <p>“You handled it very well! That woman made my blood boil,” one person wrote.</p> <p>“Awesome work for holding your ground, these people are annoying,” another said.</p> <p>“How are you so much more mature than that lady holding the spot?” a third person asked.</p> <p>“Our future has a chance!”</p>

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Anti-masker “Karens” hurl abuse at IKEA staff members

<p>Two women have berated and hurled abuse at staff in a Sydney Ikea store following the NSW government’s decision to enforce wearing masks while in public spaces.</p> <p>One anti-masker captured a part of the encounter on camera, with both women telling staff to “shut up” when being asked to wear face masks while shopping.</p> <p>Both women adamantly refused to don masks and quickly the video clip was posted to Reddit by user@7thwardcharizard1 on Tuesday.</p> <p>The footage is captioned, “And it begins … the idiots are out in full force! I don’t know why I thought we in Sydney were better than this”.</p> <p>The two anti-masker women both insist on camera that they are exempt from wearing face masks while speaking to two staff members.</p> <p>One woman tells the workers: “Shut. Up. It’s the fourth time today”.</p> <p>The second woman says, “Yes it is … you know people have medical conditions, they have trauma, rape, abuse.</p> <p>“They have a multitude of reasons as to why they are exempt. It is part of the law. It is unnecessary, it is unnecessary to act this way.”</p> <p>The female Ikea worker turns her back to the women and her male colleague steps forward to say: “you don’t need to film her”.</p> <p>However, the anti-masker objects, saying: "I’m allowed to film her. It’s my right to film her.</p> <blockquote class="reddit-card" data-card-created="1609978688"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/sydney/comments/kqnxiq/yes_it_begins_the_idiots_are_out_in_full_force_i/">yes it begins.. the idiots are out in full force ! I don’t know why I thought we in Sydney were better then this.</a> from <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/sydney">r/sydney</a></blockquote> <p>“You need to understand. In your website … your website says we are exempt.”</p> <p>The other woman chimes in as well, saying “If I’m not wearing a mask, there is a reason. The website says …”</p> <p>The male worker then interrupts to say: “That’s fine” not long before the woman snaps, “Shush, don’t cut me off.</p> <p>“The website says if you cannot wear a mask, you don’t have to.</p> <p>“‘Clearly I’m not wearing it for a reason.”</p> <p>The other woman also chimed in to say, “Clearly you need to be informed of your own website. So you need to stop telling people to wear masks if they choose not.</p> <p>“End of. Shush.”</p> <p>The male staff member interjects to say: “It’s just what we’ve been told.”</p> <p>One of the women accused the workers of “harassment,” and urged them to “back off”.</p> <p>The video has attracted more than 300 comments on Reddit.</p> <p>“I think if someone had a legitimate exemption and quietly told the manager there would be no issue,” one person wrote.</p> <p>“These entitled f***ers were looking for a fight.”</p> <p>“The people working at the shops are just doing their jobs and following the new rules. These ladies are just acting entitled,” one person wrote.</p> <p>“I feel so bad for the workers that have to deal with this s**t now,” another added.</p> <p>“Putting others at risk and rattling on about abuse victims whilst they verbally abuse innocent people just doing their job. Disgusting,” another went on to write.</p> <p>Masks are mandated indoors across Great Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains in shops, businesses and on buses, trains, and in taxis and ride share vehicles.</p> <p>Non-mask wearers risk on-the-spot $200 fines, however only police have the ability to issue them.</p> <p>Children under 12 and people with certain medical conditions are exempt.</p>

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"Karen" caught on camera threatening fisherman

<p>A woman in the elite suburb of Birchgrove has been caught on video threatening a fisherman at Balmain Rowing Club by calling the police after a fish he caught died.</p> <p>Footage of the conflict was posted to YouTube on New Year's Eve and has been viewed almost 150,000 times.</p> <p>The woman has been labelled a "Karen", a popular term to describe people who often complain.</p> <p>The exchange, which occurred on a pier in Sydney's inner west, began when the young fisherman, who goes by the name Shroom on social media, was pulling on his fishing rod.</p> <p>A caption on the film says: “Despite my best efforts to release a fish that I caught it ended up floating later”.</p> <p>The middle-aged woman then walked up to Shroom and asks: “Why did you just kill that fish, and throw it back in and kill it?”</p> <p>Shroom says “I didn’t kill it,” to which the woman replies “you did so”.</p> <p>“I saw it and it’s floating, here,” she says, pointing past him.</p> <p>Shroom: “I tried to release it, but it didn’t release. I did not kill it.”</p> <p>Woman: “You did. I saw it here and it was flapping up and around. You’ve got a hide. Can I see your fishing licence please?”</p> <p>The woman then proceeds to film him on her phone.</p> <p>Shroom tells her he does have a fishing licence and that he will put her “on YouTube as well”, to which she says, “that’s okay”.</p> <p>“There’s nothing wrong that I’ve done, absolutely nothing wrong. I know my rules and …,” Shroom says as he reels in his line.</p> <p>The woman points and interrupts him as Shroom says, “that’s okay, that’s okay you can call the DPI now if you want, the Department of Primary Industries, you can give them a call”.</p> <p>The woman nods, and adds “and Balmain Police” and walks off back down the pier.</p> <p>He yells out at her, “you can do that”, to which she replies, “I will, I am, don’t you worry about it”.</p> <p>Viewers flocked to the comments to praise Shroom on his calm and collected response.</p> <p>“You handled that well mate. Some people just don’t have a clue,” one person said.</p> <p>Another wrote: “Some people just don’t get it mate. Handled well – be polite, let them call police or whatever. You knew you were in the right so may as well keep fishing.”</p> <p>Another posted: “Don’t understand what she’s trying to achieve … She’s gonna call the police &amp; say ‘old mate was fishing &amp; he released the fish but it died?!’ Cops will laugh at her.”</p> <p>One commenter joked, “she was saltier than the fish you just released. And gutted she could not ask to speak to your manager”.</p>

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Anti-mask “Karen” spits at cops when asked to cover her face

<p>An anti-mask “Karen” out walking her dog in Melbourne has spat at police after they asked her to cover her face.</p> <p>Police said the woman was walking her dog along the side of a road in the Bayside area on Wednesday when officers spotted her without a mask on.</p> <p>A spokeswoman for the police said she spat at the officers feet as they approached her.</p> <p>“Police directed her to go home and get her mask but she refused to comply and was issued with a fine,” the spokeswoman said.</p> <p>The vile act was one of 69 fines handed out to Victorians breaking the chief health officer’s restrictions in the past 24 hours.</p>

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