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With international borders reopened in Melbourne and Sydney, Sunrise’s Edwina Bartholomew was affected by the emotional scenes of families reuniting.

Sixteen flights touched down on Monday as the border reopened for the first time since March 2020.

For the Sunrise host, who watched the reunion of families from the show’s studio, one man’s story was hard to talk about.

One of the first passengers to land in Australia told the show he can finally see his mother who has been in permanent care for the last two years.

“I’m really scared and emotional because I really want to see my mum,” he told Sunrise at Sydney Airport.

Image: Sunrise

“The doctors said she hasn’t got long and I’m going to do whatever I can today to see her.

“She’s been in permanent care for a few years and it’s been so long since I’ve seen her and I love her heaps and I just want to get back there.”

However, the man still has to find a way to enter Western Australia, where his mum lives.

He called on WA Premier Mark McGowan to ease current border restrictions to “bring families together again”, with visitors from NSW and Victoria currently deemed as extreme risks.

“We respect that you’re trying to be safe but everyone needs to be together,” he said.

Back in the studio, Bartholomew became emotional and shared her own experience having family remain overseas.

Image: Sunrise

“It’s lovely to see so many people coming home finally,” she said, while holding back tears.

“My sister is overseas too, it’s emotional.” 

Karen Andrews, the Minister for Home Affairs, addressed the man’s situation on the show and labelled WA’s tight borders as “just nonsense”.

“My heart went out to that poor man and he is one of many in similar circumstances,” she said.

“The fact that there are still borders between our states that are not open, so it is really at the point where you can go from Sydney to LA but you can’t go from Tweed Heads to Coolangatta - it’s just nonsense.”

A true "Love Actually" moment 💖

Today we welcome the first international arrivals under the new quarantine-free travel arrangements.

With the #internationalborder officially open, we can"t help but feel emotional as loved ones reunite at the Arrivals Hall.

📸 by @GettyImages pic.twitter.com/WlVFIO1gP5

— Sydney Airport (@SydneyAirport) October 31, 2021

As Sydney Airport welcomed back its first wave of international travellers, many emotional scenes played out in the airport"s arrival halls.

Families were tightly embracing holding bouquets and balloons, with many seeing each other for the first time in nearly 600 days.

Image: Getty Images

The newly-returned travellers were also greeted with signs welcoming them home by airline staff. 

It comes as fully-vaccinated Australians are now able to return home without needing to go through hotel or home quarantine.

Image: Sunrise

As the UK enjoyed an extra hour in bed over the weekend to signify the end of daylight savings, royal staff have been busy at work in Windsor Castle. 

Taking to the Royal Family"s Instagram account, a team of horological conservators worked throughout the castle to tweak the 400 clocks of the estate to set the time back one hour. 

Of the 400 timepieces on the state, 250 are located inside the castle.

Offering a glimpse into their many clocks, the Royal Family shared a picture of their chief horologist with the caption, "For those living in the UK, don’t forget that clocks go back an hour tonight."

"Did you know there are over 1,000 clocks within Her Majesty’s official residences?"

"Each timepiece is conserved by a special horologist and each will be set back an hour this Sunday."

The estate"s head horological conservator explained that a lot more work is involved to wind the clocks back in the winter than turning them forwards in the summertime.

"We have 400 clocks on the estate of which 250 are inside the castle and the rest are distributed around the estate. I go round once a week to wind them up so I get to know every clock very well", he said. 

"Just like a car that needs an MOT every now and then a clock will need a service every couple of years, twice a year we have the clock change."

"When we set the clocks backwards in winter it’s a different process for every clock, in summer it’s much easier because every clock just goes forward one hour and each time it takes me about a weekend to set all the clocks to the right time."

The royal estates features musical, astronomical and miniature clocks including 600 at the Queen"s official London residence Buckingham Palace and 50 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland. 

Windsor Castle in Berkshire is where Her Majesty is currently recovering after recent stay in hospital.

Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram @theroyalfamily

On October 23, 2001, Apple released the iPod — a portable media player that promised to overshadow the clunky design and low storage capacity of MP3 players introduced in the mid-1990s.

The iPod boasted the ability to “hold 1,000 songs in your pocket”. Its personalised listening format revolutionised the way we consume music. And with more than 400 million units sold since its release, there’s no doubt it was a success.

Yet, two decades later, the digital music landscape continues to rapidly evolve.

A market success

The iPod expanded listening beyond the constraints of the home stereo system, allowing the user to plug into not only their headphones, but also their car radio, their computer at work, or their hi-fi system at home.

It made it easier to entwine these disparate spaces into a single personalised soundtrack throughout the day.

There were several preconditions that led to the iPod’s success. For one, it contributed to the end of an era in which people listened to relatively fixed music collections, such as mixtapes, or albums in their running order.

The iPod (and MP3 players more generally) normalised having random collections of individual tracks.

Then during the 1990s, an MP3 encoding algorithm developed at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany allowed unprecedented audio data compression ratios. In simple terms, this made music files much smaller than before, hugely increasing the quantity of music that could be stored on a device.

Then came peer-to-peer file-sharing services such as Napster, Limewire and BitTorrent, released in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. These furthered the democratisation of the internet for the end user (with Napster garnering 80 million users in three years). The result was a fast-changing digital landscape where music piracy ran rife.

The accessibility of music significantly changed the relationship between listener and musician. In 2003, Apple responded to the music piracy crisis by launching its iTunes store, creating an attractive model for copyright-protected content.

Meanwhile, the iPod continued to sell, year after year. It was designed to do one thing, and did it well. But this would change around 2007 with the release of the touchscreen iPhone and Android smartphones.

Computer in your pocket

The rise of touchscreen smartphones ultimately led to the iPod’s downfall. Interestingly, the music app on the original iPhone was called “iPod”.

The iPod’s functions were essentially reappropriated and absorbed into the iPhone. The iPhone was a flexible and multifunctional device: an iPod, a phone and an internet communicator all in one — a computer in your pocket.

And by making the development tools for their products freely available, Apple and Google allowed third-party developers to create apps for their new platforms in the thousands.

It was a game-changer for the mobile industry. And the future line of tablets, such as Apple’s iPad released in 2010, continued this trend. In 2011, iPhone sales overtook the iPod, and in 2014 the iPod Classic was discontinued.

Unlike the Apple Watch, which serves as a companion to smartphones, single-purpose devices such as the iPod Classic are now seen as antiquated and obsolete.

Music streaming and the role of the web

As of this year, mobile devices are responsible for 54.8% of web traffic worldwide. And while music piracy still exists, its influence has been significantly reduced by the arrival of streaming services such as Spotify and YouTube.

These platforms have had a profound effect on how we engage with music as active and passive listeners. Spotify supports an online community-based approach to music sharing, with curated playlists.

Based on our listening habits, it uses our activity data and a range of machine-learning techniques to generate automatic recommendations for us. Both Spotify and YouTube have also embraced sponsored content, which boosts the visibility of certain labels and artists.

And while we may want to bypass popular music recommendations — especially to support new generations of musicians who lack visibility — the reality is we’re faced with a quantity of music we can’t possibly contend with. As of February this year, more than 60,000 tracks were being uploaded to Spotify each day.

What’s next?

The experience of listening to music will become increasingly immersive with time, and we’ll only find more ways to seamlessly integrate it into our lives. Some signs of this include:

• Gen Z’s growing obsession with platforms such as TikTok, which is a huge promotional tool for artists lucky enough to have their track attached to a viral trend

• new interactive tools for music exploration, such as Radio Garden (which lets you tune into radio stations from across the globe), the Eternal Jukebox for Spotify and Instrudive

• the use of wearables, such as Bose’s audio sunglasses and bone-conduction headphones, which allow you to listen to music while interacting with the world rather than being closed off, and

• the surge in virtual music performances during the COVID pandemic, which suggests virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality will become increasingly accepted as spaces for experiencing music performances.

The industry is also increasingly adopting immersive audio. Apple has incorporated Dolby Atmos 3D spatial audio into both its Logic Pro music production software and music on the iTunes store. With spatial audio capabilities, the listener can experience surround sound with the convenience of portable headphones.

As for algorithms, we can assume more sophisticated machine learning will emerge. In the future, it may recommend music based on our feelings. For example, MoodPlay is a music recommendation system that lets users explore music through mood-based filtering.

Some advanced listening devices even adapt to our physiology. The Australian-designed Nura headphones can pick up information about how a specific listener’s ears respond to different sound frequencies. They purport to automatically adjust the sound to perfectly suit that listener.

Such technologies are taking “personalised listening” to a whole new level, and advances in this space are set to continue. If the digital music landscape has changed so rapidly within the past 20 years, we can only assume it will continue to change over the next two decades, too.

Image credits: Shutterstock

This article first appeared on The Conversation.

The Australian government’s recent warning to Facebook over misinformation is just the latest salvo in the seemingly constant battle to hold the social media giant to account for the content posted on its platform.

It came in the same week as the US Senate heard whistleblowing testimony in which former Facebook executive Frances Haugen alleged the company knew of harmful consequences for its users but chose not to act.

Governments all over the world have been pushing for years to make social media giants more accountable, both in terms of the quality of information they host, and their use of users’ data as part of their business models.

The Australian government’s Online Safety Act will come into effect in January 2022, giving the eSafety Commissioner unprecedented powers to crack down on abusive or violent content, or sexual images posted without consent.

But even if successful, this legislation will only deal with a small proportion of the issues that require regulation. On many such issues, social media platforms have attempted to regulate themselves rather than submit to legislation. But whether we are talking about legislation or self-regulation, past experiences do not engender much confidence that tech platforms can be successfully regulated and regulation put in action easily.

Our research has examined previous attempts to regulate tech giants in Australia. We analysed 269 media articles and 282 policy documents and industry reports published from 2015 to 2021. Let’s discuss a couple of relevant case studies.

1. Ads and news

In 2019, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) inquiry into digital platforms described Facebook’s algorithms, particularly those that determine the positioning of advertising on Facebook pages, as “opaque”. It concluded media companies needed more assurance about the use of their content.

Facebook initially welcomed the inquiry, but then publicly opposed it when the government argued the problems related to Facebook’s substantial market power in display advertising, and Facebook and Google’s dominance of news content generated by media companies, were too important to be left to the companies themselves.

Facebook argued there was no evidence of an imbalance of bargaining powerbetween it and news media companies, adding it would have no choice but to withdraw news services in Australia if forced to pay publishers for hosting their content. The standoff resulted in Facebook’s infamous week-long embargo on Australian news.

The revised and amended News Media Bargaining Code was passed by the parliament in February. Both the government and Facebook declared victory, the former having managed to pass its legislation, and the latter ending up striking its own bargains with news publishers without having to be held legally to the code.

2. Hate speech and terrorism

In 2015, to deal with violent extremism on social media the Australian government initially worked with the tech giant to develop joint AI solutions to improve the technical processes of content identification to deal with countering violent extremism.

This voluntary solution worked brilliantly, until it did not. In March 2019, mass shootings at mosques in Christchurch were live-streamed on Facebook by an Australian-born white supremacist terrorist, and the recordings subsequently circulated on the internet.

This brought to light the inability Facebook’s artificial intelligence algorithms to detect and remove the live footage of the shooting and how fast it was shared on the platform.

The Australian government responded in 2019 by amending the Criminal Codeto require social media platforms to remove abhorrent or violent material “in reasonable time” and, where relevant, refer it to the Australian Federal Police.

What have we learned?

These two examples, while strikingly different, both unfolded in a similar way: an initial dialogue in which Facebook proposes an in-house solution involving its own algorithms, before a subsequent shift towards mandatory government regulation, which is met with resistance or bargaining (or both) from Facebook, and the final upshot which is piecemeal legislation that is either watered down or only covers a subset of specific types of harm.

There are several obvious problems with this. The first is that only the tech giants themselves know how their algorithms work, so it is difficult for regulators to oversee them properly.

Then there’s the fact that legislation typically applies at a national level, yet Facebook is a global company with billions of users across the world and a platform that is incorporated into our daily lives in all sorts of ways.

How do we resolve the impasse? One option is for regulations to be drawn up by independent bodies appointed by governments and tech giants to drive the co-regulation agenda globally. But relying on regulation alone to guide tech giants’ behaviour against potential abuses might not be sufficient. There is also the need for self-discipline and appropriate corporate governance - potentially enforced by these independent bodies.

Image credits: Shutterstock 

This article first appeared on The Conversation.

Actress Renée Zellweger has sold her California home just two weeks after first listing it - and for an even heftier price than expected.

The Spanish-style ranch was listed for $AUD 7.98 million ($USD 5.99 million), quickly selling for $8.52 million ($USD 6.4 million) according to The Post.

According to property records, Zellweger first bought the home in 2015 for $ 4.53 million ($USD 3.4 million).

Her decision to sell the property - which has undergone a “down-to-the-studs” rebuild - comes amidst rumours that she is spending more time with new beau Ant Anstead.

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A post shared by ant anstead (@ant_anstead)

Anstead and Zellweger have been dating since June this year, according to The Post.

The Bridget Jones’ Diary star has also received some heat recently over a controversial fat suit she was spotted in on the set of crime series, The Thing About Pam, in her role as real-life, convicted-killer Pam Hupp.

Image: Getty Images

Though renovating your kitchen can be a costly endeavour, there are some ways to spruce it up while sticking to a small budget.

Consider these five quick, easy and affordable ideas if you’re looking to update your kitchen without spending a fortune.

Stick with the same layout

Renovations that cost an arm and a leg often involve rearranging the kitchen in a major way.

If you can avoid moving cupboards, tearing down and rebuilding walls, or rearranging the electrics and plumbing, you can save some real money.

Despite this, you can still give your kitchen a proper facelift.

Spend wisely

Another chunk of the costs will come from replacing appliances, especially if they are still in good working order.

And, by reusing appliances and simply giving them a clean, you can spend the money you save on new taps or other smaller items that can add to the room’s sense of style.

Get out the paint roller

If you’re looking for the simplest way to revive your kitchen, painting is the best place to start. Gloomy rooms can be instantly brightened just by painting the walls, ceiling, door, and window frames with a few coats of a bright, neutral colour.

Stuck with mismatched dining chairs or a set that’s seen better days? While you’ve got the paintbrush out, give your dining chairs and table a few coats of paint or a stain to make them match and look brand new.

Refresh your cabinetry

Another way to blow out your budget can be the replacement of cabinets. If your current ones are structurally sound but look a bit tired or no longer match your dream colour scheme, paint or replace the doors, drawer fronts and hardware and save a bucket load of cash.

Another way to freshen up your over-bench cabinetry is to remove the doors altogether. This can give your shelves a new, modern look, especially if you paint or line the back of the shelves with a splash of coloured paper.

Add some little touches

Spending a little on replacing power-point covers, light switches, window coverings, or light fittings can add the final touches to your fresh-faced kitchen.

With money saved from avoiding buying big ticket items or paying for major works, it’s possible to walk away with a new kitchen without the huge financial investment.

Image: Getty Images

As international borders are beginning to reopen, traveling in a post-Covid world is going to be very different. 

Around the globe, each country has different regulations as Covid outbreaks continue to happen to varying degrees. 

Considering all the obstacles travellers face, the airlines have united to back a project that will ensure safe and easy travel for everyone. 

In partnership with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airlines from around the world, including Qantas, have helped develop a digital pass to align with Covid regulations no matter what your destination is. 

Qantas chief customer officer Stephanie Tully said the airline was determined to “hold the hand” of their customers from the moment they book their flight. 

Ms Tully said Qantas planned to “help our customers every step of the way”, as she showed prototypes of the app and travel pass. 

Image credits: International Air Transport Association 

“No one should be turning up at the airport without knowing exactly what they needed to have done to get on the flight,” she added.

“We’ve developed some technology, some world-first technology, that will help us virtually hand hold our customers through the flight.”

Ms Tully said as soon as passengers book their flight, Qantas will start sending texts and app alerts about the latest government and travel requirements.

“Where it becomes particularly important is seven days out from a flight, that’s when you need to start doing a few things ... so depending on the requirement of the destination, at seven days out we will contact customers so they know what to do in the lead up to travel ... we’ll provide a checklist via SMS and email of exactly what customers need to do,” she said.

“Four days out, again we’ll SMS all customers because at that point you’ll need a PCR test, so we’re making sure our customers know that they need to do that and where they can do that.”

If customers book through Qantas.com, they will also be eligible for a discount on their PCR test. 

The airline will also send customers alerts closer to their travel date, reminding travellers of any requirements they need to present before boarding their flight. 

As the IATA app comes online, the process will become even more streamlined, as it will sync a passenger’s vaccination status and negative test results with the airline system. 

The IATA app will come online in December at the latest. 

Ms Tully said that as the current Covid situation continues to change, Qantas wants their customers to know they’re in safe hands. 

“The world of post-Covid travel will continually evolve over the next 12 months, so our job at Qantas is to help our customers through those changes.”

Check out the IATA Travel App announcement here:

Image credits: Shutterstock / IATA

Showbiz reporter and longtime friend of Bert Newton’s, Peter Ford, shared a previously unheard story about Bert during a radio appearance on NSW Breakfast with Gawndy and Maz on Monday morning, following Bert’s passing over the weekend at the age of 83.

Ford said the story, which dates back 31 years, “says a lot about [Bert] as a person.” He explained that he had a friend who was in a Melbourne hospital, dying of AIDS with only a few weeks to live. Ford sent letters to various celebrities on his friend’s behalf, asking them to sign a card and send it back. He explained, “Within a week, all these celebrities had signed cards and sent them back, cheering up my friend enormously – but Bert didn’t.” Ford recalled that he was disappointed that Bert hadn’t responded to his letter.

He continued, “Five days later, I went to the hospital and there was a buzz in the air. The person on the desk said, ‘You’re not going to believe it – Bert Newton was just here. He’s gone around to every single person on the AIDs ward, sat at their bedside, told them stories and made them laugh.’”

Ford visited his friend, who he said was “on a high”. Bert had stopped by for a visit – and not only that, but he’d also left behind one of his Gold Logies. At that time, Bert had won the Gold Logie four times, in 1979, 1981, 1982, and 1984.

Ford later called Bert to thank him for the gift, and said that Bert only had one request for him: “Don’t report that until after I’ve carked it, because I’ve probably broken some Logie law by giving one of them away.”

The longtime TV showbiz reporter described his relationship to Bert as “closer than most”, calling him a “great mentor”. Ford also talked about how Bert’s death came after a horrible year for the Australian icon and his family, saying, “It was one complication after another – a few weeks ago they were going to amputate the second leg, but they didn’t end up doing it.

“He just wanted to get home – up until 7 o’clock Saturday night, he was still talking about getting better and getting home,” he said.

Ford’s is the latest in a long line of tributes for the late entertainer, including some from actor Hugh Jackman and performer David Campbell. Both mentioned the kind of generosity exemplified by Ford’s story, with Jackman writing on Instagram, “What I will remember more than anything was his incredible humanity. His countless acts of quiet generosity when no one was looking,” and Campbell thanking Bert for giving him a chance on his show when he was young.

Image: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images

Patti Newton has spoken of her family’s devastation following the passing of their beloved husband, father and grandfather over the weekend.

“It’s very, very devastating,” she said through tears, with granddaughters Eva and Lola by her side.

“All our hearts are breaking because he was just the most wonderful man.”

The trio appeared outside their Melbourne home, with Patti saying her husband was at peace.

After she left the hospital at 7.10pm on Saturday night, Patti said she received a call telling her that her husband took his final breath just 12 minutes later.

“So I missed him, but maybe he didn’t want me to be there for his last breath,” she said.

“He had such a fabulous attitude. And he gave us so much joy right up to the end.”

She said Bert had a tough year battling his health troubles but “just couldn’t do it anymore”.

“His year was not only tough health-wise, but mentally he had a lot to cope with,” Patti said.

The TV star had his right leg amputated in May following a life-threatening toe infection, and remained in hospital after suffering complications.

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A post shared by Patti Newton (@pattinewtonofficial)

Patti said her husband of 46 years continued to make her smile right until the end.

“All he could talk about was things that he had in mind,” she said. 

“I’d be good at that, I wonder how I’d go at doing Eddie’s show if he ever wants a break. And I used to laugh, because I’d think you’re 83, you’ve got one leg, how would you go up and down stairs?

“But I love that attitude of his, he was never going to give up and that’s what we have to take with us, don’t we girls?

“We have to just make sure that the love he gave us stays with us forever.”

Patti said 12-year-old Eva, nine-year-old Lola, and all of his grandchildren were the “loves of his life”, and that the family needed “a bit of moral support” while grieving.

“It’s hard. It’s hard for this age group. (Our daughter) Lauren and Eva were out to dinner last night, just having a quick little girls’ meal. And I rang and poor Eva had to come, she didn’t go in, we felt that was too much for her,” Patti said.

“I can’t get that out of my mind, really, but I have to think that he’s at peace and he’s not in pain. Eva and Lola, both the loves of his life.

“A bit of moral support, that’s what we need.”

Tributes have poured in for the Australian entertainment icon since the news of his passing broke, with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews describing him as an “icon, a larrikin and a born entertainer”.

The premier also told Patti he would offer to hold a state funeral for her husband, which she said Bert “would love”.

“I said yes to a state funeral because as I said, a little boy from North Fitzroy and having success in show business and having all these wonderful accolades go his way,’’ Patti said.

“And then a state funeral — Bert would love it. His mum and his sister, they would be so thrilled — and I’m thrilled for him.

“It’ll be very nice and it’s a wonderful gesture because he’s very Melbourne, Bert. Even though he’s worked in all different states, Melbourne was his state and his love so that was a very nice thing.”

Image: @pattinewtonofficial / Instagram

A man in Tokyo has been arrested after allegedly going on a stabbing rampage on a train on Halloween while dressed as the Joker. He is accused of stabbing at least 17 people and starting a fire in a carriage, before taking a seat and smoking a cigarette. He was subsequently taken into custody by police.

Eyewitnesses told Japanese national broadcaster NHK of their fear during the attack. “I thought it was a Halloween event,” one witness said. “Then I saw a man walking this way, slowly waving a long knife.” The alleged attacker is believed to have sprayed hydrochloric acid inside the first and second cars of the train before setting them on fire. People rushed to escape through the train’s windows as the fire spread. A video posted to social media showed over a dozen people fleeing a burning carriage and huddling at the end of the next carriage.

Police were later seen entering the carriage where the suspect, dressed as one of Batman’s most famous nemeses, was seated. Reports say the man did not resist as he was arrested and taken into custody.

A man who filmed footage of the incident told NHK that he saw passengers fleeing before hearing an explosion. Shunsuke Kimura jumped from a window in an attempt to escape, but fell on the platform and hurt his shoulder. He said, “Train doors were closed and we had no idea what was happening, and we jumped from the windows. It was horrifying.”

こやつが
京王線の犯人です

右手にナイフ
左手にタバコめちゃくちゃ手は震えてた

とにかくこいつにむかつきました

すごくみんな必死に逃げて
僕がみんなに窓から出ろ言い死にものぐるいでみんなででてたこいつの前まで来ました

本当に許せなかった
殴りたかったです
#京王線#京王線刃物#犯人 pic.twitter.com/fdlLN9nj1Z

— 生形たけし (@takahashi9811) October 31, 2021

Another passenger told the broadcaster that the attacker didn’t display any emotion during the attack. “He held a knife and started spreading liquid,” she said. “He was committing this act without showing any emotion, just mechanically. I think that brought fear to everyone.”

Rail services were partially suspended after the incident, which took place just before 8 pm near Kokuryo in Tokyo’s western suburbs. Kyodo News said 15 people had been injured, while NHK reported that 17 were hurt, including a man in his 60s who was in serious condition.

The character of the Joker is one of Batman’s most recognisable adversaries, and has famously been played by Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix and Jared Leto. 2019’s Joker, starring Phoenix and which focused on the character’s origin story, caused concern amongst people who felt the film was excusing or justifying the character’s violent response to feeling unheard or ignored. These concerns were exacerbated by the adoption of Phoenix’s Joker as a relatable figure by a certain subset of men who feel betrayed by a society they view as heavily favouring women.

Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria have spoken out about the shooting of Halyna Hutchins in a fiery exchange with paparazzi.

The 63-year-old actor spoke to a group of local media on Saturday while staying in Vermont, which quickly turned into a very tense conversation. 

Alec said he was unable to give any details on the ongoing investigation into Halyna"s death, citing instructions from the Santa Fe Country Sheriff’s Office, but he did speak about his relationship with the cinematographer.

“It’s an active investigation in terms of a woman dying,” he said.

“She was my friend. The day I arrived on set and started shooting I took her to dinner with Joel, the director."

“We were a very, very well-oiled crew shooting a film together and then this horrible event happened.”

One of the paparazzi began to ask Alec about the meeting he had with Halyna"s husband and son, but forgot her name while phrasing the question. 

This action sparked a furious response from Baldwin"s wife Hilaria. 

“Halyna, her name is Halyna,” she said.

“If you are spending this much time waiting for us you should know her name.”

“You don’t know her name?” said Baldwin, before confirming he had met with Ms Hutchins’ husband Matthew and her nine-year-old son.

“I wouldn’t know how to characterise it. They’re mortified,” he said.

Hilaria interrupted again, saying, “You guys, you guys. You know what, no details.”

Alec then turned to her and said, “Do me a favour, I am going to answer the questions.”

After a few more questions, Baldwin asks the paparazzi to leave him alone, saying "my kids are in the car crying".

“As a courtesy I came to talk to you. I am not allowed to comment on the investigation, I talk to the cops every day,” he said.

“We sat down as a courtesy to talk to you, now please, would you just stop following us. Just leave us alone. We gave you everything.”

The accidental shooting took place on the film set of Rust in New Mexico on October 21st, as Alec fired a gun that killed Halyna Hutchins and injured the film"s director Joel Souza. 

Both assistant director David Halls and armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have been questioned as part of the investigation into how Baldwin ended up handling a gun loaded with live ammunition.

Image credit: @therecount / Twitter

In a few days world leaders will descend on Glasgow for the United Nations climate change talks. Much depends on it. We know climate change is already happening, and nowhere is the damage more stark than in Australia’s southwest.

The southwest of Western Australia has been identified as a global drying hotspot. Since 1970, winter rainfall has declined up to 20%, river flows have plummeted and heatwaves spanning water and land have intensified.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns this will continue as emissions rise and the climate warms.

Discussion of Australian ecosystems vulnerable to climate change often focuses on the Great Barrier Reef, as well as our rainforests and alpine regions. But for southwest Western Australia, climate change is also an existential threat.

The region’s wildlife and plants are so distinctive and important, it was listed as Australia’s first global biodiversity hotspot. Species include thousands of endemic plant species and animals such as the quokka, numbat and honey possum. Most freshwater species and around 80% of marine species, including 24 shark species, live nowhere else on Earth.

They evolved in isolation over millions of years, walled off from the rest of Australia by desert. But climate heating means this remarkable biological richness is now imperilled – a threat that will only increase unless the world takes action.

Hooker’s Banksia is an iconic West Australian species. Dr Joe Fontaine, Author provided

Hotter and drier

Southwest WA runs roughly from Kalbarri to Esperance, and is known for its Mediterranean climate with very hot and dry summers and most rainfall in winter.

But every decade since the 1970s, the region’s summertime maximum temperatures have risen 0.1-0.3℃, and winter rainfall has fallen 10-20 millimetres.

Decadal trends in winter precipitation. Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

And remarkably, a 1℃ increase in the average global temperature over the last century has already more than doubled the days over 40℃ in Perth.

Cumulative number of days over 40° at Perth Airport over 30-year periods between 1910-1939 (historic) and 1989-2018 (current). Author provided

This trend is set to continue. Almost all climate models project a further drop in winter rainfall of up to 30% across most of the southwest by 2100, under a high emissions scenario.

The southwest already has very hot days in summer, thanks to heat brought from the desert’s easterly winds. As climate change worsens, these winds are projected to get more intense, bringing still more heat.

Drying threatens wildlife, wine and wheat

Annual rainfall in the southwest has fallen by a fifth since 1970. That might not sound dangerous, but the drop means river flows have already fallen by an alarming 70%.

It means many rivers and lakes now dry out through summer and autumn, causing major problems for freshwater biodiversity. For example, the number of invertebrate species in 17 lakes in WA’s wheatbelt fell from over 300 to just over 100 between 1998 and 2011.

The loss of water has even killed off common river invertebrates, such as the endemic Western Darner dragonfly, with most now found only in the last few streams that flow year round. The drying also makes it very hard for animals and birds to find water.

Most native freshwater fish in the southwest are now officially considered “threatened”. As river flow falls to a trickle, fish can no longer migrate to spawn, and it’s only a short march from there to extinction. To protect remaining freshwater species we must develop perennial water refuges in places such as farm dams.

Smooth Marron moving as a group in a reservoir. Dr Stephen Beatty, Author provided

The story on land is also alarming, with intensifying heatwaves and chronic drought. This was particularly dire in 2010/2011, when all ecosystems in the southwest suffered from a deadly drought and heatwave combination.

What does that look like on the ground? Think beetle swarms taking advantage of forest dieback, a sudden die off of endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, and the deaths of one in five shrubs and trees. Long term, the flowering rates of banksias have declined by 50%, which threatens their survival as well as the honey industry.

For agriculture, the picture is mixed. Aided by innovation and better varieties, wheat yields in the southwest have actually increased since the 1970s, despite the drop in rainfall.

But how long can farmers stay ahead of the drying? If global emissions aren’t drastically reduced, droughts in the region will keep getting worse.

Increased heating and drying will also likely threaten Margaret River’s famed wine region, although the state’s northern wine regions will be the first at risk.

Hotter seas, destructive marine heatwaves

The seas around the southwest are another climate change hotspot, warming faster than 90% of the global ocean since the middle of last century. Ocean temperatures off Perth have risen by an average of 0.1-0.3℃ per decade, and are now almost 1℃ warmer than 40 years ago.

The waters off the southwest are part of the Great Southern Reef, a temperate marine biodiversity hotspot. Many species of seaweeds, seagrasses, invertebrates, reef fish, seabirds and mammals live nowhere else on the planet.

As the waters warm, species move south. Warm-water species move in and cool-water species flee to escape the heat. Once cool-water species reach the southern coast, there’s nowhere colder to go. They can’t survive in the deep sea, and are at risk of going extinct.

Temperature anomalies over land and ocean in March 2011. Scientific Reports, Author provided

Marine heatwaves are now striking alongside this long-term warming trend. In 2011, a combination of weak winds, water absorbing the local heat from the air, and an unusually strong flow of the warm Leeuwin Current led to the infamous marine heatwave known as Ningaloo Nino.

Over eight weeks, ocean temperatures soared by more than 5℃ above the long-term maximum. Coral bleached in the state’s north, fish died en masse, 34% of seagrass died in Shark Bay, and kelp forests along 100km of WA’s coast were wiped out.

Following the heatwave came sudden distribution changes for species like sharks, turtles and many reef fish. Little penguins starved to death because their usual food sources were no longer there.

Recreational and commercial fisheries were forced to close to protect ailing stocks. Some of these fisheries have not recovered 10 years later, while others are only now reopening.

This is just the start. Projections suggest the southwest could be in a permanent state of marine heatwave within 20-40 years, compared to the second half of the 20th century.

Reef in Kalbarri before (left) and after (right) the 2011 Ningaloo Nino. Dense kelp covered reefs before the heatwave. Afterwards, kelp died and the reefs were covered by sediment and turf algae. Professor Thomas Wernberg, Author provided

Adaptation has limits

Nature in the southwest cannot adapt to these rapid changes. The only way to stem the damage to nature and humans is to stop greenhouse gas emissions.

Australia must take responsibility for its emissions and show ambition beyond the weak promise of net-zero by 2050, and commit to real 2030 targets consistent with the Paris climate treaty.

Otherwise, we will witness the collapse of one of Australia’s biological treasures in real time.

Jatin Kala, Senior Lecturer and ARC DECRA felllow, Murdoch University; Belinda Robson, Associate Professor, Murdoch University; Joe Fontaine, Lecturer, Environmental and Conservation Science, Murdoch University; Stephen Beatty, Research Leader (Catchments to Coast), Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, and Thomas Wernberg, Professor, The University of Western Australia

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Image: Author provided

Image: Instagram 

Hugh Jackman has paid tribute to his former co-star Bert Newtown after the TV legend died at the age of 83 on Saturday.

Bert Newtown and Hugh Jackman starred alongside each other in a stage production of Beauty and the Beast in 1995.

On Sunday, Hugh shared some moving memories of himself and Bert in a series of Instagram stories from both he and his wife, Deborra-Lee Furness.

‘Just by watching him, I learned how to handle the spotlight with grace, dignity, humour and class,’ said Hugh in the caption.

He also added that Bert was ‘quietly’ generous and never broadcasted his actions of charity.

‘But what I will remember more than anything was his incredible humanity. His countless acts of quiet generosity when no one was looking,’ Hugh wrote.

‘You were one of a kind Bert. You will be deeply missed. Much love to Patti and the entire family.’

TV legend Bert Newton died on Saturday night, after a stunning career that beamed him into living rooms across Australia for over 70 years. He had been receiving palliative care at a clinic in Melbourne at the time of his death, following a long health battle that resulted in one of his legs being amputated in May.

Bert is survived by his wife Patti, aged 76, daughter Lauren, 40 and son Matthew, 40, leaving behind six grandchildren.

His life will be celebrated in a state funeral in Melbourne.

This week, Mars is on the move. The feisty red planet will cause chaos for some signs, and overwhelming clarity for others. 

Mars represents our deepest desires and passions, while also bringing out anger, energy and assertion. 

Some signs will find themselves challenged by their Mars alignments, while others will find the perfect opportunity to focus their ambitions. 

♈ Aries (March 21st - April 19th)

This week will challenge you to make the big changes you’ve been putting off. If you’re struggling with feelings of dissatisfaction, push your boundaries and take a chance! You may be pleasantly surprised with the outcome. 

♉ Taurus (April 20th - May 20th)

Your relationships will be tested as Mars joins the sun in your relationship sector this week. Assert your own passion and stay true to your opinions, but always leave room for compromise. 

♊ Gemini (May 21st - June 20th)

This week will see a surge in Gemini’s productivity as Mars aligns with the Sun. You will have all the motivation you need to get through a challenging week. Deal with the big issues first, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Listen to people when they reach out to help. 

♋ Cancer (June 21st - July 22nd)

Romance is on the cards for Cancers this week. With your witty charm and endless confidence, you will flourish in any romantic scenario to sweep that lucky someone off their feet.

♌ Leo (July 23rd - August 22nd)

Throughout a challenging week, you will be fiercely protective of those close to you. A sense of familiarity will be far more important than going out of your comfort zone. Stay aware and do something nice for yourself this week. 

♍ Virgo (August 23rd - September 22nd)

With Mars moving into Virgo’s communication sector, it’s important to be wary of how to talk to people this week. Talking to people with aggression or ulterior motives won’t get you anywhere this week. A little tact should be exercised.

♎ Libra (September 23rd - October 22nd)

As Mars moves into your money sector, Libras will find themselves enticed by the finer things in life. Treat yourself, but don’t go overboard. This financial opportunity can also be a great time to invest in the side hustle you’ve always wanted to pursue, or to fatten up your savings.

♏ Scorpio (October 23rd - November 21st)

As Mars joins the Sun for Scorpios, you will find their charisma almost irresistible. Use this unwavering confidence to get your own way, but be wary of teetering into intimidation. If you take the initiative, you could have a very successful week. 

♐ Sagittarius (November 22nd - December 21st)

Give yourself the time and space to appreciate the smaller pleasures in life. Slow down and smell the roses, and try to focus on your long-term goals. If you act hastily and impulsively, there’s a chance the risk will not pay off. 

♑ Capricorn (December 22nd - January 20th)

As Mars moves into your friendship sector, be prepared for drama. Be aware of friction in your relationships, but also use this opportunity to socialise and have fun. Your calm demeanor will quickly diffuse tense situations. 

♒ Aquarius (January 21st - February 18th)

A surge in ambition will have you reaching for the stars, as you can show those around you what you"re passionate about. Be sure to explore places other than your comfort zone, as you will be praised for left-of-centre ideas. 

♓ Pisces (February 19th - March 20th)

Movement of Mars will strengthen your point of view, and make you far more assertive in all aspects of your life. Take the time to engage in critical conversations and debates, and share your passions with others. 

Image credits: Getty Images 

Concerns about the side-effects of COVID vaccinations have been amplified during the current pandemic by both the vast quantity of data that’s accumulating, and traditional- and social-media coverage.

Rare blood clots resulting from first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1nCoV-19) vaccine have been most prominently revealed. As a result there have been changes to the age range of people administered AstraZeneca vaccine, and in a few instances its suspension from national vaccination programs.

Now, a nationwide study of 32 million adults in England has revealed an increased, but low, risk of the rare neurological conditions Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and Bell’s palsy following a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The study also revealed an increased, but low, risk of hemorrhagic stroke following a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech (BNT162b2) vaccine.

However, the research, published in Nature Medicine, also revealed a substantially higher risk of seven neurological outcomes, including GBS, after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test.

“Crucially, we found that the risk of neurological complications from [COVID] infection was substantially higher than the risk of adverse events from vaccinations in our population,” the authors wrote. “[F]or example, 145 excess cases versus 38 excess cases of Guillain-Barré syndrome per 10 million exposed in those who had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and [AstraZeneca]-19 vaccine, respectively.”

“The risks of adverse neurological events following SARS-CoV-2 infection are much greater than those associated with vaccinations”

Cosmos has reported on the extraordinarily fine-mesh approach to monitoring vaccine side-effects in Australia, which as of early September had been unable to establish a clear link between GBS and AstraZeneca shots. All Australians vaccinated for COVID thus far have received one of the two vaccines examined in the new research, and their efficacy has been widely confirmed.

The study – a collaboration between several English and Scottish institutions – made its findings among English adults, which was then replicated in an independent national cohort of more than three million Scottish people.

The authors anticipate that these results will inform risk–benefit evaluations for vaccine programs as well as clinical decision-making and resource allocation for these rare neurological complications. They conclude their findings are likely to be of relevance to other countries, but that more studies need to be done.

“We believe that these findings are likely to be of relevance to other countries using these vaccines and it would be useful to replicate these results in similarly large datasets internationally,” wrote the authors, in conclusion.

“Importantly, the risks of adverse neurological events following SARS-CoV-2 infection are much greater than those associated with vaccinations, highlighting the benefits of ongoing vaccination programs.”

A new study has found that a large number of people infected with COVID-19 have suffered from poorer memory and shorter attention spans months after recovering.

Researchers from New York’s Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai studied over 700 patients who tested positive to COVID-19, asking them to complete several tasks several months after they were first infected.

The tasks tested their cognitive function using “well-validated neuropsychological measures”, including their attention, working memory, memory recall and processing speed.

The team found a “relatively high” number of patients who experienced cognitive impairment after contracting the virus.

They reported that 133 patients’ brains were slower, 118 had shorter attention spans, and 170-178 had “slipperier” memories. 

Patients who were hospitalised were also more likely to have impaired attention spans, and memory encoding and recall, in comparison to a group of participants who were outpatients and had a less severe reaction to being infected with COVID-19.

The researchers said that the findings were consistent with early reports of ‘brain fog’ among COVID-19 patients.

“The association of COVID-19 with executive function raises key questions regarding patients’ long-term treatment,” the researchers wrote in the study, published in JAMA Network Open.

With a high number of patients experiencing these symptoms, the team proposed that future work could study the underlying mechanisms causing these symptoms to occur, as well as ways for patients to rehabilitate and recover.

“Our findings suggest that a substantial proportion of patients may experience cognitive problems several months after COVID-19, which can contribute to significant functional disability,” Dr Jacqueline Becker, a clinical neuropsychologist and first author of the study, told Over60.

“Patients who are concerned should speak to their primary care physicians and perhaps request a referral to a neuropsychologist. It will be important to monitor any changes over time, as well as to rule out other potentially reversible causes that may be contributing to their cognitive dysfunction.”  

Image: Getty Images

Popular culture has plenty of examples of people sabotaging their romantic relationships.

In the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, Kat says she has no interest in romantic engagements. Then Patrick asks about her dating style:

"You disappoint them from the start and then you’re covered, right?"

But as the plot develops, we learn this is Kat’s way of protecting herself, to cope with the trauma of a previous relationship.

Other people move through relationships searching for “the one”, making quick assessments of their romantic partners.

In the TV series The Mindy Project, Mindy is a successful obstetrician and gynaecologist with poor relationship skills. She has a trail of relationship failures, and partners who did not measure up. She is looking for the “perfect” love story with unrealistic expectations.

Jacob moves through sexual partners night after night to avoid a serious commitment, in the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Another example is Jacob in the movie Crazy, Stupid, Love. He quickly moves through sexual partners night after night to avoid a serious commitment.

In the same movie, we meet Cal and Emily, who stayed in a marriage long term but had become complacent. This caused them to split, but once they started to work on themselves, they found a way to reconnect.

What is relationship sabotage?

My team and I define relationship sabotage as self-defeating attitudes and behaviours in (and out of) relationships. These stop relationships succeeding, or lead people to give up on them, justifying why these relationships fail.

Most importantly, relationship sabotage is a self-protection strategy for a win-win outcome.

For example, you might feel you win if the relationship survives despite your defensive strategies. Alternatively, if the relationship fails, your beliefs and choice to protect yourself are validated.

Why do we do this?

Why do we sabotage love?

We found people sabotage their relationships mainly because of fear. This is despite wanting an intimate relationship.

As Sam Smith says in his song Too Good at Goodbyes:

I’m never gonna let you close to me

Even though you mean the most to me

‘Cause every time I open up, it hurts.

However, fear responses are not always visible or easy to identify. This is because our emotions are layered to protect us. Fear is a vulnerable (and core) emotion, which is commonly hidden beneath surface (or secondary) emotions, such as defensiveness.

Recognise any of these patterns?

Relationship sabotage is not a “one off” moment in a relationship. It happens when fear triggers patterns of responses from one relationship to the next.

My research highlights three main patterns of attitudes and behaviours to look out for.

Defensiveness

Defensiveness, such as being angry or aggressive, is a counter-attack to a perceived threat. People who are defensive are motivated by wanting to validate themselves; they are looking to prove themselves right and protect their self-esteem.

Threats that trigger defensiveness are a previous relationship trauma, difficulty with self-esteem, loss of hope, the possibility of getting hurt again, and fear of failure, rejection, abandonment and commitment. However, defensiveness is an instinctive response that sometimes makes sense.

People can believe relationships often end up in “heart break”. One research participant was tired of being criticised and having their feelings misunderstood:

I protect myself from getting hurt in a romantic relationship by putting up all of my walls and not letting go of my guard.

Trust difficulty

Having difficulty trusting others involves struggling to believe romantic partners and perhaps feeling jealous of their attention to others. People who feel this way might not feel safe and avoid feeling vulnerable in relationships.

This is often a result of past experiences of having trust betrayed, or expecting to be betrayed. Betrayals could be as a result of small deceptions (a white lie) or bigger deceptions (infidelity).

People explained choosing not to trust, or being unable to trust, was a way of avoiding being hurt again. One research participant said:

I no longer trust my romantic partners 100%. I will always be thinking about what I would do if they left or cheated, so I never get fully invested.

Lack of relationship skills

This is when someone has limited insight or awareness into destructive tendencies in relationships. This may be a result of poor relationship role models, or negative interactions and outcomes from previous relationships.

One research participant said:

What used to hold me back was lack of experience, poor relationship examples (from my parents), and my own immaturity.

But relationship skills can be learned. Healthy relationships can help foster relationship skills and in turn lessen the effects of defensiveness and trust difficulty.

The cost of relationship sabotage

Relationship sabotage does not necessarily end relationships. This depends on whether these patterns are long term.

For singles, relationship sabotage might prevent you from starting a relationship in the first place. For people in relationships, a long-term effect of repeatedly using self-defensive strategies might be to see your fears turn into reality, like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Difficulties in intimate relationships are among the top main reasons for seeking counselling. Such difficulties are also significant contributors to anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.

So, what we can you do about it?

I have seen countless testimonials from people who sabotaged their relationships and felt helpless and hopeless. But here are three ways to do something about it:

• insight: we need to know who we are first, and the “baggage” we bring to relationships. Be honest with yourself and your partner about your fears and what you might be struggling with

• expectations: we need to manage our expectations of romantic engagements. Understand what you can realistically expect of yourself and your partners

• collaboration: you need to collaborate with your partner to implement strategies to maintain a healthy relationship. This means learning how to communicate better (across all topics, while being honest) and showing flexibility and understanding, especially when dealing with conflict.

Above all, believe you can have healthy relationships and deserve to be loved.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Raquel Peel, Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Image: Getty Images

Images: Instagram 

Sunrise host David ‘Kochie’ has announced the arrival of his seventh grandchild.

“Welcome to the family Florence May Brown, 52cm, 3.6kg, grandchild #7, Port Adelaide member,” he proudly announced on Facebook.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kochie_Online (@kochie_online)

“You’re a very lucky girl having incredible parents in Sam and Toby and such loving big sisters and brother… Matilda, Lila and Oscar.”

Baby Florence is the fourth child for Kochie’s daughter, Samantha Brown who has three other children – Lila, Oscar and Matilda.

It took Kochie eight months to meet his last grandchild due to Western Australia’s tough border stance. He met his granddaughter Ella in December 2020, eight months after his daughter Brianna and partner CJ Jayasinghe welcomed the baby girl in Perth.

Like many Australian families, the doting grandfather was unable to visit his sixth grandchild sooner because of the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

He previously got emotional while interviewing his daughter as she held her precious little girl live on Sunrise.

The day finally came when Kochie and wife Libby, who are based in Sydney, picked up their West Australian relatives from the airport ahead of Christmas.

“When Poppy met Ella,” he captioned an adorable set of photos on Instagram.

Two Melbourne teens have stolen the show this Halloween with their couples’ costume: premiers Daniel Andrews and Gladys Berejiklian as we know them best, giving their daily COVID-19 press conferences.

The two VCE students shared a series of videos of them in costume as the former NSW premier and current Victorian premier ahead of Halloween this weekend, with one video of the pair shaking hands and then twerking racking up over one million views.

Two of the videos feature Andrews ‘punching’ at Berejiklian, most likely hinting at the interstate rivalries that have only become more stark during the pandemic. Berejiklian is currently facing an ICAC inquiry into her conduct as premier, particularly in relation to her clandestine relationship with former NSW Liberal MP Daryl Maguire.

A third video features the pair strutting and dancing to the post-lockdown anthem consisting of a remixed version of Andrews’ famous rallying cry of ‘get on the beers’.

@jupiterofpentaclez

@daniel.andrews please please #vce #melbourne

♬ VOID BY LIL NAS X - lil nas x

@jupiterofpentaclez

DAN PLEASE @daniel.andrews we love you

♬ I"m Legit - Nicki Minaj

@jupiterofpentaclez

@daniel.andrews notice us daddy Dan #melbourne #vce #year12

♬ Get on the Beers - Mashd N Kutcher

The costumes look relatively simple - business casual clothing, wigs, glasses, and masks, naturally - but the cardboard backgrounds featuring the NSW Health and Victorian State Government logos really seal the deal, and are an obvious highlight.

User jupiterofpentaclez, who posted the videos, commented ‘please get this on The Project’ underneath one of the videos, prompting people, including comedian Nazeem Hussain, who regularly appears on the program, to tag The Project in an effort to draw their attention.

Being VCE students, the pair would currently be in the middle of their examination period, so what better way to blow off steam than dress up as some of the country’s best known politicians and dance?

Image: jupiterofpentaclez/Tiktok

Ellie Smith has put out yet another heart-wrenching plea for the safe return of her daughter, Cleo.

As Halloween celebrations came and went, with children across WA trick or treating, Ms Smith said her family missed the four-year-old more than ever.

“Every day is getting harder without my shining bright light,” she said on Instagram.

“Today she missed Halloween with her family – her cousins, aunties, uncles, nannas and pop but most of all her parents and baby sister. She needs us and we need her.”

“I need my baby girl home, please I beg you!

“If you have ANYONE acting suspicious PLEASE CALL if you’ve seen her, CALL!

“If you have any important information CALL!”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ellie Smith (@elliejaydee23)

Ms Smith signed off with the emergency number 1800 333 000.

Little Cleo has not been seen since she vanished from the family’s tent more than two weeks ago in the early hours of Saturday, October 16. Despite an extensive search and ongoing investigation, there appear to be no suspects of her abduction.

In March 1984, 11-year-old Jody Plauche was kidnapped from his home in Louisiana by his karate teacher Jeff Doucet. 

Jeff took Jody to a motel in California, over 3,200km from his home, before inflicting a horrific campaign of sexual abuse and grooming on the child. 

When Jody was found and Jeff was shipped back to Louisiana, a camera crew and several journalists were waiting for the paedophile at the airport. 

Amongst the media flock, Jody"s father Gary was waiting with his back turned and disguising his identity with a lowered baseball cap and sunglasses. 

As Jeff was paraded past him, the furious father turned around, drew a gun, pulled the trigger and fired a single shot into the side of Doucet"s head at point blank range live on the 6pm news bulletin. 

Now, 37 years later, Jody has recalled the traumatising ordeal in his autobiography. 

He discusses how many Americans hailed his father a "hero" for carrying out the revenge killing, but he didn"t agree. 

The author said, “At first I was upset with what my father did because at age 11 – I just wanted Jeff to stop and not necessarily dead.”

Gary spent the weekend in jail over the killing, but ended up serving no prison time. 

He was given a suspended sentence for manslaughter along with probation and community service, 

The judge ruled that there was no risk of him ever committing another crime, and said sending him to prison would not help anyone, so he was set free. 

Jody recalls watching the video of his father shooting down his abuser, and said it felt surreal. 

“I had already looked at the paper, something I was told not to do. It was almost as if it wasn’t real,” Jody told The Sun.

He even recorded the footage on a VHS tape and would watch it “over and over”, becoming obsessed with it as he attempted to process what happened.

Jody said he continues to struggle with the traumatising events, and why he doesn"t agree with his dad"s hero status. 

“I think for a lot of people who have not been satisfied by the American justice system my dad stands as a symbol of justice,” he said.

“My dad did what everybody says what they would do yet only few have done it. Plus, he didn’t go to jail.”

“That said, I cannot and will not condone his behaviour. But I understand why he did what he did."

Image credits: Supplied

The director of the United Nations’ World Food Program has called on billionaires to “step up now, on a one-time basis” to solve world hunger, claiming it would require only a fraction of their wealth.

In an interview with CNN, David Beasley specifically mentioned Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, the world’s richest men, in his appeal.

“$USD 6 ($AUD 7.9 or $NZD 8.36) billion to help 42 million people that are literally going to die if we don’t reach them. It’s not complicated,” he said.

With Mr Musk’s net worth totalling almost $USD 289 ($AUD 384 or $NZD 402) billion according to Bloomberg, the sum Mr Beasley is asking for would equate to just two percent of his fortune.

$36 billion in one day - @elonmusk"s net worth increase due to a @Tesla / @Hertz deal. Congratulations, Elon! 1/6 of your one day increase would save 42 million lives that are knocking on famine"s door. Unprecedented crisis. Unprecedented wealth. Help!! https://t.co/n4hfpl5NRE

— David Beasley (@WFPChief) October 28, 2021

Mr Beasley has also taken to social media to call out the billionaires.

“Congratulations, Elon!” Mr Beasley wrote on Twitter after Mr Musk’s wealth increased by $29 billion in a single day.

“1/6 of your one day increase would save 42 million lives that are knocking on famine’s door. Unprecedented crisis. Unprecedented wealth. Help!”

Congratulations to @elonmusk for passing up @JeffBezos as the world’s richest person - worth a whopping $221B! 🥇 Elon, to celebrate I’m offering you a once in a lifetime opportunity: help us save 42M people from starvation for just $6.6B!! Offer expires SOON.. and lives do too.

— David Beasley (@WFPChief) October 19, 2021

Mr Beasley went on to say that many nations are “knocking on famine’s door”, due to a “perfect storm” of crises including climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For example, take the United States and the region in Central America, the Dry Corridor, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua - just down in that area alone,” Mr Beasley said.

“We’re feeding a lot of people down there and the climate is just changing with hurricanes and flash flooding; it’s just devastating.”

According to a World Food Program (WFP) report released earlier in the week, 22.8 million people in Afghanistan - almost half the population - are facing an acute hunger crisis.

Meanwhile, the WFP estimates that 5.2 million people in Ethiopia urgently need food assistance. Mr Beasley said humanitarian organisations such as the WFP have also struggled to deliver supplies to people in the region due to ongoing conflicts between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

“I don’t know where they’re getting the food from,” he said. “We’re out of fuel. We’re out of cash, in terms of paying our people and we are running out of money and we can’t get our trucks in.”

The struggle to feed millions around the world comes as both Mr Bezos and Mr Musk make continued investments in private space travel, which has been criticised by environmentally-minded individuals such as Prince William.

Image: @elonmusk / Instagram

Image: 7 News

Aussies looking to win a million dollars at the cost of a COVID-19 vaccine as part of the Million Dollar Vax campaign have until October 31st to receive their first or second dose.

Most Australians will be eligible for an entry into the lottery after the national vaccine rate for over 16s on Friday increased to 76.2%.

The campaign will give away $4.1 million worth of prizes, with the big ticket item of $1 million in cash drawn on the 5th of November.

Funded by philanthropists and corporations, the campaign aims to boost national vaccination rates above 80%, a key reopening target under the national plan.

But Craig Winkler of Million Dollar Vax Alliance says it is not designed to convince vaccine hesitant Australians to get the jab.

“That’s a decision you should make in consultation with a health professional,” he said in a statement earlier in October.

“The promotion simply seeks to reward people who decide to vaccinated now rather than waiting, so that we can reduce the community impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“The faster we reach higher vaccination rates nationally, higher than 80% the sooner we can all safely resume our full range of community and business activity.”

“The promotion simply seeks to reward people who decide to be vaccinated now rather than waiting.”

Australia’s vaccination rates have soared in recent months as supply issues eased.

The federal government had been considering incentives to encourage people to get the jab before lockdown-inducing outbreaks of the highly infectious Delta variant in NSW and Victoria.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has endorsed the concept after his state announced a mandate for more than a million authorised workers.

“It’s great. I’m not fussed on what motivates you, whether it is for your health or to help the people you love, to protect our health system and our nurses, or to win $1 million,” he told reporters earlier in October.

“Just go get vaccinated. That is what I am asking because it is our way out of this.”

The initiative is inspired by the Ohio ‘Vax-A-Million’ campaign in the US.

All Australian adults are eligible to enter the competition online, as long as they’ve had their first dose on or before October 31. Prizes will only be dished out to those who are fully vaccinated by the 13th of December, six weeks after cut-off date.

Vaccinated Australian’s over 18 who have been or will be vaccinated can enter here.

https://milliondollarvax.com/

As investigators continue to determine what led to the fatal shooting of a cinematographer on the set of Rust, complaints about armour Hannah Gutierrez-Reed have emerged from her last movie.

The 24-year-old armourer was the subject of several complaints from crew members working on the 2022 film The Old Way, including the film’s key grip, Stu Brumbaugh.

The Western film, starring Nicolas Cage, was Ms Gutierrez-Reed’s first job as head armourer after she graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2020.

24 year old Hannah Gutierrez-Reed the set armorer that was hired by Rust Movie Productions and is responsible for all guns on the Alec Baldwin Western Film ‘Rust’ in New Mexico has deleted her TikTok and Twitter and also her Facebook and Instagram accounts. pic.twitter.com/NvCJiTUCMu

— 🌈 (@MagicZoetrope) October 24, 2021

Mr Brumbaugh told TheWrap that Ms Gutierrez-Reed failed to follow basic gun safety protocols.

He said Nicolas Cage yelled at Ms Gutierrez-Reed after she discharged a weapon for the second time in three days without warning, saying: “Make an announcement, you just blew my f**king eardrums out!” before walking off set.

Mr Brumbaugh said he urged the assistant director to fire the armourer, and said the film’s low budget led to her filling the role despite her lack of experience.

“After the second round I was pissed off. We were moving too fast. She’s a rookie,” he said.

He also argued that Ms Gutierrez-Reed should have had additional help on both The Old Way and Rust.

“I would have had minimum two more people. She was doing everything by herself in that movie and on the other movie (Rust),” he said. “If there was one more person in the other movie the tragedy wouldn’t have happened.”

Two anonymous sources also told The Daily Beast that Ms Gutierrez-Reed about worrisome gun safety issues on the set. According to the sources, the armourer gave a gun to child actress Ryan Kiera Armstrong without properly checking the weapon first and was “a bit careless with the guns”.

“There were a couple of times she was loading the blanks and doing it in a fashion that we thought was unsafe,” one source added.

However, Jeffrey W. Crow, the prop master who supervised Ms Gutierrez-Reed in her first armourer role, told the LA Times  that despite his initial doubts, she was scrupulous.

“All the armourers I knew and tried to bring in were working already, so I left it up to producers,” Mr Crow told the publication.

“I had never heard about Hannah until I was informed she would be my armourer, but my skepticism of her initially, about her lack of experience, was allayed after I’d worked with her.” 

As for the incident on the set of Rust, Mr Crow said he was “surprised that any of this happened under her watch”.

“I thought she was exceptionally young, up-and-coming, very eager and talented armourer,” he said.

“She was without a lot of experience, but coming from her family lineage, I thought she was exceptional, professional, and I thought she had - and I still think she has - many years of an amazing career ahead of her.”

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Although he didn’t want to speculate on what had occurred on the day of the fatal shooting, Mr Crow shared his hopes that Ms Gutierrez-Reed would be exonerated.

“This is not a typical role for women - especially a young woman,” he said. “I had a lot of faith in her, and I still do. I’m gonna be surprised if there was anything she was ultimately responsible for in all this, just seeing how she acted in the past. This is all such a surprise.”

Signage directing people to the set for “Rust”. Image: Getty Images

On October 21, actor Alec Baldwin accidentally discharged a gun while pointing it at the camera, injuring one of the filmmakers and fatally injuring cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

According to documents released earlier this week, the star was rehearsing drawing the revolver across his body while Ms Hutchins and Joel Souza were checking camera angles.

Investigations by the Santa Fe County have also revealed that Mr Baldwin fired a lead projectile, with authorities seizing approximately 500 rounds from the film set.

Image: Twitter

World-first technology has opened doors for new treatment of Parkinson’s disease, with the new wireless implants being dubbed a “miracle” by patients.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implants reduce the symptoms of Parkinsons, and have required adjusting from a neurologist every time a patient’s condition changes - until now.

The new technology from neuromodulation company Abbott allows specialists to adjust DBS devices remotely over the internet.

For 70-year-old Clive Couperthwaite, the first patient to use the new tech as part of a clinical trial last year, the development has put an end to his two-hour commutes for 20-minute adjustments to his implant.

 “I’m not the patient that lives the furthest away, but it’s a complication to get in [to visit a specialist] … if you live in Longreach or some place out of the city - it’s a major demand, Mr Couperthwaite said.

“When you live so far away from your specialist, it’s anxiety-provoking because what if something goes wrong.

Clive Couperthwaite, the first person to use the new remote technology. Image: Abbott / YouTube

“You feel like you can live again - you don’t have to keep looking over your shoulder.”

The technology has been approved for use in Australia, Europe, and the United States.

Professor Peter Silburn, a neurologist from the Queensland Brain Institute, said the development of the new technology has been “the most exciting development” in treatment of the neurological disease since the DBS device itself.

The DBS device works as a pacemaker for the brain, sending electrical signals to areas responsible for movement to reduce symptoms.

“We take away the cardinal symptoms of Parkinson’s and we’re able to take the drugs right down - if not stop them all together,” Dr Silburn said.

Two electrodes are implanted in the brain and receive electrical signals from the device, implanted in the chest. Image: Abbott / YouTube

Without the new technology, Dr Silburn said the device may need to be adjusted as frequently as every two weeks.

Now, the wireless technology allows specialists such as Dr Silburn to connect with patients via an app installed on paired devices - meaning that adjustments can be made from anywhere in the world.

“This is going to have a major impact for particularly regional Australians,” Dr Silburn said.

“It reduces the burden of care, whether you’re remote in the bush or an hour away in the car - someone has to give up their time to bring you in.

“If you’re way out in the middle of Australia and something goes wrong, you need to have a Careflight, that could be completely eliminated.”

Mr Couperthwaite said the DBS implant is the source of his autonomy, allowing him to complete tasks from painting to kayaking.

“Before I was shaking through my hands, I couldn’t write my name legibly,” he said.

Migual Diaz, the chief executive of Parkinson’s Australia, said the new development could lead more people to pursue DBS as a form of treatment, especially if they are geographically isolated.

“People [who] may have been put off by the fact that you have to come to Brisbane to have [adjustments] and have opted not to have DBS surgery might now reconsider that,” he said.

“Currently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s, so anything that will improve their wellbeing is an absolute benefit and we’ve got to pursue it.”

The technology has been made available to select hospitals, with the expectation it will be available nation-wide by 2022.

Image: Abbott / YouTube

Netflix’s dystopian Korean drama Squid Game has become the streaming platform’s biggest-ever series launch, with 111 million viewers watching at least two minutes of an episode.

Out of the thousands of programmes available on Netflix globally, how did so many people end up watching the same show? The easy answer is an algorithm – a computer program that offers us personalised recommendations on a platform based on our data and that of other users.

Streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify and Amazon Prime have undoubtedly reshaped the way we consume media, primarily by massively increasing the film, music and TV available to viewers.

How do we cope with so many options? Services like Netflix use algorithms to guide our attention in certain directions, organising content and keeping us active on the platform. As soon as we open the app the personalisation processes begin.

Our cultural landscape is now automated rather than simply being a product of our previous experiences, background and social circles. These algorithms don’t just respond to our tastes, they also shape and influence them.

But focusing too much on the algorithm misses another important cultural transformation that has happened. To make all this content manageable, streaming platforms have introduced new ways of organising culture for us. The categories used to label culture into genres have always been important, but they took on new forms and power with streaming.

Classifying our tastes

The possibilities of streaming have inspired a new “classificatory imagination”. I coined this term to describe how viewing the world through genres, labels and categories helps shape our own identities and sense of place in the world.

While 50 years ago, you might have discovered a handful of music genres through friends or by going to the record shop, the advent of streaming has brought classification and genre to our media consumption on a grand scale. Spotify alone has over five thousand music genres. Listeners also come up with their own genre labels when creating playlists. We are constantly fed new labels and categories as we consume music, films and television.

Thanks to these categories, our tastes can be more specific and eclectic, and our identities more fluid. These personalised recommendations and algorithms can also shape our tastes. My own personalised end-of-year review from Spotify told me that “chamber psych” – a category I’d never heard of – was my second-favourite genre. I found myself searching to find out what it was, and to discover the artists attached to it.

These hyper-specific categories are created and stored in metadata – the behind-the-scenes codes that support platforms like Spotify. They are the basis for personalised recommendations, and they help decide what we consume. If we think of Netflix as a vast archive of TV and film, the way it is organised through metadata decides what is discovered from within it.

On Netflix, the thousands of categories range from familiar film genres like horror, documentary and romance, to the hyper-specific “campy foreign movies from the 1970s”.

While Squid Game is labelled with the genres “Korean, TV thrillers, drama” to the public, there are thousands of more specific categories in Netflix’s metadata that are shaping our consumption. The personalised homepage uses algorithms to offer you certain genre categories, as well as specific shows. Because most of it is in the metadata, we may not be aware of what categories are being served to us.

Take Squid Game – it might well be that the way to have a large launch is partly to do with the algorithmic promotion of widely watched content. Its success is an example of how algorithms can reinforce what is already popular. As on social media, once a trend starts to catch on, algorithms can direct even more attention toward it. Netflix categorises do this too, telling us what programmes are trending or popular in our local area.

Who is in control?

As everyday media consumers, we are still at the edge of what we understand about the workings and potential of these recommendation algorithms. We should also consider some of the potential consequences of the classificatory imagination.

The classification of culture could shut us out to certain categories or voices – this can be limiting or even harmful, as is the case with how misinformation is spread on social media.

Our social connections are also profoundly shaped by the culture we consume, so these labels can ultimately affect who we interact with.

The positives are obvious – personalised recommendations from Netflix and Spotify help us find exactly what we like in an incomprehensible number of options. The question is: who decides what the labels are, what gets put into these boxes and, therefore, what we end up watching, listening to and reading?

David Beer, Professor of Sociology, University of York

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Image: Shutterstock

English departments are strange places. Even to those of us who spend our working lives inside them, they can seem utterly mysterious. Those looking in from outside must find them even more baffling. What exactly do lecturers do all day? They teach and interact with students, but what happens the rest of the time?

Literary scholars everywhere, writes Terry Eagleton, “live in a state of dread – a dread that one day, someone … will suddenly get wise to the fact that we draw salaries for reading poems and novels.” This fact, say Eagleton, “is as scandalous as being paid for sunbathing [or] eating chocolate.”

He has a point.

Harvard professor Deidre Shauna Lynch says even more bluntly that what English academics get up to simply “does not look like work” to those on the outside. Those of us writing on literature, she suggests, must make our peace with this fact. We must resign ourselves to being largely unknown to the broader culture, living in quiet obscurity.

And yet, as Netflix’s The Chair makes clear, life within an English department can actually look a lot like life in any other workplace. At the fictional Pembroke University, there are familiar office politics and dramas, as well as the usual mixture of ambition, resentment, and status-seeking that exist elsewhere. Professor Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh) steers a team of colleagues who have eccentric literary quirks but are recognisable figures in many workplaces.

If you enjoyed this series, I’d recommend checking out these four novels, all of which offer compelling depictions of English departments. Forget the Campus Novel – the English Department Novel is a more interesting sub-genre.

1. Richard Russo, Straight Man (1997)

Russo’s comic novel shares many similarities with The Chair. It centres on the madcap adventures of William Henry Devereaux, Jr., who chairs an English department similar in size to that of Pembroke. Furious about recent financial cuts, Devereaux takes matters into his own hands. He uses a local television network to publicise his cause, threatening to kill one goose from the university pond every day until his department’s budget is reinstated.

Russo emphasises the slapstick, farcical side of departmental politics. Straight Man is a glorious send up of self-serious academics, the politics of literary theory, and intellectual ambition.

It also offers a perfect gloss on the old adage that academic politics are so vicious precisely because the stakes are so low. I strongly suspect that the writers of The Chair had Devereaux in mind while creating the similarly hapless Bill Dobson (Jay Duplass).

2. John Williams, Stoner (1965)

John Williams may well have written the most moving novel ever to be set in an English department.

In understated, elegiac prose, Williams gives us the tragic life story of William Stoner, an obscure English professor at the University of Missouri, who enters as an agriculture student but develops a lifelong passion for literature. He lives his entire life against the backdrop of the university, and all of his significant relationships are found within the English department.

While Stoner’s contributions to the field seem middling to his colleagues, he inspires generations of students with his generous and rigorous teaching. His personal life may well be a kind of tragedy, but he finds redemption in his teaching and research, and a true home in the department.

Williams gives us an example of the English department novel at its most existential and weighty, one beloved of readers inside and outside the academy.

3. Mary McCarthy, The Groves of Academe (1952)

McCarthy’s novel takes us back to comedy once again, mining the same territory as The Chair and Straight Man but written well in advance of either. Drawing on her own experiences at Bard College and elsewhere, McCarthy gives us a farce with a serious political edge. Set at the fictional Jocelyn College, the novel centres on Henry Mulcahy, an expert on James Joyce who learns he has been let go, seemingly without cause.

As he fights to save his position, McCarthy shows us the subtle and shifting nature of allegiances within the English departments she knew firsthand, as well as the petty disputes and lurid scandals they can harbour. She pulls no punches, laying bare the gossip, naked careerism, and backstabbing that even seemingly mild-mannered English academics are capable of.

The novel also gives us a classic bait-and-switch. The central character, Mulcahy, whom we initially see as sympathetic and unfairly mistreated, slowly comes into focus as manipulative and profoundly unlikable. As we begin to see the central events from the perspective of once minor characters, the truth is revealed, and McCarthy skillfully shows us the mistakes of our earlier judgments.

4. Wallace Stegner, Crossing to Safety (1987)

This wise and moving novel explores the lifelong friendship between two couples, Larry and Sally Morgan and Sid and Charity Lang. Sid and Larry are English professors in Madison, Wisconsin, and the novel follows them as they chase literary ambitions while also managing substantial teaching duties.

Both are striving for tenure and are forced to negotiate complicated faculty politics. Ultimately, this is a novel about “quiet lives,” as the narrator tells us. Its great themes are friendship, marriage, and the nature of love.

And while the English department often fades into the background as Stegner explores other aspects of his characters’ lives, its politics are never far away. Sid and Larry are often concerned with the petty machinations of their academic colleagues, and Crossing to Safety includes many details that still resonate with life at a university today. Stegner’s novel also offers a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of literary studies from the 1930s to the 1970s.

Of course, there are many other novels within this sub-genre, including David Lodge’s beloved campus trilogy, as well as novels by Vladimir Nabokov, J.M. Coetzee, and others. While eating chocolate and sunbathing wouldn’t necessarily make for interesting fiction, life in an English department, it seems, certainly does.

Lucas Thompson, Lecturer, Department of English, University of Sydney

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Image: Netflix

One of Sydney’s rare legitimate castles has been sold, with industry sources claiming its new owners paid between $5.25 million and $5.75 million.

Agent Ben Cohen, of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty, confirmed that Killarney Castle was sold to a young couple last week, though he would not confirm the final selling price.

The unusual home was inspired by the historic homes in Ireland and built by Irish-born auctioneer Thomas Edward Taylor between 1905 and 1918.

Made of hand-hewn sandstone that was quarried on-site, the castle comes with battlements and a widow"s walk/turret tower, as well as leadlight windows, high ceilings, and an ornate staircase.

Despite its traditional appearance, the interiors of the five-bedroom home have been renovated to include modern finishes, such as a new kitchen with timber joinery, a solar swimming pool, air conditioning and heating.

The home also boasts a multi-purpose studio, gym, wine cellar, double garage, games room, potential au pair accommodation, and sandstone balconies overlooking the established gardens.

Mr Cohen said he and his colleague, Mark Goldman, had received an “enormous amount of interest” and issued seven contracts to potential buyers.

“What a phenomenal property - I must say it was a lot of fun selling this property,” Mr Cohen said.

He said buyers had also been surprised by the property during inspections, as “you realise it is a very functional family home”.

Images: Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty

Which chore suits you best?

As much as well all moan and groan about chores, we all have one that we really don’t mind. After all, how satisfying is cleaning up a burnt pan you thought was destined for the bin? Or even getting rid of the fingerprints that always seem to appear on your stainless steel appliances?  Find out what chores are best suited to you.

Aries (March 21 – April 19): taking out the rubbish

You’re a leader, not a follower, Aries. So if you think you’re going to wait around for someone else in your family to take out the overflowing rubbish (or recycling), think again. You’re the type that will do it before anyone even asks/notices/reminds you.

Taurus (April 20 – May 20): watering the plants

If you’re a Taurus, chances are you have a special bond with Mother Nature, meaning you have more of a green thumb than your fellow star signs. So any chores that involve nature – like watering the plants and gardening – are likely to be on your to-do list.

Gemini (May 21 – June 20): washing the car

Friday night dinner with friends? A church potluck? Your colleague’s birthday party? You RSVP yes to all of the above, Gem. To keep up your social butterfly status, you’ll need your car to get from place to place – so take care of your chariot by washing it often.

Cancer (June 21 – July 22): vacuuming

If we had to define you in one word, Cancer, it would be homebody (and that’s not a bad thing!). And since you love where you live so much, dirty floors just aren’t going to cut it. Hence, if you had your choice of chores, you’d likely grab the vacuum cleaner.

Leo (July 23 – August 22): washing dishes

You like to be in control in every aspect of your life, Leo – including when it comes to household chores. One task you aren’t willing to delegate? Washing the dishes. You’re convinced no one does it as well as you do (and you’re probably right!).

Virgo (August 25 – September 22): organising

Some call it OCD, some call it being a Virgo. Regardless, your perfectionistic tendencies mean you like everything to be in its proper place.

Libra (September 23 – October 22): making the bed

You’re a lot of great things, Libra: charming, happy, optimistic. But you’re also not that interested in housework. That means you like to 1) spend a lot of time in bed and 2) spend very little time doing chores. So changing the sheets and making your bed is about the extent of your chore duties.

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21): dusting

The only thing that’s more mysterious than a Scorpio? How so much dust can accumulate on your furniture (and your baseboards) in just a week. Uncovering what’s beneath the grime is similar to the way people have to peel back your layers to get to know you, Scorp.

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21): cleaning the bathroom

Everything you do, you do enthusiastically, Sagittarius. And of all the spots in your house that deserve such a thorough cleaning the bathroom is number one (the toilet! the bathtub! the floor!).

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19): scrubbing the floors

It takes an admirable amount of self-discipline to remember to scrub the floor every week, let alone motivate yourself to actually do it. But thanks to your incredible work ethic, Cap, you’re on it – and as a result, your floors are sparkly clean.

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18): laundry

Why fit in when you can stand out? That’s your motto, Aquarius, and one way to express your originality is through what you wear. All those clothes need to be washed before your next party, though, so laundry is something you’re probably pretty good at.

Pisces (February 19 – March 20): cooking

You love getting creative in the kitchen, Pisces, so cooking dinner for the fam hardly feels like a chore to you. Whether you’re experimenting with a new air fryer recipe or whipping up everyone’s favourite comfort food, you’re always mixing it up (figuratively and literally).

Written by Amanda Tarlton. This article first appeared in Reader’s Digest. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription offer.

Image: Shutterstock

A piece of horror history is up for grabs, as the home featured in A Nightmare on Elm Street has been listed for sale right before Halloween.

The Los Angeles property served as the home of teenager Nancy Thompson (Heather Lagenkamp) in the classic 1984 horror flick about serial killer Freddy Krueger.

Since the movie mostly used the exterior of the home - which retains its iconic green and white facade - the inside is less nightmarish than you’d expect.

Inside the Dutch Colonial-style home you’ll find walnut floors throughout, patios, terraces, and French doors that open out to sights of the stunning grounds.

The 640-square-metre property also comes with a detached guest house, which the listing describes as “charm personified”.

Still, the realtors have enlisted the help of the horror icon to sell the home. On top of the typical shots of the property, agents Heather Roy and Learka Bosnak brought in a colleague dressed as Freddy Krueger to appear in some additional photos while performing mundane tasks.

The home has been listed by Douglas Elliman for $USD 3.25 million ($AUD 4.33 million), with offers due before the spookily appropriate date of October 31.

Images: New Line Cinema, Anthony Barcelo

Superstar Tina Arena has listed her Melbourne home once again, seven months after taking it off the market.

The five-bedroom home is nestled in the elite suburb of Toorak in Melbourne’s inner-south and has been re-listed with an asking price between $7-7.5 million.

The famed pop singer first purchased the property in 2017, dropping $5.733 million for it.

Arena first listed the home through RT Edgar for $7 million, but pulled it from the market after changing her mind.

The 838-square-metre property boasts north-facing gardens and a verdant verandah that spills into a tranquil pool area.

“It’s beautiful and it’s warm and it’s just got a wonderful feel to it,” said Justin Long, one of the realtors handling inquiries for the home for Marshall White.

“It’d be a heaven-sent spot to be.”

Inside, the home features minimalist decor and bright interiors, as well as a large granite kitchen, three bedrooms with built-in robes, and a master bedroom with its own sun-filled terrace, a dressing room or study nook and an ensuite.

The house has also been owned by Hollywood silent actor Claire Adams, ANZAC commander Colonel Sir George Stevenson, and Victorian Premier Sir Stanley Argyle.

Images: @tinaarena / Instagram, Marshall White