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Christchurch attack victims' families reflect on tragedy five years on

<p>It's been five years since 51 men, women and children, were murdered in a terror attack when a white supremacist opened fire at Al Noor and Linwood mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.</p> <p>Now, the victims' families have reflected on the tragic day, and commemorated their loved ones on the five-year anniversary of the attacks.</p> <p>Dr Maysoon Salama, who lost her son Atta Elayyan, 33, relives the grief of losing her son every day.</p> <p>“The pain is still fresh,” she told <em>7NEWS</em>.</p> <p>Five years on, the good memories she shared with her son still play back in her mind.</p> <p>“Atta was an amazing son,” she said. “He’s touched the lives of so many people.”</p> <p>Despite the tragedy, Dr Salama remains strong and finds herself healing through her granddaughter Aya.</p> <p>“I feel like I see her father when I see her,” she said.</p> <p>“It’s a really hard journey ... but she has always been my focus.”</p> <p>Aya was two when she lost her father, and Dr Salama was faced with the heartbreaking task of helping her granddaughter adjust to a life without her father.</p> <p>“When I look her in the eyes and she will ask, ‘Where is my dad?’, what am I going to tell her?” she recalled thinking.</p> <p>“How are we going to tell her when she’s so attached to her daddy? She loved him so much.”</p> <p>Dr Salama's husband, Mohammad Alayan, was among the dozens of people hospitalised following the attack, with doctors at the time saying he was “lucky to survive”.</p> <p>“He had been shot twice. One in his head and it affected his vision and one in his shoulder and she said it was just a few millimetres away from his heart,” Maysoon said.</p> <p>The couple run a Muslim childcare centre An-Nur, and have worked together to help children navigate New Zealand's darkest days.</p> <p>She recalled the sinking feeling when she first heard of the attacks while at work, and how her husband's first instinct was to tell her to protect herself and everyone at the childcare centre.</p> <p>“I got a call from my husband and he told me he was in hospital and that I have a big responsibility to protect the children and the teachers and lock down, close the doors because he was afraid the shooter would also come to our place because we are a Muslim childcare centre,” she said.</p> <p>“More families who were distressed started coming to pick up their children, and some of them even had blood on their shirts, some of them witnessed the thing.</p> <p>“It was really an awful situation.”</p> <p>Not long after, she learned that her own son had also been injured, but at the time had no idea of the reality of it all.</p> <p>Aya Al-Umari lost her brother, Hussein, on the fateful day.</p> <p>“It happened so suddenly, I had no time to grieve,” she said.</p> <p>Hussein spent the last moments of his life protecting other people, and even though Aya misses his hugs more than anything, she takes comfort in knowing that her brother's legacy will live on.</p> <p>“He had the opportunity to escape, but he didn’t,” she said.</p> <p>“He was running towards the terrorist.</p> <p>“It really goes to show, especially in his last moments, he was always a giver.”</p> <p>Both Aya and Dr Salama both take comfort in the belief that their loved ones died as as a Shahid – a true martyr who died in the name of their faith in Islam.</p> <p>Dr Salama hopes that the findings from last year’s coronial inquest, expected to be handed down this year, will provide a sense of closure to the victims' families.</p> <p>She also hopes that people will use the fifth anniversary of the shootings to reflect on the work that is yet to be done and call for more action in fighting Islamophobia and extremism.</p> <p>“We can fight Islamophobia by challenging the biases and educating ourselves also and intervening against discrimination.</p> <p>“See something, say something.”</p> <p>Canterbury's Muslim community will also gather today to honour the victims with a commemoration service at Masjid Annur in the evening, according to<em> <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/511744/muslims-mark-5th-anniversary-of-christchurch-mosque-terror-attacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">RNZ</a></em>.</p> <p>Brenton Tarrant, who was behind the terror attacks, was sentenced to life in jail without parole – the first person in New Zealand's history to receive the sentence because his actions were deemed "so wicked".</p> <p><em>Images: 7News</em></p>

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Guy Pearce's family tragedy

<p>Guy Pearce has revealed that his mother has passed away after a battle with Alzheimers disease. </p> <p>The A-lister took to Twitter, now called X, to share that his mum, Anne Cocking, has "kicked the bucket". </p> <p>“Lost my beautiful Mum today. ‘Kicked the bucket’ as she would say,” Pearce said alongside a series of family photos. </p> <p>“What a sharp, fierce and witty woman Anne was, until Alzheimer’s struck in 2010." </p> <p>“It’s been a long and winding road. A fitting song 4 ur (sic) departure Mum. Tracy and I will miss u enormously. We’ll always love u XX”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lost my beautiful Mum today. ‘Kicked the bucket’ as she would say. What a sharp, fierce &amp; witty woman Anne was, until Alzheimer’s struck in 2010. It’s been a long &amp; winding road. A fitting song 4 ur departure Mum. Tracy &amp; I will miss u enormously. We’ll always love u XX <a href="https://t.co/SfjFWUFRwr">pic.twitter.com/SfjFWUFRwr</a></p> <p>— Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheGuyPearce/status/1693769859065155845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 21, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>The photos showed Guy with his mum and sister Tracy, as well as a photo of his mum and dad on their wedding day. </p> <p>Pearce’s father Stuart, a Royal Air Force test pilot, died when Pearce he was just eight years old.</p> <p>Anne and his father Stuart moved the family, including his older sister Tracy, from Cambridgeshire, in England’s east, to Geelong, when he was three.</p> <p>In 2017, Guy took to Twitter to admit that he was struggling with his mother's illness. </p> <p>“Sadly her Alzheimer’s means she doesn’t know me anymore." </p> <p>“However, I know I’ll carry her wisdom with me forever.”</p> <p>Speaking to UK newspaper <em><a title="go.skimresources.com" href="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=130574X1592710&amp;isjs=1&amp;jv=15.4.2-stackpath&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hellomagazine.com%2Fcelebrities%2F500762%2Fguy-pearce-inundated-with-support-over-heartbreaking-loss-of-mother-anne-cocking%2F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetimes.co.uk%2Farticle%2Fguy-pearce-i-was-stoned-exhausted-questioning-it-all-3rbgd3pm5&amp;xs=1&amp;xtz=240&amp;xuuid=7669d9847d681ea7909ea70337f312ed&amp;xcust=xid:fr1692744202180gbi&amp;xjsf=other_click__auxclick%20%5B2%5D" data-orig-url="https://go.skimresources.com/?id=130574X1592710&amp;isjs=1&amp;jv=15.4.2-stackpath&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hellomagazine.com%2Fcelebrities%2F500762%2Fguy-pearce-inundated-with-support-over-heartbreaking-loss-of-mother-anne-cocking%2F&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thetimes.co.uk%2Farticle%2Fguy-pearce-i-was-stoned-exhausted-questioning-it-all-3rbgd3pm5&amp;xs=1&amp;xtz=240&amp;xuuid=7669d9847d681ea7909ea70337f312ed&amp;xcust=xid%3Afr1692721488482ecj&amp;xjsf=other_click__auxclick%20%5B2%5D" data-ml-id="0" data-ml="true" data-xid="fr1692744202180gbi">The Times</a></em> in 2002, Pearce talked how he supported his mother in bringing up sister Tracey who has the developmental disorder Cornelia de Lange syndrome.</p> <p>“A big part of why I never wanted to have children was because I helped raise my sister so I felt like I’d done my parenting." </p> <p>“For a long time, I definitely knew I was never going to have kids. It was quite definite.”</p> <p>Despite his opposition, Guy and his wife Carice welcomed their son Monte in 2016. </p> <p>“I am just besotted with my child. I mean, it’s ridiculous, although it took a while for me to actually believe that my child was really my child,” he told <em>The Times</em>. </p> <p>“Even though my body was kind of going, ‘You’re my child and I just want to hold you close,’ my brain was going: ‘No, you decided years ago you were never going to have a child.’”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram </em></p>

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"It has been the hardest time": Ronan Keating speaks out after family tragedy

<p>Ronan Keating has broken his silence for the first time since the sudden death of his brother. </p> <p>The Irish musician and former Boyzone member said it has been the "hardest time" dealing with the sudden loss, after his older brother Ciaran was killed in a car crash in his native Ireland in July.</p> <p>On Saturday, Ronan addressed the tragedy for the first time, revealing how he and his family are dealing with their grief. </p> <p>He wrote on Instagram, "Just wanted to say thank you for the love and respect you have shown my family over the last 5 weeks. It has been the hardest time for us all, and everyone is trying to manage a life now without our brother (very hard to even type that 💔)." </p> <p>"Thank you for all your messages of support and also respecting our privacy during this time."</p> <p>Along with the caption, Ronan shared a series of snaps from South Africa, where the family are holidaying to get away from their busy life and take time to reckon with the tragedy. </p> <p>"There is no more fitting a place to heal, than in South Africa surrounded by Mother Nature and great people and our little bundles of joy Cooper and Coco, have kept us going constantly. Thank you god."</p> <p>"Back to work for me in another part of the world I love now… it all seems rather difficult to make sense of but trying my best. "</p> <p>"Take care of each other and from Storm, myself and all my family, thank you."</p> <p>The post was flooded with comments of well wishes and condolences, while fans encouraged Ronan and his family to take as much time out as they needed to heal.</p> <p>Just days after the post, Ronan shared a sweet tribute to his wife Storm, as the couple celebrated their eight year wedding anniversary while on their family getaway. </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/CwHDRkGpnbQ/?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/CwHDRkGpnbQ/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ronan Keating (@rokeating)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Along with a heartwarming video of some of their best moments together, Ronan wrote, "Thank you for the absolute unwavering honesty and love. Without you I would be somewhere very dark. Your love is my compass."</p> <p>"Eight years married but a lifetime together. The memories the laughs the babies the family. It’s you and me love. Happy anniversary."</p> <p>"In this lifetime and everyone one that the universe gives after that I will find you. No two spirits were more connected."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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Tragedy strikes Spain's Women's World Cup star

<p>Spanish Women’s World Cup star Olga Carmona was hit with some devastating news shortly after their win against England</p> <p>The 23-year-old defender was informed that her father had passed away shortly after the final whistle and victory celebration according to the Spanish football federation (RFEF).</p> <p>“The RFEF deeply regrets having to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father,” the Spanish football federation said in a statement. </p> <p>“The footballer learned the sad news after the World Cup final.</p> <p>“We send our most sincere embraces to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are in the history of Spanish football.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="es">⚫️ PÉSAME | La <a href="https://twitter.com/rfef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RFEF</a> lamenta profundamente comunicar el fallecimiento del padre de Olga Carmona. La futbolista ha conocido la triste noticia una vez concluida la final de la Copa del Mundo. </p> <p>Mandamos nuestro abrazo más sincero a Olga y a su familia en un momento de profundo… <a href="https://t.co/BSe2XmUrVF">pic.twitter.com/BSe2XmUrVF</a></p> <p>— RFEF (@rfef) <a href="https://twitter.com/rfef/status/1693350809424031985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>Carmona scored the only goal of the intense game, landing the Spanish team, La Roja the World Cup win for the first time. </p> <p>A few reports claimed that Carmona's father passed away on Friday, but friends and family decided to not tell her until after the finale on Sunday, so that she could focus on the game. </p> <p>Carmona, who was still unaware of the news at the time, beamed as she spoke about the team's triumph in an interview after the match. </p> <p>“I think we’re still not aware of what we’ve achieved,” she said. </p> <p>“When we land we’re going to freak out.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="es">🙌🏻 ¡¡Qué viva España!! ¡¡Somos <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CampeonasdelMundo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CampeonasdelMundo</a>!!</p> <p>🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/7olgacarmona?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@7olgacarmona</a> nos cuenta cómo ha marcado el gol que le ha dado el título a España.</p> <p>➡️ "Creo que todavía no somos conscientes de lo que hemos conseguido. Cuando aterricemos vamos a flipar".<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JugarLucharYGanar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JugarLucharYGanar</a> <a href="https://t.co/NjRrg4bOTx">pic.twitter.com/NjRrg4bOTx</a></p> <p>— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEFutbolFem/status/1693307827568456054?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>During her goal celebration, the Spanish captain also displayed a message on her shirt that read "Merchi" which she dedicated to her best friend whose mother died recently. </p> <p>“I want to say this victory is for one of my best friend’s mother, who died recently, I celebrated the goal with that shirt,” she told Spanish broadcasters <em>La 1,</em> right after the game. </p> <p>Although the Spanish team had little time to enjoy their victory, Carmona was named player of the match for her breakthrough score in the finale. </p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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"Deeply distressed": Tragedy strikes Robert De Niro's family

<p>Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, has tragically passed away, as confirmed by his daughter, Drena De Niro.</p> <p>Drena De Niro, who is 51 years old and Robert De Niro's daughter from his previous marriage to Diahnne Abbott, shared the devastating news of her young son's passing on Instagram.</p> <p>In a heartfelt tribute, accompanied by a photo of her late son, she expressed her deep love for him, stating: "My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been joy in my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life."</p> <p>Overwhelmed by grief and yearning to be with her son, she continued, <span style="color: #343541; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you. I don't know how to live without you but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #343541; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you 😞 I'm so sorry my baby, I'm so sorry @carlosmare 😢💔. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy."</span></p> <p> </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuOES_xN6pO/?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/CuOES_xN6pO/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Drena (@drenadeniro)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Upon learning the tragic news, Robert De Niro expressed deep distress over his teenage grandson's passing.</p> <p>In a statement provided to the <em>New York Post's Page Six</em> section on Monday, Robert De Niro expressed his sorrow, saying, "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo."</p> <p>The statement was delivered through a spokesperson. He further added, "We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."</p> <p>At present, the cause of Leandro's death remains unknown, although reports suggest that drugs and drug paraphernalia were found near his body.</p> <p>Leandro was the son of Drena De Niro and graffiti artist Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez. Carlos commented on Drena's social media post, expressing his heartfelt emotions:</p> <p>"Words aren't enough to express the joy he gave us or the loss we now endure with our families and friends. He is God's child now. On this full moon, his spirit illuminates what could not be seen in the dark. You can't spell LOVE without LEO."</p> <p>Several celebrities, including Lenny Kravitz, Andy Cohen, and Naomi Campbell, expressed their support and condolences in the comments section of Drena's post.</p> <p>Drena De Niro is the eldest of Robert De Niro's seven children. He adopted her in 1976 after marrying her mother, Diahnne Abbott. Robert also has a son named Raphael, 46, with Ms. Abbott, as well as twins named Aaron and Julian, 27, with Toukie Smith.</p> <p>Additionally, he has a son named Elliot, 25, and a daughter named Helen, 11, with Grace Hightower. In May, Robert announced that he and his partner, Tiffany Chen, welcomed their seventh child, a daughter named Gia.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Disney star dies at just 29

<p>South Korean actress Park Soo Ryun, who starred in the K-drama Disney+ series <em>Snowdrop</em> has passed away aged 29.</p> <p>According to the <em>Mirror</em>, Ryun fell down a flight of stairs on June 11, at a property on Jeju Island, South Korea’s largest island, where she was scheduled to perform.</p> <p>The actress was reportedly taken to hospital for emergency treatment but was sadly pronounced dead by medics after she couldn't be revived.</p> <p>Ryun’s family have decided to donate her organs, according to K-pop website <em>Soompi</em>.</p> <p>The star’s mother told South Korean media, “Only her brain is unconscious, and her heart is still beating. There must be someone who desperately needs [organs]. “As her mother and father, we will be able to live comforted [by the thought that her heart] has gone to someone and is beating.”</p> <p>A fan account for the Snowdrop series posted a tribute for the late star, “A painful day. Heard [sic] to breathe,”</p> <p>“The most beautiful light, the most beautiful flower. Rest in peace.”</p> <p>Fans flocked to the comments to show their support.</p> <p>“Rest in peace, you will be in our hearts forever." one said.</p> <p>“Rest in peace.” another wrote.</p> <p>Ryun got her big break in 2018 when she appeared in the musical <em>Il Tenore</em>.</p> <p>She made her TV acting debut in 2021 with <em>Snowdrop</em> alongside Blackpink singer Jisoo.</p> <p>Another <em>Snowdrop</em> actress also passed away unexpectedly at age 29 in 2022.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Couple die in hot air balloon tragedy

<p>A hot air balloon disaster above Mexico City has claimed the lives of one couple, and put their seriously injured daughter in hospital, after the basket they were travelling in caught fire.</p> <p>According to <em>The Daily Mail</em>, 50-year-old Jose Nolasco and his 38-year-old wife Viridiana Becerril - who called the nearby city of Cuajimalpa de Morelos home - were confirmed by Mexican authorities as the fatalities of the accident. </p> <p>The tragic incident was caught on camera by people who had been nearby, and clips have since surfaced online of the moments the basket burst into flame, and the plunge of desperate passengers falling - or trying to escape - from the balloon. </p> <p>It is believed that the couple’s daughter - Regina Itzani - was one of such occupants, and she is expected to survive despite suffering a broken arm and second-degree burns. </p> <p>Authorities have been unable to confirm whether or not a pilot was also onboard at the time of the tragedy - though some believe them to have been a second figure plummeting from the balloon - which occurred while the craft was flying over the pre-Hispanic site of Teotihuacan, north of the city. The location is considered to be a popular one for tourists and hot air balloon rides.</p> <p>The footage also shows the balloon deflating as the flames threaten to overtake everything, with one onlooker declaring in Spanish that people are falling, while the craft itself appears to still be tethered to the ground. Authorities have not yet confirmed that it was - and if so, why.</p> <p>As for why the family were taking the trip, social media posts have suggested that Regina and Jose had actually organised the whole experience for Viridiana’s birthday. </p> <p>“It was the birthday of my daughter Viridiana, Regina’s mum,” Regina’s mother, Reyna Gloria Sarmiento, explained to local reporters, “and they had prepared this ride as a surprise for her.”</p> <p>She also noted that her granddaughter was in a stable condition in hospital, and that she was conscious, before sharing that Regina had been able to share one final hug with her parents before making her escape from the balloon’s basket. </p> <p>Authorities are investigating the fatal incident, and although initial reports suggest the fire could be connected to a fault with the fuel storage system on the balloon, nothing has been confirmed. </p> <p>Meanwhile, officials in the family’s hometown, have shared their condolences for the loss, releasing a statement that reads “we send our condolences to the family, friends and acquaintances of Jose Nolasco and Viridiana Becerril who died in the hot air balloon tragedy in Teotihuacan,' they shared Sunday.</p> <p>“Our solidarity and prayers are with Regina and we wish her a speedy recovery.”</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Tragedy strikes Ed Sheeran tour

<p>Ed Sheeran’s touring partner and co-writer has suffered a major loss with the news of his teenage son’s sudden death.</p> <p>Ben Kweller, who opened for Sheeran on his 2019 tour, revealed his 16-year-old son, Dorian, was killed overnight.</p> <p>"There's no way that I can be typing this but I am….," Kweller began in a heartbreaking <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CpNSgQ5uXzd/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tribute shared on Instagram</a>. "Our son, Dorian Zev Kweller, was killed last night. He was only 16 and he was a true legend. Kindest, gentle soul, a friend to all. If you knew him, you know.”</p> <p>Kweller did not share any more information about the circumstances surrounding his son’s death, instead, he wrote about the short but brilliant life the 16-year-old aspiring musician lived.</p> <p>"We'll never get over him as long as we're here on earth. Please keep his spirit alive with your memories and the music he made: @reallyzev," the proud dad shared.</p> <p>"Dorian Zev wrote and recorded songs every day. A true poet from the day he started speaking. Only a few of his recordings were released but he was on a path and excited about his journey. He had so many plans!!! His first gig was in two weeks, at SXSW.”</p> <p>In the post, the grieving father also shared his last text message exchange with his son.</p> <p>"We're in complete shock and don't know what the future holds. Lizzy, Judah, and I have no idea how to deal with this disaster. Thank you for your prayers and support and we apologize if we are slow to respond to messages. 💔”</p> <p>Sheeran, who is currently touring Australia, counts Kweller as one of his good friends. In 2018, when the musician married his childhood sweetheart Cherry Seaborn in a secret ceremony, Kweller was one of the few invited and also performed at their wedding ceremony. Kweller also co-wrote Sheeran’s hit song <em>Collide</em>.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

News

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Madonna struck by family tragedy

<p>Madonna is in mourning after the death of her eldest brother. </p> <p>Anthony Ciccone, aged 66, passed away on Saturday according to reports by <a href="https://pagesix.com/2023/02/26/madonnas-older-brother-anthony-ciccone-dead-at-66/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a>. </p> <p>“Most family members had a difficult relationship with him due to his disease [with alcohol],” a source told the publication.</p> <p>“Madonna helped to support her brother when he would accept that support. During his final months he was in contact with family and Madonna, but this past week he refused the support the rehab facility offered and it was clear he was ready to move on,” the insider added.</p> <p>The sad news was also confirmed on Instagram by musician Joe Henry, who is married to Madonna’s sister Melanie Ciccone.</p> <p>“My brother-in-law, Anthony Gerard Ciccone, exited this earthly plane last evening. I’ve known him since I was 15, in the spring of our lives in Michigan so many years now gone,” he wrote. </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/CpGlFACuTiT/?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/CpGlFACuTiT/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Joe Henry (@joehenrymusic)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“As brother Dave Henry (who took this photograph) notes here, Anthony was a complex character; and god knows: we tangled in moments, as true brothers can. But I loved him, and understood him better than I was sometimes willing to let on."</p> <p>Henry added that while “trouble fades,” family remains – with “hands reached” across the table.</p> <div id="indie-campaign-rHsIzpAmAj7xkA4llYlH-0" data-campaign-name="NCA ENTERTAINMENT newsletter" data-campaign-indie="newsletter-signup" data-jira="TSN-268" data-from="1640955600000" data-to="1677502800000"></div> <p>“Farewell, then, brother Anthony. I want to think the god your blessed mother (and mine) believed in has her there, waiting to receive you,” he continued. “At least for today, no one shall dissuade me from this vision.”</p> <p>Madonna, who is one of eight children, grew up in Michigan, where her older brother was believed to have been living when he died.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Sharon Stone struck by double family tragedy

<p>Sharon Stone’s brother, Patrick Stone, suddenly passed away on Sunday in Pennsylvania, just 18 months after the family suffered the loss of his 11-month-old son, who died of organ failure in August 2021.</p> <p>The coroner’s office told <a href="http://www.apple.com/au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TMZ</a> that Patrick went into a sudden cardiac arrest caused by heart disease. His time of death is yet to be confirmed.</p> <p>A rep for Mr stone didn’t immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.</p> <p>According to TMZ, Tasha Stone, Patrick’s widow, shared the news of his death with friends, writing, “My heart feels like it’s been ripped out of my chest. Patrick went to be with our sweet River … I don’t know what else to say, he was my world.”</p> <p>“I’m not sure what life is supposed to look like without my husband by my side and quite honestly I don’t want to, but I will of course,” Tasha wrote. “I just hope that you always stay by my side watching over Hunter, Kaylee and I.”</p> <p>“Until we meet again I will forever hold you and our wonderful (and some not so wonderful but just as important) memories close to my heart and will visit those memories always. I love you honey babe. My wish through all of this is that now at least River has his daddy with him and I hope the two of you are having the best time.”</p> <p>Sharon, 64, first shared the news about her nephew, River, about a week before he died, saying he had entered total organ failure.</p> <p>“My nephew and godson River Stone was found in his crib w total organ failure today,” The actress wrote alongside a photo of River lying in a hospital bed hooked up to a machine.</p> <p>No further details of Patrick Stone’s death have been revealed.</p> <p>Image credit: Instagram</p>

News

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Isla Fisher shares family tragedy

<p>Australian actress Isla Fisher took to Instagram on Sunday to share that her father, Brian Fisher, passed away at the age of 85. </p> <p>“How do you live without someone that you can’t live without?” Isla captioned the post, posing the impossible question to her 1.9m followers. “How lucky am I to have had you as my dad. You were hilarious, positive and my best friend.</p> <p>“No matter what was going in my life on you always asked me if I was having fun. I know this pain is going to get worse as the days between when I last saw you increase and that is very scary. </p> <p>“I love you so much. Thank you for being the greatest father.”</p> <p>The post featured an image of Brian in a blue jacket, posing while staring at something off-camera. The day before, Isla posted a photo of them together, sitting at a table and smiling at the camera. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cnqk07qqSVi/?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/Cnqk07qqSVi/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Isla Fisher (@islafisher)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Isla, born to Scottish parents, moved to Australia at the age of six, and rose to stardom in 1994 with her role as Shannon Reed in <em>Home and Away</em>. In 2010, Isla married fellow actor Sacha Baron Cohen. The couple live in Sydney with their three children - Olive, Elula, and Montgomery. </p> <p>Familiar Hollywood faces took to Isla’s comment section to offer their condolences and support to their friend. </p> <p>Fellow British-born Australian actress Naomi Watts shared, “so sorry isla. This is heartbreaking news. I know how close you were. Sending big love.”</p> <p>“Oh friend. I'm so so sorry. I know how much you loved your daddy. Sending you all my angels,” wrote actress Reese Witherspoon.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CntGtilKQGF/?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/CntGtilKQGF/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Isla Fisher (@islafisher)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Isla has been no stranger to sharing her love for her father with her fans, with a series of posts dedicated to Brian featured on her account. </p> <p>For Father’s Day in 2021, the actress shared a picture of the two of them, dressed up for an event, with the caption, “Happy Father’s Day. I love you so much Poppa Fish” and a string of hearts. </p> <p>In the same year, she posted an old, black-and-white photograph of her father, and wrote, “this is my dad, Poppa Fish. I love him, he’s the greatest and I am so thankful to have him in my life.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram, Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“Two of my best mates gone”: Rod Stewart opens up on double tragedy

<p>Rod Stewart is in mourning after the loss of his two brothers just months apart.</p> <p>On Friday, the singer posted a short but sweet tribute on Instagram to his brother Bob, who passed away last November, just two months after the passing of his eldest brother Don.</p> <p>Sharing a photo of the program from Bob's funeral service at Islington Burial Chapel in London, he wrote, "I said Farewell to my Brother Bob today, with his coffin draped in a Rangers flag (life long Glasgow Rangers fan)."</p> <p>"We loved our game days up in Scotland together, " he wrote, reminiscing on their sweet memories together.</p> <p>Bob passed at the age of 87, just a day short from his 88th birthday.</p> <p>"Now he joins Brother Don, rest in peace boys. Two of my best mates gone within just a few months."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnEx0ufN7b0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnEx0ufN7b0/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Sir Rod Stewart (@sirrodstewart)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Several family members also expressed their love in the comments, with his wife and TV star Penny Lancaster sharing an inside joke, writing, "I loved that he called me Pencil instead of Pen."</p> <p>His daughter, Ruby Stewart, commented with a simple dove emoji, commonly used to symbolise peace, freedom, or love.</p> <p>In December, the British singer announced on Instagram that he was mourning the loss of his two brothers. </p> <p>“It’s with great sadness that I announce the loss of my brother Bob last night, who joins my brother Don on the great football pitch in the sky,” he captioned, with an image of a candle flame and the words “Rest in Peace”.</p> <p>The British singer is the youngest of five children, surviving his brothers along with two of his sisters, Mary and Peggy.</p> <p><em>Image Credits: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Bindi Irwin slammed for "useless" response to animal tragedy

<p>Bindi Irwin has come under fire for her "pathetic, useless" response to a "tragedy" at a wildlife farm in the US. </p> <p>The wildlife warrior was contacted on Twitter by Taylor Blake in Florida, asking for help to cure her emu Emmanuel, who has avian influenza. </p> <p>According to Taylor, avian flu has killed 99 percent of the other birds who live at Knuckle Bump Farms, in what she described as a "massive tragedy".</p> <p>Running out of options to save her celebrity emu, Taylor reached out to the Aussie wildlife warriors online. </p> <p>Bindi Irwin responded saying that, although Australia Zoo had treated more than 100,000 animals, it had “never treated an emu with this particular disease”.</p> <p>“We will need to rely on our fellow animal experts with more experience with this avian flu,” she began, in a tweet in response to Blake’s call for help.</p> <p>She signed off the response with, “Sending love and light your way from our entire family”.</p> <p>Bindi's response was quickly condemned online, with many suggesting the Irwins might have been able to do something to assist. </p> <p>“What a pathetic, useless reply,” one Twitter user began.</p> <p>“Zero effort to help when you are in a supposedly unique position to use your influence and contacts to actually help her.”</p> <p>Another wrote, “There is a lot they (the Irwins) can do. Very few people have their massive access.”</p> <p>“Thoughts and prayers are nice, but is there not someone you could recommend, given your family has been in this field for years?” another said. “Empty words.”</p> <p>Added another, “So you don’t know of anyone in your network who could help?</p> <p>“One would assume it wouldn’t be hard for you to ask around or spread the word in the hopes someone with the right experience comes forward.”</p> <p>Despite the onslaught of criticism, others believed the Irwins would be helping in any way they could. </p> <p>One person said, “I feel quietly certain that behind the scenes they are helping resource the right specialists for Emmanuel. Quiet achievers.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

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"They’re making money off tragedy": Netflix’s Dahmer series shows the dangers of fictionalising real horrors

<p>Netflix’s recent series Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story has stirred <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63088009" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controversy</a> over its apparent glamorisation of a serial killer and perceived insensitivity towards the families of Dahmer’s victims.</p> <p>In contrast to more journalistic true crime entertainment (<a href="https://theconversation.com/true-crime-entertainment-like-the-teachers-pet-can-shine-a-light-on-cold-cases-but-does-it-help-or-hinder-justice-being-served-189787" target="_blank" rel="noopener">which has its own issues</a>), the dramatisation and fictionalisation of real-life crimes, such as Dahmer, has drawn a wave of criticism for re-traumatising victims and their loved ones, and glorifying criminals.</p> <h2>Artistic license or sensationalist schlock?</h2> <p>Whether presenting itself as an accurate retelling or merely “inspired by true events” – there is always going to be some artistic license when transforming a complex true crime story into a movie or TV series.</p> <p>While changes from real life to screen are often relatively minor, such as having multiple police officers represented by one fictionalised detective, others can significantly misrepresent events.</p> <p>Anne Schwartz, the journalist who broke the original Dahmer story, has called the recent Dahmer Netflix series “not a helpful representation”. In an interview with the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/anne-e-schwartz-jeffrey-dahmer-autopsy-polaroids-b2194855.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Independent</a>, Schwartz criticised the caricatured depiction of law enforcement in the series. She also took aim at key plot elements, such as having key witness Glenda Cleveland (played by Niecy Nash) live next door to Dahmer, rather than in the building next door (as in real life).</p> <p>Other dramatisations of real-life crimes have gone much further, adding sensationalist – and even downright supernatural – elements to true events.</p> <p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7976208/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Haunting of Sharon Tate</a>, written and directed by Daniel Farrands and released in 2019, was universally panned by critics and audiences alike for graphically depicting the real life murder of actress Sharon Tate by the Manson family.</p> <p>In the film, Tate (played by Hilary Duff) has apparent premonitions of her murder in her dreams, with the film ending with a meeting of Manson’s victims in the afterlife. Film critic Owen Gleiberman <a href="https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/the-haunting-of-sharon-tate-review-hilary-duff-1203179977/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called</a> the film “pure, unadulterated cheeseball exploitation” opining that it “goes out of its way to turn the Manson murders into schlock horror”.</p> <h2>Re-traumatising victims and their families</h2> <p>Victims of crime and their loved ones are frequently angered and re-traumatised when their real-life stories become fodder for public consumption.</p> <p>The families of homicide victims are particularly disadvantaged when encountering inaccurate or insulting depictions of their loved ones, given legal protections of reputation, such as claims in defamation, don’t apply if the person defamed is deceased.</p> <p>Some of the families of Dahmer’s victims have expressed outrage at the Netflix series, noting that they were never approached about the show’s release. Rital Isbell, whose brother was murdered by Dahmer, had her heart-breaking victim impact statement dramatised in the series without her knowledge or consent. She called the series “harsh and careless” in a <a href="https://www.insider.com/rita-isbell-sister-jeffrey-dahmer-victim-talks-about-netflix-show-2022-9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">piece</a> in Insider expressing that “It’s sad that they’re just making money off of this tragedy”.</p> <p>The question of who benefits from depictions of real-life crimes is an important one, with large studios and streaming platforms earning millions while victims and their families are often left to bear the consequences of increased public attention.</p> <p>Australian films haven’t been immune to this tension between artistic freedom and the wishes of victim’s families. The 1997 Australian film <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118735/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blackrock</a>, directed by Steven Vidler and adapted from a play by Nick Enright was clearly <a href="http://www.textjournal.com.au/oct09/brien.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inspired by</a> (although denied by Enright) the real-life rape and murder of 14-year-old schoolgirl <a href="https://7news.com.au/original-fyi/crime-story-investigator/leigh-leigh-remembering-murdered-14-year-old-stockton-girl-30-years-on-c-535209" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leigh Leigh</a> in 1987. Leigh’s family were highly critical upon the film’s release finding the depiction exploitative and accusing the filmmakers of “feasting on an unfortunate situation”.</p> <h2>Making celebrities out of serial killers</h2> <p>The rise of online “fandoms” surrounding real-life killers is an increasingly documented phenomena likely tied to the increased pop culturalisation of true crime.</p> <p>Social media site Tumblr has a variety of dedicated fan accounts for history’s monsters, with everyone from serial killer Richard Ramirez to school shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold getting special treatment.</p> <p>Researcher Andrew Rico sees such fandoms as partially motivated by an urge to <a href="https://journal.transformativeworks.org/index.php/twc/article/view/671" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shock and scandalise</a> the public, but notes they also indicate the tabloid depiction of criminals such as schools shooters has led to a form of dark celebrity. This is supported by the work of doctoral student Sasha Artamonova, who views dark fandoms as a kind of “<a href="https://www.academia.edu/32699599/Rebels_with_a_Cause_School_Shooters_Fandom_as_a_Form_of_Counterculture" target="_blank" rel="noopener">counter-culture</a>” movement rallying against moral norms.</p> <p>The Dahmer Netflix series has <a href="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/why-hollywood-obsessed-casting-teen-134800169.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">received criticism</a> for casting Evan Peters as Jeffery Dahmer, given his status as a teen heartthrob who rose to fame in creator Ryan Murphy’s far more lighthearted horror series American Horror Story. The Gen Z populated TikTok is full of fan videos of his depiction of Dahmer.</p> <p>Similar criticism was levelled at another Netflix series Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile which cast Highschool Musical star Zac Efron as serial rapist and murderer Ted Bundy.</p> <p>An unhealthy obsession with serial killers is, of course, nothing new – Jeffery Dahmer received <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Dahmer-Letters-Milwaukee-Cannibal/dp/B0B72T273N" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many positive letters</a> and even marriage proposals while incarcerated.</p> <p>However, some worry the recent trend of casting attractive celebrities as serial killers could have flow on effects. One writer in Odyssey <a href="https://www.theodysseyonline.com/hollywood-romanticizes-serial-killers" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a> that “young and impressionable youth of today might find themselves empathising with and falling for people who are actually dangerous”.</p> <p>Whether such concerns are prescient or a textbook example of moral panic remains to be seen.</p> <p>Ultimately, there will always be an audience for stories of the murderous and macabre, with fascination in the darker side of life an incredibly common human impulse.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/theyre-making-money-off-tragedy-netflixs-dahmer-series-shows-the-dangers-of-fictionalising-real-horrors-192006" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Netflix</em></p>

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Boat tragedy claims five lives after whale flips vessel

<p>New details have emerged pertaining to the accident that involved a whale, which was understood to have flipped over a boat at Goose Bay, claiming the lives of five photographers near Kaikōura in New Zealand’s South Island.</p> <p>The fatal accident occurred at 10 am on a Saturday, when the whale breached directly underneath the boat causing the vessel to capsize. Six people were thrown overboard including the skipper; five others were left trapped and did not survive.</p> <p>According to their website, the 10 photographers from the Nature Photography Society had been planning the three-day field trip for months. Everyone made their way to the popular seaside village on Friday September 9, before setting out to photograph landscapes, seascapes and birdlife. </p> <p>The group embarked at 9 am in an 8.5m aluminium boat, leaving South Bay at Kaikōura and heading down the coastline to Goose Bay near the well-known twin road tunnels on State Highway 1.</p> <p>The three-hour charter had taken the group out on the water to capture photos of the snow-capped Kaikōura landscape in the background and the birdlife along the coast, with whale watching not even on the agenda.</p> <p>An hour later, the charter headed north towards Barneys Rock, a popular spot for photographers and tourists. As it motored slowly north it appears it was on the edge of the famous deep trench that is home to whales, where the canyon quickly drops away to a depth of 500 metres and as far down as 3km.</p> <p>The boat was about 500 m from shore when the emerged from directly beneath the boat, flipping the vessel, throwing the skipper and passengers into the water.</p> <p>The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is investigating, in conjunction with Maritime New Zealand and the police.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Daniel Johns discusses Silverchair shooting tragedy

<p dir="ltr">In 1995, a 16-year-old boy in the state of Washington, aided by his friend, opened fire and killed both his parents and brother. </p> <p dir="ltr">When the shooter was apprehended, they were allegedly playing Silverchair’s <em>Israel’s Son</em>, which was released the same year and boasts controversial and hateful lyrics. </p> <p dir="ltr">Now, 27 years on, Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns has opened up about the tragedy. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s pretty devastating to write a song when you’re a teenager and then have lives taken because apparently it influenced the people to murder someone — that’s too much,” Johns told American radio personality Megan Holiday on <em>In The Mind of Daniel Johns</em> docuseries. </p> <p dir="ltr">An in-depth report on the murders published by Spin magazine in their September 1996 issue cited evidence that the shooter pulled a blood-spattered cassette out of his father’s hand, shrieking “That’s my f***ing tape!” It was Silverchair’s debut album <em>Frogstomp</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The shooter’s friend alleged that he put the tape in the stereo and rewound it to the track <em>Israel’s Son</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">The witness’s version of events, which unfolded at his trial in January 1996, had his friend kicking the deceased bodies of his parents as the song played.</p> <p dir="ltr">The shooter’s lawyer Tom Copland would cite the lyrics of <em>Israel's Son</em> at an evidentiary hearing: “Hate is what I feel for you/I want you to know that I want you dead’. </p> <p dir="ltr">They petitioned the court to be allowed to play the song in his opening statement, as he claimed the song’s lyrics were “almost a script” for the killings.</p> <p dir="ltr">Johns, who was just 16 at the time, said he internalised his trauma after hearing the horrific news. </p> <p dir="ltr">“It affected me, but I had to act like it didn’t,” he said. “I couldn’t acknowledge it, I guess that was part of the patterns.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The Aussie rocker said he didn’t want fans to look to him for meanings or “guidance”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t like that people look to me for guidance in the songs. I don’t like it,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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Tragedy as Aussie boy dies from mosquito bite

<p>A nine-year-old boy from Western Australia has tragically died from dengue fever while on holiday with his family. </p> <p>Glenn Pulgadas had been on holiday with his parents, Glenn and Ryza, in the Philippines to see extended family when he was bitten by a mosquito.</p> <p>According to the <a title="www.abc.net.au" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-30/wa-boy-dies-dengue-fever-in-philippines-warning-travellers/101386032">ABC</a>, the boy began feeling unwell on August 12th and was admitted to hospital. </p> <p>He was described as being “weak in appearance” with headaches, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and nose bleeds.</p> <p>Glenn then went into dengue shock syndrome which typically includes clamminess, a rapid weak pulse and narrowing of pulse pressure. </p> <p>These symptoms then led to organ failure, with Glenn tragically passing away on August 25th.</p> <p>The young boy is being remembered as "bright and bubbly" by all who knew him.</p> <p>“Glenn was a bright, bubbly, young boy who was so full of life and always had a smile on his face,” said family friend Danielle Zarzycki.</p> <p>Glenn's hometown community of Harvey has launched a <a title="www.gofundme.com" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/glenn-pulgadas-memorial">GoFundMe</a> page to raise money for funeral expenses which has so far reached more than $9000.</p> <p>One of the top donators, who gave $1,000 to Glenn's family, is local St Anne’s School, where Glenn was a year three student. </p> <p>Dengue fever is spread via the bite of some species of mosquito. </p> <p>Three out of four people who contract dengue won’t even get sick, and for those who do the symptoms can be mild and they often recover in a matter of days.</p> <p>About one in 20 people who become sick with dengue will be hit by a severe form and in the worst cases, the disease can lead to shock, internal bleeding and death. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Facebook</em></p>

Caring

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“A tragedy for our nation”: Reason for Scott Morrison’s firing 16 years ago revealed

<p dir="ltr">The woman who sacked former Prime Minister Scott Morrison from Tourism Australia has finally opened up about the mysterious end to his time there and shared how she was “gobsmacked” that he went on to become PM.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Morrison’s firing from Tourism Australia in 2006 has long been shrouded in mystery, but Fran Bailey - who was Tourism Minister at the time and ordered the Chair of Tourism Australia to fire Mr Morrison - has now spoken about the decision in a brutal interview with the <em><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-was-gobsmacked-when-he-became-prime-minister-20220826-p5bd19.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunday Age</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Bailey reportedly chose to finally speak on the record after she was left incensed by the revelations that Mr Morrison <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/andrew-bolt-leads-the-charge-on-scott-morrison-tirade" target="_blank" rel="noopener">secretly swore himself into five additional ministerial positions</a> while he was Prime Minister.</p> <p dir="ltr">"What has changed my mind is that all of those characteristics that make up Scott Morrison – the secrecy... the supreme belief that only he can do a job, the lack of consultation with those closest to him – those characteristics were evident 16 years ago, and perhaps we’re seeing the end result of those now," she told the paper’s longtime columnist, Jon Faine.</p> <p dir="ltr">Echoing a common criticism of Mr Morrison, Ms Bailey said he took a bullying approach to his work, which eventually led to those in senior positions having less trust that he could do his job.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It came down to a complete lack of trust. It’s not something that I have stewed over for all those 16 years, but I certainly have become very concerned as he worked his way through the ministry, and I was gobsmacked when he became prime minister," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Because I knew what he was really like to work with, and I think that’s been a tragedy for the Liberal Party and it has been a tragedy for our nation."</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Bailey is one of many critics calling on Mr Morrison to leave Parliament following the revelations, as former High Court judge Virginia Bell is expected to head an inquiry into his actions and hand down a report on November 25.</p> <p dir="ltr">The inquiry will examine Mr Morrison’s ministerial appointments and the functioning of departments, government business enterprises and statutory bodies.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes after advice released last week from Australia’s solicitor-general found that Mr Morrison didn’t break any laws, but that his actions undermined the principles of “responsible government”.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b515b564-7fff-c497-b6b2-a263d150c2a3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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