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Beloved star of Mother and Son passes away

<p>Henri Szeps, the cherished award-winning actor who brought warmth and wit to Australian screens for decades, has died at the age of 81.</p> <p>Best known for his role as the well-meaning but exasperated Robert Beare in the much-loved ABC sitcom <em>Mother and Son</em>, Szeps passed away peacefully after a quiet battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A statement released on Thursday confirmed the news, adding that “Henri retained his sense of wonder and joie de vivre until the end”.</p> <p>Szeps revealed his diagnosis in 2021 and had been living in a care facility since last year.</p> <p>Born in a Swiss refugee camp in 1943 to Polish Holocaust survivors, Szeps arrived in Australia as an eight-year-old and went on to become a pillar of the nation’s stage and screen. His career spanned decades, marked by memorable roles not only in television but also in theatre, including turns as Gandalf in <em>The Hobbit</em> and Sigmund Freud in a celebrated stage production.</p> <p>He received an Order of Australia Medal in 2001 in recognition of his contributions to the performing arts, the culmination of a career full of accolades.</p> <p>Alongside Ruth Cracknell and Garry McDonald, Szeps made <em>Mother and Son</em> a household staple during its original 10-year run, which ended in 1994. The show’s enduring popularity led to a recent reboot, a testament to the affection Australians still hold for the original.</p> <p>In addition to his television work, Szeps also starred as Prime Minister Harold Holt in the mini-series <em>Vietnam</em>, acting opposite a young Nicole Kidman, and later performed a series of acclaimed one-man shows before retiring at 70, saying his memory was “no longer up to the task”.</p> <p>He is survived by his wife Mary, their two sons, and four grandchildren.</p> <p>Henri Szeps’ legacy is one of intelligence, humour and deep humanity – on stage, on screen, and in life.</p> <p><em>Images: ABC iView</em></p>

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New study examines the psychological effects of "splitting the bill"

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>When an outing calls for upfront payment, such as admission to the cinema, a play or a theme park, the question of who covers it can shape the tone before the fun even begins.</p> <p>Navigating payment with others – whether colleagues, close friends or new acquaintances – can be <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001689">tricky</a> and interrupt the social dynamic that makes shared experiences so valuable.</p> <p>Our new <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70011">research</a>, published in Psychology and Marketing, suggests the way you approach splitting upfront costs could have some surprising impacts.</p> <p>In some cases, despite the dent in your bank account, covering the full cost of an experience for yourself and someone else could actually make you happier.</p> <p>But this won’t always be the case. And it likely comes down to the different norms and expectations we have for different kinds of relationships.</p> <h2>The experience economy</h2> <p>When times are tough financially, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucv007">psychology suggests</a> people would prefer to spend their money on material goods rather than experiences.</p> <p>Yet despite <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/economy/price-indexes-and-inflation/selected-living-cost-indexes-australia/latest-release">ongoing cost-of-living pressures</a>, there’s evidence to suggest many Australians are <a href="https://www.mediaweek.com.au/mediahub-aussies-prioritise-experiences-over-material-possessions/">prioritising experiences</a>.</p> <figure class="align-right "><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>Experiences are <a href="https://hbr.org/1998/07/welcome-to-the-experience-economy">not just services</a>, but rather about creating memorable events. Compared with material goods, experiences are consistently linked to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucaa047">improved happiness</a>.</p> <p>A big part of the benefit we derive from such experiences hinges on the fact that we <a href="https://doi.org/10.1037/a0030953">share them with other people</a>. Putting money towards experiences lets us spend time with other people and relate to them in ways just buying “stuff” often can’t match.</p> <p>So much so, that factors like <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70011">who we go with</a>, the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucx054">quality of conversations</a> an experience leads to, or the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/00222437211002818">clarity</a> we have about the other person’s interests can have as much of an effect on happiness as the experience content itself.</p> <p>In shared experiences, where money is unavoidable, how does “who pays” affect their well-being benefits? This is the question we posed in our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.70011">latest research</a>, coauthored with Belinda Barton and Natalina Zlatevska.</p> <h2>Going to the movies</h2> <p>We conducted three experiments with 2,640 people and presented them with a common scenario: they would be going to the cinema with either their best friend or a casual acquaintance.</p> <p>We told half of the participants they would split the cost (that is, pay only for their own admission). The other half were told they would cover the whole cost for both themselves and the other person. We then asked them how happy they would be with this purchase.</p> <p>Across the three studies, when participants were with their best friend, they reported they would be happier paying the full amount than they would be splitting the cost. In contrast, when participants were with an acquaintance, we found that how the cost was split had no effect on happiness.</p> <h2>The ‘close friends’ effect</h2> <p>With closer friends, unlike acquaintances and strangers, we often have a different set of norms and expectations – especially surrounding reciprocity.</p> <p>Interactions with close friends usually follow “<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-32735-012">communal norms</a>”. This is where people help each other based on care and need, without expecting something in return.</p> <p>On the other hand, interactions with strangers and acquaintances are more likely to follow “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167293196003">exchange norms</a>”, which prioritise balance and direct repayment.</p> <p>In line with this, we found when participants were with their best friends, their expectations of repayment were lower than with acquaintances when they paid for them. Where participants had higher expectations of repayment, they noted they would be less happy.</p> <h2>Other possibilities</h2> <p>We also tested other ideas, such as whether who pays would affect how smooth the conversation felt or whether it created awkwardness in the dynamic.</p> <p>We also examined whether the payment felt like an investment in the relationship, or whether it made the other person think more positively of the participant.</p> <p>We found that none of these really changed depending on who paid and how close the two people were, so they didn’t seem to explain why paying for a close friend felt better.</p> <p>Instead, norms around reciprocity in different types of relationships can make paying feel more transactional than a kind gesture. This, in turn, affects how happy it makes us feel.</p> <h2>So, should I spend all my money on my friends?</h2> <p>While our research suggests paying for others can make you happier, we don’t recommend budgeting your life savings for this cause.</p> <p>We limited our experiments to inexpensive experiences (that is, the cinema). So, it’s unlikely paying for your friend’s 2026 Europe trip will bring you ultimate happiness.</p> <p>Also, if your friend already owes you money, you might expect them to pay you back sooner, and footing the bill again could start to wear thin on your happiness.<!-- 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/261557/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/aimee-e-smith-2436183">Aimee E. Smith</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Net Zero Observatory, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</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/time-to-ditch-splitting-the-bill-shouting-a-close-friend-could-actually-make-you-happier-261557">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

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Star of The Cosby Show dies aged 54

<p>Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who became a household name playing Theo Huxtable on <em>The Cosby Show</em>, has died at age 54 in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica.</p> <p>Warner drowned on Sunday afternoon while swimming at Playa Cocles, a beach on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, according to the country’s Judicial Investigation Department. Authorities said he was caught in a current and pulled out to sea. Though beachgoers managed to bring him to shore, Costa Rica’s Red Cross responders found him unresponsive. He was later taken to the local morgue.</p> <p>Warner’s death marks the tragic end of a career that spanned four decades and helped shape American television in the 1980s and beyond. Cast at age 13 after a wide talent search, Warner’s portrayal of Theo – the only son in the Huxtable household – earned him an Emmy nomination in 1986 and made him a relatable and iconic figure for a generation of viewers.</p> <p>Among the show’s most memorable moments was Theo’s heartfelt debate with his father about responsibility in the pilot episode, and his comic misadventures with a homemade designer shirt gifted by his sister Denise, a scene many fans still recall with fondness.</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/DMYaVaqSR14/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/DMYaVaqSR14/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tracee Ellis Ross (@traceeellisross)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Born on August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after Malcolm X and jazz legend Ahmad Jamal. He was raised by his mother, Pamela, who became his manager and guided his early interest in the arts. He later attended The Professional Children's School in New York to pursue acting seriously.</p> <p>Though forever linked to his role on <em>The Cosby Show</em>, Warner successfully carved out a diverse career in the decades that followed. He starred in <em>Malcolm &amp; Eddie</em>, the BET sitcom <em>Read Between the Lines</em>, played a popular returning character in <em>Community</em>, and more recently appeared in acclaimed dramas such as <em>American Crime Story</em> and <em>The Resident</em>. He also earned a Grammy Award for best traditional R&amp;B performance and received a spoken word nomination for his poetry album Hiding in Plain View.</p> <p>In a 2015 interview with the Associated Press, Warner expressed both pride in the cultural significance of <em>The Cosby Show</em> and sadness over its legacy being overshadowed by the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby.</p> <p>"My biggest concern is when it comes to images of people of colour on television and film," Warner said. "We've always had <em>The Cosby Show</em> to hold up against that. And the fact that we no longer have that, that's the thing that saddens me the most – because in a few generations the Huxtables will have been just a fairytale."</p> <p>He also shared his deep commitment to his craft and his drive to evolve as an artist: “I grew up with a maniacal obsession with not wanting to be one of those 'where are they now kids.’ I feel very blessed… to be where I am now and finally at a place where I can let go of that worry about having a life after <em>Cosby</em>.”</p> <p>Warner was married and had a daughter, though he kept their identities private. His representatives and those of Bill Cosby declined to comment following news of his death.</p> <p>Malcolm-Jamal Warner leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work, creative versatility, and a deeply personal connection with millions of viewers who watched him grow up on screen.</p> <p><em>Images: NBC / Supplied</em></p>

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Will your private health insurance cover surgery? What if your claim is rejected?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>The Australian Competition &amp; Consumer Commission (ACCC) <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/bupa-in-court-for-unconscionable-conduct-and-misleading-consumers-about-health-insurance-benefits-entitlements">has fined Bupa A$35 million</a> for unlawfully rejecting thousands of health insurance claims over more than five years.</p> <p>Between May 2018 and August 2023 Bupa incorrectly rejected claims from patients who had multiple medical procedures, with at least one of those procedures covered under their health insurance policy.</p> <p>Instead of paying the portion of the treatment that was covered, Bupa’s automated systems wrongly rejected the entire claim.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="zxx"><a href="https://t.co/GycZXpr7NP">https://t.co/GycZXpr7NP</a></p> <p>— Melissa Sweet (@MelissaSweetDr) <a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaSweetDr/status/1940955350582415771?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Bupa admitted these errors were due to system problems and poor staff guidance, and has <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/bupa-in-court-for-unconscionable-conduct-and-misleading-consumers-about-health-insurance-benefits-entitlements">started to recompensate members</a>.</p> <p>So you may be worried whether your private health insurance will cover you for the procedures you need.</p> <p>Here’s what you need to know about the different types of hospital cover. And if your claim is rejected, what to do next.</p> <h2>From basic to gold</h2> <p>As of March 2025, <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/quarterly-private-health-insurance-statistics">45.3% of Australians</a> have private health insurance for hospital cover. There are four tiers: <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/private-health-insurance/what-private-health-insurance-covers/hospital-cover-and-product-tiers#private-health-insurance-product-tiers-gold-silver-bronze-and-basic-cover">basic, bronze, silver and gold</a>.</p> <p>Each tier has a minimum set of “<a href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/private-health-insurance-reforms-gold-silver-bronze-basic-product-tiers-campaign-fact-sheet_1.pdf">clinical categories</a>”. These are groups of hospital treatments that must be covered.</p> <p>For example, basic hospital cover only has three mandatory inclusions: rehabilitation, hospital psychiatric services and palliative care. But this is “restricted” cover, meaning patients will often still have to pay substantial out-of-pocket costs for these services.</p> <p>Basic cover is entry-level cover, mainly for people who want to avoid the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/private-health-insurance-rebate/lifetime-health-cover">Lifetime Health Cover loading</a> and the <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/medicare-and-private-health-insurance/medicare-levy-surcharge">Medicare Levy Surcharge</a>. These are both ways of encouraging people to take up private health insurance while young and keeping it, especially people on higher incomes.</p> <p>At the other end of the scale is gold cover, which includes unrestricted cover for all defined clinical categories, including pregnancy and birth.</p> <p>You can generally change your level of cover at any time. When you upgrade to include new services or increase benefits for existing services, you will need to serve new waiting periods for those new or increased benefits.</p> <p>A common waiting period is 12 months for pre-existing conditions (any ailment, illness or condition that you had signs or symptoms of during the six months before upgrading, even if undiagnosed), and for pregnancy and birth-related services. But there is generally only a two-month waiting period for psychiatric care, rehabilitation or palliative care, even if it’s for a pre-existing condition.</p> <p>It’s a good idea to review your policy every two years because your health needs and financial circumstances can change.</p> <h2>How much do companies pay out?</h2> <p>The proportion of premiums that are paid out to cover medical claims is known as the “average payout ratio”. And this has been about <a href="https://privatehealthcareaustralia.org.au/the-facts-about-health-insurance-and-private-hospitals/">84–86%</a> over most of the past 20 years.</p> <p>This does not mean your health insurer will pay out 84–86% of your individual claim. This national average accounts for the percentage of all premiums in any one year, across all insurers, that’s paid out in claims.</p> <p>The payout ratios vary by insurer and are <a href="https://www.ama.com.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/AMA%20Budget%20Submission%202025-2026%20Private%20Health_0.pdf">slightly higher for not-for-profit health insurers</a> than for-profit insurers.</p> <p>That’s because for-profit health insurers have pressure to deliver profits to shareholders and have incentives to minimise payouts and control costs.</p> <p>If not properly managed, these incentives may result in higher out-of-pocket expenses and denied claims.</p> <h2>Why has my claim been rejected?</h2> <p>Common reasons for claims to be rejected include:</p> <ul> <li> <p>the policy excluded or restricted the clinical category</p> </li> <li> <p>the waiting period was not served</p> </li> <li> <p>incorrect information (for example, a doctor billed an incorrect item number)</p> </li> <li> <p>what’s known as “mixed coverage” (as in the Bupa scandal), where not everything in a claim is covered, but the entire claim is declined.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>What if I think there’s an error?</h2> <p>If your health insurance company refuses your claim, you can request a detailed explanation in writing.</p> <p>If you believe your claim has been incorrectly denied, you can make a formal complaint directly with the insurer. For this you need to check your policy documents, and gather supporting evidence. This may include detailed invoices, medical reports, referral letters and correct item numbers.</p> <p>If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the health fund’s internal review, or the fund doesn’t respond with the specific time-frame (for instance, 30–45 days), you can escalate your complaint.</p> <p>You can get in touch with the <a href="https://www.ombudsman.gov.au/complaints/private-health-insurance-complaints">Commonwealth Ombudsman</a> (phone: 1300 362 072). This provides a free, independent complaint handling service for a range of consumer issues, including health insurance.</p> <p>Bupa customers concerned about a “mixed coverage” claim can <a href="https://www.bupa.com.au/health-insurance/mixed-coverage">contact the company directly</a>.</p> <h2>What can governments do?</h2> <p>The Bupa scandal, along with ongoing concerns about transparency and rising out-of-pocket costs, highlights the need for policy reforms to better protect consumers.</p> <p>The government should require health insurers and health-care providers to give clear estimates of all potential out-of-pocket costs for a procedure before it happens. This would avoid unexpected bills and help consumers make informed decisions about their health care.</p> <p>The government could also let the ACCC or the <a href="https://www.apra.gov.au/">Australian Prudential Regulation Authority</a> conduct regular, independent audits of insurers’ claims systems and practices.<!-- 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/260702/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/yuting-zhang-1144393">Yuting Zhang</a>, Professor of Health Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</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/will-my-private-health-insurance-cover-my-surgery-what-if-my-claim-is-rejected-260702">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Kampus Production</em></p> </div>

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Veteran Aussie soap star diagnosed with cancer

<p>Beloved Australian-born actor Tristan Rogers has been diagnosed with cancer, just eight months after making his final appearance on <em>General Hospital</em>, the soap that made him a household name.</p> <p>The 79-year-old is currently undergoing treatment in hospital, with his family and medical team by his side. The sad news was confirmed by his longtime representative Anthony Turk, who said the actor is "working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan" and that this is “a challenging time for Tristan and his family”.</p> <p>"As they face both the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis, the family kindly asks for privacy and understanding," Turk said in a statement. “They are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and love from their friends and family.”</p> <p>Rogers, who played the charming and quick-witted Robert Scorpio on <em>General Hospital</em> for over four decades, has expressed gratitude to his loyal fan base.</p> <p>“Tristan sends his love to his fans and wants them to know how much he appreciates their loyalty and encouragement over the years,” the statement read. “This support means more to him now than ever.”</p> <p>Rogers first stepped into the role of Scorpio in 1980, becoming a mainstay of the daytime drama for 17 years before his character was written off – only to return, soap-style, from the dead in 2006. His final scenes aired on November 12, 2024, during the show’s 62nd season, when Scorpio departed Port Charles with his ex-wife, Holly Sutton.</p> <p>Throughout his storied career, Rogers also featured in <em>The Bay</em>, <em>Studio City</em>, <em>The Young and the Restless</em>, and <em>The Love Boat</em>. His performance in Studio City earned him a Daytime Emmy Award in 2020,  a career high point he later called “numbing” and “exciting”.</p> <p>Born in Melbourne, Rogers got his start in Australian TV staples like <em>Bellbird</em>, <em>Number 96</em>, <em>The Box</em> and <em>Division 4</em>, before relocating to the United States, where he found international fame.</p> <p>He has been married to Teresa Parkerson since 1995, and the couple share two children: daughter Sara Jane, 32, and son Cale, 28.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Why mental health might be picking your postcode

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Ever felt like where you live is having an impact on your mental health? Turns out, you’re not imagining things.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40440745/">new analysis</a> of eight years of data from the <a href="https://www.psych.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/new-zealand-attitudes-and-values-study.html">New Zealand Attitude and Values Study</a> found how often we move and where we live are intertwined with our mental health.</p> <p>In some respects, this finding might seem obvious. Does a person feel the same living in a walkable and leafy suburb with parks and stable neighbours as they would in a more transient neighbourhood with few local services and busy highways?</p> <p>Probably not. The built and natural environment shapes how safe, supported and settled a person feels.</p> <p>We wanted to know to what extent a person’s mental health is shaped by where they live – and to what degree a person’s mental health determines where they end up living.</p> <h2>Patterns over time</h2> <p>Most research on the environmental influences on mental health gives us a snapshot of people’s lives at a single point in time. That’s useful, but it doesn’t show how things change over time or how the past may affect the future.</p> <p>Our study took a slightly different approach. By tracking the same people year after year, we looked at patterns over time: how their mental health shifted, whether they moved house, their access to positive and negative environmental features, and how the areas they lived in changed when it came to factors such as poverty, unemployment and overcrowding.</p> <p>We also looked at things like age, body size and how much people exercised, all of which can influence mental health, too.</p> <p>To make sense of such complex and interconnected data, we turned to modern machine learning tools – in particular <a href="https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/random-forest">Random Forest algorithms</a>. These tools allowed us to build a lot of individual models (trees) looking at how various factors affect mental health.</p> <p>We could then see which factors come up most often to evaluate both their relative importance and the likely extent of their influence.</p> <p>We also ran <a href="https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/monte-carlo-simulation">Monte Carlo simulations</a>. Think of these like a high-tech crystal ball, to explore what might happen to mental health over time if neighbourhood conditions improved.</p> <p>These simulations produced multiple future scenarios with better neighbourhood conditions, used Random Forest to forecast mental health outcomes in each, and then averaged the results.</p> <h2>A negative feedback loop</h2> <p>What we uncovered was a potential negative feedback loop. People who had depression or anxiety were more likely to move house, and those who moved were, on average, more likely to experience worsening mental health later on.</p> <p>And there’s more. People with persistent mental health issues weren’t just moving more often, they were also more likely to move into a more deprived area. In other words, poorer mental health was related to a higher likelihood of ending up in places where resources were scarcer and the risk of ongoing stress was potentially higher.</p> <p>Our study was unable to say why the moves occurred, but it may be that mental health challenges were related to unstable housing, financial strain, or the need for a fresh start. Our future research will try to unpick some of this.</p> <p>On the flip side, people who didn’t relocate as often, especially those in lower-deprivation areas, tended to have better long-term mental health. So, stability matters. So does the neighbourhood.</p> <h2>Where we live matters</h2> <p>These findings challenge the idea that mental health is just about what’s inside us. Where we live plays a key role in shaping how we feel. But it’s not just that our environment affects our minds. Our minds can also steer us into different environments, too.</p> <p>Our study shows that mental health and place are potentially locked in a feedback loop. One influences the other and the cycle can either support wellbeing or drive decline.</p> <p>That has real implications for how we support people with mental health challenges.</p> <p>In this study, if a person was already struggling, they were more likely to move and more likely to end up somewhere that made life harder.</p> <p>This isn’t just about individual choice. It’s about the systems we’ve built, housing markets, income inequality, access to care and more. If we want better mental health at a population level, we need to think beyond the individual level. We need to think about place.</p> <p>Because in the end, mental health doesn’t just live in the mind; it’s also rooted in the places we live.<!-- 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/260491/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/matthew-hobbs-1138967">Matthew Hobbs</a>, Associate Professor and Transforming Lives Fellow, Spatial Data Science and Planetary Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/sheffield-hallam-university-846">Sheffield Hallam University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/chris-g-sibley-406029">Chris G. Sibley</a>, Professor in Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-auckland-waipapa-taumata-rau-1305">University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/elena-moltchanova-1530664">Elena Moltchanova</a>, Professor of Statistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canterbury-1004">University of Canterbury</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/taciano-l-milfont-1172215">Taciano L. Milfont</a>, Professor in Environmental Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-waikato-781">University of Waikato</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-our-mental-health-determined-by-where-we-live-or-is-it-the-other-way-round-new-research-sheds-more-light-260491">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Mizzu Cho</em></p> </div>

Mind

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Aussie MasterChef star sacked over allegations of racism

<p>Australian-British chef John Torode has been sacked from his long-standing role as a presenter on <em>MasterChef UK</em> after an allegation he used a racist term was upheld by an independent legal investigation.</p> <p>A spokesperson for production company Banijay UK confirmed on Tuesday that Torode’s contract will not be renewed, following the outcome of an internal probe led by law firm Lewis Silkin.</p> <p>“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint,” the company said in a statement.</p> <p>“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”</p> <p>The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie described the situation as “serious” and said the broadcaster had “drawn a line in the sand”.</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/DMIyRGDsn6h/?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/DMIyRGDsn6h/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by John Torode (@johntorodecooks)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Torode, who has fronted the hit cooking competition since its 2005 relaunch, claimed he first learned of his dismissal through media reports.</p> <p>“Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay – I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of,” he said in a statement shared to Instagram.</p> <p>“I hoped that I'd have some say in my exit from a show I've worked on since its relaunch in 2005, but events in the last few days seem to have prevented that.”</p> <p>Torode said he had “loved every minute” of his time on the show but acknowledged “it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else”.</p> <p>The allegations relate to an incident in 2018 or 2019, reportedly in a social setting. Torode said he was told the individual involved did not believe the comment was intended maliciously and that he had apologised immediately.</p> <p>“I have absolutely no recollection of any of this, and I do not believe that it happened,” he wrote. “However, I want to be clear that I've always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment.”</p> <p>He added that he was “shocked and saddened” by the outcome of the investigation and “would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”</p> <p>Torode’s exit follows the recent sacking of his longtime co-presenter Gregg Wallace, after more than 40 allegations of inappropriate behaviour – including unwelcome physical contact – were substantiated in a separate report commissioned by Banijay UK.</p> <p>The twin departures mark the end of an era for MasterChef UK, with both presenters having fronted the show for nearly two decades. The BBC and Banijay have not yet announced who will replace them.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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What happens the moment you give up alcohol

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a <a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/hangovers">pounding head</a> or <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-i-get-so-anxious-after-drinking-heres-the-science-behind-hangxiety-240991">anxiety</a>, to <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/what-are-the-effects-of-alcohol#longterm-effects">long-term</a> effects including <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health">cancer</a>.</p> <p>If you are thinking about taking some time off alcohol, you’ll find many quick wins and long-term gains for your health.</p> <p>How long will you have to wait to feel the benefits?</p> <p>We’ve made a timeline – based on scientific research – that shows what you might feel in the first days, weeks, months and years after taking a break from alcohol.</p> <p>Some benefits start immediately, so every day without alcohol is a win for your health.</p> <p><iframe id="tc-infographic-1187" class="tc-infographic" style="border: none;" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1187/3a7f432af336224429f29c110db908db78417797/site/index.html" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <h2>After one day</h2> <p>Alcohol takes <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-does-alcohol-stay-in-your-system">around 24 hours</a> to completely leave your body, so you may start noticing improvements after just one day.</p> <p>Alcohol makes you <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20497950">need to urinate more often</a>, causing dehydration. But your body can absorb a glass of water <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3351614">almost immediately</a>, so once alcohol is out of your system alcohol dehydration is reduced, improving digestion, brain function and energy levels.</p> <p>Alcohol also reduces the liver’s ability to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573079">regulate blood sugar</a>. Once alcohol leaves the system, blood sugar begins to normalise.</p> <p>If you are a daily drinker you may <a href="https://www.healthline.com/health/alcoholism/withdrawal#symptoms">feel a bit worse</a> to start with while your body adjusts to not having alcohol in its system all the time. You may initially notice disrupted sleep, mood changes, sweating or tremors. Most symptoms usually resolve in about a week without alcohol.</p> <h2>After one week</h2> <p>Even though alcohol can make you feel sleepy at first, it <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444626196000240">disrupts your sleep cycle</a>. By the end of an alcohol-free week, you may notice you are <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08870446.2020.1743840">more energetic</a> in the mornings as a result of getting better quality sleep.</p> <p>As the body’s filter, the liver does much of the heavy lifting in processing alcohol and can be easily damaged even with <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523233262">moderate drinking</a>.</p> <p>The liver is important for cleaning blood, processing nutrients and producing bile that helps with digestion.</p> <p>But it can also regenerate quickly. If you have only mild damage in the liver, <a href="https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/lyl-alcohol-and-the-liver/#:%7E:text=Because%20the%20liver%20is%20able,weeks%20after%20giving%20up%20alcohol">seven days may be enough</a> to reduce liver fat and heal mild scarring and tissue damage.</p> <p>Even small amounts of alcohol can <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353">impair brain functioning</a>. So quitting can help <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/357/bmj.j2353">improve brain health</a> within a few days in light to moderate drinkers and <a href="https://movendi.ngo/science-digest/quitting-alcohol-can-improve-cognitive-function-for-people-experiencing-severe-alcohol-use-disorder-in-just-18-days/">within a month</a> even for very heavy dependent drinkers.</p> <h2>After one month</h2> <p>Alcohol can make <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/alcohol-and-mental-health">managing mood</a> harder and worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. After a few weeks, most people start to <a href="https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/a-z-topics/alcohol-and-mental-health#:%7E:text=Regular%20heavy%20drinking%20is%20linked,few%20weeks%20of%20stopping%20drinking.">feel better</a>. Even very heavy drinkers report better mood after <a href="https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/what-to-expect-when-you-quit-drinking">one to two months</a>.</p> <p>As your sleep and mood improve you may also notice <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32216557/">more energy and greater wellbeing</a>.</p> <p>After a month of abstinence regular drinkers also report <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32216557/">feeling more confident</a> about making changes to how they drink.</p> <p>You may <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/5/e020673">lose weight</a> and body fat. Alcohol contains a lot of <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Alcohol-and-weight-gain">kilojules</a> and can trigger hunger reward systems, making us overeat or choose less healthy foods when drinking.</p> <p>Even your skin will thank you. Alcohol can make you look <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31531169/">older</a> through <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alcoholic-skin#summary">dehydration and inflammation</a>, which can be reversed when you quit.</p> <p>Alcohol <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5513683">irritates the gut</a> and disrupts <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c6731">normal stomach functioning</a>, causing bloating, indigestion, heartburn and diarrhoea. These symptoms usually <a href="https://publications.aap.org/pediatricsinreview/article-abstract/18/8/282/36760/Alcoholic-Gastritis">start to resolve</a> within <a href="https://arcr.niaaa.nih.gov/media/671/download">four weeks</a>.</p> <p>One month of abstinence, <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/multimedia/vid-20536756">insulin resistance</a> – which can lead to high blood sugar – <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/5/e020673">significantly</a> reduces by 25%. <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/blood-pressure">Blood pressure</a> also reduces (by 6%) and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/cancer-growth-factor">cancer-related growth factors</a> declines, lowering your risk of cancer.</p> <h2>After six months</h2> <p>The liver <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33868869/">starts to repair</a> within weeks. For moderate drinkers, damage to your liver could be <a href="https://britishlivertrust.org.uk/lyl-alcohol-and-the-liver">fully reversed</a> by six months.</p> <p>At this point, even heavy drinkers may notice they’re better at <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4590616">fighting infections</a> and feel healthier overall.</p> <h2>After one year or more</h2> <p>Alcohol contributes to or causes a large number of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html#:%7E:text=Other%20chronic%20diseases,your%20chances%20of%20getting%20sick">chronic diseases</a>, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and seven different types of cancer, as well as mental health issues. All of these risks can be reduced by quitting or cutting back on alcohol.</p> <p>Alcohol increases <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254">blood pressure</a>. High blood pressure (hypertension) is the <a href="https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/hypertension/">top risk factor</a> for death in the world. A small <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12493255/">2mmHg increase in blood pressure</a> above the normal range (120mmHG) increases death from stroke by 10% and from coronary artery disease by 7%.</p> <p>Cutting back on alcohol to less than two drinks a day can <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure/faq-20058254">reduce blood pressure significantly</a>, reducing risk of stroke and heart disease. Reducing blood pressure also <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045868">reduces risk</a> of kidney disease, eye problems and even erectile dysfunction.</p> <p>With sustained abstinence, your risk of getting any type of cancer drops. <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2795595">One study</a> looked at cancer risk for more than 4 million adults over three to seven years and found the risk of alcohol-related cancer dropped by 4%, even for light drinkers who quit. Reducing from heavy to moderate drinking reduced alcohol-related cancer risk by 9%.</p> <h2>Making a change</h2> <p>Any reduction in drinking will have some noticeable and immediate benefits to your brain and general health. The less you drink and the longer you go between drinks, the healthier you will be.</p> <p>Whether you aim to cut back or quit entirely, there are <a href="https://theconversation.com/trying-to-cut-back-on-alcohol-heres-what-works-179664">some simple things</a> you can do to help you stick with it:</p> <ul> <li> <p>set clear goals plus the smaller steps you need to take to get there</p> </li> <li> <p>pay attention to the benefits you notice from quitting</p> </li> <li> <p>monitor your progress with a <a href="https://hellosundaymorning.org/drink-tracker/">Drink Tracker</a></p> </li> <li> <p>get support from others, for example Hello Sunday Morning’s anonymous <a href="https://hellosundaymorning.org/daybreak-app/">Daybreak app</a>, <a href="https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au">SMART Recovery</a>, <a href="https://www.counsellingonline.org.au">CounsellingOnline</a> or <a href="https://www.soberinthecountry.org">Sober in the Country</a>.</p> </li> </ul> <p>If you are still wondering about whether to make changes or not you can check your drinking risk <a href="https://hellosundaymorning.org/nib_alcohol_self-assessment/">here</a>.</p> <p>If you have tried to cut back and found it difficult you may need professional help. Call the National Alcohol and other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 and they will put you in touch with services in your area that can help. You can also talk to your GP.</p> <p><em>We would like to thank Dr Hannah MacRae for assistance in identifying the research used in this article.</em><!-- 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/249272/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/nicole-lee-81635">Nicole Lee</a>, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katinka-van-de-ven-159873">Katinka van de Ven</a>, Alcohol and other drug specialist, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-sydney-1414">UNSW 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/even-a-day-off-alcohol-makes-a-difference-our-timeline-maps-the-health-benefits-when-you-stop-drinking-249272">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Pexels / </em><em>Helena Lopes</em></p> </div>

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"Enough is enough": MasterChef star opens up on career scandals

<p>Celebrity chef and former <em>MasterChef Australia</em> judge George Calombaris has revealed the full extent of the personal and professional toll a series of scandals took on his life, including a $3 million hit to his business and a private struggle with alcohol addiction.</p> <p>In a candid interview on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/ouzo-talk/id1590955229" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ouzo Talk podcast</a>, the once high-flying restaurateur said the fallout from multiple controversies and the pandemic left him at rock bottom.</p> <p>“After Covid hit, I’m suddenly sitting in Melbourne, which is shut for now two years, sitting with my pyjamas on … looking at my phone going there’s no emails, there’s nothing to do (and I) start drinking daily,” Calombaris said.</p> <p>“I’ll never forget three months down the track I lost it one night. I got in my car, drove down the road, I don’t know where [I was]. My brother found me pissed as a fart.</p> <p>“And that was a moment, he really slapped it out of me and went enough is enough.”</p> <p>Calombaris rose to fame as a judge on <em>MasterChef Australia</em> in 2009, quickly becoming a fan favourite and building a multimillion-dollar hospitality empire. But by 2017, his reputation began to unravel after a string of public scandals.</p> <p>That year, he was caught on camera shoving a 19-year-old football fan at the A-League grand final. The incident led to an assault charge, which was eventually overturned in 2018 on appeal. Calombaris was placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond and the conviction was struck from his record.</p> <p>“It was six months of pain you know, I had to go in and out of court three times, hire one of the best KC’s of the time,” he said. “I reckon it cost around 3 million bucks that, in loss of endorsements … Ridiculous, stupid, I would have rather taken that $3 million and given it to charity.”</p> <p>In 2019, Calombaris and his hospitality group, Made Establishment, admitted to underpaying roughly 500 current and former staff members $7.8 million over six years. The revelation sent shockwaves through the industry and the public.</p> <p>“We love in Australia [to] never let the truth get in the way of a good story,” Calombaris said. “The truth of the matter is that we overpaid and underpaid 51 per cent of our crew and 49 per cent of them, we had 550 team members and we found the problem.”</p> <p>“We went to Fair Work, we owned up and we paid.”</p> <p>The company repaid staff wages and superannuation and was fined a $200,000 “contrition payment” by the Fair Work Ombudsman.</p> <p>Later that year, Calombaris and fellow judges Matt Preston and Gary Mehigan left <em>MasterChef</em> after a breakdown in contract negotiations. Then came the pandemic.</p> <p>Alone, unemployed, and with Melbourne in lockdown, Calombaris spiralled, until a wake-up call from his brother forced him to confront his drinking and begin to rebuild his life.</p> <p>His story now serves as a sobering look at the cost of fame, failure and, ultimately, recovery.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Hollywood star sings to her mother in hospital during cancer battle

<p>Kate Beckinsale has shared an emotional video of herself singing to her mother, Judy Loe, as the 77-year-old remains in hospital while bravely battling stage four cancer.</p> <p>The tender moment, posted to Instagram, shows the <em>Underworld</em> actress gently serenading her mum with the Everly Brothers’ 1958 song Bye, Bye Love, revealing the choice had a deeply personal meaning. “When my mum was 14, she was in a harmony group with her best friends Mary, Sylvia (known as Fuzzy to this day because of an unfortunate perm decades ago), and Chris,” Beckinsale wrote. “I am a very poor substitute not being a very good singer but I want my mum’s dearest and oldest friends in her hospital room with her.”</p> <p>Beckinsale, 51, thanked her mother’s friends and signed off the post with love and humour, saying, “Love you all but most especially my mum. X and apologise to anybody in the hospital subject to my dreadful singing 🤍.”</p> <p>While the cause of Loe’s current hospital stay is unclear, the actress and her mother have been enduring wave after wave of heartbreak. Earlier this year, the family lost Roy Battersby, Loe’s husband and Beckinsale’s stepfather, who passed away at 87. He was a renowned British television director and a guiding presence in their lives.</p> <p>In a previous post, Beckinsale opened up about the compounding grief that’s taken a severe toll on her health. “I watched my stepfather die quite shockingly, my mother has stage 4 cancer, and I lost a lot of weight from stress and grief, quite quickly,” she wrote.</p> <p>She went on to reveal that the emotional strain had physical consequences. “I was in hospital for six weeks because the grief had burned a hole in my oesophagus which made me vomit copious amounts of blood, and I found eating very hard.”</p> <p>Support has poured in for Beckinsale online, with many followers sending kind messages. One wrote: “Bless you, darling Kate. I wish we could hold our mums’ hands and hearts forever and ever.”</p> <p>As she continues to care for her mother through unimaginable pain, Beckinsale’s heartfelt video stands as a raw and powerful reminder of the depth of love and the quiet ways we try to ease each other’s suffering.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Why on earth does cafe coffee taste so much better than homemade?!

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>If you start reading the labels of the various milks at the supermarket, you’ll quickly find different fat levels, added nutrients like calcium, lactose-free options, milk from goats or sheep, and ones made from plants.</p> <p>Both at the supermarket and at your local café you’ve probably also seen cartons labelled “barista milk”. These can be dairy or plant milks marketed for making specialist coffee drinks such as flat whites, lattes and others.</p> <p>But what exactly makes a product a barista milk, and how does it differ from regular milk?</p> <h2>What is ‘milk’, anyway?</h2> <p>“Milk” is a regulated term. <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2015L00462/latest/text">Food Standards Australia New Zealand</a> sets requirements on fat and protein contents for dairy milk, and it has to come from “milking animals”. These standards also state what can be added or modified; only plant sterols (a supplement to reduce blood cholesterol) are allowed.</p> <p>Despite the name, plant-based milks aren’t bound by a specific “milk” standard. Instead, they fall under broader beverage regulations, which is why you’ll see a wide variety of ingredients, protein levels, sugars and fats from one brand to the next.</p> <p>Because of this regulation, manufacturers are careful to make it absolutely clear what is in the carton or bottle so there’s no confusion between cow’s milk and soy milk, for example.</p> <h2>What is barista milk, then?</h2> <p>Barista milks, whether dairy or plant-based, are specifically formulated to foam more reliably, with a finer texture and longer-lasting bubbles.</p> <p>For cow’s milk, this almost always means higher protein content: about 4–5% in barista milk compared to the 3.3–3.5% in regular milk. You’ll often see “milk solids” listed in the ingredients; this is another name for dried skim milk, added to boost the protein content.</p> <p>Plant-based barista milks (such as soy, oat or almond) will vary a lot more, depending on the manufacturer and the plant base.</p> <p>The most common additives in plant-based barista milks are:</p> <ul> <li>vegetable oils for creaminess and thickness</li> <li>gums (such as <a href="https://www.foodingredientfacts.org/facts-on-food-ingredients/sources-of-food-ingredients/gellan-gum/">gellan</a> or <a href="https://www.foodingredientfacts.org/facts-on-food-ingredients/sources-of-food-ingredients/locust-bean-gum/">locust bean gum</a>) to increase thickness</li> <li><a href="https://www.acs.org/molecule-of-the-week/archive/m/maltodextrin.html">maltodextrin</a> (a processed starch), also for thickness, and</li> <li>emulsifiers such as <a href="https://www.foodingredientfacts.org/facts-on-food-ingredients/sources-of-food-ingredients/lecithin/">lecithin</a> – to help stop the fats and water from splitting apart.</li> </ul> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/673858/original/file-20250612-62-s01j00.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Close-up of a stainless steel pitcher with milk foam." /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">The foam in frothed milk happens through a complex interaction of ingredients and temperature.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/steam-frothing-milk-under-pressure-coffee-1580168296">Dmytro Vietrov/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>The science of a good foam</h2> <p>Foam is essentially <a href="https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-1-4471-3807-5_1?pdf=chapter%20toc">gas bubbles suspended in a liquid</a>. Its stability depends on a complex interaction of <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-41661-4_24">proteins, fats</a>, <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/sm/d4sm00518j">sugars and other components</a>, as well as the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958694608000873#sec3">temperature</a> at which the milk was foamed.</p> <p>In cow’s milk, proteins such as casein and whey form <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-41661-4_24#citeas">ball-like structures that easily rearrange to stabilise foam</a>. These proteins help the milk fat and water stay held together, which is why dairy-based barista milks foam easily and the foam lasts longer.</p> <p>Fat plays a more complex role depending on temperature – there’s a sweet spot for a good foam.</p> <p>In cold cow’s milk, the fats are semi-solid and will make the foam collapse by breaking the bubble walls. But when heated above 40°C, these fats melt, spread better throughout the milk and easily interact with proteins to help form and stabilise the bubbles.</p> <p>However, <em>overheating</em> the milk (above 70°C) <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5355583/">cooks and breaks</a> the whey protein balls, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958694608000873#sec3">making it harder to create foam</a>.</p> <h2>How barista plant milks work</h2> <p>Plants make vastly different proteins compared to cows. However, the physical shape of proteins found in <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/sm/d4sm00518j">soy and oat milks is also ball-like</a>, making them good for foaming just like cow’s milk.</p> <p>That’s generally why you see soy and oat milks used in cafes. Barista versions of plant milks often have added vegetable oils to help mimic the fat–protein interaction in dairy. It’s what makes the milk foam stable and the liquid feel creamy.</p> <p>Some – but not all – barista plant milks will also have thickeners because they <a href="https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlehtml/2024/sm/d4sm00518j">help the foam last longer</a>.</p> <p>Compared to soy and oat, almond milk is naturally low in protein. So almond barista milks will almost always contain gums, starches and emulsifiers along with added vegetable oil.</p> <p>Many plant milks also contain added sugars for flavour, since they lack the natural lactose found in dairy.</p> <h2>Is barista milk worth it?</h2> <p>Many plant-based milk formulations, especially barista ones, contain added gums, manufactured starches and emulsifiers. This qualifies them as “ultra-processed foods”, according to the <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/2A9776922A28F8F757BDA32C3266AC2A">United Nations’ classification system</a>.</p> <p>While the plant-based milk might not be inherently overly harmful, this classification invites reflection on how far these products have moved from their original, natural source.</p> <p>On the environmental side, plant-based milks typically have a <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-023-00400-z">lower impact than cow’s milk</a>. They use less land and water and produce fewer greenhouse gases.</p> <p>Barista milks usually <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01-08/is-it-worth-spending-more-on-barista-alternative-milk/104692788">cost significantly more</a> than their regular counterpart. This premium reflects the added ingredients and research and development cost of optimising foaming and drinking characteristics.</p> <p>For cafés, the cost is often justified because barista milks produce a more predictable and consistent end product, leading to better customer satisfaction.</p> <p>For home use, it depends on your own level of foaming skill and how much you value a perfect flat white every time.<!-- 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/258583/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/david-chua-759559">David Chua</a>, Senior Research Projects Officer, Centre for Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-ball-14718">Lauren Ball</a>, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</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/whats-the-difference-between-barista-milk-and-regular-milk-its-what-gets-added-to-it-258583">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Pexels / </em><em>Chevanon Photography</em></p> </div>

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“It was an honour to have met her": Beloved TV star passes away at 96

<p>Australia is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved television personalities, Emmie Silbery, who has passed away at the age of 96 following a long battle with dementia.</p> <p>Emmie captured the hearts of viewers nationwide as a cherished member of the Silbery family trio on <em>Gogglebox Australia</em>, alongside her daughter Kerry and granddaughter Isabelle. On Monday, a heartbroken Isabelle confirmed the news of Emmie’s death with a deeply emotional tribute on Instagram.</p> <p>“Our Emmie, waited for me to come home for one last snuggle,” Isabelle wrote. “Her last words, ‘I’m ready to hang up now’.”</p> <p>Fans knew Emmie for her warmth, wit and wisdom, and for many, she felt like a member of their own family. Her presence on screen from 2015 brought generations together, and her absence in recent seasons was sorely felt.</p> <p>“She was 96, an orphan, a nurse, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, the oldest woman on TV, a great grandmother, an author and so much more,” Isabelle continued in her post. “Thank you for loving her as much as we did and will forever. Have a big rest now — you deserve it. Xxxxx.”</p> <p>Tributes have since poured in from across the country, with fellow <em>Gogglebox</em> cast members and Aussie celebrities expressing their grief and gratitude for having known her.</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/DL1b0z8TCQ9/?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/DL1b0z8TCQ9/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Isabelle Richards (Silbery) (@isabellesilbery)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Beautiful Emmie. Words can’t describe what you meant to so many of us,” wrote Angie Kent. “Thank you for the countless laughs, tears, goosebumps and memories! Rest now. Your girls are so loved and looked after.”</p> <p>“It was an honour to have met her. She was a truly special woman. May she rest in peace,” commented Matty Fahd.</p> <p>Longtime co-stars Lee and Keith Riley described their heartbreak in a poignant message: “Our hearts are so heavy with sadness. Emmie was our adopted grandmother to Keith and I as we lost our grandparents years ago. You told us so many stories about your life and now they are memories for us to keep. Rest in peace, sweetheart you’ll never be far from our hearts.”</p> <p>Australian media figures also offered their condolences. Lisa Wilkinson wrote: “I’m so sad to hear the news Isabelle. What a beautiful, talented, giving soul she was, and so loved by us all. I hope she knew that. Glad you got that last snuggle. Sending love to you and your wonderful mum.”</p> <p>Actress Pia Miranda added: “I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you and your family all the love. She was an icon.”</p> <p>In February 2023, Emmie officially stepped back from the show following her dementia diagnosis. At the time, her family shared the sad news with fans in a heartfelt message, saying, “It’s been a very challenging time for our family and we’ve had to make some difficult decisions. Emmie has been diagnosed with dementia and we wanted to be transparent about this as many families experience it.”</p> <p>Despite her declining health, Emmie made a touching final appearance in January this year during a cast reunion, where she was embraced by her co-stars in an emotional and affectionate gathering.</p> <p>“It was great to see our darling Emmie again,” wrote Lee and Keith in a video post from the day, showing the joy and love she continued to inspire, even in her final chapter.</p> <p>A symbol of strength, humour and family, <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Emmie Silbery's</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of those who knew her, both on and off screen.</span></p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Sleep divorce: could sleeping separately from your partner lead to a better night’s rest?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Hundreds of years ago, it was common for married couples among the European upper classes to have separate bedrooms. Sleeping separately was a <a href="https://www.bedstar.co.uk/sleep-talk/queens-and-kings-separate-beds.html">symbol of luxury and status</a> historically reserved for royalty and the very wealthy.</p> <p>Nowadays, it’s common for married couples and other couples in relationships to sleep in the same bed. But sometimes – for reasons from conflicting schedules to snoring to sleep talking – couples might choose to sleep separately in pursuit of a better night’s sleep.</p> <p>This is known as “sleep divorce”. Though I prefer the term “sleep separation”, as this doesn’t have to be a permanent arrangement – but more on that later.</p> <p>So why might couples choose to sleep separately? And what does the evidence say about the effects on sleep quality if you sleep alone versus with a partner?</p> <h2>Why do couples opt for a sleep separation?</h2> <p>Couples may choose to sleep apart if one partner’s sleep is disturbing the other’s, or both are disrupting one another. This can happen for a variety of reasons.</p> <p>These include waking up frequently in the night, mismatched body clocks (for example, one person coming to bed later than the other), conflicting schedules (for example, shift workers), snoring, twitching legs or sleep talking.</p> <p>Parents with babies and young children may choose to sleep separately to avoid both partners’ sleep being disturbed.</p> <p>Those with conflicting preferences for sleeping environments, such as one partner liking a cool room with a fan and the other preferring warmth, may also decide to sleep apart.</p> <h2>What are the benefits of sleeping alone?</h2> <p>Many couples <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22609123/">say they prefer</a> to sleep – and sleep better – next to their partner.</p> <p>But when scientists measure sleep objectively, such as via an electroencephalogram (EEG) to assess brain waves, the data actually shows <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22609123/">poorer sleep quality</a> when co-sleeping. So sleeping alone may, in fact, mean better quality and longer sleep.</p> <p>Research also shows when one member of the couple has a sleep disorder, such as insomnia or <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/obstructive-sleep-apnoea">sleep apnoea</a> (where breathing is frequently interrupted during sleep), these people often inadvertently <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10818830/">wake up their partner</a> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31553049/">when they wake</a> in the night. So sleeping alone could be a good idea if your bed partner has a sleep disorder.</p> <p>What’s more, <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/02654075231193449">studies have found</a> <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2644899/">sleep disturbances</a> are linked to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15164910/">reduced relationship satisfaction</a>. So sleeping apart could actually mean happier couples.</p> <p>Finally, anyone who has struggled with their sleep will know anxiety around sleep is common. Many clients I have seen who experience insomnia report sleeping alone can alleviate some of their anxiety because at least they know they won’t disturb, or be disturbed by, their partner.</p> <h2>Are there any downsides to separate sleeping arrangements?</h2> <p>Some people dislike sleeping alone, reporting comfort, and feelings of safety and protection when sleeping alongside their partner – and loneliness when they don’t.</p> <p>Sleeping separately also requires two rooms, or at least two beds. Many couples may not have these options available to them in their home.</p> <p>Sleeping separately is <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-22/couples-on-why-they-love-sleeping-separately/102448812">often stigmatised</a>, with some people seeing it as the death of a couple’s sex life. But while sleeping in separate beds may provide fewer opportunities for sex, this doesn’t necessarily mean the end of intimacy.</p> <p>Sleeping apart could mean some couples actually have more sex. We know better sleep is linked to more <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2644899/">positive feelings about relationships</a>, so it’s possible the desire to be intimate could increase after a good night’s sleep in separate beds. Sleeping apart may even mean some couples have more energy to be intimate.</p> <p>Nonetheless, if you choose to sleep separately from your partner, it’s important to have an open discussion and prioritise opportunities for connection and intimacy. One client I worked with referred to “visiting rights” where her partner came into her bed for a short period before sleep or in the morning.</p> <h2>Who should potentially consider a sleep separation?</h2> <p>You may wish to think about a “sleep separation” if you are disturbing each other’s sleep, have young children, or have different preferences in terms of temperature, light and noise, which are causing issues.</p> <p>Ultimately, if sleeping in the same bed is leading to poor sleep then sleeping apart, if it’s possible, could help.</p> <p>If you can’t sleep separately there may be other ways to reduce disturbance from a partner such as using an eye mask, white noise or earplugs.</p> <p>If you decide to try a sleep separation, remember this can be a flexible arrangement or “re-set” and doesn’t have to be permanent, or every night. Some couples find sleeping separately during the working week but sharing a bed on the weekend works well for them.</p> <p>Lastly, it’s important to talk to your GP about any persistent sleep problems, such as snoring, insomnia, or unusual behaviour during sleep (for example, shouting or walking around), as there may be an underlying sleep disorder which needs treating.<!-- 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/258085/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/alix-mellor-2406858">Alix Mellor</a>, Research Fellow, Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash 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/sleep-divorce-could-sleeping-separately-from-your-partner-lead-to-a-better-nights-rest-258085">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Pexels / </em><em>Kampus Production</em></p> </div>

Relationships

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"Devastated": Football star dies at 28, just days after wedding

<p>Liverpool and Portugal football star Diogo Jota has died in a tragic car crash in Spain, just days after celebrating his wedding to long-time partner Rute Cardoso.</p> <p>The 28-year-old forward was killed alongside his younger brother, 26-year-old Andre Silva, in the early hours of Thursday morning near Zamora in north-western Spain. Authorities confirmed the pair died at the scene after their Lamborghini suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking, veered off the road, and burst into flames.</p> <p>The heartbreaking accident comes less than two weeks after Jota married Rute in Portugal on June 22. The couple, who shared three children, had posted a joyful photo from their wedding day with the caption: “Yes to forever.”</p> <p>Now, that forever has been cruelly cut short.</p> <p>Jota had only recently capped off one of the most successful periods of his career. In May, he helped Liverpool clinch the English Premier League title, contributing six goals across the season. He also featured for Portugal in their dramatic UEFA Nations League final win over Spain last month, coming off the bench in extra time before his team triumphed in a penalty shootout.</p> <p>In a statement, Liverpool FC expressed their devastation:</p> <p>“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” it read. “We will be making no further comment at this time and request privacy for the family, friends, teammates, and club staff as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”</p> <p>Portuguese football is also in mourning. Pedro Proenca, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, paid tribute to both brothers, describing Jota as “much more than a fantastic player... an extraordinary person, respected by all.”</p> <p>“We have lost two champions,” he added. “The passing of Diogo and Andre Jota represents an irreparable loss for Portuguese football and we will do everything we can to honour their legacy.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Everyone at the Premier League is shocked and devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre. Our sincerest condolences go to Diogo’s family, friends, Liverpool FC, and all their supporters at this heartbreaking time. Football has lost a champion… <a href="https://t.co/KG4coUHY1P">pic.twitter.com/KG4coUHY1P</a></p> <p>— Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/1940707922608054436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Jota made almost 50 appearances for the national team and was known as much for his spirited play as for his humility and positivity off the pitch. A minute’s silence was held ahead of Portugal’s Women’s Euros match against Spain on Thursday, following a request from the federation.</p> <p>Jota’s career began at Paços de Ferreira in Portugal, before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2016. He was loaned to Porto and then moved to England, joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2017. His performances at Wolves were electric, helping the club earn promotion and firmly establish themselves in the Premier League.</p> <p>Wolves, where Jota is still adored by fans, released a heartfelt statement: “We are heartbroken. Diogo was adored by our fans, loved by his teammates and cherished by everyone who worked with him. The memories he created will never be forgotten.”</p> <p>He joined Liverpool in 2018, quickly becoming a vital part of Jurgen Klopp’s side. In the 2021-22 season, he played key roles in Liverpool’s FA Cup and League Cup victories, scoring in both final shootouts against Chelsea.</p> <p>Off the field, Jota was a dedicated family man, sharing a quiet life away from the spotlight with Rute and their three young children.</p> <p>The world of football – and the families of both men – are reeling from the loss. </p> <p>Jota was 28. Andre Silva was 26.</p> <p><em>Images: X (Formerly Twitter)</em></p>

Caring

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Iconic Hollywood star found dead at 67

<p>Michael Madsen, the gravel-voiced Hollywood tough guy who made his mark in Quentin Tarantino's blood-soaked cinematic universe, has died. He was 67.</p> <p>The veteran actor was found unresponsive at his Malibu home on Thursday morning and later pronounced dead, authorities confirmed. His manager, Ron Smith, said the cause of death was cardiac arrest.</p> <p>Known for portraying menacing antiheroes and morally ambiguous outlaws, Madsen built a career playing unforgettable characters on the fringes of society – from the ear-slicing Mr. Blonde in <em>Reservoir Dogs</em> to the washed-up hitman Budd in <em>Kill Bill: Vol. 2</em>.</p> <p>“In the last two years Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film... and was really looking forward to this next chapter in his life,” his team – managers Ron Smith and Susan Ferris, along with publicist Liz Rodriguez – said in a joint statement. “He was one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors, who will be missed by many.”</p> <p>Over a career spanning four decades, Madsen became a cult figure, equally at home in gritty crime thrillers, indie dramas, and blockbuster fare. His smouldering screen presence, weary stare, and distinctive voice earned him dozens of roles — many of them dangerous, unpredictable, and unforgettable.</p> <p>Born in Chicago on September 25, 1957, Madsen was the son of a firefighter and a filmmaker. His sister, Virginia Madsen, is an Oscar-nominated actor. He got his start on stage at Chicago’s renowned Steppenwolf Theatre, where he apprenticed under John Malkovich – an experience that shaped his early work in films like <em>WarGames </em>and <em>The Natural</em>.</p> <p>But it was 1992’s<em> Reservoir Dogs</em> that turned Madsen into a cinematic icon. As Mr. Blonde, the sadistic criminal who danced gleefully to “Stuck in the Middle With You” while torturing a cop, he etched one of the most disturbing, charismatic villains in film history. His performance earned praise from critic Roger Ebert, who wrote, “Madsen… emerges with the kind of really menacing screen presence only a few actors achieve.”</p> <p>He was originally cast to play Vincent Vega in <em>Pulp Fiction</em>, a role that eventually went to John Travolta after Madsen opted instead for Wyatt Earp – a decision he later said he regretted.</p> <p>Still, his collaborations with Tarantino remained a defining element of his career. Beyond <em>Reservoir Dogs</em> and <em>Kill Bill</em>, Madsen appeared in <em>The Hateful Eight</em> and <em>Once Upon a Time in Hollywood</em>, helping bring the director’s stylised worlds to life with quiet intensity and simmering menace.</p> <p>Outside of Tarantino’s orbit, Madsen racked up credits in films like <em>The Doors</em>, <em>Donnie Brasco</em>, <em>Thelma & Louise</em>, <em>Sin City</em>, and even the James Bond adventure <em>Die Another Day</em>. He also lent his voice to video games including Grand Theft Auto III and Dishonored, and published poetry and photography that revealed a softer, more introspective side.</p> <p>Though his name became synonymous with grit and danger, Madsen's passion for art in all forms endured. His independent film work remained prolific until the end, with several projects – <em>Resurrection Road</em>, <em>Concessions</em>, and <em>Cookbook for Southern Housewives</em> – still on the horizon.</p> <p>Madsen was married three times, most recently to DeAnna Morgan. He is survived by four children, including actor Christian Madsen. His son Hudson tragically died in 2022, a loss that friends say weighed heavily on him.</p> <p>Michael Madsen may have spent much of his screen life on the edge, but behind the gruff exterior was a fiercely devoted artist who never stopped working, creating or chasing the next role. He leaves behind a legacy of fearless performances, an indelible mark on American cinema – as well as a generation of fans who will never hear “Stuck in the Middle With You” the same way again.</p> <p><em>Images: X (Formerly Twitter)</em></p>

Caring

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The Project has been axed – but someone forgot to change the passwords

<p>Move over, NSW Police social media team – there’s a new sheriff in town, and they’re armed with memes, mischief and exactly zero supervision.</p> <p>Despite <em>The Project</em> being officially axed by Network Ten last Friday, the show’s Instagram account has come alive with the kind of unhinged humour usually reserved for group chats and late-night impulse tweets. And the results? Glorious chaos.</p> <p>“The bosses really should have changed the password from Password1,” read the first sign that something was afoot – or at least, afootloose.</p> <p>What followed was a gleeful digital coup. “Well, well, well, look who is in charge now… It’s me! The social media hero (that’s what I call myself),” the mystery admin announced. “So, one question: what should I do with these accounts?”</p> <p>So far, the self-appointed “social media hero” has shared six rogue posts that are funnier than half the comedy on TV right now – and that’s not just our opinion. Former co-host Lisa Wilkinson chimed in with, “I am SO HERE FOR THIS!!” while Rove McManus, part-owner of the show’s production company, added, “I just assumed the news stopped when we did.” Mood.</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/DLhO6vEzFDv/?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/DLhO6vEzFDv/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Project (@theprojecttv)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Other ex-<em>Project</em> personalities Gorgi Coghlan and Georgia Love offered moral support in the form of popcorn and laughing emojis, which in 2025 might as well be legal tender.</p> <p>But the rogue admin isn’t just here for the nostalgia. They’ve been keeping up with current events – kind of. One post featured a video of a woman being taken out by wild winds during this week’s “bomb cyclone” in NSW.</p> <p>“We have been off air for less than a week, and a woman has been knocked over by a fridge box?” read the caption. “You just can’t make this stuff up.”</p> <p>Honestly? This person deserves their own spin-off show. Or at the very least, a raise – assuming they’re still employed.</p> <p>No word yet from Ten HQ, but we suspect someone in middle management is frantically Googling “how to revoke Instagram access”.</p> <p>Until then, we live, laugh and like.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

TV

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What is aflatoxin, the toxic chemical behind Coles’ peanut butter recall?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Coles <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-recalls/recall-alert/coles-supermarkets-peanut-butter-smooth-1kg-and-peanut-butter-crunchy-1kg">is recalling</a> two of its homebrand peanut butter products, over concerns they have been contaminated with aflatoxin, a toxic chemical linked to liver cancer.</p> <p>The supermarket chain <a href="https://www.coles.com.au/help/safety/product-recalls/coles-smooth-and-coles-crunchy-peanut-butter-1kg">has issued the recall notice</a> for Coles Smooth Peanut Butter 1kg and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg, with the best before date of February 5 2027. They were sold in supermarkets and online nationally between May 1 and June 30 this year.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">⚠️ Food recall notice⚠️<br />Coles Supermarkets are conducting a recall on Coles Smooth and Coles Crunchy Peanut Butter 1kg with all best before dates 5/2/27. The recall is due to Biotoxin (aflatoxin) contamination. The product has been available at Coles Supermarkets and online. <a href="https://t.co/7eunBttfD3">pic.twitter.com/7eunBttfD3</a></p> <p>— Queensland Health (@qldhealth) <a href="https://twitter.com/qldhealth/status/1939606370791325892?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 30, 2025</a></p></blockquote> <p>Aflatoxin can cause injury or illness if eaten, according to Australia’s <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/food-recalls/recall-alert/coles-supermarkets-peanut-butter-smooth-1kg-and-peanut-butter-crunchy-1kg">food safety authority</a>.</p> <p>But what is aflatoxin? How does it get into food? And what is the risk if you eat it?</p> <h2>What is aflatoxin? Where does it occur?</h2> <p>Aflatoxins are a toxic chemical (a mycotoxin) produced by fungi. The mould-like fungi that produce aflatoxins belong to a large group called <em><a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/mycology/fungal-descriptions-and-antifungal-susceptibility/hyphomycetes-conidial-moulds/aspergillus#aspergillus-flavus-complex">Aspergillus</a></em>.</p> <p>These fungi are found in all environments, for example in soils, compost, building surfaces and on crops and other plants, and can cause infections or poisoning <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/Peanut%20pistachio%20and%20aflatoxins.pdf">in humans and animals</a>.</p> <p><em>Aspergillus flavus</em> and <em>Aspergillus parasiticus</em>, which produce aflatoxins, thrive mainly in agricultural crops but also in soils, rotting food and compost. The fungi emerge as spores and form networks of microscopic filaments that can grow on products such as grains and nuts.</p> <p>As these fungi grow they release a range of chemicals, including aflatoxins, that <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins">can lead to contamination</a> of produce before and after harvest, or after processing.</p> <p>Aflatoxins are some of the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins">most poisonous types</a> of mycotoxin.</p> <p>Different kinds of aflatoxins <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/natural-toxins-food/mycotoxins">usually affect</a> contaminated food (aflatoxins B1, B2, G1), crops (G2) and milk (M1).</p> <h2>Which foods are most risky?</h2> <p>Crops produced and stored in warm, humid or moist tropical locations are most at risk, as toxin-producing moulds <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/natural-toxins-food/mycotoxins">thrive in these conditions</a>.</p> <p>High-risk foods include peanuts, corn and tree nuts (such as brazil, walnut and pistachio nuts). The toxin-producing fungi <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins">can also grow</a> on wheat, rice, <a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/sorghum-grain">sorghum</a> and spice crops such as turmeric, chilli, ginger and coriander.</p> <p>If animals graze on contaminated crops, their milk and meat can also become contaminated.</p> <p>Internationally, the Joint Food and Agriculture Administration and World Health Organization is responsible for setting guidelines and monitoring standards for mycotoxins via its <a href="https://www.who.int/groups/joint-fao-who-expert-committee-on-food-additives-(jecfa)/about">expert committee on food additives</a>.</p> <p>In Australia, aflatoxin food contamination <a href="https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-11/Peanut%20pistachio%20and%20aflatoxins.pdf">is not common</a>. In the past decade, there have only been <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/language/urdu/en/article/australian-supermarkets-revealed-to-be-selling-dangerous-or-banned-foods/r8z2f4pvf">a handful of recalls</a>.</p> <h2>Why are aflatoxins dangerous?</h2> <p>Aflatoxins can damage your liver and cause cancer.</p> <p>Eating <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins">a lot of contaminated foods</a> over a short period of time can lead to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557781/">aflatoxicosis</a>, acute poisoning that immediately damages the liver. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and convulsions, and may be life-threating.</p> <p>Over <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/natural-toxins-food/mycotoxins">a long period</a>, smaller amounts of contaminated foods can lead to liver cancer, birth defects, kidney disease and immune system dysfunction.</p> <p>There is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557781/">no specific treatment</a> for alfatoxins. Management after acute or long-term exposure focuses on addressing symptoms and monitoring liver health.</p> <h2>How can I stay safe?</h2> <p>There is <a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/natural-toxins-food/mycotoxins">not much individuals can do</a> to control the presence of aflatoxin and other mycotoxins in foods, as contamination occurs during agriculture and processing.</p> <p>You should store nuts and nut products in a way that stops mould growing. Use well-sealed containers kept in dry and cool conditions.</p> <p>Freezing and cooking may <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/24/13322">kill the fungi</a>, but the toxin can survive extreme temperatures.</p> <p>Unfortunately, it is difficult to see the fungi with the naked eye. However <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mycotoxins">you should avoid</a> visibly mouldy foods and throw away nuts and grains that are shrivelled or discoloured.</p> <h2>What should I do if I’ve bought or eaten these products?</h2> <p>Coles <a href="https://www.coles.com.au/help/safety/product-recalls/coles-smooth-and-coles-crunchy-peanut-butter-1kg">has advised</a> customers to return the products to stores and contact its hotline for more information (1800 061 562).</p> <p>If you’re concerned you may have eaten contaminated peanut butter, speak to a health professional.<!-- 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/260194/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/thomas-jeffries-1511629">Thomas Jeffries</a>, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/charles-oliver-morton-2423921">Charles Oliver Morton</a>, Senior Lecturer in Medical Microbiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney 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/what-is-aflatoxin-the-toxic-chemical-behind-coles-peanut-butter-recall-260194">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Queensland Government</em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

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"Bring back The Project!": Viewers divided over new Channel 10 show

<p>Just weeks after Channel 10 confirmed the shock axing of <em>The Project</em>, its replacement show <em>10 News+</em> made its prime-time debut – and reactions have been anything but quiet.</p> <p>The new current affairs program, hosted by seasoned journalists Amelia Brace and Denham Hitchcock, launched Monday night with bold promises and a serious tone, setting itself apart from its long-running predecessor.</p> <p>“Firstly, we’re not here to tell you what to think. We’re not here to scare or depress you,” Hitchcock told viewers in the show’s opening minutes. “We will give you facts, information you can trust, the truth,” Brace added, outlining the show’s mission for “digging deeper with investigations and original reporting you won’t see anywhere else”.</p> <p>Despite landing a world-exclusive with convicted drug smuggler Debbie Voulgaris – speaking from a prison cell in Taiwan – and featuring an interview with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the show failed to win over many of <em>The Project</em>’s former fans.</p> <p>“Seriously Channel 10!” one viewer wrote on social media. “There’s enough depressing news already out there and now you’ve brought it to us at 6pm! Bring back The Project.”</p> <p>Another slammed the show as “A Current Affair, yawn!” while one frustrated viewer branded it “a SNOOZE FEST of a show with NO SOUL”, accusing the network of underestimating its audience.</p> <p>“Cut and paste of Channel 9’s A Current Affair. Not interested. Already changed channel,” another viewer declared.</p> <p>The comparisons to <em>A Current Affair</em> – and the shift in tone from <em>The Project</em>’s lighter, panel-style format – were a recurring theme in the online backlash.</p> <p>“Genuine feedback and not at all a criticism of the hosts,” one person commented, “but this show is so vastly different from The Project and more like A Current Affair. It’s not unique... Was it just a cost-cutting measure all along?”</p> <p>Others went even further, suggesting the show might not last the year. “Give it a month,” one viewer said. Another quipped, “Are the hosts AI-generated?”</p> <p>Still, <em>10 News+</em> wasn’t without its defenders. Some viewers praised the show’s content and approach.</p> <p>“Loving @10NewsPlus – strong launch story. Is this the new Schapelle Corby story we all need to know about?” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter). “10 News should be very proud.”</p> <p>“I liked 10 News+. It was very interesting and I liked the interview with the astronaut,” another added.</p> <p>For now, Channel 10 is betting on its revamped format to reinvigorate its 6pm slot. Whether audiences warm to the serious tone – or keep demanding the return of <em>The Project</em> – remains to be seen.</p> <p><em>Images: Network 10</em></p>

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"It hurts like a b***h!" TV star axed ahead of 2026 season

<p>After nearly a decade at the helm, longtime <em>Australian Survivor</em> host Jonathan LaPaglia has been axed from the show ahead of its 2026 season.</p> <p>LaPaglia, 55, who has hosted the Channel 10 reality series since its 2016 revival, confirmed in an emotional Instagram post that he had been “blindsided” by the decision, delivered via a phone call from the network.</p> <p>“<em>Australian Survivor</em> has seen some of the most epic blindsides over the last 10 years, but this one might just be the craziest of them all… because it happened to me,” LaPaglia wrote.</p> <p>He explained that Channel 10 thanked him for his contribution but said they were “going in a different direction” after recent ratings dips, prompting what he described as not a tribe swap, but a “HOST SWAP®.”</p> <p>LaPaglia, who has already filmed the upcoming 13th season titled <em>Australia v The World</em>, described the decision as painful.</p> <p>“I wish I could say, ‘Before we go to vote, tonight is a little different….no one’s going home.’ But I can’t. None of that non-elim bulls**t tonight! Someone IS going home. And with no idol in my back pocket, that someone is me,” he said.</p> <p>He also paid tribute to the show’s crew, contestants and loyal fans, calling it “one of the greatest adventures” of his career. “It is without a doubt the hardest challenge of all to snuff my own torch,” he added. “But here goes; ‘JLP… the tribe has spoken.’”</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/DLghpD-tzIv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;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/DLghpD-tzIv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by @jonathanlapaglia</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While no official replacement has been named, it’s widely rumoured that <em>Survivor</em> alum and <em>Deal or No Deal Island</em> winner David Genat, 45, will step into the role. Genat, who won<em> Australian Survivor: All Stars</em> in 2020, recently <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/money-banking/aussie-tv-star-wins-9-2m-on-game-show-the-largest-in-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">made global headlines</a> after winning a staggering $US5.8 million ($A9.2 million) on the US game show.</p> <p>LaPaglia will return for one final season when <em>Australia v The World</em> airs later this year – an instalment he has called “probably our best season EVER” – then ended it all with one last thought on being let go from the network this way:</p> <p>"Whoever said a blindside is the most humane way to put someone down is an idiot. It hurts like a b***h!”</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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Neighbours star splits from billionaire husband

<p>Former <em>Neighbours</em> actress and pop star Holly Valance has reportedly split from her husband, billionaire property developer and Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy, after 13 years of marriage.</p> <p>According to <em>The Sun</em>, the couple parted ways in recent weeks and are heading for divorce. Valance, 42, and Candy, 52, married in 2012 in a star-studded ceremony in California attended by 300 guests. They share two daughters.</p> <p>“This has been a very difficult period for both Nick and Holly, and they are keeping things private out of respect for their family,” a family friend told the newspaper. “The joint parenting of their two amazing daughters remains their top priority.”</p> <p>“They’ve had to juggle a demanding lifestyle. Between family, public life, and Nick’s intense work commitments, it’s been a tough balance,” the source added. “This is a family matter and they’re doing their best to handle things thoughtfully.”</p> <p>A spokesperson for Valance said there would be no official comment, adding: “The privacy of all parties involved is respectfully requested.”</p> <p>The couple are known for their political connections and involvement with Reform UK. In 2022, they visited former US President Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort, accompanied by party leader Nigel Farage.</p> <p>Valance first rose to fame playing Felicity ‘Flick’ Scully on <em>Neighbours</em> before launching a successful pop career, including her chart-topping debut single “Kiss Kiss” in 2002. She later appeared in a string of television and film roles and reached the semi-finals of <em>Strictly Come Dancing</em> in 2011.</p> <p>Candy is one half of the high-profile Candy brothers, renowned for developing luxury properties in London.</p> <p><em>Image: Woman's Weekly</em></p>

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