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Does eating ham, bacon and beef really increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/duane-mellor-136502">Duane Mellor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/aston-university-1107">Aston University</a> That lunchtime staple, the humble ham sandwich, has come in for a bashing in the press recently. According to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/aug/20/two-slices-of-ham-a-day-can-raise-type-2-diabetes-risk-by-15-research-suggests">many</a> <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13761253/Eating-ham-daily-linked-increase-risk-diabetes.html">reports</a>, eating two slices of ham a day can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But what’s the science behind these headlines? The research offers a more complex picture. <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(24)00179-7/fulltext">A new study</a> from the University of Cambridge highlighted an association between developing type 2 diabetes and eating processed meat like ham and bacon, and red meat such as beef and lamb. This led to headlines suggesting the risk was mainly linked to <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/21/ham-sandwich-processed-meat-fresh-risk-link-type-2-diabetes/">ham sandwiches</a>. This seems to have come from the <a href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/red-and-processed-meat-consumption-associated-with-higher-type-2-diabetes-risk">press release</a>, which used ham as the example to quantify the amount of processed meat associated with a 15% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes over ten years. The research found that this risk was linked to eating an extra 50g of processed meat every day, which happens to equate to two slices of ham. A useful example thus appears to have been taken up by the media as the main cause, perhaps ignoring some of the key messages coming from the study. So, can processed and red meat really increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes? The <a href="https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-2/diabetes-risk-factors">biggest risk factors</a> linked to developing type 2 diabetes are being over 40, having family members with type 2 diabetes, being of South Asian or African descent, or having a higher body weight – and especially a larger waist. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EsOBcx2bJqU?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> The Cambridge study used data from nearly 2 million people from 31 studies. Participants were followed for an average of ten years. During this time, around one in 20 people developed type 2 diabetes. The research suggested that a 10% increase in the probability of developing type 2 diabetes was associated with every 100g of additional red meat eaten daily. Eating half as much extra processed meat every day was linked to an even greater increased risk of developing the disease. This is not the <a href="https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)66119-2/abstract">first time</a> that both processed and red meats have been linked with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, the key strength of the Cambridge study was that it tried to control for many of the other factors linked to the disease, including smoking, having a higher body weight, dietary intake and exercise. However, the size of the increased risk is modest, considering few people included in the study ate 50g or more processed meat per day – meaning moderate ham consumption is likely to have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9908545/">no meaningful effect</a> on your risk. <h2>What’s the link?</h2> Processed meat has been linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes because of its nitrate and salt content – additives that are used to cure many processed meats. Nitrates and salt in processed meats have also <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893523/">been linked to</a> an increased risk of developing colon cancer. In fact, the World Health Organization classifies the additives as <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/cancer-carcinogenicity-of-the-consumption-of-red-meat-and-processed-meat">group 1 carcinogens</a>, which means they can cause a range of cancers. The mechanism linking processed meat to cancer seems to be similar to how it might be linked to type 2 diabetes. During digestion, processed meat produces <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6294997/">N-nitroso chemicals</a>, which can damage cells. This can lead to inflammation and affects how insulin, the hormone that controls blood glucose (sugar), works. This in turn can lead to <a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/prediabetes-insulin-resistance">insulin resistance</a>, when cells in your muscles, fat and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t easily take up glucose from your blood. Red meat, meanwhile, is <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthy-iron-rich-foods">rich in iron</a>. Research suggests that people with <a href="https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/related-conditions/haemochromatosis-diabetes#:%7E:text=So%20a%20rise%20of%20iron,GP%20as%20soon%20as%20possible.">high levels of iron</a> are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. However, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8744124/#:%7E:text=The%20WHO%20has%20recognised%20iron,being%20affected%20with%20this%20condition.">low levels of iron</a> are more of a health concern for the general population. Another potential link regarding red meat could be the way it is cooked. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5521980/">Previous studies</a> have suggested that charred meat, cooked over an open flame or at high temperature, is also linked to an increased risk of developing <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5911789/">type 2 diabetes</a>. Charring meat leads to formation of toxic chemicals such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/heterocyclic-amine#:%7E:text=Heterocyclic%20amines%20are%20aromatic%20compounds,of%20reactions%20called%20Maillard%20reactions.">heterocyclic aromatic amines</a> and harmful compounds like <a href="https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/advanced-glycation-end-products">advanced glycation end products</a>, both of which have been linked to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21709297/">insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes</a>. <h2>Bye-bye barbecues and bacon butties?</h2> The key message is reduction, rather than avoidance. The UK government nutritional recommendations offer sound advice: limit your combined intake of red and processed meat to no more than <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-types/meat-nutrition/#:%7E:text=Red%20meat%20and%20processed%20meat&text=If%20you%20currently%20eat%20more,%2C%20veal%2C%20venison%20and%20goat.">an average of 70g per day</a>. But these guidelines also suggest that red meat can be a valuable source of iron. So, if you decide to stop eating red meat, you should eat alternative sources of iron such as beans, lentils, dark green vegetables and fortified cereals. This needs to be done as part of a carefully planned diet. Non-meat sources of iron are more difficult for our bodies to absorb so should be eaten with a source of vitamin C, found in green vegetables and citrus fruit. The best advice to reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight – consider losing weight if you have a higher body weight – and be as physically active as possible. A healthy diet should be based on plenty of vegetables, fruit, beans, peas, lentils, nuts and seeds, along with some wholegrain foods, some dairy products, fish and white meat (or vegetarian alternatives) – plus moderate amounts of red meat and minimal processed meat. This will help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, <a href="https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support/healthy-living/healthy-eating">heart disease</a>, and <a href="https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/diet-and-cancer/does-having-a-healthy-diet-reduce-my-risk-of-cancer">many cancers</a> – as well being more <a href="https://www.bda.uk.com/static/539e2268-7991-4d24-b9ee867c1b2808fc/a1283104-a0dd-476b-bda723452ae93870/one%20blue%20dot%20reference%20guide.pdf">environmentally sustainable</a>. But if you have a penchant for ham sandwiches, rest assured you can continue to indulge as an occasional treat. It’s your overall lifestyle and diet that really matter for your health and risk of developing type 2 diabetes.<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/237346/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/duane-mellor-136502">Duane Mellor</a>, Visiting Academic, Aston Medical School, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/aston-university-1107">Aston University</a> 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/does-eating-ham-bacon-and-beef-really-increase-your-risk-of-developing-type-2-diabetes-237346">original article</a>. </div>

Body

No croutons, no anchovies, no bacon: the 100-year-old Mexican origins of the Caesar salad

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/garritt-c-van-dyk-1014186">Garritt C. Van Dyk</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> The most seductive culinary myths have murky origins, with a revolutionary discovery created by accident, or out of necessity. For the Caesar salad, these classic ingredients are spiced up with a family food feud and a spontaneous recipe invention on the Fourth of July, across the border in Mexico, during Prohibition. Our story is set during the era when America banned the production and sale of alcohol from <a href="https://www.atf.gov/our-history/timeline/18th-amendment-1919-national-prohibition-act">1919–1933</a>. Two brothers, Caesar (Cesare) and Alex (Alessandro) Cardini, moved to the United States from Italy. Caesar opened a restaurant in California in 1919. <a href="https://historicalmx.org/items/show/195">In the 1920s</a>, he opened another in the Mexican border town of Tijuana, serving food and liquor to Americans looking to circumvent Prohibition. Tijuana’s Main Street, packed with saloons, became a popular destination for southern Californians looking for drink. It claimed to have the “<a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Satan_s_Playground/znhxImXG8e0C">world’s longest bar</a>” at the Ballena, 215 feet (66 metres) long with ten bartenders and 30 waitresses. The story of the Caesar salad, allegedly 100 years old, is one of a cross-border national holiday Prohibition-era myth, a brotherly battle for the claim to fame and celebrity chef endorsements. <h2>Necessity is the mother of invention</h2> <a href="https://classicsandiego.com/restaurants/caesars-restaurant-tijuana/">On July 4 1924</a>, so the story goes, Caesar Cardini was hard at work in the kitchen of his restaurant, Caesar’s Place, packed with holiday crowds from across the border looking to celebrate with food and drink. He was confronted with a chef’s worst nightmare: running out of ingredients in the middle of service. As supplies for regular menu items dwindled, Caesar decided to improvise with what he had on hand. He took ingredients in the pantry and cool room and combined the smaller leaves from hearts of cos lettuce with a dressing made from coddled (one-minute boiled) eggs, olive oil, black pepper, lemon juice, a little garlic and Parmesan cheese. The novel combination was a huge success with the customers and became a regular menu item: the Caesar salad. <h2>Et tu, Alex?</h2> There is another version of the origin of the famous salad, made by Caesar’s brother, Alex, at his restaurant in Tijuana. Alex claims Caesar’s “inspiration” was actually a menu item at his place, the “<a href="https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20190521-the-surprising-truth-about-caesar-salad">aviator’s salad</a>”, named because he made it as a morning-after pick-me-up for American pilots after a long night drinking. His version had many of the same ingredients, but used lime juice, not lemon, and was served with large croutons covered with mashed anchovies. When Caesar’s menu item later became famous, Alex asserted his claim as the true inventor of the salad, now named for his brother. <h2>Enter the celebrity chefs</h2> To add to the intrigue, two celebrity chefs championed the opposing sides of this feud. <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Appetite_for_Life/sEAfuK8lDjkC">Julia Child</a> backed Caesar, and <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Essential_Cuisines_of_Mexico/gzsGAwAAQBAJ">Diana Kennedy</a> (not nearly as famous, but known for her authentic Mexican cookbooks) supported Alex’s claim. By entering the fray, each of these culinary heavyweights added credence to different elements of each story and made the variations more popular in the US. While Child reached more viewers in print and on television, Kennedy had local influence, known for promoting regional Mexican cuisine. While they chose different versions, the influence of major media figures contributed to the evolution of the Caesar salad beyond its origins. The original had no croutons and no anchovies. As the recipe was codified into an “official” version, garlic was included in the form of an infused olive oil. Newer versions either mashed anchovies directly into the dressing or added Worcestershire sauce, which has anchovies in the mix. Caesar’s daughter, Rosa, always maintained her father was the original inventor of the salad. She continued to market her father’s <a href="https://classicsandiego.com/restaurants/caesar-cardini-cafe/">trademarked recipe</a> after his death in 1954. Ultimately she won the battle for her father’s claim as the creator of the dish, but elements from Alex’s recipe have become popular inclusions that deviate from the purist version, so his influence is present – even if his contribution is less visible. <h2>No forks required – but a bit of a performance</h2> If this weren’t enough, there is also a tasty morsel that got lost along the way. Caesar salad was originally meant to be eaten as finger food, with your hands, using the baby leaves as scoops for the delicious dressing ingredients. For <a href="https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-01-30/original-caesar-salad-tijuana-100-years">presentation</a> in a restaurant, the salad was also created in front of the diners’ table, on a rolling cart, with some recommending a “true” Caesar salad was tossed only seven times, clockwise. This extra level of drama, performance and prescribed ritual was usually limited to alcohol-doused flaming desserts. To have a humble salad, invented in desperation, elevated to this kind of treatment made it a very special dish – even without any bacon.<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/233099/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/garritt-c-van-dyk-1014186">Garritt C. Van Dyk</a>, Lecturer in History, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-newcastle-1060">University of Newcastle</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/no-croutons-no-anchovies-no-bacon-the-100-year-old-mexican-origins-of-the-caesar-salad-233099">original article</a>.

Food & Wine

Kevin Costner reveals heartwarming interaction with Prince William

Kevin Costner has revealed that Prince William left a strong impression on him after the royal organised a meet-up with him several years ago. "I happened to be in England, and I got this message that the Prince would love to talk, and I said, 'What?'... and then I went, 'Okay'," the Hollywood actor told People magazine. "We met in this room, and it was just us. He walked up, and we shook hands. ..." What came out of the royals mouth next left the actor feeling delighted, as he revealed that his late mother, Princess Diana, had a crush on Costner. "The first line out of his mouth was, 'You know, my mom kind of fancied you'." He described Prince William as "quite a young man," and that the interaction had left him with "fond memories of who he was, how I was approached and what we talked about." Costner also revealed that he had talks with the late Princess about being involved in the sequel to his iconic film The Bodyguard. "There was a moment that that was really flying down the tracks, very quietly, because it's how I operate," he said. The three-time Golden Globe winner shared that Sarah Ferguson was the one who introduced him to the Diana. "It was so sweet. Sarah was the one that set this up. Sarah was very cool... when she could have been going, 'Well, I'm a princess too. What about me? ' She didn't do that at all. Diana and I began to talk," he praised the Duchess of York. Images: Marina Takimoto/ZUMA Press Wire/ Shutterstock editorial/ Instagram

Family & Pets

"What an honour": Kevin Costner pays tribute to fallen Yellowstone costar

Kevin Costner has paid tribute to his Yellowstone costar Dabney Coleman, who has passed away at the age of 92. Coleman, who played the role of John Dutton, Sr. in the Paramount drama, died on Thursday at his home in Santa Monica, according to his daughter Quincy Coleman, who broke the news in a statement to The Associated Press. She said he "took his last earthly breath peacefully and exquisitely." “My father crafted his time here on earth with a curious mind, a generous heart, and a soul on fire with passion, desire and humour that tickled the funny bone of humanity. As he lived, he moved through this final act of his life with elegance, excellence and mastery,” she said. Yellowstone shared the news on Instagram with the message, "We're saddened by the passing of the Dabney Coleman, a legendary actor and member of the Yellowstone family." Kevin Costner stars as John Dutton, the son of Dabney's character on the show, paid tribute to the late actor as he shared a powerful flashback scene from the season 2 finale to his Instagram. Along with a photo from the moving TV moment, Costner wrote, "One of the most heart wrenching scenes I've been a part of. What an honor to have gotten to work with Dabney Coleman. May he rest in peace." Fans left thoughtful comments about Dabney's performance as John Dutton, Sr. on the show, with one person writing, "Most touching scene of the whole show when he played that part! He will be greatly missed." Dabney earned his first acting credit in an episode of Naked City in 1961, before he went on to appear in countless TV spots over the course of his career, including The Donna Reed Show, I Dream of Jeannie, Columbo, Law & Order: SVU, Recess The Guardian, Boardwalk Empire, and Ray Donovan before landing his role on Yellowstone. Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Kevin Bacon returns to Footloose roots for a special cause

Kevin Bacon has taken a step back in time to return to the Utah high school where the 1984 movie Footloose was filmed. Students at Payson High School launched the #BacontoPayson social media campaign several months ago in an attempt to get the Hollywood legend to attend the school's final prom. The high schoolers recreated movie scenes and choreographed videos in the hopes of capturing Bacon's attention, willing him to return to the school before the campus relocates at the end of the school year. The online campaign worked, as the 65-year-old actor returned to Payson on Saturday where he addressed the students and praised their valiant efforts to get him back to the iconic school, but not before striding onto the stage while the iconic song Footloose blared through the grounds. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6CNgyNJOrk/?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/C6CNgyNJOrk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by SixDegrees.org (@sixdegreesofkb)</a> </div> </blockquote> "When I first heard about this Bacon to Payson thing, I was like, 'Wow, this is crazy.' But you were all just tireless," Bacon said in his speech on the school's football field on Saturday, according to <a title="" href="https://www.abc4.com/news/wasatch-front/kevin-bacon-returns-to-payson-high-on-prom-night-for-40th-anniversary-of-footloose/" target="" rel="">ABC7</a>. "You talked me into it." As part of Payson High School's effort to get Bacon back on campus, they pledged to create 5000 essential resource kits to help his <a href="https://www.sixdegrees.org/footloose" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sixdegrees.org</a> foundation, which benefits underserved and under-resourced communities. The organisation has a goal of packing and distributing up to 40,000 kits as part of its "Footloose40" initiative, which marks the 40th anniversary of the film's release. In his speech on Saturday, Bacon thanked the students for "turning what could be just a movie star coming back to get a pat on the back into something really positive." Bacon was awarded with an honorary Payson High School diploma, posed for photos with students and even swung by his locker during his visit during his visit. Image credits: TikTok / Paramount Pictures

Movies

Kevin Spacey hospitalised

Kevin Spacey's recent health scare made headlines as he was rushed to the hospital during a film festival in Uzbekistan. The 64-year-old House of Cards star was attending the festival when he experienced a frightening moment of numbness in his left arm, lasting approximately eight seconds. Concerns arose that he might have suffered a heart attack, prompting immediate medical attention. Spacey's health incident occurred in the historic city of Samarkand while he was exploring the Afrasiyab Museum. Without delay, he was transported to the Innova Diagnostic Clinic, where he received prompt and professional medical care from the clinic's dedicated staff. Following a series of medical tests, including an MRI, the actor received reassuring news from doctors. Fortunately, it was not a heart attack, and he was given a clean bill of health. With his health concerns behind him, Spacey resumed his participation in the Tashkent International Film Festival. Addressing the festival's audience, the Oscar-winning actor candidly shared details of his unexpected health scare during the closing ceremony. "I was looking at these extraordinary murals on the walls, and I suddenly felt my entire left arm go numb for about eight seconds," he revealed. "I shook it off, but I immediately told the people I was with, and we went immediately to the medical centre." During his afternoon at the clinic, Spacey underwent a battery of tests, all of which yielded reassuring results. Expressing gratitude that the situation was not more severe, he commended the medical expertise available in Samarkand. "Human life is very fragile and short, so everyone should live together and support each other," he urged the audience. In addition to addressing his health scare, Spacey applauded the film festival for being a haven of "peace, progress, and enlightenment". He had hosted a master class at the event the previous day and emphasised the importance of creating an environment conducive to nurturing new ideas. "The workshops that have taken place have allowed professionals to help young aspiring filmmakers learn and grow," Spacey noted. Drawing from his own experiences growing up in similar programs, he recognised the significance of such opportunities. "It's extraordinary that the Central Asian region is coming together, working together, and giving this opportunity to so many people," he stated. "You should be proud of the work that you're doing, and I'm honoured to stand here with you today and support you." Spacey concluded by teasing a self-proclaimed "comeback" and asserting that his "best roles were ahead of him". Image: Instagram

Caring

Cheese and bacon muffins

A delicious savoury muffin that’s great for when the grandkids are around or an on-the-go snack. Makes: 12 Ingredients: <ul> <li>2 egg</li> <li>250g self-raising flour</li> <li>1 cup grated cheddar cheese</li> <li>3 rashers bacon, cooked and finely diced</li> <li>1 cup milk</li> <li>½ teaspoon salt</li> <li>½ teaspoon pepper</li> </ul> Method: 1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease muffin tray and set aside. 2. Combine flour, cheese, bacon, salt and pepper in bowl. 3. In separate bowl, whisk eggs and add milk. 4. Make a well in the dry ingredient and gradually add egg mixture. Gently mix until just combined. 5. Spoon mixture into muffin tray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until tops are golden. Images: Shutterstock

Food & Wine

Kevin Costner’s wife files for divorce

Kevin Costner’s wife, Christine Baumgartner, has filed for divorce after 18 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences”, according to TMZ. The designer filed for divorce on Monday, however an inside source has revealed that Costner reportedly did not want to split from his wife. "It was not anything that he wanted or sought, and if he could change the situation, he would," the insider told People Magazine. After the divorce was filed, The Bodyguard actor’s rep shared a statement announcing the split. "It is with great sadness that circumstances beyond his control have transpired which have resulted in Mr. Costner having to participate in a dissolution of marriage action," the statement read. “We ask that his, Christine’s and their children’s privacy be respected as they navigate this difficult time.” According to Page Six, Baumgartner asked for joint custody of their three kids: Cayden, 15, Hayes, 14, and Grace, 12, in her filing. The Dances with Wolves actor filed his response on Tuesday, also asking for joint custody of their three children. The couple began dating in 1999 and dated on and off in the early 2000’s before finally tying the knot in September 2004. Image: Getty

Relationships

Kevin Spacey found not guilty of battery

Content warning: This article mentions child sexual abuse (CSA). A New York jury has found that Kevin Spacey isn’t liable for battery in a sexual abuse lawsuit brought against him by actor Anthony Rapp. The civil suit related to allegations from 1986, where Spacey allegedly picked Rapp up and briefly laid on top of him in a bed after a party. After deliberating for about an hour, the jury concluded that Rapp didn’t prove that Spacey “touched a sexual or intimate part” of him and the judge dismissed the case. Rapp, who was 14 at the time of the alleged incident, first publicly accused Spacey of sexual abuse in 2017. He alleged that Spacey, then 26, invited Rapp over to his home in Manhattan, where Spacey picked Rapp up, laid him down on a bed, grabbed his buttocks and pressed his groin into his hip. Rapp sued Spacy for $US 40 million ($NZ 70 million) in damages, and his claim of assault was dismissed by the judge before the trial started. The actor’s claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress was also dismissed after Rapp’s attorneys rested his case, meaning the jury only had to decide whether Spacey is ‘liable’ to damages for the claim of battery. Under New York law, battery is defined as touching another person without their consent and in a way that a reasonable person would find offensive. Rapp’s attorney Richard Steigman suggested in his closing statement that Spacey twisted his testimony during the trial to suit his defence, noting that Spacey apologised to Rapp when he first made the allegations. "Don't listen to what I said in real time. I'm defending a lawsuit now. Listen to me now. I've got it straightened out," Steigman said, mocking Spacey’s testimony that he regrets giving the statement in 2017 and was coerced by publicists to do it. Steigman also said Spacey’s testimony was rehearsed in comparison to Rapp’s and dismissed claims that Rapp came forward to out Spacey as gay. "When you're rehearsed, and a world class actor and you're following the script and following the testimony of someone else, you can take that stand and be perfectly polished," Steigman said. "When you're merely coming to court coming forward and telling the truth of your experience, especially one like this that's a little bit complicated." "The point of the story is not that Kevin Spacey is gay. It's that he sexually abused him when he was 14. That's what he's sharing with people, he's sharing his experience - nothing more, nothing less. Where's the proof that he said to any media outlet, you know, Kevin Spacey is gay, you really should run with this?" Jennifer Keller, Spacey’s attorney, said in her closing statement that Rapp “hitched his wagon” to the #MeToo movement when he came forward. "This isn't a team sport where you're either on the Me Too side, or you're on the other side," Keller told the jury. "This is a very different place. Our system requires evidence, proof, objective support for accusations provided to an impartial jury. However polarised as society may be today, it really should not have a place here." She also suggested that Rapp’s allegations were false and details taken from a scene from Broadway show Precious Sons, which Rapp performed with Ed Harris in 1986 at the time of the alleged incident. "We're here because Mr. Rapp has falsely alleged abuse that never occurred at a party that was never held in a room that did not exist," she said. Keller concluded her remarks by asking the jury not to compromise their judgement by finding Spacey liable but only awarding Rapp a single dollar in damages. "You're here to be judges of the facts. Did it happen? It didn't happen. One penny is too much for something that did not happen,” she said. “And for Mr. Spacey this is not about the money. For Mr. Spacey, this is about the truth that day and he was falsely accused.” Image: Getty Images

Legal

Does cooking bacon in water make it taste better

A rumour on the internet has suggested the key to juicier, crispier bacon is submerging it in cold water and bringing it to the boil. But does this theory have legs? Well, the idea at least seems to check out. The difference between “good” and “bad” bacon generally comes down to the rendering of the fat from cooking to too long or too quickly. But when you cook it with the cold-water method, bringing the cold water to the simmer, cooking it away completely, you theoretically cook the fat away without drying the bacon, and once the water’s gone all you have to do is brown the meat. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2guC4Badq2s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <a href="http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/internet-cooking-test-should-you-cook-bacon-in-water/news-story/a4ac7d3e60033861c0a625ef9638c526" target="_blank">News.com.au</a> recently put this to test, cooking a control and putting it up against the new bacon cooking method, “The ‘new’ method had produced much drier, darker bacon. It was crispier as promised, but in a way that made it less enjoyable to eat. It had developed the consistency reminiscent of beef jerky. “Even worse, this method seemed to have leached a lot of the bacon’s salt content out into the water before gluing it back to the outside of the bacon as it evaporated, making the bacon much saltier to taste.” So, what do you think? Are you going to experiment with this new bacon-cooking method, or stick to what you know works? Let us know in the comments below.

Food & Wine

Bacon and egg tarts

Ready to eat in half an hour, this delicious recipe for bacon and egg tarts is the perfect with morning or afternoon tea will become a family favourite! Serves: 8 Ingredients: <ul> <li>8 rashers bacon</li> <li>4 eggs</li> <li>20g butter</li> <li>1 onion, finely chopped</li> <li>½ cup cream</li> <li>Salt and pepper</li> <li>2 sheets puff pastry</li> <li>100g mozzarella cheese, cubed</li> </ul> To serve <ul> <li>Tomato relish</li> <li>Rocket salad</li> </ul> Method: <ol> <li>Pre-heat oven to 210°C.</li> <li>Trim the bacon of rind and cut each rasher into two pieces.</li> <li>Melt butter in a small pan and sauté the onion over a medium heat for three minutes. Remove and cool.</li> <li>Break the eggs into a small bowl and add the cream. Using a fork to gently blend together but do not beat. Season with salt and pepper.</li> <li>Cut each sheet of puff pastry into four equal squares and place into greased muffin pans.</li> <li>Arrange the two pieces of bacon in each pastry case, place a few squares of mozzarella into pastry case. Pour the egg mixture slowly into each pastry case.</li> <li>Bake the tarts in the pre-heated oven and bake for 12 - 15 minutes until pastry is puffed and golden. Allow to cool for five minutes in the tin prior to removing tarts.</li> <li>Serve hot with tomato relish and fresh garden salad leaves.</li> </ol> Image: Getty

Food & Wine

Kevin Spacey speaks after fresh sex offence charges

Kevin Spacey has finally broken his silence after being charged with four counts of sexual assault. There had been suggestions he could have been extradited from the US to the UK if he didn’t willingly appear in a London court, however in a statement given to US television program Good Morning America, the two-time Oscar winner said he would “voluntarily appear” in the UK to face the charges. Spacey said he was “confident” he could prove his innocence, after being charged on May 26 with four counts of sexual assault, as well as a charge of causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. All of the counts are alleged to have happened between 2005 and 2013. Four of the alleged offences are said to have taken place in London, while the other is alleged to have happened in Gloucestershire, in the south-west of England. Police opened an investigation into Spacey’s alleged crimes in 2017 and he was interviewed under caution by the police in 2019. In the statement to Good Morning America, Spacey said he “appreciated” that the CPS has pointed out he was entitled to a fair trial. “While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the UK as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.” he said. The alleged offences date from when Spacey was artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre, in the city’s south, between 2004 and 2015. Image: Getty

News

Kevin Spacey charged with four counts of sexual assault

Kevin Spacey has been charged with four counts of sexual assault. The former Hollywood megastar, 62, was charged by London’s Metropolitan Police and is due to appear in court. All of the counts are alleged to have happened between 2005 and 2013. Four of the alleged offences are said to have taken place in London, while the other is alleged to have happened in Gloucestershire, in the south-west of England. Robert Ainslie, head of the UK Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) special crime division, said: “The CPS has authorised criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 62, for four counts of sexual assault against three men. “He has also been charged with causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The charges follow a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation. “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.” Police opened an investigation into the House of Cards star in 2017, following this Spacey was interviewed under caution by the police in 2019. His House of Cards character, Frank Underwood, had to be killed off after he was booted from the series as allegations emerged. Shortly after Spacey was ordered to pay the studio that created the show $US43.7million ($A61.62m) last year over breach of contract following sexual harassment claims. Image: Getty

Legal

Man sues company for celebrating his birthday

A man has been awarded $US450,000 ($A611,000) after his colleagues threw a birthday party, despite him asking not to due to his anxiety disorder. Kevin Berling was working as a lab technician at Gravity Diagnostics in Kentucky when his fellow employees threw a celebration for his birthday on August 7, 2019. The 29-year-old suffered a panic attack following the celebrations and was eventually fired from his job. Mr Berling then filed a compensation lawsuit, seeking damages and compensation for lost income. “Managers started giving him a hard time for his response to the birthday celebrations,” his lawyer Tony Bucher told local TV news outlet WKRC. “They actually accused him of stealing his co-workers’ joy.” Mr Berling specifically told his boss in 2018 that he did not want any celebrations for his birthday at work due to his anxiety. His employer claims to have “forgot” about the request which resulted in a panic attack on that fateful day in 2019. It took Mr Berling almost an hour to recover from the awful ordeal in his car, which was then questioned the following day. Following the interrogation, Mr Berling suffered another panic attack. A week later, he was fired from his job with his manager being “worried about him being angry and possibly becoming violent”. Mr Berling was awarded a $US450,000 ($A611,000) judgment against the company by a unanimous jury. The settlement included $US120,000 ($A163,000) in lost wages and benefits, $US30,000 ($A40,000) in future wages, and $US300,000 ($A408,000) for “past, present and future mental pain and suffering, mental anguish, embarrassment, humiliation, mortification, and loss of self-esteem”. Image: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Why you've been cooking bacon wrong this whole time

A popular foodie blogger has shared his secret hack to making the perfect crispy bacon. The chef and bacon connoisseur, who posts as Flavour God on the app, revealed his trick to achieving the fried bacon and it is as simple as adding water to the pan. In the viral video, the man poured water over his bacon before it started cooking, which ensured it was fried to perfection and didn't splutter in the pan. "OK before you yell at your phone, hear me out," he began the video. "Adding water to your bacon while cooking does two things: It makes crispy bacon and also keeps your bacon from splattering." He explained you should cook over medium-high until the water fully evaporates which will leave you with delicious crispy bacon. Most commenters were fascinated by the breakfast hack and promised to try it themselves. "Tried this tonight. Thank you! WORKED," one person wrote. "I seriously do this when I cook sausage patties," another said. For those concerned about mixing oil and water, the chef added: "The water cooks off before any fat renders to liquid." Another TikTok user suggested running the bacon under water before frying, which achieves a similar result. Image: TikTok

Food & Wine

Donations POUR in for man wrongly convicted for murder

After US man Kevin Strickland <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/legal/no-compensation-after-43-years-of-wrongful-imprisonment" target="_blank">was released</a> from jail 43 years after his wrongful conviction in a triple murder, a flood of donations have swept in to help him rebuild his life. The <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kevin-strickland-after-wrongful-conviction" target="_blank">fundraiser</a> set up for him in June had received over $USD 400,000 ($NZD 586,000) at the time of his release, and donations keep coming. Many supporters were outraged that the 62-year-old wouldn’t receive any compensation for his time in prison from the state of Missouri. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Today, Kevin Strickland is finally home, 43 years after being ripped away from his life and family. It took not just a village, but a movement--all of you-- to bring him home. — Tricia Rojo Bushnell (@tcita) <a href="https://twitter.com/tcita/status/1463362164920623104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2021</a></blockquote> Because he wasn’t exonerated through the use of DNA evidence, Mr Strickland doesn’t qualify for wrongful imprisonment payments. Within three days of his release, donors had contributed another $600,000 to his fundraiser, totalling $USD 1.016 million ($NZD 1.49 million) . The organisers thanked donors on Tuesday, confirming that all the money raised would be received by Mr Strickland. “Thank you all for your support! All funds go directly to Mr Strickland, who the state of Missouri won’t provide a dime to for the 43 years they stole from him,” they wrote. Mr Strickland has maintained his innocence since he was sentenced to 50 years in prison in 1979. He has said that he was at home watching television at the time of the three deaths, which happened when he was 18 years old. The fundraiser, set up by the Midwest Innocence Project, has been collecting donations for Mr Strickland since June, when the organisation began campaigning for his release. They have said he would need help paying for basic living costs once he was free. “I can’t begin to say all the things I am thankful for,” Mr Strickland <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/travel/americas/almost-us1-million-raised-for-man-wrongly-convicted-of-1979-triple-homicide-c-4711022" target="_blank">said</a> as he left prison. Image: GoFundMe

Legal

No compensation after 43 years of wrongful imprisonment

US man has been freed after being imprisoned for more than four decades over crimes he didn’t commit. Kevin Strickland was convicted of one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second degree murder in relation to a triple homicide in 1978. The then 18-year-old was accused of killing Larry Ingram, 21, John Walker, 20, and Sherrie Black 22, at a home in Kansas City. He maintains that he was at home watching television at the time of the murders. He received a 50-year life sentence with no parole as an eighteen-year-old, and has always maintained that he wasn’t involved. “I’m still in disbelief,” the 62-year-old <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/man-walks-free-after-spending-four-decades-behind-bars-for-crime-he-didnt-commit-c-4692536" target="_blank">said</a> moments after his release on Wednesday. “Thank you (to the judge) for reviewing all the no evidence against me to begin with. I really appreciate him taking his time to listen and understand what really happened in 1978 and how I was an easy mark and the police took advantage of me.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845887/kevin-strickland1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/273081ddd4ee44d68dcb6e42f689fdbc" /> Kevin Strickland was the first witness to testify at the hearing that secured his freedom. Image: KCTV5 Mr Strickland learned of the court’s decision to free him from prison while watching a soap opera, when the news scrolled across the television screen. He said fellow inmates began screaming. “I’m not necessarily angry. It’s a lot. I think I’ve created emotions that you all don’t know about just yet,” he told reporters while leaving the Western Missouri prison. “Joy, sorrow, fear. I am trying to figure out how to put them together.” All of Mr Strickland’s charges were dismissed after his legal team presented evidence to exonerate him. During the proceedings, family members of the sole surviving witness, Cynthia Douglas, said she was pressured by police to name Strickland as one of the men she saw on the night of the murders. Cynthia passed away in 2015, but her mother and daughter appeared before the court to testify. “We were talking, she said, ‘Mother, I picked the wrong guy. The officer told me that was the guy,” <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/kevin-strickland-first-to-testify-at-long-awaited-hearing/article_5ecc3214-40f1-11ec-b53b-1f9e37137c18.html" target="_blank">said</a> Senoria Douglas, Cyntha’s mother. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845888/kevin-strickland2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/46cf4c1eccd248cab801dbdad9f03e58" /> Cyntha Douglas’ mother, Seroria, spoke about how her daughter told her she ‘picked the wrong guy’. Image: KCTV5 Sherrie Jordan, Cynthia’s daughter, said: “She started saying (that) Kevin Strickland was the wrong guy. And she was trying to get him out, by going through the right procedures.” Judge James Welsh, a retired court of appeals judge, made the ruling to free Mr Strickland after a Jackson county prosecutor requested an evidentiary hearing, saying evidence used to convict him had since been recanted or disproven. “Under these unique circumstances, the Court’s confidence in Strickland’s convictions is so undermined that it cannot stand, and the judgement of conviction must be set aside,” Welsh <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/nov/24/kevin-strickland-freed-42-years-wrongful-conviction" target="_blank">wrote</a> when ordering Mr Strickland’s immediate release. Since securing his freedom, one of the first things Mr Strickland did was visit his mother’s grave. “That was the first step. I didn’t have a chance to visit her in the last years … I revisited those tears that I did when they told me I was guilty of a crime I didn’t commit,” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2021/11/24/kevin-strickland-prison-release-newday-vpx.cnn" target="_blank">CNN</a> on Wednesday. But, Mr Strickland will not receive any compensation from the State of Missouri for his time spent in prison, and a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kevin-strickland-after-wrongful-conviction" target="_blank">GoFundMe</a> set up to help him restart his life has received more than $400,000 in donations. Image: Midwest Innocence Project

Legal

Kevin Bacon shares playful insight into his laundry

Kevin Bacon made an interesting discovery about his wife Kyra Sedgwick while doing their laundry and took to social media to share it with fans. The 63-year-old shared a photo on Instagram of a lacy G-string belonging to his wife, which has been monogrammed with a cheeky message. “Sometimes doing laundry can be full of surprises,” the actor captioned the photo, with the underwear showing the words “I [heart] KB” bejewelled in rhinestones. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUAu6WRpP--/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUAu6WRpP--/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon)</a> </div> </blockquote> Sedgwick playfully responded in the comments, writing: “Thanks for airing my dirty laundry 😉❤️”. Fans reacted with their own jokes and comments, with many noticing Bacon’s face reflected in the washing machine dial. “I have that same pair,” one person joked. Another asked, “where do I get these”. The pair recently celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary, with the Footloose star sharing a sweet post on Instagram to mark the occasion. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTaPu97JdAa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTaPu97JdAa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Here’s to dancing through life with you @kyrasedgwickofficial,” he wrote alongside a black and white photo. “Happy anniversary. You are the reason.” Bacon and Sedgwick married in 1988 and share two children: 28-year-old actress Sosie and 31-year-old musician Travis. Image: kevinbacon / Instagram

Relationships

Kevin the Kookaburra's killer receives maximum penalty

The man who tore the head off a kookaburra at a Perth pub has been fined the maximum penalty of AU$2,500. WA Police and RSPCA WA began an investigation following accounts from patrons at the Parkerville Tavern, who said they witnessed Daniel Welfare rip the head off Kevin the kookaburra after the bird took food from his plate. The $2,500 fine is the maximum penalty for the offence of “unlawful take of fauna”. According to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Welfare was the first person to be fined the maximum amount for the offence since new laws came into force on January 1. “Even though kookaburras are not native to Western Australia, they are classified as fauna under the Act, which means people must not take or disturb them without lawful authority,” a spokesperson said. The kookaburra had been well-known to pub staff and regulars prior to the attack, with a notice featuring a photo of Kevin on display at the tavern. “Meet one of the locals (he’s still out there). He has a love for the Parky Steak Sandwich and fish. He is loathed to buy his own and whenever possible, will sneak up and steal yours,” the sign warns. “Please be mindful of your precious steak sandwich and meals in the garden and in the meantime, we shall continue our negotiations with this chap in the hope that he learns some table manners.” A customer told <a href="https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wildlife/kookaburras-head-ripped-off-in-barbaric-attack-at-parkerville-tavern-ng-b881364437z">PerthNow</a> that Welfare “grabbed” Kevin after the bird flew down onto his plate. “I went ‘Oh my god, he’s got him’ and then he sort of just hesitated for a moment, like seconds, and then put his hands under the table and just ripped his head off,” the customer said. “The thing that got me is he just threw the bird on the floor, he just ditched it.” Investigations with the RSPCA and the Department of Primary Industries and Development are still ongoing.

Domestic Travel

Justice for Kevin: Man who tore kookaburra's head off could face prosecution

A man who tore the head off a kookaburra in a Perth pub in front of families with young children may still face prosecution. The man, allegedly in his 40s, was at the Parkerville Tavern, when the beloved but chip stealing resident kookaburra known as Kevin stole some chips off his plate. The man allegedly grabbed the kookaburra, pulled the bird's head off and threw it under the table. Kevin was beloved by locals who attended the pub. An RSPCA spokeswoman told AAP that the organisation had not given up on pursuing the man but said that the Animal Welfare Act was unclear. Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan has promised to search legal avenues surrounding native wildlife protection. “It is pretty disgusting I think everyone is rightly appalled. We are now checking with the department whether or not this can be characterised as an act of animal cruelty,” she said on Monday to <a rel="noopener" href="https://10daily.com.au/shows/10-news-first/a191028drqhz/shock-and-disbelief-as-man-who-allegedly-ripped-head-of-kookaburra-may-not-be-prosecuted-20191028" target="_blank">10daily</a>. “I think everyone in this community would say there should be some penalty for behaving in this way. And that’s what we are very determined that we will sort this out.” Environment Minister Stephen Dawson has said that a review of the Animal Welfare Act is underway. “If the allegations are true, this is a despicable act. The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and WA Police are conducting a joint investigation into the incident,” he said. “The State Government currently has a review of the Animal Welfare Act underway, with an independent panel due to provide advice to the Agriculture Minister next year. “Cases like this will be examined as part of the review.”

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Donations POUR in for man wrongly convicted for murder

No compensation after 43 years of wrongful imprisonment

Kevin Bacon shares playful insight into his laundry

Kevin the Kookaburra's killer receives maximum penalty

Justice for Kevin: Man who tore kookaburra's head off could face prosecution