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7 tips for matching wine with food

<p>Food and wine matching is the perfect way to enhance the flavours of your meal, and while the people who get paid to do if for a living would have you think it’s a complex science, it’s actually not too hard to do. Here’s a simple seven-step guide to get you started as a food/wine-matching expert!</p> <p><strong>1. Sweet with heat</strong> – Wines that have a little bit of residual sugar (like a German Riesling) combine really well with spicy foods. This is because as the residual sugar enters your mouth it actually cools down spice in your food and creates a balance that allows you to savour the flavour.  </p> <p><strong>2. Smoke with oak</strong> – When cooking foods that have been grilled or charred, you really want to be looking for a wine that has been aged in oak barrels. Oaked wines tend to be a little more intense, so they need to be matched with grilled/charred foods that can match and bring out the fruit flavours.</p> <p><strong>3. Match flavours and textures</strong> – Similar flavours and textures go well together, as you’d imagine. Just as rich foods suit rich wines, mild foods go well with mild wines and as a general rule when food and wine possess similar qualities they can complement each other and enhance common flavours.</p> <p><strong>4. Fats with acid and tannins</strong> – Wines that are high in acid (Sauvignon Blanc) or tannin (Cabernet Sauvignon) go well with fried or fatty foods and help round out the flavours in your mouth. It also acts as a palate cleanser and creates balance between the rich/oily foods and the wine.</p> <p><strong>5. Sweet with salt</strong> – As anyone who’s ever combined blue cheese with port would agree. The combination will bring out the fruity taste in sweet wine and the savoury taste in salty foods. So yeah, you’re completely justified with your pairing of a bottle of Moscato with a packet of Cheezels.</p> <p><strong>6. Sweet with sweet</strong> – But as anyone who’s had ice cream served with another variety of ice cream would agree two sweet things can make a very sweet thing. Sweet wines can help bring out the flavours in the food. Just take care to make sure the wine is sweeter than the food is.</p> <p><strong>7. If it grows together, it goes together</strong> – Hey, there’s a reason why you generally don’t have stein of lager with a bowl of risotto. Foods and wines of a particular ethnicity or region usually work together like clockwork and naturally have flavours and textures that work well in combination. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Albo and Waleed Aly descend into shouting match

<p>In a fiery live TV interview, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese engaged in a clash with Waleed Aly from <em>The Project</em>, as he faced tough questions regarding a contentious housing policy related to rent caps.</p> <p>During the interview, Mr Albanese found himself caught in the middle of a political dispute between the Labor party and the Greens. The minor party was holding a significant housing policy, which proposes rent caps, as a bargaining chip for the passage of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) in the senate.</p> <p>Refusing to rule out the possibility of an early election should the Greens block the bill, the Prime Minister faced Aly's scrutiny about the Greens' demands. Aly pointed out that the Greens were requesting the government to allocate $2.5 billion to incentivise rent caps rather than enforce legislative changes, as certain aspects, like rent caps, fall within the jurisdiction of state governments.</p> <p>“The problem with that Waleed is that we put $2bn on the table for states and territories in June,” countered Mr Albanese.</p> <p>The pair then went back and forth shouting over each other for 20 seconds before Aly cut in with his question: “Are you philosophically opposed to the rent caps and the idea of capping rent increases … and therefore won’t use your megaphone for it?”</p> <p>Mr Albanese began to answer before he turned on the host.</p> <p>“Waleed, that’s not the question. The question here is states and territories will look at measures for renters and renters rights” he said.</p> <p>“I want to see increased renters rights, if that’s what you’re asking me, but there are six states and two territories, all whom have different systems in place.”</p> <p>Despite Aly's persistence, a clear answer regarding the Prime Minister's stance on rent caps remained elusive, and the conversation shifted to another contentious topic – the recent deaths of four Australian soldiers in a helicopter accident in Queensland.</p> <p>Aly probed whether Australia had a habit of paying a premium for subpar military equipment, to which Mr Albanese redirected the discussion by emphasising the importance of respecting the families who had lost their loved ones that day.</p> <p>When Aly pressed further, suggesting that the families of defence force members deserved answers, Mr Albanese reassured that an appropriate investigation would take place, and necessary actions would be taken but stated that it was not the day for speculation on the matter.</p> <p>“Today’s the day we’ll leave with respect where we’re dealing with four families who’ve lost loved ones. Today’s a day to think of those families ... there‘ll be an appropriate investigation on that, and appropriate responses... today’s not the day for me to speculate about what has occurred.”</p> <p>The interview concluded with several important questions left unanswered, leaving viewers with lingering uncertainties about the Prime Minister's stance on rent caps and the issue of military equipment quality.</p> <p><em>Images: The Project</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Kate Middleton takes on Roger Federer in astounding match

<p>Undoubtedly one of the best tennis players of all time, Swiss star Roger Federer may have just met his match with the Princess of Wales.</p> <p>While Federer has 20 grand slam titles to his name, the Princess managed to get a shot past the star, which was met with his response, “I think it was on the line. Amazing!”</p> <p>Kate also took the opportunity to grab some coaching advice from the former world No. 1.</p> <p>“Any tips on my serve at the same time would be very helpful,” she asked.</p> <p>However, Federer seemingly had no advice to offer the Princess, responding, “The serve looks good.”</p> <p>The duo were playing a doubles match on No. 3 Court – where Federer won his first match on the way to earning his first Wimbledon title in 2003 – to acknowledge the hard work of ball boys and girls at the tournament.</p> <p>A clip of their encounter surfaced on YouTube and tennis enthusiast Kate is heard saying, “It’s so good to see you, Roger,” before stepping out onto the court ahead of their match.</p> <p>After she got her shot past the tennis legend, who retired from the sport in 2022, Kate gave a celebratory pat on the shoulder to her doubles partner Joel Eboewe, a coach with the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, which offers free lessons to local children.</p> <p>During their visit earlier in June, the pair accompanied the ball boys and girls in training for the 2023 tournament which commences Monday, 26 June.</p> <p>Federer himself started out as a ball boy in Basel in 1993 at just age 12, but it seemed as though he may have forgotten a thing or two about what goes on beyond playing the game.</p> <p>As tennis balls bounced around at his feet, Federer – with an estimated net worth of $820 million – asked, “Is that supposed to be me picking them up?”</p> <p>Kate also appeared slightly confused, with the royal being told that she was not allowed to catch a ball until it had bounced off the back wall.</p> <p>Every year, about 1,000 children aged 11 to 13 from schools near Wimbledon participate in training sessions, with a lucky quarter of them selected to take part in the tournament.</p> <p>For those being tested, Kate had a message to share, “With all the discipline and everything you’ve learned, you’ll be able to take it into so many other parts of your life; things like confidence and that feeling of pride with being on any of the courts is such a big moment.”</p> <p>Kate and Federer were due to participate in a charity tennis day in 2022, but the Princess pulled out after the Queen’s funeral.</p> <p>Federer has become friends with the Royals and the Middletons, with the tennis legend even spotted at the wedding of Kate's sister Pippa to James Matthews in 2017.</p> <p>He has also visited Prince William and Princess Kate at their home in Anmer Hall in Norfolk and has given Prince George a private tennis lesson.</p> <p>Wimbledon ball boys and girls manager Sarah Goldson said, “We’re proud of the young people who dedicate so much time and effort to their role which plays an integral part in delivering successful championships.”</p> <p>As patron of the All England Club, Kate will present the trophies to the winners of Wimbledon 2023.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

International Travel

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Game, set, love match! Aussie tennis star debuts new girlfriend

<p>Aussie tennis champion Thanasi Kokkinakis has debuted his new girlfriend after keeping their relationships a secret for "several months". </p> <p>The Adelaide player was spotted with Hannah Dal Sasso in Melbourne, marking the first time they have been spotted together in public. </p> <p>According to reports from the Herald Sun, the loved-up pair attended a gala event ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prix at Albert Park. </p> <p>Sasso, a Melbourne-based content creator and social media influencer, confirmed they are seeing each other. </p> <p>“We met a few months ago," she said.</p> <p>“I’ve been travelling with him for a bit.”</p> <p>Dal Sasso also attended the Miami Open in support of her new beau, where Kokkinakis was knocked out in the second round.</p> <p>Kokkinakis has long tried to keep his private life out of the headlines, and quickly had to shut down romance rumours just weeks ago when an innocent tweet sent fans buzzing. </p> <p>The Aussie tennis champ had fans overreacting when he posted a simple but sweet message about Elena Rybakina after she won the Indian Wells WTA title.</p> <p>“Rybakina looks like the nicest girl ever,” Kokkinakis tweeted as Rybakina accepted the trophy.</p> <p>After fans ran wild in the comments, he was forced to add a few minutes later, “Not having a crack (crying laughing emoji) relaaaax.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Woman matches with brother on dating app

<p dir="ltr">A woman who took the plunge and dived back into the world of dating apps, despite a series of negative experiences, has been left in shock after an unexpected match. </p> <p dir="ltr">Dani, who was using the dating app Hinge - “the app that’s designed to be deleted” - took to TikTok to share her story, telling followers she re-downloaded the app and told herself "let's get back into this.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"And I could vomit at who my most compatible was," she said before revealing a bizarre match.</p> <p dir="ltr">"So this is my brother," she explained, panning the camera back to show her brother Jordan’s profile on Hinge. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Super cute right? Yeah. It runs in the family.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Dani explained that Hinge matched her with her brother due to their “compatibility”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I don't know if he is the one for me. I mean I guess we are compatible in the sense we share the same parents and shelter growing up and like blood and DNA and all those fun things.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Hinge was really saying to me, 'Girl, I know more for you. We're done with you. Here's your brother. Why don't you try this one out.”</p> <p dir="ltr">At the end of her video, she recommended her brother as a match to any unrelated singles. </p> <p dir="ltr">"While I go pick up my vomit that's on the floor from this, my brother's single, if any ladies out there are interested, just let me know.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The video amused fellow TikTokers, gaining a lot of traction with over 373,000 views.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Most compatible for a blood transfusion maybe," one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"LMAO even Hinge was like girl there's nothing out there, have you tried your family," said another.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-db485c25-7fff-ee7a-5795-0c06895523ec"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: TikTok</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Nick Kyrgios pulls out of Australian Open a day before first match

<p dir="ltr">Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Australian Open just one day before his scheduled first round against Roman Safiullin on Tuesday night.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 27-year-old announced the shocking news on Monday afternoon, revealing that his knee is the cause of the decision.</p> <p dir="ltr">He explained that he was experiencing pain in his knee after playing a friendly match with his friend and fellow tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis.</p> <p dir="ltr">After getting it checked out, the MRI of his knee showed a small tear in his lateral meniscus and a cyst.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I got off the court yesterday and was dealing with it and we were going to make a call then,” Kyrgios said on Monday.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was, like, you know, I’ve worked so hard, put myself in the position to be — you know, I was ranked outside 100 a year ago. Now I’ve had the year I had last year and back inside the 20, being seeded at a Grand Slam, feeling as good as I’m feeling and playing the way I’m feeling.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I wanted to give myself a chance.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The tennis player said he was “devastated” to not be playing in the Australian Open because its “my home tournament”.</p> <p dir="ltr">He will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee, with hopes of hitting the court for the Indian Wells tournament in California in March.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

News

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Aussie tennis star's love match

<p>Australian tennis star Storm Sanders has tied the knot with her longtime partner Loughlin Hunter in a stunning ceremony. </p> <p>The 28-year-old sporting champ shared photos of their special day on Instagram from the wedding, surrounded by family and friends at All Saints Estate Winery in Wahgunyah, located in rural Victoria.</p> <p>"MR AND MRS HUNTER," Storm captioned the photos, before adding, "The best weekend of our lives".</p> <p>Among Storm's bridesmaids was fellow tennis player Daria Saville, while famous faces such Sam Stosur, Maddison Inglis, Jaimee Fourlis, Priscilla Hon and Ashling Sumner were also in attendance. </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/ClLGaGGvDBX/?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/ClLGaGGvDBX/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by STORM HUNTER (@stormcsanders)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Loughlin proposed to Storm in November 2020, as she shared the news online saying, "Gonna have an even cooler name soon. I cannot wait to marry you," she wrote alongside a loved-up photo of the pair just moments after he popped the question. </p> <p>The tennis champion reached a career-high last October after ranking 119th, as she continues to be ranked 10th in doubles. </p> <p>Storm won her first grand slam title this year at the US Open, winning mixed doubles with John Peers. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Game, set and match! Ash Barty ties the knot

<p dir="ltr">Ash Barty has tied the knot with her long term fiancé Garry Kissick in a beautiful intimate ceremony in Queensland.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 26-year-old announced the heartwarming news by sharing a beautiful image of her and Kissick with a simple caption “Husband &amp; Wife”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The adorable couple, who have been together for seven years, announced their engagement in November 2021. </p> <p dir="ltr">At the time of their <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/ash-barty-reveals-why-she-kept-her-engagement-a-secret" target="_blank" rel="noopener">engagement</a>, Barty confessed that she was debating on whether or not she should share the news. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Garry and I have been together for a long time now and I had designed the ring with him,” she previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are obviously excited now for the next chapter. We were at home on the couch with the puppies. </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/CgodNphhRB6/?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/CgodNphhRB6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ash Barty (@ashbarty)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“It was very much just us. It was perfect for us. Everyone has their unique way of doing it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She also said the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/ash-barty-talks-wedding-plans-for-2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wedding will be small</a> and intimate with close family and friends. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It will be very low-key, very small, pretty chill, for Garry and I, just the people we love the most, people who have been impactful and important in our lives. </p> <p dir="ltr">“My nieces and nephews will be front and centre, I wouldn’t live it down if they weren’t, they will be dress shopping before I will be.’’</p> <p dir="ltr">Their wedding comes just a few short months after Barty shocked the tennis world by <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/ash-barty-announces-retirement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announcing her retirement</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I will be retiring from tennis. It’s the first time I’ve actually said that out loud and it’s hard to say,” she said in an Instagram video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I’m so happy and I’m so ready and I just know at the moment in my heart for me as a person, this is right.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so grateful to everything that tennis has given me. It’s given me all of my dreams, plus more.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But I know that the time is right now for me to step away and chase other dreams. And put the racquets down.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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Mental distress is rising, especially for low-income middle-aged women. Medicare needs a major shakeup to match need

<p>Mental health services are poorly targeted, outcomes are getting worse, and out-of-pocket payments are increasing. The new government faces a tough challenge in improving mental health.</p> <p>This year marks 30 years since the first <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1080/00048679309075767">national mental health policy</a>. The latest <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/the-australian-governments-national-mental-health-and-suicide-prevention-plan">national mental health and suicide prevention plan</a> is the sixth of its kind. But services are increasingly <a>fragmented and chaotic</a> and the number of people reporting <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.815904">very high psychological distress</a> was rising even before COVID.</p> <p>Medicare spending and out-of-pocket mental health-care costs are increasing but those most needing care aren’t getting it: mental health services use <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-its-easier-to-get-meds-than-therapy-how-poverty-makes-it-hard-to-escape-mental-illness-114505">goes up in better-off areas</a> where mental health-care needs are lower. A new government needs to address this mental health triple-whammy of spending, costs and areas of need.</p> <h2>Middle-aged women on low incomes are struggling</h2> <p>Very high psychological distress is rising most steeply in the middle-aged; <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.815904">more than doubling</a> for women aged 55–64 (3.5% to 7.2%) from 2001–2018.</p> <p>Earning less is associated with much <a href="https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.815904">worse mental health</a>. When we combine gender and income, we see that of men in the highest 20% income bracket, just 0.4% have very high psychological distress. The rate of this high level of distress is 28 times greater (11.9%) for women in the lowest 20% income bracket.</p> <p>So, mental health services should be targeted to people with low incomes, particularly middle-aged women. But Medicare for mental health fails any reasonable <a href="https://doi.org/10.5694/mja14.00330">test of universality</a> that would mean equitable delivery of mental health care for all Australians. </p> <p>Rather, it follows an “<a href="https://theconversation.com/three-charts-on-why-rates-of-mental-illness-arent-going-down-despite-higher-spending-97534">inverse care law</a>” that sees those needing the most getting the least. Often, poorer individuals in mid-life and in poorer communities – who really need psychological, allied health and psychiatric services – only get a minimal level of GP treatment, sometimes so restricted in range that it <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0004867419857821">makes mental health worse</a>.</p> <h2>Help is out of reach for many</h2> <p>This mismatch between need and services follows from a market-driven service model. </p> <p>Most Commonwealth government mental health-care support is through Medicare rebates – supporting services by GPs, psychiatrists and psychologists. </p> <p>Medicare rebates are for services provided by individual clinicians, rather than oriented toward team-based care. A GP can unlock additional mental health support through a “mental health treatment plan”, or a psychiatrist referral, allowing Medicare rebates for visits to psychologists or other professionals. </p> <p>But here’s the rub. These visits often require out-of-pocket payments of more than <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Not-so-universal-how-to-reduce-out-of-pocket-healthcare-payments-Grattan-Report.pdf">A$200 per year</a>, with only about 40% of people having all their Medicare-subsidised psychologist services bulk-billed. And these plans are only [reviewed by their GP about <a href="https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2019/210/7/runaway-giant-ten-years-better-access-program#panel-article">half the time</a>.</p> <p>So Medicare support for psychiatrists and psychologists is inequitable and poorly targeted. Essentially, both psychologists and psychiatrists are out of reach for people on low incomes.</p> <h2>Agree on where we’re heading</h2> <p>Taxpayers get better value for money when there is a closer alignment between spending and need. The first step in service redesign is agreeing on a destination. </p> <p>The current expression of what the mental health system should look like, in operational terms rather than policy waffle, is the <a>national mental health strategic planning framework</a>. But this does not consistently guide planning and it needs revision. It should incorporate how social drivers of health, including relative disadvantage, affect community mental health-care needs. </p> <p>The government also needs to decide whether it will direct more money into mental health; there was no pre-election commitment to this. Mental health needs – especially for people on low incomes – are not being met. Without extra money, redistribution of funding will be required. The current “haves” will argue vociferously against redistribution to the “have-nots”, causing political pain.</p> <h2>A fresh frame</h2> <p>Commonwealth responses to addressing mental health needs have been siloed and poorly integrated into broader health care. Labor’s pre-election <a href="https://www.alp.org.au/policies/strengthening-medicare-taskforce">Strengthening Medicare policy</a> provides new context and the potential for a more integrated response to mental health needs.</p> <p>In the next five to ten years, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australians-encouraged-to-register-with-a-gp-under-new-funding-model-20211111-p59858.html">block payments to GPs</a> for patients enrolled with their practice will supplement fee-for-service and performance payments. But where will mental health fit in? And what opportunities might enrolment present for improving access to integrated primary mental health care for everyone? </p> <p>Enrolment-based funding will need to be risk-adjusted, with higher payments for patients with greater needs. Mental health status should be calculated as a health factor in the new formula. Then, general practices caring and supporting more people living with mental illness would attract higher funding. </p> <p>Risk-adjustment also should be higher for people with social or economic drivers of poor mental health, such as unemployment. Then we need to figure out what services and support GPs would provide for the new enrolment payments. </p> <p>A low payment, implying few extra services, would not drive the significant transformations needed in mental health-care provision. A higher payment, perhaps phased in, could help reshape mental health care. Existing funding for mental health-care plans could be collapsed into the enrolment payment. So could the cost of a psychologist and other services which these plans unlock. </p> <h2>A new funding model</h2> <p>Funding should allow allied health professional such as social workers and occupational therapists to use their discipline-specific skills. GPs would be able to employ psychologists and other providers directly or subcontract them. Primary health networks might also have a role here in accrediting services or developing service networks with GPs.</p> <p>A new funding model, involving funding weighted for those in greatest need, and more closely integrated into general practice, could transform access to mental health services. It would be more equitable and seamless, leading to higher quality care for the same cost.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/mental-distress-is-rising-especially-for-low-income-middle-aged-women-medicare-needs-a-major-shakeup-to-match-need-184635" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <div style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(51,168,204,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{&quot;tweetId&quot;:&quot;1514384866103947268&quot;}"> <div style="--tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(51,168,204,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: 'Libre Baskerville', Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> <div style="--tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(51,168,204,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </div> </div> </div> <p style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-color: rgba(51,168,204,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 18px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </p>

Mind

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The perfect pairing: Andrew Harris’ essential tips for matching food with rosé

<p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7e172319-7fff-18f6-2bc0-0ad085d73c98">If you’re a fan of wine, you’re probably familiar with the classic red and white pairings - steak and seafood. However, Rośe’s popularity has certainly blown up in the last few years and you might be wondering what food pairs well with it? Brown Brothers Ambassador Andrew Harris and Head Chef Bodee Price share their top tips on what goes down well with Rośe.</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>1. Pairing wine with food sounds quite daunting. Why is rosé a great first wine to experiment with food pairing?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Rosé is so versatile with food that it is a good wine to start your matching journey. Because rosé can handle lighter meat dishes, powerful vegetarian options and light, delicate seafood, it is quite forgiving in the outcome you get. Once you know you have a bit of leeway, you can really push the boundaries of rosé with food!</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>2. What are your three tips that beginners can follow to start pairing food with rosé?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Try to have food that is a similar texture and weight to your rosé. If the food is too light it will be overpowered and if too heavy, it will overpower the rosé. A great example is oysters with the Brown Brothers Origins Series Dry Rosé.</p> <p dir="ltr">Try not to assume you know what a particular rosé will taste like, for example making a decision based on its colour. There are so many variables in the winemaking process such as skin contact time, time on lees (yeast once the ferment is finished), sweetness level and time in oak. These will all have an influence on the final wine and hence the food paring. The best way is to taste first or ask your sommelier for their recommendation on a rosé and food match.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>3. And what about wine experts? Do you have any wine pairing tips for rosé lovers this International Rosé Day?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">If I was wanting to impress my guests this international rosé day I would be choosing an international dish that combines perfectly with the Brown Brothers Origins Rosé. One of my favorites is Black Pepper Crab. As a dish it has a delicate texture to the crab meat along with rich and spicy sauce. The rosé has lifted strawberry and rose petal flavours that tame and meld with the pepper and chili, while the crip acidity and dry finish work brilliantly with the fleshy crab meat.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>4. What are your favourite dishes to make when you buy a bottle of rosé? What are the flavour combinations that automatically come to mind?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Fruitier rosé can be excellent with spicy food, think Thai red curry or spicey San Choy Bow. At the sweeter end of the rosé spectrum I am a big fan of matching to Turkish Delight inspired desserts as well as cheese platters with fruit bread and quince paste.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>5. Do you have any other tips you can share with us for International Rosé Day?</strong></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-63b9f8e0-7fff-0ea1-0011-8e258e067ed9"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">I think rosé goes best with good friends and sunny afternoons! Keep the food light, fresh and diverse. Antipasto and charcuterie are my tips for a wonderful experience.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Love match: Nadal's gorgeous family news

<p>Mens tennis’ legend Rafael Nadal and his wife Xisca Perello are expecting their first child together.</p> <p>The news after Nadal’s 14th French Open victory, taking him two clear of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic with 22 Grand Slams.</p> <p>The couple have yet to formally announce the news. Xisca was spotted wearing loose fitting clothing during the Champions League Final between Liverpool and Real Madrid.</p> <p>Speculation grew and reached a pinnacle after appearing to be sporting a baby bump on a yacht as the couple enjoyed a holiday.</p> <p>This sent social media into a frenzy, following Nadal’s French Open victory after a tender photo of the two after the win melted hearts.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">The best photo of the french open ❤️😭 <a href="https://t.co/YdW7bBpUbq">pic.twitter.com/YdW7bBpUbq</a></p> <p>— Jade Exley (@exley3038) <a href="https://twitter.com/exley3038/status/1533537539897925632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 5, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Xisca and Rafa were together for 14 years before marrying in 2019 and have kept their relationship private. Xisca also runs the Rafael Nadal Foundation.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“Aren’t you my psych?” Woman “matches” with her psychologist on dating app

<p dir="ltr">Bored at home, swiping left or right on potential dates, an Australian woman was shocked to find that her psychologist allegedly matched with her on a dating app. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman from Byron Bay was on the dating app Hinge and claims to have “matched unintentionally” with the mental health professional.  </p> <p dir="ltr">She took to Facebook for advice on what to do, supported with screenshots of the alleged message exchange. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I need a bit of help and don't know what to do,” the young woman started.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My psychologist, who I haven't seen in a few months but have been in contact with, messaged me on Hinge.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I matched with him unintentionally and didn’t realise it was him until he messaged me.” </p> <p dir="ltr">The man reached out first writing, “Hey,” along with a heart eye emoji. “I feel like we’ve matched before.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman did not hesitate to ask him, “Aren’t you my psych?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Upon realising the “gross” nature of the situation, the psychologist immediately apologised to the woman, but continued the conversation and asked her how she was. </p> <p dir="ltr">She admitted to feeling “scared and violated” and wanted advice on how to approach the alleged situation.  </p> <p dir="ltr">“A part of me wants to do something about it because I worry about other patients of his who he might do this to. Any help and advice on whether I should do something or not would be appreciated,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also shared a screenshot of a previous text message from the psychologist informing her that it’s been “months” since her last appointment.  </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman explained that the reason she “matched” with him is because he was using a different name on the app. </p> <p dir="ltr">The psychologist eventually found out that the woman had shared screenshots of their interaction and threatened to sue her for defamation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hello, I believe you have been spreading slander about me on social media. Please expect to be hearing from a lawyer in regard to defamation over the next week or so,’ the psychologist allegedly texted the woman.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How is it defamation when everything is true?” she responded.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What you’ve done is grossly inappropriate and violates ethical codes. You’re not allowed to approach me in public let alone instigate contact on a dating app. Even after I said “aren’t you my psych?”, you still tried to continue the conversation knowing full well my status as a patient of yours. I will be reporting to AHPRA.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I genuinely did not know that you were a client before you told me. I’m sure you can appreciate that I see a lot of clients and it’s been months since you have had a session,” he concluded. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) is understood to be investigating the alleged matter, according to <a href="http://news.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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“Better than winning”: Dylan Alcott fights tears after last ever match

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Australian tennis star Dylan Alcott’s final post-match press conference saw him sipping on a beer and cracking jokes when an unexpected moment brought him to tears.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alcott’s dream of securing his eight straight singles title at Melbourne Park before his retirement was denied after he lost to rival Sam Schroder in straight sets 7-5, 6-0 during the Australian Open quad wheelchair singles final on Thursday evening.</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/CZLsUHFPIKg/?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> <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/CZLsUHFPIKg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DYLAN ALCOTT (@dylanalcott)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During his post-match conference, Alcott was distracted mid-question by a text he received from British tennis legend Andy Murray.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to the interruption, Alcott described how much the sport had changed since the start of his career, with his first match attracting just five spectators compared to the thousands watching his final match on Rod Laver Arena, along with a million more watching at home.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This just sums up how it’s changed,” he </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/sport/tennis/australian-open/better-than-winning-dylan-alcott-brought-to-tears-by-tennis-stars-text/news-story/751dfefcc196c28e2497514346c29e6b" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, looking at his phone.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I hope he doesn’t mind this but Andy Murray just messaged me: ‘I don’t know if I’ve articulated that well but you’re an absolute rock star and inspiration. Thanks for everything that you’ve done’.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That kills me. Makes me want to cry. Special. Like you’re just a part of it … they don’t even care you’re in a wheelchair,” he said through tears.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7847096/f56355d1d28d201dcca3560648fdd725.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a48d7f561dbb49a5a0e00223ff7111b1" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: news.com.au</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“They don’t give a s**t. Sorry to swear. It’s special. So nice. It’s like that everywhere. I never thought that would happen, like it’s cool. It’s really cool.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“That’s better than winning a tennis tournament. There’s a legend of the sport getting around wheelchair tennis.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If it’s good enough for someone like that, it’s good enough for everyone. Sorry I didn’t mean to cry.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The question Alcott was answering before he received the message was whether he would go on to compete in another sport after basketball and tennis.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alcott said no, but added that he was keen to get into acting.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Why not?” he said, adding that he doesn’t understand why people with disabilities can’t be represented everywhere - even in politics.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Why couldn’t the Prime Minister be in a wheelchair or have a disability? I’m dead serious. Physical or non-physical. Parliament’s not accessible? Build ramps. Just do it.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having announced late last year that he would hang his racket up for good following the 2022 Australian Open, Alcott said he was excited to move onto other great things and let other players enjoy the spotlight.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You could win 25 grand slams in a wheelchair and people might not know who you are. That’s bulls**t. They should know,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I’m officially a retired washed up loser and I love it. I am redundant as. Don’t need me, I’m done. Time for someone else to take the reins and it’s hard for someone to take the reins when everyone is talking about one person. It’s just how it is.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alcott said he also knew it was time to retire because “the wins mean less and the losses don’t hurt as much”.</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/CZJmtrtPY-K/?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> <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/CZJmtrtPY-K/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DYLAN ALCOTT (@dylanalcott)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">His final match came two days after he was in Canberra, where he received the honour of being the 2022 Australian of the Year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Opponent Sam Schroder, who has now won two Grand Slams against Alcott, said the Aussie tennis champion was an inspiration to many people, including himself, and that it was a special moment to play at Rod Laver Arena.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Most forums we have maybe a hundred people, maybe 200 at most,” Schroder said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said Alcott had brought the crowds out to see them play, and that he hoped it would continue without him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I really do hope that now he’s retired that people will still come and support us, because it’s an amazing sport, you know,” he explained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We play at a very high level, we practice just as much as the able-bodied players do.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: @dylanalcott (Instagram)</span></em></p>

Caring

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This woman went on 1000 dates to find her perfect match

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One woman has undergone a Herculean effort to find “The One”, and has managed to find them in a surprising way.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anna Swoboda, originally from Poland but now living in Sydney, entered the online dating world when she was 22, after she was convinced she would find her one true love.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have always believed in love. I am a romantic and a lover. I knew there was someone out there for me,” Anna <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/online-dating-australia-tips-by-sydney-woman-anna-swoboda-who-met-1000-men-to-find-love-c-4851501" target="_blank">told</a> </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">7Life</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I had seen friends make compromises and settle down. I couldn’t do that. I vowed to settle UP. The circle of men I could meet through friends was small, so I felt the best way to find someone special, my needle in the haystack, was to get out and meet lots of men.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I kept looking.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The now-41-year-old ended up going on more than 1000 dates in her pursuit for love.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There were years where I would go out on dates five times a week, and years where I wouldn’t date at all because I was in a relationship,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I also consciously took a few years off dating.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As for discerning whether a first date would turn into more, she said she knew instantly.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would know quickly if it was going to work or not. But I was always curious and genuinely interested in all my dates,” she explained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would feel men’s vulnerability and make sure that even if it wasn’t going to work, we should have a good time and both feel comfortable and valued. Men are much more vulnerable than they let on.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After 1000 dates, two serious relationships and nine failed relationships, Anna met her now-fiancé through a mutual matchmaking friend three years ago.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“He had just returned from living overseas, and she was convinced we would be great together, so she made the introduction. She was so right,” Anna recalled.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My fiancé and I are very compatible and have the same mindset. This is what makes a huge difference.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reflecting back on her dating history, Anna admitted that she wouldn’t have gone on many of the dates she went on.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Dating is not a numbers game,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s about really understanding your requirements and compatibility. At the time I wasn’t clear about the ultimate vision for my life and my relationship.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I also wasn’t fully aware of my limiting beliefs in regards to dating and relationships.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Now a relationship coach, Anna has started her own matchmaking business, called <a rel="noopener" href="https://heartmatch.com.au/" target="_blank">HeartMatch</a>, to help others find love.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There is someone out there for everyone,” she said.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Anna Swoboda</span></em></p>

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Can you mix and match COVID-19 vaccine and booster shot brands?

<p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p>In the early months of Australia’s COVID-19 booster program, the Pfizer shot was essentially the only option, but now that is no longer the case.</p> <p>The Moderna vaccine has now been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) for booster purposes.</p> <p>Emily Edwards from the Department of Immunology and Pathology at Monash University said additional vaccines being introduced into the booster program was welcome news.</p> <p>“The more vaccines that we have approved, the less supply chain issues that we're going to come across, which means that then we can keep up the consistent provision of vaccination to the community,” she said last week.</p> <p>ATAGI have advised that booster doses can now be provided from five months after someone’s second dose, rather than six months given the likelihood of ongoing transmission of the Omicron and Delta variants.</p> <p>So, is it safe to mix and match?</p> <p>Health experts advice that it is safe to mix and match.</p> <p>“The scientific literature is saying that it is safe to mix and match vaccines,” Dr Edwards said.</p> <p>“The evidence coming out is saying that there's no issue in having a booster that is different to what your two primary doses are.”</p> <p>There are suggestions that having a different booster brand could even give you greater immunity. Chris Moy, vice president of the Australian Medical Association, said “there’s a long history of being able to mix vaccines for the same condition, and in fact, possibly getting more bang for your buck in doing so”.</p> <p>“But it doesn't really make a lot of difference. Basically, these booster shots all seem to do the right thing in terms of being able to drive up that immunity,” he said.</p> <p>The advice is mostly coming from studies that compare mixing vaccines between the first and second dose. Dr Moy said the most important thing isn’t the brand of booster you get, but just getting one to begin with.</p> <p>“I think we're quibbling about minor differences between the vaccines. All the vaccines are very good and they've all got their pros and cons ... but overall, these are very, very minor. It's the difference between an LG versus a Samsung versus a Sony,” he said.</p> <p>“If people are worried enough they can shop around, but sometimes what's more important is actually to go get the darn injection in your arm.”</p> <p>Anyone with concerns should seek medical advice, Dr Edwards added.</p> <p>The advice is mostly coming from studies that compare mixing vaccines between the first and second dose. </p> <p><strong>What about AstraZeneca?</strong></p> <p>AstraZeneca can be used as a booster for people who had it for previous shots and didn't encounter an adverse reaction, but it is not preferred.</p> <p>Those who had a significant adverse reaction after a previous mRNA vaccine – the class of vaccine that Pfizer and Moderna belong to - could also use it.</p> <p>“It can be used as a booster, but only in rare circumstances and only for people that had AstraZeneca for the first two shots,” Dr Moy said.</p> <p><strong>How many people have had the booster so far?</strong></p> <p>As of Thursday last week, more than 600,000 people in Australia had already received a booster shot.</p> <p>A survey by the Australian National University released on Thursday found 70 per cent of respondents would ‘definitely’ be receiving a booster shot.</p>

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What not to ask hotel staff when checking in

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A former hotel receptionist has shared the annoying question she would constantly get asked by demanding guests. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Janessa Richard acted out the scenario to her TikTok followers, showing how unreasonable some customers can be, and why hotel staff get so fed up. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Janessa plays both the role of the receptionist and the rude customer in the reenactment, as she begins to demand a price reduction. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"I was actually just online, and I saw a rate for $89 and I'm pretty sure we are paying $129, so you're gonna need to match that price if you want to keep us as your guests," Janessa, as the customer, begins.</span></p> <p dir="ltr">Obliging with the customer’s request, she asks the next logical, and very reasonable, request: if she can see the competing price on the customer’s phone.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the simple question causes the customer to snap back.</p> <div class="embed"><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2F7003760114041670918&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40janessarichard%2Fvideo%2F7003760114041670918%3Fis_copy_url%3D1%26is_from_webapp%3Dv1%26lang%3Den&amp;key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" scrolling="no" title="tiktok embed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div> <p dir="ltr">"Well, that's not gonna work because I don't have it on my phone anymore. That was like an hour ago," she says.</p> <p dir="ltr">The receptionist tries to offer a number of different solutions, but the entitled guest refuses to cooperate.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Oh my gosh. Why do you have to make this so complicated? I don't remember what the website was. I just need you to match that rate, or else we're gonna go elsewhere".</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video concludes with Janessa explaining that they require proof of the cheaper pricing, as she continues to stay calm in conversation. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She captioned the video, "When people don't understand how price matching works".</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video has racked up over 200,000 views, with many people in the comments empathising with her tolerance of the service industry. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Others who also work in the hotel industry commented their own experiences of dealing with difficult customers with price matching debacles. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While many hotels do offer price matching discounts, as shown by Janessa’s clip, the guest has to show proof of the cheaper rate on a competing website. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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Barty fumes as match suspended

<p>Barty was well on her way to victory against Vera Zvonareva with some sizzling tennis in the first set which she won 6-1.</p> <p>But in the second set, the match was briefly suspended after the controversial electronic line-calling system crashed on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the centre court at the Flushing Meadows venue in New York.</p> <p>The 25-year-old spoke to the umpire after the annoying delay was announced and was heard on court microphones asking if human line judges could be brought onto court to replace the electronic system.</p> <p>Her request was denied as a result of the tournament not using any line judges this year.</p> <p>Barty was left shaking her head as she sat down waiting for a resumption of play.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Play has been suspended on Arthur Ashe due to an issue with the electronic line-calling system.<br /><br />Ash Barty is shaking her head &amp; asking if they can bring out, you know, the humans that used to do it?<br /><br />The answer, unsurprisingly, is no. <a href="https://t.co/RvCBxMMlXA">pic.twitter.com/RvCBxMMlXA</a></p> — The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) <a href="https://twitter.com/TennisPodcast/status/1432782740886331397?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>In the end she was only forced to wait a few minutes and quickly broke her opponent’s serve minutes later.</p> <p>However, the match took several more dramatic turns from there with Barty failing to serve the match out before it headed to a tiebreak.</p> <p>Barty prevailed 9-7 in the breaker, but had to defend set points in a very nervous few minutes at the end.</p> <p><strong>More relaxed after the match</strong></p> <p>Later, when Barty was interviewed on the court after her match, she seemed much more relaxed and talked about her recent winning streak.</p> <p>“It has certainly been really enjoyable right from the start,” she said.</p> <p>Barty will now play 18-year-old Clara Tauson in the second round.</p> <p>The world No. 1 is chasing back-to-back grand slam titles after her historic win at Wimbledon.</p> <p>She is in fine form after also winning a WTA title two weeks ago at Cincinnati.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Every record Federer broke during unbelievable Wimbledon match

<p>Roger Federer has become the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals since the dawn of the Open Era in 1968.</p> <p>Federer, who will be 40 in just a few weeks' time, eased past Italy's Lorenzo Song 7-5 6-4 6-2 to make the last-high at the All England Club for the 18th time.</p> <p>18 years after he beat Pete Sampras for his first Wimbledon title and after playing just 11 matches in the last 18 months while undergoing two knee surgeries, the fan favourite reached a record 58th grand slam quarterfinal.</p> <p>It's one area he still holds a substantial lead over Novak Djokovic - who reached his 50th quarterfinal by defeating Christian Garin 6-2 6-4 6-2 - and Rafael Nadal, who has 44 but isn't playing this event.</p> <p>Federer also drew level with Roland Garros master Nadal for the most wins at a single grand slam (105) and stretched his lead over Connors (14) for most Wimbledon quarterfinal appearances.</p> <p>“I felt after the first set I was able to control things. I couldn’t be more excited to be in the quarters,” said Federer whose match took place on the final ‘Manic Monday’, so-called because all the last-16 ties in the men’s and women’s event are played.</p> <p>From next year, play will be held on the middle Sunday, which has traditionally been the tournament rest day.</p> <p>“I’m happy to have played in the era that there was a ‘Middle Sunday’ but it now means more people can come to the tournament,” Federer said. “It was very special and I really enjoyed it.”</p> <p>The eight-time Wimbledon champion will face either second seed Daniil Medvedev or Hubert Hurkacz, the 14th seed, for a place in the semi-finals.</p> <p>Medvedev was leading Hurkacz 6-2 6-7 (2/7) 6-3 3-4 when play was halted for the night due to rain.</p> <p>“It is not fair for anyone. I have been in these situations before – but these guys are young and they can recover,” said Federer.</p> <p>“Unfortunately they are very, very good too, so hopefully it rains again tomorrow … I’m kidding, I’m kidding!”</p>

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"Not 100 per cent yet": Federer reflects on first match in over a year

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Tennis legend Roger Federer made his great comeback after a 13-month break.</p> <p>He had two operations on his right knee since playing at the Australian Open last year and decided to get back into the swing of things and play in the Qatar Open.</p> <p>Federer beat Dan Evans 7-6 (8), 3-6, 7-5, but said it feels like he has been gone for ages.</p> <p>"It feels like I have been away for even longer than I actually have been".</p> <p>He also admitted he's not at 100 per cent yet.</p> <p>"I'm not 100% yet," he said. "I can feel it. I can see it, you know. From that standpoint, important is to be 100% by the grass court season. I know that. I'm still building up. So this is a steppingstone."</p> <p>The match went for nearly two and a half hours, and the tennis great admitted he was tired by the end of it.</p> <p>"I was very happy with how I was able to handle the tough moments. I didn't feel like my game started to wobble the more important the points got. I think I was able to play how I wanted to play, so I think that's always a great sign and a great feeling to have," Federer said in a post-match video conference.</p> <p>"In practice, it doesn't matter if you miss a backhand down the line, being down break point," he said. "But here it matters a lot."</p> <p>Dan Evans had no bad blood despite losing to Federer, as he can't wait to see what happens next for him.</p> <p>"From a fan's point of view, it's going to be interesting to see how he goes at his age — he's 39, and that's obviously unheard of, that someone is still competing for Grand Slams at that age," said Evans.</p> <p>"It's going to be real good to watch for everybody, to see what happens, see if he wins. I think most people would hope he wins another, probably, Wimbledon," Evans said. "We'd all be pretty pumped if he got over the line at another Slam."</p> </div> </div> </div>

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French Open rocked by match-fixing allegations

<p>French prosecutors have come forward to confirm that an investigation into suspected match-fixing at the French Open has begun. </p> <p>On Wednesday, reports claimed the allegations involve a women’s doubles match.</p> <p>“It’s a first-round match featuring players that are not well-known,” a source within France’s National Gaming Authority (ANJ) explained to AFP. </p> <p>French sports daily L’Equipe and German newspaper Die Welt have said that the match that is suspected is the first-round encounter on September 30 between Romanian pair Andreea Mitu and Patricia Maria Tig and opponents Yana Sizikova of Russia playing with US player Madison Brengle.</p> <p>Suspicion surrounds the fifth game of the second set. </p> <p>The Romanian duo won by love after Sizikova served two double faults.</p> <p>L’Equipe reported that large sums of money were bet on the Romanians winning that game and that the wagers were placed in several countries. </p> <p>The Romanians went on to win the match 7-6, 6-4.</p> <p>Prosecutors said they were probing possible “fraud in an organised group” and “active and passive corruption in sport”.</p> <p>A source within the investigation said that the bets that had been placed on the match were “abnormally large” and amounted to “tens of thousands of euros”. </p> <p>“They must have been afraid to bet in France. They tried to spread the bets around other markets but the betting industry bodies know how to do their sums,” the source said.</p>

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