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"An absolute hero": 10-year-old boy rescues drowning swimmer

<p>Miles Babcock has been made an honorary member of Careflight after saving a woman who was drowning in Sydney Harbour. </p> <p>Miles, who is just 10 years old, was paddle boarding with his dad Graham when they spotted the woman who was struggling in the water. </p> <p>The 10-year-old remained calm and collected after spotting the woman in distress, and began directing his dad over to help the woman out of the water. </p> <p>Graham could not contain his pride for his son, telling <em>Today</em> that he did everything in his power to rush to her aid.</p> <p>"I'm just incredibly proud, it's one of those confronting situations where you never really know how you're going to react," Graham said.</p> <p>"But Miles was the one who spotted the lady in distress, he kept the board steady and told me to get in the water and go and get her, he helped get her onto the board, helped turn her onto the side and helped pat her on the back to help clear her airways."</p> <p>"And then as soon as I asked him to jump off the board because we needed to get into shore as quickly as possible, he just did exactly that." </p> <p>Another nearby paddleboarder helped get the lady onto Miles and Graham's board, while Miles stayed behind to catch a ride back to shore with another boarder.</p> <p>"He was a real, real trooper and an absolute hero on the day," Graham said.</p> <p>"And then all the people who came in and helped were just fantastic, it was one of those things where everyone came together."</p> <p>People on the shore had already called triple zero and the Careflight team worked with lifeguards and paramedics to help get the woman to hospital where she is recovering.</p> <p>In the days after the rescue, Miles was called into the Careflight base to meet with the crew who helped the drowning woman, as they made him an an honorary Air Crew Officer and praised his "heroic rescue".</p> <p><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMyCareFlight%2Fvideos%2F416634217746897%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><em>Image credits: Today </em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

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Molly the Magpie is going home!

<p>Molly the magpie, who captured the hearts of thousands with her unlikely friendship with Peggy the English Staffy, is set to be reunited with her former carers. The saga that ensued following Molly's removal from her home on the Gold Coast <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/outcry-after-authorities-seize-internet-famous-magpie-from-queensland-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sparked outrage and activism</a>, ultimately leading to this joyous moment.</p> <p>The story began when wildlife officials removed Molly from the residence of Reece Mortensen and Juliette Wells on March 1, citing complaints of illegal possession. This decision triggered a wave of support from the community, who were moved by the bond shared between Molly, Peggy, and another dog, Ruby. Videos and photos showcasing the trio's companionship had gained significant attention on social media platforms, turning Molly into an online sensation.</p> <p>Premier Steven Miles initially voiced his support for Molly's return, acknowledging the unique circumstances and the strong emotional bond between the animals. However, as Mortensen and Wells struggled to navigate bureaucratic hurdles in their quest to bring Molly home, frustration mounted. Despite assurances from the Premier, their attempts to seek further assistance <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/i-miss-my-bestie-new-appeal-after-molly-s-family-left-in-the-dark" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seemed to fall on deaf ears</a>, leaving them feeling abandoned.</p> <p>But just when hope seemed to be dwindling, a surprise announcement came from Premier Miles on Wednesday morning. He revealed that Molly would indeed be returning to her former carers, citing advice from the Department of Environment and Science and Innovation. The necessary arrangements for securing the appropriate license were underway, ensuring that Molly could come home "very soon".</p> <p>“This morning the Department has advised me that the couple can secure the appropriate licence. The team will work with them now to do that,” Miles said in a statement. “It’s good news and means Molly can come home very soon. I’d like to thank everyone who has written to me to share their concerns and advocate for Molly’s return.”</p> <p>This development marks a victory for animal advocacy and grassroots activism. Over 154,000 Australians had signed an online petition calling for Molly's reunion with Peggy, reflecting widespread concern for the emotional wellbeing of both the dog and the magpie. Many saw the situation as an example of "bureaucracy gone mad".</p> <p>As Molly prepares to spread her wings once more in the familiar company of Peggy and Ruby, we cannot wait to see and hear the footage of their upcoming reunion!</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram | Wiki Commons</em></p>

Family & Pets

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'Australia's Forrest Gump' reaches major milestone

<p>The man dubbed Australia's Forrest Gump has arrived back Down Under to complete the final leg of a mammoth journey. </p> <p>Tim Franklin has long dreamed of becoming the fastest person to run from one end of the world to the other, and has already completed most of his journey. </p> <p>The 40-year-old has run over 19,000 kilometres through 17 countries across five continents, setting off on his epic adventure in December 2022. </p> <p>With a world record in his sights, has been averaging more than a marathon a day for the past 427 days, as he battled floods, snow, exhaustion and injury on his travels. </p> <p>The worst of his hurdles came when his father was dying, as he decided to pause his journey to come home and say his goodbyes to the man he describes as "my hero, my mentor".</p> <p>"That message he gave me of 'go out and finish that damn run' was the last thing he said to me before he passed away," Franklin told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australias-forrest-gump-tim-franklin-lands-australia-final-leg-tim-runs-the-world/c3dac7d4-8c71-4fc5-84e2-4fbd2fb5af61" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>9News</em></a>.</p> <p>The pause in proceedings knocked him out of world record pace but it didn't derail his dream and only further fuelling the fire for him to achieve his goals. </p> <p>In order to "officially" run around the world, certain kilometres need to completed in each continent.</p> <p>Franklin started his journey in New Zealand, before heading coast to coast across the US, then South America, and across from Spain through Europe to the Black Sea.</p> <p>After a short stint in Asia he decided to head back to Australia, landing in Perth to a surprise greeting from his siblings.</p> <p>Now, it's the beginning of the end as Franklin makes his way from Perth to Brisbane, via Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.</p> <p>"[I'm] really excited to be back here in Aus for the last leg of my run."</p> <p>When he finally reaches Queensland, his friends and family will be waiting but there's one thing the 40-year-old is looking forward to most.</p> <p>"I just wanna give my mum a hug to be honest," he said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

International Travel

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Pensioner's epic 600-mile journey from England to Scotland on a pony

<p>Jane Dotchin has completed an epic 600-mile (1000 km) journey from England to the Scottish Highlands with her pack pony Diamond, and disabled Jack Russell terrier Dinky.</p> <p>The 82-year-old has been making this seven-week trek every year since 1972, with nothing but her trusted pony, pet dog and a few belongings including a tent, food and water which she carries in a saddlebag.</p> <p>The pensioner travels between 15 and 20 miles a day from Hexham, Northumberland to Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. </p> <p>"I love camping and I love the countryside," she said, according to the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-12735287/Pensioner-82-completes-600-mile-ride-England-Scotland-horse-Diamond-7-week-trip-shes-year-1972.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a>.</em> </p> <p>Her dog Dinky, who deformed front legs,  is just as happy to go on the adventure, sitting comfortably in the saddlebag as the world passes by her. </p> <p>She lives on porridge, oatcakes and cheese, and carries an old mobile phone in case of emergencies. </p> <p>Dotchin does not let her eye-patch stop her either, as she is determined to continue the tradition for as long as possible.</p> <p>"I know the route so well, I don’t need to read maps. I can manage if I keep to the routes I know," she told the publication. </p> <p>Dotchin first started long-distance trekking 40 years ago when she rode to Somerset, which was around 300 miles from where she lived, to visit a friend. </p> <p>She has made the journey up north every autumn since, and is an inspiration to many, with those who have spotted her sharing photos and videos of the avid horse rider. </p> <p>"A personal hero passed by just now!" wrote one person, who spotted Dotchin riding her pony back in 2021. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A personal hero passed by just now! <a href="https://t.co/vcwcdjxMOI">https://t.co/vcwcdjxMOI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JaneDotchin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JaneDotchin</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BBCScotland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BBCScotland</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheScotsman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheScotsman</a> <a href="https://t.co/8qegaOLA3P">pic.twitter.com/8qegaOLA3P</a></p> <p>— Robyn Woolston (@robynwoolston) <a href="https://twitter.com/robynwoolston/status/1441359649387671557?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2021</a></p></blockquote> <p>"Went to watch a bike race and instead discovered an amazing, adventurous and inspirational woman," wrote another person, who spotted Dotchin in 2022. </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/CiLfMCVMOOy/?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/CiLfMCVMOOy/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Eiger X (@eiger.x)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"What an absolute inspiration on a beautiful morning," wrote another, who spotted her a week later. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">When you’re struggling on a morning run and meet the incredible <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/janedotchin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#janedotchin</a> on the path. This 82-year-old rides 600 miles across Scotland every autumn with her horse Diamond and disabled Jack Russell Dinky in her saddle bag. What an absolute inspiration on a beautiful morning. <a href="https://t.co/SuAvQug6dc">pic.twitter.com/SuAvQug6dc</a></p> <p>— 📚🕷Suzy A #CrowMoon 🖤❤️📚 (@writer_suzy) <a href="https://twitter.com/writer_suzy/status/1569965657629794306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 14, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Images: Twitter/ Instagram</em></p>

International Travel

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When’s the best time to use frequent flyer miles to book flights? Two economists crunched the numbers on maximizing their dollar value

<p>Traveling during major holidays like Thanksgiving can be expensive, since so many people want to see their friends and families, wherever they might be.</p> <p>It’s especially hard this year with <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CPIAUCSL">inflation soaring</a> at the fastest pace since the early 1980s. Airline fares <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CUSR0000SETG01#0">were up 43% in October</a> from a year earlier – only a <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.t02.htm">handful of categories increased by more</a>.</p> <p>One way to ease the blow to your wallet or purse is by using frequent flyer miles. While there’s <a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/2733384">quite a bit</a> of research on when is the <a href="https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/215872">best time to use cash</a> to buy flights, <a href="https://www.bu.edu/questrom/profile/huseyin-karaca/">we wondered</a> – as travel lovers – if there’s an optimal time to use miles. So with the help of <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HikpvLqt_M8OfXrCXta4rm76Z_JreLJt/view">our research assistant</a>, we investigated this question, with a focus on flights over the Thanksgiving holiday.</p> <h2>Americans return to the skies</h2> <p>The day before Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days to travel in the U.S.</p> <p>Before the COVID-19 pandemic upended travel, the Transportation Security Administration <a href="https://www.tsa.gov/coronavirus/passenger-throughput">screened 2.6 million people</a> on Thanksgiving eve of 2019, just shy of the 2.9 million record. While the number plunged in 2020 as demand dropped, it picked up to 2.3 million last year and <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/this-thanksgiving-is-expected-to-be-one-of-the-busiest-for-travel-in-decades-11668532148">is expected to return</a> to pre-COVID-19 levels this year.</p> <p>The surge in demand, along with significantly higher jet fuel costs, are key factors in leading to more expensive air fares.</p> <p>To offset these higher costs, <a href="https://newsroom.wf.com/English/news-releases/news-release-details/2022/New-Study-Americans-Lean-Into-Credit-Card-Rewards-to-Offset-Rising-Costs--Including-Travel/default.aspx">many consumers</a> may turn to frequent flyer miles – whether accumulated from other travel or from credit cards – to avoid forking over so much cash.</p> <h2>Frequent flying 101</h2> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/10253866.2015.1096095">Frequent flyer mile programs started</a> in the late 1970s after the <a href="https://www.faa.gov/about/history/brief_history">federal government stopped regulating</a> airfares. Before the change, fares, routes and schedules for all domestic flights were set by the federal Civil Aeronautics Board.</p> <p>Besides slashing fares, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/airline-frequent-flyer-miles-30-years/story?id=13616082">airlines reacted by creating frequent flyer programs</a>. Texas International Airlines, which ultimately merged with United, and Western Airlines, which later joined Delta, were among the first to institute frequent flyer programs.</p> <p>In a particular airline’s frequent flyer program, you earn miles when you fly with that airline. Many people get miles by using their credit cards as well. These accumulated miles can then be redeemed for free air travel.</p> <p>Frequent flyer programs were designed to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/02634509810199535">build customer loyalty</a>, as they provide a rebate to regular passengers. They are also <a href="https://hbr.org/1995/05/do-rewards-really-create-loyalty">meant to lock travelers</a> into a particular airline – since they have a strong incentive to only fly with that carrier.</p> <p>One downside is that many business flyers go out of their way to use their preferred airline, <a href="https://www.informs.org/About-INFORMS/News-Room/Press-Releases/Study-Finds-that-Frequent-Flyer-Programs-Increase-Cost-of-Business-Travel">which boosts their company’s travel costs</a>.</p> <p>And although airlines use frequent flyer programs to increase customer goodwill, they frequently <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/news/nation/united-airlines-loyalty-program-status-update">change the rules and rewards</a>, which often <a href="https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/delta-just-announced-a-change-that-will-make-people-very-mad-its-actually-a-brilliant-move.html">frustrates customers</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1145/2733384">Researchers have looked</a> at the <a href="https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/215872">optimal time to buy</a> airplane <a href="https://doi.org/10.1057/s41272-019-00193-7">tickets</a> with cash. In general, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2022/08/31/best-time-to-book-a-cheap-flight/?sh=23fdd1e72ebc">they have found prices</a> tend to dip anywhere from two months to three weeks before the travel dates. Prices are highest for those who want to book their flights very early, to lock it in, and last-minute travelers booking just before their departure dates.</p> <h2>How frequent flyer miles compare</h2> <p>To see when’s the best time to book with miles, we looked at <a href="https://www.oag.com/busiest-routes-right-now">one of the busiest routes in the U.S.</a> – New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX). Each month, airlines have over a quarter of a million seats flying direct on that route. There are about 30 nonstop flights a day, run by <a href="https://www.aa.com/en-us/flights-from-new-york-to-los-angeles">three</a> <a href="https://www.delta.com/us/en/flight-deals/united-states-flights/flights-to-los-angeles">different</a> <a href="https://www.jetblue.com/destinations/los-angeles-california-flights">airlines</a>.</p> <p>Starting about three months before Thanksgiving, we collected weekly data from the online booking sites of these three airlines. We tracked the frequent flyer miles needed as well as the price for every coach flight scheduled to take place within one week of Thanksgiving.</p> <p>As miles are not interchangeable between airlines in general, we needed an alternative measure for more direct comparison between different airlines. So we calculated how much a frequent flyer mile is worth by dividing the number of frequent flyer miles needed by the ticket price. We then compared the dollar worth of 1,000 miles, depending on the airline, when the booking was made and the flight date.</p> <p><a href="http://businessmacroeconomics.com/">Economic theory</a> tells us that when there is lots of competition and the product is almost identical, competition should result in all businesses charging roughly the same price.</p> <p>That wasn’t what we found.</p> <p>In mid-October, Delta was asking 69,000 miles to fly the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. American Airlines was only asking 33,000 miles for roughly the same flight. This means if you have a <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/select/best-travel-credit-cards/">general travel rewards credit card</a> that lets you use miles on different airlines, it pays to shop around.</p> <p>Just because an airline has a high price in miles doesn’t mean the price will not come down. At the start of November, Delta wanted 69,000 miles to fly at dinnertime on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. A week later the airline cut the price to 53,000 miles. A week after that, it was down to 36,500 miles, a price drop of almost 50% in two weeks.</p> <p>While in general the earlier you book, the better, booking too early can cost you. We found the best time to spend your frequent flyer miles for Thanksgiving travel was to book during the first week of October, which was about eight weeks out. In early October, 1,000 frequent flyer miles were worth over $14 in airfare. The last week of October, about four weeks before Thanksgiving, those same miles were only worth shy of $12.</p> <h2>The best day to fly</h2> <p>As for what is the best day on which to travel to get the most from your miles, there are two answers. On the Monday before Thanksgiving, your miles are typically worth the most, on average $15 per 1,000 miles. This is in sharp contrast to $11 for the day before Thanksgiving. However, flying Thanksgiving Day itself had required the lowest average number of miles, about 27,000 miles.</p> <p>If you haven’t booked flights yet, you may be too late to find the best value in frequent flyer miles. However, while we are still gathering and analyzing data, these tips look like they will hold up for future holidays.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/whens-the-best-time-to-use-frequent-flyer-miles-to-book-flights-two-economists-crunched-the-numbers-on-maximizing-their-dollar-value-194893" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Travel Tips

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The FBI tracked Aretha Franklin for 40 years - here’s why

<p dir="ltr">Until 2007, Aretha Franklin was tracked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with her bumper 270-page file recently obtained by <em><a href="https://rollingstoneindia.com/aretha-franklin-was-tracked-by-the-fbi-for-40-years-heres-whats-in-her-file/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rolling Stone</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Queen of Soul, who passed away in 2018 aged 76, was subjected to false phone calls and surveillance, as well as having her inner circle infiltrated by FBI sources, according to the outlet.</p> <p dir="ltr">Franklin’s file, first requested via the Freedom of Information Act shortly after her death, is reportedly filled with phrases such as “Black extremists”, “pro-communist”, “hate America”, “radical”, “racial violence”, and “militant Black power”.</p> <p dir="ltr">It also contained plenty of suspicion about the singer, her work, and the other artists and activists she associated with, as the FBI tried and failed to connect the Respect singer to the Black Liberation Army and other “radical” movements.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the documents, Franklin’s civil rights work and association with activists including Martin Luther King Jr and Angela Davies, became a focus for the FBI, with agents tracking her addresses, phone numbers and activities.</p> <p dir="ltr">The singer’s son, Kecalf, told the <em>Rolling Stone</em> he was unsure whether Franklin knew she was under surveillance but said it was a “waste of time” for the FBI to follow her “every move” for so many years after failing to connect her to radical movements of any kind.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm not really sure if my mother was aware that she was being targeted by the FBI and followed. I do know that she had absolutely nothing to hide though…” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It does make me feel a certain way knowing the FBI had her targeted and wanted to know her every move.</p> <p dir="ltr">"But at the same time knowing my mother and the way she ran her business I know she had nothing to hide so they wouldn't have found anything and were wasting their time. As you see…they found nothing at all."</p> <p dir="ltr">The documents obtained by <em>Rolling Stone</em>, which include some newly-declassified files and others that are heavily redacted, include a 1968 report discussing funeral plans for Martin Luther King Jr which described it as a “racial situation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sammy Davis Jr., Aretha Franklin…of this group, some have supported militant Black power concept…[performance at MLK memorial by these prominent entertainers] would provide emotional spark which could ignite racial disturbance in this area,” it reads.</p> <p dir="ltr">The FBI also included files “just in case”, such as her 1971 contract with Atlantic Records to attempt to connect the <em>Blues Brothers</em> star’s business dealings to the Black Panther Party.</p> <p dir="ltr">Letters and reports of death threats were among the collection of documents as well, including one from a man threatening to kill her and her family and another extortion attempt against her.</p> <p dir="ltr">With some documents indicating that there are additional materials in the FBI’s possession that haven’t been released, <em>Rolling Stone</em> requested these records be made available.</p> <p dir="ltr">The FBI has yet to comment on the report.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b53d2a36-7fff-78ce-80b9-125e7216fcbd"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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"This is how it's done": Big names speak out against Manly pride jersey boycott

<p>Magda Szubanski and Jesinta Franklin have led the charge of celebrity voices condemning the Manly Sea Eagles and the players boycotting the pride jersey for a charity match. </p> <p>Jesinta, wife of AFL star Buddy Franklin, weighed in on the saga as she shared a photo of her husband wearing the Sydney Swans jersey in a match against St Kilda last month. </p> <p>She simply wrote, "This is how it's done," followed by a string of rainbow hearts.</p> <p>The image Jesinta shared showed the AFL players in their pride jerseys, along with the words "Everyone is welcome at the footy!" written over the rainbow pride flag. </p> <p>Magda Szubanski also spoke out over the controversy in a series of scathing tweets, questioning the foundation of the players religious beliefs that saw them boycott the jerseys in the first place. </p> <p>She declared the seven Sea Eagles players in question, who are boycotting their team’s Thursday night clash with the Roosters, were failing to show the tolerance demanded by their religion by refusing to wear a LGBTQI+ themed jersey.</p> <p>“Thought experiment: imagine if Manly players were asked to wear stripes to let religious players &amp; fans know they are welcome,” she began.</p> <p>“Then imagine an atheist player refuses to wear the stripes coz their “belief” (based on fact) is that millions have been killed in the name of religion."</p> <p>“Religious tolerance doesn’t mean you condone or believe in the other’s religion. It means that you accept the right of difference to exist. That you support a world where people are not excluded or persecuted because of their religion. All we ask, is for the same courtesy."</p> <p>“You can’t force people to believe that homosexuality is not sinful."</p> <p>“But you can ask them to help make a tolerant society that accepts difference. Including their own.”</p> <p>Szubanski later posted bible verses which highlighted directions to show love and hospitality to “strangers” which further amplified her point of acceptable and tolerance.</p> <p>The series of tweets have racked up hundreds of likes, with many sharing how they could not understand why the Manly players were willing to sabotage their team's chance at securing a spot in the NRL finals over something as frivolous as a rainbow stripe.  </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram</em></p>

News

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“He can be that guy!!!”: Top Gun actor’s grandma’s sweet campaign

<p dir="ltr">One of the stars of the latest <em>Top Gun</em> movie has been put up for the role of James Bond by one of his biggest supporters: his grandmother.</p> <p dir="ltr">Miles Teller’s grandma, Leona Flowers, recently took to Twitter to campaign for him to replace Daniel Craig as the famed spy, saying her grandson had all the skills needed for the job.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They’re looking for an actor to replace Daniel Craig for future 007 movies,” she tweeted.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think my grandson, Miles Teller, has proven that he has everything they’re looking for - talent, looks, strength, worldwide appeal, and oh, so cool.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b979a01e-7fff-27f3-6bee-3171f2be0b4e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“He can be that guy!! Wouldn’t that be great?”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">They’re looking for an actor to replace Daniel Craig for future 007 movies. I think my grandson, Miles Teller, has proven that he has everything they’re looking for- talent, looks, strength,worldwide appeal &amp; oh, so cool. He can be that guy!! Wouldn’t he be great?</p> <p>— Leona Flowers (@MupTheQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MupTheQueen/status/1542206491691737088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 29, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Teller, who plays Rooster in the latest <em>Top Gun</em> instalment, has since admitted he’d be open to the opportunity while speaking to Entertainment Tonight.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Yeah, I mean, yeah perfect,” the 35-year-old said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think we’re actors, you know, so maybe you can mix it up a little bit.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dbcc04ca-7fff-44cb-8668-05d34fbfdeae">Flowers added that her American grandson would be welcomed by portraying the famous Brit, having even “charmed” the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the London premiere of <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em>.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Miles charming Prince William &amp; Princess Kate in London. He sat in the Royal box &amp; watched Top Gun Maverick with them. New friends😊Folks just can’t help liking him. He’s so relatable♥️ <a href="https://t.co/RjTRcktoXs">pic.twitter.com/RjTRcktoXs</a></p> <p>— Leona Flowers (@MupTheQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MupTheQueen/status/1530601184490299392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I think our English friends would welcome him as 007,” she wrote in a follow-up tweet.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The folks in London loved him when he was just there with the premiere of <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em>. He even charmed William and Kate.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c0a5b50a-7fff-68e7-fe8a-51c48915ddc5"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Flowers even turned to author Ian Fleming’s original concept for the martini-drinking super spy to argue her case, writing that not only does Teller serve as a good lookalike, but he shares a love of golf with Bond and Fleming.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is Ian Fleming’s original concept of James Bond. Add a beautiful head of hair and Miles closely fits that image. 007 supposedly had a scar on his cheek as well. Like Miles, Fleming and his character, James Bond, both had a love of golf😊 <a href="https://t.co/4AydjqL2Lq">pic.twitter.com/4AydjqL2Lq</a></p> <p>— Leona Flowers (@MupTheQueen) <a href="https://twitter.com/MupTheQueen/status/1543338775979462658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“This is Ian Fleming’s original concept of James Bond,” she tweeted along with a black-and-white drawing of Bond.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Add a beautiful head of hair and Miles closely fits that image. 007 supposedly had a scar on his cheek as well. Like Miles, Fleming and his character, James Bond, both had a love of golf.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Barbara Broccoli, a producer for <em>James Bond</em>, recently said the search for the next 007 is yet to begin, though the new movie will see his character reinvented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nobody’s in the running. We’re working out where to go with him, we’re talking that through,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There isn’t a script yet and we can’t come up with one until we decide how we’re going to approach the next film because, really, it’s a reinvention of Bond. We’re reinventing who he is and that takes time. I’d say that filming is at least two years away.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With that in mind, two years feels like plenty of time for Flowers to convince Broccoli and her team that her grandson is the best choice.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-45e88cd7-7fff-82db-7049-4f708fcf6f42"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @MupTheQueen (Twitter)</em></p>

Movies

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2021 Miles Franklin Award winner announced

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tasmanian author, Amanda Lohrey, has been awarded the 2021 Miles Franklin Literary Prize for her novel </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.textpublishing.com.au/books/the-labyrinth" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Labyrinth</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, making her the second Tasmanian to win in the coveted award in its 64-year history.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Set up in 1957, the Miles Franklin award was established after the death of the author, Miles Franklin, to recognise novels of literary merit that reflect Australian life.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As Australia’s most significant literary prize, Lohrey has been awarded a $60,000 prize.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My husband calls it the Wimbledon of literary awards. It’s just an honour [to win],” Lohrey said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There’s something nice about being associated with Miles Franklin; she was such a larrikin, such a non-conformist.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The judges praised Lohrey’s book as a “beautifully written reflection on the conflicts between parents and children, men and women, and the value and purpose of creative work”.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Labyrinth</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> follows Erica Marsden, a hotel receptionist, as she moves from Sydney to coastal NSW to be closer to her mentally ill son in prison. While looking for a house to purchase, Erica has a dream imploring her to build a labyrinth - a mission which quickly becomes an obsession.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lohrey was shortlisted in the 1996 Miles Franklin for her novel, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Camille’s Bread</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and longlisted in 2005 for </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Philosopher’s Doll</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Text Publishing</span></em></p>

Books

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Block-busting DIY tips from The Block’s Benny and Dave

<p>For the seventh consecutive year, Kennards Hire is again the official hire company supplier of Channel Nine’s longest-running reality TV series, <em>The Block</em>. </p> <p>Now in its 16th season, five teams are busily transforming five family homes from five decades in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Brighton.</p> <p>As returning equipment hire sponsor, Kennards Hire introduced the five highly competitive couples to their new Kennards Hire man-on-the-ground, Ben McTaggart – affectionately known as “Benny from The Block”. And now, along with landscape specialist Dave Franklin, we can reveal the pair’s favourite backyard and frontyard DIY tips:</p> <ol> <li><strong> Timber deck restoration reminders</strong></li> </ol> <p>“When getting started on your restoration you need to first clean down the deck and assess any damage. Make sure all the nails are punched firmly down before firing up the <span><a href="https://www.kennards.com.au/floor-sander.html">floor</a></span> sander to even out any chips or marks in the timber. Depending on how much work is needed, an <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/sander-orbital.html?trackParams=2441-1-1-100.00" target="_blank">orbital</a></span> sander is another useful option. Then it’s time to grab your preferred oil or stain and seal everything in to get your deck looking good as new.”</p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong> Outdoor ambience </strong></li> </ol> <p>“A sunken area with a fire pit, some cushion seating, candles and a hanging chair are great, simple ways to set the mood in an outdoor space. But the key to creating the perfect ambience in a backyard of any size is outdoor lighting, establishing a beautiful atmosphere that you can enjoy well into the night.”</p> <ol start="3"> <li><strong> Home pool excavating </strong></li> </ol> <p>“Pool excavating isn’t just for professionals, and with the right equipment is a fun job for DIYers looking to tackle a larger project. Before getting started you will need a permit, however once sorted use a <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/turf-cutter.html?trackParams=96474-1-1-100.00" target="_blank">turf cutter</a></span> to take up the turf and mark out the area of the pool. Make sure you check for any electrical or gas lines, before hopping on the <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/excavator-mini-1-8t1.html?trackParams=75-1-29-100" target="_blank">excavator</a></span> or bob cat to get digging.”</p> <ol start="4"> <li><strong> Equipment needed for a retaining wall</strong></li> </ol> <p>“To understand what you’re dealing with and the right equipment needed, first work out whether it’s going to be a sleeper or masonry wall. You will then need a <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkJiAkSPCVU&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">laser level</a></span> to establish the height, plus an excavator and <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/plate-compactor-60kg.html?trackParams=676-2-5-100" target="_blank">compacting plate</a></span>. But every job is different and it’s best you consult a Kennards Hire team member who can give you the right advice for the job.”</p> <ol start="5"> <li><strong> Finishing touches</strong></li> </ol> <p>“If you have any old pots laying about the backyard, you can wash them up and breath in new life with a fresh coat of paint. Finish off by spreading mulch around the garden and planting some natives. It’s a simple way to revitalise your outdoor space.”</p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Top DIY turf tips from The Block’s Dave Franklin

<p>Since we find ourselves stuck on home turf more than we’d like to be, it’s time to put a silver lining around the cloud and get stuck into some DIY.</p> <p>One DIY task designed to get you outdoors is laying new turf - and The Block landscaper Dave Franklin has expert advice on how do it. Best of all, Kennards Hire’s contactless delivery and equipment hygiene measures mean you can still hire the equipment you need to lay turf like a professional.</p> <p><strong>Preparing the soil</strong></p> <p>With production of <em>The Block</em> on hold due to COVID-19, Dave says now’s the time for viewers to use the DIY skills they’ve learned from watching the show. And he believes turf laying is the perfect entry-level landscaping job.</p> <p>“We have apprentices in my landscaping business and if they can’t pick up laying turf in a day, then they probably aren’t going to make it as landscapers,” he says.</p> <p>When it comes to choosing the type of grass to use, Dave says it’s best to consult your local turf supplier. Because what works in Cairns is not going to work in Perth.</p> <p>“We have different turfs for different states, so the first thing to do is ring up your local turf supplier and listen to their advice,” he says.</p> <p>To make sure your turf starts out healthy, it needs clear, healthy soil. If grass is already growing, use a glyphosate product such as Round Up or Zero that kills it and makes it easier to remove. This also stops rogue grass and weeds from infiltrating the new lawn.</p> <p><strong>Remove the weeds</strong></p> <p>“You’ve got to get rid of those weeds,” Dave says. “You don’t want them returning once you’ve laid the turf.”</p> <p>Next, use your lawn mower at its lowest setting to scalp the lawn to its lowest point. Once this is done, the next task is to turn the soil. For this, it’s best to use the proper equipment.</p> <p>For soft, sandy soils, use a rotary tiller to turn the soil and aerate it. If the soil is a compacted clay, use a <a href="https://www.kennards.com.au/lawn-rotary-hoe-hydraulic-petrol.html?trackParams=1853-1-1-100.00">rotary hoe</a>. A tough, walk-behind, petrol-powered hoe breaks up the most difficult clay or sod.</p> <p><strong>Level out dips and bumps</strong></p> <p>Once you’ve turned the soil over, use a manual rake to removes stones and debris. If you have major dips in the surface, fill these in with a <a href="https://www.kennards.com.au/skid-steer-700-series.html?trackParams=249-7-8-98.21">skid steer</a> or <a href="https://www.kennards.com.au/mini-loader.html?trackParams=249-4-3-99.04">mini loader</a>.</p> <p>If they are minor ones, you can use a shovel to fill them in – but you must fill them.</p> <p>“If you’re preparing the surface and you’ve got holes and dints in there you are going to end up with an uneven lawn,” Dave says.</p> <p>“So you have to make sure that your surface preparation is the best you can make it. When you buy the turf you usually get a lawn starter, which you should add to the soil.”</p> <p>At this point you might decide to use turf underlay. This is soil that contains a large proportion of sand as well as organic matter, and helps the turf take to its new home. Add 50–150mm, using the higher amount if you have a very compacted clay soil.</p> <p>Next, use the easy level rake to get the surface even, and flatten everything with a roller. You are now ready to lay the turf.</p> <p>At this point, you can add fertilisers and conditioners to the surface as recommended by your turf provider. This helps your turf take root in the early stages.</p> <p><strong>Join the turf edges carefully</strong></p> <p>If you have a sloping lawn, start at the bottom. Lay a perimeter of turf then fill in the centre, taking care not to leave any gaps. Use an overlapping pattern like brickwork, so that the joints are staggered. When you trim the turf rolls, keep the offcuts for filling in awkward spots later on.</p> <p>Dave says using sand to sew together the pieces of turf and making sure that each piece butts up against the next firmly is important to stitch the pieces together into a seamless lawn. Finally, water the turf and roller it to make sure the turf’s roots are pressed firmly into the soil.</p> <p><strong>Rolling out the turf</strong></p> <p>One big tip for beginners is to use a <a href="https://www.kennards.com.au/lawn-roller-spike.html?trackParams=485-1-1-100.00">roller</a>.</p> <p>“I see all too many times people rolling out the turf and just kicking it in,” Dave says.</p> <p>“If you don’t roll the turf down there will be pockets and holes underneath where the roots aren’t in contact with the soil. That’s going to lead to problems.”</p> <p>Dave hopes to be back working on The Block soon, but in the meantime, he says DIY turf laying is not a bad way to spend the time for those of us at home.</p> <p>“It’s the perfect introduction to landscaping,” he says. “Anyone can give it a go.”</p> <p><em>Call your local Kennard Hire branch for advice on equipment hire to get your <a href="https://www.kennards.com.au/index.php/blog/How-to-Lay-Turf-Part-1-Soil-Preparation/">home turf</a> looking better than ever.</em></p> <p><em>This story was written by Dave Franklin.</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Couple caught in 'mile-high club’ after leaving plane toilet together

<p>A couple has been caught emerging from a plane toilet together as a long queue of passengers waiting to use the facility looked on.</p> <p>The two passengers reportedly spent 10 minutes in the loo on a United Airlines flight before they stepped out.</p> <p>At one point, a flight attendant with a trolley remarked to one of the women waiting in line, “You’re still right here.”</p> <p>“There’s folks in there,” the passenger said.</p> <p>The bathroom door finally opened with a man going out, followed by a woman behind.</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/B2M7WUeAcOP/?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/B2M7WUeAcOP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Well this...was definitely a first 😳🛩 . 😂 Tag a friend who needs to see this!👀 . #thelegendsaretrue #whatamiseeing #traveldiaries . 🎥: @staffordslick</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/staffordslick/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Stafford Slick</a> (@staffordslick) on Sep 9, 2019 at 12:46pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Passenger Stafford Slick, who recorded the scene, wrote on Instagram, “Well this… was definitely a first.</p> <p>“Couldn’t believe my eyes … I’ve heard the legends, but never thought I would see it in real life.”</p> <p>Since it was posted on Tuesday, the video has gone viral, racking up more than 5,000 views in a day.</p> <p>United Airlines has yet to comment on the incident.</p>

Travel Trouble

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Baz Luhrmann is making a biopic about Elvis Presley

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Baz Luhrmann has decided to create a biopic about musical legend Elvis Presley. Luhrmann is known for his stylised work on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moulin Rouge! </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Great Gatbsy</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Five actors battled it out to get the top spot of playing Presley, with big names such as Ansel Elgort, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Miles Teller, Austin Butler and musician slash actor Harry Styles fighting for the part.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it has recently been announced that the man who will play the King of Rock is Austin Butler. Butler announced the news on his Instagram.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></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/Bz8sg24Bw6y/" 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/Bz8sg24Bw6y/" target="_blank">“You have made my life complete, and I love you so”</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/austinbutler/" target="_blank"> Austin Butler</a> (@austinbutler) on Jul 15, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tom Hanks is already on board the project as Col. Tom Parker, who is the legendary manager who controlled every aspect of Presley’s life.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The film is described as focusing on the late entertainer’s rise and fall, with a major aspect of the film focusing on his relationship with Parker.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a manager, Parker helped build Presley’s career from nothing, but was also said to be extremely controlling. It was also said by </span><a href="https://deadline.com/2019/07/elvis-presley-movie-baz-luhrmann-ansel-elgort-miles-teller-austin-butler-harry-styles-tom-hanks-1202640766/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deadline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that he took half of Presley’s earnings home for himself. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luhrmann has been developing this project with his wife Catherine Martin since finishing on</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The Great Gatsby</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2013. The pair are set to co-produce the biopic.</span></p>

Music

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Mile high club: Pilot reveals the truth about what REALLY goes on

<p>Former navy pilot Chick McElwee started a company called Air Australia International that offers chartered flights, patient transfer and repatriation, as well as flight instruction.</p> <p>However, he offers something else that has piqued people’s interest – mile-high flights, which are f<span>lights where p</span><span>assengers are encouraged to have sex in the air, and they have sent his bookings through the roof.</span></p> <p>The idea came from someone making a passing comment about what the bed was for on board the plane.</p> <p>McElwee thought on his feet and didn’t mention it was for transporting unwell passengers, and said it was for couples wishing to join the mile-high club.</p> <p>He shared with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/air-australia-international-pilot-reveals-what-really-goes-on-during-milehigh-flights/news-story/09e39f25b41104efd5444920c9e6a8d4" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>: </p> <p>“I said we’d done about 25 flights,” the pilot recounted.  </p> <p>“And then, suddenly, we started getting heaps of inquiries.”</p> <p>He’s improved the original cabin design, but the basics are still there: a double bed with fresh linen and pillows, a bottle of champagne, chocolates and the privacy curtain drawn between the cabin and the cockpit.</p> <p>For those who are worried about the pilot hearing your rendezvous, you needn’t worry.</p> <p>“You don’t really hear anything because the engines are so loud,” McElwee said about piloting the mile-high flights, “but you do feel it move because the plane is balanced. So when people move back and forward – you feel it.”</p> <p>Air Australia’s mile-high club is open to anyone over the age of 18 and who has a spare hour and $750 to spend for the flight.</p> <p>McElwee’s passengers have included celebrities, sportspeople as well as glamour models.</p> <p>“The customer base is not what you think it is,” he laughs.</p> <p>The customer base in question includes a 70-year-old woman who has flown multiple times with her much younger lovers as well as a naked man who was so desperate for another bottle of champagne, he burst into the cockpit searching for one.</p>

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Dental tourism: Things to consider before going that extra mile for your smile

<p>Australians spend up to <a href="https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2015/januaryfebruary/medical-tourism/">A$300 million</a> each year on health-care costs abroad. As part of this phenomenon, each year <a href="https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/hospitals-and-medical-procedures/medical-treatments/articles/cosmetic-surgery-holidays">around 15,000 of us</a> are travelling overseas for cosmetic surgery tourism, including dental procedures.</p> <p>We don’t have firm numbers on exactly how much Australians spend on dental procedures. But we know for sure dental implants, crowns and bridges (prosthetic devices implanted to cover a damaged tooth or missing teeth), endodontics (such as root canal treatments) and other cosmetic dental procedures are becoming highly desirable.</p> <p>There has never been more pressure to have a straight, bright and white set of teeth.</p> <p><strong>The rise of dental tourism</strong></p> <p>Health-care tourism refers to people travelling overseas to undergo a medical or dental procedure. People travel for a range of dental procedures including having implants, crowns and bridges fitted, or for dentures, root canal treatment, fillings, veneers and teeth whitening.</p> <p>In Australia, <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia-2015/contents/cost-of-dental-care">three in ten people</a> have avoided visiting a dentist due to cost, while <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia-2015/contents/cost-of-dental-care">one in five</a> were unable to afford treatment recommended by a dentist. Dental care in Australia is <a href="https://chf.org.au/sites/default/files/health-voices-may12_web.pdf">not subsidised</a> for the majority of Australians, and <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports-statistics/health-conditions-disability-deaths/dental-oral-health/overview">about half</a> don’t have any private dental insurance, which makes the allure of dental tourism clear.</p> <p>Some companies offer all-inclusive packages for sun, sea and smiles, meaning you can receive dental care as part of your holiday.</p> <p>Dental treatment abroad including flights and luxury hotel accommodation is often still cheaper than some dental treatments at home. For Australians, the most popular destinations are countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines.</p> <p>Patients who travel tend to be ordinary people with modest incomes. And, like medical tourism, a substantial part of overseas dental travel involves diaspora patients returning to their home country for more familiar (and cheaper) care.</p> <p><strong>What are the risks?</strong></p> <p>Dentistry, whether provided at home or abroad, is never risk-free. You might pay top dollar to see the best provider and still have something go wrong.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.ada.org.au/Your-Dental-Health/Younger-Adults-18-30/Dental-Tourism">Australian Dental Association</a> advocates for patients to reconsider mixing holidays abroad with their oral health care. The association says the standards of dentistry overseas aren’t as good as in Australia and there could be issues with cleanliness and infection risk.</p> <p>While there are no strong population-based studies that prove overseas dental treatment leads to poor outcomes, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2010.01267.x">case studies</a> do exist. These have shown lack of accountability and regulation are the main issues with dental tourism, particularly when complications arise.</p> <p>Education, training and practice philosophies of overseas-trained dentists might be different to those of Australian-trained dentists. Dental education systems in a few major tourist destinations in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent are facing several challenges in terms of rapid privatisation, quality and regulation.</p> <p>On the other side on the coin, Australia has also had <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/up-to-10000-sydney-dental-patients-are-being-urged-to-get-blood-tests-for-hiv-hepatitis/news-story/9195b8da90deda723ac9093f2b66360e">reported cases</a> of poor infection control practices.</p> <p><strong>Things to consider</strong></p> <p>Whether you choose to have dental treatment overseas or in Australia, here are some things to consider:</p> <p><strong>Have you had enough time to think about your treatment?</strong> If you have a plane to catch and a tight schedule, you need to be wary about being pressured into committing to treatments before you feel ready. Holidays come and go but the effects of dental treatment stick around for a lot longer.</p> <p><strong>Have you been able to ask questions?</strong> Most dentists are really good at telling patients about treatments and different options. If you don’t feel you can ask questions, or that you are getting answers that satisfy your needs, you should be able to have a second opinion. Don’t be afraid to ask for one.</p> <p><strong>What happens if things don’t work out?</strong> Dentistry is as much of an art as it is a science. No matter how skilled your dentist, sometimes things don’t go to plan or are more complex than first thought. It usually isn’t too much of a problem to put things right, but if you need to see a dentist again, is this going to be difficult?</p> <p><strong>From dental tourism to transnational dental care</strong></p> <p>In this era of globalisation, overseas travel for dental care seems unavoidable. On a positive note, increased international flows of patients are likely to stimulate debate and develop solutions to enable more effective and cheaper access to dental care in Australia.</p> <p>Host countries that benefit from dental tourism and have modified their clinical facilities for an international clientele may be encouraged to offer similar levels of quality care to local patients.</p> <p>Professional and patient regulation and other mechanisms (such as insurance) that are preserved for national interests will need to widen to include the concerns of overseas health-care travellers.</p> <p>Regional cooperation across countries where dental tourism occurs will need to be actively pursued. This includes streamlined support for understanding dental tourism such as the inflows and outflows of patients, types of treatments, care providers and after care. Better data on dental tourism are vital for tracing and explaining this phenomenon.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102910/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Written by <span>Madhan Balasubramanian, NHMRC Sidney Sax Research Fellow, University of Sydney and Alexander Holden, Lecturer in Dental Ethics, Law and Professionalism, University of Sydney</span>. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/dental-tourism-things-to-consider-before-going-that-extra-mile-for-your-smile-102910"><span>The Conversation</span></a>.</em></p> <p> </p>

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Aretha Franklin “had no will” despite her $109 million fortune

<p><strong><u><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/world-reacts-to-aretha-franklin-s-death">She passed away last week</a></u></strong> after a battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 76, but it has been revealed that Aretha Franklin did not leave a will behind.</p> <p>Worth a staggering US$80 million (AU$109 million) at the time of her death, the Queen of Soul died "intestate," which means she had no legally binding will prior to her death on August 16, according to documents obtained by TMZ.</p> <p>"Aretha was ill for several years, but apparently did not see the end coming... or possibly a will was low on the priority list," reported TMZ.</p> <p>Kenneth Silver, from the Hertz Schram law firm in Michigan, told <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://people.com/"><em>People</em></a></strong></span> that it's highly likely she left behind a number of assets.</p> <p>"I would expect that she has a house, probably a financial account of some kind – a brokerage account, stocks, bond, cash. She probably has investments of a wide variety, perhaps in real estate ventures, other businesses that she may own or have an interest in."</p> <p>Silver also speculated that Franklin may have copyrights to her songs and that of other artists, as well as a collection of personal property, such as "Grammys, gold records, memorabilia from Motown years and onward."</p> <p>According to Michigan law, where Franklin passed away, a deceased person's estate is to be equally divided among one's children.</p> <p>Franklin has four sons – Clarence, Edward Franklin, 61, Ted White Jr, 54, Kecalf Cunningham, 48.</p> <p>But as history shows us, non-immediate family members and possibly even friends may feel they deserve a share in Franklin’s estate.</p> <p>"My expectation is that as much will be done behind closed doors as possible. It is the objective of the survivors of any deceased, whether it be Aretha Franklin or John Smith, to handle affairs as simply and quickly as you can," Silver said. "If you can avoid court proceedings, you want to avoid court proceedings. Sometimes you just can't do that…</p> <p>"In my experience, the larger the estate, the more public the figure, the greater the likelihood that there is going to be an issue."</p> <p> </p>

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“Greatest of all time”: World reacts to Aretha Franklin’s death

<p>Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin has died from advance pancreatic cancer at home in Detroit, aged 76.</p> <p>The music icon was surrounded by family and friends when she died at 9.50am on Thursday local time.</p> <p>“It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the Queen of Soul,” her family said in a statement issued by her publicist.</p> <p>“In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart.</p> <p>“We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”</p> <p>Her family thanked friends and supporters from all over the world for their prayers.</p> <p>“We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received,” the statement read.</p> <p>“We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”</p> <p>The death of the legendary singer, known for such enduring hits as <em>Respect</em> (1967), <em>Natural Woman</em> (1968) and <em>I Say a Little Prayer</em> (1968), sparked an outpouring of love and tributes for the remarkable woman from around the world.</p> <p>Diana Ross said she was “sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.”</p> <p>Smokey Robinson said in a statement: “This morning my longest friend in this world went home to be with our father. I will miss her so much but I know she’s at peace.”</p> <p>Barbra Streisand shared a photo of herself performing with Franklin in 2012, writing: “It’s difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer, but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world.”</p> <p>John Legend tweeted: “Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I’ve ever known.”</p> <p>Barack and Michelle Obama said in a statement: “Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade-our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect.</p> <p>“She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.</p> — Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) <a href="https://twitter.com/DianaRoss/status/1030100713093967873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance – a benefit for <a href="https://twitter.com/ejaf?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ejaf</a> at St John The Divine Cathedral. She was obviously unwell, and I wasn’t sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof.</p> — Elton John (@eltonofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/eltonofficial/status/1030101482731962369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">This photo was taken in 2012 when Aretha &amp; I performed at a tribute celebration for our friend Marvin Hamlisch. It’s difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer,but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world <a href="https://t.co/Px9zVB90MM">pic.twitter.com/Px9zVB90MM</a></p> — Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarbraStreisand/status/1030096939109556229?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <p> </p> <p>US President Donald Trump opened a Cabinet meeting at the White House today by expressing his “condolences to the family of a person I knew well”. He said Franklin “worked for me on numerous occasions,” and her “legacy will thrive and inspire” many generations.</p> <p>“She was terrific — Aretha Franklin — on her passing,” said the President, who also tweeted about the singer. “She’s brought joy to millions of lives and her extraordinary legacy will thrive and inspire many generations to come. She was given a great gift from God — her voice, and she used to well. People loved Aretha. She was a special woman. So just want to pass on my warmest best wishes and sympathies to her family.”</p> <p>Clive Davis, the music mogul who helped revive Franklin’s career in the 1980s, said he was “devastated” by her death.</p> <p>“She was truly one of a kind,” he said in a statement. “She was more than the Queen of Soul. She was a national treasure to be cherished by every generation throughout the world.</p> <p>“Apart from our long professional relationship, Aretha was my friend. Her loss is deeply profound and my heart is full of sadness.”</p> <p>Berry Gordy, founder of the Motown record label, said in a statement: “A national treasure to everyone. But to me personally, Aretha Franklin was my dear, dear friend, my homegirl, and I loved her a lot.</p> <p>“From seeing her as a baby singing and playing at the piano at her father’s home, to her giving a rousing performance at the White House, she has always been amazing. No matter how the music has changed over the years, she remained so relevant.”</p> <p>In her decades-long career that spanned multiple genres, Franklin’s powerful voice that stretched over four octaves defined her place in American music history.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. <a href="https://t.co/bfASqKlLc5">pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5</a></p> — Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1030129887623958538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">What a life. What a legacy! <br />So much love, respect and gratitude.<br />R.I.P. <a href="https://twitter.com/ArethaFranklin?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArethaFranklin</a> <a href="https://t.co/400K1U5IHI">https://t.co/400K1U5IHI</a></p> — Carole King (@Carole_King) <a href="https://twitter.com/Carole_King/status/1030096175993475079?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">One of the highlights of my career was singing with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ArethaFranklin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ArethaFranklin</a> at The Tony Awards. It was an out of body experience for me. One of greatest singers of all time. You will be missed by all. <a href="https://t.co/L8dIIhyR9Y">https://t.co/L8dIIhyR9Y</a></p> — Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) <a href="https://twitter.com/RealHughJackman/status/1030098224156209153?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">The choir of angels now have the greatest voice of all time to lead, praise and join in to sing before Jesus. I wanted to share this photo because it shows just how soulful Aretha was without uttering a word. To say I was humbled to be in her presence would be an understatement. <a href="https://t.co/R2lxjXwDO8">pic.twitter.com/R2lxjXwDO8</a></p> — Faith Hill (@FaithHill) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaithHill/status/1030110318826074112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!</p> — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1030116078125568006?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul <a href="https://t.co/jW4Gpwfdts">pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts</a></p> — Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulMcCartney/status/1030103284881805312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2010, <em>Rolling Stone</em> magazine named her the greatest singer of all time, male or female.</p> <p>The Hall of Fame issued a statement titled “Lady Soul”, which read: “The first woman inducted into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame, Aretha Franklin was an artist of passion, sophistication and command, whose recordings remain anthems that defined soul music. Long live the Queen.”</p>

Music

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Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is “seriously ill”

<p>Legendary singer Aretha Franklin is “seriously ill” and receiving hospice care in Detroit, Michigan, according to US media.</p> <p>“Aretha is surrounded by family and people close to her” in Detroit and “the family is asking for prayers and privacy”, reports <strong><em><u><a href="http://www.showbiz411.com/2018/08/12/exclusive-aretha-franklin-queen-of-soul-gravely-ill-in-detroit-winner-of-18-grammy-awards">Showbiz 411</a></u></em><u>.</u></strong></p> <p>The US Today show reporter Charles Croucher also shared an update on the singer’s health.</p> <p>"We know she's battled cancer since 2010 and struggled with health on numerous occasions recently. But it seems like things are in a bad state for the Queen of Soul. She is loved around the world... 18 Grammys and the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She performed on stage and on the big screen in movies as well, but it's that voice and that power that people remember so fondly," he said.</p> <p>The 76-year-old cancelled concerts earlier this year due to health concerns. She last performed at an event for Elton John's AIDS foundation in November 2017.</p> <p>“Aretha Franklin has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months,” her management <strong><u><a href="https://ew.com/music/2018/03/17/aretha-franklin-cancels-upcoming-concerts/">said in a statement</a></u></strong> in March.</p> <p>Last year, the Queen of Soul said she was <strong><u><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/aretha-franklin-announces-retirement/">planning to retire from touring</a></u></strong> following the release of her new album. At the time, she said she wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren.</p> <p><em>Showbiz 411</em> claims Franklin is battling cancer after being diagnosed in 2010.</p> <p>However, Franklin has previously denied that she has cancer.</p> <p>The 18-time Grammy winner did confirm that she underwent surgery for an unspecified health scare in 2010.</p> <p>“He (the doctor) said, ‘The surgery that you just had is going to add 15 to 20 more years to your life’,” Franklin told <em>Access Hollywood</em>.</p> <p>Franklin is widely considered one of the greatest vocalists of all time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.</p> <p>Some of music’s biggest stars, including Mariah Carey and Missy Elliott, tweeted their love and support to Franklin.  </p>

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Aretha Franklin breaks her silence about dramatic weight loss

<p><span>Aretha Franklin has opened up about her drastic weight loss following a fake Twitter account recently announcing her death.</span></p> <p><span>“I’m doing well generally, all tests have come back good,” the singer told <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/aretha-franklin-responds-to-rumors-of-her-death-im-doing-well/" target="_blank">Us Weekly</a></strong></span>.</span></p> <p><span>“I’ve lost a lot of weight due to side effects of medicine, it affects your weight … Thanxxxx for your concern.”</span></p> <p><span>Fans were shocked on Tuesday after a Twitter account falsely announced the 75-year-old Queen of Soul’s death.</span></p> <p><span>Franklin’s good friend and reporter Shaun Robinson addressed the rumours after the fake death hoax story was trending online.</span></p> <p><span>“Good Morning, Everyone. I just spoke to one of Ms. Franklin’s family friends in my hometown of Detroit,” Robinson tweeted. “They spoke to Aretha moments ago and asked me to tell you please don’t believe this news that was trending. Have a good day.”</span></p> <p><span>Earlier this year Franklin announced that she was </span><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/retirement-life/2017/02/aretha-franklin-announces-retirement/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">retiring from music</span></strong></a><span>.</span></p> <p><span>The iconic musician explained that she wanted to spend more time with her grandchildren before they went on to university.</span></p> <p><span>“This is what I’ve done all of my life,” she said. “I feel very, very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from and where it is now."</span></p> <p><span>She revealed that she plans to stay active by opening a nightclub and doing “some select things”.</span></p> <p><span>“I'll be pretty much satisfied, but I'm not going to go anywhere and just sit down and do nothing. That wouldn't be good either.”</span></p>

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Aretha Franklin’s drastic weight loss transformation will stun you

<p>Aretha Franklin has taken to social media to reveal her dramatic weight loss transformation, and as you can see below the results speak for themselves.</p> <p>The 75-year-old singer, who is popular for hits like <em>Respect</em> and <em>Say A Little Prayer</em>, looked slimmer than ever in these photos posted on Instagram recently.</p> <p><img width="498" height="440" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40475/aretha-franklin-in-text-2_498x440.jpg" alt="Aretha -Franklin -In -Text -2"/></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / wolf_trap</em></p> <p><em><img width="499" height="425" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/40476/aretha-franklin-in-text_499x425.jpg" alt="Aretha -Franklin -In -Text"/></em></p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram / upscalemagazine</em></p> <p>Franklin recently told a US TV station that this would be her last year performing, “I am retiring this year. I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.”</p> <p>What do you think of the transformation? What’s your favourite Aretha Franklin song? Let us know in the comments section below, we’d be keen to hear from you. </p>

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