The world has lost a true Hollywood legend, Olivia Newton John has passed away at the age of 73
Olivia rose to stardom for her remarkable performance in hit musical “Grease” where she co-starred alongside Actor John Travolta, in 1978.
She was just 29 years of age, playing the role of an innocent teen in love with the bad boy.
Together, they won hearts across the world, bringing in a whopping $395 million USD from the box office.
A movie star turned cancer advocate, Newton-John spent much of her later years fiercely fighting for awareness and further research.
We take a look back on her life, her legacy and the hole she is leaving behind
Long before Olivia Newton John became a household name in Hollywood, she started from a home in Melbourne.
Born in Cambridge 1948, her family emigrated to Australia. The youngest of three children. Her teenage years saw her became a major drawcard on the Happy Show.
But the bight lights of Melbourne in the 1970s could never contain that voice.
She moved to the UK and in 1974 represented the Britain in the Eurovision song contest.
Australian trailblazer Helen Ready encouraged Olivia to move to the United States where she quickly climbed the charts.
She certainly had somewhere else to go – Rydell High.
She scored the role in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit, despite her concerns about being 29, playing a high school senior, insisting on a screen test with John Travolta.
Now the girl from Melbourne, was now a Hollywood star.
And there was nowhere to hide – Grease became the biggest box office hit of 1978. Olivia Newton John’s career soared
Just like Sandys transformation in the film, Olivia was ready for a new spandex clad image, just in time for the 80s.
Pioneering an iconic look and telling us all…”let’s get physical”
Physical smashed the charts, before she starred alongside Gene Kelly in her second major film, playing the star.
In 1986 she gave birth to her daughter Chloe and resumed her career in the early 90s, before she was diagnosed with cancer – receiving the diagnosis the same weekend her father died.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 19: Actress/singer Olivia Newton-John (L) and daughter actress/singer Chloe Lattanzi attend ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 21 at CBS Televison City on October 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
She survived and became an advocate for breast cancer research, teaming with the Victorian government to create the Olivia Newton John cancer wellness and research centre in Melbourne.
Leading a three week, 230km walk along the great ocean road to raise funds.
Forever passionate about the environment. She cancelled a tour of Japan over the slaughter of dolphins.
She battled in her personal life too. Her partner Patrick McDermott disappeared on a fishing trip in 2005. Her daughter faced health problems
Through all her battles, she continued performing.
An immortal Australian performer, a passional advocate for health, the voice of a generation.
Cyber security evolution prompts redefinition of critical infrastructure in Asia Pacific amid rising digital threats.
In Short:
– Cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific redefine critical infrastructure, expanding its scope beyond just industrial machinery.
– New strategies emphasise visibility to protect crucial sectors like banking, finance, and telecommunications from cyber threats.
The rise in cyber security incidents in Asia Pacific is reshaping the definition and protection of critical infrastructure. New digital and operational technology risks are prompting stakeholders to reconsider conventional beliefs that critical infrastructure is primarily industrial machinery behind high fences.
Michael Fisher from Garland Technology discusses this evolving landscape. Critical infrastructure now encompasses essential services such as banking, finance, and telecommunications, expanding beyond traditional definitions.
The convergence of IT and operational technology (OT) networks increases cyber security risks. Many OT services were not designed with cyber security in mind, leaving them vulnerable to cyber attacks. Industries most at risk include telecommunications, banking, finance, and utilities, where any disruption can significantly impact society.
Increased Visibility
Fisher highlights that traditional cyber security alone is insufficient to secure these infrastructures. Effective protection requires a new approach focused on visibility. Garland Technology’s mission is to provide visibility to upstream cyber security platforms, eliminating blind spots.
Governments and businesses must recognise their roles in combatting cyber threats. Australia’s Security of Critical Infrastructure Act is a step towards increasing corporate responsibility in recognising critical infrastructure and ensuring compliance with security measures.
In Short:
– Trump gives Hamas three to four days to accept a U.S.-backed Gaza peace plan, warning of consequences.
– Hamas calls the plan biased and insists on a complete Israeli withdrawal before considering any agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has given Hamas three to four days to accept a U.S.-backed peace plan for Gaza, warning of severe consequences if they reject it.The plan, shared by mediators Qatar and Egypt, emerged after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed it during a visit to the White House. Hamas, which was not part of the talks, is expected to review the proposal that calls for disarmament, a previously rejected demand.
Trump stated that support for the plan came from both Israeli and Arab leaders, and he emphasised the need for Hamas to respond promptly. The proposal includes a ceasefire, hostage exchanges, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and disarmament of Hamas, along with a transitional government.
A Hamas source described the plan as biased towards Israel and containing unacceptable conditions.
The group maintains that a complete Israeli withdrawal is a prerequisite for their agreement to any deal, while they are unwilling to disarm.
Pressure Mounts
Hamas faces significant pressure as foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt have supported the initiative. Turkey’s intelligence head is also set to join discussions in Doha, marking a new level of mediation.
Despite expressing initial support, Netanyahu is cautious about the plan’s implications for Palestinian statehood and faces pressure from his coalition. Public sentiment in Gaza reflects a desire for peace, albeit with scepticism about the sincerity of both Trump and Netanyahu’s commitments.