Search

Flight attendant reveals why planes have tiny holes in their windows

Have you ever wondered why there are tiny holes at the bottom of a plane window? Flight attendant Henny Lim has revealed the reason why they are there, and why it is such an important feature on planes. The tiny hole, otherwise known as a “bleed hole” serves as a major safety function to help balance the pressure difference between the cabin and the outside air. “If you’ve ever sat in the window seat on a flight, you’ve probably noticed the tiny hole at the bottom of the window,” she said. This is because cabin windows on commercial planes are usually made up of three layers of glass and acrylic to keep them strong and insulated. The bleed hole allows for a controlled flow of air between the layers, equalising the pressure and reducing stress on the window panes. It also helps prevent condensation as the temperature changes at higher altitudes, allowing a small amount of dry air to flow between the three layers, which keeps the windows clear. “It also has another purpose, which is to release moisture and stop frost or condensation from blocking your view,” Lim added. Lim has grown a following on social media for sharing insider tips and knowledge on planes and flying, including why flight attendants sit on their hands during take-off and landing. Images: TikTok

Travel Tips

How people get sucked into misinformation rabbit holes – and how to get them out

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-booth-715018">Emily Booth</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marian-andrei-rizoiu-850922">Marian-Andrei Rizoiu</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> As misinformation and radicalisation rise, it’s tempting to look for something to blame: the internet, social media personalities, sensationalised political campaigns, religion, or conspiracy theories. And once we’ve settled on a cause, solutions usually follow: do more fact-checking, regulate advertising, ban YouTubers deemed to have “gone too far”. However, if these strategies were the whole answer, we should already be seeing a decrease in people being drawn into fringe communities and beliefs, and less misinformation in the online environment. We’re not. In new research <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/14407833241231756">published in the Journal of Sociology</a>, we and our colleagues found radicalisation is a process of increasingly intense stages, and only a small number of people progress to the point where they commit violent acts. Our work shows the misinformation radicalisation process is a pathway driven by human emotions rather than the information itself – and this understanding may be a first step in finding solutions. <h2>A feeling of control</h2> We analysed dozens of public statements from newspapers and online in which former radicalised people described their experiences. We identified different levels of intensity in misinformation and its online communities, associated with common recurring behaviours. In the early stages, we found people either encountered misinformation about an anxiety-inducing topic through algorithms or friends, or they went looking for an explanation for something that gave them a “bad feeling”. Regardless, they often reported finding the same things: a new sense of certainty, a new community they could talk to, and feeling they had regained some control of their lives. Once people reached the middle stages of our proposed radicalisation pathway, we considered them to be invested in the new community, its goals, and its values. <h2>Growing intensity</h2> It was during these more intense stages that people began to report more negative impacts on their own lives. This could include the loss of friends and family, health issues caused by too much time spent on screens and too little sleep, and feelings of stress and paranoia. To soothe these pains, they turned again to their fringe communities for support. Most people in our dataset didn’t progress past these middle stages. However, their continued activity in these spaces kept the misinformation ecosystem alive. When people did move further and reach the extreme final stages in our model, they were doing active harm. In their recounting of their experiences at these high levels of intensity, individuals spoke of choosing to break ties with loved ones, participating in public acts of disruption and, in some cases, engaging in violence against other people in the name of their cause. Once people reached this stage, it took pretty strong interventions to get them out of it. The challenge, then, is how to intervene safely and effectively when people are in the earlier stages of being drawn into a fringe community. <h2>Respond with empathy, not shame</h2> We have a few suggestions. For people who are still in the earlier stages, friends and trusted advisers, like a doctor or a nurse, can have a big impact by simply responding with empathy. If a loved one starts voicing possible fringe views, like a fear of vaccines, or animosity against women or other marginalised groups, a calm response that seeks to understand the person’s underlying concern can go a long way. The worst response is one that might leave them feeling ashamed or upset. It may drive them back to their fringe community and accelerate their radicalisation. Even if the person’s views intensify, maintaining your connection with them can turn you into a lifeline that will see them get out sooner rather than later. Once people reached the middle stages, we found third-party online content – not produced by government, but regular users – could reach people without backfiring. Considering that many people in our research sample had their radicalisation instigated by social media, we also suggest the private companies behind such platforms should be held responsible for the effects of their automated tools on society. By the middle stages, arguments on the basis of logic or fact are ineffective. It doesn’t matter whether they are delivered by a friend, a news anchor, or a platform-affiliated fact-checking tool. At the most extreme final stages, we found that only heavy-handed interventions worked, such as family members forcibly hospitalising their radicalised relative, or individuals undergoing government-supported deradicalisation programs. <h2>How not to be radicalised</h2> After all this, you might be wondering: how do you protect yourself from being radicalised? As much of society becomes more dependent on digital technologies, we’re going to get exposed to even more misinformation, and our world is likely going to get smaller through online echo chambers. One strategy is to foster your critical thinking skills by <a href="https://www.cell.com/trends/cognitive-sciences/abstract/S1364-6613(23)00198-5">reading long-form texts from paper books</a>. Another is to protect yourself from the emotional manipulation of platform algorithms by <a href="https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751">limiting your social media use</a> to small, infrequent, purposefully-directed pockets of time. And a third is to sustain connections with other humans, and lead a more analogue life – which has other benefits as well. So in short: log off, read a book, and spend time with people you care about. <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/223717/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emily-booth-715018">Emily Booth</a>, Research assistant, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/marian-andrei-rizoiu-850922">Marian-Andrei Rizoiu</a>, Associate Professor in Behavioral Data Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-people-get-sucked-into-misinformation-rabbit-holes-and-how-to-get-them-out-223717">original article</a>.

Mind

Mission: Impossible Sydney mansion sells for eye-watering price

One of Sydney's most iconic properties, known as the Boomerang in Elizabeth Bay, has sold for $80 million. The mansion is featured in the second instalment in the Mission: Impossible franchise, with the 2000 movie starring Tom Cruise being set and filmed in Sydney. It was the first house to officially sell for above $1 million in 1978, before setting another record in 2002 when it fetched $20.7 million. Now, multiple sources have confirmed it has been snapped up by a purchaser, originally from Asia, for four times what it last sold for. The property has long been rated as one of Sydney’s Top 50 homes, and has been in the name of Katrina Fox, the daughter of Melbourne-based billionaire trucking magnate Lindsay Fox, since 2005. The impressive home was put up for sale by Ray White in 2017 with hopes of selling for $60 million and then again with Brad Pillinger of Pillinger for $80 million in 2021 — the last agent to have it listed. Pillinger couldn’t be contacted ahead of publication, but other sources have confirmed the property has sold for the $80m asking price, while speculation from other sources that the result was $105 million have been dismissed. Boomerang sits on 4233 square metres of waterfront land, and features 25 rooms including a private cinema modelled on the State Theatre. Image credits: realestate.com.au / Paramount Pictures

Real Estate

Out of the rabbit hole: new research shows people can change their minds about conspiracy theories

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matt-williams-666794">Matt Williams</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/massey-university-806">Massey University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-kerr-1073102">John Kerr</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-otago-1304">University of Otago</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mathew-marques-14884">Mathew Marques</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a> Many people <a href="https://theconversation.com/was-phar-lap-killed-by-gangsters-new-research-shows-which-conspiracies-people-believe-in-and-why-158610">believe at least one</a> conspiracy theory. And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing – conspiracies do happen. To take just one example, the CIA really did engage in <a href="https://www.politico.com/story/2019/04/13/cia-mind-control-1266649">illegal experiments</a> in the 1950s to identify drugs and procedures that might produce confessions from captured spies. However, many conspiracy theories are not supported by evidence, yet still attract believers. For example, in a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12746">previous study</a>, we found about 7% of New Zealanders and Australians agreed with the theory that <a href="https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/learn/sensing-our-planet/on-the-trail-of-contrails">visible trails behind aircraft</a> are “chemtrails” of chemical agents sprayed as part of a secret government program. That’s despite the theory being <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/11/8/084011">roundly rejected</a> by the scientific community. The fact that conspiracy theories attract believers despite a lack of credible evidence remains a puzzle for researchers in psychology and other academic disciplines. Indeed, there has been a great deal of research on conspiracy theories published in the past few years. We now know more about how many people believe them, as well as the psychological and political factors that <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-25617-0">correlate with that belief</a>. But we know much less about how often people change their minds. Do they do so frequently, or do they to stick tenaciously to their beliefs, regardless of what evidence they come across? <h2>From 9/11 to COVID</h2> We set out to answer this question using a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51653-z">longitudinal survey</a>. We recruited 498 Australians and New Zealanders (using the <a href="http://prolific.com">Prolific</a> website, which recruits people to take part in paid research). Each month from March to September 2021, we presented our sample group with a survey, including ten conspiracy theories, and asked them how much they agreed with each one. All of these theories related to claims about events that are either ongoing, or occurred this millennium: the September 11 attacks, the rollout of 5G telecommunications technology, and COVID-19, among others. While there were definitely some believers in our sample, most participants disagreed with each of the theories. The most popular theory was that “pharmaceutical companies (‘Big Pharma’) have suppressed a cure for cancer to protect their profits”. Some 18% of the sample group agreed when first asked. The least popular was the theory that “COVID-19 ‘vaccines’ contain microchips to monitor and control people”. Only 2% agreed. <h2>Conspiracy beliefs probably aren’t increasing</h2> Despite contemporary concerns about a “<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7320252/">pandemic of misinformation</a>” or “<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30461-X/fulltext">infodemic</a>”, we found no evidence that individual beliefs in conspiracy theories increased on average over time. This was despite our data collection happening during the tumultuous second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns were still happening occasionally in both <a href="https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/things-to-do/a-timeline-of-covid-19-in-australia-two-years-on">Australia</a> and <a href="https://covid19.govt.nz/about-our-covid-19-response/history-of-the-covid-19-alert-system/">New Zealand</a>, and anti-government sentiment was building. While we only tracked participants for six months, <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0270429">other studies</a> over much longer time frames have also found little evidence that beliefs in conspiracy theories are increasing over time. <hr /> <iframe class="flourish-embed-iframe" style="width: 100%; height: 600px;" title="Interactive or visual content" src="https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/16665395/embed" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-forms allow-scripts allow-downloads allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe> <div style="width: 100%!; margin-top: 4px!important; text-align: right!important;"><a class="flourish-credit" href="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/16665395/?utm_source=embed&utm_campaign=visualisation/16665395" target="_top"><img src="https://public.flourish.studio/resources/made_with_flourish.svg" alt="Made with Flourish" /></a></div> <hr /> Finally, we found that beliefs (or non-beliefs) in conspiracy theories were stable – but not completely fixed. For any given theory, the vast majority of participants were “consistent sceptics” – not agreeing with the theory at any point. There were also some “consistent believers” who agreed at every point in the survey they responded to. For most theories, this was the second-largest group. Yet for every conspiracy theory, there was also a small proportion of converts. They disagreed with the theory at the start of the study, but agreed with it by the end. There was also a small proportion of “apostates” who agreed with the theory at the start, but disagreed by the end. Nevertheless, the percentages of converts and apostates tended to balance each other pretty closely, leaving the percentage of believers fairly stable over time. <h2>Inside the ‘rabbit hole’</h2> This relative stability is interesting, because <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/2564659">one criticism</a> of conspiracy theories is that they may not be “<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/criterion-of-falsifiability">falsifiable</a>”: what seems like evidence against a conspiracy theory can just be written off by believers as part of the cover up. Yet people clearly do sometimes decide to reject conspiracy theories they previously believed. Our findings bring into question the popular notion of the “rabbit hole” – that people rapidly develop beliefs in a succession of conspiracy theories, much as Alice tumbles down into Wonderland in Lewis Carroll’s <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11">famous story</a>. While it’s possible this does happen for a small number of people, our results suggest it isn’t a typical experience. For most, the <a href="https://www.latrobe.edu.au/news/articles/2023/opinion/how-to-talk-to-someone-about-conspiracy-theories">journey into</a> conspiracy theory belief might involve a more gradual slope – a bit like a <a href="https://zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1985.tb05649.x">real rabbit burrow</a>, from which one can also emerge. <hr /> Mathew Ling (<a href="https://www.neaminational.org.au/">Neami National</a>), Stephen Hill (Massey University) and Edward Clarke (Philipps-Universität Marburg) contributed to the research referred to in this article.<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/222507/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <hr /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matt-williams-666794">Matt Williams</a>, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/massey-university-806">Massey University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-kerr-1073102">John Kerr</a>, Senior Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-otago-1304">University of Otago</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/mathew-marques-14884">Mathew Marques</a>, Senior Lecturer in Social Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/la-trobe-university-842">La Trobe University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/out-of-the-rabbit-hole-new-research-shows-people-can-change-their-minds-about-conspiracy-theories-222507">original article</a>.

Mind

What is micellar water and how does it work?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-eldridge-1494633">Daniel Eldridge</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> Micellar water, a product found in supermarkets, chemists and bathroom cabinets around the world, is commonly used to remove make-up. It’s a very effective cleanser and many people swear by it as part of their skincare routine. So, what is micellar water and why is it so good at getting makeup and sunscreen off? Here’s the science. <h2>What are micelles?</h2> Oil and water generally don’t mix, which is why you’ll struggle to remove makeup and sunscreen (which both contain oils) with just plain water. But micellar water products contain something called micelles – clusters of molecules that are very effective at removing oily substances. To understand why, you need to first know two chemistry terms: hydrophilic and hydrophobic. A hydrophilic substance “loves” water and mixes easily with it. Salt and sugar are examples. A hydrophobic substance “hates” water and generally refuses to mix with it. Examples include oil and wax. Hydrophilic materials will happily mix with other hydrophilic materials. The same goes for hydrophobic substances. But if you try to combine hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials, they won’t mix. <h2>How are micelles formed? It’s all about surfactants</h2> The micelles in micellar water are formed by special molecules known as surfactants. Surfactant stands for surface active agent. These molecules looked at their hydrophilic and hydrophobic brethren and said, why not both? They are typically comprised of two ends: a head group that is hydrophilic and a tail that is hydrophobic. When a small amount of surfactant is added to water, the two ends of the molecule have competing interests. The hydrophilic head wants to be in the water, but the hydrophobic tail can’t stand water. Add enough surfactant and, eventually, we will pass a critical micelle concentration and the surfactants will self-assemble into clusters of approximately 20 to 100 surfactant molecules. All the hydrophilic heads will be pointing outwards, while the hydrophobic tails remain “hidden” at the centre. These clusters are micelles. These micelles have a hydrophilic exterior, meaning that they are very happy to remain mixed throughout water. However, in the centre remains a hydrophobic pocket that’s very good at attracting oils. This is very handy, and helps explain why adding some detergent (a surfactant) to water will allow you to wash an oily saucepan. The surfactant first helps lift of the oil, and then the oil can remained mixed into the water, finding a new home in the hydrophobic centre of the micelle. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fnRBCn8fm2o?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Micellar water in action</h2> Surfactants are in your dishwashing detergent, your body wash, your shampoo, your toothpaste and even many foods. In all of these cases, they are there to help the water interact with the dirt and oils, and micellar water is no different. When you apply some micellar water to a cotton pad, another convenient interaction occurs. The wet cotton is hydrophilic (loves water). Consequently, some of the micelles will unravel, with the hydrophilic heads being attracted to the wet cotton pad. Now, sticking out from the surface will be a layer of hydrophobic tail groups. These hydrophobic tails cannot wait to attract themselves to makeup, sunscreen, oils, dirt, grease and other contaminants on your face. As you sweep the cotton pad across your skin, these contaminants bind to the hydrophobic tails and are removed from the skin. Some contaminants will also find themselves encapsulated in the hydrophobic centres of the micelle. Either way, a cleaner surface is left behind. Look at how a cotton wipe soaked in micellar water cleans up a small oil spill, in comparison to water alone. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Nge5FEiuYE?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>So why shouldn’t I just use dishwashing detergent to wash my face?</h2> Technically, that would work as detergent does indeed contain lots of micelle-forming surfactants. But these particular surfactants would probably cause a lot of skin and eye irritation, while also damaging and drying out your skin. Not nice. The surfactants in micellar water are chosen to be mild and well tolerated by most people’s skin. But micellar water isn’t the only skincare product to contain micelles. There are many other face-cleaning products that also make great use of surfactant molecules and work very well too. Now, it’s not perfect. While it is effective at removing a wide range of contaminants, thick or heavy makeup might not come off easily with micellar water (you might need to do a more vigorous clean). Some products say there is “zero residue”, although the fine print clearly states this refers to visible residue. Many products also state there is no rinse off required. Surfactants will remain on your skin after product use, but for many people they don’t cause irritation. If your skin is feeling irritated after using a micellar water product, you can try rinsing afterwards or discontinuing use. And as is the case with many cosmetic products, you should test it first on a small patch of skin before using it all over your face.<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/219492/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/daniel-eldridge-1494633">Daniel Eldridge</a>, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-micellar-water-and-how-does-it-work-219492">original article</a>.

Beauty & Style

Man's hilariously Aussie response to rising flood water

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

Travel Trouble

Aussies brave flood waters for a drink at the pub

A group of flood-stricken Queenslanders are braving the aftermath of the devastating Cyclone Jasper, and risking it all to head out to their local pub. On the banks of the Tully River, 155km south of Cairns, locals flocked to the Hotel Euramo to wait out the storm, with everyone arriving by boat. Instead of the carpark being full of cars, 18 tinnies brought thirsty locals to their watering hole, in what has become a tradition for when the area is impacted by floods. Hotel owner Ollie Muzic told ABC News Breakfast on Monday that it was a local tradition for patrons to turn up at the by either boat or tractor when the town was flooded. "We had no tractors turn up yesterday, but the water level was higher than it ever was before," she said. "Everyone was very high-spirited. We are lucky our water disperses very quickly." Hotel manager Tish Ottone said patrons made the best of the bad situation, and did what they could do enjoy their day at the pub. "It was really good, the atmosphere was amazing," she said. "It was definitely on my bucket list (to arrive by boat) and it is ticked off now so it was surreal, it was pretty cool." Six people stayed at the pu8b overnight on Sunday and Ms Muzic said she and staff would be on the premises until waters recede, providing what they could to locals who need help. "The majority of people who are here say they got everything sorted yesterday morning before coming here, everything high and dry and there’s pretty well nothing much you can do except sit around until the water drops down," she said. Although the atmosphere at the pub was festive, Ms Muzic said she was mindful of those in more catastrophic conditions in Queensland, as Cyclone Jasper continues to wreak havoc. "We do understand there are a lot of places in north Queensland absolutely devastated by these floods," she said. "Our hearts go to everybody in Cairns and the surrounding areas who have lost their homes and roads." "Hopefully our government gets in to fix everything up as quick as possible, it’s the week of Christmas." Image credits: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Woolworths impresses customers with welcome "treat"

Woolworths have given their customers a reason to smile after giving shoppers an unexpected offer. The supermarket giant has been praised for a simple but thoughtful gesture to customers trying to beat the heat while doing groceries. On a particularly hot day, a Woolworths store put bins of ice and bottles of water by the entrance for shoppers to take, with no charge. "Dear customers, we are in for a warm day. Stay safe and hydrated. Please enjoy a bottle of cold water from the store team," read signs attached to tubs at the shop. The small but significant gesture didn't go unnoticed by grateful shoppers, with one customer sharing a photo of the freebies on Facebook and describing it as a "great idea". Another shopper agreed, commenting, "As it was 40°C in Adelaide today, cold water would have been a treat." "Can grab some apples for the kids and a bottle of water," added someone else, referencing the free fruit for children also offered by the retailer. A spokesperson from Woolworths shared with <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/woolworths-stuns-with-unexpected-offer-for-customers-085030601.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News Australia</a> that this offer embodies a commitment to acts of kindness that are encouraged among the retailer's network of supermarkets. "Our store teams try and bring a little good to our customers every day," the spokesperson said. Not everyone was impressed by the generous offer, however, including a critic who suggested that what the supermarket was "really saying is that there's no air conditioning in their store". Others were also quick to comment that while the bottles of water were a nice offer, what would really help them would be a reduction in soaring grocery prices as the cost of living crisis continues. Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock

Caring

Eye-watering price tag for "remarkable" first class Titanic menu

A first class dinner menu from the Titanic has been found and sold at an auction in England for £84,000 (around $162,000 AUD) on November 11. The water-stained menu was dated April 11, 1912 just three days before the ship hit an iceberg, ultimately meeting it's ill-fated end causing over 1500 deaths. Wealthy passengers at the time were spoiled with choice, with oysters, salmon, beef, squab (baby pigeon), spring lamb among other dishes on the menu, and that's not including dessert. Auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son said it was unclear how the menu made it off the ship intact, but the slight water damage suggests that it was recovered from the body of a victim. The rare artefact, which is over 111 years old belonged to amateur historian Len Stephenson, from Nova Scotia, Canada, who passed away in 2017. No one knew he had it, including his family, who only discovered it after going through his belongings following his death. “About six months ago his daughter and his son-in-law, Allen, felt the time was right to go through his belongings,” auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said. “As they did they found this menu in an old photo album. “Len was a very well thought-of historian in Nova Scotia which has strong connections with the Titanic. The body recovery ships were from Nova Scotia and so all the victims were taken back there. “Sadly, Len has taken the secret of how he acquired this menu to the grave with him.” Stephenson worked at a post office and would talk to people, collect old pictures and write letters for them, which might be how he got the rare artefact. According to the auctioneer, no other first class dinner menus dated April 11, 1912 have been recovered from the titanic making this “a remarkable survivor from the most famous Ocean liner of all time”. “There are a handful of April 14 menus in existence but you just don’t see menus from April 11. Most of them would have gone down with the ship,” Aldridge said. “Whereas with April 14 menus, passengers would have still had them in their coat and jacket pockets from earlier on that fateful night and still had them when they were taken off the ship," he added. A few other items recovered from the Titanic were also sold, including a Swiss-made pocket watch recovered from passenger Sinai Kantor which fetched £97,000 (around $187,000 AUD). A tartan-patterned deck blanket, which was likely used during the rescue operation also sold for £96,000 (around $185,000). Images: Henry Aldridge & Son of Devizes, Wiltshire

Cruising

Does running water really trigger the urge to pee? Experts explain the brain-bladder connection

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-overs-1458017">James Overs</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-homewood-1458022">David Homewood</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/melbourne-health-950">Melbourne Health</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-elizabeth-oconnell-ao-1458226">Helen Elizabeth O'Connell AO</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/simon-robert-knowles-706104">Simon Robert Knowles</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> We all know that feeling when nature calls – but what’s far less understood is the psychology behind it. Why, for example, do we get the urge to pee just before getting into the shower, or when we’re swimming? What brings on those “nervous wees” right before a date? Research suggests our brain and bladder are in constant communication with each other via a neural network called the <a href="https://www.einj.org/journal/view.php?doi=10.5213/inj.2346036.018">brain-bladder axis</a>. This complex web of circuitry is comprised of sensory neural activity, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. These neural connections allow information to be sent <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics12123119">back and forth</a> between the brain and bladder. The brain-bladder axis not only facilitates the act of peeing, but is also responsible for telling us we need to go in the first place. <h2>How do we know when we need to go?</h2> As the bladder fills with urine and expands, this activates special receptors detecting stretch in the nerve-rich lining of the bladder wall. This information is then relayed to the “periaqueductal gray” – a part of the brain in the brainstem which <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nrn2401">constantly monitors</a> the bladder’s filling status. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=454&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=570&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=570&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/547931/original/file-20230913-19-2kgkhk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=570&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>The periaqueductal gray is a section of gray matter located in the midbrain section of the brainstem. <a class="source" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainstem#/media/File:1311_Brain_Stem.jpg">Wikimedia/OpenStax</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></figcaption></figure> Once the bladder reaches a certain threshold (roughly 250-300ml of urine), another part of the brain called the “pontine micturition centre” is activated and signals that the bladder needs to be emptied. We, in turn, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16254993/">register this</a> as that all-too-familiar feeling of fullness and pressure down below. Beyond this, however, a range of situations can trigger or exacerbate our need to pee, by increasing the production of urine and/or stimulating reflexes in the bladder. <h2>Peeing in the shower</h2> If you’ve ever felt the need to pee while in the shower (no judgement here) it may be due to the sight and sound of running water. In a 2015 study, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0126798">researchers demonstrated</a> that males with urinary difficulties found it easier to initiate peeing when listening to the sound of running water being played on a smartphone. Symptoms of overactive bladder, including urgency (a sudden need to pee), have also been <a href="https://www.alliedacademies.org/articles/environmental-cues-to-urgency-and-incontinence-episodes-in-chinesepatients-with-overactive-urinary-bladder-syndrome.html">linked to</a> a range of environmental cues involving running water, including washing your hands and taking a shower. This is likely due to both physiology and psychology. Firstly, the sound of running water may have a relaxing physiological effect, increasing activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. This would relax the bladder muscles and prepare the bladder for emptying. At the same time, the sound of running water may also have a conditioned psychological effect. Due to the countless times in our lives where this sound has coincided with the actual act of peeing, it may trigger an instinctive reaction in us to urinate. This would happen in the same way <a href="https://www.simplypsychology.org/pavlov.html">Pavlov’s dog learnt</a>, through repeated pairing, to salivate when a bell was rung. <h2>Cheeky wee in the sea</h2> But it’s not just the sight or sound of running water that makes us want to pee. Immersion in cold water has been shown to cause a “cold shock response”, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19945970">which activates</a> the sympathetic nervous system. This so-called “fight or flight” response drives up our blood pressure which, in turn, causes our kidneys to filter out more fluid from the bloodstream to stabilise our blood pressure, in a process called “<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00864230">immersion diuresis</a>”. When this happens, our bladder fills up faster than normal, triggering the urge to pee. Interestingly, immersion in very warm water (such as a relaxing bath) may also increase urine production. In this case, however, it’s due to activation of the parasympathetic nervous system. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050065">One study</a> demonstrated an increase in water temperature from 40℃ to 50℃ reduced the time it took for participants to start urinating. Similar to the effect of hearing running water, the authors of the study suggest being in warm water is calming for the body and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. This activation can result in the relaxation of the bladder and possibly the pelvic floor muscles, bringing on the urge to pee. <h2>The nervous wee</h2> We know stress and anxiety can cause bouts of nausea and butterflies in the tummy, but what about the bladder? Why do we feel a sudden and frequent urge to urinate at times of heightened stress, such as before a date or job interview? When a person becomes stressed or anxious, the body goes into fight-or-flight mode through the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. This triggers a cascade of physiological changes designed to prepare the body to face a perceived threat. As part of this response, the muscles surrounding the bladder may contract, leading to a more urgent and frequent need to pee. Also, as is the case during immersion diuresis, the increase in blood pressure associated with the stress response may <a href="https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI102496">stimulate</a> the kidneys to produce more urine. <h2>Some final thoughts</h2> We all pee (most of us several times a day). Yet <a href="https://doi.org/10.5489/cuaj.1150">research has shown</a> about 75% of adults know little about how this process actually works – and even less about the brain-bladdder axis and its role in urination. <a href="https://www.continence.org.au/about-us/our-work/key-statistics-incontinence#:%7E:text=Urinary%20incontinence%20affects%20up%20to,38%25%20of%20Australian%20women1.">Most Australians</a> will experience urinary difficulties at some point in their lives, so if you ever have concerns about your urinary health, it’s extremely important to consult a healthcare professional. And should you ever find yourself unable to pee, perhaps the sight or sound of running water, a relaxing bath or a nice swim will help with getting that stream to flow.<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/210808/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/james-overs-1458017">James Overs</a>, Research Assistant, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-homewood-1458022">David Homewood</a>, Urology Research Registrar, Western Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/melbourne-health-950">Melbourne Health</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/helen-elizabeth-oconnell-ao-1458226">Helen Elizabeth O'Connell AO</a>, Professor, University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery. President Urological Society Australia and New Zealand, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/simon-robert-knowles-706104">Simon Robert Knowles</a>, Associate Professor and Clinical Psychologist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/swinburne-university-of-technology-767">Swinburne University of Technology</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-running-water-really-trigger-the-urge-to-pee-experts-explain-the-brain-bladder-connection-210808">original article</a>.

Mind

Eye-watering price tag for Melissa Caddick's penthouse

A penthouse formerly owned by fraudster Melissa Caddick is on the market for an estimated $5.5 million. The apartment, which was previously occupied by her parents Ted and Barbara Grimley, was listed for auction on October 10 and boasts stunning panoramic views of the city skyline. “Spacious throughout and stylishly presented with understated contemporary finishes, this is the perfect opportunity for downsizers, executives and families who seek undeniable quality and convenience,” read an online listing. Viewings for the apartment located in Eastpoint Tower at Edgecliff are only available through appointments, according to managing agents Richardson and Wrench. Liquidators hope that the sale of the penthouse will help recover some of the money Caddick stole from over 50 investors as part of her ponzi investment scam. The 49-year-old lived a life of luxury after stealing up to $30 million from the investors, many of whom were reportedly her close friends and family. Jones Partners, the accounting firm in charge of liquidating Caddick's former assets, have already recouped $3 million to investors after the sale of her share portfolio and Dover Heights cliff-top mansion. At the time, Jones Partners principal Bruce Gleeson said that it wasn't rare for investors to not get anything back from ponzi schemes. However, he has said that the sale of the Edgecliff apartment in Sydney's eastern suburbs, would allow for further significant distributions to investors. Caddick disappeared in November 2020, just days after her home was raided by ASIC investigators. She is believed to be dead after her badly decomposed right foot was found washed up on a beach in the south coast of NSW on February 2021, but the rest of her body has not been found. Images: Richardson & Wrench

Real Estate

Princess Diana's dresses fetch an eye-watering sum at auction

Three dresses worn by Princess Diana have sold for $2.5 million (AUD) at an auction in Beverly Hills, California. The gowns were sold in a Legends: Hollywood And Royalty sale, by Julien's Auctions and featured over 1,400 items to celebrate 100 years of Warner Bros. All three dresses sold for six-figures, with one selling for almost triple it's estimated price. Martin Nolan, the executive director, said the record-breaking sale of Diana's dresses "exceeded all expectations". Princess Diana's black and jade gown was the most expensive item, selling for $895,580. The dress was made by Catherine Walker - her personal designer for over 16 years - which she wore to a gala event in Toronto, Canada, in October 1991. The second most expensive dress sold was a red silk dress made by Bruce Oldfield, which she wore to the premiere of Hot Shots at the Odeon Leicester Square the following month. The Oldfield dress fetched a stunning $895,547 - which was almost triple it's estimated $312,000 price tag. The final dress was a custom-made black velvet and ivory gown Diana wore to a private function, which was also designed by Walker, and fetched $796,070. The original price of the velvet and ivory gown was estimated to be around $93,000 - $125,000. The three dresses have not been seen in public for over 30 years, according to the auction house. They were originally bought by American businesswoman Ellen Petho, who bought five of Princess Diana's dresses for $234,000 at an auction in New York. Petho, who passed away in January aged 82, ended up only keeping three of the dresses, which her husband has now sold to help raise money for a scholarship fund for mature art and design students in memory of his wife. Petho's daughter Karrie, told the Mail: "Our mother read the inscription inside [the auction catalogue] about Prince William telling his mother that the dresses should not sit in her closet, that they should be out in the world and doing good. I think that's what inspired her." Image: Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Images

Beauty & Style

“Dig a hole in my chest”: Supermodel reveals double cancer fight

Supermodel icon Linda Evangelista has shared the devastating details of her cancer battle, after being diagnosed twice in five years. In a candid interview with <a href="https://www.wsj.com/style/fashion/linda-evangelista-steven-meisel-32909b7b?mod=style_lead_story" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WSJ magazine</a>, the 58-year-old revealed why she chose to "keep it quiet" and only tell a handful of people close to her about her health battle. Evangelista was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018 after a routine mammogram, and decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy: a surgical procedure to remove both breasts. "The margins were not good. [I chose this treatment] due to other health factors, without hesitation, because I wanted to put everything behind me and not to have to deal with this. "Thinking I was good and set for life. Breast cancer was not going to kill me." Four years later in 2022, Evangelista felt a lump on her chest and an MRI revealed cancer was present in her pectoral muscle. "I just went into this mode that I know how to do – just do what you've got to do and get through it," she said. "And that's what I did." "Dig a hole in my chest," she recalled telling her doctors. "I don't want it to look pretty. I want you to excavate. I want to see a hole in my chest when you're done. Do you understand me? I'm not dying from this." After another round of surgery, she was told the outlook was good for the future, but there is always a possibility the cancer could return. "Well, once it's come back, there's a chance," she recalled the oncologist's words. "I know I have one foot in the grave, but I'm totally in celebration mode." Image credits: Instagram / Getty Images

Caring

Albo's eye-watering pay rise revealed

Anthony Albanese has received a massive pay rise, along with several other Federal MPs, in the biggest pay rise for politicians in a decade. The Prime Minister and his deputy Richard Marles have scored a big pay pump which will increase their pay to $586,768 and $432,860 respectively. The pay increase for all politicians is four percent, which is the heftiest single pay rise in almost 10 years, taking the base salary of a backbencher from $217,000 to $225,680. Under the changes, Albo will score a $22,568 a year pay rise, while his deputy Richard Marles will score a $16,000 pay rise from September 1st. The Remuneration Tribunal, the body that determines the pay and entitlements of public office holders, announced the decision on Monday afternoon citing cost of living pressures as one factor for the increase. “The Tribunal has decided to increase remuneration by 4 per cent for public offices in its jurisdiction. This increase applies from 1 July 2023 for all offices except Federal Members of Parliament (MPs), which applies from 1 September 2023," a spokesman said. “The Tribunal completed its last review of remuneration for public offices in its jurisdiction in June 2022 and determined an adjustment of 2.75 per cent would apply from 1 July 2022. The Tribunal made no adjustment in the preceding two years." “The Tribunal is aware that the remuneration increases it has awarded to offices in its jurisdiction over the past decade have been conservative," a spokesman said. Despite the Tribunal's justification for the increase, the news of the pay rise has come at a difficult time for the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, as revelations emerged that he was booking military planes to pick him up and drop him off at Avalon airport closer to his home in Geelong saving himself a one-hour chauffeur-driven car ride from Melbourne. The flights are contributing to a staggering $3.6 million bill for Mr Marles’ VIP private plane costs since last year alone. Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Sam Kerr's eye-watering salary revealed

Sam Kerr's eye-watering salary has been revealed, with the Matildas captain raking in a whopping seven-figure sum thanks to her football salary and major sports brand endorsements. The Matildas skipper, who holds Australia’s all-time goal-scoring record, earned $3.3 million before heading to the world stage for the FIFA Women's World Cup. According to reports by the <a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/sam-kerr-is-female-soccer-s-3-3m-superstar-no-one-else-comes-close-20230718-p5dpa4#:~:text=A%20world-leading%20female%20footballer%27s,more%20than%20her%20Australian%20teammates." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Financial Review</a>, Kerr was among the highest-paid players in the competition, bringing home a pay packet that is estimated to be more than 10 times higher than her Aussie teammates. The impressive multi-million dollar salary comes from her Chelsea FCW salary and endorsements with Nike and EA Sports, totalling more than double the income of the next best-paid Matildas star, defender Ellie Carpenter, at $1.2 million. Kerr’s partnership with Nike is reportedly worth $1 million and she also has a deal with Mastercard, on top of her Chelsea contract, which is reportedly worth more than $600,000 a season. Emily van Egmond came in third highest paid after earning just shy of $400,000, followed by Lydia Williams and Alanna Kennedy at $354,000 and Katrina Gorry at $330,000, according to the AFR. Seven Matildas players earned between $200,000 and $300,000, with 20-year-old Mary Fowler topping the bracket at $284,738. The remaining teammates’ income ranged from $100,000 to just shy of $185,000. Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

"Hi Dad, I'm alive": Missing Aussies found in Indonesian waters

Four Australians have been found off the coast of the Aceh region of Indonesia, days after they went missing on a boating expedition. Elliot Foote, Steph Weisse, Will Teagle and Jordan Short were on a surfing trip in Indonesia for Mr Foote's 30th birthday, when they jetted off on Sunday for a boating day. The four Aussies were on a wooden boat with three Indonesian crew members when they lost contact in the evening after running into bad weather. 9News confirmed that the four Australian tourists were found floating on surfboards, as the boat has yet to be located, while it remains unclear if the local crew members had been found. The owner of Banyak Surf Resort, Julian Lauencoan, confirmed on Tuesday that the Australians had been rescued by a catamaran. Peter Foote, the father of the fourth member Elliot, told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-15/four-australians-found-after-going-missing-on-aceh-surf-trip/102730976" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ABC</a> that he received a text message from his son, confirming he is alive. He said the text said "hi dad, I'm alive", but is still waiting to speak to his son for official confirmation. "It looks hopeful, he has paddled off and left the group and gone to get help, trying to make it to an island for help," Peter Foote said. "They know which island — they are tracking him down to find him and I am sure it will all turn out well. Fingers crossed but not confirmed. I can't start to celebrate just yet." Mr Foote said that he had spoken with Ms Weisse's father, and that the rescued trio were understood to be "probably thinner and waterlogged" but relatively healthy. "They were all bobbing around on their surfboards. I don't know what happened to the vessel," Mr Foote said. "You call it luck or faith, I don't know what it is. Somehow they have survived, most of them until now. I am sure they have survived it. It is freak luck." Image credits: Today

News

The eye-watering sum Kyle Sandilands spent on his son's first birthday

Kyle Sandilands has revealed the eye-watering sum he spent on the extravagant first birthday celebrations for his son Otto. The radio host shocked Jackie O on Wednesday morning when he admitted the birthday party was costing a shocking five-figure sum. Otto's first birthday, which falls on August 11th, is being celebrated with a lavish party that is costing around $25,000. Sandilands revealed he had hired a party planner for the day, with 24 children and 38 adults invited to attend. “It’s only $25,000,” he quipped. “It’s a watered-down type of party.” A shocked Jackie O responded sarcastically that his plans for Otto’s big day sounded very “low-key”. Sandilands then noted that the $25,000 didn’t include other basic party supplies that his wife Tegan had already bought. “Like the lollies, the bonbonniere, and the plates and all these weird tablecloths - these are eight-foot tablecloths,” he said. Despite spending a small fortune on the party, Sandilands admitted he isn't overly keen on attending the celebrations. “I said, ‘Do I have to come out of my room?’ and Tegan said ‘Yes’,” he revealed. “I’m supposed to be engaged with the visitors." Otto's first birthday is not the first time Kyle and his wife have spent an extortionate amount on an event, with their luxury wedding in Sydney reportedly costing around $1 million. The catering bill was estimated to be $75,000 alone, and Sandilands had earlier boasted that the bill for flowers came in at $150,000. Image credits: Instagram

Family & Pets

Fleetwood Mac legend’s eye-watering fortune revealed

Fleetwood Mac star Christine McVie left behind a $135 million fortune, probate documents revealed. The singer and keyboardist <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/there-are-no-words-fleetwood-mac-star-dies-aged-79" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed away aged 79</a> in November last year following a short illness. McVie, who was living in London at the time, had suffered a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/fleetwood-mac-star-s-cause-of-death-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stroke and had cancer</a>. A year before her death, she secured a massive deal and sold the rights to her entire back catalogue of 115 songs. McVie played in several bands before joining Fleetwood Mac in 1970, just two years after she married the band’s bassist John McVie. She left the band in 1998 and returned to tour in 2014. Following her death, her former bandmates Mick Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks said: “She was truly one of a kind, special and talented beyond measure. “She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life. “We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. “She will be so very missed.” In February this year, Fleetwood admitted that the band was most likely “done” for good following McVie’s death. "I think right now, I truly think the line in the sand has been drawn with the loss of Chris," he told the Los Angeles Times. "I'd say we're done, but then we've all said that before. It's sort of unthinkable right now." Image: Instagram

Money & Banking

"Get out of the water!" Huge shark spotted at crowded beach

Dramatic footage has revealed the moment a shark was spotted swimming in shallow waters at a crowded beach in Florida. In the video filmed at Navarre beach on Monday, a sizeable fin can be spotted zipping past swimmers as panicked onlookers screamed for them to get out. "Get out of the water!" one person screamed, as stunned swimmers ran for their lives. However there was an eerie lack of urgency for a few others who took their time exiting the waters, with no worries whatsoever to the frustration of a bystander who commented: "They're still out there." Cristy Cox, who filmed the footage, told the Pensacola News Journal that the shark was simply chasing a fish, but warned people to be aware of their surroundings. “It all happened so fast! A dolphin was actually side by side with the shark at first and then just disappeared,” she said. “The shark was just trying to feed as they are expected and just passed by swimmers. “Everyone was stunned as it moved down the beach chasing the school of fish. We all just have to remember this is natural and we are in their home, so stay alert!” Beach Safety Director Austin Turnbill confirmed to the publication that a shark had been spotted at the beach, but for people to not be alarmed. “There’s sharks in the Gulf, everywhere. We see sharks almost every day and there’s nothing to be alarmed of for 99.9% of the time,” he said. Image: Cristy Cox Facebook

Travel Trouble

4 debunked movie plot holes

Movie watchers love to scrutinise over the meaning, inconsistencies and crucial elements of films. It’s part of the fun of watching a movie and makes for entertaining conversations amongst friends. Even film directors are aware of this level of analysis with David Fincher once saying he is sad for those who “go through movies and look for inconsistencies and continuity errors.” Here are some of the most iconic movie plot holes that have been debunked through endless re-watching and sleuthing. 1. Titanic The age-old question is why didn’t Rose let Jack onto the door with her in the water? This movie plot hole is so famous that an entire Mythbusters episode was dedicated to figuring out the truth. Rose’s virtue has been defended as when the lovebirds first went into the sea they tried to both get onto the door only to have it keep knocking one or both of them off. The consensus is that there wouldn’t be enough buoyancy for two of them to occupy the piece of wood. And then we all know how the story ends, Jack sacrifices his life and Rose faces years of people being annoyed at her “hogging” the floating wood. 2. Raiders of the Lost Ark Raiders of the Lost Ark has been caught up in a debacle because Indiana essentially helps the Nazis on their quest to find the Ark, while their face-melting fate was sealed whether he was there or not. This has been defended because Indiana’s primary job is to recover the Ark and return it to its home. If he wasn’t there, it would’ve remained in German hands. 3. Citizen Kane Citizen Kane has gone down in cinematic history as one of the greatest movies ever made. However, one popular fault that is brought up time and time again is when Kane says “rosebud” it appears as if no one is around to hear and thus there is no catalyst for the plot. It has been observed that Kane’s butler was the one to hear him utter the word and it is later revealed in an interview with his erstwhile employee that Raymond was with him in his last moments. Even if it wasn’t the case, the acoustics could be really good in the big house! 4. The Sixth Sense The twist at the end of The Sixth Sense where Bruce Willis’ Dr Malcolm Crowe discovers he was dead the whole time ruffled a few feathers. This concept of ghosts is actually introduced throughout the narrative as it is explained that ghosts often don’t come to terms with their fate immediately, even creating their own reality and “living” as normal. Following that line of logic, he wouldn’t have had the revelation of his death until it occurs in the movie. Image credit: Instagram

Movies

Our Partners

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Newspaper

Contests

Entertainment

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Property

Compare

Games

Information

Keep up to date

Search

Flight attendant reveals why planes have tiny holes in their windows

How people get sucked into misinformation rabbit holes – and how to get them out

Mission: Impossible Sydney mansion sells for eye-watering price

Out of the rabbit hole: new research shows people can change their minds about conspiracy theories

What is micellar water and how does it work?

Man's hilariously Aussie response to rising flood water

Aussies brave flood waters for a drink at the pub

Woolworths impresses customers with welcome "treat"

Eye-watering price tag for "remarkable" first class Titanic menu

Does running water really trigger the urge to pee? Experts explain the brain-bladder connection

Eye-watering price tag for Melissa Caddick's penthouse

Princess Diana's dresses fetch an eye-watering sum at auction