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Masked robbers target Windsor Castle

<p>Two masked men have targeted Windsor Castle and took off with two vehicles that were stored in a barn.</p> <p>The men used a stolen truck to break through a security gate at night and then scaled a two-metre fence to gain entry into the royal grounds. </p> <p>According to reports by <em>The Sun</em>, King Charles and Queen Camilla were not at Windsor at the time, but it is believed Prince William and his family were residing in Adelaide Cottage, part of the Windsor Castle estate.</p> <p>The cottage is five minutes away from where the break-in occurred, and the family are regularly seen using the wrecked gate, the nearest exit to their home.</p> <p>Local police were called to a report of a burglary on Crown Estate land in Windsor, west of London, just before midnight on October 13th.</p> <p>“Offenders entered a farm building and made off with a black Isuzu pick-up and a red quad bike. They then made off towards the Old Windsor/Datchet area,” Thames Valley Police told the newspaper.</p> <p>“No arrests have been made at this stage and an investigation is ongoing.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Legal

Country singer dies aged 79

<p>Country singer Kinky Friedman has passed away aged 79. </p> <p>A post shared on his social media account confirmed the news that he was surrounded by family and friends before his death. </p> <p>“Kinky Friedman stepped on a rainbow at his beloved Echo Hill surrounded by family and friends,” the post read. </p> <p>“Kinkster endured tremendous pain and unthinkable loss in recent years but he never lost his fighting spirit and quick wit. Kinky will live on as his books are read and his songs are sung.”</p> <p>The musician, whose real name is Richard Samet Friedman, developed a cult following for his unique and quirky approach to country and Western music. </p> <p>His first album <em>Sold American</em> was released in 1973, and he also toured with Bob Dylan on his Rolling Thunder Revue. </p> <p>Outside of his music career, Friedman was also a writer, penning detective novels and a working as a columnist for Texas Monthly.</p> <p>He published his first book <em>Elvis, Jesus and Coca-Cola: A Novel </em>in 1994 and ten years later published his second one, <em>Kinky Friedman’s Guide to Texas Etiquette: Or How to Get to Heaven or Hell Without Going Through Dallas-Fort Worth</em>.</p> <p>In 2006 he dabbled in politics, running for the Governor of Texas and received 12.6 per cent of the votes among six candidates. </p> <p>He also helped run the Echo Hill Gold Star Camp for children, with his sister Marcie. </p> <p>Kent Perkins, a longtime friend of Friedman, paid tribute to the musician on social media. </p> <p>“Somewhere in heaven,” he wrote, “I’m sure there’s a quiet corner with a big easy chair, a bright floor lamp, a big stack of biographical books, and a few old dogs wagging their tails to the faint smell of cigar smoke.”</p> <p><em>Image: Rick Diamond/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

70s singer finally marries fiancé after almost 50 years together

<p>Denise Nolan, 72, has finally tied the knot with her long-term partner Tom Anderson, aged 77.</p> <p>The couple who have been together for 47 years and engaged for around three decades got married in a ceremony in their hometown of Blackpool. </p> <p>"I had a fabulous day," she revealed to <em>OK magazine</em>. </p> <p>Despite being together for so long, the couple revealed that they never felt the need to rush into their marriage. </p> <p>"We've been together now for 47 years and we love each other. We got engaged about 30 years ago, but we didn't think we needed the piece of paper to say that," she continued.</p> <p>"He's asked me to marry him a few times but usually when he's had a drink and is feeling sentimental! Then I mention it to him the next day and he runs a mile."</p> <p>Denise, who was one part of the popular Irish family band <em>The Nolans </em>said that the decision to finally tie the knot was partially prompted by Tom's Parkinson's diagnosis in 2018. </p> <p>She explained that they "didn't want to wait until further down the line where he might be a lot worse and it could be hard work".</p> <p>For the big day, the pair sat next to each other at the alter of The Wedding Chapel on Blackpool Promenade. </p> <p>"Everybody was crying, even Tom was sobbing," Denise said.</p> <p>"I also picked Frank Sinatra's Love And Marriage because I thought, 'I have to have a comic song in there,' and we're all Sinatra addicts in our family. As we walked back down the aisle we had Tom singing Love Will Keep Us Together. To be able to choose all out own music was really special for us."</p> <p>In her speech during the reception, Denise said: "Meeting you was fate, becoming your partner was a choice, but falling in love with you was beyond my control."</p> <p>The couple first met while Denise was in her band and Tom was working as a resident drummer at the London Rooms in London's West End.</p> <p>They have been inseparable since and now live in Blackpool with some family nearby. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Manhunt after masked figures steal puppy from backyard

<p>A single mother of six has been left devastated after two masked dog-snatchers jumped the fence of their family home and stole their new puppy from the backyard in broad daylight on Tuesday. </p> <p>“We only got it two days ago, and it was a puppy to my children,” Jamie-Lee told 7NEWS. </p> <p>The puppy - a pug named Willow - was bought on Sunday, and according to the mum problems started arising not long after, when the vendor demanded the puppy back. </p> <p>“(They said) if we didn’t give the dog back, they were going to steal it — 48 hours later that’s exactly what they did,” she said.</p> <p>She added that they also returned just after midnight on Wednesday, with CCTV footage capturing their car driving past their home that night. </p> <p>“I don’t know if they were coming back for the second dog,” she said.</p> <p>“It’s yeah, very scary.”</p> <p>Police are appealing for information and have asked anyone who might've seen the dog, who has distinct brown and blue eyes, to contact them. </p> <p>“We paid for this dog, we own this dog, it is our puppy,” Jamie-Lee said.</p> <p><em>Image: 7News</em></p>

Legal

Singer Kamahl faces stalking charges

<p>Singer Kamahl is facing stalking charges, after a woman 50 years his junior said she was stalked and harassed by the entertainer. </p> <p>The woman who has not been named, has applied for an apprehended violence order (AVO) against the 89-year-old singer.</p> <p>The accusations include one count of stalking with intent to cause fear, with the matter set to be heard at Sutherland Court in Sydney next month.</p> <p>The accusations stem back to May 2023, when Kamahl was invited to the woman's house to discuss business funding. </p> <p>As a result of their meeting, Kamahl deposited $2,000 into her account, and the woman allegedly agreed to repay this amount in $5 weekly instalments.</p> <p>The dispute arose when the woman began labelling her online banking transactions as "to the molester", despite Kamahl denying any inappropriate misconduct. </p> <p>Following the transaction, a series of text messages were sent between the pair, where the woman claims she was threatened by Kamahl. </p> <p>In one of the texts, the woman warned Kamahl about his behaviour being unacceptable, suggesting would go to the police if it were to continue.</p> <p>“I just wanted you to know that your behaviour is unacceptable and you’re lucky I haven’t gone to the authorities,” a text from the woman to Kamahl read.</p> <p>“You are a liar, and a failure, and most of all an ungrateful b****. The best is yet to come!” Kamahl responded.</p> <p>Kamahl has denied any misconduct, blaming his furious response on not taking his medication and said his actions were a response to provocation rather than unkindness.</p> <p>“I’m an 89-year-old man... I was not being unkind I was responding to a situation without all of my faculties,” Kamahl told <em>9News</em>.</p> <p>“I’m not worried, meaning that it is what it is, any publicity is better than no publicity, I’m sure about that.”</p> <p>Despite the allegations and upcoming court date, Kamahl seemed unfazed about the public issue.</p> <p>“Any publicity is better than no publicity,” he said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News</em></p>

Legal

Hughesy spills the beans on major shows set to be axed

<p>Dave Hughes has shared his prediction that <em>The Masked Singer</em> is die to be axed from Network Ten's lineup this year as the network continues to battle dwindling ratings. </p> <p>The host of the show made the admission on his radio show on Tuesday, saying he hadn't been given any updates on when filming was due to commence. </p> <p>“We’ve been waiting on a production schedule. That production schedule has not come through, so as far as I know, <em>The Masked Singer </em>won’t be filmed this year for Channel 10,” Hughes said on his show Hughesy, Ed and Erin on 2DayFM.</p> <p>“We’ve had such a great time over those years, it’s been such a fun show to be on, so many great singers have been on,” he continued. “We’ve had great panels. We started with Jackie O, Dannii Minogue, [Lindsay] Lohan, then Urzila Carlson came in, we’ve got Abbie Chatfield, Chrissy Swan, Mel B. All stars in their own right."</p> <p>“It’s a tough one for the production team.”</p> <p>Later during the radio show, Hughesy and the team called Osher Günsberg to question whether <em>The Bachelor </em>was facing the same grim fate as <em>The Masked Singer</em>. </p> <p>“I tell you what, I haven’t cancelled our trip to Fiji, which is in the middle of the shooting window we normally have [for <em>The Bachelor</em>],” Günsberg, who has been host of the dating show since 2013, said.</p> <p>Osher went on to criticise Australian TV for putting British and American shows on prime time, rather than favouring homegrown talent. </p> <p>“I personally feel we really need to value our own stories, and our culture, and our own voices far more highly,” he said. “And we’ve got to do what we need to do to make that happen on our screens."</p> <p>“If we’re not going to sing our own songs and tell our own stories – we’re just going to be this weird echo of the US and the UK, and that’s not going to work out well for us.”</p> <p>Last year's season of <em>The Bachelor</em> premiered to the franchise’s lowest ratings in its decade-long history, while personalities involved with <em>The Masked Singer</em> have repeatedly said "it is a very expensive show to produce". </p> <p><em>Image credits: Ten </em></p>

"Not my problem": Blondie singer speaks out on Anzac Day concert

<p>Debbie Harry has spoken out on the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/anzac-day-is-not-for-sale-veterans-slam-anzac-day-rock-festival" target="_blank" rel="noopener">outrage</a> over the rock festival she's performing at on Anzac Day in Sydney. </p> <p>Debbie, who is the lead singer of rock band <em>Blondie</em>, was set to headline Pandemonium 2024, alongside Alice Cooper, Placebo and Deep Purple. </p> <p>The concert at Sydney's Domain has reportedly been cancelled following uproar by veteran groups, but event organiser Andrew McManus has told <em>Today</em> that he is in final talks to move the concert to Cathy Freeman Park. </p> <p>There is still anger over the concert being held on Anzac Day, but Debbie has said that the drama doesn't really concern her. </p> <p>"You know, it's not my problem, really," she told <em>Today</em> hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.</p> <p>"It's my problem to do the show, but it's not really my problem to figure out where to put the show."</p> <p>Debbie also revealed that she is still in love with performing, with a five-decade career that shows no sign of stopping. </p> <p>"I love it, I love it, I think it's fantastic, the audiences are superb" she said.</p> <p>"They're having so much fun and they're free, you're outside, you're not forced to be seated and can walk around and it's a great atmosphere."</p> <p><em>Images: Today Show</em></p>

Legal

With COVID surging, should I wear a mask?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/c-raina-macintyre-101935">C Raina MacIntyre</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p>COVID is <a href="https://theconversation.com/were-in-a-new-covid-wave-what-can-we-expect-this-time-216820">on the rise again</a>, with a peak likely over the holiday season.</p> <p>Given this, health authorities in a number of Australian states have recommended people start <a href="https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/health/2023/11/15/covid-australia-eighth-wave">wearing masks again</a>. In <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-17/wa-public-hospitals-mask-requirements-roger-cook-covid-19/103120580">Western Australia</a>, masks have been made mandatory in high-risk areas of public hospitals, while they’ve similarly been reintroduced in health-care settings in <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/coronavirus/mandatory-face-masks-introduced-in-lyell-mcewin-and-modbury-hospitals-as-covid-wave-hits-sa/news-story/b4bad98deb02a66dde4cf866f60b607a">other parts of the country</a>.</p> <p>Hospitals and aged care facilities are definitely the first places where masks need to be reinstated during an epidemic. But authorities are <a href="https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/life/health/2023/11/15/covid-australia-eighth-wave">differing in their recommendations</a> currently. Calls to mask up, particularly in the wider community, <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-covid-chief-health-officer-confirms-covid-wave/a3a92381-bd6f-4175-a366-3b8e0f627990">have not been unanimous</a>.</p> <p>So amid rising COVID cases, should you be wearing a mask?</p> <h2>COVID is still a threat</h2> <p>Unfortunately, SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) has not mutated into just a trivial cold.</p> <p>As well as causing symptoms in the initial phase – which can be especially serious for people who are vulnerable – the virus can lead to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41579-022-00846-2">chronic illness</a> in people of any age and health status due to its ability to affect blood vessels, <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartjsupp/article/25/Supplement_A/A42/7036729">the heart</a>, lungs, brain and immune system.</p> <p>COVID and its ongoing effects are contributing to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-023-02521-2">substantial disability</a> in society. Loss of productivity due to long COVID is affecting <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/one-billion-days-lost-how-covid-19-is-hurting-the-us-workforce">workforce and economies</a>.</p> <p>While public messaging to “live with COVID” has seemingly encouraged us to move on from the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has other ideas. It has <a href="https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-virus-is-learning-new-tricks">continued to mutate</a>, become <a href="https://www.ebgtz.org/resource/omicron-faqs/">more contagious</a>, and to evade the protection offered by vaccines.</p> <p>COVID is not endemic, but is <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/02/02/covid-will-never-become-an-endemic-virus-scientist-warns.html">an epidemic virus</a> like influenza or measles, so we can expect waves to keep coming. With this in mind, it’s definitely worth protecting yourself – particularly when cases are rising.</p> <h2>What can we do to protect ourselves?</h2> <p>We know SARS-CoV-2 transmits <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(21)00869-2/fulltext">through the air</a> we breathe. We also know a lot of the transmission risk is <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-transmission-asymptomatic/story?id=84599810">from people without symptoms</a>, so you can’t tell who around you is infectious. This provides a strong rationale for universal masking during periods of high transmission.</p> <p>The need is highest in hospitals where thousands of unsuspecting patients have caught COVID during the course of the pandemic and <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/a-death-sentence-more-than-600-people-die-after-catching-covid-in-hospital-20230621-p5di7x.html">hundreds have died</a> as a result in Victoria alone. Aged care facilities are similarly vulnerable.</p> <p>Masks <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-masks-reduce-the-risk-of-spreading-covid-despite-a-review-saying-they-dont-198992">do work</a>. A Cochrane review suggesting they don’t was flawed and subject to <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/how-the-cochrane-review-went-wrong-report-questioning-covid-masks-blows-up-prompts-apology/article_80b67196-5872-5b1a-a208-b0a525f8de5b.html">an apology</a>.</p> <p>Masks work equally by protecting others and protecting you. By visualising human exhalations too tiny to see with the naked eye, my colleagues and I showed how masks <a href="https://theconversation.com/which-mask-works-best-we-filmed-people-coughing-and-sneezing-to-find-out-143173">prevent outward emissions</a> and how each layer of a mask improves this.</p> <p>The most protective kind of mask is <a href="https://theconversation.com/time-to-upgrade-from-cloth-and-surgical-masks-to-respirators-your-questions-answered-174877">a respirator or N95</a>, but any mask protects <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7106e1.htm">more than no mask</a>.</p> <p>Wearing a mask when visiting health-care or aged-care facilities is important. Wearing a mask at the shops, on public transport and in other crowded indoor settings will improve your chances of having a COVID-free Christmas.</p> <h2>What about vaccines?</h2> <p>Although the virus’ evolution has challenged vaccines, they remain very important. Boosters will improve protection because vaccine immunity wanes and new mutations make older vaccines less effective.</p> <p>In May 2023 the <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/18-05-2023-statement-on-the-antigen-composition-of-covid-19-vaccines">World Health Organization</a> outlined why <a href="https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-ba286-variant-and-the-new-booster">monovalent boosters</a> matched to a single current circulating strain gives better protection than the old bivalent boosters (which target two strains). The XBB boosters are available <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/the-covid-19-vaccines-australians-cant-get-yet/ueac5puue">in the United States</a>, and will be available in Australia <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-mark-butler-mp/media/new-covid-19-vaccines-available-to-target-current-variants?language=en">from December 11</a>.</p> <p>Testing and treatment will also help. There are effective antivirals for COVID, but you cannot get them without a COVID test, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/were-in-a-new-covid-wave-what-can-we-expect-this-time-216820">testing rates</a> are very low. Having some RAT tests on hand means you can quickly isolate and get antivirals if indicated.</p> <p>Finally, safe indoor air is key. Remember that SARS-CoV-2 spreads silently, mainly by inhaling contaminated air. Opening a window or using an air purifier can significantly reduce your risk, especially in crowded indoor settings <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2752-5309/ace5c9">like schools</a>. A <a href="https://ozsage.org/media_releases/">multi-layered strategy</a> of vaccines, masks, safe indoor air, testing and treatment will help us navigate this COVID wave.</p> <hr /> <p><em>Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect the announcement that monovalent XBB 1.5 vaccines will be deployed as part of Australia’s COVID vaccination program.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/217902/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></em></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/c-raina-macintyre-101935">C Raina MacIntyre</a>, Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/with-covid-surging-should-i-wear-a-mask-217902">original article</a>.</em></p>

Body

Iconic Aussie singer returns Order of Australia Medal after Voice result

<p>Legendary Australian singer-songwriter Shane Howard has made headlines by returning his Order of Australia medal, a gesture that speaks volumes about his deep sense of sadness and disappointment following the Voice to Parliament referendum.</p> <p>Howard, the renowned frontman of the iconic band Goanna, first captured the hearts of music enthusiasts 41 years ago with the anthemic hit "Solid Rock," a song that passionately decried the colonisation and Indigenous dispossession of Australia.</p> <p>In a heartfelt letter addressed to the Australian Governor-General, Howard openly expresses his profound sorrow in the wake of the rejected referendum vote.</p> <p>He wrote: "At this point in history, I can't be proud of my nation and feel honour-bound to return my Order of Australia medal."</p> <p>This poignant decision resonates with the deep-seated desire Howard had when he penned "Solid Rock, Sacred Ground" four decades ago. “When I wrote the song, 'Solid Rock, Sacred Ground', 40 years ago, I wanted us to address the fundamental lie at the heart of our national story," he continued in the letter. "I dreamt of a country respectful of our ancient history and honest about our modern history. I wanted to be proud of my country.”</p> <p>Howard, whose great-grandfather was famously arrested at the Eureka Stockade, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2016, honouring his significant contributions to the Australian music landscape. However, he now believes that the democratic principles his family fought for generations ago are facing an imminent threat.</p> <p>In a recent interview with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-18/goanna-shane-howard-returns-oam-referendum-result/102989978" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC Victorian Mornings</a>, Howard discussed the motivations behind his decision to return his medal. He emphasised that he felt compelled to make his voice heard in a world rife with disinformation and divisive politics. In his own words, "What else can I do, I'm an artist."</p> <p>Howard went on to share the distressing experiences he faced, noting that he encountered an alarming amount of abuse and racism on social media. "I copped an enormous amount of abuse that was very intimidating and at times, some stuff that was very, very racist through social media.</p> <p>"I would say it’s the first time we saw the Brexit or Trump style politics at play in the Australian political landscape."</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/CyapVUCS0xd/?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/CyapVUCS0xd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Shane Howard (@goannafella)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Howard's heartfelt letter to the Governor-General underscores his respect for the democratic process that led to the referendum's outcome. However, he is deeply concerned that Australians may have missed "an important historical moment of destiny."</p> <p>His letter states that while he respects the democratic result, he fears Australians have missed "an important historical moment of destiny".</p> <p>"I love my birth country deeply but until we lose our colonial shackles, engage in Treaty-making with our First Peoples, commit to truth-telling about our history and embrace a post-colonial republic, I cannot be proud of my nation,” he said.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Music

Beloved Aussie opera singer passes away

<p>Award-winning opera singer and music theatre singer Jacqueline Dark has passed away at 55. </p> <p>According to <em>ABC</em>, Dark passed away in a Sydney hospital on Tuesday night following a long battle with cancer. </p> <p>Australian tenor Kanen Breen, who she shares a son with, paid an emotional tribute on Facebook and shared the heartbreaking details of her final hours. </p> <p>“The love of her life was our boy Xander and, from the moment he existed, she did it all for him,“ Breen said in a statement. </p> <p>“It (her heart) was standing next to her, in the shape of our boy, and we literally watched as she gave the last of her life to make him happy one last time,” he added. </p> <p>“She took her last heroic breaths surrounded by profound peace and profound love.”</p> <p>Dark performed in various operas across Australia and internationally, including with Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, Pinchgut Opera, and Opera Hong Kong.</p> <p>She won multiple awards including two Green Room Awards and a Helpmann Award, among others. </p> <p>Tributes from the Australian music community have started pouring in on social media. </p> <p>"Her irrepressible humour and life and energy and musicality made her one of the greatest of Australian mezzos," wrote Erin Helyard, Artistic Director of Pinchgut Opera.</p> <p>"Jacqui's magnificent voice and magnetic stage presence entrenched her place in Australia's musical history; her indefatigably upbeat personality will be long remembered," added her agent Patrick Togher. </p> <p>"Whenever she came into ABC Classic for an interview, we always ended up laughing so much. And as an artist, she was brave — just as happy singing cabaret or with electronic musicians as she was tackling Wagner," said <em>ABC Classic Drive </em>presenter Russell Torrance.</p> <p>Dark was born in Ballarat, Victoria, and spent 10 years as a maths and physics teacher before pursuing her career as a singer, according to <em>The Australian</em>.</p> <p>She also appeared on <em>So You Think You Can Dance </em>and was a guest panellist on the popular music quiz show <em>Spicks and Specks</em>.</p> <p><em>Image: ABC Classic</em></p>

Caring

Shaynna Blaze revealed on The Masked Singer

<p>The mysterious Bluebottle on <em>The Masked Singer</em> has finally been revealed and it's none other than interior design expert and <em>The Block</em> judge, Shaynna Blaze.</p> <p>After an epic performance of Blondie’s <em>Call Me</em> and her showdown with Tiny where they rocked their take on Elvis Presley’s classic <em>A Little Less Conversation, </em>the star's Masked singer journey officially came to an end. </p> <p>The judges decided to unveil the Bluebottle, after weeks of guessing. </p> <p>In week one, Chrissie Swan almost got it right, when she hinted at Shaynna being behind the mask, but <em>The Block</em> judge had a few tricks up her sleeve and led the panel of judges astray with her hints. </p> <p>The judges had a range of guesses from Cyndi Lauper to Emma Bunton and even past participant, Dannii Minogue. </p> <p>Following the reveal, there was a light-hearted exchange between Shaynna and Chrissie. </p> <p>“I texted you and you said you couldn’t get here even if you wanted to!” Chrissie exclaimed. </p> <p>“I was busy!” Shaynna cheekily replied. </p> <p>She then went on to share her hectic travel schedule, before revealing the reason why she decided to join the show on her rival network. </p> <p>“[Singing] was something I squashed for a long time, but now it’s time to bring the vocal chords back out again I think,” she said. </p> <p><em>Images: Channel 10</em></p>

Music

"I want to make Dad proud": Summer Warne's heart-wrenching revelation

<p>Summer Warne has shared a heart-wrenching revelation after making her TV debut on <em>The Masked Singer</em>. </p> <p>The 21-year-old, who is Shane Warne's youngest child with Simone Callahan, left the panel of judges in tears following an emotional performance of Coldplay’s <em>Yellow</em>. </p> <p>“That was his favourite Coldplay song. It’s such a significant song to me and my family,” she said. </p> <p>“I want to make Dad proud. Singing Yellow was absolutely amazing – that song was his funeral song. Chris Martin sang it at the state memorial.”</p> <p>Summer also took to Instagram to reflect on her TV debut, where she thanked the judging panel, host and fans for their love and support. </p> <p>"I will be forever grateful of this whole experience ❤️" she captioned the photos. </p> <p>She also paid tribute to her dad, and shared what an honour it was to perform for him.</p> <p>"My dad would love nothing more than hearing me sing and perform on stage, if it wasn’t for him I would have never been given an opportunity like this.</p> <p>"So thank you Dad, and I really wish you could have seen this, but I know you were by my side every step of the way ❤️"</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/CxpPcGvRRoJ/?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/CxpPcGvRRoJ/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Summer Warne (@summerwarne)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In an interview with <em>Yahoo Lifestyle </em>after her performance, Summer shared a few candid insights into how tough it was to grow up with a famous father. </p> <p>“If I was out at a party, I thought I had to act a certain way, because if I did the wrong thing, or said the wrong thing, people would look at my family and go, ‘Oh, she’s a horrible person’.</p> <p>“I never wanted … I never asked to be in this life. And I think it was just very hard growing up in an environment where your whole life is kind of on screen.</p> <p>“And if Dad made a mistake, it would reflect on me. And, you know, I thought people were looking at me differently.”</p> <p><a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/like-a-bad-dream-shane-warne-s-family-in-shock" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shane passed away </a>of a suspected heart attack in Thailand on March 2022, and the news shocked the world. </p> <p>Ever since his passing, Summer said that life hasn't gotten any easier for her family. </p> <p>"I think it has gotten a bit more hectic, because they (paparazzi) can’t follow him around now, and they want to follow us,” she said.</p> <p>"They write stories and the public is like 'we don't want to hear about them or they're not celebrities'. But we're just living our lives, whether that's going out for breakfast, or going out on a Saturday night, you know, it's just gonna get written about.</p> <p>“We’re just trying to live our lives and move on. Unfortunately, it is what it is.”</p> <p>The 21-year-old has been very open about her grief and has recently shared a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/shane-warne-s-daughter-s-candid-admission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribute to her dad</a> for what would've been his 54th birthday. </p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

"What have I done?!" Sandra Sully opens up on her big Masked Singer reveal

<p>Beloved TV personality Sandra Sully <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/television/sandra-sully-reveals-how-she-broke-down-with-anxiety-on-the-masked-singer-australia/news-story/6b2aa31a7eab6c3c567005803937fa6d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recently shared her candid experience</a> of battling anxiety while participating in <em>The Masked Singer Australia – </em>one of the most anticipated and highly publicised reveals in the history of the show.</p> <p>According to the Daily Mail, the 10 News presenter found herself regretting her decision to join the reality show, and contemplated ways to back out. “I literally broke down in tears after a singing lesson, thinking ‘what have I done?’,” she told the publication.</p> <p>Then, in the midst of all this turmoil and anxiety, Sully had a pivotal moment after a singing lesson. Overwhelmed by self-doubt, she broke down in tears, questioning the wisdom of her choice to be on the show at all.</p> <p>She repeatedly voiced her concerns to her husband, Symon Brewis-Weston, saying, "What have I done? I can't do it, I can't do it – what am I going to do?"</p> <p>It was Brewis-Weston who provided her with the much-needed encouragement. He had initially convinced her to participate after years of declining offers from producers. He sternly advised her to stop spiralling into negativity, reminding her of the reasons she had said yes to the show and encouraging her to embrace the experience with a sense of fun. He told her, "Just have a bit of fun. No one's going to die, including you."</p> <p>Sully took his advice to heart, realising that her anxiety was getting the best of her. She had a moment of self-reflection and decided to stop doubting herself.</p> <p>Sully's big reveal as the Fawn character, designed by Tim Chappel, was a shock to the show's panellists Mel B, Abbie Chatfield, Dave Hughes and Chrissie Swan, who had not heard her sing during her more than 30-year career in news presentation.</p> <p>Sully's lack of singing experience surprised not only the viewers but also her husband and friends, as she never sang in the shower and only had experience as a drummer in her primary school band. She humorously admitted, "I don't sing along in the car – I probably can now because I've shown Australia I can't sing. So we can all laugh out loud together as I also laugh at myself."</p> <p>Relieved that her <em>Masked Singer</em> journey is over, Sully faced additional challenges beyond anxiety, including the need to constantly tell fibs to friends and colleagues in order to conceal her identity. She also grappled with claustrophobia, particularly once the heavy mask was placed on her head.</p> <p>Describing the experience, she said, "Your whole head is ensconced like in a balaclava, and then you have to put this mask on and it's done up under your chin, and then tightened like a bike helmet underneath it so it all fits your head." The show forced her to confront various personal fears beyond performing and singing.</p> <p>Although Sully is open to pushing her boundaries and venturing outside her comfort zone, she has firmly declined offers to appear on Ten's <em>I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here</em>, citing her severe claustrophobia and fear of snakes as insurmountable obstacles.</p> <p>She is grateful for choosing <em>The Masked Singer</em> as her reality show adventure, where she had the opportunity to have fun despite the challenges.</p> <p><em>Images: Network Ten</em></p>

Armed masked men target Melbourne teen

<p>A teenager in Melbourne has been targeted by two masked men with machetes after arranging to meet up with them online to sell a bike he had posted on social media. </p> <p>The 16-year-old boy allegedly agreed to meet a man at a park in the suburb of Springvale South on August 8th to sell the bike.</p> <p>The boy then got out of his dad's ute to make the sale, as two men wearing black hoods and armed with a large machete approached the vehicle and tried to steal the bike. </p> <p>The two men were scared away after the boy's father got out of the car to approach them, leaving them empty handed.</p> <p>Luckily, no one was injured during the attack.</p> <p>Police have released video footage of the incident as they try to track down the masked males.</p> <p>The assailants are believed to be in their teens, approximately 170cm tall and were wearing full face coverings and non-distinctive clothing.</p> <p>Anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at <a href="http://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/">www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.</a></p> <p><em>Image credits: Victoria Police</em></p>

Legal

“How good is love”: Riptide singer ties the knot

<p dir="ltr">Australian musician Vance Joy, whose real name is James Keogh, officially tied the knot with his longtime partner, Selen Us on June 12.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair got married in a beautiful waterfront ceremony by the Marmara sea in Istanbul, Turkey.</p> <p dir="ltr">Vance and a few guests took to Instagram to share photos of the big day.</p> <p dir="ltr">In one photo fans get a glimpse into an intimate moment between the pair standing on a balcony overlooking the water. In another photo, we see the happy newlyweds share their first kiss.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bride donned a sleek backless white gown, while the groom opted for a more classic look in a black suit paired with a bowtie.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair dated for over three years, and got engaged last November, after enduring a long-distance relationship during Covid.</p> <p dir="ltr">Friends and fans took to the comments to congratulate the couple.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wow! Congratulations mate. Beautiful photographs.,” wrote Australian creative portrait and music photographer, Max Fairclough.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Guess I don’t have a chance anymore. Congrats!!!! 😂,” quipped a fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations!! Fire and the Flood was my wedding song. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness x,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How good is love,” commented a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">“CONGRATS!!! I’m so happy for the two of yous 🥳,” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Michael Bublé reveals disheartening name change request

<p>Canadian icon Michael Bublé has shared that his birth name was unappealing, according to industry bosses.</p> <p>The Sway singer, 47, told <em>9Honey Celebrity</em> that music executives once tried to convince him to change his surname when he was launching his career.</p> <p>"They wanted to change it years ago, the record company… and my dad got really hurt by it," Bublé shared.</p> <p>"So I was really glad we didn't change it, I figured if I was good enough that maybe people would just learn it, but they massacre it everywhere.”</p> <p>However, Bublé, who is of both Canadian and Italian descent, seemingly doesn’t mind some of the nicknames he’s earned over the years.</p> <p>From Australia alone, the superstar has gained the nicknames “Mickey Boobs” and “The Boob”. In Spain, he’s sometimes referred to as Miguel Burbujas which literally translates to "Michael Bubbles”.</p> <p>The star went on to say that thanks to his many visits Down Under, he has learnt the self-deprecating sense of humour Aussies have mastered.</p> <p>"I think you [Australians] are secure enough in yourself that you don't mind taking the piss. I love that you're sweet but I also love that you're tough, not to be messed with," Bublé said of his Aussie fans.</p> <p>"I just love it here. It's cold where I'm from… so to come here like this, people told me, 'You need to dress warm'. But it is so beautiful.”</p> <p>Bublé is keeping currently touring Australia as well as helping kick off the launch of PepsiCo’s latest Aussie product, the line of sparkling water aptly named Bubly</p> <p>The 47-year-old has been in the music industry for over two decades but still marvels at how lucky he feels when he gets on stage.</p> <p>"I love what I do, I love who I do it for… it never gets old," Bublé confessed.</p> <p>"Every single time I'm backstage and I hear that crowd bubbling and there's thousands of people out there who have taken their valuable time and spent their hard-earned money… I remind myself how lucky I am.”</p> <p>Bublé noted he is hyper-vigilant about not taking it all for granted, saying it takes work to “be in the moment”.</p> <p>"Like anybody else, I'll get in a fight with my wife or I'll get worried about what's happening with the kids, it's easy to have a bad day or be grumpy," he said.</p> <p>"It's easy to not be in the moment so I have to remind myself every single night before I go out there of how lucky I am.”</p> <p>Bublé also recalled his earliest memories of touring Australia.</p> <p>He revealed he was booked in for a gig at a small club in Sydney with “about 60 people”.</p> <p>"It was this little basement club in Sydney and I felt like it was huge," Bublé recalled.</p> <p>Although show business comes with a demanding schedule, he manages to keep a positive spirit.</p> <p>"I'm worth 300, 400 million dollars. I'm very wealthy and I'm very sexy," he teased.</p> <p>"I used to have nothing and I was so happy, but I love what I do and I'm so settled. I've got strong faith, beautiful kids and an incredible wife who's so much better than me. And that's my real life, everything else is just a bonus."</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p> <p><em><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/06/PMX0189_static_img1_16x9.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></em></p>

Music

The Girl from Ipanema singer dies at age 83

<p dir="ltr">Brazilian bossa nova singer, Astrud Gilberto, known for her rendition of <em>The Girl from Ipanema</em>, has died aged 83.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her granddaughter, Sofia Gilberto, took to Instagram to announce the news.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm here to bring you the sad news that my grandmother became a star today, and is next to my grandfather João Gilberto," she wrote in the caption, which was originally written in Portuguese.</p> <p dir="ltr">"She was a pioneer and the best. At the age of 22, she gave voice to the English version of Girl from Ipanema and gained international fame."</p> <p dir="ltr">Astrud helped popularise bossa nova worldwide, after her version of <em>The Girl from Ipanema</em> sold over 5 million copies.</p> <p dir="ltr">New York-based guitarist, Paul Ricci who collaborated with Astrud, also confirmed the sad news on Facebook.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I just got word from her son Marcelo that we have lost Astrud Gilberto. He asked for this to be posted: She was an important part of ALL that is Brazilian music in the world and she changed many lives with her energy. RIP from 'the chief', as she called me,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans have paid tribute to the star on social media.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was the defining cool voice of Bossa Nova which remains intoxicating to this day no matter how often you have heard it and made us dream of Rio,” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I feel like one part of my childhood suddenly disappeared. RIP Astrud. Much love to all your family,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My condolences to the entire family,” wrote a third.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Caring

Empowerment, individual strength and the many facets of love: why I fell for Tina Turner

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/leigh-carriage-456522">Leigh Carriage</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a></em></p> <p>For singers – amateur and professional alike – the name Tina Turner evokes instant reverence: Turner is a singer’s singer and perhaps the performer’s performer.</p> <p>A highly successful songwriter, the consummate dancer and fittingly ranked as one of the <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-artists-147446/">100 Greatest Artists of All Time</a> by Rolling Stone magazine, Turner was the ultimate entertainer.</p> <p>Upon hearing of her death, I was deeply saddened. I immediately recalled the intoxicating power and timbre of her voice, her mesmerising energy and her commanding performances.</p> <p>I started singing sections of songs such as <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2T5_seDNZE">Proud Mary</a></em>, <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Lehkou2Do">River Deep Mountain High</a></em> and of course iconic original songs, such as <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I07249JX8w4">Nutbush City Limits</a></em>. This was an intimate, sentimental, nostalgic and danceable song celebrating Turner’s roots growing up in the small town of Nutbush, Tennessee.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful. She was unstoppable. And she was unapologetically herself—speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy. Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never… <a href="https://t.co/qXl2quZz1c">pic.twitter.com/qXl2quZz1c</a></p> <p>— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) <a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1661514993383120896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <h2>Fierce hard work</h2> <p>My first encounter with Turner’s brilliance and might was hearing her hits of the mid-1980s, with songs like Graham Lyle’s <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGpFcHTxjZs">What’s Love Got To Do With It</a></em>, Al Green’s <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rFB4nj_GRc">Let’s Stay Together</a></em> and – love it or hate it – the powerful rock ballad <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcm-tOGiva0">We Don’t Need Another Hero</a></em>, the theme song to <em>Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome.</em></p> <p>Once introduced, I immersed myself in her extensive back catalogue, soaking in her early 1960s soul, funk and emerging rock tracks.</p> <p>Today, I flashed back to memories of the physical energy and technical focus and practice it took just attempting to sing any Turner songs in my 20s.</p> <p>The degree of difficulty required to perform as Turner did cannot be understated.</p> <p>To sing with such consistency in such high registers, belting out song after song live with impeccable pitch, breath control, fitness, articulation and rhythmic precision is one thing. To do all of this while dancing with intense pace to highly choreographed routines throughout each show is on a whole other level.</p> <p>Her performance practice exemplified fierce hard work – with an immense energy and vitality in live performance.</p> <p>Try singing any of her songs at a Karaoke bar. Very quickly you gain some insight into the technical demands her songs require.</p> <h2>Making songs her own</h2> <p>For every singer, selecting a repertoire to cover is an ongoing quest.</p> <p>In a sea of the world’s great songs, Turner selected songs she could make her own. She remodelled every song she sang - realigning them so much that we now think of them as hers first.</p> <p>There are so many examples. My favourites are Turner’s formidable versions of <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIPoC6JlP38">I Can’t Stand the Rain</a> </em>(originally by Ann Peebles), <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC5E8ie2pdM">The Best</a></em> (Bonnie Tyler) and <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4QnalIHlVc">Private Dancer</a></em> (Mark Knopfler).</p> <p>A great deal of the songs Turner was known for through the 1960s were covers. Turner’s forceful and expressive vocal delivery gave new life to these songs, realigning them with her uniquely identifiable sound and choice of vocal register, her phrasing choices and her punctuated rhythmic delivery.</p> <p>Turner is perhaps less known as a songwriter, but her diverse songwriting demonstrated her skill and thoughtful, well-crafted lyrics. On her 1972 album Feel Good, nine of the ten songs were written by Turner. From 1973 to 1977, Turner composed all the songs on each album.</p> <p>One of my favourites of her original songs is the power ballad <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l__zi3OtrQ0">Be Tender With Me Baby</a></em>. It speaks of a request for understanding, of her loneliness and vulnerability, sung with Turner’s intensity.</p> <p>Across her original songs and covers, Turner’s repertoire spoke of empowerment, individual strength and the many facets of love. Beyond performing, Turner represented inner strength, spiritual depth and resilience against adversity.</p> <p>In 1996, when Turner was 57, she recorded her ninth studio album, <em>Wildest Dreams</em>.</p> <p>One track, <em>Something Beautiful Remains</em>, may not be as familiar as many of her other hits, but it is the song I have kept returning to today. In the chorus, Turner’s lyrics are sadly perfectly fitting:</p> <blockquote> <p>For every life that fades<br />Something beautiful remains.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/206395/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> </blockquote> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1uXLFtXpeFU?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/leigh-carriage-456522">Leigh Carriage</a>, Senior Lecturer in Music, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/southern-cross-university-1160">Southern Cross University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/empowerment-individual-strength-and-the-many-facets-of-love-why-i-fell-for-tina-turner-206395">original article</a>.</em></p>

Music

Aussie singer weds Netflix star in secret ceremony

<p dir="ltr">Aussie rapper G-Flip has said “I do” in a secret ceremony with reality Netflix star Chrishell Stause after one year of dating.</p> <p dir="ltr">The ‘announcement’ came at the end of a montage shared to social media, where <em>Selling Sunset</em>'s Stause had posted footage from various moments over the course of their relationship, with the final clip showcasing a moment from what appears to be their wedding.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love doesn’t always go as planned,” Stause captioned the reel. “Sometimes it’s immeasurably better.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The video itself began with the text “how it started”, cycling through content as it transitioned to “how it’s going”, with G-Flip’s new track 'Be Your Man' playing throughout.</p> <p dir="ltr">The news came as quite the surprise to fans of the couple, especially when it was later confirmed by <em>PEOPLE</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">“They found love together in an unexpected place but nothing has ever felt more real to them," a source told the publication. </p> <p dir="ltr">And despite their shock, friends and supporters were quick to flood Stause’s comments with their congratulations and delight - with a few even suggesting that they might have been in on the secret.</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/CsFXTCmpVdE/?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/CsFXTCmpVdE/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chrishell (@chrishell.stause)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I’M DYING!!!!!! I’ve been waiting for this post all day!!! Covered in goosebumps since the moment I watched!” one friend gushed. “Watching your love is like watching the best love story in the world! I love you both to the 🌙 & back!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You guys are too cute,” another said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I am SO excited for this!! You and G are the most inspiring couple and the affection between you both is so pure. I love you two tons and am so lucky to have you both in my life,” came one heartfelt congratulations.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Waaaait?!?” one fan wrote. “So was I right?!? Did you guys get married?!?”</p> <p dir="ltr">Some did question whether or not the clip was actually from a music video for the song, but were quickly informed by fellow commenters that it had been a real wedding. </p> <p dir="ltr">And while others remained doubtful, the congratulations continued, with one supporter writing “did you guys get married?! I never heard. Congratulations if so! Wishing you all the happiness in the world.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“You two are the sweetest,” said another, before they went on to thank the happy couple for sharing their love with the world, and the wonders it was doing for representation around the world when they added “being this proud of your love and sharing it with the world is helping so many people on their own journeys.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

Yes, masks reduce the risk of spreading COVID, despite a review saying they don’t

<p>The question of whether and to what extent face masks work to prevent respiratory infections such as COVID and influenza has split the scientific community for <a href="https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2007-03-06-0703060040-story.html">decades</a>.</p> <p>Although there is strong evidence face masks <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748920301139?via%3Dihub">significantly reduce transmission of such infections</a> both in health-care settings and in the community, some experts do not agree.</p> <p>An updated <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD006207.pub6/full">Cochrane Review</a> published last week is the latest to suggest face masks don’t work in the community.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference to the outcome of laboratory‐confirmed influenza/SARS‐CoV‐2 compared to not wearing masks"<a href="https://twitter.com/CochraneLibrary?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CochraneLibrary</a> Review.<br />Published: 30 January 2023 <a href="https://t.co/zODu6QEF1M">https://t.co/zODu6QEF1M</a> <a href="https://t.co/c26yHPaSCD">pic.twitter.com/c26yHPaSCD</a></p> <p>— Robin Monotti (@robinmonotti) <a href="https://twitter.com/robinmonotti/status/1620311528523304960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>However there are problems with the review’s methodology and its underpinning assumptions about transmission.</p> <p>The Cochrane Review combined randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using <a href="https://ebn.bmj.com/content/16/1/3">meta-analysis</a>. RTCs test an intervention in one group and compare it with a “control” group that doesn’t receive the intervention or receives a different intervention. A meta-analysis pools the results of multiple studies.</p> <p>This approach assumes (a) RCTs are the “best” evidence and (b) combining results from multiple RCTs will give you an average “effect size”.</p> <p>But RCTs are only the undisputed gold standard for certain kinds of questions. For other questions, a mix of study designs is better. And RCTs should be combined in a meta-analysis only if they are all addressing the same research question in the same way.</p> <p>Here are some reasons why the conclusions of this Cochrane Review are misleading.</p> <h2>It didn’t consider how COVID spreads and how masks work</h2> <p>COVID, along with influenza and many other respiratory diseases, is transmitted primarily <a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-how-the-disease-moves-through-the-air-173490">through the air</a>.</p> <p>Respirators (such as N95s) are designed and regulated to prevent airborne infections by fitting <a href="https://theconversation.com/high-filtration-masks-only-work-when-they-fit-so-we-created-a-new-way-to-test-if-they-do-155987">closely to the face</a> to prevent air leakage and by filtering out 95% or more of potential infectious particles.</p> <p>In contrast, surgical masks are designed to prevent splatter of fluid on the face and are loose-fitting, causing unfiltered air to leak in through the gaps around the mask. The filtration of a surgical mask is not regulated.</p> <p>In other words, respirators are designed for respiratory protection and cloth and surgical masks are not.</p> <p>The review starts with an assumption that masks provide respiratory protection, which is flawed. An understanding of these differences should inform both studies and reviews of those studies.</p> <h2>The studies addressed quite different questions</h2> <p>A common mistake in meta-analysis is to combine apples and oranges. If apples work but oranges don’t, combining all studies in a single average figure may lead to the conclusion that apples do not work.</p> <p>This Cochrane Review combined RCTs where face masks or respirators were worn part of the time (for example, when caring for patients with known COVID or influenza: “occasional” or “targeted” use) with RCTs where they were worn at all times (“continuous use”).</p> <p>Because both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are airborne, an unmasked person could be infected anywhere in the building and even after an infectious patient has left the room, especially since some people have <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2109229118">no symptoms</a> while contagious.</p> <p>Most RCTs of masks and N95s included in the review have not had a <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/184819">control arm</a> – therefore finding no difference could indicate equal efficacy or equal inefficacy.</p> <p><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2749214">Studies</a> examining wearing a surgical mask or respirator (such as an N95) only when in contact with sick people or when doing a high-risk procedure (occasional use) have generally shown that, when worn in this way, there is no difference.</p> <p>An RCT comparing occasional versus continuous use of respirators in health care workers <a href="https://www.atsjournals.org/doi/10.1164/rccm.201207-1164OC?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubme">showed</a> N95 respirators and surgical masks were equally ineffective when only worn occasionally by hospital workers. They had to wear them all the time at work to be protected.</p> <p>We also combined only apples and apples in a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/irv.12474">meta-analysis</a> of two RCTs conducted in exactly the same way and measuring the same interventions and outcomes. We found N95 respirators provide significant protection against respiratory infections when surgical masks did not, even against infections assumed to be “droplet spread”.</p> <h2>Most trials addressed only half the question</h2> <p>Face masks and respirators work in two ways: they protect the wearer from becoming infected and they prevent an infected wearer from spreading their germs to other people.</p> <p>Most RCTs in this Cochrane Review looked only at the former scenario, not the latter. In other words, the researchers had asked people to wear masks and then tested to see if those people became infected.</p> <p>A previous <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20092668/">systematic review</a> found face masks worn by sick people during an influenza epidemic reduced the risk of them transmitting the infection to family members or other carers. Preventing an infection in one person also prevents onward transmission to others within a closed setting, which means such RCTs should use a special method called “cluster randomisation” to account for this.</p> <p>Data from a RCT of N95 respirator use by <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0300060516665491?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org">health workers</a> showed even their unmasked colleagues were protected. Yet some of the trials included in the review did not use cluster randomisation.</p> <h2>The new paper combined health and community settings</h2> <p>This is another apples-plus-oranges issue. Different settings have widely differing risks of transmission, since airborne particles build up when sick patients are exhaling the virus in <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-where-and-how-you-are-most-likely-to-catch-covid-new-study-174473">underventilated, crowded settings</a> especially if many infected people are present (such as in a hospital).</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here’s where (and how) you are most likely to catch COVID – new study <a href="https://t.co/Ro88Shc897">https://t.co/Ro88Shc897</a> <a href="https://t.co/TlFA9EQskF">pic.twitter.com/TlFA9EQskF</a></p> <p>— Jeffrey J Davis (@JeffreyJDavis) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffreyJDavis/status/1484210379093954564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>A genuine protective effect of masks or respirators shown in a RCT in a high-risk setting will be obscured if that trial is combined in a meta-analysis with several other RCTs that were conducted in low-risk settings.</p> <p>A large <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abi9069">RCT in the community in Bangladesh</a> found face masks reduced the risk of infection by 11% overall and 35% in people over 60 years. In contrast, in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/irv.12474">hospitals</a>, N95 reduce risk by 67% against bacterial infections and 54% against viral infections.</p> <p>Viruses like influenza also vary substantially from year to year – some years there is very little influenza, and if a RCT is conducted during such a year, it will not find enough infections to show a difference. The review failed to account for such seasonal effects.</p> <h2>But did they actually wear the mask?</h2> <p>The authors of the Cochrane Review acknowledged compliance with masking advice was poor in most studies. In the real world, we can’t force people to follow medical advice, so RCTs should be analysed on an “intention to treat” basis.</p> <p>For example, people who are prescribed the active drug but who choose not to take it should not be shifted to the placebo group for the analysis. But if in a study of masking, most people don’t actually wear them, you can’t conclude that masks don’t work when the study shows no difference between the groups. You can only conclude that the mask advice didn’t work in this study.</p> <p>There is a great deal of <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0246317">psychological evidence</a> on why people do or don’t choose to comply with advice to mask and how to improve uptake. The science of masking needs to separate the impact of the mask itself from the impact of the advice to mask.</p> <p>Mask-wearing <a href="https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(21)00274-5/fulltext">goes up</a> substantially to over 70% if there is an actual mandate in place.</p> <h2>It didn’t include other types of research</h2> <p>A comprehensive review of the evidence would also include other types of study besides RCTs. For example, a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673620311429">large systematic review</a> of 172 various study designs, which included 25,697 patients with SARS-CoV-2, SARS, or MERS, concluded masks were effective in preventing transmission of respiratory viruses.</p> <p>Well-designed <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7106e1.htm?s_cid=mm7106e1_w">real-world studies</a> during the pandemic showed any mask reduces the risk of COVID transmission by 50–80%, with the highest protection offered by N95 respirators.</p> <p><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20095070/">Many lab-based studies</a> have shown respirators are superior to masks at preventing airborne respiratory infections and the <a href="https://thorax.bmj.com/content/75/11/1024.long">incremental superiority</a> from a single to two layered cloth mask to a three-layered surgical mask in blocking respiratory aerosols.</p> <h2>Yes, masks reduce the spread of COVID</h2> <p>There is strong and consistent evidence for the effectiveness of masks and (even more so) respirators in protecting against respiratory infections. Masks are an important protection against serious infections.</p> <p>Current COVID vaccines protect against death and hospitalisation, but do <a href="https://fortune.com/well/2023/01/06/kraken-xbb15-omicron-covid-variant-most-transmissible-yet-could-spawn-more-immune-evasive-variants-study-china-vaccine-monoclonal-antibodies-breakthrough-infection/">not prevent infection</a> well due to waning vaccine immunity and substantial immune escape from new variants.</p> <p>A systematic review is only as good as the rigour it employs in combining similar studies of similar interventions, with similar measurement of outcomes. When very different studies of different interventions are combined, the results are not informative.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-masks-reduce-the-risk-of-spreading-covid-despite-a-review-saying-they-dont-198992" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

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