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"Unidentified life form" found off New Zealand coast

<p>Ah, the deep sea, where the mysteries of the ocean lurk in the shadows, waiting to be discovered by intrepid marine scientists armed with nets, trawls and a healthy dose of confusion...</p> <p>Recently, a team of brave souls embarked on a journey off the coast of New Zealand, armed with curiosity and a fervent desire to find Nemo's distant relatives. What they found, however, was not just Nemo's cousins – but a veritable treasure trove of potential new species. Or at least, they think so.</p> <p>In a saga that could rival any aquatic adventure film, the scientists stumbled upon approximately 100 potential new species, including one particularly enigmatic life form that has left them scratching their heads in bewilderment.</p> <p>Initially mistaking it for a sea star – or perhaps a particularly flamboyant sea cucumber – they now suspect it might be a deep-sea coral. Or a cosmic jellyfish. Or a lost prop from a sci-fi movie. The possibilities are as endless as the ocean itself.</p> <p>Dr Michela Mitchell, a taxonomist with a penchant for the dramatic, declared it could be "a whole new group outside of the octocoral." Because why settle for identifying just one species when you can potentially create an entire taxonomic order?</p> <p>Dr Daniel Moore, another member of the expedition and self-proclaimed captain of the confusion ship, confessed, "We can't even describe it to family." One can only imagine the perplexed expressions at family gatherings as they attempt to explain their latest discovery: "Well, it's sort of like a sponge, but not really. And it might have tentacles. Or wings. We're not entirely sure."</p> <p>Their research vessel, the <em>Tangaroa</em>, became a floating laboratory of befuddlement as they collected nearly 1,800 samples from the abyssal depths. Armed with modified sleds and a healthy dose of optimism, they trawled the ocean floor, hoping to snag the elusive creatures that lurked below.</p> <p>"It was true exploration, very exciting," Dr Moore boasted, his enthusiasm undiminished by the fact that they still couldn't <em>definitively</em> identify half of what they'd found.</p> <p>Among their discoveries was a new species of fish, dubbed the "eelpout", which was "instantly recognised as being different to the others." Because, apparently, it had a flair for the dramatic and refused to conform to traditional fish norms.</p> <p>In a surprising revelation, Dr Moore admitted, "Finding new vertebrates is rare." One can only assume that the eelpout, upon hearing this declaration, puffed out its chest (or whatever passes for a chest in fish anatomy) and proclaimed itself the king of the ocean.</p> <p>As the expedition came to a close, the scientists reflected on the vastness of the ocean and the infinitesimal fraction of its inhabitants they had encountered. With only 240,000 species identified out of an estimated 2.2 million, they realised they had barely scratched the surface. Or, in this case, the sea floor.</p> <p>And so, armed with their nets, their sleds, and their unshakeable sense of optimism, the intrepid scientists set sail once more, ready to delve deeper into the mysteries of the ocean and perhaps stumble upon another baffling creature that defies explanation. After all, what's science without a little bit of confusion?</p> <p><em>Image: Ocean-Census | NIWA</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Miranda Kerr welcomes "little ray of sunshine"

<p>Miranda Kerr has welcomed her fourth child with Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel. </p> <p>The 40-year-old supermodel gave birth to a baby boy named Pierre Kerr Spiegel on Sunday, February 18, but announced the news of her new bub's arrival ten days later.</p> <p>"We are overjoyed by the arrival of our little ray of sunshine, Pierre Kerr Spiegel," she wrote in a statement posted on Snapchat. </p> <p>"We couldn’t be more excited to welcome our fourth son into our family. Feeling so very blessed."</p> <p>Kerr shared a picture of flowers, nestled next to a pair of yellow baby socks and a baby blue blanket that read "Pierre."</p> <p>The heartwarming announcement was made just six months after Kerr revealed that she was <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/so-excited-miranda-kerr-s-special-announcement" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expecting her fourth child</a> with a series of pictures showing off her baby bump. </p> <p>"So excited to announce baby 4," she captioned the photo at the time. </p> <p>Kerr and Spiegel, who tied the knot in 2017, have three sons together - baby Pierre, five-year-old Hart, and four-year-old Myles. </p> <p>The Aussie supermodel also shares a fourth son, Flynn, 13, with her former husband Orlando Bloom. </p> <p>Kerr first hinted at the possibility of having more children in a 2022 interview with <em>Vogue Australia</em>. </p> <p>"I just love being a mother and I always wanted three boys, so I feel really blessed that I have three healthy boys."</p> <p>"I feel like I'm open, so we'll see what God decides."</p> <p><em>Images: Miranda Kerr Snapchat</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“What a legend”: Brave Aussie pensioner saves puppy from a snake

<p dir="ltr">An Aussie pensioner has gone the extra mile to save her terrified puppy from a carpet snake. </p> <p dir="ltr">Anne Murphy, a woman from NSW’s Lennox Head, captured the moment her 80-year-old mother went toe-to-toe with the slippery intruder who was terrorising her dog and shared the interaction on a Facebook page called Australian Country Memes. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to Anne, her mother bolted out the door one Monday evening when she heard her dog “screaming”, when she was confronted with the carpet snake. </p> <p dir="ltr">The non-venomous snake had wrapped around the small dog and bitten it on the chin, when the 80-year-old intervened. </p> <p dir="ltr">The woman was “bitten three times” by the snake, before she “caught the snake so it could be taken out to the bush and hopefully not make its way back to her place”. </p> <p dir="ltr">She then took her puppy to the vet, and got home three hours after the incident first happened.</p> <p dir="ltr">The post has since received over 2,000 likes and hundreds comments, hailing the 80-year-old as a “legend“, “gutsy” and a “wonderful woman.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“She is a true blue here. My hat is off to you, amazing lady,” one person wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">Another added, “Way to go! That’s just what country people do. God love her, they don’t make them like that anymore.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Facebook</em></p>

Family & Pets

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How to snake-proof your house and garden

<p>If there’s one thing that strikes fear into many Australians, it’s snakes. Sure, some of them are harmless but they are still the last thing you want to see in your home or garden. There are some ways to make your home less inviting to these reptiles.</p> <p><strong>1. Block their entrance</strong></p> <p>Snakes like to hide in quiet places such as your roof, garage or underneath the house. Try to make it harder for them to get in by covering any holes leading in or out, and ensuring that screens and doors are kept shut.</p> <p><strong>2. Keep your garden tidy</strong></p> <p>Snakes like to hide, so keep things neat in the backyard to stop them finding a place to do so. Keep your lawns mowed, and garden beds weeded. Keep your shed locked, and be sure to have a clear out regularly to remove any old boxes. If you have wood stored outside try to have minimal space between each piece so that they can’t use it as shelter. Avoid keeping grass clippings and mulch in a pile as snacks find the warmth appealing.</p> <p><strong>3. Seal holes in walls</strong></p> <p>Snakes love rock and brick walls as they can use them to keep warm, provide shelter, and find food. Block up any holes that they could hide in by filling them in.</p> <p><strong>4. Reduce the rodent population</strong></p> <p>Snakes like houses that have mice and rats, so try reducing their numbers. Place bait in your house and garden (ensure it is pet-friendly) and this should reduce the chances of snakes hanging around.</p> <p><strong>5. Keep birds safe</strong></p> <p>Ensure any chook pens or bird cages are well protected from snakes entering them. Also be sure to keep them clean so that rats and mice aren’t entering the pens either.</p> <p><strong>6. Keep your bins tidy</strong></p> <p>When you dispose of food scraps, always ensure they are in a sealed garbage bag in your bin, rather than just loose. This will keep rats and mice away, and therefore snakes too.</p> <p><strong>7. Watch your plant choice</strong></p> <p>Think about the types of plants in your garden if snakes are an issue. Low shrubs and bushes are the ideal spot for a snake. Taller trees and flowers could be a better option. Also be sure to keep leaf litter to a minimum as it’s the perfect hiding spot for snakes.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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“Rarest species of feline on Earth”: Unique cat mystifies the internet

<p dir="ltr">A photo of the “rarest species of feline on Earth”, a cat with black and neon yellow stripes, has mystified the internet.</p> <p dir="ltr">The incredible photo of the “Amazon snake cat” is truly unbelievable.</p> <p dir="ltr">The image of the so-called “Serpens Cattus”, a feline with black and neon-yellow stripes resembling a snake, made waves online, with social media posts claiming it was the “rarest species of feline on Earth”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Serpens Cattus is the rarest species of feline on Earth. These Animals live in hard-to-reach regions of the Amazon rainforest, and therefore they are relatively poorly studied,” a Twitter user claimed. “The first images capturing the snake cat appeared only in 2020. Weighs up to 4 stone (25kgs).”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://t.co/rpeMQKCF4I">pic.twitter.com/rpeMQKCF4I</a></p> <p>— Jeff_kamara2 (@Kamara2R) <a href="https://twitter.com/Kamara2R/status/1635669633553367040?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">A now-deleted Reddit post of the “Serpens Cattus” attracted several comments who flagged the feline as not being real. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Obvious fake. No known gene can produce natural hair or fur of those (navy and bright yellow) colours,” one commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Really rough attempt at a fake Latin name,” a second person chimed in. “One google about species naming would have made this a lot less obvious.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The post caught the eye of zoology experts to verify the authenticity of the photo.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, the colours and patterns on the female bare a strong resemblance to the reptilian boiga dendrophila, which is commonly referred to as the “gold-ringed cat snake”.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo &amp; Conservation Biology Institute, the snake is found in the same countries where the “Amazon snake cat” was rumoured to be found. </p> <p dir="ltr">The serpent-like feline slid over to TikTok, where one user claimed that the species lived in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He’s in the next fantastic beasts,” laughed one user referencing the Harry Potter spin-off franchise.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Use this s**t for good not to misinform,” another user wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Stop sharing bulls**t,” a third commented. </p> <p dir="ltr">It's clear to see the mysterious feline has certainly left some in hiss-belief.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-919797d4-7fff-89ab-2d2e-e88b391d041a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credit: Twitter</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“A ray of sunshine”: Catherine’s heartwarming visit to miracle baby

<p>A mother from West Sussex has recounted the experience of having Catherine, Princess of Wales, meet her young daughter Amaya-Rae. </p> <p>When Amaya-Rae was born at only 23 weeks and classed as a “late miscarriage” in August 2021, her parents were left heartbroken. </p> <p>Amaya-Rae had already beaten the odds by surviving what was described as a traumatic birth, but the family’s medical team didn’t have high hopes for the baby girl, advising her parents to say their goodbyes. </p> <p>Over the course of 360 days in hospital, Amaya-Rae’s family were told on eight separate occasions that she was not going to make it, but she had other ideas. </p> <p>“It’s nothing short of a miracle,” her mother, Mischa, said, “I’m not religious but I really do believe she has had someone watching over her, telling her it’s not her time to go yet, sending her back.</p> <p>“At first, each time we were told to say goodbye to her, our world just crumbled.”</p> <p>Amaya-Rae went on to prove her mum right and her doctors wrong, defying all of the odds in her fight to survive. Now, she is almost eighteen months old, and safe at home with her family. </p> <p>Despite the heartbreak that came with their time in hospital, Amaya-Rae’s mum has opened up about one bright moment in the dark: a visit from Princess Catherine. </p> <p>“When we were in the Evelina Children’s Hospital, we were totally stunned when Catherine, Princess of Wales, made an unexpected visit,” Mischa recalled. “Catherine was so lovely, she listened intently to Amaya’s story, and genuinely seemed so taken with her and asked such a lot of questions.</p> <p>“She seemed totally besotted, complimenting her smiles and her outfit. Amaya couldn't take her eyes off her, she was transfixed. </p> <p>“Someone suggested we take her to see a Disney Princess show at Christmas, but we joked she only deals with actual royalty now.”</p> <p>Amaya-Rae’s need for specialist care saw her transferred to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, where she stayed for 166 days before getting to go home. It was there, at the children’s hospital, that she came face-to-face with the real-life princess. </p> <p>Catherine, who is the hospital’s patron, was there on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend. </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/CnxfEqxs3v2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CnxfEqxs3v2/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by amayarae_ story (@amayarae_story)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>As Mischa explained, she was “with Amaya and her nurse came in and said we had someone who’d like to visit us. I was stunned when I realised who it was, I kept saying it couldn’t be her because it was the Jubilee weekend.” </p> <p>The nurse, she said, told them that Catherine had come to visit the families who couldn’t be out celebrating, and that after being told about Amaya-Rae, she had requested to meet her. </p> <p>“There were no press there, we didn’t see any bodyguards,” Mischa said of the meeting, “she just popped in to meet the children. She was so lovely.”</p> <p>In an interview with the <em>Mirror</em>, Mischa added, “when the nurses told me she was in the hospital and wanted to meet Amaya-Rae, I completely panicked.”</p> <p>“She was in her nappy. I ran around finding something presentable for her to wear. But as soon as Kate walked in through the door, all the nervousness disappeared."</p> <p>After speaking on Catherine’s calming demeanour, and how Amaya-Rae was “transfixed” with the princess, Mischa reflected on their experience and the surprise introduction, saying, “there are some really dark days in a children's hospital, and for our family - and lots of others - there isn't much to look forward to. </p> <p>“Everybody who met Kate said it gave them such a pick-me-up. She was a ray of sunshine in a really frightening time."</p> <p>Mischa’s miracle, her ray of sunshine, is now home. Though Amaya-Rae will require oxygen for another few months, and faces some underlying conditions that Mischa hopes will be manageable and won’t hold Amaya-Rae back, she is happy to report that her daughter is just like anyone else her age. </p> <p>“She is doing so well. She’s such a happy, chilled out little girl. You’d never know what she’s been through.”</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Russell Crowe’s close call with slithery “buddy”

<p dir="ltr">Russell Crowe has shared a snap of the venomous snake he had a close encounter with over the weekend, with a warning for others who could come in contact with them.</p> <p dir="ltr">Crowe came across the snake while walking barefoot outside his home in Nana Glen, to the west of Coffs Harbour in New South Wales.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6691f7c2-7fff-d812-7f3b-8770e1449cfd">“On the driveway. Me and my buddy Band Bandy. Thankfully, his markings broadcast his presence,” the <em>Gladiator</em> star wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a photo of the reptile.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">On the driveway. Me and my buddy Bandy Bandy.<br />Thankfully, his markings broadcast his presence. Broke one of my own rules, walking outside, at night, without shoes. A little reminder of the folly of that choice. <a href="https://t.co/wP0YNNLXkJ">pic.twitter.com/wP0YNNLXkJ</a></p> <p>— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/russellcrowe/status/1599342690751361025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Broke my own rules, walking outside at night, without shoes. A little reminder of the folly of that choice.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-501b7a5d-7fff-05e4-bac2-ae108b03f4ce"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The 58-year-old also shared a clip of the Bandy Bandy, a snake that is endemic to Australia, with the caption: “Who’s my buddy now?”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Who’s my buddy now ? <a href="https://t.co/tgkmxPVUD9">pic.twitter.com/tgkmxPVUD9</a></p> <p>— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/russellcrowe/status/1599341335861133312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">His close call comes shortly after he shot down rumours he had married Britney Theriot, his girlfriend of two years, after the <em>Broken City</em> actress was spotted leaving an Italian hotel wearing a ring on her wedding ring.</p> <p dir="ltr">Crowe reportedly dismissed the gossip in a text message to 2Day FM radio host Erin Molan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“'[He texted me] Yeah, good guess. We are not married'.. Yeah, they are not married…” Molan said on the <em>Hughesy, Ed, Erin</em> show last month.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-dbdd28f5-7fff-1a97-126f-56491f8930fa"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Not without my dog! Man wins anti-discrimination case against pet chihuahua

<p>Queensland pet owner Raymond Matthews has won an anti-discrimination claim against his local pub after his assistance chihuahua, Coo-ee, was denied entry.</p> <p>Matthews' favourite watering hole was The Woombye Pub, a stone's throw from his home on the Sunshine Coast. “I’d go up there for a chicken parmi and a beer, maybe once or twice a week,” he told <a href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/sunshine-coast-man-wins-8000-discrimination-claim-after-pub-refused-entry-to-his-assistance-chihuahua--c-8079310" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7 News</a>.</p> <p>However, that all came to an end in 2017 when new management started refusing entry to Coo-ee.</p> <p>“(The) dog almost got run over one night, having had to stay outside. I went back inside and got directed out and barred for a month and made out to be the bad guy - that I’d intimidated people.”</p> <p>Three years of consistent refusal-of-entry to The Woombye then caused Matthews to say enough was enough and seek legal recourse.</p> <p>In a case opened against the pub, the tribunal found the venue broke anti-discrimination laws and awarded Matthews $8000 in compensation.</p> <p>Matthews said he tried to explain the significance of Coo-ee to the new owners but they wouldn’t listen.</p> <p>“The more I tried to convince them, the more I sounded like a broken record,” he said. “I’d been to the doctor to get the dog signed off as an assistant.</p> <p>“What she does is she introduces me to myriad people - the amount of hurdles I’ve got over because of the dog, just breaking the barriers down that normally exist with bureaucracy.</p> <p>“I take the dog with me and it just brings people down to a level playing field and you can speak with them, you can get along with them, you’ve got a common denominator and the dog, I feel, is the one that does it.”</p> <p>In a happy ending – certainly for Coo-ee at any rate – Matthews and the pup have now been welcomed into the venue.</p> <p><em>Image: Sunrise</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Hero dad coward-punched while trying to rescue car crash victim

<p dir="ltr">A 63-year-old father is fighting for his life after being coward-punched in the head while helping a teen in a car accident. </p> <p dir="ltr">Rob Seddon rushed to help a 17-year-old who crashed his Toyota Corolla into a caravan outside his home on Skyhawk Ave in Hamlyn Terrace on the Central Coast around 10pm on Saturday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Along with other neighbours, Mr Seddon assisted the teen before they were ambushed by a group of males who attacked them. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Seddon was allegedly hit from the back on the head which caused him to fall backwards, hit his head and lose consciousness. </p> <p dir="ltr">He was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition where he underwent brain surgery and remains in intensive care in a coma.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Seddon’s 21-year-old son was also allegedly attacked and suffered a broken nose.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I could hear the sheer horrible noises from this guy that was being hurt, I had tears in my eyes, I knew it was bad,” neighbour Diane Gardner told Nine News.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was absolutely horrible. You could hear his pain and he wanted help.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Police are asking anyone with information about the alleged attackers to come forward. </p> <p dir="ltr">The 17-year-old driver who crashed into Mr Seddon’s caravan was breathalysed at the scene and returned a positive blood-alcohol reading.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was then charged with negligent driving and drink-driving on P-plates.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

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New rule poses major changes for popular tourist destination

<p dir="ltr">With its impressive sheer drops down to turquoise waters below and roads seemingly chiselled out of the surrounding cliffs, the Amalfi Coast has become an iconic road trip destination - a status that has brought plenty of tourists and traffic with it.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Italian location has now become known for stories of miles-long traffic backups, as buses and vans packed with tourists navigate multiple narrow stretches of single-lane roads with switchbacks.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, a new rule could spell the end of heavy tourist traffic on the roads - and mess with plenty of holiday itineraries.</p> <p dir="ltr">A newly-launched alternate number plate system means that cars can only access the stretch between Vietri sul Mare and Positano every other day during peak hours in peak season.</p> <p dir="ltr">On odd-numbered dates, only cars with plates ending in odd numbers can use the road, while cars with even numbers at the end of their plates will be able to drive along it on even-numbered dates.</p> <p dir="ltr">The rule applies for the entire month of August between 10am and 6pm, as well as on weekends from June 15 through to September 30, Holy Week, and the dates from April 24 to May 2.</p> <p dir="ltr">Residents from 13 towns along the coast will be exempt, along with public transport vehicles, taxis, and cars that are hired with a driver.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, vehicles longer than 10.36 metres will be banned from the road entirely, while caravans and vehicles with trailers are prohibited from using the road from 6.30am til midnight, all year round.</p> <p dir="ltr">The rules, introduced by Anas, also see vehicles over six metres long and 2.1 metres wide restricted to using the road within certain hours and being completely banned on peak dates.</p> <p dir="ltr">Deputy mayor of Vietri sul Mare Angela Infante told <em>CNN </em>the new rules had been needed for some time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s started again this year - you can’t drive at weekends, people are trapped at home,” Ms Infante said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prior to the pandemic, she said there would sometimes be backups up to six kilometres along the coast.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You have to drive incredibly slowly because there are so many cars, and often it is completely blocked,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Apart from anything else, you could have an ambulance [in that traffic] and anything could happen - we have to limit the heavy traffic.”</p> <p dir="ltr">While Ms Infante is among many locals welcoming the new rules, others aren’t so happy.</p> <p dir="ltr">Antonio Illardi, the president of a local association of hoteliers called Federalberghi Salerno, argued in an open letter to Anas for the rules to be tweaked to allow overnight tourists to drive to their hotel and for hotel workers to reach their work if they live outside the coast.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The policy is a ‘disaster’,” he told <em>CNN</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It discourages tourists. It makes it impossible to stay for an odd number of days. If you arrive on Wednesday, you can't leave on Thursday. It's not like you can send your rental car back on Amazon."</p> <p dir="ltr">Others are concerned that tourists will be unaware of the changes and may be fined if not alerted by the rental companies and end up driving on the wrong day.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The rules are written in bureaucratese, they're not easy to read,” Mr Illardi said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Maybe rental car companies won't know, or maybe the visitor won't mention where they're going. So they'll get a car with the wrong plate and will be met with a fine on arrival."</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the contention, the rules are said to have been created with the blessing of the town councils along the coast, with the exception of Minori and Maiori.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e5324476-7fff-6205-d778-8a558901ee83"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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“World’s hottest grandma” reveals paparazzi hell

<p dir="ltr">The world’s self-proclaimed hottest grandma has spoken about being forced to leave her home due to paparazzi stalking her. </p> <p dir="ltr">Gina Stewart moved from New Zealand to the Gold Coast and is being chased by paparazzi who have figured out where she lives.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 51-year-old said that despite her huge following online where she shares promiscuous images, she is actually “really shy”. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I have been chased all around the Gold Coast by paparazzi trying to catch me," she told The Daily Star.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I don't give out my address and I had to move from one address because paparazzi tried to catch me outside.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It got to a point where I wouldn't go out until I knew they had gone."</p> <p dir="ltr">The mother-of-four and grandmother-of-one certainly does not look her age and credits her looks to a hyper-cooling remedy.</p> <p dir="ltr">Stewart exposes herself to temperatures of -110C to help “rejuvenate” her body and helps with muscle fatigue, muscle repair, injury treatment plus general skin revival.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Cryotherapy is my number one go-to therapy. I firmly believe it is the reason why I feel and look refreshed. It's my fountain of youth," she previously said. </p> <p dir="ltr">"I have been doing cryotherapy for a while and will keep it up as long as possible."</p> <p dir="ltr">She explained that each session costs $55 and does it twice a week. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stewart has also been doing it for a year which is helping her burn 800 calories each session. </p> <p dir="ltr">The grandma also sticks to eating protein-rich foods and avoids alcohol. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Extremely valuable snake found hiding in city bin

<p>An abandoned pet snake has been spotted on bustling Oxford Street in the Sydney CBD, with authorities saying the precious reptile is worth around $1000.</p><p>The very out-of-place diamond head python was discovered hiding in a bin outside a Paddington barber's shop, after which a helpful bystander coaxed the snake into a leather bag for safe-keeping.</p><p>The native Australian reptile's rare appearance has sparked concern among authorities and wildlife carers, with the incident now set to be investigated by police.</p><p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/02/snake-on-bin.jpg" alt="" width="471" height="261" /></p><p>The snake was taken to a vet to be treated for minor injuries, which are believed to have been inflicted by its previous owner.</p><p>Once given the all-clear, the python will be given the chance to find a new owner and fresh start.</p><p>According to Australia Zoo, diamond pythons are closely related to the commonly recognised carpet python.</p><p>They are often black in colour with cream or yellow, diamond-shaped blotches covering the entire length of their body. Being a python, they are non-venomous. They constrict their prey in order to kill it and then consume it whole.</p><p><em>Image: Nine News</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Family finds 1.3m snake wrapped around mirror

<p><em>Image: Brisbane North Snake Catcher/Facebook</em></p> <p>Checking your rear-view mirrors is essential before driving off. However, one Queensland family has discovered another big reason to perform this important safety check.</p> <p>The family had been off enjoying a picnic north of Brisbane on Sunday. Upon returning to the car – much to their shock – have discovered a large snake wrapped around the rear view mirror.</p> <p>According to Brisbane North Snake Catcher director Josh Castle, this was an unusual place to find a snake. “I’ve never seen it,” he told 7News.</p> <p>“I have pulled them out of car bonnets and stuff like that, which is more to be expected because they can into a bonnet from underneath.</p> <p>“The fact it was actually in the car and soaking in the sun through the window on the mirror is quite weird.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845991/new-project-8.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/44e7a1c59704460f8dd92137545a5f90" /></p> <p>The snake has been identified as a coastal carpet python approximately 1.3.m.</p> <p>“We’ve pretty much found them everywhere now. That pretty much tickets every box on where we’ve found them,” he said.</p> <p>Naturally, the internet absolutely lost its collective mind when photos of the car invader emerged.</p> <p>“Sell the damn car, it belongs to the snake now,” wrote another.</p>

Travel Trouble

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Local council accidentally crushes woman's car and belongings

<p dir="ltr">A NSW grandmother is still awaiting compensation three months after the local council admitted to accidentally seizing and crushing her car.</p> <p dir="ltr">Wendy Tucker said she is upset at how heartless the council has been when it came to offering help, fixing its mistake, and being clear about what happened to her 1997 Toyota Camry and personal belongings, while critics described the incident as embarrassing and evidence of incompetence on the Central Coast Council’s behalf.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Tucker told<span> </span><em>A Current Affair,<span> </span></em>"I just thought the council would have been more forthcoming.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It was my only car, and it had things in it - personal belongings, emotional things - you get attached to your vehicles regardless of how good or bad they are."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Tucker said that three months ago, she rang the police and council rangers, fearing her car, which was parked near her daughter’s home, had been stolen. The 61-year-old high school science lab assistant claims she was told by the council that the car had been towed, and to expect a letter in the mail that would outline the next steps she should take.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unfortunately, the next day she received a call from the council informing her that the car had been accidentally crushed. The warning letter from the council arrived a few days later.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mrs Tucker said, "I thought they were exaggerating but apparently it had been crushed completely.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Former Central Coast councilor Greg Best said “heads should roll” after the incident. "Surely they should have just sat down with Mrs Tucker over a cup of tea and said 'sorry, here's what we're going to do'.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This council wracked up the largest financial debt and financial loss of any council in Australia and it has now gone to an all time high in its incompetence and embarrassment."</p> <p dir="ltr">The Council confirmed the car was left in a street at Point Clare for roughly eight weeks during NSW’s COVID-19 lockdown, and that it towed the vehicle following complaints from nearby homeowners. While this is within the council’s power, it is required to contact the registered owner and give warning that the car had been impounded.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Central Coast Council<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/a-current-affair/aussie-grandmothers-car-crushed-by-nsw-council-without-warning/b04415f6-ce57-42aa-a2ca-c263a61073f8" target="_blank">provided two statements</a><span> </span>to<span> </span><em>A Current Affair,<span> </span></em>and later offerred an apology to Mrs Tucker. Their most recent statement says, amongst other things, that the “Council apologies to the car owner that adequate notice wasn't provided by letter to the registered address, and despite Council undertaking the process lawfully within the legislation, compensation is assured to the car's owner.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Channel 9</em></p>

Legal

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From the Red Centre to the green tropics, Australia’s Outback presents a palette like no other

<p><strong>By Reader's Digest, in partnership with APT</strong></p> <p>From the sunburnt sands and ochre-hued escarpments of its Red Centre to the lush green rainforests of Tropical North Queensland, Australia’s Outback packs a punch when it comes to the kaleidoscope of colours on show. <a href="https://www.aptouring.com.au/?utm_source=readersdigest&amp;utm_medium=advertorial&amp;utm_content=20200302_outback2020_readersdigest_native&amp;utm_campaign=outback2020">APT</a> has been operating tours in the Outback for more than 50 years, and are experts in tailoring holidays to showcase the best of each magical region.</p> <p><strong>A world of rainforest and reef</strong></p> <p>In Cape Tribulation, rainforest-clad mountains tumble down to meet the coastline, where pure white sands and turquoise waters dazzle. This is the only place on Earth where two World Heritage-listed sites meet – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The Daintree is the oldest tropical lowland forest in the world and is home to thousands of species of birds, animals and reptiles. Here, giant fan palms, emerald green vines and ancient ferns tangle together, forming a dense rainforest that makes you feel as though you are stepping into Jurassic Park.</p> <p><em style="font-weight: inherit;">On tour</em></p> <p>APT offers an 11-day 4WD adventure through Cooktown &amp; Cape York. Arrive in Cairns and transfer to Port Douglas, where you’ll spend a night at the luxurious Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort. Travel to Mossman Gorge in Daintree National Park and set off on a Dreamtime Gorge Walk. Explore Cape Tribulation and Cooktown then visit Split Rock, an intriguing Indigenous rock art site. Take a helicopter flight into the Steve Irwin Wildlife Reserve before continuing north to the tip of Cape York. Here, set out on a walk to the tip of the peninsula and enjoy a helicopter flight for an aerial perspective on this incredible landscape.</p> <p><strong style="font-style: inherit;">Be moved by the outback’s heart</strong></p> <p>As the light shifts and changes throughout the day, so does the landscape at Uluru – the Outback’s spiritual heart. At sunrise, feel an overwhelming sense of calm as you watch this mighty monolith come to life against a pastel-coloured sky. In the afternoon, Uluru appears as an ochre-brown hue, scored with dark shadows. As the sun begins to set, it bathes the rock in burnt orange, then a series of deeper and darker reds, before it finally fades into charcoal as night falls. Spend a night at the Field of Light and savour dinner under the stars, accompanied by the soothing sounds of the didgeridoo. With Uluru in the background, watch in awe as 50,000 soft lights cover the desert floor behind you.</p> <p><em style="font-weight: inherit;">On tour</em></p> <p>On APT’s 11-day Central to South Explorer tour, start your journey in Uluru, where you’ll embark on a base tour at sunrise and experience a night at the Field of Light. Learn about the history of opal mining in Coober Pedy then travel along the iconic Oodnadatta Track to WIlliam Creek. Take an included scenic flight over spectacular Kati Thanda–Lake Eyre before journeying to Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park. While here, spend two nights at the Ikara Safari Camp – the perfect base for exploring Wilpena Pound National Park. A winery lunch in Adelaide’s Clare Valley is the perfect ending to your journey.</p> <p><strong style="font-style: inherit;">Getting your fill of Lake Eyre</strong></p> <p>Few sights in Australia stir the soul more than that of the normally dry Lake Eyre filling with water and suddenly teeming with life. The lake, properly known as Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre, relies on monumental rains in Queensland and the Northern Territory for water to begin to flow into it. Last year saw the lake reach levels unseen for almost half a century, and it is hoped that 2020’s northern monsoon season will see the region once again alive with fish surging through the rivers that feed Lake Eyre, and its surface thronged with an array of birdlife including hundreds of thousands of pelicans. In a land battling drought and bushfires, the vision of water shimmering on the surface of the lake is life affirming. And it is something to be treasured and celebrated, so take this rare chance to go with the flow.</p> <p><strong><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.413612565445px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843791/red-centre-2-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5655363ea89d4bf1b0684a7bf50cfbba" /></strong></p> <p><strong>Paradise found amid corals and blooms</strong></p> <p>Stretching over 1,100 kilometres of seemingly untouched coastline, Western Australia’s Coral Coast is a marine paradise like no other. Here, waves lap lazily on pristine white-sand beaches and turtles sweep through sheltered turquoise bays.</p> <p>The crystal-clear waters of Ningaloo Marine Park harbour the world’s largest fringing reef. Beneath the surface, you’ll find dolphins, dugongs, manta rays, and more than 500 species of fish. There’s more to discover on land, where colourful blankets of native wildflowers burst into bloom between August and September along the spectacular Wildflower Way. For a whole new perspective on the region, take to the skies on a helicopter flight over the Dampier Archipelago. The staggering contrast between brilliant white beaches, aquamarine waters, and the rugged red Pilbara landscape is a breathtaking sight – one that can only be experienced from the air.</p> <p><em style="font-weight: inherit;">On tour</em></p> <p>Board the MS Caledonian Sky in Broome and navigate the remote islands of Western Australia’s Coral Coast on a 15-day small ship expedition cruise and 4WD adventure. Discover life below the surface while snorkelling the clear waters of this marine paradise. Disembark in Geraldton and continue the adventure as you explore Kalbarri National Park and the eerie limestone Pinnacles. To finish up your journey, there’s a stay in a luxury eco-tent on the beautiful Rottnest Island.</p> <p style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><em style="font-weight: inherit;">This </em><em>article originally appeared on <a href="mailto:https://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/from-the-red-centre-to-the-green-tropics-australias-outback-presents-a-palette-like-no-other">Reader's Digest.</a></em></p> <p><em>Photos: Reader’s Digest</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Meet the youngest person to run a solo lap of Britain

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elise Downing never thought she was a gifted runner. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She tried running a marathon, dressed as a crayon, but gave up before finishing and was found crying on the side of the road. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She wasn’t phased by her previous marathon failures, as six weeks later, she set out on a marathon of epic proportions, leaving from London’s National Maritime Museum with a tent on her back and a map that she couldn’t read to run around the coast of Britain. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She became the first woman and the youngest person to run a lap of Great Britain by herself, having completed the 5,000-mile journey back to Greenwich in 301 days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Along the journey, she crashed with over 200 strangers for a night and suffered several injuries on the way.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She was often slowed down by chaffing from her running tights and her backpack rubbing on her shoulders. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After finishing the impressive feat, Elise recalled her travels in her book titled </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Coasting: Running Around The Coast of Britain – Life, Love And (Very) Loose Plans.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In her book she explains that the clockwise route around the UK was never an issue, saying “I just keep the sea to my left, surely.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She also explained that the hole in her back was caused by friction from her sports bra clasp wearing a big hole in a T-shirt she didn’t want to change because she had become “weirdly superstitious” about taking it off.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s probably one of the most ridiculous ideas I had,’ she writes. ‘I can’t explain myself.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elise’s 40 mile-per-day jogs were often interrupted by ferocious storms and decided to name them as old friends. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She wrote in her book, “Your own mortality suddenly feels very apparent in those moments. I had to take an alternative inland route quite a few times to avoid literally being blown out to sea.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the trials and tribulations, Elise witnessed the kindness of people firsthand. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She wrote, “I realised how fundamentally good most humans are. It was a huge privilege to be welcomed into so many people’s homes, and I feel really lucky to have had the chance to meet so many different, amazing people.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Running the coast of Britain was technically a solo challenge, but I really don’t think I would have made it to the end if it wasn’t for all the help I received.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Instagram @elisecdowning</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Sneaky snake stumps social media

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A photo shared by a snake catcher has left dozens scratching their heads while attempting to spot the hidden reptile.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The image, shared by Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers 24/7, asked followers if they could see where the snake was in the photo.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though many people commented on the “fairly easy” post with their guesses, with the apparently normal-looking hedge making some followers question their eyesight.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.53846153846155px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843356/bef582329eea8dc282fa83f634b91c739e44667e.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6734aa1f44754460b304507088e54da9" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Facebook</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“If this is easy I have no chance with a hard one,” one person commented.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I would die in Australia because I would never see snakes,” a second added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The snake catchers later revealed the answer, sharing how the snake was in the corner of the bush.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.53846153846155px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843355/6eafa83184257125b349b84513c8a407e9319e78.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fdec6f5e04c74c5bb321f33548a225c6" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Facebook</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The team had rescued the reptile after residents saw the Coastal Carpet Python near their house.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though Coastal Carpet Pythons aren’t venomous, they can still cause considerable damage to people.</span></p>

Family & Pets

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Woolworths shopper finds python snake in the spice section

<p>A woman shopping at Woolworths in Glenorie says she was looking in the spice aisle and her face was suddenly 20cm away from a three-metre-long python.</p> <p>Speaking to 7NEWS.com.au, the shopper – Helaina Alati - said: “I was browsing and turned to my left and he had come out and his face was about 20cm from mine, just looking at me.”</p> <p>“It was almost like he was asking me to take him outside!</p> <p>“I just happened to be the one that found it.</p> <p>“He must have been there for at least a few hours. He was sort of hidden behind the spices and I didn’t see him at first.</p> <p>As luck would have it, Alati is a former volunteer snake catcher, so she offered to rescue the slithery fellow.</p> <p>“It was super mellow, not aggressive at all. I’m guessing he came down from the ceiling. He was about 10ft (3 metres) long!” she said.</p> <p>“I’m glad I’m the one that found him, most people would have freaked out!” she added.</p> <p>“I told the staff I used to be a volunteer snake catcher so I grabbed my snake bag and relocated him into the bush.”</p> <p>Most shoppers at Woolworths would’ve have been so calm to find a three-metre python in the spice aisle of their local supermarket, but Alati said there was nothing to worry about.</p> <p>“He was so relaxed and non-aggressive,” she said.</p> <p>“Don’t want to demonise these beautiful animals anymore!”</p> <p>Alati bundled the python into a material bag and released the snake safely to the surrounding bushland shortly after.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Woolworths told 7NEWS.com.au the matter was dealt with calmly and safely.</p> <p>“A slippery and rare customer was spotted in the spice aisle of our Glenorie store yesterday morning,” the spokesperson said.</p> <p>“Once it was sighted, our team members reacted quickly and calmly to cordon off the area for the safety of customers.</p> <p>“A snake catcher removed the slithery customer, who was released safely into bushland shortly after.”</p> <p>It’s still unknown as to how the snake came to be inside the store but it’s believed Woolworths has animal control measures in place and the Glenorie store has done some checks of these measures.</p> <p><em>Photo: 7NEWS.com.au</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth face controversy on NSW’s South Coast

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kiama and Berry, on NSW’s South Coast, have seen an influx of A-list movie stars in the area including Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth, as the celebrities shoot scenes for an upcoming movie.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, the stars have received a frosty reception from Kiama MP Gareth Ward, who vented his frustrations about the celebs being allowed to travel freely in the region despite widespread public health orders and nearby Shellharbour being in lockdown.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This makes a total mockery of the public health orders,” he wrote on Twitter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“People can’t see family and friends, funerals are limited to 10, no cases in Shellharbour but still locked down, but apparently A-listers producing movies is essential.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The actors and crew filming </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Poker Face</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, which Crowe is directing and starring in, are believed to be following COVID-safe protocols.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though some have raised concerns about the filming, others are finding it a welcome distraction.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cathy Law, the editor of Kiama’s community newspaper, </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Bugle</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, said she had been hearing rumours of Crowe and the crew’s arrival in town for a while.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We heard a couple of rumours yesterday,” Ms Law said, which Russell confirmed on Twitter.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I just think it’s fantastic for Kiama tourism now and into the future.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Shooting in Kiama.<br />What a beautiful place. <a href="https://t.co/rVYET2Tx52">pic.twitter.com/rVYET2Tx52</a></p> — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) <a href="https://twitter.com/russellcrowe/status/1424701482494881793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Destination Kiama chair Mat Brown agreed, saying the filming had created a lot of excitement and came as a welcome distraction during the pandemic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s not the first time we’ve had blockbusters filmed here,” Councillor Brown said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“There’s a lot of interest around the place from visitors and locals.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Once they are released, they are really important for tourism.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Poker Face</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is a psychological thriller that centres around a billionaire (Crowe) who gathers his friends to his Miami mansion for a high stakes game of poker.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scenes will also be filmed at Sydney’s Fox Studios and the movie is set to be released in America in 2022.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Liam Hemsworth / Instagram, Russell Crowe / Instagram</span></em></p>

Movies

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Gold Coast family in mourning over 1 in 4,500 death

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>A Queensland family is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old boy who died after sustaining a seizure in his sleep.</p> <p>Jett Somerhayes-Nixon died on ANZAC Day after failing to wake up after the seizure in his sleep.</p> <p>His aunt, Lucy Somerhayes, wrote on the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/jettys-sendoff-family-support?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=copy_link_all&amp;utm_source=customer" target="_blank">family's GoFundMe page</a><span> </span>that their “Jetty Spaghetti” had autism and was “plagued by seizures over the past few years”.</p> <p>“But although it wasn't easy, he was the happiest little boy, he loved to sing, dance and make everyone laugh... he was at his happiest if everyone was laughing, singing and dancing with him,” Ms Somerhayes wrote.</p> <p>“He has now gone on to 'rave in paradise', but his family needs help right now to help with funeral costs and give him the send-off he deserved, and to help support them whilst they try and face life without their young, happy, smiley, singing boy.”</p> <p>Somerhayes spoke to<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/unbearable-family-mourns-boy-who-died-from-seizure-sleep-003651622.html" target="_blank"><em>Yahoo! News</em></a><span> </span>about the loss of her nephew.</p> <p>"It's completely unfair and unbearable that such a massive personality could leave us in such a tragic way," she said.</p> <p>"It's so incredibly quiet without him."</p> <p>Jett suffered from 50 to 60 seizures a day, which led to him being hospitalised as well as needing a wheelchair to get around.</p> <p>However, the family said that Jett hadn't had a major seizure for months before he died.</p> <p>The family believe that Jett died from Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), as the family found out the cause of death on Thursday and want people to be aware.</p> <p>“In general, people living with epilepsy are at a one in 1,000 risk of SUDEP per year,” Epilepsy Australia says.</p> <p>“In children, SUDEP is an even rarer occurrence with the risk as low as one in 4,500. Most, but not all, cases of SUDEP occur during or immediately after a seizure.”</p> <p><em>Photo credits:<span> </span></em><a rel="noopener" href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/unbearable-family-mourns-boy-who-died-from-seizure-sleep-003651622.html" target="_blank"><em>Yahoo! News</em></a></p> </div> </div> </div>

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