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“Privileged inbreds”: The Project host slams Charles and Camilla

<p dir="ltr">King Charles and Queen Camilla have been slammed by a co-host of <em>The Project</em>, who labelled them as “privileged inbreds” in the wake of their Christmas card. </p> <p dir="ltr">Nick Cody and the panel reacted to the royal family’s Christmas card, which shows Charles and Camilla posing in their royal regalia. </p> <p dir="ltr">The King and Queen stood in a stoic pose wearing their robes and towering crowns, with the message inside reading, “Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and New Year”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The monarch’s choice of attire didn’t go down well with Cody, who made his disdain for the couple clear on Monday night’s show. </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/C0upAphhvLF/?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/C0upAphhvLF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I just need a moment here because, guys – I have some huge news from the weekend,” Cody began sarcastically. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Yes, the rumours are true. King Charles and Queen Camilla released their official Christmas card. I just want to say what everyone in Australia is thinking right now, thank you.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thanks very much, guys. It’s a wonderful festive treat that absolutely nobody asked for, and yet you delivered,” he continued, eliciting laughs from the panel and audience members. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You two look like a randy couple approaching me at a bar at 3am to say that you’ve been watching me and really ‘dig my vibe’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Cody then went on to highlight the ongoing cost of living crisis in both Australia and the UK, and how out of touch the card seemed to many people who are struggling. </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/C0pagR3M5fD/?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/C0pagR3M5fD/?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 dir="ltr">“I love the brazenness of the card statement too,” he continued. “Sure, people in Australia and the UK are struggling to pay bills and put food on the table this Christmas. They’re doing it tough. But despite all that external noise and the fact you gave yourself a massive 45% pay rise this year, you still found the courage to pose for this picture while wearing a $9.5 million hat. Your family jewels must be epically large, mate. Respect.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The Project</em> presenter then went on to double down on his criticism, and revealed that he’d made his very own Christmas card just for the royal couple.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So, as a small gesture, I have made this Christmas card for you,” said the star, before showing a picture of himself sitting on the toilet giving the King and Queen the middle finger. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I hope you enjoy it. Like you, I also shot it in May while sitting in my personal throne room. To Charles and Camilla, from me, Nick, the colony’s other privileged inbred, Merry Christmas!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: The Project</em></p>

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“That name goes back four generations”: Paul Walker’s brother makes a touching tribute

<p>Almost a decade after the world lost <em>Fast & Furious </em>star Paul Walker, his younger brother Cody Walker has paid heartfelt tribute with the birth of his third child. </p> <p>Cody and his wife, Felicia, welcomed their son on April 30, with <em>People </em>magazine reporting that he weighed in at 7lbs 5oz. Felicia took to Instagram on May 2 to make an announcement, too, declaring that they’d had a boy, and writing “welcome to the clan, Barrett”.</p> <p>Many took this as confirmation of his name, and rushed to congratulate the family on their new addition. Felicia had shared a picture of the newborn in the arms of his big brother, Colt, with the announcement, and fans were delighted to note that he was the image of a proud older sibling, beaming from ear to ear. </p> <p>However,<em> People</em> magazine have now revealed that there was more to the story, and that the newborn Walker’s name is even closer to his father’s heart than anyone had anticipated. </p> <p>It was a day after his birth that Cody and Felicia reached their decision, declaring their son’s name to be Paul Barrett Walker - naming him after Cody’s late brother. </p> <p>"This November will mark 10 years since we lost my brother, Paul,” Cody told the publication, “and I just felt now was the appropriate time.”</p> <p>He went on to share that he and their other brother - Caleb - were “both done having children”, and that the name held special meaning to all of them. </p> <p>“My brother, Paul, was Paul William Walker IV and that name goes back four generations,” he explained. "Within the family, he went by ‘little Paul’ or ‘Paul 4,’ even though he quickly outgrew our father in height. </p> <p>“It was important to me to have that name carry on.”</p> <p>It isn’t the only move Cody has taken towards honouring his brother, having teamed up with Tyrese Gibson and Chris Lee to bright FuelFest to life - an automotive and motorsports festival showcasing car culture, with a portion of profits going towards Paul’s nonprofit Reach Out WorldWide, something that Cody views “as a part of Paul that he left behind.”</p> <p>And in an echo of his message regarding his new son’s name, he noted that “it’s important to so many to see that part of his legacy live on.”</p> <p>And Paul’s daughter, Meadow, has made her own moves towards furthering her father’s legacy, with a cameo appearance in <em>Fast X</em> - the tenth instalment in the <em>Fast & Furious</em> franchise. </p> <p>“For me, this is super exciting,” she said of her involvement, “and he would be amazed that this is happening.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram, Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“Our whole world is shattered": Days of our Lives actor found dead at just 34

<p>American actor Cody Longo, best known for his role as Nicholas Alamain on the soap <em>Days of our Lives</em>, has died at the age of 34. </p> <p>Cody’s wife, Stefanie, confirmed the news. </p> <p>While no cause of death has been determined, it is reported that Stefanie grew concerned when she was unable to contact Cody from work, and called the police to check in on him. They found him unresponsive in his bed at home in Austin, Texas. </p> <p>He is survived by his wife, Stefanie, and their three young children - Lyla, Elijah, and Noah.</p> <p>“He was an amazing father and the best husband,” Stefanie told <em>TMZ</em>.  “Our whole world is shattered."</p> <p>In a statement to <em>The Post</em>, a grieving Stefanie added, “Cody was our whole world. The kids and I are shattered and beyond devastated. He was the best dad and best father. We will always and forever miss you and love you.”</p> <p>Friends, fans, and former co-workers have joined Stefanie in paying tribute to the late star, with many expressing their disbelief over the unexpected loss. </p> <p>“Rest In Peace … I can’t believe it. No words,” wrote singer songwriter Daphne Jean. </p> <p>Cody’s representative, Alex Gittelson, said, “Cody was a dear friend for over a decade, before he was a client. My heart breaks for his beautiful family.  </p> <p>“He had taken some time away from acting to pursue music and spend more time with his family in Nashville, but we had kept in touch regularly and he was excited to get back into acting this year.  Cody was such a loyal, loving and talented person and he will be greatly missed.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Devastated beyond words at the tragic loss of my dear friend and client, Cody Longo. My heart breaks for his beautiful family. You will be missed, brother. <a href="https://t.co/D0lKsUnBmK">https://t.co/D0lKsUnBmK</a></p> <p>— Alex Gittelson (@alexgittelson) <a href="https://twitter.com/alexgittelson/status/1624181703253307392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 10, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Despite having found acting success with the likes of <em>Days of our Lives</em> and as Eddie Duran on <em>Hollywood Heights</em>, Cody also made a name for himself in the music industry, where he went by the name Cody Anthony. </p> <p>Cody took a break from Hollywood upon moving to Austin, dedicating himself to creating his music and spending more time with his family. </p> <p>The actor had been struggling with alcoholism for years beforehand, and is said to have attended rehab over the last summer. <em>TMZ </em>have reported that his family suspect a relapse may have something to do with his death. </p> <p>2020 was the last year in which Cody was credited with an acting role, and is also the same year he was arrested for domestic assault. He was allegedly involved in a drunken fight with his own wife. </p> <p>In 2021, Cody pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour assault charge after being linked to an incident of sexual assault with a 9-year-old girl. The plea deal led to the felony sexual assault charge against him being dismissed.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty </em></p>

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Cody Simpson and Emma McKeon dispel rumours

<p>Olympian Emma McKeon and pop star Cody Simpson have discussed how "serious" their relationship is in their first joint interview. </p> <p>The couple sat down with Denham Hitchcock on Channel Seven's <em>Spotlight</em>, as they were quizzed on their romance. </p> <p>During the sit-down interview, Cody described their relationship as having "settled down vibes" and spoke of how "peaceful" they both feel. </p> <p>Emma chimed in, "I feel like we're best friends, which to me is so important. I'm close with my family, that is important to me, as well, so we just have a lot in common." </p> <p>"We're loving where we're at at the moment. And we have fun together. We just love each other's company."</p> <p>"We talk every day about how happy we are and how lucky we are. I think we definitely appreciate it," Cody added. </p> <p>"You know, when you meet someone, you just recognise that there's something there. I always saw her as this special person to me."</p> <p>Cody was then asked what the "best thing" in his life is right now: his relationship with Emma or his swimming career. </p> <p>"It's a loaded question. Like, swimming is that we do together, it's all wrapped up in one," he said. </p> <p>While the couple have been dating for several months, Cody admitted it took him almost a year to tell Emma he had a crush on her. </p> <p>"I always acknowledged that there was a connection that we had. But we didn't act on it until what ended up being a year later," he said. </p> <p>The couple also addressed rumours of tensions within the swimming team, after they found themselves in a complicated love triangle earlier in the year. </p> <p>Reports claimed that Kyle Chalmers deliberately bumped Simpson out of World Championship eligibility in the 100m butterfly by opting to contest the event.</p> <p>However Chalmers, who dated McKeon for several months in 2021, later disputed this saying he had always planned to compete in that event. </p> <p>"There's obviously been drama in the media,' Cody said, but added that there has been "nothing" going wrong in the "team dynamic".</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p>

Relationships

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Ian Thorpe mentors pop star Cody Simpson

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With the Tokyo Olympics commencing this month, Ian Thorpe has revealed why he has decided not to return to the pool.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Appearing on The Morning Show, the swimming champion said he is far too busy managing multiple projects to get back into the water.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On top of revealing he will be part of Channel Seven’s commentary team for the Games, Thorpe has also been fundraising for ocean conservation with the Sapphire Dinner and taking part in a new docuseries, “Head Above Water”, following Aussie pop star Cody Simpson and several other swimmers on their journey to the Olympics.</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/CN1RWJolad3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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/CN1RWJolad3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Cody Simpson (@codysimpson)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thorpe said he doesn’t really miss his swimming career and that he “romanticises” his glory days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think I’d like to do it, then I remind myself how cold it is, especially at times like this and what it feels like to be in an outdoor pool that’s not really heated,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cody Simpson put his music career on hold last year to focus on qualifying for either the Tokyo 2021 or Paris 2024 Olympic Games.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“For the last 10 years, I don’t think there was a week or a day that went by that I didn’t still think about swimming or try and figure out when I was going to swim again,” he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Thorpe said Simpson’s progress so far has been very encouraging.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Cody is doing better in training than what was expected,” he said. “The improvement that he’s making, there’s this possibility that he may be at a level where he can actually place.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Simpson’s personal best in the 100m butterfly is 53.85 seconds, but the former champion junior swimmer will need to swim faster than 51.70 seconds and place in the top two at the trials to qualify for Australia’s Olympic swimming team.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Simpson will be racing the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle at the Olympic swimming trials which commence on Saturday, June 12.</span></p>

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"Destroyed a beautiful girl": Aiia Maasarwe's rapist and killer sentenced

<p>The man who raped and killed Israeli exchange student Aiia Maasarwe while she walked home alone in Melbourne’s north has received his jail sentence. </p> <p>Cody Herrmann 21, has been sentenced to 36 years in prison with a non-parole period of 30 years. </p> <p>The man was sentenced in the Supreme Court of Victoria on Tuesday after pleading guilty to mercilessly hitting Ms Maasarwe over the head with a metal pole a minimum of 13 times. </p> <p>His appalling crimes did not stop there - he then raped the young woman and set her body and clothes on fire in the early hours of January 16. </p> <p>Herrmann has already spent 283 days in custody, which makes him eligible for parole in 2049.</p> <p>Just two rows away from the man who murdered his daughter, sat Ms Maasarwe’s father Saeed and her sister, Noor. </p> <p>Saaed could be seen changing seats throughout the proceedings to wrap an arm around Noor’s daughter which did not move until Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth had finished her sentencing remarks. </p> <p>Justice Hollingworth became emotional while speaking of the struggles of Aiia’s family. </p> <p>“Not only did you take her precious right to life but you deprived her family of a daughter and a sister,” Justice Hollingworth said.</p> <p>“Her death left an enormous hole in their lives … why did you do these appalling things?”</p> <p>Justice Hollingworth said the horrifying treatment of Aiia’s body, after she had been murdered by Hermann was a “significant aggravating feature” of his offending.</p> <p>“Treating her body in this way showed utter contempt for her dignity,” she said.</p> <p>“She had no opportunity to flee or defend herself,” Hollingworth said to the court after describing Ms Maasarwe as “physically small, unsuspecting and alone.”</p> <p>“You quickly subjected her to a savage attack with a crude weapon until she was unconscious.</p> <p>“You dragged her off the footpath to a position of cover where you raped her … you struck her with the clear intention of killing her not merely injuring.</p> <p>“Women should be free to walk the streets alone without the fear of being violently attacked by strangers.”</p> <p>Prosecutor Patricia Bourke held back tears as she read through an emotional victim impact statement from the Ms Maasarwe’s family. </p> <p>“I can’t imagine the horror she felt when she saw Cody Herrmann’s face,” her sister Ruba told the court through her statement.</p> <p>“Codey Herrmann, you have taken one life but you have broken many more hearts.”</p> <p>Ms Maasarwe’s mother Kittam said Herrmann had “destroyed a beautiful girl”.</p> <p>“When I speak about Aiia, I am overwhelmed by sadness,” she said.</p> <p>“You cannot imagine what happened to me after her death. She was my daughter and friend. I was in touch with her every day. She used to tell me always, ‘I miss you so much Mum. When I see you again I will hug you and kiss you’.”</p> <p>Ms Maasarwe’s other sister Noor said her sibling was the best person she knew.</p> <p>“She was always smiling and full of energy. As Mother Teresa once said, ‘Some people come into our life as blessings and some people come into our life as lessons’. Aiia just happened to be both.”</p>

Legal

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Channel 9 slammed over "racist" and "disgusting" segment

<p>Channel 9 have been slammed on social media for presenting a “racist” and “disgusting” segment on Korean band BTS.</p> <p>On Wednesday night, the show <em>20 to One</em> featured BTS in its list-based ranking of the latest global crazes.</p> <p>Co-hosts Erin Molan and Nick Cody referred to the seven-member group as the “biggest band you’ve never heard of” and “the South Korean One Direction”.</p> <p>The co-hosts mentioned the band had become the first Korean act to have a number one single in the US even though “only one member actually speaks English”.</p> <p>Cody also joked that the group talked about “hair products” in their speech at the United Nations last year.</p> <p>The segment also featured commentaries by celebrities. In one of the aired clips, comedian Jimmy Carr said, “When I first heard something Korean had exploded in America, I got worried. So I guess, it could have been worse. But not much worse.”</p> <p>Actor and Australian Idol finalist Rob Mills also called the group’s singing “passable”.</p> <p>BTS fans have panned the segment on social media for their “racist” depiction of the band, leading the hashtag #Channel9Apologise to trend on Twitter.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">I'm sorry but as an Australian this is embarrassing. Racist jokes and mocking their entire career just don't cut it. And I'm pre sure you don't just ask randos if their gay and thinks it's okay. Congrats on triggering a whole community <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/channel9apologize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#channel9apologize</a> <a href="https://t.co/BIox8LYCrq">pic.twitter.com/BIox8LYCrq</a></p> — stan gg's y'all (@tofuhyunie) <a href="https://twitter.com/tofuhyunie/status/1141355386303156224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">We respectfully ask Channel 9 and the organisers of the 20 To One show to apologise and seek to change their ways to ensure that their content is based on inclusion rather than exclusion and racial tendencies <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/channel9apologise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#channel9apologise</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/channel9apologize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#channel9apologize</a></p> — Luke Waltham (@lukewaltham) <a href="https://twitter.com/lukewaltham/status/1141394101637722112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">One can not like something &amp; still not be a racist xenophobic dick about it. Felt so uncomfortable watching ur news segment about BTS I wanted to vomit. Is this a joke? You’re responsible for your image and still did shit like that willingly. A cancelling today <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Channel9Apologize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Channel9Apologize</a></p> — wiktoria (@yoongispuppy) <a href="https://twitter.com/yoongispuppy/status/1141386558555246592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2019</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">i was absolutely disgusted at <a href="https://twitter.com/20toOne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@20toOne</a>'s segment tonight about BTS so i wrote this letter and sent it to channel 9 and free tv australia (the industry body representing all of Australia's commercial free-to-air television broadcasters) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Channel9Apologize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Channel9Apologize</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Channel9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Channel9</a> <a href="https://t.co/HmFDjXnVQk">pic.twitter.com/HmFDjXnVQk</a></p> — li 💜 (@miniminyoongi) <a href="https://twitter.com/miniminyoongi/status/1141356797564862470?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>Channel 9 has apologised “for any disrespect and offence taken”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">❤ <a href="https://t.co/3hSOYp93aH">pic.twitter.com/3hSOYp93aH</a></p> — 20 to One (@20toOne) <a href="https://twitter.com/20toOne/status/1141664886839058432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 20, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>A spokesperson told SBS, “As a light-hearted entertainment program, it is our belief that last night’s episode of <em>20 to One</em>, which highlighted the ‘Greatest Global Crazes’, did not breach any broadcast regulations, and was intended to humorously highlight the popularity of the group.</p> <p>“We apologise to any who may have been offended by last night’s episode.”</p> <p>Since its debut in 2013, BTS has become the act with the most number one hits on <em><span>Billboard</span></em><span>'s World Digital Song Sales chart. Last year, it became the first K-Pop group to speak at the United Nations for the Generation Unlimited campaign “to ensure every young person is in education, training or employment by 2030”.</span></p>

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How family holidays have changed since I was a child

<p>As a child of the fifties and sixties the annual summer vacation was the family caravan.  Of course, as with life, it's not just the destination, it's all about the journey. Who could forget the hours spent in the family car playing "riddle me riddle me ree there’s something I can see", or that perennial question, "are we there yet?". And not to forget what really went on in the back seat. Let's face it, the conditions were ripe to challenge the best of a family's temperament.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the parental team were already under strain even before well into the journey. It's only more recently come to light from revelations exposed through books like "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus", that a husband and wife have different map reading abilities. This was no more evident than in the family car. </p> <p>Further fuelling travelling conditions, certainly that time of the year, was the heat. The closest thing to an air conditioner was this little blue fan mounted on the dash board. Then add into the mix, three kids jammed together on the back bench seat. Conditions for conflict grew riper by the mile.</p> <p>As the heat build up continued, so tolerance levels plummeted. Just the annoyance of the tiny hairs on your kid brother's sweaty legs subtly rubbing against your own legs, was at times enough to spark a full on physical confrontation. If only at least one of the parents had headed the warning that "he's touching me", the consequential full on punch up could have been avoided.</p> <p>Thankfully things have now changed for the better. The family car is now more an air-conditioned lounge on wheels. Riddle me riddle me ree has been replaced with each child’s own personal video entertainment system. Marital conflicts over map reading directions have been resolved with an onboard navigation system.</p> <p>Plus there’s one big additional difference now. Choice. The world has since become a lot smaller. It’s now just as cheap for the whole family to grab a flight to some exotic overseas location.</p> <p>I had been travelling the globe on my senior gap year. Or sabbatical as it's referred to in some countries. I was looking forward to the break from the adventurous wandering of a senior backpacker, to spend some quality family time with one of my children and her young family.</p> <p>One of the attractive things about such an exotic getaway are the cheap massages. A whole hour’s massage for a mere fraction you’d pay back home. The family that massages together stays together. This must have been the thinking at the time. Or perhaps the bulk rate that slashed the price even lower.</p> <p>So, here we all are. Baby in pusher, in theory, asleep for the whole duration. And thank goodness for ten fingers and ten toe nails. There’s a good hour’s worth of nail painting entertainment for the other little family member. Meanwhile Mum, Dad and Grandpa have all settled in. All lined up on our masseur tables. Curtains drawn enough to suggest some discreetness, but looking more like a hospital emergency department.</p> <p>I’m not sure what the selection process was. But the masseur I was allocated was the considerably more mature aged of all the women. Actually, she reminded me of an Asian version of my grandmother. While trying to avoid any prolonged eye contact, I pondered if she had perhaps taken up this job as a twilight career change, or was used as like a last minute emergency department fill in. I figured the latter was more probable.</p> <p>I have to say, granny was good at her craft. It was probably only fifteen minutes into this relaxing slumber like state. I say slumber, because the last thing I remember was my foot being soothingly massaged.</p> <p>But suddenly I woke with a jolt. In horror, I find granny now perched on my back. Strutting up and down it as if I’m a paddle board. This is where the happy family experience took a sudden turn. I’m not sure if it was my sudden awakening jolt, but next thing baby wakes up with an almighty scream. So, there’s me coming to terms with granny knee boarding on my back, baby screaming. Meanwhile instructions are coming out left right and centre from the adjoining cubicles in a desperate attempt to console baby.</p> <p>A unique massage experience with a difference. But it’s “moments like these” that makes family time very special. But for the senior gap year grandpa, it was extra special just to be a part of it.</p> <p><em>This is extracted from a new book written by travel writer, Chris Herrmann. His book My Senior Gap Year tells about the many amusing stories and experiences of his senior gap year journey backpacking around the world. See <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.myseniorgapyear.com/" target="_blank">www.myseniorgapyear.com</a></strong></span> for more information.</em></p>

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