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Arrests made after woman ends her life in "suicide pod"

Police in Switzerland have made several arrests in connection with a woman's death in the Australian-made "suicide pod". The 'Sarco' capsule was used for the first time by a 64-year-old American woman who was “immune compromised” and had been in “severe pain” for “at least two years”. The pod is designed for the user to push a button that injects nitrogen gas into the sealed chamber, with the person inside then supposed to fall asleep and die of suffocation in a few minutes. The Sarco machine (short for sarcophagus) was invented by Australian Dr Philip Nitschke, who has been nicknamed “Dr Death”, said the machine had performed exactly as it had been designed", with the woman's death occurring as "expected". “It looked exactly as we expected it to look. My guess is that she lost consciousness within two minutes and that she died after five minutes,” Dr Nitschke told Dutch media. “We saw sudden, small contractions and movements of the muscles in her arms, but she was probably already unconscious by then.” Dr Nitschke claimed the woman “almost immediately” pressed the button, adding, “She didn’t say anything. She really wanted to die.” However, despite the woman's wishes to take her own life, Swiss police announced that several people were taken into custody over the woman's death and are now facing criminal charges, suspected of “inducement and aiding and abetting suicide.” The arrests took place despite the fact that Dr Nitschke had previously told AP that his organisation received advice from lawyers in Switzerland that the use of the Sarco would be legal in the country, where active euthanasia is banned but assisted dying has been legal for decades. Need to talk to someone? Don't go it alone. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 SANE: 1800 187 263; saneforums.org Image credits: Exit International

Caring

"I don't call that a life": Couple sign up to die in double suicide pod

Warning: This article contains sensitive content that some readers may find distressing. A couple from the UK has signed up to be the first to die in a double suicide pod, invented by an Australian doctor, after 46 years of marriage. Peter and Christine Scott, from Suffolk in England’s east, have shared their plans to travel to Switzerland to die together after Ms Scott, a former nurse, was diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia. After meeting at a jazz club, the pair married 46 years ago, and shared that they have opted out of potentially years of hospital treatment and the crippling costs of care which could eat into their life savings. “We have had long, happy, healthy, fulfilled lives but here we are in old age and it does not do nice things to you,” Mr Scott, 86, told<a title="www.dailymail.co.uk" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13825105/Former-RAF-engineer-nurse-wife-sign-British-couple-use-double-suicide-pod-Switzerland-dementia.html"> The Daily Mail</a>. “The idea of watching the slow degradation of Chris’s mental abilities in parallel to my own physical decline is horrific to me,” the former Royal Air Force pilot added. “Obviously I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life”. “I would not want to go on living without her,” he said of his 80-year-old wife. “I don’t want to go into care, to be lying in bed dribbling and incontinent – I don’t call that a life”. As English law does not allow for euthanasia, the couple have planned their trip to Switzerland for the procedure, where Ms Scott has planned out her final days with her husband. “I’d like to go walking with Peter in the Swiss Alps, by a river. I’d have a beautiful plate of fish for my last supper, and enjoy a great bottle of Merlot,” she said. “I’d make a playlist including Wild Cat Blues and The Young Ones by Cliff Richard and I’ve found a poem called Miss Me But Let Me Go, which sums up exactly how I feel”. The suicide pod, known as Sarco, can be turned on with a simple flick of a switch from inside the futuristic capsule that resembles a modern car. The machine was invented by Australian Dr Philip Nitschke, who has long been behind a number of initiatives to allow legal euthanasia in Australia. The 3D printed Sarco capsule ends the lives of those inside by pumping the pod with nitrogen which replaces the oxygen in the pod, which renders the occupants unconscious within about a minute without, its claimed, any panic or distress. With falling oxygen, the person eventually suffocates. Dr Nitschke said the machine is activated by a button from inside the pod. “The capsule for two people works exactly the same as the single Sarco but there is only one button so they will decide between them who will push it,” he told <a title="www.dailymail.co.uk" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13825105/Former-RAF-engineer-nurse-wife-sign-British-couple-use-double-suicide-pod-Switzerland-dementia.html">The Daily Mail</a>. “Then they’ll be able to hold each other”. Image credits: Courtesy of Exit International

Legal

Coles’ new game-changing coffee pods

Over the last two years our coffee habits have certainly changed. There’s been a surge in sales for at-home coffee options, spurred along by pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. Supermarket giant Coles saw a 30% spike in coffee pod sales and a 20% rise in sachet coffee as the nation battled Covid-19. In light of this, Coles have decided to release their very own brand of compostable coffee pod – of course, making it the first major Aussie retailer to do so. “We know how much Australians love drinking quality coffee and the pandemic really has changed the way we drink our coffee,” Coles general manager of grocery Leanne White shared. “More people are reaching for convenient, cafe-style coffee at home as flexible working becomes the norm. With coffee pods becoming so much more popular, we wanted to develop an option for eco-conscious customers to dispose of their pods at home, instead of in their landfill bin.” The new Coles Urban Coffee Culture Organic home compostable pods are made with bio-sourced cellulose and vegetable oils. These break down in about the same amount of time as an orange peel. “We are always looking for ways to reduce problematic and unnecessary single-use plastic from Coles Own Brand products, and offering a home compostable coffee pods option is one way of doing it,” Ms White continued. She described it as a “game-changer” for at-home coffee experiences and for those worried about whether taste would be compromised, Ms White said it still had the “same great taste ... but now with the added bonus of being compostable at home”. Meanwhile, Melbourne-based coffee company Grinders also recently introduced compostable coffee capsules to its popular range. Each of the coffee capsules is made from bio-based, compostable resin and is compatible with all ‘original’ Nespresso coffee capsule machines. Coles has a goal to have all its Own Brand product packaging 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. The pods, which can be used in machines designed for Nespresso-style coffee pods, have been certified by the Australasian Bioplastics Association and will be available in Coles supermarkets from today, for $4.50 for a pack of 10. Images: Getty

Food & Wine

What coffee pods do you use? Barista ranks the top 5 from Coles and Woolies

We know Aussies love a good cup of coffee – and with the increasing popularity of coffee pods, it has become easier for us to create our own brew at home in the morning. But which one is the best on the market? If anyone knows anything about what makes a cuppa great, it’s the decorated Australian barista, Craig Simon. "You don't have to be an amazing barista to make a good coffee at home," Simon said. The three-time Australian Barista champion shared his thoughts on some of the most popular brands with <a rel="noopener" href="https://kitchen.nine.com.au/2019/02/20/18/51/a-current-affair-compares-best-coffee-pods-on-the-market" target="_blank">A Current Affair</a>. Below is his ranking of the five brands reviewed: 1. St Remio, $3.75 for a 10-pack St Remio's STRONG variant topped Simon’s list. "It's a nice coffee, clean sweet, smooth, those chocolate and nut flavours are coming through which I think talks to a really nice coffee," he said, giving it a score of 8/10. 2. Coles, $3.75 for a 10-pack The supermarket home brand followed in number two with its Medium Intensity 6 variant, scoring a 7.5/10. "It's quite pleasant," said Simon. "The thing I would notice about that that's different to all the other coffees is that there's a lot more acidity to a cup, so it's a brighter fruitier cup of coffee if that's your preference." 3. Lavazza, $11 for a 16-pack The Lavazza A Modo Delizioso pods came third. "Definitely a heavier body, it's a lot more weight, but the flavour's not as expressive, there's a more smoky character to it," said Simon. As it was the most expensive choice out of the five, Simon took a few points off. "I would say because of the cost this is lower in my ratings, I would say a 6 and a half to a 7." 4. Nescafe, $8.50 for a 16-pack The popular Nescafe Dolce Gusto Espresso Intenso took the fourth spot with a score of 5.5/10. "It's a fairly thin coffee, but it’s not unpleasant," Simon said. 5. Woolworths, $3.70 for a 10-pack Despite being the most affordable option out of the pack, Simon found Woolies' coffee pod to be the least impressive, giving it a verdict of 5/10. "It's definitely not my preference," he commented. He said the supermarket’s Caffitaly Espresso Roast coffee had a "bold and strong" taste and a "smokey aroma" that could be smelled right away. Don't agree with Simon’s reviews? Consumer advocacy group CHOICE also made <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.choice.com.au/food-and-drink/drinks/tea-and-coffee/articles/coffee-capsules" target="_blank">a list of coffee pod ranking</a>s in 2017, with David and Matthew Gee of Barista Basics Coffee Academy and Anee Sampath of BeanCraft coffee roasters as the taste testers. In their test, Nespresso Arpeggio Intensity 9 came out as the highest-scorer, followed by Woolworths' Intense Intensity 12. Have you tried any of these coffee pods? Let us know in the comments.

Food & Wine

Snoozing in a pod: Trying the latest accommodation trend

Travel writer Justine Tyerman snoozes in a ‘pod’ in Christchurch. I snoozed in a pod the other night. As I nestled down under the cosy duvet, I felt blissfully secure, warm and comfortable as a storm raged outside. I've stayed in many hotels and lodges around the world, from ritzy to rustic, but Snooze in Christchurch is the coolest of them all. Warm, welcoming, friendly and decidedly quirky, it fills a gap at the affordable end of the Christchurch accommodation market. The two-storey facility which opened on November 1 last year, sleeps over 270 guests in a variety of formats. The majority of the accommodation is made up of rooms with eight semi-enclosed ‘pods’, four at ground level, and four accessed by ladder. If you are a group of eight friends or family members, you can have a whole eight- pod room to yourselves. If not, you share with others much like a backpackers hostel… except you have a private capsule with a pull-down blind, a king-single bed with a fitted lower sheet, pillow, duvet, light, fan, temperature control, mirror, power and USB points, and free Wi-Fi. It took me back our days of tramping and ski club huts but with a quantum leap up the scale of comfort, privacy and sophistication. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39800/1_500x333.jpg" alt="1 (194)" width="500" height="333" /> There are eight semi-enclosed ‘pods’ per room, four at ground level, and four accessed by ladder. Unlike the Asian sleeping capsule concept, the pods are surprisingly spacious with plenty of head room to sit up and move around. Underneath there's a sizeable locker with a combination lock for secure storage. Simple, spotlessly clean and shiny, and inviting, pods can be rented per night, per week or by the hour for travellers wanting to sleep between flights. Pod-dwellers share generous, immaculately-clean bathroom and shower facilities just down the hall. For those who don’t want to share, Snooze also offers private single, twin, queen and family rooms with ensuite bathrooms. Cleverly designed to maximise the use of space, the super-comfortable beds are raised higher than usual off the ground providing ample room for bulky cases and packs underneath. The rooms have a large flat screen TV in a wooden frame, a shiny white bathroom with a big mirror, roomy shower, great water pressure . . . and a hairdryer in the bedside cabinet with a note saying ‘It’s the little things that matter’. After two weeks on the road in a motorhome, I beamed at the hairdryer as if I had found hidden treasure. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39801/2_500x333.jpg" alt="2 (187)" width="500" height="333" /> The pods are spacious and inviting. The decor is predominantly white which gives the rooms a clean, bright look but JUCY’s trademark colours pop up on the green doors and purple ‘proverbs’ on the walls like ‘Why stop dreaming when you wake up?’ and ‘Wish it, Dream it, Do it.’ The friendly atmosphere in the shared kitchen and common room also reminded me of the fun we’ve had in tramping huts over the years – travellers from all parts of the globe speaking many different languages, making new friends, cooking together, sharing food, wine and beer, swapping recipes and addresses, and planning the next stage of their adventures. The kitchen, with its long stainless steel bench, cookers, ovens, dishwashers and fridges, was abuzz with activity and animated conversation at dinner and breakfast times. Such a warm, congenial, colourful scene. It was heart-warming to see young travellers from countries whose leaders are not on good terms with each other ignoring the feuds and getting on so well together. The communal concept really appeals to me. The large high-ceiled common room has a variety of dining, sitting, lounging and relaxing options including hammocks, a garden swing, comfy bean bags and oversized cushions. Wi-Fi is free and there are ample power points to recharge technology. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39802/3_500x333.jpg" alt="3 (158)" width="500" height="333" /> Justine in the Snooze common room. During my stay, I noticed a collection of camping gear in one corner of the common room: sleeping bags, tents, eating and cooking utensils, fold-up chairs, a multi-plug board and even a couple of candles, all in good order. A note from Simon, Mieneke and Marjet said: ‘Free camping stuff. Everything is complete and works properly. Enjoy!’ To me, this seemed to typify the generous-natured ethos of the place. Walking distance from the airport, the accommodation complex, owned by New Zealand company JUCY, and has already welcomed over 25,000 guests. Manager Anna Flores from Barcelona says the occupancy rate went from about 60 percent in the first few months to 85-90 percent at the start of this year and is now hovering around 80 percent From Tuesday to Saturday between 3pm and 7pm, a JUCY travel consultant gives free advice and information about what to do and see around New Zealand. The weather was appalling while I was there so Mike was fully occupied, offering suggestions about what to do on a rainy day in Christchurch. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39799/4_500x333.jpg" alt="4 (132)" width="500" height="333" /> The hammocks are a great place to relax. The reception desk is manned 24 hours a day with friendly, knowledgeable, capable staff like Alannah who has been at Snooze since Day 1. There are also two booths providing a computerised check-in process. Snoozers also have access to luggage storage and a laundry with coin-operated washing machines and dryers. A free shuttle service runs at regular intervals between Snooze, JUCY Rentals and Christchurch Airport. Right next door to Snooze, there are cafes, bars, restaurants and a supermarket. Assistant manager Juan Barrera from Mexico says the majority of the guests come from Europe and Asia and are in their 20s and 30s although Snooze is also popular with older travellers and family groups. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39797/5_500x333.jpg" alt="5 (122)" width="500" height="333" /> Artist Wongi Wilson's ‘Pockets of Awesome’. The guests I chatted to raved about the Snooze concept with its informal, convivial, communal vibe. Solo travellers told me it’s a great place to make friends and find travel companions. There’s no such thing as loneliness here, they said.The whole place exudes personality, even the stairwell – it’s decorated with colourful murals depicting Christchurch street scenes. Artist Wongi Wilson calls them ‘Pockets of Awesome’. *Pods range in price from $30 and private rooms from $99. There’s a Snooze in Auckland and one planned for Queenstown. Visit, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.jucysnooze.co.nz/?gclid=CN3Hs_W7rNMCFYuTvQodbSMAIw" target="_blank">www.jucysnooze.co.nz</a>. Image credit: Justine Tyerman

Accommodation

Sea narrowly escapes pod of killer whales

Life on the ocean isn’t always easy, especially when you’re the sort of animal that would make the perfect bit of afternoon tea for a predator like a killer whale. In this video, a seal off the coast of Vancouver, cleverly (and quite narrowly) manages to dodge a pod of killer whales by hitching a ride on a passing boat. The people on the boat are initially quite enamoured with the new stowaway, but when they realise the reason it’s there the expletives start to fly (understandably so). We’re glad the seal made it out okay though. It just goes to show you that sometimes it’s not just the survival of the fittest. You have to have your wits about you as well. Have you ever had a similar wildlife encounter? Let us know in the comments. Video credit: YouTube / kirk fraser Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/06/seal-pup-escapes-bondi-swell/">Tiny seal pup escapes Bondi waves following storm</a> <a href="/travel/domestic-travel/2016/08/elvis-the-seal-finally-released-back-to-the-wild/">Elvis the seal finally released back to the wild</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/07/seals-put-on-show-at-sydney-opera-house/">Seals put on show at Sydney Opera House</a>

News

“Granny pods” act as backyard nursing homes

When it comes to finding a place for an elderly loved ones to enjoy their golden years, most families want to keep their loved ones close by. While some adult children are able to welcome their parents into their homes, others might not have the space or proper facilities for this not be a viable option. The <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2010/05/05/GR2010050505248.html" target="_blank">MEDCottage</a> or “granny pod” is a tiny home that is essentially a portable hospital room designed by a Blacksburg, VA company, with help from Virginia Tech. It acts as more than a guest house, with medical extras that fit nicely into a pre-fabricated design to be installed in the backyard behind the main home. The small dwelling is hooked up to the main home's existing sewer, water and power lines. Standard safety features include hand railings, defibrillators, first aid supplies, lighted floorboards and a soft floor to minimize damage from falls. The cost is around $100,000 to $170,000, with the average price for year in a nursing home sitting at about $40,000. The cottage is about 12 by 24 feet — essentially the size of a spacious master bedroom. Double French doors add an attractive touch, and also accommodate a wheelchair and hospital equipment, if needed. What do you think of these “granny pods”? Do you think they are a better option than a nursing home? Let us know what you think in the comments below. When it comes to finding a place for an elderly loved ones to enjoy their golden years, most families want to keep their loved ones close by. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/i-found-retirement-overrated/">Retirement is overrated. Here’s what I did instead.</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/why-you-should-still-set-an-alarm-when-you-retire/">Why you should still set an alarm when you retire</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/5-new-hobbies-to-try-now/">5 new hobbies to try now</a>

News

German city bans coffee pods

If you’re a Nespresso fan and you ever find yourself in Hamburg you might have to find an alternate way to get your caffeine fix, after the German city announced it would be enforcing a ban on all coffee pods in government-run buildings. The announcement was made by Hamburg’s Department of the Environment and Energy last week. Jan Dube, a representative, said, “These portion packs cause unnecessary resource consumption and waste generation, and often contain polluting aluminium.” “For every six grams of coffee, each pod has three grams of packaging on average.” Coffee pods have significantly grown in popularity over the years and while many of the companies that manufacture them prides themselves on using recyclable materials, the pods are seldom recycled properly and are increasingly finding their way into landfills. Hamburg senator Jens Kerstand told CNN Money he hopes to make a positive difference, “The city can help ensure that environmentally harmful products are purchased less frequently and that sustainable products achieve even greater acceptance in the market. Our objective is to increase the share of environmentally friendly products significantly in order to help combat climate change.” Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/02/foul-mouthed-cockatoo-cage/">Foul-mouthed cockatoo doesn’t want to go back to her cage</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/amazing-photos-of-aurora-borealis-resembling-a-phoenix/">Amazing photos of Aurora Borealis resembling a phoenix</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/02/90-year-old-skips-cancer-treatment-to-travel/">90-year-old forgoes cancer treatment to travel</a>

News

Watch: Pod of killer whales chasing down boat

Two fishermen from San Diego have filmed what most be the most frightening moment in their life: a pod of killer whales hot on the tales of their boat. The pair were spearfishing on a six-metre boat earlier this month when they noticed something in the far distance. Suddenly dozens of whales appeared and began chasing the boat. “You better go,” one of the men is heard saying as a whale approaches the underside of the boat. “Go, go, go, go!” “He’s right under us still! He’s right there!” the other man shouts as a whale jumps from the water metres behind them. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/08/signs-your-pet-is-sick/">10 signs your pet is sick</a> <a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/07/pets-improve-health/">How can having pets improve your health? Let us count the ways</a> <a href="/lifestyle/pets/2015/06/dogs-can-sniff-out-cancer/">According to a study dogs can sniff out cancer</a>

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Arrests made after woman ends her life in "suicide pod"

"I don't call that a life": Couple sign up to die in double suicide pod

Coles’ new game-changing coffee pods

What coffee pods do you use? Barista ranks the top 5 from Coles and Woolies

Snoozing in a pod: Trying the latest accommodation trend

Sea narrowly escapes pod of killer whales

“Granny pods” act as backyard nursing homes

German city bans coffee pods

Watch: Pod of killer whales chasing down boat

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