Search

Father's emotional plea after death of his daughter from methanol poisoning

<p>The grieving father of 19-year-old Bianca Jones, who tragically died after consuming methanol-laced cocktails in Laos, has issued a plea to ensure his daughter’s death was not in vain.</p> <p>Bianca and her friend Holly Bowles had been travelling around south-east Asia on a gap year trip when they consumed the deadly drinks in the party town of Vang Vieng, a popular tourist area about 130km north of Laos capital, Vientiane.</p> <p>Both Bianca and Holly were rushed to seperate hospitals in Thailand, and passed away last week. </p> <p>Speaking publicly for the first time about the tragedy, Bianca’s father Mark Jones, said his daughter’s “lust for life and adventure” had “cruelly been cut short”.</p> <p>“Our daughter was on the trip of a lifetime with one of her best mates,” he said.</p> <p>“This was meant to be a trip full of lifelong memories, and was to be the first of many. Bianca wanted to explore the world, meet new friends, lead and create change for good.”</p> <p>Following the deaths of the two young women, an outpouring of sympathy flooded in from around Australia including from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, while hundreds attended a vigil held in the women’s honour in Melbourne on Saturday.</p> <p>Mr Jones thanked Australian government for its support but made a plea to authorities in Laos.</p> <p>“I would like to take this opportunity to urge the Laos government to investigate this to the fullest extent, to make sure this incident doesn’t happen again,” he said.</p> <p>“We can’t have the passing of our daughter … not lead to change to protect others. Young men and women should be able to travel, create their own life experiences and be safe."</p> <p>“We’ll forever miss our beautiful girl and hope her loss of life has not been in vain.”</p> <p>The Laotian government has promised to bring perpetrators to justice after the mass poisoning that has killed six tourists, including the two Australian women.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News / Facebook</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Family of Jesse Baird break silence after alleged double murder

<p>As the search for Jesse Baird and his partner Luke Davies continues, the heart-wrenching silence of their absence has been punctuated by the poignant words of family left behind.</p> <p>In a moving tribute that speaks volumes about the bond they shared, Austin Baird, Jesse's cousin, took to social media to share cherished memories of a life intertwined with laughter, adventure and unwavering friendship.</p> <p>In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Austin poured out his grief, painting a picture of a childhood filled with shared adventures and moments of unfiltered camaraderie.</p> <p>"Jesse, my first ever best friend, I am beyond devastated. I still can’t believe it," Austin wrote. "Most of my favourite memories in life were me Luke Brendan and you riding motorbikes, skiing, boating and camping</p> <p>"I’ll never forget our chats, all the times we would hang out on the weekends and go away with family and friends. I told you things I’d never tell anyone I trusted you, I’ve laughed and cried infront of you!</p> <p>"You were one in a million, you cared about everyone and left such an impact on every person you met!</p> <p>I’m so glad we got to have such a grouse night together at Rikki’s the other Weekend! I’ll love and remember you forever mate. It is an honour to be your cousin. Till we meet again ❤️"</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/C3uGiehyLxq/?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/C3uGiehyLxq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Austin Baird (@austinnbaird)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Austin's tribute paints a portrait of Jesse as more than just a cousin but a confidant, a kindred spirit with whom he shared his deepest hopes and fears. </p> <p>In the midst of their grief, the Baird family has found some solace in the outpouring of support from friends and strangers alike.</p> <p>The revelation of a "gap in the timeline" in the investigation into Jesse and Luke's alleged murders has cast a shadow over the search for closure. Specialist police units, including divers and the Riot Squad, have been deployed to scour remote rural properties in a desperate bid to uncover the truth.</p> <p>NSW Police Deputy Commissioner David Hudson's acknowledgment of the possibility that the accused, Beau Lamarre-Condon, may have returned to the scene of the crime to dispose of the bodies only adds to the anguish of those left behind. "We believe that it is possible the accused, in that gap in the timeline, has returned to that property and retrieved the bodies and disposed of them somewhere else," Hudson stated, his words a stark reminder of the grim reality confronting investigators.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

"Proud mum": Opinions divided after mum praises teen daughter for punching bully in the face

<p dir="ltr">Bianca Austin, wife of former soccer star Charlie Austin has divided the internet after posting a tweet praising her daughter, Mallayla, for punching a bully in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">Last week, she tweeted: “After weeks of being bullied by the same girl, numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing, today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Proud mum,” she wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">After weeks of being bullied by the same girl, numerous phone calls to the school and nothing changing,today when being called names my daughter finally punched the bully in the face👏🏻👏🏻 proud mum👏🏻</p> <p>— Bianca Austin (@BiancaAustin90) <a href="https://twitter.com/BiancaAustin90/status/1635307000992260097?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The tweet, which now has over 2 million views and 17,000 likes, generated varying responses from those who sympathise to those who believe that hitting back is unacceptable.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Probably deserved!” commented one user.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca replied: “I told the school how proud of her I was for standing up for herself when they rang up to tell me Mallayla would be sanctioned for retaliating violently. No child should be able to make school hell for another child day in day out”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We all have our breaking points and can only be pushed so far. Does she feel better now she’s stood up for herself?” commented another user.</p> <p dir="ltr">“No, but she's hoping the girl will leave her alone now. X,” Bianca tweeted in response.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca then posted a follow up tweet expressing her dissatisfaction with the school’s response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“2 days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was 'only' verbally abusive🙃 No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools,” she wrote.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">2 days in-school exclusion for my daughter, whilst the other child has gone to class because she was 'only' verbally abusive🙃 No wonder bullying is never stopped in schools... head high Mallayla🙏🏻</p> <p>— Bianca Austin (@BiancaAustin90) <a href="https://twitter.com/BiancaAustin90/status/1635608089754841088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I get that bullying is awful and harmful but when I said that your daughter’s actions would make things worse, you can now see where I was going,” one user wrote in response.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Bullying someone “back” by hitting is also bullying,” the user added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca went straight to the point with her response and asked them what their resolution would be.</p> <p dir="ltr">“School couldn't stop it, it was wrecking her mental health and affecting her GCSE studies. What is the right course of action here?!</p> <p dir="ltr">“Also she didn't "bully" back. Bullying is repeated behaviour,” she wrote, defending her daughter’s actions.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bianca also tweeted that her daughter had no malicious intent and only did it because she wanted to “be left alone to quietly enjoy school”.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p> <p> </p>

Family & Pets

Veteran Sunrise star announces sudden retirement

<p>Sunrise reporter Bianca Stone has announced her resignation from Channel 7 after 18 years with the network.</p> <p>Stone’s decision has taken her colleagues by surprise, as she revealed she was leaving the show this week to consider the next step in her career.</p> <p>Stone has been a Queensland correspondent for the Aussie breakfast show for the past six years. She said in a statement that she officially resigned from the network four weeks ago after reassessing her career over the Christmas break.</p> <p>Stone said it came as a shock to the network, but she had been considering leaving for some time.</p> <p>The long-time Sunrise reporter and mother of three children aged 22, 9 and 8, said she found Sunrise a dream job, but the wake-up calls and pressures of presenting were growing tiresome.</p> <p>Stone shared that she was still breastfeeding her youngest daughter when she started with Sunrise and has been presenting a live local bulletin Queensland since 2021 to help overcome delays caused by daylight saving, meaning she has a daily alarm of 2am.</p> <p>The Sunrise reporter revealed, in the beginning, the excitement of the show far outweighed the early starts, but as she grew older and her daughter grew up, her mind changed.</p> <p>Over the Christmas break, Stone had a chance to catch up on sleep, and her youngest daughter told her, “mum, we really like you when you’re not sleepy and cranky,” which is what led her to consider her next career move.</p> <p>In 2021, Stone made headlines after a confrontation with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk about COVID vaccines, with some people suggesting she should consider getting into politics.</p> <p>Stone said that she hadn’t made any decisions about her future yet and was open to opportunities, including returning to Channel 7 in a freelance role.</p> <p>Her departure from the show has led to speculation about who will fill her role as the new Queensland correspondent.</p> <p>Seven’s director of morning television, Sarah Stinson, said that Bianca has been such a valued member of the Sunrise family and will leave with nothing but good wishes and our thanks.</p> <p>Image credit: Instagram</p>

Elvis actor reveals his shock condition after filming

<p dir="ltr"><em>Elvis </em>star Austin Butler has revealed the toll that portraying the King of Rock and Roll took on him after he spent three years immersing himself in the life of Elvis Presley.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a new interview with <em><a href="https://www.gq.com/story/gq-hype-austin-butler" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GQ</a></em>, the actor explained that the morning after shooting for the film had officially wrapped, he woke up in “excruciating” pain.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I woke up at four in the morning with excruciating pain, and I was rushed to hospital,” he told the publication.</p> <p dir="ltr">Butler had contracted a virus which stimulated appendicitis, leaving him bedridden for a whole week.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My body just started shutting down the day after I finished Elvis,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Along with the preparation and method-acting, the film’s prolonged production certainly wouldn’t have helped Butler’s case.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having been originally cast in 2019, production and filming were delayed when the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <em>GQ</em>, producers offered to send Butler home to have a break from production during the early stages of the pandemic, but he chose to stay and continue embedding himself into the role.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 30-year-old ended up turning his entire apartment into a sort of “detective scene”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just images of Elvis everywhere, from every time period,” Butler explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think the film would have been very different if we had started shooting at that point, and I’m grateful I had the time to let myself marinate.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Buter also spoke about meeting Priscilla Presley and her and Elvis’ daughter, Lisa Marie, who were both involved in production. He recalled walking away from a meeting with them with “tears” in his eyes.</p> <p dir="ltr">Both <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/so-filled-with-pride-lisa-marie-presley-shares-thoughts-on-new-elvis-movie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lisa Marie</a> and <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/wow-priscilla-presley-s-first-impressions-of-new-elvis-movie" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Priscilla</a> have shared high praise for Butler and <em>Elvis</em>, which is set to be released in cinemas on June 23.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-9e3f3cb0-7fff-f288-8e2f-9945f7c646d4"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @austinbutler (Instagram)</em></p>

Movies

Grandma of child left on bus gives health update

<p>Queensland toddler Nevaeh Austin, who was left on a Central Queensland bus for six hours, appears to be defying the 5% chance of survival she was given by doctors – and now her family want answers over the near-fatal incident.</p> <p>The three-year-old was left in the back of a bus on a sweltering day outside her childcare centre in Gracemere. Now breathing on her own, the family want answers.</p> <p>The toddler remains in intensive care in a stable condition at the Queensland Children's Hospital after she was revived on the floor of Le Smileys childcare centre Wednesday afternoon in Gracemere, south of Rockhampton.</p> <p>Her grandmother Ms Parker said she is angry and doesn't understand how it happened, after she was “forgotten” by staff at 9:30am.</p> <p>"You do not expect a phone call saying 'I'm sorry'. That doesn't cut it. It's not good enough.</p> <p>"This is a little girl. She's someone's daughter. She's someone's granddaughter. She's someone's sister. She's someone's best friend.</p> <p>It comes after police revealed Nevaeh was the only child driven on the Central Queensland childcare centre bus before she was left inside for about six hours, she was then found unconscious in 28 degree heat around 3:15pm.</p> <p>Ms Parker says she will fight to ensure this never happens again.</p> <p>"I'll make sure this never happens again. I'll die fighting for it. I will give up my life for my grandchildren. I'll give up my life for my children," she said.</p> <p>The toddler’s mother and father remain at her bedside at a children's hospital in Brisbane, where she was transported by air on Wednesday. Her father, Shane Austin, shared doctors are treating Nevaeh for possible kidney failure and are conducting a deep brain scan.</p> <p>He said his daughter was the loudest and most energetic child and at the heart of her daycare centre but remains gravely ill, adding that the family were deeply distraught. Doctors have confirmed the child is in a stable condition.</p> <p>Detective Inspector Shadlow did not want to speculate as to whether Nevaeh would make a full recovery.</p> <p>"We will leave no stone unturned in relation to the investigations," he said.</p> <p>"We will also have photographic and our scientific, forensic officers attending the scene [on Thursday], just so we can cover every base and get to the bottom of exactly what has happened."</p> <p>The team will also look at who was coming and going from the centre throughout the day. Detective Inspector Shadlow said the staff involved were "cooperating to a degree", but legal advice had been sought.</p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"> </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Roboto, Arial; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"><em>Images: Nine </em></p>

News

First look at Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biopic

<p dir="ltr">The first look at Baz Luhrmann’s new biopic has been released, with the first glimpse of the actor set to play the King of Rock and Roll: Elvis Presley. </p> <p dir="ltr">30-year-old Austin Butler is stepping up as <em>Elvis</em> for the Warner Bros. movie, which hits theatres in June, and is seen in the trailer sporting the singer’s signature slicked back hair and leather jacket. </p> <p dir="ltr">Academy Award winner Tom Hanks, who is heard narrating the three-minute trailer, also stars in the film as his manager Colonel Tom Parker, while Olivia DeJonge stars as Presley’s wife, Priscilla. </p> <p dir="ltr">The film appears to be a love letter to the influential musician, who tragically died at age 42 from a heart attack in 1977. </p> <p dir="ltr">The trailer shows footage of young Elvis as a gospel singer, before being bullied for his unusual hair and dance moves as he tried to break into the music scene. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Elvis</em> also follows the singer’s rocket to international fame and the personal struggles he faced as a result of his superstardom. </p> <p dir="ltr">It also details how the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in Memphis jolted him back to his humble roots.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Elvis</em> is the first movie from Baz Luhrmann since his 2013 smash hit <em>The Great Gatsby</em>, which starred Leo DiCaprio, Tobey Macguire and Joel Edgerton, and made $353 million worldwide.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking with <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/upcoming-movies/trailer-drops-for-baz-luhrmanns-elvis-biopic/news-story/ceb47096f377b001b8cb20c75fc70b36" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> last year, Luhrmann said he was excited for audiences to see what Austin Butler can bring to the challenging role. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I can say that we have had to create lots of different worlds, and there was no world we were challenged in creating,” Luhrmann said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We went to a lot of effort, but it’s all there.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The performances are remarkable. Austin Butler, I think he’s really going to surprise people. And Tom … enough said.”</p> <p dir="ltr">You can check out the trailer for <em>Elvis</em> below. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wBDLRvjHVOY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Warner Bros. Pictures</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-144c9419-7fff-a6d9-c447-c3387786e08d"></span></p>

Movies

Who is Austin Butler? The upcoming star cast in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley film

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Austin Butler has been cast in a career-making film role as he’s set to play the late Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming film which will have Tom Hanks as Presley’s longtime manager.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The film’s timeline will span 20 years, from Presley's rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and the loss of innocence in America”, according to </span><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/elvis-presley-film-release-date-austin-butler-baz-luhrmann-tom-hanks-king-of-rock-a9037716.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Independent</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The plan for filming is set to start in early 2020 to accommodate Hanks’ schedule, according to </span><a href="https://variety.com/2019/film/news/austin-butler-elvis-presley-biopic-2021-release-1203290408/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Variety</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which means that there’s a release date of October 1, 2021. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butler, 27, beat out Harry Styles, Miles Teller and Ansel Elgort for the role, but no one knows that much about him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butler started out on networks such as Nickelodeon and Disney Channel in the early 2000s, but has recently starred alongside Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio in the blockbuster </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. It was directed by Quentin Tarantino.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He is currently dating Vanessa Hudgens and has done so since 2011.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0dm9eSB10g/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0dm9eSB10g/" target="_blank">#onceuponatimeinhollywood Styled by @browne.andrews Photo thanks to @britishgq © David Crotty</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/austinbutler/" target="_blank"> Austin Butler</a> (@austinbutler) on Jul 28, 2019 at 6:47am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Butler couldn’t be more thrilled about being cast for the role.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am just profoundly honoured that Baz has invited me on this journey with him,” Butler told </span><a href="https://www.etonline.com/austin-butler-says-hes-honored-to-be-playing-elvis-as-he-channels-the-king-on-the-red-carpet-129099"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Entertainment Tonight</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s an extraordinary privilege. And I just feel so blessed to be working with such singular directors like him and Quentin Tarantino.”</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8sg24Bw6y/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8sg24Bw6y/" target="_blank">“You have made my life complete, and I love you so”</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/austinbutler/" target="_blank"> Austin Butler</a> (@austinbutler) on Jul 15, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luhrmann was quick to release a statement about Butler’s casting.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I knew I couldn't make this film if the casting wasn't absolutely right, and we searched thoroughly for an actor with the ability to evoke the singular natural movement and vocal qualities of this peerless star, but also the inner vulnerability of the artist.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Throughout the casting process, it was an honour for me to encounter such a vast array of talent.”</span></p>

Music

Baz Luhrmann is making a biopic about Elvis Presley

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Baz Luhrmann has decided to create a biopic about musical legend Elvis Presley. Luhrmann is known for his stylised work on </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moulin Rouge! </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">and </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Great Gatbsy</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Five actors battled it out to get the top spot of playing Presley, with big names such as Ansel Elgort, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Miles Teller, Austin Butler and musician slash actor Harry Styles fighting for the part.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it has recently been announced that the man who will play the King of Rock is Austin Butler. Butler announced the news on his Instagram.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8sg24Bw6y/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz8sg24Bw6y/" target="_blank">“You have made my life complete, and I love you so”</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/austinbutler/" target="_blank"> Austin Butler</a> (@austinbutler) on Jul 15, 2019 at 12:00pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tom Hanks is already on board the project as Col. Tom Parker, who is the legendary manager who controlled every aspect of Presley’s life.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The film is described as focusing on the late entertainer’s rise and fall, with a major aspect of the film focusing on his relationship with Parker.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As a manager, Parker helped build Presley’s career from nothing, but was also said to be extremely controlling. It was also said by </span><a href="https://deadline.com/2019/07/elvis-presley-movie-baz-luhrmann-ansel-elgort-miles-teller-austin-butler-harry-styles-tom-hanks-1202640766/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deadline</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that he took half of Presley’s earnings home for himself. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luhrmann has been developing this project with his wife Catherine Martin since finishing on</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The Great Gatsby</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in 2013. The pair are set to co-produce the biopic.</span></p>

Music

Police officers act of kindness goes viral

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A police officer has been praised for his act of kindness to a struggling family after he found a young boy walking alone in a busy supermarket car park. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Texas cop James Riley had been working in Central West Austin, in the United States when he became aware of a young child by himself outside of a grocery store. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The boy told Officer Riley he was there to buy snacks for his younger brother, the Austin Police explained in a lengthy Facebook post. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Concerned for the child's safety, Officer Riley gave him a ride home,” the post read. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Once inside the residence, he found out that the family was going through difficult financial times.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The officer cautioned the young children to not leave their home without an adult, then later returned with a full trolley full of groceries and snacks. </span></p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FAustinPolice%2Fposts%2F2148457985202639%3A0&width=500" width="500" height="734" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The items included mostly foods the young kids could snack on without having to use dangerous appliances such as a stove. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Please join us in commending Officer Riley for helping out a family in need,” the Facebook post said. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Facebook users took to the comments to praise the policeman. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This officer's actions, both educational and financially helpful, were absolutely amazing,” one person wrote. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think these kids will remember his kindness and caring for the rest of their lives and will pass that respect on to their friends. Great job Officer Riley!”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another wrote: “His parental instincts kicked in to motion … he’s a great dad and a good officer.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Not only protecting the young citizens but serving God too. Well done Officer Riley!” another commented. </span></p>

Legal

MKR’s Manu Feildel reveals shock offer to brothers Josh and Austin

<p>As controversial brothers Josh and Austin have left the <em>My Kitchen Rules</em> competition, French judge Manu Feildel has revealed a shocking offer he made if the brothers made it to the final.</p> <p>He admitted to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/my-kitchen-rules/my-kitchen-rules-2019-manu-feildel-55242" target="_blank"><em>TV WEEK</em></a> that after their disaster of an Instant Restaurant, he was so sure that they wouldn’t progress any further in the competition that he offered to double the show’s prize money if they reached the final.</p> <p>"Yes, I did mention that," he confirmed.</p> <p>"The food at their Instant Restaurant was terrible. I was angry because it was a waste of time for everyone.</p> <p>"They were lucky to stay as long as they did."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwOgkWiADj4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwOgkWiADj4/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Josh & Austin (@joshaustinau)</a> on Apr 13, 2019 at 11:57pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>The grand final of the show is close by, and Manu has said that it’s anyone’s game. However, he’s not worried about the ratings of the show as it struggled to keep up with Nine Network’s <em>Married at First Sight</em>.</p> <p>"It doesn't bother me," he says. "It was nice to be number one for a long time, but everything in life is a competition.</p> <p>"We still rate well, and there's still demand for the show. I don't watch<span> </span><em>MAFS</em>... it's not the type of show I'd want to watch.</p> <p>"Ten years on TV is a really good thing and we're proud of that. We have another two years and hopefully there will be another two after that."</p> <p>Have you been watching the current series of<span> </span><em>My Kitchen Rules</em>? Tell us in the comments below. </p>

The Block finale controversy: The 9 words Scott Cam said that angered viewers

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Some off-the-cuff remarks made by The Block host Scott Cam during Sunday night’s finale have landed the popular Channel Nine personality in hot water, with accusations flying on Twitter of “casual sexism”.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">He made the comments to contestants Bianca and Carla during the auction of their apartment at this year’s renovation site, the Gatwick Hotel in St Kilda, as the bid for the apartment reached $2,982,500.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“Not bad for a couple of single girls, aye,” said Cam of the pair who made a healthy $301,000 profit after a final sale of $2,991,000.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“You will be on the market now. Or off the market. There are two million people watching this show. A couple of good sorts with plenty of cash.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"> </span><span class="s1">But some viewers watching the anticipated broadcast hit out at the 55-year-old, accusing him of being “sexist”.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Casual sexism from Scotty,what else do we expect🙄 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9TheBlock?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9TheBlock</a></p> — Proud Pie Jo (@joferguson9) <a href="https://twitter.com/joferguson9/status/1056479392367489026?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2018</a></blockquote> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">One viewer tweeted:</span><span class="s2"> </span><span class="s1">“Does Scott Cam always talk about Bianca & Carla like it’s a miracle they can do anything because they’re two single women?!”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Another called the remarks “inappropriate jokes” about the women’s single status, and one viewer asked,</span><span class="s2"> </span><span class="s1">“What does their relationship status have to do with the result of their work, Scott Cam?”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Others branded the comments “casual sexism,” with one remarking that it was an attitude to be expected from the reality show host, known for his larrikin tradie persona.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">But some viewers disagreed, saying the criticism went too far and was unwarranted.</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“What type of world are we living in now where PC tossers just whinge about anything!” tweeted one. “No one was whinging when he was taking the p**s out of the two country boys a few years back for their design skills.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">And one asked whether the contestants Bianca and Carla we’re actually offended.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">It was banter between the three of them..some may have taken offence if that banter was said to them but the girls didn’t, neither would I if it was said to me..no one needs to speak on my behalf or theirs I’m assuming..</p> — Janine (@maxandbella27) <a href="https://twitter.com/maxandbella27/status/1056729236357017600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 29, 2018</a></blockquote> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">“We were actually fine with it,” Bianca told news.com.au. “We are always bantering with Scotty about a range of things, we had a lot of fun on the show and Scotty knows us well enough to know we wouldn’t be offended by that.”</span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1">Do you think the comments were offensive? Let us know in the comments below.</span></p>

Technology

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Games

Information

Keep up to date