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"I am the Bicycle Bandit": Terminally-ill ex-cop confesses to 20-year-old mystery

<p>In a startling twist to a 20-year-old mystery, 73-year-old Kym Allen Parsons, a terminally-ill former police officer and firefighter, has admitted to being the notorious "Bicycle Bandit" who terrorised South Australian banks and residents for a decade.</p> <p>Parsons' confession came just days after receiving approval for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) and being provided with a VAD kit by SA Health.</p> <p>Parsons, who has stage 4 cancer and who had previously denied the charges, changed his plea to guilty during a Supreme Court session on Monday, ending years of speculation and investigation. His sudden admission of guilt follows a plea bargain brokered by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and his counsel after the VAD approval was granted.</p> <p>In a tearful apology read to the court, Parsons expressed deep remorse for his actions, acknowledging that his behaviour was both irrational and without excuse.</p> <p>"I have no excuse for my behaviour," he told the court. "My reasoning was illogical and irrational over that time, and over the past 10 years I have tried to rehabilitate, seek help and forgiveness and demonstrate my shame in distressing actions.</p> <p>"I was fearful of confessing my past and destroying their [my wife and family's] love and trust in the person they knew.</p> <p>"I do not expect your forgiveness, and I humbly ask you accept my sincerest apology and deepest remorse."</p> <p>Despite Parsons' request for bail ahead of his sentencing, Justice Sandi McDonald deemed his crimes too severe for continued freedom and ordered his immediate custody. His access to the VAD kit while in custody remains uncertain.</p> <p>The courtroom was filled with Parsons' victims and their supporters, many of whom had worked at the banks he robbed. Some were victimised multiple times. One victim described the lasting impact of being robbed at gunpoint, detailing the immense trauma and the development of an auto-immune disease likely induced by stress. Other victims recounted struggles with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and ongoing trust issues.</p> <p>Parsons had been scheduled for trial in February on charges of armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and firearms offences, with prosecutors alleging he stole over $250,000 from 11 banks between 2004 and 2014. DNA evidence was cited as a link to the crimes. His guilty plea and impending death are expected to ignite a legal battle over his $2.4 million estate, involving prosecutors, his heirs, and his victims.</p> <p>Previously, Parsons had been granted home detention due to his terminal stage 4 cancer diagnosis, after significant weight loss while in custody. His defence lawyer, James Marcus, stated that Parsons pleaded guilty to provide closure to the victims and their families.</p> <p>Parsons' sentencing is scheduled for June 28, marking the conclusion of a complex and emotional case that has gripped the state for years.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC News / SA Police</em></p>

Legal

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Allen’s drop lollies inspired by iconic Kirks soft drinks

<p dir="ltr">Two iconic brands have teamed up to bring Aussies an interesting sweet treat.</p> <h4 dir="ltr">Introducing: Allen’s gummy candy inspired by Kirks soft drinks.</h4> <p dir="ltr">The collaboration is inspired by Kirks Classic Pasito, Creaming Soda and Lemonade flavoured drinks.</p> <p dir="ltr">The lollies come in a 170g pack for $3.60 from all major supermarkets and convenience stores from late-August 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans of the brands were immediately thrilled by the news, as the Nestlé Head of Marketing Confectionery Joyce Tan said, “We’re so excited to introduce Allen’s Inspired by Kirks as a celebration of party memories.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“So many Aussies share moments of Kirks soda flavours and Allen’s lollies at their social celebrations – and now we’ve brought these icons together for the ultimate classic party combo.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve been making lollies here in Victoria since 1891 and with each new creation we hope each bite transports lolly lovers back to those shared moments and brings a smile to their face.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Kirks Senior Brand Manager Catalina Pachon said, “We’re thrilled to partner with Allen’s who celebrate and love sharing moments together, just like Kirks.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These new lollies are inspired by Kirks favourite flavours which are well-known by generations of Australians.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3b2817da-7fff-1502-a596-5ae1d2447da5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">It’s not the first iconic collaboration Nestlé has released in recent weeks, with the recent KitKat Milo flying off shelves across the country.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Allen's</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Kirstie Alley slammed over deleted Ukraine tweet

<p>Ballroom dancing champion and former Dancing With the Stars contestant Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who’s been posting live updates from inside war-torn Ukraine, has called out Kirstie Alley for tweeting that she doesn’t know what’s “real” and “fake” about Russia invading his home country.</p> <p>Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who’s been posting live updates from Ukraine has called out Kirstie Alley for tweeting she doesn’t know what’s “real” and “fake” about Russia invading his home country.</p> <p>“I don’t know what’s real or what is fake in this war. So I won’t be commenting. I’ll pray instead,” Alley wrote in a since-deleted tweet.</p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/New-Project-3.jpg" alt="" width="585" height="503" /></p> <p>Chmerkovskiy then posted a screenshot of the tweet, writing, “Dear Kirstie, We haven’t spoken in a while, but I clearly remember being right next to you while you were organising trucks of aid during hurricane Sandy and I remember all that you were saying to me about situations where innocent are suffering.”</p> <p>“That same energy is needed right now.”</p> <p>He added, “No one needs your prayer if you don’t know what’s real or fake.”</p> <p>The US Dancing With the Stars alum has been in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, as Russia’s attacks on the country continue.</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">“I’m safe,” he assured fans on Friday. “We haven’t been told to move, and I’m just following instructions. That’s all I can say.” He also shared that citizens are “being mobilised” and “the whole country is being called to go to war.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">It’s unclear if he was including himself in that, but it’s unlikely as he became a US citizen in 2019. The pro dancer’s wife Peta Murgatroyd who’s also a <em style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;">DWTS</em> alum pleaded on social media for his safe return.</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">Meanwhile, Alley took down the tweet and posted instead, “I’m sorry that I’m not an expert on APPARENTLY EVERYTHING. like some of you jack wagons. It’s OK to admit you don’t know things.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">She added, “OMG people are obsessed with hatred. they wait to pounce like rabid dogs no matter what is said. They will TWIST any words to fit their hateful agendas. I think these type of people are the saddest people on Earth.”</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;">However, it only took a few days before she was posting links to her 1.5 million followers of places they can donate to help Ukraine.</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"> </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"><em>Images: Twitter &amp; Getty </em></p>

News

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Lily Allen shares rare snaps of her daughters as flower girls

<p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p> <p>Lily Allen has celebrated her first wedding anniversary with stranger things actor David Harbour.</p> <p>Marking this special occasion, the singer shared a video of the couple enjoying a romantic dinner, while also posting never before seen photos taken from their Las Vegas wedding.</p> <p>“1 year down with this guy. Happy Anniversary baby @dkharbour. I prefer my life with you in it. You can stay” Lily captioned the post with. Among these shared images were photos of Allen’s two daughters – Ethel and Marnie who were flower girls on the big day.</p> <p>In the sweet snap, the girls, who Lily Allen shares with ex-husband Sam Cooper, were dressed in cute matching pink ruffled dresses as they pink and orange roses.</p> <p>Allen wore a short blazer dress with a veil and the newlyweds then took Ethel and Marnie for a bite to eat at In-N-out burgers, which they then went on to eat in a car park.</p> <p>David Harbour wrote on Instagram “in a wedding officiated by the king himself, the people’s princess wed her devoted, low born, but kind credit card holder in a beautiful ceremony lit by the ashen skies courtesy of a burning state miles away in the midst of a global pandemic”. At the time he shared photos from the ceremony and car park reception.<br /><br />“Refreshments were served at a small reception following”.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7KngMnprf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7KngMnprf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by David Harbour (@dkharbour)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The couple went public with their relationship in 2019 after they were seen catching a West End production of The Lehman Trilogy. A photo of the couple sharing a kiss followed in New York at Madison Square Garden later that year before they made their red-carpet debut at the SAG awards in LA in January 2020.</p>

Family & Pets

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"Hits you like a jolt": Politician shares warning signs she ignored before heartbreaking diagnosis

<p>New Zealand’s minister for Emergency Management made a stark confession just weeks after addressing the nation in the face of a major tsunami and earthquake threat.</p> <p>Not many saw or knew of Kiri Allen’s personal struggles, that is until she revealed she had been diagnosed with stage 3 cervical cancer in a raw and emotional Facebook post.</p> <p>Addressing her 20,000 followers, the politician admitted that just a day before the earthquakes, her doctors told her they had found a 3cm growth.</p> <p>"I found myself managing the earthquakes early morning, then headed to the hospital for another ultra sound at about 8am, just before the large evacuation notice. Poor timing," she wrote.</p> <p>"This was a longer ultra-scan then the previous day and they took a number of smears and biopsies as well. They found the growth was approximately 6cm but likely benign."</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840579/kiri-allen-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6ff79e4478cd48929338659687ef0e07" /></p> <p>The Labor MP said she’d had a consistent pain in her back, stomach and legs that concerned her to begin with.</p> <p>"I put it down to lots of driving, working long hours and the general stress of campaigns etc - so, I got my partner to give me a few mirimiri and forgot about it," she wrote.</p> <p>"Earlier this year, I realised I was finding it hard to sit for a lengthy period of time. Always in a bit of pain. I started running to try and move the lower back area a little bit. Nothing seemed to take the pain away. In late January I started menstruating and it didn't stop."</p> <p>The politician admitted to taking a "see no evil, hear no evil" approach to pap smears.</p> <p>"In hindsight, there were lots of opportunities to go touch base with a doctor. But I didn't. I put it down to work, and was on the go, and 'that stuff usually sorts itself out'," she wrote.</p> <p>However, after Allen revealed her situation to Ayesha Verrall, a colleague, friend and doctor, about whether the bleeding was "a little odd", she was hit with a serious reality check.</p> <p>"She asked a few more questions and I told her about the pain. She urged me, pleaded with me, 'Kiri, please, please, please prioritise this and go to the doctor tomorrow'.</p> <p>“She made some recommendations and the next day I found myself having an ultrasound'," Allan wrote.</p> <p>Allan said a week later, she received a call telling her that the pap smear had shown an abnormal result and she required a colposcopy.</p> <p>"It sounded OK, my cousin had had one and it was just a precautionary thing I thought. I told my family and they called the Dr to ask a few questions. She was amazing and took my family's call to explain the process," Allan wrote.</p> <p>She found out a few days later the lifechanging news.</p> <p>"I called back, going down the escalator stairs and the sound was rubbish. I skirted off to a corner to take the call properly, expecting good news," Allan wrote.</p> <p>"However, my kind doctor, who had been so incredible and taken calls from my family in the evenings, called to say the colposcopy had revealed I had cervical cancer.</p> <p>"The 'C' word hits you like a jolt I had never experienced. I gripped the wall in the airport."</p> <p>Allan told readers that she had confided in her parents over the phone while on the way to an event.</p> <p>"I lost it. In the car. On the way to the event. Huia's intuition kicked in, cancelling the event while I fell apart in the car. I was dropped at my parents place," Allan wrote.</p> <p>She spent the night surrounded by family and her partner, crying and watching TV.</p> <p>Allan said she cried telling New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern about her diagnosis.</p> <p>"Her words were profound. I'll always have so much respect for the way she's dealt with me over this past couple of weeks or so. A text away – always," Allan wrote.</p> <p>Ardern said she was left "gutted" by Allan's news, but was “also so heartened by the character, the person that Kiri is.</p> <p>"Right from the outset, she's shown a level of determination to focus on her health and wellbeing. But to ultimately come back and be a part of the team again.</p> <p>"Our focus now, as her colleagues and friends, are to make sure she looks after herself first and foremost, and that we're here ready and waiting when she's able to return."</p> <p>Allan revealed that she would be taking medical leave to focus on her health.</p> <p>"I've told a few folks by now, and often the question is, 'is there anything I can do?' My answer now is yes," Allan wrote.</p> <p>"Please, please, please - encourage your sisters, your mothers, your daughters, your friends - please #SmearYourMea - it may save your life - and we need you right here."</p>

News

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Woody Allen addresses allegations in first interview in 30 years

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Woody Allen has spoken out for the first time in 30 years about the allegations against him as well as his relationship with his wife Soon-Yi Previn.</p> <p>Allen, 85, spoke with<span> </span><em>CBS Sunday Morning</em><span> </span>for his first in-depth on-camera interview in three decades.</p> <p>He addresses the allegations brought against him by his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow who claims that Allen molested her when she was seven years old.</p> <p>Allen denied there being truth to the claims but he doesn't think Dylan is lying either.</p> <p>“I believe she thinks it,” Allen says (via<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://deadline.com/2021/03/woody-allen-cbs-sunday-morning-dylan-farrow-allegations-interview-1234723415/" target="_blank"><em>Deadline</em></a>). “She was a good kid. I do not believe that she’s making it up. I don’t believe she’s lying. I believe she believes that.”</p> <p>Allen has implied in the past that Dylan has been misled to believe something happened when Allen says it didn't as the claims came out during a heated custody battle with his ex Mia Farrow in 1992.</p> <p>“It’s so preposterous, and yet the smear has remained,” Allen says in the interview.</p> <p>“And they still prefer to cling to, if not the notion that I molested Dylan, the possibility that I molested her.</p> <p>“Nothing that I ever did with Dylan in my life could be misconstrued as that.”</p> <p>He continues: “There was no logic to it, on the face of it. Why would a guy who’s 57 years old and never accused of anything in my life, I’m suddenly going to drive up in the middle of a contentious custody fight at Mia’s country home (with) a 7-year-old girl. It just – on the surface, I didn’t think it required any investigation, even.”</p> <p>The interview also discussed his relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, which has been controversial since it began. The pair met when Soon-Yi was the adoptive daughter of Mia Farrow and the pair began a relationship despite their 35-year age difference.</p> <p>“I would say, the many women I’ve dated in my life — many women — they were all what the appropriate police would call appropriate, age-appropriate,” he explained.</p> <p>“Diane Keaton, Mia Farrow, (second wife), Louise Lasser, my first wife … until Soon-Yi, which is unusual for me.</p> <p>“If you had told me that I was going to wind up married — happily married — to an Asian woman, much younger than me, not in show business, I would have said, ‘Well, the odds of that are very slim. I don’t think you’re going to be right.’ But that’s what happened.”</p> <p>He addressed that the way they met was unusual but said that they came together in a less scandalous way than people think.</p> <p>“I never slept at Mia’s house in all the years I went out with her,” Allen told Cowan.</p> <p>“We had a relationship but there was never gonna be a marital relationship … It got to be a relationship of convenience after a while.”</p> <p>He noted that “the last thing in the world that anybody wanted was to hurt anybody’s feelings.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

TV

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Jim Parsons finally reveals why he quit the Big Bang Theory

<p>Jim Parsons opened about the “intense summer” that made him realise it was time to step away from his starring role on<span> </span><em>The Big Bang Theory</em>.</p> <p>The 47-year-old actor played Sheldon Cooper for 12 seasons on the show before he decided it was time to say goodbye, a decision that ended the show in 2019.</p> <p>Now he’s revealed why. Appearing on<span> </span><em>David Tennant Does A Podcast With …</em><span> </span>Parsons spoke about the reason for his departure.</p> <p>It turns out that a particularly tough summer spent in New York City gave him a moment of “clarity”.</p> <p>After finishing Season 11 in summer 2018, he moved to New York to appear in<span> </span><em>The Boys In The Band on Broadway</em>. He also agreed to film a commercial for Intel. On his way to the commercial shoot, he noticed his dog had become “gravely ill”.</p> <p>“He just looked so bad and I was so tired and I just started crying,” he told the host. “I was like, ‘This dog’s going to die while I’m off working and I feel so bad.’”</p> <p>In the end, he and his husband, Todd Spiewak made the tough decision to put their dog down so he would no longer be in pain. He spent the next few days in a dark place, realising something needed to change in his life, but not being sure what.</p> <p>To top it off, he slipped and broke his foot. He felt one bad thing was happening after the other, which is when Parsons had a moment of “clarity” that the change in his life was bidding farewell to<span> </span><em>Big Bang Theory</em>.</p> <p>“The bottom line was that it was a really intense summer,” he said. “The dog passing away, he was 14, and Todd and I had been together for 15 years at that point, so it just was the end of an era.</p> <p>“I had this moment of clarity that I think you’re very fortunate to get in a lot of ways, of going, ‘Don’t keep speeding by.’ You know? ‘Use this time to take a look around.’ And I did,” he said. “I was like, ‘I gotta make a move.’”</p> <p>His father died at the age of 52, and he came to a realisation that he would be 46 by the time Season 12 ended, which he was contractually obligated for. </p> <p>Parsons then spent some time thinking how he would want to spend the next six years.</p> <p>“I’m not superstitious or anything like that. It was just a context thing,” he told Tennant.</p> <p>When he returned to Los Angeles, he broke the news to Big Bang Theory writers Chuck Lorre and Steven Molaro that he would not entertain the idea of a Season 13.</p> <p>Lorre explained that he considered moving the show forward without Sheldon, but ultimately decided not to.</p>

TV

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MasterChef star slams Andy Allen’s “frustrating” feedback

<p><span>The new </span><em>MasterChef Australia</em><span> judges have been receiving plenty of praise from fans.</span></p> <p><span>But eliminated contestant Chris Badenoch isn’t entirely impressed by Andy Allen, who won the 2012 season of the cooking show.</span></p> <p><span>Speaking to </span><em>News.com.au</em><span>, Chris criticised the judge and said his feedback “makes no sense” – and even compared it to a speech by U.S. president Donald Trump.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s not feedback, it’s just a collection of words that make no sense,” he said.</span></p> <p><span>“He’s commented on things that I’ve cooked and when he’s walked away it’s like, ‘I have no idea what he said or what he meant.’ You almost need subtitles. I don’t get it!”</span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAAkdmNFLYb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAAkdmNFLYb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">So long, and thanks for all the fish 🐟 @masterchefau #masterchefau #masterchef #backtoloose #vego #vegetarian #yumsticks</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/chrisbadenoch/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Chris Badenoch</a> (@chrisbadenoch) on May 10, 2020 at 6:24am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span>Chris, who was the seventh to be eliminated from the new season, added that he didn’t have any problems with Melissa Leong or Jock Zonfrillo’s feedback but said Andy’s reminded him of Donald Trump.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s incredibly frustration. Jock or Melissa will give you a good critique … [but Andy] it’s not constructive,” he said.</span></p> <p><span>“It’s like a Trump speech; a whole lot of words that don’t match.”</span></p> <p><span>Chris did say that his comments shouldn’t be taken too seriously, adding: “It’s a reality TV show for Christ’s sake, have some fun!”</span></p> <p><span>Despite the criticism, Andy and his fellow judges have been a huge success on this years season of </span><em>MasterChef</em><span>.</span></p> <p><span>One fan wrote on Facebook that the show was “much better to watch” without the original judges, Matt Preston, Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris.</span></p> <p><span>“No, don’t miss them at all. I love the new judges, the show is so far much better to watch,” they wrote.</span></p> <p><span>Another said the new hosts were “the freshness the show needed”.</span></p>

Food & Wine

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MasterChef judge Andy Allen shares secret to “restaurant quality” scrambled eggs

<p>MasterChef Australia judge Andy Allen has shared his cooking tricks to make the perfect “restaurant-quality” scrambled eggs in just 10 seconds.</p> <p>The co-owner of Three Blue Ducks said that how he makes scrambled eggs for breakfast is one of the most common questions he gets asked.</p> <p>You only need three simple ingredients, which are eggs, salt and oil.</p> <p>“We call them ‘the 10 second eggs’,” Andy said in a 'how-to' MasterChef video.</p> <p>To make one serve of fluffy scrambled eggs, he whisked two eggs in a bowl and seasoned them with a pinch of salt after the eggs have a “smooth” consistency.</p> <p>“Here's the trick, we want a nice hot pan,” Andy explained.</p> <p>“I'm using grape seed oil, which has got a high smoke point. You can also use rice bran or vegetable oil,” Andy said.</p> <p>“We want to stay away from olive oil for this [dish] because we put the eggs in just before our oil starts to smoke.”</p> <p>Andy then poured the mixture into the pan over high heat, and as the curds started to form, he expertly used a silicone spatula to move the eggs around.</p> <p>“Have your spatula ready because this only takes 10 seconds,” he said.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height:0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836330/egg-hack-body.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3f69df1d451e4e90a99cfc2bc0082abc" /></p> <div class="body_text "> <p>“Eggs in to a nice hot pan... you can see that they're just starting to cook around the outside, and in one kind of big smooth motion, we're just moving the eggs.”</p> <p>After 10 seconds, Andy said you should see the eggs are “just set”.</p> <p>“We take them out [of the pan],” he said.</p> <p>“There it is, 10 second eggs, no excuses. All you'll need is a hot pan, two eggs and 10 seconds, everyone can do that,” he added.</p> <p><em>Photo credits: Ten</em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

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Matt Preston announces new job just days after announcing he quit MasterChef

<p>It’s only been days since Network 10 announced the<span> </span><em>MasterChef Australia </em>trio are leaving the long-running series, but Matt Preston has another job already lined up.</p> <p>The judge, known for his outlandish fashion sense and pocket squares, shared with his fans on social media that he will be <span>returning to work in a slightly different capacity than fans are used to seeing him, as he’s going to be on ABC Melbourne’s breakfast show with Jacinta Parsons.</span></p> <p>Matt took to Instagram on Thursday, writing: <span>“Looking forward to guesting on #ABCMelbourne's breakfast show next week with Jacinta Parsons." </span></p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0UOqsagp6e/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0UOqsagp6e/" target="_blank">⏰ Looking forward to guesting on #ABCMelbourne’s breakfast show next week with @jacintaparsons. We'll be on air from 5.30am, Monday-Friday ⏰</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mattscravat/" target="_blank"> Matt Preston</a> (@mattscravat) on Jul 24, 2019 at 3:21pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>It means the TV star will have a very early wakeup call, as the show airs from 5:30 am Monday through Friday.</p> <p>Fans were sympathetic to Matt’s new early start. <span>One Instagram follower commented, “5:30 – yeesh!”</span></p> <p>Meanwhile, Jacinta couldn’t be more thrilled with her new co-host, as she penned a tweet sharing the news.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Guess who’s coming to dinner?! <a href="https://twitter.com/MattsCravat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MattsCravat</a> is co-hosting <a href="https://twitter.com/abcmelbourne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abcmelbourne</a> Breakfast all week while <a href="https://twitter.com/samishah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@samishah</a> takes a ‘well-earned break’? <a href="https://t.co/uzz5HE4XhJ">https://t.co/uzz5HE4XhJ</a></p> — Jacinta Parsons (@Jacinta_Parsons) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jacinta_Parsons/status/1154151636811599872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 24, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Matt is filling in for the show’s co-host Sami Shah as he takes a “well deserved break”, according to Jacinta. </p>

Money & Banking

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Tim Allen’s dark past: How he almost served a life sentence in prison

<p>Apart from the Hollywood glamour that surrounds <em>Toy Story </em>star Tim Allen, it may be difficult to believe he lived a much different life over 40 years ago – one so different, he almost served a life sentence in prison.</p> <p>The 66-year-old was only 25 when he was arrested at Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport for attempting to sell cocaine to an undercover officer.</p> <p>It was revealed the young and brooding Allen had over 650 grams of the illegal drug in possession, which is more than enough to earn a hefty life sentence.</p> <p>He pled guilty and gave the names of other dealers in exchange for a sentence of three to seven years instead of the life imprisonment he was facing.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByqvdCwjtff/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByqvdCwjtff/" target="_blank">A post shared by Jeremiah Daniel Rodriguez (@aspecialautisticteenager)</a> on Jun 13, 2019 at 4:08pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“It put me in a position of great humility, and I was able to make amends to friends and family and refocus my life on setting and achieving goals.” the actor told <em><a rel="noopener" href="http://www.closerweekly.com/posts/tim-allen-life-128954" target="_blank">Closer</a> </em>in 2017.</p> <p>“I’m not the same guy I was the first time [I was married], when I was hiding and doing what people who drink too much do. I was not connecting.”</p> <p>The star spent two years and four months in a federal prison following his 1978 arrest.</p> <p>Allen was married to Laura Deibel from 1984 to 1999 and they share a 21-year-old daughter, Katherine.</p> <p>He married Jane Hajduk in 2006 and they have an 11-year-old daughter, Elizabeth.</p> <p> </p>

Movies

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Why Betty White never remarried after her third husband

<p>Betty White has won over audiences worldwide with her sense of humour in shows such as <em>The Golden Girls</em> and <em>The Mary Tyler Moore Show.</em> The 95-year-old star also has a love story that is just as stunning as her on-screen performances.</p> <p>Betty was married twice before she met the love of her life, game show host Allen Ludden. In 1945, she married US army pilot Dick Barker and in 1947 she wed Hollywood agent Lane Allen, but the pair were divorced by 1949. The actress has said that neither of her first two marriages compare to her relationship with Allen.</p> <p>When Betty was 39 she met Allen, a widower and father of three, when she appeared on his game show <em>Password</em>. Betty was “going steady” with someone else at the time and didn’t see a future for herself in New York where Allen filmed his show, however, the pair quickly fell in love. Betty refused Allen’s proposal twice but he persisted and even wore the engagement ring on a chain around his neck until she agreed to marry him. They were married in 1963.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="500" height="649" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/38008/in-text-betty_500x649.jpg" alt="In Text Betty"/></p> <p>The pair enjoyed 18 years of wedded bliss until 1981 when Allen devastatingly passed away from stomach cancer. When asked if she would ever marry again, Betty told the<em> Daily Mail</em>, “Once you've had the best, who needs the rest?”</p> <p>"I made two mistakes before Allen, but the love of your life doesn't come along in every life, so I am very grateful that I found him."</p> <p>"I had 18 wonderful years with Allen Ludden," she told Piers Morgan. "The first two were rehearsals."</p> <p>In 2015, Betty told Oprah that her biggest regret was not accepting Allen’s first proposal.</p> <p>“I spent a whole year, wasted a whole year that Allen and I could have had together, saying, 'No, I wouldn't marry him,'" she told Oprah on <em>Where Are They Now</em>. "I wasted a whole year we could have had together, but we made it. We finally did."</p> <p>Their love story is forever immortalised with side-by-side stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.</p>

Relationships

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BREAKING: Tragic news for Mia Farrow

<p>Mia Farrow’s son Thaddeus Farrow has sadly passed away this morning after being found "gravely injured" in his vehicle earlier today.</p> <p>Thaddeus was reportedly taken to Danbury Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2.30pm. While specific details regarding the accident are yet to have been released, police have stated that there “was no criminal aspect” to the incident.</p> <p><img width="500" height="550" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/27861/mia-farrow-in-text_500x550.jpg" alt="Mia -Farrow -In -text" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Thaddeus was adopted by Farrow in 1994 from Calcutta, India, after the 79-year-old actress had separated from her then partner Woody Allen. </p> <p><span>Thaddeus was a paraplegic, having suffered from polio in his younger years. </span></p> <p>Our thoughts are with Farrow and her family at this difficult time.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2015/11/facts-about-sound-of-music/"><strong>6 little known facts about The Sound of Music</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/06/15-most-unconventional-celebrity-wedding-dresses/"><strong>15 most unconventional celebrity wedding dresses</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/news/news/2015/10/frank-sinatra-son-biography/"><strong>New book claims that Ronan Farrow couldn’t be Frank Sinatra’s biological son</strong></a></em></span></p>

News

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Guess which Allen’s lollies will now have its own pack

<p>The Allen’s family may have let go of spearmint leaves and green frogs, but the confectionary giant has finally introduced individual packs for a fan-favourite lolly: the Peaches &amp; Cream sweet.</p> <p>Peaches &amp; Cream lover Georgia Faith took to Facebook to plead with the manufacturer about the dearth of Peaches &amp; Cream lollies that can only be found within Party Mix Packs.</p> <p>“For the benefit of your company, and for the benefit of the nation, I sincerely urge you to please bag these peachy bites of perfection on their own,” she pleaded.</p> <p>“I’m tired of the disappointment that comes with opening a bag of party mix to find a mere three of them to satisfy my craving.”</p> <p>Allen’s listened and started a nationwide competition. They pitted three Party Mix favourite lollies against each other, asking Australia to cast their vote on which lolly they believed deserved to fly solo. The choice was between Peaches &amp; Cream, Retro Racing Cars and Black Cats.</p> <p><img width="470" height="353" src="http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/48648499dbfb5d58612f66d1dbd17497" class="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p>Naturally, Peaches &amp; Cream took the spot with 60 per cent of votes. Racing Cars came seconds and Black Cats third.</p> <p> “While thousands took to social media to campaign for their favourite lolly, Peaches &amp; Cream fans were the most vocal, helping to drive it to the top of the competition with 59 per cent of the votes,” Nestlé general manager of confectionery Martin Brown said in a statement.</p> <p>“Introduced in 1975, Peaches &amp; Cream has always been a party pleaser for its fluffy creamy-flavoured base and peachy flavoured jelly top.”</p> <p>The bags of Peaches &amp; Cream will be available from March.</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/07/vegan-surgeon-diet/">100 year old surgeon credits veganism for long life</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/health/body/2016/01/study-finds-mirrors-make-junk-food-less-appealing/">Study find mirrors make junk food less appealing</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/health/body/2015/12/7-common-lies-about-fat/">7 common lies about fat</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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Allen’s bring back discontinued old-school lollies

<p>Their fate was sealed in 2004 when Allen’s announced it was ditching Jelly Tots and Tangy Tots from the shelves, but due to successful social campaign on Facebook, Australia’s largest confectionary manufacturer has caved to pressure and announced they’re bringing back the family favourites back.</p> <p>In a statement Allen’s says the two lollies will come back with no artificial colours (so we <em>were</em> eating artificial colours before?) and with portion advice on the pack to better help customers manage their energy intake.</p> <p>“Treats are OK, in moderation. It’s important to understand portions, so that you can make good decisions when it comes to the foods you eat,” said practising dietitian and Allen’s spokeswoman Nicole Senior.</p> <p>Allen’s <em>new</em> Jelly Tots and Tangy Tots will be in stores in Australia from August 2015. Now let’s bring back Spearmint Leaves!</p> <p><strong>Related links: </strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/08/coffee-machine-germs-study/">Coffee machines harbour alarming germs</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/08/mother-style-tips/">The things our mothers taught us about style that are actually true</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/08/great-grandma-feeds-poor-kids/">Retired great-grandma feeds less-fortunate kids</a> </em></strong></span></p>

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Say goodbye to your favourite Allen’s lollies

<p>You know us – we’re all for healthy eating and staying in control of what goes into our bodies. But, if you pay careful attention to our <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Food </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">&amp; Wine section</span></strong></a>, you may also have noticed that we have a weakness for sweet treats and <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/Oversixty60/desserts/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">yummy desserts</span>.</strong></a> So we were slightly distressed when confectionary company Allen’s announced recently that they had axed several of their classic lines.</p> <p>Among the sweets to get the chop were the Spearmint Leaves and Green Frogs – announcements that has us seeing green. Margaret Stuart, a spokesperson for Allen’s parent company Nestle, has revealed that the company is surprised by the passion for Spearmint Leaves. “If (a product) is not selling, it makes no sense to continue it.”</p> <p>The Allen’s Facebook page was inundated with complaints and requests to restore the beloved sugary treats to supermarket shelves, while several online petitions are gaining momentum. Some fans have suggested the Spearmint Leaves be brought back at year’s end as a “limited edition Christmas treat.”</p> <p>The move follows recent changes that saw a considerable reduction in size of the famous Killer Python snake, and moves by rival Cadbury to also downsize their own products.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/06/older-women-most-at-risk-of-internet-scams/">A study has found older women to be the most at risk for online scams</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/06/stationmaster-cat-mourned-by-thousands/">Thousands turned up to mourn this stationmaster cat</a></em></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em><a href="/news/news/2015/06/singing-fights-off-dementia/">Singing showtunes could help fight off dementia</a></em></strong></span></p>

News

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A guide to brightening your home for winter

<p>As the temperature drops and the days become shorter and darker, keeping the winter blues at bay is essential to staying happy and healthy. Here, Michelle Greeves, the creative director at Charles Parsons Interiors, shares her top five tips on how to keep your home bright and light this winter:</p><p><strong>Colour pop</strong><br>"Create a warming and welcoming space in your lounge by putting together a decorative table centrepiece filled with candles and bright flowers of your choice. The candles will not only create a warming feel but if you opt for scented ones, they will impart the smell of spring. Complement the scene with a beautiful table runner in a luxurious fabric to add the perfect finishing touch."</p><p>Note: Diptqyue candles like the Feu de Bois (6), $78, are a super indulgent way to light up your home and impart a warming scent into your space. Available at Mecca Cosmetica.</p><p><strong>All white now</strong><br>"Re-decorating or adding a splash of white paint throughout your home will create a more open and airy feel.&nbsp;For a quick fix, however, filling your home with white cushions, curtains, rugs, blankets and furniture will immediately make your home seem lighter and brighter. Use different textures to create depth and warmth in the mix, like the Shimmer Ivory Cushion (4), $52.95 and the Leon Cushion (2), $31.95 (both by Rapee)."</p><p><strong>In full bloom</strong><br>"Fresh flowers in bright colours, like pink or orange, will instantly uplift a room and create the feeling of a loved home. If, like me, you prefer not to replace flowers every few days, opt for something in a floral print. Curtains or cushions work well and will ensure your home stays in summer-mode all year round."</p><p>Note: Plants (1), real or fake, are a great way to bring of the outdoors in and add colour and texture to your interiors.</p><p><strong>Sorbet shades</strong><br>"Pastels and candy colours are on-trend in fashion and make-up through to interiors.&nbsp;Go for a modern twist on a classic colour combination by adding it to your home for a light-hearted feel. After all, what is more uplifting than the reminder of the childhood treats like fairy floss, sherbet and mints? Make a statement with reupholstered chairs in a dreamy blue or scatter a selection of cushions in various light hues to add pastel highlights to a room."</p><p><strong>Shimmer and shine</strong><br>"Eye-catching items that shimmer and sparkle will&nbsp;add a touch of glamour to your living areas for the winter months. Not only will these unique pieces demand attention, they will reflect the light and brighten your home. Stick to monochrome for a chic, elegant feel. Check out the Electric White shimmer cushion (3), $45 and Electric Throw rug (5), $66 (both by Rapee)."</p><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Home & Garden

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