Innehållsförteckning för 16 September 2019 från New Idea

If you’re a middle-aged woman you might be feeling as if 50 is the new 30 for everyone except you. Every star from Salma Hayek and Sharon Stone to Jennifer Lopez and Liz Hurley are posing in bikinis and looking pretty damn smokin’. Their breasts appear to defy gravity, their skin tone is firm and even, and their abs make Chris Hemsworth look like he’s slouching. But finally these ageless women are being honest about what it takes to look this good. For years I’ve interviewed stars who’ve told me it’s all down to good genes, water and sleep. Rubbish. With their armies of flunkies they can go to the gym instead of trawling the supermarket and with chefs on hand to prepare healthy meals they’re not slaving at the…

Headlines about Shane Warne’s scandalous sex life aren’t new and certainly don’t seem to have affected his relationship with his three children in the past. But could Brooke, Jackson and Summer find his recent bedroom exploits one embarrassment too many? Shane apparently shocked his neighbours in the exclusive London suburb of Maida Vale with a noisy romp involving three women – it’s claimed the cricket legend and  a mystery partner entertained two sex workers. “He was having quite a party in there and didn’t seem to give a damn who heard what was going on,” an onlooker told The Sun newspaper. In the past, the cricket commentator has acknowledged his sexual appetite has led to problems within his family. “I regret hurting my children … If I didn’t love sex…

While cricketer Steve Smith’s main focus for the past few weeks has been on the Ashes Test series in England, apparently it hasn’t been the only thing on his mind. With he and wife Dani Willis celebrating their 1st anniversary on September 15, a source claims the couple have started talking about having a baby. “She wants to start a family but won’t while he is travelling so much,” a source close to the couple told New Idea. “She would love him to retire from Australian Test cricket and is putting pressure on him to do that.” The source claims the other cricket WAGs have also been rallying around Dani, who is the youngest of the wives, and supporting her on the tour.…

ABBIE’S OTHER MEN She’s been portrayed as the vixen who will stop at nothing to win Matt’s final rose, and apparently Abbie Chatfield’s seductive ways aren’t just reserved for the cameras. The 23-year-old property analyst from Queensland is said to have been chatting to eligible bachelors off screen, too! “Abbie has been talking to multiple guys on Instagram, including MAFS’ Billy Vincent and last year’s runner-up from Ali Oetjen’s season of The Bachelorette, Todd King,” a source tells New Idea. “She’s even planning to meet up with Todd once the finale airs.” While the nature of their chats remains unknown, it seems Abbie is definitely keeping her options open! Meanwhile, another source claims Abbie has been bragging to the girls about “a hot new lover”. “I am dating someone, but…

With his upper-class pedigree and love of horses, Captain Mark Phillips appeared to be the perfect match for Princess Anne when they married in 1973. But after the birth of their second child, Zara, in 1981, and Mark’s army career meaning they spent little time with each other, their relationship broke down. By 1985, there were rumours Anne was having an affair with her bodyguard Peter Cross. In 1989, Anne’s affair with the Queen’s equerry Timothy Laurence was uncovered and she and Mark announced their separation. In 1991, when New Zealand art teacher Heather Tonkin went public with the news that Mark had fathered her child, Princess Anne was given a good excuse to file for divorce, which was finalised in 1992. Eight months later, Anne married Timothy.…

One of the most glamorous European princesses, the eldest daughter of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, has been married three times, divorced, widowed and is now thought to be living apart from her current husband. Princess Caroline’s first marriage to banker Philippe Junot lasted just two years amid reports of his philandering and her relationship with filmmaker Roberto Rossellini. While the royal family hoped for an annulment of the marriage by the Church, there was no immediate decision from the Vatican. So when Caroline married Stefano Casiraghi in 1983, she was only able to have a civil ceremony. The annulment of her first marriage came two years after Stefano’s tragic death in a powerboat racing accident in 1990. Caroline married her third husband, Prince Ernst August of Hanover, in…

Chris Vitnell became an instant frontrunner after his show-stopping audition on Australia’s Got Talent. The talented physical comedian wowed the judges and audience with his unique dance-comedy routine, which showcased his masterful body movement skills. It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, Chris was bedridden and unable to move at all. Speaking to New Idea, Chris revealed that a horrific motorbike accident robbed him of his ability to move – let alone dance – for an entire year. “I had injuries to my back, a broken leg, knee breaks, cartilage and ligament damage, all my front teeth smashed out and lots of deep bruising to my body,” Chris, 34, reveals. “I had a long physical recovery road. Getting back to walking took me about four months and…

The Bachelorette’s Samuel Johnston and The Bachelor’s Noni Janur confirmed they were a couple in February 2017. Two years on, they are still very much in love. With Sam living in Los Angeles and Noni back in Sydney, the couple have a long-distance relationship. “I remember swearing to myself that I would NEVER do a long-distance relationship again. I thought it was just impossible and then 2 years ago ... you walked into my life,” Noni has posted on Instagram. “As hard as it may be sometimes, our decision was totally worth it.”…

TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OPERATION STRAIGHT DRIVE, GO TO THE RDP MIDDLE STUMP FACEBOOK PAGE. Eleven-year-old Riley Parsons is cricket mad. When he’s not playing, training or watching the game, Riley can be found in his dad’s Gold Coast workshop, refurbishing old cricket gear, which he donates to others. It all started when he gave his prized pads to his teammate Charlie, whose own set needed replacing. “I gave him my old cricket bat as well. It felt nice helping someone out,” Riley says. His proud dad Matt Parsons adds: “After that, Riley said, ‘Why don’t we see if we can collect old cricket equipment – everybody has some old kit lying around – we can clean it up and give it to people who may not be able…

This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the fire that devastated Sydney’s Downunder Hostel, on September 17, 1989, claiming six lives. The Downunder Hostel was in the heart of Kings Cross, located next door to the notorious Pink Panther strip club. Both buildings were owned by crime boss Abe Saffron. At 4am on September 17, arsonist Gregory Brown set fire to a settee in the foyer, and the blaze engulfed the stairwell. Sixty residents escaped, but those on the top floor perished. Sentenced to 18 years for manslaughter, he was released from jail in 2009. It was not the first fire at the site. As the Savoy Hotel, 14 years earlier on Christmas morning 1975, the building was engulfed by fire, killing 15 people.…

6-Ingredient Fried Rice Serves 4, Prep and Cook: 20 mins 2 x 250g packets SunRice Brown Rice & Red Rice Infused with Chilli & Garlic 1 tblsp vegetable oil 500g pork mince ½ x 850g packet Birds Eye Frozen Stir-Fry Oriental Mix 175g pouch KanTong Thai Green Curry Meal Base 1 tblsp soy sauce 1 Place rice in a large bowl. Crumble with your fingers to separate grains. 2 Heat oil in a large, non-stick wok over a high heat. Add pork. Stir-fry, breaking up mince for about 5 minutes, or until changed in colour. 3 Add frozen vegetables and rice. Stir-fry for about 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender. 4 Add meal base and sauce. Stir-fry for about 2 minutes, or until hot. Serve. TIP  curry base is…

Red Velvet Cherry Ripe Self-Saucing Pudding Serves 6-8, Prep and Cook: 1 hour 1½ cups self-raising flour ¹/ ³ cup cocoa powder ½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed 75g unsalted butter, melted, cooled 2 eggs ²/ ³ cup milk 3 tsps red food colouring 4 x 52g bars Cherry Ripe chocolate, chopped Vanilla ice-cream, to serve Icing sugar mixture and extra cocoa powder, to decorate SAUCE ¼ cup cocoa powder 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed 1 Lightly grease a 23.5cm round x 6cm deep ovenproof dish (10-cup capacity). 2 Sift combined flour and cocoa into a large bowl. Stir in sugar. 3 Whisk butter, eggs, milk and colouring in a medium jug. Add to flour mixture. Stir until combined. Spoon into prepared dish. Spread evenly. Scatter over chocolate bars.…

FRESHEN UP YOUR FOOD HABITS Spring is here and, along with cleaning out the spare room, it’s a great time to overhaul your diet as all the freshest herbs, greens, fruits and vegetables are back in season. Here are five healthy eating plans to try out. 1 INTERMITTENT FASTING 5:2 – where you eat normally for five days, then restrict calories to 500-800 for the other two – is one of the most popular ways to fast intermittently. Popularised by British journalist Michael Mosley, research in Nutrition Journal shows that fasting is an effective strategy for weight loss in obese adults. The rules are simple, but it’s not for everyone, as some people find they overeat on non-fasting days. TYPICAL FASTING MEAL: Spinach omelette. 2 JENNY CRAIG If…

Q My mother hates my new boyfriend! She’s never been wrong about my previous partners but I feel good about this man. I’ve never questioned what we have and he treats me the way I deserve. My mother reluctantly comes to dinners when I bring my boyfriend and gives him the cold shoulder. How childish when she’s a grown woman! How should I talk to her about it? JEAN, VIA EMAIL. It is unfair of your mother to judge your new boyfriend. She’s not the one dating him. Your mother needs to accept that he treats you the way you deserve. It’s not important that your mother was never wrong about your previous partners – that’s the past. It’s time to talk to her. Tell her she is behaving badly…

REAL-LIFE DRAMA When Beverly Hills, 90210 first aired in 1990, the show started as an underestimated teen drama that eventually became a worldwide phenomenon. But behind the scenes, tension and scandal were plaguing the series, with reports Shannen Doherty and Jennie Garth were at each other’s throats on a near-daily basis. In her memoir, Deep Thoughts from a Hollywood Blonde, Jennie wrote about the experience: “[Shannen] had opinions about a lot of things, including the writing, the wardrobe, you name it. And she wasn’t afraid to share them, even if it meant sounding like a complete and utter bitch.” Then, out of nowhere, Shannen left the set in 1994 and never came back. “Without warning, she was gone. There was no goodbye, no nothing.” They are now close friends, attributing…

MONDAY Raffy’s devastated when Justin shuts down a potential medical trial, while Ryder reconsiders his future. TUESDAY Robbo’s blood runs cold when he learns that Jasmine never made it to the airport. She’s been taken hostage! WEDNESDAY At an abandoned warehouse, Jasmine desperately tries to get a message to Robbo. Back in the Bay, Ben makes a heartfelt apology to Maggie. THURSDAY Irene heads to the court to hear the verdict on her case. And how will Karen do at her first shift working at Salt? HOME AND AWAY MON. TO THU., 7PM…

She may be a “city girl through and through”, but Lynne McGranger has long had an affinity with the land. And for the much-loved TV star, who plays Irene in Home and Away, doing all she can to help our nation’s drought-stricken farmers is a high priority. “If we do something to try and help keep our farmers on their land – and it’s a case of whatever we can do – then, when the drought does break, there will be people there to plant and grow our crops, and our supermarket shelves will be full again,” says Lynne. For the second year running, Lynne is throwing her support behind the Dollars for Dust fundraising evening. To be held in Sydney this Saturday, September 14, this year’s charity night will…

The star was best known for her role in sitcom Rhoda, which aired from 1974 to 1978, and was considered a role model for the aspiring modern woman. Valerie won four Primetime Emmys for her performance, but shortly after the series ended, she appeared in three unsuccessful movies in supporting roles, resulting in a downturn in her career. In 2009, Valerie was diagnosed with lung cancer, and in 2013, she announced the cancer cells had spread to her brain. She is survived by her husband Tony Cacciotti and daughter Cristina.…

Holding her mother’s hand tightly with both hands, a usually cheeky Princess Charlotte was on her very best behaviour as she arrived for her first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea last week. Dressed in her adorable navy uniform and with her hair pulled back, the 4-year-old was joined by her proud parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and big brother Prince George, 6, to mark this exciting milestone on September 5. And it seems Kate has been busy preparing for her daughter’s big day with a mummy makeover, debuting her lighter looking hair and signature blowdry, and recycling the red-patterned dress which she first wore to Harry and Meghan’s 2018 wedding rehearsal. Meanwhile, looking a little nervous but still sporting her mischievous grin as she tried to hide…

Could reality TV juggernaut The Block be about to lose its two hosts? A source close to the renovation series claims Shelley Craft and Scott Cam could walk if their demands aren’t met. “Scott and Shelley are banding together to get more money,” the source says. “They are two of the smartest hosts in the business when it comes to contracts and dollars and timing their chats with the network.” “They waited until the audition callout for 2020 went to air to make their move.” Next year’s season of The Block is set to be the most ambitious and expensive yet, with Channel Nine said to be shelling out a massive $15 million to buy an old nursing home in Brighton, Victoria. While Shelley and Scott are signed to host…

From 2003 to 2006, he played one of Summer Bay’s most memorable residents – loveable larrikin Robbie Hunter. Now, Jason Smith is coming back to Home and Away. “They always say you never quite leave Summer Bay and I couldn’t agree more!” Jason tells New Idea. This time, Jason has a new role – hosting the hit show’s much-anticipated podcast. For the 35-year-old, who once shared scenes with actors and now global stars Chris Hemsworth and Isabel Lucas, the new gig is very much a case of returning to, well, his home away from home. “It’s been over 10 years since I was on the show, but it actually feels like yesterday,” Jason says. “At the time, Issy, Chris and I were the three musketeers – we basically did all…

It’s been four months since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed baby Archie Harrison into the world. Now, they’re reportedly considering moving to the US where they can reunite with the ‘secret daughter’ the former Hollywood actress has kept hidden … until now. Prior to marrying into the British royal family in 2018, the now Duchess of Sussex made no secret of the fact she wanted to have children, especially a baby girl. In fact, the 38-year-old opened up to Hello! magazine in 2015 about her plans to pass down a sentimental Cartier French Tank watch she bought to hand on to her future daughter. “I had it engraved on the back, ‘To M.M. From M.M.,’ and I plan to give it to my daughter one day,” Meghan said at…

Everyone agrees that weddings can be one of life’s most stressful events, and it appears that even the usually happy Bindi Irwin and her mum Terri are feeling the strain. “NOW BINDI FEELS LIKE HER MUM IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE WHOLE THING” In fact, the tension between mum and daughter was obvious when they were seen squabbling at Brisbane airport last week. Now New Idea has learnt that Bindi is increasingly unhappy about how her mum is taking over planning her big event. “Terri and Bindi had a terrible argument at the airport, no-one could quite believe what they were seeing and hearing,” a source tells us. “It’s become too much and Bindi has told her mum to step back from the wedding planning for a while.” Bindi…

Last week Brad Pitt became the latest high profile celebrity to attend Kanye West’s increasingly popular ‘Sunday Service’. Just days before, Brad had been very conspicuously absent from his eldest son Maddox’s arrival at university in Seoul prompting questions about the state of their relationship. According to sources, the 55-year-old is feeling increasingly sad about his apparent estrangement from his children, and his surprising attendance at Kanye’s outdoor church service was his attempt to find solace. “Brad’s feeling really disillusioned about his relationship with some of his kids, and it’s really tearing him up inside,” an insider explains. “He wants to get in touch with his spiritual side again and let go of all the tension that’s consumed him since the divorce and thinks Kanye can help.” Clearly concerned about…

When the Queen’s sister married society photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones in 1960, they became one of the most glamorous couples of the era. But after just a few years, there were reports the relationship was becoming strained, with Margaret unhappy about the attention Lord Snowdon paid to his work. Both had affairs: Margaret with her husband’s friend Anthony Barton and the much younger gardener Roddy Llewellyn among others; Antony with Lady Jacqueline Rufus-Isaacs and models he met while on assignment. Their marriage deteriorated amid reports of Margaret’s heavy drinking and Antony’s cruelty – which included leaving hate notes for her around their home. By 1976 their separation was confirmed, followed by their divorce two years later. After the bitterness of their split subsided, the pair remained friends.…

Already known as the most rebellious member of the Grimaldi royal family, Princess Stéphanie of Monaco made headlines for her 1995 marriage to her bodyguard Daniel Ducruet. The couple already had two children, but their wedding was delayed when her father, Prince Rainier III, refused to sanction it, as Daniel was divorced and had also fathered a child with another woman, born just 10 months before his and Stéphanie’s first son Louis arrived. A year later, explicit photographs of Daniel and a Belgian stripper were published in an Italian magazine, and divorce followed. In 2003, Stéphanie wed acrobat Adans Lopez Peres, reportedly living with him in a caravan. The marriage – again disapproved of by her father, who refused to attend – ended in 2004.…

When dancer Larisa Magda takes to the stage, she knows her sister Alice is watching on with pride. Larisa is two years older than Alice, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. “The doctors told us that Alice wouldn’t live past the age of 2,” the 15-year-old tells New Idea. However, Larisa says her inspirational sister has defied the odds. “Alice has fought for her life and is now 13,” Larisa says. “She’s the miracle of our family.” But the talented dancer admits the circumstances meant she had a unique childhood. “I had to grow up quickly because I had to be responsible and help out.” This level of maturity shines through in Larisa’s expressive dance routines and strengthens her determination for dancing.  “For me, dancing is an escape…

Cyrell Paule from Married At First Sight and Eden Dally from Love Island got together shortly after Cyrell left this year’s season. Last month, the couple announced they are expecting. “I wouldn’t be surprised if my child is going to get called a publicity stunt,” Cyrell says. “That’s sad because the baby has nothing to do with it. It gets exhausting trying to defend it.” Eden agrees: “They’ll say we got pregnant to stay relevant or to extend our 15 minutes of fame. It’s very stressful.”…

Fudgy Freckle Cupcakes Makes 12, Prep and Cook: 1 hour, 15 mins 175g unsalted butter, chopped 150g dark cooking chocolate, chopped 1¹/ ³ cups caster sugar 1 tblsp vanilla extract 1 cup plain flour ¼ cup self-raising flour ¼ cup cocoa powder 2 eggs ½ cup hundreds and thousands 12 Chocolate Freckles FROSTING 200g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 1 tsp vanilla extract 2½ cups icing sugar mixture Green, blue and yellow liquid food colouring 1 Line a 12-hole muffin pan (¹/ ³ -cup capacity) with paper cases. 2 Combine butter, chocolate, sugar and ¾ cup hot water in a large saucepan. Stir over a low heat until chocolate and butter are melted. Transfer to a large bowl. Add vanilla. Whisk until smooth. Cool for 15 minutes. 3 Whisk…

Best-Ever Toasted Muesli Makes 12 cups, Prep and Cook: 30 mins 3 cups rolled oats (310g) ½ x 250g packet LSA mix 250g raw mixed nuts (cashews, peanuts, macadamia, hazelnuts) 1 cup almond kernels (150g) ½ cup sesame seeds ½ cup pumpkin seeds ½ cup sunflower seeds ½ cup honey ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 cup fruit medley 1 cup All-Bran ½ cup coconut flakes Natural yoghurt, fresh berries and passionfruit, to serve 1 Combine oats, LSA, nuts, seeds, honey and oil in a bowl. Spread over two oven trays. 2 Cook in a moderately slow oven (160C) for 15 minutes. Remove trays. Stir oat mixture. Return to oven for a further 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove. Cool on trays. 3 Transfer oat mixture to a large bowl.…

HOW DO I UPDATE MY DENIM LOOK? Try a denim skirt in an A-line shape as an alternative to the classic pencil style. Experiment with subtle raw edges for a more modern feel. AM I TOO OLD FOR A JUMPSUIT? No! Just keep it elegant – full-length pants, soft sleeve details and a loose but not baggy fit. CAN I WEAR CROPPED PANTS? Of course. Consider pants in natural fabrics and earthy tones to work back with classic linen shirts. A heel or wedge will elongate legs that can sometimes look shortened with cropped styles. I LOVE MAXI DRESSES BUT I SOMETIMES FEEL SWAMPED BY FABRIC – HOW DO I CREATE SHAPE? Belts, belts, belts – especially an in-built belt that creates shape even with a full-length sleeve. HOW CAN…

MERE MALE After a meal, MM hubby complained he lost a tooth off his mouth plate. I said, “You must have swallowed it.” The next day, MM retrieved his tooth, sterilised it and super glued it back on his plate. I might add, no kisses from me for a week… A. SKERMAN, CHAMPION LAKES, WA. BOOKS ARE BEST As an ex-librarian in a special school I thought your ‘No-sew costumes for Book Week’ (NI Aug. 19) was a great resource for teachers and parents. Often parents are either time-poor or not creative, so these costumes are perfect. Books and reading are imperative to a child’s education, so it’s important to encourage it in an enjoyable and fun way – and that is what Book Week does! DEBORAH BOWDEN, ROSEBUD, VIC.…

WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S MOST ANNOYING HOUSEHOLD HABIT? Lehmo: Kelly is so tidy and so clean. I’ll put a glass down and she’ll have put it in the dishwasher before I can pick it up again. Kelly: His ability to NEVER change the toilet roll or put open items in Tupperware so they don’t go stale. Seriously, how hard is it? WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S SECRET DOMESTIC SKILL? Lehmo: It’s quite possibly the same thing as her most annoying. But it means that our house always looks neat and tidy. She’s a great cook as well. Kelly: His love of walking our dog Bunny. He always ensures she has two long walks a day. WHICH FAMOUS ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOUR PARTNER IN A MOVIE ABOUT THEIR LIFE? Lehmo: Gwyneth Paltrow. Kelly: Joel…

Determined to do everything she can to help Maggie (Kestie Morassi) and Ben (Rohan Nichol) reconnect, Roo (Georgie Parker) is just waiting to take action. So when the Summer Bay teacher learns that Alf (Ray Meagher) has invited her and Ben out for dinner, Roo seizes the opportunity to invite Maggie. But what Roo deliberately neglects to do is tell Maggie that Ben will also be there. Indeed, both Maggie and Ben are in for quite a surprise when they realise that they’ll be having dinner together. Clearly feeling rather unnerved by the somewhat awkward situation, Maggie hits the bottle a little too hard as the evening progresses. When Ben later suggests he drives his estranged wife home, the school principal jumps at the offer. But let’s just say that…

Britney Spears shows signs that she’s been struggling of late, and news has now surfaced her ex Kevin Federline has 70 per cent of custody of their kids. Previously, the pair shared 50/50 custody of their children, but the balance has swung in Kevin’s favour, which comes amid Brit’s struggles that saw her check into a mental health facility earlier this year. Kevin also claims Britney’s father physically abused one of the kids, which he reported to the police. He claimed that his son Sean, 13, and Jamie Spears got into an argument and Jamie allegedly put his hands on him. The DA is currently deciding on whether to charge Jamie.…

Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham left fans and followers worried as she appeared super skinny at the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London. Dressed in a white trouser suit, Posh Spice appeared to share a tense moment with husband David Beckham as they attended the ceremony at the Tate Modern. Last year Victoria told The Guardian: “I am very, very disciplined in the way that I work out, in what I eat. I expect a lot from my body. I’m 44, I’ve got four kids, I work a lot, I travel. For me to do all that, I have to eat healthily and work out.” But these recent pics have sparked concern that she may have taken her regimen too hard.…

Meghan’s niece Noelle Rasmussen, the daughter of Samantha Markle (Meghan’s half-sister) has also previously opened up about her close relationship with her aunt, who was like a mother to her growing up. Noelle was one of the only members of Meghan’s immediate family invited to her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018. “I’ve always really looked up to her,” the 19-year-old, who has defended Meghan against her mother and grandfather Thomas Markle’s public tirades, told The Sunday Mirror. “She took me shopping for kids’ books and clothes,” she added.…

Bindi Irwin may be set to take to the stage again, as rumours are rife that the 21-year-old may be one of the stars hiding under a costume on the first Australian season of The Masked Singer! The bombshell news comes as the hugely anticipated Network Ten show revealed that Dannii Minogue, Lindsay Lohan, Dave Hughes and Jackie O would host the singing contest, which will feature 12 masked celebrities competing while concealing their  identities. With Bindi no stranger to performing in front of big crowds and on TV – having won Dancing with the Stars in the US in 2015 – an industry insider reveals exclusively to New Idea that the wildlife warrior could be the stand-out performer on the show, which is set to air soon. The source…

Kiwi builder Gary Lewis met Lady Davina Windsor, who is 31st in line to the British throne, while they were both holidaying in Bali. After keeping their relationship secret from family and friends for several years, they married in 2004, making Gary the first person of known Maori descent to marry a member of the royal family. But in March, Buckingham palace confirmed that, after 14 years of marriage – during which they lived in Auckland and London and share two children – the couple had divorced. It’s been reported that the differences in their backgrounds led to the split.…

“I THOUGHT LILLI WAS GOING TO DIE AND I DIDN’T WANT TO REMEMBER HER LIKE THAT” Bubbly toddler Lilliana Sheridan loves running after birds – and she’s surprisingly fast for a 1-year-old. But what makes it even more remarkable becomes evident when you see the purple scars that have ravaged her tiny legs. Lilli, as she’s affectionately known, was struck down by meningococcal sepsis in Thailand, during her first family holiday in October last year. Mum Elisha says it’s a “miracle” her daughter pulled through and the doctors – who feared Lilli would lose all her limbs if she survived at all – have been astounded by her recovery. “She is a very determined little girl,” proud Elisha, 23, tells New Idea. “She’s about to have her 50th operation and…

The town of Childers, 325km north of Brisbane, made world headlines on June 23, 2000, when the Palace Backpackers Hostel went up in flames, claiming 15 lives. Most of those who were killed were international travellers from the UK, The Netherlands, Ireland, Japan and South Korea who had travelled to Childers to work on local farms. Three were Australian. On the morning of June 23, arsonist Robert Long started a fire in a recreation room. The inferno consumed the building, which had no working smoke detectors or fire alarms. An estimated 76 residents managed to escape, but 15 were trapped and died. Long was charged with murder and arson and sentenced to life in prison. In 2002, the building was restored as an art gallery, and the victims are remembered…

Colourful Mexican Pinata Serves 24, Prep and Cook: 3 hours, 10 mins 3 x 440g boxes golden butter cake mix 500g mixed lollies BASE FROSTING 250g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 2½ cups icing sugar mixture 1 tblsp milk COLOURED FROSTING 500g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 5 cups icing sugar mixture 2 tblsps milk Sky blue, electric orange, pink, leaf green and lemon yellow food colouring gels 5-pack Multix Piping Bags with nozzles 1 Grease three x 22cm round cake pans. Line bases and sides with baking paper. 2 Prepare cake mixes, one at a time, according to packet directions, reserving icing sachets for another use. Spoon each into a prepared pan. Smooth over tops. 3 Cook two cakes in a moderately slow oven (160C) for about…

Chipotle Corn and Black Bean Salad Serves 6, Prep and Cook: 30 mins 400g can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 green capsicum, chopped 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved 1 avocado, chopped 4 trimmed cobs corn (800g), husks and silks removed 1 small iceberg lettuce, coarsely chopped ¹/ ³ cup shredded parmesan White corn tortilla strips, to serve DRESSING 1 cup firmly packed, chopped fresh coriander leaves and stems ¹/ ³ cup olive oil ¼ cup lime juice 2 tblsps chopped pickled jalapenos 1 tblsp chipotle in adobo sauce 2 tsps honey 1 To make dressing, blend all ingredients in a blender with ¼ cup water until smooth. 2 Combine beans, capsicum, tomatoes and avocado in a large bowl. 3 Heat an oiled, large non-stick frying pan over a medium…

WE USED • This selection of colouring gels and pastes to make the birthday cakes on page 40. • Use a skewer to add small amounts of colouring at a time, so that you get the desired colour. It also helps to keep the colouring gels clean and uncontaminated. • Use a cardboard party mask as the ‘mask’ template for the Masked Superhero cake. Available from party or discount shops or the Base Warehouse. • A #233 grass tip piping nozzle and 2D flower drop piping nozzle are both available online or from cake decorating stores. • The WOW-shape cookie cutter in our Masked Superhero cake is available online from cakedecoratingsolutions.com.au. To assemble… Jules the Jellyfish To make Jules the Jellyfish, position cupcakes on a cake board in the shape of a jellyfish with the…

A recent study found that the best way to get kids off the couch and onto the sports field is to take part yourself. The Australian Sports Commission found that children are more likely to be involved in a sporting club if you are too. The survey found that 66 per cent of kids who have at least one parent playing a sport also took  part themselves. That number jumped to 89 per cent when their parent was involved both as a player and in a non-playing role. “Put simply, more active adults are more likely to have more active kids,” said ASC spokesman Paul Fairweather. Time to dust off the old netball bib and cut up the oranges!…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 A health, diet or fitness program will require discipline and follow through. You will also need to go a strenuous extra mile with a professional or personal endeavour to achieve an ambitious goal. The complexities of a slow-moving task or drawn-out problem will try your patience. It will take thoughtful compromises to make progress. A fun and different outing or encounter will be a breath of fresh air. LUCKY NUMBERS: 3, 9, 22 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 It will take generous practical efforts to bring special plans with someone dear to fruition. There will also be awkward issues to sort out as you go. You’ll need to feel your way with a changing friendship, as it’s entering a very different phase. Conversely,…

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. THE GRINNING GHOST If someone experiences something out of the ordinary, it’s easy for that person to second-guess themselves and wonder if perhaps they were dreaming or imagining things. Of course, if two people see the same thing, it’s much harder to doubt. And if three people see it? That’s rare. In all of my years researching these encounters, I’ve rarely come across it. Yet that’s exactly the story Faye tells on this week’s…

This is the moment Irene (Lynne McGranger) has been waiting for – and yet one she may well wish had never come! The jury’s verdict is finally in. Will the much-loved Summer Bay stalwart be found guilty and have to farewell life as a free woman? Earlier in the week, facing up to 25 years in jail, Irene is understandably on tenterhooks as she prepares to learn her fate. “She is just beside herself,” says Lynne. “She knows there is a very strong possibility she could be going to jail.” But, bravely determined to live out her possible final day of freedom in the happiest manner she can, Irene gathers all of her loved ones. She wants to host a dinner party at the Diner for her dearest friends and…

Raffy (Olivia Deeble) is thrilled! Alex (Zoë Ventoura) has found a new medical marijuana trial for her to go on. This is exactly what the epileptic teen has been hoping for. “Raffy has been through such an ordeal -– it’s been one thing after another,” says Olivia. “She really wants to be a doctor, but seems to have so many massive barriers in her way. Now she is finally given hope with this trial, and she is so excited.” However, there’s a catch, says Alex – and it’s a big one. The trial is in Victoria, which would mean Raffy having to leave her friends and family in the Bay to move to the southern state. But before Raffy has the chance to respond, Justin (James Stewart) shuts down the…

This week Sam Mac’s Sydney travel guide MONDAY: THE ROCKS TUESDAY: BANKSTOWN WEDNESDAY: BROADWAY THURSDAY: BARANGAROO FRIDAY: REDFERN SUNRISE AIRS 5.30AM WEEKDAYS Follow Sam & Coco’s adventures…