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From cheeky thrill to grande dame – the Moulin Rouge celebrates 135 years of scandal and success

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/will-visconti-805914">Will Visconti</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>When the Moulin Rouge first opened on October 6 1889, it drew audiences from across classes and countries.</p> <p>The Moulin offered an array of <em>fin-de-siècle</em> (end-of-the-century) entertainments to Paris locals and visitors. Located in <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mont/hd_mont.htm">Montmartre</a>, its name, the “red windmill”, alluded to Montmartre’s history as a rural idyll. The neighbourhood was also associated with artistic bohemia, crime, and revolutionary spirit. This setting added a certain thrill for bourgeois audiences.</p> <p>From irreverent newcomer to a French institution, the Moulin Rouge has survived scandal, an inferno and found new ways to connect with audiences.</p> <h2>Red and electric</h2> <p>In 1889, the Moulin Rouge was not the only red landmark to open in Paris. The <a href="https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/history-and-culture/133-years-and-1083-feet#:%7E:text=The%20Tower%20would%20open%20to,Eiffel%20workshop%20in%20Levallois%2DPerret.">Eiffel Tower</a>, built as part of the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/worlds-fair#ref1122093">Universal Exhibition</a> and originally painted red, had opened earlier that same year. What set them apart, however, was their popularity.</p> <p>The Moulin Rouge was an instant hit, capitalising on the global popularity of a dance called <a href="https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/french-cancan-2/">the cancan</a>. Dancers like Moulin Rouge headliner <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Portrait_de_la_danseuse_de_cancan_Louise_Weber_(1866-1929)_dite_la_Goulue_(%C3%A0_gauche)_et_de_Grille_d%27%C3%A9gout_(%C3%A0_droite),_da,_PH41845.jpg"><em>La Goulue</em> </a>(“The Glutton”, real name Louise Weber) were seen as more appropriate emblems for the city than the Tower, which many <a href="https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/130-years/artists-who-protested-eiffel-tower">considered an eyesore</a>.</p> <p>In an illustration from <em>Le Courrier Français</em> newspaper, a dancer modelled on a photograph of La Goulue holds her leg aloft, flashing her underwear with the caption “<a href="https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1070090h/f1.image">Greetings to the provinces and abroad!</a>”.</p> <p>Every aspect of the Moulin spoke to the zeitgeist, from its design to the performances, the use of electric lights that adorned its façade, and its advertising.</p> <p>Its managers, the impresario team of <a href="https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/the-great-periods/#:%7E:text=The%20masters%20of%20the%20place%20were%20Joseph%20Oller%20and%20Charles%20Zidler">Joseph Oller and Charles Harold Zidler</a>, had a string of successful venues and businesses to their names. They recognised the importance of modern marketing, using print media, publicity photographs, and <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheret_Bal_au_moulin_rouge.jpg">posters</a> to spark public interest.</p> <p>Among the most iconic images of the Moulin is <a href="http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.339766">Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s 1891 poster</a>. At its centre is La Goulue, kicking her legs amid swirling petticoats.</p> <h2>She certainly can cancan</h2> <p>Found primarily in working-class dance halls from as early as the 1820s, the cancan became a staple of popular entertainment the world over.</p> <p>Part of the dance’s thrill lay in the dancers’ <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Goulue_y_Valentin_le_D%C3%A9soss%C3%A9_bailando_en_el_Moulin_Rouge,_Th%C3%A9ophile_Steinlen.jpg">freedom of movement</a> and titillation of spectators, as well as its anti-establishment energy. Women used the cancan to thumb their nose at authority via steps like the <em>coup de cul</em> (“arse flash”) or <em>coup du chapeau</em> (removing men’s hats with a high kick).</p> <p>The cancan was not the only attraction at the Moulin. There were themed spaces, sideshows, and variety performances ranging from belly dancers and conjoined twins to <a href="https://www.weirdhistorian.com/le-petomane/">Le Pétomane</a> (“The Fartomaniac”) who was a flatulist and the highest-paid performer. People watching was equally popular.</p> <h2>Scandals, riots, and royalty</h2> <p>Over the years, the Moulin has been no stranger to controversy.</p> <p>In its early years, it cultivated an air of misbehaviour and featured in pleasure guides for visiting sex tourists.</p> <p>In 1893 it hosted the <a href="https://read.dukeupress.edu/french-historical-studies/article-abstract/33/1/69/9638/The-Art-of-Posing-Nude-Models-Moralists-and-the?redirectedFrom=PDF">Bal des Quat’z’Arts</a> (Four-Arts Ball) held by students from local studios. Accusations of public indecency were made against the models and dancers in attendance, and violent protests followed after the women were arrested.</p> <p>In 1907 the writer Colette appeared onstage at the Moulin in an Egyptian-inspired pantomime with her then-lover, <a href="https://daily.jstor.org/the-cross-dressing-superstar-of-the-belle-epoque/">Missy, the Marquise de Belbeuf</a>. When the act culminated in a passionate kiss, a riot broke out.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7N_dvUptKX8?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Historical footage shows the Moulin Rouge as it was.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Kicking on and on</h2> <p>Over time, the Moulin Rouge shows changed their format to keep pace with public taste, though the cancan remained. The venue hosted revues and operettas, and various stars including Edith Piaf, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Liza Minnelli.</p> <p>Famous guests have included British royalty: from Edward VII (while Prince of Wales) to his great-granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II, and her son, Prince Edward.</p> <p>Since its opening, the Moulin’s fortunes have waxed and waned.</p> <p>In 1915 the Moulin Rouge <a href="https://archive.nytimes.com/iht-retrospective.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/1915-fire-destroys-moulin-rouge/">burned down</a> but was rebuilt in 1921. Its famous windmill sails <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68895836">fell off overnight</a> earlier this year but were swiftly repaired.</p> <p>In the 1930s, it survived the Depression and rise of cinema (also <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0019186/?ref_=fn_al_tt_4">capturing the attention</a> of <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025520/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3">several filmakers</a>). It also survived the <a href="https://www.thetimes.com/article/i-took-nazis-to-the-moulin-rouge-they-sent-me-to-auschwitz-s3lzxcwwn8q">Nazi occupation</a> of Paris in the 1940s.</p> <p>By the early 1960s, <a href="https://www.moulinrouge.fr/en/the-moulin-rouge/history/the-great-periods/#:%7E:text=Charles%20Trenet-,F%20FOR%20FORMIDABLE,-In%201962%2C%20Jacki">Jacki Clerico</a> was managing the Moulin’s show after his father had revamped the venue as a dinner theatre destination. The younger Clérico oversaw additions like a giant aquarium where dancers swam with snakes, and its now-famous “nude line” – a chorus of topless dancers – in its shows.</p> <p>In 1963, the Moulin Rouge struck upon a winning formula: revues, all named by Clérico with titles beginning with the letter “F” – from <em>Frou Frou</em> to <em>Fantastique</em> and <em>Formidable</em>. Since 1999, the revue <em>Féerie</em> (“Fairy”, also a <a href="https://dspace.library.uu.nl/bitstream/handle/1874/383977/Feeries.pdf?sequence=1">French genre</a> of stage extravaganza) has been performed almost without interruption.</p> <p>Ticket sales were boosted thanks to Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0203009/">Moulin Rouge!</a> and more recently <a href="https://moulinrougemusical.com/new-york/home/">Moulin Rouge! The Musical</a>.</p> <p>Since COVID, the Moulin Rouge management have diversified. The windmill’s interior has been <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/the-iconic-moulin-rouge-windmill-reveals-a-secret-room-for-an-overnight-stay-with-airbnb/">rented out via AirBnB</a> and the Moulin’s <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/moulin-rouge-yes-we-can-can">dance troupe</a> has performed on France’s televised New Year’s Eve celebrations. This year, the Moulin Rouge and its dancers were part of the <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saskyacnn/video/7398138810984320288?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7384693687676749320">Paris Olympics celebrations</a>, dancing in heavy rain.</p> <p>Though people have come to appreciate the Eiffel Tower too, the Moulin Rouge can still argue its status as the pinnacle of live entertainment in the French capital: immediately recognisable, internationally visible, and quintessentially Parisian.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/239849/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/will-visconti-805914">Will Visconti</a>, Teacher and researcher, Art History, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-cheeky-thrill-to-grande-dame-the-moulin-rouge-celebrates-135-years-of-scandal-and-success-239849">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

International Travel

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No, taking drugs like Ozempic isn’t ‘cheating’ at weight loss or the ‘easy way out’

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clare-collins-7316">Clare Collins</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em></p> <p>Obesity medication that is effective has been a long time coming. Enter semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy), which is helping people improve weight-related health, including <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37952131/">lowering the risk</a> of a having a heart attack or stroke, while also silencing “<a href="https://theconversation.com/some-ozempic-users-say-it-silences-food-noise-but-there-are-drug-free-ways-to-stop-thinking-about-food-so-much-208467">food noise</a>”.</p> <p>As demand for semaglutide increases, so are <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/in-a-fat-phobic-world-ozempic-is-hardly-the-easy-way-out-20240401-p5fgjd.html">claims</a> that taking it is “cheating” at weight loss or the “easy way out”.</p> <p>We don’t tell people who need statin medication to treat high cholesterol or drugs to manage high blood pressure they’re cheating or taking the easy way out.</p> <p>Nor should we shame people taking semaglutide. It’s a drug used to treat diabetes and obesity which needs to be taken long term and comes with risks and side effects, as well as benefits. When prescribed for obesity, it’s given alongside advice about diet and exercise.</p> <h2>How does it work?</h2> <p>Semaglutide is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLP-1_receptor_agonist">glucagon-like peptide-1</a> receptor agonist (GLP-1RA). This means it makes your body’s own glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glucagon-like_peptide-1">GLP-1</a> for short, work better.</p> <p>GLP-1 gets secreted by cells in your gut when it <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38218319/">detects increased nutrient levels</a> after eating. This stimulates insulin production, which lowers blood sugars.</p> <p>GLP-1 also slows gastric emptying, which makes you feel full, and reduces hunger and feelings of reward after eating.</p> <p><iframe id="tc-infographic-1031" class="tc-infographic" style="border: none;" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1031/c11b606581d4bc58a71f066492d7f740b52c04e1/site/index.html" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) medications like Ozempic help the body’s own GLP-1 work better by mimicking and extending its action.</p> <p>Some studies have found less GLP-1 gets released after meals in <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38218319/">adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes mellitus</a> compared to adults with normal glucose tolerance. So having less GLP-1 circulating in your blood means you don’t feel as full after eating and get hungry again sooner compared to people who produce more.</p> <p>GLP-1 has a very short half-life of about <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28443255/">two minutes</a>. So GLP-1RA medications were designed to have a very long half-life of about <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/">seven days</a>. That’s why semaglutide is given as a weekly injection.</p> <h2>What can users expect? What does the research say?</h2> <p>Higher doses of semaglutide are prescribed to treat obesity compared to type 2 diabetes management (up to 2.4mg versus 2.0mg weekly).</p> <p>A large group of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36691309/">randomised controlled trials</a>, called STEP trials, all tested weekly 2.4mg semaglutide injections versus different interventions or placebo drugs.</p> <p>Trials lasting 1.3–2 years consistently found weekly 2.4 mg semaglutide injections <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36691309/">led to 6–12% greater weight loss</a> compared to placebo or alternative interventions. The average weight change depended on how long medication treatment lasted and length of follow-up.</p> <p>Weight reduction due to semaglutide also leads to a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36769420/">reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure</a> of about 4.8 mmHg and 2.5 mmHg respectively, a reduction in <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/triglycerides">triglyceride levels</a> (a type of blood fat) and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38041774/">improved physical function</a>.</p> <p>Another recent trial in adults with pre-existing heart disease and obesity, but without type 2 diabetes, found adults receiving weekly 2.4mg semaglutide injections had a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37952131/">20% lower risk</a> of specific cardiovascular events, including having a non-fatal heart attack, a stroke or dying from cardiovascular disease, after three years follow-up.</p> <h2>Who is eligible for semaglutide?</h2> <p>Australia’s regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), has <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/safety/shortages/information-about-major-medicine-shortages/about-ozempic-semaglutide-shortage-2022-and-2023">approved</a> semaglutide, sold as Ozempic, for treating type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>However, due to shortages, the TGA had advised doctors not to start new Ozempic prescriptions for “off-label use” such as obesity treatment and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme doesn’t currently subsidise off-label use.</p> <p>The TGA has <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/prescription-medicines-registrations/wegovy-novo-nordisk-pharmaceuticals-pty-ltd">approved Wegovy to treat obesity</a> but it’s not currently available in Australia.</p> <p>When it’s available, doctors will be able to prescribe <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36934408/">semaglutide to treat obesity</a> in conjunction with lifestyle interventions (including diet, physical activity and psychological support) in adults with obesity (a BMI of 30 or above) or those with a BMI of 27 or above who also have weight-related medical complications.</p> <h2>What else do you need to do during Ozempic treatment?</h2> <p>Checking details of the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36691309/">STEP trial intervention components</a>, it’s clear participants invested a lot of time and effort. In addition to taking medication, people had brief lifestyle counselling sessions with dietitians or other health professionals every four weeks as a minimum in most trials.</p> <p>Support sessions were designed to help people stick with consuming 2,000 kilojoules (500 calories) less daily compared to their energy needs, and performing 150 minutes of <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/tips-for-getting-active">moderate-to-vigorous physical activity</a>, like brisk walking, dancing and gardening each week.</p> <p>STEP trials varied in other components, with follow-up time periods varying from 68 to 104 weeks. The aim of these trials was to show the effect of adding the medication on top of other lifestyle counselling.</p> <p>A <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38041774/">review of obesity medication trials</a> found people reported they needed less <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28652832/">cognitive behaviour training</a> to help them stick with the reduced energy intake. This is one aspect where drug treatment may make adherence a little easier. Not feeling as hungry and having environmental food cues “switched off” may mean less support is required for goal-setting, self-monitoring food intake and <a href="https://theconversation.com/9-ways-wont-power-is-better-than-willpower-for-resisting-temptation-and-helping-you-eat-better-71267">avoiding things that trigger eating</a>.</p> <h2>But what are the side effects?</h2> <p>Semaglutide’s side-effects <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38041774/">include</a> nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, indigestion and abdominal pain.</p> <p>In one study these <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33567185/">led to</a> discontinuation of medication in 6% of people, but interestingly also in 3% of people taking placebos.</p> <p>More severe side-effects included gallbladder disease, acute pancreatitis, hypoglycaemia, acute kidney disease and injection site reactions.</p> <p>To reduce risk or severity of side-effects, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36934408/">medication doses are increased very slowly</a> over months. Once the full dose and response are achieved, research indicates you need to take it long term.</p> <p>Given this long-term commitment, and associated <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/private-health-insurance/what-private-health-insurance-covers/out-of-pocket-costs#:%7E:text=An%20out%20of%20pocket%20cost,called%20gap%20or%20patient%20payments">high out-of-pocket cost of medication</a>, when it comes to taking semaglutide to treat obesity, there is no way it can be considered “cheating”.</p> <hr /> <p><em>Read the other articles in The Conversation’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/ozempic-series-154673">Ozempic series</a> here.</em><!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/219116/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/clare-collins-7316"><em>Clare Collins</em></a><em>, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: </em><em>Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/no-taking-drugs-like-ozempic-isnt-cheating-at-weight-loss-or-the-easy-way-out-219116">original article</a>.</em></p>

Body

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Woman’s outrageous act to catch cheating partner

<p dir="ltr">A woman has issued a desperate plea online for someone to help her catch her cheating boyfriend in the act. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Sydney woman, named Ariana, listed a job on the site Airtasker for someone to drive her to the suburb of Five Dock to catch her boyfriend, who she suspected was having an affair. </p> <p dir="ltr">She asked the potential driver to sit with her in the car for a few hours, in exchange for $350. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I need someone to drive me and a friend to Five Dock and sit in the car with us for a few hours so I can try and catch my cheating boyfriend,” she wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">The ad, which was posted just before Valentine’s Day, quickly went viral and received mixed reactions. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The way I would do this for free,” one person said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wow, who would've thought of putting it on Airtasker! This is genius,” another wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, some people didn't see the point of going through so much trouble and wasting $350. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This never makes sense to me - if you don't trust him, just leave. The relationship is dead regardless of if he is cheating,” a woman said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite garnering massive attention online, it is not known if Ariana’s stealthy operation was a success, or if she is still in a relationship with her boyfriend. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em></p>

Relationships

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Rebecca Loos claims Beckham is "playing the victim" over affair scandal

<p>Rebecca Loos, the woman at the centre of the alleged <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/woman-at-the-centre-of-alleged-beckham-affair-breaks-silence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">affair scandal</a> with iconic football legend David Beckham, has recently shared her thoughts on the new <em>Beckham</em> docuseries, which was released on Netflix.</p> <p>Loos, now 47 and residing in Norway with her husband and two children, expressed her concerns regarding the way the affair was handled in the docuseries, which was produced in collaboration with Beckham's production company.</p> <p>In the early 2000s, Loos gained notoriety for her claims of a romantic involvement with David Beckham during his time as a football superstar. In the docuseries, the Beckhams primarily discussed the media frenzy that ensued following Loos' revelations in 2003, but skirted around the specifics of the affair itself.</p> <p>It was during that tumultuous period that Loos had declared her connection with the football player while working as his personal assistant, even suggesting that the Beckhams had been dealing with marital issues before her involvement came to light. At the time, the celebrity couple vehemently denied any wrongdoing and even considered legal action against Loos.</p> <p>Victoria Beckham, 49, revealed in the docuseries, "It was the most unhappy I have ever been in my entire life," while David Beckham, 48, tearfully stated, "Victoria is everything to me. To see her hurt was incredibly difficult… what we had was worth fighting for."</p> <p>Loos, however, took issue with David's statement. In a <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12657157/rebecca-loos-affair-david-beckham-netflix.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">candid interview with the Daily Mail</a>, she expressed her frustration: "The [worst] bit for me is that he says he didn't like seeing his wife suffer. That bothered me. Because he's the one that's caused the suffering. He can say whatever he likes, of course, and I understand he has an image to preserve, but he is portraying himself as the victim and he's making me look like a liar, like I've made up these stories. He is indirectly suggesting that I'm the one who has made Victoria suffer."</p> <p>Loos also argued that the docuseries had thrust the affair back into the spotlight, an issue that many had forgotten about since the news first broke 20 years ago, thereby further impacting her reputation. She emphasised, "Yes, the stories were horrible, but they're true. He talks in the documentary about this ultimately being his private life, shutting it down. I think it's one thing to keep your private life to yourself. It's another thing to mislead the public."</p> <p>She suggested that David could have chosen to acknowledge that it was not one of his proudest moments or characterised it as a challenging period and moved on from the subject. However, she felt that he continued to phrase his statements in a way that indirectly shifted the blame onto her.</p> <p>"If you don't want to take responsibility for things because of your family and your children, that's absolutely fine," Loos commented, "But he specifically made it look like… my fault, that he had nothing to do with this."</p> <p>Loos, after the 2003 allegations, embarked on a path as a media personality, participating in various English and Dutch TV shows. In 2008, while filming the Dutch TV show <em>71 Graden Noord</em>, she crossed paths with her future husband, Norwegian doctor Sven Christjar Skaiaa. After becoming pregnant, the couple decided to relocate to Norway in 2009. Today, she works as a yoga teacher and a massage therapist in Norway while raising her two sons and only occasionally making media appearances.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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Wayne Carey's flippant comment on past cheating scandal

<p dir="ltr">Wayne Carey has made a series of astonishing remarks about the high profile affair that ended his career, as he engaged with cheeky fans on X, formerly known as Twitter. </p> <p dir="ltr">The exchange began when the former AFL player made a seemingly innocent statement about AFL teams trading players. </p> <p dir="ltr">“If your club gets a player that plays your position? That should always be used as motivation to have the best preseason you have ever had,” the former Kangaroos star wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Difference between being good and great? Absolutely nothing beats hard work #tradeshow.”</p> <p dir="ltr">But fans were quick to recall Carey changing clubs back in 2002, as one person cheekily asked, “How come you traded clubs?” to which Carey replied, “Really?”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Didn’t work hard enough?” another added to the banter.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many others added to the virtual pile on, until one fan recalled the reason why he had to change clubs 21 years ago. </p> <p dir="ltr">“He slept with his teammate's wife!” the account wrote, to which the footy star responded with “3 times”. </p> <p dir="ltr">The rogue posts didn't stop there, as the same fan then jokingly asked if the footy star was “back on the bags”, referring to Carey's <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/it-s-not-a-great-look-afl-legend-caught-with-mysterious-substance-at-crown-casino" target="_blank" rel="noopener">incident at Perth Crown Casino</a>when a suspicious looking bag of white powder fell out of his pocket while he was gambling.</p> <p dir="ltr">On last year’s season of <em>SAS Australia</em>, Carey spoke candidly about the affair scandal. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I slept with a teammate’s wife. It’s haunted me for 20 years,” he said at the time. </p> <p dir="ltr">“My integrity will always be questioned. I’m not trying to prove anything to the public — it’s to myself." </p> <p dir="ltr">“People can change. They evolve. Hopefully this can help me.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Relationships

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The Block contestants accused of cheating one week in

<p>Barely a week into the newest season of The Block and Sydney-based contestants Steph and Gian have been accused of breaking the rules. </p> <p>The couple had a difficult start to the competition after their builder consistently made costly mistakes. With one builder down and the time running out, Steph’s father Nick - a qualified builder - turned up at the site for a visit. </p> <p>Nick, who had travelled from interstate to visit them, was filmed helping the couple build their bathroom well into the late hours of the night. </p> <p>“It’s like the gods were aligned this week for my dad to be in town,” Steph said in the show.</p> <p>“This was a really hard week, and having someone that you trust there, that’s qualified also... he was just the perfect person.”</p> <p>This didn't sit well with Brisbane couple Leah and Ash, who had a few questions about Nick's involvement, including whether he received a site induction the night before. and if he would get paid for his work. </p> <p>If the answer was "no", then Steph and Gian would've broken the rules. </p> <p>Fellow contestant Kristy added fuel to the fire and <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">noted that Nick was still working on-site after midnight - when even Steph had called it a night. </span></p> <p>“What set me off was the commentary, ‘Steph has had a big day so we’ve popped her to bed,’” she said. </p> <p>Turns out the other contestants had nothing to worry about, with Steph and Gian placing dead last in the bathroom judging with a score of 20.5 out of 30. </p> <p>The judges called out the “rustic” wooden beams in their bathroom ceiling which they said looked messy and needed to go. </p> <p><em>Image: The Block</em></p>

TV

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Major twist in BBC presenter scandal

<p>A damning scandal surrounding a high-profile BBC presenter has grown after a second victim has come forward against the anonymous personality. </p> <p>Just days after an exclusive report from <em>The Sun</em> claimed a well-known presenter for the public broadcaster had paid a teenager for explicit images, another woman has now claimed she was contacted online by the star. </p> <p>She said the presenter sent “abusive and menacing” messages online, and “felt threatened” when she refused to meet up with the presenter in person. </p> <p>They recognised the presenter after connecting on a dating app and, the BBC reported, “hinted they might name” them which led to a number of “abusive expletive filled messages”.</p> <p>“The young person said they had been scared by the power the presenter held,” BBC News reported. </p> <p>“They said the threats made in the messages … had frightened them, and they remain scared.” </p> <p>The person, in their early twenties, has no connection to the first person who came forward with the allegations. </p> <p>The presenter, who has yet to be named, has not commented on the allegations. </p> <p>These new allegations come just days after the first victim's family <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/bbc-presenter-suspended-over-deeply-concerning-allegations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">came forward</a> and accused the anonymous presenter for sending their teenager a total of £35,000 ($67,000AUD) for explicit pictures over a three year period.</p> <p>The correspondence with the presenter allegedly began when the first person was just 17 years old, with the mother of the person, now in their twenties, saying the money was funding a dangerous drug habit. </p> <p>The mother said of the BBC presenter, “When I see him on telly, I feel sick. I blame this BBC man for destroying my child’s life.”</p> <p>In a statement on Sunday, the BBC confirmed that it "first became aware of a complaint in May".</p> <p dir="ltr">"New allegations were put to us on Thursday of a different nature and in addition to our own enquiries we have also been in touch with external authorities, in line with our protocols," it added.</p> <p dir="ltr">The statement said that "a male member of staff has been suspended".</p> <p dir="ltr">"This is a complex and fast moving set of circumstances and the BBC is working as quickly as possible to establish the facts in order to properly inform appropriate next steps," the BBC added.</p> <p dir="ltr">London's Metropolitan Police released a statement later on Sunday confirming the BBC contacted it over the matter, "but no formal referral or allegation has been made".</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

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Pop star discovered tragically dead at 33 in the wake of scandal

<p>South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong, who was caught running a notorious cancer scam has passed away at age 33.</p> <p><em>The Korean Times</em> reported that Choi was found by police at his Seoul home on the morning of June 20. He was pronounced dead soon after.</p> <p>Authorities have reportedly ruled the singer’s cause of death as a suicide.</p> <p>According to the Hollywood Reporter, after years of online fame stemming from a 2011 performance on Korea’s Got Talent, Choi confessed he had tricked his fans into donating money to him after claiming he needed funds for cancer treatment.</p> <p>Choi had claimed he had been battling multiple forms of cancer to obtain the donations, however, his claims were later exposed as a hoax.</p> <p>He also claimed he had returned all donated funds from a false fundraiser.</p> <p>Choi later issued a grovelling apology and vowed to return all of the donations sent by his fans.</p> <p>One day before his alleged suicide, Choi posted a note on his YouTube channel apologising for “foolish mistakes” in the past, according to The Mirror.</p> <p>The chilling letter said he needed to "repay for his sins with his life” and showed the address of where his body would be after taking his life.</p> <p>“My body can be found at [his home location]. I don’t know how to write a final message, so I will just write it in my own style. Even though my breath may have stopped now, I have no regrets about the brilliant journey of my life. I have lived my life to the fullest and made efforts to find happiness every day. Age thirty-four," (as per Korean age system), he said.</p> <p>Choi was best known for competing in Korea’s Got Talent in 2011, coming in at second place.</p> <p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIy99OT2BAQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vIy99OT2BAQ"></iframe></a></p> <p>A clip of him singing a cover of Nella Fantasia by Ennio Morricone quickly went viral online, thrusting him into the spotlight  – <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">with singing sensation Justin Bieber even acknowledging his talent.</span></p> <p><em>Image credit: YouTube</em></p>

Caring

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Adorable reason behind Chris Hemsworth’s red carpet cheat notes

<p>Chris Hemsworth has been married to Spanish actress Elsa Pataky for almost 13 years, and while she speaks fluent English, Hemsworth is yet to master her native tongue.</p> <p>On June 8, he was at the premiere of his Netflix film Extraction 2 and was caught with some Spanish words scrawled on the palm of his hand.</p> <p>The 39-year-old was then photographed with what appeared to be a cheat sheet, which he personally found hilarious.</p> <p>“After years of coming to Spain and being asked ‘has my Spanish improved’ I can safely say it’s in the palm of my hand,” he wrote on Instagram alongside the photo.</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/CtOqVmTJ1sx/?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/CtOqVmTJ1sx/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The actor revealed what was written on his hand during a guest appearance on local TV program El Hormiguero (Spanish for The Anthill).</p> <p>In the interview, Hemsworth also shared that his three children with Pataky - daughter India, 10, and twin sons Tristan and Sasha, 9 - find it funny that he doesn’t speak nor understand the language.</p> <p>“I try, but I can’t. My children laugh at me when I try to have a conversation with them in Spanish,” he admitted.</p> <p>“Sh*t, f**k, what happened? … I know that, that’s what my wife yells at me. The more she gets angry, the more she speaks Spanish.”</p> <p>Speaking to <em>Today</em> in 2017, Pataky said she had pretty much given up on teaching Hemsworth her native language, focusing on teaching their children instead.</p> <p>“He promised me, he said, ‘I’ll be speaking Spanish in two months.’ There we go, we have been together for six years,” Pataky – who speaks five languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French and Romanian - told <em>Today</em>.</p> <p>“That’s important, that’s what my mum did to me, talked in Romanian. I start to speak in English, I’m like, ‘I don’t express myself great.’ I got used to making an effort to speak to [the kids] in Spanish.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Movies

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Husband cheats on wife and blames her

<p dir="ltr">Kerry knew her marriage “wasn’t in the best shape”, and that there was not much happening in the bedroom department. She was working full-time and busy with their kids, aged five and seven. She was also considering suggesting couples counselling to her husband. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I knew he was preoccupied, but told me it was work stress and I believed him.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She also noticed had a few more “business trips” than usual. </p> <p dir="ltr">One night, realising that her husband was avoiding eye contact with her, she demanded to know what was going on. </p> <p dir="ltr">He had been cheating on her. For six months. </p> <p dir="ltr">He revealed that flirtation with a work colleague transformed into meeting for drinks, kissing and some “home bases”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He said 'I didn't have sex with her until recently' as though he thought he deserved some sort of prize.”</p> <p dir="ltr">That’s not all he told her.</p> <p dir="ltr">"He was like, 'Oh you must know you haven't been meeting my needs'. I was like 'I cook, and look after the kids, and carry the mental load so what the f--k do you mean?”</p> <p dir="ltr">"He told me we'd been distant, sort of leading separate lives. I was like, really? How separate is sharing a bedroom? How separate is having two kids together? How separate is watching Succession together?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Before he cheated, he had been counting the days since Kerry had initiated sex - while not initiating it himself - as a bizarre test.</p> <p dir="ltr">An understandably emotional Kerry blew up at him yet he allegedly does not want the marriage to end. He has since cut off contact with the colleague apart from necessary exchanges at work. </p> <p dir="ltr">"He doesn't seem that remorseful, though. He keeps saying how I was so distant. I still feel like he wants me to shoulder some blame.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Kerry revealed she had issues with her self-worth that stemmed from her father. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Now, because of the cheating, that thought keeps popping up – that maybe I'm not good enough."</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Relationships

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Pip Edwards breaks silence on Michael Clarke scandal

<p>The woman at the centre of Michael Clarke's alleged cheating scandal has spoken candidly about the dramatic events in Noosa. </p> <p>The P.E. Nation fashion designer made a stunning appearance at the Australian Open on Saturday ahead of the women's final, where she was grilled about the now-viral fight. </p> <p>Edwards told <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/pip-edwards-hits-out-at-the-carnival-of-the-michael-clarke-scandal-and-says-she-is-focused-on-business-pe-nation/news-story/8d91cfabae96e43b78b24e3414775dbb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Telegraph</a>, “It is definitely not my circus and I would like to say the carnival is over.”</p> <p>“The carnival is over and, to be honest, the focus for me is on the global expansion of P.E. Nation."</p> <p>“The carnival is done.”  </p> <p>A video of Clarke fighting with his girlfriend Jade Yarbrough went viral, in which Yarbrough accused the cricketer of cheating on her with his ex-girlfriend Edwards. </p> <p>After the scandal made headlines, photos emerged of Edwards at the pool, and some media outlets published them with a headline reading, “revenge body”.</p> <p>Pip quickly dispelled the sexist headlines, stating, “I have had this body for a very long time.”</p> <p>“I work on my body. It is part of my mental health. It is part of my stability. It is part of how I conquer my day. I live and breathe what I do. I thought that (headline) was a very interesting take."</p> <p>“As a woman in business, as a single mother, as someone who has worked very hard her whole life, the aesthetics of me are literally the cherry on top. It is the iceberg underneath that is what I am doing."</p> <p>“First and foremost I am a mother and a businesswoman, I just come with a body."</p> <p>“It is not out of revenge, it is not out of anything other than being healthy, fit and active.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

News

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Karl Stefanovic and Michael Clarke caught in public scuffle over cheating claims

<p>Australian cricket legend Michael Clarke and TV personality Karl Stefanovic have been filmed in a fight over cheating claims while holidaying in Noosa.</p> <p>The incident occurred on January 10 and was released to <em>The Daily Telegraph</em> on Wednesday.</p> <p>Clarke and Stefanovic were having dinner with their partners, Jade and Jasmine Yarbrough, when their friendly dinner was cut short as Jade confronted Clarke after she reportedly contacted the former cricketer's ex-partner Pip Edwards.</p> <p>“You f**ked her on December 17 … You f**ked her, you’re a f**king dog,” Jade screamed.</p> <p>Clarke vigorously denied the accusations, saying that he was with their celebrity accountant friend Anthony Bell.</p> <p>"Baby, baby, Belly was at the house. I swear on my life, I swear at my life… That's not true, it's not true," he continued.</p> <p>Jade refuted, saying that his ex-partner told her about it: "You're f**king lying to me. You are a piece of s**t. I just spoke to her. What is wrong with you?"</p> <p>At this moment, her sister Jasmine and Stefanovic tried to intervene, which led to Clarke taking his anger out on the TV show host.</p> <p>"Karlos, I can tell you now c**t, don't you f**king walk away. She can, she can punch me, but not you, you c**t," Clarke said.</p> <p>Jade continued to yell at Clarke and hit him.</p> <p>“You piece of s**t, don’t you f**king speak to him,” she defended her brother-in-law.</p> <p>Clarke insisted that Jade was wrong, to which Jade retorted: "Oh am I wrong? You f**ked her [Edwards] on December 17, you f**ked her… you're a f**king dog… I'm going to show her every f**king message you ever f**king sent me".</p> <p>The video footage ended with Jasmine and Bell separating the couple.</p> <p>In a statement to <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>, the former cricketer accepted full responsibility for his actions.</p> <p>“I’m absolutely gutted I’ve put people I hold in the highest regard in this position,” he said. “My actions in the lead-up to this altercation were nothing short of shameful and regrettable.</p> <p>“I am shattered that because of my actions I’ve drawn women of class and integrity, and my mates, into this situation.”</p> <p>“I own this fully and am the only one at fault.”</p> <p>Clarke’s ex, Edward, also released a statement, hitting back with: “This is not my circus"</p> <p>“Yet again, Michael in his true nature has not taken responsibility for his actions and I was blatantly lied to," she said.</p> <p>Karl Stefanovic has yet to release a statement, with the topic being ignored on today's segment of <em>The Today Show</em>.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty, The Daily Telegraph, 7News</em></p>

News

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Is your spouse micro-cheating? Here’s what that is and how to know

<h2>Micro-cheating is trending</h2> <p>Although cheating is as old as time, you might be surprised to learn that people are still coming up with creative new ways to do it. Enter micro-cheating, the latest way people are stepping out on their relationships – but they may not even realise what they’re doing. Thanks to the rise of digital technology and the impact of current events, it’s no surprise micro-cheating is mega-trending.</p> <h2>What is micro-cheating?</h2> <p>This phrase has been used recently to describe day-to-day actions that could be considered ‘inappropriate flirting’ when someone is in a relationship. The hallmark of micro-cheating is being emotionally and perhaps even physically focused on a person who isn’t your partner. “What is cheating?” is one of the questions sex therapists get asked the most. For a more detailed look, here’s what relationship experts say are some of the common ways people micro-cheat:</p> <ul> <li>Texting flirty jokes and memes</li> <li>Making a Tinder profile just to see how many matches/likes you get</li> <li>Putting extra effort into your appearance in case you run into your crush</li> <li>Google stalking a crush</li> <li>Lying about your relationship status, either in person or online</li> <li>Sending anonymous flirty messages, tweets, or posts</li> <li>Liking and/or commenting on a crush’s social media</li> <li>Discussing your sex life with someone who isn’t your partner</li> <li>Constantly texting throughout the day</li> <li>Sending ‘feelin’ cute’ or slightly revealing selfies to a crush</li> <li>Hiding a friendship</li> <li>Telling someone you’d date them if you/they weren’t married</li> <li>Having inside jokes that your partner isn’t a part of</li> <li>Inventing reasons to see or spend time with your crush</li> <li>Confiding emotionally intimate things in someone who’s not your partner</li> <li>Sexting, including graphic language and sending nudes</li> </ul> <h2>It’s a slippery slope</h2> <p>While these behaviours may seem innocent on the surface, micro-cheating takes harmless crushing to the next level and if left unchecked, can lead to a full-blown affair, says psychiatrist, Anisha Patel-Dunn. Even if it never turns physical, micro-cheating fits all the criteria for an emotional affair, and those can be even more damaging to your relationship, she says.</p> <p>“In many cases, physical cheating is an impulsive act, often as the result of being temporarily impaired from drinking,” she says. “On the other hand, emotional affairs are intentional, and require a series of increasingly intimate decisions over a period of time.” Both types of affairs are terrible (and they can happen together) but it’s often the emotional aspect that is the hardest to recover from because it was premeditated, she says.</p> <p>“It can feel easier to forgive a spouse for a one-night stand than for months of lying and deception,” she says.</p> <h2>Micro-cheating is real cheating</h2> <p>These behaviours can feel like a grey area. Things that are totally innocent when done between friends become cheating when one or both people get feelings for each other, says marriage therapist, Dr Caroline Madden. For instance, having lunch with an old friend is a great way to reconnect, but if you have always harboured a crush on this person, a solo lunch all-too-quickly can lead to flirting. In addition, different people have different comfort levels in a relationship; some things that you may consider micro-cheating, your best friend may take more seriously.</p> <p>When it comes to deciding if something is cheating, follow the Golden Rule principle. “Ask yourself, if you found out your partner was doing what you are about to do, would it hurt your feelings?” Madden says. “Transparency is everything. Any picture or text you send to a ‘friend’ should be able to be posted on social media or sent to your mother.”</p> <p>However, don’t get caught up in black-and-white definitions as that can be a way to rationalise bad behaviour, Madden says. Only you know your own feelings and motives and it’s important to be honest with yourself about them. What other people think is irrelevant; the only person whose opinion counts in this conversation is your partner’s, Madden says.</p> <p>“Bottom line, doing anything that your partner would have a problem with is cheating in your relationship. And, yes, this is in fact ‘real’ cheating. These behaviours are the beginning of the slippery slope that leads to a full-blown sexual affair,” she says. “This isn’t new, it just has been given a cutesy name to make it sound harmless. It isn’t.”</p> <h2>Why micro-cheating is on the rise</h2> <p>The pandemic and other disruptive current events have created a perfect storm for micro-cheating, Dr Patel-Dunn says. A lot of micro-cheating happens through digital means like social media and texting because it’s easier to hide or explain away than physical actions. And, thanks to working from home and lockdown orders, many of us are spending more time online than ever.</p> <p>It’s not just spending more time at home, though. The upheaval of normal life has cut people off from their social support groups and coping techniques. Plus, spending extra time together in a stressful situation has made a lot of people see flaws in their relationship, which can lead to increased fighting. There’s been plenty of time over the last few years to ruminate on problems and idealise other people who aren’t in the thick of it with you, she explains.</p> <p>“Since the pandemic started and many people are now working from home, I have many clients confide in me that they are surprised at how much they miss certain co-workers,” Madden says. “It turns out that the ‘special friend’ at the office was acting as a Band-Aid on a bad marriage by meeting their needs for respect, appreciation and emotional connection.” The extra time spent at home during the pandemic has made some people realise they are stuck in an empty marriage or toxic relationship, she says.</p> <p>“The core issue is that current events have greatly increased anxiety and insecurity, putting people in a very emotionally vulnerable position,” Dr Patel-Dunn explains. “It’s normal for people to look for comfort and support from friends and loved ones during these times and sometimes that can turn into cheating.”</p> <h2>Signs your spouse might be micro-cheating on you</h2> <p>It can be difficult to tell when your spouse is micro-cheating, specifically because many of these behaviours can be innocent in the right context. So it’s important to look at other behaviours that may indicate they’re being sneaky.</p> <h2>They always keep their phone face down</h2> <p>You can’t see notifications that pop up if your partner keeps their phone face down. Some micro-cheaters will go so far as to disguise texting apps as other apps or only chat within password-protected social media private messages, Madden says.</p> <h2>They delete whole text conversations</h2> <p>Are there whole text threads missing with someone you know your spouse texts regularly with? “If they are deleting stuff so you don’t accidentally see something, even if it has nothing to do with sex, that is still cheating,” Madden says. “There’s a reason they feel like they have to hide it and it’s not a good reason.”</p> <h2>They’re constantly on their phone during family time</h2> <p>If you ask your spouse to put the phone away so you can have uninterrupted time together, and they can’t, that’s a red flag, Dr Patel-Dunn says. It shows they prioritise that ‘friendship’ over your relationship.</p> <h2>They call someone ‘just a friend’ but spend more time talking to them than you</h2> <p>“People caught micro-cheating will almost always claim they are ‘just friends’ with the person you are worried about,” Madden says. “If the other person has feelings for them, they might not even be aware that they are on a slippery slope.” Pay more attention to what your spouse does than what they say.</p> <h2>They won’t share their phone passcode</h2> <p>There are plenty of reasons you need the passcode to your partner’s phone –­ like using it to look something up or answering the phone when their mum calls, Madden says. People who don’t have anything to hide won’t have an issue sharing their unlock code.</p> <h2>They like and comment on every single post a friend makes</h2> <p>This is definitely a thing that more and more couples fight about these days with everyone on social media. Liking and commenting on another person’s social media posts isn’t a definitive sign your partner is cheating but it can give you a lot of clues, Madden says. For instance, if your husband is liking all the bikini pics of the woman next door or your wife comments on every post her high school crush makes, it’s evidence they are spending a lot of time thinking about that person in a flirty way. Likes and comments often lead to private messages, she adds. Many people say that there were early warning signs on social media of cheating.</p> <h2>They have someone saved in their phone under the wrong name</h2> <p>Any time someone is lying, there’s a problem, Dr Patel-Dunn says. So if you notice that your spouse is constantly texting with someone whose name you don’t recognise, they’re either hiding their relationship with that person from you or they’ve saved someone you do know under a false name – often a name of the opposite gender, to throw off suspicion.</p> <h2>They swear they could never cheat and laugh at those who do</h2> <p>Some people think, either due to low self-esteem or an overestimation of their willpower, that cheating could never possibly be a temptation for them. “This is dangerous. Because he thinks he would never cheat, he feels free to get really close to the edge,” Madden says. “Then he falls off the cliff taking his marriage and your heart with him.”</p> <h2>Your sex life is dead</h2> <p>When your partner is getting their romantic and sexual needs met through another person, they naturally turn less to you, Dr Patel-Dunn says. This often manifests as a declining sex life and much less physical and emotional intimacy between you.”</p> <h2>What to do if your spouse is micro-cheating</h2> <p>“The best way to counteract and prevent micro-cheating is to work on strengthening your relationship,” Madden says. “Lean into the relationship, pay more attention to your partner, plan date nights. Because here is the truth: many people are tempted to cheat because they don’t feel appreciated or loved at home.”</p> <p>Oftentimes micro-cheating highlights what is lacking in your relationship, Dr Patel-Dunn says. “One or both partners may be surprised to realise micro-cheating is happening because it starts on a very subconscious level,” she says. “This is a real opportunity for introspection and communication. You need to talk about it and get it out in the open.”</p> <p>These conversations can be very difficult to have, particularly if your spouse is in denial about their micro-cheating, Dr Patel-Dunn says. In this case, it’s time to get marriage counselling immediately, before micro-cheating turns into something more devastating. “If both partners are committed to fixing the underlying issues, this type of emotional honesty can strengthen your relationship and fortify you against micro-cheating in the future.”</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/is-your-spouse-micro-cheating-heres-what-that-is-and-how-to-know?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Relationships

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Why do people overshare online? 5 expert tips for avoiding social media scandal

<p>Social media are increasingly blurring the lines between our personal and professional lives, leaving us at risk of posting sensitive information that could have ramifications far beyond our “friends” list.</p> <p>Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin recently found this out the hard way after a video of her <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/finnish-pm-sanna-marin-seen-partying-in-leaked-video/news-story/ee2c1b2a86add23a7d693598a20d2631" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dancing and drinking</a> with friends, first posted to a private Instagram account, was leaked to the press. Marin was forced to apologise, and even volunteered for a drug test, after enduring a worldwide media storm.</p> <p>Other kinds of oversharing can have consequences, too. In 2020, police in Australia shared photos of <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/thirteen-victoria-police-employees-suspended-or-transferred-over-dean-laidley-photos-20200717-p55d39.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">arrested ex-footballer Dani Laidley</a> in a private WhatsApp group, and the photos were then made public. Thirteen officers were suspended or transferred, with some facing charges for privacy and human rights breaches.</p> <p>Many employers are <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7877807/parliament-house-crackdown-on-public-servants-social-media/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">introducing policies</a> to reduce this kind of risk. <a href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2021/user_behaivors/user_behaivors/5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Our research</a> shows what drives much online oversharing – and we can offer some tips to keep yourself clear of social media scandal.</p> <p><strong>The personal and professional risks of oversharing</strong></p> <p>People have different preferences for boundaries between their professional and personal lives. Some prefer to keep their work relationships formal, while others treat colleagues as friends.</p> <p>However, even if we choose to maintain strong boundaries between our professional and personal lives, we may still find details of our lives divulged on social media by others.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">'I am a human ... But I have not missed a single day of work, a single task, and I never will' — Finnish PM Sanna Marin continued to defend herself from the fallout of several leaked videos showing her drinking and partying with personal friends <a href="https://t.co/sA82YnpNxJ">pic.twitter.com/sA82YnpNxJ</a></p> <p>— NowThis (@nowthisnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/nowthisnews/status/1562835718195630080?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://www.webroot.com/gb/en/resources/tips-articles/hey-teens-chances-are-youll-regret-oversharing-information-online" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Research</a> has reported more than half of us feel anxious about family, friends and colleagues sharing information, photos or videos we do not want to be shared publicly. Yet many of us also reveal an inappropriate amount of detail about our own lives (“oversharing”) on social media, and regret it later.</p> <p>Beyond the potential for embarrassment, indiscriminate sharing on social media can have significant negative consequences for your professional life. Many employers actively use social media to <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/more-than-half-of-employers-have-found-content-on-social-media-that-caused-them-not-to-hire-a-candidate-according-to-recent-careerbuilder-survey-300694437.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research job candidates</a>, while some employees have <a href="https://careers.workopolis.com/advice/6-people-who-were-fired-for-social-media-posts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lost their jobs</a> due to social media posts.</p> <p><strong>Emotions drive oversharing</strong></p> <p>Why are so many of us prone to oversharing? <a href="https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2021/user_behaivors/user_behaivors/5/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Our research</a> suggests emotions are central.</p> <p>When we feel strong emotions, we often use social media to communicate with and get support from friends, family and colleagues. We might share good news when we feel happy or excited, or anger and frustration might drive us to vent about our employers.</p> <p>When emotional, it is easy for us to cross the boundary between work and social life, underestimating the consequences of social media posts that can quickly go viral.</p> <p>We have five simple tips for people to avoid oversharing and creating a social media scandal for themselves or others.</p> <p><strong>1. Set clear boundaries between personal life and work</strong></p> <p>Be clear about the boundaries between your social life and work. Set rules, limits and acceptable behaviours to protect these boundaries.</p> <p>Let your friends, colleagues and family know your expectations. If someone oversteps your boundaries, raise your concerns. Consider your relationship with individuals who do not respect your boundaries.</p> <p>You can also establish boundaries by maintaining separate professional and social accounts on different social media platforms, and only sharing things relevant to work on your professional account.</p> <p><strong>2. Respect the boundaries of others</strong></p> <p>Be aware of and respect the boundaries of others. Don’t share photos or videos of others without their permission.</p> <p>If someone doesn’t want their photo to be taken, video to be recorded or their name to be tagged, respect their wishes. Treat others on social media the same way you would like to be treated.</p> <p><strong>3. Lock down your social media accounts</strong></p> <p>Adjust your privacy settings to control who can view your profile and posts.</p> <p>Most social media platforms provide features to help users protect their privacy online. Facebook’s “<a href="https://www.facebook.com/help/443357099140264" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Privacy Checkup tool</a>”, for example, lets you see what you’re sharing and with whom.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Facebook revamps "privacy checkup" to help manage data settings<a href="https://t.co/nUMsnB7ACk">https://t.co/nUMsnB7ACk</a> <a href="https://t.co/jd1NAWdWkU">pic.twitter.com/jd1NAWdWkU</a></p> <p>— Mashable (@mashable) <a href="https://twitter.com/mashable/status/1214232258963488769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2020</a></p></blockquote> <p>Also consider what information you place in your profile. If you don’t want your personal social media profile associated with your employer, do not list your employer in your profile.</p> <p><strong>4. Share consciously to avoid mistakes</strong></p> <p>Do not use social media when you feel emotional. Especially if you are feeling strong emotions like hurt, anger or excitement, give yourself time to process your feelings before posting.</p> <p>Ask yourself: How many people will see this post? Would anyone be hurt? Does anyone benefit? Would I feel comfortable if my colleagues or supervisors saw this?</p> <p>Assume what you share can be seen by your friends, enemies, colleagues, boss and another 5,000 people. Stop if you don’t want any of them to see what you’re thinking about posting.</p> <p><strong>5. If you do overshare, try to remove unwanted content</strong></p> <p>Oversharing and accidental posting are not uncommon. If you have posted unwanted content, remove it immediately.</p> <p>If you are concerned about information about yourself on someone else’s social media, raise your concerns and ask the person who posted to remove it.</p> <p>If the information has spread through multiple sources, it is a bit tricky, but it is worth trying to contact the website or service that hosts the information or image to remove the content.</p> <p>If you need further assistance with removing online content, you can also try a <a href="https://www.contentremoval.com/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">content removal service</a>.</p> <p><strong>Posting is forever</strong></p> <p>Be aware that nothing shared over social media is private. Even “private” messages can easily be forwarded, screenshotted, posted and shared elsewhere.</p> <p>You should treat social media content like your personal brand. If you wouldn’t say it to your colleagues and managers, don’t post it online.</p> <p>Social media can enrich our professional and personal lives, but ill-considered posts and oversharing can be damaging to yourself and others. Being smart on social media is something we need to get better at in our professional lives, just as much as our personal lives.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/189528/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/van-hau-trieu-1372977" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Van-Hau Trieu</a>, Senior Lecturer in Information Systems, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deakin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vanessa-cooper-1374731" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vanessa Cooper</a>, Professor, Information Systems, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-people-overshare-online-5-expert-tips-for-avoiding-social-media-scandal-189528" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Technology

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The Block contestants deny cheating to win challenge

<p>Another scandal could well and truly be unfolding on this year’s season of the popular home-reno show The Block.</p> <p>Following the infamous cheating scandal that dominated the last season (much to ratings advantage) Tuesday's episode has suggested something just as juicy could be brewing behind the scenes following controversial couple Sharon and Ankara's win in the latest challenge.</p> <p>The couple were spotted using a clever tactic - pulling out their phones to Google the answers.</p> <p>In scenes aired on Tuesday night, all five teams headed off-site to Levantine Hill winery to take part in a unique challenge, where the task was replicating the taste of a premium wine blend: a 2015 Samantha’s Paddock Mélange Traditionnel.</p> <p>They had to taste and mix several wines together to make their own bottle, the closest attempt would win $50,000 of wine to take back to The Block. The win would increase the value of their home.</p> <p>As the rest of the teams muddled through various blends and taste tests, Sharon and Ankur appeared to simply just Google search the ingredients and wine notes, by-passing the trickier elements of the task.</p> <p>After glancing around nervously, Ankur announced: “Cool. I know what it is, I know the percentages … We’ve got Cab Sav, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet, Petit Verdot.”</p> <p>Defending the decision, the couple have declared they hadn’t broken any rules during the challenge, stating: “There are absolutely no rules that we cannot use our phones or search the net/google anything."</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/Ch4VXEQLU4V/?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/Ch4VXEQLU4V/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ankur and Sharon (@ankurandsharon)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“This part of the challenge required us to create a 2022 blend of the wine, which doesn’t exist. We took a chance and thought it couldn’t be too far off the 2015 blend, notes which were readily available. THAT was our strategy, and it worked," they claimed.</p> <p>Later on, Sharon and Ankur were announced as the winners of the wine-blending portion of the challenge, leaving fellow contestants scratching their heads.</p> <p>This isn't the last we will be hearing about this potential cheating controversy.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Real Estate

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Woman buys ad in newspaper to call out cheating partner

<p dir="ltr">A furious woman who was cheated on by her partner has taken out a whole page of the local newspaper to call him out. </p> <p dir="ltr">Jenny from Queensland purchased one page from the Mackay and Whitsunday Life paper with her cheating partner’s credit card page. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Dear Steve, I hope you’re happy with her,” the message on page 4 read. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Now the whole town will know what a filthy cheater you are. From Jenny.</p> <p dir="ltr">“PS. I bought this ad using your credit card.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The newspaper said they have received several messages from locals asking who Steve and Jenny are but they have kept quiet about it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We do NOT know who Steve is, but apparently he’s been very very bad,” the newspaper said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We won’t be revealing any details about Jenny.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite writing that she used Steve’s credit card for the ad, the newspaper confirmed they have not yet charged the card. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We have not charged the credit card in question.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The ad made its way to social media with many commending Jenny for calling out her cheating partner. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Jenny sounds like someone I want to be friends with,” someone wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Not all heroines wear capes. Jenny is my new favourite person,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sucks to be Steve,” another wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

Relationships

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Bitter groom sells ex-fiancée’s dress in angry post

<p dir="ltr">A bitter groom selling his ex-fiancée’s wedding dress has been called out for his nastiness in the ad in which he claims she cheated on him.</p> <p dir="ltr">Photos of the wedding dress were shared to Facebook Marketplace for just £5 ($A9) in which he then claimed he had a lucky escape. </p> <p dir="ltr">He labelled the dress size as “size fat” before giving viewers an idea of why the wedding was called off.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wedding dress – would fit the larger lady, quite chavvy in style so would suit a cheap sl**per,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a size 12 I think – she was prone to lying so it’s possibly a 14/16.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Within the post, he accused his ex of cheating on him and he just wanted to get rid of the dress.</p> <p dir="ltr">Viewers however sided with the bride, claiming she was the one who had a lucky escape from his disgusting comments.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Somehow I think it’s she who had the lucky escape,” one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This says more about him than it does her,” someone said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think it's a beautiful dress. She's probably the lucky one to get out of the relationship,” another commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">There were a few people who sided with the groom who said he was probably venting after getting hurt.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everyone thinking she had a lucky escape when it sounds like he was cheated on. Who hasn’t said crap about an ex,” one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Maybe she broke his heart and he’s venting?” asked another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All the ‘she’s had a lucky escape’ comments but if it was a girl trashing a guy’s car they’d all be hyping her up! Double standards,” another added.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

Relationships

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Grant and Chezzi Denyer open up on their unlikely romance

<p dir="ltr">Grant Denyer has opened up about the “scandalous” way his relationship with Chezzi began.</p> <p dir="ltr">He appeared with Chezzi on the latest episode of the podcast <em><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/separate-bathrooms-and-other-handy-marriage-tips/grant-chezzi-denyer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Separate Bathrooms</a></em> with Cam and Ali Daddo, where the couple spoke about their unlikely romance.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Dancing With The Stars contestant revealed that he first began seeing Chezzi while she was his producer on Sunrise and when they were both in relationships with other people.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, he admitted that their relationship didn’t start with an instant attraction and that they even “hated each other”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was a young, ambitious pain in the arse who thought he knew everything. And she was a creative who thought you know that she could push me around. And I didn’t like that. So we clashed a lot,” he told the hosts.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite their frosty start, Denyer said it all changed during the Melbourne Cup one year.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said they “brushed hands accidentally” and he felt a “tingling sensation” that was “straight out of a Hollywood movie”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I was like, I had this instant light bulb reaction - ‘oh my god, I can’t live without this woman’,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, with them both being in relationships, Denyer admitted it was a “bit scandalous”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Yeah, love comes in different shapes and forms and times … sometimes convenient, sometimes not.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Chezzi added that they were both “shocked” when they realised they had feelings for each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We did not like each other. I kept saying, ‘please, can I produce anybody else at Sunrise other than Grant because he’s always racing cars. He’s off here. You know, doing this weekend. He turns up really tired. Maybe a bit hungover …’ It was doing my head in. So we really struggled,” she recalled.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple tied the knot in 2010 and now share three daughters: Sailor, 10, Scout, six, and Sunday, one.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-91b5d024-7fff-1fdb-bfd0-c2c0b25c8fcc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Relationships

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Brian Houston resigns from Hillsong amid more scandal

<p dir="ltr">Brian Houston’s reign as the head of Hillsong Church has come to a shocking end, after it was announced he resigned from the global megachurch.</p> <p dir="ltr">The church’s founder resigned as Global Senior Pastor after an internal investigation into two incidents involving Brian found he had breached the church’s code of conduct, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hillsong-church-brian-houston-resigns-as-head-of-megachurch/f4ead2f0-5292-418f-a38a-5c579ee2680b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dear Church, we would like to advise you that Pastor Brian Houston has resigned as Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church and the board has accepted his resignation,” a statement from the church read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Irrespective of the circumstances around this, we can all agree that Brian and (his wife) Bobbie have served God faithfully over many decades.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We ask that you continue to pray for them, and the entire Houston family, during this challenging time.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The church revealed last week that Brian had breached its moral code following the investigation.</p> <p dir="ltr">He allegedly sent inappropriate text messages to a staff member a decade ago, and entered a woman’s room at a conference in 2019 after mixing medication and alcohol.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The first issue was approximately a decade ago and involved inappropriate text messages from Pastor Brian to a member of staff, which subsequently resulted in the staff member resigning,” last week’s statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At the time, Pastor Brian was under the influence of sleeping tablets, upon which he had developed a dependence.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hillsong said Brian apologised to the staff member and received help from the church for his use of sleeping pills.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Following an in-depth investigation, it was found that Pastor Brian became disoriented after a session at the Hillsong Conference, following the consumption of anti-anxiety medication beyond the prescribed dose, mixed with alcohol,” the statement said of the second incident.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This resulted in him knocking on the door of a hotel room that was not his, entering this room and spending time with the female occupant.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Although members of the church were likely rocked by the news on Wednesday afternoon, this moment has been a long time coming for critics of the church and its leader.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brian Houston‘s resignation as Global Senior Pastor of the church comes just a month after he stepped down as the church’s figurehead last month while facing charges of concealing historic child sex abuse offences committed by his father, Frank.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was charged with concealing a serious indictable offence of another person in October last year, pleading not guilty to the charges after he returned to Australia from the US.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hillsong’s external legal counsel gave the board advice regarding the current charge I’m facing and that it would be best practice for me to step aside completely from church completely during court proceedings,” Brian previously said.</p> <p dir="ltr">These aren’t the first scandals Hillsong has been embroiled in either, with accusations of homophobia, celebrity pastor infidelity, and the accepting of millions in tax-free donations from attendees being just a few.</p> <p dir="ltr">“With that tax-free status must come greater responsibility. If you don’t pay taxes, like you and me, then you ought to be more accountable,” former Senator Nick Xenaphon told <em><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/hillsong-church-critic-reacts-to-leader-brian-houstons-resignation/fe878186-9fa6-4b1b-adf1-345478595282" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Obviously there’s a lot to unravel here but if you’re the leader then the buck must stop with you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">With Brian’s resignation, Phil Dooley and his wife Lucinda have now taken over leading the church.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, it’s still possible that this will simply be an interim measure until a new leader is appointed.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-0b1858bb-7fff-6b2b-a4e0-f89b17a71040"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Dutton not ruling out legal action against “bizarre” Bob Carr

<p>Defence minister Peter Dutton has slammed former NSW premier Bob Carr, who has claimed Dutton is the one behind the Liberal Party's texting scandal. </p><p>The series of texts were leaked to Network Ten's Peter van Onselen, as the texts were reportedly exchanged between Peter Dutton and Gladys Berejiklian during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfire crisis. </p><p>In the messages, Gladys refers to Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a "horrible, horrible person", with the response from Dutton, according to Carr, called the PM a "complete psycho". </p><p>Bob Carr broke the news on Twitter, saying he knows that Dutton is the one who broke the story to the media and gave permission for news outlets to use the texts.</p><p>He said, "The minister who shared the text with van Onselen and gave permission to use it was Peter Dutton. If PM Morrison has one more week in free fall the prospect of a leadership change pre-election is real."</p><p>"Party rules don’t count if most MPs think you will lead them to defeat."</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">The minister who shared the text with van Onselen and gave permission to use it was Peter Dutton. If PM Morrison has one more week in free fall the prospect of a leadership change pre-election is real. Party rules don’t count if most MPs think you will lead them to defeat.</p>— Bob Carr (@bobjcarr) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobjcarr/status/1490265532204945408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Only one way Peter Dutton can win his case: get another colleague to admit that they were the source for comments about the Prime Minister. If not you, Mr Dutton, which of your colleagues? Until then who has most to gain from undermining further a flailing PM?</p>— Bob Carr (@bobjcarr) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobjcarr/status/1490445035057213443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 6, 2022</a></blockquote><p>Dutton responded on Twitter, saying "Bob Carr's tweet is baseless, untrue and should be deleted."</p><p>The defence minister reaffirmed his innocence in an interview with <em>Today</em>'s Karl Stefanovic, who denied sending the messages and is contemplating legal action against the former premier. </p><p>"Was it you?" asked Karl Stefanovic.</p><p>"It was not me," Mr Dutton replied.</p><p>"He's a bizarre guy. He hasn't produced any evidence. He's now saying if it's not me, then the person needs to come forward to prove my innocence. I just find it bizarre."</p><p>Dutton said that the onus was on Carr to delete the tweets, and that the whole situation is a "farce".</p><p>"He hasn't yet taken the post down," he said.</p><p>"He's made a claim which is clearly defamatory and he now needs to produce the evidence which he can't of course because I never sent that text and it's a farce."</p><p>Karl Stefanovic asked if Dutton would consider challenging the leadership, as "that was what he was "trying to smoke you out for".</p><p>But Mr Dutton shut down those suggestions, saying "No, Karl, no."</p><p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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