Indholdsfortegnelse for 2 September 2019 i New Idea

Even with Elton John, Ellen DeGeneres and Pink on their side, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not going to be able to dodge ongoing criticism of their jet-setting habits. Meghan and Harry were branded “eco hypocrites” after they took four trips in just 11 days by private jet, a mode of transport which generates seven times more emissions per person than a commercial flight. While Elton defended the pair and revealed that he had not only provided them with the use of his private jet but had also made a donation to ensure their flight was carbon neutral, this is not a good look for the royals. Just last month Harry took to Instagram to urge followers of the “terrifying” effects of climate change. “With nearly 7.7 billion…

After being at the centre of one of this year’s biggest splits, Liam Hemsworth is reportedly taking stock of his life and surrounding himself with his support network. Just 11 days after announcing his shock separation from Miley Cyrus, the 29-year-old officially filed for divorce. Liam has hired hotshot celebrity divorce lawyer Laura Wasser – the attorney, who has previously represented stars including Heidi Klum and Ashton Kutcher – who has filed the official divorce papers on Liam’s behalf citing “irreconcilable differences”. As The Hunger Games star looks to make a clean break from his old life, Liam is said to even be contemplating packing up his Hollywood home for a “fresh start” in Australia. “Liam has really been thinking long and hard about coming back home,” says a source.…

Dr Chris Brown spent time with Liv Phyland’s family and friends last week, taking in a football game with the TV presenter. Liv posted the sweet photo to her Instagram story and while the pair have never publicly confirmed their relationship, the recent outing has left many fans asking whether wedding bells are around the corner. While the Bondi Vet has been labelled a ‘commitment-phobe’ in the past, could he finally be ready to settle down with Liv? Earlier this year, Chris was seen spending time with Liv after she suffered from acute appendicitis, before the pair were spotted out driving together.…

Brad Pitt has reportedly mixed business with pleasure during his most recent promotional trip to Mexico. The Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood star recently attended the film’s premiere in Mexico City. After Brad, 55, signed autographs and snapped selfies with fans, the megastar reportedly had another important engagement: meeting up for a beach holiday with his ex, Jennifer Aniston. A source has told New Idea that the former Hollywood golden couple met up for a secret getaway in Cabo San Lucas. “Jen is always in the mood for Mexico, it’s her favourite place, so she was more than happy to meet Brad there,” the source reveals. The picturesque resort city has always been Jen’s preferred holiday destination. She even recently hosted a birthday party there for her Friends co-star,…

The King of the Jungle and celebrity gossip guru Richard Reid is rarely seen without a dazzling smile or his signature booming laugh. But in a candid interview with New Idea, the US-born TV star has made a rare confession about his mental health as his beautiful mother suffers dementia. Richard’s private pain is laid bare when he speaks about his 85-year-old mum, Lynn. “Last year my family made a decision to put my mum into a nursing home, which was a very difficult decision and I know a lot of families have to go through that,” Richard tells New Idea. “My mum battled bipolar and borderline personality disorder. When I was young, we just thought, ‘Oh Mum is moody’. But she definitely struggled with bipolar and she had mood…

Cinnamon Pumpkin Pie Serves 8, Prep and Cook: 1 hour 250g packet butternut snap cookies 1 tsp ground cinnamon 100g unsalted butter, melted Whipped cream and ground cinnamon, to serve FILLING 3 eggs ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed 2 tblsps golden syrup 2 tsps vanilla extract 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp mixed spice ½ tsp ground nutmeg 1 cup cold mashed Kent pumpkin (see Tip) ¾ cup thickened cream 1 Grease a 25cm round x 3.5cm deep, loose-base flan tin. 2 Process cookies and cinnamon in a food processor until finely crushed. Add butter. Process until combined. Press firmly over base and up side of prepared tin. Place on an oven tray. Refrigerate while preparing filling. 3 To make filling, whisk eggs, sugar, syrup, vanilla and spices in…

Is your dad a whisky man? Or perhaps he loves a vodka cocktail or a bourbon over ice. Whatever the drink, Aldi has an extensive range to suit any dad and with a great price tag that everyone can afford. These quality Aldi spirits have won recent awards and beaten other competitors that are well above their price point.…

Skincare expert and Olay’s head scientist, David Khoo, helps dispel some of the myths about cleansing and sheds some light on the key ingredients to look out for when it comes to skincare health. The right removal We all know we should remove all traces of the day before going to bed, but did you know it’s also important to match your cleansing routine with your makeup formulas? “Let’s say you spent the day at a beach party and were using waterproof makeup. You’d start with a cleansing oil, which is a water-in-oil emulsion, meaning it is predominantly oil. A cleansing oil will help to break down the oily composition of your waterproof makeup,” says David. Be cautious if you are prone to breakouts as some cleansing oils will exacerbate…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 Exciting possibilities on the job will show more of what you can do. New ideas, meetings and supportive colleagues will fire your enthusiasm, but you’ll need to evaluate the pros and cons to pinpoint the best way forward. A personal or family commitment will grow even bigger as new dimensions unfold. Learning as you go with a health, diet or fitness pursuit will help you fine-tune your approach. LUCKY NUMBERS: 7, 22, 40 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 A special outing or loving get-together that’s been a long time coming will be a sweet joy but also hard work. You’ll also have to go the extra mile to make the most of it. Bold ideas will vie with endless details on an ambitious…

Karina Machado is a journalist, host of the Spirit Sisters podcast and the author of Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies, a non-fiction series exploring the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people. Now, on The Ghost Files podcast each week, Karina will introduce a guest who’ll share their personal encounter with the spirit world. BEWARE THE OUIJA I was in primary school when I had my first glimpse of a ouija board. Visiting family friends one evening, I remember peeking in as the grown-ups sat around a table on which an upturned wine glass zipped to and fro, seemingly on its own accord. I was instantly transfixed. Much later, I found out they’d been trying to communicate with the spirits of departed loved ones using a homemade ouija…

Cheesy rom-com alert! Singer/ actress Christina Milian and Australian actor Adam Demos (UnReal) star in this Netflix original movie shot in New Zealand about an American woman, Gabriela, who wins an inn in an online competition. Problem is the run-down money pit is nothing like the photos. Enter hot local handyman Jake, who helps Gabriela renovate the dilapidated inn, with the pair having instant chemistry. Formulaic? Sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less enjoyable. Best watched with a couple of friends and a bottle or two of wine.…

You have three books coming out this year, all part of the End of Forever trilogy. How did that come about? I had an idea for a story about lost love and one man’s desperate quest to get a second chance and to try again to make things right. The story of Julian and Josephine came to me all at once, in one two-hour sitting. It wasn’t an acorn, it was an entire oak! I didn’t realise how large the tree really was until I finished the first book and saw that I had barely started. So I kept working until the next two books were finished and the story was told in its entirety. Are you happy with the result? In total, I spent five years working on these…

Tom Cruise’s ex-wives Katie Holmes and Nicole Kidman were both spotted at the Moulin Rouge! Broadway show, sparking rumours the pair may have had a secret catch-up. Could it have been to discuss Nicole’s adopted children, devout Scientologists Isabella and Connor? After Nicole was deemed a ‘suppressor’ by Tom’s Church of Scientology, the actress has not seen either of her older children. Katie, who was also labelled a ‘suppressor’, has struggled to speak to Tom or have their daughter meet with her father. He reportedly hasn’t seen 13-year-old Suri in years. As negative press mounts on Scientology’s treatment of members, sources say Nicole is concerned for her children – especially Isabella, who is rumoured to be pregnant. “Things are getting hot for Scientology with court cases that threaten to blow…

The Block’s Shelley Craft has revealed the secret behind her svelte physique, which includes only eating meals during a six-hour window. “When at home, I try to only eat between midday and 6pm, and not before or after,” the 43-year-old revealed to Good Health & Wellbeing magazine. Shelley also admitted that instead of eating breakfast she opts for a “bulletproof coffee”, made by adding unsalted butter and coconut oil. But despite the restrictive nature of her eating plan, Shelley was insistent the diet works for her. “I find this gets my digestion working really well, it never feels like I’m fasting and it really suits my lifestyle,” the mum-of-two said.…

Angelina Jolie’s son Maddox Jolie-Pitt is all grown up and heading off to university. Last week, the Hollywood star joined her 18-year-old son at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, for a tour of the facilities. According to students, the actress said she was “trying not to cry” as she dropped off her son. Video footage of Angelina and Maddox on social media shows the actress looking proud yet emotional as they walked around the campus. However, one notable absence during Maddox’s milestone moment was his father, Brad Pitt. According to reports, Brad and Maddox’s relationship has remained strained since his parents’ 2016 separation. At that time, there were even suggestions that Brad and Maddox had gotten into an altercation while on board a private plane. While the Hollywood megastar…

Admitting it’s been too painful to discuss, former Bachelor star Keira Maguire has remained tight-lipped about her break-up with Jarrod Woodgate after he cruelly ‘ghosted’ her on a night out – never hearing from him again. But after being taunted by salacious details of his new love life since the split, Keira has had enough. Breaking her silence for the first time in an exclusive interview with New Idea, the reality TV star reveals what really went wrong. “We broke up on a drunken night out over something silly and that was it,” Keira – who met Jarrod on BIP – says. “He went back to the pub and I never heard from him again. Nothing at all and that was really hard for me. I wanted it to work.…

“ANDREW NEEDS TO FIND A WAY TO LANCE THE BOIL, POSSIBLY BY APOLOGISING PUBLICLY” Last week it was all but confirmed that Princess Beatrice will likely wed her boyfriend Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in the early months of next year. Royal commenter Ingrid Seward reveals, “They’re going to get married – I was told by a member of the family”, adding it could take place “as early as next [UK] spring”. But the bride and groom-to-be’s happy news is being overshadowed by the ongoing and increasingly shocking Jeffrey Epstein case and questions about Prince Andrew’s friendship with the deceased billionaire. New Idea has learnt that now, with pressure intensifying, Beatrice is facing the possibility that she may walk down the aisle without her father by her side. “Bea is seriously considering…

When she got up on stage for her audition on Australia’s Got Talent and blew the judges away with her rock/opera performance, Jennifer Anderson appeared the picture of confidence. But, the mum-of-two has actually battled with her body image for a large part of her life. “I had undiagnosed anorexia and body dysmorphic disorder as an early teen, then moved to bulimia,” Jennifer tells New Idea. “It got to a point where I was eating two carrots a day and trying to stay under 100 calories. “I’m a natural hourglass and curvy, so I was never going to look like a stick figure, but you could count my ribs, and my hip bones were poking through my skin. Shortly after that I got help.” However, for Jennifer the road to…

There’s little doubt that 2019 is shaping up to be a huge year for talented actor Jake Ryan. While his hugely popular TV alter-ego – Summer Bay dad-to-be Robbo – is at the heart of one the show’s most dramatic storylines, the star has been quietly preparing for the most important role of his own life – fatherhood. Jake and his partner Alice Quiddington are expecting their first child, a son, in October. And, as the down-to-earth star confirms in a candid chat, he can’t wait to meet his baby boy. “We’re very excited,” says Jake. “We’ve got two months to go now. I’ve had good practice on set the last few months! “I can’t wait for it now,” he adds. “We’re just sort of sitting here, but we’ve got…

Gingerbread Pudding with Ginger Butterscotch Sauce Serves 10-12, Prep and Cook: 50 mins 125g unsalted butter, chopped ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ¼ cup golden syrup ¹/ ³ cup ginger marmalade ¾ cup milk 2 eggs, lightly beaten 1½ cups self-raising flour 2 tsps ground ginger Vanilla ice-cream, to serve GINGER BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE 1½ cups thickened cream 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed ¼ cup golden syrup 25g unsalted butter, chopped 1 tsp ground ginger 1 Grease a 20cm x 30cm lamington pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 2cm above long edges of pan. 2 Combine butter, sugar and syrup in a medium saucepan. Stir over a low heat for about 3 minutes, or until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Transfer to a…

FOR ALL YOUR ROYAL NEWS Pick up a copy of our brand-new Royals Monthly magazine to find out all the secrets, scandals and feuds! Plus, there’s food, fashion, puzzles and loads more! GET READY FOR GOOSEBUMPS Ordinary people. Extraordinary experiences. Eerie and haunting stories of encounters from the world beyond. Are you ready to open The Ghost Files? Listen now at newidea.com.au/podcasts TREAT YOURSELF Sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms in some of the world’s best coffee-growing regions and barista – made using 100 per cent Arabica beans – McCafé coffee is a smooth, delicious treat to help get you through another hectic Saturday morning in the life of Mum. A MUST FOR MUMS You Will (Probably) Survive by Lauren Dubois is NOT another parenting manual. It’s a gloriously uncomfortable…

Bacon is a much-loved ingredient, yet 80% of bacon sold in Australia is made from imported pork. So whether you cook it for a Sunday morning breakfast, sandwich it in a burger, toss through pasta and salads, or serve as a side dish, support Aussie Farmers in the fight against imported pork. When buying packets of bacon and ham, always check that the bar chart on the country-of-origin label has more than 90 per cent of Australian ingredients, as it’s your guarantee that the pork is grown on an Australian farm. BACON SQUARES! Line an oven tray with foil. Spray with cooking oil. Cut rindless streaky bacon on a chopping board into 3cm wide x 12cm long strips. Weave bacon strips into a crosshatch pattern to make a square shape.…

Oil or cream? An oil cleanser is usually a water-in-oil formulation that’s mainly designed to remove waterproof makeup or sunscreens. A cream cleanser typically has a thick creamy consistency, may contain beeswax or shea butter, and is also used for removal of greasy, waterproof makeup. Both oil and cream cleansers are used for removal of greasy substances so this is less about skin type and more about the job you need it to do. If you have oily skin, you may want to use a foaming cleanser or even a cleansing scrub such as Olay Regenerist Detoxifying Pore Scrub. If you have dry/ sensitive skin, use a gentle non-foaming cleanser. According to David, hyaluronic acid, glycerol, and niacinamide are your go-to ingredients when it comes to amping up your moisture…

Q A lady who visits me called my sofa “horrible” and a picture “very bold” on several occasions. How would you respond if a visitor made a negative comment about your furniture and decorations? Would you say anything, let it go or try avoiding the person? Perhaps this lady can’t leave her negative opinion at home. Everyone has their own tastes in decor options and colour choices, right? KATRINA, VIA EMAIL. I would show the visitor the door. She is rude, critical and not worthy of spending time in your house. She has no right to visit you and make negative comments about your decor. This is where you live! I wouldn’t waste my time saying anything. I would let it go but I would make sure she doesn’t become…

It’s easy to imagine the sound of laughter in the Melbourne home of Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope. The couple have long been one of the entertainment industry’s most delightful – not to mention funniest – duos. And perhaps, best of all, they have always made each other laugh. “I find Robyn continuously hilarious,” says Wayne. “The way she thinks is surprising - and surprising is the key to funny, I think.” “We complement each other well,” Robyn agrees. Married for two decades, the couple are hugely talented writers, producers and actors. Together they run their production company Gristmill, responsible for everything from TV hits The Librarians and Upper Middle Bogan to the movie Now Add Honey and recently, The Inbestigators. Fittingly, too, when the couple met, they were on…

MONDAY In the lead-up to her friend’s trial, Leah decides to interview a woman from Irene’s support group for her vlog. Also tonight, Alex accepts Willow’s offer of a free personal training session. TUESDAY Bella reveals her shocking secret to Ryder, while a desperate Irene makes a major decision about her future. WEDNESDAY Mackenzie has a surprising proposition for Dean, and Bella comes to what could be a life-changing decision. THURSDAY A heartbroken Maggie begs Ben to return home, while Alex makes a stunning suggestion to Robbo and Jasmine – one that could have devastating consequences.…

THE COLLABORATOR BY DIANE ARMSTRONG This novel blends the story of Miklos, a Jewish businessman who tries to save thousands of lives from Nazi death camps, with that of Sydney woman Annika, who wants to learn the truth about her grandmother’s past. Based on true events, it’s a very moving read. “Annika’s thoughts turn to her grandmother. She knows that Marika Horvath lived in Hungary during the war, but that’s all she knows. Like so many Holocaust survivors, Marika has never talked about her experiences either. She is forbiddingly private, and when Annika thinks back, she realises that her grandmother has always side-stepped personal questions by changing the subject. Marika’s past is a locked door to which she has hidden the key.”…

Paralympic champion Dylan Alcott took to social media to share a photo of a letter he received from Prince Harry congratulating him on his recent Wimbledon win and Logie Award gong. “Pen pals with the Duke of Sussex himself – Prince Harry … what an absolute legend,” he  captioned the pic. What’s more, the prince signed off the letter with a cheeky comment about what Dylan wore to the Logies. “PS – I’m wondering if you wore your Invictus Games budgie smugglers on the big night to accept it?” Harry wrote.…

Kanye West has been forced to dismantle a number of wooden structures that he was building in Calabasas as he failed to obtain the correct permits. The singer has been constructing the “Star Wars-inspired” dome-like structures for some time on a 120-hectare piece of land that he  purchased a few years ago, in an effort to provide housing for low-income families and the homeless and bring communities together. The domes are also located near the church where Kanye has been holding mysterious Sunday services.…

You might recognise my pal ‘Hi Josh’ from his hilarious Bachelor recaps. Here we are about to work our second jobs as waiters because the entertainment industry isn’t financially viable in 2019. My producer Sean Flynn (aka The Human Emoji) and I at the Northies Chilli Festival in Cronulla. We are sucking on the hottest chilli lolly in the world. Normally we only inflict psychological trauma on one another, so it was nice to mix it up and make it physical. The good news is I won. The bad news is I now have lips like a Married at First Sight contestant. Visiting Coco’s Gym on the Gold Coast, Strongwoman champion Ally lifted me over her head live on air. I don’t think she properly thought through her hand placement.…

Jamie Foxx and Katie Holmes have reportedly ended their six-year relationship. According to Page Six, the actress was overheard in a restaurant saying: “What Jamie does is his business – we haven’t been together for months.” In March, Jamie was seen stepping out with a mystery blonde and recently he was spotted at a nightclub with singer Sela Vave. The couple are yet to confirm the alleged split, however they are notoriously private.…

It’s official: Sylvia Jeffreys and Peter Stefanovic are expecting a baby boy! The television presenters have been inundated with messages of support and advice since sharing their news. “Thank you very much for all your well wishes,” Sylvia, 33, recently said at the conclusion of a Nine News bulletin. Sylvia and Peter, 37, have already commented on some of the lifestyle adjustments they’ve made to prepare for parenthood. After reading news about the benefits of red wine, a pregnant Sylvia joked that viewers would need to “have one for me”. “I won’t be drinking for a while with a baby on the way,” she said. Peter also commented on how his early morning schedule on Sky News First Edition has prepared him for newborn sleep patterns.…

‘Hollywood Ripper’ Michael Gargiulo has been found guilty of murdering two women, including actor Ashton Kutcher’s ex Ashley Ellerin. Ashley – a part-time stripper and fashion student – was stabbed to death at her Hollywood home on Grammy night in 2001. Ashton was due to go on a date with her that night, but when the star arrived at her home, he says: “I knocked on the front door and there was no answer. I knocked again. There was no answer. At this point I assumed she had left for the night.” Ashton said he peered through her window and saw what he thought was “red wine spilled on the carpet”. “But that wasn’t alarming because I went to her house party and it was like a college party. I…

Summer Bay became a little less sunny last week following news former Home and Away cast member Ben Unwin had sadly passed away. Ben, who played Jesse McGregor on the series, was tragically found dead the day before his 42nd birthday – police said they weren’t treating the death as suspicious. Ben’s acting career started at the age of 12 and included work in film, television, commercials and theatre. However, it was his role as Jesse on Home and Away that is his most memorable. Ben appeared on the show from 1996 until 2000 and then again from 2002 to 2005. After leaving Summer Bay, Ben moved to LA to continue his career, stepping behind the camera to direct music videos for Boy George and Culture Club. In recent years,…

Before he met Meghan Markle, Prince Harry was completely smitten by Zimbabwean-born beauty Chelsy Davy. The former couple, who met in Cape Town, South Africa, dated on and off for seven years with Harry even introducing her to his grandmother, the Queen. After meeting and spending time with the jewellery designer, Her Majesty, along with Prince William and Kate Middleton, were convinced Chelsy was the one and that the couple would eventually wed. Eight years on, and friends are still convinced Chelsy is the one that got away. Now, New Idea can exclusively reveal Harry was desperate to marry his first love. But before he could propose, Chelsy ended their romance, leaving him heartbroken – with some even suggesting feelings that strong don’t ever go away. Speaking to New Idea,…

Recently unearthed FBI files have revealed Prince Charles’ closest confidant Lord Mountbatten was accused of having a “perversion for young boys” by a friend of the Queen Mother. Once described by Charles as “the grandfather I never had”, the last Viceroy of India was mentioned in a 1944 FBI interview with the Baroness Decies. It revealed she considered him and his wife, “persons of extremely low morals”, adding, “She stated that Lord Louis Mountbatten was known to be a homosexual with a perversion for young boys.” Another source said his preference for young men made him “an unfit man to direct any sort of military operations”. Mountbatten’s sexuality and many extramarital affairs was a frequent topic of society gossip before his death in 1979. In a letter to Charles, he…

He might be a regular on stage, but on Sunday night’s episode of Australia’s Got Talent, Joel Creasey loved every minute of being on the other side, as a guest judge, sending knife-thrower Captain Ruin through to the grand final with the Golden Buzzer. While Joel has made a name for himself as a successful comedian, he admits that his early days in the business weren’t always so positive. “I am terrible in auditions,” he tells New Idea. “When I was 14, I auditioned for a Milo commercial and had to pretend to play backyard cricket. They gave me a cricket ball and I threw it in the wrong  direction and it smashed an overhead projector. I didn’t book the job.” Despite failing to land the Milo gig, Joel has…

Marilyn Monroe was the brightest star in Hollywood during the 1950s and early ’60s. But everything changed on August 5, 1962, when the blonde bombshell was found dead in the bedroom of her Los Angeles home. As her legions of fans mourned, it came to light that the glamorous 36-year-old actress had a history of substance abuse and mental health issues. Initially, her death was deemed a suicide. But in subsequent years, myriad conspiracy theories suggested the true cause was murder… FINAL DAYS Marilyn Monroe spent her final hours in her Brentwood home in Los Angeles. At that point, the actress had hit a rough patch. She had developed a reputation for being difficult to work with and had been fired from her last film, Something’s Got to Give. In…

Whisky Fudge Tart Serves 10, Prep and Cook: 1 hour,15 mins 250g packet Choc Ripple biscuits 75g unsalted butter, melted Cocoa powder and vanilla ice-cream, to serve FILLING 200g dark cooking chocolate, chopped 125g unsalted butter, chopped ¹/ ³ cup Scotch whisky 1 cup caster sugar 3 eggs ²/ ³ cup plain flour 2 tblsps Dutch processed cocoa powder (see Tip) WHISKY FUDGE SAUCE 200g dark cooking chocolate, chopped ¾ cup pure cream 1 tblsp whisky 1 Grease a 25cm x 3cm deep, loose-base flan tin. 2 Process biscuits in a food processor until finely crushed. Add butter. Process until combined. Press firmly over base and up side of prepared tin. Place on an oven tray. Refrigerate while preparing filling. 3 To make filling, combine chocolate, butter and whisky in…

Saucy Beef and Noodle Stir-fry Serves 4, Prep and Cook: 25 mins 3 x 73g instant noodle cakes 500g lean beef stir-fry strips 2 tblsps vegetable oil 2 carrots (300g), halved lengthways, thinly sliced diagonally 200g snow peas, trimmed, halved lengthways 410g can baby corn spears, drained, halved diagonally 2 cloves garlic, crushed ½ cup tomato sauce ¼ cup soy sauce 1 Cook noodles in a large saucepan of boiling water, stirring occasionally to separate strands, for 2 minutes. Drain. Rinse under cold water. Drain well. 2 Toss beef with half the oil in a large bowl. 3 Heat an oiled, non-stick wok or large frying pan over a high heat. Add beef in three batches. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes, or until browned and cooked. Remove. 4 Heat remaining…

We all love spring for the warm days and blossoms, but for the watery eyes and sneezing – not so much. “While hay fever symptoms can occur all year round, pollen allergies tend to be worse in spring when plants release tiny pollen grains to fertilise other plants,” says Dr Suzan Bekir, clinical director at the Australian Allergy Centre. One in five people suffer from an allergy, which is when the immune system reacts to substances in the environment, and it can happen any time in life. Here’s how to protect yourself this season. GET PROPERLY DIAGNOSED If you feel like your symptoms start earlier and get worse each year, it’s not your imagination – climate change and air pollution are cited by the World Allergy Organization as causes…

REALISM We asked the kids at the day care where I work, what they wanted to be when they grew up. They replied, “policeman”, “fireman – like my dad,” and other similar answers. One little boy was obviously thinking very deeply about the question. Then eventually looked up and replied, “a grown-up”. WILMA WINTER, KEDRON, QLD. PROUD DAD How proud Steve Irwin would be of his lovely daughter Bindi (NI, July 29). Terri has continued to bring her children up to be as passionate about animals and as hard working as their amazing Dad proved to be. I can never forget how brave Bindi was speaking at Steve’s funeral and over the years she has continued to win our hearts with her empathy and care in all she undertakes. I…

WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S SECRET DOMESTIC SKILL? Robyn: Wayne does all the washing and I’m the lucky recipient of finding beautiful, clean, folded clothes in my drawers. Wayne: Robyn’s cushion and throw rug placement. It’s like origami with soft furnishings. WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S QUIRKIEST HABIT? Wayne: Robyn likes to lick her finger and thumb before turning a page of a book and it always makes this kind of small lip-smacking sound. WHICH TV REALITY SHOW WOULD YOUR PARTNER BE SURE TO WIN? Robyn: Wayne would definitely win Survivor.…

Fairies (or faeries) are real in this new fantasy series starring Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne. But they aren’t dainty, pretty little things – Cara’s character, Vignette Stonemoss, is a fierce fighter doing whatever she can to help her people, who are fleeing their homeland in droves to The Burgue. There is a fair bit of mythological back story to process in the opening episode, but once viewers are embedded in the world of Carnival Row, it should be as immersive an experience as Game of Thrones.…

Dwayne Johnson tied the knot last week with long-term love Lauren Hashian in a romantic ceremony in Hawaii. The couple, who share daughters Jasmine, 3, and Tiana, 15 months, have been together since 2007 and had previously postponed their wedding after Lauren found out she was expecting. “We were going to get married in the [US] spring and we got pregnant,” Dwayne told Rolling Stone last year. “Lauren felt like, well, you know, Mama [doesn’t want] to take pictures being pregnant in a wedding dress, so we’re just going to wait and not quite sure when, but I know it’s going to happen. “The great thing with Lauren is she’s such a rockstar. She’s just like, ‘It’s alright, whenever it’s going to happen we’re going to make it work.’”…

Catherine Zeta-Jones and her husband of nearly 19 years Michael Douglas were spotted looking tense as they  stepped out for a family dinner at E Baldi Italian restaurant in California last week. Michael sported a maroon polo shirt and white trousers, while Catherine looked boho-chic in a white maxi dress and oversized sunglasses. As they left, Michael placed his arm around Catherine’s shoulders. But, the actress looked far from happy. Could there be trouble in paradise?…