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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

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Princess Eugenie's sweet birthday tribute to Fergie

<p>Princess Eugenie has celebrated her mum's 65th birthday with a special tribute. </p> <p>Sarah Ferguson's youngest daughter took to Instagram to share a series of images, including one of Fergie with one of her grandkids. </p> <p>"Happy birthday to my beautiful mumma," Princess Eugenie's caption began.</p> <p>"So proud of the Grannie you are, the mum you are and the woman you are.</p> <p>"You're an inspiration and our endless chats bring me so much happiness and incredible support."</p> <p>She also included a photo of with Fergie's sister Jane, who lives in Australia, as well as a photo with Princess Beatrice. </p> <p>The Duchess of York took to comments to share her appreciation for her daughters, saying: "Thank you my wonderful, kind, and beautiful daughters ❤️" </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/DBJT89iCsHc/?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/DBJT89iCsHc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Princess Eugenie (@princesseugenie)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Royal fans shared their also shared their birthday wishes in the comments, with one writing: "Happy birthday to her! What a wonderful role model she is x."</p> <p>"This is why you endured the trials and tribulations of life so that you could have those happy moments with your children and your sweet grandchildren. And there are more to come,"  another commented. </p> <p>"Happy birthday to your lovely mama," another wrote. </p> <p>The year has been both rewarding and challenging for the Duchess of York, who was diagnosed with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/fergie-breaks-silence-amid-second-cancer-battle" target="_blank" rel="noopener">skin cancer </a>earlier this year, her second cancer diagnosis. </p> <p>Despite all her trials, she recently shared her excitement at being a grandmother again, following news that her eldest daughter, Princess Beatrice, is pregnant with her second child. </p> <p>"Such an incredible blessing and an embrace to my heart," she wrote in a social media post at the time. </p> <p>"Wolfie, August, Ernie and Sienna will be over the moon to have the fifth member of the five aside!"</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Paul McCartney shares emotional message on John Lennon’s birthday

<p dir="ltr">Paul McCartney has shared an emotional post in dedication to John Lennon on what would’ve been his 84th birthday. </p> <p dir="ltr">The music icon took to Instagram to share a photo from the stage in which he is performing in front of footage of Lennon, who died at the age of 40 in 1980.</p> <p dir="ltr">McCartney shared the moving birthday tribute to his late friend and former bandmate, thanking him for “being there”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Happy Birthday John. Thanks for being there,” he captioned the photo. </p> <p dir="ltr">McCartney’s dedication to his late friend and musical collaborator touched the hearts of Beatles fans around the world who were quick to praise his kind words.</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/DA5xSyjC8bL/?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/DA5xSyjC8bL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Paul McCartney (@paulmccartney)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I’m going to cry,” one wrote, while another added, “You and John after many decades are still the best songwriters of the world!”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I remember the news on that sad day in December. Happy birthday John,” commented another in reference to the day Lennon passed. </p> <p dir="ltr">The birthday message comes after McCartney lifted the lid on the final conversation he had with Lennon before he died. </p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking candidly about their “complicated” relationship on <em>The Howard Stern Show</em>, he recalled how their wholesome conversation was sparked by a shared hobby. </p> <p dir="ltr">McCartney told Stern the conversation was “very special” in spite of the “whole horrible thing of the group breaking up”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And I ring John and I was making bread and got quite good at it,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So when I heard John was doing it, it was great. We could just talk about something so ordinary.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“There’s no threat or anything. It was just two guys talking about, ‘Well, I don’t know. Do you leave it overnight or what do you do? And someone says, ‘Yeah, I leave it overnight in a hot cupboard’ and you’d just be chatting.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was really nice and I was so glad that we got back to that relationship that we’d always had when we were kids. We’d lived in each other’s pockets for so long that it was great to get back to that.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em> </p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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Great-grandmother celebrated her 93rd birthday by skydiving

<p dir="ltr">A great-grandmother from the Gold Coast has proved that age is just a number, by celebrating her 93rd birthday by going skydiving. </p> <p dir="ltr">Betty Gregory first got a taste for the thrill of being in the sky when she was just 17 and working in England's Royal Air Force.</p> <p dir="ltr">She told <em><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/queensland-great-grandmother-jumps-out-of-plane-to-celebrate-93rd-birthday/707b554c-f6e4-47a5-b63f-b05370bfaaad">Today</a></em>, "I was 17 and I was doing a photographic course where I had to go up in a plane to do some aerial photography training."</p> <p dir="ltr">"I had to crawl past the pilot's legs, where they'd taken a panel out of the nose and installed this camera on a framework and I could see all the little fields with animals and cars on little tiny roads and I thought it would be very nice to do a jump."</p> <p dir="ltr">After she landed safely on the ground, Betty tried to convince the pilot to take her back up and let her do a jump, but to no avail. </p> <p dir="ltr">She put the idea on the back burner, vowing to herself to do the skydive at some stage in the future. </p> <p dir="ltr">Fast forward a few decades, when Betty had settled on the Gold Coast and started a family, she began thinking of the skydive once more. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I saw them landing on Kirra Beach and I thought, 'Now there's an idea, I'll do that for my 80th birthday,'" she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">So she did, and she pledged to go again on her 85th birthday for her second skydive. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I was going to do another one at 90, but COVID-19 happened and everything was cancelled," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Then, for my 91st birthday, my son came up from Victoria and I asked if he also wanted to jump, he said 'well, I suppose if you can do it at 91, mum, I can do it at 68.'"</p> <p dir="ltr">As Betty’s love for jumping out of planes grew, she decided not to wait until her 95th birthday to do it again. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The numbers of my age are getting quite high, so I thought maybe I won't leave it for 95, I'll do it at 93 instead," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Betty admitted she's even gotten friendly with the tandem jumper who lets her manoeuvre the parachute handles so she can spend a little bit longer sailing through the skies.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's exhilarating, it really is - I really enjoy it," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Today </em></p>

Domestic Travel

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King Charles gives woman "the surprise of her life" on 87th birthday

<p>King Charles has given a woman "the surprise of her life" for her 87th  birthday. </p> <p>Alice Ryce was visiting Dumfries House for her special day, when she bumped into the monarch who was walking around the grounds. </p> <p>The sweet interaction happened last week, but was only just shared to social media on Tuesday, and showed the birthday girl chatting with His Majesty. </p> <p>"Whilst enjoying a visit to the estate, which is open to the public, Alice unexpectedly met His Majesty, who was delighted to share in her special day," the caption in the video read. </p> <p>"The King was in Ayrshire to support the work of The King's Foundation, headquartered at Dumfries House. Happy birthday, Alice!"</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/DAQ8jRSIPFi/?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/DAQ8jRSIPFi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Dumfries House (@dumfrieshouse)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>King Charles was wearing a light coloured suit and surrounded by minimal staff and security. He also wore a pair of sunglasses and carried an outdoor walking stick. </p> <p>While it's not uncommon for those celebrating their 100th birthday to get a birthday message from the King, it's very rare for anyone else to receive a birthday message from the monarch, let alone chat with him. </p> <p>Just hours after the clip was posted it gained over 30,000 likes with hundreds of comments, many of them sending their birthday wishes to Alice.</p> <p>"How wonderful!! The King always seems so approachable and such a generous person, so glad to see him looking fit and healthy. And what a wonderful surprise for Alice on her birthday, one she’ll never forget! Happy Birthday Alice and God Save The King!!" one wrote. </p> <p>"Awe she must have been so happy to see you King Charles. What a lucky day for both of you," another added. </p> <p>"What a lovely surprise for Alice," a third wrote. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Meryl Streep advocates for women in powerful UN speech

<p>Meryl Streep has delivered an emotional speech at the United Nations to advocate for the rights of Afghan women and girls. </p> <p>The Hollywood legend attended an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in a bid to get world leaders to focus on the plight of women in Afghanistan and the future female generations. </p> <p>"The way that ... this society has been upended is a cautionary tale for the rest of the world," she began. </p> <p>Streep's speech was prompted by the three-year mark since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, when United States-led forces withdrew after 20 years of war.</p> <p>The UN has since tried to find a unified global approach to dealing with the Taliban, who have cracked down on women's rights., with women now barred from receiving an education of any kind, and women not allowed to leave their homes without a male guardian.</p> <p>"Today in Kabul a female cat has more freedoms than a woman. A cat may go sit on her front stoop and feel the sun on her face. She may chase a squirrel into the park. A squirrel has more rights than a girl in Afghanistan today, because the public parks have been closed to women and girls."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MerylStreep?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MerylStreep</a>: <br />Today, in Kabul a female cat has more freedoms than a woman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Taliban_times?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Taliban_times</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Taliban?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Taliban</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UNGA79?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UNGA79</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/amanpour?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@amanpour</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VP</a> <a href="https://t.co/6grjX0IBzE">pic.twitter.com/6grjX0IBzE</a></p> <p>— PassBlue (@pass_blue) <a href="https://twitter.com/pass_blue/status/1838385555265970437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 24, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>"A bird may sing in Kabul, but a girl may not and a woman may not in public. This is extraordinary," Streep said.</p> <p>The UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at the event, "Without educated women, without women in employment, including in leadership roles, and without recognising the rights and freedoms of one-half of its population, Afghanistan will never take its rightful place on the global stage."</p> <p>Streep's speech made waves online, with many praising her for using her celebrity platform to bring awareness to the issue. </p> <p>One person wrote on Instagram, "I love when global stars actually use their literal voices to bring awareness and attention to such important matters. None of us are free until all of us are free."</p> <p><em>Image credits: OLGA FEDOROVA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Legal

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Royals issue public birthday message to Prince Harry amid rift

<p>The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared a public birthday message to the Duke of Sussex amid their family rift. </p> <p>Kate and William wished Prince Harry a happy 40th birthday, with an old photo of him shared on Instagram. </p> <p>“Wishing a Happy 40th Birthday to the Duke of Sussex,” the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote on Sunday morning. </p> <p>The royal family's official Instagram account also marked the occasion, sharing their first public post for Harry since 2021. </p> <p>“Wishing The Duke of Sussex a very happy 40th birthday today!” they wrote in the caption. </p> <p>Many royal fans applauded their decision to acknowledge the occasion and wished the Duke a happy birthday. </p> <p>“The Royals have class &amp; it’s a milestone birthday that’s it. Nothing else should be interpreted into that,” one person wrote on X.</p> <p>“It's great you've done this. Unify &amp; lead, go towards peace, the world will watch &amp; applaud,” another commented. </p> <p>While a few others were "in disbelief" following the tensions created by the release of Prince Harry's memoir, <em>Spare</em> last year. </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/C_7ey6lMCDE/?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/C_7ey6lMCDE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>On Monday, <em> Sunrise</em> royal correspondent Rob Jobson spoke about the public message.</p> <p>“I think it is better than nothing. I mean, the fact that they did it … They would have gotten more bother if they hadn’t done it, so by doing it they cover themselves,” Jobson said.</p> <p>“(It would have been nicer) If it had been a bit more brotherly … rather than ‘we wish the Duke of Sussex a good day’, I think he could have been more personal. But it is better than nothing.”</p> <p>Prince Harry, who turned 40 on September 15, is spending the milestone birthday with his wife Meghan and their two kids. He will then reportedly embark on a group trip with a few close friends to an unknown location.  </p> <p>In a statement to the BBC ahead of his birthday, the Duke of Sussex said: "I was anxious about 30, I’m excited about 40." </p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Readers response: What’s your most memorable birthday party?

<p>One of the best parts of birthdays is celebrating with your loved ones, whether it's a milestone birthday or not. </p> <p>We asked our readers to share the stories from their most memorable birthday parties, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Jill Harker </strong>- My 80th birthday last November! My family organised it! Had no idea who was coming! I'm a big Elvis fan and when I got to the hotel for lunch everybody was holding up an Elvis face in front of their face so I still had no idea who was there! When they took the faces down there were all my family from Queensland including grandchildren and great grandchildren! Plus my 2 sons organised a birthday video message from Tex Walker my favourite footballer! Plus my granddaughter organised a ride in a Cadillac for me! So many wonderful surprises! It was fantastic!</p> <p><strong>Judi Baker </strong>- My 21st. My Mum and Dad were there. Plus my late Mum's 70th and 80th. Both so funny.</p> <p><strong>Annette Guernier Clay</strong> - In 2007 when two good friends and I celebrated our 60th birthdays with a party at the old Cairns Yacht Club. Live band, lots of dancing, loads of friends.</p> <p><strong>Lesley Peacock</strong> - My 21st, as it was the only one I had.</p> <p><strong>Christine Whyte </strong>- Never had children’s birthday party as mine was always with immediate family, but had a memorable 70th last year with my family and 3 grandkids in Townsville.</p> <p><strong>Barbara Jaramenko</strong> - Didn’t have one as there was no money, but just had a homemade birthday cake with siblings which was lovely. </p> <p><strong>Margie Buckingham</strong> - On my 40th, I was a single mum and I held a combined party- my 40th, end of 3rd term (teacher) &amp; taking leave service leave, the Parliamentary election &amp; going overseas! I took a cruise from Singapore for a week, beginning with a Singapore Gin Sling in the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel. that was pretty memorable. </p> <div dir="auto"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></div>

Family & Pets

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“Song of the summer”: Karl Stefanovic appears in wild 50th birthday music video

<p>Karl Stefanovic has confused and delighted fans in equal measure with the release of a bizarre music video to celebrate his 50th birthday. </p> <p>The <em>Today Show</em> host teamed up with singer Keli Holiday, also known as one half of music duo Peking Duk, to star in a cover of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers’ 1983 classic <em>Islands In The Stream</em>.</p> <p>The newly formed duo performed the song with their silk shirts blowing in the wind in full 1980s music video style, showing off their chests. </p> <p>Holiday took to his Instagram on Wednesday to tease the musical team up, sharing screenshots from private messages in which Stefanovic reached out to say, "I'm prepared to do a duet with you". </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/C_bqOAGhfTP/?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/reel/C_bqOAGhfTP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by keli holiday (@keliholiday)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I shared this sentiment online to see if the people shared that same yearning for a Keli-Karl duet and the response was an overwhelming ‘yes’. What you hear and see here is raw, unadulterated fun. A gift from a man on his 50th birthday. That’s how giving Karl is. Enjoy it. Revel in it. We hope you love it as much as we loved making it,” said Holiday.</p> <p>The response to the video has been mostly positive, while some people couldn't contain their confusion. </p> <p>“This is so Australian, it should be used as a tourism advertisement,” reads one top-rated comment read. </p> <p>“Just dropped to my knees in Aldi,” commented one fellow Aussie musician, while another called it the "Song of the year."</p> <p>Another person commented, "What is going on?? I feel like I’ve just woken up from a bender at 3am with <em>Rage</em> playing hilariously bad 80’s videos…", while Karl's wife Jasmine added, "You need to wear eyeliner all the time now. Suits you!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Music

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Restaurant charges diners $95 to slice up birthday cake

<p>A restaurant in Italy has been slammed online after charging a group of diners a hefty cost to simply cut a birthday cake into slices. </p> <p>A family attended the high-end restaurant in the southern area of ​​Arezzo to celebrate their mother's birthday, after they had asked the restaurant in advance if they could bring in an outside cake.</p> <p>After enjoying their meal, which came to a whopping €659 or $1,083 AUD, they were slapped with another fee of €58 or $95 to cut the cake and bring it to the table.</p> <p>Local news outlet <em><a href="https://corrierefiorentino.corriere.it/notizie/24_agosto_26/arezzo-ristorante-chiede-58-euro-solo-per-tagliare-la-torta-lo-scontrino-diventa-virale-e-il-gestore-quasi-si-scusa-267975fd-2227-4beb-9621-3bffb3aa4xlk.shtml" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Corriere Fiorentino</a></em> reported that the cost of slicing the cake was more than the cake itself.</p> <p>Two of the dinner guests shared the story of the expensive fee on a local Facebook page, claiming the restaurant said it is the rule of their establishment and they were required to pay it. </p> <p>The owner of the restaurant told the Italian media site, "We do not charge a cover charge and we mainly serve dishes of our own production, so we try to discourage those who bring things from outside." </p> <p>"If we consider that in Arezzo the average cover charge is 2.5 euros per person, there is not such a big difference," they said as they explained the group of diners was 13 people. </p> <p>"My restaurant has to pay for the waiter who serves at the table, the dishwasher and other related services. We have to recover them somehow."</p> <p>However, the owner did admit, "I wasn't there that evening and my employees were perhaps too fussy in managing the situation that had arisen, perhaps cutting the usual price a little or even not charging anything for the cake." </p> <p>"Better 50 euros less and people going home happy than this misunderstanding in which we are all damaged."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Corriere Fiorentino / Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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The eye-watering cost of Karl Stefanovic's "highly secret" 50th birthday bash

<p>Karl Stefanovic had a "highly secretive" birthday party in Saint-Tropez. France, according to <em>Women's Day</em>. </p> <p>The <em>Today </em>host, who was in Paris to cover the Olympic games earlier this month, reportedly booked out an entire hotel for his 50th birthday bash. </p> <p>A source claimed that his party cost a staggering $200,000, with A-listers James Packer and Anthony Bell among the guests. </p> <p>"He'd be thinking you only turn 50 once so let's do this properly and go big!" the insider claimed. </p> <p>"Much like the $50,000 he dropped for (wife) Jasmine's 40th earlier this year, and the rumoured $10,000 birthday parties they have hosted for their four-year-old daughter Harper," they continued. </p> <p>"And then there was their $700,000 lavish Mexican nuptials - Karl has never done anything half-baked!" </p> <p>The party was allegedly 1970s themed, with Stefanovic's wife also showing off her new designer dresses.</p> <p>This comes after it was initially reported that Stefanovic was set to cancel his planned 50th birthday bash in Paris.</p> <p>Earlier this year, the <em>Today </em>host was reported to have spent a whopping $50,000 on his wife's lavish birthday celebrations in Noosa, according to the publication. </p> <p>Jasmine's entire look alone was worth an eye-watering $5,575, with her gown from Zimmermann costing $1,950. </p> <p>The party reportedly lasted for about two days, with a "recovery shindig" allegedly worth $10,000 also taking place. </p> <p>A close friend of the couple said at the time that "Karl is an old romantic" and was more than happy to treat his wife to a lavish birthday. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Karl Stefanovic surprised with special guest on his birthday

<p>Just hours after returning from Paris after covering the Olympics, Karl Stefanovic made his return to the <em>Today Show</em>.</p> <p>Coincidentally, the return to the Channel Nine morning show fell on his 50th birthday, as his co-hosts celebrated the milestone age live on air. </p> <p><em>Today</em> co-host Sarah Abo gushed over Karl as she introduced a highlights reel to showcase some of his most memorable moments on the show. </p> <p>"We love you so much and to celebrate this huge occasion, we got to take a look back at some of the memorable moments from the past five decades," Sarah said.</p> <p>After the walk down memory lane, Abo then introduced a special guest who had made the trip into the studio. </p> <p>Karl was shocked to see his mum Jenny arrive, as she joined her son on the couch. </p> <p>"I'm so sorry, my hands are sweaty but nice to see you, mummy," an emotional Karl said before giving his mum a big hug.</p> <p>Jenny then shared some sweet moments for her son's birthday, but couldn't resist sharing a few jabs at the <em>Today</em> host. </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/p/C-jK_Gron--/?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/C-jK_Gron--/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by thetodayshow (@thetodayshow)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"It's great to be here, you've been a great son, when you remember to actually ring your mum," she said.</p> <p>"And you've been a great brother to your siblings and you've had a great profession which has been terrific, you've picked something you love to do and you've got yourself up at 3am every morning for 20 years, who would do that if they didn't love it?"</p> <p>Karl's sister-in-law,<em> Today Extra</em> host, Sylvia Jeffreys seconded Jenny's well wishes, telling Karl he is "such a treasure" to know.</p> <p>"You're such a beautiful man and you're a beautiful friend and a beautiful brother and all of us as your colleagues as well, have the rare privilege of seeing the way you can really connect and bring the best out in people, not just the people you interview on the television every day, but the people you work with every day," she said.</p> <p>"You bring out the best and you show us all how to commit and be really excellent, you're just a wonderful person, you drive us mad and you've made me do things I deeply regret, but we love you with all our hearts."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Today </em></p>

Family & Pets

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"Miss you every single day": Patti Newton's touching birthday tribute to Bert

<p>Patti Newton has shared a touching message to her late husband Bert Newton on what would've been his 86th birthday. </p> <p>The 79-year-old singer, actress and dancer shared a series of family photos on Instagram, with a special tribute to her husband. </p> <p>"To my darling Bert, Happy Birthday hope you're having a great time you have so many wonderful friends up there with you," Patti wrote alongside a photo of herself, her late husband and their grandchildren.</p> <p>"We all miss you every single day. Love you Mack xxx," she concluded, with a reference to the nickname he used to call her. </p> <p>She then shared a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9xNZyqzjkM/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">photo</a> of her and Bert holding each other's arms with the message: "Goodnight my darling, sweet dreams xx". </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/C9w6-M5JKLJ/?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/C9w6-M5JKLJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Patti Newton (@pattinewtonofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Fans took to the comments to share their birthday wishes to Bert and send their well-wishes to Patti.</p> <p>"Gorgeous photo Patti. Happy Heavenly Birthday to your darling Bert and the legend he always will be," wrote one fan. </p> <p>"Happy Birthday in the Sky to dear Bert- gosh he was FABULOUS!" added another. </p> <p>"Happy Heavenly Birthday to you Bert ❤️ lots of love to you Patti" wrote a third. </p> <p>Bert and Patti were married for 47 years until his death in 2021. </p> <p>They welcomed their son Matt Newton in 1977, three years after they got married and daughter Lauren Newton in 1979. </p> <p>They also have six grandchildren, Sam, Eva, Lola, Monty, Perla and Alby. </p> <p>Bert passed away in October 2021, aged 83 after a long battle with numerous illnesses and a few months after he had a leg amputation. </p> <p>Eighteen months after his death, Patti told <em>9honey</em>: "I'll never get over him not being here. I've got photographs everywhere and I have a chat with him most nights."</p> <p>"We had a wonderful relationship. We had ups and downs like everybody has, but we did have a fabulous marriage," she said.</p> <p>"We came together and we always had a laugh and I think that's probably what I miss the most."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Prince George looks all grown up in new birthday portrait

<p>Prince George is 11! </p> <p>The Princess of Wales has celebrated her son's birthday by sharing a new portrait of the young royal on social media. </p> <p>“Wishing Prince George a very happy 11th birthday today!” she captioned the black and white photo of George looking all grown up in a button up shirt and black blazer. </p> <p>Royal fans also flooded the comment section with happy birthday wishes for the young monarch. </p> <p>"This picture is so beautiful, he is growing up so fast! I wish the happiest birthday to Prince George, have the best day," one wrote</p> <p>"Prince George looks so much like his Dad," another added.</p> <p>"HE'S GROWING UP SO FAST! I can't believe! Happy birthday George!" a third commented.</p> <p>"Happy birthday! I hope you have so much fun," a fourth wrote. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C9t-OYdNdUb/?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/C9t-OYdNdUb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>This comes as Prince George's godmother, Julia Samuels revealed the young royal's birthday tradition that was inspired by the late Princess Diana. </p> <p>Speaking on the <em>How to Fail with Elizabeth Day</em> podcast, she shared that each year she buys noisy toys for George that take the Prince of Wales "days to put together" in a running joke inspired by Diana. </p> <p>"I come in slightly tipped by the size of the present that William then has to spend days putting together," she said. </p> <p>"And then put all the machinery together and it makes awful tooting noises and lights flashing and all of that. That makes me laugh and it makes George laugh."</p> <p>She also praised the young prince saying:  “He is amazing. He’s funny and feisty and cheeky and God she [Diana] would have loved him so much.</p> <p>“That is heartbreaking for all of them.”</p> <p>Julia Samuels is one of seven godparents for Prince George, and she was a close friend of Princess Diana, who she met at a dinner party in 1987. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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Royal family celebrates Queen Camilla's 77th birthday

<p>Queen Camilla is 77! </p> <p>Senior members of the royal family have wished her a very happy birthday, with the Prince and Princess of Wales sharing a portrait of her, taken by the Princess on Wednesday. </p> <p>The portrait was featured on the cover of a special commemorative edition of <em>Country Life</em> magazine, two years ago, which the queen helped edit for her 75th birthday. </p> <p>"Wishing Her Majesty a very Happy Birthday!" the Prince and Princess wrote on social media. </p> <p>The royal family's official X account also shared an image of her posing on the balcony of author Victor Hugo's former home in Guernsey on Tuesday, with the caption: "Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy Birthday today." </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">🎂 Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy Birthday today! <a href="https://t.co/Wv5fStZdlm">pic.twitter.com/Wv5fStZdlm</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1813462770127392939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>The Queen celebrated her birthday early, with private tour of Hugo's former home, the Hauteville House, where he lived for 15 years during his exile from France, which Camilla called a "remarkable treat". </p> <p>She was presented with some  vintage cheddar by Guernsey Dairy as "an early birthday present" and a group of school children from Sark sang Happy Birthday in the island's native language, Sercquiais.</p> <p>The Queen thanked the children and praised them for their singing. </p> <p>However, it was back to work for the Queen on her official birthday on Wednesday, with an appearance at the State Opening of Parliament, where she  joined the King for the traditional carriage procession to the House of Lords. </p> <p>One of the Queen's friends told the <em>Daily Mail </em>that: "It's not the tip-top way she would choose to be spending her birthday, but you won't ever hear a single word of complaint. <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">About anything, really.</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">" </span></p> <p>"For someone who wasn't born into the Royal Family, she's got an extraordinarily strong sense of duty and the temperament to cope."</p> <p><em>Image: X</em></p> <p> </p>

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Ash Barty celebrates son's first birthday

<p>Ash Barty and husband Garry Kissick have celebrated their baby boy's first birthday with the help of an adorable hedgehog cake. </p> <p>The three-time grand slam champ took to Instagram to share the update, with a cute family photo captioned: "Cake for breakfast 🥳." </p> <p>Friends and fans took to the comments to wish their birthday wishes. </p> <p>"ALWAYS a good idea!" commented former Diamonds netballer Catherine Coxy.</p> <p>Former Australian tennis player Casey Dellacqua commented, "Get it boy. Happiest 1st bday gorgeous boy. See you for the biggest birthday cuddle soon 😍"</p> <p>"Happy birthday Hayden! Well done mum and dad for surviving the first year x," added former Olympic swimmer Libby Trickett. </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/C86hO9Qhbkf/?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/C86hO9Qhbkf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Garry Kissick (@gazlfc90)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"So sweet," wrote one fan. </p> <p>"Naww happy birthday cutie pie" added another. </p> <p>Just a few months ago, Barty and Hayden had their first mother-and-son <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/ash-barty-s-first-photoshoot-with-baby-boy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">photoshoot</a> as part of the annual BONDS Baby Search campaign. </p> <p>In an interview with <em>9honey </em>for the annual campaign, Barty opened up on the trials and tribulations of new parenthood.</p> <p>"I have so much admiration for parents now I have a child of my own – being a parent is the hardest but the best thing in the world," she said.</p> <p>"I don't think anything quite prepares you for motherhood!</p> <p>"For me it's been a huge learning curve and the most wonderful experience of my life. It's not comparable to anything else."</p> <p>She described Hayden as a "happy, relaxed little boy." </p> <p>"He is a beautiful baby and I am enjoying every minute with him, I know how quickly the time passes."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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John Farnham celebrates his 75th birthday with family

<p>John Farnham has been snapped celebrating his 75th birthday at an intimate dinner with his closest family. </p> <p>The iconic Aussie rockstar turned 75 on Monday, and marked the occasion at a dinner out with his wife Jillian Billman, his son Robert Farnham and Robert’s wife, Melissa.</p> <p>Melissa, who married Robert just months ago, took to social media to celebrate the occasion.</p> <p>“Happy birthday Papa J. Looking forward to making many more happy memories with you guys,” she shared.</p> <p>Robert also posted a sweet image of the “birthday boy” as the pair enjoyed some time relaxing with their feet up.</p> <p>Rob also shared another photo of him and his father to mark the milestone birthday, with the photo showing the father and son duo smiling at each other at Rob's wedding.</p> <p>This is the second time Farnham has been seen on social media since his extensive surgery to remove a tumour from his mouth, resulting in a reconstructing of his jaw. </p> <p>John was recently seen at Robert and Melissa's <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/john-farnham-steps-out-at-son-s-wedding-for-first-time-since-jaw-surgery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wedding</a>, as the 74-year-old icon looked remarkably well and largely unchanged since his challenging surgery in August 2022.</p> <p>In the heartwarming photos shared on Instagram, John posed alongside his son, both beaming with happiness, as John looked dapper in a black suit with a bronze tie and matching pocket square. </p> <p>The joyous occasion was beautifully captured in a series of family photos, including John's wife, Jill, and other close family members.</p> <p>Fans flooded the comments with heartfelt messages, celebrating the happy family and John's remarkable recovery. "Such a beautiful father and son pic," one fan wrote, while another added, "Congratulations to you both. It's so nice to see your Dad, he looks fantastic! Love to you all."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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"Not a day goes by": Lisa Curry's touching birthday message

<p>Former Australian swimming champion Lisa Curry has touched hearts with an emotional tribute to her late daughter, Jaimi, on what would have been her 37th birthday.</p> <p>Jaimi, the eldest daughter of Curry and her ex-husband, Ironman legend Grant Kenny, passed away in 2020 at the age of 33.</p> <p>Curry, a three-time Olympian, took to Instagram to share a series of poignant family photos, capturing cherished moments and memories. "Happy birthday to our beautiful Jaimi. The day you were born changed our lives forever," she wrote.</p> <p>Among the shared photos, one features a beaming Kenny holding newborn Jaimi, adorned in pink with big blue eyes. "Our little poppet dressed in pink of course with big blue eyes," Curry reminisced. "You may be gone from our sight, but never from our thoughts and heart."</p> <p>Another touching image shows Jaimi as a baby with a cheeky grin, followed by a beautiful mother-daughter snap of Curry and Jaimi in her youth, and finally, a radiant Jaimi as an adult. The last photo, a sombre reminder of the daily reality for Curry, Kenny, and countless families who have lost loved ones, shows framed memories forever captured in photographs. "Not a day goes by... We all miss you... Happy Birthday, my love," Curry added, signing the post with "Mumma".</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/C8nWsrJS7-W/?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/C8nWsrJS7-W/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Lisa Curry AO (@lisacurry)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jaimi's battle with an eating disorder spanned nearly two decades, culminating in her tragic death from multiple organ failure on September 14, 2020, with her devoted parents by her side. In a tearful 2022 interview with ABC's <em>Australian Story</em>, Curry recounted the heartbreaking moment Jaimi passed away. "If it's any consolation, we were able to be with her when she took her last breath," Curry said, recalling the profound bond of being present at both Jaimi's first and last breaths.</p> <p>By her early 20s, Jaimi had confided in her family about her eating disorder, prompting them to seek treatment. Unfortunately, her struggle evolved into a battle with alcohol addiction, compounding her challenges. "The disordered eating turned into an addiction, so then she kind of had a triple whammy, you know, not eating, bingeing, and drinking, all at once," Curry revealed.</p> <p>Despite her struggles, Jaimi possessed remarkable talents in cooking, photography, and styling. Curry lamented that Jaimi never recognised her own worth. "But she was. We could see it. She couldn't see it," Curry said.</p> <p>Curry and Kenny, who were married from 1996 to 2017, also share two other children, daughter Morgan and son Jett. As they remember Jaimi on her birthday, the family continues to honour her memory and celebrate the joy she brought into their lives.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Karl's sweet birthday surprise for 102-year-old WWII vet

<p>A World War II veteran has celebrated her 102nd birthday with a message from her favourite TV personality: Karl Stefanovic.</p> <p>Joan was forced to spend her milestone birthday trapped in her apartment after the lift in her building broke, leaving her stuck on the third floor. </p> <p>After hearing of her plight, the <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/tv-host-karl-stefanovics-special-birthday-message-for-avid-today-show-viewer-on-her-102nd-birthday/8e1bc39e-c11e-429e-b99c-86e2265d0dbb" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>A Current Affair</em></a> team took the celebration to Joan and surprised her with a special message from the Today show host. </p> <p>"You're a wonderful man, Karl. Oh boy. I think he's just lovely," Joan said through giggles after watching the personalised video. </p> <p>Joan had planned to celebrate her milestone at the RSL, but her building's lift malfunction left her celebrating alone. </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/C8T3SZJJXqc/?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/C8T3SZJJXqc/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by A Current Affair (@acurrentaffair9)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"I like to enjoy my retirement. I love my RSL. Especially on Friday nights when we have the raffles," Joan told <em>ACA</em>.</p> <p>"But I can't enjoy it at the moment because there's no lift. It's annoying."</p> <p>Joan was born in England in 1922 and at the age of 17, she signed up to serve her country in the war.</p> <p>Joan joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force where she spent time monitoring radar signals for German bombing raids.</p> <p>"I was doing my job, which I had to do," she said.</p> <p>After the war, Joan married her husband Bob and the pair moved to Australia to start a new life together. </p> <p>"I love everything about Australia. I love swimming, horse riding, everything," Joan said gleefully.</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair </em></p>

Caring

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Joh Griggs celebrates husband's 50th in style

<p><em>Better Homes and Gardens </em>host Johanna Griggs has celebrated her husband's 50th with a special trip to the Hunter Valley in NSW. </p> <p>Griggs married building foreman Todd Huggins in November 2006, and the pair celebrated the birthday with a tour around the wine region. </p> <p>“And what did @toddyhuggins 50th birthday weekend include?” she wrote on Instagram, with a series of photos from their trip. </p> <p>“Well ... total chaos, madness and endless laughs with this beautiful bunch." </p> <p>“In amongst the tennis and the board games, fire pits and s’mores, incredible food and endless entertainment — we also enjoyed the world’s most fabulous wine tour," she added before tagging all the different wineries. </p> <p>She also mentioned that the pair had "the most ridiculously decadent and delicious lunch" before thanking tour organisers Mel, Scotty and Ronnie from Grape Experiences Tours for their service. </p> <p>“Todd hasn’t stopped smiling for days," she added. </p> <p>“Thank you to our divine sons @sweeetsy and @joesweet for organising. We couldn’t be prouder of you boys and how special the past few days have been. ❤️❤️.”</p> <p>Her two sons Joe and Jesse are from her previous marriage to actor Gary Sweet. </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/C8EnPu2PQPh/?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/C8EnPu2PQPh/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Johanna Griggs AM (@johgriggs7)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>But that was not all! </p> <p>The TV host also shared a video of the "glamping" tents they stayed in during their trip, with the caption: “Warning: more posts coming ... as it was my beautiful Husband’s 50th Birthday this past weekend ... and a wonderful excuse for a massive celebration."</p> <p>“We had an absolute ball ... and a huge part of what made it feel so special was this incredible glamping accommodation from @goglampingaus." she added. </p> <p>“We were all blown away. Thank you so much for making our weekend so special.”</p> <p>Fans and friends also shared their birthday wishes in the comments. </p> <p>“Happy birthday Todd, welcome to the 50’s!!!” wrote former <em>Hi-5</em> star Kellie Crawford.</p> <p>“Epic,” added <em>Better Homes and Gardens</em> presenter Melissa King.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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