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King Charles releases new portrait to mark 76th birthday

<p>King Charles has turned 76! </p> <p>The royal marked his birthday by opening two food distribution hubs, as part of his Coronation Food Project launched one year ago, with the aim of bridging the gap between food poverty and food waste. </p> <p>His Majesty visited one of the new hubs in south London on Thursday, which was hosting a "surplus food festival" as part of its opening, where they made meals using food that might otherwise have gone to waste. </p> <p>He also opened the second Coronation Food Hub in Merseyside in northwest England, in a virtual ceremony.</p> <p>The monarch spent his birthday touring the new facility before meeting beneficiaries and representatives of food banks, schools and community groups.</p> <p>Since it was launched, the food project has saved 853 tonnes of surplus food - the equivalent of 2.2 million meals - from going to waste. It has also given £715,000 ($1.4 million) in community food grants to 33 UK organisations. </p> <p>While the royal had an eventful birthday, the Royal Family's official X account shared portrait of the monarch with the caption: "Wishing His Majesty The King a very Happy Birthday today".</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">🎂 Wishing His Majesty The King a very Happy Birthday today. <a href="https://t.co/Nq7npnaXqa">pic.twitter.com/Nq7npnaXqa</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1856964218039214113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>The Prince and Princess of Wales also offered their best wishes in a post on social media, with a photo of the monarch taken during his recent overseas tour to Samoa. </p> <p>"Wishing a very Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King!" they captioned the post.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wishing a very Happy Birthday to His Majesty The King! <a href="https://t.co/blN48K7490">pic.twitter.com/blN48K7490</a></p> <p>— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1856983568657846417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>The bells of Westminster Abbey were rung at 1pm (midnight AEDT).</p> <p><em>Images: X/ </em><em>Zak Hussein/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

Mark 'The Beast' Labbett's girlfriend drops major relationship bombshell

<p>Just days after their one year anniversary, Mark 'The Beast' Labbett and his girlfriend Hayley Palmer have shared a major relationship update. </p> <p>Labbett, 58, and Palmer, 42, met at the UK National Television Awards in 2022, and later became a couple.</p> <p>But now, less than one week after celebrating their one year anniversary, the couple have announced their separation. </p> <p>Palmer, an entertainment news presenter, shared the news of their split on Instagram, shocking fans everywhere.</p> <p>“It is with regret I announce that myself and Mark have gone our separate ways," she began.</p> <p>"We had the best year together, and I truly wish him all the very best for the future. Off I go to listen to Taylor Swift.” </p> <p>Hayley also added the heartbreak emoji at the end of the message.</p> <p>The couple had been together for just over a year and posted Instagram photos to mark their anniversary after spending the day together at the beach where they spent their first date.</p> <p>However, just days later, the couple opened up about some issues they have been facing in their relationship. </p> <p>In an appearance on UK talk show <em>Loose Women</em>, Labbett, star of <em>The Chase Australia</em>, said, “The difficult thing is, we live quite a bit apart. Obviously I live up in Sheffield, Rotherham, she’s a Chelsea girl."</p> <p>“We tend to look at our diaries and when we can sync up together and so the good news is we see each other every few weeks but we make the most of it when we’re together so you get the best of both worlds.”</p> <p>Before his relationship with Palmer, Labbett was married to his second cousin, Katie, and the pair have a son, Lawrence.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Relationships

Sleep wrinkles are real. Here’s how they leave their mark

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yousuf-mohammed-858232">Yousuf Mohammed</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/khanh-phan-1489820">Khanh Phan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vania-rodrigues-leite-e-silva-1497208">Vania Rodrigues Leite E. Silva</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a></em></p> <p>You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles.</p> <p>Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your skin loses its elasticity as you age, they can set in.</p> <p>Here’s what you can do to minimise the chance of them forming in the first place.</p> <h2>How side-sleeping affects your face</h2> <p>Your skin wrinkles for a number of reasons, including ageing, sun damage, smoking, poor hydration, habitual facial expressions (such as grinning, pouting, frowning, squinting) and sleeping positions.</p> <p>When you sleep on your side or stomach, your face skin is <a href="https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/8/931/2613967">squeezed and crushed</a> a lot more than if you sleep on your back. When you sleep on your side or stomach, gravity presses your face against the pillow. Your face skin is distorted as your skin is stretched, compressed and pulled in all directions as you move about in your sleep.</p> <p>You can reduce these external forces acting on the face by sleeping on your back or changing positions frequently.</p> <h2>Doctors can tell which side you sleep on by looking at your face</h2> <p>In a young face, sleep wrinkles are transient and disappear after waking.</p> <p>Temporary sleep wrinkles can become persistent with time and repetition. As we <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19624425/">age</a>, our skin <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22233477/">loses elasticity</a> (recoil) and extensibility (stretch), creating <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27329660/">ideal conditions</a> for sleep wrinkles or lines to set in and last longer.</p> <p>The time spent in each sleeping position, the magnitude of external forces applied to each area of the face, as well as the surface area of contact with the pillow surface, also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27329660/">affects</a> the pattern and rate of sleep wrinkle formation.</p> <p>Skin specialists can often recognise this. People who favour sleeping on one side of their body tend to have a flatter face on their sleeping side and more visible sleep lines.</p> <h2>Can a night skincare routine avoid sleep wrinkles?</h2> <p>Collagen and elastin are two primary components of the dermis (inner layer) of skin. They form the skin structure and maintain the elasticity of skin.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=395&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=496&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=496&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/593034/original/file-20240509-16-hz2ha3.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=496&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Skin structure" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The dermis is the inner layer of skin.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/skin-structure-old-young-1707589036">mermaid3/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p>Supplementing collagen through skincare routines to enhance skin elasticity can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32799362/">help reduce</a> wrinkle formation.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30287361/">Hyaluronic</a> acid is a naturally occurring molecule in human bodies. It holds our skin’s collagen and elastin in a proper configuration, stimulates the production of <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/26/15/4429">collagen</a> and adds hydration, which can help slow down wrinkle formation. Hyaluronic acid is one of the most common <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30287361/">active ingredients</a> in skincare creams, gels and lotions.</p> <p>Moisturisers can hydrate the skin in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00421.x">different ways</a>. “Occlusive” substances produce a thin layer of oil on the skin that prevents water loss due to evaporation. “Humectants” attract and hold water in the skin, and they can differ in their capacity to bind with water, which influences the degree of skin hydration.</p> <h2>Do silk pillowcases actually make a difference?</h2> <p>Silk pillowcases can make a difference in wrinkle formation, if they let your skin glide and move, rather than adding friction and pressure on a single spot. If you can, use silk sheets and silk pillows.</p> <p>Studies have also <a href="https://academic.oup.com/asj/article/36/8/931/2613967">shown</a> pillows designed to reduce mechanical stress during sleep can prevent skin deformations. Such a pillow <a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=67035#:%7E:text=Introduction-,The%20duration%20of%20sleep%20and%20the%20position%20of%20the%20face,permanent%20sleep%20lines%20with%20time.">could be useful</a> in slowing down and preventing the formation of certain facial wrinkles.</p> <p>Sleeping on your back can reduce the risk of sleep lines, as can a nighttime routine of moisturising before sleep.</p> <p>Otherwise, lifestyle choices and habits, such quitting smoking, drinking plenty of water, a healthy diet (eating enough vegetables, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07315724.2001.10719017?casa_token=uD1flbkLyKUAAAAA%3AsMTWPmxzO3fGHAI41o80B_bWrGrOrvQFeJwF2FtIEnkd73Qmjvyhxr1-GO2kU8_Yc2LYgZp56DqHVg">fruits</a>, nuts, seeds, healthy fats, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5452251/pdf/nutrients-09-00521.pdf">yogurt and other fermented foods</a>) and regular use of sunscreens can help improve the appearance of the skin on our face.<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/217380/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/yousuf-mohammed-858232">Yousuf Mohammed</a>, Dermatology researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/khanh-phan-1489820">Khanh Phan</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Frazer Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/vania-rodrigues-leite-e-silva-1497208">Vania Rodrigues Leite E. Silva</a>, Honorary Associate Professor, Frazer Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</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/sleep-wrinkles-are-real-heres-how-they-leave-their-mark-217380">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Body

Why David Beckham is suing Mark Wahlberg for $16m

<p>David Beckham has launched legal action against Mark Wahlberg, after a joint business venture into the world of fitness failed. </p> <p>The English soccer legend is suing the Hollywood actor for a whopping £8.5 million (A$16.4 million), claiming he was "duped" by Wahlberg when he started a partnership with the global F45 Training gym. </p> <p>Beckham agreed to be the firm’s global ambassador when he moved to LA as he became friends with Wahlberg, who owns a huge stake of the gym network. </p> <p>The 48-year-old sporting hero is also suing the actor’s firm, Mark Wahlberg Investment Group (MWIG), and gym group F45’s founders Adam Gilchrist and Rob Deutsch for "fraudulent conduct".</p> <p>Beckham is claiming he lost more than $16 million when stocks he was promised were withheld until after share prices plummeted.</p> <p>In August 2023, F45 Training Holdings announced they had delisted from the New York Stock Exchange after its share price fell by 75 per cent.</p> <p>Wahlberg and the other defendants said the allegations are baseless and are asking the judge to dismiss the lawsuit. </p> <p>The defendants’ motion to dismiss goes further to say David Beckham Ventures Ltd (DBVL) are blaming everyone but themselves for the loss of money, adding: “The 209-page, 610-paragraph SAC [complaint] tries to make up with length what it lacks in merit."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Legal

Samantha Murphy’s heartbroken family mark first birthday without her

<p>In a heart-wrenching saga that has gripped the community of Ballarat and beyond, the disappearance of Samantha Murphy continues to haunt her husband, Michael Murphy, and all those who knew her.</p> <p>Two months have passed since Samantha vanished without a trace, leaving behind a void that cannot be filled. As the days stretch into weeks and the weeks into months, Michael clings to hope, fervently believing that one day Samantha's body will be found, bringing closure to this harrowing ordeal.</p> <p><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/michael-murphy-i-need-to-be-strong-myself-and-look-after-everyone-around-me/news-story/f653bc98fcca22a81eac34c270a7d8bd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Speaking to the Herald Sun</a>, Michael expressed the pain of his daily reality, where the absence of Samantha looms large. Despite his grief, he strives to maintain a semblance of optimism, eagerly awaiting any glimmer of positive news from the ongoing police investigation. Yet, as time wears on and the investigation inches forward, the anguish only deepens.</p> <p>The arrest and charging of <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/everything-we-know-about-samantha-murphy-s-accused-killer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">22-year-old Patrick Stephenson</a> with Samantha's murder provided a brief moment of reckoning. However, since then, the progress has been slow, and Michael understands that justice may elude them until Stephenson chooses to cooperate. Acknowledging the arduous nature of the legal process, Michael remains steadfast in his support for the detectives tirelessly working on Samantha's case.</p> <p>August 8 looms on the horizon as the date when Stephenson is slated to appear before the Ballarat Magistrates' Court. For Michael and the Murphy family, it's a pivotal moment in their quest for justice, a step towards closure in a saga fraught with uncertainty.</p> <p>For Michael, the passing of milestones like Samantha's birthday – she would have turned 52 on Saturday – serves as a stark reminder of her absence. The pain of marking such occasions without her presence is a burden he carries with stoicism, determined to navigate life's challenges for the sake of his family. </p> <p>“It’s the first things," Michael told the <em>Herald Sun</em>. "The first birthday without Sam … any anniversaries without Sam. That’s a hard thing but we’ve gotta face reality and realise she’s just not coming back ... I need to be strong myself and look after everyone around me.” </p> <p>The timeline of events leading to Samantha's disappearance remains etched in the minds of those who knew her. Two months ago, she was captured on CCTV, embarking on her routine morning run around Woowookarung Regional Park. Little did anyone know that it would be the last sighting of her, plunging her loved ones into a nightmare from which they are yet to awaken.</p> <p>The community's response to Samantha's disappearance has been one of unwavering solidarity. During the initial days, emergency services and local volunteers mobilised in a coordinated effort to search for any trace of her. Their commitment to finding Samantha has not waned, as evidenced by ongoing searches organised by community groups like the Ground Crew.</p> <p>While the road ahead may be fraught with challenges, the community's commitment to finding Samantha remains resolute. As they continue their search for answers, they do so with the unwavering belief that Samantha Murphy will not be forgotten, and that one day, her family will find the closure they so desperately seek.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Family & Pets

World's most powerful women come together to mark the end of an era

<p>A group of the most powerful and influential women in the worlds of fashion and entertainment have joined forces to appear on a legendary cover of <em>British Vogue</em>. </p> <p>The iconic cover shoot occurred to celebrate the magazine's editor Edward Enninful, who is stepping back from the role after six years at the helm. </p> <p>Enninful gathered his muses for the history-making "Legendary" edition, featuring the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda, Selma Blair, Salma Hayek, Victoria Beckham, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, and many more. </p> <p>"To get one of these women on a cover takes months. To get 40? Unheard of," Cyrus remarked in an on-set video.</p> <p>In a post to social media, Selma Blair remarked that she "didn't want the day to end". </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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3FtXApL8_O/?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/reel/C3FtXApL8_O/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by British Vogue (@britishvogue)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The shoot also included models Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Karlie Kloss, alongside the original '90s supermodels – Naomi Campbell, Iman, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford.</p> <p>Evangelista said of the iconic shoot, "I've met so many people today on my bucket list".</p> <p>Hayek also posted about the experience on Instagram, saying, "So honoured to be part of this legendary cover of British Vogue and Edward Enninful's muses, especially because they are my muses too!" </p> <p>Jane Fonda summed up the energy of the day on set, saying, "Women understand the importance and power of the collective."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p> <p> </p>

Beauty & Style

“Disappointing”: New inflight Qantas video slammed for “missing the mark”

<p dir="ltr">A new inflight safety video from Qantas has been widely panned for being “elitist” and “sexist”, while skimming over vital safety information. </p> <p dir="ltr">The new video, which is set to replace an earlier retro video released in 2020 that marked the airline’s 100th birthday, features frequent flyers and Qantas staff delivering the pre-flight safety announcement from their favourite “magic places” around the world. </p> <p dir="ltr">The video features destinations such as Litchfield National Park near Darwin and Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, as well as international places such as Lapland in Finland and Marrakesh in Morocco.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the video was shared by the airline, members of the Flight Attendants Association of Australia were quick to express their feelings. </p> <p dir="ltr">Flight Attendants Association of Australia national secretary Teri O-Toole told <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/new-qantas-safety-video-panned-as-sexist-and-elitist/news-story/078aa2c55cf48e6551a40ad4c0c56011">news.com.au</a></em> the video was “disappointing” for a lot of different reasons. </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/reel/C2dPrw_BNqf/?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/reel/C2dPrw_BNqf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Qantas (@qantas)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Not one Australian-based international crew member was used,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There are no cabin crew in uniform and there are no shots of the interior of an aircraft which are all important factors for non-English speaking passengers and those that need to know who is in charge.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Not once does it say ‘follow the directions of your crew member’, which you would’ve thought would be the focus of a safety video.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She also questioned why a female pilot appeared in a swimsuit, suggesting that sort of depiction took women in the workplace took the airline “back 20 years”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I didn’t see a male pilot in a pair of budgie smugglers,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to describe the video as “great marketing”, but totally “misses the mark” in terms of a safety video, while also adding “elitist” to focus on frequent flyers during a cost of living crisis.</p> <p dir="ltr">Social media users were equally scathing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’d prefer just focus on, oh I dunno, in flight safety during the in-flight safety video?,” one wrote. “Why do we need a long video with all this added stuff?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another described it as “slow, long, tedious and boring. I couldn't make it through the entire thing”, while a third person labelled it “absolutely awful”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Qantas chief customer officer Catriona Larritt defended the video insisting safety was the number one priority across the Qantas Group, and the in-flight video together with cabin crew, plays a key role in capturing the attention of travellers to watch and listen to the critical information.</p> <p dir="ltr">“First and foremost, the video is about familiarising our customers with safety procedures and we try to make it as engaging as possible, in particular for regular flyers who might otherwise tune out,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Qantas</em></p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d006e7c7-7fff-7037-252e-b0c227e24116"></span></p>

Travel Trouble

The Beast marks major weight loss milestone

<p>Mark 'The Beast' Labbett has shared a major weight loss milestone, with his partner Hayley celebrating his ongoing health journey. </p> <p><em>The Chase Australia</em> star has been overhauling his life since 2020, and has been documenting his weight loss on social media. </p> <p>Now, Labbett's girlfriend, English TV presenter Hayley Palmer, has shared a video of the couple working out together, as they have welcomed in the New Year with fresh fitness goals. </p> <p>In the video, Labbett is shown walking on a treadmill, lifting weights and standing on a set of scales, where he weighs in at 124.8kg. </p> <p>Labbett weighed about 185kg at his heaviest, as he has now lost over 60kgs. </p> <p>“I’m so proud of @markthebeastlabbett,” Hayley captioned the workout video.</p> <p>“He started to come to gym with me in the morning, and he is doing so well.”</p> <p>“Wow, unbelievable achievement,” one fan commented, followed by another who said he looks “amazing” and should be proud.</p> <p>“Well done and congrats! I bet you feel much better in yourself and have gained so much more energy, never go backwards!” someone else added</p> <p>“You look strong and confident, keep shining!” a fourth remarked, while a different user called him “a lean mean quizzing machine!”.</p> <p>Mark has previously revealed that he credits his impressive weight loss to regular walks with his Golden Retriever Baloo, eating only two meals a day, and “running around after a hyperactive three-year-old in lockdown”.</p> <p><em>Image credits: ITV / Instagram </em></p>

Body

"Best for us": Mark Beretta announces divorce

<p>Mark Beretta has announced that after 22 years of marriage, he and his wife Rachel are getting a divorce. </p> <p>The 57-year-old sports presenter confirmed the news of the separation to <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/sunrises-mark-beretta-splits-from-wife-of-22-years-best-for-us-224123607.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em></a>, saying the split took a lot of "reflection". </p> <p>“At the start of the year, after a great deal of reflection and 22 years of marriage, Rach and I came to the conclusion that a separation was best for us,” he said.</p> <p>“We remain good friends, and our two children and grandchild remain our focus and priority as we move forward with love, dignity, and respect."</p> <p>Mark and Rachel first met in 1999 when their friends set them up on a blind date. </p> <p>They married two years later in 2001, and they share two teenage children, 19-year-old Ava and 16-year-old Dan, and one grandson, Arlo.</p> <p>The former couple sold their luxury home in Mosman, Sydney in May this year for $13 million, which was $2.5 million less than their initial asking price of $15.5 million.</p> <p>Earlier this year, Beretta opened up about balancing the pressures of his high-profile career with his family life.</p> <p>“Looking back, you think, I would have loved to spend more time at home, but life is what it is and you make the most of it,” he told <em><a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/parenting/family/mark-beretta-family-74582" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Now To Love</a></em>.</p> <p>“I love my job so much and I love being with the team. It’s just never on my radar to change careers or to not be part of Sunrise. It’s such a magical work opportunity.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven / Getty Images </em></p>

Relationships

Unseen pics of Prince Christian mark his 18th birthday

<p>Prince Christian of Denmark, the eldest son of Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, marked his 18th birthday with a grand gala dinner that befits his future role as a potential monarch. Royals from various corners of the world gathered at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen for a magnificent celebration of this milestone event.</p> <p>At present, Prince Christian holds the position of second in line to the Danish throne. His grandmother, Queen Margrethe, currently reigns, and his father, Crown Prince Frederik, is the heir apparent. With this auspicious celebration, the Danish royal family and their esteemed guests paid tribute to the young prince who may someday ascend to the throne. (Plus, he now <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/princess-mary-s-son-gets-his-own-stamp-for-18th-birthday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has his own stamp</a>!)</p> <p>The guest list for this momentous occasion included a stellar array of fellow future monarchs from across Europe. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, aged 21, graced the gala with her presence. Alongside her were 19-year-old Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, who attended with her parents, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Princess Estelle of Sweden, aged 11, was also among the esteemed guests, accompanied by her parents, Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel. Furthermore, Princess Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, the 19-year-old heir to the Dutch throne, added her royal grace to the event.</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/CybkX1KNjGa/?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/CybkX1KNjGa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As Prince Christian stepped into adulthood, his proud parents, Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, took a nostalgic look back at their son's journey through life.</p> <p>In a touching post shared on the official Danish royal family Instagram account, an album was published with the caption, "From child to adult. Seen from the parents' camera roll." This digital scrapbook offered a glimpse into the life of the Danish prince, capturing poignant moments that tell the story of his growth and development.</p> <p>The first image in the album featured a precious baby picture, showcasing three generations of the Danish Crown. It served as a testament to the continuity of a rich royal heritage. The subsequent photos depicted the family exploring their native Denmark, emphasising the connection between the Danish royals and their beloved country. The final image showed a mature and poised Prince Christian, symbolising his transition into adulthood and a potential future as a Danish monarch.</p> <p>As Prince Christian's 18th birthday celebration came to a close, it was evident that the royal family and their guests were not only celebrating a birthday but also the promising future of a young prince destined to play a significant role in Denmark's rich history. The gala dinner was not only a magnificent event but a symbol of unity among European royal families, demonstrating the strength of their bonds, both personal and regal.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Elle Macpherson marks major 20-year milestone

<p>Aussie supermodel Elle Macpherson has celebrated two incredible milestones this week. </p> <p>The 59-year-old, nicknamed "The Body" during her modelling years, took to Instagram to celebrate her one-year anniversary with her American musician boyfriend, Doyle Bramhall. </p> <p>''Life beyond my wildest dreams they say," she captioned the series of photos of the pair travelling the world together. </p> <p>The post also marked 20 years of sobriety for Macpherson, who recently shared her <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwp_ytApolL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alcoholics Anonymous badge</a> to celebrate the milestone. </p> <p>"As I celebrate my 20 years anniversary this week… I am also celebrating 365+days of heart expanding bliss," she continued in the tribute dedicated to her blossoming relationship with Bramhall. </p> <p>"Our friend @ninamorris calls us Nomadic Lovers - So I've chosen some of my favourite images from around the world," she added. </p> <p>She then listed all the different places they've been to together, which matched the photos on the slide. </p> <p>Among them, we see a picture of the pair kissing underneath the Eiffel Tower, exploring the Sahara desert in Morocco, and one of the shrines in Tokyo. </p> <p>"Real travel requires a maximum of unscheduled wandering, for there is no other way of discovering surprises and marvels, which, as I see it, is the only good reason for not staying at home," she added. </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/Cw0CS5OM4yu/?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/Cw0CS5OM4yu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Elle Macpherson (@ellemacpherson)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Friends and fans alike took to the comments to congratulate the couple on their one-year anniversary, and celebrate Macpherson's sobriety. </p> <p>"My heart is SO full seeing you love & being truly loved by @doylebramhall2," wrote Dr Simoné Laubscher , the formulator for Macpherson's wellness brand WelleCo. </p> <p>"Gorgeous photos capturing your essence ❤️ Here is to many more years of wild adventures," wrote another. </p> <p>"Congratulations my friend! These are the rewards of sobriety 🙏🏻" commented a third. </p> <p>"So very happy for you both. A beautiful celebration of pure love!" added another.</p> <p>"I’m so happy for you!!! You are the ultimate example of changing your world from the inside out!" commented a fifth. </p> <p>Macpherson and Bramhall went public with their relationship in December.</p> <p>Macpherson shares two sons, Flynn and Cy, with her French financier ex Arpad Busson, while Bramhall shares daughter India with American vocalist Susannah Melvoin. </p> <p><em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> Images: Instagram</span></em></p>

Body

2001: A Space Odyssey still leaves an indelible mark on our culture 55 years on

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-abrams-122305">Nathan Abrams</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bangor-university-1221">Bangor University</a></em></p> <p>2001: A Space Odyssey is a landmark film in the history of cinema. It is a work of extraordinary imagination that has transcended film history to become something of a cultural marker. And since 1968, it has penetrated the psyche of not only other filmmakers but society in general.</p> <p>It is not an exaggeration to say that 2001 single-handedly reinvented the science fiction genre. The visuals, music and themes of 2001 left an inedible mark on subsequent science fiction that is still evident today.</p> <p>When <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Kubrick/Robert-P-Kolker/9781639366248">Stanley Kubrick</a> began work on 2001 in the mid-1960s, he was told by studio executive Lew Wasserman: “Kid, you don’t spend over a million dollars on science fiction movies. You just don’t do that.”</p> <p>By that point, the golden age of science fiction film had run its course. During its heyday, there was a considerable variety of content within the overarching genre. There had been serious attempts to foretell space travel. Destination Moon, directed by Irving Pichel and produced by George Pal in 1950, and, in mid-century, Byron Haskin’s Conquest of Space both fantasised space travel and, in Haskin’s film, a space station, which Kubrick would elaborate on in 2001.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oR_e9y-bka0?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">The trailer for 2001: A Space Odyssey.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Most 1950s science fiction films, though, were cheap B-movie fare and looked it. They involved alien invasions with an ideological and allegorical subtext. They were cultural, cinematic imaginations of the danger of communism, which in the overheated political atmosphere of the time was seen as an imminent threat to the American way of life.</p> <p>The aliens in most science fiction films were out simply to destroy or take over humanity; they were expressions, to use the title of a Susan Sontag essay, of “<a href="https://americanfuturesiup.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/sontag-the-imagination-of-disaster.pdf">the imagination of disaster</a>”. There were some exceptions, including Byron Haskin’s film version of The War of the Worlds and Robert Wise’s The Day the Earth Stood Still.</p> <p>By 1968, then, as the lights went down, very few people knew what was about to transpire and they certainly were not prepared for what did. The film opened in near darkness as the strains of Thus Spake Zarathustra by Richard Strauss were heard. The cinema was dazzled into light, as if Kubrick had <a href="https://www.rutgersuniversitypress.org/stanley-kubrick/9780813587110">remade Genesis</a>.</p> <p>The subsequent 160 or so minutes (the length of his original cut before he edited 19 minutes out of it) took the viewer on what was marketed as “the ultimate trip”. Kubrick had excised almost every element of explanation leaving an elusive, ambiguous and thoroughly unclear film. His decisions contributed to long silent scenes, offered without elucidation. It contributed to the film’s almost immediate critical failure but its ultimate success. It was practically a silent movie.</p> <p>2001 was an experiment in film form and content. It exploded the conventional narrative form, restructuring the conventions of the three-act drama. The narrative was linear, but radically, spanning aeons and ending in a timeless realm, all without a conventional movie score. Kubrick used 19th-century and modernist music, such as Strauss, György Ligeti and Aram Khachaturian.</p> <h2>Vietnam</h2> <p>The movie was made during a tumultuous period of American history, which it seemingly ignored. The war in Vietnam was already a highly divisive issue and was spiralling into a crisis. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tet-Offensive">Tet offensive</a>, which began on January 31 1968, had claimed tens of thousands of lives. As US involvement in Vietnam escalated, domestic unrest and violence at home intensified.</p> <p>Increasingly, young Americans expected their artists to address the chaos that roared around them. But in exploring the origins of humanity’s propensity for violence and its future destiny, 2001 dealt with the big questions and ones that were burning at the time of its release. They fuelled what Variety magazine called the “coffee cup debate” over “what the film means”, which is still ongoing today.</p> <p>The design of the film has touched many other films. Silent Running by Douglas Trumbull (who worked on 2001’s special effects) owes the most obvious debt but Star Wars would be also unthinkable without it. Popular culture is full of imagery from the film. The <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/stanley-kubrick-2001-a-space-odyssey-music/">music</a> Kubrick used in the film, especially Strauss’s The Blue Danube, is now considered <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/702734/planetarium-brief-history-space-music">“space music”</a>.</p> <p>Images from the movie have appeared <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfK9pEQZyy0">in iPhone adverts</a>, in The Simpsons and even the trailer for the new <a href="https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/16/trailer-for-greta-gerwigs-barbie-spoofs-classic-film-in-best-way-17951854/">Barbie movie</a>.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8zIf0XvoL9Y?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">2001: A Space Odyssey’s influence on this Barbie movie trailer couldn’t be more obvious.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>The warnings of the danger of technology embodied in the film’s murderous supercomputer HAL-9000 can be felt in the “tech noir” films of the late 1970s and 1980s, such as Westworld, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-alien-mutated-from-a-sci-fi-horror-film-into-a-multimedia-universe-204567">Alien</a>, Blade Runner and Terminator.</p> <p>HAL’s single red eye can be seen in the children’s series, Q Pootle 5, and Pixar’s animated feature, Wall-E. HAL has become shorthand for the untrammelled march of artificial intelligence (AI).</p> <p>In the age of ChatGPT and other AI, the metaphor of Kubrick’s computer is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/22/movies/ai-movies-microsoft-bing-robots.html">frequently evoked</a>. But why when there have been so many other images such as Frankenstein, Prometheus, terminators and other murderous cyborgs? Because there is something so uncanny and human about HAL who was deliberately designed to be more <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01439685.2017.1342328?journalCode=chjf20">empathic and human than the people in the film</a>.</p> <p>In making 2001, Stanley Kubrick created a cultural phenomenon that continues to speak to us eloquently today.<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/209152/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nathan-abrams-122305">Nathan Abrams</a>, Professor of Film Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/bangor-university-1221">Bangor University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: 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/2001-a-space-odyssey-still-leaves-an-indelible-mark-on-our-culture-55-years-on-209152">original article</a>.</em></p>

Movies

Ellen DeGeneres shares throwback snap to mark special milestone

<p dir="ltr">Ellen DeGeneres shared a sweet throwback snap of her August 2008 wedding with Portia de Rossi, to mark a very special milestone for LGBTQIA+ love.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 65-year-old comedian took to Instagram to honour the eight anniversary of the Supreme Court legalising same-sex marriages in the United States.</p> <p dir="ltr">"8 years ago today marks an important moment. It's when the Supreme Court said "yes" to letting everyone feel the same joy I got to feel in this moment," she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ellen shared a black-and-white snap of her embracing Portia during their 2008 nuptials.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s been almost 15 years since the pair got married, and they previously celebrated their love in February 2023, when they <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/ellen-degeneres-surprise-wedding-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">renewed their vows</a> at their California home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Portia even wore the same wedding dress she wore in their 2008 wedding when surprised Ellen with a double celebration - her own birthday party and their vow renewal ceremony.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair have been head over heels for each other since they first met in the early 2000s, and they continue to choose each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many fans took to the comment section to share their love and gratitude towards the couple.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love you and thanks for all your work for the LGBTQIA community. One love 😍” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This was a defining moment for Ellen and Portia! Congratulations to you both!” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love will always win!!🙌🏽✨” wrote a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for making a difference in the world!" commented a fourth.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

"Exhausted" Premier Mark McGowan calls it quits

<p>Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has announced he is stepping down as premier and member for Rockingham after six years, saying he is “exhausted”.</p> <p>McGowan announced his resignation after calling a snap press conference in Perth and read out a “brief statement” to reporters.</p> <p>"Today I am announcing that I will be stepping down as Premier and member for Rockingham," the statement read.</p> <p>"I was elected premier of Western Australia in March 2017, more than six years ago. Prior to that I served as Opposition Leader for more than six years.</p> <p>"Now is the right time to step away from the job I love.”</p> <p>McGowan said he is stepping down partly because he is confident Labor will win the next state election.</p> <p>"I'm tired, extremely tired. In fact, I'm exhausted," he said.</p> <p>"The role of political leadership does not stop, it is relentless, with huge responsibility but it is all consuming, each and every day. And combined with the COVID-19 years, it has taken it out of me.</p> <p>"I'm convinced WA Labor can win and will win the next election in 2025. But I just don't have the energy or drive that is required to continue in the role as Premier.”</p> <p>He revealed he had been considering stepping down for a while, and will take a break after he finishes.</p> <p>"It is not a decision I have taken lightly, I've been considering it for quite a while," he said.</p> <p>"I will leave Parliament and leave the role by the end of this week. It will be up to my colleagues to select my replacement.</p> <p>"I don't want to finish work completely. Once I am rested and recuperated, I will look for something else to do.”</p> <p>McGowan thanked his wife Sarah and three children, Samuel, Alexander and Amelia, for their support over the years.</p> <p>"To my family can I pass on my love and thanks, being Premier takes a huge toll on family life," he said.</p> <p>"Thank you for every thing over so many hard years.”</p> <p>The politician added that he is a “phone call away” should his successor ever need advice.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he had spoken to McGowan and congratulated him on his retirement, commending the work he’s done for Western Australia.</p> <p>"Mark leaves office as he led, on his own terms and as his own man. He has been a great Premier of his proud state, an extraordinary leader for WA Labor and a trusted friend," Albanese said.</p> <p>"Above all, Mark will be remembered for seeing the people of Western Australia safely through one of the most challenging crises in our nation's history. In unprecedented times, Mark always held to his convictions and always sought to do the right thing by his state.</p> <p>"I wish Mark, Sarah and their family all the very best for the next chapter of their lives.”</p> <p>Throughout his time as state leader, McGowan has faced several challenges including threats against himself and his family, and pressure over his strict handling of Covid-19.</p> <p>In November 2021, McGowan and his family had considered moving out of their home in Rockingham after threats were allegedly made against them.</p> <p>Police charged two men over phone calls made to the state premier, which allegedly included threats to behead his wife and children.</p> <p>“In terms of my own family, obviously it’s not pleasant. It’s not very nice and I just urge the people doing it to stop,” McGowan told reporters at the time.</p> <p>According to police, a 20-year-old from Canning Vale and an 18-year-old from Harrisdale allegedly called the premier personally and issued threats via voicemail.</p> <p>McGowan copped serious backlash for mandating vaccinations and locking down WA’s borders during the pandemic.</p> <p>Despite the criticism, the WA government continued to pursue a 90 per cent vaccination rate.</p> <p>“It’s not going to change our approach. We’re going to continue to work to get West Australians vaccinated,” he said.</p> <p>“We’re going to continue with the rules we’ve put in place because that is what is needed.”</p> <p>McGowan has also been approached and verbally abused by protesters on several occasions.</p> <p>He was confronted by Covid-19 protesters opposed to mandatory vaccinations, with a mob seen swarming his car.</p> <p>The encounter was captured on video and the premier is seen walking to his car before he was descended upon by a group shouting and holding signs.</p> <p>A woman attempted to approach the premier and his security, demanding he “give us our jobs back”.</p> <p>As the politician stepped into his car, the group called him a “f***ing coward” while banging on the vehicle’s windows.</p> <p>“Aren’t you down here to convince us?” one woman yelled.</p> <p>“We will rise up,” another remarked as he drove off.</p> <p>McGowan was also involved in a legal battle, with mining magnate Clive Palmer taking him and the state of WA to court multiple times during the pandemic.</p> <p>Both men fell short of a victory in the defamation trial after they sued each other in the NSW Federal Court, with $5,000 in damage awarded to Palmer and $20,000 to McGowan.</p> <p>“Both men went too far in their political jousting and both men litigated, but only one was willing to draw back and avoid the long and costly hearing,” Justice Michael Lee said after the trial.</p> <p>Palmer had claimed that the politician defamed him in multiple comments including that he was a “threat” to WA.</p> <p>McGowan countersued Palmer’s claims that he “lied” to the public about Covid-19, among several other comments.</p> <p>The defamation trial came about after Palmer lost his High Court battle with WA over its harsh border.</p> <p>Palmer sought $30 billion from the state after claiming that legislation introduced but WA Labor was unconstitutional.</p> <p>The bill amended a 2002 state agreement with Palmer’s Mineralogy company and was designed to bar him from suing over a decision by the previous Liberal government to not assess one of his mining projects.</p> <p>“Time and time again, Clive Palmer has attempted to bring our state down – first, by challenging the hard border that kept Western Australians safe through a pandemic, and then by launching an outrageous legal claim for damages,” the politician said in a social media post.</p> <p>Palmer responded to McGowan’s resignation on Twitter with, “Goodbye, Mark McGowan, Goodbye.”</p> <p>In addition to the considerable obstacles he’s faced, McGowan was also involved in a car accident.</p> <p>The premier was fortunately uninjured, and the woman who hit him was on her way to her first day at a new job.</p> <p>Despite hearing a large bang, McGowan said there was only minor damage to the car.</p> <p>“I’m fine. It wasn’t that bad,” he told <em>Seven West Media</em>.</p> <p>“We were just coming around a corner and another car sort of hit us, it felt worse than it was.</p> <p>“It was all very dramatic, I think, for her, but she was great. She was good-humoured, a bit shaken up, a bit shocked but we had a good chat.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

News

Mark Latham sued over homophobic tweet

<p>Mark Latham is being sued by New South Wales independent MP Alex Greenwich, after he failed to apologise for a "disgusting" homophobic tweet. </p> <p>Greenwich said he will initiate defamation proceedings against the One Nation NSW leader in the coming days, after he gave Latham until Thursday May 18th to issue an apology for the tweet against the openly gay member for Sydney. </p> <p>Greenwich confirmed the legal action would proceed after being by Latham's lawyers that he had no intention of apologising. </p> <p><a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/mark-latham-under-fire-over-disgusting-homophobic-tweet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Latham's tweet</a> made headlines in March, after the politicians became engaged in a war of words over Twitter when discussing <span style="caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; background-color: #ffffff;">the violent protest at St Michael's Church in Sydney's west, which saw members of the LGBTQIA+ community be attacked by religious extremists. </span></p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">More than a dozen LGBTQIA+ protesters were ambushed by hundreds of men outside an event at the church where Mr Latham spoke about parental rights and religious freedom. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">In an article Mr Greenwich called Mr Latham a "disgusting human being" who risks causing a "great deal of damage to our state". </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">Latham was quick to respond on Twitter, saying "That's disgusting?" What about..." followed by a graphic and homophobic comment that OverSixty has chosen not to publish. </p> <p>Greenwich said his decision to take legal action against Latham was something that required much consideration, but something he feels he must do. </p> <p>"This is not a process I enter into lightly, and a process I wish I didn't have to engage in," Greenwich said in a statement.</p> <p>"However, Mr Latham's homophobic, sexualised attack has exposed me to contempt, ridicule and extreme abuse, based on my sexuality, and demands actions."</p> <p>Greenwich has lodged a complaint of homosexual vilification and sexual harassment against Latham with Anti-Discrimination NSW.</p> <p>He has also made a police complaint against Latham for using a carriage service to menace, harass and offend.</p> <p>"It's 2023 and LGBTQIA+ Australians shouldn't have to put up with abuse that targets our sexuality, character, or ability to do our jobs," Greenwich said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

Stunning new Kyle wedding pic released to mark Mother’s Day

<p>On Sunday, millions of mums around the globe were celebrated for their love and compassion, and for everything they do to keep their households running. </p> <p>A host of celebrity mothers were among those being honoured, as Kyle Sandilands' wife Tegan Kynaston celebrated her first Mother's Day. </p> <p>In honour of Tegan's first annual day of celebration as a mum, the Instagram account for <em>The Kyle and Jackie O Show</em> shared a previously unseen photo from Kyle and Tegan's recent wedding day. </p> <p>The pair <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/all-the-highlights-of-kyle-s-big-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tied the knot</a> just weeks ago at Swifts, a $60 million heritage-listed Gothic Revival mansion at Sydney's Darling Point, on April 29th. </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/CsM3XNNSzr4/?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/CsM3XNNSzr4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kyle and Jackie O (@kyleandjackieo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The photo shows Tegan and Kyle in their wedding attire, as Tegan cradles their son Otto, who was born in August 2022. </p> <p>"Happy 1st Mother’s Day to Tegan!" the caption read, with the post racking up thousands of well wishes to the newlyweds. </p> <p>The KIIS FM Instagram account also paid tribute to Tegan, along with many other celebrity mums, sharing a photo of a beaming Tegan holding baby Otto. </p> <p>"💘From our family to yours, Happy Mother's Day to the extraordinary woman who light up our worlds every day. ✨."</p> <p>The radio station's tribute also included photos of Jackie O and other KIIS FM alum, many of whom were present at Kyle and Tegan's star-studded nuptials. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Mark Latham under fire over "disgusting" homophobic tweet

<p>Mark Latham has been condemned by both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and One Nation senator Pauline Hanson for a "disgusting" homophobic tweet. </p> <p>The One Nation NSW leader took aim at <span style="font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica Neue, Arial, sans-serif;">independent MP Alex Greenwich, an openly gay man, who was discussing the recent violent protest at St Michael's Church in Sydney's west which saw members of the LGBTQIA+ community be attacked by religious extremists. </span></p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">More than a dozen LGBTQIA+ protesters were ambushed by hundreds of men outside an event at the church where Mr Latham spoke about parental rights and religious freedom. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">In an article Mr Greenwich called Mr Latham a "disgusting human being" who risks causing a "great deal of damage to our state". </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">Latham was quick to respond on Twitter, saying "That's disgusting?" What about..." followed by a graphic and homophobic comment that OverSixty has chosen not to publish. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">Mr Greenwich said he didn't want to directly respond to the now-deleted tweet. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"I understand this tweet has been taken down, and I don't intend to engage with the matter further," he said in a statement.</p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"My focus in the parliament will be working with the majority of members who support the LGBTQ community to progress important reforms." </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">One Nation founder and leader Pauline Hanson said she and her party associates did not condone the remarks and she has asked Mr Latham to apologise publicly. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"I think (the comments) are disgusting," she said in a video on Facebook. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"I've actually tried to ring Mark a couple of times to no avail and I have clearly sent a text message to him telling him my views."</p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">Anthony Albanese also condemned Latham's comments, telling 10 News "hateful speech" is never warranted and added nothing to public disclosure. </p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;">"I am concerned that with social media we seem to have a circumstance whereby people would say things through various applications they'd never say to someone face to face and we know that can be very hurtful and it can have drastic consequences."</p> <p class="_39n3n" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem; font-family: abcsans, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif;"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

“I know you will recover”: Mark Bouris' candid confession

<p>Mark Bouris has revealed he was forced to sell his house due to soaring interest rates. </p> <p>The Australian entrepreneur and mortgage expert made the frank admission on TikTok, admitting he had no other option that to sell his own home after being crippled by skyrocketing interest rates in the 1990s, and that it was “heartbreaking” to see “history repeating itself”.</p> <p>The former <em>Celebrity Apprentice</em> host began the candid video by saying he had only ever witnessed one other period of brutal economic conditions similar to today’s, in 1990, when the official cash rate hit a staggering 17.5 per cent: just 12 months before Australia was plunged into a devastating recession. </p> <p>“It was 1990. I had a wife, I had four kids, and I had to sell my house,” he said.</p> <p>“Telling my wife that I had to sell the house was the worst thing that I had to confront. Packing my family up was additionally really bad."</p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7199376964300328194&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40markbouris%2Fvideo%2F7199376964300328194&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-sg.tiktokcdn.com%2Ftos-alisg-p-0037%2Fd7eb67746f7e4a39bb2fbba6748cf211_1676235593%7Etplv-dmt-logom%3Atos-alisg-i-0068%2F2c16bbc3a49f42e8873431f16ac1ccd4.image%3Fx-expires%3D1676527200%26x-signature%3DJZG4wrBd%252Btt35jmBfpDi1wW%252FmjY%253D&key=5b465a7e134d4f09b4e6901220de11f0&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p>“My friends could see that I had to sell my house, and I felt embarrassed. And I have to tell you, I was really angry."</p> <p>“I was angry at the time with the government, because the government jacked up rates, therefore the banks jacked up rates as well, and I was forced to sell.”</p> <p>He continued by adding that, “This stuff happens, and it happens in cycles, but the last time it happened was in 1990, and it happened to someone like me”.</p> <p>“I know you will recover. If you have to sell, you have to sell."</p> <p>“Don’t worry about it, your family, your partners, your friends, they’ll understand, don’t feel embarrassed.”</p> <p>He finished the video by encouraging anyone who was “confronting this position right now” to reach out, and provided his own email.</p> <p>Just days later, he followed it up with an Instagram video, revealing he had been inundated with responses that “actually breaks my heart to be frank”.</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ConjlBWBsuN/?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/reel/ConjlBWBsuN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Mark Bouris (@mark_bouris)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I’ve got to be honest with you I didn’t anticipate the response,” he wrote in the caption.</p> <p>“I knew it’d be big but woah. All these messages just highlight the failure of the government and RBA.”</p> <p>He revealed he was struggling to keep up with the emails, but promised he did “give a damn” and that he would do what he could to help out those in difficult positions. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

Money & Banking

“He has overstepped the mark”: Ben Fordham slams Dr Norman Swan over Covid claims

<p dir="ltr">Radio host Ben Fordham has slammed Dr Norman Swan, after the ABC health expert incorrectly claimed the deaths of Senator Kimberley Kitching and Shane Warne were linked to COVID-19.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dr Swan was forced to apologise after he said it was a “coincidence” that the cricketer and senator died of suspected heart attacks shortly after Covid infections while discussing a study that linked Covid infection with a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes and thrombosis.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s too much of a coincidence that Shane Warne and the Labor Senator in Victoria died not long after a Covid infection, and people are reporting sudden death after Covid infection. It’s not benign,” he said</p> <p dir="ltr">But, Senator Kitching’s family told Dr Swan that she hadn’t tested positive to the virus before her death at the age of 52, and he apologised after he heard he upset the family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve personally apologised to Andrew, her husband,” Dr Swan told news.com.au.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve clearly made an error which I deeply regret. I do recall such reports and have checked with others who did too but that doesn’t excuse my having upset the family.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After Dr Swan’s comments, 2GB host Ben Fordham took aim at the health broadcaster, claiming he was “no better than the anti-vaxxers who claim that every person who’s died in the last two years had died of the jab”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He should be ashamed of himself,” Fordham said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We called him out for that making the point that he’s not your patient, and if he was your patient you wouldn't be talking about him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s an unwritten rule for medicos who work in the medical space: Don’t go speculating on cases you know nothing about and that’s exactly what he did yesterday on Shane Warne.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Fordham accused the former physician of “speculating like a gossip columnist” and spreading “doomsday scenarios”, while questioning why he was still being given a platform.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He hasn’t practised medicine since the 1980s for starters - that’s how long it’s been since he’s been in the doctor’s room treating a patient,” he claimed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Because of coronavirus he was in the right place at the right time and he became a bit of a superstar at the ABC.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve been calling out his doomsday scenarios, trying to scare the life out of people when it comes to coronavirus, always giving the worst case scenario... (but) he has overstepped the mark in a major way.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After making the claims on Tuesday’s News Breakfast, Dr Swan told the <em>Daily Mail</em> that he mentioned Senator Kitching and Warne in passing while warning viewers not to be complacent about Australia’s fourth Covid wave.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These are two high-profile people,” he told the <em>Daily Mail</em>. “One of whose death was a complete surprise, and they both had Covid in the background.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These weren’t private deaths, they were very public and had an impact on a lot of people who scratched their heads and wondered why, and that could have been a reason.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If I thought it was hurtful to the families, I wouldn’t have said it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“What would be hurtful is saying Kimberley Kitching had a dreadful lifestyle, if I was blaming her for the heart attack that would be a dreadful thing to say to the family. But if it’s a side effect of Covid it starts to explain things.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The study Dr Swan had been discussing found that an additional 10,500 cases of heart attacks, strokes and thrombosis were recorded in England and Wales, and that people were 21 times more likely to experience one of these conditions in the first week after testing positive to Covid.</p> <p dir="ltr">After four weeks, people were 3.9 times more likely to experience these conditions.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dr Swan told the <em>Daily Mail </em>that Australians should be concerned about the long-term effects of a Covid infection, including long Covid and heart complications.</p> <p dir="ltr">Using the example of Professor Chris Goodnow, who was forced to resign as executive director of the Garvan Institute of Medical Research due to Covid-related heart complications, Dr Swan said people should try to avoid being infected.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These heart side effects do happen, and it's probably one or two per cent of people. So your individual risk is low, but with tens of thousands being infected that's quite a lot of people in the community,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You shouldn't go out trying to catch it thinking it's harmless and it will give you more immunity, you should try to avoid it if you can.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-be21c1fa-7fff-e07e-f975-8db8e072080a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: ABC News</em></p>

Caring

Fence and digging marks at the centre of lion’s escape

<p dir="ltr">A fence and digging marks are at the centre of an investigation into how five lions managed to escape their enclosure at Taronga Zoo.</p> <p dir="ltr">One lion and four cubs were roaming around the Sydney tourist destination prompting emergency alarms to go off and people to run to safety. </p> <p dir="ltr">A family who was sleeping overnight at the zoo as part of the “Roar and Snoar” program were ordered to run as alarms blared “code one”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily no one was injured and the lions are back in their enclosure with a statement revealing what caused the animals to escape. </p> <p dir="ltr">“An initial review of this morning’s incident has confirmed that an integrity issue with a containment fence enabled five lions to temporarily exit their main exhibit,” Taronga said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The lions are now in a back-of-house holding area while a full review continues.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A full report will now be prepared for the NSW Department of Primary Industries.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Keepers and vets report all lions are doing well.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Taronga Zoo remains open and is extremely grateful to its staff and the community for their support today.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Nine</em></p>

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“I know you will recover”: Mark Bouris' candid confession

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Fence and digging marks at the centre of lion’s escape

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