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Jamie Oliver renews vows in Las Vegas

<p>Jamie Oliver is celebrating 24 years of marriage! </p> <p>The celebrity chef and his wife Juliette Norton - also known as Jools - celebrated their 24th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows. </p> <p>The couple organised a more fun and laid back ceremony, with a trip to Las Vegas, which, of course, included an Elvis impersonator. </p> <p>"Happy 24th wedding anniversary @joolsoliver 24 years !!! Love you - Las vagus baby !!" Oliver captioned a series of Instagram photos from their special day. </p> <p>"@gracelandweddingchapellv big love really good fun 🙏🏼 jamie xxx."</p> <p>The pair seemed to be having the time of their life posing and dancing alongside the Elvis impersonator. </p> <p>Their outfits also matched the fun occasion with Oliver donning a grey suit paired with aviator sunglasses, while Norton wore a pair of jeans, cowboy boots, a white top and a mini veil. </p> <p>Oliver also included a few snaps from their wedding in July 2000, where they also hired an Elvis impersonator. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8pbo-ztToH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8pbo-ztToH/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jools Oliver (@joolsoliver)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Norton shared her own Instagram post, with the caption: "Happy 24 crazy married years together🤍 I love you so much." </p> <p>"thank you for indulging my LOVE for Elvis 🤍 I know this marriage has '3 people in it 😂😂 but you get me like NO other!</p> <p>"Just you wait and see what I have planned for our 25th 😉❤️❤️❤️❤️"</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Rod Stewart’s secret ceremony

<p>Sir Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster have shared in a secret ceremony down under.</p> <p>As busy as he was entertaining the masses, the British rocker, 78, found the time to renew his vows with his model wife, 52, for a second time.</p> <p>According to <em>Women’s Day</em>, the vow renewal took place during their time in Sydney.</p> <p>The lovebirds arrived in Australia in early March 2023 to kick off Stewart’s tour where he wowed the nation with a string of performances.</p> <p>Stewart and Lancaster managed to sneak off to a special ceremony accompanied by their sons Alistair, 17, Aiden, 12 and their 18-year-old niece Raphaella.</p> <p>Rod “spaced out his tour” so that their sons could attend the vow renewal, <em>Woman’s Day</em> claimed.</p> <p>According to an insider the pair had plans to renew their vows for a while but held off until this year.</p> <p>They celebrated the special day afterwards at dinner with Aussie TV presenter Richard Wilkins.</p> <p>The insider, a friend close to the family, said, “There’s a very good reason why Rod’s insisted he space out his tour dates – it’s the perfect place and the perfect time to renew their wedding vows.</p> <p>“Now they can’t wait and are using this chance to do something special while here.</p> <p>“Penny and Rod love being in love.</p> <p>“They think there’s something fun about celebrating their vows in different locations around the world, so why not do it all again in Sydney!”</p> <p>Stewart and Lancaster first met after she offered to take photos of him during one of his tours in 1999.</p> <p>The 52-year-old had recently made the switch from modelling to photography just a few years before meeting him.</p> <p>The couple tied the knot eight years later at a beautiful ceremony in Portofino, Italy.</p> <p>They continued the love-fest during their lavish honeymoon in a yacht at the same location.</p> <p>The pair first renewed their vows on their 10th wedding anniversary in 2017.</p> <p>They share two kids together, while Stewart shares his eldest child Sarah with his ex Susannah Boffey.</p> <p>The singer also has a daughter Ruby with his ex-girlfriend Kelly Emberg and Renee and Liam were born while he was married to his ex-wife Rachel Hunter.</p> <p>His daughter Kimberely and his son Sean were born during his marriage to ex-wife Alana Stewart.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

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Jamie Oliver shares sweet family update

<p>Renowned celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has renewed his wedding vows with his wife Jools after 23 years of marriage.</p> <p>The longtime couple took part in a touching ceremony with their children at the luxury resort Soneva Fushi in the Maldives.</p> <p>“Morning all, me and @joolsoliver got married again! Yep After 23 years together, we thought it would be a special moment to celebrate renewing our wedding vows before the kids all start leaving the nest,” the restaurateur wrote on Instagram.</p> <p>“It was really special, funny and romantic with the words in the ceremony making more sense having come this far together.</p> <p>“It seems like a blink since the first wedding which we kept very private apart from the paparazzi at the village church.</p> <p>“We thought it would be a happy and joyful moment to share with you all this Easter.</p> <p>“We’ve always dreamed of going to the Maldives and it was just as you would have dreamed, simply amazing!</p> <p>“A massive thank you to all the team at @discoversoneva for blowing our minds and making this moment so special and memorable big love guys Jamie O xxxxxxxxx.”</p> <p>Oliver also shared 10 photos from the special day, including sweet snaps of all their five children, Honey, 20, Daisy Boo, 19, Petal Blossom, 13, Buddy Bear, 11 and River Rocket, five.</p> <p>Friends and followers flooded the comments to congratulate the happy couple.</p> <p>“Fantastic. Wonderful. Lotsa Fun. Congratulations whānau Oliver 🔥,” fellow chef Peter Gordon said.</p> <p>“Awwww congratulations love birds,” singer Gary Barlow wrote.</p> <p>“I couldn’t love this more ❤️❤️ Congratulations you beautiful bunch xxxx,” radio host Emma Wilson said.</p> <p>Jools took to Instagram also, writing that their first wedding was “so wonderful... we did it again”.</p> <p>“What an incredible memory to treasure so happy, emotional, romantic and beautiful. Seeing the children’s little faces made the whole experience so special,” she wrote.</p> <p>The vow renewal comes after Oliver opened up about his wife’s “deeply scary” experience with long COVID.</p> <p>Since contracting the virus over two years ago, Jools is still battling with ill symptoms.</p> <p>In August 2022, Oliver shared that doctors still could not find a cure.</p> <p>“She’s had bad COVID and long COVID, so she’s been really affected by it, sadly,” he told <em>Mail Plus</em>.</p> <p>“She’s OK, but still not what she wants to be.”</p> <p>“It’s been two years. She finds it deeply scary.”</p> <p>The lovebirds initially tied the knot in 2000 following eight years of dating.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

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Emma Willis shares unseen footage of vow renewal

<p dir="ltr">On her 14th wedding anniversary to Bruce Willis, Emma Heming Willis decided to share unseen footage of the couple’s vow renewal in 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">Emma took to Instagram to share the sweet video montage of the ceremony that took place in the Turks and Caicos Islands.</p> <p dir="ltr">“On our 10th wedding anniversary we decided to renew our vows in the same place we said ‘I do’ back in 2009. I’m so happy we did. Seize every opportunity to unite and celebrate with family and friends,” she captioned the video.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple’s original officiant, Steve Eads, can be spotted marrying the couple again during the 2019 ceremony.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Those are the moments and beautiful pockets of memories that you get to hold on to for a lifetime. And we get to keep those memories safe and alive for the ones that might not be able to,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">This is the couple’s first anniversary since Bruce’s <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/cruel-disease-bruce-willis-given-heartbreaking-new-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dementia diagnosis</a>, and Emma chose to reflect on the joyous occasion by expressing her gratitude for having these memories to hold on to, and for the constant support from the expansive Willis family.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A big shout out to our videographer @demimoore, our wedding singers @rumerwillis @scoutlaruewillis and our two flower girls Mabel Ray &amp; Evelyn Penn,” she added in the caption, mentioning Willis’ ex-wife Demi Moore and all of their kids.</p> <p dir="ltr">She also thanked their “sweet family and friends for always showing up”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqESEaBuKzu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqESEaBuKzu/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Emma Heming Willis (@emmahemingwillis)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The video is shared moments after Emma posted a heartbreaking message on how hard “special occasions” are for caregivers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Today marks 14 years of marriage to the greatest love of my life,” she captioned the photo of a bouquet of flowers.</p> <p dir="ltr">She then goes on to share a small act of kindness from a friend who had remembered that it was the couple’s anniversary. Her friend, Juliya, had bought her a bouquet of flowers with a note that said: “Happy Anniversary amongst other things”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It got me thinking about how hard these types of “special occasions” can be on caregivers. When usually our person would acknowledge the event, now their changing brains just can’t. And that is what it is,” she shared.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So my point is this. If you know someone that is looking after someone else, don’t ask what you can do, just do. This random act of kindness will honestly stay with me for a long time.</p> <p dir="ltr">I love you Juliya. You single handedly made this day special for us 💐💞,” she added.</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/CqDU7iGLD_8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CqDU7iGLD_8/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Emma Heming Willis (@emmahemingwillis)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Emma has constantly <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/any-tips-bruce-willis-wife-posts-heartfelt-plea" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared her journey</a> as a caregiver after Bruce announced that he will be stepping away from his career as an actor due to his <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/news/news/bruce-willis-forced-to-retire-after-medical-diagnosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aphasia diagnosis</a> last March.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"Return our stolen diamonds!": ďťżRenewed pleas over the Great Star of Africa ďťż

<p>In the wake of Queen Elizabeth II's passing, calls in South Africa are growing stronger for the British royal family to return the world’s largest known clear-cut diamond.</p> <p>Known as the “Great Star of Africa” or “Cullinan I”, the diamond is cut from a larger gem that was mined in South Africa in 1905. It was handed over to the British royal family by South Africa’s colonial authorities. At the moment, the diamond resides on a royal sceptre that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.</p> <p>Demands for the return of the Great Star of Africa and other items have intensified since the Queen's death, as many South Africans view Britain's acquisition of the jewels as illegitimate.</p> <p>"The Cullinan Diamond must be returned to South Africa with immediate effect," activist Thanduxolo Sabelo has told local media, adding that: "The minerals of our country and other countries continue to benefit Britain at the expense of our people."</p> <p>According to the Royal Collection Trust, which oversees the royal collection of the British royal family, the Great Star of Africa was presented to King Edward VII in 1907, two years after its discovery in a private mine.</p> <p>Supporting the British monarchy's claim to the precious stone, the Royal Asscher Diamond Company has said that the gem was purchased by South Africa's Transvaal government (run by British rule) and presented to King Edward VII as a birthday gift.</p> <p>A University of South Africa professor of African politics, Everisto Benyera, rejects this narrative, telling CNN that "colonial transactions are illegitimate and immoral”.</p> <p>"Our narrative is that the whole Transvaal and Union of South Africa governments and the concomitant mining syndicates were illegal," Benyera has said, arguing that: "Receiving a stolen diamond does not exonerate the receiver. The Great Star is a blood diamond ... The private (mining) company, the Transvaal government, and the British Empire were part of a larger network of coloniality."</p> <p>According to the Royal Asscher, the Cullinan diamond was cut into nine large stones and 96 smaller pieces. The largest of these was named the Great Star of Africa by King Edward VII, who also named the second largest cut stone the Smaller Star of Africa.</p> <p>The larger diamond was set in the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the second cut stone was mounted in the Imperial Crown, which has been on display this week on the Queen's coffin.</p> <p>African countries continue to fight for the recovery of cultural artefacts that have been stolen by colonial troops, with more than 6000 people signing a petition for the return of the jewel so that it can be displayed in a South African museum.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Energy bills are spiking after the Russian invasion. We should have doubled-down on renewables years ago

<p>Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is happening half a planet away from Australia. </p> <p>But the ripple effects are plain to see at every petrol station and, potentially soon, your electricity bill. </p> <p>As a result of the invasion and Western sanctions on Russian exports, energy prices have skyrocketed. </p> <p>If that makes you think nations should have taken steps to secure alternatives to fossil fuels years ago, you’re not alone. As it is, the much higher energy prices are likely to accelerate the exit of coal – and gas – from our energy grids. </p> <p>This should be a wake-up call. It doesn’t matter that Australia is far from the battlefield. Everyone in the world will be affected in some way.</p> <h2>What’s the link between the invasion and Australian energy prices?</h2> <p>You might think Australia’s domestic supply of coal and gas means we’d be immune to price rises. Not so. </p> <p>Due to formal sanctions and informal shunning of Russian exports, oil, coal and gas are now extremely expensive on a global scale. Thermal coal prices have increased five-fold to an unprecedented ~$A500 per tonne. Oil is ~$140 a barrel and up 60% year on year. Natural gas in Europe is around 50% higher than last October, but since the invasion, prices have spiked as high as ~200% higher than 2021 levels. </p> <p>Coal buyers are locking in supply, concerned that Russian sanctions will continue. Russia is the <a href="https://www.spglobal.com/commodity-insights/en/market-insights/latest-news/metals/030722-factbox-russian-metals-industrys-reliance-on-china-set-to-rise-as-sanctions-disrupt-supplies">third largest exporter of coal</a> and its existing customers are now under pressure to find alternative supplies. </p> <p>Russia’s aggression is not just resulting in a major humanitarian and political crisis. It is also causing pain at the bowser for Australian consumers due to the surge in oil pricing and may soon result in higher electricity bills. </p> <p>Australia’s east-coast electricity market is still heavily reliant upon coal. While many coal-fired power stations have existing supply contracts, the much higher global coal price may increase the cost of any extra coal purchases by existing power stations. </p> <p>Not only that, but our gas-fired power stations are facing potential increases in operating costs due to much higher global gas prices. </p> <p>Unfortunately, we may see the result in rising power bills. The price of future contracts for wholesale electricity next year in NSW are now twice what they were a year ago. Assuming this flows through to end-users, prices for residential customers could increase by as much as 10–15%. </p> <h2>So what should Australia do?</h2> <p>While it’s too late to dodge this bullet, we can prepare for future shocks by doubling down on firmed renewables. The faster we move, the less we’ll be hit by the price and reliability risks of coal. </p> <p>Already under pressure from cheaper renewable technologies, coal power station operators now find themselves potentially facing much higher costs in the short-term. There’s no relief for coal in the long term either, with the rapid rise of renewables and other zero-carbon technologies.</p> <p>Not only that, but most of our coal power stations are near the end of their lives, and industry doesn’t want to build new ones. That means coal will become more and more expensive, as the plants become <a href="https://www.aemo.com.au/-/media/files/electricity/nem/planning_and_forecasting/inputs-assumptions-methodologies/2020/aep-elical-assessment-of-ageing-coal-fired-generation-reliability.pdf">increasingly unreliable</a>. </p> <p>Wind and solar technologies are now much cheaper per unit of energy generated and can be integrated with energy storage to provide dispatchable “firmed” energy. The faster we transition to renewables firmed by storage, the better.</p> <p>If we do this, our new grid will also be more reliable. Continuing to rely upon coal is like relying upon a 1970s car to travel from Sydney to Melbourne on the hottest day of the year. </p> <p>State governments around the nation are already embracing this approach, with the New South Wales government moving ahead with plans for 12 gigawatts (GW) of new renewables and storage and the Victorian government announcing plans for 9GW of offshore windfarms. </p> <p>Governments must carefully design policies to avoid guaranteeing profits for private sector players while socialising any losses across taxpayers and energy consumers. In NSW, <a href="https://econpapers.repec.org/article/blaajarec/v_3a66_3ay_3a2022_3ai_3a1_3ap_3a136-163.htm">alternatives</a> are being considered.</p> <p>As European and many other nations scramble to reduce their dependency on Russian coal, oil and gas, Australia now has a once in a generation opportunity to become a leading exporter of new clean energy. </p> <p>We have truly enormous clean energy resources in the form of free sunlight and wind. To export it, we can either run underseas cables to neighbouring countries, or convert cheap renewable power into <a href="https://theconversation.com/green-hydrogen-is-coming-and-these-australian-regions-are-well-placed-to-build-our-new-export-industry-174466">green hydrogen</a> and ship this to the world just as we currently do with LNG.</p> <h2>What else can we expect to see?</h2> <p>Surging fossil fuel prices has supercharged the existing disruption to an already rapidly changing domestic energy industry. In the past month, Origin announced it would abandon coal more rapidly, with the closure of its NSW coal-fired power station, Eraring, in 2025. </p> <p>Meanwhile, AGL has been pursuing a “demerger” with a view to splitting off its coal assets and pursuing new energy technologies. This comes as Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Canadian asset fund Brookfield <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-06/brt-agl-brookfield-bid-rejected/100887042">offered to buy AGL</a> for $8.25 a share, though they were not successful. Their plan was to accelerate the closure of AGL’s coal assets, which would move AGL from the <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org.au/news/new-government-data-reveals-agl-as-australias-biggest-climate-polluter/">highest carbon emitter in Australia</a> to a clean energy company. The age of coal power is ending, and much faster than most of us realise.</p> <p>This crisis should spur us to build a future-proofed fleet of “firmed” and well-distributed renewables with a known cost structure. </p> <p>By doing this, we will protect ourselves from the pain of geopolitically driven fossil fuel prices. And we will have a platform ready if we want to provide clean energy to the world in the form of green hydrogen.</p> <p>We have had decades to make full use of our wealth of renewable energy resources. We haven’t embraced this as fully as we should have. </p> <p>It turns out localised clean energy production is not just necessary to tackle climate change. It will prove a vital resource as we navigate the highly turbulent decade we have found ourselves in.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/energy-bills-are-spiking-after-the-russian-invasion-we-should-have-doubled-down-on-renewables-years-ago-179336" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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Prince Charles and Camilla’s alleged ‘love child’ renews battle to prove his claim

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A mum has taken to social media with a warning to parents after her daughter was stung by a wasp caught in her clothes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Having hung her daughter Kathleen’s clothes out to dry, Sabrina Rigby said the insect must have climbed in and subsequently stung the six-year-old.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“WARNING. Check your laundry!” she wrote in a Facebook post. In the post, she said that she’d hung her daughter’s clothes on the line to dry the day before.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This queen wasp has emerged from hibernation and gotten caught up in the clothes,” she recounted. “The clothes which I then bagged and left in the girls room to be packed away.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I didn’t know she was there until this morning, when she managed to wriggle her way out of the bag and sting Kathleen,” the mum said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She is okay and luckily, it turns out, not allergic like I am. But you can bet I’ll be checking  all my laundry from now on!” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Commenters were thankful for the advice and shared their appreciation for the mum sharing her story.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Now peering inside my slippers before I put my feet in!!” one woman wrote.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I got one in my sons pjs last week when I was folding them,” another shared.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Concerned about her daughter, others warned the mum to keep an eye on her in case she actually is allergic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“You don’t tend to react badly to a first exposure, it is subsequent exposures that she’ll react to if she’s allergic,” one mum advised. “Keep a close eye if she gets stung again in the future.” </span></p> <p><strong>Image credit: Sharina Rigby / Facebook </strong></p>

Family & Pets

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Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s secret vow renewals Down Under

<p>After a rough start to the year, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have finally found solace in Byron Bay in the NSW North Coast.</p> <p>Last week it was revealed the couple, along with their daughters Sunday, 12 and Faith, nine, are calling a rumoured $20,000-a-week estate home as the actress films her new TV show,<span> </span><em>Nine Perfect Strangers</em>.</p> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><em>Woman’s Day</em>, an insider revealed that the Spanish-style property is about to serve as a stage for a vow renewal ceremony between the couple, who celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary in June.</p> <p>"Nicole had barely dropped her suitcase when she was struck with the idea of doing this with Keith at the house," says a source.</p> <p>"It just feels made for a romantic ceremony, and Nicole has this fantasy of exchanging sweet nothings with her husband in the macadamia orchard surrounded by twinkling fairy lights and their closest family members."</p> <p>"It's been a rough year full of separations and stress for Nicole and Keith, and this could be the perfect way to put this all behind them," says the source.</p> <p>"At the back of Nicole's mind is always her mum's health worries, and she wants to put on a day for Janelle to bask in – and she loves nothing more than being surrounded by family."</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CEAgknZptWY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CEAgknZptWY/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">#ByronBay is the real deal! 😍🌅 No green screen needed 👌 #OfficeViews</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/nicolekidman/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Nicole Kidman</a> (@nicolekidman) on Aug 17, 2020 at 3:55pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Despite being hard at work on set, Nicole is said to be using her downtime to plan the ceremony.</p> <p>"She's organising mocktails for Keith, of course, and plans to turn the stunning deck overlooking the fields and ocean into a giant dance floor.</p> <p>She wants it to be extremely intimate, so it will most likely just be her mum and sister, his mum and brother, and their nieces and nephews," revealed the source, saying Sunday and Faith will be bridesmaids on the big day.</p> <p>Meanwhile, "hopeless romantic" Keith, 52, is already working on a speech.</p> <p>"He's pottering around writing a speech that he knows will be a tear-jerker," says the source.</p> <p>"Nicole and Keith are excited to create a beautiful day for their nearest and dearest – and give their marriage some much-needed TLC as well".</p>

Relationships

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Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood renews wedding vows with wife

<p>Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood has renewed wedding vows with his 40-year-old wife Sally in an intimate commitment ceremony to mark their fifth anniversary together.</p> <p>The 70-year-old rocker has 23-month-old twins with the theatre producer.</p> <p>Speaking to <a href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Hello magazine</strong></em></span></a>, Sally Wood said, 'We do celebrate our anniversary, we always go for dinner at the Dorchester and then last year we renewed our vows.</p> <p>“Ronnie and I had a blessing in a church in Berkhamsted, just with our twins, so the four of us. It was lovely. And then it was the Hamilton opening night that evening and we had been invited so, for me, that was amazing.”</p> <p>Sally believes her bond with Woods, who has four children with previous marriages, has only grown stronger in the years since they originally tied the knot.</p> <p>The two are also reportedly looking forward to the royal wedding.</p> <p>“I am so excited about the wedding of Harry and Meghan. We are having a party. I had one when Kate and William got married,” Sally said.</p> <p>“We will probably have about 30 people round and I will send out invites saying dress for a wedding.</p> <p>“It will be fun, like a mini street party in the house. I will be putting up the bunting. And I think we will do a sweepstake on the dress. Meghan will look amazing.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

Music

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7 things to do when you renew your insurance policy

<p>Most of the time we renew an insurance policy almost automatically, without giving it a second thought. But our policy may no longer specifically cater for our needs.</p> <p>Here are seven things you must do before signing the dotted line.</p> <p><strong>1. Set yourself a reminder</strong></p> <p>The wrong decision is often made because you haven’t had enough time to weigh up all of the options. Make sure you set yourself a reminder a few weeks before your renewal date, so you have time to prepare and consider all the possibilities.</p> <p><strong>2. Review your Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)</strong></p> <p>Don’t let an insurance company get one over you in the fine print. Before signing on to the new policy make sure you check the new PDS for any changes, and if you need more information don’t hesitate and get in contact with your insurer.</p> <p><strong>3. Re-evaluate your needs</strong></p> <p>Life events can mean old policies leave your dangerously underinsured, or needlessly over-insured. Review the nature of your policy so it’s consistent with your current state.</p> <p><strong>4. Focus on value, over price</strong></p> <p>When you’re choosing a policy, try to look at the bigger picture. The cheapest policy isn’t necessarily the one that offers the greatest value. Try to consider everything from product inclusions to deductibles, exclusions and even coverage limits.</p> <p><strong>5. Make sure your information is accurate and up to date</strong></p> <p>Any gifts, purchases or new conditions can make a big difference to your insurance policy. If your circumstances change it’s up to you to ensure your insurer is informed.</p> <p><strong>6. Discuss your premium with your insurer</strong></p> <p>Your premium is often a point of contention, but you’d be surprised how few people actually bring it up with their insurer. Contact your insurer and if you’re not happy with the size of your premium many will be willing to at least review it.</p> <p><strong>7. Have a look at what’s out there</strong></p> <p>The grass isn’t always greener on the other side, but often it is. Australia has a competitive insurance market, so don’t be afraid to look around to find a product that better suits your needs.</p> <p><em>Source: Understanding Insurance</em></p> <p>Are you satisfied with your level of insurance?</p> <p>Share your thoughts in the comments.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/finance/insurance/2016/08/10-secrets-hospitals-dont-want-you-to-know/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 secrets hospitals don’t want you to know</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/insurance/2016/08/10-more-unhealthy-habits-you-have-to-cut-out-now/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 more unhealthy habits you have to cut out now</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/insurance/2016/08/10-health-problems-you-must-not-ignore/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>10 health problems you must not ignore</strong></em></span></a></p>

Insurance

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Smart tips for renewing your insurance

<p>In the end of the day, the easiest thing you can do is stick with your existing insurer, but it’s not necessarily the best thing. Failing to shop around when you’re due to renew your policy can leave you hundreds of dollars worse off and with potentially inferior cover.</p> <p>We’re going to take a look at a collection of smart tips for renewing policies for a range of different types of insurance. By shopping around and finding the best deals you can save a lot of money on premiums and ensure you have the best level of cover available.</p> <p><strong>Tips for renewing all types of insurance</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Don’t leave it to the last minute</strong> – Be proactive in reviewing your policy. If you leave it to the last couple of days to renew your insurance you may find you’re tempted to stick with your current insurer, rather than shopping around for a better deal.</li> <li><strong>Get at least three quotes</strong> – Even if you just run your details through an online comparison website to compare your premium and inclusions with similar policies, it’s important to see what’s out there.</li> <li><strong>Consider the levels of cover</strong> – It’s also recommended that you take the time to check if you need to change the level of cover you had last year. Your health needs may warrant a lower level cover, or conversely, require you to access a higher level of cover.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Tips for renewing car insurance</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Compare the value of no claims discounts</strong> – Some insurers offer a reduced premium for drivers who haven’t made a claim, called a ‘no claims discount’. If you’ve got a good driving record, shop around and compare quotes as the size of this discount often varies.</li> <li><strong>Consider bundling policies together</strong> – Many insurers will offer a discount if you bundle your compulsory third party insurance in with your other insurance.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Tip for renewing home and contents insurance</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Review your level of cover</strong> – If you feel your home and possessions have grown or decreased in value over the last year it’s time to review your level of cover. An example of this would be if you purchased an expensive whitegoods item, you may want extra cover. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/finance/insurance/2016/03/common-insurance-traps-to-avoid/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>8 common insurance traps to avoid</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/insurance/2016/03/how-to-avoid-hidden-costs-at-the-hospital/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>How to avoid hidden costs at the hospital</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/finance/insurance/2016/03/what-insurance-extras-are-worth-it/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>What insurance extras are worth it?</strong></em></span></a></p>

Insurance

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