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Is it better to shower in the morning or at night?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>It’s a question that’s long been the cause of debate: is it better to shower in the morning or at night?</p> <p>Morning shower enthusiasts will say this is the obvious winner, as it helps you wake up and start the day fresh. Night shower loyalists, on the other hand, will argue it’s better to “wash the day away” and relax before bed.</p> <p>But what does the research actually say? As a microbiologist, I can tell you there actually is a clear answer to this question.</p> <p>First off, it’s important to stress that showering is an integral part of any good hygiene routine — regardless of when you prefer to have one.</p> <p>Showering helps us remove dirt and oil from <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2015.2586">our skin</a>, which can help prevent skin rashes and infections.</p> <p>Showering also removes sweat, which can quell body odour.</p> <p>Although many of us think that body odour is caused by sweat, it’s actually produced by bacteria that live on the surface of our skin. Fresh sweat is, in fact, odourless. But skin-dwelling bacteria – specifically <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/staphylococcus-aureus/about/index.html">staphylococci</a> – use sweat as a direct nutrient source. When they break down the sweat, it releases a sulphur-containing compound called <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-68860-z">thioalcohols</a> which is behind that pungent BO stench many of us are familiar with.</p> <h2>Day or night?</h2> <p>During the day, your body and hair inevitably collect pollutants and allergens (such as dust and pollen) alongside their usual accumulation of sweat and sebaceous oil. While some of these particles will be <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/all.16378">retained by your clothes</a>, others will inevitably be transferred to your <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16364170/">sheets and pillow cases</a>.</p> <p>The sweat and oil from you skin will also support the growth of the bacteria that comprise your <a href="https://academic.oup.com/femsle/article-abstract/362/16/fnv111/558026?redirectedFrom=fulltext">skin microbiome</a>. These bacteria may then also be transferred from your body <a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=40029">onto your sheets</a>.</p> <p>Showering at night may remove some of the allergens, sweat and oil picked up during the day so less ends up on your bedsheets.</p> <p>However, even if you’ve freshly showered before bed, you will still <a href="https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/221338/straight-dope-do-you-really-sweat-one-liter-each-night/">sweat during the night</a> – whatever the temperature is. Your skin microbes will then eat the nutrients in that sweat. This means that by the morning, you’ll have both deposited microbes onto your bed sheets and you’ll probably also wake up with some BO.</p> <p>What particularly negates the cleaning benefits of a night shower is if your bedding is not regularly laundered. The odour causing microbes present in your bed sheets may be transferred while you sleep onto your clean body.</p> <p>Showering at night also does not stop your <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.18.1.16">skin cells</a> being shed. This means they can potentially become the food source of house dust mites, whose waste can be allergenic. If you don’t regularly wash your sheets, this could lead to a build-up of dead skin cell deposits which will feed more dust mites. The droppings from these dust mites can <a href="https://aafa.org/allergies/types-of-allergies/insect-allergy/dust-mite-allergy/">trigger allergies</a> and <a href="https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/indoor-air-pollution/home#dust-mites">exacerbate asthma</a>.</p> <p>Morning showers, on the other hand, can help remove dead skin cells as well as any sweat or bacteria you’ve picked up from your bed sheets during the night. This is especially important to do if your sheets weren’t freshly washed when you went to bed.</p> <p>A morning shower suggests your body will be cleaner of night-acquired <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7690701/">skin microbes</a> when putting on fresh clothes. You’ll also start the day with less sweat for odour-producing bacteria to feed on – which will probably help you smell fresher for longer during the day compared to someone who showered at night. As a microbiologist, I am a day shower advocate.</p> <p>Of course, everyone has their own shower preference. Whatever time you choose, remember that the effectiveness of your shower is influenced by many aspects of your personal hygiene regime – such as how frequently you <a href="https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=40029">wash your bed sheets</a>.</p> <p>So regardless of whether your prefer a morning or evening shower, it’s important to clean your bed linen regularly. You should launder your sheets and pillow cases at least weekly to remove all the sweat, bacteria, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.18.1.16">dead skin cells</a> and sebaceous oils that have built up on your sheets.</p> <p>Washing will also remove any <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/all.16378">fungal spores</a> that might be growing on the bed linen – alongside the nutrient sources these odour producing microbes use to grow.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/256242/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/primrose-freestone-315921">Primrose Freestone</a>, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-leicester-1053">University of Leicester</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-it-better-to-shower-in-the-morning-or-at-night-heres-what-a-microbiologist-says-256242">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Caique the Creator</em></p> <p> </p> </div>

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"Call me Brax": Footy star reveals newborn's name

<p>Former AFLW star Abbey Holmes and husband Keegan Brooksby have shared the joyful news of the arrival of their first child – a beautiful baby boy named Braxton John Brooksby.</p> <p>In a heartwarming Instagram post filled with adorable newborn photos, the couple introduced their son to the world with the caption: “Hi Everybody!! My name is Braxton John Brooksby but my friends can call me Brax.”</p> <p>Holmes, 33, shared a few sweet details about Braxton’s birth, revealing that he arrived via caesarean section at 5:49pm on June 6, weighing 3.585 kilograms.</p> <p>“Mummy labored all day on Friday, only for me to be born via c section… My head was faaaar too large so we had to change our plans late in the piece!” the post joked, before adding, “I’m suuuuuuuuuper cute & Mum and Dad are obsessed with me! @kjbrooksby.”</p> <p>The announcement was quickly met with an outpouring of love from friends and fans alike. Olympian Steph Rice wrote, “Awwww my gosh, congratulations you two❤️🥰,” while fellow <em>Survivor</em> contestant Sharn Coombs commented, “Welcome to the world beautiful Braxton! Can’t wait to meet you.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKwDrdUyuWA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKwDrdUyuWA/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Abbey Holmes (@abbeycholmes)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The journey to parenthood has been a memorable one for the couple, who discovered they were expecting shortly after Holmes completed the New York Marathon last November. They spent the festive season sharing the exciting news with loved ones, and made it public with a gorgeous photoshoot on New Year’s Day.</p> <p>“This year is certainly set to be our biggest & best yet, with the ultimate little teammate joining us in June!!” they wrote at the time.</p> <p>The arrival of baby Brax caps off a huge year for Holmes and Brooksby, who tied the knot just last year. Now, they’re celebrating a new and even more exciting chapter – parenthood.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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CCTV released after at least 290 die in Air India plane crash

<p>At least 290 people have died after an Air India flight bound for London crashed into a residential area shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday.</p> <p>The aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner operating as Flight AI171 to London’s Gatwick Airport, was carrying 242 people when it went down moments after takeoff, plummeting into the doctors’ hostel at BJ Medical College and Hospital. The crash ignited a massive fire that engulfed part of the building and nearby residences, sending thick black smoke billowing into the sky.</p> <p>Emergency responders raced to the scene, where they found the fuselage partially embedded in the hospital structure and surrounding trees scorched. Dozens of victims, including passengers, hospital residents and local civilians, were transported to nearby medical centres, though authorities have warned the death toll is likely to rise.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nrFTKHnH00Q?si=d6L3VN0CZlEAvuwy" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>Among the victims were several minors and at least three medical students. Between 50 and 60 more students were admitted to local hospitals, with two to three currently in intensive care, the Federation of All India Medical Association said.</p> <p>Miraculously, at least one person survived the crash. British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, reportedly seated in 11A, was pulled from the wreckage and is receiving treatment. Speaking from his hospital bed, Ramesh told <em>The Hindustan Times</em>, “Thirty seconds after takeoff, there was a loud noise and then the plane crashed. It all happened so quickly.”</p> <p>Flight operations at the Ahmedabad airport were temporarily suspended following the disaster but have since resumed on a limited basis.</p> <p>Air India confirmed the passenger manifest included 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. A reception centre has been established at Gatwick Airport to assist families and provide updates.</p> <p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow, saying the country had been “stunned and saddened” by the tragedy, which he described as “heartbreaking beyond words”. Air India chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran called it a “tragic accident”, assuring the public that the airline was doing “everything in our power” to support emergency crews and affected families.</p> <p>In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the scenes were “devastating” and confirmed he is receiving ongoing updates. Foreign Secretary David Lammy told the House of Commons that crisis teams have been activated in both London and Delhi to assist British nationals.</p> <p>King Charles III released a statement saying he and Queen Camilla were “desperately shocked” by the crash, offering their thoughts to victims and praising the “heroic efforts” of emergency responders.</p> <p>The disaster marks the first fatal crash involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner since its introduction in 2011. Boeing, which has more than 1,175 Dreamliners in service worldwide, said it is working closely with Air India and expressed condolences to all affected.</p> <p>As investigations begin into the cause of the crash, India and the international aviation community are left grappling with one of the deadliest air disasters in recent history.</p> <p><em>Images: CCTV / YouTube</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Absolutely stunning": Matildas star ties the knot

<p>Love is in the air for Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter, who has officially tied the knot with Dutch football star Daniëlle van de Donk in a breathtaking wedding ceremony in France.</p> <p>The newlyweds shared their joy with fans on Instagram, posting two stunning photos from their big day. Carpenter, 25, captioned the images with a simple but heartfelt message: "I choose you. I will always choose you."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKwYGdFoXHF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKwYGdFoXHF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ellie Carpenter (@elliecarpenterr)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The romantic French ceremony saw both brides looking radiant in elegant white gowns. Carpenter wore a strapless Pronovias dress with a dramatic mermaid-style skirt and a flowing white veil. Her hair was styled in a chic messy bun, adding a relaxed touch to her glamorous look.</p> <p>Van de Donk, 33, chose a princess-style gown by Mia Atelier, complete with delicate lace detailing. She wore her hair in soft waves, perfectly complementing the timeless elegance of her dress.</p> <p>The post was quickly flooded with love and well-wishes from friends, family, and plenty of Carpenter’s Matildas teammates.</p> <p>"Holy smokes you two are absolutely stunning. Best day ever. Love you both so much," wrote Emily Gielnik.</p> <p>"Stunning!!! What a day," added vice-captain Steph Catley, echoing the joy felt across the Australian football community.</p> <p>Carpenter and van de Donk first met in 2021 while playing for French club Olympique Lyonnais. Romance rumours began swirling in early 2022, but the couple kept their relationship private until later that year.</p> <p>In January 2024, the couple delighted fans by announcing their engagement via a joint Instagram post, showing van de Donk beaming with a diamond ring on her finger. Carpenter is believed to have proposed during a holiday in the Maldives – a moment that was met with celebration by their teammates and supporters.</p> <p>"Let's goooooo," commented Sam Kerr on the engagement post. "Congrats guys xx."</p> <p>"Congrats lovers 🥰," wrote Alanna Kennedy, with Courtney Nevin and Tameka Yallop also chiming in with heartfelt messages.</p> <p>Now, with their French fairytale wedding, Carpenter and van de Donk have sealed their love story with a vow – and shared it with the world.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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What does Trump’s looming ‘revenge tax’ mean for Australia?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">The Australian Labor Party just won an <a href="https://theconversation.com/albanese-increases-majority-and-dutton-loses-seat-in-stunning-election-landslide-255616">election victory for the ages</a>. Now, it may be forced to walk back one of the key achievements of its first term.</p> <p>Here’s why: United States President Donald Trump is about to declare an income tax war on much of the world – and we Australians are not on the same side.</p> <p>Over in the US, the “<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text">One Big Beautiful Bill act</a>” – a tax and spending package worth trillions of dollars – has been <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/may/22/what-is-trump-big-beautiful-bill">passed</a> by the House of Representatives. It’s now before the Senate for consideration.</p> <p>Within it lies a new and highly controversial provision: <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/30/taxes-section-899-big-beautiful-bill">Section 899</a>. This increases various US tax rates payable by taxpayers from any country the US claims is maintaining an “unfair foreign tax” by five percentage points each year, up to an additional 20% loading.</p> <p>Having been an integral part of an international effort to create a global 15% minimum tax, Australia now finds itself in the firing line of Trump’s “<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/revenge-tax-buried-deep-budget-213451951.html">revenge tax</a>” warfare – and it’s a fight we’re unlikely to win.</p> <h2>A global minimum tax rate</h2> <p>The origins of the looming income tax war <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2013/07/action-plan-on-base-erosion-and-profit-shifting_g1g30e67.html">started in 2013</a>, when the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (<a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/about.html">OECD</a>) released its plan to stamp out “base erosion and profit shifting”.</p> <p>This refers to a range of strategies often used by multinational companies to minimise the tax they pay, exploiting differences and gaps in the tax rules of different countries.</p> <p>The OECD’s first attempt to tackle the problem was a collection of disparate measures directed not only at corporate tax avoidance, but also controlling tax poaching by national governments and “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/apr/29/sweetheart-tax-deals">sweetheart deals</a>” negotiated by tax officials.</p> <p>Under both Labor and the Coalition, Australia was initially an enthusiastic backer of these attempts.</p> <p>However, the project was not a widespread success. Many countries endorsed the final reports but, unlike Australia, few countries acted on them.</p> <p>After the failure of this first project, the OECD tried again in 2019. This evolved to encompass two “pillars” to change the global tax rules.</p> <p><a href="https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/topics/policy-issues/cross-border-and-international-tax/pillar-one-amount-a-fact-sheet.pdf">Pillar one</a> would give more tax to countries where a company’s customers are located. <a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/global-minimum-tax/global-anti-base-erosion-model-rules-pillar-two.html">Pillar two</a> is a minimum tax of 15% on (a version of) the accounting profits of the largest multinationals earned in each country where the multinational operates.</p> <p>Labor picked up this project for the 2022 election, <a href="https://jimchalmers.org/latest-news/media-releases/labor-s-plan-to-ensure-multinationals-pay-their-fair-share-of-tax/">promising</a> to support both pillars – and they honoured that promise.</p> <h2>Mixed success</h2> <p>Around the world, the two pillar project had mixed success. Pillar one was dead-on-arrival: most countries did nothing. But Australia and several other countries, mostly in Europe, implemented pillar two – the global minimum tax.</p> <p>The OECD has always maintained the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project was a coalition of the willing, meant to rebalance the way income tax is allocated between producer and consumer countries, and rid the world of tax havens.</p> <p>In the US, Republicans <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/yellen-us-negotiating-rd-tax-credit-part-global-tax-deal-2024-04-30/">did not share that view</a>. For them, BEPS was simply another attempt by foreign countries to get more tax from US companies.</p> <p>This Republican dissatisfaction with the OECD is now on full display. On the first day of his second term, Trump issued an <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/the-organization-for-economic-co-operation-and-development-oecd-global-tax-deal-global-tax-deal/">executive order</a>, formally repudiating any OECD commitments the Biden administration might have given.</p> <p>He also directed his officials to report on options for retaliatory measures the US could take against any foreign countries with income tax rules that are “extraterritorial” or “disproportionately affect American companies”.</p> <h2>Why Australia is so exposed</h2> <p>Australia could find itself in the firing line of Trump’s tax warfare on many fronts. And the US doesn’t lack firepower. Section 899 adds to a number of <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-90-year-old-tax-rule-trump-could-use-to-double-us-taxes-on-foreigners-248154">retaliatory tax provisions</a> the US already had at its disposal.</p> <p>The increased tax rates would affect Australian super funds and other investors earning dividends, rent, interest, royalties and other income from US companies. Australian super funds in particular are heavily invested in US markets, which have outperformed local stocks in recent years.</p> <p>It would also affect Australian managed funds owning land and infrastructure assets in the US, as well as Australian entities such as banks that carry on business in the US.</p> <p>And there are other measures that would expose US subsidiaries of Australian companies to US higher tax.</p> <p>The bill would even remove the doctrine of sovereign immunity for the governments of “offending” countries. <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/your-tax-return/if-you-disagree-with-an-ato-decision/object-to-a-decision/what-to-include-in-your-objection/supporting-information-to-provide/sovereign-immunity">Sovereign immunity</a> refers to a tax exemption on returns that usually applies to governments. This means the Australian government itself could have to pay tax to the US.</p> <p>There are <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-30/trump-revenge-tax-would-lower-foreign-investment-in-us-scorekeeper-predicts">concerns on Wall Street</a> this will dampen demand for US government bonds from foreign governments, which are big buyers of US Treasuries. The argument may sway some in the Senate – but how many remains to be seen.</p> <h2>What Australia may need to do next</h2> <p>We may be incredulous that anyone would consider our tax system combative, but enacting the OECD pillar two was always known to be risky.</p> <p>There are other, homegrown Australian tax measures that have drawn American ire.</p> <p>In 2015, Australia enacted an income tax measure (commonly called the “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/google-restructures-to-avoid-hefty-penalties-in-australia-as-tax-bill-hits-16-million-20160429-goi8fl.html">Google tax</a>”) specifically directed at US tech companies. In 2017, we followed this up with a <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/businesses-and-organisations/international-tax-for-business/in-detail/doing-business-in-australia-or-overseas/diverted-profits-tax">diverted profits tax</a>. Trump’s bill specifically targets both measures.</p> <p>Tying ourselves to the OECD’s global minimum tax project might have seemed like a good idea in 2019. In 2025, it looks decidedly unappealing, and not just because of Trump.</p> <p>First, there is not actually any serious revenue in pillar two for Australia. Treasury’s <a href="https://archive.budget.gov.au/2023-24/bp2/download/bp2_2023-24.pdf">revenue estimate</a> totalled only $360 million after four years, just slightly more than a rounding error in the federal budget.</p> <p>Second, we are increasingly alone and vulnerable in this battle. It might feel emotionally satisfying to stand up to the US. If there was a sizeable coalition alongside us, there might be some point.</p> <p>If Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill act does pass through the US Senate, the Australian government and business will be left exposed to much higher costs.</p> <p>Since abandoning the US market is not really an option, it might be time to surrender quietly and gracefully – by reversing, at the very least, the contentious bits of pillar two.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/257961/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/graeme-cooper-3215">Graeme Cooper</a>, Professor of Taxation Law, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-is-in-the-firing-line-of-trumps-looming-revenge-tax-its-a-fight-were-unlikely-to-win-257961">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / <span style="font-family: 'Canva Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Roboto, -apple-system, blinkmacsystemfont, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre;">Nataliya Vaitkevich</span></em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

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Today show reporter shares happy news

<p>Congratulations are pouring in for Today reporter Izabella Staskowski, who has announced she is expecting her first child with fiancé Drew Jones.</p> <p>The couple shared the heartwarming news on Instagram, posting a glowing photo of themselves standing on a Queensland beach at sunrise. In the picture, Jones lovingly cradles Staskowski’s baby bump while the two beam with excitement.</p> <p>“We can’t wait to meet you,” the caption read – a simple but joyful message that has already sparked an outpouring of love and excitement from friends, family and fans alike.</p> <p>"Congratulations! How beautiful," wrote Channel Nine Traffic Reporter Marina Ivanovic, while Channel 7 reporter Tyra Stowers added, "I can't wait either. So gorg, love you both."</p> <p>Channel Nine’s Zac Bailey also joined in with the well wishes, commenting: "Congrats guys! So stoked for you both."</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKq5EmRzx2F/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKq5EmRzx2F/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Iza Staskowski (@izastaskowski)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>This latest chapter in the couple’s love story comes just six months after their dreamy engagement. In December last year, Jones popped the question by the water at sunset, accompanied by their beloved dogs, Dennis and Raymond.</p> <p>"06.12.24 🤍," they captioned a carousel of pictures capturing the romantic moment. One photo shows Staskowski hugging her now-fiancé with a sparkling oval-cut solitaire diamond ring on her finger. Another shows Jones on one knee as the couple gazes into each other’s eyes.</p> <p>Their love story has been unfolding publicly and joyfully. Just months before their engagement, the couple celebrated another major milestone – buying their first home together. “We bought Dennis & Raymond a home,” they joked in an Instagram post from July, featuring happy snaps of the pair holding up their new keys. Sitting on the floor of their new living room with pizza boxes and champagne, the couple looked ready to take on the next stage of life.</p> <p>Now, with a baby on the way, that next stage has truly arrived – and it seems the growing family couldn’t be happier.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"A very difficult, haunted life": Tributes flow for one of the world's most revered artists

<p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Brian Wilson, co-founder of the Beach Boys and the troubled genius behind some of the most beloved music in rock history, has died aged 82.</span></p> <p>His family announced the news in a statement published on Wilson’s website early Thursday (Australian time), saying they were “at a loss for words” and that they “realise that we are sharing our grief with the world.” No cause of death was disclosed.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKxHMogupsf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DKxHMogupsf/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Brian Wilson (@brianwilsonlive)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Wilson had been living under a conservatorship since early 2024, following the death of his wife Melinda. Diagnosed with dementia and no longer able to care for himself, the man who once conjured up sounds as warm and perfect as a California summer spent his final months in silence and seclusion.</p> <p>Born in June 1942, Wilson was the visionary architect of the Beach Boys’ signature sound – angelic harmonies, symphonic arrangements and an aching sense of longing beneath the surface of sun-drenched lyrics. From Surfin’ USA and California Girls to the transcendent God Only Knows and Good Vibrations, his work helped define an era – and inspired generations of artists.</p> <p>Wilson formed the band in 1961 with his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love and school friend Al Jardine. Together, they captured the youthful exuberance of California with 36 Top 40 hits. Yet the joy in the music stood in stark contrast to the pain in Wilson’s life.</p> <p>Abused by his father and haunted by mental illness, Wilson suffered his first breakdown in 1966 and soon retreated from live performances. He famously poured his creative energy into the landmark Pet Sounds, a record that initially puzzled US audiences but would go on to become one of the most revered albums of all time.</p> <p>“It was a symphonic reflection on the loss of innocence,” Wilson said later – a summation of the emotional depth and fragility that marked much of his life’s work.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Heard the sad news about Brian today and thought about all the years I’ve been listening to him and admiring his genius. Rest in peace dear Brian.</p> <p>— Bob Dylan (@bobdylan) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobdylan/status/1932915106733584527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Yet even as Wilson shaped the sound of modern music, his inner world was crumbling. He battled schizoaffective disorder, heard voices, fell into drug addiction, and became a recluse – at one point, lying in bed for weeks at a time, rarely bathing, growing obese and isolating himself from even those closest to him.</p> <p>His struggle for stability led him into the care of controversial therapist Eugene Landy, whose extreme methods – including locking the refrigerator and controlling all aspects of Wilson’s life – would later be deemed exploitative. Landy was eventually removed from Wilson’s life following a court case brought by his family.</p> <p>Despite brief comebacks, Wilson’s later career never reached the heights of his early brilliance. He appeared frail and tentative in performances, a shadow of the radiant spirit who once made the world dance.</p> <p>He last toured in 2022.</p> <p>Wilson was portrayed in the 2014 biopic <em>Love & Mercy</em>, a poignant film that brought renewed appreciation for the depth of his suffering and the greatness of his art.</p> <p>In a 2007 interview, Wilson offered a quiet summation of his legacy: “I’ve lived a very, very difficult, haunted life.”</p> <p>And yet, through all the darkness, he gave the world songs that shimmered with light.</p> <p>Brian Wilson is survived by his daughters Carnie and Wendy – who found pop success in the 1990s with Wilson Phillips – and five children he shared with Melinda, whom he met when she sold him a car.</p> <p>The music he made continues to echo across generations. His voice may be gone, but his vibrations – good, bad and transcendent – will never fade.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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How this driver lost 22 demerit points and $1800 in a single traffic stop

<p>A NSW learner driver has been hit with nearly $1,800 in fines and an eye-watering 22 demerit points in a single traffic stop, prompting police to issue a stern reminder about the importance of following road rules – especially for novice drivers.</p> <p>The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when Mittagong Highway Patrol officers clocked a silver Saab convertible travelling at 129km/h in a 110km/h zone on the Hume Highway near Penrose.</p> <p>What initially appeared to be a simple speeding matter quickly snowballed into a catalogue of serious offences. The driver – a male holder of a NSW Learner's Class C licence – should not have been travelling above 90km/h and was also found not to be displaying the required yellow L plates on either the front or rear of the vehicle.</p> <p>Upon stopping the vehicle at 4.15pm, officers discovered a mobile phone mounted near the steering wheel, playing a YouTube music video. When questioned, the driver swiped the screen to a map app and claimed he was "just looking at the map". In NSW, learner and provisional drivers are prohibited from using a mobile phone for any reason, including navigation.</p> <p>Compounding the offences, the driver’s female supervisor told police she had been asleep in the passenger seat – a direct violation of her legal duty to actively supervise the learner.</p> <p>The full list of infringements included: <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Exceeding speed by more than 30km/h: $1,045 fine and 10 demerit points (doubled for long weekend); </span>Learner using a mobile phone: $410 fine and 10 demerit points (doubled); Failure to display L plates: $320 fine and 2 demerit points (doubled).</p> <p>With double demerits in effect due to the long weekend, the driver racked up 22 demerit points – far exceeding the four-point limit for learners – resulting in an automatic licence suspension, with a formal disqualification from NSW Transport to follow.</p> <p>The female supervisor also received a penalty for failing to fulfil her supervisory obligations.</p> <p>NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol officers said the case is a stark example of reckless behaviour behind the wheel and urged all drivers, especially learners, to understand and respect the rules of the road.</p> <p><em>Images: NSW Traffic and Highway Patrol Command</em></p> <p>“This is exactly what not to do,” an officer said.</p>

Legal

News

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Habemus Papam! – We have a pope!

<p>In a moment charged with history and hope, the Catholic Church has elected its first American pontiff: Cardinal Robert Prevost of Chicago, who will now be known as Pope Leo XIV.</p> <p>The 69-year-old, who has spent much of his career in Peru, made his first appearance as pope from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica at 7:24pm local time, just over an hour after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney, sending the world a long-awaited message: <em>Habemus Papam!</em> (We have a pope!)</p> <p>Cheers erupted from the tens of thousands gathered in the square, with flags waving, church bells ringing and emotion rippling through the international crowd as the new pontiff smiled, waved and offered a heartfelt greeting. His first words: <em>“La pace sia con tutti voi.”</em> (“Peace be with you.)”</p> <p>Delivering his inaugural speech in Italian and Spanish, Pope Leo XIV struck a tone of unity, humility, and dialogue. “We must build bridges,” he declared, echoing the spirit of his predecessor. “Build bridges with dialogue, coming together, uniting, becoming one single people – one single people in peace.”</p> <p>The election of an American pope is a stunning departure from centuries of Vatican tradition, with many believing the idea had long been off the table due to the global influence of the United States. But Leo XIV’s unique path – from Chicago to Chiclayo – positioned him as a bridge-builder between North and South, tradition and change.</p> <p>His deep ties to Latin America, including years as a missionary and later as Archbishop of Chiclayo, Peru, along with his recent role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, gave him a global pastoral perspective. He also served as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.</p> <p>Leo’s election comes after a dramatic and closely watched conclave. On Thursday afternoon, the 133 cardinal-electors gathered for a fourth round of voting. Just after 6pm, the unmistakable white smoke billowed into the Roman sky – the signal that consensus had been reached.</p> <p>By the time the Swiss Guard and military band took their positions, the anticipation in the square was electric. Crowds, including school groups, pilgrims and reporters from around the world, packed the piazza. And when the ancient formula <em>“Habemus Papam!”</em> was pronounced from the loggia, followed by Leo XIV’s public appearance, the square exploded with joy.</p> <p>Leo’s election drew swift global attention. Even US President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to extend congratulations, writing: “It is such an honour to realise that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honour for our Country.”</p> <p>While the conclave was notably longer due to the large number of electors – 108 of whom were appointed by Pope Francis – it reflected the wide diversity of today’s global church. Cardinals came from places like Mongolia, Tonga and Sweden, a testament to Francis' efforts to make the Church more inclusive.</p> <p>Back in St Peter’s Square, the celebration continues, with some faithful expressing hope that Pope Leo XIV will carry forward Francis’ work of outreach and reform – and perhaps take it even further. As one young Argentine pilgrim, Pedro Deget, put it: “Francis opened the Church to the outside world. Let’s see what Leo can do now.”</p> <p><em>Images: Sunrise</em></p>

News

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Rory McIlroy conquers Augusta at last with agonising final hole victory

<p>Rory McIlroy has finally done it! In a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat finale at Augusta National, the Northern Irish superstar captured his long-awaited first Masters title, ending an 11-year major championship drought in unforgettable fashion.</p> <p>After years of close calls and crushing near misses, McIlroy delivered a performance packed with drama. His road to the iconic green jacket was anything but smooth – and that's what made this triumph so electrifying.</p> <p>Sunday at Augusta began with fireworks as McIlroy double-bogeyed the first hole, immediately falling into a share of the lead with Bryson DeChambeau. But true to form, the four-time major winner stormed back, building a commanding five-shot lead midway through the final round over DeChambeau and English veteran Justin Rose.</p> <p>Just when it seemed McIlroy might cruise to victory, the course bit back. Disaster struck at the treacherous 13th when McIlroy found water and carded another double bogey, watching his lead evaporate as Rose surged to 11-under, becoming the shock leader.</p> <p>But Augusta’s relentless drama wasn’t finished yet. Rose bogeyed shortly after, and McIlroy steadied himself to reclaim the lead. DeChambeau, too, stumbled out of contention with a costly trip to the water hazard.</p> <p>As the tension mounted, Rose delivered under pressure with a brilliant birdie at the 18th, pulling level with McIlroy at 11-under and setting the stage for a nail-biting conclusion. McIlroy birdied the 17th and had a golden chance to seal the victory with a simple par on the final hole. But golf, as ever, proved unpredictable – McIlroy’s putt went millimetres astray, forcing a playoff that had the gallery roaring with anticipation.</p> <p>In the playoff showdown, McIlroy's grit and class shone through. With unwavering focus, he outduelled Rose to capture the elusive green jacket, completing his career-defining triumph at Augusta on his 11th attempt.</p> <p>This moment was more than just a victory – it was the culmination of a decade-long pursuit of golfing glory. For McIlroy, it’s a Masters win for the ages, and for fans around the world, it’s a reminder of why we love this sport: the drama, the heartbreak, and the unforgettable joy of watching a champion finally reach the mountaintop.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

News

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Captain Cook statue vandalised ahead of Australia Day

<p>A statue of Captain Cook has been vandalised in Sydney just days ahead of Australia Day. </p> <p>The statue, which sits on Belmore Road in Randwick, had its hand ripped off in the attack and parts of its face destroyed before it was covered in red paint. </p> <p>It's the second time in 12 months the statue has been vandalised, with the attack being condemned by Randwick councilor Andrew Hay. </p> <p>"The Captain Cook Statue has been vandalised again," he said in a statement. "They've broken the sandstone and cut off his hand and nose."</p> <p>"Low lives in Randwick know no bounds, or have any reverence for great people of history, and will vandalise him to make a political point that he's not directly related to."</p> <p>Randwick City councillor Dr Carolyn Martin told <em>2GB</em> radio that the vandals scaled the fence around the statue and left it in an "absolute mess".</p> <p>"It's absolutely disgraceful behaviour. We're all absolutely horrified," she said.</p> <p>Randwick mayor Dylan Parker also called out the vandalism, saying, "Vandalism has no place in public discussion."</p> <p>"Vandalism is an illegal act that does a disservice to progressing your cause, a disservice to the community and a disservice to reconciliation."</p> <p>"Council will clean and restore the statue. The statue was cleaned and restored last year after a similar incident in February 2024."</p> <p>Australia Day, which is recognised each year on January 26th, marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 when the first governor of the British colony of New South Wales, Arthur Philip, hoisted the Union Jack at Sydney Cove. </p> <p>But for many First Nations people, it is regarded as 'Invasion Day' or the 'Day of Mourning' because it marks the beginning of Australia's colonisation. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 2GB </em></p>

News

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Man dies and several others injured after severe storms lash NSW

<p>A man has tragically died after severe thunderstorms pummelled New South Wales on Wednesday night. </p> <p>The extreme storm system swept through the eastern part of the state on Wednesday evening, leaving several people injured and thousands without power. </p> <p>In the central west town of Cowra, 300km west of Sydney, a man in his 80s was killed when a tree fell on his car as the region experienced wind gust speeds of 107km/h at the time, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.</p> <p>Police were in attendance at the scene and had launched an investigation into the incident, while the man has yet to be formally identified.</p> <p>Four campers have also been injured when their shelters were destroyed in high winds at Wagga Wagga in the Riverina region in the state’s southwest.</p> <p>The storm also triggered major power outages with Endeavour Energy reporting more than 47,000 impacted customers across the Blue Mountains, Western Sydney, Illawarra and the South Coast at 10pm, and Ausgrid reporting more than 62,000.</p> <p>On Thursday morning, the SES said they had received 2250 calls and responded to more than 1800 incidents in the last 24 hours, with the majority of the incidents were for fallen trees, powerlines and damaged properties.</p> <p>Scattered showers and severe storms are expected to continue on Thursday, particularly in the east and north east of the state. </p> <p><em>Image credits: 9News</em></p>

News

Travel

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Dramatic rescue operation after tourist boat sinks off Bali coast

<p>There were dramatic scenes off the southeast coast of Bali on Wednesday when a tourist boat carrying dozens of passengers capsized near Nusa Lembongan.</p> <p>The vessel, known as <em>The Tanis</em>, had just departed Lembongan Village around 4.30pm local time with 89 people on board – 77 foreigners and 12 Indonesian nationals – when it was struck by a wave from behind and began taking on water.</p> <p>Eyewitnesses rushed to assist as the vessel tilted, causing passengers to slip into the sea. A large-scale rescue effort was launched immediately, and by 6.30pm all passengers had been safely evacuated, with authorities confirming there were no fatalities or serious injuries.</p> <p>Divers were later deployed to search the sunken boat and surrounding seabed as a precaution, ensuring no one had been left behind.</p> <p>Footage of the incident was shared by @bali.info.official, who reported that the boat was still relatively new, having only been in operation for about three months. According to their post, the boat was offloading passengers from Gili at Mushroom Bay, with its bow resting onshore, when powerful waves began to strike its stern.</p> <p>“The captain made the decision to move the boat back out to sea,” the post explained, “but because the boat was already filled with water, it became unstable. The panic among passengers made the situation worse, causing the boat to tilt and eventually sink.”</p> <p>Despite the chaos, locals and nearby responders coordinated to recover both passengers and their belongings. "A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped rescue the passengers and recover their belongings," the post concluded.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKe5vZHSciB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKe5vZHSciB/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by BALI INFO (@bali.info.official)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Most of the rescued tourists opted to remain in Nusa Lembongan for the night, while only two chose to continue their journey to Sanur Harbor– the original destination of <em>The Tanis</em>, which has a total capacity of 125 passengers.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Tourists flee in terror as Mount Etna erupts

<p>What began as a bucket-list adventure quickly turned to chaos as one of the world’s most formidable volcanoes, Mount Etna, erupted with terrifying ferocity during a sightseeing tour on Monday. The explosion, described as sudden and deafening, sent tourists scrambling for their lives as ash and fire rained down from the sky.</p> <p>The dramatic eruption struck without warning, unleashing a thunderous boom that echoed across the Sicilian landscape. A plume of ash, hot gas and rock shot several kilometres into the air, engulfing the mountain's summit in darkness and igniting panic among those exploring the crater’s edge.</p> <p>In harrowing footage now circulating on social media, wide-eyed tourists are seen sprinting down the slopes of the volcano as thick, grey ash clouds blot out the sun behind them. Some, gripped by a mix of fear and awe, paused only momentarily – phones raised – to capture the apocalyptic spectacle unfolding above them.</p> <p>“It arrived all at once – an immense smoke, immense, immense roar,” recalled Giuseppe Panfallo, a guide with Go Etna, whose group of 40 tourists was perilously close to the blast. In video shared with CNN, his group is seen huddled together as a towering wall of ash looms behind them. “We were two steps away. Thank goodness we had a responsible guide.”</p> <p>Aviation authorities issued an immediate red alert to aircraft as sulphuric clouds billowed into the atmosphere, disrupting air traffic in the region. The eruption – the most powerful seen from Etna since 2014 – was accompanied by what experts believe was a partial collapse of the volcano’s south-east crater, adding to the eruption’s sudden intensity.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="de">Sudden eruption on Etna volcano! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/etna?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#etna</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sicily?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sicily</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/volcano?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#volcano</a> <a href="https://t.co/WCpwNcQ5U8">pic.twitter.com/WCpwNcQ5U8</a></p> <p>— finnbaen (@finnbenedikt) <a href="https://twitter.com/finnbenedikt/status/1929493329609154780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Hiking guide Alessio Zocco, 33, who was leading a separate group at the time, described the eruption’s signature moment: “Today’s eruption seemed, at first, similar to others – but what made it stand out was a sudden, powerful boom. It was a dramatic moment, but fortunately short-lived.”</p> <p>Etna, which draws approximately 1.5 million visitors annually, is revered for its breathtaking beauty and feared for its unpredictable temperament. Despite its history of activity, Monday’s eruption served as a stark reminder of the volcano’s raw, untamed power.</p> <p>“Mount Etna is a majestic and unpredictable force of nature,” Zocco said. “It commands respect, but it also offers one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring experiences you can witness.”</p> <p>Miraculously, all tourists and trekkers on the mountain were evacuated without injury, according to Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology Observatory. But the memory of the eruption – and the terror it inspired – will linger long after the ash settles.</p> <p>As emergency crews continue to monitor the volcano for aftershocks, authorities have urged caution to those hoping to witness Etna's fury up close. For the hundreds caught in Monday’s drama, the message is clear: nature may be beautiful – but it is never to be underestimated.</p> <p><em>Images: X (formerly Twitter)</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Meet the young princess and future queen who's moving to Australia

<p>In a delightful development that has captivated royal watchers and Australians alike, Norway's Princess Ingrid Alexandra is preparing to start an exciting new chapter – right here in Australia. (Sydney, to be more precise!)</p> <p>The 21-year-old royal, who is second in line to the Norwegian throne, will soon trade Oslo’s snowy landscapes for Sydney’s sunny shores as she embarks on full-time university study. The Royal House of Norway confirmed that the princess will begin a Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Sydney this August, with a focus on international relations and political economy.</p> <p>Adding a touch of tradition to this modern tale, Princess Ingrid Alexandra will be living on campus at the prestigious St Andrew's College. In a warm message to students, the college principal, Dr Daniel Tyler, encouraged the community to respect the princess’s privacy as she settles into campus life.</p> <p>While the Norwegian royal family may be lesser-known in Australia compared to their British or Danish counterparts, that’s expected to change quickly. Crown Princess Mette-Marit, Ingrid’s mother, also has ties to Australia, having studied at Wangaratta High School in Victoria as a teenager. Now, it’s her daughter’s turn to embrace life Down Under.</p> <p>Born in Oslo in 2004, Princess Ingrid Alexandra is poised to make history as Norway's first queen regnant in over 600 years. Her grandfather, King Harald V, currently holds the throne as Europe’s oldest reigning monarch at 88. Ingrid is the eldest child of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and has a younger brother, Prince Sverre Magnus.</p> <p>Far from a traditional royal upbringing, Princess Ingrid has forged a path that blends duty, discipline and adventure. Just this April, she completed 15 months of military service, earning respect as an engineer soldier and rifleman with the Norwegian Army's Brigade North. “You are much stronger together,” she told Norwegian media of the experience. “Without [my team], I would not have enjoyed myself as much here.”</p> <p>Ingrid’s move to Australia will pause her official royal duties for up to three years, though she is expected to return home during breaks. She has only recently begun taking on regular public roles, including a landmark appearance at a state banquet earlier this year and joining her family on the royal palace balcony to celebrate Norway’s National Day.</p> <p>Passionate about the environment and global affairs from a young age, Princess Ingrid’s academic focus aligns with her growing commitment to public service. She began official engagements as a child, attending World Environment Day at just five years old, and by age 11 she had already christened a rescue vessel for the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue.</p> <p>And she’s not just a scholar or a soldier – she's also a sports fan. A talented surfer, Ingrid was named Norway’s junior surfing champion in 2020. She’s also an avid skier and kickboxer, embodying a refreshingly modern image of royalty.</p> <p>With a surfboard possibly in one hand and a textbook in the other, Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s time in Sydney promises to be a uniquely royal adventure – and Australia will be watching with warm anticipation.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

International Travel

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Fallout after French President shoved in the face by wife

<p>French President Emmanuel Macron has found himself at the centre of an unexpected media storm after a moment of apparent tension with his wife, Brigitte Macron, was caught on camera as the couple disembarked from a plane in Hanoi.</p> <p>Arriving on Monday for a six-day tour of Southeast Asia, the Macrons made headlines not for diplomacy, but for a brief, seemingly physical exchange at the top of the aircraft stairs.</p> <p>Brigitte, 72, dressed in a striking red suit, appeared to shove her husband’s face with both hands as the cockpit door opened – just as members of the international press and Vietnamese officials looked on.</p> <p>The 47-year-old president appeared visibly taken aback, momentarily flustered before regaining his composure. He smiled awkwardly and waved before descending the stairs without his wife, who remained momentarily behind, partially obscured by the fuselage and refusing to take his arm.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rwST8m0dRlM?si=Q9p9oNRkdbPSqowR" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>When questioned about the moment, Macron dismissed it with a laugh, telling reporters, “We are squabbling and, rather, joking with my wife. I’m surprised by it – it turns into some kind of global catastrophe where people are even coming up with theories to explain it. It’s nonsense.”</p> <p>The Elysee Palace echoed the president’s tone, describing the incident as “a moment of closeness” and “a laugh” shared between the couple before beginning their official engagements.</p> <p>Still, the footage quickly went viral on social media, prompting a flurry of speculation, jokes and criticism. While some observers saw it as harmless marital banter, others questioned the optics and tone, calling it an “embarrassing” spectacle for the French head of state.</p> <p>Gilbert Collard, a former member of the European Parliament, sarcastically commented, “Everyone is laughing,” referencing the well-known age gap and history of the couple, who met at a Jesuit high school where Brigitte was Macron’s drama teacher. He was 15 at the time.</p> <p>Social media users piled on, with one post noting, “Looks like even world leaders have to navigate a little domestic turbulence! Just goes to show, no matter how high you fly, there’s always someone to keep you grounded.”</p> <p>Others shared screenshots of Macron’s seemingly clenched jaw and balled fist in the seconds following the push, scrutinising his body language in search of deeper meaning.</p> <p>The Hanoi visit marks the first by a French president in nearly a decade, aimed at bolstering France's diplomatic and economic presence in the region – especially in its former colony. Yet for now, global attention remains fixed not on policy, but on a fleeting, dramatic moment between two of Europe’s most scrutinised public figures.</p> <p>As the tour continues, so too does speculation about what really happened on those stairs – and whether the Macrons will manage to shift the narrative back to matters of state.</p> <p><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Health

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Unexpected side-effects of Ozempic and Wegovy

<div class="theconversation-article-body">Ozempic and Wegovy have been hailed as wonder drugs when it comes to weight loss. But as the drug has become more widely used, a number of unintended side-effects have become apparent – with the weight loss drug affecting the appearance of everything from <a href="https://www.today.com/health/diet-fitness/ozempic-butt-rcna164286">your butt</a> to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14621617/hollywood-feet-ozempic.html">your feet</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/a-2148-6321">“Ozempic face”</a> is another commonly reported consequences of using these popular weight loss drugs. This is a sunken or hollowed out appearance the face can take on in people taking weight loss drugs. It can also increase signs of ageing – including lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.</p> <p>This happens because semaglutide (the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10092593/">active ingredient</a> in both Ozempic and Wegovy) isn’t localised to act just on the fat we want to lose. Instead, it targets all of our body’s fat – including in the face.</p> <p>But it isn’t just the appearance of your face that semaglutide affects. These drugs may also affect the mouth and teeth, too. And these side-effects could potentially lead to lasting damage.</p> <h2>Dry mouth</h2> <p>Semaglutide effects the salivary glands in the mouth. It does this by reducing saliva production (<a href="https://bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-023-03192-8">hyposalivation</a>), which can in turn <a href="https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/why-ozempic-cause-dry-mouth-taste-changes-3575056/">lead to dry mouth</a> (<a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/dry-mouth">xerostomia</a>). This means there isn’t enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.</p> <p>It isn’t exactly clear why semaglutide has this effect on the salivary glands. But in animal studies of the drug, it appears the drug <a href="https://www.jbtr.or.kr/archive/view_article?pid=jbtr-24-4-139">makes saliva stickier</a>. This means there’s less fluid to moisten the mouth, causing it to dry out.</p> <p>GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs (such as semaglutide) can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16809911/">reduce water intake</a> by affecting <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3233845/">areas in the brain</a> responsible for thirst. Low fluid intake further <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3233845/">reduces saliva production</a>, and may even cause the saliva to become <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10754586">thick and frothy</a> and the tongue to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38206684/">become sticky</a>.</p> <h2>Bad breath</h2> <p>One other commonly reported unwanted effect by semaglutide users is <a href="https://www.perioimplantadvisory.com/clinical-tips/article/14298799/how-ozempic-has-the-potential-to-cause-halitosis">bad breath</a> (halitosis).</p> <p>When there’s less saliva flowing through the mouth, this <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10439028/">encourages bacteria</a> that contribute to bad breath and the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10439028/">formation of cavities</a> to thrive. These bacterial species include <em><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6615571/">Streptococcus mutans</a></em> and some strains of <em><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4547204/">Lactobacillus</a></em>.</p> <p>Another species that has been shown to thrive in conditions where saliva is reduced is <em><a href="https://academic.oup.com/femsle/article-abstract/333/1/1/586464?redirectedFrom=fulltext">Porphyromonas gingivalis</a></em>. This bacteria is a significant contributor to the production of volatile sulphur compounds, which <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2871590/">cause the foul odours</a> characteristic of halitosis.</p> <p>Another factor that might explain why semaglutide causes bad breath is because less saliva being produced means the tongue isn’t cleaned. This is the same reason why your “morning breath” is so bad, because we naturally produce less saliva at night. This allows bacteria to grow and produce odours. <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10754586/">Case report images</a> show some people taking semaglutide have a “furry”-like or coated appearance to their tongue. This indicates a build up of bacteria that contribute to bad breath.</p> <h2>Tooth damage</h2> <p>One of the <a href="https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/209637s020s021lbl.pdf">major side-effects</a> of Ozempic is <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183">vomiting</a>. Semaglutide slows how quickly the stomach empties, delaying digestion which can lead to bloating, nausea and vomiting.</p> <p><a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10573129/">Repeated vomiting</a> can <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12139263/">damage the teeth</a>. This is because stomach acid, composed primarily of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279304/">hydrochloric acid</a>, erodes the enamel of the teeth. Where vomiting occurs over a prolonged period of months and years the <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4125596">more damage will occur</a>. The <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4125596/">back surface of the teeth</a> (palatal surface) closest to the tongue are more likely to see damage – and this damage may not be obvious to the sufferer.</p> <p>Vomiting also <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555956/">reduces the amount of fluid</a> in the body. When combined with reduced saliva production, this puts the teeth at even greater risk of damage. This is because saliva helps <a href="https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(82)80286-2/pdf">neutralise the acid</a> that causes dental damage.</p> <p>Saliva also contributes to the dental pellicle – a thin, protective layer that the saliva forms on the surface of the teeth. It’s thickest on the <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/00220345990780120901">tongue-facing surface</a> of the bottom row of teeth. In people who produce less saliva, the dental pellicle <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oral-health/articles/10.3389/froh.2023.1260442/full">contains fewer mucins</a> – a type of mucus which helps saliva <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/10454411900010040201">stick to the teeth</a>.</p> <h2>Reducing the risk of damage</h2> <p>If you’re taking semaglutide, there are many things you can do to keep your mouth healthy.</p> <p>Drinking water regularly during the day can help to keep the oral surfaces from drying out. This helps maintain your natural <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34642755/">oral microbiome</a>, which can reduce the risk of an overgrowth of the bacteria that cause bad breath and tooth damage.</p> <p>Drinking plenty of water also enables the body to <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5052503/">produce the saliva needed</a> to prevent dry mouth, ideally the recommended daily amount of six to eight glasses. Chewing sugar-free gum is also a sensible option as it helps to encourage saliva production. Swallowing this saliva keeps the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542251/">valuable fluid within the body</a>. Gums <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20594055/">containing eucalyptus</a> may help to prevent halitosis, too.</p> <p>There’s some evidence that probiotics may help to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36600415/">alleviate bad breath</a>, at least in the short term. Using a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8173312/">probiotic supplements</a> or consuming probiotic-rich foods (such as yoghurt or kefir) may be a good idea.</p> <p>Practising good <a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene">basic oral hygiene</a>, tooth brushing, reducing acidic foods and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25227396/">sugary drinks</a> and using <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10690548/">a mouthwash</a> all help to protect your teeth as well.</p> <p>Women are <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7567832/">twice as likely</a> to have side-effects when taking GLP-1 receptor agonists – including <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8950819/">gastrointestinal symptoms</a> such as vomiting. This may be due to the sex hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which can <a href="https://time.com/7020911/women-gut-health-ibs-ibd">alter the gut’s sensitivity</a>. To avoid vomiting, try eating smaller meals since the stomach stays fuller for longer while taking semaglutide.</p> <p>If you are sick, don’t immediately brush your teeth as this will spread the stomach’s acid over the surface of the teeth and increase the risk of damage. Instead, rinse your mouth out with water or mouthwash to reduce the strength of the acid and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing.</p> <p>It isn’t clear how long these side effects last, they’ll likely disappear when the medication is stopped, but any damage to the teeth is permanent. Gastrointestinal side-effects can last a few weeks but <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9821052/">usually resolve on their own</a> unless a higher dose is taken.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/257859/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adam-taylor-283950">Adam Taylor</a>, Professor of Anatomy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/lancaster-university-1176">Lancaster University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/dry-mouth-bad-breath-and-tooth-damage-the-effects-ozempic-and-wegovy-can-have-on-your-mouth-257859">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / Mart Production</em></p> </div>

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The surprising power of photography in ageing well

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Older adults are often faced with lifestyle changes that can disrupt their sense of place and purpose. It may be the loss of a partner, downsizing their home, or moving to residential aged care. And these changes can come with loss of identity, uncertainty, disconnect and isolation.</p> <p>But what if I told you a simple camera could help alleviate some of these pains? I’ve been working with older adults for the past decade, using photography as a way of connecting with place, and the results have been transformational.</p> <h2>The value of creative ageing</h2> <p><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1288760/full">Research has shown</a> arts engagement can significantly enhance the mental wellbeing and overall health of older adults.</p> <p>Australia has responded by developing <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/arts-and-culture/engage-nsw-arts-and-culture/resource-hub/creative-ageing">Creative Ageing Frameworks</a> and the <a href="https://www.arts.qld.gov.au/images/documents/artsqld/Research/National-Arts-and-Health-Framework-May-2014.pdf">National Arts Health Framework</a>, which position creative activity as valuable components of productive and healthy ageing.</p> <p>But while creative ageing programs are expanding, there are still many barriers to participation, including cost, accessibility, participants’ self-doubt, and a lack of skilled facilitators.</p> <p>This highlights a need for more inclusive approaches that use familiar tools – and that’s where photography comes in. Photography is a multi-sensory embodied practice. It allows us to be mindful, slow down, and look for beauty in everyday life. It can also prompt us to see the world differently.</p> <p>Recent research by my colleagues and I documents how taking photographs can increase older adults’ <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.70040">connection to place, creativity and overall wellbeing</a>.</p> <p>Specifically, we explored the impact of photography as not so much a structured “art activity”, but as a practice of connecting to place and other people through group photo walks.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/866929737" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Over the past 18 months we’ve been working with several groups of older adults who live in aged care and community settings. We found that framing the world through a lens can powerfully transform a photographer’s relationship to the environment, and their sense of agency within it.</p> <p>This practice of intentional “seeing” creates opportunities for discovery in even the most familiar surroundings.</p> <p>As one aged care resident, Kathleen, put it:</p> <blockquote> <p>It’s given me a new sense of enjoyment and purpose and changed how I look at both life and seeing places in here that I’ve never seen before.</p> </blockquote> <h2>Easy, meaningful and social</h2> <p>So what makes photography particularly suited to older adults? Our research highlights some key factors.</p> <p><strong>It’s accessible and familiar</strong></p> <p>Photography has become one of the most democratic of creative pursuits. Most people carry a camera via their phone or tablet and know how to operate it. Older adults <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-digital-divide-small-social-programs-can-help-get-seniors-online-99082">are no exception</a>.</p> <p>This familiarity removes common barriers, such as the need to learn a new skill, and instead builds on existing knowledge. This makes photography an ideal creative expression; it requires no special training or equipment, and there is little room for doubt one’s capability.</p> <p><strong>It’s meaningful</strong></p> <p>Unlike many other creative activities offered to pass time, photography constitutes a meaningful activity for older adults. According to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32022414/">research</a>, “meaningful” activities for older adults are those that are enjoyable, engaging, suited to individual skills, related to personal goals, and <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1472586X.2021.1963828">connected to identity</a>.</p> <p>Photography can be exploratory, fun, and deeply personal. The outcomes can be <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajag.70040">shared with others</a>, discussed, displayed and privately revisited, allowing connection to one’s self and the surrounding world.</p> <p><strong>Seeing the familiar differently</strong></p> <p>Photography honours a photographer’s life experience and perspectives. Each photograph becomes both a creative expression, and validation, of their unique viewpoint – and allows them to see the world through new eyes.</p> <p>During group <a href="https://www.collaborativephotography.com/projects/photowalks">photo walk</a> sessions held for my research, participants expressed delight in sharing the same experience of visiting a familiar place, while capturing their own distinct vision of it.</p> <p>When we returned to discuss the sessions, the group formed collective narratives, with each person adding their own unique contribution. Photography offers social and community connection while celebrating individual creativity and perspective.</p> <p>The different versions of Russell Anderson’s “iDIDIT!” sculpture on a walk on the Sunshine Coast.</p> <p><strong>Being outside in the world</strong></p> <p>While photography can be done anywhere, most people will head outside when exploring with a camera. This was particularly important for people living in aged care, who often didn’t venture out into the gardens.</p> <p>One participant, Margaret, was relearning how to walk after a stroke, and enjoyed our creative walks together.</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"></figure> <p>She grew more confident with each walk, her purpose being to see parts of the residential aged care facility that she’d never accessed and photographed before. Going outside with a camera allowed her to connect to her new home.</p> <h2>Putting it into practice</h2> <p>The beautiful thing about photography is that anyone can do it, and there is no right or wrong. You can simply start by slowing down and looking for interesting shadows, textures, or details.</p> <p>For those working with older adults, photography is an adaptable, low-cost activity that works across various settings and abilities. You can do it indoors, from a wheelchair, sitting on a wheelie walker, or while getting some exercise.</p> <p>Photo walks, in particular, are a great way for photographers to share experiences and connect. <!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/257344/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tricia-king-1025874">Tricia King</a>, Senior Lecturer in Photography, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-the-sunshine-coast-1068">University of the Sunshine Coast</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-surprising-power-of-photography-in-ageing-well-257344">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / Kampus Production</em></p> </div>

Caring

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Iconic singer reveals sad diagnosis

<p>Morten Harket, the iconic voice behind A-ha’s global smash "Take on Me", has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease – a progressive condition that may bring an end to his singing career.</p> <p>The 65-year-old Norwegian singer shared the news in a moving interview published on the band’s official website, explaining that although treatment has eased some of the condition’s physical toll, it has also affected his voice – the very heart of his artistry.</p> <p>“I don’t feel like singing, and for me that’s a sign,” Harket said candidly. “As things stand now, that’s out of the question.”</p> <p>For the past year, Harket has undergone deep brain stimulation, a complex treatment involving two surgeries to implant electrodes on both sides of his brain. The procedure delivers electrical impulses that help control tremors and muscle stiffness, but in Harket’s case, has also dulled his soaring vocal range.</p> <p>Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, Harket said he feels at peace with it. He credits his 94-year-old father for encouraging him to “use whatever works” in coping with the challenges of the degenerative disorder.</p> <p>“There’s so much to weigh up,” he said. “It’s a difficult balancing act between taking the medication and managing its side effects.”</p> <p>A-ha last toured in 2020 and played what may be their final show together in 2022 at the Hollywood Bowl. Harket said he has continued to work on new music but is unsure whether the songs will ever be finished.</p> <p>Still, in classic form, he offered fans words of hope rather than despair.</p> <p>“Don’t worry about me,” he said. “Spend your energy addressing real problems… and know that I am being taken care of.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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The surprising ways that coffee can interfere with medication

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>For many of us, the day doesn’t start until we’ve had our first cup of coffee. It’s comforting, energising, and one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. But while your morning brew might feel harmless, it can interact with certain medicines in ways that reduce their effectiveness – or increase the risk of side-effects.</p> <p>From common cold tablets to antidepressants, caffeine’s impact on the body goes far beyond a quick energy boost. Tea also contains caffeine but not in the same concentrations as coffee, and doesn’t seem to affect people in the same way. Here’s what you should know about how coffee can interfere with your medications – and how to stay safe.</p> <h2>1. Cold and flu medicines</h2> <p>Caffeine is a stimulant, which means it speeds up the central nervous system. Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant found in cold and flu remedies such as Sudafed, is <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682619.html">also a stimulant</a>. When taken together, the effects can be amplified – potentially leading to jitters or restlessness, headaches, fast heart rate and insomnia.</p> <p>Many cold medications already contain added caffeine, increasing these risks further. <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/10/5146">Some studies</a> also suggest that combining caffeine with pseudoephedrine can raise blood sugar and body temperature – particularly important for people with diabetes.</p> <p>Stimulant effects are also a concern when combining caffeine with ADHD medications such as amphetamines, or with <a href="https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/news/coffee-and-asthma/">asthma drugs</a> such as theophylline, which shares a similar chemical structure to caffeine. Using them together may increase the risk of side-effects such as a rapid heartbeat and sleep disruption.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9eL16Exry48?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>2. Thyroid medication</h2> <p>Levothyroxine, the standard treatment for an underactive thyroid, is highly sensitive to timing – and your morning coffee can get in the way. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">Studies show</a> that drinking coffee too soon after taking levothyroxine can reduce its absorption by up to 50%.</p> <p>Caffeine speeds up gut motility (the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract), giving the drug <a href="https://www.jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(16)00200-8/abstract">less time to be absorbed</a> – and <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8002057/#:%7E:text=Several%20studies%20on%20patients%20with,Benvenga%20et%20al.">may also bind</a> to it in the stomach, making it harder for the body to take in. These effects reduce the drug’s bioavailability, meaning less of it reaches your bloodstream where it’s needed. This interaction <a href="https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2022/drinking-coffee-does-not-hinder-the-absorption-of-liquid-thyroid-medication">is more common</a> with tablet forms of levothyroxine, and less likely with liquid formulations.</p> <p>If absorption is impaired, <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/">symptoms of hypothyroidism</a> – including fatigue, weight gain and constipation – can return, even if you’re taking your medicine correctly.</p> <p>The same timing rule applies to a class of osteoporosis medications called <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601011.html#precautions">bisphosphonates</a>, including alendronate and risedronate, which also require an empty stomach and around 30-60 minutes before food or drink is taken.</p> <h2>3. Antidepressants and antipsychotics</h2> <p>The interaction between caffeine and mental health medications can be more complex.</p> <p><a href="https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/ssri-antidepressants/overview/">Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors</a> (SSRIs), such as sertraline and citalopram, are a type of antidepressant medication <a href="https://purehost.bath.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/225886346/Lalji_McGrogan_and_Bailey_JADR_2021.pdf">widely used</a> to treat depression, anxiety and other psychiatric conditions. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">Lab studies</a> suggest caffeine can bind to these drugs in the stomach, reducing absorption and potentially making them less effective.</p> <p>Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and imipramine, are a class of older antidepressants that work by affecting the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. They were among the first antidepressants developed and are <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/medicines-and-psychiatry/antidepressants/overview/#:%7E:text=Tricyclic%20antidepressants%20(TCAs),to%20treat%20chronic%20nerve%20pain.">less commonly used</a> today, compared with newer antidepressants such as SSRIs, due to their potential for more side-effects and higher risk of overdose.</p> <p>TCAs are broken down by the liver enzyme <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">CYP1A2</a>, which also metabolises caffeine. The competition between the two can slow drug breakdown, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">increasing side-effects</a>, or delay caffeine clearance, making you feel jittery or wired longer than usual.</p> <p>Clozapine, an antipsychotic, is also processed by CYP1A2. <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">One study showed</a> that drinking two-to-three cups of coffee could increase blood levels of clozapine by up to 97%, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a691001.html#side-effects">potentially increasing risks</a> such as drowsiness, confusion, or more serious complications.</p> <h2>4. Painkillers</h2> <p>Some over-the-counter painkillers, such as those containing aspirin or paracetamol, include added caffeine. <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00003088-200039020-00004">Coffee can speed up</a> how quickly these drugs are absorbed by accelerating how fast the stomach empties and making the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1155/2020/7909703">stomach more acidic</a>, which improves absorption for some medications such as aspirin.</p> <p>While this may help painkillers work faster, it could also raise the risk of side-effects like stomach irritation or bleeding, especially when combined with other sources of caffeine. Though no serious cases have been reported, caution is still advised.</p> <h2>5. Heart medications</h2> <p>Caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate, typically lasting three-to-four hours after consumption. For people taking blood pressure medication or drugs that control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), this <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8101832/#:%7E:text=Table%20I.&amp;text=The%20next%20stage%20of%20hypertension,response%20to%20calcium%20channel%20blockers.&amp;text=The%20potential%20for%20caffeine%20to,Table%20II%20summarizes%20these%20recommendations.">may counteract</a> the intended effects of the medication.</p> <p>This doesn’t mean people with heart conditions must avoid coffee altogether – but they should monitor how it affects their symptoms, and consider limiting intake or switching to decaf if needed.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r-YwCCNDOy0?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>What can you do?</h2> <p>Coffee may be part of your daily routine, but it’s also a potent chemical compound that can influence how your body processes medicine. Here’s how to make sure it doesn’t interfere.</p> <p>Take levothyroxine or bisphosphonates on an empty stomach with water, and wait 30-60 minutes before drinking coffee or eating breakfast.</p> <p>Be cautious with cold and flu remedies, asthma treatments and ADHD medications, as caffeine can amplify side-effects.</p> <p>If you’re on antidepressants, antipsychotics, or blood pressure drugs, discuss your caffeine habits with your doctor.</p> <p>Consider reducing intake or choosing a decaffeinated option if you experience side-effects like restlessness, insomnia or heart palpitations.</p> <p>Everyone metabolises caffeine differently – some people feel fine after three cups, while others get side-effects after just one. Pay attention to how your body responds and talk to your pharmacist or GP if anything feels off.</p> <p>If you’re ever unsure whether your medicine and your coffee are a good match, ask your pharmacist or doctor. A short conversation might save you weeks of side-effects or reduced treatment effectiveness – and help you enjoy your brew with peace of mind.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/256919/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dipa-kamdar-1485027">Dipa Kamdar</a>, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/kingston-university-949">Kingston University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/coffee-can-interfere-with-your-medication-heres-what-you-need-to-know-256919">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / Jonathan Borba</em></p> </div>

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"Love every minute of it’: heartbroken sister’s plea at vigil for Pheobe Bishop

<p>The Bundaberg community grieved together on Monday evening as they mourned the loss of 17-year-old Pheobe Bishop,  a bright young life believed to have been tragically cut short.</p> <p>Hundreds gathered in Buss Park for a solemn vigil, the second in as many days, to honour the teenager whose suspected remains were found in dense scrubland near Gin Gin late last week – more than three weeks after she vanished.</p> <p>At the vigil, Pheobe’s older sister Kaylea delivered a tearful message that left many in the crowd wiping their eyes.</p> <p>“I want to tell everybody, as much as your siblings p*** you off and grind your gears – because God, they know how to do that – don’t take them for granted,” she said. “Love every minute of it.”</p> <p>Choking back tears, she added: “I would pay a million dollars to have her walk through the door and punch me on the arm. Don’t take it for granted. Just cherish it. Love the good and the bad. Worship it all. Capture the memories.”</p> <p>The vigil brought together community leaders, friends, family and strangers united by shared sorrow. Music chosen by Pheobe’s family played in the background as people placed candles, flowers and handwritten messages into glass jars.</p> <p>Mayor Helen Blackburn spoke on behalf of the city, reminding those gathered that the vigil was not just about mourning a young life lost, but celebrating how Pheobe had lived.</p> <p>“Her passing has left a silence we all feel deeply,” she said. “But in the midst of this sorrow, something beautiful has happened – we’ve come together, paused our busy lives, set aside our differences and stood side by side.”</p> <p>Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, spoke about the transformative role programs like the Y School and MAD Camp played in her daughter’s life. Both programs aim to support vulnerable teens by creating safe spaces and offering holistic, trauma-informed support. “She found purpose in those places,” Johnson said. “She would be proud that she got to travel the world without even leaving Australia. She’d be blown away by that support.”</p> <p>The memorial marked three-and-a-half weeks since Pheobe disappeared on her way to Bundaberg Airport, where she had been preparing to fly to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend on May 15. She never checked in for her flight, and a  police search followed.</p> <p>On Friday afternoon, police discovered human remains believed to be hers in thick bushland within the Good Night Scrub National Park, about 50km west of Bundaberg. Formal identification has not yet been confirmed, and police say a complex forensic process is underway to determine the cause of death.</p> <p>Her phone and luggage remain missing.</p> <p>Two of Pheobe’s housemates, James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/housemates-charged-with-murder-of-missing-teen-pheobe-bishop" target="_blank" rel="noopener">have been charged with murder</a> and two counts of interfering with a corpse. Investigations are ongoing.</p> <p>As the community waits for answers, the vigils have become a quiet act of collective remembrance, and a reminder, as Kaylea said, to never take the ones we love for granted.</p> <p><em>Images: 7 News / Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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"Priceless and precious" war medals found in landfill

<p>A set of treasured war medals has been rescued from the brink of destruction at the Gatton Landfill west of Brisbane – all thanks to the sharp eyes and quick instincts of a local council worker.</p> <p>Tim, a heavy machinery operator at the site, was carrying out his usual duties recently when something out of the ordinary caught his attention in a pile of general waste. Amidst the discarded household items and rubbish, he noticed a small, unusual-looking container. Curious, he paused his work to investigate further and reported the find to his supervisor.</p> <p>What he discovered inside the box was nothing short of remarkable – four official war medals, still in pristine condition, tucked away as though forgotten. The medals, believed to be decades old, were likely of great sentimental and historical value to their rightful owner.</p> <p>“This was a wonderful stroke of luck,” said Lockyer Valley Regional <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Councillor Julie Reck, who holds the Waste Portfolio for the region. “If it hadn’t been for Tim, these priceless and precious medals would have wound up in landfill, likely never to be seen again.”</span></p> <p>Recognising the importance of the find, Council staff acted quickly to trace the medals’ origins. Within days, they were able to track down the family to whom the medals belonged and arrange for their safe return.</p> <p>The grateful owners were reportedly overwhelmed with emotion to have the medals – symbols of service and sacrifice – back in their possession.</p> <p>Councillor Reck praised Tim’s attentiveness and initiative, adding that this story is a timely reminder of how small actions can make a big difference.</p> <p>“It’s moments like these that show how much people care, even in the most unexpected places,” she said. “We're so proud of Tim and the whole team for handling the discovery with such care and respect.”</p> <p>While landfills are not usually associated with good news, this rare find proves that even in the unlikeliest of places, treasures – and touching stories – can still be uncovered.</p> <p><em>Images: Lockyer Valley Regional Council </em></p>

Home & Garden

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Sir Becks at last? David Beckham reportedly set for long-awaited honour

<p>After years of waiting patiently – and sometimes not-so-patiently – David Beckham may finally get to swap his football boots for a ceremonial sword, with reports suggesting the former England captain is about to be knighted by King Charles III.</p> <p>"Sir" David Beckham could be a reality as soon as next week, with the British icon, 50, tipped to feature in the King’s Birthday Honours list. If confirmed, it’s a moment decades in the making – and not just in his dreams.</p> <p>The honour would also see his equally iconic wife rebranded as Lady Victoria Beckham. One assumes she already had the wardrobe for the role.</p> <p>Beckham, who received an OBE in 2003 for services to football, has long been linked with a knighthood. The rumour mill really got going in 2022, when Becks queued for an astonishing 13 hours to pay respects to Queen Elizabeth II. Admirable dedication – or, as some joked at the time, a very British form of long-game lobbying.</p> <p>Despite his chivalrous queueing efforts, he was passed over yet again in this year’s New Year Honours. That round saw knighthoods go to the likes of Stephen Fry, Gareth Southgate and Sadiq Khan - leaving Beckham still on the bench.</p> <p>But royal insiders now say his time may have finally come. Former royal butler Paul Burrell, always good for a regal soundbite, told <em>The Express</em> that Beckham was being “kept dangling for a while”, but added confidently: “Of course, it’s going to happen. The question is, when.”</p> <p>Well, Sir Paul (not that one) – it seems when is now. The knighthood is expected to recognise Beckham’s outstanding football career – as in, you know, captaining England and winning basically everything with Manchester United – as well as his impressive charitable work. From UNICEF to grassroots football, Beckham has been putting in the off-field hours too.</p> <p>Should the news be confirmed, expect front pages, formalwear and perhaps a cheeky photo of Becks adjusting his new sash just so. As for Lady Posh? One can only hope for a suitably regal Spice Girls reunion. </p> <p>Until the official honours list drops, Beckham fans will have to wait just a little longer – but it seems the king of English football may finally become Sir David, at long, long last.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Meghan Markle shares sweet unseen snaps of Lilibet on her 4th birthday

<p>Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has delighted fans with rare glimpses of her daughter, Princess Lilibet, as the little royal turned four this week.</p> <p>In a joyful Instagram post on Wednesday, Meghan shared two intimate black-and-white photos of her and Prince Harry’s youngest child – offering a rare look at the young princess who has largely grown up out of the public eye. One picture shows Meghan gently cuddling Lilibet, with her daughter's face just peeking out from behind her arm. The second, a tender throwback, captures Meghan cradling newborn Lilibet shortly after her birth in 2021.</p> <p>“Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!” Meghan wrote in the caption. “Four years ago today she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day.”</p> <p>Adding to the light-hearted celebration, the Duchess also posted a playful home video of her and Prince Harry dancing and twerking together while she was heavily pregnant – a rare and candid moment from their family life in California.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKfAON8xRLi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKfAON8xRLi/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (@meghan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Lilibet was born on June 4, 2021, in Santa Barbara, a year after the couple stepped down from their roles as senior working royals and began a new life in the United States. Since then, Harry and Meghan have been selective in sharing images of their children, making these birthday snapshots especially meaningful for fans around the world.</p> <p>Last December, the couple released a Christmas card featuring both of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Though the siblings' faces were turned away from the camera, it was the first time since 2021 that a family photo of the four had been shared publicly.</p> <p>Earlier this year, Meghan revealed on her Confessions of a Female Founder podcast that she had suffered a serious health scare following Lilibet’s birth: postpartum preeclampsia, a rare and potentially life-threatening condition. Reflecting on that time, she said, “The world doesn’t know what’s happening quietly. And in the quiet, you’re still trying to show up for people ... mostly for your children, but those things are huge medical scares.”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Finance

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Bones and clothing found in new search for Madeleine McCann

<p>Fragments of bone and items of clothing discovered during a recent search for Madeleine McCann in Portugal have been sent to Germany for forensic testing, according to new reports that offer a glimmer of hope in the long-running mystery.</p> <p>Despite initial claims the three-day operation yielded nothing significant, German media outlet Berliner Morgenpost reports that investigators did, in fact, collect “several objects” from the search site near Praia da Luz – an area linked to the prime suspect, Christian Brueckner.</p> <p>German police, in collaboration with Portuguese authorities, used ground-penetrating radar and heavy excavation equipment to comb through scrubland believed to have been used as a “rat run” by Brueckner, a convicted rapist. While early reports suggested the search was a flop, it has now emerged that small bone fragments and pieces of adult clothing were retrieved and sent to Germany for further analysis.</p> <p>A source quoted in the Morgenpost said: “Several objects have apparently been discovered, which are now being examined in more detail by the police in the laboratory. As Portuguese media report, clothing debris and bones were found, among other things. The investigators have not officially commented on whether the finds could have anything to do with Madeleine’s disappearance but that is clearly their hope.”</p> <p>Christian Brueckner, 38, has been under intense scrutiny since 2020 when German police named him as the prime suspect in the case. He is currently serving time in prison for unrelated offences, but prosecutors have struggled to secure a fresh arrest warrant tied to Madeleine’s disappearance due to a lack of concrete forensic evidence.</p> <p>This latest development may prove critical. Without a direct link tying Brueckner to the crime, authorities risk being unable to extend legal proceedings against him.</p> <p>Adding fuel to the speculation, British tabloid <em>The Sun</em> recently aired a bombshell documentary <em>Madeleine McCann: Inside the Secret Evidence</em>, which sheds light on disturbing findings at Brueckner’s abandoned factory in Germany. Items uncovered there include children’s clothing, a toddler’s bike, toys, a mask, guns and disturbing writings about child abduction – all part of what investigators describe as an overwhelming file of circumstantial evidence.</p> <p>The documentary also revealed that Brueckner allegedly discussed using chemicals like ether to kidnap a woman and child outside a preschool – details pulled directly from seized police files.</p> <p>While none of the recently discovered items have been definitively linked to Madeleine, their forensic examination is now seen as a vital next step. If a match is found, it could represent the most significant breakthrough in the case since Brueckner was identified as a suspect five years ago.</p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

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Outrage after Aussie journo shot at LA protest

<p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is facing calls to seek an “urgent explanation” from the Trump administration after Australian journalist Lauren Tomasi was shot with a rubber bullet while covering protests in Los Angeles.</p> <p>Footage that emerged on Monday shows the Nine News reporter being struck in the leg by a police-fired rubber bullet as she was delivering a live report amid chaotic scenes sparked by mass immigration arrests. The sound of sporadic gunfire can be heard as Tomasi stands in front of the camera before a police officer in the background raises a weapon and fires.</p> <p>Tomasi cries out in pain, visibly shaken, before a protester yells at police, “You just f***in’ shot the reporter!” She quickly reassures those around her: “Yeah, I’m good. I’m good.”</p> <p>Later, Tomasi posted on X that she was “safe and okay”.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yrFJ8Vhfgt4?si=6HBXJrdeVRFGedn1" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p>The incident has drawn condemnation in Australia, with Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young describing it as “simply shocking” and demanding accountability. “It is completely unacceptable and must be called out,” she said. “The Prime Minister must seek an urgent explanation from the US administration.”</p> <p>Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles declined to comment directly on US immigration policy or law enforcement tactics under former president Donald Trump, but said he was relieved Tomasi was unharmed. “At the end of the day, how America operates its own immigration system is really a matter for the United States,” he told <em>Sky News</em>.</p> <p>Nine News issued a statement confirming Tomasi and her camera operator would continue their coverage, despite the risks. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers journalists can face while reporting from the frontlines of protests,” the network said.</p> <p>Tensions flared across Los Angeles on Monday after Trump ordered the National Guard into the city following sweeping immigration raids. Protesters blocked freeways and reportedly torched several self-driving cars. Law enforcement responded with tear gas, flash-bangs and rubber bullets, declaring the downtown area an unlawful assembly zone.</p> <p>National Guard troops have been stationed at federal buildings, as multiple demonstrations over immigration enforcement continue to erupt across the city.</p> <p>Tomasi was not the only journalist injured. British photojournalist Nick Stern is reported to have undergone emergency surgery after suffering a serious leg wound during the clashes. Other reporters have reported harassment from both law enforcement and demonstrators.</p> <p>The shooting has drawn comparisons to a 2020 incident when Channel Seven reporter Amelia Brace and cameraman Tim Myers were assaulted by US police while covering Black Lives Matter protests in Washington DC’s Lafayette Square. Brace later told the US Congress she was struck by non-lethal rounds and hit with a truncheon while Myers was shot in the neck with rubber bullets.</p> <p><em>Images: 9News</em></p>

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Jumping castle operator learns fate over tragedy that killed six children

<p>The operator of a jumping castle involved in the 2021 Hillcrest Primary School tragedy that claimed the lives of six children has been cleared of breaching workplace safety laws.</p> <p>Rosemary Gamble, the owner of Taz-Zorb, was found not guilty of failing to comply with a health and safety duty after a 10-day hearing in Devonport Magistrates Court. The decision was delivered on Friday Jnue 6 by Magistrate Robert Webster, who said: "I found the charge is not proven. It is dismissed. Ms Gamble, you are free to go."</p> <p>The case centred on the <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/children-killed-in-hillcrest-tragedy-identified-amid-overwhelming-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener">horrific incident of December 2021</a>, when a gust of wind lifted the inflatable castle into the air during end-of-year celebrations on the school oval. Six children – Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan and Peter Dodt – were killed, while three others were seriously injured.</p> <p>Prosecutors had argued Gamble failed to secure the castle properly, allegedly using only four pegs to anchor it, despite manufacturer guidelines recommending eight. However, her defence counsel, Chris Dockray, told the court that Gamble had been misled by the Chinese manufacturer, East Inflatables, which neither provided adequate instructions nor included more than four pegs with the product.</p> <p>Gamble had downloaded a two-page manual from the company’s website, which the court heard may have led to the misunderstanding about anchoring requirements.</p> <p>Court documents revealed that seven students were on the castle when a sudden weather event dislodged it, flinging the children from the structure. A separate student was reportedly struck by the blower used to keep the castle inflated.</p> <p>The full court decision is expected to be published online in the coming days.</p> <p>Preparations for a coronial inquest have been on hold pending the outcome of the criminal case. A class action has also been launched by families against both Gamble and the state of Tasmania.</p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

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Housemates charged with murder of missing teen Pheobe Bishop

<p>Two housemates of missing teenager Pheobe Bishop have been charged with her murder, exactly three weeks after she vanished on her way to the airport in what police have called a suspicious disappearance.</p> <p>James Wood, 34, and Tanika Bromley, 33, were arrested in the Bundaberg area on Thursday night. They have each been charged with one count of murder and two counts of interfering with a corpse.</p> <p>Despite the arrests, Queensland Police said Pheobe’s remains have not yet been found.</p> <p>“The remains of Pheobe Bishop have not been located to date,” police said in a statement late Thursday. “Detectives continue to investigate this matter, and physical searches will continue as needed as information is provided.”</p> <p>Wood and Bromley are expected to appear in Bundaberg Magistrates Court on Friday.</p> <p>Seventeen-year-old Pheobe was last seen near Bundaberg Airport at around 8:30am on May 15. She had booked a flight to Western Australia to visit her boyfriend but never checked in, and CCTV confirmed she never entered the terminal.</p> <p>Her disappearance triggered a major police search across parts of southern Queensland, including the Gin Gin property where she lived with Wood and Bromley. That house, along with a grey Hyundai ix35 believed to have been used to take her to the airport, was declared a crime scene early in the investigation.</p> <p>The search also extended to Good Night Scrub National Park, about an hour from Bundaberg. Cadaver dogs, divers, and homicide detectives combed the remote bushland, seizing items believed to be linked to the case. Police believe some evidence may have been removed from the area before their arrival.</p> <p>Wood was briefly taken into custody on Wednesday before being released without charge – until his re-arrest the following evening.</p> <p>Both he and Bromley had previously faced unrelated weapons charges.</p> <p>Pheobe’s mother, Kylie Johnson, has been posting emotional updates on social media since her daughter disappeared, pleading for answers and clinging to hope. On Thursday night, after news of the murder charges broke, she said her family had been “shattered”.</p> <p>“Our world has just been shattered into the most horrific place I’ve ever been,” she wrote. “I need my baby home to put her to rest! I’m absolutely begging anyone that knows anything to come forward. We need to put her to rest, we need to put her to peace.”</p> <p>Throughout the past three weeks, Johnson has shared memories of Pheobe. “I don’t know if life will ever be the same again,” she wrote on Wednesday. “The emotional connection, love and friendship has always been unmatched and unquestioned.”</p> <p>Police have urged anyone with information about Pheobe’s disappearance or the whereabouts of her remains to come forward as the investigation continues.</p> <p><em>Images: Facebook / Qld Police</em></p>

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Entertainment

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ABC rumoured to be axing Q+A amid fresh round of cuts

<p>Long-running ABC current affairs program <em>Q+A</em> is reportedly facing the axe after 17 years on Australian television, with multiple media outlets citing unnamed sources within the national broadcaster.</p> <p>The influential panel show, which launched in 2008 with Tony Jones as host, is said to have been dropped ahead of its scheduled return in August. The decision places <em>Q+A</em> among a growing list of legacy programs facing the chopping block, coming just days after Channel Ten confirmed it was ending <em>The Project</em> following a 16-year run.</p> <p><em>Q+A</em> went into its scheduled hiatus in mid-May, and it remains unclear whether it will return at all in 2025. ABC’s new managing director, Hugh Marks, is expected to reveal sweeping changes at the public broadcaster this week, including potential staff redundancies and confirmation of the show’s fate.</p> <p>The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) warned ABC staff on Tuesday that job cuts were imminent, with employees reportedly being called into meetings to discuss a major restructure. Marks, who replaced David Anderson in March, has previously signalled a focus on streamlining the broadcaster’s operations, suggesting the ABC may need to “do fewer things better” in the future.</p> <p>In addition to cuts, the ABC is expected to announce new content initiatives, including a dedicated documentary unit championed by ABC chair Kim Williams.</p> <p>Created by executive producer Peter McEvoy, <em>Q+A</em> debuted in May 2008 and quickly became a flagship program for the ABC. Its format, inspired by the BBC’s <em>Question Time</em>, brought politicians, experts and members of the public together to debate national issues in real time.</p> <p>Following Jones’ departure in 2019, the show struggled to maintain its ratings. Hamish Macdonald took over as host in 2020, before stepping down amid mixed reviews. Stan Grant’s brief tenure in 2022 ended after he became the target of racist abuse unrelated to the show. The current host, Patricia Karvelas, has led the program since early 2023.</p> <p>While viewership has modestly improved under Karvelas, the show’s ratings remain among the lowest in the ABC’s current affairs stable. A 2023 “Garma Special” episode drew just 84,000 metro viewers – <em>Q+A</em>’s lowest figures on record.</p> <p>The ABC has not officially confirmed the program’s cancellation. However, the coming days are expected to bring clarity as the national broadcaster embarks on a major overhaul under new leadership.</p> <p><em>Image: ABC</em></p>

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Nick Kyrgios dealt another career blow

<p>Tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios has been dropped by both the BBC and ESPN ahead of this year’s Wimbledon tournament, in a double blow to the 30-year-old as he continues to battle ongoing injury setbacks.</p> <p>Reports surfaced on Wednesday revealing the BBC has decided not to include Kyrgios in its broadcast team when coverage begins on June 30. The move comes a year after his controversial debut as a pundit for the network, which drew both praise and backlash from audiences and public figures.</p> <p>Adding to the disappointment, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tennis/2025/06/10/nick-kyrgios-no-longer-part-of-bbc-wimbledon-coverage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>The Telegraph</em></a> has also reported that Kyrgios will not feature in ESPN’s Wimbledon coverage, despite his recent commentary roles with the American broadcaster during the Australian Open in both 2024 and 2025.</p> <p>The former world No.13 has faced a difficult run of weeks, pulling out of the French Open last month due to a flare-up of a knee injury that also forced him to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon. On Instagram, Kyrgios shared his frustration and assured fans he was working hard on his recovery:</p> <p>“Just wanted to give everyone a quick update – I’ve hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately won’t make it back for grass season this year… This is just a bump in the road though, and I’m already working hard to get back stronger than ever.”</p> <p>Kyrgios hasn’t played at Wimbledon since his memorable run to the final in 2022, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. Last year, with no plans to compete, he joined the BBC’s commentary team, offering insights that divided opinion. While some fans appreciated his frank analysis and distinctive personality, others criticised his laid-back delivery and flamboyant fashion.</p> <p>More seriously, his appointment in 2023 was condemned by women's rights groups and politicians due to a past domestic assault charge involving his former partner Chiara Passari. Kyrgios pleaded guilty, but the charge was later dismissed. Among his critics was UK MP Caroline Nokes, chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, who slammed the BBC for the hire, calling it “a disgrace” and accusing the broadcaster of showing “utter contempt” for women.</p> <p>At the time, the BBC defended its decision in a statement, saying it did not condone Kyrgios' past behaviour and that his involvement was strictly limited to tennis commentary.</p> <p>A source close to Kyrgios has since claimed his absence from this year’s commentary box was influenced by his desire to compete at Wimbledon in 2024 – hopes that were dashed by injury.</p> <p>As he continues his recovery, Kyrgios remains a polarising figure in the tennis world – equally capable of commanding attention with a racquet or a microphone, whether on court or off.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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"Ignorant": Steve Price hits out after The Project's axing

<p>Veteran broadcaster Steve Price has hit out at critics celebrating the axing of <em>The Project</em>, following Channel 10’s confirmation the long-running panel show will end later this month.</p> <p>The network officially announced on Monday morning that <em>The Project</em> will wrap up on Friday, June 27, after 16 years on Australian television. The show’s current hosts, including Sarah Harris and Waleed Aly, later addressed the decision in an emotionally charged segment on Monday night.</p> <p>But it was longtime contributor Steve Price who offered the strongest response, using his <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/steve-price-those-dancing-on-grave-of-woke-the-project-expose-their-own-ignorance/news-story/501e7571691910f519c6664883a7c036" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest Herald Sun column</a> to condemn those who have mocked the show’s demise.</p> <p>“Those ignorant people doing the ‘glad they got sacked’ dance over the cancellation called the show woke and leftie – hello, I am the exact opposite of that description – and have been there from almost the start,” Price wrote.</p> <p>“Show me that sort of political balance on any ABC TV show – you can’t,” he added, defending the program’s diversity of viewpoints and insisting<em> The Project</em> was “the best resourced media show I have ever worked on”.</p> <p>Price also expressed dismay over Channel 10’s decision to base the upcoming replacement show in Sydney, lamenting the impact on <em>The Project</em>’s Melbourne-based crew.</p> <p>“Behind the scenes was a gifted, hardworking crew of young producers, comedy writers, editors, journalists, camera operators, make-up artists and wardrobe assistants,” he wrote. “Most if not all these talented crew are now out of work as the replacement show moves to Sydney.”</p> <p>“Melbourne and Australia has lost something unique this week – a live TV show with passion, courage, humour and a heart. It’s sad.”</p> <p>During Monday night’s broadcast, co-host Sarah Harris also fought back tears as she paid tribute to the production team that made the nightly show possible.</p> <p>“I am so grateful that I got to sit on this desk and play TV with all of you,” Harris said. “But it is the people who make a show, and <em>The Project</em> isn’t just the people on this desk. It is the cast and crew behind the scenes… They’re the real stars.”</p> <p>She went on to praise the unsung workers who kept the show running night after night: “The producers, editors and cameramen and women, the floor crew, the people in the control room, the director and the hair and make-up team – all of them who work their guts out every night, six nights a week to get us on air.”</p> <p><em>The Project</em> launched in 2009 with a fresh take on news and current affairs and became a staple of the primetime lineup. It featured a rotating panel of journalists, comedians and commentators, with a mix of hard-hitting interviews and light entertainment.</p> <p>While its ratings have fluctuated in recent years, the show retained a loyal audience and played host to high-profile guests, including world leaders, Hollywood stars and prominent Australians.</p> <p>Its cancellation marks the end of an era for Channel 10, and a major shift in Australia’s TV landscape as the network retools its primetime strategy in a fiercely competitive market increasingly dominated by streaming platforms.</p> <p><em>Image: Network 10</em></p>

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‘Not available in your region’: what is a VPN and how can I use one safely?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>“This video is not available in your location”. It’s a message familiar to many people trying to watch global content online. But beneath this frustration lies a deeper question – how do we navigate digital borders safely and ethically?</p> <p>As our digital lives expand, so too does our desire for access. Maybe you want to see the latest streaming shows before they arrive in your country. Maybe you’re a sports fan wanting to watch live broadcasts of international events. Or perhaps you need to log into your company’s secure intranet while at home or overseas.</p> <p>Enter the virtual private network (VPN) – a technology that’s become as essential as antivirus software for many. With many commercial and free VPN providers on the market, interest in these services <a href="https://www.comparitech.com/vpn/vpn-statistics/">has grown in recent years</a>.</p> <h2>How does a VPN work?</h2> <p>A <a href="https://computingaustralia.com.au/5-minute-helpdesk-what-is-a-vpn-and-why-should-i-use-one/">VPN</a> is like a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. When you use a VPN, your <a href="https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/online-tools-and-features/encryption">internal traffic is scrambled into unreadable data</a> and routed through a remote server, which also masks your real IP address.</p> <p>Think of it like this: instead of sending a postcard with your return address, you send it in an envelope to a trusted friend overseas who mails it on your behalf. To anyone looking at the envelope, it looks like the message came from your friend and not you.</p> <p>This technique shields your identity, protects your data from snoopers, and tricks websites into thinking you are browsing from another location.</p> <p>While often marketed as <a href="https://www.le-vpn.com/australia-cyber-privacy-vpn/">tools for online privacy</a>, VPNs have grown popular for another reason: access.</p> <p>Many people use VPNs to access geo-blocked content, secure their internet activity, work remotely – <a href="https://www.cyber.gov.au/protect-yourself/staying-secure-online/security-tips-remote-working">especially when handling sensitive data</a> – and protect against online tracking and targeted advertising.</p> <h2>VPNs are legal, if a bit grey</h2> <p>VPN services are offered by dozens of providers globally. Companies such as NordVPN, ProtonVPN, ExpressVPN and Surfshark offer paid subscriptions with strong security guarantees. Free VPNs also exist but come with caveats (more on this in a moment).</p> <p>In <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/are-vpns-legal">most countries</a>, including <a href="https://www.cyber.gov.au/protect-yourself/staying-secure-online/connecting-to-public-wi-fi">Australia</a>, using a VPN is completely legal.</p> <p>However, what makes it murky is what one might use it <em>for</em>. While using a VPN is legal, engaging in illegal activities while using one remains prohibited.</p> <p>Streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ license content by region. Using a VPN to access a foreign catalogue may violate their terms of service and potentially be grounds for account suspension.</p> <p>Australian law does not criminalise accessing geo-blocked content via VPN, but the copyright act does prohibit circumventing “technological protection measures” in certain cases.</p> <p>The grey area lies in enforcement. Technically, copyright law does ban getting around certain protections. However, the <a href="https://www.copyright.org.au/browse/book/ACC-Geoblocking%2C-VPNs-%26-Copyright-INFO127">latest advice does not mention</a> any cases where regular users have been taken to court for this kind of behaviour.</p> <p>So far, enforcement has mostly targeted websites and platforms that host or enable large-scale copyright infringement; not everyday viewers who want to watch a show a bit early.</p> <h2>Beware of ‘free’ VPNs</h2> <p>Not all VPNs are created equal. While premium services invest in strong encryption and privacy protections, free VPNs often make money by collecting user data – <a href="https://www.choice.com.au/electronics-and-technology/internet/connecting-to-the-internet/buying-guides/vpn-services">the very thing you may be trying to avoid</a>.</p> <p>Risks of unsafe VPNs include data leaks, injection of ads or trackers into your browsing, and malware and spyware, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-25/viruses-spyware-found-in-alarming-number-of-android-vpn-apps/8210796">especially in free mobile apps</a> that claim to provide a VPN service.</p> <p>Using a poorly designed or dishonest VPN is like hiring a bodyguard who sells your location. It might give the impression of safety, but you may actually be more vulnerable than before.</p> <h2>Okay, so how do I choose a VPN?</h2> <p>With so many VPNs available, both free and paid, it can be hard to know which one to trust. If you are considering a VPN, here are five things to look for.</p> <p><strong><a href="https://www.expressvpn.com/what-is-vpn/policy-towards-logs">No-log policy</a>.</strong> A trustworthy VPN should have a strict no-log policy, meaning it does not store any records of your internet activity, connection time or IP address. This ensures even if the VPN provider is hacked, subpoenaed or pressured by a government, they have nothing to hand over.</p> <p><strong>Strong encryption standards.</strong> Encryption is what makes your data unreadable to anyone snooping on your connection, such as hackers on public WiFi or your internet provider. A somewhat technical thing to look out for is <a href="https://www.kiteworks.com/risk-compliance-glossary/aes-256-encryption/">AES 256-bit encryption</a> – it’s extremely secure and is used by banks and governments.</p> <p><strong>Independent audits.</strong> Reliable VPN services <a href="https://vpncentral.com/nordvpn-reaffirms-no-log-claims-with-fifth-deloitte-audit/">voluntarily undergo third-party audits</a> to verify their privacy claims and the security of their infrastructure.</p> <p><strong>Kill switch.</strong> A kill switch is a critical safety feature that automatically blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address and data from being exposed, even momentarily.</p> <p><strong>Jurisdiction.</strong> VPNs are subject to the laws of the country they are based in. The countries in the <a href="https://cyberinsider.com/5-eyes-9-eyes-14-eyes/">Five Eyes intelligence alliance</a> (Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand) may legally compel providers to hand over user data. If a VPN service has a strict no-log policy and does not collect information about what you do online, then even under legal pressure, there is nothing to hand over. So, you are safe.</p> <p>In an era of growing surveillance, cybercrime and corporate data collection, VPNs are essential tools for reclaiming your online privacy and data.</p> <p>But like any tool, the effectiveness (and ethics) of VPNs depend on how you use them. Next time you fire up your VPN, ask yourself – am I just dodging a digital border, or actively protecting my online freedom?<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/256559/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/meena-jha-542776">Meena Jha</a>, Head Technology and Pedagogy Cluster CML-NET, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/not-available-in-your-region-what-is-a-vpn-and-how-can-i-use-one-safely-256559">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Technology

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A decade in the making: Jamie Durie finally unveils dream home

<p>After a decade of meticulous planning, popular TV host Jamie Durie has finally revealed his dream home, a breathtaking sustainable property on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.</p> <p>The Seven Network presenter took to Instagram to share an album of images showcasing the eco-friendly sanctuary he built for his family. "Grateful. 10 years of planning, 2 years of construction and we’re finally back home," Durie, 54, captioned the post.</p> <p>The luxurious and environmentally conscious home is now the residence of Durie, his fiancée Ameka Jane, and their two children: three-year-old daughter Beau and one-year-old son Nash.</p> <p>The entire process of planning and construction has been chronicled on Durie’s latest TV venture, <em>Growing Home With Jamie Durie</em>, airing on Seven.</p> <p>"It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to build an off-the-grid house," Durie told <em>Woman’s Day</em> in November. "Ten years ago, I sketched the house. We lodged the plans five years ago, and then the last two years have been dedicated to construction."</p> <p>Durie said that the journey to completion was anything but smooth. "I don’t think poor Ameka had any idea what she was signing up for when we met. But she came up with a number of ideas that added a lot of value to it."</p> <p>He also admitted that building the house tested the family in a variety of ways. "Any family out there who’s building their own house will go through the same as what we’ve gone through," he said. "Huge budget blowouts, rising interest rates, massive construction costs that are constantly going up. We’ve had to go back to the bank four times." </p> <p>Despite the hurdles, Durie and Jane remained committed to using innovative eco-friendly features wherever they could. "We challenged ourselves with new eco-initiatives that not many people would ever dream of trying, or may not even know about," he said, before describing the experience as "the toughest project I have ever taken on in my whole life".</p> <p>Following Durie’s Instagram reveal, a wave of celebrity friends flooded the comments section with praise for the spectacular home. <em>The Morning Show</em>’s Larry Emdur wrote, "Mate!!! Just wow";fFormer Bachelor star Anna Heinrich called it "incredible"; while TV personality Sally Obermeder simply stated, "WOW". </p> <p>Comedian Dave Hughes was equally impressed, writing, "That’s proper wow. My god." <em>Getaway</em> host Catriona Rowntree described the home as "bloomin’ gorgeous".</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Real Estate

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Dr Chris Brown recalls "dramatic" personal renovation disaster

<p><em>Dream Home</em> host Dr Chris Brown has revealed his own renovation fail on the latest episode of the show. </p> <p>The vet turned TV star has taken on a new role where he guides six teams of aspiring renovators through the joys — and pitfalls — of house remodelling in the new Channel 7 reality show. </p> <p>Speaking to 7NEWS, the star recalled the terrifying moment his home nearly fell in on itself when he was trying to build a garage. </p> <p>“On my first renovation, I decided I needed a garage underneath my house,” he said, adding that he had council approval for the renovation. </p> <p>“With a couple of tradies, we went about digging out the garage underneath the house, in the sand.</p> <p>“We just kept on digging, digging, digging, until a rather large sound indicated the house was about to fall into the hole!</p> <p>“So that’s about as dramatic as it as it gets.</p> <p>“To have your house sort of falling in on itself, that was a pretty big learning curve.”</p> <p>He said that the problem was solved "very quickly" with a lot of underpinning and structural support. </p> <p>“A lot of those steel support posts that you can sort of wind up and down, they went in, and thankfully the house didn’t fold in half,” he said, laughing at the situation. </p> <p>He added that unexpected situations like this are what make renovation shows so appealing as "there’s so much natural drama, you don’t have to fake anything." </p> <p>“Choices have to be made, and it’s either the right way or the wrong way, and you only really discover that as you go along," he added. </p> <p>“Sometimes it’s too late to turn back once you realise you’ve made a terrible mistake.”</p> <p>Chris added that his role on the show is almost as a"coach" to the pairs, supporting them through the renovation challenges, and helping them get to the finish line. </p> <p>“What these couples are going through, and just how much they put on the line to get these renovations done, is quite inspiring and quite uplifting and but also thoroughly entertaining,” he said. </p> <p><em>Image: Seven</em></p>

Real Estate

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Yoko Ono selling John Lennon's New York home for first time in 50 years

<p>For the first time in 50 years, the house where John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived in New York City has hit the market.</p> <p>The brick, bluestone and terra cotta structure at 496 Broome St. was the first home the pair bought together in New York City before they moved to the Upper West Side of Manhattan. </p> <p>Yoko Ono has held onto the property since she first bought it with the late Beatles member, and has now listed it with her son with JLL Real Estate, for an asking price of $US5.5 million ($8.23m AUD).</p> <p>“The building on Broome St. was sort of like a base for their artistic ventures,” Philip Norman, author of “John Lennon: The Life,” told the <em><a href="https://nypost.com/2024/05/21/real-estate/yoko-ono-lists-former-nyc-home-for-5-5m/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Post</a></em>. “Bank Street was their salon, where people could just walk in.”</p> <p>First built in 1885, the two-storey building has an open-plan format, with a gallery-like ground floor space with 14.4-foot-high ceilings, an open kitchen and a lofted bedroom.</p> <p>On the second floor, there’s a live-work space and a recording studio.</p> <p>“496 Broome St. is both a unique piece of New York history and popular culture and a prime investment opportunity for the right buyer,” said Paul Smadbeck, who holds the listing.</p> <p>“Versatile zoning and its location in one of the city’s most desirable and trendsetting neighbourhoods offers an exciting opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind property.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Mediapunch / JLL Real Estate </em></p>

Real Estate

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Airbnb launches real-life "Up" house - and it actually floats!

<p>Airbnb is taking its latest listing to the sky - literally. </p> <p>The accommodation provider has announced a partnership that will see the iconic house from Pixar's hit film <em>Up</em> being lifted into the air, balloons and all. </p> <p>In their ongoing quest to redefine hospitality, Airbnb has launched a permanent category called “Icons,” which features partnerships with brands and celebrities that promise unforgettable experiences.</p> <p>Suspended over the New Mexico desert with the aid of a crane, the property looks like an exact replica of the home and contains adorable easter eggs from the film - including the Adventure Book. </p> <p>“Icons take you inside worlds that only existed in your imagination — until now,”  Airbnb CEO and co-founder Brian Chesky said in a statement.</p> <p>“As life becomes increasingly digital, we’re focused on bringing more magic into the real world … we’ve created the most extraordinary experiences on Earth." </p> <p>The house offers a stunning view of the desert, which you can enjoy while sitting on replica's of Ellie and Carl's chairs or have breakfast with a view in the kitchen. </p> <p>Alternatively, you could look at the stars while sitting on the front porch - but don't look down because the adventure is out there. </p> <p>Of course there are questions about the logistics of the stay, including plumbing and electricity, but the accommodation giant has assured that the house is “fully functional,” connected to generators and utilities that will be seamlessly managed before and after its flight.</p> <p>Other fantastical listings include a replica of the mansion from the “X-Men ’97” cartoon, a stay at the Ferrari Museum in Italy, and Prince's house that was featured in the legendary film <em>Purple Rain</em>. </p> <p>Check out the <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/1126185893236246260?_set_bev_on_new_domain=1715826165_M2NkZDdkODdhMjcy&amp;source_impression_id=p3_1715826166_A20M4770EGAtl8AV&amp;modal=PHOTO_TOUR_SCROLLABLE" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Up</em></a> listing here, be warned the sweet listing may make you shed a tear or two. </p> <p><em>Images: Airbnb</em></p> <p> </p>

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