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Wacky pet laws that will make you laugh

There are laws to protect people from harm, animals from cruelty and to keep the animal-human relationship harmonious. But then there are those wacky laws that will make you scratch your head and wonder how they became laws in the first place. 1. In some areas of Oklahoma dogs must have a permit signed by the mayor in order to congregate in groups of three or more on private property. 2. In Chicago, you cannot bring your French poodle to the opera. 3. In Berea, Ohio, any pet that goes out after dark must wear a tail light. 4. In Creskill, New York, all outside cats must wear three bells to warn birds of their approach. 5. In Madison, Wisconsin dogs are forbidden from harassing squirrels in the public park next to the capital. 6. In Denver Colorado an animal control officer must notify dogs of any impending impounds three days before it’s due to happen. They do this by posting notices on trees in the public parks and along the road running next to the park. 7. In Memphis, Tennessee, if a frog's croaking keeps you awake at night, you can have that frog arrested. 8. In Turin, Italy owners can be fined up to $650 for not walking their dog at least three times a day. 9. In Reed City, Michigan, you cannot own a pet cat and bird simultaneously. 10. In French Lick Springs, Indiana, all black cats must wear bells on Friday the 13th. 11. In certain areas of Oklahoma it is against the law to make “ugly” or “mean” faces at a dog. 12. In Honolulu, Hawaii, it’s unlawful to annoy birds at any public park. Image credit: Shutterstock

Legal

Why do cats knead? An explanation of this weird habit

First off, not all cats knead, and they don’t all knead in the same way. Most cats use only their front paws, but some use all four, or even just their back legs. Some kitties bring their claws out, while others don’t. A cat kneading at your lap might hurt, but your kitty probably doesn’t have any bad intentions; it just likes how you sound when you squeak. (You know, like a mouse.) In all seriousness, if your cat kneads, you’ve probably noticed how relaxed it seems when doing so – almost as if it’s in a trance. A kneading cat is a happy cat. But why do cats knead when the action doesn’t accomplish anything? After all, “making biscuits” doesn’t actually lead to fresh baked goods. Does it last their lifetime? Even when they’re too young for their eyes to open, cute kittens need to knead, says Katy Nelson, DVM, a veterinarian with Chewy. Nursing kitties push on their mother’s abdomen when suckling to help their mother’s glands release more milk. No one is totally sure why the habit lasts through adulthood, but there are a few theories as to why cats knead. For one thing, your cat might find it soothing. Felines grow up associating kneading with the comfort of their mama, and though they most likely don’t think about food when they’re kneading as adults, they still find it relaxing, as evidenced by the purrs you’ll probably hear as they’re doing it. “Like a kid sucking a thumb, it’s a calming thing,” says Dr Nelson. “A lot of cats have their eyes closed and look like they’re completely zenned out.” Maybe this is why cats sleep so much. If you’re wondering what it means when a cat makes biscuits on you, know this: It’s a good sign. Kneading indicates a cat feels safe and happy around you – or maybe even considers you a mother figure! It's a territorial thing Another theory is that cats knead to mark their territory. Here’s a cool cat fact: Cats have scent glands on both their faces and their paws. When felines rub their faces against the furniture or go to town on a scratching post, they’re not just letting off steam or exploring the couch. They’re also leaving behind their scent. The same happens when your cat kneads. Paws are the only places where cats sweat, which means rubbing them against something leaves behind their smell, says Dr Nelson. Other experts think kneading could be traced back to our sweet, domesticated house cats’ ancestors. Those wild cats didn’t have the soft blanket or fancy cat bed that your family pet got for its birthday, so they had to work a little to make the ground as comfy as possible, says Dr Nelson. Pushing at the grass, leaves, or dirt might have helped soften it up to “get their bed just right,” she says. It's a sign of happiness, too If you’re a cat owner who also owns furniture, you may spend less time wondering “Why do cats knead?” and more time asking “how can I get my cat to stop kneading?” Innocent as the habit is, it’s easy to get annoyed when your kneading cat digs its claws into your lap or furniture. Kneading makes cats happy, says Dr Nelson, so you should never stop your pet from doing its thing; just keep its claws short. “Keep the nails trimmed so it’s not painful and not messing up your blanket or your couch,” she says. Another option would be to get yourself a cat-proof couch that can withstand all the scratching. Image credit: Shutterstock This article originally appeared <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/pets/why-do-cats-knead-an-explanation-of-this-weird-habit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Family & Pets

Woman shares terrifying snaps of wasp infestation

A <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/woman-shares-terrifying-wasp-infestation-online-neighbours-suggest-fire-and-deodorant/news-story/43d4f645a532185d12291ca0b642867e" target="_blank">NSW woman</a> has taken to social media searching for help to deal with a terrifying wasp infestation. Posting in a local Facebook group, the woman asked for advice on how to remove the colony of buzzing insects from her window sills. “How do I get rid of wasps?” she wrote. “An exterminator? “Help”. <img style="width: 382.0598006644518px; height:500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845587/capture.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/bbdb0324e3ca4cb285ea8ec763360e75" /> Image: Facebook Locals were quick to provide advice, including several more unconventional ways of dealing with the situation. “Deodorant and lighter usually does the trick,” one person wrote. “Wait till dark, get a sheet of newspaper, roll it up nice and long and burn them,” another commented. “Lots of dishwasher liquid and water in a spray bottle and spray it into the hose,” a third said. Several other members also suggested various bug sprays and repellents. However, the woman revealed that those solutions wouldn’t quite work. “Thank you everyone,” she wrote. “I am cautious to spray them myself as I have a slight reaction to bees/wasps and they’re also up on the second floor window, which makes it tricky. “But I’ll see if I can get someone to help. After this revelation, another member of the group called her out and urged her to leave the wasps alone. “If they are on a second-floor window & not worrying anyone hanging about the window ledge - why would you kill them??” the person asked. “Because they’re coming into my shed, where I park and I’m allergic and have a child,” the woman countered. Though the woman has yet to share an update on the wasp removal, she has plenty of options to consider. Image: Facebook

Home & Garden

Five weird signs you’re iron-deficient

Though iron is one of the most important nutrients that is needed for many functions of the body, many of us don’t get enough of it. “Iron deficiency is the most common micronutrient deficiency worldwide,” said Dr Kelly Prichett, assistant professor of sports nutrition at Central Washington University. The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly half of the world’s 1.62 billion cases of anaemia - where an individual is lacking healthy red blood cells - can be traced back to an iron deficiency. When your body is low in iron, common signs include feeling tired, faint, or becoming breathless more easily. However, there are some more unusual signs that could indicate a dip in your iron levels, including these five. 1. Odd cravings for inedible items While the reasons why are still unknown, people with severe iron deficiencies often crave non-food items including dirt, clay, paint chips, cardboard, and cleaning supplies, according to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/iron-deficiency-anemia" target="_blank">National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a>. The condition, called pica, can be difficult to identify as many are ashamed to admit they have these unusual addictions. Pica typically occurs in young children or during pregnancy, but <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2850349/" target="_blank">case studies</a> have shown that older people can experience pica too. 2. Brittle or spoon-shaped nails Fingernails can be a surprisingly good indicator about your health, including when you’re experiencing iron problems. Along with weak and brittle nails, spoon nails can be a sign of iron deficiency. Also called koilonychia, spoon nails occur when the inside of your nail sinks in, leaving your fingernail shaped like a spoon. Since spoon nails can also be caused by exposure to petroleum-based solvents, trauma (such as a jammed finger), and other issues, doctors may need to perform a blood test for iron deficiency anaemia when there aren’t any other obvious causes. 3. Dry and cracked lips While many of us are familiar with chapped lips caused by harsh cold, a dry room, or licking your lips, people with low iron levels may be prone to a more specific kind of cracking that affects the corners of the mouth, called angular cheilitis. These cracks can make it difficult to eat, smile, or even shout. In a study of 82 people with the condition, 32 percent were found to have an iron deficiency. In those cases, creams or ointments won’t do the trick and the underlying iron deficiency must be addressed to stop the cracking from coming back. 4. An oddly swollen tongue Atrophic glossitis, also known as a swollen and tender tongue, is another less-than-obvious symptom of an iron deficiency. In a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.jfma-online.com/article/S0929-6646(13)00406-3/pdf" target="_blank">2013 study</a> of people with iron deficiency anaemia, nearly 27 percent of the 75 participants were found to have atrophic glossitis, as well as dry mouth, a burning sensation, and other oral health issues. The swelling results in the tongue appearing smooth rather than bumpy, and can cause problems with chewing, swallowing, or talking. 5. A constant craving for ice Craving ice is a specific type of pica <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15804997/" target="_blank">called pagophagia</a>, and is one of the most common symptoms of a severe iron deficiency. While the reasons behind this craving are unclear, some experts hypothesise that chewing ice may increase alertness in iron-deficient people - who often feel sluggish and tired - or that it may soothe swollen tongues. What to do about it If you experience several of the above symptoms, booking an appointment with your doctor may be the best next step. If you are feeling more tired than usual, struggle to catch your breath while walking up stairs or exercising, feel dizzy or often feel weak, you may need to check your iron levels with your doctor. In the meantime, eating iron-rich foods such as red meat, poultry, eggs, fish, nuts, or dark leafy green vegetables can help you take in some more iron.

Body

Tiny symptoms led to daughter’s cancer diagnosis

A Melbourne mother is sharing the story that has resulted in the diagnosis of her little girl with cancer, with the hope of raising awareness of the tiny signs to watch out for. A few months ago Amelia Nesci went from being a happy child who was rarely sick to experiencing multiple bouts of illness. The three-year-old no longer wanted to play outside and became a “fussy eater”. After taking her to multiple doctors and different types of medical experts, mother Nadia Carli was still no closer to the answer. Amelia was treated for constipation and worms but wasn’t getting better. At the end of May, Amelia had a nosebleed that lasted for hours. “It didn’t look right, the blood was very pale and coming out like tap water,” Nadia said. By the time they arrived at the hospital, her nose had been bleeding for two hours and the little girl was struggling to walk. Results from a blood test showed that her white blood cell count was extremely low. A few tests later, doctors diagnosed Amelia with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. <img style="width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841685/157fae2d13d64df10e255e3fef98e04d3b9b86a1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6e6502a9a95648cbb066e438ae904d2c" /> Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a kind of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow which is most common in young children between zero and 14 years old. “Our world went upside down,” Nadia said. “A lot of that day is a big blur. I remember the doctor telling me those words [that she had cancer] but after that I don’t remember anything,” the mother-of-four said. Amelia started chemotherapy three days after being diagnosed. If the treatment works, she should finish chemotherapy by February next year. Nadia’s best friend Laura Ward, said the teachers’ aide had been putting on a brave face but was definitely struggling. “Nadia has been my best friend of 21 years and in all that time I’ve never seen her cry or heard her scream like the one I did on Tuesday when Amelia was diagnosed. It will haunt me for the rest of my life,” she said. Ms Ward has started a <a href="https://au.gofundme.com/f/4h24j-help-amelia-beat-leukemia?qid=8d48e1f7f6312eaf9b48e5fcb8955c0b">Gofundme</a> page to support the family. Feeling guilty that she didn’t spot the signs sooner, Nadia has spoken out to encourage other parents to seek answers. This kind of cancer is characterised by an overproduction of immature white blood cells. Because the bone marrow can’t produce enough red blood cells, normal white cells, and platelets, common symptoms of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia can include persistent tiredness, paleness, dizziness, or shortness of breath during physical activity, as well as increased or unexplained bleeding or bruising. Nadia has also urged more people to consider donating blood to help children like Amelia. Images: Laura Ward / GoFundMe

Caring

Child-stealing scam artist awaits sentencing

A woman who has been running bizarre scams - including dressing as a schoolgirl and stealing children - can’t find anywhere to stay after she gets out of jail. Samantha Azzopardi was set to be sentenced at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 27, after pleading guilty earlier this week to three counts of child stealing, and obtaining property by deception and theft. But, her lawyer Jessica Willard told the court they had been unable to reach the aunt Azzopardi wants to live with following her release. “She’s very reluctant to give the name of the person she wants to live with,” Ms Willard told the court. She said Azzopardi wanted to leave Victoria and stay with an aunty in northern NSW. Mrs Willard also said other family members had reached out on Tuesday and that a cousin had written a letter about Azzopardi’s childhood. But, prosecutor Kristie Churchill questioned the authenticity of the letter and there was no proof confirming the woman’s relationship with Azzopardi. Ms Churchill was also concerned Azzopardi would be “set up to fail” if she was released without some kind of mental health treatment, and a report found she was not a suitable candidate for a community corrections order. “There’s a pattern of offending where she moves from location to location, assumes new identities and creates sophisticated backstories,” Ms Churchill said. The 32-year-old was caught during her latest scam when she was found dressed as a schoolgirl with a ten-month-old and four-year old girl in a Myer at Bendigo in 2019. She had convinced the children’s French parents she was a professional au pair and told them she was taking them for a picnic. Instead, she took the children to a mental health clinic, telling staff she was a pregnant 14-year-old who had been abused by her uncle. After a staff member recognised her and called the police, Azzopardi was later found and arrested in the cosmetic section of Myer. She refused to give her details to police officers, answered cryptically, and locked her phone to prevent access. Other bizarre scams saw her steal an iPad, pretend to be a talent agent, and use an alias to work as a live-in nanny for basketball star Tom Jervis. Listing herself as a 17-year-old coming from a “rich American family” on Facebook, Tom Jervis and his wife Jazze hired Azzobardi as an au pair in 2018. After working for them in Brisbane and moving six months later when they moved to Melbourne, Ms Jervis became suspicious of Azzopardi in June 2019 and fired her. She was paid $6500 while working for them in Victoria and was later charged with obtaining property by deception. Image credit: news.com.au Her former employer also discovered that her driver’s licence and iPad had disappeared after Azzopardi left. While working for the couple, she also posed as a talent scout and met up with a girl who responded to an agency ad looking for people to be in a cartoon movie. Though she told the girl she wasn’t right for the role, Azzopardi flew her to Sydney for an audition for a show called Punk’d. But, after they arrived in Sydney, Azzopardi took the girl to Centrelink and told her to “write on a piece of paper that she was stealing ghosts”, and was later charged with child stealing. In 2013, she was found in Dublin, where investigators believed she was a teenage victim of the sex slave industry until a family member contacted the police to confirm it was Azzopardi. A year later, she walked into a health clinic in Canada claiming to be a 14-year-old victim of sex trafficking and using the name Aurora Hepburn. She was then charged with causing public mischief. Following her most recent scam, Ms Azzopardi will be sentenced on Friday, May 27, after spending upwards of 570 days on remand.

Legal

Sad end to stranded baby whale

A juvenile minke whale got stuck in the River Thames and freed on the night of Sunday, May 9. Following its rescue the animal was later found beached against a river wall and had to be put down after vets found its condition was “rapidly deteriorating”. The whale was then loaded onto a truck at Teddington lifeboat station and taken to Whipsnade Zoo for post-mortem tests, the results of which are not expected for a few weeks. Rob Deaville, who took part in the tests, said the whale was thought to be about two years old and was likely still dependent on its mother. The juvenile female minke was first stranded on Richmond Lock’s boat rollers. Crew from the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI) worked late into the evening to free the 4.2m-long whale and managed to move it. But the mammal escaped and was later seen swimming between Richmond and Teddington on Monday morning before becoming stuck once again. A vet from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) administered the injection to put it down after it became stranded. Though the full results of the post-mortem tests will take several weeks, Mr Deaville said told the BBC they had found “no evidence of any recent feeding” and “evidence of starvation over a few days”, which he explained was consistent with the whale being found in the Thames. Though parasites were also found in the whale’s stomach, Mr Deaville said vets did not believe this was significant. Minke whales are the smallest of the great whales and can grow up to 10m in length. Mr Deaville said he believed the number of whales found in the river had increased over recent years. “It could be because there are increased numbers of them or it’s man-made impacts. The jury is still out,” he said. The samples taken from the whale will not only help establish what happened to the creature, but will provide research material “for years to come”. “We’re going to learn a lot about it - it’s life and the species as a whole,” he said. Image credit: SKY News

International Travel

This new pasta is whacky but sustainable

The way we make our pasta is being challenged, with researchers developing a style inspired by flat-packed furniture. Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) have developed a flat kind of pasta that becomes a more conventional shape as it cooks. This approach could make pasta production more sustainable, with potential savings on packaging, transportation and energy costs, while tasting like the food we all know and love. By taking advantage of the expanding and softening that occurs when pasta is boiled, the scientists were able to create flat pasta that turns into rigatoni-like tubes, fusilli-like spirals, and long noodles. Ye Tao, one of the researchers involved in the project, tested the flat-pack pasta on a hiking trip and found it didn’t break en route and could be cooked on a portable stove while camping. “The morphed pasta mimicked the mouthfeel, taste and appearance of traditional pasta,” she said. Since traditional pasta can be difficult to package and take up a lot of space, the researchers hope their pasta can become a more sustainable option. “We were inspired by flat-packed furniture and how it saved space, made storage easier and reduced the carbon footprint associated with transportation,” said Lining Yao, director of the Morphing Matter Lab at CMU’s School of Computer Science. “We decided to look at how the morphing matter technology we were developing in the lab could create flat-packed pasta that offered similar sustainability outcomes.” The researchers also applied their pasta-making technique, published in the journal <a href="https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/7/19/eabf4098">Science Advances</a>, to swelling silicon sheets and believe it could be useful in the world of robotics and biomedicine.

Food & Wine

Cancer surgeon writes his own joke-filled obituary before dying

A US surgeon has jumped the gun and written a quirky obituary about himself before he died at 48. Dr Thomas Lee Flanagan passed on April 27, but his cause of death is not publicly known. In a post published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/toledoblade/obituary.aspx?n=thomas-lee-flanigan&pid=198520306&fbclid=IwAR08jHG4hN-UFNjxvslLCmYy1YpR-XK5gFKXnFVh5LEzQX7epBPWJglLDss" target="_blank">Legacy.com</a> - a website dedicated to obituaries - he jokingly described himself as the “Ginger God of Surgery and Shenanigans”. “Yes, I have joined the likes of Princess Diana, John Belushi, and Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter in leaving while still at the top of my game as an iconic superhero who seemed almost too good to be true,” he wrote. According to the post, the army veteran and father of three said he married his wife Amy so he could make husband jokes, then had three children so he could make Dad jokes. “It did not disappoint,” he wrote. “The jokes I mean, but Amy and the kids were pretty good too.” Flanagan writes that his time “was magical” and “saw some other delightful things in my time here - Hawaiian volcanoes, Egyptian pyramids, and even the advent of air fryers.” Though he “dabbled” in a few things, including serving his country in the army and saving lives as a surgeon and MD, his real legacy is the bad Dad jokes and Facebook memes he’ll leave behind. “What was I to this world if not a beacon of light shining upon those who couldn’t scan the internet for their own hilarious and entertaining comic relief?” he wrote. “I guess what I am trying to say is that you’re welcome and you owe me big time.” He ends his obituary announcing he is riding off into the sunset “after re-enlisting with a new unit.” He continued, “Due to the unknown and cosmic nature of my next mission, this will be our last communication. It will self-destruct in five minutes.” Though his whereabouts “are now top secret” he has made new friends called Elvis and Kenny. “The Church of Tom is closed for business, but please continue to worship me, light candles, and send money. You know the deal,” the obituary read. Tributes to Flanagan also flooded in on the online condolence page. “You meant so very much to me. The world is dimmer without you in it,” a former patient wrote.

Caring

5 unexpected things that can happen to your body during pregnancy

If swelling ankles, fatigue, and weird cravings weren’t enough, apparently there are even more unusual things that no one tells you about pregnancy. While chapped lips, swollen fingers, skin tags, pigmentation and snoring are also on the cards, changes in your hormones during pregnancy can result in unusual side effects that you should really know about. Here are seven unexpected things that can happen to your body while pregnant. 1 Bleeding gums As scary as this might sound, this symptom is surprisingly common. If you experience this, it will most likely be when you brush your teeth. The culprit? Changing levels of the hormone progesterone, <a href="https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/oral-care-during-pregnancy/bleeding-gums-pregnancy-should-you-worry">which can cause</a> a build-up of bacteria in your mouth that can leave your gums inflamed and showing signs of gingivitis. Don’t despair though, this usually reduces once you have given birth and your hormones return to normal levels. In the meantime, it’s important to keep up with your oral health to minimise the amount of plaque and food on your teeth. 2 Tooth wear and decay Speaking of teeth problems, tooth decay is another that can occur during pregnancy. There is a higher risk of tooth wear and decay during pregnancy as a result of gastric acid from morning sickness, combined with cravings for sugar. Again, brushing and flossing regularly can help you keep your teeth as healthy as they can be. 3 Excess saliva Feeling like you have extra saliva is another common one. Ptyalism, the condition describing excess saliva, can strike during pregnancy and commonly affects those who also suffer from extreme nausea and morning sickness. While the culprit isn’t clear, it is thought that hormones are the main reason behind this symptom. Sufferers from ptyalism deal with a large amount of saliva too, with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30221872/">research</a> finding that symptoms of ptyalism can include saliva volumes of up to two litres a day. 4 Incredibly realistic dreams The symptoms don’t just affect you while you’re awake. Experiencing vivid dreams and nightmares is common during pregnancy, even for those who don’t usually remember their dreams. <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/pregnancy/how-pregnancy-affects-dreams#:~:text=Many%20women%20also%20report%20greater,are%20currently%20on%20our%20mind.">Researchers</a> think that dreaming is how our subconscious works through issues. During pregnancy, a time of excitement and stress, the hormonal changes that make you more emotional during the day are still there while you sleep, making your dreams more vivid and often pregnancy-related. 5 Bigger feet As crazy as it sounds, some people find their feet grow during pregnancy. <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257151#1">Some research</a> suggests this is due to the production of relaxin, a hormone that loosens your pelvic joints and the ligaments in your feet, which could allow them to stretch. Other research has found a permanent loss of arch height because of additional pressure on your foot arches. According to a study conducted by the <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257151#1">American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation</a>, between 60 and 70 per cent of pregnant women found their feet became wider and longer.

Body

Major royal security breach as intruder pretends to be engaged to Prince Andrew

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> A woman has sparked a major scare in Windsor Great Park after being found wandering around Prince Andrew's official residence. Guards accidentally let the woman in after she claimed she had a lunch appointment with Prince Andrew. An insider has provided more information, saying to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/14700679/prince-andrew-security-scare-windsor/" target="_blank">The Sun</a>: "She was apparently very smartly dressed, in suit trousers, a yellow blouse and peach jacket, and had her hair done up and full make-up. "She cut quite a glamorous figure and the guards were completely taken in by her. "The woman demanded they pay her cab fare as she was a close friend of Prince Andrew, and they obliged before helpfully pointing her on her way towards the Royal Lodge. "They had no idea this woman was a total stranger to Andrew and seemingly had a fixation with him." The only reason the woman was caught was because she went up to a royal staff member and asked where Prince Andrew was, claiming she was engaged to him. "The woman then went up to a member of staff and asked where Prince Andrew was," the insider continued. "She was then asked who she was and what she was doing here. "To the staff member’s shock, the woman then claimed to be engaged to Prince Andrew and said she was there to get married to him. "She said that was the reason why she had flown over from Spain a couple of days earlier." The issue is being dealt with as a "major security breach" as the woman was found with maps of the building as well as a self-defence keyring with two prongs on it. She was initially arrested under suspicion of burglary but has since been sanctioned under the Mental Health Act. </div> </div> </div>

News

Surprised mum discovers "weird" creature in home

An Aussie mum was left very confused after spotting a bizarre "creature" in her home. She posted on the popular Facebook page Mums Who Clean, asking for help identifying the creature. “Does anyone know what this weird-looking creature is please?” she wrote on the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/mumswhoclean" target="_blank">Mums Who Clean</a> page. Many thought it was a stingray. “Not gonna lie, I thought it was a mini stingray at first glance!” said one. Added another: “Go home stingray, you’re drunk!” Luckily, a pest controller on the page provided info as to what it is. “Pest controller here!” said one. “It looks weird, I’ll admit! But it’s nothing concerning, simply the dropped tail from a broad-tailed gecko (Phyllurus platurus). <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838939/gecko-body.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3bde4f6931ac4e8788ced0b2e895b2f1" /> “They throw the tail off to act as a decoy when threatened.” Many were surprised after learning the truth. “Well you learn something new every day,” said one. “I’m Australian, and in 45 years I have never seen a gecko that looks like that and thank God, because I would literally **** my pants!” Wrote another: “I would be more worried that the tail has been dropped, because where the hell is the gecko? “Just move houses, it’s safest that way!” Photo credits: <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/baffled-aussie-mum-asks-internet-for-help-after-discovering-weird-creature-in-home-c-1648095" target="_blank">7news</a>

Home & Garden

“Wholly untrue”: UNICEF slams weird and dangerous coronavirus advice

As coronavirus panic levels continue to heighten, fake tips on how to avoid catching the disease are circulating wildly on social media. Social media platforms are full of advice on how to avoid catching coronavirus, but many of them are untrue. Humanitarian organisation UNICEF was forced to issue a statement after the organisation was linked to advice urging people to stop eating ice cream. “A recent erroneous online message circulating in several languages around the world and purporting to be a UNICEF communication appears to indicate, among other things, that avoiding ice cream and other cold foods can help prevent the onset of the disease. This is, of course, wholly untrue,” the organisation slammed in a <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/statement-charlotte-petri-gornitzka-unicef-deputy-executive-director-partnerships" target="_blank">statement</a>. “To the creators of such falsehoods, we offer a simple message: STOP. Sharing inaccurate information and attempting to imbue it with authority by misappropriating the names of those in a position of trust is dangerous and wrong. “To members of the public, we ask that you seek accurate information about how to keep yourself and your family safe from verified sources, such as UNICEF or WHO, government health officials and trusted healthcare professionals; and that you refrain from sharing information from untrustworthy or unverified sources.” The organisation also urged people to avoid sharing information from untrustworthy sources. “It can be difficult in today’s information-rich society to know exactly where to go for knowledge about how to keep yourself and your loved ones safe,” UNICEF partnerships deputy executive director Charlotte Petri Gornitzka said. “But it is critical that we remain as diligent about the accuracy of the information we share as we are about every other precaution we take to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.” Other odd tips that have gone viral include advising people to keep their mouth and throat moist so that “even if the virus gets into your mouth, drinking water and other liquids will wash them down your oesophagus and into the stomach” as well as keeping your indoor temperature above 20c so that coronavirus doesn’t spread any further.

Caring

Mum runs into trouble with naming her fourth child as the name choice might be ILLEGAL

A Byron Bay mother-of-four has run into a bit of trouble while naming her newborn son. Claire Alexander-Johnston from Byron Bay is a mummy blogger known as JetSetMama and has named her three other children Atlas, Everest and Zephyr. Following the trend, it makes sense that her fourth son would have a unique name. She posted on Instagram and apologised to her 117K strong audience for the delay in letting them know about the name. She wrote: "Sorry this naming business has taken so long! We had a bit of a curveball when we announced your name to our family, as someone pointed out, it's possibly illegal to name you that in Australia, as it falls loosely under the category of 'title' like 'King', 'Duke', 'Lord' or 'Captain'. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rAu8llYHT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B3rAu8llYHT/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Welcome to the family 💙 Citizen Sage Alexander-Johnston. 🌿 You are ten days old. Four delicious kilos already. My favourite child [as long as you never answer me back or disagree with me at all ever 🤪]. You have the colouring of your brother Atlas. The face of your brother Everest [Sochi], and ...well nothing of your sister Zephyr right now 😆 but she’s kind of her own person... [and actually the self-titled Boss of You] ...you’ll work that out pretty fast, don’t worry, I got you. Sorry this naming business has taken so long! We had a bit of a curveball when we announced your name to our family, as someone pointed out, it’s possibly illegal to name you that in Australia, as it falls loosely under the category of ‘title’ like “King” “Duke” “Lord” or “Captain”. We tried to change it. ‘Disco’ even came back into play! 😆 But nothing else felt right for you as a Libra, with a [very sensible and grounded] Capricorn moon. ⚖️ So Citizen you are, and always will be- a Citizen of the world. And amazing Sage 🌿- burning, cleansing, and healing. And in Ancient Greece- a wise man [but you know, no pressure 🤪]. And look, if you have some rough teenage years, and you just wanna hang in the garage punching bongs with “Benji and the crew”, you can always roll out “Zen” as a nickname, and I’ll bring you all snacks and we’ll get through it. Because I’m already so proud, and so in love with you Citizen Sage. You complete me. Welcome to the family, we’re so glad you’re here. ❤️ #citizensage</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/jetsetmama/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Claire Alexander-Johnston</a> (@jetsetmama) on Oct 16, 2019 at 1:16am PDT </div> </blockquote> "We tried to change it. ‘Disco’ even came back into play! But nothing else felt right for you as a Libra, with a [very sensible and grounded] Capricorn moon. So Citizen you are, and always will be- a Citizen of the world." According to legislation in Australia, there are a number of names that are considered unacceptable by Births, Deaths and Marriages. These include swear words, unpronounceable names and names that include numbers or symbols. Another category is names that could be considered a title, which includes “Commissioner”, “Bishop”, “Queen” or “Prime Minister”. Claire spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7592289/Mother-three-reveals-unusual-fourth-child-ILLEGAL.html" target="_blank">The Daily Mail</a> , saying that her and her partner had put names through a test before choosing it. 'When thinking about names we like, Rich and I would put it through the "can they be a rockstar or an accountant?" test. [not that I particularly want either of these professions for any of my children, but you get the drift- "an adaptable name"!],' she said. If they pass the test, the name sticks. Fans of Claire were thrilled, but very curious as to how it passed the BDM. "So has it been approved by the BDM!? Such a cool name and so hope it gets approved if its not already," one woman wrote. "Wonderful name for a beautiful boy. Very happy for you that you were allowed the name you had your heart set on," another wrote. "Is this his registered name or was it not approved but you're calling him it anyway? Just wondering!!"

Family & Pets

Weird brain exercises that help you get smarter

Giving your brain new experiences will keep it healthier. Try these mini mental workout exercises to prevent memory loss and sharpen your mind. Giving your brain new experiences that combine physical senses – vision, smell, touch, taste and hearing – with emotional “sense” stimulates more connections between different brain areas, causes nerve cells to produce natural brain nutrients that dramatically help memory and makes surrounding cells stronger and more resistant to the effects of aging. Try these brain exercises during your morning routine or your down time and see if you feel the difference. Brush teeth with your non-dominant hand Research has shown that using the opposite side of your brain (as in this exercise) can result in a rapid and substantial expansion of in the parts of the cortex that control and process tactile information from the hand. Brain exercise: Brush, and don’t forget to open the tube and apply toothpaste in reverse, too. Shower with your eyes closed Your hands will probably notice varied textures of your own body you don’t “see,” and will send messages back to your brain. Brain exercise: Try using just your tactile senses (although, use common sense to avoid burn or injury). Locate the taps solely by feel, and adjust the temperature. Then wash, shave and so on with your eyes shut. Switch around your morning activities Brain imaging studies show that novel tasks exercise large areas of the cortex, indicating increased levels of brain activity in several distinct areas. This activity declines when the task becomes routine and automatic. Brain exercise: Get dressed after breakfast, walk the dog on a new route or change your TV or news station. Even watching a kids’ program like Sesame Street, for example, may arouse the brain to notice how much of what you take for granted is explored in depth by children. Turn familiar objects upside down (literally) When you look at things right-side up, your left “verbal” brain quickly labels it and diverts your attention elsewhere. When they’re upside down, your right brain networks kick in, trying to interpret the shapes, colours and relationships of a puzzling picture. Brain exercise: Turn pictures of your family, your desk clock or an illustrated calendar upside down. Switch seats at the table In most families, everyone has his or her “own” seat, but your brain benefits from new experiences. Brain exercise: Switch seats to change whose position you occupy, who you relate to, your view of the room and even how you reach for salt and pepper. Make a new connection with your nose You probably don’t remember when you “learned” to associate the smell of coffee with the start of a day. However, by linking a new odour – say, vanilla, citrus or peppermint – to an activity, you’ll alert new neural pathways. Brain exercise: Keep an extract of your favourite scent near your bed for a week. Open it and inhale when you first wake up, and then again as you bathe and dress. Open the car window The hippocampus, an area of your brain that processes memories, is especially involved in associating odours, sounds and sights to construct mental maps. Brain exercise: Try to identify new smells and sounds on your route. Opening the windows provides these circuits with more raw material. Play with spare change Because our brains regularly rely on visual cues to distinguish between objects, using touch to identify subtly different things increases activation in cortical areas that process tactile information and leads to stronger synapses. (Similarly, adults who lose their sight learn to distinguish Braille letters because their brain devotes more pathways to processing fine touch.) Brain exercise: Place a cup full of coins in your car’s drink holder. While at a stoplight, try to determine the denominations by feel alone. You can also put coins in your pocket, and identify them when you stop at a corner. Play “10 Things” Forcing your brain to think of alternates to the everyday will help keep it strong. Brain exercise: Someone hands you an ordinary object, and you must demonstrate 10 different “things” that the object might be. Example: A fly swatter might be a tennis racket, a golf club, a fan, a baton, a drumstick, a violin, a shovel, a microphone, a baseball bat or a canoe paddle. Scan at the supermarket Stores are designed to have the most profitable items at eye level, and when you shop you don’t really see everything there. Brain exercise: Stop in any aisle and look at the shelves, top to bottom. If there’s something you’ve never seen before, pick it up, read the ingredients and think about it. You don’t have to buy it to benefit; you’ve broken your routine and experienced something new. Do an art project in a group Art activates the nonverbal and emotional parts of the cerebral cortex. When you create art, you draw on parts of your brain interested in forms, colours and textures, as well as thought processes very different from the logical, linear thinking that occupies most of your day. Brain exercise: Ask each person to draw something associated with a specific theme like a season, an emotion or a current event. Make more social connections during your day Scientific research has repeatedly proved that social deprivation has severe negative effects on overall cognitive abilities. Brain exercise: Thirsty? Buy a drink from a person rather than a vending machine. Need gas? Pay the clerk at the counter rather than just swiping your credit card at the pump. Read differently When we read aloud or listen to reading, we use very different brain circuits than when we read silently to ourselves. Brain exercise: Read aloud with your partner or a friend, alternating roles of reader and listener. It may be slow to get through a book, but as a bonus you’ll spend quality time together. Eat unfamiliar foods Your olfactory system can distinguish millions of odours by activating unique combinations of receptors in your nose. There’s a direct link to the emotional centre of your brain, so new odours may evoke unexpected feelings and associations. Brain exercise: Choose a cuisine unfamiliar to you, and browse the variety of novel vegetables, seasonings and packaged goods. Written by Lawrence C. Katz, PhD and Manning Rubin. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/14-weird-brain-exercises-that-help-you-get-smarter?slide=all">Reader’s Digest.</a> For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, h<a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.co.nz/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRN93V">ere’s our best subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Legal

Weird laws you never knew existed in New Zealand

To anyone who has never lived in New Zealand, it can be pretty hard to believe how tight Kiwi laws can be. While we may have a reputation for being a laidback little island, it turns out our rules and regulations aren’t so much. Here are some of New Zealand’s strangest laws. No noise near whales Many who were planning to watch, may not have been happy after hearing Wellington’s annual Matariki fireworks last year were postponed due to a whale gracing the capital’s harbour. However, law is law - no matter where you are, and the Marine Mammals Protection Regulations say that “no person shall make any loud or disturbing noises near whales.” A fine worth up to $10,000 will be dished out to any bold Kiwi or tourist who wants to incur a penalty. Māori Wardens can tell someone what to do Based on the Māori Community Development Act, there are criminal offences that apply to only people who are Māori. These offenses can be given by a Māori warden. For example, those with permission to do so can refuse alcohol to be served to Māori who are likely to become difficult and can even take the car keys out of a Māori’s possession. No questions asked policy Those who lose personal items such as their keys or wallet are required not to advertise an award for the return of their lost or stolen property, or they can risk facing a $200 fine. Don’t buy these books Some books are temporarily banned in New Zealand while some are permanent. The Everything Marijuana Book was banned in 2013 because it encourages those who read it to commit a crime. Interestingly enough, being in possession of this book incurs a harsher penalty than actually growing or selling cannabis.

Legal

The weird reality of what Baby Sussex's life will be like

With the world waiting with bated breath for the announcement of Baby Sussex's arrival, who is due any day now, many have started to wonder what kind of life the newest member of the royal family will lead. As it’s Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s first child, many are curious as to whether or not the baby will live the same life as its cousins, Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 3, and Prince Louis, 1. However, there are many differences between Baby Sussex and his/her royal cousins. Non-working royal It’s likely Baby Sussex will be in the spotlight of heavy media attention but won’t have a job working full-time for the Queen. This is the case for Prince Harry and Princess Beatrice. Prince Harry works full-time for the Queen, whereas Princess Beatrice is close to the throne, but not close enough for full-time jobs with the Queen. Beatrice’s sister Eugenie explained to <a href="https://www.teenvogue.com/story/princess-eugenie-princess-beatrice-first-joint-interview-vogue-uk">Vogue</a> magazine how difficult it is being a “working royal”. “There is no precedent, there is no protocol,” Eugenie told Vogue back in 2018. “We are the first: we are young women trying to build careers and have personal lives, and we’re also princesses and doing all of this in the public eye.” Not being close enough to the throne to have a full-time job with the Queen could be a blessing in disguise. Royal commentator Victoria Murphy told <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/8920405/eight-ways-meghan-markles-baby-different-life-george-charlotte-louis/">The Sun</a> that Baby Sussex will have more freedom: “There’s no chance (Harry and Meghan’s baby) will ever be king or queen — this baby has so much more freedom than William and Kate’s children do,” she said. She also added they “will not be expected when they get older to carry out full-time royal duties”, meaning they can potentially “carve their own path”. The same can’t be said for George, Charlotte and Louis, as they will be expected to work as full-time royals throughout their lives. Social media Baby Sussex could have a personalised Instagram, as the same restrictions that were posed to Meghan before she was engaged to Prince Harry are unlikely to be forced on her child. <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwR0wNFB1KI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BwR0wNFB1KI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Just one week ago, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex asked that you kindly consider supporting various organisations around the world in lieu of sending gifts for the upcoming arrival of their first born. Not only did many of you lend your support, you took action. Their Royal Highnesses wanted you to know the impact of your support – the direct effect your donation, energy, and action made! YOU chose to be part of the collective good, and you have made a real difference. Whether a $5 donation, £1000 contribution, offering to volunteer, or spreading the word – you’ve played your part. And on behalf of The Duke and Duchess (and Baby Sussex), we thank you so much. YOUR IMPACT: @thelunchboxfund will now be able to provide a minimum of 100,000 additional hot nutritionally fortified meals to children in dire need across South Africa @littlevillagehq received donations from all over the world (from UAE to Hong Kong and the US), they’ve increased their monthly donors, had a surge in volunteer applications, and re-energized their hard working team of 200+ staff and volunteers @wellchild can now provide 300+ additional hours of specialist care by a Well Child Nurse for a child with serious health needs, allowing families to stay together at home vs in hospital @Baby2Baby have received over 5,000 products to disperse to children in need, including cribs, books, backpacks, diapers and have received monetary donations from around the globe - from Guadalajara to Italy. You made this happen. Thank you.</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/sussexroyal/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> The Duke and Duchess of Sussex</a> (@sussexroyal) on Apr 15, 2019 at 6:51am PDT </div> </blockquote> Royal title Baby Sussex also won’t be born into a title, despite Prince Harry’s status as a “prince”. According to King George V’s 1917 decree, only the oldest son of the Prince of Wales’ oldest son (Prince William's son Prince George) was entitled to be called his royal highness (HRH) and a prince. In late 2012, the Queen amended the rule, declaring all of Prince William and Kate’s children would be titled HRH and either prince or princess. The rule currently doesn’t apply to Baby Sussex, so unless it is amended before the birth, Baby Sussex’s title will be “Lord Mountbatten-Windsor” or “Lady Mountbatten-Windsor”. As Prince Harry has indicated that he wants his children to live as normal lives as possible, it’s unlikely that the rule will be amended.

Family & Pets

5 of the weirdest houses that defy logic

Who says a home has to be conventional? We've scoured the web and found 10 novel homes that prove when it comes to home design, getting weird is an option. You may love the design of some of these homes, find some outright hilarious, and consider others to be an abomination. That's the great thing about wacky houses, they elicit a different reaction from everyone. Scroll through the gallery above to see the wackiest houses that defy logic. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/builders-worst-nightmare-10-weirdest-houses-defy-logic">handyman.net.au</a>

Art

Passenger shamed for “disgusting” plane act

A woman has shocked her fellow passengers on board a flight by using the empty seats beside her to dry her swimmers. She used the air vent to help with this process. A fellow passenger on board snapped a photo and sent it to the popular Instagram page, Passenger Shaming. The caption joked: “PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you have a wet bathing suit, or three – AIRPLANE HEADREST DRYER.” <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvJtYJrn8kF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BvJtYJrn8kF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">PRO TRAVEL TIP: If you have a wet bathing suit, or three — AIRPLANE HEADREST DRYER ✈️👙😂🤷🏼‍♀️ #mondaymotivation • • • #passengershaming #bikini #bathingsuit #NOPE #instagramaviation #airplaneetiquette #frequentflyer #crewlife #sassystew #aviation #cabincrew #avgeek #cabincrewlife #flightattendant #flightattendantlife #stewardess #flightattendantproblems #travel #flightattendants #instapassport #aviationgeek #FAlife #airtravel #travelgram #traveltips #pilot #pilotlife #travelling #frequentflier</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/passengershaming/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Passenger Shaming</a> (@passengershaming) on Mar 18, 2019 at 6:41am PDT </div> </blockquote> Many people were outraged and disgusted by the swimwear being aired during the flight. “Disgusting. Make sure you bring wet ones so you can clean off your seat before you sit in it,” one commenter suggested. Another agreed, asking: “Where were the flight attendants!? What did the person behind them say!?” However, one commenter decided to look on the bright side of things. “Better than a dirty diaper,” they commented. Have you seen anything like this on your flight? Let us know in the comments below.

Travel Trouble

Cabin crew hospitalised after “mystery odour” on flight

Five airline crew have been hospitalised as a precaution due to noticing a mysterious odour whilst departing from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. After the plane landed in Florida at around 11am PST, American Airlines confirmed to Fox News about the incident. “Shortly before landing, crew members complained of an odour on board,” a spokeswoman for the carrier told <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/travel/american-airlines-staffers-florida-airport-odor">Fox News</a>. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb"> Breaking: Five passengers transported to Broward health after reporting feeling sick on a plane at <a href="https://twitter.com/FLLFlyer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLLFlyer</a>. No word on the cause. <a href="https://twitter.com/WPLGLocal10?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WPLGLocal10</a> <a href="https://t.co/lumRGSdjYb">pic.twitter.com/lumRGSdjYb</a> — Ian Margol (@IanMargolWPLG) <a href="https://twitter.com/IanMargolWPLG/status/1083414718818250752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">10 January 2019</a></blockquote> “The aircraft, an Airbus 320 with 137 passengers and a crew of five, landed safely and taxied to the gate. Two pilots and three flight attendants asked to be taken to the hospital as a precaution. “No passengers requested medical attention. The aircraft is being evaluated by our maintenance team.” No word has been received as to whether or not the crew members are in good health. According to a witness, they wouldn’t let anyone else board the plane. "I heard one of the security guys walk by, and he's like, 'I need four wheelchairs. We need one ASAP," passenger Andrew O'Donnell told ABC 10, according to <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1070769/florida-flights-american-airlines-plane-pilot-cabin-crew-sick">express.co.uk</a>. "They just sort of wheeled everybody off and they said they smelled an odour on the plane. “And when that happened, they said that they obviously weren't going to let anybody else on." Have you ever noticed anything unusual on one of your flights? Let us know in the comments.

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Passenger shamed for “disgusting” plane act

Cabin crew hospitalised after “mystery odour” on flight