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"I'm officially cutting ties": Sunrise star quits media for glittering new career

<p>Former <em>Weekend Sunrise</em> TV presenter Talitha Cummins is embarking on a new chapter in her life, bidding farewell to her 20-year-long media career.</p> <p>Cummins, widely recognised for her role as a newsreader on <em>Weekend Sunrise</em> and more recently as a newsreader on Triple M Sydney, recently shared on social media her decision to step away from the media industry. Her departure is driven by her passion for a new venture in the world of jewellery.</p> <p>In a heartfelt Instagram post, the 43-year-old former journalist reflected on her two decades in journalism and television while also announcing her exciting shift toward launching her own diamond and jewellery business:</p> <p>"It’s a big day for me today," she wrote. "I’m officially cutting ties with a 20 year career in journalism/television + media consulting and launching my business in diamond and jewellery creating.</p> <p>"It’s a big shift, but the move to launching my own business has given me an energy and drive like never before.</p> <p>"Our family has been creating diamond jewellery for 50 years and I’ve joined forces with my uncle Craig and cousin Kara to create @thecutjewellery - Bespoke diamond ring and fine jewellery using lab diamonds - all crafted by our team of jewellers in Sydney....</p> <p>"I’m excited to be a part of what’s proving to be the biggest disruptor to the jewellery industry."</p> <p>Cummins gained widespread acclaim as a member of Seven's <em>Weekend Sunrise</em> team in 2014, where she assumed the role of newsreader following Jessica Rowe's departure. However, her journey took an unexpected turn in early 2017 during her maternity leave with her first child, Oliver. She received a call from Seven News chief Craig McPherson, who informed her that her contract as a newsreader on the show had been terminated.</p> <p>This abrupt decision was met with astonishment and disappointment, especially as Cummins had anticipated resuming her role on the popular weekend breakfast show. Instead, she was offered a weekday 5am time slot, leaving her feeling blindsided by the sudden change.</p> <p>The timing of this development was particularly challenging for Cummins, as she was gearing up to promote her episode on <em>Australian Story</em>, aired on ABC, in which she candidly shared her personal battle with alcoholism and her remarkable four-year journey to sobriety.</p> <p>Cummins contested her dismissal, asserting that it had been unjust. In a mere four months, the Seven network and Cummins reached a confidential settlement, putting an end to the legal dispute.</p> <p>Cummins' departure from the media world marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in her life as she immerses herself in the world of diamonds and jewellery, following in her family's tradition and pursuing her passion.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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"Ice in his veins": Stunning result in First Ashes Test

<p>Australia has emerged victorious in the first Ashes Test, with captain Pat Cummins chasing down 281 with just two wickets left inside the final five overs on the last day at Edgbaston.</p> <p>Cummins scored an unbeaten 44 as he and Nathan Lyon (16) put on 55 for the ninth wicket to bag the win — a thrilling reversal of Australia’s famous two-run loss at the same ground in 2005.</p> <p>The captain and Lyon hit occasional boundaries, wearing several short balls on the body before Cummins got a thick edge to third man off Robinson and Harry Brook’s fumble on the boundary saw Aussie fans and players erupt in raptures — reigning in a 1-0 lead in the series.</p> <p>"Ice in his veins," England great Michael Atherton said in commentary when Cummins' boundary sealed the result.</p> <p>"Pat Cummins has led his side to a famous victory here at Edgbaston.</p> <p>"Seventy-two they needed when he came to the crease and he has got his team over the line.”</p> <p>Aussie cricket legend Ricky Ponting was astounded.</p> <p>"What an end to a Test match, what a game of cricket," the former captain said.</p> <p>Needing 174 runs to win at the start of the day, in-form opener Usman Khawaja laid a platform for the late charge with 65 off 197 balls, before being bowled late in the day.</p> <p>He admitted he was “Sh****ng [himself]” as he watched the rest of the brutal run chase from the sheds.</p> <p>Despite being confined to a knee brace, Ben Strokes brought himself on to bowl and claimed the wicket of the eventual man of the match, Usman Khawaja.</p> <p>As the Aussie dressing room spiralled into a frenzy, an elated Cummins raced over to Lyon at the opposite end of the wicket and lifted his batting partner off the ground.</p> <p>The pair were then seen in a triumphant embrace as ecstatic Aussies in the Birmingham crowd celebrated the incredible result.</p> <p>The victory — initially appearing highly unlikely when Lyon joined Cummins with the visitors needing 54 runs to win — made for Australia’s highest successful run chase against England since 1948.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

News

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Seinfeld and Analyze This star dies at age 93

<p>Comedian and actor Pat Cooper has passed away peacefully in his Las Vegas home at 93 years of age.</p> <p>Cooper was known for his regular appearances on <em>The Howard Stern Show</em>, and his role in the film <em>Analyze This </em>alongside Robert De Niro, as well as its sequel <em>Analyze That</em>.</p> <p>His producer, Steve Garrin confirmed the news of the star’s death to <em>Fox News Digita</em>l.</p> <p>"There was nobody like Pat Cooper, who burned every bridge that he went over. I put out a lot of the fires!" he joked.</p> <p>“He was one man who was honest. You could depend on him. You could trust him. If he gave you his word and said he was going to do something, he did it. And he helped so many people,” Garrin added.</p> <p>The Brooklyn-born comic also made a brief appearance in a <em>Seinfeld </em>episode titled <em>The Friar's Club</em>, where he played himself, after his reputation as the roast-master at the Friar's Club - where comedians throw their best jokes at each other - garnered the attention of Larry David.</p> <p>“I was sitting at his table in his kitchen and the phone rings, and it’s Larry David,” Garrin recalled the moment Cooper was asked to appear on the show.</p> <p>"He picks up the phone, and he hangs it up. I go, ‘What was that?’ He says, ‘Some nut.’ The phone rings again, and he picks it up, and he hangs it up.</p> <p>“I said, ‘What’s going on with you?’ and he goes, ‘Some guy says he’s Larry David,’ and I said, ‘Well, maybe if he calls again, see if it is,’” Garrin added.</p> <p>A few comedians have paid tribute to the star.</p> <p>“Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen,” wrote American comedian, Bill Burr, on Twitter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rest in Peace Pat Cooper. No one ever had the fire for as long as you did. An absolute force of nature and one of the greatest comedians I’ve ever seen.</p> <p>— Bill Burr (@billburr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billburr/status/1666843262714535937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighbourhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt,” tweeted American comedian Jim Norton.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">RIP Pat Cooper. I was lucky enough to interact with him on the radio, as well as Tough Crowd. We lived in the same neighborhood and he always took the time to stop and talk for a few minutes in front of his apt. His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force.</p> <p>— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimNorton/status/1666619128273068032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>“His energy was limitless. Pat was an unstoppable, hilarious force,” he added.</p> <p>Cooper is survived by his wife, Emily Conner, two daughters and a son.</p> <p><em>Image: Grant Lamos IV/ FilmMagic/ Getty Images</em></p>

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"Guy is clueless": Kyrgios hits back at Pat Rafter

<p>Nick Kyrgios has hit back at Aussie tennis legend Pat rafter after he dubbed Kyrgios' doubles team with Thanasi Kokkinakis a "circus".</p> <div id="story-primary"> <p>Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, a duo that has been dubbed the "Special Ks", took the Australian Open by storm in 2022 when they teamed up and claimed the doubles crown.</p> <p>The doubles act brought their signature flair to the court, bringing audiences to their feet in a memorable display of sporting showmanship. </p> <p>But Rafter said the way the pair conduct themselves during the match has ruffled feathers among those on tour and left them on the outside within the locker room.</p> <p>Rafter appeared on the <em>Australian Open: The Happy Slam</em> podcast and labelled the doubles act as a “circus”. </p> <p>“It’s an interesting one that is, because the players are really upset about it,” Rafter said.</p> <p>“I don’t know how that operates with them and doesn’t really bother me either way. It’s a bit of a circus … doubles is a great event, it’s a lot of fun, and it helps you with singles, but it’s not where it’s at. But at the same time, it’s entertainment.”</p> <p>“If they create drama, create ticket sales, and they create people watching, then good on them, but at what expense, I don’t know. The players are really upset. Are you supposed to understand the underwritten rule that that’s not how you behave when you do?” Rafter said.</p> <p>Kyrgios hit back at Rafter on social media, slamming the Aussie sports legend for fabricating the outrage of players. </p> <p>“He would have absolutely zero idea on what the locker room thinks. Me and kokk have great relationships with most of the players on tour. Guy is clueless,” Kyrgios wrote on Twitter.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

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Pat Rafter delves into “rift” between Ash Barty and US player

<p>Aussie great Pat Rafter has opened up about the tension during Ash Barty’s match against her 2022 Australian Open final opponent, Danielle Collins.</p> <p>The now retired tennis star smashed the American 6-3 7-6 (7-2) which saw Barty claim her first home slam and the third of her career.</p> <p>Almost 12 months later, Rafter has opened up about the tension the pair had in which Barty didn’t want to lose to the American star and vice versa.</p> <p>“I knew with her and Danielle, they had a bit of a … what’s the word? There was no love lost anyway,” Rafter told reporters ahead of the United Cup.</p> <p>“Danielle’s pretty feisty. And Ash didn’t want to lose to her.”</p> <p>He said that there was a bit of worry when he saw Barty get “rattled” on court before getting out of her head and smashing the game.</p> <p>“It was pretty funny, I don’t know how much you can pick up on the on-court subtleties of it but I’m pretty aware of Ash and I understand where her mind’s at and I can see all her little movements and ticks,” Rafter continued.</p> <p>“I was going, ‘oh no, she’s getting rattled, she’s not good’. But she was able to pull it out which was pretty important.</p> <p>“I would have hated to see her get to the final and lose because she was the dominant player. I like seeing the best players win.”</p> <p>After her successful win, the now 26-year-old shocked the tennis world by announcing her retirement from the game.</p> <p>She recently got married to her longtime partner Garry Kissick and is currently working at Optus.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Nick "Honey Badger" Cummins welcomes "little badger cub"

<p>Former Bachelor and rugby star Nick Cummins AKA the “Honey Badger” has welcomed a baby with girlfriend Alexandra George.</p> <p>In a heart-warming post shared to Instagram, Cummins shared a cute photo of him kissing his partner as she cradled the newborn.</p> <p>“What an amazing life experience, so much love for my mob,” he wrote.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjXkl_2LSbD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CjXkl_2LSbD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Honey Badger (@nickbadger)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Celebrities wished them well in the comments, with swimmer Shayna Jack writing “Congratulations to you both! Amazing news.”</p> <p>The couple are yet to make a public comment regarding the baby's name or gender.</p> <p>Earlier this year, Cummins shared an intimate Instagram post in which he announced that he and Ms George were expecting a “little badger cub”.</p> <p>The "Honey Badger" and girlfriend Alexandra have been public with their relationship since March 2021, after having secretly dated since June 2020. It has been rumoured they spent lockdown together on the NSW mid-north coast.</p>

Family & Pets

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"We'll all miss you": Lisa Curry shares heartbreaking news

<p dir="ltr">Former Olympian Lisa Curry has shared heartbreaking news that her beloved mum had passed away aged 86.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 59-year-old took to Instagram on Thursday night to share the sad update about Pat, two weeks after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/lisa-curry-finally-reunites-with-86-year-old-mum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">they were finally able to reunite</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My heart is broken again. Our beautiful mum slipped away peacefully this morning,” Curry wrote in her heartfelt tribute, along with sharing a photo of her mum with a red rose and a teddy bear.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-77001a45-7fff-9bfe-65fb-6eac05199a80"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“My brother Scott travelled for 48 hrs from Berlin, my sister Melanie and I continually counting down the days, hours and minutes to mum until he arrived. She waited. We shared some last laughs, memories and lots of tears.”</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/CapF1_Gp0qM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CapF1_Gp0qM/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The loss comes less than two years after Curry lost her daughter Jaimi, who died battling an eating disorder in 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ma to Jaimi, Morgan, Jett and Bodhi; Mama to Flynn and Taj,” her tribute continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My baby girl, and now my mum … 86 years, nearly 87 …</p> <p dir="ltr">“I took this photo just yesterday … so beautiful and peaceful, I love this photo.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for being a wonderful mother. Have a nice long sleep mum. We love you so much and we’ll all miss you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Curry previously shared a clip of herself in full PPE in mid-February, when she was able to visit her mum in her aged care facility after it was locked down for a month.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Shout out to all the nurses and doctors, or anyone who has to wear this stuff every single day - I don’t know how you can do it, I can’t breathe!” she said in the video.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Good on you. Thanks for looking after our elderly parents. Thanks.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Her tribute to her mum was quickly flooded with supportive and kind messages from her followers and friends, including her <em>I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!</em> co-stars Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Tegan Martin.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sending you so much love beautiful. 💗,” Bassingthwaighte wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So sorry 😢 sending you lots of love jungle ma. 💗💗,” Martin commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What a beautiful picture of your mum. She looks peaceful and content. I’m so sorry for all the sadness you have had to endure. Love to you and all your family xx 💗💗,” another follower shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sorry to see you’ve lost your mum Lisa. I lost mine 12 years ago,” a second person wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s so hard… there’s truly no one like your mum. Carry her in your heart 💗💗.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-44975433-7fff-b98e-3989-c7a383b16a4d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @lisacurry (Instagram)</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Guy Sebastian slams SAS Australia's violence against women

<p>Guy Sebastian has called out Channel 7’s <em>SAS Australia</em>, saying he felt “sick” after he tuned in to Monday night’s episode.</p> <p>In the episode, the 17 celebrity recruits were challenged to fight one another in a boxing fight.</p> <p>AFLW player Sabrina Frederick picked Nick ‘Honeybadger’ Cummins, which shocked her fellow contestants and those watching at home.</p> <p>Honeybadger did not hold back, and Sebastian came on to Nova 93.7’s <em>Nathan, Nat &amp; Shaun</em> show on Thursday morning to speak about the confronting scene.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838373/sas-guy-sebastian-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1770343db2e749c2938ebcd79e504fce" /></p> <p>“My wife and I run a foundation where we deal with domestic violence,” he said on radio.</p> <p>“I thought that was pretty p**s poor, if I’m being honest.</p> <p>“I think it makes it very difficult to tell your kids, to tell your boy, ‘You never hit a girl! It doesn’t matter what the circumstance is, you just never, ever hit a girl. Violence against women is always wrong.’</p> <p>“I felt quite sick if I’m being honest, watching that,” Sebastian continued.</p> <p>The Australian Idol winner made it clear that he was not “having a crack at Nick (Cummins)”, but rather “whoever is in charge of the show”.</p> <p>A fierce debate erupted regarding Monday night’s episode and whether it was right for Cummins to agree to the challenge.</p> <p>Speaking to <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/nick-cummins-boxes-aflw-player-leaving-people-in-tears-c-1414088" target="_blank">7 News</a>, <em>SAS Australia </em>chief instructor Ant Middleton said: “The hand-to-hand combat task was the ultimate test of character and bravery.</p> <p>“Sabrina had the luxury of choosing her enemy and she chose a tough opponent, showing true strength of character and how much she wanted to test herself and get the absolute most out of this experience.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838374/sas-guy-sebastian-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bef74f62933d4737a84a0ab5ea5f484a" /></p> <p>“Nick did exactly what was asked of him,” Middleton added.</p> <p>“They both held a good and correct account of themselves.”</p> <p>Frederick spoke to Seven News about the incident and revealed why she wanted to challenge Cummins.</p> <p>“I volunteered first and I picked Nick for two reasons,” she said.</p> <p>“Firstly, I wanted to select the person I thought was the biggest challenge. Secondly, I knew our respect was mutual and he would give me a fair fight, regardless of my gender.</p> <p>“In battle, the enemy doesn’t care about your gender or size and we had to think like soldiers to get through each and every task.</p> <p>“Yes, I was scared but that’s the whole point of SAS selection – not letting the fear consume you and instead harnessing it to empower you.</p> <p>“I am truly grateful for Nick and for that experience.”</p>

Music

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"Insulting and dangerous": Pat Cash faces strong backlash

<p><span>Australian tennis great Pat Cash has received major backlash on social media after sharing a widely debunked theory about coronavirus.</span><br /><br /><span>On Wednesday, Cash took to Twitter to share a link to the ‘Plandemic: Indoctornation’ movie.</span><br /><br /><span>The clip promotes a debunked conspiracy theory about how the COVID-19 strain was created.</span><br /><br /><span>“It’s finally out, download here as well,” the 55-year-old wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>“Be informed - make up your own mind.”</span><br /><br /><span>The ‘Plandemic’ movie has been banned on Facebook due to the platform making major moves to combat the spread of “fake news” and misinformation.</span><br /><br /><span>Facebook users have been blocked from sharing the link to the full-length movie.</span><br /><br /><span>The social media warns anyone who tries to share the link that the URL of the video goes against community guidelines, because it has been determined that “fact-checking partners have repeatedly rated false.”</span><br /><br /><span>“Given the previous Plandemic video violated our COVID misinformation policies, we blocked access to that domain from our services,” Facebook told Forbes.</span><br /><br /><span>However Twitter doesn’t have the same regulations for users and instead warns users who click on the link that the content may be “unsafe”.</span><br /><br /><span>Users who saw Cash’s tweet furiously retaliated.</span><br /><br /><span>“Unbelievably disappointing,” commented Dr Nikki Stamp, a heart and lung transplant surgeon.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Seriously <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPatCash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPatCash</a> THIS is how you think. You need to stick to tennis. I am sickened by this. Making up your own mind - whilst spouting off someone else's fiction. Rubbish. Do you have parents, grandparents, loved ones. Will you wear a mask.?</p> — Anne Taylor (@AnnieMTaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnnieMTaylor/status/1296218823398318081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Dangerous dangerous content.</p> — Christos Kyrgios (@xkyrgios) <a href="https://twitter.com/xkyrgios/status/1295932786621026304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">It’s so insulting &amp; dangerous how some people think all you doctors are part of an elaborate hoax. As if you’re happily working all day pretending to treat a fake virus. <br />I’m so sorry this nonsense is impeding all your hard work to help eradicate the effects of this pandemic.</p> — Anouk72 (@Anouk724) <a href="https://twitter.com/Anouk724/status/1296225389749010434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 19, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>“You are putting people’s lives at risks by sharing this, which is not at all factual.”</span><br /><br /><span>Meanwhile, Cash has also taken to social media to push back at the strict regulations put in place to protect players at this month’s US Open.</span><br /><br /><span>He described the new rules as “ridiculous” and “overkill”.</span><br /><br /><span>Forty “social distance ambassadors” will monitor the US Open grounds to make sure players and others are avoiding close contact and wearing face coverings at the upcoming New York grand slam.</span><br /><br /><span>The US Tennis Association bought 500,000 masks to distribute in an effort to avoid a second wave during the fan-free tournament starting on August 31.</span><br /><br /><span>“We're trying to leave nothing to chance and make it as stress-free for the players as possible,” Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre chief operating officer Danny Zausner said.</span><br /><br /><span>The USTA father announced that on Tuesday only one person, who is not a player, turned up positive for COVID-19 out of 1400 tests that were administered in preparation for the US Open.</span><br /><br /><span>Two tests are taken 48 hours apart when a player or member of an entourage arrives at one of the two official hotels or one of the private homes the USTA made available for rent on Long Island.</span><br /><br /><span>However Cash, who was also required to be tested because of his role as a commentator for Eurosport, said the testing process was simply too much.</span><br /><br /><span>“US open tennis ‘bubble’ procedure – 6.30 am first round of testing in hotel (who else would have that type of carpet) now to wait (approx 24 hrs)for results locked in the room,” the 1987 Wimbledon champion posted on Instagram.</span><br /><br /><span>“This makes sense but as I read through the rules it seems that many are completely ridiculous and overkill.”</span></p>

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Sorry, not sorry: Djokovic speaks out on patting chair umpire's feet

<p>Novak Djokovic has apologised for touching the umpire during his Australian Open final match on Sunday night.</p> <p>The Serb initially defended his decision to tap official Damien Dumusois twice on the foot, describing it as “a nice, really friendly touch”, but expressed his regret on Monday.</p> <p>“In a professional sport, things happen that obviously you’re not proud of,” Djokovic said.</p> <p>“Sometimes you do things that you’re not happy with and you go through different emotions, you go through ups and downs.</p> <p>“Of course, I’m not happy that I touched the chair umpire. And I’m sorry if I offended him or anybody else.</p> <p>“But in the heat of the battle, some decisions that he makes or some decision that happens just distracts you and sets you off the balance a little bit.”</p> <p>According to the official grand slam rule book, Djokovic could be charged with a fine of up to AU$30,000 for the action.</p> <p>“Players shall not at any time physically abuse any official, opponent, spectator or other person within the precincts of the tournament site,” the rules state. “Violation of this section shall subject a player to a fine up to US$20,000 [AU$30,000] for each violation.”</p> <p>In the post-match press conference, Djokovic said he did not believe he overstepped the mark. “For touching his shoe? I mean, I didn’t know that’s completely forbidden,” he said after securing his 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 against Dominic Thiem.</p> <p>“I thought it was a nice, really friendly touch. I wasn’t aggressive with him in terms of physical abuse.”</p>

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World reacts to Pat Cummins’ crazy IPL pay day

<p>Australia’s Pat Cummins has become the most expensive overseas buy ever in the Indian Premier League after the Kolkata Knight Riders paid a staggering $3.1 million for the fast bowler at auction.</p> <p>The 26-year-old who ranked No. 1 in Tests was the subject of an intense bidding battle between the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and the Delhi Capitals on Thursday before Kolkata swept in to have him play for them in the 2020 tournament.</p> <p>Cummins has previously played for Kolkata in 2014 and 2015 and last played in the tournament in 2017 for Delhi. The Mumbai Indians nabbed him the following year, but he was unable to play due to a back injury.</p> <p>“Absolutely pumped to be back on board,” said Cummins. “It’s where I played my first couple of years. Can’t wait to work with Baz McCullum, Eoin Morgan, back with Andre Russell, Sunil Narine – can’t wait to get over there.”</p> <p>Before Cummins, England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the most expensive overseas player with Pune paying $3 million in 2017, while India’s Yuvraj Singh had the highest bid for a home-based cricketer at $3.2 million in 2015 from Delhi.</p> <p>Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum was thrilled to have Cummins on his team which also includes England’s World Cup-winning skipper Eoin Morgan.</p> <p>“Two outstanding gentlemen will return to Kolkata Knight Riders! Eoin Morgan with his power middle order game and outstanding leadership help for Dinesh Karthik and one of the game’s premier fast bowlers Pat Cummins who I feel was the best player on offer for this year’s IPL auction. Welcome boys!”</p> <p>But some people questioned the decision, saying Kolkata had overpaid for a player who might not score as heavily as an all-rounder like Stokes.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Pat Cummins...15.50 Cr 😳😳😳...Worth it...???</p> — Samip Rajguru (@samiprajguru) <a href="https://twitter.com/samiprajguru/status/1207640938224316417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 December 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">Most bids were expected barring KKR paying so high for Pat Cummins. I think he does not offer much with the bat and needs to be on the money bowling in the Death at EDEN. They have Lockie and Gurney. Interesting selection. RCB have started well. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLAuction2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLAuction2020</a></p> — Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) <a href="https://twitter.com/gaurav_sundar/status/1207617113633906688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 December 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> <p dir="ltr">WHAT WAS THAT? How fierce was that bid? <a href="https://twitter.com/patcummins30?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@patcummins30</a> is sold to <a href="https://twitter.com/KKRiders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KKRiders</a> for 15.5Cr <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLAuction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLAuction</a> 👏👏</p> — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1207611903687589888?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">19 December 2019</a></blockquote> <p>A total of 62 players were sold at the auction for the 13th edition of the world’s leading T20 competition.</p>

International Travel

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Airport officers under scrutiny after prolonged pat-down of 96-year-old woman in wheelchair

<p><span>A daughter has recorded the moment her 96-year-old wheelchair-bound mother was subjected to a prolonged security pat-down at a US airport.</span></p> <p><span>The video, which has over 9 million views, shows Evelyn LaBrier being searched at Dulles Airport in Washington DC.</span></p> <p><span>Evelyn’s daughter, Jeanne Clarkson, becomes irritated throughout the search and is heard saying: “What the hell do you think she’s going to do? Set off a shoe bomb?</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><span><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjeanneclarkson%2Fvideos%2F10211494393131675%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=264" width="264" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br /></span></p> <p><span>“I was just shocked. I’ve travelled with her before, I’ve been in a wheelchair myself unable to walk through the machines and I’ve never had that kind of a pat-down ever,” Jeanne said.</span></p> <p><span>"I couldn’t believe they were doing this to my 96-year-old mother. It was just shock and frustration because they would not talk to me. I felt helpless.”</span></p> <p><span>In the footage, a Transportation Security Administration officer is seen manoeuvring the woman’s arms to search her.</span></p> <p><span>Another TSA officer moves in front of Jeanne, blocking the phone camera and her view.</span></p> <p><span>“She didn’t know what to say. She does not want to fly again ever,” Jeanne said.</span></p> <p><span>“She didn’t know what they were looking for. She was scared.</span></p> <p><span>“She was just following directions. She said she didn’t know what to do.”</span></p> <p><span>Washington Dulles Airport released a statement in response to the controversy surrounding the viral video.</span></p> <p><span>“Many of you have reached out to us to express concern over a video of a security screening taking place at Dulles International Airport. Security screening at our checkpoints is directed and conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). We have shared customer comments with the TSA for their immediate review and appropriate action,” the airport said.</span></p> <p><span>Many who viewed the footage expressed their concerns over the treatment of the elderly woman.</span></p> <p><span>“This was a 96 year old woman, who was searched repeatedly over and over. I think my concern would have been to treat this elderly woman more kindly with Compassion, not subjecting her to this uncalled body search.”</span></p> <p><span>Another said, “That lady looked like she was going to cry!! That is BEYOND harassment... to give her bad memories like that!”</span></p> <p><span>However, some viewers did not think there was anything wrong with the way the TSA officers conducted the search.</span></p> <p><span>“I know I will probably receive a lot of backlash, but it seemed to me that they treated her with nothing but respect. Their job is to keep people safe. And sometimes that includes searching people,” a Facebook user wrote.</span></p> <p><span>Do you think there is anything wrong with the way the elderly woman was searched? Let us know in the comments below.</span></p>

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Why Pat Cash won’t be celebrating Australia Day

<p><span>Tennis legend Pat Cash has revealed that he won’t be celebrating Australia Day because of how severely the country has failed our Indigenous population.</span></p> <p><span>His controversial comments have reignited debate about changing Australia’s national day from January 26.</span></p> <p><span>As an ambassador for Aboriginal charity Children’s Ground, Cash recently visited the Northern Territory and left the trip disgraced at the condition of the country.</span></p> <p><span>"They're struggling in mainstream school," he said.</span></p> <p><span>"What happens to a lot of the kids? They just drop out.</span></p> <p><span>"There's no electricity, they're living in poverty, it's just so sad.</span></p> <p><span>"I mean are we really doing this to our First Nation people, Aboriginal people?"</span></p> <p><span>The first change Cash wants to see happen for Aboriginal people, is to change the date of national celebration to anything but January 26.</span></p> <p><span>The Greens are also rallying to change the date, working at local government level to convince the community.</span></p> <p><span>However, many people believe the date should be left alone.</span></p> <p><span>The Federal government has blocked attempts by several councils to change the date, including Moreland, Yarra and Darebin, Freemantle and Inner West in Sydney.</span></p> <p><span>Some Aboriginal leaders have their doubts about changing the date, such as Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Price. “Changing Australia Day doesn’t change the lives of Aboriginal people in remote communities,” she said.</span></p> <p><span>Do you think the date of Australia Day should be changed? Let us know in the comments below. </span></p>

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Pat Rafter reveals sad truth about his Davis Cup captain stint

<p>Pat Rafter has responded to Bernard Tomic’s television interview on Sunday night, expressing a number of regrets about his dealing with Tomic during his four-year stint as Davis Cup captain.</p> <p>Rafter spoke to KIIS FM on radio on Monday in response to <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2017/07/bernard-tomic-sunday-night-interview/">Tomic’s Channel Seven Sunday Night interview</a></span></strong>, where Tomic called the to-time US Open winner “not that much of a nice guy” and said he likes to “put on a show”.</p> <p>Thought Rafter did not apologise, the Aussie tennis champ said he felt he could have handled Tomic better during his time as Davis Cup captain and then head of performance.</p> <p> "One of the things I said publicly was that he was pretty disgraceful out there," Rafter said.</p> <p>Rafter made those comments after a US Open match Tomic played against Andy Roddick in 2012 where he appeared to tank in the third set.</p> <p>"Maybe I shouldn't have said that. Maybe it should have been said between him and me."</p> <p>Rafter also agreed with Tomic’s assessment that he acts differently depending on who he’s with.</p> <p>“He’s not entirely wrong, at the end of the day we do wear different hats for different occasions,” Rafter says. “I do put on different faces for different occasions.</p> <p>“I don’t want to bash up on Bernie. He’s got a point and he’s got a voice and he can say what he wants to say. We have had run-ins, we see life a little bit differently.”</p> <p>Of his time as Davis Cup captain, Rafter said he went in believing he could quickly make an impact when he first started dealing with a then 18-year-old Tomic.</p> <p>"… I thought at the time I could make some change but I found out pretty quickly I couldn't impact that," Rafter said.</p> <p>"We see life a bit differently.</p> <p>"So we are going to have disagreements and I was pretty vocal in that and he was pretty hurt by it."</p> <p>After four years as Davis Cup captain, Rafter quit a year earlier than expected and moved onto the head of performance at Tennis Australia. He admitted that he had a lot of difficulty handling the young Australian players.</p> <p>"I realised I had no impact with these guys whatsoever. They couldn't relate to me and I couldn't relate to them," he said.</p> <p>"It wasn't enjoyable," he said of the Davis Cup stint.</p> <p>"I reckon I had one or two enjoyable ties out of the four years I did it for. It was just hard work and banging my head against the wall all the time."</p> <p>Rafter says while he doesn’t hold any ill will toward Tomic, he hasn’t spoken to him in a year and has no plans to get in touch. </p>

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Bernard Tomic: “It's just a job ... I haven't really tried”

<p>In a candid new interview on Seven’s <em>Sunday Night</em> program, tennis star Bernard Tomic has opened up about his life and career, admitting he’s amazed to have come so far given how little effort he occasionally puts in.</p> <p>The troubled Tomic, who has slid from a high of number 17 in the rankings to a meagre 69 in the past year, is unapologetic for his behaviour on and off the court.</p> <p>“Throughout my career, I’ve given 100 per cent,” he told Melissa Doyle. “I’ve given also 30 per cent. But if you balance it out, I think all my career's been around 50 per cent and I haven’t really tried, and really achieved all this. So just amazing what I’ve done.”</p> <p>Tomic, who has been no stranger to criticism over the years, has silenced his naysayers, explaining he could’ve jumped ship at any time and been paid handsomely for it. “There’s been big offers to play for different countries. Millions that ... people could only imagine. And I never did that. I stayed loyal to Australia.”</p> <p>Asked if his love for the sport will ever return, Tomic responded with a firm “no”. “I’m just going to go about it as a job.”</p> <p>The sports star also took aim at fellow Aussie tennis success Pat Rafter, slamming his false “nice guy” image. “Pat’s said a lot of bad things about me, throughout my career, and, you know, he’s always perceived as this nice guy. People don’t know him in the back of closed doors. He’s not that much of a nice guy ... he likes to put on a show.”</p> <p>Did you watch the interview last night? What did you think about Tomic’s comments? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. </p>

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Amusing nicknames grandkids call grandparents

<p><em><strong>Pat Simmons, 69, is a writer of poems, short stories, flash fiction and articles. Her work has been published in anthologies and children’s magazines and she has won writer competitions in Australia and the UK.</strong></em></p> <p>My grandson calls me Patty Arbart. It’s difficult to explain why but I’ll try. He and I used to watch a children’s program on television called <em>Mr. Maker</em>. <em>Mr. Maker</em> shows children how to make a variety of arty, crafty stuff and although Lewis couldn’t walk or say very much as he was only a year old, he really enjoyed this show, except for the part when a large, yellow puppet bird would pop out of a clock and screech phrases like “Only just” or “In a Minute.” Lewis was really scared of this noisy bird so I used to make fun of it by mimicking it. This amused him and he would try to copy me. “Only Just” somehow became “Arbart” and he started calling me “Arbart”. Then one day his mum suggested that they visit “Arbart”. His speech was, by now, developing rapidly. He looked at his mum and corrected her. “Patty Arbart,” he said. And the rest, as they say, is history.</p> <p>I find this amusing so I asked friends and family via Facebook what their grandchildren call them, or what they call their grandparents.</p> <p>Here are some of the results and I’d love to hear from readers of this article as I’m sure there are some gems out there.</p> <ul> <li>Suzanne: Nana Cake because I baked cakes for all my grandchildren and their other Nana was Nana Chook because she kept chooks. Suzanne added that now they all have less sugar in their diets, she and her husband are now Nana Sue and Poppy Bob.</li> <li>Ann: She and her husband are Bummer and Bumper.</li> <li>Kylie: Mum’s mum lived in Tempe, NSW and was on the train line for some years. It didn’t matter where she lived after that, she was always Nana Choot Choot.</li> <li>Danika: My girls call my parents Omi and Opi (German). This is easier than having two grandmas and grandpas. (Nobody wanted to be Nana and Pop).</li> <li>Simone: A friend calls her grandmother Nanma – didn’t like Nanny, wanted something different.</li> <li>Elizabeth: G’ma and G’pa – this abbreviation was always written on cards and gifts by these lovely grandparents so grandchildren used the abbreviation.</li> <li>Annie: Called her grandfather Gang Gang as she couldn’t say Grandad. How Australian is that?</li> </ul> <p>I really liked the fact that many others call, or are called by their first name: e.g. Nanny Helen, Papa Pete etc. First names are important.</p> <p>So, what other names are out there? I’d love to know. Share in the comments below.</p> <p><em>If you have a story to share please get in touch at <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank">melody@oversixty.com.au</a></span></strong>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/07/reflections-on-grandparenthood-from-a-new-grandparent/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">My Tuesdays with Lewis: reflections from a new grandparent</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/06/sibling-rivalries-in-my-childhood-shaped-who-i-am-today/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sibling rivalries in my childhood shaped who I am today</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/tips-to-preserve-your-family-history/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">4 tips to preserve your family history</span></strong></em></a></p>

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