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Serena Williams “mortified” by health scare

<p>Serena Williams has undergone a procedure in hospital to remove a brachial cyst in her neck. </p> <p>The tennis legend documented her health scare on TikTok, sharing how she ended up in surgery after doctors originally told her not to worry about it. </p> <p>“A lot has been happening and I had surgery recently where I had to take some yucky medicine that I hated so much,” she said in a video. </p> <p>“One day back in May, I found this big mass on my neck. I was mortified by it and I got tests done — everything you can imagine. Everything was negative."</p> <p>“Turns out I have what’s called a cyst, a brachial cyst, to be exact."</p> <p>“(Doctors) said I don’t need to get it removed if I don’t want. So, I did not get it (removed) but it kept growing."</p> <p>“I decided to get more tests and, three tests and one biopsy later, everything was still negative, but doctors advised I get it removed as soon as possible because it was the size of a small grapefruit and it could get infected, or worse, leak.”</p> <p>Williams then shared vision of the procedure she had to undergo to have it removed.</p> <p>“So, I ended up having to get it removed. It was so big, it was the size of a grapefruit, and it kind of hurt at coming out,” she went on.</p> <p>“Obviously I went under (general anesthetic) for it, but they had to put a drain in it because it was so much."</p> <p>“But everything worked out and I feel really happy to have worked with some great doctors."</p> <p>“A little scared here but excited to move on to the next steps of healing and doing well.”</p> <p>The 43-year-old mother-of-two is still recovering from the operation, saying, “I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy."</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok / Andrew Schwartz / Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

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Brigitte Bardot's health scare

<p>Emergency services have rushed to the home of Brigitte Bardot on Wednesday after she reportedly had trouble breathing. </p> <p>The French icon's husband, Bernard d'Ormale, confirmed the news to local French publication <em>Var-Matin</em>. </p> <p>"It was around 9am when Brigitte had trouble breathing,"  he told the outlet. He added that the ambulance service initially got the address wrong. </p> <p>"Her breathing was stronger than usual but she did not lose consciousness. Let's call it a moment of respiratory distraction," he added. </p> <p>Bardot's husband confirmed that the 88-year-old star is now recovering following the rescue intervention from paramedics, and said that she does not need further medical assistance. </p> <p>He explained that Bardot had been complaining of excessive heat in the lead up to the emergency. </p> <p>"Like all people of a certain age, she can no longer bear the heat. It happens at 88 years old", he said.</p> <p>Bardot is one of the most well-known sex symbol of the 50s and 60s. She withdrew from the entertainment industry in 1973 and has since dedicated most of her life being an animal rights activist. </p> <p>In 2012, she did an extremely rare interview with <em>Vogue Homme</em> where she revealed the reason why she quit film. </p> <p>"No one can imagine how awful it was. A nightmare. I just couldn't live like that anymore," she recalled. </p> <p>"I quit the films when I was 38 because I'd had it up to here, so I have no desire to go back."</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"What a FIGHTER!": Susan Boyle reveals secret health scare during comeback

<p>Singing sensation Susan Boyle surprised her fans with an unexpected appearance on<em> Britain’s Got Talent </em>for the competition’s extravagant final. </p> <p>Boyle, who had previously appeared on the show herself in 2009, took to the stage with the cast of the West End’s <em>Les Miserables</em> for a performance of the song ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ - the same one she auditioned with when she was a competitor. </p> <p>And fans were treated to one more song, with the ensemble joining Boyle for a rendition of ‘Do You Hear The People Sing?’ too. </p> <p>Once the crowd’s delighted applause had quietened, Britain’s Got Talent hosts Ant and Dec approached Boyle, gushing over her as they welcomed her back to the stage. </p> <p>“It is so lovely to see you,” Dec declared. “It’s hard to believe you appeared on this show in 2009 - fourteen years ago. How does it feel to be back at <em>BGT</em>?” </p> <p>“It feels great,” Susan told him, to further cheering from the audience. </p> <p>She went on to share that the whole affair was “extra special” to her, before revealing that “last April there, I suffered a minor stroke.”</p> <p>The theatre was quiet, everyone taken by surprise, before Boyle announced that she’d “fought like crazy to get back on stage, and I have done it.”</p> <p>As Dec shared that they were “thrilled” to hear of her triumphant return, cheers rang out once again, and applause echoed throughout the room in celebration of Boyle. </p> <p>When judge Simon Cowell - who was present for Boyle’s audition as well - was asked how it felt to see her back on the stage, he noted that it was “unbelievable”. </p> <p>“Susan, we owe you so much,” he said, “and I knew you weren't well, but if anyone was going to come back, you were going to come back, because we wouldn't be the same without you. You are amazing."</p> <p>And when clips from her performance, and following reveal, made it online, fans wasted no time in sharing their love and support for the singer. </p> <p>“Huge huge respect for Susan Boyle,” one wrote. “Post stroke and absolutely smashing it on BGT tonight! Incredible!”</p> <p>“Good for her! Great to see her back!” another said. “Never ever be defined by an illness or disability. Never.”</p> <p>“Aww! Susan Boyle is an absolute superstar in every sense of the word, so humble,” one gushed. “It’s so good to see her back with her microphone!”</p> <p>And as someone else put it, “bless Susan Boyle, she spent her entire life not realising her full potential as a West End singer, to then go on to be one of the biggest stars to come out of #BGT. Her performance tonight had passion; she has real HEART and her having a stroke last year - what a FIGHTER!”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">⭐ STAGEY SMILE OF THE DAY ⭐</p> <p>Here's Lucie Jones &amp; Susan Boyle performing "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Misérables, for the BGT grand final 🇫🇷 ✨ X x x <a href="https://t.co/nmIB5eo29c">pic.twitter.com/nmIB5eo29c</a></p> <p>— Theatre Fan (@ShaunTossell) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaunTossell/status/1665467122053443586?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 4, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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Hugh Jackman’s health scare

<p dir="ltr">Hugh Jackman has announced he is awaiting confirmation that he has skin cancer.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Aussie actor shared that he had undergone two biopsies from his nose for what could be basal cell carcinomas.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Basal cell, in the world of skin cancers, is the least dangerous of them all," he said in a video posted to Instagram.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'll find out in two or three days."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqlvvNVp6JR/?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/CqlvvNVp6JR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Hugh Jackman (@thehughjackman)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Basal cell carcinoma is the most frequently occurring of all cancers, with the most common treatment being surgery, if the cancer isn't removed in its entirety by the biopsy.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the wake of his health news, Hugh urged his fans to be safe in the sun and protect your skin from harmful UV rays.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Please wear sunscreen, it is just not worth it,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"No matter how much you want a tan. Trust me, trust me, trust me.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"This is all stuff that happened 25 years ago, it's coming out now."</p> <p dir="ltr">Hugh captioned his video with another public service announcement, writing, “I know you’ve heard me talk about my basal cell carcinomas before. I’m going to keep talking about them, if need be.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“And if it reminds even one person to put on sunscreen with a high SPF, then I’m happy.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans were quick to comment messages of well wishes, with one person saying, “Praying it’s nothing. Thank you for using your platform to help others.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Another wrote, “Just booked an appointment with a dermatologist because of this post.”</p> <p dir="ltr">This is not the first time Hugh has had a cancer scare, after previously being treated for skin cancer six times in the past.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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"It was a loud wake-up call": Aaron Sorkin's serious health scare

<p dir="ltr">Award-winning screenwriter and director Aaron Sorkin has revealed he suffered a stroke last November.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an interview with <em>The New York Times</em>, the 61-year-old, who holds three Golden Globes and five Emmys, said the experience was so intense it made him think he might never work again.</p> <p dir="ltr">"There was a minute when I was concerned that I was never going to be able to write again," Sorkin said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sorkin revealed that the stroke occurred two months before rehearsals for his upcoming musical – a re-written version of <em>Camelot</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>West Wing</em> creator said that the symptoms showed up in the middle of the night when he realised that he kept crashing into walls on his way to the kitchen.</p> <p dir="ltr">The symptoms carried on the next day, when he found himself continually spilling a glass of orange juice in his home office.</p> <p dir="ltr">When he went to the doctors they said his blood pressure was so high, he was "supposed to be dead".</p> <p dir="ltr">Sorkin also shared that he’s still suffering from the side effects as he hasn’t been able to taste food properly since the stroke.</p> <p dir="ltr">A month after the stroke, Sorkin struggled to type and was slurring his words, it’s only recently that he finally built up the coordination to be able to sign his name again.</p> <p dir="ltr">The director shared that the stroke has led him to make some major lifestyle changes.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Mostly it was a loud wake-up call," he said. "I thought I was one of those people who could eat whatever he wanted, smoke as much as he wanted, and it's not going to affect me. Boy, was I wrong," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sorkin has since given up smoking, works out twice a day and has incorporated a healthier diet. "I take a lot of medicine. You can hear the pills rattling around in me," he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">The screenwriter is currently preparing for the opening of his new musical, <em>Camelot</em>, which is his fourth Broadway production.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Richard Gere's terrifying health scare

<p>Richard Gere has been rushed to hospital while holidaying with his family in Mexico. </p> <p>The 73-year-old actor was struck with a bad case of pneumonia, with reports saying he was perfectly healthy just days prior to falling ill. </p> <p>Gere was on vacation with his family when the illness hit, as they celebrated his wife Alejandra Silva’s 40th birthday, according to reports by<em> <a href="https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/7434445/actor-richard-gere-hospitalized-in-mexico-pneumonia/">The Sun</a>.</em></p> <p>He reportedly had a nasty cough in the time leading up to their travels, and it progressed badly enough that the <em>Pretty Woman</em> actor had to check himself into a medical facility, a source told <em>TMZ</em>.</p> <p>After a night in hospital, Gere was told he had contracted pneumonia and was discharged from the facility and continued to rest and recover at home. </p> <p>In a recent Instagram story posted by Alejandra, Gere is seen walking on the beach with his son and wife, wearing a mask.</p> <p>Other information shared on social media suggests that Gere was not the only member of his family who was under the weather recently.</p> <div id="indie-campaign-rHsIzpAmAj7xkA4llYlH-2" data-campaign-name="NCA ENTERTAINMENT newsletter" data-campaign-indie="newsletter-signup" data-jira="TSN-268" data-from="1640955600000" data-to="1677502800000"></div> <p>On a post of Alejandra walking on the beach holding hands with one of their children, she wrote, “Thank you all for the birthday wishes. After almost 3 weeks of everyone being sick in our family today finally I feel much better!"</p> <p>“Thank you for all the love, I give it all back to you!”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

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Bum scare! Hospital evacuated over man with WWI explosive up his backside

<p>A hospital has been evacuated after a senior citizen arrived with a World War One explosive lodged in his rectum. </p> <p>The 88-year-old presented to the Hospital Sainte Musse in Toulon, France, to have the artillery removed, but instead triggered a "bomb scare" that saw the hospital partially evacuated. </p> <p>“An emergency occurred from 9pm to 11.30pm on Saturday evening that required the intervention of bomb disposal personnel, the evacuation of adult and paediatric emergencies as well as the diversion of incoming emergencies,” a hospital spokesperson stated.</p> <p>“We had to manage the risk in a reactive framework,” the rep added. “When in doubt, we took all the precautions.”</p> <p>Bomb disposal experts at the scene believed there was little chance the bomb would explode inside the patient. </p> <p>“They reassured us by telling us that it was a collector’s item from the First World War, used by the French military,” the hospital stated.</p> <p>Stunned doctors subsequently began the process of trying to remove the object, which measured almost 20cm long and more than 5cm wide, from the man’s rectum.</p> <p>“An apple, a mango, or even a can of shaving foam, we are used to finding unusual objects inserted where they shouldn’t be,” one doctor declared. “But a shell? Never!”</p> <p>Medics were forced to take the elderly man into surgery, cutting open his abdomen in order to remove the antique relic.</p> <p>According to the hospital, he is now in “good health” and is expected to make a full recovery from the surgery.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Twitter</em></p>

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"That was a scared kitty": Brave Hurricane Ian rescue warms hearts

<p dir="ltr">Hurricane Ian has wreaked havoc in Florida as it made its way through the densely populated city. </p> <p dir="ltr">The category 4 hurricane hit Cayo Costa, just north of the city of Fort Myers, on Wednesday with shocking five metre high waves and winds of around 250 km/h.</p> <p dir="ltr">Videos showing the flow on effects of the powerful hurricane have been shared widely on social media, with one showing a man rescuing a cat warming people’s hearts. </p> <p dir="ltr">“My boyfriend saving a cat from flood waters near Bonita Beach,” Megan Cruz Scavo wrote on Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man could be seen making his way through knee-high water toward the cat before grabbing it and making his way back to safety. </p> <p dir="ltr">The video soon made the rounds with many congratulating the man for his efforts in saving the poor animal. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">My boyfriend saving a cat from flood waters near Bonita Beach. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HurricaneIan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HurricaneIan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Naples?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Naples</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bonita?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bonita</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FortMyers?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FortMyers</a> <a href="https://t.co/BlBC9P1rdy">pic.twitter.com/BlBC9P1rdy</a></p> <p>— Megan Cruz Scavo (@MeganScavo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MeganScavo/status/1575156353865510912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“That sweet cat was so scared!  Your boyfriend rescuing that little feline darling was a beautiful thing. Karma saw it, and will remember you all,” someone wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So good about being slow and calm!  That was a scared kitty too,” another commented. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Watching him approach the cat with respect was beautiful! That poor sweetie was clearly afraid, and trusted him to care for it,” another wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">The storm, which hit Cuba first unfortunately took two victims, before another 23 migrants were reported missing when the boat they were sailing in sank off the Florida Keys. </p> <p dir="ltr">Deanne Criswell from the Federal Emergency Management Agency said there will be “catastrophic impacts” from the hurricane for a while. </p> <p dir="ltr">“There is going to be catastrophic impacts, and not just where we’re going to see the storm make landfall, but we’re also really concerned about all of the inland flooding because it’s bringing with it a lot of rain and it’s going to move slowly,” she told CNN.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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"I'm scared": Chloe Lattanzi's sneak peak of tribute song for Olivia

<p>Chloe Lattanzi has posted a heart-warming tribute to her late mother Olivia Newtown-John in an upcoming song.</p> <p>The 36-year-old told fans on Instagram that she was “terrified” when writing the track. While she did not yet release the song itself, Lattanzi shared a clip, which served as an excellent sneak peak into the writing process.</p> <p>Standing by a microphone, Chloe said she let the inspiration flow before launching into the song.</p> <p>She said: “Oh shit I’m scared. This is a scary place right now because there is so much inside and I don’t know how to put it into words. I don’t know what to say. I’m terrified.”</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/CiWlV5TDzll/?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/CiWlV5TDzll/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chloe Lattanzi (@chloelattanziofficial)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>She then began to sing, but chose to mute the song for now, with plans to release it when it's finished.</p> <p>Chloe is the only child of the late Olivia Newton-John and her ex-husband Matt Lattanzi. In a recent interview, Chloe revealed she married her long-time fiancé in a secret ceremony officiated by her late mother.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram </em></p>

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Could the Depp v. Heard case make other abuse survivors too scared to speak up?

<p>Johnny Depp has <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-02/verdict-delivered-johnny-depp-amber-heard-trial/101115246" target="_blank" rel="noopener">won his defamation suit</a> against his ex-wife Amber Heard for her Washington Post op-ed article published in 2018, which <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/06/01/arts/johnny-depp-amber-heard-verdict">stated</a> she was a “public figure representing domestic abuse”.</p> <p>The facts in every case are unique, and the jury is always in a better position to judge these facts than commentators relying on media reports.</p> <p>Nevertheless in such a high profile case as this, the verdict has a ripple effect that can go beyond the facts. The unfortunate reality is the Depp Heard case is likely to reinforce the fear that women who come forward with claims of sexual and domestic abuse will encounter a system in which they are unlikely to be believed.</p> <p>Reform is needed to better balance the protection of men’s individual reputations with the rights of women to speak about their experiences.</p> <p><strong>Defamation a tool of elite men</strong></p> <p>Depp was awarded more than US$10 million in damages after convincing the jury Heard was a malicious liar.</p> <p>This is despite the fact a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/media/2022/06/01/johnny-depp-libel-law-uk-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UK judge determined</a> in 2020 that it was “substantially true” Depp had assaulted Heard repeatedly during their relationship.</p> <p>After the verdict, Heard commented she was “heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway” of her famous ex-husband.</p> <p>Historically, the common law of defamation was built to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09612025.2021.1949822" target="_blank" rel="noopener">protect public men in their professions and trades</a>. It worked to both defend their reputations individually and shut down speech about them as a group.</p> <p><a href="https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/comulp2&amp;div=6&amp;g_sent=1&amp;casa_token=fybEy5Ip_goAAAAA:mZwcFssrx7DMteRZh-2VpbadOiPG52vukVjaL_zAG2Rr-r9-GIbN1HpUADIArNrKIooONYOmpoKf&amp;collection=journals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Data from the United States in the late 20th century</a> shows women comprise only 11% of plaintiffs bringing defamation suits.</p> <p>As legal scholar Diane Borden <a href="https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/comulp2&amp;div=6&amp;id=&amp;page=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has noted</a>, the majority of libel plaintiffs are “men engaged in corporate or public life who boast relatively elite standing in their communities”.</p> <p>Defamation trials – which run according to complex and idiosyncratic rules – are often lengthy and expensive, thus favouring those with the resources to instigate and pursue them.</p> <p>Various defences exist, including arguing that the comments are factually true, or that they were made on occasions of “qualified privilege”, where a person has a duty to communicate information and the recipient has a corresponding interest in receiving it.</p> <p>But in one way or another, disputes concerning allegations of sexual and domestic abuse usually come down to matters of credibility and believability that play on gendered stereotypes.</p> <p>It becomes another version of “he said, she said”, and as we’ve seen from the social media response to Amber Heard, women making these types of allegations are often positioned as vengeful or malicious liars before their cases even reach the courts. This is despite the fact <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/0375553f-0395-46cc-9574-d54c74fa601a/aihw-fdv-5.pdf.aspx?inline=true" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sexual assault</a> and <a href="https://www.safesteps.org.au/understanding-family-violence/who-experiences-family-violence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">intimate partner violence</a> are common, and <a href="https://apo.org.au/sites/default/files/resource-files/2017-09/apo-nid107216_1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">false reporting</a> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26679304/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is rare</a>.</p> <p>In fact, most victims don’t tell the police, their employer or others what happened to them due to <a href="https://theconversation.com/almost-90-of-sexual-assault-victims-do-not-go-to-police-this-is-how-we-can-achieve-justice-for-survivors-157601" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fears</a> of not being believed, facing professional consequences, or being subject to <a href="https://pursuit.unimelb.edu.au/articles/the-online-hate-for-amber-heard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shaming and further abuse</a>.</p> <p>Heard has received thousands of <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/amber-heard-says-she-receives-death-threats-every-day-over-depp-claims-2022-05-26/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death threats</a> and suffered relentless mockery on social media.</p> <p><strong>Time for reform</strong></p> <p>The global #MeToo movement and recent Australian campaigns, such as those instigated by Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins, encourage survivors to speak out and push collectively for change.</p> <p>But now, ruinous and humiliating defamation suits could further coerce and convince women to keeping their experiences quiet and private. Measures must be taken to better protect public speech on such matters.</p> <p>One potential way forward is for defamation trials involving imputations of gendered abuse to incorporate expert evidence about the nature of sexual and domestic violence in our society.</p> <p>For decades, <a href="https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/hwlj19&amp;div=8&amp;g_sent=1&amp;casa_token=&amp;collection=journals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">feminist legal scholars</a> fought for the inclusion of such evidence in criminal trials, especially those relating to matters of self-defence in domestic homicides and issues of consent in rape proceedings.</p> <p>Expert sociological and psychological evidence can combat and discredit ingrained patriarchal assumptions and myths – comments and questions such as “what was she wearing?”; “why didn’t she fight back?”; “why didn’t she just leave him?”; “why was she nice to him afterwards?” or “why didn’t she tell people at the time?”</p> <p>Otherwise, pervasive gender bias – often held by both men and women, judge and jury – can undermine the voices and accounts of women before they even set foot in court, before they even open their mouths.</p> <p>Defamation trials have not traditionally included such expert evidence. But now that they have become a powerful forum for silencing speech about gendered harm, perhaps it’s time they did so.<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/184324/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jessica-lake-126813" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jessica Lake</a>, Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-catholic-university-747" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Catholic University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-the-depp-v-heard-case-make-other-abuse-survivors-too-scared-to-speak-up-184324" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Family scare for Alec Baldwin

<p>Hilaria and Alec Baldwin have faced a scare in their family, as their one-year-old son was rushed to hospital. </p> <p>Hilaria broke the news on her Instagram that Eduardo was taken to a New York hospital after suffering a "very bad reaction."</p> <p>"Never a dull moment for us," she began her post. "Edu had a very bad allergic reaction today and I had to give him an epi pen. I've never had to administer it on my own…it was a scary experience."</p> <p>She went on to explain that Eduardo was on the mend back at home, but wanted to share her experience with the "lifesaving tool" that "may have saved" his life.</p> <p>"He was in such distress and I believe it may have saved him today," 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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CeSAggts-3f/?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/CeSAggts-3f/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Hilaria Thomas Baldwin (@hilariabaldwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"If your doctor thinks you should keep one at home, make sure you know how to use it in advance, because these reactions can come on so strongly and quickly.</p> <p>"I won't bore you with the long story of rushing him out the door…just leave you with our experience, in case it helps, and our deep gratitude to to west end paediatrics, the mount sinai ambulance, and Lennox Jill emergency."</p> <p>"Fortunately, when I took this photo, he was back to himself and kicking the phone out of my hand🤣…I, on the other hand, was a spent wreck 🥴," her post concluded. "Love you all and be safe."</p> <p>In May 2021, Hilaria revealed that Eduardo had been diagnosed with an allergy, describing it as "one of those horrible moments a parent dreads."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Queen speaks for first time since hospital scare

<p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth II made her first public appearance since her<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/queen-elizabeth-in-hospital" target="_blank">hospitalisation last week</a><span> </span>in a video call from Windsor Castle.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to a post on the official Royal Family Instagram account, the Queen received two ambassadors in audience via video link from Buckingham Palace. The ambassadors were Mr. Gunn Kim from the Republic of Korea and Mr. Markus Leitner from the Swiss Confederation, and each presented their ‘Credentials’ – “a formal letter from their Head of State confirming that Her Majesty can trust them to speak on behalf of their country.”</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVffZmWsdSK/?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> <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/CVffZmWsdSK/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">In addition, Buckingham Palace has announced that the Queen has cancelled her planned trip to Glasgow to attend the COP26 climate conference following advice from her doctors.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a statement, the Palace said the Queen "regretfully decided that she will no longer travel to Glasgow to attend the evening reception of COP26" on November 1.</p> <p dir="ltr">The statement also said, "Her Majesty is disappointed not to attend the reception but will deliver an address to the assembled delegates via a recorded video message.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It is believed that the Queen is hopeful the COP26 conference will lead to decisive action from participating nations on climate change, and that she hopes her absence will not be used by others as a reason to not attend. Earlier this month, Her Majesty was overheard saying it was “really irritating” when people talk but don’t act on climate issues.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Queen spent one night in London’s King Edward VII’s Hospital for “preliminary investigations”, which came at the end of a very busy period for her that involved audiences with diplomats, a reception for global business leaders at Windsor Castle, and attending the races at Ascot.</p> <p dir="ltr">She had previously cancelled a scheduled trip to Northern Ireland on doctor’s orders.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Royal Family/Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Princess Eugenie cancels son's christening after COVID-19 scare

<p>Princess Eugenie was forced to call off her son's christening at the last minute after a guest was alerted to a COVID-19 scare and placed in isolation.</p> <p>The baptism of August Philip Hawke Brooksbank was set to take place at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Windsor on Saturday.</p> <p>Queen Elizabeth was among the guests including Eugenie's parents the Duke and Duchess of York and Princess Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi - who are expecting their first child soon.</p> <p>Only 30 people were invited to the christening due to the UK's coronavirus restrictions.</p> <p>But moments before the ceremony was due to start at noon, Eugenie and husband Jack Brooksbank had to call it off.</p> <p>According to The Sun on Sunday, a guest was alerted to a coronavirus scare via the NHS COVID-19 app on their phone.</p> <p>It is unclear whether the guest was informed they had the virus or that they had been in contact with someone who had tested positive.</p> <p>A source told the publication: "One guest tested positive or was pinged for COVID contact and therefore no one else was able to gather.</p> <p>"As a result, they called off the service and reception party afterward at Royal Lodge, Prince Andrew's home.</p> <p>"The Queen and Eugenie's parents Fergie and Prince Andrew had all been due to attend."</p> <p>The guest then had to go into mandatory isolation for 10 days under the health regulations.</p>

Family & Pets

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Queen caught up in new royal security scare

<p>The Queen has been caught up in two major security scares in just six days.</p> <p>Reports claim two intruders, a 31-year-old man and his 29-year-old girlfriend, scaled a fence at Windsor’s Royal Lodge on April 25.</p> <p>Police intercepted the couple and arrested them.</p> <p>The lodge is home to Prince Andrew, near where Queen Elizabeth regularly walks her corgi dogs and goes horse riding.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841022/quene-elizabeth-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2005479a15c14898bb8b8f20cd79456d" /></p> <p><em>Queen's Windsor Estate</em></p> <p>The breach follow just six days after a woman was mistakenly allowed into the Lodge grounds by security guards.</p> <p>The 44-year-old Spanish national claimed to be Andrew’s fiancée and was waved through by guards at the gate.</p> <p>The intruder spent 20 minutes travelling around the grounds before they attempted to enter the building.</p> <p>She told security her name “Irene Windsor” and proclaimed she was engaged to the Duke of York.</p> <p>Maps of the residence and a self-defence key ring were allegedly found in her handbag.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841024/quene-elizabeth.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f4c2b55936be46ec89ca27becf67b51d" /></p> <p>Speaking to<span> </span><em>The Sun</em>, Princess Diana’s former protection officer Ken Wharfe has called for security to tighten their reign on royal households.</p> <p>He said they are “totally unacceptable and make the Queen vulnerable.”</p> <p>“This is very worrying and things really need to change,” he added.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

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“Don’t scare us like that”: Olivia Newton-John post sparks concern amid cancer battle

<p><em>Grease</em> star Olivia Newton-John has over 360,000 followers on Instagram where she shares information about her life, her family and her battle with stage-four metastatic breast cancer.</p> <p>The star sparked concern among devoted fans however when one of her posts appeared to show a turn for the worst on Wednesday after she shared an image of her walker on Instagram.</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/B_03ceNjrIc/?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/B_03ceNjrIc/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">I accidentally posted this photo without a note. Recycling at its best ! Using my old walker as a breakfast cart with my beautiful husband @therealamazonjohn ! Sorry to worry people! (But thanks for your concern.) I am totally fine!!! Xox</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/therealonj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Olivia Newton-john</a> (@therealonj) on May 5, 2020 at 5:19pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The 71-year-old was quick to calm her worried fans after one commented: “Don’t scare us like that.”</p> <p>Olivia attempted to ease the situation after writing in an updated caption of the image that she was no longer using her walker to help assist mobility, but instead was using it as a sturdy breakfast tray.</p> <p>“I accidentally posted this photo without a note. Recycling at its best! Using my old walker as a breakfast cart with my beautiful husband,” she wrote in an edited caption. </p> <p>“Sorry to worry people! (But thanks for your concern.) I am totally fine!”</p> <p>“Glad you are going well, Liv, but don't scare us like that! We are protective of you and freak out easily!” one happy fan went on to say. </p> <p>Another wrote: “Just glad to hear you're okay! Great thinking on using things available to you so you do not have to carry heavy or awkward objects. </p> <p>“Wishing you and your family safe keeping and well being always.”</p> <p>In January, Olivia revealed her tumours had shrunken in size and told the<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/" target="_blank">The Sunday Telegraph</a><span> </span></em>that she had been using medicinal cannabis and other natural remedies in addition to conventical medicine.</p> <p>“My tumours are receding or they're going away or they're staying the same, on a Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer — that's pretty amazing,” she admitted.</p> <p>“If I hadn't had the experience, I'm having with cannabis I wouldn't be able to talk about it.”</p> <p>Olivia was diagnosed with her third bout of cancer in 2017, after she was successfully cured of the disease twice in 1992 and 2013. </p> <p>emb</p>

Caring

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"I didn't realise until too late": John Farnham opens up about severe health scare

<p>Australian music icon John Farnham caused concern amongst his fans as he was forced to cancel his Australian tour at the last minute and was admitted into hospital.</p> <p>He’s now opened up to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph</a></em><span> </span>about the experience.</p> <p>The 70-year-old said that he had a “severe” kidney infection.</p> <p>“I didn't realise until too late. I'd been feeling uncomfortable. My wife Jill had been telling me to go to the doctor,” explained the singer.</p> <p>Instead of seeking medical help, Farnham powered through the pain and thought that things will be fine.</p> <p>“I was very unwell there for a while,” he added, stating that he is “good now”.</p> <p>“It gave me a wake-up call to look after myself a bit more.”</p> <p>The health scare was the wakeup call Farnham needed, as he has completely overhauled his lifestyle.</p> <p>This includes giving up smoking, which the<span> </span><em>You’re The Voice<span> </span></em>star has done so since he was 14.</p> <p>Farnham also admitted in the article that he has cut back on drinking in recent months.</p> <p>The music icon is set to tour Australia again in November, with shows in Sydney, Brisbane, Caversham, Seppeltsfield and Werribee.</p> <p>He is also touring New Zealand, with two shows in Auckland and Wellington.</p>

Music

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“I can’t breathe”: Serena Williams forced to retire after terrifying health scare

<p>Serena Williams has been forced to retire from her third-round match at Indian Wells Masters after a frightening health scare that left her with “extreme dizziness".</p> <p>The 23-time Grand Slam Champion won the first three games of her highly anticipated clash with Garbine Muguruza in the California desert.</p> <p>She took the court for the second set, but soon complained of feeling ill as the match continued.</p> <p>She lost the next six games and decided to call it a day when she was trailing 3-6 0-1.</p> <p>Tournament organisers took to Twitter to explain the 37-year-old was suffering from a “viral illness".</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Feel better soon! <br /><br />Serena Williams' third round retirement was due to viral illness.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BNPPO19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BNPPO19</a> <a href="https://t.co/mpBNT0snHu">pic.twitter.com/mpBNT0snHu</a></p> — BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNPPARIBASOPEN/status/1104886929403785216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>“I’ve never seen her like that,” one commentator said.</p> <p>“It’s so, so rare that she ever retires from a tennis match.”</p> <p>The tournament was the sixth time Williams and Muguruza came face-to-face on court.</p> <p>The last two clashes were grand slam finals which saw Williams winning at Wimbledon in 2015 and Muguruza taking home the 2016 French Open crown.</p> <p>"We've played many times and it's always super-tough, super-exciting," said Muguruza, who is a former world number one like Williams. "I wish I'm going to see her soon and [she's] feeling better."</p> <p>Williams explained in a statement, “Before the match, I did not feel great, and then it just got worse with every second; extreme dizziness and extreme fatigue.</p> <p>“By the score, it might have looked like I started well, but I was not feeling at all well physically.</p> <p>“I will focus on getting better and start preparing for Miami.”</p>

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John Farnham suffers worrying health scare

<p>John Farnham has been forced to cancel his upcoming Australian tour after falling ill.</p> <p>The iconic 69-year-old star has axed shows that were set to take place in New Zealand this week.</p> <p>Geelong in Victoria on March 17, as well as Coolangatta in Queensland on March 16 were also cut.</p> <p>The singer has gone a step further and cancelled shows in April as well, including Perth in Western Australia on the 7th and Wollongong on the NSW south coast on the 14th.</p> <p>Farnham’s manager, Glenn Wheatley, told the <em><a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/music/infection-forces-john-farnham-to-cancel-shows/news-story/0a21eea37f2f9a78b5bf8d77d7c5f483">Herald Sun</a></em> disappointed fans could receive a refund for their tickets already purchased.</p> <p>“John had minor surgery late last year, nothing to worry about, he recovered from it but got an infection afterwards,” he said.</p> <p>“The infection was bad enough that we had to cancel shows, and no one is more mortified about that than John. I can think of only a handful of shows he’s cancelled in all the many years we’ve worked together.</p> <p>“But the doctors want to be cautious and have told him to take it easy, so we’ve had to reduce his workload to one show per weekend. We hope to make up the cancelled shows later this year.”</p> <p>Wheatley reassured worried supporters of the award-winning singer that John’s health is on track, saying: “There’s no other issues, we just have to make sure he’s ready to get back on the stage.”</p> <p>Despite cancelled tour dates, Farnham will be touring with the national <em>Red-Hot Summer Tour</em> starting in Bateman’s Bay on March 23rd.</p>

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