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"Beyond devastated": One Direction pay tribute to Liam Payne

One Direction band members Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have shared emotional tributes to Liam Payne, who died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony on Thursday. Payne's <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/one-direction-star-passes-away-aged-31" target="_blank" rel="noopener">death</a> was confirmed by Argentinian media outlet La Nacion, who reported that Payne fell from around 13 or 14 metres while on holiday in Buenos Aires and suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life", while Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, confirmed "there was no possibility of resuscitation.” His sudden death has sent shockwaves through the music industry, with fellow artists and millions of fans expressing their sadness online. Louis Tomlinson, one of the members of One Direction, shared a lengthy post paying tribute to his friend and bandmate, recalling some of the moments they shared. "I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother," he wrote alongside a photo of the pair on stage. "Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul. " "I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for." "Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band. And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam." Tomlinson then shared a "message to you Liam if you’re listening", writing, "I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours , reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be. " He went on to share a message to Payne's seven-year-old son Bear, adding, "I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was." "I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you. Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X." Zayn Malik, another member of One Direction, also shared his own tribute, writing how he has found himself talking out loud to Payne “hoping you can hear me”. “I can’t help but think selfishly that there were so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” he continued. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let you know. that you were my friend and I was loved.” “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give just to give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.” “There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro,” he concluded the post. Harry Styles also shared a tribute after Liam's sudden death, writing, "I am truly devastated by Liam's passing." "His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it," he continued. "Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend." He concluded his message, which was shared alongside the "🖤" emoji and a photo of Payne looking out onto the stage, with: "My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did." The One Direction Instagram account also shared a statement from all four of the members, that said, “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say." “But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.” The statement was signed from Louis, Zayn, Harry, as well as Niall Horan. Image credits: Instagram

Caring

One Direction star passes away aged 31

Former One Direction star Liam Payne has reportedly been found dead outside a hotel in Buenos Aires, in Argentina, according to local newspaper La Nacion. The 31-year-old is believed to have fallen from the third floor of a hotel at around 5pm local time the newspaper said, citing emergency services. According to La Nacion the local police station was called by the hotel manager who reported "an aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol". It is reported that Payne fell from around 13 or 14 metres and suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life." Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system SAME (El Sistema de Atención Médica de Emergencias), told local TV that Payne had fallen into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighbourhood. “At 17.11, a SAME team arrived and confirmed the man’s death. We later learned that he was a singer in a musical group. “Unfortunately, he had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death. There was no possibility of resuscitation.” Payne was one of the founding members of One Direction, one of the most loved boy bands of the past decade. He auditioned first as a solo act for the UK reality series The X Factor in 2008, before being eliminated. In 2010 he auditioned again and was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik by the judges to form One Direction. Image: SplashNews.com/ Shutterstock Editorial

Caring

As the US pushes to make daylight saving permanent, should Australia move in the same direction?

Sunday marked the end of the Daylight Saving Time (DST) in eastern Australia, but there are many who would like to see it last longer or permanently. Twice a year, New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania and South Australia make this shift. Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory do not change times. In those states the issue has been hotly debated for years. But what would be the benefit of making time permanent, and is it feasible? In the United States, the push to fix time has gathered pace, with a bipartisan bill <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/02/us/politics/daylight-savings-bill-marco-rubio.html">reintroduced</a> to the House this month. The Sunshine Protection Act is set to bring uniformity in fixing the time, starting from November 2023. If enacted, it means daylight saving would be permanent across the US. The bill passed the Senate in March 2022. It was received at the House, but Americans are split on whether they prefer permanent daylight saving time or permanent standard time – the bill then expired and so had to be reintroduced. The proponents argue the biannual ritual of switching time <a href="https://healthnews.com/news/forwarding-time-potentially-a-health-hazard-expert-suggests/">is a health hazard</a> leading to insomnia, decline in mental health, increased risk of hospitalisations and accidents. The solution, they argue, is to <a href="https://fortune.com/well/2023/03/06/daylight-saving-time-is-hurting-your-health/">restore</a> permanent, year-round standard time. Would fixing time permanently have benefits in Australia? <h2>Why the US is considering fixing permanent time</h2> One of the US policy’s goals is to reduce energy consumption. However, according to the latest research, contrary to the policy’s intent,<a href="https://direct.mit.edu/rest/article-abstract/93/4/1172/57919/Does-Daylight-Saving-Time-Save-Energy-Evidence">daylight saving caused</a> increased electricity demand in the US. Research has also found it <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=981688">does not conserve electricity in Australia</a>. Overwhelmingly, recent research opposes the current situation of changing the clocks twice year. In particular, the loss of one hour of sleep in spring has been <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/380/bmj.p622.full">linked</a> to an increase in heart attacks, strokes, road accidents and negative mood. Moreover, with mobile phones available in offices and bedrooms, the shift to daylight saving was shown to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22369272/">result in a dramatic increase</a> in “cyberloafing”. On the Monday following the switch, <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2009-12532-013">employees sustain more workplace injuries</a> and injuries of greater severity, according an analysis of data from the US Department of Labor and Mine Safety and Health Administration between 1983-2006, although there is a decrease in injuries when employees are gaining one hour of sleep. In a study of Australian suicide data from 1971 to 2001, researchers found <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1111/j.1479-8425.2007.00331.x">a rise in male suicide rates</a> in the weeks following the commencement of daylight saving, concluding the shifts could be destabilising for vulnerable people. The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35622532/">health evidence</a> is, in fact, contrary to idea behind the current legislation and instead suggests a permanent switch to standard time may offer the maximum health and public safety benefits. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is strongly supporting the bill, <a href="https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/us-news/2022/11/03/6363f0ab46163fe7848b4571.html">told the Senate, "</a>There’s some strong science behind it that is now showing and making people aware of the harm that clock-switching has. I know this is not the most important issue confronting America, but it’s one of those issues where there’s a lot of agreement. If we can get this passed, we don’t have to do this stupidity anymore. Pardon the pun, but this is an idea whose time has come." <h2>Australian legislation - move to uniformity</h2> Standard time legislation dates back to 1890s. That is when jurisdictions enacted uniform legislation related to standard Greenwich Mean Time. For example, Tasmania fixed the time of the <a href="https://www.legislation.tas.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/2003-12-01/act-1895-004">150th meridian of longitude east of Greenwich</a> and Western Australia <a href="https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a772.html">declared the mean time of the 120th meridian</a> as the standard time. At that stage, the legislation was consistent. This continued until the daylight saving debate commenced. Daylight saving was first considered at the Premiers’ Conference in May 1915. During the first and second world wars, national daylight time operated in Australia. Tasmania and Victoria introduced daylight saving in 1916. In Tasmania, the act was repealed by the Daylight-Saving Repeal Act 1917 (Tas). In 1967, Tasmania again introduced daylight savings. By 1990, <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-19-3292-2">the jurisdictions were changing the dates</a> on which to introduce daylight savings, and their positions were not uniform. Liberal Senator Paul Calvert <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/calls-for-pm-to-set-daylight-saving-dates-20051113-ge18b2.html">described</a> the “maze of different times” as a “shackle on the economy, as well as causing interruptions to work and family balance”. Then-prime minister John Howard <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/calls-for-pm-to-set-daylight-saving-dates-20051113-ge18b2.html">stated</a>: “I think it’s a great pity that we have this month when Tasmania and NSW and Victoria are on different time zones.” Starting from September 1 2005, all jurisdictions adopted the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) standard. Following long deliberations, in April 2007 they agreed on a uniform start and end date. Queensland, WA and the NT have fixed permanent time. South Australia became an international anomaly by having 30 minutes difference, rather than full hour, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-12/business-backs-sa-time-zone-shift,-but-some-regions-worried/6385030">to achieve a compromise</a> between strong advocacy groups within the jurisdiction. One of the arguments against fixing is geographical location. Tasmania has more drastic variation in sun activity compared to Northern Territory. The scientific solution would be to <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.00944/full#B47">fix the time</a> but reassign the regions to the actual sun-clock based time zones. Where does all this leave us? While daylight saving is not the most pressing problem facing Australia today, it may be that soon enough, the scientific evidence and practical convenience of fixing time might be preferred to biannual shifts. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-the-us-pushes-to-make-daylight-saving-permanent-should-australia-move-in-the-same-direction-202627" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Legal

Jetlag hits differently depending on your travel direction. Here are 6 tips to get over it

After a few difficult years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, people are finally winging their way across the globe again; families are being reunited and sights are being seen. Yet the joys of international travel often come with a side of jetlag, which can make it hard to initially enjoy a holiday, and to settle in once you return home. Why do people experience jetlag? And is there anything you can do to lessen its effects? <h2>What causes jetlag?</h2> The term “jetlag” describes the physical and cognitive symptoms people experience when travelling quickly across several timezones. Before you leave for a trip, you’re synchronised to your local time. Once you enter a new timezone, your body’s rhythms are no longer lined up with the clock on the wall. That’s when jetlag symptoms hit. You’re sleepy when you want to be awake, and wide awake when you want to be asleep. You’re hungry in the middle of the night, and might feel bloated or nauseous if you eat during the day. Until your body clock and all the rhythms it controls line up with the new local time, you are physiologically and mentally discombobulated. Not a happy holiday vibe! <h2>Jetlag isn’t the same for everyone</h2> Interestingly, the experience of jetlag varies between people. That’s because we all tick along to our own internal rhythm. Most of us have a natural daily cycle of about 24.2 hours. So if we lived in a cave and didn’t see any light, our sleep/wake cycle and other daily rhythms would tick along at about 24.2 hours. Researchers think <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsfs.2019.0098">this is an evolutionary adaptation</a> that allows us to adjust to different day lengths across the year. But some people have slightly longer cycles than others, and this may play a role in how a person experiences jetlag. <a href="https://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000418">Research suggests</a> if you have a longer cycle you might adjust quicker to westward travel, such as when travelling from Australia to South Africa, but we don’t know if a shorter cycle helps going the other way. We also get a little less resilient as we age, so the older among us might have worse jetlag symptoms. <h2>Does direction of travel matter?</h2> More generally, many people find westward travel, where you “gain” time, a bit easier. Say Jasmine and Sarah depart Adelaide at the same time. Jasmine lands in Perth in the afternoon, where it’s about 2.5 hours earlier in the day. She sees some sights and easily falls asleep at about 8.30pm local time. She then wakes up very early and starts her day. Because Jasmine’s body clock naturally delays – shifting a little later relative to the local time each day – after a few days she is fully synchronised. Sarah, meanwhile, lands in Auckland which is about 2.5 hours later in the day. She takes advantage of the balmy evening and some of the night, and is wide awake until 2am. She then struggles out of bed when the alarm goes off at 7am, because it’s still 4.30am on her body clock. Sarah will likely feel the effects of jetlag more severely than Jasmine, and for longer. <h2>Is jetlag just ‘psychological’?</h2> Some people might wonder if jetlag is just in your head. Well, in a way it is, because it’s a mismatch between your body’s internal time (which is determined in your brain) and your local time. But that doesn’t mean you can talk yourself out of jetlag. It’s better thought of as a physiological condition, rather than a psychological one. Luckily, there are a few simple ways to alleviate jetlag symptoms and help your body clock adjust. This is particularly important <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-021-01502-0">for elite athletes</a> who travel to compete. <ol> <li> First, decide whether it’s worth trying to adapt to the new time or not. If it’s only a short trip, it might make more sense to stay on your home time. If it’s longer than three days, start consciously moving your own rhythms – such as when you sleep, eat, exercise and get sunlight – towards the new timezone. </li> <li> If you’re trying to shift your body clock, it’s a good idea to start on the plane. Set your watch to your destination’s timezone and line up your activities accordingly. </li> <li> Keep caffeine and alcohol intake low on the journey. This will be better for sleep and hydration, and will help with adjusting your body clock to the new timezone. </li> <li> When adjusting to a new timezone, try to sleep during the local night time and just rest when you need to at other times. Short naps can give you a boost to get through the day and evening activities. Aim for about 30 minutes and avoid naps later in the day as you near your actual planned bedtime. </li> <li> Gastrointestinal discomfort is a symptom of jet lag. If you’re prone to or experience tummy trouble while travelling, stick to small meals and eat when you’re hungry. Your body will tell you when it’s ready for food. Tip 3 about caffeine and alcohol applies here too. </li> <li> Get outside. Sunlight is key to adjusting to a new timezone. Depending on your timezone change, appropriately-timed <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2019.00927/full">outside activities</a> will help. </li> </ol> If that’s not enough, the Sleep Health Foundation has more tips <a href="https://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/tips-to-help-combat-jet-lag.html">here</a>. Images: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/jetlag-hits-differently-depending-on-your-travel-direction-here-are-6-tips-to-get-over-it-196730">The Conversation</a>.

International Travel

Classics Direct is bringing classical music back to life!

Are you passionate about music? Looking for an easy way to update your classical collection, replace some of those old scratched-up records, or even find a new favourite you never knew existed? Classics Direct can help your music collection soar to new heights and get a discount on your first purchase simply by <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/pages/newsletter?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signing up to the Classics Direct mailing list!</a> Offering an expertly curated selection from the world’s most prominent classical music labels including Deutsche Grammophon, Decca Records, Blue Note, Verve, ECM, Eloquence and many more, Classics Direct is your one-stop shop for everything classical. Whether you’re in the market for classic Christmas collections to add that extra touch of charm to the up-coming festive season, or perhaps you want to splash out on a box set for yourself (or that special someone in your life), Classics Direct can bring the joy of music direct to you. Christmas Albums Christmas is a time for gathering with loved ones, reflecting on the year gone by, giving thanks for all the special elements of your life and taking time to relax and rejoice. What could be a more fitting accompaniment for a perfect Christmas than a stunning variety of classical music to score those moments? <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/christmas?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="alignnone wp-image-64159 size-full" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/ChristmasCDs_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="308" /></a> Jump right into the festive spirit with the blockbuster Christmas title “A Family Christmas” by internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo and daughter Virginia. Their first ever album together, “A Family Christmas” showcases their multi-generational musical talent in a range of festive favourites. Featuring new renditions of traditional carols arranged for all three voices, including “Away in a Manger” and “Joy to the World” plus popular Christmas tunes from around the world such as “Feliz Navidad” and “Il Giorno Piu Speciale”. Or be transported by the ethereal sounds and angelic classics of “Christmas Music for Harp”, featuring favourite carols in sublime arrangements by harp master Carlos Salzedo, performed with grace and charm by Australian harp virtuosa Alice Giles. “I Dream of Christmas” by Norah Jones; “Paul Kelly’s Christmas Trains”; “The Three Tenors at Christmas” – these titles and many more are available right now and can be with you in time to enjoy the festive season to the full. Explore the entire range of wonderfully festive <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/christmas?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christmas options here</a>. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fJJaeCHi-tU" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Box Sets Is there a music fan in your life – or perhaps it’s even YOU! – who absolutely must have every CD in an artist’s back catalogue? These completists are a rare and wonderful breed and when it comes to buying gifts for them, a CD Box Set is a hands down winner every time. The value for money is almost second to none, with some exceptional box sets containing upwards of 20, 30, 50 – even 90 CDs! That equates to hours and hours of listening enjoyment in one easy package. What’s not to love? <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/box-set?sort_by=best-selling&utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="alignnone wp-image-64160 size-full" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/BoxCDs_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="313" /></a> Relax and enjoy the stirring sounds of the 16-disc box set of “Sir Adrian Boult – The Decca Legacy, Vol 1”, the first in a limited-edition three-volume set of the complete Decca recordings of Boult, including previously unpublished recordings of Holst and a pioneering cycle of Vaughan Williams. Sit back and immerse yourself in the ultimate box set “The New Complete Beethoven, Essential Edition”. Featuring more than 115 hours of sublime music across an epic 95 CDs! Representing Beethoven's entire oeuvre in legendary interpretations from Deutsche Grammophon’s unrivalled Beethoven catalogue, together with reference recordings and musical treasures from Decca and many other labels, this is a must-have for any true fan of classical music. From Strauss to Stravinsky, Beethoven to Bach, all your musical tastes are covered at Classics Direct – even if you fancy something a little more whimsical like “Classic 100: Music for the Screen”, “The Complete Classics Kids” collection, or favourite love songs throughout the decades. Dive into the <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/collections/box-set?sort_by=best-selling&utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">best-selling Box Sets for the ultimate CD Collectors here</a>. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hkJdSBsflnY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> So, why not visit the <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Classics Direct</a> website now for a leisurely browse through old favourites and new discoveries galore? Don’t forget to <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/pages/newsletter?utm_source=over-sixty&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sign up to the mailing list</a> for a discount off your first purchase! Images: Supplied This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://classicsdirect.com.au/?utm_source=over-sxity&utm_medium=native-article" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Classics Direct</a>.

Music

Qantas announces new direct routes overseas

After international travel returns following years of closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Qantas has announced a way to help travellers get to their destinations more efficiently. The airline giant recently announced plans to grow its international network out of Sydney by unveiling new direct routes to India and Korea, which will be taking off this year. A direct route will be introduced between Sydney and Bengaluru (Bangalore) in southern India from September 14th. This will be the first non-stop flight between Australia and southern India by any airline. Qantas and Jetstar have also announced the launch of direct flights between Sydney and Seoul, South Korea. The flights will commence from November 22nd and will occur three times a week, making Jetstar the only budget airline to make the direct flight. Qantas will also make direct flights from Australia to South Korea from December 10th, making the airline’s first scheduled service to Seoul since 2008. The introduction of these new direct routes are designed to help kickstars New South Wales’ post-Covid tourism recovery. "Sydney is one of the world's truly global cities and these new direct flights to India and Korea will make it easier for millions of people to come here," Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce says. "It's clear that Australia is back on the map for international travellers. Demand for our international flights has rebounded since borders reopened, and that's giving us the confidence to launch these new routes together with the marketing support from Destination New South Wales." "With expected strong business, premium leisure and low-cost travel demand on the route, we see an opportunity for both Qantas and Jetstar to fly on the route." Image credits: Getty Images

International Travel

"She's a failure": Ita Buttrose cops direct spray from Michael Kroger

Liberal Party powerbroker Michael Kroger has urged ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose to "just resign", revealing senior cabinet ministers regret ever putting her in the job. In an epic spray on Sky News, Mr Kroger has described the businesswoman, founding editor of Cleo magazine and now Chairman of the ABC as "a failure" because the national broadcaster was anti-Liberal. “Ita should resign,’’ Mr Kroger told Sky News. “Ita has been a terrible failure. And I know there are many people in the Coalition, including people in the cabinet who regret her appointment.” Ms Buttrose, a former Australian of the Year, was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 1979 and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1998. She advanced to a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2019. “She and some of those board members should go. She’s lost control of the Board. The Board has lost control of the managing director. The managing director has certainly lost control of news and current affairs,’’ Mr Kroger said. Mr Kroger, who served on the ABC board for five years, said the ABC could not be reformed because the left-wing staff ran the organisation in defiance of any outside interference. “The ABC staff are more powerful than ever,’’ he said. Mr Kroger went on to describe various programs as throwing “political acid” in the Liberal Party’s face. “They have weaponised Four Corners, Q&A in particular, which is like political acid in the face of the Liberal Party,’’ he said. “It’s a shockingly biased program. The Drum, these current affairs shows are just weaponised against the Coalition.” The Liberal Party powerbroker then claimed that the ABC's flagship current affairs program had investigated the "behaviour" of a senior ALP figure but had failed to publish a story. “I mean Four Corners had evidence of behaviour of a senior Labor frontbencher that they have not put to air. They have not been put to air. “They’ve got a lot of evidence. Now, they give the usual reasons I gather on the grapevine that, “Oh, well there wasn’t quite enough. “Well, there wasn’t quite enough against Christian Porter. As they admitted the other day when they settled. And I take the view that Christian Porter did exceptionally well with this litigation. Because the ABC had to admit they were never able to prove this.” Sky Host Chris Kenny proceeded to accuse Mr Porter of rape, which is he denies, saying it was “disgusting stuff to put into the public arena.” Mr Kroger then ended the interview by again calling for Ms Buttrose to resign. “She’s a failure. She should resign. You can’t get everything right in life. Morrison has got pretty much everything else right. But this was a bad appointment by the Coalition cabinet.” “She’s been a hopeless failure. It’s more biased. This is like a train that has got no driver.”

News

Scott Morrison's direct appeal to Chinese people

Mr Morrison has appealed directly to millions of Chinese people on the social messaging app WeChat to defend Australia’s honour. It follows after a disturbing fake image showing a soldier preparing to kill a child was put out on Twitter by a government official. The Prime Minister insisted that the indecent image would not lessen Australia’s respect for the Chinese community living at home or abroad. “I am extremely proud of all Australians who pull a uniform on for Australia. I am proud of their service and of their dedication to keeping Australia and Australians safe. I am proud of their loyalty to our country and its values,” he said. “Where there are alleged events that have taken place that require action, well we have set up the honest and transparent processes for that to take place. That is what a free, democratic, liberal country does. “The post of a false image of an Australian soldier does not diminish our respect for and appreciation of our Chinese Australian community or indeed our friendship with the people of China.” Mr Morrison created a WeChat account in the lead up to the 2019 election. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839025/scott-morisson-we-chat-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c57cf68ef3f64b5298e4234f05b409a2" /> The Prime Minister went to great lengths in his statement on Tuesday night, adding he had great respect for the Chinese community in Australia. “We acknowledge and greatly appreciate and value the contribution that generations of Chinese migrants have made to Australia,” he said. “Migrants from China have been arriving in Australia for more than two hundred years and Australians of Chinese background have added immensely to our nation.” He went on to praise the community for their adherence to COVID-19 rules and quarantining measures as Australians returned from Wuhan and other parts of China back in March and April of this year. “It was Chinese Australians in particular who provided one of the greatest defences to the COVID-19 pandemic we had in those early weeks,” he said. “They were the ones who first went into self-isolation, they were the ones who were returning from family visits to China and they were coming home and it was through their care, commitment and patience that actually Australia was protected in that first wave. Australians are very grateful for that.” The Chinese Embassy reacted with a blistering statement, accusing Mr Morrison of “overreacting” to the tweet. “We would like to further stress the following: The rage and roar of some Australian politicians and media is nothing but misreading of and over-reaction to Mr Zhao’s tweet,” the statement said. “The accusations made are simply to serve two purposes. One is to deflect public attention from the horrible atrocities by certain Australian soldiers. “The other is to blame China for the worsening of bilateral ties. There may be another attempt to stoke domestic nationalism.” China’s state-controlled media has urged Scott Morrison to “kneel down on the ground” and “slap himself in the face” over the alleged war crimes in Afghanistan. “Morrison should kneel down on the ground, slap himself in the face, and kowtow to apologise to Afghans – all these should be done in a live telecast,” the editor wrote. “No matter what harsh words people use on them for the murder, the Australian government should have accepted it. How dare they talk back and say they are offended!”

News

Can you see which train is going in the wrong direction?

A new brainteaser has left people scratching their heads as they attempt to find out which train is going in the wrong direction in the picture. The brainteaser was created by Heathrow Express UK and can be solved if you spend a few minutes to “look closely”. "This puzzle is a bit of a head-scratcher but the train is in there somewhere if you look closely. "Thankfully catching the right train in real life is much easier – especially if you travel the smart way." Can you see which train is going in the wrong direction? <img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7816550/1_500x333.jpg" alt="1 (100)"/> Scroll through the gallery above to see the answer. Did you solve the brainteaser? Let us know in the comments below.

Mind

Can you spot which plane is going in the wrong direction?

While a plane flying in the wrong direction might be the stuff of every air traffic controller’s worst nightmares, today’s it’s the source of a tricky brainteaser. The image, released by <a href="https://www.aph.com/" target="_blank">Airports Parking and Hotels</a> (APH) asks people to scope out where the offending plane is on the map, but it isn’t easy by any stretch of the imagination with 100 white planes on a red and blue background. <img width="498" height="315" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7266845/plane-wrong-direction-text_498x315.jpg" alt="Plane -wrong -direction -text"/> Image credit: Airport Parking and Hotels Have you spotted it yet? Still stumped? Simply scroll through the gallery above for the anser. Hero image credit: Airport Parking and Hotels

Mind

Qantas launches first direct flight between UK and Australia

On Thursday, Qantas offered tickets for a direct flight between London and Perth. Daily flights on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft will embark on the new route from 25 March 2018. The return fares for the first ever direct flight start at $1, 893. The direct Perth flight will take 17 hours to carry onboard passengers 9.000 miles. The airline said this change was the next step of improvement of the “kangaroo route”. We’ve said the Qantas Dreamliner is a game changer, and that’s becoming real today,” said Alan Joyce, the chief executive of Qantas. “The kangaroo route has kept changing with new technology. It used to take four days and seven stops but now we’re able to link Australia and UK in a single hop. It’s a level of convenience Australians have never had before.” Passengers travelling from Melbourne to London will now be able to transfer in Perth rather than Dubai. This change will reduce travel time by more than an hour Qantas said and return fares could drop as low as £900 during special deals. This new flight will be the longest Qantas flight and the longest Dreamliner flight in the world. Joyce has expressed that Qantas have focused on comfort in the Dreamliner cabins and that the airline would offer a lower seat count than most of its competitors. “We’re conscious that this is a long flight, but not much longer than our Sydney to Dallas service,” he said. “It’s the kind of route that the Dreamliner was created for, because of its built-in features to reduce jet lag and improve the overall travel experience.” The route announced in December, is targeted to appeal to both business and tourist travellers. “This route makes Western Australia a new tourism gateway for Australia. We know from our research that there’s a lot of appetite to explore the west, not just from British and European visitors but also from Aussies on their way to London. A lot of business travellers, particularly in the resources sector, will stop off in Perth on their way to the UK,” he said.

International Travel

Dame Julie Andrews in Brisbane to direct My Fair Lady

Dame Julie Andrews is in Brisbane as she prepares to open the Opera Australia’s stage production of My Fair Lady. Directing the musical that made her a star more than 60 years after its debut on Broadway, Andrews says she has rediscovered “the wonder” of the beloved musical. "Coming back to it after all this time is to rediscover the wonder of the show," Andrews said. "Who would've thought a story about a professor of phonetics would result in it being probably one of the greatest shows ever for musical theatre?" The 81-year-old actress, who played Eliza Doolittle in the original 1956 stage production, said she felt a sense of pride and nostalgia coming back to the musical. "I've just had the joy of recreating it as it was originally, so that you can see the way it really was, and also finding some new things, freshening some looks occasionally or a take on a line or something like that," she said. My Fair Lady opens at QPAC in Brisbane on Saturday March 19 and runs until April 30.

Retirement Life

Why you need an Advance Health Directive

Chris Nöthling is Associate Aged Care Adviser with Affinity Aged Care Financial Services and author of Doing the Right Thing by Mum and Dad: Residential Aged Care for a Loved One. He is an Accredited Aged Care Professional, who has developed a reputation for helping families navigate the complexities of the aged care system. Gilbert is 93 and has been getting progressively frail for the last 15 years. His eyesight is nearly gone; he struggles to speak and has been living with incontinence for the last five years. Two years ago, his family went through the process of finding an aged care facility for him. The home has treated him well, and he appears to be happy with his living arrangements. Last night, his health took a turn. The facility called his family early this morning to inform Gilbert’s condition had declined overnight, and he is struggling to breathe. They suspect he has pneumonia, and they are about to call for an ambulance to transfer him to the emergency department at the local hospital. His family jumps into their car and rushes to meet him at the hospital. The reception room is a scene of hectic activity. They introduce themselves to the medical registrar on duty, who lets them know they have already admitted Gilbert and have run blood tests and a chest X-ray, which confirm he has pneumonia, and the infection has spread to his blood. The registrar introduces them to the attending physician, who advises Gilbert’s kidneys are failing. He needs a lot of oxygen. He is incoherent and lapsing in and out of consciousness, and they are afraid he may go into cardiac arrest. The doctor advises there are several things they can do for Gilbert. They can put a tube down his throat to help him breathe. They can attach a machine to his kidneys to filter the toxins from his blood, and they can fill his veins with tubes and lines and attach him to life support. If his heart stops, they can perform CPR by pressing with all their weight onto his sternum and pushing. To do this effectively, they will break some of Gilbert’s ribs, because if they don’t push hard enough, the heart doesn't pump blood to the body, and Gilbert will die. The doctor says, doing CPR on an elderly person causes enormous trauma to their chest with a less than likely outcome of success. The most likely outcome will be they crack Gilbert’s ribs, and his final moments are traumatic. He will be surrounded by doctors, not his children. It will be frenetic, traumatic, and painful. Doctors and other medical professionals have an obligation to do everything to keep Gilbert alive, even when there is only a chance he may recover. If Gilbert were conscious and lucid, he could instruct the medical team to stop their intervention, make him comfortable, and create a safe environment for him to go. He could ask them to give him something for the pain, bring his favourite meal, and call for his family to visit him one last time. But Gilbert is incoherent and lapsing in and out of consciousness, so he can’t speak for himself. In the absence of the patient speaking for themselves, the medical specialists must do everything they can to keep the person alive. An Advance Health Care Directive speaks for you, when you cannot speak for yourself, to advise the medical team of your wishes, regarding your healthcare. Just to be clear – your Advanced Health Care Directive cannot ask your doctors to commit a criminal offence. A request for euthanasia would not be followed, as this would be in breach of the law. It is a criminal offence to accelerate the death of another person by an act of omission. It is also an offence to assist another person to commit suicide. An Advance Health Directive gives a person confidence their wishes about health care will be carried out if they cannot decide for themselves. This includes their wishes to refuse medical treatment if they do not want to be put on life support or do not want to have other forms of medical intervention. An Advanced Health Care Directive could include a typical clause like: Everyone responsible for my care should initiate only those measures considered necessary to maintain my comfort and dignity, with particular emphasis on the relief of pain. Any treatment that might obstruct my natural dying should not be initiated or be stopped. Unless required for my dignity and comfort as part of my palliative care, no surgical operation is to be performed on me. The Advanced Health Care Directive may be more specific. It could specify conditions where certain types of care are not called for. It could list conditions, such as the terminal phase of an incurable illness, a persistent vegetative state, permanent unconsciousness (in a coma), or serious illness or injury from which the person is unlikely to recover if they can live without life-sustaining measures. In these circumstances, the directive could instruct on the patient’s preferences, regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation, assisted ventilation, artificial hydration, artificial nutrition, and antibiotics. Anyone can make an Advance Health Care Directive, as long as they are over 18 years of age and capable of understanding their directions and foreseeing the effect of those directions. There are formalities required and some choice, concerning who should be involved. It is not necessary to involve a health professional in preparing an Advanced Health Care Directive, but there may be several advantages in having a doctor or other health professional involved. This is an extract from Chris Nöthling’s <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Doing-Right-Thing-Mum-Dad-ebook/dp/B01I6EDWSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469760483&sr=8-1&keywords=doing+the+right+thing+by+mum+and+dad" target="_blank">Doing the Right Thing by Mum and Dad: Residential Aged Care for a Loved One</a>. Related links: <a href="/health/caring/2016/09/importance-of-spiritual-care-at-end-of-life/">Spiritual care at the end of life can add purpose</a> <a href="/health/caring/2016/09/how-to-talk-to-your-parents-about-aged-care/">How to talk to your parents about aged care</a> <a href="/health/caring/2016/09/tips-to-cope-with-losing-independence-with-age/">Tips to cope with losing independence with age</a>

Caring

Qantas plans 19-hour direct flight from Perth to London

Qantas reveals the possibility of a 19-hour non-stop flight between Perth and London, with chief executive Alan Joyce saying the airline could be servicing the 14,000km route as soon as 2017.The flight is made possible by the new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, which will soon be a part of the Qantas fleet. Mr Joyce told Air Transport world, “The 787-9 has the range to operate such a route. This opens up direct service from Australia to Europe for the first time.”Qantas currently has eight 787-9 aircraft on order, to replace its ageing 747 jumbo jets.If plans come to fruition, this 19-hour flight will become the longest commercial flight in the world. Qantas already flies the longest route in the world (by distance) with its Sydney to Dallas-Fort Worth service, a 13,800-kilometre flight that takes around 14 hours to complete.The 787-9 will reportedly be fitted out with an exclusive crew rest area, and gives passengers access to plenty of connections at either end of the trip. While it remains to be seen if customers will be willing to sit on a plane for 19 hours, it does open exciting possibilities for those visiting Europe.Related links:<a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/09/best-on-time-airlines/">Best airlines for on time performance</a><a href="/news/news/2015/09/qantas-new-ambassador-hugh-jackman/">Qantas has a new (and very handsome) ambassador</a><a href="/travel/international-travel/2015/08/airline-travel-innovations/">7 things changing with airline travel you’ll want to know about</a>

News

5 reasons to buy direct from a winery

If you find a wine that you really enjoy, you might find yourself interested in a trip to their cellar door. There are lots of benefits to buying your wine direct from the winery instead of from an online seller or retail outlet. 1. Price Many wineries can offer a better price per bottle than a retailer can, as they can be more flexible with costs. Many also offer good deals for delivery too, so it always pays to ask. 2. Variety Not many bottle shops would offer the full range of wines from a single wine maker. By visiting the cellar door you can sample and purchase limited edition or interesting new varieties that you may not see elsewhere. 3. Special offers Some wineries offer special deals to those on their mailing list. Avoid missing out on special case prices or free delivery options by putting your email address on their files. 4. Supporting local business Rather than supporting a national supermarket chain (as many bottle shops are owned by them) you will be supporting local families instead. That means you are helping them to keep investing in their product. 5. Forming relationships When you visit a winery you get to speak face to face with the grower or wine maker. You can discuss your likes and dislikes, and over time they will get to know you. From there, they will be able to get in touch when something comes up that you might be interested in, such as a new variety or a special edition wine. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/09/how-to-store-opened-red-wine/">Make your red wine last longer</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/08/creative-ice-cube-ideas/">Creative ice cube ideas for your next party</a> <a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2015/08/mulled-wine/">Mulled wine</a>

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Qantas launches first direct flight between UK and Australia

Dame Julie Andrews in Brisbane to direct My Fair Lady

Why you need an Advance Health Directive

Qantas plans 19-hour direct flight from Perth to London

5 reasons to buy direct from a winery

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