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World's oldest practicing doctor shares his secrets to a long life

<p>While most people slow down with age, Dr Howard Tucker has spent more than a century proving that passion and purpose are the best medicine.</p> <p>At 102 years old, the American neurologist has lived a life so extraordinary it earned him a Guinness World Record as the oldest practicing doctor – an honour he received just before turning 99. Though he officially hung up his white coat at 100, Tucker remains as active and engaged as ever.</p> <p>Today, he lectures future physicians at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, and consults on medico-legal cases – work made possible by a law degree he earned at 67. His message? Retirement is not a requirement.</p> <p>“Retirement, I think, is the enemy of longevity,” Dr Tucker recently told Al Roker on NBC’s <em>Today</em>. “You have to have some purpose in life and get up in the morning and know what you’re about.”</p> <p>Even after the hospital where he worked shut its doors in 2022, ending his medical practice at 100, Tucker hasn’t ruled out returning to clinical work. “If it wasn’t for the closure, I’d absolutely still be seeing patients,” he told <em>People</em>. “Nobody wants me at my age – but I’ll keep trying.”</p> <p>His enthusiasm for life has captured the public imagination, especially through <em>What’s Next</em>, a documentary about his life produced by his grandson. The film has gone viral on TikTok, turning the centenarian into an unexpected social media sensation.</p> <p>Dr Tucker credits his longevity not just to good genes – his parents lived to 84 and 96 – but to lifestyle choices. “Heredity and family history of longevity is a healthy start,” he wrote in his Guinness World Record submission. “However, it must be supported by moderation of nutrition, alcohol and happiness.”</p> <p>His daily routine reflects that philosophy. He snowshoes in the winter, walks on the treadmill for at least four kilometres a day, and eats a mostly clean diet – fruit and cereal in the morning, fish and vegetables at night. Lunch is often skipped to maintain mental clarity. Dessert, however, is a staple – typically fruit or ice-cream, enjoyed with his wife of over 70 years.</p> <p>And while he rarely drinks, he allows himself the occasional martini. One thing he’s always avoided: cigarettes.</p> <p>Dr Tucker also says its important to keep the brain stimulated. “If they retire from their work, they should at least do something as a hobby,” he told <em>Today</em>. “You need a stimulus for the brain daily.”</p> <p>Science backs him up. Research shows that ongoing learning, social connection, and a sense of purpose contribute to mental acuity and longevity. Tucker’s life is a blueprint for all three. He remains close to his four children and 10 grandchildren and is an avid sports fan.</p> <p>Despite a fall in his late 80s that ended his skiing days with a broken neck, Tucker hasn’t let injury slow him down. Instead, he’s adapted, always finding new ways to stay active.</p> <p>With his 103rd birthday on the horizon in July, Dr Tucker says he isn’t concerned about the end. “I never think of death,” he said. “To be alive is to know that you’re going to die because life is a fatal disease. And so I live it.”</p> <p>For a man who’s devoted his life to healing others, Dr Howard Tucker’s greatest lesson might be how to truly live.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Pope serves up hilarious banter with tennis' world number one

<p>Mayhem, mirth and match-point energy erupted inside the Vatican Wednesday as world No.1 tennis star Jannik Sinner met Pope Leo XIV, the newly appointed, tennis-loving American pope, for what may be the holiest pre-match warm-up in Italian Open history.</p> <p>The two racquet-swinging celebrities exchanged gifts, laughs and playful jabs – though thankfully, no actual serves were fired indoors (a mercy for the priceless 15th-century frescoes).</p> <p>Ahead of his quarter-final showdown with Casper Ruud in Rome, Sinner, fresh off a match against Francisco Cerundolo, visited the Vatican armed with racquets and respect. “Pleasure to meet you, it’s an honour,” Sinner told the Pope in Italian. The Pope, a self-confessed racquet-head and the first American to wear the papal whites was quick to size up the holy hardware.</p> <p>“This is the racquet you play with?” asked Pope Leo, eyeing Sinner’s sacred gear.</p> <p>“Yes, this is very, very similar,” Sinner replied, diplomatically avoiding divine confusion over string tension.</p> <p>“Only the colour is a little different, but the rest is the same.”</p> <p>“Wimbledon would let me play!” the Pope cracked, before adding (surely to the horror of Vatican furniture conservators everywhere)“Do you want to play a little bit?”</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/DJot0gvMjdO/?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/DJot0gvMjdO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Jannik Sinner (@janniksin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Sinner, detecting the rising risk of breaking either a vase or several commandments, offered a tactical retreat. “Maybe best to leave it,” he said.</p> <p>During the audience, the head of Italy’s tennis and padel federation, Angelo Binaghi, presented the Pope with an honorary membership card. “We all felt the passion that Leo XIV has for our sport and this filled us with pride,” said Binaghi. The pair also posed beside the Davis Cup and the Billie Jean King Cup, Italy’s recent trophies, which were placed nearby just in case the Pope felt like blessing any silverware. </p> <p>And in case anyone thought this was a one-sport pope, don’t forget: Leo is also a Chicago White Sox fan, which proves two things: his capacity for faith and his understanding of long-suffering.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram / Vatican Media</em></p>

International Travel

Is there a best way to peel a boiled egg? A food scientist explains

<h1 class="theconversation-article-title"> </h1> <div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>We’ve all been there – trying to peel a boiled egg, but mangling it beyond all recognition as the hard shell stubbornly sticks to the egg white. Worse, the egg ends up covered in chewy bits of adhesive membrane in the end.</p> <p>The internet is littered with various “hacks” that claim to prevent this problem. But there are several reasons why eggs can be hard to peel. Luckily, that means there are also science-based strategies we can use to avoid the problem.</p> <h2>Egg ‘peelability’ factors</h2> <p><a href="https://www.sites.ext.vt.edu/virtualfarm/poultry/poultry_eggparts.html">Eggs consist</a> of a hard, porous shell, an inner and outer membrane, the egg white (albumen), and a membrane-encased yolk at the centre. There is also an air cell between the inner and outer membrane next to the shell.</p> <figure class="align-right zoomable"><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p>A lot of research was done in the late 1960s and 1970s on factors that affect the peelability of eggs after they’ve been boiled.</p> <p>One of these factors is the pH of the egg white. An <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119530589">early study</a> from the 1960s indicated that the pH of the egg white needs to be in the range of 8.7–8.9, quite alkaline, in order for the egg to be easier to peel.</p> <p>Storage temperature has a role to play, too. A <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119430861">study from 1963</a> showed that storing eggs at about 22 degrees Celsius (or 72 degrees Fahrenheit) gives a better peelability result than storage at lower temperatures of 13°C, or even fridge temperatures at 3–5°C.</p> <p>Of course, there is a risk of spoilage if eggs are stored at higher ambient temperatures.</p> <p>In the studies, an increase in storage time before boiling – using less fresh eggs – also increased the ease of peelability.</p> <h2>Step one: avoid fresh eggs</h2> <p>The fact that fresh eggs are harder to peel is relatively well known. Based on the factors above, there are a couple of reasons for this.</p> <p>For one, in a fresh egg the air cell is still quite small. As the egg ages, it (very) slowly loses moisture through the porous shell, increasing the size of the air cell while the rest of the egg contents shrink. A bigger air cell makes it easier to start the peeling action.</p> <p>Additionally, egg whites, although they already start out relatively alkaline, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119325489">increase in pH</a> as the eggs age, also making them easier to peel.</p> <h2>Step two: water temperature</h2> <p>Some keen egg boiling pundits believe that <a href="https://www.taste.com.au/taste-test-kitchen/articles/you-boil-water-first-before-adding-eggs/jrp12gok">starting off with boiling water</a> and lowering it to a simmer before gently placing the eggs into it provides a better result. However, you want to do this with room temperature eggs to avoid them cracking due to a sudden temperature change.</p> <p>The reasoning behind this approach is that exposure to higher temperatures from the start of cooking also makes it easier for the membrane to come away from the shell and egg white.</p> <p>Furthermore, the quick hot start makes it easier for the egg white proteins to denature (change structure as they cook) and bond to each other, rather than to the membrane.</p> <p>After boiling eggs for the desired amount of time (typically 3–5 minutes for runny yolks, 6–7 minutes for jammy yolks, and 12–15 minutes for hard boiled), you can quench them in ice water. This should help the egg white to slightly shrink away from the shell, improving peelability.</p> <h2>Step three (optional): adding things to the water</h2> <p>Some other suggestions to improve peelability include adding salt to the boiling water, but this has mixed results. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119325489">In one study</a>, this approach did actually improve peelability, but this effect was lost after eggs had been stored for longer periods.</p> <p>Acids and alkali have also <a href="https://patents.google.com/patent/US5053238A/en">been shown to aid eggshell peelability</a> or removal. The patent that describes this used rather harsh substances with the goal to dissolve away the shell.</p> <p>But based on this idea, you could try adding baking soda or vinegar to the water. With vinegar, the theory is that it attacks the calcium carbonate in the eggshell to then aid its removal. As for baking soda, because it’s alkaline, it could help detach the membrane from the shell.</p> <h2>Bonus: alternative cooking methods</h2> <p>There are other methods for hard-cooking eggs, such as <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-4549.1977.tb00317.x">pressure steaming</a>, air-frying and even microwaving.</p> <p>In steaming eggs, some proponents theorise that water vapour permeates the eggshell, loosening the membrane from the egg white, and thereby making the egg much easier to peel.</p> <p>While studies have recently been done on the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772275924000200#tbl0001">air-frying of other foods</a>, there is still scope to further understand how this style of cooking might affect eggshells and peelability.</p> <p>Lastly, once you have successfully separated the eggshells, don’t just throw them in the bin. There are lots of different uses for them, including compost, slug and snail deterrent in your garden, using them as little biodegradable pots for seedlings, or even something as advanced as <a href="https://www.unisq.edu.au/news/2024/10/egg-research">scaffolds for cancer research</a>.<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/235895/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paulomi-polly-burey-404695">Paulomi (Polly) Burey</a>, Professor in Food Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-southern-queensland-1069">University of Southern 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/is-there-a-best-way-to-peel-a-boiled-egg-a-food-scientist-explains-235895">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Food & Wine

"Of course it's Demi!" World's Most Beautiful Person named for 2025

<p>Demi Moore has been named <em>People</em> magazine’s World’s Most Beautiful Person for 2025, joining the ranks of past honourees like Cindy Crawford, Tom Cruise and Michelle Pfeiffer. At 62, the actress is not only making headlines for her timeless beauty but also for her candid reflections on body image, ageing and self-worth.</p> <p>In an exclusive interview accompanying the annual issue, Moore opened up about her evolving relationship with her body. “I think I've evolved into greater gentility toward myself,” she shared. Admitting that she once had a tendency to "punish" herself, the <em>Ghost</em> star revealed that she's now in a more accepting and appreciative place.</p> <p>“I have a greater appreciation for all that my body has been through that brought me to now,” she said. Though she still experiences moments of insecurity – “It doesn't mean that sometimes I look in the mirror and don't go, 'Oh God, I look old,' or 'Oh, my face is falling' – I do” – Moore said that acceptance has become a key theme in her life.</p> <p>Moore’s resurgence in the spotlight has been bolstered by her acclaimed performance in the 2024 thriller <em>The Substance</em>, alongside Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid. The film, which delves into the pressures of ageing in the entertainment industry, drew strong reviews and generated significant Oscar buzz.</p> <p>While she ultimately lost the Academy Award for Best Actress to Mikey Madison, Moore took home her first Golden Globe for the role. In her emotional acceptance speech, she urged the audience to reevaluate how they measure self-worth. “Know the value of your worth,” she said, “by putting down the measuring stick,” drawing cheers from the crowd.</p> <p>With a celebrated career spanning decades, Demi Moore’s new title is not just a recognition of beauty – it’s a tribute to reinvention and the power of self-acceptance.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Cricket world in mourning after passing of Ashes legend

<p>Vale, Keith Stackpole. Australia is in mourning following the passing of the Test cricket great and revered broadcaster, who has died at the age of 84.</p> <p>A giant of the game both on and off the field, Stackpole leaves behind a remarkable legacy as a celebrated Test batter and beloved media figure. A proud Victorian, he represented Australia in 43 Test matches between 1966 and 1974, amassing 2801 runs, including seven centuries. His highest score – an unforgettable 207 against England in Brisbane in 1970 – remains etched in Ashes history.</p> <p>Stackpole made his Test debut in Adelaide in 1966 and went on to play alongside some of the greatest names in Australian cricket, including Ian Chappell and Dennis Lillee. He served as vice-captain and was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1973 – a testament to his skill and leadership.</p> <p>His final Test appearance came in 1974 against New Zealand, where he bowed out with a pair of ducks – a humbling end to a storied career. Not long after, a back injury forced his retirement from the sport, but it was far from the end of his involvement with the game.</p> <p>Stackpole seamlessly transitioned into the media world, becoming a cornerstone of Australian cricket commentary. He was part of Kerry Packer’s groundbreaking World Series Cricket and continued to share his deep knowledge of the game through radio and print, including a long-running newspaper column in Melbourne. His honest insights and affable presence made him a household name beyond the boundary ropes.</p> <p>In 1974, Stackpole was awarded an MBE for his services to cricket – a fitting recognition of his contributions to the sport and to Australian culture.</p> <p>Tributes have poured in from across the cricketing and media worlds. Channel 7 presenter Jim Wilson shared his heartfelt condolences:</p> <p>“Very sad news, loved our catchups and his advice over a coffee and a sanga,” Wilson said. “Always generous with his time, called it the way it was and all our thoughts with Stacky’s family. Vale Keith Stackpole.”</p> <p><em>Herald Sun</em> journalist Glenn McFarlane also expressed his sorrow: “Incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of the great Keith Stackpole. He was the voice of my childhood on TV and radio, then I was privileged to be one of Stacky’s ‘ghost’ writers for a number of years. Great cricketer; and an absolute gentleman! Condolences to his family.”</p> <p>Stackpole is survived by his wife Pat and children Peter, Tony and Angela.</p> <p><em>Images: News.com.au / 3AW</em></p>

Caring

Australia has the highest gambling losses in the world. Is it time for mandatory limits?

<div class="theconversation-article-body">Gambling prevalence studies provide a snapshot of gambling behaviour, problems and harm in our communities. They are typically conducted about every five years.</p> <p>In some Australian states and territories, four or five have been conducted over the past 20 or so years. These have provided a snapshot into how gambling has changed – and how it has not.</p> <p>So, how has gambling in Australia changed in the past two decades or so, and where may we be heading?</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Australia has the highest gambling losses in the world.<br />Australia should: <br />🚫 Ban gambling ads<br />🎰 Introduce loss limits on pokies and online gambling<br />📉 Progressively cut the number of pokies in each state</p> <p>Our new report shows how governments should prevent gambling harm.… <a href="https://t.co/7U3IgzOLSp">pic.twitter.com/7U3IgzOLSp</a></p> <p>— Grattan Institute (@GrattanInst) <a href="https://twitter.com/GrattanInst/status/1831297414080176469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <h2>The intensification of gambling</h2> <p>In 1997-98, the Productivity Commission found <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/gambling/report/summary.pdf">about 82% of Australians</a> had gambled in the previous 12 months.</p> <p>Almost all further prevalence studies show the proportion of adults gambling has declined substantially over time.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">2024 NSW prevalence survey</a>, for example, found 54% reported gambling in the previous 12 months, down from 69% in 2006.</p> <p>While fewer people are gambling, the proportion of people experiencing problems has not changed much, <a href="https://www.qgso.qld.gov.au/statistics/theme/society/gambling/australian-gambling-statistics">nor has gambling turnover</a>.</p> <p>In some states, gambling turnover has increased, even when you take inflation into account.</p> <p>So while a smaller proportion of people are gambling, those who do gamble are doing so more frequently, and spend more money – a phenomenon we have described as the “intensification” of the industry.</p> <p>As figures from the Grattan Institute show, the vast majority of gambling spend comes from a very small proportion of people who gamble.</p> <p><iframe id="Z6EYJ" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Z6EYJ/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <h2>What’s the problem?</h2> <p>Typically, the focus in gambling studies has been on “problem gamblers”, a term we now avoid because it can be stigmatising.</p> <p>This refers to those experiencing severe problems due to their gambling, which is typically <a href="https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/justice-system/safer-communities/gambling/victorian-population-gambling-and-health-study-2023">about 1% of the adult population</a>, and around 2% of people who gamble.</p> <p>This doesn’t sound like much, until you remember 1% of adults in Australia is more than 200,000 people. That’s a lot of people struggling with severe problems.</p> <p>Based on recent prevalence surveys in Australia, these gamblers spend <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">about 60 times as much</a> as people who do not experience problems.</p> <p>However, that’s just the most severe cases.</p> <h2>How gambling harms people</h2> <p>When most people think of gambling harm, they think about financial harm. But gambling can cause problems with relationships, work and study, emotional and psychological harm, and <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-016-2747-0">even cause health issues</a>.</p> <p>Some degree of gambling harm is experienced by <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">around 10-15%</a> of people who gamble.</p> <p>Some groups are overrepresented: young men typically experience very high levels of harm compared to others. Other overrepresented groups are:</p> <ul> <li>those who have not completed tertiary education</li> <li>people who speak a language other than English</li> <li>people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.</li> </ul> <p>Harm isn’t just experienced by people who gamble, though – it impacts the people around them.</p> <p>While young men are more likely to experience harm from their own gambling, <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">women, particularly young women</a>, are most likely to experience harm from someone else’s gambling.</p> <p>When we take all of these sources of harm into account, we get a much better picture of gambling harm in our community: <a href="https://www.gambleaware.nsw.gov.au/resources-and-education/check-out-our-research/published-research/nsw-gambling-survey-2024">around 15-20% of all adults</a> (not all gamblers) experience harm.</p> <p>That’s very different to the figure of 1% we’ve focused on in the past.</p> <p>We’re still missing some accounting, though: we don’t know how much harm is experienced by people under 18, for example, because prevalence studies typically only include adults.</p> <h2>Where does the harm come from?</h2> <p>The most problematic form in Australia is pokies, responsible for <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10260219/#:%7E:text=EGMs%20are%20responsible%20for%2051,problems%20due%20to%20low%20participation.">about 51-57% of problems</a>.</p> <p>Casinos are responsible for <a href="https://ftp.justice.vic.gov.au/justice-system/safer-communities/gambling/victorian-population-gambling-and-health-study-2023">another 10-14%</a>, although fewer people have been gambling in casino games in recent years.</p> <p>Sports betting and race betting together account for about another 19-20% of harm.</p> <p>Between them, pokies, casino games and sports and race betting account for about 90% of harm to Australian gamblers.</p> <p><iframe id="w2wEY" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/w2wEY/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <h2>Availability is an issue</h2> <p>This widespread availability of pokies is the biggest single driver behind gambling harm in Australia.</p> <p><iframe id="hIgeD" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/hIgeD/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <p>In other countries, pokies are limited to venues that are specifically used for gambling, like casinos or betting shops.</p> <p>We have pokies in a huge number of our pubs and clubs, except in Western Australia.</p> <p>A couple of years ago, we used national prevalence data to compare gambling problems in WA <a href="https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2006/12/3/article-p721.xml">to the rest of the country</a>.</p> <p>A higher percentage of adults in WA gamble, but mostly on the lotteries which are typically <a href="https://theconversation.com/pokies-lotto-sports-betting-which-forms-of-problem-gambling-affect-australians-the-most-240665">not associated with much harm</a>.</p> <p>Gambling on pokies is far less prevalent in WA because they’re only available in one casino. Gambling problems and harm are about one-third lower in WA, and our analysis shows this can be attributed to the limited access to pokies.</p> <p>This also tells us something important. If pokies are not available, people will typically not substitute them with other harmful forms. It points to the role of the availability of dangerous gambling products in gambling harm, rather than personal characteristics.</p> <p>Online gambling has also become a lot more available. Most of us now have a mobile phone almost surgically implanted onto our hand, making online gambling more accessible than ever. Not surprisingly, <a href="https://www.gamblingresearch.org.au/publications/second-national-study-interactive-gambling-australia-2019-20">online gambling continues to increase</a>.</p> <h2>An obvious solution to try</h2> <p>Governments have taken increasingly proactive measures to help address gambling harm, such as the <a href="https://www.dss.gov.au/gambling/resource/national-consumer-protection-framework-online-wagering-national-policy-statement">National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Gambling</a>, strategies for minimising harm such as NSW’s investment into <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/gambleaware-week-0">gambling harm minimisation</a>, Victoria’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/nov/26/victoria-pokies-changes-limits-new-laws">proposed reforms on pokies</a> including mandatory precommitment limits, Queensland’s <a href="https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/gambling-harm-min/resource/84d444db-97e0-4be0-8e87-0c6f0cb412d6">Gambling Harm Minimisation Plan</a> and the ACT’s <a href="https://www.gamblingandracing.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1436580/Strategy-for-gambling-harm-prevention.pdf">Strategy for Gambling Harm Prevention</a>.</p> <p>Voluntary limits have been trialled to help people keep their gambling under control, but have had <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-03/nsw-government-cashless-gaming-trial-findings-released/104679384">virtually no uptake</a>.</p> <p>For example, the recent <a href="https://www.liquorandgaming.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/1340136/evaluation-of-the-nsw-digital-gaming-wallet-trial-2024.pdf">NSW Digital Gaming Wallet trial</a> was conducted in 14 venues. Only 32 people were active users, and 14 of these were deemed genuine users. <a href="https://www.adelaide.edu.au/saces/ua/media/652/evaluation-of-yourplay-final-report_0.pdf">Another study</a> found only 0.01% of all money put through machines in Victoria used the voluntary YourPlay scheme.</p> <p>The problem with voluntary limits is, no one volunteers.</p> <p>Mandatory limits though are almost certainly necessary, just like we have mandatory limits for how fast you can drive, or how much you can drink before the bartender puts you in a taxi.</p> <p>There will almost certainly be push back against this, just like the introduction of mandatory seatbelts in the 1970s, or <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-04/road-safety-history-australia-toll-increase/102903364">the introduction of random breath testing</a>.</p> <p>Now, we accept them as important public health measures.</p> <p>History tells us the same will happen with mandatory gambling limits, even if we’re a bit uncomfortable about it at first.<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/252389/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alex-russell-133860">Alex Russell</a>, Principal Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-browne-97705">Matthew Browne</a>, Senior Lecturer in Statistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-rockloff-569">Matthew Rockloff</a>, Head, Experimental Gambling Research Lab, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/gambling-in-australia-how-bad-is-the-problem-who-gets-harmed-most-and-where-may-we-be-heading-252389">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

Princess Diana’s largest-ever wardrobe auction set to dazzle the world

<p>Get ready for royal fashion history to be rewritten... This June, the largest collection of clothing ever owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, will hit the auction block – and it promises to be nothing short of spectacular.</p> <p>Julien's Auctions, the house behind this extraordinary event, has announced that over 200 breathtaking pieces will go under the hammer, many of which have never been seen by the public before. From the timeless elegance of Princess Diana to the grandeur of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, plus historic treasures from Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother, and even royal heirlooms dating back to the 19th century – this auction is shaping up to be a once-in-a-lifetime event.</p> <p>Fittingly titled <a href="https://www.juliensauctions.com/en/auctions/princess-diana-s-style-a-royal-collection" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"Princess Diana's Style & A Royal Collection"</a>, the auction will unfold at the glamorous Peninsula Beverly Hills on June 26. According to Julien’s, the sale offers fans and collectors a rare and intimate chance to own a piece of history and connect with Diana’s iconic style legacy.</p> <p>"Princess Diana holds a special place in the heart of Julien's Auctions, and we are honoured to continue to preserve her legacy," shared Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien's. "This collection is the most significant offering of her wardrobe ever presented at auction – each item a window into a moment in history and a tribute to a woman whose humility, style, and personal warmth continue to inspire the world."</p> <p>Among the crown jewels of the collection is the charming 1988 Bellville Sassoon floral day dress, affectionately known as Diana’s "caring dress." The late princess famously wore this bright, cheerful ensemble during hospital visits and engagements with children, knowing its joyful print would lift spirits. Diana even skipped the matching hat, saying, "You couldn't cuddle a child in a hat."</p> <p>While Julien’s is keeping the full list of auction items under wraps for now, excitement is mounting. Some pieces originally featured in Diana’s legendary 1997 Christie's auction – which raised an astounding $5 million for charity – will make an encore appearance.</p> <p>Before the big day, the dazzling collection will go on display in museums in Seattle and Ireland, giving fans worldwide the chance to admire these royal treasures up close.</p> <p>The auction follows a streak of record-breaking sales for Diana’s wardrobe. In 2023, her unforgettable ballerina-length black and blue evening gown by Jacques Azagury fetched a staggering $1.4 million, shattering records at 11 times its estimate. And let’s not forget her beloved emerald green Kurt Geiger shoes, which sold for an eye-watering $693,000.</p> <p>Perhaps most astonishing of all: Diana's famous sheep-print jumper by Warm and Wonderful, which leapt to an incredible $1.7 million at auction last year – a jaw-dropping 14 times its expected price.</p> <p><em>Image: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #2c3338; font-family: -apple-system, 'system-ui', 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space-collapse: preserve-breaks;">Julien's Auctions</span></em></p>

Beauty & Style

Cause of fatal Sea World chopper crash finally revealed

<p>A catastrophic combination of radio failure and limited visibility led to the tragic mid-air collision of two Sea World helicopters on the Gold Coast in January 2023, a final investigation report has revealed.</p> <p>The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released its long-awaited findings on Wednesday, more than two years after the accident that claimed four lives and left nine others injured at the height of the summer holiday season.</p> <p>According to the report, a critical inbound taxiing call from one helicopter, which was carrying five passengers, failed to transmit to a second helicopter preparing for takeoff with six people aboard. Investigators determined that a fault in the antenna of the first helicopter, VH-XKQ, prevented the transmission, despite the pilot having made the call. The faulty antenna had been an issue for several days prior to the crash.</p> <p>While the ground crew had earlier advised that the airspace was clear, by the time the second helicopter lifted off, that advice was no longer valid. The first helicopter had been waiting for a taxi call from the second chopper to ensure safe separation, but the call never came.</p> <p>“Neither pilot was aware of the existence of faults in the radio of VH-XKQ that likely prevented broadcast of the taxi call,” the ATSB report stated. Without functioning radio communications, neither pilot could pinpoint the location of the other aircraft, contributing to the fatal collision.</p> <p>The investigation also identified limited visibility from both helicopters and the pilots’ divided attention – focused partly on boat traffic and other aircraft in the area – as additional contributing factors. Sea World Helicopters’ safety systems, including radio calls, hand signals, and visual warning devices, were found to be inadequate. These shortcomings led both pilots to incorrectly assess the position of the other helicopter.</p> <p>Further compounding the tragedy, the ATSB found evidence that some passengers were improperly restrained, although it could not determine how this affected the severity of their injuries.</p> <p>The report also highlighted operational changes leading up to the crash. A week before the incident, the helicopters were swapped, and a year earlier, the helipads had been relocated – both changes that contributed to a breakdown in safety protocols and increased collision risk. The new aircraft lacked internal company radios, had no live traffic displays, and the pilots were unfamiliar with the systems, the report noted.</p> <p>The collision claimed the lives of pilot Ashley Jenkinson, 40, British tourists Ron and Diane Hughes, aged 65 and 57, and Sydney mother Vanessa Tadros, 36. Tadros’ 10-year-old son Nicholas survived but required extensive surgeries. Victorian mother Winnie de Silva, 33, and her nine-year-old son Leon were also hospitalised with serious injuries.</p> <p>Michael James, the pilot of the second helicopter, managed to execute an emergency landing despite suffering injuries from shattered glass. He passed away in June 2024 after a battle with cancer.</p> <p>The findings come as Shine Lawyers, representing several victims and families affected by the crash, prepare for civil proceedings. Claims of up to $925,000 per person have been lodged against Sea World Helicopters, and the release of the ATSB report is expected to inform further legal action.</p> <p>“This was such a profoundly unnecessary loss of life which must be prosecuted fully to ensure it never happens again,” said litigation specialist Roger Singh. “We will examine the findings of this report with a view to identifying other potential defendants and further damages which may be sought.”</p> <p><em>Images: ATSB</em></p>

Legal

Financial markets are tanking. Here’s why it’s best not to panic

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p>Financial markets around the world have been slammed by the Trump adminstration’s sweeping tariffs on its trading partners, and China’s swift retaliation.</p> <p>Share markets have posted their biggest declines since the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, as fears of US recession surged. Iron ore, copper, oil, gold and the Australian dollar have all tumbled.</p> <p>On Wall Street, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/sp-500-loses-24-trillion-market-value-biggest-one-day-loss-since-2020-2025-04-03/">leading indices</a> have fallen around 10% since the tariffs were announced, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq is down 20% from its recent peak. European and Asian markets have also slumped.</p> <p>In Australia, the key S&P/ASX 200 slid another 4.2% on Monday to levels last seen in December 2023, taking its three-day losses since the announcement to more than 7%.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="AJ2rZ" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/AJ2rZ/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <hr /> <h2>Why are markets reacting so badly?</h2> <p>Financial markets reacted so negatively because the tariffs were much larger than expected. They represent the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-05/trump-tariffs-upend-80-year-old-world-economic-order/105139464">biggest upheaval</a> in global trade in 80 years.</p> <p>Many traders were hoping the tariffs would be used mainly as a bargaining tool. <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live/trump-tariffs-live-updates-trump-digs-in-says-markets-may-have-to-take-medicine-as-stock-futures-plunge-191201959.html">But comments</a> by US President Donald Trump that markets may need to “take medicine” seem to suggest otherwise.</p> <p>The tariffs are expected to weaken economic growth in the US as consumers pare back spending on more expensive imports, while businesses shelve investment plans. Leading US bank JP Morgan has put the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/jpmorgan-lifts-global-recession-odds-60-us-tariffs-stoke-fears-2025-04-04/">chance of a US recession</a> as high as 60%.</p> <p>This comes at a time when the US economy was already looking fragile. The highly regarded GDPNow model developed by the <a href="https://www.atlantafed.org/cqer/research/gdpnow">Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank</a> indicates US March quarter GDP will fall 2.8%, and that was before the tariff announcement.</p> <h2>Worries about global growth</h2> <p>Fears of a recession in the United States and the potential for a global downturn has led to a broad sell-off in commodity prices, including iron ore, copper and oil. Further, the Australian dollar, which is seen as a barometer for risk, has <a href="https://wise.com/au/currency-converter/currencies/aud-australian-dollar">fallen below 60 US cents</a> in local trading – its lowest level since 2009.</p> <p>While the direct impact of tariffs on Australia is expected to be modest (with around 6% of our exports going to US), the indirect impact could be substantial. China, Japan and South Korea together take more than 50% of Australia’s exports, and all have been hit with significantly higher tariffs.</p> <p>Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Monday that the direct impact on the Australian economy would be “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-07/asx-markets-business-news-live-updates/105144276">manageable</a>”.</p> <p>The full effect on Australia will depend on how other countries respond, and whether we can redirect trade to other markets.</p> <p>The rapid decline in the Australian dollar will help offset some of the negative effects associated with a global downturn and the fall in commodity prices.</p> <p>We can also expect some interest-rate relief. Economists are now predicting <a href="https://www.afr.com/markets/debt-markets/traders-expect-up-to-five-rba-rate-cuts-amid-market-turmoil-this-year-20250407-p5lpo0">three further interest rate cuts</a> by the Reserve Bank, starting in May. This brings economists into line with financial market forecasts.</p> <h2>Hang in there, markets will recover</h2> <p>Watching equity markets tumble so dramatically can be unsettling for any investor. However, it is important to note that equity markets have experienced many downturns over the past 125 years due to wars, pandemics, financial crises and recessions. But these market impacts have generally been temporary.</p> <hr /> <p><iframe id="lsNFF" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: 0;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/lsNFF/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <hr /> <p>History suggests that over the long term, equity prices continue to rise, supported by growing economies and rising incomes.</p> <p>The key thing for investors to remember is to not panic. Now is not the time to decide to switch your superannuation or other investments to cash. This risks missing the next upswing while also crystallising any current losses.</p> <p>For example, despite the steep market sell-off in March 2020 as the first COVID lockdowns came into effect, the Australian share market had completely recovered those losses by June 2021.</p> <p>It is good practice for investors to regularly reassess their risk profile to make sure it is right for their current stage of life. This means reducing the allocation to riskier assets as investors get closer to retirement age, while also maintaining a cash buffer to avoid having to sell assets during more turbulent periods such as now.</p> <h2>Super funds are exposed to global risks</h2> <p>The current sell-off has highlighted a potential issue facing the superannuation industry.</p> <p>So much of our superannuation is now invested in global equity markets, mostly in the US, because Australia’s <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-02/australia-superannuation-retirement-savings/105098840">superannuation savings pool</a> – at more than A$4 trillion – has outgrown the investment opportunities available in Australia.</p> <p>Another issue facing the superannuation industry is the growth of cyber attacks, with several funds <a href="https://theconversation.com/hackers-have-hit-major-super-funds-a-cyber-expert-explains-how-to-stop-it-happening-again-253835">targeted in a recent attack</a>. Given the massive size of the assets held by some funds, it would seem they need to improve their security to be on par with that of the banking system.<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/253929/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>By <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luke-hartigan-1491669">Luke Hartigan</a>, Lecturer in Economics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/financial-markets-are-tanking-heres-why-its-best-not-to-panic-253929">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> </div>

Money & Banking

"Best news ever!": The Matildas baby boom continues

<p>The Matildas family has another reason to celebrate, after veteran midfielder Tameka Yallop and her wife, former New Zealand international star Kirsty Yallop, announced that they are expecting their second child together.</p> <p>The joyful news was shared with a heartwarming family reveal featuring their daughter, Harley, proudly holding ultrasound photos.</p> <p>"We have been hanging out to share this special news... Harley is bursting with excitement that she is going to be a big sister," the Yallops wrote. "Baby Yallop number two coming soon."</p> <p>The announcement has been met with an outpouring of love and congratulations from teammates and fans alike. Matildas defender Ellie Carpenter was among the first to celebrate, calling it the "Best news ever!!" Goalkeeper Teagan Micah added, "AHHH CONGRATS! Best news. She will be an amazing older sister!!!!" Meanwhile, midfielder Katrina Gorry shared, "Congrats Meeks. So excited for you guys."</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/DH2lpxXRoHX/?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/DH2lpxXRoHX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kirsty Yallop (@kirsty.yallop)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The Yallops’ new addition will join a growing number of young members in the extended Matildas family. Kirsty, who retired from football in 2018, gave birth to Harley in 2020. Gorry, affectionately known as "Mini", welcomed her daughter Harper in 2021, and last year, her partner Clara Markstedt gave birth to their son, Koby.</p> <p>The baby boom continues among the Matildas, with captain Sam Kerr and her fiancée Kristie Mewis also preparing to welcome their first child in May. Mewis, 34, has temporarily stepped away from her career with West Ham and the US national team to carry their baby boy.</p> <p>While celebrations are in full swing, the Matildas also face a minor setback as Gorry has been ruled out of the upcoming matches against South Korea due to an ankle injury sustained while playing for West Ham on Sunday. The extent of the injury remains unclear, but she is already undergoing rehabilitation.</p> <p>Stepping in for Gorry is Melbourne City’s Leah Davidson, who has earned her second call-up to the national squad.</p> <p>With growing families and exciting matches ahead, the Matildas continue to show that they are not only champions on the field but also in life. Congratulations to the Yallop family on their wonderful news!</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Cricket world mourns passing of Ashes legend

<p>Peter Lever, the former England fast bowler and a key member of the victorious 1970-71 Ashes side, has passed away at the age of 84. His former county, Lancashire, confirmed the news on Thursday.</p> <p>“We are deeply saddened by the news that Peter Lever has passed away, aged 84,” Lancashire posted on X. “Peter was inducted into our Hall of Fame last year after playing 301 First-Class matches between 1960 and 1976 — taking 796 wickets. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”</p> <p>Lever played 17 Test matches and 10 One-Day Internationals for England, including the famous inaugural One Day International in 1971. Known for his aggressive pace and sharp movement, he left a lasting impact on the game.</p> <p>His England career began in 1970 against a Rest of the World XI at The Oval, where he took an impressive 7-83, dismissing cricketing greats such as Garry Sobers, Mushtaq Mohammad, Graeme Pollock, Clive Lloyd and Mike Procter. Although the match was later stripped of its Test status, his performance earned him an official England debut later that year in the Ashes series opener in Perth.</p> <p>Lever played a crucial role in England's 1970-71 Ashes triumph, which remains the last time Australia was whitewashed at home. He returned to Australia in 1975 and delivered a career-best performance, taking 6-38 in Melbourne. On the first day of that Test, he dismissed four of Australia’s top five batsmen for just two runs. Despite England securing an innings victory in that match, it was their only win in the six-Test series.</p> <p>However, one of the most defining moments of Lever's career came in 1975 during a Test match against New Zealand in Auckland. A bouncer he bowled struck debutant Ewen Chatfield on the unprotected left temple, causing him to collapse on the pitch. Chatfield's heart stopped, leading to fears that he had died, but he was revived through CPR by England physiotherapist Bernard Thomas. The traumatic incident deeply affected Lever, who later admitted that he contemplated retirement.</p> <p>Lever played only one more Test match after that, featuring in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s in 1975, where he took two wickets in a drawn game. He retired from first-class cricket the following year, concluding a distinguished career with Lancashire.</p> <p>Peter Lever will be remembered as a fierce competitor and a dedicated servant of English cricket. His contributions to the sport, particularly his role in England’s historic Ashes win, ensure his legacy will endure.</p> <p><em>Images: Daily Mail UK</em></p>

Caring

Oscars 2025: who will likely win, who should win, and who barely deserves to be there

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ari-mattes-97857">Ari Mattes</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-notre-dame-australia-852">University of Notre Dame Australia</a></em></p> <p>We’ve probably all had a moment when we stopped taking the Oscars too seriously. For me, it was when Denzel Washington <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/timlammers/2024/05/02/why-denzel-washington-once-told-a-co-star-losing-an-oscar-is-better/#:%7E:text=Washington's%20second%20Oscar%20win%20%E2%80%94%20which,called%20at%20the%20Academy%20podium.">won best actor</a> for Training Day (2001), a crime film in which he displays virtually none of his acting chops.</p> <p>And as popular cinema becomes uglier (it’s mostly shot on digital video now, which almost never looks as good as film) and streamers (or logistics companies such as Amazon) take over film production, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to appreciate the point of the ceremony.</p> <p>From this year’s ten nominees for best picture, The Brutalist, Conclave and I’m Still Here are good – while (most of) the other nominees are only okay.</p> <h2>Some well-made films, but nothing outstanding</h2> <p>Writer-director Sean Baker’s Anora is nominated for best picture this year, after already <a href="https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/2024-cannes-film-festival-winners-list-palme-dor">winning the Palme d’Or</a>. It’s a moderately sweet film in the tradition of Pretty Woman – having more nudity and sex, and a disappointing ending, doesn’t automatically make it edgier. It’s too long by at least half an hour, with some okay performances.</p> <p>It’s certainly not bad, but the idea that this is one of the “best pictures” of 2024 is alarming – or would be, if I wasn’t already so cynical. Most importantly, there’s nothing formally or aesthetically compelling about it, in which case I might have forgiven the silly (anti) Cinderella story.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vgrXTvL_l_c?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Another nominee, A Complete Unknown, is similarly well-made. Timothée Chalamet gives a predictably moody performance as Bob Dylan, and it’s fun to learn something about the relationships between Dylan and musical legends Joan Baez and Pete Seeger.</p> <p>But there’s also something fundamentally weird about watching a memoir about a person as iconic as Dylan. It veers too often into the terrain of impersonation, and this is even more off-putting given Dylan is still alive. Throw in Chalamet’s (certainly accomplished) singing of Dylan’s songs, and it feels like we’re watching someone do karaoke really well.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FdV-Cs5o8mc?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>The Substance tries to shock and titillate the viewer with its caricature of celebrity in an era of body modification and mega-media corporations. Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid try hard to be funny, but the whole thing plays like an undergraduate essay that makes the same point ad nauseam. Though the actors surely had fun, there’s nothing compelling about their guffawing.</p> <p>This is also the problem with messy hybrid musical-thriller Emilia Pérez, the other over-the-top genre film tipped by some to win the award.</p> <p>The film, following a cartel leader who disappears and transitions into a woman, is overly dependent on making a point about the world outside of itself. This point is so obvious that it rapidly becomes tedious, with insufficient attention given to the formal and narrative tensions and ambiguities that compel an audience to engage with a film on a serious, visceral level.</p> <p>Dune: Part Two sounds and looks good, but is more meandering than Part One in developing Herbert’s unwieldy epic. If you liked Part One, you’ll probably like Part Two, but it’s not exactly cutting-edge material.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qlbr7gJgBus?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Nickel Boys is a low-key, sentimental rendition of Colson Whitehead’s novel about two African American boys sent to a reform school in Florida in the early 1960s, and their coming of age as they survive myriad abuses. It’s watchable, if not particularly memorable.</p> <p>Finally, Wicked is, well … Wicked. If you like the musical you may like the film (although the live aspect of musicals makes this one play better on the stage than on the screen, unlike The Wizard of Oz, which was made for the screen). In any case, it’s not ridiculously bad, even though it is too long.</p> <h2>A few top contenders</h2> <p>Walter Salles’ I’m Still Here – which traces the struggle of an activist in Brazil after the forced disappearance of her husband in 1970 – works well in its evocation of place and time, and should soften the heart of even the most cynical viewer.</p> <p>Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir, the entire film is washed over with a faint scent of nostalgia that complements the idea of failing to find, and then remembering, that which is missing.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gDunV808Yf4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Conclave, adapted from Robert Harris’ novel, is another solidly made affair. It follows the political machinations of the Vatican as the Dean of Cardinals sets up a conclave to elect a new pope after the previous one dies of a heart attack.</p> <p>Ralph Fiennes is as effective and sombre as usual in the lead role as Cardinal Lawrence and various twists and turns keep us watching throughout. But one suspects the primary pleasure of the film is that it seems to offer an insider’s view of the Vatican, including all the fetishistic processes and rituals.</p> <p>Despite its serious tone, Conclave is a fun romp. And what a pleasure it is to watch Isabella Rossellini on the big screen once again.</p> <h2>The strongest nominee</h2> <p>The film that is most classically like a best picture nominee is The Brutalist – an epic, visually-magnificent study of the struggles of (fictional) architect László Toth, a Hungarian Jew who moves to America following the Holocaust.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GdRXPAHIEW4?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Testament to the technical accomplishments of the film, and its superb creation of a coherent world, The Brutalist runs close to four hours (thankfully with an intermission) without becoming tedious. It chugs along with the relentless momentum of a steam engine.</p> <p>Adrien Brody is charming as Toth, endowing the character with a roguish and playful quality, and the supporting cast are solid. Akin to one of Toth’s constructions (as we hear in the epilogue section), the film neither indicates nor tells us anything beyond itself.</p> <p>There may be conclusions to be drawn regarding the relationship between art, power and capitalism, but the film gives you the space to devise these yourself. The film is, in a sense, beautifully mute.</p> <p>Out of all the nominations, The Brutalist is the only one that feels like a genuine best picture contender (with something of the grandeur of classical Hollywood cinema about it). Although many critics <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/oscars-2025-who-will-win-should-win-1236146220/">are</a> <a href="https://variety.com/lists/2025-oscars-predictions/">predicting</a> Anora will win, The Brutalist is the strongest of the nominees.</p> <p>That said, my pick for the best film of 2024 goes to a production that didn’t get a best picture nomination (as usual). Magnus von Horn’s The Girl With the Needle is a stunning Danish expressionistic nightmare that seamlessly integrates formal experimentation with a thrilling and horrific true crime narrative.</p> <p>It is absolutely sensational – the kind of thing you never forget. Thankfully, it has been recognised through its nomination for best international feature film.<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/250783/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NdjhUNH5v3Q?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ari-mattes-97857"><em>Ari Mattes</em></a><em>, Lecturer in Communications and Media, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-notre-dame-australia-852">University of Notre Dame Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Brookstreet Pictures</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/oscars-2025-who-will-likely-win-who-should-win-and-who-barely-deserves-to-be-there-250783">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Movies

Picturesque Aussie town named best of the year in 2025

<p>A picturesque coastal town in New South Wales has been named the best Aussie town in 2025. </p> <p>In a break from the usual voting criteria, a collection of bays and beaches sitting just 2.5 hours drive up the coast from Sydney and just past Newcastle in NSW, the winning town is ever-growing in popularity. </p> <p>The areas of Salamander Bay, Corlette and Nelson Bay have banded together to see the region of Port Stephens crowned as the best in the country.</p> <p>Port Stephens has been praised for its must-see beaches, stunning sand dunes, sea life and national parks, with the region’s growing accommodation, adventure and food options.</p> <p>Popular travel app Wotif has announced the winners of its 2025 Aussie Town of the Year Awards, with new research revealing that 78 per cent of Aussies plan to travel domestically this year.</p> <p>Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-ideas/best-of-travel/best-town-of-the-year-in-2025-revealed/news-story/b0f918d0bdb2b0577cf30382cab5d6d9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>, Wotif’s Travel Expert Rebecca Hurley said the winning town is “the perfect place to switch off” thanks to the region’s “laid-back luxury” and “endless beaches”.</p> <p>“This year’s awards prove Aussies are being drawn to iconic coastal destinations right across the country, and Port Stephens stands out as this year’s number one,” Ms Hurley explained.</p> <p>“The region’s popularity has risen significantly in the last twelve months, with accommodation interest jumping up over 75 per cent."</p> <p>“It’s the perfect destination to just switch off and relax. It’s laid-back luxury, meets nature haven thanks to the endless beaches, parks, wildlife and sand dunes. Whether it’s a relaxing beach escape, or an adventure packed getaway, Port Stephens has something for everyone.”</p> <p>Ms Hurley said coming in second this year was Cairns in Queensland, while Mandurah in Western Australia ranked third.</p> <p>Check out the top 10 list of best Aussie towns for 2025 below. </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">1. Port Stephens, NSW <br />2. Cairns, QLD <br />3. Mandurah, WA <br />4. Denmark, WA <br />5. Beechworth, VIC <br />6. Port Campbell, VIC <br />7. Murray Bridge, SA <br />8. Kingscliff, NSW <br />9. Yamba, NSW <br />10. Mackay, QLD </p> <p style="box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 24px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Image credits: Shutterstock </p>

Domestic Travel

"Living legend": Bruce McAvaney makes the best call in sports history

<p>In breaking news that has AFL fans across Australia leaping from their couches with unbridled joy, legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney is officially back in the Channel 7 commentary box for the 2025 season!</p> <p>Yes, you heard that right. The man, the myth, the vocal magician who can make a standard half-forward flanker look like an Olympic gold medallist is returning to bless our ears once again.</p> <p>On Wednesday, Seven confirmed that the Australian Football Hall of Famer and Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductee will headline the network’s AFL coverage on Sunday nights and for marquee matches. Translation? Footy just got 100 per cent more special.</p> <p>For those unfamiliar with McAvaney’s illustrious career (aka, people who have spent the last three decades living under a rock), the 71-year-old maestro has called over a thousand AFL games, 20 AFL Grand Finals, and hosted 21 Brownlow Medal nights – an incredible feat that makes even the most seasoned commentators look like they’re still on their learner’s permit.</p> <p>McAvaney, who originally retired from AFL commentary in 2021, sent the nation into a frenzy when he made a thrilling cameo in the 2024 AFL Finals. The brief return had fans (and possibly a few rival broadcasters) whispering, "Could he? Would he? Should he?!" Well, the answer is a resounding YES.</p> <p>Reflecting on his return, McAvaney shared, “I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to hold my end up, but I enjoyed it and loved it... <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">I’m 71 and my health is going well.</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">” In other words, the GOAT of AFL commentary wasn’t just dipping his toes back in the water – he was cannonballing right back into the deep end. </span></p> <p>Seven’s Head of AFL and Sport Innovation, Gary O’Keeffe, described McAvaney as a “living legend” – which might be the understatement of the year. McAvaney himself is apparently itching to get back behind the mic. “Some of my fondest memories have been in Seven’s AFL commentary box," he said. "And I can’t wait to witness more unforgettable moments during the 2025 season.” </p> <p>Meanwhile, across the AFL media landscape, Fox Footy has been bolstering its already stacked lineup, securing the services of Leigh Matthews, Tom Hawkins and Shaun Burgoyne. But let’s be honest – while Fox is building an empire, Seven just re-signed the emperor.</p> <p>So, footy fans, prepare yourselves. The dulcet tones of Bruce McAvaney are back, and the 2025 AFL season just became a whole lot more special.</p> <p><em>Image: Seven Network</em></p>

Best hotels in Australia revealed

<p>The <a href="https://www.forbestravelguide.com/award-winners" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2025 Forbes Travel Guide</a> has announced the winners of the Star Awards, with nine hotels and experiences in Australia being named in the list.</p> <p>Every property in the running for the awards is visited by highly trained inspectors who provide an evaluation based on up to 900 objective criteria.</p> <p>According to Forbes, the Star Rating system "emphasises service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks".</p> <p>Over 2000 hotels, experiences, restaurants and cruises were named on the global list, with nine Aussie winners featuring in the prestigious list. </p> <p>The only property in the country to receive a 5-star accommodation rating in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide was Crown Towers in Perth. </p> <p>Touted as "the pinnacle of Perth luxury", Forbes described the property as "Perth's most extravagant stay. Exuding understated glamour."</p> <p>In the spa category the Crown Spa Perth, which is tucked away in Crown Towers Perth, was awarded 4-stars for its "unbridled opulence".</p> <p>The Darling Sydney has once again received recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide for the ninth consecutive year, while The Darling's "world class" spa was also featured. </p> <p>Check out the list below.</p> <p>9. The Langham - Sydney</p> <p>8. Park Hyatt - Sydney</p> <p>7. Park Hyatt - Melbourne </p> <p>6. Capella - Sydney</p> <p>5. Como The Treasury - Perth</p> <p>4. The Darling Spa - Sydney</p> <p>3. The Darling - Sydney </p> <p>2. Crown Spa - Perth</p> <p>1. Crown Towers - Perth</p> <p><em>Image credits: Crown Hotels</em></p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 16px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: 18px; line-height: 24px; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; color: #333333;"> </p>

Domestic Travel

Ozempic shown to reduce alcohol intake in world-first trial

<p>A world-first study has shown that Ozempic can reduce drinking among those with alcohol-use disorder (AUD). </p> <p>A small clinical trial, published in <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2024.4789?utm_campaign=articlePDF%26utm_medium=articlePDFlink%26utm_source=articlePDF%26utm_content=jamapsychiatry.2024.4789">JAMA Psychiatry</a>, studied 48 people with signs of moderate alcohol-use disorder and found that those taking semaglutide – the generic name of Ozempic – for nine weeks saw significantly reductions in how much alcohol they drank, as well as cravings for alcohol, compared with people on a placebo.</p> <p>The findings underscore many real-world claims of those taking these medicines have already hinted at: Ozempic and similar drugs, already incredibly popular, could help reduce risks of over-consuming alcohol, if the results bear out in larger and longer trials.</p> <p>Christian Hendershot, director of clinical research at the University of Southern California Institute for Addiction Science and the lead author of the study, said, "We hoped to see a reduction in drinking and craving."</p> <p>"What I didn't expect was the magnitude of the effects looks fairly good … compared to other alcohol-use disorder medications."</p> <p>The drug works in both the gut and the brain, which may be the way they could help with alcohol-use disorder, said Lorenzo Leggio, a physician-scientist at the US National Institutes of Health who wasn't involved in this study.</p> <p>"More research is needed to understand the mechanism(s) of action of these medications in AUD," Leggio, who's published research on semaglutide's ability to reduce alcohol drinking in animals, wrote to <em><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/12/health/ozempic-alcohol-use-disorder-trial/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN</a></em>.</p> <p>"Nonetheless, the work done now suggests that mechanisms may include their effect in reducing alcohol craving and in reducing the rewarding effects of alcohol."</p> <p>Whether Ozempic and other similar drugs present a new way of treating AUD will depend on larger trials in patients more heavily afflicted by the disorder, experts said, and potentially whether research can yield a better understanding of how the medicines work to reduce drinking.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Body

Extraordinary winners of the 2025 Sony World Photography Awards

<p>From fiery volcanoes and busy cities, to extraordinary mountains and underwater adventures, the winners of the 2025 <a href="https://www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sony World Photography Awards</a> have been announced. </p> <p>Over 419,000 images from more than 200 countries and territories were submitted to the 2025 contest overall, this year's awards "celebrate a great diversity of visual storytelling from across the globe".</p> <p>The National and Regional Awards program was set up by Sony and the World Photography Organisation to support "local photographic communities around the world", with the program winners capturing moments of a "crash-landing" penguin in Antarctica, a lava-streaked volcano in Indonesia and an underwater cave on a South Korean island. </p> <p>The Sony World Photography Awards exhibition featuring awarded works will take place in London between April 17th and May 5th.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Sony World Photography Awards</em></p>

International Travel

How can I keep my cat happy? 5 tips from a vet to help your feline friend live their best life

<div class="theconversation-article-body"> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anne-quain-12802">Anne Quain</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>Around <a href="https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/report/pets-in-australia-a-national-survey-of-pets-and-people-2/">one third of Australian households live with at least one cat</a>, yet surveys tell us the cats’ <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X19890189">needs are not being met</a>.</p> <p>Cats may <a href="https://www.sup.org/books/media-studies/unified-theory-cats-internet">rule the internet</a>, but humans often misconstrue feline behaviour. Earlier this year, the Washington Post boldly declared <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2024/03/12/cats-behavior-misunderstood/">cat’s arent jerks – they’re just misunderstood</a>. This was prompted by research showing that, contrary to unhelpful stereotypes, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1090023323000795">cats are not antisocial</a>. They can and do bond closely with humans.</p> <p>The more we learn about cats, the more we realise they are complex individuals with unique <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8300181/">personalities</a> and preferences, capable of <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-74006-2">learning</a>.</p> <p>From understanding your cat’s language to keeping them safe and healthy – here are science-backed tips to improve the lives of your feline flatmates.</p> <h2>1. Pay attention to body language</h2> <p>Cats communicate with humans using body language and vocalisation. However, while cats direct meows at humans, and the meows vary depending on the context, humans <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7765146/">are not great at decoding them</a>. But we can read cat body language.</p> <p>For example, slow blinking is likely to indicate a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-73426-0">positive emotional state</a>. Cats who are not happy (for example, don’t want to be touched) will freeze, move away, flatten their ears, hiss, or – if they feel they have no other option – scratch or bite.</p> <p>It is better to allow cats to approach you on their terms, rather than pushing for social interaction. A cat approaching you with their tail up is giving a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8469685/">friendly signal</a>, while a tail swishing from side to side signals annoyance.</p> <p>Cats should always have the option to opt out of any interaction, like being touched. If you aren’t sure, just “<a href="https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/p/purr-science-of-making-your-cat-happy.html">ask</a>”: stop patting them. If they walk away, they’re not keen. If they rub their head against you, they want to continue the interaction.</p> <h2>2. Provide a healthy environment</h2> <p>The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the International Society of Feline Medicine have agreed upon <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X13477537">five pillars of a healthy feline environment</a>:</p> <ol> <li> <p>A safe space so that cats can retreat if frightened.</p> </li> <li> <p>Multiple, separated key resources (food, water, toileting areas, scratching areas, play areas and resting or sleeping areas) so that cats can comfortably conduct their daily activities.</p> </li> <li> <p>Opportunity for play and predatory behaviour, such as games with wand toys that simulate hunting.</p> </li> <li> <p>Positive, consistent and predictable human-cat interactions, respecting a cat’s choice about whether and how they interact.</p> </li> <li> <p>Respecting the importance of a cat’s senses by avoiding undesirable stimuli (strong smells and loud noises), and providing desirable sensory stimulation (for example, use of <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-catnip-and-treats-like-it-safe-for-cats-heres-how-they-affect-their-minds-and-moods-214947">catnip or silver vine</a>).</p> </li> </ol> <p>These pillars provide a useful checklist. If you read this and realise your cat’s food and water are right next to the litter tray, you can improve your cat’s environment (and their experiences of eating and toileting) by separating these resources right now.</p> <h2>3. Clean the litter tray!</h2> <p>A litter tray may represent an unpleasant chore to you, but the importance of a spacious litter tray to your cat cannot be overstated. Cats <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376635716302972">prefer using a clean litter tray</a>, even if they are the only cat in the household.</p> <p>Cats like to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016815911730151X">spend time in the tray</a> before, during and after toileting, and they generally <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1558787814000033">prefer a large tray</a>.</p> <p>Poor litter hygiene is associated with a risk of urinary problems, which can be <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.16389">life-threatening</a>. A <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X19890189">survey of over 12,000 Australian cat owners</a> found that urinary problems were more common in households with a low number of litter trays per cat, less frequent removal of faeces from the trays, and the use of crystal-type cat litter.</p> <p>If you switch the type of litter you provide, a <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/8/946">slow transition</a> is recommended to allow cats to get used to the change.</p> <h2>4. Read the room</h2> <p>Do you have more than one cat? Tension between household cats is common but often overlooked, as it’s not always physical fighting. Signs of inter-cat tension can include prolonged staring, or even blocking the use of resources such as the litter tray or cat door, to prevent other cats from using them.</p> <p>In their <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1098612X241263465">2024 intercat-tension guidelines</a>, the American Association of Feline Practitioners note this can case chronic fear, anxiety and stress-related illnesses in cats.</p> <p>Learning to recognise and manage tension between household cats can improve the welfare of all parties.</p> <p>When you love your cat, it is tempting to seek to amplify the joy by adopting another. But many cats prefer to be the only cat in the household, and don’t cope well with a <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10083434/">feline flatmate</a>. If they have positive interactions with familiar, trusted humans, they’re unlikely to be lonely.</p> <h2>5. Keep cats and other animals safe</h2> <p>Historically, domesticated cats earned their keep <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169534720300100">protecting grain stores</a> from rodents. But what constitutes responsible cat ownership has changed. Around 65% of Australia’s cat owners <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10215893/">confine their cats</a> indoors always, while 24% keep their cats confined at night.</p> <p>A major driver for indoor-only housing of cats is their <a href="https://theconversation.com/one-cat-one-year-110-native-animals-lock-up-your-pet-its-a-killing-machine-138412">predation of wildlife</a>. Another is concerns about roaming-associated risks to cats, including cat fights, infectious diseases (such as <a href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9546031/">feline immunodeficiency virus or FIV</a>), misadventure and motor vehicle trauma. But owners of cats kept entirely indoors were more likely to report <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168159119301054?via%3Dihub">“problem” behaviours</a>.</p> <p>Ideally, cats shouldn’t be allowed to free-roam unsupervised where they can harm wildlife, even within the bounds of the property where you live. More than a third of local councils in Australia <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-19/banning-pet-cats-roaming-native-animals-billions-dollars-council/103856000">now require</a> cats to be contained overnight or 24 hours a day.</p> <p>Outdoor access provides sensory stimulation, with different sights, sounds and smells. Alternatives to free roaming include providing access to a well-designed cat run, harness-training your cat, or supervising your cat.</p> <p>Cats who don’t leave home unless they’re moving house or being taken to the vet, quickly learn to associate the cat carrier with a trip to an unfamiliar environment. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a vet visit is imminent when the carrier comes out.</p> <p>But that negative association can be changed. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159118302703">Cats who were rewarded with treats</a> when they approached, stepped inside or rested in the carrier for six weeks were much less stressed during veterinary visits.</p> <p>Cats are intelligent, and contrary to popular opinion, can be trained. The process can be enriching for cats and humans alike. With patience and commitment, <a href="http://www.smallanimaltalk.com/2017/04/book-review-trainable-cat-plus-that.html">you can train your cat</a> – from a simple “sit” to voluntarily stepping into the cat carrier.</p> <p>In short, give cats choice, respect their “cat-ness”, pay attention to their needs and try to see our world from their point of view. Your cat will be happier for it.<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/242774/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anne-quain-12802">Anne Quain</a>, Senior Lecturer, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</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/how-can-i-keep-my-cat-happy-5-tips-from-a-vet-to-help-your-feline-friend-live-their-best-life-242774">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Family & Pets

Best travel destinations for 2025 revealed

<p dir="ltr">For those setting their sights on travelling abroad in 2025, TripAdvisor has named their best destinations for holidays this year. </p> <p dir="ltr">The winners of the <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/TravelersChoice-Destinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tripadvisor</a> Travellers' Choice Awards were identified based on the quality and quantity of global Tripadvisor reviews specific to several award subcategories, from accommodation to restaurants. </p> <p dir="ltr">For 2025, London has been named the top destination in the world, taking the title from Dubai, which had held first place since 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr">Commenting on the announcement, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said, “London is, without doubt, the best city in the world to visit, attracting millions of tourists every year who are amazed with everything that our great city has to offer.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“With our unrivalled mix of cultural attractions, renowned food scene and a sporting calendar that cannot be beaten, I am delighted that Tripadvisor agrees that London is the top destination in the world.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Dubai was bumped down to the third spot on the list, while the tropical paradise of Bali in Indonesia slid into second place. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the top 10 list of the most popular international destinations for 2025 below. </p> <p dir="ltr">1. London, UK</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Bali, Indonesia</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Dubai, UAE</p> <p dir="ltr">4. Sicily, Italy</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Paris, France</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Rome, Italy</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Hanoi, Vietnam</p> <p dir="ltr">8. Marrakech, Morocco</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Crete, Greece</p> <p dir="ltr">10. Bangkok, Thailand</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

Top 10 must-do activities around the world in 2025

<p>Global travel brand <em>Time Out</em> has revealed their annual list of the best activities around the world. </p> <p>From a canoe trip in Australia to wildlife encounters in Singapore, here are the top 10 must-do activities and experiences around the world. </p> <p><strong>10. Take a micro cruise through the Arctic. </strong></p> <p>This year, Micro-cruise specialist Secret Atlas will be taking 12 passengers at a time through the Arctic, for a more "intimate, once-in-a-lifetime, eco-conscious trip". </p> <p>The cruise will take guests on a wildlife-spotting journey through Svalbard's lesser-known northern reaches, while the other cruise will sail past the icebergs in Northeast Greenland, including a visit to one of the most remote towns on earth. </p> <p>These trips, however, aren't cheap with prices starting at £15,500 (around AUD $30,500) for two weeks.</p> <p><strong>9. Explore the cross-border towns of Gorizia, Italy, and Nova Gorica, Slovenia</strong></p> <p>These three towns make up 2025's European Capital of Culture, with over 400 events to be held throughout the year, including a piano performance on a 200m-high bridge, as well as a food and wine event called Tastes Without Borders.</p> <p><strong>8. Go on a wildlife-spotting adventure in Singapore's new Rainforest Park </strong></p> <p>The Mandai Wildlife Reserve is opening its fifth zoological park, Rainforest Wild Asia, this year, with 10 different zones, as well as 29 different species of animals, perfect for a family outing. </p> <p><strong>7. Discover Vietnam by a vintage steam train</strong></p> <p>Time Out explained that two of the "beautifully restored vintage trains" date all the way back to the 60s, and will take passengers between "the central city of Da Nang and the former royal capital of Hue."</p> <p><strong>6. Visit the Musée Granet celebrating the father of post-impressionism</strong></p> <p>Aix-en-Provence in France is celebrating the life of post-impressionist painter Paul Cezanne in his hometown, with the exhibition displaying almost 100 of Cèzanne’s works, as well as tours around the artist’s childhood home, former estate and art studio. </p> <p><strong>5. Visit the long-awaited Harlem's Studio Museum, New York</strong></p> <p>The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, was first opened 56 years ago, with an archive of almost 9,000 pieces from all kinds of creators. It was closed for construction almost seven years ago and will finally re-open in autumn. </p> <p><strong>4. Fly directly to Greenland </strong></p> <p>The grand opening of their brand-new international airport will make this stunning location <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">more accessible</span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"> for travellers wanting to view the Northern Lights and all of the territory's natural wonders. </span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">3. Visit the world's first museum telling stories of migration though art</span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">The Fenix museum in </span>Katendrecht, Rotterdam will open on May 16 and is the first museum telling stories of migration through art. </p> <p><strong>2. Walk, ride or cycle along Murray River, Australia</strong></p> <p>"The Murray River is the crowning jewel of Australia’s Echuca region," said <em>Time Out’s</em> Saffron Swire. </p> <p>With the opening of a new multisport adventure trail this year, cyclists, hikers and paddlers alike will get to enjoy the river in a new way. </p> <p><strong>1. Join a once-every-quarter-century spiritual celebration in Rome, Italy</strong></p> <p>Italy's capital will celebrate its spiritual Jubilee this year, a Catholic festivity that's held every 25 years, with Italy expert Rebecca Ann Hughes recommending the Seven Churches Pilgrimage, "which began in the 16th century and involves a 25km walk through the city and countryside between the major basilicas." </p> <p>Check out the full list <a href="http://www.timeout.com/things-to-do/best-things-to-do-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

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