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Tragic news after camper missing for 12 days

Human remains believed to be that of missing camper Jessica Louise Stephens have been found by Northern Territory Police. The 35-year-old went camping at Kakadu National Park almost two weeks ago, and was reported missing by her mother on October 18. On Saturday afternoon police released a statement saying that they have recovered the remains on Nourlangie Rock, near where Stephens was believed to be travelling. Police also confirmed that the remains were located within the original search area. In an earlier statement, NT police reported that they found Stephen's belongings “a considerable distance from the walking track in harsh terrain”. It was reported that her vehicle was found in a car park near Nourlangie Rock. Acting Senior Sergeant Steven Langdon said that the search and rescue operation for Stephens, which commenced on the 24th of October, had covered around 140 square kilometres of the national park. Search efforts had been hampered by extreme heat, with temperatures reaching up to 48 degrees Celcius. Police have reported that they are in contact with Stephens' family and are preparing a report for the Coroner. Image: ABC News/ Karon Evans/ Getty

News

Stephen Fry rushed to hospital

Beloved British icon and actor Stephen Fry, aged 66, found himself in a hospital bed following a dramatic tumble off the stage at London's O2 Arena. The incident occurred right after he had delivered a talk about artificial intelligence (AI) at the CogX Festival. Reports indicate that Fry plummeted an alarming six feet to the ground, resulting in injuries to his leg and ribs. A spokesperson for the conference issued a statement expressing their concern and support for Fry, explaining that the unfortunate accident transpired after his inspiring discourse on the influence of AI. They emphasised their collective thoughts and well-wishes for his speedy recovery. They also mentioned that they had initiated their own investigation but were unable to disclose further details at the moment. Prior to his fall, Fry had engaged the audience with thought-provoking ideas, saying, "We have to choose whether we want to be Prometheus or Zeus." He humorously added, "The one thing we can agree on is that it's a f--king weird time to be alive." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Thanks to everyone who joined us at CogX Festival’s 7th AI & Transformational tech event at London’s iconic O2 arena. Watch our quick Day 3 recap and visit our website to be the first to hear about our plans to make it even bigger and better next year!<a href="https://t.co/K1fBIE0R0G">https://t.co/K1fBIE0R0G</a> <a href="https://t.co/IqRwpRwwiZ">pic.twitter.com/IqRwpRwwiZ</a> — CogX Festival (@CogX_Festival) <a href="https://twitter.com/CogX_Festival/status/1704538018369954103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote> In another intriguing revelation, Fry discussed an incident where a historical documentary utilised an AI-generated replication of his voice without his consent. He clarified to his fans that he had not uttered a single word in the narration; instead, a machine had performed the task. He expressed astonishment at the technology's capabilities, noting that it could potentially manipulate his voice to convey any message, from a call to storm Parliament to explicit content, all unbeknownst to him and without his authorisation. "And this, what you just heard," he said, "was done without my knowledge." Image: Getty

Caring

5 of the best things to do in Port Stephens

From magnificent coastline to whale watching and sunsets that will take your breath away, these are five of the best things to do in Port Stephens. Be warned: After reading this you’ll want to hop in the car immediately. 1. Camp in luxury safari tent (pictured above) If you’re looking for that up-close-and-personal-with-nature feel that goes hand in hand with camping, but don’t want to go with out the luxuries of a resort, the safari tents at <a href="http://www.twsr.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thou Walla Sunset Retreat</a> are for you. Labelled as “Glamping Safari Tents,” the experience is just that – camping with all of the glamourous trimmings. From the king-size bed to the large flat-screen TV, you can expect all the features that you get from a luxury hotel room, including an electric fireplace, fridge and a big bathroom with a shower and toilet – they are, however, eco friendly with a few different bells and whistles. The tents themselves are located a stone’s throw from the marina and the calm waters of Soliders Point, which runs alongside one length of the site. Located around 15 minutes from Nelson Bay, the award-winning retreat is home to villas as well as the safari tents. If you are adverse to noises in the night, you may want to pack you earplugs to drown out the noisy birds – but apparently they don’t make a ruckus all year round and in any case, the piece des resistance that is the amazing sunset, enjoyed from your tent’s deck with a tipple in hand, by far makes up for the noise. It is absolute bliss. 2. Hike up to Tomaree Head Tomaree Head sits 161 metres above Port Stephens and offers the most incredible views of the region. The track to the summit is just over two kilometres and will take around an hour, but you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over Zenith, Wreck and Box beaches, the lighthouse and WWII gun placements, Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands, and potentially even whales or dolphins. There’s a picnic table at the top, so bring your lunch for a meal with a view. 3. Go whale watching Every year, thousands of humpback and southern right whales make their way past Port Stephens during their annual migration. At this time of year, the southern migration has begun and you’ll see many mothers with newborn calves returning from the breeding grounds. There are plenty of spots to watch the whales from shore, but for the real experience you need to be out on the water. <a href="http://www.imaginecruises.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Imagine Cruises</a> runs whale-watching tours every day from May to November. You’ll be sailing on a 16-metre catamaran as the whales swim right alongside or breach from the water in a stunning display of aquatic acrobatics. 4. Spend the day at the beach Port Stephens is surrounded by more than 20 golden sandy beaches so enjoy a classic stop on the shore. There’s a beach for just about every kind of water activity you could ask for, from swimming and surfing to snorkelling, parasailing, fishing and jetskiing. Divers can explore the sea caves and shipwrecks of Fly Point Marine Park. Or you can just spread out your towel, pick up a good book and soak up some sun. 5. Have dinner by the water The Port Stephens region is famous for its food and wine, and one of the best spots to taste it is the <a href="http://littlebeachboathouse.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Little Beach Boathouse</a>. The restaurant sits right on the water at Nelson Bay – but set away from the main shops on the marina. Styled like a cool, breezy beach house, the menu features fresh local produce like rock oysters, fish and prawns, accompanied by wines from the nearby Hunter Valley and Murray Brewery Beers brewed in Port Stephens. Arrive early for dinner to watch the sunset with a glass of bubbles. Image credit: Shutterstock Related links <a href="../travel/international/2016/09/10-of-the-most-incredible-landmarks-in-australia/">10 of the most incredible landmarks in Australia</a> <a href="../travel/international/2016/08/10-images-showcase-the-beauty-of-tasmanian-wilderness/">10 images showcase the beauty of Tasmania’s wilderness</a> <a href="../travel/international/2016/08/12-aerial-photos-showcasing-south-australias-beauty/">12 aerial photos showcasing South Australia’s beauty</a>

Domestic Travel

Vale Stephen Wilhite, the creator of the GIF

Stephen Wilhite, the man who invented the wildly popular GIF, has died aged 74. His wife, Kathleen, broke the news that he died of Covid on March 14. Wilhite created the Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) - an image format with a short, looping video - while working at CompuServe in 1987. “He invented the GIF all by himself - he actually did that at home and brought it into work after he perfected it,” Kathleen told <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/23/22992066/stephen-wilhite-gif-creator-dies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Verge</a>. “He would figure out everything privately in his head and then go to town programming it on the computer.” He was later recognised for his work in 2013 when he was awarded a Webby lifetime achievement. “I saw the format I wanted in my head and then I started programming,” he told The New York Times that same year, adding that the first image he created was of an airplane. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/01-06-17Avion.gif" alt="" width="400" height="149" /> The first GIF created was of an airplane that seemed to move through clouds. Image: <a href="https://thefanatic.net/this-was-the-first-ever-gif/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TheFanatic.net</a> The inventor and programmer also ended the debate on how to pronounce the name of his creation once and for all, saying it used a soft ‘g’ sound, like Jif peanut butter. “Those using the hard ‘g’, as in ‘got’ or ‘given’ are wrong,” he said. “End of story.” Kathleen said there was more to her husband than his invention of the GIF, and his love of trains led to him having a room dedicated to them in the basement of their home with “enormous train tracks”. Even after he retired in 2001, she said “he never stopped programming”. According to his <a href="https://www.megiefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Stephen-E.-Wilhite?obId=24311617" target="_blank" rel="noopener">obituary page</a>, he had 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren and “remained a very humble, kind and good man” even with all his accomplishments. An unknown icon in internet culture Though Wilhite's name might be unfamiliar to many, his creation certainly isn’t. From an origin as a method of distributing high quality graphics in colour when internet speeds were at a snail’s pace, the GIF has become an useful tool used to communicate in digital spaces. In linguist Gretchen McCulloch’s book, <a href="https://gretchenmcculloch.com/book/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Because Internet</a>, she describes how GIF’s are used most frequently now as depictions of people, animals or cartoon characters doing a certain action to represent your own body. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/safe_image-1.gif" alt="" width="640" height="572" /> Modern-day GIFs are often used to represent us laughing, crying, or gesturing in real life, just like this one in response to one of our memes. Image: Facebook Whether that’s commenting on a funny image with a GIF of an animal that’s beside itself in invisible laughter or sharing birthday messages with GIFs of cakes covered in flickering candles, most of us can recall a time we relied on these instead of writing or speaking. She also describes their use as emblems, a linguistic term for nameable gestures like the middle finger, jazz hands, eye rolling, winking, and dropping an invisible microphone, as well as a way to show that we’re actively listening to someone. Social media platforms have even caught onto how we use GIFs to communicate. “When you go to insert a GIF on Twitter, the built-in categories of GIF you’re offered are nameable, stylised gestures… such as applause, eww, eye roll, facepalm, fistbump, goodbye, happy dance hearts, high five (and others),” McCulloch writes. “Certain GIFs are so emblematic that they can be invoked by name, without an image file … when you want to convey your excitement in observing other people’s drama, you can send a GIF of Michael Jackson eating popcorn in a darkened movie theatre, eyes avidly glued to the screen, but you can also simply say #popcorngif or *popcorn.gif*.” <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/giphy.gif" alt="" width="420" height="315" /> The MJ GIF in question. Image: Giphy.com With that in mind, Wilhite’s 35-year-old creation will stay popular as long as we continue to interact with others online in a legacy that many aren’t afforded. Yet Wilhite was more than his creation, and it’s important that we remember his name just as easily as we remember our go-to GIFs. Image: Getty Images

Technology

This is what baby Tabitha from Bewitched looks like now

It's been 49 years since Erin Murphy played Tabitha Stephens on the much-loved '60s sitcom, Bewitched. The now 56-year-old starred as the daughter of a twitchy-nosed witch between 1966 and 1972 and opened up about her iconic role as Tabitha. Erin and her fraternal twin sister Diane initially nabbed the role of Tabitha through a casting call for the series' third season. "They had previously shown it in black and white, so the big push of the third season was that the show was going to colour and that they were going to focus more on the character of Tabitha," the actress previously told <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/04/18/bewitched-star-erin-murphy-elizabeth-montgomery-had-dirty-sense-humor-and-so-do.html" target="_blank">Fox News</a>. "So they were looking for someone who looked like Elizabeth Montgomery [who played Tabitha's mum, Samantha Stephens] and wasn't afraid of the lights. I auditioned with my fraternal twin sister Diane and we got the part." <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMxWUeHpP-r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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> <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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMxWUeHpP-r/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Erin Murphy (@erinmurphybewitched)</a> </div> </blockquote> Throughout the seasons, Erin and Diane began to resemble each other less so Diane moved on from the industry while Erin played the role alone for the remaining seasons. Erin said the late Elizabeth Montgomery — who passed away from colon cancer at age 62 in 1995 — was like family to her both on and off-screen. "She really was like a mum to me," Erin recalled. "I definitely think of her more like a family member than a co-worker. And I think it's because when I was on set, it was just me. My parents weren't standing there next to me… So I looked up to her as family, as a parent almost." Erin fondly remembers Montgomery for making her laugh on set. "She and I are very, very much alike. She had a really dirty sense of humour and so do I," she said. "She was just one of those people who was so beautiful, but she wasn't afraid to look silly." The mum-of-six had delved into acting once again in the last few years. In 2017, she starred in the TV movie Life Interrupted and she also appeared in an episode of TV Therapy as Tabitha in 2019. Most recently, on March 24, Erin attended the Family Film Awards at Universal City in California — and she looked as sweet and fresh-faced as she did on Bewitched all those years ago. And if you ever see her on the street, feel nostalgic, and want to say hello, go ahead. Erin loves that. "I think any moment that someone comes up to you just to say they liked you on a TV show, that's flattering," she said. "I think it's very kind and I'm very open to posing for pictures, meeting fans and answering questions about Bewitched. "I'm thankful that people appreciate what I did. I think it's awesome."

Beauty & Style

5 minutes with author Tabitha Bird

In 5 minutes with author, Over 60 asks book writers about their literary habits and preferences. Next in the series is Tabitha Bird, poet and writer. After working as a teacher in Hong Kong and the US, Bird returned to her home state of Queensland to work on her books and live with her husband and three sons. Earlier this month, she published her first novel, A Lifetime of Impossible Days. Over 60 spoke with Bird to discuss reading for happiness, rediscovering creative passions, and wisdom from Maya Angelou. Over 60: What is your best writing tip? Tabitha Park: Write from that place inside where the most honest words come from. Write the things that scare you and excite you and move you. Come alive when you write and be yourself on the page. People tend to be attracted to the authentic and the vulnerable. Connect with your truest self when you write, and later on readers will also feel invited to connect to your words. What book(s) are you reading right now? The Sparkle Pages by Meg Bignell, which is laugh out loud funny! I’m also reading The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, which is a brave non-fiction book meant as a study guide to give your art a voice. My pen and ink drawings have been flourishing under her guidance. What was the last book that made you cry? Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe stole a piece of me. The book is both beautiful and raw and I was inspired by Trent’s willingness to let his life talk. His courage in using his novel to speak about the pain, struggles and messiness of being human really paved the road for me to stand beside my own book. What book do you think more people should read? I think people should read what makes them happy. I’m a big believer in reading the books that find you. The ones that you cannot put down, the stories that make you laugh or cry. Don’t read what others say you must. Read for you. Paperback, e-book or audiobook? Tough question! Paperback because I love to hold books the way a mother might enjoy holding a baby. I even enjoy that new book smell! But audio books are probably where I get most of my reading done. We live way out in the country so I like to listen to books on long drives. What do you do when you’re not writing? I run around after three boys! I also love to draw. This is a side of my creativity that has been long dormant and I’m enjoying rediscovering it. Which author, living or deceased, would you most like to have dinner with? I’d love to have dinner with Maya Angelou! I think I’d sit there the whole night hanging off her every word. I’d love to hear her recite Still I Rise in her liquid-golden voice. Then I’d soak in whatever wisdom she wanted to pass down. Secrets of womanhood, sisterhood, writing stories born of our blood and bone, whatever she had to say!

Books

5 of the best writing tips from Stephen King

Very few authors are as accomplished and influential as Stephen King. With 60 novels under his belt and more than 350 million copies sold worldwide, King’s works have become cultural icons and touchstones of the horror and suspense genre. His impact also extends beyond the literary world – many of his works have been adapted to classic box office hits, such as IT, Carrie and The Shawshank Redemption. Over the years, King has shared some of the tricks behind his masterful storytelling. Here are some of them. 1. Read a lot King has no patience for aspiring writers who claim to have no time to read. “You can’t put it off… you gotta read just about everything,” he said during a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=19&v=hqp7A0B7abc">lecture</a> at Yale University. A pleasant surprise awaits once you become a seasoned reader, King said. “There’s a magic moment – if you read enough, it will always come to you if you want to be a writer – where you put down some book and say, ‘This really sucks. I can do better than this. And this guy got published’.” 2. Be concise King is a strong advocate of compact, incisive prose. “For me, a good description usually consists of a few well-chosen details that will stand for everything else,” he wrote in his book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. “It’s also important to know what to describe, and what can be left alone while you get on with your main job, which is telling a story.” 3. Avoid adverbs You may think moderate use of adverbs elevate your work, but King is not a fan. “To put it another way, they’re like dandelions,” he explained. “If you have one on your lawn, it looks pretty and unique. If you fail to root it out, however, you find five the next day… fifty the day after that… and then, my brothers and sisters, your lawn is totally, completely, and profligately covered with dandelions. By then you see them for the weeds they really are, but by then it’s – gasp!! – too late.” 4. Edit, edit and edit According to King, a manuscript is not done before it is marked up, polished and even rewritten multiple times. “Only God gets things right the first time,” he wrote in a <a href="https://jerryjenkins.com/stephen-king-writing-advice/">blog post</a>. “Don’t be a slob.” 5. Let go of the plot In what might be his most <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/books/comments/8btcvo/why_is_stephen_king_not_considered_a_great_writer/dx9gu9j?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x">controversial</a> piece of advice, King said that the best stories are unearthed rather than created. “I distrust plot for two reasons,” he said. “First, because our lives are largely plotless, even when you add in all our reasonable precautions and careful planning; and second, because I believe plotting and the spontaneity of real creation aren’t compatible.” Instead of trying to build a storyline, he simply acts as a narrator, watching characters react to predicaments. “Stories are relics, part of an undiscovered pre-existing world,” he said. “The writer’s job is to use the tools in his or her toolbox to get as much of each one out of the ground intact as possible.”

Books

5 things to do when visiting Port Stephens

Port Stephens is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney and offers jaw-dropping views to boot. With beaches, sand dunes, national parks and coastal walks, you’re bound to find something to do that will suit your holiday style. 1. See the view from the top of Tomaree Head Tomaree Head offers the best view of Port Stephens. It’s a 360-degree lookout post that’s easy to get to. The journey is about 25 minutes, 160 metre climb and there are steep steps in some places, but the view up the top is worth it. You’re able to see the offshore islands, Fingal Spit in the distance as well as Yacaaba Head and the Myall Rover. Don’t forget to pick your jaw up from the floor once you leave. 2. Enjoy oysters fresh from the sea If you’re a fan of seafood and freshly shucked oysters, head to Holbert’s Oyster Farm in Salamander Bay. The plain-brick shop is so simple you might miss it, but there’s plenty to enjoy. With large, cooked king prawns for $30 a kilo, you won’t want to miss out. Grab a seat outside and enjoy the view of the oyster farms. However, there are no inside tables if the weather is bad, so this is something to keep in mind. 3. See some seals (or whales if you’re lucky!) Head down to Port Stephens during the migration period from May to November and you might just be lucky enough to see some humpback whales making the journey. More than 7,000 whales pass by the Port Stephens coastline, so if you go during the migration period, you might just get lucky. If you don’t manage to see any whales, there’s seal colonies, fairy penguins and dolphins to look at as well. 4. Relax with morning tea at the lighthouse Enjoy some downtime in the heritage listed Nelson Head Inner Lighthouse along Shoal Bay. You’ll be able to enjoy beautiful water views whilst relaxing with some famous lighthouse scones. With a relaxed atmosphere and a range of food to suit a variety of tastes, this isn’t the worst place to spend a lazy morning. 5. Go to the beach Saved the best for last. The best things in life are free, so take a sweet stroll along the magnificent coastline of Port Stephens. There’s plenty of beaches to choose from, but for some, the journey towards Fingal Spit is best. You’re able to walk across the sand spit to the connecting island if the tide is low, but it’s best to keep an eye on the tide before attempting this journey. Do you have any places to recommend in Port Stephens? Let us know in the comments.

Domestic Travel

Stephen Hawkings generous final gift

Stephen Hawking will always be remembered for his scientific achievements, but one aspect of his life that sometimes is forgotten is the scientist’s generosity. <a href="http://www.news.com.au/" target="_blank">News.com.au reports</a> the professor paid for 40 homeless people to enjoy an Easter feast as his final gift from the grave. FoodCycle Cambridge tweeted their thanks saying they were “so grateful” for the, “generous donation so we could give our guests an extra special Easter meal yesterday”. They added: “We had a little cheer in honour of Stephen Hawking before tucking in.” Alex Collis, East of England Regional Manager for the charity, added: “Lucy Hawking contacted me and mentioned that the family would like to make a donation so that while the funeral was taking place people would be sitting down to a hot meal ‘on Stephen’. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> We're so grateful to the Hawking family for their generous donation so we could give our guests an extra special <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Easter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Easter</a> meal yesterday. We had a little cheer in honour of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StephenHawking?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StephenHawking</a> before tucking in. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cambridge?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cambridge</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/community?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#community</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lovefoodhatewaste?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lovefoodhatewaste</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/alltogether?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#alltogether</a> <a href="https://t.co/ali61X06iE">pic.twitter.com/ali61X06iE</a> — FoodCycle Cambridge (@FoodCycleCamb) <a href="https://twitter.com/FoodCycleCamb/status/980359807680032768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2018</a></blockquote> “It was a really kind gesture that I think fitted well with the sympathy Prof Hawking felt for people who were having a tough time of things.” What are your thoughts?

Mind

Stephen Hawking’s final predication

Professor Stephen Hawking passed away just two weeks after submitting his final research paper, where he hinted that scientists could find another universe and predicted the end of the world. The physicist remarkably completed the research from his deathbed, revealed co-author Professor Thomas Hertog. His research paper shares the foundational maths to find experimental evidence for the existence of a “multiverse”, the theory that we are only one of many universes. If the evidence had been found while Hawking was still alive, he might have finally received the Nobel prize that he missed out on. “This was Stephen: to boldly go where Star Trek fears to tread,” said Hertog, professor of theoretical physics at KU Leuven University in Belgium. “He has often been nominated for the Nobel and should have won it. Now he never can.” The paper tackles an issue that has been on Hawking’s mind since 1983 when he and James Hartle first developed the “no boundary” theory. In the pair’s “no boundary” theory, they described how the Earth was created during the Big Bang. The theory also predicted a multiverse, meaning other universes were created at the same time. The paper also reveals Hawking’s final predication of how the world will end. Hawking believed that our universe will one day fade into blackness as the stars run out of energy. Hawking’s prediction about the end of the world is controversial among cosmologists including a friend of his, Professor Neil Turok. Turok, who is the director of Canada’s Perimeter Institute, disagreed with his ideas and said, “I remain puzzled as to why he found this picture interesting.” Other scientists are excited to see the potential of Hawking’s latest paper as it is the first theory that can be tested in experiments. The paper, A Smooth Exist From Eternal Inflation, had its latest revisions approved 10 days before Hawking died. According to The Sunday Times, the paper will be published by an unnamed “leading journal” after a review is complete. Hertog also revealed that he met with Hawking in person to get final approval before submitting the paper.

Books

Why did Stephen Hawking live so long?

Stephen Hawking was just 21 years old when he was told he’d only have two years to live. But it wasn’t until earlier this week that he <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/2018/03/stephen-hawking-has-died-aged-76/">died at the age of 76</a>. The world-renowned physicist, cosmologist and author of A Brief History of Time, defied incredible odds by living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for over five decades. The average survival rate for people with the motor-neuron disease is two to five years from the time of diagnosis, making Hawking’s long life a mystery of medicine. Prof Tissa Wijeratne, who leads the neuroscience research unit at Melbourne’s Western Hospital, told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/space/medical-miracle-stephen-hawking-was-certainly-an-outlier/news-story/14d697c10cfa790b8e5d6f5ba3807471">news.com.au</a> neurology and disorders affecting the brain and nerves is a “fascinating specialty”. “On average many folks with ALS live a few years from the diagnosis,” he said. “There are people who live for a long long time too. This is due to the amazing variability of how this disorder affects different human bodies.” He added: “There are variants of ALS that progress very, very slowly: PMA or progressive muscular atrophy is one such example.” “These patients can live for a long long time.” Leo McCluskey, an associate professor of neurology and medical director of the ALS Center at the University of Pennsylvania, <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/stephen-hawking-als/">told the Scientific American </a>that life expectancy was down to two things. “The first thing is motor neurons running the diaphragm — the breathing muscles,” he said. “So the common way people die is of respiratory failure. And the other thing is the deterioration of swallowing muscles, and that can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. “If you don’t have these two things, you could potentially live for a long time — even though you’re getting worse. “What happened to him is just astounding. He was certainly an outlier.” Dr. Lucie Bruijn, the ALS Association's chief scientist in the US, said, "We wish we knew because that would give us clues to treatment.” "His lifespan is exceptional. I think there are few — I certainly don't know of any others — that have had such a long lifespan,” he added.

Body

Stephen Hawking’s tangled love life

Stephen Hawking will always be remembered by the science world for his revolutionary work as an astrophysicist, but there were times when the legendary professor’s personal life was just as interesting as the complex theories he was working on. Failed marriages, divided families, obsessed followers and accusations of abuse dogged Hawking for the course of his life, before he passed away yesterday at age 76. 1963 was the year that changed Stephen Hawking’s life forever, where he met Jane Wilde at a New Year’s Eve party, shortly after he learned he had motor neurone disease. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> stephen hawking on his wedding day, 1966 <a href="https://t.co/aJmw9kUMnE">pic.twitter.com/aJmw9kUMnE</a> — vintage pics (@60spics) <a href="https://twitter.com/60spics/status/973871473432686592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote> Within two years the couple were married and became a family, having three children. The problems for the couple were believed to have began after the publication of A Brief History of Time. Accolades and worldwide fame flowed from this landmark work, but so too did extra attention from unwanted admirers. “I rather felt that the family had been left behind. To me, Stephen was my husband and the father of my children; one does not say to one’s husband, ‘Oh, you’re so clever! I must worship the ground under your feet, or in this case, wheels’,” Ms Wilde said in a 2014 interview with Radio Times. The marriage was over by 1990, and Hawking develop a new relationship with his nurse Elaine Mason. This marriage was hardly smooth sailing however, with Hawking’s children accusing their stepmother of restricting access to their father and further tension sparked in 2003 after there were accusations of physical abuse levelled at Ms Mason. After 11 years of marriage Ms Mason filed for divorce in 2006, although allegations of cheating were promptly denied by one of Mr Hawking’s spokespeople. “He is far too busy. This is just a distraction which is really annoying. We don’t have any time for any of this. We have no interest in any of the gossip that is going on,” was the official response. Neither of the women of Mr Hawking’s life have issued a statement following his passing, but his children said the following yesterday. “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years,” the statement said. “His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. “He once said, ‘It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ We will miss him forever.” What are your thoughts?

Relationships

Stephen Hawking has died aged 76

Stephen Hawking, world-renowned physicist, cosmologist and author of A Brief History of Time, has passed away at the age of 76. Professor Hawking’s family confirmed the news via a statement, saying, “We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. “He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. “He once said, ‘’It would not be much of a universe if it wasn’t home to the people you love.’ “We will miss him forever.” The English-born, Oxford- and Cambridge-educated scientist was diagnosed with a rare, early-onset form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1963 that slowly paralysed him. However, he was still able to communicate via a single cheek muscle connected to a speech-generating device. Despite being given just two years to live, Hawking defied all expectations, going on to become one of the world’s most respected scientific minds. His life story became the subject of the acclaimed film The Theory of Everything, in which Hawking was portrayed by Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar for his role. As <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/mar/14/stephen-hawking-professor-dies-aged-76" target="_blank">The Guardian</a> so succinctly put it, "Those who live in the shadow of death are often those who live most." Our thoughts are with the Hawking family at this difficult time.

News

6 great Stephen King books turned into terrible movies

Fifty-four novels, 350 million copies sold, nearly 200 short stories written – the prolific world of Stephen King has proved fertile ground for both the TV and movie world. But not everything this writing Midas has touched has turned to cinematic gold. With a new version of 1986 novel It wowing cinema audiences around the world, we thought it was a good time to look back at some of the worst adaptations of the King oeuvre on the big screen. 1. Carrie Nope, not the classic Sissy Spacek one, the terribly tween one launched in November 2013 and the one which starred Chloe Grace Moretz, fresh off the success of Kick Ass. All wide-eyed, open-mouthed, looking like she's permanently stubbed her toe as she wanders from one miserable encounter to the next, Moretz couldn't pull this together. While the telekinesis sequence at the prom ended up equal parts terrifying and balletic, I couldn't help but wish one of them would have hit me in the head to dull my senses. But alas, it did not, and another King-based misfire thudded into the cinema. – Darren Bevan 2. Cell Samuel L Jackson and John Cusack had already successfully combined for 2007 King adaptation 1408. However, this 2016 effort deservedly basically went straight to on-demand, its premise of cell phone users being turned into rabid killers having already been executed to far better effect in 2015's Kingsman: The Secret Service. – James Croot 3. Dreamcatcher While this 2003 sci-fi actioner boasts what would now be a dream cast – Morgan Freeman, Damian Lewis, Jason Lee, Donnie Wahlberg – what they collaborated on resulted in a nightmarishly unwatchable mess. Part of the problem lay in the original premise. What starts out as the tale of four friends with telepathic powers turns into an alien invasion movie of thudding ineptitude. Notable only for giving the world the word "s...weasel" – coined by the characters as a nickname for the invading Byrum. – JC 4. Firestarter Certainly not the finest two hours of Drew Barrymore, George C. Scott or Martin Sheen's career, this 1984 adaptation of King's 1980 pyrokinesis tale is mostly notable for taking a potentially interesting premise and turning it into something akin to watching paint dry. While the adults endlessly debate what should be done about little Charlie, Barrymore spends most of the movie screwing up her face in order to convey psychological powers. It's unknown whether James McAvoy used this as preparation for bringing to life Professor Charles Xavier decades later. – JC 5. The Lawnmower Man Before he finally found his calling as 007, Pierce Brosnan struggled to make the transition from TV star to movies in clunkers like this 1992 sci-fi horror. He plays Dr Lawrence Angelo, a scientist who uses a human guinea pig for his experiments involving a combination of drugs and virtual reality. As well as boasting simply awful CGI (this was the year before Jurassic Park remember), the movie was also notable for bearing "no meaningful resemblance" to King's original 1987 short story, a fact the author himself brought up when he sued the producers for originally calling it Stephen King's The Lawnmower Man. – JC 6. Sleepwalkers This 1992 duffer may have had an uncredited appearance from Star Wars alum Mark Hamill and King himself playing a caretaker in a cemetery (Pet Cemetery anyone?), but for many it'll be the film where cats laughably saved the day. Incorporating some guff about shape-shifting vampires, the film's decidedly silly tone clearly hadn't been passed on to the actors who were trying to take it seriously. Still, who knew vampires could be dispatched by some truly awful cat-got-your-tongue acting? – DB Written by Darren Bevan and James Croot. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Books

Then and now: Tabitha Stephens from “Bewitched”

Back in 2015, <a href="/entertainment/tv/2015/11/tabitha-stephens-bewitched-now/" target="_blank">we got a rare glimpse</a> at what Erin Murphy (who famously played Tabitha Stephens in Bewitched) looks like now. Today, she’s given us an update, posing for photos and chatting with <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/04/18/bewitched-star-erin-murphy-elizabeth-montgomery-had-dirty-sense-humor-and-so-do.html" target="_blank">Fox News</a> – and you won’t believe how different she looks from her Bewitched days. <img width="500" height="323" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/35590/image__500x323.jpg" alt="erin murphy bewitched" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/> These days, the 52-year-old is a busy mother of six, but reflects fondly on her time on the iconic show, which ran from 1964 to 1972. “[Elizabeth Montgomery] really was like a mum to me,” she tells Fox. “I definitely think of her more like a family member than a co-worker […] We were friends outside of the set and she had three children around my age, so we grew up together. So it was a close relationship for sure. “I was very lucky because I stayed in touch with people after the show was over, so I had the pleasure of hanging out with Dick Sargent as an adult and having phone conversations with Dick York. As a kid, I was very close with both of them. I grew to admire them as adults because they were such great men.” Murphy is set to return to screens with a web comedy series titled Life Interrupted, in which she will star alongside a number of other child stars including Alison Arngrim (Little House on the Prairie), Dawn Wells (Gilligan’s Island) and Michael Learned (The Waltons).

Stephen King’s “It" trailer scares fans out of their minds

The first trailer has been released for a move adaption of Stephen King’s It. Unlike the 1990 TV miniseries, the movie adaption which comes in two planned instalments, is sure to give fans a fright. The book’s monster Pennywise the Clown who was played by Tim Curry in the miniseries, is now played by Bill Skarsgard. <iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FnCdOQsX5kc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> The moment that has fans excited in the trailer is the glimpse into the projector scene with The Losers Club who are the children that face off against the clown. Georgie’s older brother Bill is a member of the group, and as the group begins to plane their schemes, the projector begins to malfunctions and then shows images of Bill’s family. A picture of his mother comes across the screen with her hair hiding her face which then slowly morphs into Pennywise. Fans took to Twitter to voice their delight with the scariness of the trailer. One user wrote, “Seriously, that was an amazing trailer. It is so creepy. Esp. the projector scene and the final shot. Disturbing.” Another wrote, “<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ITMovie?src=hash">#ITMovie</a> trailer looks great! Pleasantly surprised at how creepy it was, especially the part with the picture projector! Although a trailer cannot guarantee a good film, It was praised by Stephen King himself. On Twitter Stephen King wrote, “Andy Muschietti's remake of IT (actually it's Part 1--The Losers' Club) succeeds beyond my expectations. Relax. Wait. And enjoy.”

Movies

What Tabitha Stephens of “Bewitched” looks like now

If you watched Bewitched some decades ago, you probably remember the adorable blonde Tabitha Stephens.After Bewitched ended in 1972, child actress Erin Murphy did a string of modelling gigs and commercials, but later left the Hollywood scene. Today, the 51-year-old mother owns two businesses, one of which includes a brand of frozen vodka martini ice pops. Here’s what she looks like now.<img width="500" height="859" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/9512/1443191140-syn-ghk-1443108019-erin-murphy-adult-_500x859.jpg" alt="1443191140-syn -ghk -1443108019-erin -murphy -adult-" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;">

On the Buses star Stephen Lewis passes away at 88

Stephen Lewis, who played Blakey on the beloved 1970s sitcom On the Buses, has sadly died in London aged 88. Lewis was famous for his role playing Inspector Cyril Blakey Blake in all 74 episodes of On the Buses between 1969 and 1973. His rendition of Blakey, complete with a ridiculous Hitler moustache, was so well-loved that a few spin-off series and movies were built around him. Lewis also acted in Last of the Summer Wine and The All New Alexei Sayle Show in the mid-1990s, as well as in films The Krays and The Last Remake of Beau Geste. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/08/black-smoke-causes-nuclear-war-fear/">Black smoke causes Russian “nuclear war” scare</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/08/worst-fat-to-eat/">This is the worst kind of fat for your heart</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/08/airline-to-weigh-passengers/">This airline is set to start weighing passengers before flights</a>

News

Get the tissues ready. Stephen Hawking congratulates Edie Redmayne on his Oscars win

The British actor, Eddie Redmayne, won the Best Actor Oscar yesterday for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. And if winning the gong at the most prestigious movie award show of them all wasn’t enough, the 73-year-old theoretical physicist and cosmologist wasted no time in sharing his congratulations. Mr Hawking went to Facebook with his touching message.<img width="495" height="152" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/3664/screen-shot-2015-02-24-at-83518-am.png" alt="Screen Shot 2015-02-24 At 8.35.18 Am (1)"> In Redmayne’s Oscars speech he thanked Stephen and the Hawking family. He also dedicated his award to those battling ALS, the motor neuron disease from which the scientist suffers. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/02/worlds-oldest-twins-103/" target="_blank">World’s oldest twins are still close as ever at 103</a><a href="/news/news/2015/02/90-year-old-woman-goes-to-school/" target="_blank">90-year-old woman goes to school to learn to read and write with her great-great-grandchildren</a><a href="/news/news/2015/02/paul-mccartney-number-one-single-australia/" target="_blank">Paul McCartney is the oldest person to score a number one single in Australia</a>

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Tragic news after camper missing for 12 days

Stephen Fry rushed to hospital

5 of the best things to do in Port Stephens

Vale Stephen Wilhite, the creator of the GIF

This is what baby Tabitha from Bewitched looks like now

5 minutes with author Tabitha Bird

5 of the best writing tips from Stephen King

5 things to do when visiting Port Stephens

Stephen Hawkings generous final gift

Stephen Hawking’s final predication

Why did Stephen Hawking live so long?

Stephen Hawking’s tangled love life

Stephen Hawking has died aged 76

6 great Stephen King books turned into terrible movies

Then and now: Tabitha Stephens from “Bewitched”

Stephen King’s “It" trailer scares fans out of their minds

What Tabitha Stephens of “Bewitched” looks like now

On the Buses star Stephen Lewis passes away at 88

Get the tissues ready. Stephen Hawking congratulates Edie Redmayne on his Oscars win

Our Partners

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Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

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Information

Keep up to date

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Tragic news after camper missing for 12 days

Stephen Fry rushed to hospital

5 of the best things to do in Port Stephens

Vale Stephen Wilhite, the creator of the GIF

This is what baby Tabitha from Bewitched looks like now

5 minutes with author Tabitha Bird

5 of the best writing tips from Stephen King

5 things to do when visiting Port Stephens

Stephen Hawkings generous final gift

Stephen Hawking’s final predication

Why did Stephen Hawking live so long?

Stephen Hawking’s tangled love life

Stephen Hawking has died aged 76

6 great Stephen King books turned into terrible movies

Then and now: Tabitha Stephens from “Bewitched”

Stephen King’s “It" trailer scares fans out of their minds

What Tabitha Stephens of “Bewitched” looks like now

On the Buses star Stephen Lewis passes away at 88

Get the tissues ready. Stephen Hawking congratulates Edie Redmayne on his Oscars win

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