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Woman baffled by mother-in-law’s insane ask over baby name

A woman has gone head-to-head with her mother-in-law over the name she has chosen for her unborn child. The pregnant woman took to Reddit to share her unusual predicament, explaining how her mother-in-law has demanded she change the name of her baby. The soon-to-be mum shared how she recently had dinner with her husband’s family, where she decided to reveal the baby’s gender and name. She had been keeping the information secret, but with only a few weeks of her pregnancy left, she decided to share the happy news that she was having a baby boy and had chosen the name Shawn for her son. But not everyone shared her happiness over the moniker, as her mother-in-law went pale with shock and demanded she choose a new name. “My in-laws got quiet for a moment before asking if there were other options we'd considered. Apparently, Shawn is the name of my 17-year-old sister-in-law Ashley's former bully who tormented her [for years],” the pregnant woman explained on Reddit. While she empathised with her in-laws, she didn’t want to change the name as it was the only one her and her husband agreed on for their son. She also explained that she hadn’t known about the family connection when they picked the name, and hadn’t picked it out of any malicious intent. “We took forever to pick a name,” she said. “Shawn is the only one we could agree on.” The dinner party soon ended after the argument began, but the mother-in-law didn’t back down, sending the expecting mum demanding messages. “She texted me and my husband again to ask us to find a new name for Ashley's sake.” “Would I be the a**hole for not wanting to change it? We were only able to agree on it a few weeks ago.” Commenters were torn over the subject, with many rushing to the pregnant woman’s defence, saying she can pick whatever name she wants for her son. “My spouse and sibling have the same name. Somehow, you just compartmentalise it,” one shared. “I feel like if a new baby in my family shared a name with my bully I'd just adapt,” another wrote. “After all, Shawn is a VERY common name, so I can't freak out every time I hear it and survive in this world.” However, a select few sided with the mother-in-law, sharing how stunned they were that the couple couldn't find enough compassion to pick another name. One person said, “I understand the difficulty of finding a name that feels right, but for me, after learning this, Shawn would quickly become another name that didn't work. It's only been decided on it for a few weeks so I'd just go back to the drawing board.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

“My sister-in-law announced she was pregnant at my child’s funeral”

A woman has asked for advice on how to navigate her relationship with her sister-in-law, after the woman overheard an inappropriate conversation at her child’s funeral. The grieving mother, a 28-year-old named Melissa, took to Reddit to share the heartbreaking story of how her toddler passed away after a battle with cancer. Melissa described the time as the “hardest in my life”, explaining how she felt she lost “a part of herself” after the funeral. While Melissa expected her toddlers’ memorial service to be difficult, she never predicted a family member would make it even harder. The mother said that when she heard her sister-in-law telling people about her pregnancy, she thought the move was just cruel. “She didn't make a big announcement but more than ten people at the service 'heard' and it's what everyone was talking about. To understate it, I was livid,” Melissa wrote on Reddit. Melissa’s post then asked social media users for advice, as she was unsure how much of a relationship she wanted to have with her sister-in-law after the stunt. The 28-year-old shared that she had fallen pregnant herself, and was facing pressure to have a party in celebration, but she didn’t want her whole family in attendance. “I've been working on who I want to invite, and I really don't want my SIL there,” she said. “Besides what she did, she's a vindictive and mean person and I cannot stand her.” “I mentioned it to my husband and he says he couldn't care less whether she's there or not. But for the sake of saving face, I want opinions before I do this.” She asked the online forum if she would be “an a**hole” for not inviting her, addin that she would still be inviting her husband's other sister and husband's brother's wife. “The original SIL will be the only one not invited,” she clarified. The post was flooded with comments as many backed up Melissa, slamming the sister-in-law for her selfish behaviour. “I wouldn't want someone like that around me. Announcing a pregnancy at a child's funeral is insane,” one said. “Cut her off and ignore everyone close to her. You are right to have nothing to do with her. She's totally classless.” However, others encouraged her to have an adult conversation with her sister-in-law in an attempt to mend their relationship. “Please let it go,” one person began. “This happened on a terrible day during a bad time for you. It's possible that could be clouding how you're looking at this, she may not have been malicious at all.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

The sky’s the limit: A brief history of in-flight entertainment

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/olusola-adewumi-john-1490381">Olusola Adewumi John</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a> As the winter holidays draw near, many of us are already booking flights to see friends and family or vacation in warmer climates. Nowadays, air travel is synonymous with some form of in-flight entertainment, encompassing everything from the reception offered by the aircrew to the food choices and digital content. These services all add value to flying for customers. Passengers are now so familiar with in-flight entertainment that to travel without it is unthinkable. <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/10/19/2762903/0/en/In-Flight-Entertainment-Connectivity-Market-to-Worth-21-03-Bn-by-2030-Exhibiting-With-a-15-9-CAGR.html">The in-flight entertainment and connectivity market grew to US$5.9 billion as of 2019</a>, a testament to its economic impact on both the airlines and the GDP of countries with airline carriers. In-flight entertainment is so ubiquitous that, even if all other airline services were offered, <a href="https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/19427/will-airlines-compensate-me-if-my-entertainment-system-is-not-working">the airline ensures a refund is made to the passenger affected</a> if television content cannot be accessed. <h2>A brief history</h2> In-flight entertainment has evolved significantly over the years. Before in-flight entertainment media was introduced, passengers entertained themselves by reading books or with food and drink services. The original aim of bringing in-flight entertainment into cabins was to attract more customers, drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, including the theatrical and domestic media environments. It was not initially for the comfort and ease of travelling, as it is today. <a href="https://www.academia.edu/5023683/A_History_of_INFLIGHT_ENTERTAINMENT">Inflight entertainment began as an experiment</a> in 1921, when 11 Aeromarine Airways passengers were shown the film Howdy Chicago! on a screen hung in the cabin during the flight. Four years later, another experiment was carried out in 1925 when 12 passengers on board an Imperial Airlines flight from London were shown the film The Lost World. <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/when-did-inflight-movies-become-standard-on-airlines-180955566/">It wasn’t until the 1960s</a> that in-flight movies became mainstream for airlines. Trans World Airlines became the first carrier to regularly offer feature films during flights, using a unique film system developed by <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1962/06/02/inflight">David Flexer, then-president of Inflight Motion Pictures</a>. Starting in 1964, in-flight entertainment evolved to include various media types like 16-mm film, closed-circuit television, live television broadcasts and magnetic tape. In the 1970s, for example, airplanes might feature a large screen with a 16-mm projector in one part of the plane, while small screens hung overhead in another section. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/reviews-and-advice/when-did-airlines-install-seatback-entertainment-20190711-h1g51b.html">Seatback screens were introduced in 1988</a> when Airvision installed 6.9-centimetre screens on the backs of airline seats for Northwest Airlines. They have since morphed into the larger screens we are familiar with today, which are found on nearly every airline. <h2>In-flight entertainment today</h2> Most airlines nowadays have personal televisions for every passenger on long-haul flights. On-demand streaming and internet access are also now the norm. Despite initial concerns about speed and cost, in-flight services are becoming faster and more affordable. In-flight entertainment now includes movies, music, radio talk shows, TV talk shows, documentaries, magazines, stand-up comedy, culinary shows, sports shows and kids’ shows. However, the rise of personal devices, like tablets and smartphones, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/comment/the-weird-and-wonderful-history-of-in-flight-entertainment/">could spell the end for seatback screens</a>. A number of U.S. airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines and Alaska Air, have <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-09/airline-seatback-screens-may-soon-become-an-endangered-species">removed seatback screens from their domestic planes</a>. This decline is par for the course. To arrive at the complex system used by aircraft today, in-flight entertainment went through a number of different stages, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0641-1_10">as identified by aviation scholar D.A. Reed</a>. It started with an idea phase, which saw the conception of the idea, followed by an arms race phase where most airlines adopted some form of it. Currently, airlines are facing challenges in the final — and current — phase of evolution, and are dealing with failures linked to business concept flaws or low revenue. Now that most air travellers carry electronic devices, fewer airlines are installing seatback screens. From an economic standpoint, this makes sense for airlines: removing seatback screens <a href="https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/01/01/business/airlines-travel-entertainment.html">improves fuel costs</a> and allows airlines to <a href="https://www.flightglobal.com/systems-and-interiors/united-ups-757-density-with-new-slimline-seats/126574.article">install slimmer seats</a>, allowing for more passengers. <h2>More than entertainment</h2> At some point in the evolution of in-flight entertainment, it started to serve as more than just a form of entertainment or comfort. Now, it’s also a competitive tool for airline advertisements, and a form of cultural production. In-flight entertainment has become an economic platform for investors, business people, manufacturers and entertainment providers, especially Hollywood. It also plays a key role in promoting the national culture of destination countries. However, the evolution of in-flight entertainment hasn’t been without its challenges. As a form of cultural production, it often reflects the interests of advertisers, governments and business entities. It also follows that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-0641-1_10">certain ideas, products and cultures are sold to passengers</a> via in-flight entertainment. The lucrative practice of capturing and selling passengers’ attention to advertisers was not limited to screens, either. In-flight magazines have always been packed with advertisements, and by the late 1980s, these advertisements had spread to napkins and the audio channels. Despite its shortcomings and precarious future, in-flight entertainment still offers passengers a sense of comfort, alleviating concerns about being suspended over 30,000 feet above sea level. If you end up flying during the holidays, remember your comfort is partly thanks to this innovation.<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/218996/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/olusola-adewumi-john-1490381">Olusola Adewumi John</a>, Visiting Researcher, Centre for Socially Engaged Theatre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a> Image credits: Shutterstock 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/the-skys-the-limit-a-brief-history-of-in-flight-entertainment-218996">original article</a>.

Travel Tips

5 memorable locations from ‘80s films to check out

Everyone loves a good movie, and everyone loves a holiday, so what do you get when you combine the two? The time of your life! It’s widely known that the ‘80s spawned a whole host of films that went on to become cult classics - from the likes of Heathers to Footloose, Dirty Dancing, and The Terminator - and forged the way for cultural changes that ring true decades later. But did you also know that for many of these iconic films, real-life locations served as the inspiration for many memorable scenes? And while some may have changed slightly in the years since cast and crew flocked to them, some are like stepping into a time capsule - or a stage for you to re-enact the films as you see fit. Lake Lure, North Carolina - Dirty Dancing (1987) Anyone who’s seen Dirty Dancing can tell you that ‘the lift scene’ is one of the film’s most iconic moments. And it - along with a few others from the film - were filmed in North Carolina’s very own Lake Lure. And with the spot boasting its very own Lake Lure Inn & Spa - where, coincidentally, the movie’s stars stayed while working on the project - it could be the perfect getaway location for your next holiday. Guesthouse International Hotel, California - National Lampoon Vacation (1983) For those embarking on their very own National Lampoon Vacation, you’re in luck - the hexagonal pool is near exactly the same as it was when Chevy Chase’s Clark Griswold enjoyed a nighttime swim with Christie Brinkley’s The Girl in the Ferrari. New York Public Library, New York - Ghostbusters (1984) The 1984 film sparked an entire host of sequels, games, parodies, and conventions for avid fans across the globe - as well as one incredibly catchy song. However, for those that would like to go above and beyond just calling their friendly neighbourhood ghostbusters, the New York Public Library’s flagship Stephen A Schwarzman building is the spot where the team had their very first encounter with the film’s ghosts. Griffith Observatory, California - The Terminator (1984) Fans of The Terminator should immediately recognise this site as the one where Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Terminator arrived in the nude, and basked in the glory of LA at night. It’s a popular location, and while a must-see for fans of the film, it also makes for a good afternoon out - the observatory itself boasts free entry, stunning views, and a range of fascinating exhibits inside to entertain the keen mind. The Grand Hotel, Michigan - Somewhere in Time (1980) The Grand Hotel was the primary location for romantic drama Somewhere in Time, and they’re proud of it. In fact, a poster for the film is reportedly even still on display there, and hosts weekends of celebration for the 1980 hit, too. The island the hotel is set on doesn’t allow cars, so anyone hoping to throw themselves back in time and fully immerse themselves in a ‘different world’, this National Historic Landmark may be just the place to do it. Images: Getty, Booking.net

Movies

Advice on dealing with tricky in-laws

From heated discussions to awkward family dinners, your relationship with your in-laws can have a big impact on family time. Here’s how to navigate this sometimes tricky dynamic. There’s nothing worse than heading to a family engagement when you have a son-in-law (or your daughter’s parents-in-law) that you just don’t get along with. Whether there's been a fight that you haven’t been able to move on from, or you simply don’t get along, if you find your in-laws draining or annoying, you may need to change the boundaries. Do you know the old saying, “good fences make good neighbours”? Think of your in-laws like your neighbours – there needs to be really good fences (aka boundaries) in place for the relationship to run smoothly. The best way to go about this is in such a way that you don’t make anyone feel as though you're closing them out, but rather comes off that you are simply focussing on yourself and things you have going on. Once you’ve set boundaries, don’t be afraid to talk to your family and in-laws about them, they’re not as fragile as you think. But do choose your words carefully and keep the focus on you and what your needs are, rather than making any judgements or comments about them or their behaviour. Still not sure how to deal with your son, daughter, sister or brother in-law? Here are some top tips for setting boundaries and dealing with awkward situations: <ol> <li>The person with the primary relationship (for example your daughter, not your son-in-law) should be the one to step in and help fix a problem if it arises. You should never be the messenger or go straight to an in-law. Gently raise the issue or concern with your immediate family member. </li> <li>Decide with your partner, or in your own time if you are single or widowed, what type of role you want your in-law/s to play in your life. If you don’t get along and spending time with them just seems to cause issues, then you might want to limit catch-ups to birthdays and big events. This is ok. Just be gentle if asked to explain. And keep your explanation brief and about you. Something along the lines of, my schedule is quite busy at the moment or I don’t feel up to going out too much, but I am looking forward to the next family get together. </li> <li>Never criticise your family for their relationship with his or her spouse/your in-laws, nor comment on your in-law to your immediate family member – for example don’t criticise your son-in-law to your daughter/his wife. This tends to only lead to complications and awkwardness. And remember, you only know what your daughter tells you and if they come to you everytime they’re upset or angry with their partner or their partner’s extended family, you’re only hearing the problems when your daughter is frustrated and upset. You might not hear all the good things and about when they make up. Don’t take these things on board and stay out of it by reserving any judgement or comments. </li> <li>Don’t get involved. Easier said than done, right? You have to trust that you have brought your children up right and they are responsible enough to navigate their own relationships, treat others respectfully and can stand up for themselves if need be. As such, you should not get involved in their issues, arguments and general day-to-day dealings with their other relationships. Stay on the peripheral, be there for some light guidance if need be, but ultimately you should just help them come to their own opinions, decisions and judgements on things rather than sharing your ones with them. </li> <li>Don’t get pulled into arguments by your child and in-law. You can be supportive and still let the couple handle their own problems. Take a step back and trust that you have raised an adult who has the vision and the courage to resolve the problems that concern his/her own family. Couples need to set boundaries for their own relationships and this can, as I am sure you know, take some time to find the right ones. </li> <li>Think of yourself as a guest. When spending time with family in big groups, and especially when you’re at someone else’s home, it is best to think of yourself as a guest and act accordingly. For example you may not like the way you son’s wife is doing things in her home (child rearing, cooking, cleaning etc), but unfortunately it is not really any of your business. This is between your son and his wife. A good checkpoint is to ask yourself if you have a sense of entitlement and expectancy that is inappropriate. If there are issues that you just can’t stand but can’t let go, then you may need to consider not visiting them.</li> </ol> Image credits: Getty Images

Family & Pets

Dad left “furious” after mother-in-law rubs whiskey on baby’s gums

A dad has been left “furious” after learning his mother-in-law had rubbed whiskey on his six-month-old daughter’s gums as an “old fashioned” remedy for teething. Some have pointed out that the father’s response is a “red flag”, and perhaps the most concerning part of the story. Posting on Reddit’s “Am I the A**hole” forum, the baby’s 28-year-old first-time mother described the ordeal and asked whether she was in the wrong. She said she was at her mother’s house with her daughter, who is “teething horribly”. “My mum does some old fashion things and she’s really into herbs and natural healing and such, so she wanted to try rubbing whiskey on my daughter’s gums,” she wrote. “She said she did it to me and all three of my siblings. I let her, and it did seem to calm my daughter down a bit.” She told her husband when she got home and said “he was furious”. “He said that’s harmful to our daughter and it does not relieve any pain,” she continued. “He got really upset and said I shouldn’t let my mum do something like that, and told me I couldn’t bring our daughter to my mother’s anymore. “He’s since called the next two days off of work, and is super paranoid watching me every second with our daughter. I feel this is unfair.” While experts emphasise parents should never give whiskey or any other alcohol to teething babies, Reddit users had differing opinions. One wrote, “You’re the a**hole, yeah.” “I mean, you know alcohol is unsafe. It also happens not to work as a topical analgesic – if the baby quietens down, it’s because of the general sedative effect of alcohol. I think it’s hilarious how your mother conflates the use of a well understood but completely inappropriate drug with ‘herbs and natural healing’.” The second most popular reply said the woman was not in the wrong. “A tiny drop of alcohol on someone’s finger is absolutely not sedating a baby and is in no way harmful,” the user wrote. “Alcohol absolutely does have a numbing effect and is used topically for infants and adults with toothache as well. It’s absurd to get up in arms over something so mundane and he’s treating her like she allowed the baby to drink shots or something. I swear this sub is off the rails lately. Is it just solely populated by teenagers now?” A third chimed in, saying she made a “bad judgement call” but it was natural to take her own mother's advice. “It’s natural to look to our elders for guidance and to trust them,” they wrote. “While many mothers (including my own) have used this method, we know a lot more about these older ‘tried and true’ remedies these days … You’re not some monster that’s going to harm your child.” Others expressed that the husband’s reaction was worse than the old-fashioned teething remedy. “Honestly, if this is how your husband is reacting, that’s a red flag,” they said. “He’s right, it doesn’t relieve pain, and if you were to start doing it regularly, yeah, it can be harmful. However, it was a one-time thing that you told him about, and now you know not to do it again. “He shouldn’t be acting like it was a conspiracy to intentionally hurt your daughter.” Another user had the same opinion, writing, “Her husband literally took two days off work to micromanage parenting because of this? That’s excessive. It’s called having a conversation between two adults, saying, ‘We shouldn’t do this again’, and moving on!” A third said, "Your husband’s response is actually the most concerning part of this post … taking off work multiple days to ‘watch over’ your wife over something like this. “This should have been an easy discussion about how that’s not the right way to handle teething and then move on. “This isn’t real a big deal, the damage done to the child was literally zero. If this is how something like this is handled how are things that matter going to handled?” Image credit: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

Oscars slammed for In Memoriam snubs

The Oscars have been slammed for leaving out several big names from the In Memoriam segment, which honours the lives and careers of those who have died in the past year. Among those left out of the annual industry tribute was Six Days, Seven Nights star Anne Heche, beloved comedy actor Leslie Jordan, and Sopranos star Tony Sirico. Notably missing from the list was South African actress Charlbi Dean, 32, who died just weeks before the release of her film Triangle Of Sadness – one of the 10 nominated in the Best Picture category this year. Also left off the list was Goodfellas star Paul Sorvino, as his Oscar-winning daughter, Mira Sorvino, was just one of many who were left baffled by the snub. “It is baffling beyond belief that my beloved father and many other amazing brilliant departed actors were left out. The Oscars forgot about Paul Sorvino, but the rest of us never will!” she wrote on Twitter, after the Oscars segment aired with no mention of her famous father. While Paul was left out of the tribute, his fellow Goodfellas actors James Caan and Ray Liotta, who also passed away in the last year, were mentioned in the segment. An emotional John Travolta introduced the tear-jerking tribute segment, and became choked-up as he <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/john-travolta-s-teary-tribute-to-olivia-newton-john" target="_blank" rel="noopener">referenced </a>his late Grease co-star and friend, Olivia Newton-John, who died from cancer last August. “In this industry, we have the rare luxury of getting to do what we love for a living, and sometimes getting to do it with people that we come to love,” Travolta said Beginning with Newton-John, a montage of recently departed actors, directors, producers and other industry figures then played on the screen while singer Lenny Kravitz performed a stripped-down version of his song Calling All Angels. Image credits: Getty Images

Movies

Grandma sparks rift by secretly feeding baby its first solids

There are a lot of exciting firsts for parents, significant milestones that should be theirs to celebrate, but one defiant Grandmother doesn’t quite follow this philosophy. A mum has taken to Reddit to express her fury over her mother-in-law feeding her 10-week-old baby ice cream, the first solid food the child had ever been given. The mum explained on Reddit that she and her mother-in-law have a less-than-perfect relationship. While they remain civil, her mother-in-law’s criticism has only increased since the birth of her child. “I am so aggravated and upset,” she began her post titled “My mother-in-law fed my 10-week-old ice cream. When she was pregnant, her mother-in-law even went as far as to say she was “just the incubator”. Even her husband’s maternal grandmother had told her to be nicer. She also had some unusual bonding activities planned for when her granddaughter was born. "She has been itching to give my baby ice cream or frosting from before I even gave birth. I have noooo idea why. Both my husband and I said no multiple times," the mum wrote. "Yesterday she turned her back to me and gave my two-month-old ice cream. I'm assuming it was just the finger tip full of ice cream. I know this was true because later on she told my husband she did it.” Aside from the mother’s outrage, the bub was left with an upset stomach and a nappy rash. Although her baby wasn’t endangered, she remained understandably upset. "I can't forgive my mother-in-law. She knew it was wrong or she wouldn't have hid. We have repeatedly said no. She's still too young, we were worried about allergies, and we want to be there for fun stuff like that (when she's old enough)," she shared. She asked users if she would be taking it too far if she were to cut contact with her mother-in-law for a while, and they were clearly on the mother’s side. “This got me so heated. This is foul behavior from your mother-in-law." one person commented. “Should never be left alone with your kid. Seriously. She has shown herself to be unfit." another added. "Definitely put your mother-in-law in time out," said a third. "I gasped at this title! Never let her alone with your baby," a fourth wrote. "If it were me, she'd be cut off permanently.” Others questioned how a grandmother could risk making their grandchild sick just to prove a point. "A 10-week-old can't even have water - what the eff was she thinking? This would be my hill I'd happily die on. The rage I've got for you!" said a fellow mum. "That seems like a cruel thing to do to little one's digestive track," said another, while another wrote, "She... made your 10-week-old-baby sick.” The mum added an update thanking those who responded, saying she was overwhelmed. “I knew I would get some responses but I'm truly blown away with the amount. I'm even more blown away that you all believe I am not over-reacting," she wrote. "It makes me feel so validated. “In-law relationships can be so tricky but I truly feel they need a 'time out’." Image credit: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

Air travel spreads infections globally, but health advice from inflight magazines can limit that

“Travel safe, travel far, travel wide, and travel often,” <a href="https://thoughtcatalog.com/matthew-kepnes/2014/01/53-travel-quotes-to-inspire-you-to-see-the-world/">says</a> <a href="https://www.nomadicmatt.com/">Nomadic Matt</a>, the American who quit his job to travel the world, write about it and coach others to do the same. But there’s a downside to all this travel, with its unprecedented volume of passengers moving from one side of the world to the other, largely by plane. There’s the risk of those passengers spreading infectious diseases and microorganisms resistant to multiple drugs (superbugs) around the world. Yet, our recently published <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893919301218">research</a> into health advice provided by inflight magazines shows plane passengers are given practically no advice on how to limit the spread of infectious diseases. Should we be worried about the part air travel plays in spreading infectious diseases? And what can we do about it? How big is the risk? Low airfares and a series of social and economic factors have made global air travel more common than ever. According to the Australian government department of infrastructure, transport, cities and regional development the <a href="https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/files/International_airline_activity_CY2018.pdf">number of passengers taking international scheduled flights in 2018 was 41.575 million</a>. But the International Air Transport Association projects passenger demand will <a href="https://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2019-02-27-02.aspx">reach 8.2 billion by 2037</a>. There are many examples of infectious diseases spread via international flying. The World Health Organization documented <a href="https://www.who.int/ith/mode_of_travel/tcd_aircraft/en/">transmission of tuberculosis</a> (TB) on board commercial aircraft during long-haul flights during the 1980s. Research published in 2011 documents the <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/17/7/10-1135_article">transmission of influenza</a> on two transcontinental international flights in May 2009. More recently, the current <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-people-born-between-1966-and-1994-are-at-greater-risk-of-measles-and-what-to-do-about-it-110167">global outbreak of measles</a> in many countries, including the Philippines and the United States, gave rise to the risk of transmission during international travel. In a recent case a <a href="https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/measles-alert-january.aspx">baby</a> too young to be vaccinated who had <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/measles-alert-after-infectious-baby-flew-from-manila-went-to-central-coast-20190603-p51tzs.html">measles</a> returned from Manilla in the Philippines to Sydney, exposing travellers on that flight to infection. Then there is the risk of transmitting antimicrobial-resistant organisms that cause disease, such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-tb-and-am-i-at-risk-of-getting-it-in-australia-75290">multi-drug resistant TB</a>. Recently, patients in Victoria and New South Wales were identified as carrying the drug-resistant fungus <a href="https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/news-and-events/healthalerts/candida-auris-case-detected-in-victoria">Candida auris</a>, which they acquired overseas. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27890665">One study</a> estimates that over 300 million travellers visit high-risk areas, such as the western Pacific, Southeast Asia and Eastern Mediterranean, each year worldwide, and more than 20% return as new carriers of resistant organisms. These popular destinations, as well as the Middle East, have high rates of drug resistant organisms. How is this happening? Aircraft move large volumes of people around the world swiftly. But what sets them apart from buses and trains is that passengers are close together, in confined spaces, for a long time. This increases the risk of transmitting infections. Passengers interact with high-touch surfaces, such as tray tables, headsets, seats and handles. We cough, sneeze and touch multiple surfaces multiple times during a flight, with limited opportunities to clean our hands with soap and water. Many infections, such as gastroenteritis and diarrhoea, are spread and contracted by touch and contact. What can we do about it? Providing plane travellers with relevant health advice is one way to limit the spread of infectious diseases via air travel. This would include information and advice on routine hand washing with soap and water, or using alcohol-based hand rubs, and other basic measures including cough etiquette, such as coughing into your elbow and covering your nose and face. <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/4/2/102/1847252">Researchers</a> have looked at the role commercial websites and travel agencies might play in providing that advice. And since the 1990s, airline magazines have been <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jtm/article/4/2/102/1847252">highlighted</a> as an underused source of traveller health advice. More than 20 years on, we discovered little has changed. In our recent study, published in the journal <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1477893919301218">Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease</a>, we looked at the content of inflight magazines from 103 airlines issued during January 2019. Of the 47 available online, only a quarter (11) included an official section on passengers’ general health and well-being, of which only two contained information related to infection control and the preventing infectious diseases. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/284424/original/file-20190717-173366-w48bmn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Inflight magazines have a potential audience of billions. So why not include advice on hand hygiene and coughing etiquette? <a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/download/confirm/1424594042?src=vUDfEziJwFDV7GZr5OYMRA-1-2&studio=1&size=medium_jpg">from www.shutterstock.com</a></figcaption></figure> The first magazine, from a UAE-based airline, had an official section on passenger health and well-being that included very limited relevant content. It advised passengers “with blood diseases or ear, nose and sinus infections should seek medical advice before flying”. There was no further explanation or information, nor were there any strategies to prevent these or other infections. The second magazine, from a USA-based airline, contained general travel health advice, but none specifically about infectious diseases. However there was a full-page, colour advertisement next to the health section. This contained images of many disease causing microorganisms on passengers’ tray tables and advocated the use of a disinfectant wipe for hands and other inflight surfaces. The slogan “because germs are frequent fliers” was displayed across the tray table. This was accompanied by information about the use and effectiveness of disinfectant wipes for hand hygiene and disinfecting surfaces during air travel, public transport use, and in hotels and restaurants. Inflight magazines are valuable assets for airlines and are the source of considerable advertising revenue. They are read by potentially billions of passengers every year. The results of this study show that they are a greatly underused source of information about infection control and measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Airlines should also provide health advice to passengers in other media, in particular video screens, about infection prevention and basic control measures such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette and personal hygiene. Such advice should be provided before, during and after the flight. It could also include destination-related advice for particularly risky travel routes and destinations. More information for passengers Airlines providing health advice to passengers is just one way to limit the spread of infectious diseases and antimicrobial-resistant organisms around the world via air travel. This would need to sit alongside other measures, such as <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/travel-industry-information-center">information and guidelines</a> provided to those who travel via the sea. The simple, low-cost measures highlighted in our research could go a long way to help passengers stay healthy and avoid illness from infectious diseases. At the same time, these measures could reduce the impact of outbreaks of infectious diseases for airlines and society as a whole.<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/120283/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by Ramon Zenel Shaban and Cristina Sotomayor-Castillo. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/air-travel-spreads-infections-globally-but-health-advice-from-inflight-magazines-can-limit-that-120283" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty Images

International Travel

Jonnie Irwin shares an emotional health update

Jonnie Irwin, star of ‘A place in the Sun’ has given fans an emotional update on his health via social media. In a statement released on Monday Irwin, 48, said he wanted to do “as much as we can as a family” before the time comes, with him revealing that doctors have only given him six months to live upon diagnosis with terminal cancer. Despite sharing the news for the first time on Monday 14 November, Irwin was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and learned that his cancer had spread to his brain. “I don’t know how long I have left,” he told Hello magazine. “I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I’m living with cancer, not dying from it.” Irwin developed a huge fanbase as the host of TV show A Place In The Sun, where he helped couples move from homes in Britain to somewhere close to “sun, sea and sand abroad”. He has received an outpouring of supportive messages since revealing his diagnosis prompted him to provide an update on Instagram, where he has an audience of over 78,000 followers. Jonnie and wife Jessica have three sons - three-year-old Rex and two-year-old twins Rada and Cormac. The beloved presenter has told Hello Magazine that he had shifted his mentality from assuming he would not be well enough for certain milestones to instead setting “little markers” of moments he wanted to be around for. Jonnie was in Italy filming A Place in the Sun when he experienced blurry vision while driving, he noticed something was off. “Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,” he said. Despite the initial prognosis, treatment including chemotherapy has helped prolong Irwin’s life. After two years of living with cancer, he said he wanted to share his story beyond the “very small group of friends and family” who knew. Image: Instagram

Caring

Disturbing twist in children's suitcase homicide

The two suitcases that contained the bodies of siblings in Auckland were reportedly moved from one unit storage to another before the harrowing discovery. Two children’s bodies were discovered in suitcases by an Auckland family who purchased the bags at an auction on August 11. It has now been revealed that the suitcases were moved in the second half of 2021 between different storage units at the same SafeStore Papatoetoe facility, <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/suitcases-containing-childrens-remains-were-moved-between-storage-units-a-year-before-harrowing-discovery/RWQQNLAU6HINPF6A5L6F2EOMIQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a> reported. A worker told the publication that there were dead flies and rats around the bags but no smell to indicate anything more damning. A SafeStore spokesperson refused to comment due to the ongoing police investigation in which a woman from South Korea, believed to be the children’s mother was arrested. The 42-year-old <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/woman-arrested-in-relation-to-dead-children-found-in-suitcases" target="_blank" rel="noopener">woman was arrested</a> by local police following a request from NZ Police. "South Korean authorities arrested the woman today on a Korean arrest warrant pursuant to two charges of murder relating to the two young victims," Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said at the time of the arrest. "The arrest warrant was issued by the Korean Courts as a result of a request by NZ Police for an arrest warrant under the extradition treaty between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). “NZ Police have applied to have her extradited back to New Zealand to face the charges and have requested she remain in custody whilst awaiting the completion of the extradition process.” At the time, Detective Inspector Vaaelua suggested that the children were aged 10 and five respectively when they died four years ago. The family who purchased the property where the suitcases were found are not involved in the deaths and have asked for privacy. Images: NZ Herald

Legal

Woman arrested in relation to dead children found in suitcases

A South Korean woman has been arrested a few weeks after <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/tragic-update-after-horrific-suitcase-discovery" target="_blank" rel="noopener">children’s bodies were found in suitcases</a> in New Zealand. The 42-year-old woman was arrested by local police following a request from NZ Police after the harrowing discovery. Two children’s bodies were discovered in suitcases by an Auckland family who purchased the bags at an auction on August 11. An investigation launched into the shocking find with NZ Police saying the children may have been dead for years and finding a connection - <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/news/news/major-new-detail-in-suitcase-homicide-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">possibly the children’s mother</a> - in South Korea. "South Korean authorities arrested the woman today on a Korean arrest warrant pursuant to two charges of murder relating to the two young victims," Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua said. "The arrest warrant was issued by the Korean Courts as a result of a request by NZ Police for an arrest warrant under the extradition treaty between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). “NZ Police have applied to have her extradited back to New Zealand to face the charges and have requested she remain in custody whilst awaiting the completion of the extradition process.” A statement issued also thanked South Korean authorities for their assistance and coordination with NZ Police. No further information will be revealed as the case is now in front of the courts. News of the children’s bodies in the suitcases made headlines around the world with police scrambling to piece together evidence of what happened. At the time, Detective Inspector Vaaelua suggested that the children were aged 10 and five respectively when they died four years ago. He also said the family who purchased the property where the suitcases were found are not involved in the deaths and have asked for privacy. Image: Newshub

Family & Pets

“Is this a joke?”: Male finalist in Women in Technology award sparks debate

A list of finalists for an award recognising women in technology and science has sparked controversy due to the inclusion of a male executive. Simon Button, the Group Chief Technology Officer at radiology specialist group Qscan, was announced as one of four finalists for the new 2022 Inspiring Diversity in STEM Award because he “inspires diversity” and empowers women, according to the organisation. The annual awards are run by Women In Technology (WiT), Queensland’s peak industry body for women in technology and life sciences, and aim to “recognise outstanding achievement and give women the recognition they deserve”. WiT Chair Iyari Cevallos said this year’s awards were themed to be a tribute to the contribution of women in defining, shaping and growing the digital economy. “As we celebrate and reflect on 25 years of Women in Technology it is as important to focus on the future,” Ms Cevallos said. “I believe we have the ability and responsibility to dream big, to visualise achievements for the women still to come, to continue to increase our energy and momentum in leading and motivating current and future generations of women. “We've created an opportunity to rally around our outstanding talent, unlock their potential, promote each other and ourselves - impacting our community in a way that creates positivity beyond the event itself.” Mr Button made the finalist list along with Professor Amy Mullens, a psychologist with an interest in marginalised communities, pharmaceutical researcher Dr Jyoti Sharma, and Professor Kym Rae, a physically disabled Research Fellow in Indigenous health. The new award has been introduced to celebrate the “ongoing commitment and tireless efforts of all leaders regardless of gender, age or background”, but some have taken to social media to share their disapproval of the move. “Lol is this a joke,” one woman commented. “That’s a long way to say you reward men for doing the bare minimum,” another said. “Having a male executive is certainly showing someone who ‘leads by example’. It’s just the most common example that already exists in STEM,” a third added. “He sure must’ve been the best pick to be a finalist for someone who ‘inspires diversity’ and creates a ‘sense of belonging’ for WiT out of all the nominees. “I mean, how else would you explain an executive up there with two professors and a doctor?” In a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WiTqld/posts/pfbid02ajHaMedtDTKmRkWpiKHhqB4sTvEyEYb7w54zckFGcMPmNtmEBGETrthcadKxwKMwl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Facebook post</a> announcing the finalists, WiT described Mr Button as a “digital leader” who “champions diversity and equity in the organisations he leads”, which includes the not-for-profit Hummingbird House, Queensland’s only children’s hospice that supports kids with life-limiting illnesses. “He thrives to create teams with high levels of diversity to drive increased creativity and higher orders of innovation,” the post read. “Nothing gives Simon greater satisfaction than leading teams by giving people the time and space to develop, learn and deliver outstanding outcomes under his stewardship. “He believes that one of the most important responsibilities modern, contemporary digital leaders have is to lead, mentor and shape tomorrow’s technology and business leaders.” Image: WiT: Women In Technology (Facebook)

Technology

“Ugliest city in the world” found

A city in Belgium full of abandoned factories and industrial plants has been labelled the “ugliest city in the world”. At one point in the 1800s, Charleroi in south Belgium was known as the “Black Country”, thanks to the booming coal industry. Then in 1950, oil was used more than coal and the industries slowly moved to the country’s north before Charleroi became abandoned. The abandoned city soon became notorious for its crime, deprivation and general decline to the point that it was voted as the ugliest city in the world by citizens in 2009. However, artist Nicolas Buissart has slowly changed that, with tours of his hometown claiming that the label of being the ugliest city in the world was the “perfect marketing opportunity”. Along with his friend, the pair created a website “Charleroi Adventure” and had people sign up to be given a tour. “At first, the authorities blamed me for spreading the image of Charleroi as a depressing place,” Buissart told The Sun. “I explain the history of Charleroi, and then we move to the factories. I have keys to some of the abandoned buildings, so I show people around. “If the weather is good, we can climb a slag heap – which is the waste material produced from mining. Then there are bars that we can visit. “For bigger groups, we can have a barbecue by the riverside.” Buissart also regularly shares photos of the ugly city from his tours, which have since gained traction from locals. Check out some of his snaps below. Images: Instagram

Travel Trouble

Olivia Newton-John’s daughter shares never seen before footage

Olivia Newton-John's daughter has shared a beautiful behind-the-scenes video of a duet she did with her mother. Chloe Rose Lattanzi shared the video to Instagram of her and her mum singing Window In The Wall at Olivia’s home studio. The 36-year-old could be seen smiling at her mother as the pair hugged, smiled and began to sing the beautiful song. “You are my lighthouse mama. My safe place. My heart space. It has been my honor and continues to be my honor to be your baby and best friend,” Chloe wrote. “You are an angel on earth and everyone touched by you has been blessed. I love you forever my life giver, my teacher, my mama.” The song was released in January 2021 and at the time Olivia knew it was one that she wanted to sing with her daughter. “I’ve always enjoyed singing duets more than singing on my own, and when I first heard this song, I knew immediately that I wanted to sing it with my daughter Chloe,” she previously said. “The lyrics and melody really resonated with me, and I hoped Chloe would feel the same way – and luckily, she did!” Chloe at the time also knew it was a song she wanted to perform with her mother when she played it for her. “When my mom played the song for me I knew I wanted to record it, not only because it was with my mom but, I felt the lyrics and message might help people see things from another perspective,” Chloe said. “We are all part of the same human race and if we listen to each other, respect each other and love each other - for both our likenesses and our differences - we might just understand each other a lot more.” <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChC-Nr8j1_w/?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/reel/ChC-Nr8j1_w/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Chloe Lattanzi (@chloelattanziofficial)</a> </div> </blockquote> The heartwarming behind-the-scenes video comes following the devastating news of Olivia’s death on Monday at her home in California. The 73-year-old fought her breast cancer diagnosis for 30 years but unfortunately succumbed to it. The news of <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/health/caring/honouring-dame-olivia-newton-john" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Olivia’s passing was announced by her husband</a> John Easterling on Instagram via his late wife’s account, and included an appeal to continue her good works in the field of cancer research: “Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” he wrote. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer. “Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation." Her daughter Chloe also shared a <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/no-words-emotional-images-from-olivia-newton-john-s-daughter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">series of heartwarming photos</a> upon the news breaking as celebrities and fans alike offered their condolences. The family have also accepted a state funeral from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Images: Instagram

Family & Pets

Jimmy Barnes’ devastating loss

Jimmy Barnes has announced that his wife’s mother Kusumphorn Visuthipol has passed away over the weekend. The Aussie singer shared the devastating news on Twitter just days after saying his shows would be cancelled due to "a very grave illness" and that “family really must come first”. “Our families' lives were all made richer because of this beautiful woman. @jane13barnes’ mum Kusumphorn lived an incredible life and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. You will be missed every single day. Rest In Peace Yai,” Barnes wrote on Twitter along with a photo of his mother-in-law. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Our families lives were all made richer because of this beautiful woman. <a href="https://twitter.com/jane13barnes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jane13barnes</a>’ mum Kusumphorn lived an incredible life and I was lucky enough to be a part of it. You will be missed every single day. Rest In Peace Yai. <a href="https://t.co/qKLZizRGnI">pic.twitter.com/qKLZizRGnI</a> — Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimmyBarnes/status/1530398669731598337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2022</a></blockquote> His wife Jane also shared a video of the family beside her mother's bed as they said their goodbyes and sang softly. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Our Maman passed away peacefully & I am thankful that we were able to gather together to say our goodbyes. Our family are grateful to the wonderful carers & nurses who helped us through the hardest of times. You left in autumn, your favorite time of year. Rest now my LOVE 🙏🏻💖🤗 <a href="https://t.co/iTqSbyEcYf">pic.twitter.com/iTqSbyEcYf</a> — 💧Jane Barnes (@jane13barnes) <a href="https://twitter.com/jane13barnes/status/1530499746976395264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2022</a></blockquote> “Our Maman passed away peacefully & I am thankful that we were able to gather together to say our goodbyes,” she wrote. “Our family are grateful to the wonderful carers & nurses who helped us through the hardest of times. You left in autumn, your favorite time of year. Rest now my LOVE.” Kusumphorn’s cause of death has still not been revealed as the family deals with the heartbreaking news. On May 24, Barnes announced that he was cancelling his next two shows to “say an unexpected goodbye to someone we love”. He explained that the decision was not taken lightly and that “family really must come first”. Images: Getty/Twitter

News

Passenger arrested after doing the unthinkable

A plane full of passengers have been left in shock after a man randomly got up and jumped out the emergency exit. The man was on board a United Airlines flight which just landed on the tarmac at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, USA on May 5 when he opened the emergency exit door and walked out on the plane’s wings. The plane was still moving, making its way to the gate for passengers to get off safely when the man did the unthinkable. "I think everybody on the plane was just surprised and kind of shocked. As he was going out, I heard everybody yelling, 'No, no, no!' and he went out the exit door and onto the wing," witness Mary Ellen told WGN TV. "Even the stewardess came back and said, 'What just happened?' And you could see the open door to the plane and we weren't even to the gate yet." The man had managed to slide down the wing and onto the runway and was luckily unharmed. Police were however called and they arrested the man with charges yet to be laid. "This morning United flight 2478 was taxiing toward the gate at Chicago O'Hare when a passenger opened an aircraft door and exited the plane,” United Airlines said in a statement. "Our ground crew stopped the individual outside of the aircraft, and the person is now with law enforcement. “The plane then arrived at the gate and all passengers deplaned safely. The safety of our customers and crew is our highest priority." Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

NSW Police blasted after joining TikTok

TikTok has become the home of influencers, brands, creatives and even zoos, but the NSW Police haven’t received as warm a welcome on the platform as they might have expected. Despite gaining popularity for their law-related memes and posts on Facebook, the organisation’s debut on TikTok has seen them be called out for issues including police violence, Indigenous deaths in police custody, and the rates of domestic violence in the force. Less than a month after starting the @nswpolice TikTok account, users have been taking advantage of the platform’s ‘duet’ feature (which allows users to create videos that play next to the original video) to address these issues. Ben Vance, a 26-year-old digital marketing coordinator in Sydney, has even been blocked by the account after duetting their videos with less-than-flattering headlines involving the police. “I thought, ‘This is the perfect time to air out some bad laundry’,” he told <a href="https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stefficao/nsw-police-blocks-tiktok-duets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buzzfeed News</a>. Some of the videos show officers acting out funny skits about their law enforcement tactics, with one viral clip showing an officer responding to the question, ‘How do we keep the roads safe this long weekend?’ with a cartoon filter overlaid with text reading, “DOUBLE DEMERITS”. “Can’t say we didn’t warn you,” the caption reads. Mr Vance <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@easymoneyvancey" target="_blank" rel="noopener">duetted</a> that clip with a video of himself smiling over a screenshot from the Australian Institute of Criminology’s report that reveals there were almost 500 Indigenous deaths reported in police custody in the last 30 years. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/tiktok-nswpolice.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Ben Vance has been praised for pointing out issues involving the police, who have since blocked him on the platform. Image: @easymoneyvancey (TikTok) Mr Vance has had his own takes go viral, with supportive comments telling him he is “doing god's work” flooding in and messages from people sharing their frustrations with the police. “I’ve gotten people reaching out to me in my TikTok comments and DMs (direct messages) telling me they were 16, walking into a music festival, and strip-searched because they ‘looked like a drug dealer’,” he told the outlet. Though he said he didn’t intend to start “a beef with the police”, he thought it was a good opportunity to hold them accountable. “There’s a lack of accountability reporting in this country with the news media being owned by a select few people, and this information isn’t very well publicised,” he said. The double demerits clip isn’t the only one of NSW Police’s videos to be used to criticise the force, and Mr Vance isn’t the only person to be blocked as a result of their criticisms. Taken from the perspective of two officers tapping on a computer screen, it features the text: “POV: you’re looking up someone in the system who was using their phone while driving without a licence and speeding in an unregistered vehicle with two bald tyres and no working tail lights, wondering how they thought they would get away with it”. User @<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@biglublyleanne?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biglublyleanne</a> responded to that clip, mimicking the officers with the caption, “POV: you’re writing an incident report after killing another Black Australian”, written over the top. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/tiktok-cops1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> TikTok user @biglublyleanne was also blocked shortly after pointing out the issue of Indigenous deaths in custody. Image: @biglublyleanne (TikTok) On the same day, the user revealed they had also been blocked by the account. “You can give Indigenous people the heat mercilessly but can’t take it,” they wrote in the caption. As of publication, interactive options that allow users to duet or stitch videos are no longer available - but preventing people from sharing their clips has just increased the backlash. A more recent clip about Ed, the tabby police cat that features prominently on the organisation’s Facebook page, has received comments asking for the features to be turned back on, while some joked that the page would soon prevent people from commenting too. “The police thinking they can come on tiktok and not be dragged,” one user wrote. “Don’t be shy, turn duets and stitches back on,” another said. “Imagine blocking people who are exercising freedom of speech - I thought criticism of government bodies was legal, guess not,” a third argued. Image: @easymoneyvancey (TikTok)

Legal

12 things you won’t see in hotels anymore

Travel and tourism were among the sectors hardest hit by the stay-at-home measures put in place in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 across the globe. By some estimates, the industry worldwide is projected to lose $1.2 trillion. With some countries and states relaxing guidelines about which businesses can open, hotels are looking forward to welcoming guests once again, though your next stay may look a bit different than the last time you checked in. “We are living in a new age, with COVID-19 front and centre for our guests and our associates,” Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International, the parent company of Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, Sheraton, and more, said in a press release. Front desk check-ins The more people you come into contact with, the greater the potential for exchanging germs, so you can expect to see fewer points of contact in hotels. That includes the traditional check-ins at a front desk with a living and breathing hotel employee, where you’re handed a map of the property and other promotional materials. In its place, more and more hotels will be promoting mobile check-ins via smartphones. Mobile check-ins are already available at 3200 Marriott hotels around the world, as well as at select IHG and Hyatt properties. You can expect to see that number climb in the near future. If and when you do a check-in at the front desk, there may be a partition between you and the hotel representative, similar to the ones at banks. Key cards You won’t just be checking in with your phone – you’ll be able to use it as your key to open your door. These ‘smart keys’ are already in place at some Disney resorts, Marriotts, IHG hotels, and Hyatt properties via their respective apps. Sold out hotels Like restaurants in the post-coronavirus age, hotels will be limiting their capacity for quite some time. The Eden Roc at cap Cana in the Dominican Republic, for example, now caps off its guest occupancy rate at 30 per cent. Bulk-size shampoo and conditioner Once you get into your room, you may notice it looks a little different, too, like items that would normally be used by a guest who stays in the room after you will now be removed or replaced. For one, those bulk-size shampoos and conditioners that many hotels swapped over to in an effort to be eco-friendly may be phased out. In its place, you may see those mini shampoo bottles, an amenity that was slowly disappearing from hotels, make a resurgence. In-room coffee machines and minibars As hotels aim to reduce the number of ‘high-touch points,’ aka items that guests frequently touch, in-room coffee machines and minibars are likely to be removed from rooms, reports The Points Guy. Besides, minibars were already on their way out. Complimentary lobby coffee More bad news for those who need to be perked up before they wake up: that early morning complimentary self-serve coffee station in the lobby will likely no longer be commonplace. It creates an opportunity for too much touching of the same items by different people – the lever on the dispenser as you fill your cup and the handle of the carafe as you pour in the milk, to name a few. The same goes for coolers of water or lemonade where you fill your own cups. Free happy hours Kimpton Hotels, in particular, are famous for their nightly happy hours, where guests are encouraged to enjoy a free glass of wine or a cocktail and mingle in the lounge. In the age of social distancing, this type of congregating in hotels’ public spaces won’t be encouraged. Buffets Buffets with shared utensils guests use to self-serve are questionably clean on the best of days; now with COVID-19, they are verboten. What you may see instead is a masked and gloved server standing behind the buffet waiting to serve you those scrambled eggs and cut-up fruit. Crowded pools The good news is, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there’s no evidence COVID-19 can be spread to others in a pool that is properly maintained. The area around it is another story, which is why hotels may be limiting access to its pools or, as The Palms Turks and Caicos is doing, reducing the number of lounge chairs at its pools and spreading out umbrellas and chairs more on the beach. “I anticipate an increased desire in our pool cabanas, which offer privacy for families or small groups and will keep them guarded from others,” Karen Whitt, vice president of marketing for The Palms, tells Reader’s Digest. Paper bills at checkout As hotels aim to reduce interaction between employees and guests, you’ll likely be encouraged to self-checkout online or via the hotel’s app. And that means no more paper bills at checkout for you to review, though copies will be available online and via email. Will see: hospital-grade disinfectants While you won’t see the above items, you will see a few new things, including increased cleaning measures. Marriott, for one, reports, ‘In public spaces, the company has added to its already rigorous cleaning protocols, requiring that surfaces are thoroughly treated with hospital-grade disinfectants and that this cleaning is done with increased frequency.’ Those same hospital-grade disinfectants will be used to clean inside guest rooms, as well. Hyatt is working with the Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) on an accreditation process to ensure its properties are clean and safe. Will see: high-tech cleaning measures You can expect to see more germ-zapping robots, like the one at The Westin Houston Medical Center, the first and only hotel in the US that currently has the technology, according to The Points Guy. The robots zap germs via UV light technology. Marriott is also experimenting with electrostatic spraying technology to rapidly clean guest rooms, lobbies, fitness centres, and more with CDC-recommended disinfectants. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/culture/12-things-you-wont-see-in-hotels-anymore?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Domestic Travel

Outrage after Betty White excluded from BAFTAs 'In Memoriam' tribute

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has been forced to explain why Betty White was noticeably missing from the "In Memoriam" segment at the 2022 ceremony. There was an uproar on social media as fans realised the TV legend was overlooked in the segment, which honoured dozens of movie and TV stars who died in the past year. Big names such as actor Sidney Poitier, singer Meat Load and director Ivan Reitman were all included, with many believing Betty White should have been given the same honour. "How come Betty White wasn't mentioned in Memoriam she died on 31st December 2021, that's terrible," one fan tweeted, while another wrote, "Where was the wonderful Betty White??" The BAFTAs have since explained why the actress was left out of the segment, telling <a href="https://www.eonline.com/news/1323038/betty-white-fans-call-out-baftas-after-she-s-missing-from-in-memoriam-segment?cmpid=rss-000000-rssfeed-365-topstories&utm_source=eonline&utm_medium=rssfeeds&utm_campaign=rss_topstories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">E! News</a> in a statement that they have plans to honour the Golden Girls star during the dedicated Television Awards later in the year. Also noticeably absent from the Peaky Blinders and Harry Potter star Helen McCrory who died in April last year from breast cancer, aged 52. "Due to the number of people we would like to recognise at any one time and the limited time in which we have to do so, individuals may be featured in a television broadcast only once," the BAFTAs stated. "Decisions as to who is selected for inclusion are made by BAFTA's Obituaries Committee, which considers over 200 names a year." Both Betty White and Helen McCrory appear on the BAFTA's website in the "In Memory Of" section. Betty White passed away on December 31st 2021 in her Los Angeles home at age 99. Image credits: Getty Images

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