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Aussies top global list for biggest gambling losses

<p>A new report has revealed that Australians are the biggest gambling losers in the world, with the average Australian adult gambling away $1635 per year according to the Grattan Institute think tank. </p> <p>That is more than most households pay for power and exceeds the average spend in similar countries like the US and New Zealand. </p> <p>Collectively, Australians lost $24 billion to gambling in 2020-21, with half of that amount lost through poker machines. </p> <p>The rest was lost on sports or race betting, in casinos, and on lotteries and Keno. </p> <p>The report also claims that there are more pokies than post boxes and public toilets across Australia, bringing light to the "lax approach" that has let the industry "run wild". </p> <p>"Gambling products are designed to be addictive, and the consequences can be catastrophic: job loss, bankruptcy, relationship breakdown, family violence, even suicide," the report's authors wrote.</p> <p>People in the Northern Territory and NSW lost the most amount of money, with the two states having the highest concentration of polies in their jurisdiction. </p> <p>The report recommended the federal government ban all gambling advertisements and urged them to cut the number of pokies in each state over time.</p> <p>They also suggested a mandatory pre-commitment system for online gambling and pokies, which would put a limit on daily losses. </p> <p>There are many different ways to get help and information about gambling. Call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858; use <a href="https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/tools-resources/chat-counselling" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online counselling</a>. </p> <p><em>Images: </em><em>SNEHIT PHOTO / Shutterstock.com</em></p> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

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Olympian killed at just 33 years of age

<p>Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, has tragically passed away at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya, where she had been receiving treatment for severe burns sustained in an attack by her former boyfriend.</p> <p>A hospital spokesperson, Owen Menach, confirmed that Cheptegei succumbed to her injuries after suffering multiple organ failures.</p> <p>Cheptegei, who competed in the women’s marathon at the Paris Olympics just weeks ago, sustained burns to 80% of her body after her ex-partner, Dickson Ndiema, allegedly doused her in petrol and set her on fire during a domestic dispute.</p> <p>Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jeremiah ole Kosiom revealed that Ndiema also suffered burns in the incident to 30% of his body, and that he remains in intensive care but is in a stable condition.</p> <p>Cheptegei's parents stated that she had recently bought land in Kenya’s Trans Nzoia County to be near athletic training centres in the region. A report from the local chief indicated that Cheptegei and her former boyfriend were involved in a heated argument over the property before the attack occurred.</p> <p>The Uganda Athletics Federation and the Uganda Olympic Committee have expressed their grief over the loss of Cheptegei. In a statement shared on the social media platform X, the Athletics Federation wrote, "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our athlete, Rebecca Cheptegei early this morning who tragically fell victim to domestic violence." They further condemned the attack, calling for justice.</p> <p>Uganda Olympic Committee president Donald Rukare added, “May her gentle soul rest in peace and we strongly condemn violence against women. This was a cowardly and senseless act that has led to the loss of a great athlete. Her legacy will continue to endure.”</p> <p><em>Image: Narnabi / Wikimedia Commons</em></p>

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"It's a miracle that I'm living": Victory dance for Aussie Paralympic superstar

<p>Alexa Leary has emerged victorious at the Paralympic Games with a gold medal, three years after her life was changed from a horrific bike crash.</p> <p>In July 2021, Alexa was on a bike ride training as a triathlete when her front wheel clipped a bike in front of her, sending her flying form her bike at 70 kilometres an hour. </p> <p>Leary then underwent lifesaving surgery after the crash shattered her skull and left her unable to walk or talk, and spent 111 days in hospital. </p> <p>Now, the 23-year-old from the Sunshine Coast broke her own 100m freestyle world record on Thursday morning, walking away with a gold medal. </p> <p>"It's been a long, rough journey for me," Leary said at the Paris La Defense Arena.</p> <p>"It's a miracle that I'm living, and I'm walking and I'm talking. I was told that I never would three years ago, and I've just come so far."</p> <p>"I am so impressed with myself. I'm like, 'Lex, look how far you've actually come'.</p> <p>"It's not sad to talk about, but it's an emotional thing. My family is the reason why I'm here, and they're up there [in the stands] looking at me. Honestly, it's amazing."</p> <p>Alexa, who still struggles with memory problems and regulating her emotions, then shared how she kept at it in the pool as a recovery tool after her life-changing surgery, but found herself wanting to keep bettering her athletic ability. </p> <p>"I'm a passionate person," Alexa said after winning solo Paralympic gold.</p> <p>"When I want it, I'm going to go out and do it. I have to.</p> <p>"So I wanted to keep swimming for recovery. But I was like, 'Nah, I'm more than that!'."</p> <p>Alexa's parents, Belinda and Russ, watched their daughter's extraordinary win from the sidelines, reflecting on the haunting memories of Alexa's journey in hospital and how she came out the other side.</p> <p>Russ said, "I reckon she wanted that [gold medal] in her belly for three years. She wanted it. She got it. Unbelievable."</p> <p>Belinda added, "She's the same girl [post-accident], but everything's heightened, but all she ever wanted was to show people that anything is possible."</p> <p>"And what she's been through over the last three years, her thing is with a TBI [traumatic brain injury] anything is possible."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

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"Weak": Raygun's tell-all interview divides audience

<p>Raygun has finally faced the music after her disappointing Olympics performance, sitting down with <em>The Project</em>'s Waleed Aly to share her side of the story from the breakdancing event in Paris. </p> <p>Rachael Gunn, 37, represented Australia in the breakdancing competition at the Paris Olympics where she failed to score a single point, and her unusual routine quickly went viral around the world. </p> <p>While some people, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, thought Raygun gave it her best try, others were quick to call her out for "making a mockery of Australia". </p> <p>In her first exclusive tell-all interview since the Olympics, Raygun told Waleed Aly that the backlash to her performance had a huge impact on her mental health. </p> <p>“I didn’t understand the scale of it,” she said. “I did preview some comments and I was like, ‘Oh, no’, and this kind of sick feeling started coming out. I was like, ‘Oh, goodness! What has happened?’”</p> <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/p/C_fbu5PvItj/?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/C_fbu5PvItj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“That was really wild,” Gunn said. “If people are chasing me, what do I do? But that really did put me in a state of panic for a while after that and I was quite nervous being out in public because I just didn’t know what was safe, if anyone was going to recognise me, how they were going to respond to seeing me."</p> <p>“And it was pretty nerve-racking for a while there.”</p> <p>She went on to say that the hate she received, both in person and online, took a toll. </p> <p>“It was really sad, how much hate that it did evoke,” she said. “There’s been a portion of very angry and awful responses, not only attacking me but attacking my husband, attacking my crew, attacking the breaking and street dance community in Australia, my family. The energy and vitriol that people had was pretty alarming.”</p> <p>Despite her candid answers on <em>The Project</em>, the interview as a whole divided audiences, as some viewers were unhappy with the style of interviewing, claiming Waleed hadn't gone hard enough on her and saying that Raygun is still not taking any accountability for "making a mockery" of Australia and hip-hop culture.</p> <p>"Weak AF interview," one person raged on Facebook. "Just another absolute p***take by her and Waleed's questions."</p> <p>"Of course it will be a Waleed interview. Let Steve Price ask her a few questions," someone else commented, with another agreeing, "Pity Steve Price didn't do the interview."</p> <p>"No apology for making a mockery of the breaking hip-hop culture. And there are other female breakers who are much more talented," one person said. "She needs to apologise for taking the place of talented dancers. She’s an embarrassment that scored a zero. That has to be a first," someone else ranted.</p> <p>Not everyone had a problem with the line of questioning, with some labelling Waleed as "kind and respectful".</p> <p>"Very well done, and very kind interview. You asked some tough questions, and she gave some tough answers," one person said. "Bravo, Waleed, that was a wonderful interview. You were probing but also kind and respectful," someone else commended. </p> <p><em>Image credits: The Project/Paul Kitagaki, Jr/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock</em></p>

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Parents of Aussies killed in Mexico share heartwarming update

<p>The grieving parents of the two Aussie brothers who were killed in Mexico while on a surfing trip have shared a heartwarming update more than four months after their deaths. </p> <p>Jake and Callum Robinson were tragically killed in the province of Baja California in Mexico on April 27th, as their bodies were discovered at the bottom of a 15-metre-deep well during a large scale police operation. </p> <p>Following their deaths, more than $520,000 was raised by the community to help the boy's parents, Martin and Debra, who have revealed the money has helped create a foundation to continue their sons' legacy through philanthropic activities.</p> <p>The heartwarming update was shared by Perth not-for-profit group Indian Ocean Paddlers on the family's behalf on Monday. </p> <p>The group was among thousands of donors, who rallied behind the family to assist with costly expenses, including repatriation and funeral costs.</p> <p>The Robinsons are "forever grateful" for the support received, writing, "We have been overwhelmed by the love we have received in Australia."</p> <p>"To drive this initiative, we have created a foundation as a tribute to Callum and Jake and will be guided by people well versed in caring for others."</p> <p>"Although it’s early days, we hope to have a webpage available soon which will provide information on how your precious donation money will be spent. Your support is more than just a financial gift; it’s testament to the power of community and the belief that together, we can create lasting change."</p> <p>"You have played a crucial role in making our vision a reality, and for that, we will be forever grateful."</p> <p>The Robinsons also opened up on how they're coping four months on from losing their sons, saying, "Not a day goes by when we don’t think about our beautiful sons, the connections they had with people like you and the lives they could have had."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Sonia Kruger in talks for surprise reboot

<p>Sonia Kruger may soon take on a new role, with an insider telling <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em> that Channel 10 is considering her for a reboot of <em>The Golden Bachelor</em>. </p> <p><em>TV Blackbox </em>reported that Channel Nine would be announcing <em>The Golden Bachelor </em>at its annual Upfronts event in October, and now it is reported that the network has eyes on Kruger to host the series. </p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">"The word on the street is that Sonia could reboot The Golden Bachelor on Channel Nine in 2025," the source told </span><em style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Yahoo Lifestyle</em><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">.</span></p> <p>“Channel Nine loved working with Sonia and everyone would welcome her back with open arms. There is a real bidding war which will see two networks keen to lock her services down in the new year.”</p> <p>Earlier this year, Channel 10 announced that they have cancelled <em>The Bachelor</em>, following 11 seasons, so news of a reboot on Nine could be just the thing for reality TV fans. </p> <p>"The Bachelor is going to look very different to how Network 10 has been making the show," the insider told <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em>. </p> <p>They added that Nine wanted the show to look more "lux" and that executives are interested in the "class" Kruger would bring to the series. </p> <p>"The ambition is to appeal to a wider audience and make it a yearly feature on the network. There is no reason it won't be as big as MAFS in a couple of years."</p> <p>“The Channel Seven star is yet to hear what the lineup for 2025 will look like if she stays with the network but with Big Brother cancelled there is a hole in her contract that will need to be fixed if she is to be picked up again," they said.</p> <p>Kruger previously left Channel Seven to take on rival network Channel Nine's reboot of Big Brother Australia in 2011,  a move which was considered a "huge risk" at the time. </p> <p><em>Image: Seven</em></p>

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Readers response: What have you had to cut out of your life to cope with cost of living pressures?

<p>As the cost of living continues to rise, many people have had to cut things out of their day to day spending to cope with the financial struggles. </p> <p>We asked our readers what they have had to cut out of their budgets to cope with cost of living pressures, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Wendy Oliver</strong> - We don’t eat out often at all… I spend too much in the supermarket.</p> <p><strong>Christine Brooks</strong> - I've cut out steak, good nutritional foods, TV streaming, entertainment, haircuts, new clothes, pets, pool cleaning, and more.</p> <p><strong>Kerrie Dare</strong> - I limit steak meals. I've stopped my haircuts to every 4 months. Internet is getting chopped. I can only afford exercise classes twice a week. I don't eat as much fruit as I used too. I only buy groceries when on special. One bottle of wine per fortnight. One slice of sourdough in the morning, which means the loaf lasts a week. I turn on my washing machine around every 10 days &amp; I have quick showers. No eating out or take away. Maybe one cup of coffee per week with a friend. Movies once every 6 weeks as a social group. No concerts or clubs. I drive only locally, so a tank of petrol lasts 1 month. No weekends away.</p> <p><strong>Jane Dawes</strong> - No coffees, beauty treatments, hairdresser, eating out, takeouts etc. The trouble is not affording to spend on certain items has a flow on effect for businesses. Everyone is suffering. </p> <p><strong>Lois E. Fisk</strong> - Going out to eat or see movies in the cinema or live plays or new clothes. I shop at the least expensive grocery stores as much as possible, and good cuts of meat rarely happen.</p> <p><strong>Janice Stenning</strong> - Don't go to the hairdressers as often and don't buy as many clothes. </p> <p><strong>Debra Dugar </strong>- Thinking about dropping my extras cover of my insurance. By the time I pay for it, I can't afford the gap you have to pay.</p> <p><strong>Robyn Lee </strong>- Living in my own house. I now live with my family. </p> <p><strong>Rhondda Hughes</strong> - Well, petrol is expensive so I have to really think if I can afford to visit anyone. I can’t eat meat much and even vegetables can be expensive. We have three chickens so they give us eggs but good quality eggs and healthy chickens require money too. Fortunately I live in Perth so, in comparison to other states, it isn’t as cold however the cost of heating is a significant consideration and therefore I just tend to go to bed.</p> <div style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Felicity Jill Murphy</strong> - Stopped going out to shopping centres. That's where I spend money unnecessarily.</div> <div style="font-family: inherit;"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></div> <div style="font-family: inherit;"> </div> <div class="x6s0dn4 x3nfvp2" style="font-family: inherit; align-items: center; display: inline-flex; min-width: 584px;"> <ul class="html-ul xe8uvvx xdj266r x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1n0m28w x78zum5 x1wfe3co xat24cr xsgj6o6 x1o1nzlu xyqdw3p" style="list-style: none; margin: 0px -8px 0px 4px; padding: 3px 0px 0px; display: flex; min-height: 15px; line-height: 12px; caret-color: #1c1e21; color: #1c1e21; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; font-size: 12.000001px;" aria-hidden="false"> <li class="html-li xdj266r xat24cr xexx8yu x4uap5 x18d9i69 xkhd6sd x1rg5ohu x1emribx x1i64zmx" style="display: inline-block; padding: 0px; margin: 0px 8px;"> </li> </ul> </div> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

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Cash boost for millions of Aussies as indexation kicks in

<p>Millions of Australians are set to get a cash boost within weeks as the Services Australia payments are indexed on top of additional increases to Rent Assistance payments, with the changes coming into effect on September 20</p> <p>The indexation will be applied to a range of pensions and payments including the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension and Carer Payments, Commonwealth Rent Assistance, JobSeeker, and Parenting Payments.</p> <p>The indexation increases of up to $41.50 a fortnight will vary based on the payments.</p> <p>Centrelink JobSeeker recipients will receive an extra $71.20 per fortnight. </p> <p>“Single JobSeeker Payment recipients with an assessed partial capacity to work of 0 to 14 hours per week will move to the higher rate of JobSeeker, receiving $849.50 a fortnight,” the Department of Social Services said.</p> <p>The maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance will be increased by 10 per cent.</p> <p>For families with one or two children, he Rent Assistance fortnightly payment will increase by $27.02.</p> <p>Single age pensioners will see an increase of $28.10 to their fortnightly payments, and recipients in a couple will receive a combined $42.40 increase to their payments.</p> <p>The same increase will apply to the Disability Support Pension and Carer Payment.</p> <p>Single recipients receiving the fortnightly Parenting Payment will  receive a $19.80 increase, while single recipients without children will get a $15.30 boost. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Can a 10-year-old be responsible for a crime? Here’s what brain science tells us

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-m-sawyer-109573">Susan M. Sawyer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nandi-vijayakumar-1644262">Nandi Vijayakumar</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757"><em>Deakin University</em></a></em></p> <p>The age a child can be arrested, charged and jailed in Australia is back in the spotlight.</p> <p>Last year, the Northern Territory became the first jurisdiction to raise the age of criminal responsibility from ten to 12. Now its new, tough-on-crime government has pledged to <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/incoming-chief-minister-says-age-of-criminal-responsibility-to-be-lowered-to-10-years-old/a1xm9jy9c">return it to ten</a>. It comes after Victoria <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-13/victoria-youth-justice-reform-criminal-age/104217160">walked back</a> its earlier commitment to raise the age to 14, settling instead on 12.</p> <p>But the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child says 14 should be the absolute <a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/general-comments-and-recommendations/general-comment-no-24-2019-childrens-rights-child">minimum</a>. It raised this age from its earlier recommendation (in 2007) of 12, citing a decade of new research into child and adolescent development.</p> <p>So what does the science say? What happens to the brain between ten and 14? And how much can those under 14 understand the consequences of their actions?</p> <h2>Who is an adolescent?</h2> <p>Our research shows adolescence is a <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30169257/">critical period</a> for development. It’s the time children’s experiences and explorations shape how they develop cognitive skills (including critical thinking and decision making), as well as social and emotional skills (including moral reasoning).</p> <p>Adolescence also lasts longer than we tend to think. Important brain development begins during late childhood, around eight to nine years. Intense changes then follow during early adolescence (ages ten to 14). But these changes continue well into the twenties, and full cognitive and emotional maturity is not usually reached until around age 24.</p> <p>However, everyone’s brain matures at a different rate. That means there is no definitive age we can say humans reach “adult” levels of cognitive maturity. What we do know is the period of early adolescence is critical.</p> <h2>What does puberty do to the brain?</h2> <p>Puberty is a defining feature of early adolescence. Most of us are familiar with the changes that occur to the body and reproductive systems. But the increase in puberty hormones, such as testosterone and oestrogen, also trigger changes to the brain. These hormones <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306453017313252?via%3Dihub">increase most sharply</a> between ten and 15 years of age, although gradual changes continue into the early twenties.</p> <p>Puberty hormones change the structures in the brain which process emotions, including the amygdala (which encodes fear and stress) and ventral striatum (involved in reward and motivation).</p> <p>This makes adolescents particularly reactive to emotional rewards and threats. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cortex.2019.04.024">Our research</a> has shown the brain’s sensitivity to emotions increases throughout early adolescence until around 14 or 15 years old.</p> <p>At the same time, changes in puberty have <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000172">been linked</a> to increased sensation seeking and impulsive behaviours during early adolescence.</p> <p>This context is crucial when we discuss the behaviour of children in the ten to 14 age range. The way their brains change during this period makes them more sensitive and responsive to emotions, and more likely to be seeking experiences that are new and intense.</p> <h2>How do adolescents make decisions?</h2> <p>The emotional context of puberty influences how younger adolescents make decisions and understand their consequences.</p> <p>Decision making relies on several basic cognitive functions, including the brain’s flexibility, memory and ability to control impulses.</p> <p>These cognitive abilities – which together help us consider the consequences of our actions – undergo some of the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1741-13.2013">steepest development</a> between ages ten and 14. By age 15, the ability to make complex decisions has usually <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/lhb0000315">reached adult maturity</a>.</p> <p>But adolescents at this age remain highly susceptible to emotions. So while their brain may be equipped to make a complex decision, their ability to think through the consequences, weighing up costs and benefits, can be clouded by emotional situations.</p> <p>For example, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12085">research has shown</a> 13-14 year-olds were more distracted from completing a task and less able to control their behaviour when they viewed images that made them feel negative emotions.</p> <p>The social world of teenagers also has a significant impact on how they make decisions – especially in early adolescence. One study found that while older adolescents (aged 15-18) are more influenced by what adults think when weighing up risk, adolescents aged 12-14 <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0956797615569578">look to other teenagers</a>.</p> <p>Experiments <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431616648453">have also shown</a> adolescents aged 12-15 make riskier decisions when they are with peers than by themselves. Their brain responses also suggest they experience a greater sense of reward in taking those risks <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsy071">with peers</a>.</p> <h2>How do teens understand the consequences of their actions?</h2> <p>The concept of <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp2122/Quick_Guides/MinimumAgeCriminalResponsibility">criminal responsibility</a> is based on whether a person is able to understand their action and know whether it is wrong.</p> <p>Moral reasoning – how people think about right and wrong – depends on the ability to understand another person’s mental state and adopt their perspective. These skills are in development <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.09.012">across adolescence</a>.</p> <p>Research suggests it may take more effort for adolescent brains to process <a href="https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn.2009.21121">“social” emotions</a> such as guilt and embarrassment, compared to adults. This is similar when they make <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17470919.2014.933714">moral judgements</a>. This evidence suggests teenage brains may have to work harder when considering other people’s intentions and desires.</p> <p>Young adolescents have the cognitive ability to appreciate they made a bad decision, but it is more mentally demanding. And social rewards, emotions and the chance to experience something new all have a strong bearing on their decisions and actions in the moment — possibly more than whether it is right or wrong.</p> <h2>Early adolescence is critical for the brain</h2> <p>There are also a number of reasons adolescent brains may develop differently. This includes various forms of neurodisability such as acquired brain injury, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability, as well as exposure to trauma.</p> <p>Teenagers with neurodevelopmental disorders will likely cope differently with decision making, social pressure, impulse control and risk assessment, and face <a href="https://www.mcri.edu.au/images/research/strategic-collaborations/Flagships/Neurodevelopment/Neurodevelopment_Flagship_Brochure.pdf">extra difficulties</a>. Across the world, they are <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468-2667(19)30217-8/fulltext">disproportionately incarcerated</a>.</p> <p>In Australia, Indigenous children and adolescents are incarcerated <a href="https://www.indigenoushpf.gov.au/measures/2-11-contact-with-the-criminal-justice-system#:%7E:text=On%20an%20average%20day%20in%202021%E2%80%9322%2C%20there%20were%3A,AIHW%202023d%3A%20Table%20S76a">in greater numbers</a> than their non-Indigenous peers.</p> <p>Each child matures differently, and some face extra challenges. But for every person, the period between ten and 14 is critical for developing the cognitive, social and emotional skills they’ll carry through the rest of their life.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/237552/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/susan-m-sawyer-109573">Susan M. Sawyer</a>, Professor of Adolescent Health The University of Melbourne; Director, Royal Children's Hospital Centre for Adolescent Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nandi-vijayakumar-1644262">Nandi Vijayakumar</a>, Research Fellow, School of Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/deakin-university-757">Deakin University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>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/can-a-10-year-old-be-responsible-for-a-crime-heres-what-brain-science-tells-us-237552">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Mind

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Disbelief as Aussie Paralympian stripped of medal

<p>Australian athlete Jaryd Clifford has been disqualified and stripped of his medal after officials stepped in at the end of the mens 5000m event in Paris. </p> <p>The 25-year-old runner crossed the line in third place, claiming a bronze medal and was celebrating with his team when the news came in of his disqualification. </p> <p>Paralympic officials claim the Aussie had dropped the tether which ties him to his guide moments before he had crossed the line in the men’s T13 final.</p> <p>Vision-impaired runners must hold onto the tether until they’ve finished the race in its entirety.</p> <p>Clifford, who was the only runner in the field to use a guide, was left visibly distraught after learning he had been disqualified and stripped of his bronze medal.</p> <p>“I went and saw mum and dad and my girlfriend and broke down,” Clifford said. </p> <p>“I had my little cry on the side of the track. If you talk about reacting to results as grief, I had my grieving moment." </p> <p>“Out on the track, I was a little bit numb, I’m still a bit numb … I am pretty shattered, to be honest, if I’m frank about it, we went in with the aim of winning gold.”</p> <p>He later wrote on social media, “I’m absolutely gutted that we made such a critical mistake today. Remaining tethered is a fundamental rule of guiding and I’m shattered that I lost my mind in those final metres. I’ve got so much more to give, I promise to bring everything for the 1500m on Tuesday.”</p> <p>Fans watching on couldn’t believe the Aussie had been stripped of the medal in a moment that had no impact on the final outcome of the race, as one person on X wrote: “So you run 4999 metres tethered and one not? That wouldn't affect the result of the race so the race rules are s**t.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Ulrik Pedersen/CSM/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Legal

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The Project hosts shocked by snarky Father's Day remark

<p><em>The Project</em> hosts have been stunned by a snarky Father's Day comment by a guest, with viewers letting loose online over the remark. </p> <p>On Sunday night's show, which coincided with Father's Day, hosts Hamish Macdonald and Sarah Harris were joined by <em>The Guardian</em>'s political editor Amy Remeikis to discuss Australia's housing shortage and cost of living crisis. </p> <p>At the end of her interview, however, she signed off by noting Father's Day with a snarky comment. </p> <p>"Happy Dad's Day to all the non-crap dads and for all the mums and everyone else who had to stood up for the crap dads [sic]," she said. </p> <p>The bizarre off-the-cuff remark left the bemused hosts lost for words with a perplexed Harris appearing to grimace, while the audience awkwardly laughed. </p> <p>"Okay, in other news," Macdonald eventually responded as he quickly moved to the next segment.</p> <p>Dozens of viewers took to X to share their confusion over the remark after the program shared the segment online, which has since been deleted. </p> <p>"What was that little rant at then about c**p dads?" one viewer asked. </p> <p>Others slammed the comment and believed that it shouldn't have been aired, as another viewers wrote, "Happy Father's day to the non crap dads? Are you serious? What a s**t thing to say." </p> <p>"Just say happy Father's Day, or don't."</p> <p>But some viewers did see the funny side, as one person wrote, "I've just watched Amy Remeikis discuss capitalism and crap dads on Father’s Day. Cannot ever imagine an equivalent on British TV."</p> <p>Single parents who solely raise their children alone also leapt to Remeikis' defence, as one mum added, "Just saw you on The Project. As a mum who does both roles. THANK YOU!"</p> <p><em>Image credits: The Project</em></p>

TV

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38-year-old message in a bottle washes up on beach

<p>A message in a bottle written almost 40 years ago has been discovered by a four-year-old at a beach in Perth. </p> <p>Meg Prideaux took her son Leo, 4, “looking for treasure” at the beach in their hometown of Lancelin, when he spotted the bottle with a rolled-up note inside.</p> <p>“We brought it home and we waited for my daughter and my husband to come home, but we couldn’t get it open,” she said.</p> <p>“There was a bit of corrosion and a few barnacles had started to grow, so it had been there for a while.”</p> <p>After a bit of trouble, they got the bottle open and unfurled the soggy, but still legible, letter and found it dated from 1985. </p> <p>The message had been written 39 years ago by then-teenagers Joanne Hunter and Louise Pocock, who were 15 when they wrote the note while on holiday. </p> <p>Their note came with a simple request — that anyone who finds the bottle send a return letter to the girls in suburban Perth.</p> <p>With the help of <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/message-in-a-bottle-thrown-into-sea-in-1985-washes-up-on-wa-beach-c-15876207" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>7News</em></a>, Meg and Leo Prideaux were able to track down Joanne Hunter, who is now Joanne Evans and aged 54.</p> <p>“I was like, ‘Oh my god. Is that really that?’ I haven’t thought about that in forever,” Evans said.</p> <p>“We wrote it at night and sealed it with wax and then we actually swam it out into the water because, at first, we threw it from the beach and it kept washing back in, so we swam out the next morning."</p> <p>“My family had a beach house directly across the road and Louise came with my family for the school holidays. She was always full of excitement and had such a great imagination, it was her idea to do it.”</p> <p>Pocock died of leukaemia six years ago but her sister, Sarah Martin, said she would have enjoyed “such a kick” knowing the message had been found.</p> <p>“Oh, she’d be so happy, she really would — especially that a little boy found it as well after 39 years just sitting in the sand,” Martin said.</p> <p>“She was a really great, fun, happy-go-lucky sort of person and really did well in her life, very artistic and creative, and she met a wonderful man and married him and had a beautiful little girl.</p> <p>“As time goes on, you feel like they’re slipping further away from you and then this message is such a wonderful thing that just came out of the blue.”</p> <p>The Prideaux family now plan to meet Evans to return the bottle and the message to its original author some time in the near future.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News / Prideaux family</em></p>

Family & Pets

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New support system helps older Aussies who have fallen victim to scams

<p>A new support system has been set up to help vulnerable older Australians who have fallen victim to dangerous scams. </p> <p>With millions of Aussies targeted every year, many of these targets are elderly with 30 percent of victims hesitant to come forward because they are too embarrassed to admit what's happened to them.</p> <p>One such victim, 86-year-old Mary, said she was humiliated after falling for a scam saying she is old enough to know better. </p> <p>"It serves me right, I shouldn't have been so trusting," she said.</p> <p>"You blame yourself and you don't really want to tell people how stupid you are, so you think, 'Well, I'll just have to bear it'."</p> <p>Mary was scammed when she received a call from a man pretending to be a technician, saying he needed access to her computer to resolve a problem in her area. </p> <p>Step by step, the "technician" got Mary to log-in and give him complete access to her entire online identification, completely cleaning her out of $20,000 in savings.</p> <p>This is why <a title="ID Support NSW" href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/id-support-nsw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ID Support NSW</a> is now offering a free service to help older Australians be able to protect themselves online and spot suspicious activity.</p> <p>"The most common scams are romance and impersonation scams, where people pretend to be someone they're not," ID Support NSW's Jacqueline Wilson told <em><a href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/scam-awareness-week-id-support-nsw-offering-free-help-for-older-australians/20d3f8d6-fe32-4b1d-af32-294e47f4412d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Today</a></em>.</p> <p>"Most start with a text or call and once someone responds or engages, they usually end up losing money."</p> <p>Jacqueline said the best thing you could do if you even suspect a scammer was to just hang up the phone, saying, "You don't need to indulge them, you don't need to be polite, you don't need to engage in a long conversation."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Today</em> </p>

Legal

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Thousands of eligible Aussies to receive cost-of-living payments

<p>Around 210,000  eligible South Australian households will receive a cost-of-living payment this week, including pensioners, Centrelink recipients and low-income earners. </p> <p>A Cost of Living Concession of $255.60 will be paid to all eligible households, with the annual payments made to eligible tenants and self-funded retirees doubled to match the amount given to homeowners.</p> <p>The payment is part of the state government's $266.2 million cost-of-living relief package announced in this year's state budget.</p> <p>This included the one-off additional payment of $243.90 to households who received last year's cost-of-living payment in June. </p> <p>South Australia's Premier Peter Malinsauskas said the government had delivered the “single largest cost-of-living assistance package in South Australia’s history”.</p> <p>“We know people are doing it tough and cost-of-living pressures are continuing to have an impact on many South Australians,” he said.</p> <p>“In the past two months, our government will have issued more than $100 million in targeted cost-of-living relief to South Australian households.”</p> <p>Pensioners and other card holders including, the Pensioner Concession Card, Veteran Gold Card, Low Income Health Care Card and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, as well as low-income households and those receiving Centrelink payments including JobSeeker, the Parenting Payment and Youth Allowance, are eligible to receive the  SA Cost Of Living Concession.</p> <p>Those who want to receive the concession for that financial year will need to apply <a href="https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/concessions/household-concessions/cost-of-living-concessions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">online</a> by December 31 and only one person per household can receive the payment and it will be based on your circumstances on July 1. </p> <p>Those who have previously received the payment and whose circumstances haven't changed don't need to reapply. </p> <p>The payments started rolling out this month, with Human Services Minister Nat Cook saying that all payments should come through by early next week. </p> <p>“This includes everyone who received a payment last year and who is still eligible, as well as new applications which have been processed up to now,” Cook said.</p> <p>"Anyone who thinks they might be eligible for cost-of-living support should head to the sa.gov.au website to have a look at the eligibility criteria."</p> <p>Other states have also provided cost-of-living support, with eligible seniors in Western Australia able to receive a Cost of Living Rebate of $107.12 for singles and $160.68 for couples.</p> <p>While in the ACT, apprentices and tradies in the state can get a one-off $250 Cost Of Living payment if they are employed by an ACT employer.</p> <p>NSW has a few cost-of-living initiatives including up to $350 energy rebates for eligible households, and up to  $4,220 early childhood fee relief for 3 to 5-year-olds attending eligible community and mobile preschools.</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Aussie travellers warned over bird flu outbreak

<p>Australian travellers have been warned to be cautious after concerns about the sudden outbreak of bird flu. </p> <p>Strains of Avian Influenza, known as the bird flu, are circulating across the globe, with <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smart Traveller</a> warning of outbreaks in Europe, North and South America and Asia.</p> <p>“Human infection is rare. But be aware of increased health risks when travelling to impacted countries,” the alert states.</p> <p>The virus typically affects birds but can be transferred to other animals before being passed on to humans. </p> <p>“Eggs and poultry meat are safe to eat if handled and cooked using safe food handling practices,” the alert states.</p> <p>Travellers have been urged to look out for signs of infection, including eye redness or irritation (conjunctivitis), fever, cough, sore throat, runny or blocked nose, muscle or body aches, fatigue, shortness of breath or difficult breathing, and pneumonia.</p> <p>Travellers have also been urged to minimise contact with animals in areas affected by the bird flu, avoid contact with dead or sick animals (including wild birds), and avoid poultry farms and live bird “wet” markets.</p> <p>While there is no specialised vaccine for bird flu, travellers have been urged to check that their other influenza vaccines are up to date before travelling. </p> <p>Smart Traveller states, “If you feel unwell while travelling back to Australia, tell a crew member or airport staff. Make sure to tell them about any contact with sick people or animals.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

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Boy accidentally smashes 3500-year old artefact

<p>A 3500-year old jar has been smashed to pieces after a four-year-old boy accidentally knocked it over during a trip to a museum in Israel. </p> <p>The Hecht Museum in Haifa told the BBC that the artefact dates back to the Bronze Age between 2200 and 1500BC - and was considered a rare find because it was so intact.</p> <p>It had been on display near the entrance of the museum without any protective glass around it, as the museum believes there is a  “special charm” in showcasing archaeological finds “without obstructions”.</p> <p>The boy's father, Alex, told the publication that his son had only "pulled the jar slightly" because he was "curious about what was inside", causing it to fall.</p> <p>He also said that he was "in shock" to see his son next to the ruined artefact and initially thought "it wasn't my child that did it".</p> <p>After calming his child down, he spoke to a security guard who confirmed what happened. </p> <p>The museum stated they would not be charging the family and they've even invited the child back to the exhibition for an organised tour after the incident occurred a few days ago. </p> <p>“There are instances where display items are intentionally damaged, and such cases are treated with great severity, including involving the police,” Lihi Laszlo from The Hecht Museum told the <em>BBC</em>. </p> <p>“In this case, however, this was not the situation. The jar was accidentally damaged by a young child visiting the museum, and the response will be accordingly.”</p> <p>A conservation specialist has also been brought on board to restore the jar, which will be returned to the museum "in a short time".</p> <p>The boy's father said they will feel "relieved" to see the jar restored but added they are "sorry" because "it will no longer be the same item". </p> <p>“Despite the rare incident” the museum told the publication that they intend to continue displaying items without barriers or glass walls, where possible. </p> <p>The ancient jar was likely originally used to carry local supplies like wine and olive oil and predates the time of the Biblical King David and King Solomon and is distinctive of the Canaan region on the eastern Mediterranean coast.</p> <p><em>Images: Hecht Museum</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Trouble

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The eye-watering salaries of The Voice Australia judges revealed

<p><em>The Voice Australia</em> has revamped the lineup of the judges for the 2024 season, with American music icons Adam Lambert and LeAnn Rimes joining Aussies Guy Sebastian and Kate Miller-Heidke. </p> <p>As the new American talent joins the show, Seven are reportedly paying big buck for the international stars after their salaries were leaked by <a href="https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/exclusive-the-voice-australia-coaches-salaries-leaked-amid-pay-row-230921307.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Yahoo News</em></a>. </p> <p>According to the publication, an alleged source claims that Adam and LeAnn "are believed to be receiving between $750,000 and $1.2 million" for the single season of the show. </p> <p>Meanwhile, Kate Miller-Heidke "is believed to be receiving upwards of $500,000" for her first season on the show. </p> <p>Veteran judge Guy Sebastian allegedly started on $750,000 per season in 2019, "but this is believed to now be worth $1 million". </p> <p>These new judges are getting "considerably less" than outgoing coaches Rita Ora and Jason Derulo, <em>Yahoo</em> alleges.</p> <p>According to a production insider, the reason for the switch-up of judges was the star's pay cheques, and a desire from producers to keep costs down.</p> <p>The insider said the program has been wanting a change in judges lineup for a quite some time, adding that salary increases are necessary to keep returning stars on the show and the price tag for the former crop was "too expensive".</p> <p>"The company line was that Jessica, Rita and Jason were all too busy, but I don't think anyone is too busy to pick up these sorts of pay cheques. It certainly did have a lot to do with keeping the costs down."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven </em></p>

TV

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Aussie gold medallist withdraws on eve of Paralympics to be with dying mother

<p>An Australian athlete has withdrawn from the Aussie Paralympic team just hours before the event is set to begin. </p> <p>Heath Davidson, a  37-year-old wheelchair tennis player from the Mornington Peninsula, announced on Monday night that he would not be making the trip to Paris for the Games as he will spend time with his mother who has been moved into palliative care.</p> <p>Davidson announced the news in a statement on Instagram, explaining his reasoning behind the "difficult decision". </p> <p>"I have made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2024 Paralympics. My mum has been admitted into palliative care and I want to be here at home with her during this time," he wrote. </p> <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/p/C_ISWSIz4r0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/C_ISWSIz4r0/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Heath Davidson (@heathdavidson13)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Aussie Paralympic team was quick to throw their support behind Davidson, with Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin saying, “Heath is a much-loved member of the Australian Paralympic Team. He adds spark to the Village with his quick wit and cheery personality.”</p> <p>“We’ll miss having him here in Paris, but we all understand that family comes first and we know he’s made the right decision for himself and his family. We want Heath to know that every member of the team is wrapping their arms around him virtually from Paris.”</p> <p>The 2024 Games in Paris would've been Davidson's third Paralympics, after won gold in the wheelchair tennis doubles alongside Dylan Alcott at the Rio De Janeiro Games in 2016, with the pair then backing it up with a silver medal in Tokyo 2021. </p> <p><em>Image credits: SportsPressJP/AFLO/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Caring

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Aussie sporting power couple drop huge news

<p>Aussie Swimmer Shayna Jack is engaged! </p> <p>The Olympian, 25, who has just returned from the 2024 Paris Olympics announced that she got engaged to her field hockey player partner Joel Rintala. </p> <p>"We've arrived back on Aus soil with news," she shared on her Instagram stories alongside a ring emoji and photos from their engagement. </p> <p>She then shared a post from their sweet proposal, with the caption: "10•08•2024 ♾️🤵🏽‍♂️Husband to be @joelrintala👰🏼‍♀️Wife to be @shayna_jack"</p> <p>In an update, she shared a reel of her showing off her stunning diamond ring in front of famous monuments and tourist attractions as they travelled around Europe, with the caption: "POV: You got engaged overseas 🤣🫣🥰." </p> <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/reel/C_Fce-WI9tw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/C_Fce-WI9tw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Shayna Jack (@shayna_jack)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Jack's teammates and fans took to the comments to congratulate the Aussie sporting power couple. </p> <p>Her Aussie teammate Ariarne Titmus commented: "Woot woot," with two red heart emojis. </p> <p>"So happy🥰🥰🥰 congratulations to you both!" added swimmer Abbey Harkin. </p> <p>Swimmer Bronte Campbell commented love heart emojis, while Brianna Throssell added: "Sooo happy for you both. Biggest congratulations!"</p> <p>"If anyone deserves to be happy its you ! Congrats," wrote one fan.</p> <p>"Amazing!!!! Huge congrats lovely," added another. </p> <p>The couple are believed to have first started dating back in 2020.</p> <p>It's been a month full of wins for Jack, who took home the gold medals in Paris as part of the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle teams.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

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New rules for Aussies travelling to Europe in 2025

<p>The European Union has introduced new rules for Aussie travellers planning a trip to Europe in 2025. </p> <p>The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) program, is a new entry requirement for visa-exempt nationals from 60 nations, including Australians, which will be introduced in the first half of 2025. </p> <p>The new travel authorisation requirement will apply to 30 countries within Europe including: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.</p> <p>With a valid ETIAS travel authorisation, you can enter any of the European countries listed above as often as you want for short-term stays which is usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period.</p> <p>“However, it does not guarantee entry. When you arrive, a border guard will ask to see your passport and other documents and verify that you meet the entry conditions," the EU website states. </p> <p>The ETIAS will cost around seven Euros ($11.50) and is linked to your passport. It is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. </p> <p>If you get a new passport, you need to get a new ETIAS. </p> <p>Travellers can apply using an online application form on the ETIAS website, or apply through their app. </p> <p>Most applications are processed within minutes but some applications may take longer to process. </p> <p>“If so, you will receive a decision within four days.</p> <p>“Please note that this period could be extended by up to 14 days if you are requested to provide additional information or documentation, or up to 30 days if you are invited to an interview.”</p> <p>After the application, “you will receive an email confirming the submission of your application which will include your unique ETIAS application number: make sure you keep this number for future reference.” </p> <p>“Once your application has been processed, you will receive another email informing you about its outcome.</p> <p>“When you get your ETIAS travel authorisation please make sure your name, passport number and other information is correct: if there is any mistake, you will not be allowed to cross the border.”</p> <p>Travellers are required to always carry the same travel documents used in their ETIAS application “otherwise, you will not be allowed to board your flight, bus or ship, or to enter any of the European countries requiring ETIAS.”</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

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