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Woman's hilarious baby name idea sparks divided response

When it comes to choosing a name for your child, people pull inspiration from many different places. For a lot of families, people use the names of grandparents or traditional family names to carry on to the next generation, while others may choose to use more modern and unique names to break the mould. But now, one Aussie baby name consultant has sparked a flood of hilarious responses as she asked a question about how to select a name based on the place you met your child's other parent. While the expert Michelle Casey may have been implying names such as cities or countries, others were quick to share their own hilarious interpretation. Among the standout suggestions were "Rehab", "Delusion", "Gas Station", and "Church Parking Lot", before people then offered up the names of dating apps such as "Tinder" or "Bumble". All hope wasn't lost, however, as a few couples shared their heartwarming stories of where the unusual concept actually worked out. "We did just that," one person commented, "Our two year old is named Olive. We met working at Olive Garden as teenagers." While someone else shared their daughter Julia was named after her parents meeting place, "Saint Julian's in Malta". Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Our dogs can terrify (and even kill) wildlife. Here’s how to be a responsible owner this summer

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/melissa-starling-461103">Melissa Starling</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> In Australia, dog ownership often goes hand-in-hand with a love for the great outdoors. Whether it’s walking on the beach, going camping, or having a barbecue in the park, we tend to keep our canine companions close as we soak up the sun. But many of us forget a key fact about our dogs: they are predators. Even the fluffy little 5kg ball that spends most of its time in your lap derives from an apex predator – and its predatory instincts can kick in at any time. And while many of our dogs don’t have the same hunting skills as their distant ancestors (who had to hunt for a living), wildlife doesn’t know that. The impacts of domestic dogs on wildlife aren’t well studied, and likely vary depending on the environment. Nonetheless, there’s good evidence domestic dogs, when left unobserved, can have detrimental effects in the places they visit. With that in mind, here are some things to consider next time you take your pup out for a bushwalk. <h2>How dogs impact ecosystems</h2> There are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0006320717305967">five main ways</a> domestic dogs can negatively impact the natural environments they visit. These are: <ol> <li>direct physical harm through predatory behaviour</li> <li>disturbance through chasing and harassment</li> <li>increased exposure to diseases</li> <li>interbreeding, which can alter the gene pool of wild canid populations</li> <li>increased competition for resources.</li> </ol> The good news is the last three points aren’t particularly relevant in Australia. For one thing, there’s little overlap between diseases common in domestic dogs and Australian wildlife. There’s also little resource overlap, except perhaps in some areas where feral or semi-feral dogs live alongside dingoes. And regarding potential interbreeding, while it was once thought this could threaten the dingo gene pool, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/mec.16998">recent research</a> suggests it’s not nearly as common as we thought. As such, the main harms Aussie dog owners should focus on are physical harms through predatory behaviour and disturbance to ecosystems. <h2>Dogs can kill</h2> We know dogs are capable of injuring and killing wildlife, but it’s difficult to determine how common this is, because many events go unreported. While smaller animals such as lizards, gliders and possums are at higher risk, larger species such as koalas can also fall prey to dogs. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0206958">One study</a> that looked at wildlife coming into care at Queensland rehabilitation centres reported dog attacks as the cause in about 9% of cases. These cases often resulted in severe injury or death. Dog owners should be especially wary of small, localised populations of vulnerable species. A <a href="https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/bitstream/handle/11336/202640/CONICET_Digital_Nro.29048152-7a5c-4ea2-8068-e73d42cba01d_B.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y">study</a> in Argentina’s Patagonia region details several cases of dogs decimating local penguin populations after gaining access to protected island areas during low tide. Not to mention, dog attacks on wildlife can bring risk to dogs as well. Kangaroos can defend themselves with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-16/mildura-man-fights-kangaroo-to-protect-dog/102983926">their powerful limbs</a>, monitor lizards are equipped with sharp claws and teeth, and many snake species <a href="https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/dogs-twice-as-likely-to-die-from-snake-bite-as-cats-research-finds-20200519-p54ufd.html">are highly venomous</a>. <h2>The impact of harassment</h2> You might think it’s harmless for your dog to chase wildlife if it never manages to catch the animals it chases, but that isn’t true. Wild animals optimise their behaviours to meet their needs for foraging, breeding and resting, and being chased by a dog can disrupt this. For example, certain threatened bird species will nest on the beach and find foraging opportunities based on the tides. One dog forcing one bird to abandon this important activity may have a small impact. But if it happens repeatedly throughout the day, it can become a <a href="https://wilderness-society.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Dogs-as-agents-of-disturbance-Michael-A.-Weston-and-Theodore-Stankowich.pdf">much bigger problem</a>. It may even drive animals out of the area. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2391219/">Research</a> conducted in Sydney has shown the mere presence of a leashed dog is enough to temporarily, yet dramatically, reduce the number of bird species detected. <h2>Keep an eye on your furry pal</h2> Responsible dog ownership involves making sure our dogs have a minimal impact on others, including wildlife. How can we achieve this when our dogs are simply engaging in behaviours that come naturally to them, and may even be rewarding for them? Training your dog to have general obedience – especially to come when called – is worth sinking considerable time and effort into. This can save both your dog and any wildlife they may be after. For instance, calling a dog away from a snake is one of the most effective ways of managing snake bite risk. One <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333344634_Applying_Social_Marketing_to_Koala_Conservation_The_Leave_It_Pilot_Program">pilot study</a> in Victoria found positive outcomes from a program that helped owners train their dogs to be more obedient around wildlife. That said, recall training is an art form, and recalling a dog that likes to run off and chase animals can be a huge challenge. Another solution is to rely on leashes when passing sensitive areas, or where there’s a risk of wildlife harassment. In Australia, many beaches that allow dogs have signs with information about vulnerable birds in the area and how to protect them from your dog. This could mean keeping your dog off rock platforms, leashing them when you see birds foraging on the beach, or keeping them out of fenced areas. Some areas are simply too vulnerable for dogs to run amok, so always look for signs and read them carefully. If you’re hiking, use a long line (a leash that’s more than five metres long) and look for signs of your dog detecting something of interest. Often their ears will come up high and forward, and they will freeze and stare intently. At this point, it doesn’t matter what they’re excited about: take the opportunity to leash them or shorten their leash, and get their attention before they can take off. Investing in a long leash will allow your dog more freedom without putting wildlife at risk. If your dog does injure an animal, you should quickly contact a wildlife rescue organisation or take the animal to a veterinary practice or sanctuary. For small animals, even minor injuries from a dog will usually require veterinary attention. It’s our responsibility to be respectful visitors when we’re out in nature, and to make sure our dogs are too. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214722/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/melissa-starling-461103">Melissa Starling</a>, Postdoctoral Researcher in Veterinary Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/our-dogs-can-terrify-and-even-kill-wildlife-heres-how-to-be-a-responsible-owner-this-summer-214722">original article</a>.

Family & Pets

Man's hilariously Aussie response to rising flood water

An Australian man has gone viral for his laid back response to flood waters rising around him, as Queensland continues to be ravaged by Cyclone Jasper. Gavin Dear, a man from the flood-stricken town of Helensvale, and two of his friends took off in his boat to help stranded locals who were displaced from the floods. While filming their rescue mission, the men came across Jonesy, a grey-haired shirtless man who was clinging to a gate as flood waters raced around him. In a clip shared to Facebook, a voice from behind the camera asked, "Jonesy, are you all right?" "Yeah mate. All good," Jonesy responded casually before raising concerns about others in danger nearby. When the men assured Jonesy his neighbours were safe, they asked him again if he needed assistance, to which he said, "Yeah nah mate, bloody fine." <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F10NewsQLD%2Fvideos%2F1334777510741703%2F&show_text=false&width=380&t=0" width="380" height="476" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Hundreds of social media users flocked to the comments section to express their praise for the Aussie larrikin. "There's no possible way this could be any more Far North Queensland," one said. "I think that was the most Australian moment since the first ever utterance of G'day," another wrote. "Surrounded by utter chaos, waist deep in flood water, chopper evac in the background, worried about the other blokes and a dog and saying 'yeah, I'm all good'." Others were quick to label the man "a bloody legend" for worrying about his community despite being half underwater himself. Image credits: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Aussie couple touched by neighbours kind response to crying baby

A Western Australia mum has shared the incredibly touching response her neighbour gave in response to her baby's crying. Amy Mark took to Facebook to share a photo of the note and a bundle of baby supplies that was left by her neighbour at her front door on Wednesday. "Hey, we are your neighbours from behind you," the note read. "We have heard your little bub crying a few times and thought we would drop off some nappies and wipes as we know how tough the early days are! "We hope this brightens your day," the note concluded. Amy captioned the photo: "Our neighbours left this note at our front door along with some nappies and wipes. Thank you for your kindness and being patient with the noise of a crying newborn." The mum told Daily Mail Australia that their newborn is often restless and night and struggles to fall asleep until 10pm. "We were worried about keeping the neighbours awake but it’s warming to know that some people understand the nighttime struggle," she told the publication. "A lot of parents have it harder than we do so we are grateful for the kind gesture and plan to pay it forward." Thousands of Aussies took to the comments to applaud the kind neighbours and also offered their sympathy for the new parents. "More people should be neighbours like this," one wrote. "What wonderful neighbours to have. That brought tears to my eyes," another commented. "Gifts and understanding, what more can you ask for?" a third added. A few other mum's took to the comments to share their experiences with thoughtful neighbours. One mum wrote: "I had a lovely neighbour who used to come hold and cuddle my twins while we chatted and it helped me get a few things done." Image: Facebook

Family & Pets

The life-saving item no Grey Nomad should travel without

When General Practitioner Paul Kelly hung up his stethoscope after nearly 40 years of dedicated service, he had a retirement dream shared by many Australians – hitting the open road and exploring the world with his wife, Robyn. However, with a history of heart problems, he was understandably hesitant about venturing far from medical facilities. His concerns were put to rest when a groundbreaking device, <a href="https://cellaed.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the CellAED personal defibrillator</a>, became available. Compact enough to fit in the glove box, this innovative device has opened up a world of possibilities for adventurers like Paul and Robyn. In Australia, a staggering 20,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrests outside of hospitals each year. Sadly, only 10% of them survive. The introduction of CellAED, a handheld defibrillator, is changing these grim statistics by providing a lifeline to those in remote areas. Paul and Robyn are enthusiastic members of this country's growing community of grey nomads. According to ABS data, nearly 16 million caravan and camping trips were made last year, with the majority taken by individuals in the age group most at risk of cardiac arrest. Therefore, it's not surprising that an increasing number of travellers, like Paul, are arming themselves with a CellAED as they embark on adventures across the country. Paul attributes the device to giving him the peace of mind and confidence to travel far and wide. In the past year alone, he has spent over four months caravanning along the picturesque Murray River, explored the coastlines of New South Wales and Victoria, and even managed a European holiday to France. With no intention of slowing down, Paul's trusted travel companion, the handheld defibrillator, has granted him the freedom to explore the heart of Australia without constant worry. "Hopefully, we'll never have reason to use it," Paul says, "but it sure takes the stress out of wondering what we'd do in an emergency." The CellAED defibrillator was developed by the Australian startup, Rapid Response Revival. This groundbreaking device is a game-changer because it's more affordable, portable and easier to use than conventional Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). Luke Starr, a spokesman for CellAED, emphasised the importance of addressing the issue of cardiac arrests in remote areas. He noted, "A key reason why so few survive sudden cardiac arrest is because help is too far away or too slow. CellAED was created to tackle that problem. "Travelling with a CellAED personal defibrillator isn't just about looking after yourself. It's about giving your traveling companions and the people you meet along the way a fighting chance if the unthinkable happens. Sudden cardiac arrest is survivable if it's witnessed by someone who knows what to do," Starr added. Starr further advised, "One of the best gifts you can give your travelling companions is learning how to recognise cardiac arrest and what to do if it happens. If someone has collapsed, is unresponsive, and isn't breathing normally, call emergency services, start CPR, and get a defibrillator onto their bare chest. If you can do this within the first couple of minutes of an arrest, you'll be giving the patient their best chances of survival." The CellAED invention aims to offer more people the opportunity to survive cardiac arrest without relying on sheer luck. With CPR training and a CellAED handy, individuals are prepared to save lives from cardiac arrest wherever they go. The groundbreaking invention comes after new research pointed towards alarming statistics about heart conditions in Australia, revealing that people living in regional, rural, or remote areas are 90% more likely to die from heart conditions caused by high blood pressure than their urban counterparts. The Heart of Inequality report from the Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research (MMIHR) at ACU underscores the stark disparities in heart disease outcomes across Australia, particularly affecting regional and Indigenous communities. Key findings from the report include the continuous increase in the burden of chronic heart disease, with hundreds of thousands of hospital admissions for heart-related conditions among Australians aged 35 and over. Moreover, Indigenous Australians living in remote areas develop heart failure on average 20 years earlier than the general population. So, as Australians continue to explore this vast and varied country, lifesaving innovations like the CellAED defibrillator are playing an increasingly crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of adventurers, particularly those in remote areas. Images: CellAED

Travel Trouble

These 7 genius hacks will revive almost any plant

Look for signs of life If your plant has turned brown and lost some leaves, don’t give up on it just yet. There is hope that you can revive a dead plant if the plant still has a few green leaves and pliable stems – buds are a sure sign too. Melinda Meyers, star and producer of Melinda’s Garden Moment TV and radio segments, says that reviving a plant takes patience (sometimes even years). Think about the water Plants that are over-watered appear wilted and may have brown or yellow leaves that make it look dead but with very moist soil. By contrast, if you have forgotten to water your plants, the leaves will be brown but dried around the edges or curled up. Master gardener, Kristena LaMar, says that if you suspect over-watering is the cause of your plant’s demise, repot your plant in dry dirt. And if your plant is thirsty, water it! However, hold off on fertilising until the plant is in better health. Meyers warns that, “Fertilising a struggling plant can injure the tender roots of a recovering plant.” Consider your lighting situation If you recently moved your plant to a new spot, it’s possible it’s no longer getting enough light. Even if you didn’t move it, it’s possible its lighting situation changed. Did you recently buy heavier drapes? Plant a tree outside that’s now blocking the indoor sunlight? Try moving your plant to a sunnier window if it needs a lot of light. (Same goes with a plant that’s now getting too much sun; try a different location in your home.) Find a humid spot Plants absorb water through leaves as well as roots. So keep your plant in a humid spot that’s not too sunny and not too dry to help it recover. Feed your plant carefully People and pets aren’t the only things in your house that need food; plants can get malnourished, too. (Signs are discoloured leaves or slow or no growth.) Meyers recommends a fertiliser/nutritional supplement. Depending on the nutritional deficiency, providing the nutrition can help the plant recover nearly immediately within days. Other deficiencies may take longer – as in weeks – while others are chronic and may not ever fully recover, although these are rare with houseplants. IV for plants Another option for malnourished plants is a water-soluble fertiliser that will slowly release nutrients and is less likely to burn your plant’s roots. Add it to the watering can before watering plants. Only use fertiliser during the time when your plant should be growing. Over-fertilising or using the wrong fertiliser can burn the roots of the plant. Compost If you’ve tried everything, and your plant still can’t be revived, it might be time to let go. By composting your plants, the remains can be recycled as nutrient-rich dirt that can help your next houseplant thrive. Don’t beat yourself up – and next time buy a hearty, nearly kill-proof cactus. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/7-hacks-that-will-revive-almost-any-plant" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Home & Garden

"His hero narrative has massively failed": Qantas staff's brutal response to Alan Joyce's early exit

A former Qantas pilot and several current staff members have recounted the moment they found out about now former-CEO Alan Joyce's early exit from the company. Joyce was planning to retire from his CEO role in November, but shocked the nation on <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/alan-joyce-announces-shock-early-departure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tuesday</a> when he decided he would be stepping back, effective immediately. His resignation comes after 22 years in the role, as Qantas continues to face mounting pressures over unprecedented customer dissatisfaction, and a looming glass action lawsuit over cancelled flights. Upon hearing the news, past and present Qantas employees erupted in celebration. Retired Qantas pilot captain Richard de Crespigny was on board a flight on Tuesday when the news broke mid-air that Joyce was gone, sparking extraordinary celebrations. "I was on a flight from Sydney to Melbourne this morning and when I landed the cabin crew were giving each other high-fives," de Crespigny told <a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/former-qantas-pilot-richard-de-crespigny-speaks-out-following-ceo-alan-joyce-resignation/18040563-db75-41c4-af7c-b5ed8af84bf6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Current Affair</a>. Another ground staff member said, "We're celebrating wildly, not just because he's leaving but because his hero narrative has massively failed." Mr de Crespigny, who worked for Qantas for 34 years warned the airline won't regain trust overnight just because Joyce has taken off. "It's built in teaspoons and destroyed in shovel loads," he said. "It takes incredible skill, determination and empathy to build it up; it's got to be protected." Mr de Crespigny went on to say the Qantas business restructure after the travel industry was decimated by the Covid pandemic was not good enough, and the upper management made some terrible decisions. During the pandemic, Mr Joyce locked out employees during an industrial dispute before hundreds of staff lost their jobs during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Some of them didn't come out of it well at all. They lost their jobs, they lost their houses, they lost their marriages," de Crespigny said. "The workers that held Qantas up … they really suffered greatly." "And it hasn't been a good vision to see the executive team, the CEO, continue to get bonuses at the expense of maybe baggage handlers and other people that have lost their jobs. This is not a good example of leadership." Image credits: A Current Affair

Travel Trouble

Aussie ranger's hilarious response to tourist's roo-diculous question

An Aussie ranger has shared a hilarious tongue-in-cheek response to a tourist's misguided question. Wildlife ranger Croc Turnbull took to TikTok to share the question he was sent by a man planning to travel Down under with his girlfriend, who asked if the couple could rent and ride a kangaroo while on their holiday. The ranger took the opportunity to hit the tourist with some classic Aussie sarcasm, with his response quickly going viral. "Yes, you can ride them," Croc said while sporting an Akubra. "The thing is though mate, you need to be an experienced rider". The crocodile wrangler casually and methodically explained the dangers associated with "riding a roo" and the different types of riding licences. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwUitvGJkMD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwUitvGJkMD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Steve Turnbull (@croc.tails)</a> </div> </blockquote> "Once you're experienced you can just hold on with one hand, then you've got a free hand to check your phone or drink your beer." Many flocked to the comments debating whether the tourist's "scary" question was real, while the ranger explained he had been asked far worse questions during his career. "Mate I get all sorts of weird questions, you would be surprised what tourists ask me," he told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/aussie-rangers-tongue-in-cheek-response-to-scary-question-from-tourist-065744110.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News Australia</a>. "Do roos run down the main street? Does the sun rise in the west in the southern hemisphere?" "It's amazing what you can make people believe if you keep a straight face and chuck a few big words in." Croc's convincing delivery and detailed response has won over thousands of Aussies who jumped in on the joke in the TikTok video's comment section. "My kangaroo licence was suspended for riding whilst intoxicated," one Aussie joked, while another complained about the unsuccessful launch of "Roober" in cities. Image credits: TikTok

Travel Trouble

"Leave the icebergs alone!": Absurd response to innocent Martha Stewart post

It just goes to show that you literally cannot post anything these days without someone, somewhere, finding a reason to be outraged. Martha Stewart, the domestic diva who's known for her knack at turning the mundane into the majestic, took her talents to the high seas recently on a luxury cruise to Greenland. And boy, did she leave a wake of icy commotion. At the ripe age of 82, Martha decided to shake things up (literally) by embarking on a nautical adventure that had some of her fans doing double takes into their morning coffee. Martha's Instagram carousel began innocently enough, with Martha gleefully showcasing her maritime escapade. There she was, drink held high, posing with the glacial wonders of the frozen north. But the pièce de résistance was the snapshot of her 'boozy iceberg' – the crucial ingredient in her icy concoctions, plucked straight from the chilly embrace of Greenland's waters. Sure enough, the comment section of her post became hotter than a sauna at a polar bear convention. Martha's loyal 1.9 million followers swiftly chimed in, and boy, was the temperature rising. Concerns over climate change flooded the scene, with plenty of followers quick to label Martha "tone deaf", wondering if the cocktails were chilled with obliviousness rather than glacier fragments. Martha's post read, "End of the first zodiac cruise from @swanhelleniccruises into a very beautiful fjord on the east coast of Greenland. We actually captured a small iceberg for our cocktails tonight." Oblivious to the fact that this is a completely standard part of such tours – and that the tiny "iceberg" fragments in question are plucked innocently from the ocean, the negative responses came crashing in. "Martha, leave the icebergs alone!" wrote one follower. "Martha the ice caps are melting don't put them in your drink," another "fan" chimed in. "I generally love Martha and the excesses of her life because [she's] about beautiful gardens, homes, food, but wealthy white people drinking their iceberg cocktails while the planet is in flames in a bit tone deaf," added another. "Global warming and melting ice caps but we need glacier ice for cocktails? Talk about tone def (sic). Been a fan for years but I've seen enough caviar lately as I struggle to buy groceries I'm out," another wrote. Talk about a tempest in a teacup – or perhaps, in this case, a tumbler. Martha's icy escapade melted some hearts and raised some temperatures, proving that even the most seasoned party thrower can stir up quite the social media storm. Images: Instagram

Travel Trouble

How biological differences between men and women alter immune responses – and affect women’s health

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-mcgettrick-1451122">Helen McGettrick</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asif-iqbal-1451123">Asif Iqbal</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a> Most people will have heard the term “man flu”, which refers to men’s perceived tendency to exaggerate the severity of a cold or a similar minor ailment. What most people may not know is that, generally speaking, women mount stronger <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36121220/">immune responses</a> to infections than men. Men are <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1005374">more susceptible</a> to infections from, for example, HIV, hepatitis B, and Plasmodium falciparum (the parasite responsible for malaria). They can also have more severe symptoms, with evidence showing they’re more likely to be <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1005374">admitted to hospital</a> when infected with hepatitis B, tuberculosis, and Campylobacter jejuni (a bacteria that causes gastroenteritis), among others. While this may be positive for women in some respects, it also means women are at <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri2815">greater risk</a> of developing chronic diseases driven by the immune system, known as immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Here we will explore how biological factors influence immune differences between the sexes and how this affects women’s health. While we acknowledge that both sex and gender may affect immune responses, this article will focus on biological sex rather than gender. <h2>Battle of the sexes</h2> There are differences <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.90">between the sexes</a> at every stage of the immune response, from the number of immune cells, to their degree of activation (how ready they are to respond to a challenge), and beyond. However, the story is more complicated than that. Our immune system evolves throughout our lives, learning from past experiences, but also responding to the physiological challenges of getting older. As a result, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.90">sex differences</a> in the immune system can be seen from birth through puberty into adulthood and <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jleukbio/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jleuko/qiad053/7190870">old age</a>. Why do these differences occur? The first part of answering this question involves the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X and one Y chromosome. The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20651746/">X chromosome</a> contains the largest number of immune-related genes. The X chromosome also has <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00018-020-03526-7">around 118 genes</a> from a gene family that are able to stop the expression of other genes, or change how proteins are made, including those required for immunity. These gene-protein regulators are known as microRNA, and there are only <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24808907/">two microRNA genes</a> on the Y chromosome. The X chromosome has <a href="https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/X-Chromosome-facts">more genes overall</a> (around 900) than the Y chromosome (around 55), so female cells have evolved to switch off one of their X chromosomes. This is not like turning off a light switch, but more like using a dimmer. Around <a href="https://bmcgenomics.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12864-019-5507-6">15-25% of genes</a> on the silenced X chromosome are expressed at any given moment in any given cell. This means female cells can often express more immune-related genes and gene-protein regulators than males. This generally means a faster clearance of pathogens in females than males. Second, men and women have <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.604000/full">varying levels</a> of different sex hormones. Progesterone and testosterone are broadly considered to limit immune responses. While both hormones are produced by males and females, progesterone is found at higher concentrations in non-menopausal women than men, and testosterone is much higher in men than women. The role of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6533072/">oestrogen</a>, one of the main female sex hormones, is more complicated. Although generally oestrogen <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000887491500026X?via%3Dihub">enhances immune responses</a>, its levels vary during the menstrual cycle, are high in pregnancy and low after menopause. Due in part to these genetic and hormonal factors, pregnancy and the years following are associated with heightened immune responses to external challenges such as infection. This has been regarded as an <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.90">evolutionary feature</a>, protecting women and their unborn children during pregnancy and enhancing the mother’s survival throughout the child-rearing years, ultimately ensuring the survival of the population. We also see this pattern in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2628977/">other species</a> including insects, lizards, birds and mammals. <h2>What does this all mean?</h2> With women’s heightened immune responses to infections comes an increased risk of certain diseases and prolonged immune responses after infections. An <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3328995/">estimated 75-80%</a> of all immune-mediated inflammatory diseases <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32542149/">occur in females</a>. Diseases more common in women include multiple sclerosis, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri2815">rheumatoid arthritis</a>, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome, and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.90">thyroid disorders</a> such as Graves disease. In these diseases, the immune system is continuously fighting against what it sees as a foreign agent. However, often this perceived threat is not a foreign agent, but cells or tissues from the host. This leads to tissue damage, pain and immobility. Women are also prone to chronic inflammation following infection. For example, after infections with <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5818468/">Epstein Barr virus</a> or <a href="https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2008.1193">Lyme disease</a>, they may go on to develop <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-cfs/">chronic fatigue syndrome</a>, another condition that affects more women than men. This is one possible explanation for the heightened risk among <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fresc.2023.1122673/full">pre-menopausal women</a> of developing long COVID following infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. Research has also revealed the presence of auto-antibodies (antibodies that attack the host) in patients with long COVID, suggesting it might be an <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1568997221000550">autoimmune disease</a>. As women are more susceptible to autoimmune conditions, this could potentially explain the sex bias seen. However, the exact causes of long COVID, and the reason women may be at greater risk, are yet to be defined. This paints a bleak picture, but it’s not all bad news. Women typically mount <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24966191/">better vaccine responses</a> to several common infections (for example, influenza, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis A and B), producing higher antibody levels than men. One study showed that women vaccinated with half a dose of flu vaccine produced the same amount of antibodies compared to men vaccinated with <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/773453">a full dose</a>. However, these responses <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nri.2016.90">decline as women age</a>, and particularly <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3954964/">after menopause</a>. All of this shows it’s vital to consider sex when designing studies examining the immune system and treating patients with immune-related diseases.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208802/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-mcgettrick-1451122">Helen McGettrick</a>, Reader in Inflammation and Vascular Biology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/asif-iqbal-1451123">Asif Iqbal</a>, Associate Professor in Inflammation Biology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-birmingham-1138">University of Birmingham</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-biological-differences-between-men-and-women-alter-immune-responses-and-affect-womens-health-208802">original article</a>.

Body

What is ‘fawning’? How is it related to trauma and the ‘fight or flight’ response?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alix-woolard-409037">Alix Woolard</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/telethon-kids-institute-1608">Telethon Kids Institute</a> You have probably heard of “fight or flight” responses to distressing situations. You may also be familiar with the tendency to “freeze”. But there is another defence or survival strategy a person can have: “fawn”. When our brain perceives a threat in our environment, our <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/fight-flight-freeze#in-the-body">sympathetic nervous system</a> takes over and a person can experience any one or combination of the <a href="https://pete-walker.com/fourFs_TraumaTypologyComplexPTSD.htm">four F</a> responses. <h2>What are the four Fs?</h2> The fawn response usually occurs when a person is being attacked in some way, and they try to appease or placate their attacker to protect themselves. A fight response is when someone reacts to a threat with aggression. Flight is when a person responds by fleeing – either literally by leaving the situation, or symbolically, by distracting or avoiding a distressing situation. A freeze response occurs when a person realises (consciously or not) that they cannot resist the threat, and they detach themselves or become immobile. They may “space out” and not pay attention, feel disconnected to their body, or have difficulty speaking after they feel threatened. <h2>What does fawning look like?</h2> Previously known as appeasement or “people pleasing”, the term “fawning” was coined by psychotherapist <a href="http://pete-walker.com/complex_ptsd_book.html">Pete Walker</a> in his 2013 book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20556323-complex-ptsd">Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving</a>. A fawn response can look like: <ul> <li>people-pleasing (doing things for others to gain their approval or to make others like you)</li> <li>being overly reliant on others (difficulty making decisions without other people’s input)</li> <li>prioritising the needs of others and ignoring your own</li> <li>being overly agreeable</li> <li>having trouble saying no</li> <li>in more severe cases, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149763421004917?casa_token=FzabbqNoE0UAAAAA:DAr_QkVegIa70Zheq6vTkCrsYPJdw06kdds659h-VHSRtPSUErDzVgj-YsLunjvGkn4Mwyb1">dissociating</a> (disconnecting from your mind and/or body).</li> </ul> While there isn’t yet much research on this response, the fawn response is seen more in people who have experienced <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00958964.2022.2163220?journalCode=vjee20">complex trauma</a> in their childhood, including among children who grew up with emotionally or physically abusive caregivers. Fawning is also observed in people who are in situations of <a href="https://europepmc.org/article/MED/37052112">interpersonal violence</a> (such as domestic violence, assault or kidnappings), when the person needs to appease or calm a perpetrator to survive. Fawning is also different to the other F responses, in that it seems to be a uniquely human response. <h2>Why do people fawn?</h2> <a href="https://www.proquest.com/docview/2447256147/abstract/13E401AC2C1C40C6PQ/1">Research</a> suggests people fawn for two reasons: <ol> <li>to protect themselves or others from physical or emotional harm (such as childhood trauma)</li> <li>to create or improve the emotional connection to the perpetrator of harm (for example, a caregiver).</li> </ol> This type of response is adaptive at the time of the traumatic event(s): by appeasing an attacker or perpetrator, it helps the person avoid harm. However, if a person continues to use this type of response in the long term, as an automatic response to everyday stressors (such difficult interactions with your boss or neighbour), it can have negative consequences. If a person is continually trying to appease others, they may experience issues with boundaries, forming a cohesive identity, and may not feel safe in relationships with others. <h2>What can I do if I ‘fawn’?</h2> Because fawning is typically a response to interpersonal or complex trauma, using it in response to everyday stressors may indicate a need for healing. If this is you, and you have a history of complex trauma, seek psychological support from a professional who is trained in trauma-informed practice. Trauma-informed means the psychological care is holistic, empowering, strengths-focused, collaborative and reflective. Evidence-based therapies that are helpful following trauma include: <ul> <li> <a href="https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/">eye movement desensitisation therapy</a>, which focuses on <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-emdr-therapy-and-how-does-it-help-people-who-have-experienced-trauma-161743">processing traumatic memories</a> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/exposure-therapy#:%7E:text=In%20this%20form%20of%20therapy,reduce%20fear%20and%20decrease%20avoidance.">exposure therapy</a> to help expose people to things they fear and avoid </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4396183/">trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy</a> that aims to alleviate trauma symptoms by overcoming unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. </li> </ul> Depending on where you live, <a href="https://www.childabuseroyalcommissionresponse.gov.au/support-services">free counselling services</a> may be available for people who have experienced childhood abuse. Setting healthy boundaries is also a common focus when working with the fawn response, which you can do by yourself or alongside a therapist. If this article has raised issues for you or you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205024/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alix-woolard-409037">Alix Woolard</a>, Senior Researcher, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/telethon-kids-institute-1608">Telethon Kids Institute</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-fawning-how-is-it-related-to-trauma-and-the-fight-or-flight-response-205024">original article</a>.

Caring

Charles revives royal tradition at Trooping the Colour

King Charles III revived a royal tradition by riding horseback in the first Trooping the Colour since he was crowned, marking the British sovereign’s official birthday. Although the King’s birthday is officially in November and typically celebrated privately, the ceremonial event on June 18 showcased all the pomp and pageantry expected of royal celebrations, drawing massive crowds to central London. Accompanying 1,500 soldiers, 300 horses and hundreds of musicians, Charles filed the short distance from Buckingham Palace to Horse Guards Parade in St James’ Park for the ceremony viewed by members of the royal family. It was a sight not seen for nearly 40 years, with Queen Elizabeth II being the last reigning monarch to ride in the procession in 1986. Dressed for the occasion, King Charles was wearing a Welsh Guard uniform, with a leek emblem on the collar and green and white plum on his bearskin. He was followed on horseback by various royal colonels including Prime William, also donning a uniform of the Welsh Guard, the regiment he inherited from his father in December 2022. He rode alongside Princess Anne Gold Stick in Waiting and Colonel of the Blues and Royals and Prince Edward, who is Colonel of the London Guards. Behind them was a horse-drawn carriage carrying the Queen, Catherine, Princess of Wales and her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The royal party was joined by a Sovereign’s Mounted Escort of soldiers from the Household Calary’s Life Guards and Blues and Royals. The traditional military spectacle was flooded with well-wishers dressed in fascinators and draped in Union flags ahead of the parade to claim their prime position along the Mall outside the royal residence. Speaking to CNN, broadcaster and royal watcher Bidisha Mamata, said there was “a real sense of celebration”. "The coronation was very serious … there was a lot of medieval pageantry. This is much more military focused. This is so much more about connecting King Charles with his own history in the Marines, the RAF - he has a strong connection to the military," she said. The ceremony saw Queen Camilla join her husband to watch the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards troop their colour in front of hundreds of Guardsmen and officers. The regiment carried out complex battlefield drill manoeuvres to music, with Kensington Palace previously describing the 2022 musical program as having “a distinctly Welsh theme”, with new compositions from the band written accordingly. After the parade, the royal party returned to Buckingham Palace following the same route. They there made a balcony appearance to watch an extended military flypast and greet a sea of royal supporters. Image credit: Getty

International Travel

Furious response to 95-yr-old woman tasered by police

A 95-year-old woman with dementia is in critical condition after being tasered by police officers at her aged care home. Clare Nowland, a mother of eight, was reportedly found by staff holding a knife at Yallambee Lodge near Cooma. Nursing home workers then called police before officers attempted to disarm the great-grandmother. A critical incident investigation has since been launched by the New South Wales Police, with police commissioner Karen Webb confirming that it will be subject to independent review. “My thoughts are with the family at this difficult time,” she said in a statement. "I understand and share the community’s concerns and assure you that we are treating this matter with the utmost seriousness." And while the police look into the incident, a group representing people with disabilities - People with Disability Australia - has criticised the steps taken by police at the aged care facility. "She’s either one hell of an agile, fit, fast, and intimidating 95-year-old woman, or there’s a very poor lack of judgement on those police officers and there really needs to be some accountability on their side of this," the organisation’s president, Nicole Lee, said. “This woman, an older woman of 95, needed somebody to de-escalate the situation with her and to talk to her, and to handle her with compassion and time and not tasers. "Clearly, there's not enough training for police around de-escalation tactics for people with psychosis or Alzheimer's or dementia, for people living with psychosocial disability, autism, or schizophrenia, or anything like that." She went on to note that more needed to be done within the aged-care sector itself to handle incidents that involved people with dementia without the use of force, and that the actions by police officers in Cooma demonstrates “a failure of protocols” or perhaps a “lack of resources or understanding on their behalf on the service's behalf on how to handle this situation." Margaret Crothers, a spokesperson for NSW Seniors Rights Service, added that commenting on the case was no easy feat without more information - especially with Clare’s family declining to comment on the situation - but agreed that what transpired did not reflect “normal practice”. “It must raise concerns,” she said, “no one wants their grandmother or their mother tasered. “Everyone is concerned about the use of restraint and certainly the use of force from either police or staff and it’s just something that everyone is mindful of in aged care." Images: ABC News / ABC

Caring

Pitt stop! Snubbed rookie’s hilarious response to Brad Pitt’s F1 debut

Brad Pitt is set to make his formula one debut at the Silverstone Grand Prix for his upcoming F1 movie that is co-produced by British F1 Driver, Lewis Hamilton. News that the Hollywood heartthrob will drive an adapted F2 car as part of his role prompted a hilarious response from snubbed rookie Colton Herta, who was denied a super-licence last year because he didn’t have enough points. “Brad Pitt got a super license before me. Tough,” he tweeted in response to the news. “You're not experienced enough mate! 😂,” another user jokingly replied. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Brad Pitt got a super license before me. Tough. <a href="https://t.co/r7gedm1esn">https://t.co/r7gedm1esn</a> — Colton Herta (@ColtonHerta) <a href="https://twitter.com/ColtonHerta/status/1654225843042787330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> The Mr. & Mrs. Smith actor will begin filming on-site at the Silverstone Grand Prix in July between the main F1 sessions. Pitt will play a retired driver making his comeback, and while the movie remains untitled, the project is being led by Joseph Kosinski, director of Top Gun: Maverick and producer Jerry Bruckheimer. Hamilton has also spoken up about his involvement and experience in co-producing the film. “I don’t know absolutely every single plan with all the things we’ll be doing in the paddock, I’m more focused on making sure the script is where it needs to be,” he said. “That’s where all the time is currently, going through the script. “We’ve got a really great and diverse cast. Joe’s focus is to make us as embedded in this sport as possible. For me it’s to make sure it’s authentic, and that all of you and racing fans see its authenticity and say ‘this is believable’, and have a view of racing from a different perspective than you might see on TV. “I’m spending a lot of time right now helping Joe and the team get the script right, it’s an amazing process and I’m really enjoying it.” Fans have also shared a bunch of memes in reaction to the news of Pitt being allowed to race on the track during Grand Prix weekends. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> brad pitt seeing max lap him for the 12th time <a href="https://t.co/fWMyLkSnYF">pic.twitter.com/fWMyLkSnYF</a> — Maude⁴⁷ (@schumihoney) <a href="https://twitter.com/schumihoney/status/1654216747048742917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> brad pitt at turn one in silverstone <a href="https://t.co/168nTurA43">pic.twitter.com/168nTurA43</a> — bella (@lovesjenson) <a href="https://twitter.com/lovesjenson/status/1654235239911415808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Colton Herta when Brad Pitt is allowed to join F1 without any super licence points but he isn't <a href="https://t.co/Utlt6fRBLz">pic.twitter.com/Utlt6fRBLz</a> — F1 Updates (@paddock2go) <a href="https://twitter.com/paddock2go/status/1654222779900633088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> Images: Getty

Movies

Young girl who penned heartfelt letter to King Charles is floored by response

An 11-year-old girl from New South Wales has captured hearts with her touching words and well-wishes for King Charles III. Maeve Malone, who lives in Willoughby with her family, wrote a letter to the monarch in September 2022 to offer her condolences on the loss of Charles’ late mother, Queen Elizabeth, and to let him know that she believes he will be a “fantastic king”. Maeve’s letter, which she shared with Ben Fordham on his 2GB series, opened with a quick introduction, before she launched into the heart of her message, writing that she was “really sorry to hear about your mum. I am 10 and in Year 4, Mum and Dad let me stay up to watch Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral. “You were so brave on that sad day. I think you will be excellent at leading the commonwealth. I also believe you will be a fantastic king.” At the end of the page - one embellished with colourful images of purple flowers - Maeve shared another personal message for Charles, letting him know of their shared interest in botany when she said, “Mum told me you like gardening, me too! I hope the flowers in your new home are blossoming.” “I hope to visit London one day,” she concluded. “When I do, I will go past your home and think of you and your mum. “Best of luck with your new job.” After reading Maeve’s letter, radio host Fordham checked in with the young girl, asking her what had prompted her to put pen to paper and contact Charles in the first place. “I wrote it because I wanted him to know that I was sorry for Queen Elizabeth,” Maeve explained, “I really liked Queen Elizabeth, ‘cause she was a really good leader, and it was really sad for Charles to lose his mum.” When Fordham asked what Maeve had expected from her kind words, and whether or not she had anticipated a response, the 11 year old was quick to admit that she hadn’t expected one. But to her delight, she’d been wrong, with a letter arriving in the mail, addressed to her and signed by the monarch. “I got it out of the letter box, and when I got it … I started jumping with joy,” Maeve said. That letter - typed up with Charles’ signature at the bottom - read, “it was so very kind of you to send me such a wonderfully generous message following the death of my beloved mother. “Your most thoughtful words are enormously comforting, and I cannot tell you how deeply they are appreciated at this time of immense sorrow.” And while Maeve’s entire day might have been made with the kind reply, she still won’t be able to tune in for her new friend’s big day - he might have his coronation to attend, but Maeve is a busy girl, and has a party of her own to get to. Images: Ben Fordham Live / 2GB

Family & Pets

"Crossed a line": Bell Shakespeare's blistering response to negative review

Australian theatre company, Bell Shakespeare, has publicly issued a blistering response to a theatre critic’s “cruel and unfair” review. The Age critic Cameron Woodhead gave the theatre company’s current production of Macbeth a two star rating - and he singled out the lead actor, Hazem Shammas’ performance of Macbeth. In his review, Woodhead claimed that Shammas “belongs in the Richard III ward of Monty Python’s Hospital for Over-Acting”. He said that the Logie-winning actor’s portrayal of Macbeth was “so cartoonish” and “unhinged” and that he was “stalked by the inappropriate silhouette of the clown”. The 500-word review mostly nitpicked at Shammas’ performance, commenting on how he should reign in his “vein-popping excess” and “trust in the words” of Shakespeare, as if he knew what Shakespeare would’ve wanted. The review was published online on April 27 and a week later Bell Shakespeare launched their blistering response on social media. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FBellShakespeareCo%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0359Wr76jN92ZX4DCPbSRNjn3557HSHfGARRtr8nqhUCTQFH19yy65fS2hTjCoRADKl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="478" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> The statement began with the theatre company explaining that they are open to criticism and understand that sometimes there will be “creative differences”. “The Age’s theatre critic, Cameron Woodhead, didn’t like our current production of Macbeth (May 1 edition). That’s his prerogative; many critics have provided favourable reviews of this production and Macbeth means many things to many people. One of the joys of seeing Shakespeare’s works is to debate them afterwards. “This time though, we must call out conduct which, in our view, was cruel and unfair,” they wrote in their statement posted on Facebook. “Cameron’s targeting of the lead actor Hazem Shammas was, in our view, belittling and contemptuous,” they added, citing Woodhead’s harsh comments. “Whilst Cameron may have issues with the production, we do not consider a response should ever be draped in language like this. In our view, no actor deserves to be dismissed so personally in a theatre review”. They added that Shammas’ personal life and Palestinian background allowed him to resonate with the fact that “Macbeth is driven by something that finally breaks him,” as that story was his “dad’s story in terms of coming to this land and then pursuing his dreams at all costs, in terms of the costs to himself and breaking the hearts of the ones he left behind.” “Actors don’t have a voice when critics write negative things about them. It has long been thus. However, the stage is their workplace. And they are entitled to a safe space at work just as much as anyone,” they wrote, defending Shammas. They ended the statement saying that Woodhead had “crossed a line”. Many fans have applauded the company for standing up for their star, while others justified Woodhead’s criticism. “Cameron Woodhead gave one of my novels a bruisingly rude review a few years ago. I think he enjoys unleashing the poison pen occasionally. I have finally managed to laugh about it, but it took me years,” commented one person. “What a great response and wonderful example of integrity from Bell Shakespeare!” commented another person “Good on you for calling this out. We can be critical without being cruel, and given the tough times we’re in, we can all employ a little more respect and kindness,” wrote a third. Image: Bell Shakespeare

Art

"I've been attacked": Barry Humphries' response to Comedy Festival incident

Anti-trans campaigner Graham Linehan has shared an email he received from the late Barry Humphries in the response to the fallout from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival incident. In 2019, Humphries name was removed from one of the key awards at the annual comedy festival after he made comments ridiculing transgender people, included labelling gender affirmation surgery as “self-mutilation”. In an interview in 2018, Humphries branded being transgender “a fashion” and criticised teachers who support trans youth in schools, declaring it a "pretty evil" practice. As a result, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which was partly founded by Humphries, renamed their 'Barry Award' amid the controversy. Now, just days after Humphries passing, writer and anti-trans campaigner Graham Linehan has shared an email he allegedly received from Humphries after the renaming of the award. The email purportedly from Humphries said, “Thanks for your letter. I’ve been banned by the Melbourne Comedy Festival which Peter Cook and I launched! I’ve been attacked and branded fascist and ‘transphobic’ by the ‘they’ brigade, and accused of racism by people who have never met an [Indigenous person]." “That actors who have become rich and famous by performing in JKR’s plays and films and then vindictively excoriated her, seems to me a cowardly betrayal. Thanks for writing to me and good luck against a powerful and malign foe.” Humphries appears to be referring to J.K. Rowling by “JKR”, as the Harry Potter creator is one of the most high-profile anti-trans campaigners and refers to herself as “TERF”, an acronym for “trans-exclusionary radical feminist”. Linehan co-created TV comedies including Father Ted, Black Books and The IT Crowd but has in recent years become better known for his strident anti-trans views. In the wake of Humphries’ death, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s 2019 decision has come under attack by some commentators, who accused the festival of “cancelling” the comedian. However, festival’s director Susan Provan defended the organisation for their decision, while also paying tribute to Humphries' influence on comedy. She told ABC radio in Melbourne, “We’ve never cancelled Barry Humphries. There seems to be some misconceptions going on around there. We changed the name of an award, which… was the right decision to make when we did that." “We have celebrated, and continue to celebrate Barry, an incredible comedian, comic artists, who took Australian comedy global. We will always celebrate that he was amazing. And we really value his contribution to the comedy festival too.” Provan added the decision had been made in 2019 because Humphries’ “comments did not reflect the values of our community”. Image credits: Getty Images

News

Halle Berry's priceless response to troll over naked balcony pic

If you’ve got it, flaunt it. And if you’re Halle Berry, do it while sipping wine and basking in the sunshine, rising above a troll or two along the way. And that’s the exact approach the Academy Award winning actress has taken with her latest social media share, to the delight - and amusement - of fans all over. In a picture posted to Halle’s various online accounts, the 56-year-old can be seen standing nude on a balcony with a wine glass in hand, glowing in the light from above. Some strategic limb placement and shadow work keep the snap well within posting guidelines, though that likely wouldn’t have kept the actress from sharing her peaceful moment, with her caption reading “I do what I wanna do.” Comments flooded in for the Catwoman star, and while some were far more appropriate than others, the general consensus was that Halle should absolutely continue to do exactly what she wanted, with the heartfelt support of her fans behind her, and many applauding her bold statement. “Well behaved women never made history,” wrote author and wellness expert Maria Emmerich. “The blueprint,” declared American rapper Saweetie. “YES!!!!” gushed singer Kelly Rowland. “I’m 61. If I looked like her, I would be way worse!” said one fan. “She looks gorgeous.” “I just wanted to see the sunrise but this is 1000% better!” another chimed. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqyh2CYrZq6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqyh2CYrZq6/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Halle Berry (@halleberry)</a> </div> </blockquote> However, despite the celebration from the majority, there were still those who saw fit to spew their cruelty, with some going so far as to blame Halle’s joy in her body for any hardships in her relationships. Halle silenced them soon enough though, confirming with one fan that it had actually been her own boyfriend - singer Van Hunt - who took the picture. And when someone took issue with Halle daring to bare all in her 50s, the star once again took the high road (to the balcony), drawing attention to the sheer absurdity of the original comment with her unique - and entirely unforgettable - comeback. “Imagine being in your 50s still posting nudes for attention in menopause when you should be chilling with your grandkids,” wrote Halle’s hater, “ageing with dignity is no longer a thing.” And Halle, in a move that gave the ageist comment none of the attention it was craving, merely asked of her followers, “did you guys know the heart of a shrimp is located in its head?” The comment was never going to sit well with the actress, who has been open about her thoughts on ageing in Hollywood - and life in general - in the past, even telling AARP in 2022 that “we’re all going to get older. Our skin is going to shrivel up and we’re going to look different. I see things changing with my face and body, but I’ve never put all my eggs in that basket. I’ve always known that beauty is deeper than the physical body you’re walking around in.” “I refuse to become someone who just tries to hold on to a youthful face and not embrace what’s most important about being beautiful - how you live your life, how you give back to others, how you connect to people, how you strengthen your mind, body, and soul and nourish yourself, how you give in a meaningful way of yourself. The most beautiful people have something radiating inside. “Women are told that when we reach a certain number, we’re no longer valuable. I believe the opposite. Society should look at us as jewels as we get older. “Because the older women get, the more formidable we are.” Images: Instagram

Beauty & Style

"Who wants me around?" Sarah Ferguson's hilarious Coronation response

Sarah Ferguson has joked about being invited to King Charles' Coronation in May, claiming she hasn't received an invitation. While in New York to promote her new book, titled A Most Intriguing Lady, a question came from the audience if she was planning to attend the royal event, given some members of the royal family, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, had already received their email invites. "TBD [to be determined]," she said before asking, "The invitations haven't gone out yet. Have they?" After a murmured response from the crowd, the Duchess quipped that her invitation could be waiting for her at home. "I'm travelling at the moment, so maybe it [invitation] has gone to another place," she said to host and Glamour magazine editor Samantha Barry. "The invitations haven't gone out yet, so I don't know if I'm going to be there because, you know, who wants me around," she joked. Fergie also joked about other grand plans she may have for the big day if she doesn't make it to Westminster Abbey. "Well I've decided the best thing about being British around a coronation - although I've never been to one - I think we should, I should set up a tea room at the bottom of the drive with bunting and cakes," she said. When asked if she had any advice for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have received their invitation but are yet to announce if they'll attend amid the deepening family rift, Fergie said she aimed to "lead by example" to the young royals. "I think the best way to answer that is to really take hold and lead by example," she said. "I wouldn't give advice, I would say that your actions speak louder than words." Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Is my RAT actually working? How to tell if your COVID test can detect Omicron

You’ve tested negative for COVID using a rapid antigen test (RAT), but are a close contact of a positive family member and have symptoms. So you might be wondering if you’re really COVID-negative or if the test is working as well as it should. There are many reasons why your RAT may not give you <a href="https://theconversation.com/15-things-not-to-do-when-using-a-rapid-antigen-test-from-storing-in-the-freezer-to-sampling-snot-176364">the results</a> <a href="https://theconversation.com/my-rats-are-negative-but-i-still-think-i-might-have-covid-should-i-get-a-pcr-test-194527">you expect</a>. But one factor is whether RATs can detect the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID). We know the virus has mutated during the pandemic. So health authorities and researchers are investigating whether RATs can still detect the <a href="https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants">more recent versions</a> of the virus. The good news is, based on the <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-10/post-market-review-of-antigen-and-rapid-antigen-tests-table.pdf">limited data released</a>, all RATs meant for use at home in Australia that have been independently tested so far seem to be able to detect Omicron. The bad news is that not all RATs have been independently tested yet. Yours might be one of those. <h2>What do mutations have to do with RATs?</h2> RATs diagnose COVID infection by detecting specific viral proteins. So there are concerns that as the virus evolves and produces altered viral proteins, this may affect the tests’ ability to diagnose COVID as well as they detected previous variants. Whether RATs can adequately detect Omicron has been raised by authorities and researchers in various countries including <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/378/bmj-2022-071215">The Netherlands</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35458384/">Belgium</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36339133/">Chile</a>, as well as Australia. One <a href="https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/jcm.01097-22">Australian study</a> tested six RATs on Delta, and Omicron lineages BA.4, BA.5 and BA.2.75. The researchers found the kits performed equally well across the different samples at higher viral loads (higher concentrations of the virus), although one kit’s overall sensitivity fell below minimum sensitivity requirements. However, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36339133/">some international studies</a> have found RATs are less able to detect Omicron, particularly when <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36339133/">viral loads are lower</a>. <h2>So what’s the case in Australia?</h2> Australia’s regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), initially relied on <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-tests/post-market-review-antigen-and-rapid-antigen-tests">test data</a> provided by RAT manufacturers to determine the test kit met World Health Organization <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/technical-specifications-for-selection-of-essential-in-vitro-diagnostics-for-sars-cov-2">standards</a> for acceptable sensitivity (ability to detect a positive case). The TGA also requires manufacturers to send updated test data as new variants arise to demonstrate their test still meets those WHO standards. But the TGA has also commissioned <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/products/covid-19/covid-19-tests/post-market-review-antigen-and-rapid-antigen-tests">independent testing of RATs</a> to verify how well they detect the more recent COVID variants. They are tested for their ability to detect the wild-type virus (the original strain), the Delta variant, and the Omicron variant. The TGA does not state which specific lineages (descendents) of Omicron are included in the testing. As it completes its analysis on individual tests (or groups of tests), the TGA reports them in a <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-10/post-market-review-of-antigen-and-rapid-antigen-tests-table.pdf">table that’s publicly available</a>, which will be updated as more data come in. <h2>What does the table tell us?</h2> You can look up the brand name, manufacturer and batch number of the RAT you have at home. Look for those labelled “self-tests” (more on the different types of tests and their results later). The most important columns in the table are those that indicate whether the kit passed its independent validation. Look for four ticks to indicate the kit meets minimum standards for detecting the original virus, Delta and Omicron variants, and has passed the quality test. A cross indicates is has not passed that component of the validation. Haven’t found a result for your RAT? If a product comes in two versions – a self-test and a type of test used in health-care facilities known as a point-of-care test (POCT in the table) – only one may be tested. If that’s the case, the symbol † means testing was only done on one version and you can use those results for your test. Look for a matching registration number to make sure you’re comparing like with like. The final column indicates what type of data the manufacturer has provided. Some manufacturers have tested the sensitivity of their kits for Omicron lineages BA.4 and BA.5. <h2>What does the table not tell us?</h2> Just because your test has no ticks or crosses against it, this doesn’t mean it can’t detect Omicron. It could be that the independent validation has yet to be completed or uploaded to the table. So the jury is out. The table also does not tell us what lineages of Omicron were tested for, although in some cases the manufacturer has supplied clinical test data. The table data were only current as of October. Seeing as the number of cases of sub-variant infections <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-can-we-expect-from-this-latest-covid-wave-and-how-long-is-it-likely-to-last-194444">has risen since then</a>, so we don’t really know if that is impacting on the sensitivity of even those tests that have recently been validated. <h2>I’ve grappled with the table, now what?</h2> If your brand of RAT has the ticks, particularly for Omicron, it has been assessed has having an acceptable sensitivity. If you are buying a RAT, check the table to see if that brand has been tested for sensitivity to the Omicron variant. If your test has been sitting in a cupboard for months, check the expiry date before you use it. Also consider whether it has been stored at the correct temperature during that time (the instruction leaflet will tell you what that is). Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-my-rat-actually-working-how-to-tell-if-your-covid-test-can-detect-omicron-196210" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

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Is my RAT actually working? How to tell if your COVID test can detect Omicron

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Entertainment

Travel

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Woman's hilarious baby name idea sparks divided response

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"Who wants me around?" Sarah Ferguson's hilarious Coronation response

Is my RAT actually working? How to tell if your COVID test can detect Omicron

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