Innholdsfortegnelse for 16 March 2020 i New Idea

Back in the ’90s it was rumoured that Brad Pitt and Demi Moore had a brief fling. Now it appears things might be heating up between the old flames. New Idea has learnt that the Hollywood stars recently crossed paths in Paris and had a secret rendezvous. “Demi and Brad bumped into each other at one of Brad’s favourite restaurants in the city. They ended up joining tables and staying for coffee after their friends left – catching up about old times and reminiscing about Hollywood and all their pals as well as managing to laugh at their equally disastrous love lives,” a source reveals. The pair have both struggled with addiction. Demi opened up about her battle with alcoholism, drugs and an eating disorder in her memoir, published last…

Married at First Sight’s sweethearts Jules Robinson and Cameron Merchant have rubbished rumours that their marriage is fake or staged for publicity. Speaking to New Idea at the launch of Burwood’s first luxury accommodation, Marsden Hotel, the newlyweds denied the claims. “It’s false, just nasty rumours coming from someone in particular,” Jules said. “Why would we get married just for publicity? It’s so ridiculous.” It comes after former MAFS star Nasser Sultan, who appeared in the 2018 season of the Channel Nine show, claimed Cam and Jules weren’t legally married and were due to break up soon. “I checked for marriage certificates and they don’t have one!” he told New Idea last  month. Convinced news of a split is imminent, Nasser said: “There’ll be an announcement that they will break…

A peace-making meeting between Meghan and Kate has reportedly not gone quite as was planned. According to a palace insider, the Queen wanted the princes’ wives to “clear the air” so the royal family could put on a united front at the Westminster Abbey Commonwealth Day service. “Her Majesty had hoped that they’d get along after having a bit of time and distance apart so that it wouldn’t be so awkward and tense in public,” the royal source says. “But instead of patching things up, the get-together could not have gone worse.” It’s been a stressful time for the monarchy in recent months with Harry and Meghan’s announcement to step back as senior royals. The Sussexes have been open about their disappointment regarding the Queen’s decision to curtail their use…

In a recent Instagram post, Karl and Jasmine both uploaded photos of themselves wearing T-shirts designed by Camilla and Marc, which is donating sales to fund ovarian cancer research. “If this campaign means that we could help one woman detect this early, if we could just save one life, this will all be worth it,” Jasmine wrote. “The devastating impact this disease has is generational – for daughters, mothers, sisters and wives and not forgetting the sons, fathers, brothers and husbands that experience the loss of a loved one too soon.” Karl also posted the same picture with the caption: “I will stand beside you, wearing my T-shirt and posting in support to help eradicate this disease.”…

KAK’S SHOCK EXIT! After terrible ratings at Studio 10, TV host Kerri-Anne Kennerley is in the firing line following rumours she is disliked by fans. Ratings for the morning talk show plummeted to an all-time low last month, and Ten insiders say the word in the corridors is that the execs, producers and on-air talent are blaming Kerri-Anne for the bad numbers. “What happened to Denise Scott and Ding Dong [Denise Drysdale], who the audiences love but rarely appear? They resonate with the audiences, unlike KAK,” a well-placed insider tells New Idea. “KAK just picks fights with guests to get publicity. But it is negative publicity. KAK has always loved getting a headline with her comments and on-air stunts from her days at Nine, but those days are long gone…

BRIDE WARS 1 According to an on-set source, Natasha would openly flirt with the other husbands. She hit it off with Steve, Jonethen and David and would “throw herself at them” during the dinner parties. 2 Mishel was voted as the biggest gossip queen of the group. “She was always in everyone else’s business and trying to mediate everyone’s problems,” a source reveals. 3 Mikey is said to have expressed concerns to contestants during filming that Natasha may have just been using him because his family are well off. “She would constantly talk about her $25,000 handbag, her $18,000 bracelet, trips she had been taken on and so on,” dishes our insider. 4 Natasha was the most unpopular bride on the show, according to a source who claims: “She came…

Jeez, look at you,” my girlfriend said. “You hardly smile. You used to be hilarious but I haven’t heard you laugh in weeks.” When I was diagnosed with cancer, I worried I would die. When I lost my husband, I wondered how I would live. I needed something to make life worthwhile. Somehow, I ended up with Harry. Not the dumbest dog in the world, but not the smartest either. A friend called out Harry on day one: “He’s a dropout dog, not a university dog.” And he was. He wouldn’t sit or stay. Plain refused to fetch a ball. “Wotsya dog up to?” a guy at the park barked as I picked up the ball for the thousandth time. The short answer was, “Not much,” – but where to…

Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Sushi Rice Serves 4, Prep and Cook: 45 mins 1kg chicken thigh fillets ½ cup yakitori sauce 2 cloves garlic, crushed 3 tsps fresh ginger paste 4 green spring onions, trimmed, cut into 3cm lengths 10 x 25cm long bamboo skewers 2 tblsps rice wine vinegar Carrot and Lebanese cucumber ribbons, to serve SUSHI RICE 1½ cups sushi rice ¹/ ³ cup rice wine vinegar 2 tblsps caster sugar ½ tsp table salt 2 tblsps sesame seeds, toasted 1 Trim and discard excess fat and sinew from chicken. Cut chicken into 2cm-wide strips. 2 Combine half the sauce with garlic and ginger in a large bowl. Add chicken. Toss well. Cover. Refrigerate for about 2 hours. Drain away any marinade. 3 Alternately thread chicken and spring…

Roasted Almond and Honey Fudge Tart Serves 8 to 10, Prep and Cook: 45 mins 250g packet Butternut Snap Cookie 1 tsp ground cinnamon 75g unsalted butter, melted 300ml tub thickened cream 50g Violet Crumble bar, chopped FILLING ½ cup honey 100g unsalted butter, chopped ²/ ³ cup thickened cream 1 tsp vanilla bean paste ²/ ³ cup roasted almonds (100g), chopped 1 Lightly grease a 24cm round x 3cm deep, fluted loose-base flan tin (base measures 22cm). 2 Place biscuits in a food processor. Add cinnamon. Process until finely crushed. Add butter. Process until combined. Press evenly over base and up side of prepared tin. Refrigerate. 3 To make filling, place honey, butter, cream and vanilla in a medium saucepan. Stir over a low heat until butter is melted.…

• Add enough water to three-quarter fill a medium to large saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium to high heat. Add 1 tsp white vinegar to the water (this helps to set the white quickly). Crack 1 egg into a shallow dish. Slide egg into the centre of water, working quickly, stir the water around edge of pan to form a gentle whirlpool until the egg starts to float. Gently simmer, without stirring, for 3 minutes for a soft poached egg. Remove with a slotted spoon to a clean tea towel or absorbent kitchen paper to drain excess water before serving. Repeat process with more eggs, if required.…

SCANDI STYLE Autumn is here and the change of season is the perfect time to start thinking about how to add an extra layer of cosiness to your home. A new colour palette, homewares and soft-furnishings are the easiest way to make an impact. We love Kodu’s Atlantic range, which hits Big W this week. Starting at $49, the textured-look herringbone will deliver Scandi style without breaking the bank. Amp up the cosiness by adding soft furnishings in blush and cream, as well as textured throws and rugs. Head to bigw.com.au to find out more. COOL KIDS We’re always on the hunt for fashionable finds, especially cool clothing for the little ones in our lives. The latest collection from Best&Less ticks all the boxes, delivering on style, comfort and price. Perfect…

Q A previous friend asked for some money last year and indicated she’d pay me back. I haven’t received any money or an apology. I tried contacting the lady and the response was if she hears from me again about the money, she will be taking legal action. What would you do if it was you? LISA, VIA EMAIL. A This woman hasn’t got a leg to stand on. She has no grounds for legal action and any respectable lawyer would send her packing. I would call her bluff. Tell her to go ahead with legal action, make a fool of herself and be liable for hefty fees. It never ceases to amaze me how some so-called friends can behave. The lady in question is a nasty piece of work.…

There have always been many things My Kitchen Rules judge Colin Fassnidge and his wife, Jane Hyland, have in common. For starters, there’s the couple’s Irish roots, their mutual love of food and their cheeky sense of humour. And then, of course, there’s the pair’s trademark curly locks. “Our kids were definitely not getting away with long straight hair!” laughs Jane, of the couple’s gorgeous daughters Lily, 10, and Maeve, 9. “They’ve both found a love for [hair straighteners] GHDs!” “We all look like the Jackson 5 in the morning!” adds the famously funny and feisty TV chef. It’s been 20 years since Jane and Colin met while they were working at Sydney’s famed est. restaurant, where Colin became sous chef and Jane the eatery’s assistant manager. “We were both…

Returning to work at the hospital this week after the tragic loss of her soulmate Robbo (Jake Ryan), Jasmine (Sam Frost) nervously faces her first day back on the job. “I think a part of Jasmine feels that if she gets back to work and her normal life, she will somehow be letting go of Robbo. Perhaps it’s for this reason that she is very hesitant to go back to the hospital,” explains Sam. Meanwhile, it’s also return-to-work day for new mum Tori (Penny McNamee), whose maternity leave has come to an end. And, like Jasmine, she is also feeling anxious. Thankfully, the two women have each other to lean on. “Tori and Jas have such a beautiful friendship,” says Sam. “Tori has also been through a massive loss with…

Every couple have their ups and downs, and Sophie Monk and her long-term boyfriend Joshua Gross are no exception. The former Bachelorette shocked fans when she unfollowed her boyfriend of 18 months on Instagram, sparking rumours the pair had quietly split. Sophie, 40, appeared to admit things were on the rocks when she explained the reason behind her social media faux pas. When asked if it was because of an argument, she vaguely replied: “Oh, I don’t know. It was me. I unfollowed then I forgot I unfollowed. “So yeah, it wasn’t that dramatic. I’ve made it dramatic.” The couple first met on a flight from Europe to Australia back in 2018. Their relationship was also the subject of break-up rumours when her businessman boyfriend didn’t propose to Sophie while…

As the royal family gears up for another fairytale wedding with Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, it seems the Duchess of York has something else to celebrate. According to palace sources, the ex-wife of Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, 60, and her much-younger beau Peregrine Kitchener-Fellowes, 29, are also engaged to be married. “Beatrice and Eugenie were in shock when Fergie revealed how Peregrine popped the question after whisking her to the Lake District for a romantic weekend away,” a royal insider tell New Idea. “She revealed how he proposed in a ‘sheer moment of madness’ following a long walk and got down on one knee in a spur-of-the-moment decision which she said had her in tears, despite initially taking her aback.” Beatrice is set to marry Edo on May…

Royal fans are abuzz over the latest hint that Kate is expecting baby number four. While visiting Dublin’s Guinness factory last week, the duchess was given a pint of the famous alcoholic drink but appeared to only taste a little of the foam and then held onto the glass without trying any more of the Irish stout. Just as she did during her other pregnancies, royal watchers have noted the duchess has changed her hairstyle and also seemed to be touching her tummy on several occasions. Amid the royal couple’s three-day visit to Ireland, UK bookies have slashed the odds on a pregnancy announcement.…

Victoria Beckham has reportedly been frequenting a European facility to manage stress surrounding her struggling fashion line. After fears were raised that she was on the brink of suffering a nervous breakdown, a source says the former Spice Girl has been regularly escaping to a detox medical spa in Austria. The revelation comes following recently released annual reports, which showed that her fashion line suffered a shocking $23 million loss. On the back of that, Posh has reportedly been jetting in and out of the facility. There, she meets regularly with a therapist and life coach to help her cope with stress and prevent burnout.…

Australian Survivor fans have been enthralled with the alliance-turned-relationship between contestants Locky Gilbert and Brooke Jowett – but a TV insider now reveals that the whole thing was a “fake set-up”. The revelation comes on the back of Network Ten’s announcement of Locky as the next Bachelor. The shock news was met with confusion by Survivor fans, who were under the impression the 30-year-old was in a relationship beyond the show with Brooke, 23. However, a TV insider has told New Idea the relationship was purely fictional and completely masterminded by the fame-chasing duo. “It was a huge fake set-up for publicity,” reveals our source. The insider claims Locky and Brooke were aware that if they concocted a ‘showmance’ it would increase their popularity among viewers. “Both Locky and Brooke…

She’s been gracing our screens for decades. But insiders say Nine Network stalwart Tracy Grimshaw has turned into a diva since Nine decided to shift offices from quieter Willoughby to a crowded North Sydney location. So much so that the 59-year-old is said to have requested Nine bosses build a secret lift from the car park so that she – and others such as Today’s Allison Langdon – can go straight into hair and makeup when they arrive without being seen by the general public in North Sydney. “The new VIP lift from the car park at the multi-million-dollar city premises doesn’t surprise anyone,” our source says. “For years, Tracy and Georgie Gardner could always arrive at the Willoughby offices un-madeup thanks to the privacy of the car park. “But…

Looking at the photograph, Natalie Hirst burst into tears. At 130kg and a size 20, she knew she was overweight. But Natalie had no idea she was this big. “I was mortified when I looked at the picture. It shocked me. I was devastated,” the 29-year-old says. The mum of three usually insisted on being behind the lens. But after vowing to lose weight, she’d taken a snap of herself so she could document her progress. Natalie, mum to Jakson, 6, Poppy, 4, and Leo, 3, had ballooned in size after three pregnancies in quick succession. “I was living on packaged foods and takeaways, and my portions were way bigger than they needed to be,” she explains. “If I wanted something, I had it. I didn’t hold back or think…

Strawberries and Cream Biscuits Makes 27, Prep and Cook: 50 mins 470g packet Green’s Vanilla Cake mix 75g unsalted butter, chopped, at room temperature 1 egg, lightly beaten ½ tsp strawberries and cream flavoured essence 1 tsp rose pink food colouring ¾cup White Choc Melts (150g), melted 1 Grease and line two large oven trays with baking paper. 2 Place cake mix in the small bowl of an electric mixer, reserving icing mix sachet for another use. Add butter. Beat until combined and crumbly. Add egg, essence and food colouring to tint pink. Beat until just combined and smooth. 3 Place mixture into a piping bag fitted with an 11mm-star piping nozzle. Pipe 6 to 7cm lengths, about 5cm apart, in rows on prepared trays. 4 Cook in a moderate…

Spread ½ cup whole, chopped or slivered nuts in an even layer onto a microwave-safe plate. Cook on High (100%) for 1 minute. Stir nuts, then spread out on plate again. Continue cooking and stirring, in 30 second bursts, until pale golden in colour and smelling toasted. Remove. Cool completely. Store in an airtight container until ready to use. (We took about 4 minutes in total to toast almonds in a 1200 watt oven, but cooking time will vary depending on the type of nuts used.)…

MUST HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCT? A really good essence. I love Kiehl’s Skin Rescuer, I just think it’s a fantastic settler of skin. FAVOURITE FRAGRANCE? Woody Fig by Samuel Gravan, a lovely Australian. He did this for Bondi Wash and I found it when I was in Australia in November. It is really beautiful. CAN’T LEAVE THE HOME WITHOUT? My phone. FAVOURITE PIECE OF CLOTHING? A great coat . HANDBAG ESSENTIAL? My Trinny Stack. FAVOURITE LIPSTICK? Our Sheer Shimmer in Maiko. FAVOURITE HAIR TREATMENT? Josh Wood’s Everything Mask.…

OK, a confession. I’m skint. I’m not so tight on funds I can’t eat or I need to cuddle my cat to keep warm but I have a lot of expenses this year so I’m having to be extra careful with my cash. I’m doing all the right things, including eating leftovers for lunch, not buying clothes and looking for bargains in the supermarket, but there’s one area of life that’s really challenging: going out. No-one wants to be mean-spirited and insist on splitting the bill but things get complicated when you’re having the cheapest thing on the menu and a single glass of house white while your mates order Veuve Clicquot. So what can you do to make sure you stick to your budget? Basically, I’m a great advocate…

MERE MALE A few weeks ago, I asked my MM husband if he would fix our clothesline so I could hang out the washing. My request fell on deaf ears. But today when he discovered his fishing gear needed washing it was fixed in record time. Next time I’ll be more astute in what I ask for! SANDRA JAMES, HEATHCOTE, VIC. FAIRY TALE MAGIC What a delight to read ‘The Secrets of Cinderella’, on its 70th anniversary. Wow! It’s such a wonderful and classic Disney film – one I adore – and I love that we’re getting an insight into it, all these years later. How utterly magical and special! C. ANDERSON. GEOGRAPHE, WA. SANTA’S CLAUSE I was having a day out with my granddaughter Macy, 5. We walked past…

WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S SECRET DOMESTIC SKILL? Jane: Gardening. Colin’s really good at it. Colin: Jane can make a carpet look like wet towels very easily – because she drops them everywhere! WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S SIGNATURE DISH AT HOME? Jane: He tries to trick things up, and still hasn’t got THE ONE THING YOU’D CHANGE ABOUT YOUR PARTNER? used to the fact that the kids really just like plain food. But he does do these crispy chicken thighs – and the kids love them. Colin: Spaghetti bolognaise. Jane: Although there’s never enough salt in it, apparently! Colin: I wouldn’t change anything! [Laughs] WHO WOULD PLAY YOUR PARTNER IN A MOVIE ABOUT THEIR LIFE? Jane: It’s a very long list! But his driving. Jane: The singer from Snow Patrol [Gary Lightbody] or…

Life has been anything but smooth sailing for the Astoni family in the past couple of years. The tight-knit clan has faced everything from Ziggy (Sophie Dillman) and Brody’s (Jackson Heywood) shock marriage breakdown to Maggie’s (Kestie Morassi) cancer diagnosis and, more recently, Ben (Rohan Nichol) being framed on drug trafficking charges, which led to the father of two battling depression and temporarily separating from Maggie. Thankfully, the Summer Bay family are now smiling again. All the more reason, Maggie and Ziggy believe, to celebrate Ben’s upcoming birthday – with a party. While Ben is reluctant at first, he makes Maggie’s day when he later agrees. “Maggie wants to bring everyone together – all the people who love Ben and who have been good to the Astonis,” says Kestie. “She…

KESTIE MORASSI (MAGGIE ASTONI): THE LAST MOVIE I SAW WAS … Teen Spirit starring Elle Fanning. It just caught my eye and I mindlessly put it on. I became weirdly invested in it and was bawling uncontrollably by the end. THE LAST BOOK I COULDN’T PUT DOWN WAS … Moby-Dick. I still haven’t finished it. I just put it down for five minutes to answer these questions! THE LAST MEAL I ATE WAS … My homemade muesli for breakfast. THE LAST HOLIDAY I TOOK WAS … To Hobart. THE LAST ITEM OF CLOTHING I BOUGHT WAS … Camouflage-print Nike pants. THE LAST PERSON I SENT A TEXT MESSAGE TO WAS … My mum, of course. I sent her a picture of a cute monkey I found on Instagram. THE LAST…

MOVIE MILITARY WIVES Loosely based on a true story, this film follows a group of British women, whose partners are serving in Afghanistan, as they form a choir and become a media sensation in the process. Kristin Scott Thomas and Sharon Horgan star as the group’s two leaders, who don’t always see eye to eye. OUT THURSDAY LIVE ROBBIE WILLIAMS  As part of the Melbourne Grand Prix, the superstar will headline World Tour at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park on Saturday, with support acts Pete Murray and Seb Fontaine. The day before, Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X and the Veronicas play the World Tour Bushfire Relief charity concert. BEGINS IN MELBOURNE ON FRIDAY PODCAST FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIA History comes to life as the podcast chronicles the fascinating real-life tales of Australian men…

Brad Pitt is said to be frantic with worry as Angelina Jolie disappears with his kids – with insiders revealing how she’s gone on the run and hasn’t been seen in days. The shock move is reportedly in retaliation after Brad devoted his Oscars’ speech to his children  –Maddox, 18, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 13, Knox and Vivienne, 11 – which reportedly sparked a panic that he was going to take the six kids from Ange for good. “This is for my kids who colour everything I do,” Brad said at the conclusion of his speech after accepting the best supporting actor gong for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood. “I adore you.” Insiders reveal Brad, 56, was supposed to meet his kids in France last week and have…

Jessica Marais’ character of Rachel has finally been replaced in the much-anticipated reboot of Packed to the Rafters – called Back to the Rafters. Australian actress Georgina Haig, 34, known for her role in Secret Bridesmaids’ Business, will take on the part of Rachel Rafter. Jess, 35, shocked fans when she quit the reboot, citing ‘personal reasons’. Georgina returned from LA to appear in a string of shows, and will now add the Amazon Prime series to her résumé. “We work really hard to create a stable home life in LA and when we come to Australia, we do the same things and have a really great support network,” Georgina has said of family life with husband, writer Josh Mapleston, and daughter Greta.…

Recent divorcee Liam Hemsworth may have moved on with his new flame, model Gabriella Brooks, 23, but it appears he is still heartbroken over his ex-wife, Miley Cyrus. Singer Miley’s public relationship with Aussie Cody Simpson has hit a nerve with the Hunger Games actor – particularly after news of their plans to start a family emerged. Cody admitted to The Sunday Telegraph he was hoping to move home to Australia to raise children one day soon. “I would like to return back [to] Australia for sure,” Cody told the paper. When asked if he would have kids in Australia, he answered: “Absolutely yes.” Despite being blindsided by his ex’s rush to move on with Cody, Liam, 30, is desperate to make things work with  Gabriella and prove to Miley…

With his lucrative multimillion-dollar contract ending this year, Today co-host Karl Stefanovic has been left with no choice but to consider a ‘back-up plan’ should Nine Network show him the door. According to our well-placed insider, negotiations are already underway for his three-year, $2 million-a-year deal that’s due for renewal at the end of this year, but so far no agreement has been finalised for the embattled presenter’s future. And sources say the host could be dumped from the network for good. It’s left Karl mulling over a possible career change should negotiations turn sour. And it all comes as Karl and pregnant wife Jasmine look for new digs after leaving their fancy rental home on Sydney’s affluent north shore. “It’s a tough time for his agent, that’s for sure,”…

Since being announced as Australia’s newest Bachelor, Locky Gilbert has been inundated with messages of support from some of our glamorous former reality TV contestants. “Omg this is so good,” former Bachelor contestant Keira Maguire shared on Instagram shortly after his unveiling. Serial reality TV star Angie Kent, who found love on The Bachelorette last year, wrote: “Good luck to ya. You’re in for a wild ride.” Meanwhile, former Big Brother contestant Tully Smyth also gave her tick of approval to the choice, commenting: “Mind. Officially. Blown.”…

She returned to the experiment for a second chance at love. But close friends of Married at First Sight’s Lizzie Sobinoff fear she is on the brink of a breakdown. Images obtained by New Idea show the blonde-turned-brunette bride having a major meltdown after leaving a disastrous dinner party. “She lost the plot,” reveals an onlooker, who caught a glimpse of Lizzie fleeing the set while husband Seb Guilhaus chased after her. “She was going absolutely ballistic and seemed very distressed, and when she got in the car, she covered herself with a blanket.” Another source added: “When they arrived at the hotel it looked like they were having a very heated argument.” The jewellery designer was also spotted at Sydney airport looking very distressed during filming. According to our…

Two American duchesses. Two divorcees. And two glamorous women who rocked the royal boat when they fell in love with their men. Meghan Markle is being compared to her predecessor Wallis Simpson who, like the Duchess of Sussex, was at the centre of a royal scandal. Yet Meghan and Wallis are very different people. “In my view, Meghan cannot hold a candle to Wallis Simpson,” Anna Pasternak, author of The American Duchess: The Real Wallis Simpson, tells New Idea Royals. “If there was one word for Wallis it would be dignity.” Wallis – an American socialite and double divorcee – began an affair with Edward VIII, leading the king to abdicate in December 1936, which forced them to live in exile in France. “WALLIS WANTED EDWARD TO STAY IN THE…

BEFORE BREAKFAST Three pieces of buttered toast with jam MORNING TEA Half a packet of biscuits LUNCH Two cheese and ham toasties AFTERNOON TEA Packet of chips DINNER Three servings of creamy chicken pasta with cheese SNACK Half a family block of chocolate DRINKS Sugary tea or hot chocolate AFTER BREAKFAST Oats with almond milk, strawberries and protein powder MORNING TEA Yoghurt LUNCH Taco mince with salad, cheese and avocado AFTERNOON TEA Almonds and cucumber DINNER Turkey mince and vegetables DESSERT Jelly and a Caramilk twirl stick DRINKS Water…

Babies and young children can put you on an emotional roller-coaster! Of course there’s the intense joy and love, but caring for your littlie can also bring times of frustration, boredom and even loneliness. For this reason, you may find yourself needing to expand your capacity to cope with a range of changing emotions. Most of us were parented in a way where the emphasis was on guiding our behaviour rather than our emotions, but not knowing how to manage feelings can cause much parenting and relationship distress. On the other hand, having emotional intelligence and ability creates nurturing relationships, so it’s important that we know how to work with our feelings. EMOTIONS EXPLAINED Psychologists say we have a number of basic emotions, including fear, joy, disgust, anger and hurt,…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 The pressure is on with a task you’ve been deferring; tackling it with gusto will be liberating! Following through with a health pursuit that requires staying power will serve you. A conversation with a friend that’s been too long coming will be informative; spontaneous chats with a new contact will foster a valuable connection. Financial news will guide you with a complex decision to make. LUCKY NUMBERS: 9, 29, 39 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 Giving your best and being there for a meaningful moment with a loved one will speak supportive volumes! An emotional realisation will put a changing relationship into perspective. A productive conversation with colleagues will energise a project that’s stalled; a stumbling block will simply dissolve. A kind overture…

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 SISTERHOOD GROWS Since launching The Ghost Files podcast last July, I’ve had the chance to ‘meet’ (over email and phone) many of my listeners. I always say that being invited into another’s story is an honour and a gift and it’s such a joy for me to be able to share these amazing encounters with you on the podcast and on this page every single week. Happily, it seems you love these stories…

As one of a trio of witches in hit TV series, Charmed, Holly Marie Combs turned the character of Piper Halliwell into a household name. And despite 22 years passing since the show first aired, its popularity hasn’t waned. “It had this crazy, far-reaching ability,” the 46-year-old actress tells New Idea about its global appeal. “It was shocking to hear just how well we were doing in Australia, for example.” Running from 1998 to 2006, the series followed three magical sisters – played by Holly, with Alyssa Milano as Phoebe, and Shannen Doherty as Prue – who spent their time vanquishing demons and falling in love. “I’ve talked to a lot of disenchanted or disenfranchised people who liked the show because it made them feel that if you were different,…

MONDAY Justin and Irene are shocked when Leah announces she is finally ready to make a statement about her hostage ordeal to the police. Meanwhile, Willow makes a devastating discovery. TUESDAY Bella pays Colby a visit in hospital – to announce she is planning to quit school. Maggie and Ziggy discuss organising a birthday party for Ben. WEDNESDAY Bella and Nikau continue to be drawn to each other. Meanwhile, Ryder gives Bella some home truths about her antics. THURSDAY Ben’s brother Marco arrives in the Bay to anything but a warm welcome. And Leah is still battling to cope with day-to-day life following her horrific ordeal.…

A birth always makes for an unforgettable season finale. But when two hugely popular characters go into labour at exactly the same time, it’s truly memorable. That was the rather extraordinary scenario in Home and Away’s final episode for 2001 with Leah (Ada Nicodemou) delivering her son VJ in the hospital after her waters broke, just as Gypsy (Kimberley Cooper) found herself giving birth to daughter Lily on the side of the road. Thankfully, both bubs were born healthy. And then, just seconds later, it was time for Gypsy’s soulmate Will (Zac Drayson) to ask the new mum to marry him!…

Brooklyn Beckham has just turned 21 and his parents are splashing out around $100,000 for his celebrations. “A lot of thought and effort has gone into Brooklyn’s big day, and he is really excited,” a source told The Sun. “It’ll be wall to wall celebrities, and a lot more extravagant than the hiring out of the local town hall.” Plenty of celebs are rumoured to be invited, including Guy and Rocco Ritchie, Cara Delevingne, Niall Horan, Elton John, Gordon and Tana Ramsay and Emma Bunton. The news comes amid rumours Brooklyn has proposed to his girlfriend Nicola Peltz. Could this be a double celebration? Sources tell Heat magazine that his mum is particularly happy with his latest squeeze. “After his last relationship [with model Hana Cross], Victoria is just so…