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Hero tradie’s daring move saves toddler who wandered onto busy street

<p>In an awe-inspiring act of bravery that will leave you breathless, shocking <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/tradie-scary-move-save-child-095600259.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dash cam footage</a> has captured a heart-pounding moment that will forever be etched in the annals of heroism. </p> <p>Laurie Owens, a true guardian angel who fearlessly soared into action on the Salisbury Highway in Adelaide, embarked on a heart-stopping mission to save a young child's life, giving no thought to his own safety or that of his vehicle</p> <p>It was just another day for working tradie Laurie Owens as he navigated the bustling roadways. But with eagle eyes and a heart tuned to protect, Laurie spotted a young boy, still adorned in his nappy, wandering innocently into the treacherous path of oncoming vehicles on a busy highway.</p> <p>In a surge of adrenalin-fuelled heroism, Owens sprang into action as – u<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">ndeterred by the imminent danger, he gallantly mounted the median strip and fearlessly directed his own vehicle into the path of the charging traffic, all in an effort to shield the toddler from harm's way. </span></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">His words echo with undying determination: "I'd rather take the damage of a car running into me because I'm safe rather than the child be killed because what protection do they have?" he told 9News. </span></p> <p>In a dazzling display of divine intervention, the unsuspecting little boy, named Aaryan, instinctively turned and bolted towards the safety of his family driveway, under the watchful gaze of Owens.</p> <p>Owens then gathered the child in his arms, poised to reunite him with his worried parents, who confirmed that Aaryan was indeed their precious child. The driveway gates had been left ajar, allowing the child, who grapples with autism, to embark on an unplanned adventure onto the perilous road.</p> <p>In the tearful aftermath, Aaryan's mother, overwhelmed with gratitude, expressed her deepest appreciation, declaring, "Thank you, I'm really grateful that [he] saved my child."</p> <p>For Owens, the humble champion of this heart-stopping saga, the joy of knowing that the little boy made it home safely was an immeasurable reward. Bursting with pride, he triumphantly proclaimed, "I've saved a kid's life. He's got a future now!"</p> <p><em>Images: 9 News</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Where the Crawdads Sing author wanted for questioning over murder

<p>Best-selling author Delia Owens has been receiving global attention for all the wrong reasons, as it has been revealed she is wanted for questioning over a murder committed in Zambia. </p> <p>Owens, who shot to the top of the New York Times best seller list with her novel <em>Where the Crawdads Sing</em>, has been back in the public eye recently as her novel is being adapted into a film, and has garnered a lot of buzz. </p> <p>However, as the spotlight has been placed back on the story, many people have noticed some strange parallels to Delia's personal life and the protagonist in her novel. </p> <p>Before Owens published <em>Where the Crawdads Sing</em>, she worked as a zoologist and conservationist in Africa alongside her husband Mark. </p> <p>During the 1990s, the couple were focusing on battling poachers in Zambia’s North Luangwa National Park, as detailed in Owens’ second book, <em>The Eye of the Elephant</em>, which was released in 1992.</p> <p>In 1996, the couple then featured a documentary about their work, as they had established a reputation of being ruthless in their efforts to stop the poachers. </p> <div data-testid="body-content"> <p>Bizarrely, the documentary included a scene that depicts, according to Jeffrey Goldberg writing in <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2022/07/where-the-crawdads-sing-delia-mark-owens-zambia-murder/670479/?taid=62cd901236d8fb0001cd2b91&amp;utm_campaign=the-atlantic&amp;utm_content=true-anthem&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Atlantic</a>, “the filmed murder of an alleged poacher, executed while lying collapsed on the ground after having already been shot.”</p> </div> <div> </div> <div data-testid="body-content"> <p>Goldberg has been following the Owens case since the beginning, and his 2010 story in <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/04/05/the-hunted" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New Yorker</a> revealed that the couple – along with Mark’s son Christopher – were suspected by Zambian authorities of being involved in the killing. </p> <p>The Zambian national police launched an investigation but the body of the executed poacher was never found, as Mark, Delia and Christopher returned to America. </p> <p>The story is back in the public eye as the film adaptation of <em>Where the Crawdads Sing</em> continues to excite fans of book, which follows protagonist Kya, a young woman accused of murder. </p> <p>It’s hard to say whether Delia would actually face charges, but in The Atlantic piece Goldberg spoke to Zambia’s director of public prosecutions, Lillian Shawa-Siyuni, who confirmed that Mark, Delia, and Christopher Owens are still wanted for questioning.</p> <p>“There is no statute of limitations on murder in Zambia,” Siyuni told Goldberg. “They are all wanted for questioning in this case, including Delia Owens.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

Legal

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Meghan Markle called on to run for president

<p dir="ltr">Meghan Markle would make a “great presidential candidate” according to US President Biden’s sister. </p> <p dir="ltr">Valerie Biden Owens, who works as President Biden’s campaign manager, has called on the Duchess of Sussex to join the Democratic Party saying she would be welcomed with open arms. </p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em>Good Morning Britain</em>, Ms Owens was firm in her statement about Meghan Markle being a US President candidate. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Yes, perhaps. Of course she will," she said on the show.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's wonderful to have women in politics. The more women we have, the better our democratic system will work. A better point of view, a different point of view.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We embrace all women and we welcome her to come in and join the Democratic party."</p> <p dir="ltr">Meghan has previously weighed in on the politics in America after she left her royal duties with husband Prince Harry. </p> <p dir="ltr">She urged Americans to vote in the 2020 Election and also called for more paid parental leave. </p> <p dir="ltr">Author Tom Bower is writing a biography about the Duchess and previously said that it is “possible” and “likely” that she would run for president.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The prospect of Meghan running for president is possible and I'd even say likely. I really believe it's where she sees herself going,” he told Closer Magazine.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fellow author Omid Scobie concurred saying: "Meghan is the embodiment of the American dream. One day we may see Meghan become president."</p> <p dir="ltr">Back in 2020, an anonymous friend told Vanity Fair that Meghan refused to give up her American citizenship in order to have the option to get into politics. </p> <p dir="ltr">As per the British Royal Family, all members are required to remain neutral which Meghan has not - pointing out that she has already met with senators to lobby a bill.</p> <p dir="ltr">A legal expert has called it “controversial” but only time will tell what Meghan decides to do. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Meshel Laurie’s incredible transformation

<p><span>Meshel Laurie has undergone a major transformation, shocking fans after she shared a photo of herself to social media.</span><br /><br /><span>Posing with <em>Australian True Crime</em> podcast co-host Emily Webb, the 47-year-old looked vibrant and glowing.</span><br /><br /><span>Not only does the star look more radiant and confident, but fans also took to pointing out just how happy Laurie looked.</span><br /><br /><span>"As you can see, we are two ladies who are quite pleased to be dressed up and out of the house," Meshel joked in the caption.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842402/meshel-laurie.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/295820b4260c4c3f9136cefe8677038f" /></p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em><br /><br /><span>Fans flocked to true comments to praise the podcast personality for her new look.</span><br /><br /><span>"First glance I thought you were Kate Hudson," one stunned fan commented.</span><br /><br /><span>"OMG YOU LOOK INCREDS!!!!!!!" another user added.</span><br /><br /><span>A third person said: "Meshel, you’re looking stunning... glowing smile.”</span><br /><br /><span>"MATEEEEEEE Look at you, looking bloody skinny mini. Glowing my sister," one other comment read.</span><br /><br /><span>"Regardless of what body size you are, you always look happiest doing what you love and it’s GREAT to see," another added.</span><br /><br /><span>Meshel has made her mark in the Australian podcast industry, and alongside <em>Australian True Crime,</em> she also hosts <em>Calm Ya Farm;</em> a daily podcast where she interviews celebrities on how they stay sane.</span><br /><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842400/meshel-laurie-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/59271bcd50bb41e38919141c8eced5c2" /></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p> <p><span>Speaking to the <em>Herald Sun</em> earlier this year, Meshel revealed her secret to looking and feeling healthy.</span><br /><br /><span>"Most of us need to reign in our alcohol consumption, lose weight and remember how to sleep after 2020, but if you put too much pressure on yourself, you’re likely to go off the rails and give up pretty quickly,” she said.</span><br /><br /><span>"Drink less, eat better and spend an hour removing things that don’t need to be in your bedroom, especially the things that create ambient light, like all those chargers."</span><br /><br /><span>She went on to say, "Caring for yourself doesn’t have to be flamboyant and expensive.</span><br /><br /><span>“And the most important aspect is the decision to care for yourself. Something as simple as a hot bath with a book can feel as sumptuous as a soak in a Mediterranean hot spring (probably)."</span></p>

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Elderly man fined over DIY zebra crossing for his disabled wife

<p><span>An elderly man is paying the price for painting a zebra crossing near his home after multiple requests to his local council went ignored.</span><br /><br /><span>Laurie Phillips, 78, was forced to take matters into his own hands when his local council ignored multiple requests to introduce a safer crossing on his busy street for his disabled wife.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Phillips, from Dorset on England’s south coast, painted the crossing early one morning with two friends.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839882/zebra-crossing-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0c972e78a2844e86b5e4995be2d3dfae" /><br /><br /><span>However council workers were quick to report him to the police and his creation was quickly removed.</span><br /><br /><span>Mr Phillips argued his DIY crossing had made the area “dramatically safer”, but local authorities agreed and was slapped with a fine of AU$233 after being interviewed by police.</span><br /><br /><span>He said he warned the council he would install the crossing for his 76-year-old wife Estelle, who uses a mobility scooter, if they failed to do so.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839881/zebra-crossing-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/dca54c26bbae4917a2fe1dbfa9d0475c" /><br /><br /><span>He went on to argue that he was never told not to install a crossing and believes the debacle is a waste of police resources a</span><br /><br /><span>Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have since said they will “carefully assess” if a crossing was needed at the location.</span></p> <p><em><span>Images: Bournemouth News/Australscope</span></em></p>

Legal

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"I just hit a wall": Meshel Laurie reveals why she left The Project

<p>Meshel Laurie has revealed the personal struggles that led her to leave her radio hosting job and regular appearances at <em>The Project</em>.</p> <p>In an interview with <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/5/2/meshel-laurie-talks-social-media-suicide-and-how-georgie-gardner-helped-save-her" target="_blank">McKnight Tonight</a> </em>podcast, the comedian and broadcaster told Rob McKnight how the struggles she faced earlier this year made her turn to alcohol and contemplate suicide.</p> <p>“[In] early 2019, I was in a situation where I was having a breakdown basically,” said Laurie.</p> <p>The 45-year-old said she had to leave her radio gig to tend to her “dying” father, who was living with her at the time. </p> <p>“I had to give up working full time in breakfast radio because I couldn’t cope with the hours and the pressures at home,” Laurie admitted. </p> <p>She also said the pressures from caring gave her serious anxiety, which she “self-medicated” with alcohol. </p> <p>“I was drinking heavily every night [and] tweeting … a hideous combination and a terrible place to be.”</p> <p>Apart from her radio job, Laurie also stopped appearing on Channel Ten’s panel show <em>The Project</em>. </p> <p>“I’d worked really hard for a really long time and I’d always enjoyed [working in the media], but I just hit a wall, you know?” she said.</p> <p>“You’re so driven by the next job and getting the job and keeping the job, and the fear of other people coming up behind you, and the fear of taking a day off, that whoever replaces you will be great … I was that person, I wanted to keep grinding.”</p> <p>As her drinking became worse, Laurie said she became more reckless on social media and ended up in online fights.</p> <p>She said she “made some mistakes” while drunk on Twitter, sparking the anger of activists on Twitter.</p> <p>The media personality, who is a strong supporter of asylum seekers, encouraged counter protesters to boycott a white supremacist rally as she believed the situation might get out of control. </p> <p>However, many people on the social media platform became furious at Laurie for telling people of colour what they should or should not do.</p> <p>“When people started attacking me and saying, ‘Stop telling black people what to do’. I reacted and I felt insulted. Then it just got out of hand,” she confessed.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Thank you. I appreciate the reminder and again I apologise for the fact that my panic prevented me from being able to listen. <a href="https://t.co/tquwD3Gooy">https://t.co/tquwD3Gooy</a></p> — Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Meshel_Laurie/status/1081470014056615936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>“I ended up being really terrified of social media, which I still am now ... I’m really frightened of speaking in public.”</p> <p>Following the online backlash, she said she felt “devastated” and “suicidal” as the people that she had helped and reached out to in the past “hung s**t” on her publicly.</p> <p>However, during that low moment, unexpected help came in the form of fellow TV personality Georgie Gardner, who sent her a supportive message. </p> <p>“She was just really kind, and she was just saying everyone used to say to Charlotte [Dawson], ‘switch it off, mate’ – like, let it go, it doesn't matter, none of this is important, just go to bed, get some sleep, tomorrow's another day,” said Laurie.</p> <p>In the morning, she re-read Gardner’s message and thought, “’What a nice lady!’ She’s got enough to deal with in her actual life, and I had so many real friends who were not stepping in for me, were not contacting me, and I knew they must be seeing it, and they were not – and still, frankly, haven’t. But yeah, what a nice lady!</p> <p>“And I sometimes I see things in the media ... and I think, ‘I must try and find a way to tell the world that she’s a really nice person!’”</p> <p><em>If you are troubled by this article, experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide, you can call Lifeline 131 114 or beyondblue 1300 224 636 or visit <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/" target="_blank">lifeline.org.au</a> or <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites" target="_blank">beyondblue.org.au</a>.</em></p>

Mind

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Why all seniors should play computer games

<p>As a woman who is almost 70 years old, I have not kept up with technology at the rate that I would have liked. I have, however, discovered a couple of games on my laptop or phone that I enjoy playing. One is called <em>Words with Friends</em> and follows the principles of <em>Scrabble</em>. And I love words! </p> <p>After watching my mother slowly decline cognitively with Alzheimer’s, I am conscious of maintaining my brain power, and what better way than a fun game?</p> <p>There is another bonus to playing <em>Words with Friends </em>(<em>WwF</em>)<em>, </em>and that is staying in touch (in a superficial sort of way) with people on a daily basis. I find this comforting since retiring from a varied career in education which spanned 44 years. I have a close friend, Teresa, who lives in the country about a two hour drive from where I live in Melbourne. Teresa’s husband of 32 years died suddenly three years ago, only two months after my best friend died of cancer. I spent time with Teresa at her beautiful property, supporting her in her grief and helping conduct the memorial service to celebrate her husband’s life. I introduced Teresa to <em>WwF</em> at that time and we have played almost daily since then. <em>WwF</em> is fairly easy to keep to a moderate use of time, as I must wait for the other to make their moves before I can play again. I also love playing several games with three local friends and several of my relatives in California.</p> <p>Another computer game I play is <em>Lumosity,</em> a brain training game that addresses such skills as speed, attention, memory, flexibility and problem solving.  <em>Lumosity </em>contains games with only one player versus the electronic game. So, there is no need to wait on another player to repeat the game.   Over time, I found myself self-selecting games that I particularly enjoyed.  I started playing the same two games over and over to try to increase my score.</p> <p>Lately, while playing <em>Lumosity</em> games, I have been reminded of a familiar compulsive behaviour to keep playing the same game.  So, the conversation to myself goes something like this: </p> <p>“OK, you’ve played <em>Train of Thought </em>five times now, so this will be your last game today”.</p> <p>“Oops! I’ve started another game...can’t quit now, this one will be my last game”.  At the end of this game, I hear my mind saying, “just one more...”!</p> <p>Why was this compulsive behaviour familiar to me? For most of my life I have battled serious overeating, favouring sweet foods. That began as a young child. This scourge, which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, was rife with breaking my own promises to myself, mental obsession, and experiencing a compulsion where it seemed I had no choice. The effect, naturally, was weight gain, followed by a rigid regime of dieting... over and over again. I have lost up to 30 kilograms on several occasions (using an array of diets, 12 step programs such as <em>Overeaters Anonymous</em>, hypnotism, numerous counsellors and therapists).</p> <p>So, when I observe the conversation in my mind, “this is your last game now”, I remember the same struggle with, for example, chocolate biscuits. I would eat 3 chocolate biscuits and then put the packet away in the cupboard, saying to myself, “that’s all you need”. I’d return back to the task at hand, but my mind was obsessed with the biscuits. Such messages drifting from my own brain would be, “go ahead, have a couple more. You deserve it. They are so delicious”. Inevitably, I ate the entire packet. Arrgghh!</p> <p>Fortunately, I have controlled the weight gain in the last few years with the help of Bariatric surgery.  I had a lap band fitted a few years ago, which limits the amount of food I can eat. I have learned to eat more slowly, take small bites, and chew thoroughly. I’ve been wearing the same size clothes for 3 years, which seems quite miraculous to me!</p> <p>One of the things these two compulsive behaviours have in common is that I only ever binged on food or <em>Lumosity</em> games when I was alone. It is a secret. Fortunately, I don’t believe there are too many downsides to spending 30-40 minutes a day on playing <em>Lumosity</em> games on my laptop and I am not too worried about it. I am pleased that I am aware of the compulsive behaviours when they creep in and I value my life experience at these times.  So, after playing and replaying <em>Lumosity</em> games for 40 minutes, I take my dog for a walk to the local dog park where she loves socialising with the other dogs. And I make sure I socialise with the other dog owners.</p> <p><em>Laurie Darby was a guest on Insight SBS, which explores video gaming and the impact it can have on Australian’s lives. Watch 8.30pm, August 7, on SBS. </em></p>

Mind

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“I have a problem”: Why Meshel Laurie wore a purple wig on The Project

<p>Last Friday night, regular co-host Meshel Laurie debuted a sleek, purple wig on The Project.</p> <p>The 41-year-old radio and TV presenter is known for her colourful hairstyles, but behind her latest hairdo is a common health issue many women experience but still feel ashamed about today: female hair loss.</p> <p>In a lengthy Facebook post, the mother-of-two explained why she chose to wear a purple wig.</p> <p>“I know my look on The Project tonight was a bit wacky, and to be honest, it rattled my confidence a bit. It was a desperate measure by a desperate woman,” Meshel wrote.</p> <p>“It was a cheap wig. The fact is, I have a problem. I’ve always had great hair. I’ve never felt like I had much else going for me on the physical side of things, but I always had a great, thick head of hair that could take anything, but now alas, it has left me.  It grows, but then it snaps. I know for a lot of women it stops growing altogether!”</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fmeshellaurie%2Fposts%2F2088293881457924%3A0&amp;width=500" width="500" height="445" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe></p> <p>Meshel went on to explain how her hair loss has impacted her self-confidence and mental health.</p> <p> “It’s taking my confidence and making me feel like I’m not myself anymore. It’s also making me so very sad. Every time I look in the mirror I’m horrified at what I see. I’ve just been flailing around for months until now, grabbing at one thing after another until I hit rock bottom with this purple wig,” she said.</p> <p>“I try so hard not to be a problem to anyone, but this issue was quickly becoming too big for me to handle on my own. I was spending whole days driving around town trying to figure out how to cover it up before my next Project call time. </p> <p>“Onward and upward. Time to start dealing with it positively instead of ignoring it.”</p> <p>Contrary to popular belief, hair loss and thinning doesn’t only happen to men. In fact, more than 55 per cent of <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/2016/11/understanding-female-hair-loss/">women will experience some degree of hair loss</a></span></strong> in their life.</p>

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