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"Who does that?!" Outrage over horrific kerbside pick-up

Fury has erupted in Sydney's inner west after one callous resident left an unusual item in their pile of junk for council's kerbside pick-up. One a hot summer day, one local was walking past the pile of household items that held a giant "FREE" sign, inviting passersby to sift through the loot to take what they please. However, the concerned local was shocked to find a fish tank at the bottom of the stack, that still had pet fish living inside. The fish were swimming around in only a few inches of water in the tank, which had been left in the blazing sun. Taking to a local Facebook group, the woman posted a photo of the fish pleading for "anybody able to rescue them" from nearby, to which dozens of people responded offering their help. The post racked up an influx of comments from people condemning the original owner's actions, with one outraged neighbour saying, "Who does that!! They would boil in this heat." "Thanks for saving! What is wrong with people!!" replied another. By the end of the day, and after many offers from people willing to take in the two tiny pets, they found a new, loving home with an "experienced" fish owner. According to the <a href="https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NSW Department of Primary Industries</a>, the welfare of all animals, including fish, is protected by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and dumping an unwanted pet fish is illegal under Section 11 of the Act. "Most people accept that dumping a pet cat or dog into the wild is an act of animal cruelty, but did you know that fish are considered under the same animal welfare legislation in NSW?" they state on their website. Image credits: Facebook

Family & Pets

New Maddie McCann theory has "electrified" investigators

An important witness in the Madeleine McCann case has shared a valuable piece of information which has has "electrified" investigators, as the search for the missing child continues. The witness claims that Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in Maddie's disappearance, had a burglary tool kit that could unlock any security door, and boasted to friends about his lock picking skills. This new theory has raised fresh doubts over the official theory that Maddie’s kidnapper clambered in through a window of holiday apartment 5a in Praia da Luz when she was abducted. German police are said to be “electrified” by discovery, and are also probing the possibility that Christian B used car paint solvent to sedate Maddie. In an exclusive interview from a secret location, Helge B – now in German police witness protection – told filmmaker Jutta Rabe for <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/22893975/madeleine-mccann-suspect-christian-b-lock-pick-kit/">The Sun on Sunday,</a> “He came through the door”. Helge B, 52, who met his fellow German a year before Maddie vanished aged three, said he found the kit at Christian B’s Algarve home. The petty criminal had decided to ransack it with another friend after learning Christian B was serving time for theft. He said, “I knew from Christian that he uses tools to break into holiday resorts, hotels and holiday homes to steal from tourists." “There were passports on the table. There was all sorts of stuff lying around – cameras, suitcases, everything that tourists have with them. I also found a lock pick set.” Helge B, who kept the kit and told German police about it, added, “You can use it to pick any lock, including security locks.” Despite police long believing Maddie's abductor had snuck in through the window, when asked how Christian B might've entered the hotel room, Helge simply said, “Through the door. Easily. He can open any door”. Upon the discovery of the new evidence, a police source said, “The German detectives were electrified by the discovery of the tool kit with the lock picks in it. This evidence is now very important to them." “It confirmed a suspicion that they’d had for a long time – that Christian B entered the apartment through the door.” German prosecutors hope to use the lock picks evidence to nail Christian B, who is in jail for drugs crimes and appealing a seven-year sentence for raping a woman of 72. Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

How to pick the right course for you

The benefits of keeping your mind busy are endless but deciding to undertake study requires some commitment. Follow these steps to ensure you are picking the right course for you. Pick something you love A good way to narrow this down is by making a list of things you like doing, subjects you enjoy reading about and your hobbies. Next, jot down the courses you think you’re interested in and that align with your list of interests. If you find any crossover, look more into those courses. Do some research Always make sure you look into something before you commit yourself. The best resources are the internet and the people around you. More often than not you will find information on the institution’s website. For instance, the Open Training Institute has in-depth information about what is required from you for each course, what the courses will cover as well as video clips about each course. Speak to people Speak to your friends and family who have studied and find out what they have and haven’t liked about the courses and places they have studied. You will gain the best insight from someone who has studied a course himself/herself. Trust your instincts When you start looking into subject options, you should trust your feelings when picking a course or place to study. If there’s something you’re not comfortable with ask about it, if you’re not satisfied with the answer then perhaps it’s not the right course for you. Review course content Ensure you have a close look at the subjects or modules you will cover in a course you want to study. If you know the types of things required of you before you enrol and you’re comfortable with what’s ahead, it’s a great sign. Consider course durations Courses vary in time commitments and duration, and some courses even offer you the flexibility to choose. For instance you can do all the courses through Open Training Institute self-paced, meaning you can take as little as a month or more slowly over two years to complete. To be sure you’ll be committed to your studies, work out if your current priorities are manageable if you were to enrol in a certain course. <a href="../education/education/2014/08/why-you-need-to-keep-your-mind-active.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Related link: Discover the many benefits of keeping your mind busy now! </a> Image credit: Shutterstock

Mind

"Who picks a fight with a rock star?" Jimmy Barnes confronts on-road "bully"

Jimmy Barnes' wife Jane has ripped into a truck driver who "bullied" the couple on the road, with the driver attempting to "fight Jimmy on the roadside". Jane Barnes said the incident occurred on Wednesday night in the south Sydney suburb of Botany Bay, when the couple had been driving home from a charity event. In a furious thread on Twitter, Jane detailed the terrifying incident which resulted in the police being called. Jane wrote, "(He) cut us off across our lane and swiped our mirror, wanted to fight Jimmy on the roadside." "Trucks are like weapons, bullies behind the wheel a danger to us all," she wrote, alongside the hashtags #TOLL and #NOtobullies. Jane then shared a photo of the truck drivers' side profile as he almost came to blows with the rockstar, as well as photos of the truck's license plate and the Barnes' car which shows the drivers' side wing mirror bent out of place. Jane went on to say the truckie had shared his details with the couple and that NSW Police had been called over the altercation. However, she said, officers "couldn't do much" if there were no injuries or damages. Jane's post drew in a wave of attention, with one fan asking, "Who picks a fight with a rock star?" Ms Barnes replied, "Shouldn't matter who it is. This guy was just a pig. Swearing, smug, ignorant, misogynist bully." The musician continued her rant on Instagram, writing, "When you drive a truck you're in charge of a weapon. A bully at the wheel can kill people." Many sent their sympathies to the couple, with some saying the tweet was "poignant" given the increase in accidents on Aussie roads. Image credits: Twitter

Travel Trouble

Picking up a King Charles III coronation commemorative plate? You’re buying into a centuries-old tradition

Mugs and plates celebrating the coronations, marriages and deaths of British royalty are not unusual sights in the Australian home. With the forthcoming coronation of King Charles III on May 6, such memorabilia cluttering our cupboards are only likely to increase. Guides to “<a href="https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk/article/king-charles-coronation-memorabilia-2023">the best King Charles III memorabilia</a>” are already advising what souvenirs to buy, including commemorative coins, biscuit tins, tea towels, plates and, of course, mugs. Yet the royal souvenir is not a recent invention. <h2>History of the royal mug</h2> The tradition of celebrating royal events with a mug or drinking vessel dates to at least the 17th century when the current king’s ancestor and namesake, Charles II, was restored to the English throne in 1660-1. Several mugs and cups produced at the time have survived and depict the “<a href="https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/charles-ii-guide-restoration-why-merry-monarch-how-many-children-rule/">merry monarch</a>”. The restoration of Charles II (after his father Charles I had been executed by order of parliament in 1649) was greeted with rejoicing throughout England, Scotland and Ireland. The famous social climber and diarist Samuel Pepys embodied the general feeling of this time when he wrote that on the day of Charles II’s coronation he watched the royal procession with wine and cake and all were “<a href="https://www.pepysdiary.com/diary/1661/04/22/">very merry</a>” and pleased at what they saw. Drinking and eating in celebration may account for why mugs and plates were, and remain, such popular forms of royal memorabilia; they were used to <a href="https://stuarts.exeter.ac.uk/education/objects/delftware-cup-c-1661/">drink loyal toasts</a> of good health to the monarch on special days of celebration. While a strong ale was the preferred liquid for 17th-century toasts, as the British Empire expanded tea drinking became a common pastime. Teacups became popular royal souvenirs during the reign of Queen Victoria in the 19th century. <h2>Fostering support</h2> The earthenware mugs made for Charles II’s coronation were relatively inexpensive, but not produced on a mass scale. With the industrial revolution of the 19th century and the rise of souvenir culture, royal memorabilia in all forms became more <a href="https://theconversation.com/royal-family-why-even-a-charles-and-diana-divorce-mug-is-important-for-the-monarchy-176588">popular and widespread</a>. Since 1900, royal births, deaths, marriages and coronations have been big money for manufacturers of royal memorabilia. The pitfalls of mass production were realised in 1936 when Edward VIII abdicated from the throne just months before his planned coronation in May 1937. Manufacturers were stuck with <a href="https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/178313173?searchTerm=%22coronation%20mug%22">thousands of mugs</a>, plates and other items celebrating the coronation of a king that would not happen. Many of these mugs still made their way out to the market, while other manufacturers such as Royal Doulton <a href="https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_2012-8022-5-a-c">adapted existing designs</a> and used them for the coronation of his brother, George VI. English monarchs were not the only royals to encourage the use of their image on objects collected, worn or used by their subjects. Renaissance Italian princes popularised the <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2016/renaissance-portrait-medals/exhibition-themes">portrait medal</a> and the Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V, fostered support in his vast territories using mass-produced medallions <a href="https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/197126">bearing his image</a>. Objects with images of royalty served similar functions in the 20th century. Australian school children were often <a href="https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/141777602?searchTerm=%22coronation%20mug%22">given medals</a>to commemorate coronations, while children in England were gifted pottery mugs to drink to the sovereign’s health. When Elizabeth II was crowned in 1953, <a href="https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/artifact/coronation-of-hm-queen-elizabeth-ii">English children</a>received mugs, tins of chocolate and a spoon or coin. <h2>Measuring popularity</h2> Royal memorabilia don’t just foster support but act as a barometer of the popularity of the royal family around the globe. Coronation mugs became popular in the reign of Charles II in 1661 because these objects captured the joyous feeling of a nation that had endured 20 years of warfare and political chaos. Support for the royal family has often been shown through royal weddings and marriages: plates depicting Charles II and his Portuguese bride, Catherine of Braganza, were made to celebrate their union in 1662. Recently a <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/metal-detectorist-discovers-rare-gold-pendant-celebrating-henry-viiis-first-marriage-180981557/">gold pendant</a> inscribed with the initials of Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, likely worn by a supporter, was also discovered. For Prince William and Kate Middleton’s highly anticipated wedding in 2011, thousands of types of mundane and wacky <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-royal-wedding-souvenirs-pictures-photogallery.html">souvenirs</a> were produced, such as plates, mugs, magnets, graphic novels, toilet seat covers and PEZ dispensers. Over 1,600 lines of official merchandise were produced for the marriage of Princes Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. <a href="https://issuu.com/accpublishinggroup/docs/june_july_2022_mag/s/15960301">Less than 25 lines</a> were produced for Charles’ unpopular second marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005. While Charles may not be <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2023/03/01/celebrities-dont-care-to-perform-for-king-charles-iii/?sh=56487b7a20f8">as popular</a> as his mother, coronation fever has most definitely taken hold in the United Kingdom. Royal fans are set to spend £1.4 billion (A$2.6 billion) on <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/21911733/shoppers-spend-billion-king-coronation-may/">coronation parties and souvenirs</a>. The availability of coronation souvenirs and party supplies in Australia is somewhat more limited – perhaps an indicator of Australia’s diminishing appetite for the royal family amid increased calls for another <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-24/king-charles-australias-head-of-state-alternative-republic/101470156">vote on a republic</a>. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/picking-up-a-king-charles-iii-coronation-commemorative-plate-youre-buying-into-a-centuries-old-tradition-200646" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Home & Garden

10 failsafe picks for the mum who “doesn’t want anything”

For some people, Mother’s Day is easy, with mums dropping gift hints all throughout the year, plus a few timely reminders sprinkled in right before the big day for good measure. For others, it’s a wild guessing game, usually off the back of the annual “oh, you don’t have to get me anything”. And as anyone who’s steered headfirst into that one before knows, it isn’t a risk worth taking. Luckily, the good people over at <a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/gifts/mothers-day-gifts?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Innovations</a> - Australia’s most trusted home shopping brand for more than 35 years - have it covered, no matter what your mum’s tastes may be. With an impressive range boasting everything from homewares to garden essentials, beauty, fashion, entertainment, and crafts galore, you’re sure to find something that delights, while giving her the pamper treatment she deserves. And with these ten top picks, you may even snag yourself the title of ‘favourite child’ for 2023. <h3>1. Say goodbye to a chilly reception this winter </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HERHR?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Herbie-Heat-Pack_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> There are few things worse in the winter than wanting your hot water bottle, but lacking any motivation to wait around for the water to boil - and then just to cool enough to safely put in there - and often just opting to go without. But that’s where Cuddly Herbie comes in! With its microwave heating capabilities, this cotton friend is the perfect size for a warm hug, is filled with silicone beans, and even comes with a removable polyester cover for mums all across Australia to beat the winter chill. And better yet, it’s good for the whole year - just pop your Herbie Heat Pack in the freezer and in no time you’ll have yourself a cool compress for all those pesky aches and pains. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HERHR?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herbie Heat Pack, $36.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>2. No laundry room? No problem</h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/MWSHM?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Mini-Washing-Machine_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Anyone who does laundry has - at one point or another - stood in front of their machine debating whether or not they have enough to warrant a full load. And whether the solution was to search the house top to bottom for a few more all-important smelly socks, or to save the chore for another full-basket day, an easier one was within reach all along. With a mini washing machine, a small load is no hassle! No-one needs to feel guilty about it either, with the small appliance using an even smaller share of power and water to get the job done. Standing proud at 28cm tall, and complete with a draining basket and draining pipe, this portable machine isn’t greedy, and only asks for some laundry soap, a wall outlet, and some water to get started. It’s even portable, so if your mum’s been after something to lighten the packing load on her next caravanning trip, this may just be the perfect pick for her. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/MWSHM?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mini Washing Machine, $89.00 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>3. Sudoku? Don’t mind if you do </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/DSUDK?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Deluxe-Sudoku-Game_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Some mums enjoy a crossword, and some mums are a little more into numbers, opting to test their brain with a good old sudoku puzzle instead. But no matter which takes your mum’s fancy, you have the power to save her from the frustration of crossing out poor guesses, smudges that refuse to budge, and scribbles that made sense - and only made sense - at the time. With this natural wooden board, measuring in at 24 x 24cm, those issues are a thing of the past! With over 100 printed puzzles to slide in and play, and 81 double-sided number tiles, there’s hours of enjoyment to be found. And best of all, for those who want the fun without the headache, the board comes complete with its very own solution booklet. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/DSUDK?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Deluxe Sudoku Game, $39.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>4. Can’t lose that, won’t lose that </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/COSMO?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Cosmetic-Organiser_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> How many times have we heard our mums ask themselves where they’ve put something? Be it their phone, their keys, or even the shoes they last had on, we’ve all joined that search and rescue mission - sometimes even being the ones to ask ourselves. Luckily, your mum need never lose her favourite lipstick again, and reaching for her best moisturiser has never been easier, with this durable cosmetic organiser. Made of an adorable pastel pink plastic, this space-saving wonder features three spacious drawers, a clear acrylic lid for easy viewing - tall enough to hold even those pesky tall bottles - and a handy carry handle, so your mum can keep it out on display, or carry it right along with her on her next big trip. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/COSMO?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmetic Organiser, $49.00 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>5. Make cold hands a thing of the past </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HWPB?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Comforting-Hand-Warmer-with-Power-Bank_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Whatever the reason - of which there are dozens - many people are in constant battle with their own cold fingers and toes. And most aren’t particularly keen on the idea of wearing gloves around the house until they warm up, especially if they’re particularly bulky and doomed to get in the way of a task. But with this little hand warmer, knocking out that chill can be done in record time, and all without taking up an unnecessary amount of space in your mum’s cupboard or her bag. This pocket-sized device comes with its very own carry pouch, and warms to 30, 37, or 50°C - it even stays that way for up to an impressive seven hours. It’s easy to charge with the provided USB cable, and even doubles as a powerful rechargeable battery that can charge your smartphone, tablet or any other USB-compatible device on the go. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/HWPB?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Comforting Hand Warmer with Power Bank, $19.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>6. Don’t keep ‘pilling’ on </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/FABSH?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Rechargeable-Fabric-Shaver_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Some clothing lasts an entire lifetime without a loose thread or a lint ball in sight, while other items subscribe more to the ‘blink and you’ve got pilling’ way of life. No mum wants to send herself or her kids - or even her grandkids - out in the world covered like that, and this shaver may be just the thing to give her some peace of mind in the face of another pilling crisis. Perfect for everything from coats to jumpers and plush toys, this fabric shaver makes the most of its stainless steel blades and three-speed motor to get the job done well, and to get it done quickly. It even comes with a lint box that’s no hassle to empty, and can be used just about anywhere - not only is it cordless, but it’s rechargeable, and comes with a USB cord - as well as a cleaning brush to get rid of the most stubborn of lint. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/FABSH?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rechargeable Fabric Shaver, $34.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>7. See the light, smell the light</h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/ADIFF?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Aroma-Diffuser-with-Coloured-Light_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> With a sleek wood-grain finish and colour-changing light brand, this show-stopping piece doesn’t just look good - it smells good, too. And if there’s one thing a mum deserves, it’s the opportunity to relax in luxury, even if she’s doing it from the comfort of her own home. All it takes is a few drops of water and some essential oil, and this diffuser does the work from there. And with options that range from a soft and steady light to an entire rainbow cycle of colour, whatever your mum’s mood, she can customise her surroundings to her heart’s content. At just 16 cm tall, it won’t even take up too much space, and comes with a USB cord, with the potential to be powered by a simple phone charger. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/ADIFF?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Aroma Diffuser with Coloured Light, $39.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>8. Slip into comfort</h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/23W23?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Cosy-Wool-Lined-Slipper_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> One of the hardest things in the colder months is getting out of bed, so if the option was there to slide your feet out of there and straight into some cosy slippers, wouldn’t you take it? Wouldn’t you want your mum to take it? With a fluffy collar, these slippers are a warm and comfy at-home essential, made from a soft suede with a gorgeous wool lining. And with a moulded rubber sole, there’s that little bit of extra support that doesn’t come with your standard slipper socks. Plus, if blue isn’t quite your mum’s colour, these also come in a beautiful dusty pink. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/23W23?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosy Wool Lined Slipper, $74.00 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>9. Don’t look so puzzled </h3> <a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/61921?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Gridded-Puzzle-Mat_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> Jigsaw puzzles not only provide hours - sometimes entire days - of entertainment, but they can also leave you with a fun statement art piece at the end. Granted, of course, that you didn’t lose any pieces along the way. One way to prevent that unfortunate end? A puzzle mat. Able to roll up, these keep puzzles held securely in place for those times you need your table back but don’t quite have the time to finish, or simply need to move to another, comfier location. Sometimes you might start your puzzle alone and later decide to call in reinforcements, and sometimes it goes the other way, after all - too many cooks spoil the broth, too many puzzlers complicate the jigsaw. This mat has guides for jigsaws ranging between 500 and 2000 pieces - with grids at 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 intervals. So no matter the size of your mum’s project, she doesn’t need to worry about losing track - instead, she can focus her full attention on securing those crucial corner pieces. <h3><a href="http://www.innovations.com.au/product/61921?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gridded Puzzle Mat, $23.95 – Buy now at Innovations</a></h3> <h3>10. That’s ‘sew’ perfect</h3> <a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/craft/accessories/folding-sewing-table?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2023/04/Folding-Sewing-Table_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></a> While a sewing project can start so, so small, it never takes long for things to expand, and for you to suddenly need far more than you ever thought you might. It can quickly become a pain, getting up and down, to grab whatever it is you’re missing, and can just as quickly drain any enthusiasm in the process. But with this versatile wooden workstation, your mum can have everything with her from the very beginning, and she can do it in style - and from wherever she wants, with its convenient wheels. While folded down, the table measures 59 x 40 x 79 cm high, and while folded out, its entire workspace measures 117 x 40 cm. Additionally, the inside of the station boasts three shelves to store essential tools and supplies, as well as an entire internal shelf dedicated to storing machines while they’re not in use, keeping things neat, tidy, and practical for any avid sewer. <h3><a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/p/craft/accessories/folding-sewing-table?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=nativearticle&utm_campaign=PLD03MdayGifts&affiliate=O60INA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Folding Sewing Table, $199 – Buy now at Innovations</a> </h3> <h3>To check out all of the incredible Mother’s Day gifts and inspiration for yourself, head on over to the online version of the <a href="https://www.innovations.com.au/catalogues.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Innovations 2023 Mother’s Day Catalogue</a>. </h3>

Home & Garden

“Please don’t be mad”: British expat’s bone to pick with Australia

British expat Jordana Grace has taken to TikTok to share her three biggest gripes with Australia, with the claim that most Australians don’t bat an eyelid at them. Jordana lives on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast after leaving the United Kingdom behind, and boasts a following of almost 300k on her TikTok where she regularly shares insight into her Australian adventure. “Sorry in advance,” the budding MixFM radio host began, “I’m gonna make Australia mad.” “Three things I don’t like about Australia,” she went on, “that Aussies don’t even realise is a thing.” From there, Jordana went on to list the aspects of life in Australia that were causing her the most trouble, though her claim about Aussies may have missed the mark, with Jordana’s gripes known frustrations across the country. “First up is the slow internet speed - like, what the fudge?” She said, “sorry for the salty language, but it’s like nails on a chalkboard how in some areas in Australia the internet and WiFi is just so slow.” In 2023, the UK ranked 45th in the world for average broadband speed with 145.33 Mbps, while Australia came in at 73rd with an average speed of 88.77 Mbps. “Please don’t be mad,” Jordana continued, “but next is the terrible phone service. There’s like three major providers in Australia, and they all have nicknames like Vodafone is Vodafail, Optus is Optus Droptus, and Telstra … no-one can come up with a clever nickname for but it’s just very inconsistent phone service over here." <div class="embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial; vertical-align: baseline; width: 620px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7197724229943446789&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40thejordanagrace%2Fvideo%2F7197724229943446789&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign-va.tiktokcdn.com%2Ftos-maliva-p-0068%2Fo0hBIk9tbBrEQhCIsd8xABfiuj1zkbogAuDFjA%7Etplv-dmt-logom%3Atos-useast2a-v-0068%2F0f22bd61bc15443ea1f3e5214fcdd9f3.image%3Fx-expires%3D1676361600%26x-signature%3D1ck2cF1fvQNZsDbJz4kKysELBSg%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> “And finally, the postage cost and speed," she said. "In the UK I didn’t realise that next day delivery was such a luxury, because over here postage not only can take weeks but the postage cost can cost as much as the item sometimes.” In the United Kingdom, prices to post a parcel begin at £3.95 for 1st class ($6.90). In Australia, 1st class parcel postage begins at $9.70. And as any Australian knows, postage times can span from a couple of days to a couple of weeks in busy periods. “Okay, but that’s it!” Jordana concluded, before pleading for everyone’s understanding, “I love you Australia, please don’t hate me.” Images: TikTok

Travel Trouble

Does picking your nose really increase your risk of dementia?

No matter your age, we all pick our nose. However, if gripping headlines around the world are a sign, this habit could increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. One international news report <a href="https://www.the-sun.com/health/6565520/common-habit-increase-risk-alzheimers-dementia/">said</a>: <blockquote> ‘SCARY EVIDENCE’ How a common habit could increase your risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia </blockquote> Another <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/alzheimers-disease-risk-increased-picking-28378042">ran with</a>: <blockquote> Alzheimer’s disease risk increased by picking your nose and plucking hair, warns study </blockquote> An Australian news article <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/could-picking-your-nose-lead-to-dementia-australian-researchers-are-digging-into-it/rn7xqef2w">couldn’t resist a pun</a>: <blockquote> Could picking your nose lead to dementia? Australian researchers are digging into it. </blockquote> Yet if we look at the research study behind these news reports, we may not need to be so concerned. The evidence connecting nose picking with the risk of dementia is still rather inconclusive. What prompted these headlines? Queensland researchers published <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-06749-9">their study</a> back in February 2022 in the journal Scientific Reports. However, the results were not widely reported in the media until about eight months later, following a <a href="https://news.griffith.edu.au/2022/10/28/new-research-suggests-nose-picking-could-increase-risk-for-alzheimers-and-dementia/">media release</a> from Griffith University in late October. The media release had a similar headline to the multiple news articles that followed: <blockquote> New research suggests nose picking could increase risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia </blockquote> The media release clearly stated the research was conducted in mice, not humans. But it did quote a researcher who described the evidence as “potentially scary” for humans too. What the study did The researchers wanted to learn more about the role of Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria and Alzheimer’s disease. These bacteria have been found in brains of people with Alzheimer’s, although <a href="https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article/48/3/355/506227?login=true">the studies</a> were completed more than <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s004300050071">15 years ago</a>. This bacteria species can cause respiratory infections such as pneumonia. It’s not to be confused with the chlamydia species that causes sexually transmitted infections (that’s C. trachomatis). The researchers were interested in where C. pneumoniae went, how quickly it travelled from the nose to the brain, and whether the bacteria would create a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease found in brain tissue, the amyloid β protein. So they conducted a small study in mice. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.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/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=432&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=432&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=432&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=543&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=543&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/493175/original/file-20221103-22-znvia5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=543&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="White mouse in open cage with raised nose" /></a><figcaption>The study, which was conducted in mice, didn’t mention nose picking. <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/funny-curious-white-rat-looking-out-402796495">Shutterstock</a></figcaption></figure> The researchers injected C. pneumoniae into the noses of some mice and compared their results to other mice that received a dose of salty water instead. They then waited one, three, seven or 28 days before euthanising the animals and examined what was going on in their brains. What the study found Not surprisingly, the researchers detected more bacteria in the part of the brain closest to the nose in mice that received the infectious dose. This was the olfactory brain region (involved in the sense of smell). Mice that had the bacteria injected into their noses also had clusters of the amyloid β protein around the bacteria. Mice that didn’t receive the dose also had the protein present in their brains, but it was more spread out. The researchers didn’t compare which mice had more or less of the protein. Finally, the researchers found that gene profiles related to Alzheimer’s disease were more abundant in mice 28 days after infection compared with seven days after infection. How should we interpret the results? The study doesn’t actually mention nose-picking or plucking nose hairs. But the media release quoted one of the researchers <a href="https://news.griffith.edu.au/2022/10/28/new-research-suggests-nose-picking-could-increase-risk-for-alzheimers-and-dementia/">saying</a> this was not a good idea as this could damage the nose: <blockquote> If you damage the lining of the nose, you can increase how many bacteria can go up into your brain. </blockquote> The media release suggested you could protect your nose (by not picking) and so lower your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Again, this was not mentioned in the study itself. At best the study results suggest infection with C. pneuomoniae can spread rapidly to the brain – in mice. Until we have more definitive, robust studies in humans, I’d say the link between nose picking and dementia risk remains low. – Joyce Siette <hr /> Blind peer review Nose picking is a life-long common human practice. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7852253/">Nine in ten people</a> admit doing it. By the age of 20, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6345537/">some 50% of people</a> have evidence of C. pneumoniae in their blood. That rises to 80% in people aged 60-70. But are these factors connected? Does one cause the other? The study behind these media reports raises some interesting points about C. pneumoniae in the nasal cavity and its association with deposits of amyloid β protein (plaques) in the brain of mice – not humans. We cannot assume what happens in mice also applies to humans, for a number of reasons. While C. pneumoniae bacteria may be <a href="https://academic.oup.com/femspd/article/48/3/355/506227?login=true">more common</a> in people with late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, association with the hallmark amyloid plaques in the mouse study does not necessarily mean one causes the other. The mice were also euthanised at a maximum of 28 days after exposure, long before they had time to develop any resultant disease. This is not likely anyway, because mice do not naturally get Alzheimer’s. Even though mice can accumulate the plaques associated with Alzheimer’s, they <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07484-w#:%7E:text=Alzheimer's%20is%20marked%20by%20cognitive,not%20occur%20naturally%20in%20mice">do not display</a> the memory problems seen in people. Some researchers have also argued that amyloid β protein deposits in animals are different to humans, and therefore <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2813509/">might not be suitable</a> for comparison. So what’s the verdict? Looking into risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s is worthwhile. But to suggest picking your nose, which introduces C. pneumoniae into the body, may raise the risk of Alzheimer’s in humans – based on this study – is overreach. – Mark Patrick Taylor<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/193463/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by Joyce Siette. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-picking-your-nose-really-increase-your-risk-of-dementia-193463" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: <a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-in-blue-denim-button-up-shirt-picking-nose-4584166/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ketut Subiyanto (Pexels)</a>, CC BY-SA

Mind

Whether in war-torn Ukraine, Laos or Spain, kids have felt compelled to pick up crayons and put their experiences to paper

“They still draw pictures!” So wrote the editors of an influential collection of children’s art that was <a href="https://www.afsc.org/document/they-still-draw-pictures-1938">compiled in 1938</a> during <a href="https://theconversation.com/ukraines-foreign-fighters-have-little-in-common-with-those-who-signed-up-to-fight-in-the-spanish-civil-war-178976">the Spanish Civil War</a>. Eighty years later, war continues to upend children’s lives in Ukraine, Yemen and elsewhere. In January, UNICEF <a href="https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/reports/prospects-children-2022-global-outlook">projected</a> that 177 million children worldwide would require assistance due to war and political instability in 2022. This included <a href="https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/yemen-crisis">12 million children in Yemen</a>, <a href="https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/syrian-crisis">6.5 million in Syria</a> and <a href="https://www.unicef.org/appeals/myanmar">5 million in Myanmar</a>. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 added 7 million more children to this number. To date, more than half of Ukraine’s children <a href="https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/war-ukraine-pose-immediate-threat-children">have been internally or externally displaced</a>. Many more have faced disruptions to education, health care and home life. And yet they, too, still draw pictures. In March, a charity called <a href="https://www.uakids.today/en">UA Kids Today</a>launched, offering a digital platform for kids to respond with art to Russia’s invasion and raise money for aid to Ukrainian families with children. <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7bfZyk8AAAAJ&hl=en">As a scholar who studies</a> the ways wars affect societies’ most vulnerable members, I see much that can be learned from the art created by kids living in war-torn regions across place and time. <h2>A century of children’s art</h2> During <a href="https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/boer-war">the Boer War</a> – a conflict waged from 1899 to 1902 between British troops and South African guerrilla forces – relief workers sought to teach orphaned girls the art of <a href="https://blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/archivesandmanuscripts/2017/08/24/the-archive-of-emily-hobhouse-now-available/">lace-making</a>. During World War I, displaced children in Greece and Turkey learned to weave textiles and decorate pottery <a href="https://neareastmuseum.com/2015/08/13/every-stitch-a-story-near-east-industries/">as a means of making a living</a>. Over time, expression has replaced subsistence as the driver of children’s wartime artwork. No longer pressed to sell their productions, children are instead urged to put their emotions and experiences on display for the world to see. Novelist <a href="https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2015/novemberdecember/feature/the-talented-mr-huxley">Aldous Huxley</a> hinted at this goal in his introduction to the 1938 collection of Spanish Civil War art. Whether showing “explosions, the panic rush to shelter, [or] the bodies of victims,” <a href="https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/tsdp/frame.html">Huxley wrote</a>, these drawings revealed “a power of expression that evokes our admiration for the childish artists and our horror at the elaborate bestiality of modern war.” <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/herbert-read">Herbert Read</a>, a World War I veteran and educational theorist, organized another show of children’s art during World War II. Unlike Huxley, Read found that scenes of war did not dominate the drawings he collected from British schoolchildren, even those exposed to the London Blitz. In a pamphlet for the exhibition, he highlighted “the sense of beauty and the enjoyment of life which they have expressed.” While the shows discussed by Read and Huxley differed in many ways, both men emphasized the form and composition of children’s artwork as much as their pictorial contents. Both also expressed the view that the creators of these drawings would play a critical role in the rebuilding of their war-torn communities. <h2>A political tool</h2> As with the children’s war art made during Huxley and Read’s time, the images coming out of Ukraine express a mix of horror, fear, hope and beauty. While planes, rockets and explosions appear in many of the pictures uploaded by <a href="https://www.uakids.today/en">UA Kids Today</a>, so do flowers, angels, Easter bunnies and peace signs. The managers of this platform – who are refugees themselves – have not been able to mount a physical exhibition of these works. But artists and curators elsewhere are beginning to do so. In Sarasota, Florida, artist Wojtek Sawa <a href="https://www.fox13news.com/news/new-sarasota-exhibit-features-artwork-of-ukrainian-children-coping-with-war">has opened a show</a> of Ukrainian children’s art that will be used to collect donations and messages from visitors. These will later be distributed to displaced children in Poland. <a href="https://warchildhood.org/">The War Childhood Museum</a>, based in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, had recently concluded traveling exhibitions in Kyiv and Kherson when the Russian invasion started. The museum’s managing director, who has <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-schools-d1e52368aced8b3359f4436ca7180811">spoken</a> out strongly about the need for cultural heritage protection in war, was able to retrieve several dozen artifacts from these shows a few days before the fighting commenced. Those toys and drawings, which tell the story of children’s experience during Russia’s previous effort to gain control of the Donbas region in 2014, <a href="https://warchildhood.org/2022/02/24/updates-from-ukraine/">will be featured</a> in shows opening elsewhere in Europe in 2022. By capturing the attention of journalists and the public, these exhibitions have been used to raise awareness, solicit funds and inspire commentary. However, children’s art from Ukraine has not yet played a role in political deliberations, as it did when peace activist Fred Branfman shared his collection of drawings by Laotian children and adults <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/us/fred-branfman-laos-activist-dies-at-72.html">during his 1971 testimony</a> before Congress on the “<a href="https://legaciesofwar.org/about-laos/secret-war-laos/">Secret War</a>” the U.S. had been conducting in Laos since 1964. Nor is it yet clear whether this art will play a part in future war crimes trials, as the art of Auschwitz-Birkenau internee Yahuda Bacon <a href="https://www.economist.com/books-and-arts/2020/01/25/for-child-survivors-drawing-is-therapy-and-a-tool-of-justice">did during</a> the 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann. <h2>Windows into different worlds</h2> Art historians <a href="https://www.massey.ac.nz/%7Ealock/hbook/bremner.htm">once thought</a> children’s drawings, no matter where they lived, revealed the world in a way that was unshaped by cultural conventions. But I don’t believe that children in all countries and conflicts represent their experiences in the same way. The drawings of children imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps during World War II are not formally or symbolically interchangeable with drawings made by children exposed to America’s bombing campaign in Laos. Nor can these be interpreted in the same way as images produced by Ukrainian, Yemeni, Syrian or Sudanese children today. To me, one of the most valuable features of children’s art is its power to highlight unique aspects of everyday life in distant places, while conveying a sense of what can be upended, lost or destroyed. A Laotian child’s <a href="https://legaciesofwar.org/programs/national-traveling-exhibition/illustrations-narratives/">drawing</a> of a horse that “ran back to the village” from the rice field after its owner was killed by a bomb offers a small window into the lives of subsistence rice farmers. The desert landscapes and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-30/yemen-s-historic-tower-houses-are-under-threat">urban architecture</a> of Yemen are equally distinctive, and Yemeni children’s drawings highlight those differences even as they express aspirations that viewers around the world may share. <h2>The challenges of preservation</h2> As an academic who has also worked in museums, I am always thinking about how artifacts from today’s conflicts will be preserved for exhibition in the future. There are significant challenges to preserving the drawings and paintings young people produce. First, children’s art is materially unstable. It is often made on paper, with crayons, markers and other ephemeral media. This makes it dangerous to display originals and demands care in the production of facsimiles. Second, children’s art is often hard to contextualize. The first-person commentaries that accompanied some of the Spanish Civil War drawings and most of the Laotian images <a href="https://library.ucsd.edu/speccoll/tsdp/frame.html">often provide</a> details about children’s localized experience but rarely about the timing of events, geographic locations or other crucial facts. Finally, much children’s war art suffers from uncertain authorship. With few full names recorded, it is hard to trace the fates of most child artists, nor is it generally possible to gather their adult reflections on their childhood creations. By noting these complications, I don’t want to detract from the remarkable fact that children still draw pictures during war. Their expressions are invaluable for documenting war and its impact, and it’s important to study them. Nevertheless, in researching children’s art, it is necessary to reflect that scholars and curators are – like the child artists themselves – often working at the limits of their knowledge. Image credits: Instagram This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/whether-in-war-torn-ukraine-laos-or-spain-kids-have-felt-compelled-to-pick-up-crayons-and-put-their-experiences-to-paper-181458" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Art

How to pick the best sheets

If you are having trouble sleeping or don’t look forward to climbing into your bed, then there could be something wrong with the bed sheets you currently have. Just like mattresses or pillows, bed sheets are important facilitators of falling asleep because they come in direct contact with our skin. Here are four features of bed <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/sheets?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=in-article-link-sheets&utm_campaign=Over60Shop&utm_content=sheets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sheets</a> that you need to look out for the next time you invest in bed sheets. 1. Material The most popular material for bed sheets is <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/sheets/products/linen-house-makalya-flannelette-sheet-set?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=in-article-link-sheets-makalya-flannelette-sheet-set&utm_campaign=Over60Shop&utm_content=makalya-flannelette-sheet-set" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cotton</a>. Cotton has remained as the most popular material for sheets due its durability, comfort and breathability. There are variations of cotton such as Egyptian, pima and Sea Island cottons. Make sure you always check that the fabric is 100 per cent of the material as some sellers loosely use the terms to attract buyers. Be sure you are always buying from a quality manufacturer. 2. Thread count It is popular opinion that the higher the thread count, the more comfortable the sheets will be. However, this isn’t always the case as manufacturers can alter sheet softness by enhancing them will silicone softeners that vanish after the first wash. A lower-thread-count sheet made from naturally softer fibres such as Egyptian cotton will feel more comfortable than a lower-quality cotton blend with a higher thread count. To be sure you are purchasing comfortable sheets make sure they are 100 per cent cotton rather than the 1000 thread count. If you want a more affordable option than Egyptian or Pima cottons than polyester/percale blend is best. 3. Weave It is a good habit to get into that when you go on holidays, you take note of the bedding that you find most comfortable to sleep in. Do you prefer crisp or soft? If you prefer a little snap in your sheets than choose percale which is plainer weave. If you want your sheets to be completely soft than choose sateen. If the cold irritates you while you are sleeping, choose <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/sheets/product-type_flannelette-sheet-sets?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=in-article-link-sheets-flannelette-sheet-sets&utm_campaign=Over60Shop&utm_content=flannelette-sheet-sets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flannel sheets</a> to help regulate your body temperature. 4. Fit It is important that you get the right size and fit for your bed sheets so you don’t have to wrestle with your mattress every time you need to put your sheets on. If you have a standard-size bed including twin, queen or king, it can be helpful to purchase <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom/products/linen-house-sheet-sets-elka-fitted?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=in-article-link-sheets-sheet-sets-elka-fitted&utm_campaign=Over60Shop&utm_content=sheet-sets-elka-fitted?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=in-article-link-sheets-sheet-sets-elka-fitted&utm_campaign=Over60Shop&utm_content=sheet-sets-elka-fitted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sheets</a> that have features such as elastic edging to ensure a snug fit. Before you buy sets that include pillowcases, make sure your pillows are not under or over scale to avoid wasting money. Image: Getty

Home & Garden

First look inside bizarre new Woolworths megastore

Woolworths has opened its first customer-free grocery store to help meet the increase demand for online shoppers. The first new multi-million dollar online Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) at Goodman’s Rochedale Motorway Estate, Brisbane is approximately 10,000sqm. The massive CFC will see a huge 800 jobs created as well as supporting a further 30,000 home deliveries and Direct to boot Pick up windows each week. Personal shoppers will become accustomed to wider aisles and bigger shelves to help with hand picking orders from a vast range of more than 25,000 products quickly, accurately and efficiently. Woolworths Managing Director eComX, Sally Copland said the new store will help people who are short on time and can’t do their own shopping. “Online grocery shopping has been well and truly embraced by our Brisbane customers, many of whom are looking to reclaim time in their busy lives,” she said. “Over the past three years, we’ve seen the demand for online groceries in Metro Brisbane more than triple, a trend we are actually seeing across the entire state of Queensland. “To keep pace with this demand we’re investing in new online infrastructure to offer our customers more delivery windows and an even more reliable service. “As well as strengthening our network capability, this new state-of-the-art facility is an important part of our ongoing commitment to investment and jobs in Queensland. “We’re delighted to be welcoming hundreds of new team members to our new facility.” The new facility also contains more than 850 solar panels, which will provide 20 per cent of the store’s required energy. This will also be monitored by smart metering to help monitor and reduce energy consumption. Images: Woolworths

Food & Wine

Celebrity chef Kylie Kwong shares her top Aussie travel picks

Kylie Kwong has shared her fondest memories of holidaying in Byron Bay, some top choices from her travel bucket list, and tips for travelling and dining sustainably that you can use on your next Aussie holiday. The celebrity chef, TV presenter and author spoke to <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/chef-kylie-kwongs-top-recommendations-for-australia-holidays/XR346QGAU6KQXLTBITXKJPKC4Q/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZHerald</a> about her unmissable destinations, including returning to the Northern Territory. “I want to visit the spirited outback centre of Mbantua (Alice Springs) in the Northern Territory,” she told the publication. “Many years ago I stayed in Arnhem Land yet since then I have made so many Aboriginal friends and learnt so much more about their traditions and culture. “I would welcome this visit to explore the Red Centre, its contemporary and traditional art, natural wonders including the East and West MacDonnell Ranges, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata-Tjuta (Olgas) and Watarrka (Kings Canyon) and to gain more of an understanding and appreciation of the ancient wisdom of First Nations people of Australia.” Other experiences and destinations Kwong hopes to tick off her list include lunching at Pipit, in the Northern Rivers region, doing a masterclass with Rodney Dunne at The Agrarian Kitchen, Tasmania, and staying at Brigitte Hafner’s Tedesca Osteria in the Mornington Peninsula. Kwong also shared her fondest memory of weeks-long holidays in Byron Bay with her extended family, where they spent “every waking hour” at Clarkes’ Beach and devoured plenty of seafood. “We spent every waking hour on the beach and when it was time for lunch, my mum’s sister, Aunty Jane, would hang a beach towel on the apartment balcony and we would all race up the beach like little soldier crabs to enjoy freshly peeled, super sweet school prawns jam-packed between pillowy-soft white sliced bread, tomato sauce and iceberg lettuce,” Kwong recalled. “My Uncle Johnny and his family lived in Yamba so they would join us - he is a keen fisherman and would arrive with an esky overflowing with live mud crabs and one of the family highlights was cooking and feasting upon Black Bean and Chilli Mud Crab together!” Walking the tracks of Tasmania’s Bay of Fires and Cradle Mountain, exploring Barossa Valley, and spending a week swimming and fishing for barramundi in The Kimberley Ranges were also among Kwong’s great holiday experiences. As for those wanting to travel and support sustainable eateries, Kwong shared a few choice options from around the country. “NSW’s south coast beaches and seafood are pristine,” Kwong said. “The Bay of Fires, Cradle Mountain and walking tracks in Tasmania; also the pristine wild islands of King Island and Flinder’s Island and their incredible seafood. “In South Australia, head to the Summertown Aristologist in Adelaide Hills for locally sourced produce and locally crafted natural wine.” Image: @kylie_kwong (Instagram)

Domestic Travel

Picking the perfect pug

If you’re after a stocky little lifelong friend who loves to cuddle, sleep and play – then you’ve found your match with a pug! But if you need more convincing, consider these three all-important factors: 1. Their unique look The cuteness factor when searching for your family pet is probably the first thing you’re looking for, among health status and overall affordability. These quirky little angels are often quite small and compact, making them perfect for an apartment or smaller home. The pug is quite an expressive dog, complete with their signature face wrinkles and an inquisitive nature. If you want to stand out at the dog park, a pug is the dog for you! 2. Their friendly and easy-going nature Pugs are extremely clingy and love to cuddle all day long. They are affectionate and have the excellent ability of being emotionally intuitive. They are the type of dogs who are fiercely loyal and love nothing more than to just to be with you. If you fancy a pet for company, then look no further. Pugs are overall friendly, they love to socialise (with humans and other dogs alike!) and due to the natural shape of their mouths, are less likely to aggressively bite. For this reason, they are great with children. They are also quite intelligent, making house training and setting a good routine all that bit easier for the family. 3. They are relatively low maintenance Being short-haired dogs, pugs are easy to keep clean and are a pleasure when it comes to a bath. While they do shed more than your average pet, it’s nothing a good quality vacuum cleaner can’t handle! While your pug is a puppy, you will find they are the perfect companion for those longer walks, and as they age and get into a good routine, they will require less exercise. However, due to their ferocious appetites, it is in their best interest to keep those steps up and keep that cardio health in check. These loveable little guys can be prone to breathing problems, so it is recommended to do your research and purchase through a breeder who specialises in brachycephalic dogs’ health. Good luck, happy pugging and enjoy these photos of a very cute pug!

Family & Pets

Pick up your $2.50 potato hearts from Aldi

<div class="description g_font-long-format" style="font-size: 18px;line-height: 1.5;margin-bottom: 24px">When it comes to frozen potato treats, it’s safe to say us Aussies are fans.</div>Who could forget the uproar when Potato Smiles were discontinued from supermarkets – as well as the excitement when they were reintroduced (as the made-over Potato Emojis) in 2020.So it is no surprise that Aldi shoppers have been excited by the addition of a new potato treat, with some even saying they would make the perfect Valentine’s Day meal.The German supermarket is selling Potato Hearts for $2.49, with the “super cute” freezer item easily cooked in an air fryer or oven.These tasty treats have sent members of the Aldi mums facebook group into a freenzy. It’s not known whether the Potato Hearts are a permanent addition to shelves or here for a limited time only. Pick up yours today from Aldi and enjoy!Image: Instagram

Food & Wine

Hitting the beach this summer? Here are some of our top animal picks to look out for

Australia has one of the longest coastlines in the world. And it’s packed with life of all shapes and sizes – from lively dolphins leaping offshore, to tiny crabs scurrying into their holes. Here is just some of the diverse coastal life you might expect to see this summer, if you <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320720307722">spend some</a> time at the water’s edge. <h2>Dolphins and turtles</h2> We’re fortunate to have 15 species of dolphin (and one porpoise!) living in Australian waters. The large <a href="https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/bottlenose-dolphin/">bottlenose dolphins</a> (Tursiops spp.) are relatively common and can be spotted all the way around our coast. You might see them playing in the waves, jumping out of the water, or even surfing among humans. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436606/original/file-20211209-133881-1px5omu.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436606/original/file-20211209-133881-1px5omu.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Bottlenose dolphin mother and cals" /></a> Bottlenose dolphins are generally grey with a lighter underside and have a pronounced, curved dorsal (upper) fin. Shutterstock Turtles are less obvious, but can be spotted as they bob their heads out of the water to breathe. Australia’s coasts are home to six of the world’s seven sea turtles (all <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna">listed as either vulnerable or endangered</a>). The more common green turtle (Chelonia mydas) can be found everywhere except in the coldest southern waters. In summer, the turtles travel north to the tropical waters of QLD, NT and WA to reproduce – laying their eggs in the warm sand. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436586/original/file-20211209-19-1u2t59m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436586/original/file-20211209-19-1u2t59m.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Green turtles often get tangled in discarded fishing gear and nets and can die from ingesting plastics, so don’t litter! John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided Another reptile you might encounter in the eastern coastal areas is the water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii). You’ll find them hovering around beach-side picnic areas, looking for tasty treats such as flies, ants, bugs, native fruits and flowers. As with all native animals, it’s important not to feed them. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436590/original/file-20211209-25-1e71enk.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436590/original/file-20211209-25-1e71enk.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Water dragons are good swimmers and stay near the water. John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided <h2>Heads in the clouds</h2> If you cast your eyes up, you’ll see many coastal bird species soaring above. Two of our favourites are the protected white-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) and the sooty oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus). Both rely on marine animals for food, and nest in coastal areas right around Australia. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436592/original/file-20211209-140109-1c0pnm4.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436592/original/file-20211209-140109-1c0pnm4.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> With a wingspan of up to 2m, you can find white-bellied sea eagles soaring above headlands. WikiCommons The sea eagle mostly feeds on fish, turtles and sea snakes. It was recently <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=943">listed as either threatened, endangered, or vulnerable in four states</a>, largely as a result of coastal developments. Meanwhile the sooty oystercatcher is, well, all black. It has distinctive bright-orange eyes and a long beak. Sooties can be found strutting among the seaweed and sea squirts on rocky shores. As the name suggests, these birds enjoy eating molluscs and other invertebrates. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436593/original/file-20211209-21-1h1czbf.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436593/original/file-20211209-21-1h1czbf.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> The sooty gives a loud whistling call before taking flight. John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided <h2>Crawling coastal critters</h2> Many a critter will run for cover as sooties (and humans) approach, including the swift-footed crab (Leptograpsus variegatus). This crab’s mostly purple body is sprinkled with flecks of olive, and sometimes orange. The species lives among the rocky shores around southern Australia, from WA to QLD, and even Tasmania. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436594/original/file-20211209-137612-4uld1f.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436594/original/file-20211209-137612-4uld1f.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> The swift-footed crab can grow to about 5cm in shell width. John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided You’re much less likely to see another common crab, the sand bubbler. But you might see the results of its industrious activity on flat, wet and sandy areas. Sand bubblers live in underground burrows, emerging during the low tide to filter sand through their mouthparts looking for food. In this process, they end up making little pea-sized sand balls. When the tide starts to rise again, they return to their burrows and wait in a bubble of air, which they use to breathe, until the tide recedes. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436596/original/file-20211209-27-ft1len.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436596/original/file-20211209-27-ft1len.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Sand bubblers, from the family Dotillidae, are tiny and will quickly hide if they sense danger. John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided <h2>Magnificent molluscs</h2> Molluscs are another diverse group of marine animals on our shores, and one of the best known molluscs is the octopus. Along with squid and cuttlefish, this trio of cephalopods is considered to be among the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436598/original/file-20211209-142574-atsquu.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436598/original/file-20211209-142574-atsquu.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Octopus in a glass jar" /></a> Near urban areas, octopuses have been known to make homes of bottles, jars and even discarded coffee cups. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnwturnbull/19733728835/" class="source">John Turnbull</a>, Author provided In the case of the octopus, this may be due to having nine “brains”, including a donut-shaped brain in the head and a mini brain in each tentacle, which allow the tentacles to operate somewhat independently. Australia has several octopus species, from the gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus) on the east coast, to the Maori octopus (O. maorum) in the south. The potentially deadly blue-ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena sp.) is found right around Australia. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436599/original/file-20211209-137612-1dryfc0.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436599/original/file-20211209-137612-1dryfc0.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Octopus reaches for camera" /></a> This gloomy octopus made a move for my camera as I took its photo. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnwturnbull/27746924942/" class="source">John Turnbull/Flickr</a>, Author provided Octopus forage at night, in shallow waters and to depths exceeding 500 metres. During the day they’ll return to their lair, which may be a hole, a ledge or a crack in a rock. They’ll often decorate their home with the discarded shells of their prey. <h2>(Sometimes) stingers</h2> You’ve probably seen jellyfish at the beach before, too. Species such as the moon jelly (Aurelia aurita) are harmless. But others can deliver a painful sting; bluebottles (Physalia utriculus) might come to mind here, also called the Pacific man-of-war. Bluebottles and their relatives, blue buttons (P. porpita) and by-the-wind sailors (V. velella) don’t swim. They float at the ocean’s surface and go where the winds blow, which is how they sometimes get washed onto the beach. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436600/original/file-20211209-17-rr2j1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436600/original/file-20211209-17-rr2j1.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Jellyfish on sand" /></a> By-the-wind sailors have an angled ‘sail’ which takes advantage of the wind, moving them large distances to catch prey. John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided Rather than being one animal, they are made of many polyps or “zooids” living together in a floating colony. Each polyp has a specialised role such as flotation, stinging, catching prey, digestion or reproduction. Anemones are also related to jellyfish, and come in many shapes and colours – from the bright red waratah anemone (Actinia tenebrosa) found in all states, to the multi-coloured shellgrit anemone (Oulactis muscosa) found from SA to QLD. They use their tentacles to sting and catch prey, but have no impact on humans. Many anemones live among the rocks and rock pools in the intertidal area, although some species, such as the swimming anemone (Phlyctenactis tuberculosa), live as deep as 40m underwater. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436602/original/file-20211209-23-1h831bi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436602/original/file-20211209-23-1h831bi.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Grid of four anemone photos." /></a> Top left: shellgrit anemone, top right: swimming anemone, bottom left: red waratah anemone, bottom right: green snakelock anemone (Aulactinia veratra) John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided <h2>Fancy fishes</h2> Of course there are many fish to be seen along our shores – more than we could possibly mention here! In the shallows, we particularly like to find big-eyed <a href="https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/family/259">gobies</a>. Some of the most colourful fish in this zone are young damselfish. These are most diverse in tropical Australia, but still found in temperate waters. Their juvenile forms can be striped and spotted, with colours ranging from bright yellow to iridescent blue. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436605/original/file-20211209-140109-vifrk0.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436605/original/file-20211209-140109-vifrk0.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Juvenile immaculate damselfish." /></a> Immaculate damsels are endemic to Australian waters. John Turnbull/Flickr, Author provided It’s best to photograph any fish you want to identify. Resources such as <a href="https://reeflifesurvey.com/species/search/">Reef Life Survey</a> and <a href="https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/">Fishes of Australia</a> can help with this. If you upload your photos to the <a href="https://www.inaturalist.org/">iNaturalist</a> website, other users can help you ID them too. Uploading is also a big help to scientists, who then have a record of each sighting. Finally, the diversity of marine life on our coast isn’t something we can afford to take for granted. So if you hit the beach this summer, make sure you:<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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/171744/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <ul> <li>do not bring any single-use plastics</li> <li>never leave anything behind (and preferably pick up any litter you see)</li> <li>and keep pets and cars away from sensitive habitats, such as dunes and bird nesting areas.</li> </ul> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-turnbull-558403">John Turnbull</a>, Postdoctoral Research Associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emma-johnston-94055">Emma Johnston</a>, Professor and Dean of Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a> 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/hitting-the-beach-this-summer-here-are-some-of-our-top-animal-picks-to-look-out-for-171744">original article</a>. Image: John Turnbull

Domestic Travel

REVEALED: The two people Queen Elizabeth II will pick up the phone for

A royal commentator has <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/royals" target="_blank">revealed</a> that the Queen only speaks to two people within “The Firm” on her phone - and they might not be who you would expect. “Apparently, the Queen has two people who she speaks to the most on her phones and she also apparently has a mobile phone which is said to be a Samsung packed with anti-hacker encryption by MI6 so nobody can hack into her phone,” royal commentator Jonathan Sacerdoti said during his appearance on US podcast <a rel="noopener" href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/royally-us-harry-meghan-kate-and-william-royal-news/id1553314202" target="_blank">The Royally</a>. “But the two people she phones the most is said to be her daughter Princess Anne and her racing manager John Warren.” It has also been revealed that the Queen intends to host the Royal Family at Sandringham House for Christmas. The revelation comes at the end of a difficult year for Queen Elizabeth II, who lost her husband Prince Philip earlier this year and has experienced several health scares in recent months. “The Queen has told everyone she is feeling far better of late and is very much looking forward to welcoming them for Christmas,” a source told The Daily Mail last week. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWtH84uMQCL/?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> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWtH84uMQCL/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)</a> </div> </blockquote> The invites have reportedly been sent to Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and their families. However, Page Six has reported that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle won’t be joining the festivities at Sandringham House. Image: Getty Images

Technology

The Voice fans outraged at Rita Ora's pick for final four

The Voice Australia fans have expressed their outrage at Judge Rita Ora for picking girl group G-Nat!on over Sian Fuller and some have even slammed the competition as 'rigged.' On Sunday's episode of The Voice Australia, the judges had to pick between their last two finalists for the grand final next week and it was Rita Ora’s choice which left fans fuming. Ora chose girl group G-Nat!on over Sian Fuller and this infuriated fans – many of whom took to Twitter to express their disappointment. The top four artists competing for the title on The Voice Australia next Sunday are Bella Taylor Smith from Team Guy, Arlo Sim from Team Keith, Mick Harrington from Team Jess and G-Nat!on from Team Rita. Sian had become a fan favourite Sian Fuller has become a fan favourite on the show as she merely accompanied her talented brother, Jordan, to the audition and it was the host, Sonia Kruger, who asked Sian if she would like to try out to be part of the show. Sian said “yes” and when she auditioned, she was accepted. She competed with everyone else, including her brother Jordan, and both of them made it to the semi-finals last night. Jordan was unfortunately not picked by his coach as well. In a difficult choice, Guy Sebastian chose Bella Taylor Smith. But at least fans could understand these were competitors were both very gifted. Outraged fans took to Twitter But when Rita Ora chose G-Nation over Sian, fans expressed their anger with one posting: 'Thought it was The Voice not The Voices', while another said, 'What the hell wrong choice'. Someone else added: '#TheVoiceAU is rigged! What a crappy decision to take the girl group through instead of a beautiful amazing girl! Rigged I say!' Another didn't mince words, writing: 'I am gob smacked. Rita you are an idiot. I'm so disappointed'. Another chimed in: 'What's with the whole 'the world needs another girl group' we'll be fine, I promise'. Yet another complained: 'G NATION OVER SIAN????? F**k off Rita!' while someone else wrote: 'What the hell wrong choice'. G-Nat!on is made up of Isla Ward, 17; Taylah Silvestri, 18; Emma Caporaso, 18; Mateja Sardelis, 16; Alessia Musolino, 17 and Rylee Vormelker, 17. The six girls hail from Adelaide and they're the largest group to ever audition for The Voice Australia. They’re also the only group to take part this season. Image: Channel 7

Music

The super-cute habit Princess Charlotte has picked up from mum

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Eagle-eyed royal fans noticed that Princess Charlotte has copied a habit from her mum, Duchess Catherine. Princess Charlotte was seen pulling her ponytail over her shoulder and curling it around her fingers, just like her mum has been known to do during public appearances. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Our first ever mention in an article because of this video, click below to watch Kate and Charlotte being an iconic mother daughter duo ❤️👑 <a href="https://t.co/HFfY8jPjyO">https://t.co/HFfY8jPjyO</a> — Royal Fancams (@RoyalFancams) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFancams/status/1358801630565703682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2021</a></blockquote> The royal fan TikTok account RoyalFanCams shared a montage of the pair doing the move. Royal fans loved the similarities between the pair, flooding the comment section with heart emojis. Duchess Kate has been open about her struggles during the coronavirus pandemic, which includes homeschooling her kids and giving them haircuts. "During lockdown, we've had to take on additional roles that others in our communities or in our lives would have helped us with," the mum of three said in a recent video call with parents. "I've become a hairdresser this lockdown, much to my children's horror." </div> </div> </div>

Beauty & Style

27 teeny pick-me-ups for when you’re having the worst day ever

Take a walk outdoors Beat a bummer day with a quick stroll outdoors. It’s no surprise that fresh air and nature can lift your spirits and reduce anxiety but it may surprise you to know just how little walking it takes to have a positive effect. Just five minutes walking through a park, trail or other green space is enough to spark a cascade of feel good brain chemicals, according to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology. Nibble some dark chocolate There’s a good reason so many of use a little chocolate therapy to deal with a bad day – it works! Eating just 42g of dark chocolate lowered stress hormones in people, according to research published in the Journal of Proteome Research. And the news gets better: People who regularly ate dark chocolate reported lower feelings of depression over time. Soak your feet in a warm tub Tired tootsies are just one small side effect of a tough day but when your feet hurt, everything else does too. A quick foot soak in a warm tub of water can do wonders for both your sore feet and your sore spirit. Or if you have time, take a long, luxurious full-body soak. Add some epsom salts to help relax tight muscles and feel your worries wash away. Watch a funny cat video on the internet Let’s be honest: Cat videos are pretty much why the internet was invented. And it’s a good thing! Because of their innocence, enthusiasm and total inability to understand modern life, animals are funny in a way that people just can’t be. Plus they don’t care if you laugh at them. Text a friend or loved one Feeling like you haven’t a friend in the world is a major part of most terrible days. It’s easy to forget just how many people love and care about you. But thankfully it’s also just as easy to get a quick reminder. Send a quick text to your bestie, sister or mum and tell them you need a little love. We’re guessing you’ll be showered with heart emojis in no time! Write down three things you’re grateful for When you’re in the midst of a horrible day, nothing is farther from your mind than counting your blessings but that may be the best thing to help you feel better, according to a study done by the University of California. Writing down a list of things you’re thankful for refocuses your mind on the positive and provides an instant lift to your mood. In fact, this simple trick works so well that the researchers reported that it even helps people with depression who don’t respond to other treatments. Switch your hair part Flipping or combing your hair to the other side of your head may seem like a ridiculously small change but hair experts say it’s one of the quickest ways to give yourself a new look. The new part will change the way your hair frames your face and because it goes against your hair’s natural tendencies, it can give you more volume. At the very least, it’ll make you laugh! Send a kind anonymous note to someone Handwritten notes aren’t utilised enough in our digital society but there’s something very personal and touching about taking the time to write out a thank-you note or compliment. It doesn’t have to be much (one Post-It note is plenty) but jot a few thoughts down, stick it to a co-worker’s desk, a friend’s car or a family member’s lunch and watch the happy roll in. Their joy will make your worries disappear, or at least help put them in perspective. Count the stars Sometimes it takes staring at the infinite expanse of universe to help us realise that our problems, no matter how significant they feel in the moment, are small in the grand scheme of things. Counting the stars in the night sky will help you put things in perspective, get some fresh air, and have some quiet time alone with your thoughts. Snap a selfie Selfies aren’t just for supermodels and teenagers with too much time on their hands. In fact, taking a quick, silly pic of yourself and sharing it with friends and family is an instant bad-mood buster, according to a study published in the Psychology of Well-Being. The researchers noted that strategic selfie sending helped ameliorate stress and anxiety from common problems like financial difficulties, feelings of loneliness and isolation and work issues. And don’t worry too much about how you look, the point isn’t to take a news-worthy headshot but just to connect with loved ones. Have a little caffeine Caffeine is the world’s most commonly used mood-altering drug and with good reason, according to a study done by the University of Florida. In as little as 10 minutes it provides a slight sense of euphoria along with an invigorating burst of energy. Of course, as anyone who’s ever had a few too many cappuccinos knows, the detail is in the dosing. Too much caffeine will have the opposite effect, making you anxious, jittery and unable to sleep. Instead aim for 30 to 90 mg, the amount in one cup of coffee, and make it an occasional indulgence. Call your grandma When it comes to life, our grandparents have done and seen it all so they’re a rich source of support and wisdom. Really, is there any trouble a loving grandma can’t fix? Plus you know it will make them just as happy as it does you. Don’t have a surviving or loving elder to call? Remedy that stat by adopting an elderly neighbour or other relative. Maintaining close social connections are one of the best things you can do to keep a positive attitude even in the face of a no-good, very bad day. Buy yourself a small gift Getting a little something special can put a smile on anyone’s face. What? It’s not your birthday, you say? No matter! Make your own holiday if you like but you don’t need an excuse to treat yourself. Just make sure it’s something that won’t break the bank (causing even more bad days in the future) and is something you really like. Better yet, buy someone else a gift Giving yourself a little something is fun but if you want to maximise the feel-good benefits, use that money to give something to someone. People who were given cash and spent it on a gift for a loved one or a stranger felt happier and their happiness lasted twice as long as people who spent the money on themselves, according to research done by Harvard. And it doesn’t have to be much – just five dollars spent on someone else gave a week’s worth of good vibes. Avoid the internet While the internet has plenty of fun, interesting and educational things, it’s also home to people’s worst thoughts – thoughts that many are all too willing to share. People who use the internet to the point where it interferes with their real lives have a much higher risk of being depressed and even of committing suicide, according to a study published in Psychopathology. And it makes sense on a smaller scale as well. Whether you’re reading the latest government conspiracy, cringing at vitriolic diatribes on celebrities, or participating in flame wars in the comment sections of articles, it’s guaranteed to bring you down, especially when you’re already feeling fragile from a hard day. Buy yourself flowers There’s no need to wait for a special occasion or for someone to send you a bouquet as a gift. Flowers are the perfect antidote to a bad day with their bright colours and fresh scent. In fact, simply smelling a flower alters your gene activity and blood chemistry, soothing stress and giving you an immediate mood boost, according to a study done by The American Chemical Society. Plus, this way you’re guaranteed to get your favourite blooms! Eat a cookie Comfort food is called such because it’s genuinely comforting, according to a study published in Psychological Science. They found that eating a warm chocolate chip cookie or a plate of gooey lasagne induces a rush of feel-good chemicals to the brain, specifically fighting feelings of loneliness and depression. For your health’s sake this probably shouldn’t be your primary method of dealing with a bad day but every once in awhile it’s totally fine to eat your favourite foods and relish the comforting memories and feelings that come with them. Have a good cry Too many of us resist crying as we fear looking weak or silly but there’s a healing power in tears, say scientists at Tel Aviv University. A good cry can release pent-up emotion so you can let it go and move on. In addition to the emotional benefits, they note that crying can also strengthen social ties, another way to combat a bad day. Listen to a comedy sketch Laughter really is the best medicine, especially for a day that’s been filled with bitter pills. And thanks to the internet, satellite radio and podcasts, a funny comedy sketch is never more than a few clicks away. Letting yourself laugh won’t fix all your problems but it may help you see the humour in them and feel a little less alone in your human predicaments. Play with a pet Taking Fido for a walk or giving Fluffy a snuggle has been shown in multiple studies to help reduce depression and loneliness while improving mood in everyone from university students to the elderly to people with chronic pain. And it’s easy to see why a pet can be such a powerful positive force – their combination of unconditional love, an (adorable) listening ear, and soft fur to pet is just what you need to feel better fast. Don’t have a pet? Consider volunteering at a local animal shelter or visiting a neighbour’s pet (with their permission, of course). Give a kid a high-five Kids get a lot of flack for crying in public places but while they do cry a lot, they also laugh a lot – and it doesn’t take much to get a smile. So if you see a little one having a bad day, offering a silly smile or a high five is a great way to make both your days better. Do a little dance… Whether you love to swing your hips in a salsa, practise your kicks in a line dance, tap your toes in a tap dance, or just go free form in your own living room, moving to music is a quick and easy way to boost your mood. And the effect lasts even after the tunes are turned off. According to a study done by IOS Press, dancing of any kind increases brain volume which has all kinds of physical and emotional benefits in the long run. Make a little love… Sex: Curing bad days since the dawn of humanity! You don’t need a scientist to tell you that a session of good lovemaking can make you feel better but what may surprise you is what kind of sex works best. According to a study done by Penn State, the sex that makes people feel the best afterward lasts an average of 3 to 13 minutes – good news for people who are exhausted and feeling down from a tough day. Get down tonight! There is some real truth to the old adage “everything looks better in the morning.” In a study of identical twins, researchers from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that over half of people who got five hours or less of sleep a night reported being depressed. But this is not a case of more is always better as they also found a similar rate of depression in people sleeping 10 or more hours a night. The sweet spot for happiness is to get 7 to 8.5 hours of shut-eye a night. So if you’re having a rotten day, one of the best things you can do to make sure tomorrow is better is to hit the sack early. Read a novel Diving into another world via a novel is escapism at its finest! Reading a good book actually helps us take on the thoughts and feelings of the characters, providing temporary relief from our own woes, according to a study published in Psychological Science. Try a headstand Yogis know that doing an inversion – any posture where your head is lower than your heart – can have major health benefits, including mood elevation. Sometimes it takes literally changing your perspective to help you see your problems in a new light. But no worries if you’re not Cirque du Soleil. If trying a headstand against a wall is too much, try a gentler pose like laying on your back, planting your feet near your bottom and raising your hips. Stay off social media The more active you are on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, the more likely you are to be depressed, according to a study published in Depression and Anxiety. Researchers think that it’s because people tend to only post the best versions of themselves, leading others to compare their own lives negatively. So save yourself the pain of comparing your waistline, hairline, job or home to people you stopped talking to after high school by checking out of social media and checking in with friends IRL. Written by Charlotte Hilton Andersen. This article first appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/mental-health/27-teeny-pick-me-ups-for-when-youre-having-the-worst-day-ever?pages=1">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.com.au/subscribe">here’s our best subscription offer</a>.<a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/mental-health/27-teeny-pick-me-ups-for-when-youre-having-the-worst-day-ever?pages=1"></a>

Mind

Terrible or understandable? Mother admits she regrets picking “bland” baby name

Picking a baby name is not an easy task, especially since the perfect moniker can take months to resonate and stick with a set of nervous soon-to-be parents. Rushing into making a decision can often result in a very regretful conscience - a feeling one displeased mother admits she knows all too well. She took to mumsnet to share her own story of true regret over choosing a “bland” name for her daughter who is now four-years-old. Her and her husband named their precious little girl Lily, which is a name the father really liked, but the mum was never quite so keen on. She said: "I obviously wouldn't change it now but I can't seem to get over regretting what we called daughter, who is now four. "Husband is a teacher and very picky about names. Her name is Lily. I did used to love it, but had reservations about popularity." The regretful mum says her husband "assured" her that the name wasn't a very popular one when the baby was born and that he hardly taught any girls named Lily. It might have been unknown years ago, however the mother says she feels like she hears it everywhere she goes nowadaysz "She is one of three at nursery and I have waves of being ok with it but right now I feel I am obsessing over it, which I realise is pointless and in the grand scheme of things I know very trivial," continues the parent. "Perhaps it's a combination of lockdown meaning there is more time to dwell on things. "I just find her name really bland now and regret not being more firm with other options (I generally like more unusual, but classic names)." Other Mumsnet users took to reassuring the woman who they felt might be overreacting. One person said: "Lily is lovely. You can never predict what names will be popular in a certain class/group. “Sometimes you end up with one Oliver and three Horatios or something! She's not always going to be in a big group of Lilys." Another added: "Names always come in fashions. It is a pretty name and not at all like the 'unusual' ones that children really hate. “Please don't regret this name, you only have to look at the baby names posts on here to see what parents are saddling their children with, learn to love it, she is her name." A third wrote: "In the nicest possible way, you really need to find a way to let this go. You can't change a four-year-old's name. “So the only way forward is acceptance. Maybe you are obsessing because of all the other things in life we have lost control of, but you can't do anything about this. “You need to find distractions to take the heat out of this."

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