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"Bloodbath": Mass defection at Channel 7 as top reporters jump ship

<p>Channel 7 is facing a growing crisis, with three of its prominent journalists abruptly resigning to join rival Network 10 in what’s being dubbed a “bloodbath” in the newsroom.</p> <p>Senior 7News Sydney reporter Bill Hogan, seasoned foreign correspondent Amelia Brace, and Denham Hitchcock – a key figure in the network’s flagship current affairs show <em>Spotlight</em> – have all defected, according to <em>The Australian</em>. The trio will join a new long-form investigative unit at Network 10, led by head of broadcast news Martin White.</p> <p>Brace and Hitchcock reportedly began their new roles on Monday, leaving Seven’s Martin Place offices just hours after resigning. Hogan is expected to follow suit after completing a three-week notice period.</p> <p>Network 10, owned by US media giant Paramount since 2017, is bolstering its news division with a renewed focus on in-depth investigative reporting. The initiative is seen as an effort to compete with established programs such as the ABC’s <em>Four Corners</em>, Nine’s <em>60 Minutes</em> and Channel 7’s own <em>Spotlight</em>.</p> <p>Brace, whose new role comes with a reported $270,000 salary – a $50,000 jump from her Seven pay – bid farewell to colleagues last Friday with a candid message.</p> <p>“It feels off to not have an official ‘last day’ to say goodbye,” she said, “but it’s best for me to just fade away for now. Stand up for yourselves, and each other… and think of me every time you have to find a f**king case study.”</p> <p>Hitchcock’s move adds another layer of drama. Having returned to <em>Spotlight</em> in February after a sabbatical spent sailing with his family, he now departs again – this time for what he calls a full-circle moment. His father once worked at Channel 10, and Hitchcock shared his enthusiasm in a social media post.</p> <p>“Well, here we go. I’ve switched channels,” he wrote. “But also in a way – I’ve come full circle. I grew up watching my father on Channel 10 News every night. I had a bunk bed with Eyewitness News stickers all over it – and can still sing the theme song.”</p> <p>As the talent exodus accelerates, questions are mounting about the future of Seven’s news strategy – and whether the network can stem the flow of high-profile losses.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram, Network 10</em></p>

TV

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Kochie reportedly eyeing off top job in AFL

<p>Port Adelaide chairman David Koch is reportedly positioning himself to succeed Richard Goyder as the next AFL chairman, in a potential shake-up that could ripple through both the league and the Power’s leadership structure.</p> <p>According to veteran journalist Damian Barrett, Koch, who has chaired Port Adelaide since 2012, is “eyeing off” what is widely regarded as the most powerful position in Australian rules football.</p> <p>“David Koch, along with Ken Hinkley, has transformed this footy club from what it once was, but he is eyeing off a potential spot on the AFL Commission as well,” Barrett said on <a href="https://wwos.nine.com.au/videos/afl/david-koch-could-depart-port-for-juicy-afl-role/cmavnwl5200240hns3gw35cke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nine’s Footy Classified</a>. “Not just a spot on the commission, but potentially to be the chair of it.”</p> <p>The current AFL chairman, Richard Goyder – also the former Qantas chairman – has led the AFL since 2017, succeeding Carlton great Mike Fitzpatrick. While many within the league had expected Goyder to step down when his current term ends in early 2026, The Age reported in late 2024 that he is seeking another term, which would extend his tenure until 2028.</p> <p>This ambition reportedly blindsided several AFL clubs, who were under the impression a leadership transition was imminent. Goyder has served on the AFL Commission since 2011, and prominent football figures are now calling for a change.</p> <p>“After serving the game admirably as a commissioner since 2011 and chairman since 2017, it's simply time for Richard Goyder to pull up stumps, this year,” Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy told SEN. “At worst, orchestrate a 12-month handover to the incoming chairman, who can get to work immediately.”</p> <p>Barrett suggested that Koch’s potential move to the AFL Commission – and possibly into the chairman’s seat – adds to the uncertainty surrounding Port Adelaide, especially as the club prepares for life after long-serving coach Ken Hinkley.</p> <p>“I raise that as part of the backdrop of instability and uncertainty at Port Adelaide as it wades through this Ken Hinkley to Josh Carr transition,” Barrett said. “You’ve got the chair of the club also unknown.”</p> <p>Koch, a former TV presenter best known for co-hosting <em>Sunrise</em>, has played a key role in Port Adelaide’s revival over the past decade. However, his possible pursuit of a league-wide role could usher in a new era of change for both club and code.</p> <p>Whether Goyder chooses to extend his reign or step aside for new leadership, the months ahead promise to be significant for the AFL's executive future – and Port Adelaide’s.</p> <p><em>Images: 9 Network</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Who will the next pope be? Here are some top contenders

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>The death of Pope Francis marks the end of a <a href="https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-has-died-aged-88-these-were-his-greatest-reforms-and-controversies-229111">historic papacy</a> and the beginning of a significant transition for the Catholic Church. As the faithful around the world mourn his passing, attention now turns to the next phase: the election of a new pope.</p> <p>This election will take place through a process known as <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-will-a-new-pope-be-chosen-an-expert-explains-the-conclave-250506">the conclave</a>. Typically held two to three weeks after a pope’s funeral, the conclave gathers the College of Cardinals in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. Here, through prayer, reflection and secret ballots, they must reach a two-thirds majority to choose the next Bishop of Rome.</p> <p>While, in theory, any baptised Catholic man can be elected, for the past seven centuries the role has gone to a cardinal. That said, the outcome can still be unpredictable – sometimes even surprising the electors themselves.</p> <h2>An unlikely candidate</h2> <p>Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio – who became Pope Francis – wasn’t among the front-runners in 2013. Nonetheless, after five rounds of voting, he emerged as the top candidate. Something similar could happen again.</p> <p>This conclave will take place during a time of tension and change within the church. Francis sought to decentralise Vatican authority, emphasised caring for the poor and the planet, and tried to open dialogue on sensitive issues such as <a href="https://time.com/7267052/pope-francis-impact-on-the-lgbtq-community/">LGBTQIA+ inclusion</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/abuse-victims-say-they-saw-progress-under-pope-francis-just-not-enough-2025-04-22/">clerical abuse</a>. The cardinals must now decide whether to continue in this direction, or steer towards a more traditional course.</p> <p>There is historical precedent to consider. For centuries, Italians dominated the papacy. Of the 266 popes, 217 have <a href="https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/popes-by-country">been Italian</a>.</p> <p>However, this pattern has shifted in recent decades: Francis was from Argentina, John Paul II (1978–2005) from Poland, and Benedict XVI (2005–2013) from Germany.</p> <h2>The top papabili</h2> <p>As with any election, observers are speaking of their “favourites”. The term <em>papabile</em>, which in Italian means “pope-able”, or “capable of becoming pope”, is used to describe cardinals who are seen as serious contenders.</p> <p>Among the leading <em>papabili</em> is Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietro_Parolin">Pietro Parolin</a>, aged 70, the current Secretary of State of Vatican City. Parolin has long been one of Francis’ closest collaborators and has led efforts to open dialogue with difficult regimes, <a href="https://catholicweekly.com.au/vatican-diplomat-discusses-china/">including the Chinese Communist Party</a>.</p> <p>Parolin is seen as a centrist figure who could appeal to both reform-minded and more conservative cardinals. Yet some <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-death-who-succeed-parolin-pizzaballa-tagle-turkson-besungu-burke-spengler-erdo/">observers argue</a> he lacks the charismatic and pastoral presence that helped define Francis’ papacy.</p> <p>Another name to watch is Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierbattista_Pizzaballa">Pierbattista Pizzaballa</a>, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. At 60, he is younger than many of his colleagues, but brings extensive experience in interfaith dialogue in the Middle East. His fluency in Hebrew and his long service in the Holy Land could prove appealing.</p> <p>Then again, his relative youth may cause hesitation among those concerned about electing a pope who could serve for decades. As the papacy of John Paul II demonstrated, such long reigns can have a profound impact on the church.</p> <p>Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luis_Antonio_Tagle">Luis Antonio Tagle</a> of the Philippines is also frequently mentioned. Now 67, Tagle is known for his deep commitment to social justice and the poor. He has spoken out against human rights abuses in his home country and has often echoed Francis’ pastoral tone. But some cardinals may worry that his outspoken political views could complicate the church’s diplomatic efforts.</p> <p>Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Turkson">Peter Turkson</a> of Ghana, now 76, was a prominent figure during the last conclave. A strong voice on environmental and economic justice, he has served under both Benedict XVI and Francis.</p> <p>Turkson has largely upheld the church’s traditional teachings on matters such as male-only priesthood, marriage between a man and a woman, and sexuality. He is also a strong advocate for transparency, and has spoken out against corruption and in defence of human rights.</p> <p>Though less widely known among the public, Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mykola_Bychok">Mykola Bychok</a> of Melbourne may also be considered. His election would be as surprising (and perhaps as symbolically powerful) as that of John Paul II in 1978. A Ukrainian-Australian pope, chosen during the ongoing war in Ukraine, would send a strong message about the church’s concern for suffering peoples and global peace.</p> <p>Other names that may come up are Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fridolin_Ambongo_Besungu">Fridolin Ambongo Besungu</a> from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Spengler">Jaime Spengler</a> of Brazil – both of whom lead large and growing Catholic communities. Although news reports don’t always list them among the top contenders, their influence within their regions – and the need to recognise the church’s global demographic shifts – means their voices will matter.</p> <p>On the more conservative side is American Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raymond_Leo_Burke">Raymond Burke</a>, who had been one of Francis’ most vocal critics. But his confrontational stance makes him an unlikely candidate.</p> <p>More plausible would be Cardinal <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A9ter_Erd%C5%91">Péter Erdő</a> of Hungary, aged 71. Erdő is a respected canon lawyer with a more traditional theological orientation. He was mentioned in 2013 and may reemerge as a promising candidate among conservative cardinals.</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=237&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=792&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=792&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=792&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=996&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=996&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/663322/original/file-20250423-56-vunzyq.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=996&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Cardinal Péter Erdő was ordained as a priest in 1975 and has a doctorate in theology. He will be a top pick among conservatives.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Wikimedia</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>One tough act to follow</h2> <p>Although Francis appointed many of the cardinals who will vote in the conclave, that doesn’t mean all of them supported his agenda. Many come from communities with traditional values, and may be drawn to a candidate who emphasises older church teachings.</p> <p>The conclave will also reflect broader questions of geography. The church’s growth has shifted away from Europe, to Asia, Africa and Latin America. A pope from one of these regions could symbolise this change, and speak more directly to the challenges faced by Catholic communities in the Global South.</p> <p>Ultimately, predicting a conclave is impossible. Dynamics often change once the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel and begin voting. Alliances shift, new names emerge, and consensus may form around someone who was barely discussed beforehand.</p> <p>What is certain is that the next pope will shape the church’s future: doctrinally, diplomatically and pastorally. Whether he chooses to build on Francis’ legacy of reform, or move in a new direction, he will need to balance ancient traditions with the urgent realities of the modern world.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/255006/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/darius-von-guttner-sporzynski-112147">Darius von Guttner Sporzynski</a>, Historian, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747">Australian Catholic University</a></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/who-will-the-next-pope-be-here-are-some-top-contenders-255006">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Rawpixel.com</em></p> </div>

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Australia's Next Top Model star passes away at just 27

<p>The fashion world is mourning the loss of Australian model Lucy Markovic, who has tragically passed away at the age of 27 following complications from a brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM).</p> <p>The heartbreaking news was shared via a post on Markovic’s Instagram Story, believed to have been written by her partner.</p> <p>"Dear friends and family, I regret to inform you that Lucy has passed," the message read. "She was at peace. Me, her mother and my mother were present with her. We ask you to please give us space in these hard times. May Lucy rest in peace."</p> <p>Markovic, a former contestant and runner-up on season nine of <em>Australia's Next Top Model</em>, had kept her followers updated on her health journey. Just weeks ago, she had revealed to her 90,000 followers that she was preparing to undergo brain surgery to remove a golf ball-sized AVM. "Excited, thankful, scared, supported, hopeful," she wrote at the time. "Full flood of emotions in this time. Life's a journey and I'm ready for the next chapter."</p> <p>Her modelling agency, Elite Model Management NYC, paid tribute to her spirit and talent in a statement. "We are heartbroken to share that Lucy Markovic has passed away after a brave battle with a brain AVM," the agency wrote on Instagram. "Lucy was a bright shining light, and had an incredible dry sense of humor. Her smile and laughter could light up a room and draw you closer to her. She loved to dance, she really shined."</p> <p>"Modeling was one of Lucy's dreams and we are deeply honoured to have been part of that journey with her," the statement continued. "She brought elegance, strength and beauty to her work. But more than that, she brought herself – her warmth, her laughter, her light."</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/DIRsInvveRP/?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/DIRsInvveRP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Elite Model Management NYC (@elitenyc)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Tributes have poured in from across the fashion industry. Renowned Italian designer Donatella Versace, for whom Markovic modelled last year, also expressed her sorrow. "I am so sorry to hear the news about Lucy Markovic. Rest in peace, beautiful girl," Versace wrote on her Instagram story.</p> <p>Markovic’s rise in the fashion world was meteoric. After gaining national attention on Australia’s Next Top Model, she went on to walk the runway for global fashion houses such as Versace, Givenchy, and Dion Lee, carving out an impressive international career.</p> <p>In the hours leading up to the announcement of her passing, a heartbreaking post appeared on her social media, sharing that she was "currently battling for her life" and asking for prayers. Six hours later, her loved ones confirmed the devastating news.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Val Kilmer, star of Top Gun and Batman Forever, dies at 65

<p>Val Kilmer, the acclaimed actor best known for his roles in <em>Top Gun</em>, <em>Batman Forever</em> and <em>The Doors</em>, has passed away at the age of 65. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, confirmed to <em>The New York Times</em> that he died of pneumonia on Wednesday.</p> <p>Kilmer rose to fame in the 1980s with his breakout role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in <em>Top Gun</em> (1986), where he starred alongside Tom Cruise. His intense screen presence and charisma solidified him as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after leading men in the 1990s.</p> <p>The actor was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015, which significantly affected his health and career. His struggles were documented in the 2021 documentary <em>Val</em>, which revealed his reliance on a breathing tube. Despite these challenges, he made a heroic return to the big screen in 2022’s <em>Top Gun: Maverick</em>, reprising his role as Iceman in a storyline that mirrored his real-life health battle.</p> <p>Kilmer’s career was marked by both critical acclaim and controversy. While he delivered powerful performances in films such as <em>Heat</em> (1995) and <em>The Island of Dr Moreau</em> (1996), he also developed a reputation for being difficult to work with. Nonetheless, his talent was undeniable. One of his most celebrated roles came in Oliver Stone’s 1991 biopic <em>The Doors</em>, where he portrayed the legendary Jim Morrison. His meticulous preparation for the role, including recording his own vocals alongside the original Doors’ master tapes, earned widespread praise. Critic Roger Ebert noted that Kilmer’s performance was so immersive it felt like a case of “possession”.</p> <p>In his final major film role, Kilmer played the sharp-witted detective Gay Perry in <em>Kiss Kiss Bang Bang</em> (2005), a performance that further showcased his range and comedic timing.</p> <p>Kilmer was married to British actress Joanne Whalley from 1988 until their divorce in 1996. The couple met on the set of the fantasy film <em>Willow</em> and had two children together.</p> <p>Despite his reputation for being intense and perfectionistic, Kilmer never apologised for his dedication to his craft. In a 2003 interview with the <em>Orange County Register</em>, he addressed the criticisms, stating, “When certain people criticise me for being demanding, I think that’s a cover for something they didn’t do well. I believe I’m challenging, not demanding, and I make no apologies for that.”</p> <p>Val Kilmer’s legacy as an actor, performer and Hollywood icon endures, leaving behind an unforgettable body of work that will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Travel expert shares top luxury destinations for 2025

<p>More travellers are prioritising luxury holidays than ever before, with a travel expert revealing the top luxury destinations for 2025. </p> <p>Mark Trim, founder and managing director of <a title="Onboard Luxury" href="https://onboardluxury.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Onboard Luxury</a>, said there are a selection of hotspots around the world that keep reappearing in online searches. </p> <p>Whether you're after a city stay or a relaxing resort getaway, Trim shared the top luxury spots with <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/destinations/top-luxury-destinations-for-aussie-travellers-for-2025-in-pictures/d92ae530-7f82-4e49-ab2b-46cbd25758d6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>9Travel</em></a>. </p> <p>One destination that Trim said has become a particular hotspot is Sardinia in Italy.</p> <p>"This sophisticated island boasts pristine beaches, charming villages, and world-class golf courses like Pevero Golf Club," says Mark.</p> <p>Blessed with an array of spectacular swim spots, Sardinia has long been a bucket list holiday spot for many eager travellers. </p> <p>Trim said it's best to visit during the months between June to September to make the most of the weather, but be aware that this is the busiest time for tourists.</p> <p>For those looking for more of an adventure, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is a once-in-a-lifetime trip with its array of incredible animals. </p> <p>"This untamed beauty is one of Africa's Seven Natural Wonders, and it offers a unique opportunity to witness incredible biodiversity up close," says Mark.</p> <p>Those in search of a picturesque tiny town holiday should add the Norwegian town of Bergen to their itinerary. </p> <p>"This UNESCO World Heritage City is nestled amidst stunning fjords and boasts colourful wooden houses and panoramic views of the Northern Lights," says Mark.</p> <p>If you're in search of the ultimate beach resort getaway, Trim says you can't go past the Maldives. </p> <p>"If you're dreaming of a tranquil island escape with unparalleled luxury, the Fari Islands in the Maldives should be at the top of your list," says Mark.</p> <p>"With its convenient location just a short flight from Australia, it's the perfect getaway for those seeking a luxurious and rejuvenating experience," he added.</p> <p>For others looking for a beach holiday but wanting to stay closer to home, Fiji is always a popular choice, with many opting to explore the Mamanuca Islands.</p> <p>"This stunning archipelago boasts idyllic beaches, vibrant coral reefs and showstopping sunsets," says Mark.</p> <p>"Plus, with direct flights to Nadi and a short boat or helicopter ride to Malolo Island, it's incredibly convenient to reach for Australians."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

International Travel

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Michael Clarke receive Cricket Australia's top honour

<p>Michael Clarke will be the 64th player to be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. </p> <p>The champion batter was unveiled as the latest inductee on Thursday, joining other former Test captains who have received the top honour. </p> <p>It's been a decade since Clarke hung up the bat with 8643 Test runs, and 7981 one-day international runs.</p> <p>Clarke who made his first ODI debut as a teen prodigy at Adelaide Oval in 2003, had established himself in the Test side within a year, scoring a memorable debut century against India in Bangalore.</p> <p>In 2011 he was appointed as skipper of the Test team, a position he held until his retirement from professional cricket in 2015. </p> <p>He is among the most decorated players in the 21st century, with two World Cups, the Ashes and several other individual honours. </p> <p>Australian Cricket Hall of Fame chairman Peter King congratulated  the player "who defined his generation."</p> <p>“On behalf of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Committee, it is my great pleasure to announce Michael Clarke AO as the first inductee to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame for the 2024/25 season.</p> <p>“In selecting Michael as one of the three Australian Cricket Hall of Fame inductees for this season, the selection committee was met with statistics of a player who defined his generation and at his peak was ranked the best Test batter in the world.</p> <p>“More than that, Michael was an exceptional leader of our men’s Test and ODI teams who had a sustained period of success under his captaincy.</p> <p>“Michael’s extraordinary first-class playing career started at just 17 at the SCG – the place where many of his highlights occurred, including a Test triple century against India in 2012.</p> <p>“While often lauded for his batting prowess, Michael also excelled with ball in hand having helped Australia secure victory in the 2008 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a spell of 3 for 5 in 1.5 overs with just seven balls remaining in the match.</p> <p>“Michael’s career will forever be remembered fondly by the Australian public and his standing held alongside those at the upper echelon of our game. On behalf of the selection committee, we congratulate Michael on his very deserved induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.”</p> <p>Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley also praised the cricket champion, saying: “I’m delighted Michael has taken his place in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame as one of Australia’s best and most prolific batters and as captain of highly successful Test and limited overs teams.</p> <p>“Michael’s elegant stroke play was a feature of Australian teams for over a decade. His application, temperament and leadership were exemplified throughout the many significant innings he played for his country, including leading Australia to World Cup victory on home soil in 2015," he added. </p> <p>“On behalf of everyone in Australian Cricket, I would like to thank Michael for his enormous contribution to Australian Cricket and congratulate him on this latest achievement.”</p> <p><em>Image: Andrew Cowie/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Top 10 must-do activities around the world in 2025

<p>Global travel brand <em>Time Out</em> has revealed their annual list of the best activities around the world. </p> <p>From a canoe trip in Australia to wildlife encounters in Singapore, here are the top 10 must-do activities and experiences around the world. </p> <p><strong>10. Take a micro cruise through the Arctic. </strong></p> <p>This year, Micro-cruise specialist Secret Atlas will be taking 12 passengers at a time through the Arctic, for a more "intimate, once-in-a-lifetime, eco-conscious trip". </p> <p>The cruise will take guests on a wildlife-spotting journey through Svalbard's lesser-known northern reaches, while the other cruise will sail past the icebergs in Northeast Greenland, including a visit to one of the most remote towns on earth. </p> <p>These trips, however, aren't cheap with prices starting at £15,500 (around AUD $30,500) for two weeks.</p> <p><strong>9. Explore the cross-border towns of Gorizia, Italy, and Nova Gorica, Slovenia</strong></p> <p>These three towns make up 2025's European Capital of Culture, with over 400 events to be held throughout the year, including a piano performance on a 200m-high bridge, as well as a food and wine event called Tastes Without Borders.</p> <p><strong>8. Go on a wildlife-spotting adventure in Singapore's new Rainforest Park </strong></p> <p>The Mandai Wildlife Reserve is opening its fifth zoological park, Rainforest Wild Asia, this year, with 10 different zones, as well as 29 different species of animals, perfect for a family outing. </p> <p><strong>7. Discover Vietnam by a vintage steam train</strong></p> <p>Time Out explained that two of the "beautifully restored vintage trains" date all the way back to the 60s, and will take passengers between "the central city of Da Nang and the former royal capital of Hue."</p> <p><strong>6. Visit the Musée Granet celebrating the father of post-impressionism</strong></p> <p>Aix-en-Provence in France is celebrating the life of post-impressionist painter Paul Cezanne in his hometown, with the exhibition displaying almost 100 of Cèzanne’s works, as well as tours around the artist’s childhood home, former estate and art studio. </p> <p><strong>5. Visit the long-awaited Harlem's Studio Museum, New York</strong></p> <p>The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, was first opened 56 years ago, with an archive of almost 9,000 pieces from all kinds of creators. It was closed for construction almost seven years ago and will finally re-open in autumn. </p> <p><strong>4. Fly directly to Greenland </strong></p> <p>The grand opening of their brand-new international airport will make this stunning location <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">more accessible</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> for travellers wanting to view the Northern Lights and all of the territory's natural wonders. </span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">3. Visit the world's first museum telling stories of migration though art</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The Fenix museum in </span>Katendrecht, Rotterdam will open on May 16 and is the first museum telling stories of migration through art. </p> <p><strong>2. Walk, ride or cycle along Murray River, Australia</strong></p> <p>"The Murray River is the crowning jewel of Australia’s Echuca region," said <em>Time Out’s</em> Saffron Swire. </p> <p>With the opening of a new multisport adventure trail this year, cyclists, hikers and paddlers alike will get to enjoy the river in a new way. </p> <p><strong>1. Join a once-every-quarter-century spiritual celebration in Rome, Italy</strong></p> <p>Italy's capital will celebrate its spiritual Jubilee this year, a Catholic festivity that's held every 25 years, with Italy expert Rebecca Ann Hughes recommending the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, "which began in the 16th century and involves a 25km walk through the city and countryside between the major basilicas." </p> <p>Check out the full list <a href="http://www.timeout.com/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Six covers of Bob Dylan songs that were better than the originals

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/glenn-fosbraey-424079">Glenn Fosbraey</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-winchester-743">University of Winchester</a></em></p> <p>He may never have strayed far from the minds of many music fans, but with his biopic A Complete Unknown hitting UK cinemas on January 17 and heartthrob Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, Bob Dylan may be about to gain an entirely new audience.</p> <p>Considered by many to be the <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/bob-dylan-on-the-simple-reason-he-became-a-songwriter/">greatest songwriter of all time</a>, Dylan’s influence on music can’t be understated. His voice, however, has divided listeners over the decades. Some find it <a href="https://www.insidehook.com/music/bob-dylan-singing-voice#:%7E:text=His%20voice%20has%20articulated%20an,has%20sounded%20like%20him%20since.">“mesmeric”</a> and others have likened it to that of <a href="https://www.insidehook.com/music/bob-dylan-singing-voice#:%7E:text=His%20voice%20has%20articulated%20an,has%20sounded%20like%20him%20since.">“a dog with his leg caught in barbed wire”</a>.</p> <p>Despite having, as a researcher of songwriting, something of a penchant for Dylan’s idiosyncratic and character-filled style, here are six covers of his songs which I believe outperform his versions.</p> <p><iframe style="border-radius: 12px;" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/7epeDOmTqTFJbJ4q8P5RtW?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="152" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe></p> <h2>1. Girl from the North Country by Eels</h2> <p>Girl from the North Country first appeared on Dylan’s 1963 album The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. But it featured again on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je4Eg77YSSA">Nashville Skyline</a> in 1969 as a duet with Johnny Cash. That version has been praised for the <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/news/bob-dylan-making-of-nashville-skyline">skip and groove of the acoustic guitar performances</a> and how Dylan and Cash’s vocals are <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/news/bob-dylan-making-of-nashville-skyline">instinctive and spontaneous</a>.</p> <p>Another view would be that the guitars are out of time and the vocals are under-rehearsed – and the same shortcomings are on display during the song’s performance on the <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/johnny-cash-bob-dylan-duet-girl-north-country/">Johnny Cash show</a>. Far superior in my humble opinion is the 2005 version by alt-rock band Eels.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OOCOxRIB2Zo?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">Girl from the North Country by Eels.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>The band performed the song for their <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xv3eel">Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall</a> DVD and album. Band leader Mark Everett switched it from acoustic guitar to piano. His gentle arpeggiated playing complemented his <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/feb/27/popandrock.mainsection">gruff yet tender</a> vocals and drew every drop of emotion out of the lyrics and melody. He keeps in time, too.</p> <h2>2. Mr Tambourine Man by The Byrds</h2> <p>A masterclass in lyric writing, Mr Tambourine Man (1965) saw Dylan <a href="https://genius.com/Bob-dylan-mr-tambourine-man-lyrics">flexing his linguistic muscles</a> to reel off dozens of intricate internal and end rhymes, including my personal favourite:</p> <blockquote> <p>Though I know that evening’s empire has returned into sand<br />Vanished from my hand<br />Left me blindly here to stand, but still not sleeping.</p> </blockquote> <p>The Byrds’ version, released in the same year and hitting number one in both the US and the UK, isn’t better than the brilliant original (how could it be?) but it is brilliantly different.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Swqw5a8I4b4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">The Byrds’ version of Mr Tambourine Man.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Abridging Dylan’s version in order to make for a more palatable running time for the singles market, what it lacks in lyrics it more than makes up for in melody. The harmonies in the chorus add to Dylan’s main vocal line. It was an era-defining moment that launched the folk-rock genre.</p> <h2>3. All Along The Watchtower by The Jimi Hendrix Experience</h2> <p>Dylan may have released the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT7Hj-ea0VE">original version</a> of All Along The Watchtower on his John Wesley Harding album in 1967, but it was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY">The Jimi Hendrix Experience’s cover</a>, released just six months later, which has largely been accepted as the definitive recording.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NdSyFxTDQUM?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">All Along the Watchtower performed by Jimi Hendrix.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Taking Dylan’s gentle acoustic guitar and harmonica number and feeding it through his legendary white Strat, Hendrix rocks seven shades of summer out of the song until it takes on a completely new life.</p> <p>So great was his reinterpretation (it seems derisive to merely label it a “cover”) that as well as being ranked at number 40 in Rolling Stone’s <a href="https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-all-time-30065/the-jimi-hendrix-experience-all-along-the-watchtower-30527/">500 Greatest Songs of All Time</a> list, Dylan amended the song’s structure for <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/what-did-bob-dylan-think-jimi-hendrix-version-along-the-watchtower/">later live performances</a> in order for it to be more like Hendrix’s.</p> <h2>4. If Not For You by George Harrison</h2> <p>Granted, I only heard Dylan’s recording of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyouhbgAiCA">If Not For You</a> after already being familiar with George Harrison’s version included on his 1970 album <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XscuV_R6tr4">All Things Must Pass</a> for several years, so it was always going to feel slightly foreign to me.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E28E1hEZN8g?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">George Harrison performs If Not For You.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>What I wasn’t expecting, though, was how unimpressive and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyouhbgAiCA">strangely flat</a> it seems compared to Harrison’s recording. Dylan’s run-together vocal lines were backed by oddly jaunty and accented side-stick drumming (with the snare struck on the second beat but then a quaver before the fourth instead of on the fourth itself) and punctuated with glockenspiel. It all adds up to a slightly confused and messy arrangement, which takes attention away from the sincerity of the lyrics.</p> <h2>5. If Not For You by Olivia Newton John</h2> <p>When Olivia Newton-John issued her own cover of If Not For You in 1971, she wisely opted for the <a href="https://americansongwriter.com/how-bob-dylan-and-george-harrison-helped-olivia-newton-john-land-her-first-hit/">same arrangement</a> as Harrison’s, thankfully, minus Phil Spector’s muddy over-production – and scored an international hit with it in the process.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aJvwcpkBN3A?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">If Not For You performed by Olivia Newton John.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>To my mind If Not For You remains one of Dylan’s most simplistic, beautiful songs – so long as he’s not singing it.</p> <h2>6. Ballad of Hollis Brown by David Lynch</h2> <p>Appearing on The Times They Are A-Changin’ (1964), Dylan presents the five-minute <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8xkxy3tXTA">Ballad of Hollis Brown</a> as its title suggests, as a <a href="https://pressbooks.pub/shawangunktest/chapter/pounding-in-your-brain-form-in-dylans-ballad-of-hollis-brown/#:%7E:text=%E2%80%9CHollis%20Brown%E2%80%9D%20is%20most%20assuredly,that%20plays%20is%20Dylan%27s%20guitar.">traditional ballad in both form and theme</a>. His voice is backed by a lone acoustic guitar, minus even his ever-present harmonica.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AXnqohIm9g4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">The Ballad of Hollis Brown by David Lynch.</span></figcaption></figure> <p>Nearly half a century later, director David Lynch took time out from his day job to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXnqohIm9g4">reimagine the song</a> as drum-heavy claustrophobia, twisting the original until it would have been unrecognisable if not for its title and lyrics. Dylan diehards may want to give this one a miss, but for those of us who enjoyed the music from the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks series three, this is a winner.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/246909/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/glenn-fosbraey-424079">Glenn Fosbraey</a>, Associate Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-winchester-743">University of Winchester</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/six-covers-of-bob-dylan-songs-that-were-better-than-the-originals-246909">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Music

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Why one pizza shop is charging almost $200 for a divisive topping

<p dir="ltr">A trendy pizzeria is charging customers almost $200 AUD for one divisive pizza topping as they reignite the debate of putting pineapple on pizza. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lupa Pizza in Norwich in the UK have reluctantly added Hawaiian pizza to their menu, but the ham and pineapple combo comes with a catch.</p> <p dir="ltr">Diners will be charged £100 ($198 AUD) for it, with the restaurant taking to social media to share the news of the hefty price. </p> <p dir="ltr">"🍍🍕 Pineapple on pizza — love it or hate it?" they wrote. "We're not so keen, but if you are, it's now on our Deliveroo menu for £100 ($198). 🤷‍♂️”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Order the champagne too! Go on, you monster!" they added.</p> <p dir="ltr">The restaurant's owner and chef have defended the cost for a simple reason: their shared dislike of pineapple on pizza.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I absolutely loathe pineapple on a pizza," Francis Woolf, the co-owner of Lupa Pizza, told the <em>Norwich Evening News</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Head chef Quin Jianoran agreed, adding, "I love a piña colada, but pineapple on pizza? Never. I'd rather put a bloody strawberry on one than that tropical menace.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Their views, however, are not shared with the majority of the British public. In the most recent YouGov survey on the subject, 53 percent of Britons admitted they enjoyed the taste of pineapple on pizza, while 41 percent of people do not.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lupa agreed to feature the Hawaiian special on its main menu if the people of Norwich voted in favour of the combination in an online poll, which closes on January 24th.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If pineapple wins the vote, I’ll make it,” said Mr Jianoran. “But I won’t be happy about it. And I might charge £200 next time.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Food & Wine

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Former top cop's shocking William Tyrrell call

<p>The former NSW police commissioner has made a sobering call about the future of the William Tyrrell investigation. </p> <p>In an exclusive interview with <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/former-police-commissioner-says-william-tyrrell-case-might-never-be-solved/news-story/e656596fba877ed0af0f10b528f90f3b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em> podcast <em>Witness: William Tyrrell</em>, former police commissioner Mick Fuller said that despite running an "extremely professional investigation”, he was doubtful if the case would ever be solved. </p> <p>“It was never going to be easy to solve and maybe it won’t get solved this time,” he said.</p> <p>“But, you know, people won’t give up … there are new police coming through that will take over this case from (current lead detective) Dave Laidlaw at some stage, and there’ll be another fresh set of eyes there.”</p> <p>William Tyrrell was just three years old when he disappeared from his foster grandmother's home in Kendall, NSW on September 12th 2014. </p> <p>No one has been charged or arrested in connection to his disappearance, and the team investigating the case Strike Force Rosann has recovered no forensic or eye witness evidence to indicate what happened to the child.</p> <p>At the time of Fuller's retirement in 2022, Detective Chief Inspector Mr Laidlaw was brought in to lead a refreshed Strike Force into Tyrrell's disappearance. </p> <p>At the time, Fuller told 2GB the group assembled was “one of the best teams we’ve seen” and was hopeful of a breakthrough in the investigation.</p> <p>Speaking with <em>news.com.au</em>, Mr Fuller said, “I would love to say that this matter was solved before I retired.”</p> <p>“Unfortunately, it wasn’t. And sometimes it takes 30, 40 years for these type of matters to be solved,” he said. “And unfortunately, then sometimes they’re never solved.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: NSW Police</em></p>

Legal

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Readers response: What's one song that never fails to make you cry?

<p>We asked our readers what song always fills them with emotion, whether because of the lyrics or being associated with a heartfelt memory. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Kathryn Sands</strong> - Dance with my Father by Luther Vandross.</p> <p><strong>Carol Hanson</strong> - Amazing Grace. Was played on the bagpipes at my mum's funeral.</p> <p><strong>Matthew Walter</strong> - Probably "When You Kiss Me" by Shania Twain, as it's the song my wife walked down the aisle to on our wedding day. The other one would be "What I Never Knew I Always Wanted" by Carrie Underwood, which played after my son was born. Just sums up parenthood perfectly!</p> <p><strong>Patricia Sundin</strong> - “I was only 19”. Makes me think of all my friends who were conscripted to go to fight in Vietnam. Not a happy time.</p> <p><strong>Janette Willis</strong> - What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong. </p> <p><strong>Trish Watts </strong>- If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks.</p> <p><strong>Jan Palmer</strong> - Imagine by John Lennon. </p> <p><strong>Adelle Ellmers</strong> - Sounds of Silence cover by Disturbed. Played at my husband's funeral. It was one of his favourites.</p> <p><strong>Gay Sharran Gold</strong> - At Last…. I have to turn it off when it plays. My daughter married her partner two days before she died and had that playing for their song.</p> <p><strong>Heather Widjaja</strong> - Monsters by James Blunt. Always reminds me of the last days of my Dad's life.</p> <p><strong>Jeanette Heaton</strong> - Forever Young by Bob Dylan. Reminds me of my beloved - lost too soon.</p> <p><strong>Laraine Hughes</strong> - Because by Mario Lanza. Walked down the aisle and played at my beloved husband's funeral. Started and ended our life together.</p> <p><strong>Rhonda Leaman</strong> - Somewhere Over The Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Music

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Etiquette experts reveals top wedding guest faux pas

<p dir="ltr">While weddings are joyous occasions filled with love and happiness, guests can often be left feeling perplexed over unspoken rules and expectations for what is expected at a loved one’s big day. </p> <p dir="ltr">Wedding etiquette expert Angela DeMaio has shared the five most common faux pas guests can be guilty of committing at a wedding, and revealed how to avoid them.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Ignoring seating arrangements </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While it might seem like not a big deal to switch seats or sit wherever you feel comfortable, this can disrupt the couple's carefully planned arrangements that are in place for a reason. </p> <p dir="ltr">DeMaio said, “Seating arrangements are often crafted with thought, considering relationships and group dynamics.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the expert, ignoring seating plans can disturb the balance the couple has tried to create, so to respect the newlywed’s efforts, it's important to be mindful of where each guest is seated.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Getting in the way of photographers</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It’s the photographer’s job to capture the heartfelt moments at a wedding, and blocking the shot or getting in the way can have major consequences. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to DeMaio, guests should especially avoid stepping into the aisle during the processional or standing in the way of key moments, such as the couple's first dance. </p> <p dir="ltr">Being patient and respectful of the photographer's space ensures the couple gets the perfect shots without disruption. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Going too hard at an open bar </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While many guests look forward to partaking in free drinks at an open bar during a wedding ceremony, it’s important to drink in moderation. </p> <p dir="ltr">DeMaio warned guests to pace themselves with water in between alcoholic beverages, as no one wants to be remembered as the guest who got embarrassingly drunk. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Weddings are joyous occasions, but they're not the time for drunken antics or behaviour that distracts from the couple's special day,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Not saying goodbye to the couple </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">As a wedding night winds down, it's easy to be tempted by an Irish goodbye, or just leaving the event without doing the goodbye rounds. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, failing to acknowledge the couple before leaving can come across as rude or dismissive, as leaving without acknowledging the couple can leave them wondering if you truly valued the celebration.</p> <p dir="ltr">DeMaio suggested, “If possible, thank the bride and groom in person for the invitation, as it's a small gesture that goes a long way.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Posting photos online without permission</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In the golden age of social media, it's tempting to share every moment of the wedding, but this can lead to unintended consequences.  </p> <p dir="ltr">As someone’s wedding is a deeply personal event, most couples prefer to have control over when and how their wedding photos are shared. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to DeMaio, it's crucial for guests to wait until the couple has posted their own photographs before sharing anything, or asking for explicit permission to post photos online.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Relationships

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Sir Bob Geldof reveals new version of iconic Christmas song

<p>Sir Bob Geldof has shared the details of the 2024 reprise of the iconic song <em>Do They Know It's Christmas?</em>, revealing why the new version of the song will be the last. </p> <p><em>Do They Know It's Christmas?</em> was first released in 1984, and was sparked by Bob Geldof being disturbed by a news report on the famine in Ethiopia. </p> <p>He enlisted big names such as Bono, Boy George, Sting and George Michael to join in on the song to raise awareness and money for the famine.</p> <p>"I was sickened by it. I mean, that is really it," Geldof told <em>A Current Affair</em>.</p> <p>"I sat down and turned on the TV, and here was this devastating thing that put, you know, my pathetic, puny personal problems in a horrifying perspective."</p> <p>Since then, three more versions of the charity song have been made, in 2004, 2014 and now, in 2024 to mark the 40th anniversary of the original track. </p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CDiYk07FG1Y?si=TwdiduKB5vPX56V7" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Instead of recruiting new artists, this time Bob Geldof has remixed famous renditions from previous versions to combine the greatest voices of our time.</p> <p>Despite each iteration of the song having its own unique charm and voice, Geldof says it will be the last hurrah for the iconic Christmas tune.</p> <p>"I personally think, it's the definitive one and there will be no more," Geldof said.</p> <p>"The world has never been more fragile in my life, and I'm old, and I don't think people can take on board any more horror. They cannot absorb any more, but it's happening."</p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair </em></p>

Music

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Most popular wedding song revealed

<p dir="ltr">A classic 1980s hit has been crowned the most popular wedding song according to a recent study. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to the new research by Breezit, an online wedding vendor search tool that collates data, Whitney Houston’s pop ballad <em>I Wanna Dance With Somebody</em> is the most popular song for couples tying the knot. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 1987 hit, which was on Houston’s second studio album, ‘<em>Whitney</em>’, appeared 484 times across the 2,000 wedding-themed Spotify playlists the company poured through, which contained a total of 49,091 songs.</p> <p dir="ltr">Among thousands of playlists, <em>I Wanna Dance With Somebody</em> featured on more than 24 per cent of those nuptial-centric compilations.</p> <p dir="ltr">Coming in second on the list of most popular wedding songs was ABBA’s 1976 worldwide hit <em>Dancing Queen</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Music plays an incredibly important role in wedding celebrations, and it’s fascinating to see which songs are still hailed as wedding classics, even years after their initial release,” Arturas Asakavicius, co-founder and CEO of Breezit, told <em><a href="https://www.brides.com/all-time-most-popular-wedding-song-new-study-8733497">Brides</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wedding playlists can help create lasting memories” he added, “capturing both the joy of the dance floor and the romance of walking down the aisle. Certain songs have become intertwined with the celebration of a wedding, which is why some have become timeless classics for many couples’ big day.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Music

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Readers response: What’s your top travel tip for staying comfortable on long journeys?

<p>When it comes to a long travel day, getting comfortable can often be a mammoth task. </p> <p>We asked our readers to share their favourite tips and tricks to stay comfy on a long haul flight, car ride or train journey, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Amy Cardino</strong> - Long-haul journeys (to me longer than 8hrs), you need to save up or upgrade your ticket if you have mileage benefits, into business class. </p> <p><strong>Ester Cibasek</strong> - My own blowup pillow and blanket (long enough to cover my head), noise reducing ear phones and keep my eyes closed so I dose in and out of sleep all the way.</p> <p><strong>Valerie Keily</strong> - A neck pillow is essential and an eye shade. Keep hydrated and remember to move around if possible.</p> <p><strong>Di Richardson</strong> - Memory neck pillow. Recovery sleeves on my calves. One departure drink then limit alcohol or coffee. Window seat and sleep when possible. Bliss.</p> <p><strong>Anita Thornton</strong> - Go business class. </p> <p><strong>Chrissie Martini</strong> - Break the journey by staying overnight in a hotel. Takes longer to get there but you practically eliminate jet lag and the worry of DVTs. On the way to Europe, two overnight stops helps me.</p> <p><strong>Lyn Goodman</strong> - Keep warm and wear loose fitting clothes.</p> <p><strong>June Debono</strong> - Stretch jeans and socks (as well as other clothes of course). Plus, eye shade and ear plugs.</p> <p><strong>Ingrid Plueckhahn</strong> - Take a good book, break up the journey with a fave movie, and just get in the zone and relax. It’s just a day!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Tips

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Music and dementia: researchers are still making discoveries about how songs can help sufferers

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-atkinson-1288605">Rebecca Atkinson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ming-hung-hsu-2215063">Ming-Hung Hsu</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a></em></p> <p>Music is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. Whether it’s lifting our spirits, pushing us to run faster or soothing us to sleep, we can all <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.713818/full">recognise its power</a>. So it’s no wonder it is increasingly being used in medical treatment.</p> <p>As well as proving very useful in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3863265/">cancer treatment</a>, managing <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1526590022000153">chronic pain</a> and even helping the brain <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00245/full">recover after a stroke</a>, researchers have also been making great strides in using music to help patients with dementia.</p> <p>It reduces patients’ <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003477/full">anxiety and depression</a>, and <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00401-7/fulltext">improves wellbeing</a> both for them and their carers <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/individual-music-therapy-for-depression-randomised-controlled-trial/A1CD72904929CECCB956F4F3B09605AF">by enhancing</a> everyone’s ability to adapt and cope with adversity or stress.</p> <p><a href="https://www.bamt.org">Music therapy</a> in the form of playing, singing or listening to music can also have a <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1362361309105660">positive effect</a> on cognitive function – particularly for <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6882-10-39">older adults</a> either with dementia or memory issues.</p> <p>So why does music appear to have such a powerful effect for people with dementia?</p> <h2>Music and the brain</h2> <p>About a decade ago, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053811911013000">researchers discovered that</a> when people listened to music, multiple areas of the brain were involved in processing it. These included the limbic (which processes emotions and memory), cognitive (involved with perception, learning and reaction) and motor areas (responsible for voluntary movement). This challenged preconceptions that music was processed more narrowly in the brain – and helped explain why it has such a unique neurological impact.</p> <p>Not only that, research has shown that music might help <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987708002880">regenerate the brain</a> and its connections. Many <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about-dementia/causes/">causes of dementia</a> centre around cell death in the brain, raising the possibility that music could help people with dementia by mending or strengthening damaged neural connections and cells.</p> <p>It’s not just any music that has a regenerative effect on the brain, though. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00103/full">Familiar and favourite music</a> has been shown to have the biggest impact on the way we feel, and is closely linked with memory and emotions. This is because listening to our favourite songs <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.2726">releases feel-good hormones</a> that give us a sense of pleasure. Curated music playlists of favourite music could be the key in helping us deal with the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10298649211030318">stress of everyday life</a>.</p> <p>This is relevant to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia because researchers have discovered that parts of the brain linked with <a href="https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/138/8/2438/330016">musical memories</a> are less affected by these conditions than other areas of the brain. This explains why memories and experiences that are linked to <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.14283/jpad.2018.19">favourite music</a> are often preserved for people with such conditions.</p> <p>Listening to music can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34346261/">help manage</a> their experiences of distress, agitation and “<a href="https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/symptoms/sundowning">sundowning</a>” – where a person is more confused in the afternoon and evening.</p> <p>In a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0197457224002209?utm_campaign=STMJ_219742_AUTH_SERV_PA&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_acid=224973760&amp;SIS_ID=&amp;dgcid=STMJ_219742_AUTH_SERV_PA&amp;CMX_ID=&amp;utm_in=DM500444&amp;utm_source=AC_">small study</a> conducted by us and our colleagues at the Cambridge Institute for Music Therapy Research, we showed just how great of an effect listening to music can have for people with dementia. We found that when people with dementia repeatedly listened to their favourite music, their heart rate and movements changed in direct response.</p> <p>This showed that people’s physical responses were affected by musical features like rhythm and arrangement. Their heart rate also changed when they sang along to music, or when they began reminiscing about old memories or stories while listening to a song or thinking about the music. These changes are important because they show how music affects movement, emotions and memory recall.</p> <p>Studies have also shown that during and after listening to music, people with dementia <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/7/1103">experienced less agitation</a>, aggression and anxiety, and their general mood was improved. They even needed less medication when they had regular music sessions.</p> <p>Other researchers have even begun testing the effects of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/gps.4721?casa_token=VufeKQP7aNsAAAAA%3AMSOgiwUQYKqmmrLsUFv9glmSnc5BMxoqeMmmt3HX4BJX2Fs2UKeXjnN2850o1Umz0j1NvmrpQ3W3Pw">music training programmes</a> to support cognition for people with dementia. Results have been promising so far – with adults in the study showing improved executive functioning (problem solving, emotion regulation and attention) compared to those who took part in just physical exercise.</p> <p>So, music is likely to continue to be a useful medical treatment for people with dementia. But based on what we know so far, it’s important that it comes from the patient’s own music collection – and is used alongside other management techniques such as using drugs that can slow the progression of dementia or help manage symptoms to support self-care and wellbeing.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/239446/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-atkinson-1288605">Rebecca Atkinson</a>, Researcher in Music Therapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ming-hung-hsu-2215063">Ming-Hung Hsu</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Music Therapy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/anglia-ruskin-university-1887">Anglia Ruskin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/music-and-dementia-researchers-are-still-making-discoveries-about-how-songs-can-help-sufferers-239446">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

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"One of the greatest men": Tarzan star dies at age 86

<p><em>Tarzan</em> star Ron Ely has died at the age of 86. </p> <p>The news of his passing was confirmed in an emotional statement by his daughter Kirsten, who wrote, “The world has lost one of the greatest men it has ever known – and I have lost my dad."</p> <p>“My father was someone that people called a hero. He was an actor, writer, coach, mentor, family man and leader. He created a powerful wave of positive influence wherever he went. The impact he had on others is something that I have never witnessed in any other person – there was something truly magical about him. This is how the world knew him.”</p> <p>“I knew him as my dad – and what a heaven sent honour that has been. To me, he hung the moon.”</p> <p>“My father’s life story was one of relentless perseverance, unending dedication to his family and friends, courage to do what was right, and willing sacrifice to facilitate the dreams of those he loved,” Kirsten continued.</p> <p>“It was also a story of joy and love – something everyone close to him had the privilege of experiencing. Once you knew my father’s love, the world grew to be a brighter and more meaningful place.”</p> <p>“I am doing my best to walk this path of loss with the strength and grace that I know he would want for me,” she added. </p> <p>“My greatest comfort is knowing that my dad is with my momma and my brother. It is also my greatest sadness because I miss them all so much that it’s etched into my soul. I will proudly carry all of my favourite pieces of them – lovingly cemented into my heart – until we all meet again.”</p> <p>Ely first one to fame in the 1960s with his role as <em>Tarzan</em> in the NBC TV series, which ran from 1966 to 1968. </p> <p>He later returned for Universal’s <em>Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze</em> in 1975, and took on guest roles on some of TV’s biggest shows, including <em>Wonder Woman</em>, <em>The Love Boat</em>, <em>Fantasy Island</em> and <em>Superboy</em>.</p> <p>Ely is survived by his daughters, Kirstin and Kaitland. In 2019, his son, Cameron, was shot and killed by Santa Barbara County sheriff's deputies after allegedly stabbing his mother, Ely’s wife, to death.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Matthew Rettenmund / Banner/Kobal / Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Caring

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Maggie Beer wins top award while on the road to recovery

<p>Maggie Beer has been honoured with a top award just days after opening up about her recovery following a fall last month.</p> <p>The 79-year-old Aussie chef won Best Host of a Format at the C21 International Format Awards in Cannes for her role hosting <em>Maggie Beer’s Big Mission</em> on the ABC.</p> <p>The leading awards recognises creativity and excellence across the global television industry.</p> <p>Beer was the only woman in the category, beating some of the television industry's biggest names including Jimmy Kimmel for <em>Who Wants to Be a Millionaire US</em>, Stephen Fry in <em>Jeopardy UK</em>, Alan Cumming for <em>The Traitors US</em> and Big Zuu for <em>Big Zuu’s 12 Dishes in 12 Hours.</em></p> <p><em>Maggie Beer’s Big Mission</em> was inspired by the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care in 2021, which  exposed high rates of malnutrition in older adults living in aged care.</p> <p>In the show she led a world-first social experiment to transform the meals and dining experience at an aged-care home in Perth, WA. Beer and team of experts changed the menu, dining rooms and gardens using the "care model" to improve nutrition and wellbeing of residents. </p> <p>In a statement, Beer said it was a “privilege to actually live the experience in an aged-care home brave enough to show warts and all.”</p> <p>She learned what was acceptable to feed residents and what wasn't but “…most of all how to begin the journey of change to show the difference that is made to the happiness and wellbeing not only of the residents but the staff as well,” she said.</p> <p>“With her extraordinary leadership she has put older Australians first and given them a voice,” managing director of Artemis media, Celia Tait said.</p> <p>This comes just days after Beer opened up on her fall in August, where she suffered minor bone fractures and related injuries, telling her instagram followers that "even though I want to tell you how good I’m feeling now, I still have a way to go."</p> <p>“I will make a full recovery, and part of it is the care and the love that I’ve been given.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Australia tops life expectancy among English-speaking nations

<p>A recent study has revealed that Australians outlive their peers in five other high-income English-speaking countries, including the UK and US, by one to four years. </p> <p>The paper published in the medical journal<em> BMJ Open</em> last month, analysed the average life expectancies in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States between 1990 and 2019. </p> <p>They found that Australians' life expectancy surpassed that of Canadians in the early 1990s - and it has remained in the top spot ever since. </p> <p>The average life expectancy for an Australian born in 2019 was 83.24 years, which is two years longer than the average Brit, and four years longer than the average American. </p> <p>"Australia is clearly the best-performing Anglophone country," the paper said.</p> <p>"While Australian men and women have lower mortality at nearly all ages, their mortality advantage at ages 45–84 accounts for the bulk of Australia's life expectancy advantage."</p> <p>The Irish came in second with an life expectancy of 82.39 years, followed by the Canadians with 82.28, and the Kiwis with 81.83.</p> <p>Australia's long life expectancy could be credited to it's high migrant population and low death rates from drug and alcohol misuse, screenable/treatable cancers, and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. </p> <p>The nation's "strong public health efforts", such as the 1996 gun law reforms and buyback programs following the Port Arthur massacre, and the creation of Headspace, the national youth mental healthcare service, could also play part in our longevity. </p> <p>Australia also had the lowest level of "geographic inequality", meaning that the gap in life expectancy between rich and poor regions was narrower than other countries. </p> <p>However, the life expectancy for  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continues to be significantly lower than the average Australian, with males born between  2020 and 2022 expected to live for just 71.9 years, and females for 75.6 years. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Caring

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