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Married At First Sight’s dramatic finale

The three remaining couples from controversial dating show Married at First Sight reveal if they'll be staying together or not. By Bella Brennan.
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Simone and Xavier

Their connection on their wedding day was instant but once the reality of every day life set in, Simone and Xavier (above) struggled to reignite their spark.

Ultimately, their dynamic wasn’t good enough for Simone and she called off their marriage, citing the fact he wasn’t affectionate enough.

“Xavier, the last month has been so amazing. You being my perfect match, it’s so clear we are compatible on so many levels. Living together was so easy, I loved coming home to you each and every day. I made you a priority because I wanted to,” she began, seemingly on a hopeful note.

But then Simone threw a curve ball.

“In every decision I had you front of mind, in everything that I did. I want someone who loves to spend time with me,” she fumed.

“I want somebody who is excited when I walk in that door. And I want somebody who genuinely wants to hold me so today I’m so clear in my decision!”

“I’m going to walk away from this relationship because I feel you cannot give me any of those things so thank you for the last month and that’s it,” she explained to her pseudo husband of one month.

Before their break-up, Simone was left less than impressed after Xavier took her to a Western Sydney Wanderers soccer match as a date.

“Our relationship lacks a little bit of intimacy and that’s probably to do with how I am. It’s not because I’m holding back, it’s just who I am,” Xavier confessed.

Erin Bateman and Bryce Mohr

Erin and Bryce

Erin and Bryce

Introducing the MAFS success couple! Erin and Bryce managed to overcome their differences about starting a family and are giving their romance a red hot go.

“I would love to continue this relationship with you,” a nervous Erin confessed.

And the feeling was mutual from Bryce, who is keen to have kids sooner rather than later.

“At the end of the day that stuff [kids] will come when it comes, when you moved out the other day and I was so sad. That’s when I knew I wanted to continue. There was just a big hole in that apartment. I want you there all the time,” he said on the verge of tears.

“My Tinder days are so done,” Erin giggled.

“[I’m] Definitely on the love train heading to love station,” she added.

Fast forward a few months later and Erin and Bryce are happily living together in Bryce’s Melbourne apartment. The 26-year-old, who had never lived out of home before, has even learnt to cook and do the washing.

Married At First Sight Mark and Christie

Mark and Christie

Christie and Mark

Long distance has always been the pair’s biggest hurdle, with Mark based on a farm in remote Victoria and Christie running her cleaning business from Sydney.

But proving love conquers all, farmer Mark and city slicker Christie are staying together!

“It’s been really tough not being able to speak to you for two days. I actually couldn’t get you out of my mind. I know we’ve got this massive hurdle [of long distance],” Christie explained, before admitting to writing a pros and cons list to help her come to her final decision.

“My positives list had 27 and my negatives only had four. So I definitely 100% am not going to let you go. I definitely want to continue and give this a go,” she told Mark.

Mark admitted he was nervous about what to do with their opposing lifestyles but their connection is what matters most.

“I think you’re awesome and we work perfectly together. Obviously we come from two different worlds, two different lifestyles. I feel like I have to give up my life in order for us to be together. You are an amazing person but I can’t let you go either,” Mark agreed.

Although they’re yet to figure out the geographical specifics Christie says the most important thing is that he makes her laugh.

“I think I am falling in love! From the moment I saw him I wasn’t too sure. He makes me laugh so much. I’m always happy when I’m around him,” she mused, proving sometimes a relationship can be a slow-burner.

Clare and Jono on Married at First Sight

Jono and Clare

The show also caught up with Jono and Clare, who broke up in spectacular fashion on week three of the series.

“No regrets, even though it had its high highs and low lows,” Clare reflected.

“The experiment for me was not what I expected it to be. It was eye-opening and it was full on. But in saying that, I don’t have any regrets whatsoever,” Jono said.

“At certain points, I felt like I was one of her rescue dogs and she was trying to train me into what she wanted,” the tradie added.

“Well if he’d only listened to me, look how much better the dog is,” she laughed.

Clare said the show taught her that she can be condescending and a bit of a know-it-all.

This story was originally published on Woman’s Day.

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Does Miley Cyrus want a summer wedding with Liam Hemsworth?

It appears there's no time like the present for Miley Cyrus, who has reportedly begun her wedding preparations!
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth

According to Us Weekly, the songstress “wants a summer wedding” to her on-again beau, Liam Hemsworth.

While an insider revealed the 23-year-old’s mum is helping her plan the big day, Miley could be spontaneous and just elope with the 26-year-old Aussie.

“It’s possible they’ll just run off to Vegas and tie the knot,” the insider revealed.

The singer was spotted in March donning her old engagement ring at a basketball game.

Miley, who reunited with Liam in December after their broken engagement in 2013, has been seen sporting her old Neil Lane 3.5 carat-diamond ring on her left ring finger.

Despite the sparkler, technically the pair are not even engaged.

Liam set the record straight in a recent interview with TV Week, confirming, “I am not engaged, no.”

But the close pal to the duo doesn’t think that will affect the pair’s decision to make the commitment of the lifelong variety.

“They live together and are very serious,” shares the pal. “They’re very much together.”

Watch Liam talk about the engagement rumours in the video player below!

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Prince died without a will

A Minnesota judge confirmed despite Prince's estate being worth an approximated $250 million, the singer did not have a will that detailed the distribution of his assets.
Prince

The musical legend, who died on April 21 at the age of 57, will have his multi-million dollar estate appointed to Bremer Trust temporarily.

Judge Kevin Eide gave the trust company the responsibility and “authority to manage and supervise [Prince’s] assets and determine the identity of [his] heirs,” according to court documents. Bremer will act as an administrator for six months or until a personal representative takes over.

TMZ reported that the singer’s assets could potentially be divided among his living brothers and sisters — Tyka Nelson, John Nelson, Norrine Nelson, Sharon Nelson, Alfred Jackson and Omarr Baker.

According to People, Prince’s sister Tyka filed the emergency petition for the appointment of a special administrator on Tuesday morning.

“I do not know of the existence of a Will and have no reason to believe that the Decedent executed testamentary documents in any form,” the document states.

The star was adored by millions.

Last week, Prince passed away at his Paisley Park home in Chanhassen, MN.

He was cremated, and his loved ones held a private ceremony in his hometown two days after his death on April 23.

Prince’s lawyer, L. Londell McMillan, revealed that the star lived a healthy lifestyle and “wasn’t drugged up” prior to his death.

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Maid busted on secret tape topping up her boss’s OJ with pee

They only found out about the disgusting drink when they re-watched the footage.

A domestic worker has been caught on a secret kitchen camera pouring urine into a glass of orange juice poured for her employer, reports The Sun.

The unnamed Kuwaiti maid – who reportedly works for a family in Kuwait City – was seen pulling out the pee from under her dress before making the vile concoction while another housekeeper had walked into the background.

According to local media reports the family had become suspicious of the maid, for undisclosed reasons, and installed a secret camera in the kitchen.

They only found out about the disgusting drink when they re-watched the footage.

The man, who chose to remain anonymous, warned other families in the area to be careful of who they hire but it was unclear if he had sacked the employee at the centre of the scandal.

We’re not sure if the maid was just getting a thrill making a sick drink or if it was some kind of Minny Jackson/The Help style revenge.

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Prince Harry was asked if he would ever be king and his answer was perfect

Prince Harry may be the fifth-in-line to the British throne but some of his youngest fans think the spare heir should be the one wearing the crown.

Prince Harry may be the fifth-in-line to the British throne but some of his youngest fans think the spare heir should be the one wearing the crown.

The 31-year-old royal spent Wednesday morning filming a guest spot on Sky Sports’ Game Changers show at Lambs Lane Primary School, Wokingham, Berks, when a young boy asked him: “Are you ever going to be King?”

A chuckling Harry replied: “That’s the question everybody wanted, let’s be honest! You’ll be glad to know, probably not!”

The boy, Tristan, seemed sad about Harry’s slim hopes of ever becoming king which prompted the charming redheaded royal to try and console him.

“Oh look at the disappointment!” said Harry. “I love that! I’m going to give you a high-five.”

Speaking afterwards, Tristan said: “I just want Prince Harry to do what he wants, what he really, really wants. I think it would be a fun experience for him to be King. I would love to see him be King.”

Harry was filming the spot to encourage children to get into sport, and also introduced the youngsters to some of the athletes competing in his Invictus Games, an Olympic-style competition for injured service men and women, which begins in Orlando on 8 May.

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Strange baby goat born with human-like features sparks investigation

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

And now for some weird news out of Asia a Malaysian farmer’s discovery of a strange looking goat with human features has some wondering if the beast is in fact a real life goat-man.

According to multiple reports Ibrahim Basir was shocked when one of his farmhands described a strange kid (baby goat) which had been born from one of his animals.

Upon inspection of the newborn creature the 63-year-old farmer from southern Malaysia became concerned that the animal had a distinctly human look to it.

“I was quite shocked but fascinated too as its face, nose, short legs and even the condition of its soft body seemed like that of a human baby, whereas the light brown fur covering its whole body resembles that of a goat,” he told The Metro.

The animal – which despite having humanly features did not have an umbilical cord – died shortly after it was born but Mr Basir said he wanted the body to be inspected by experts.

“We kept the carcass in a polystyrene box filled with ice cubes before taking it to the district veterinary office at around noon yesterday.”

The strange goat-man hybrid is currently being investigated by Malaysia’s Veterinary Services Department laboratory to determine why the goat may have human-looking features.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry committee chairman Ismail Mohamed told reporters that examinations would include considering the risk that the mother goat had been sexually interfered with by a human.

“For now we cannot confirm or deny anything as we have never received such a case before,” he told The Star.

“We will have to wait for the results and findings to be finalised and that takes somewhere between two weeks and a month.”

Many online punters are already guessing about how the kid came to be – some suggesting perhaps a real-life fawn or maybe Chewbacca got frisky with some goat folk.

Either way the poor little fella looked like he was too sick to have any chance at survival. He’s the only creature of his kind to be born to one of Mr Basir’s animals.

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Playboy model’s superficial prison demands

‘I want a mirror and nail polish’

Former playboy model turned prison inmate Angie Vu has told reporters that after six months behind bars what she’s really in need of is a mirror and some nail polish.

The 32-year-old is being held in a Brooklyn jail after being arrested on kidnapping charges while trying to board a flight to China with her nine-year-old daughter Isabella, [The New York Daily News](http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/model-angie-vu-crazy-brooklyn-jail-article-1.2614259 target=”_blank”) reports.

Vu – once dubbed “Asia’s sexiest DJ” – says life in a New York prison is “torture” – being crammed into a cell block with 100 other female inmates is only made worse by the fact that she can’t tend to her grooming like she would out of the clink.

“This place is so horrible, there’s no sunlight ever,” Vu told the New York Daily News of life at Metropolitan Detention Center.

“I have been under the harsh light 24/7 and turned pale. I need a good supply of Guerlain’s (skin) moisturiser in here.

“I miss my Versace dresses and Louboutin heels. My nails are nicely trimmed but I’m dying to have some colours on them. The torture is real.”

But Vietnamese-born Vu says she doesn’t regret being incarcerated because she’s there for good reason and was willing to risk her freedom and line-free face for her cause.

She told reporters:

“I’m not supposed to be worried about anything. It gives me wrinkles. … Do I feel ashamed for being here? The answer is no. I’m here for a great cause, for protecting my child. This injustice won’t crash my spirit. I’m still rocking and rolling.”

The father of Vu’s daughter, Richard Froger convinced French authorities to pursue his estranged lover after she failed to return Isabella to France after an agreed upon vacation to America.

She was sprung at New York’s Kennedy Airport with her daughter plane tickets for the pair to China.

Since the November arrest Isabella was returned to her father in France and her mother now faces extremely serious parental abduction charges which can carry a three-year sentence. Vu is unable to apply for bail as she is fighting extradition to Paris.

Unfortunately, she has not been able to speak to her daughter since her arrest but she is getting by with cheery gifts sent to her by fans, including teddy bears and lingerie.

She also seems to have had a lot of time to think about what is important.

“There’s no real mirror in prison,” she said.

“We all buy this tiny piece of plastic … but the images are distorted. I wish there should be at least one full-length mirror in here. I haven’t looked at myself for months. It’s cruel.”

The lingerie model – who posed as a topless Miss September centerfold Playboy Venezuela – has also found ways of going unnoticed while being in the pen.

“A lot of lesbians around here and a few blondies are hitting on me. But I prefer to read my Bible for now,” she said.

“I realised how tough I am. I thought I couldn’t last for two days and it’s now three months. I came to God and got saved so I spent time to pray and read the Bible, too.”

She added: “I tried my best not to get in any fights. I thought prison could be much worse, though. Only saw prison on TV, I was ready for gang rape, getting beaten up and vowed to protect my face at all cost.”

The parental abduction case comes only a week after Brisbane mother Sally Faulkner and a 60 Mintues crew were forced to spend two weeks in a Lebanese prison following a botched child recovery.

Ms Faulkner and crew were released but only after Sally signed away her custody rights to her two children who now remain in Beirut with their father.

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SPOILER ALERT! Married At First Sight’s dramatic finale

Decision day is here! The three remaining couples from the controversial dating show have finally revealed if they'll be staying together or not.
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Simone and Xavier

Their connection on their wedding day was instant but once the reality of every day life set in, Simone and Xavier (above) struggled to reignite their spark.

Ultimately, their dynamic wasn’t good enough for Simone and she called off their marriage, citing the fact he wasn’t affectionate enough.

“Xavier, the last month has been so amazing. You being my perfect match, it’s so clear we are compatible on so many levels. Living together was so easy, I loved coming home to you each and every day. I made you a priority because I wanted to,” she began, seemingly on a hopeful note.

But then Simone threw a curve ball.

“In every decision I had you front of mind, in everything that I did. I want someone who loves to spend time with me,” she fumed.

“I want somebody who is excited when I walk in that door. And I want somebody who genuinely wants to hold me so today I’m so clear in my decision!”

“I’m going to walk away from this relationship because I feel you cannot give me any of those things so thank you for the last month and that’s it,” she explained to her pseudo husband of one month.

Before their break-up, Simone was left less than impressed after Xavier took her to a Western Sydney Wanderers soccer match as a date.

“Our relationship lacks a little bit of intimacy and that’s probably to do with how I am. It’s not because I’m holding back, it’s just who I am,” Xavier confessed.

Watch Simone and Xavier’s brutal split in the play above!

Erin Bateman and Bryce Mohr

Smitten! Erin and Bryce can’t wait to embark on the next chapter.

Erin and Bryce

Introducing the MAFS success couple! Erin and Bryce managed to overcome their differences about starting a family and are giving their romance a red hot go.

“I would love to continue this relationship with you,” a nervous Erin confessed.

And the feeling was mutual from Bryce, who is keen to have kids sooner rather than later but is willing to work around Erin’s priorities.

Watch Erin and Bryce’s fairytale ending in the player below. Post continues after the video…

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Erin is now living with Bryce in his apartment.

“At the end of the day that stuff [kids] will come when it comes, when you moved out the other day and I was so sad. That’s when I knew I wanted to continue. There was just a big hole in that apartment. I want you there all the time,” he said on the verge of tears.

“My Tinder days are so done,” Erin giggled.

“[I’m] Definitely on the love train heading to love station,” she added.

Fast forward a few months later and Erin and Bryce are happily living together in Bryce’s Melbourne apartment. The 26-year-old, who had never lived out of home before, has even learnt to cook and do the washing.

Married At First Sight Mark and Christie

This farmer found a wife! Mark and Christie are staying together.

Christie and Mark

Long distance has always been the pair’s biggest hurdle, with Mark based on a farm in remote Victoria and Christie running her cleaning business from Sydney.

But proving love conquers all, farmer Mark and city slicker Christie are staying together!

“It’s been really tough not being able to speak to you for two days. I actually couldn’t get you out of my mind. I know we’ve got this massive hurdle [of long distance],” Christie explained, before admitting to writing a pros and cons list to help her come to her final decision.

“My positives list had 27 and my negatives only had four. So I definitely 100% am not going to let you go. I definitely want to continue and give this a go,” she told Mark.

Watch the beautiful moment Christie and Mark decide to stay together in the player below. Post continues after the video…

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Mark admitted he was nervous about what to do with their opposing lifestyles but their connection is what matters most.

“I think you’re awesome and we work perfectly together. Obviously we come from two different worlds, two different lifestyles. I feel like I have to give up my life in order for us to be together. You are an amazing person but I can’t let you go either,” Mark agreed.

Although they’re yet to figure out the geographical specifics Christie says the most important thing is that he makes her laugh.

“I think I am falling in love! From the moment I saw him I wasn’t too sure. He makes me laugh so much. I’m always happy when I’m around him,” she mused, proving sometimes a relationship can be a slow-burner.

This is what love looks like! Mark and Christie were elated after reaching their decision.

Jono and Clare

The show also caught up with Jono and Clare, who broke up in spectacular fashion on week three of the series.

“No regrets, even though it had its high highs and low lows,” Clare reflected.

“The experiment for me was not what I expected it to be. It was eye-opening and it was full on. But in saying that, I don’t have any regrets whatsoever,” Jono said.

“At certain points, I felt like I was one of her rescue dogs and she was trying to train me into what she wanted,” the tradie added.

“Well if he’d only listened to me, look how much better the dog is,” she laughed.

Clare admitted the show taught her that she can be condescending and a bit of a know-it-all.

Clare and Jono on Married at First Sight

Clare and Jono didn’t stand the test of time but neither regret going on the show.

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Ask Danielle: My sister is living a double life

A sister living a double life, and a husband holding the purse strings...The Weekly's Danielle Colley tackles your family issues.
ask danielle advice column

Dear Danielle,

My sister is having an affair. It’s not so much the affair that bothers me, or a loyalty to her husband whom I’m ambivalent about, but the fact that it is ongoing long term and she seems to think it’s perfectly okay to live a double life.

Not only that, but she also drags me into it by inviting me out of a girl’s evening, only for her lover to join us. She has also asked me to cover for her before by saying we’re together when we’re not.

I love my sister, and I’m trying not to judge her. She’s always been the bohemian one and she says she simply doesn’t feel that the confines of “normal” relationships are for her, but she has no intention of leaving her husband.

I’m really not comfortable with any of it and I’m not sure how to broach it without her thinking that I’m judging her.

From, The Good Sister

Dear Good Sister,

There are a few issues here that you need to address. None of those issues are your love for your sister so you need to take that out of the equation, and think a little about yourself and the position your sister is putting you in.

She is behaving incredibly selfishly. I’m not referring to her affair or the treatment of her husband by living a long term double life which is pretty selfish. I’m referring to her behaviour towards you.

She is so comfortable with her deceit that she doesn’t see that she is putting you in a tricky predicament by making you a party to it. If you truly do not wish to pass judgement or get involved, then that is your choice, but she is involving you by asking you to lie for her and introducing you to her lover.

I imagine this situation will make family events awkward at best for you, and at worst you will be caught in the lie. That is seriously uncool.

I recommend you tell her honestly how you feel about her involving you and let her know that whatever she does is her business but you do not wish to be put in this position any longer.

If you speak honestly from your heart, I’m sure she will understand that you need to protect yourself from this sticky, sticky scenario.

Take care.

Dear Danielle,

I have been with my husband for five years, married for two. We have a child together and another on the way and we are looking into buying a home together. We both have savings set aside from before our marriage in a separate account so we are essentially on equal footing there.

The thing is, he is working, and I am staying home with the children and he refuses to get a joint bank account. He pays all of the bills and expenses and gives me an allowance for groceries. All of my friends have joint accounts with their partners and they have brought to my attention that this is strange.

If I need any extra it’s not an issue, but it feels as though I’m asking permission to buy things like a new pair of shoes for myself or our daughter. I have access to the home savings but it is an unspoken agreement that that is not touched as it’s for our future.

I don’t have a bad record with credit debt or anything that could concern him as to my trustworthiness with money, so this is actually starting to cause a rankle in my guts.

What do you suggest?

From, PocketMoney

Dear PocketMoney,

Married couples have many different arrangements concerning money, it is a very personal choice.

My own marriage was similar to this until we bought a house together and then we got a joint account. I think it’s important you stop listening to your friends and what they do with their partners and work out if this is something that really bothers you for a valid reason.

Have you explained to your husband that you are a team, how having to ask for money makes you feel?

It is often difficult for a one time bread winner to become a stay-at-home carer and feel as though they have no money of their own. It’s important that the person working out of the home ensures that the stay-at-home feels valued and that the money is THE FAMILY’S money.

If this is a subject that you have discussed many times but you don’t like you are being heard, I would actually recommend you discuss it in counselling before the rankle in your belly turns into something insidious. Money is a big one in relationships and it you feel unequal now another baby and a mortgage will only add more pressure.

Seeking counselling before a problem gets bad is a wise path. Maybe a chat with a professional will bring you closer together and this will be a blessing in disguise.

Best of luck.

Danielle is not a qualified counsellor and all advice is opinion-based only, to be followed at the responsibility of the recipient.

Do you have a dilemma or conundrum you would like to ask Danielle?

Drop her a line at [email protected] and she will endeavour to help you sort your life out.

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How to cook salmon

We need more essential fatty acids in our lives, so learning how to cook salmon is.....essential.
how to cook salmon

We all know we need to be getting more fish in our diet, and salmon is one of the most readily available and popular but many people just don’t know how to cook salmon.

Salmon is packed with omega-3 fats, or essential fatty acids, which are commonly understood to contribute to healthy brain function, happy hearts, well-oiled joints and general wellbeing. Scientists have now also posed that eating more fish and consuming fish oil may lower risks of cancers Alzheimer’s disease, asthma, depression and diabetes.

Luckily for the non-chefs amongst us, salmon is delicious raw in sushi and sashimi but if raw fish ain’t your bag then you may need a few hints on how to cook salmon to perfection.

Salmon is very versatile and lends itself easily to grilling, barbequing, steaming or pan-frying.

Took cook the salmon you must first prepare it by gently running your fingers over the flesh to ensure there are no bones. Often they will be in a line similar to a seam. Remove bones with kitchen tweezers. This process is called pin-boning, just ask Heston.

Salmon skin is often removed but if you know how to cook it well it comes up deliciously crispy and tasty and it adds another element to your plate.

Season the skin generously with salt and pepper.

To cook one salmon fillet, heat a little olive oil on a heavy-based fry pan with a teaspoon of butter over a medium high heat. Use a little more oil and butter if you are cooking multiple salmon fillets.

Test oil by flicking a drop of water onto it and if it sizzles, it is ready. Place salmon skin side down and leave for 6-7 minutes until the skin is crispy.

When golden brown and crisp, flip the salmon and leave for one minute before removing from heat and leaving to sit in the hot pan for a further three minutes.

Serve with a squeeze of lemon and a salad.

Cooking times vary dependant on the size and thickness of the salmon fillet but if you are cooking multiple pieces is best to endeavour to get pieces that are roughly the same size so as to eliminate much of the guess work and having some over cooked and some undercooked.

Salmon is a fish that is often eaten cooked medium, which is still only gently pink in the middle rather than cooked right through. This is a personal choice but when you order fish in a good restaurant it will generally arrive at the table still slightly translucent in the middle.

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