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Convicted child rapist qualifies for Olympic team

<p>A convicted child rapist has qualified to represent The Netherlands at the upcoming 2024 Olympics. </p> <p>Steven van de Velde will head to Paris in July to represent the country in beach volleyball, much to the dismay of many. </p> <p>Van de Velde's selection has caused outrage given he pleaded guilty to three counts of rape in 2014 and was sentenced to four years in jail.</p> <p>He was convicted in 2016 and only served one year behind bars. </p> <p>The athlete, now 29, admitted to meeting the then 12-year-old on Facebook before travelling to England from Amsterdam to meet her when he raped her, after being aware of her age. </p> <p>At the 2016 sentencing, the judge labelled Van de Velde's Olympic aspirations a "shattered dream" due to the conviction.</p> <p>However, the Netherlands Olympic Committee (NOC) have given him another chance, despite the fact that the British Olympic Committee is allegedly uncomfortable with the Van de Velde selection.</p> <p>"Since 2018, Steven van de Velde has been participating in international beach volleyball tournaments again following an intensive, professionally supervised trajectory," the NOC said in a statement.</p> <p>Despite the unusual selection, the International Olympic Committee allows each nation to select its own athletes and does not veto any picks.</p> <p>Following his release from jail, Van de Velde said in an interview in 2018, "I made that choice in my life when I wasn't ready, I was a teenager still figuring things out."</p> <p>"I was sort of lost and now I have so much more life experience, aside from just being incarcerated. Any form of help would have been very very helpful, maybe that's what I would have told myself, seek help."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Xinhua News Agency/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Legal

Why you shouldn’t worry if the plane cabin fills with fog

<p dir="ltr">A savvy traveller has shared why plane cabins can fill with fog, and why you need not to worry about it. </p> <p dir="ltr">Passenger Savannah Gowarty posted a video of the suspiciously looking inflight mist and condensation on a domestic US flight, with the video garnered over 13.1 million views, and amazing and confusing commentators questioning what was going on.</p> <p dir="ltr">In response to the viral video, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson told <em><a href="https://cnn.com/travel">CNN Travel</a></em> what it means. </p> <p dir="ltr">The short answer: it's a natural occurrence that usually only lasts a short while, and it's nothing to worry about.</p> <p dir="ltr">"On hot and relatively humid days, cold air from the aircraft's air conditioning system mixes with the warmer, humid cabin air and lowers it to the dew point, creating fog," the spokesperson said. </p> <p dir="ltr">"The fog is generally short-lived as the cooled air quickly warms above the dew point."</p> <p dir="ltr">When an airplane is waiting on the ground pre-departure, the aircraft cabin air is kept cool "either from an external ground air conditioning unit or the aircraft's own Auxiliary Power Unit (APU)," as the FAA spokesperson explains.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Both provide cold air (usually much cooler than the ambient temperature) which can temporarily lower the dew point of the aircraft cabin air enough to create fog."</p> <p dir="ltr">Climate scientist Indrani Roy emphasised that neither mist nor any resulting condensation is "cause for alarm."</p> <p dir="ltr">The FAA spokesperson went on to explain that "aircraft cabin fog usually dissipates very quickly."</p> <p dir="ltr">"This is due to the colder air (which lowered the cabin air temperature to its dew point) quickly warms back above the dew point. Once that happens, the fog will disappear.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Many times, the fog only appears as it comes out of the vent, exists for 1-2 seconds and then is gone."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

Robert De Niro shares rare photo of baby daughter

<p>Robert De Niro has shared a rare photo of his adorable 10-month-old daughter Gia, while opening up on their unusual family dynamic for the first time. </p> <p>The 80-year-old acting legend welcomed baby Gia with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen in 2023, making the adorable infant De Niro's seventh child.</p> <p>The sweet photo delighted fans, with the picture showing the proud dad cradling his daughter and resting his cheek on her head, while the baby smiles for the camera.</p> <p>De Niro doted on his daughter in a new interview with <em><a href="https://people.com/all-about-robert-de-niro-and-tiffany-chen-daughter-8386466" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People</a></em> magazine, saying, “She’s such an adorable baby. So sweet.”</p> <p>The actor also laughed about the unusual dynamic within his family after welcoming his seventh child at age 79.</p> <p>“The kids all get a big kick out of her. The grandkids even. She’s their aunt — [and] they’re about to be teenagers!” he said.</p> <p>In addition to Gia, De Niro is also father to Drena, 56, Raphael, 47, twins Julian and Aaron, 28, Elliot, 25, and Helen, 12.</p> <p>He has four grandchildren, including Drena’s son, Leandro, who tragically died from an accidental overdose in 2023 at the age of 19. </p> <p>Speaking with <em>AARP</em> in January, De Niro became emotional talking about the newest addition to his family. </p> <p>“Everything that I’m consumed with or worried about just goes away when I look at her,” he raved. “It’s wondrous.”</p> <p>He also gave a glimpse into his home life with Chen, 45, and baby Gia while speaking to <em>The Guardian</em> last October.</p> <p>While addressing his age, he candidly explained that he has stepped back from doing “the heavy lifting.”</p> <p>“I’m there, I support my girlfriend. But she does the work,” he stated. “And we have help, which is so important.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Youtube / Courtesy Robert De Niro / Yahoo Canada</em></p>

Family & Pets

"Shame on you!" Robert De Niro's courtroom outburst

<p>Robert De Niro has lost his temper in court, as his former assistant accused him of being abusive. </p> <p>The Oscar-winning actor is being sued by Graham Chase Robinson, who worked as his assistant from 2008 until several months into 2019, for millions of dollars after claiming he was abusive when they worked together. </p> <p>Robinson, 41, seeks $US12 million (approximately AUD$18 million) in damages for emotional distress and harm to her reputation, that she claims has left her jobless and unable to recover from the trauma of working for De Niro.</p> <p>The jury is also considering evidence pertaining to a lawsuit De Niro filed against Robinson in which he claimed that she stole things from him, including five million points that could be used for airline flights.</p> <p>De Niro is countersuing his former employee, seeking the return of three years of Robinson's salary.</p> <p>Robinson's attorney Andrew Macurdy interrogated the actor over some of his questionable behaviour, including allegations that he spoke to Robinson while he was urinating, and claims that he called her a "b***h" to her face.</p> <p>De Niro admitted that while he "got angry" at his former assistant, he was "never abusive".</p> <p>Growing frustrated with the line of questioning, he exclaimed, "You got us all here for this?" </p> <p>Eventually, he angrily looked toward Robinson and shouted, "Shame on you, Chase Robinson!"</p> <p>De Niro was also asked by Macurdy if he he sued Robinson before she sued him because he wanted publicity.</p> <p>"It draws attention to me. It's the last thing I wanted to do," De Niro said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Legal

Miss World contestant passes away at just 26

<p>A former Miss World contestant has passed away at the age of 26, after a two-year battle with cervical cancer. </p> <p>Sherika de Armas, who was the representative for Uruguay in the 2015 international pageant, died last week after undergoing both chemotherapy and radiotherapy during her health fight. </p> <p>Her family announced the news of her death on Instagram, telling followers she “departed in peace, surrounded by the love of her family and friends”.</p> <p>“She will always be in our hearts,” they said.</p> <p>“Fly high, little sister. Always and forever,” de Armas’s brother Mayk wrote.</p> <p>Among the commenters was current Miss Uruguay Carla Romero who wrote, “Too evolved for this world. One of the most beautiful women I have ever met in my life.”</p> <p>De Armas represented Uruguay in the Miss World competition in 2015, and although she didn't make the top 30, she was called "one of the young promising talents of Uruguay" for her "beautiful face, towering height and charismatic personality". </p> <p>She was one of six 18-year-olds in the competition that year, which was held in China. </p> <p>“I always wanted to be a model, whether a beauty model, an advertising model or a catwalk model,” she told local outlet Univision at the time.</p> <p>“I like everything related to fashion and I think that within a beauty pageant, any girl’s dream is to have the opportunity to participate in Miss Universe."</p> <p>“I am very happy to be able to live this experience full of challenges.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Robert De Niro’s grandson's official cause of death confirmed

<p>Robert De Niro’s grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez’s cause of death has been confirmed. </p> <p>The 19-year-old died from a "toxic" combination of drugs, a New York City Medical Examiner told <em>Page Six</em> on Tuesday. </p> <p>Autopsy results revealed that the late teen had fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine in his system at the time of his death, which has been ruled as an "accident". </p> <p>Sophia Marks, 20, has been arrested in connection to Leandro's overdose.</p> <p>According to criminal reports obtained by <em>Page Six</em>, the texts between Leandro and Marks allege that she had warned him about the fentanyl-laced pills, as they discussed the purchase of counterfeit oxycodone and Xanax just days before his death.</p> <p>Police also believe that Marks allegedly sold pills to children as young as 15. </p> <p>This comes just one month after De Niro’s daughter Drena claimed that her son passed away after a <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/de-niro-s-daughter-reveals-her-son-s-cause-of-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tragic drug accident</a>. </p> <p>“Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” she wrote in response to a comment on one of her posts at that time. </p> <p>“For all these people still f***ing around selling and buying this s**t, my son is gone forever,” she added. </p> <p>Drena who is still processing her grief, continues to post memories of her son, with the most recent one a heartbreaking tribute marking the first month since his passing.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvcZ2IGNgcj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CvcZ2IGNgcj/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Drena (@drenadeniro)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Today marks one whole month without my baby 🥺💔," she began in the caption</p> <p>"I think of you and long for you, every minute of every day. Never forget how happy you made so many people just by being here and being beautiful kindhearted you ♥️ Your legacy is Love."</p> <p>Leandro was laid to rest on July 8.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

De Niro's daughter reveals her son's cause of death

<p dir="ltr">Robert De Niro’s daughter claims that her son Leandro<a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/deeply-distressed-tragedy-strikes-robert-de-niro-s-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> passed away</a> after a tragic drug accident where he allegedly took pills laced with fentanyl.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” Drena wrote in response to a comment asking how Leandro passed away.</p> <p dir="ltr">“For all these people still f***ing around selling and buying this s**t, my son is gone forever,” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for pain relief and an anaesthetic, but it is also more potent than heroin and morphine as a painkiller.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Just two milligrams of fentanyl, the small amount that fits on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially deadly dose,” the Drug Enforcement Administration states.</p> <p dir="ltr">Drena announced her only child’s <a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/deeply-distressed-tragedy-strikes-robert-de-niro-s-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passing</a> on Sunday and has since been sharing updates of her grief on Instagram.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My darling we celebrate you today and always,” she wrote in a recent Instagram post with a photo of a young Leandro.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuXS_gzL5zk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuXS_gzL5zk/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Drena (@drenadeniro)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you to everyone for the help, prayers and loving energy that is pulling us through this devastating time. Julie thank you for this beautiful photo of Leo ♥️” she added.</p> <p dir="ltr">Robert also shared how “deeply distressed” he was over his beloved grandson’s passing and had asked for privacy to grieve their loss of Leandro.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

"Deeply distressed": Tragedy strikes Robert De Niro's family

<p>Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, has tragically passed away, as confirmed by his daughter, Drena De Niro.</p> <p>Drena De Niro, who is 51 years old and Robert De Niro's daughter from his previous marriage to Diahnne Abbott, shared the devastating news of her young son's passing on Instagram.</p> <p>In a heartfelt tribute, accompanied by a photo of her late son, she expressed her deep love for him, stating: "My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been joy in my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life."</p> <p>Overwhelmed by grief and yearning to be with her son, she continued, <span style="color: #343541; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you. I don't know how to live without you but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama.</span></p> <p><span style="color: #343541; font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 16px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">"You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you 😞 I'm so sorry my baby, I'm so sorry @carlosmare 😢💔. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy."</span></p> <p> </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuOES_xN6pO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CuOES_xN6pO/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Drena (@drenadeniro)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Upon learning the tragic news, Robert De Niro expressed deep distress over his teenage grandson's passing.</p> <p>In a statement provided to the <em>New York Post's Page Six</em> section on Monday, Robert De Niro expressed his sorrow, saying, "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo."</p> <p>The statement was delivered through a spokesperson. He further added, "We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."</p> <p>At present, the cause of Leandro's death remains unknown, although reports suggest that drugs and drug paraphernalia were found near his body.</p> <p>Leandro was the son of Drena De Niro and graffiti artist Carlos "Mare139" Rodriguez. Carlos commented on Drena's social media post, expressing his heartfelt emotions:</p> <p>"Words aren't enough to express the joy he gave us or the loss we now endure with our families and friends. He is God's child now. On this full moon, his spirit illuminates what could not be seen in the dark. You can't spell LOVE without LEO."</p> <p>Several celebrities, including Lenny Kravitz, Andy Cohen, and Naomi Campbell, expressed their support and condolences in the comments section of Drena's post.</p> <p>Drena De Niro is the eldest of Robert De Niro's seven children. He adopted her in 1976 after marrying her mother, Diahnne Abbott. Robert also has a son named Raphael, 46, with Ms. Abbott, as well as twins named Aaron and Julian, 27, with Toukie Smith.</p> <p>Additionally, he has a son named Elliot, 25, and a daughter named Helen, 11, with Grace Hightower. In May, Robert announced that he and his partner, Tiffany Chen, welcomed their seventh child, a daughter named Gia.</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Harrison Ford is back as an 80-year-old Indiana Jones – and a 40-something Indy. The highs (and lows) of returning to iconic roles

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-mccann-398197">Ben McCann</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p>Saddle up, don the fedora and crack that whip: Harrison Ford is back as the intrepid archaeologist in <em>Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny</em>. The film premiered at Cannes, where Ford was <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/harrison-ford-honorary-palme-dor-cannes-1235495463/">awarded</a> an Honorary Palme d’Or in recognition of his life’s work.</p> <p>Reviews for the fifth film in the franchise <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/indiana-jones-5-review-roundup-1235495961/">have been mixed</a>, and it is the first Indy film not to be directed by Steven Spielberg (this time, it’s James Mangold, best known for his motor-racing drama Ford v Ferrari).</p> <p>But this is “event” cinema that combines nostalgia, old-school special effects and John Williams’ <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-jaws-to-star-wars-to-harry-potter-john-williams-90-today-is-our-greatest-living-composer-176245">iconic score</a>.</p> <p>So, Ford is back, aged 80. What draws actors back after all this time?</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eQfMbSe7F2g?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Role returns</h2> <p>Ford first played Indy in 1981 and last played him in 2008. That is a full 15 years since the most recent film in the series, and 42 years since his first outing in <em>Raiders of the Lost Ark</em>.</p> <p>Ford has form in returning to celebrated characters. One of the great pleasures of watching <em>The Force Awakens</em> back in 2015 was seeing Ford play Han Solo again for the <a href="https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3j2j09">first time in over 30 years</a>.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xQSIdSRlAk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Actors return to roles for numerous reasons:</p> <ul> <li>financial (Ford was reportedly paid <a href="https://okmagazine.com/exclusives/harrison-ford-paid-indiana-jones-5-plagued-with-problems/">US$25 million</a> for <em>Dial of Destiny</em>)</li> <li>protection of their brand, image and star persona (Michael Keaton <a href="https://www.fortressofsolitude.co.za/the-flash-movies-biggest-hero-how-michael-keaton-saved-the-film/">returning to play Batman</a> after three decades and three other actors who have embodied the role)</li> <li>professional (Tom Cruise admitted over the 36 years between <em>Top Gun</em> films he wanted to make sure the sequel <a href="https://screenrant.com/top-gun-maverick-tom-cruise-return-how-explained/">could live up to the original</a>)</li> <li>personal (once-huge stars are working less and less, and only feel the need to return to a built-in fan base every few years – Bill Murray in the 2021 <em>Ghostbusters</em> sequel springs to mind).</li> </ul> <p>It’s not always a successful endeavour.</p> <p>Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone – two of the biggest action stars of the 1980s off the back of iconic roles as <em>The Terminator</em>, Rocky Balboa and John Rambo – have repeatedly returned to those roles, and critics have been <a href="https://screenrant.com/terminator-dark-fate-undermined-john-connor-storyline-franchise-bad/">particularly harsh</a>.</p> <p>It did not work for Sigourney Weaver in <em><a href="https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/alien-resurrection-1997">Alien: Resurrection</a></em> in 1997, 18 years after her first time as Ripley; nor for Keanu Reeves in <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/dec/21/the-matrix-resurrections-review-keanu-reeves">The Matrix Resurrections</a></em> in 2021, 23 years after the original.</p> <p>And still, I’m intrigued to see what Michael Mann could do with his long-rumoured sequel to <em>Heat</em>, his definitive 1995 crime film. Ever since Mann published his novel Heat 2 last year – a kind of origin story for <em>Heat’s</em> key protagonists – fans have been hoping a de-aged Al Pacino (now aged 83) <a href="https://deadline.com/2023/04/michael-mann-heat-2-warner-bros-adam-driver-young-neil-mccauley-1235316777/">might return</a> as LA cop Vincent Hanna.</p> <h2>Undoing time</h2> <p>“Digital de-ageing” first entered the Hollywood mainstream in 2019 with <em>The Irishman</em> and <em>Captain Marvel</em>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.indiewire.com/features/craft/de-aging-actors-history-benjamin-button-dial-of-destiny-harrison-ford-1234863938/">Via this process</a>, older actors (Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Samuel L. Jackson have all been subject to the technology) move back and forwards in time without younger actors having to play them.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OF-lElIlZM0?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Films still tend to cast two actors to play older and younger versions of the same character, a choice that dates back at least to 1974’s <em>The Godfather Part II</em>, in which a young Robert de Niro plays Vito Corleone, portrayed by the much older Marlon Brando in the first film.</p> <p>In 1989, <em>Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade</em> features a delightful opening scene where River Phoenix plays the young version of Indiana Jones, before Ford takes over for the rest of the film.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AwH6-Yh7_SM?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Actors used to just play characters of their own age when reprising earlier roles. Paul Newman finally won a Best Actor Oscar for his role as “Fast Eddie” Felson in <em>The Color of Money</em> (1986), a quarter of a century after first playing him in The Hustler.</p> <p>The sequel plays on Newman’s age, and his role as a mentor to an upcoming Tom Cruise, and bathes viewers in nostalgia and memories of <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/paul-newman-schooled-tom-cruise-the-color-of-money/">a younger Newman</a>.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k7gmrKAFshE?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>But actors no longer have to exclusively play their age.</p> <p>The first part of <em>Dial of Destiny</em> is an extended flashback, set in 1944, in which Ford has been digitally de-aged to appear in his 40s. This process used an AI system that scanned used and unused reels of footage of Ford from <a href="https://www.cbr.com/harrison-ford-de-aging-indiana-jones-dial-of-destiny/">the first three Indy films</a> to match his present-day performance.</p> <p>Here, it is as if we are getting two Fords for the price of one: the “younger”, fitter Indy and the older, more world-weary version. It makes for a powerfully emotional connection on screen.</p> <p>Yet there are some <a href="https://variety.com/2023/film/awards/indiana-jones-5-harrison-ford-de-aging-not-working-1235618698/">pitfalls to de-ageing</a>. Some viewers complain that the whole process is distracting and that the hyper-real visual look of de-aged scenes resembles a video game.</p> <p>Even so, de-ageing in Hollywood cinema is here to stay. Tom Hanks’s <a href="https://variety.com/2023/film/news/tom-hanks-robin-wright-digitally-deaged-robert-zemeckis-movie-1235507766/">next film</a> is using AI-based generative technology to digitally de-age him.</p> <p>Given its reduced cost, speed and reduced human input, AI-driven innovation might have <a href="https://filmstories.co.uk/news/new-ai-driven-de-ageing-tools-to-be-used-in-tom-hanks-project/">industry-changing ramifications</a>.</p> <h2>The star of Ford</h2> <p>Harrison Ford remains a bona fide “movie star” in an industry profoundly buffeted by COVID, the rise of streaming platforms, the demise of the monoculture, and the changing nature of who constitutes a star.</p> <p>In the midst of all this industry uncertainty, it seems there is no longer a statute of limitations on actors returning to much-loved characters.</p> <p>The next big ethical issue for the film industry as it further embraces AI is whether to <a href="https://collider.com/james-dean-digital-cgi-performance-in-new-movie/">resurrect deceased actors</a> and cast them in new movies.</p> <p>Still, I’m looking forward to seeing more actors de-aged as the technology improves and audiences acclimatise to watching older actors “playing” younger versions of themselves. We are only at the start of Hollywood’s next big adventure.<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/202357/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ben-mccann-398197">Ben McCann</a>, Associate Professor of French Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/harrison-ford-is-back-as-an-80-year-old-indiana-jones-and-a-40-something-indy-the-highs-and-lows-of-returning-to-iconic-roles-202357">original article</a>.</em></p>

Movies

Ellen DeGeneres shares throwback snap to mark special milestone

<p dir="ltr">Ellen DeGeneres shared a sweet throwback snap of her August 2008 wedding with Portia de Rossi, to mark a very special milestone for LGBTQIA+ love.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 65-year-old comedian took to Instagram to honour the eight anniversary of the Supreme Court legalising same-sex marriages in the United States.</p> <p dir="ltr">"8 years ago today marks an important moment. It's when the Supreme Court said "yes" to letting everyone feel the same joy I got to feel in this moment," she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ellen shared a black-and-white snap of her embracing Portia during their 2008 nuptials.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s been almost 15 years since the pair got married, and they previously celebrated their love in February 2023, when they <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/ellen-degeneres-surprise-wedding-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener">renewed their vows</a> at their California home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Portia even wore the same wedding dress she wore in their 2008 wedding when surprised Ellen with a double celebration - her own birthday party and their vow renewal ceremony.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair have been head over heels for each other since they first met in the early 2000s, and they continue to choose each other.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many fans took to the comment section to share their love and gratitude towards the couple.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love you and thanks for all your work for the LGBTQIA community. One love 😍” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This was a defining moment for Ellen and Portia! Congratulations to you both!” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love will always win!!🙌🏽✨” wrote a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for making a difference in the world!" commented a fourth.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

5 satisfying ways to de-clutter and get rid of everything you don’t want

<p>Instead of letting your old belongings gather dust in the spare room, why not make it a priority to remove those old things that you don’t use anymore. Follow our tips below where we show you five different ways to get rid of unwanted items (and maybe even make a little money in the process).</p> <p><strong>Sell, sell, sell</strong></p> <p>eBay is a great place to start for items such as stereos, CDs, vinyl, mobile phones, or clothing (even better if it is a well-known brand).</p> <p>When it comes to books, try checking out Amazon as they have a huge market for second hand items. It’s best to use this for quality books or rare items that have people looking for them. Old cookbooks or romance novels are best offered to the charity shop.</p> <p>You can easily move your quality pieces of furniture through antiques stores or local second hand shops. Most offer a pick-up service for larger items that they want to sell.</p> <p>If you have lots of odds and ends, a garage sale can be a good option. If you’re not sure that you have enough, consider asking a friend or neighbour if they want to host a sale with you.</p> <p><strong>Give a gift</strong></p> <p>If you’re holding onto things because they are worth something, but you don’t actually need or want them – why not give them away as a gift?</p> <p>Your old record collection or suitcase full of toy cars may be just gathering dust but would be well received by the right person.</p> <p>The only exception is an item such as artwork which has appreciated significantly in value while you owned it. In this case the recipient would owe capital gains tax if they sold it later.</p> <p><strong>Make a donation</strong></p> <p>Your local charity shop will always be happy to take donations of good quality clothing, blankets, shoes, toys and homewares. You can feel good knowing that you are helping needy people in your local area. Some charity stores can’t accept electronics or large pieces of furniture, so it’s best to check before you arrive with a loaded up trailer.</p> <p>You can also donate books and recent magazines to your local library or hospital.</p> <p><strong>Liquidate It</strong></p> <p>If you want to get rid of all of the furniture (for instance if you are selling a house of a deceased relative) you could consider using a liquidator. These businesses take care of the sale of each item and then take a percentage of the sales. Be sure to ask around for any recommendations before you choose one, as it’s always advisable to go with a liquidator with a good reputation.</p> <p><strong>Toss It</strong></p> <p>If it’s not really something that you can sell or donate, the last stop is to throw it out. Be sure to recycle anything that you can – and check with your local council as most offer a free clear up service at least once a year to save you a trip to the local tip.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

Hot flushes, night sweats, brain fog? Here’s what we know about phytoestrogens for menopausal symptoms

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caroline-gurvich-473295">Caroline Gurvich</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jane-varney-963066">Jane Varney</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jayashri-kulkarni-185">Jayashri Kulkarni</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p>While some women glide through menopause, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26271251/">more than 85%</a> experience one or more unpleasant symptoms, which can impact their physical and mental health, daily activities and quality of life.</p> <p>Hot flushes and night sweats are the most common of these, affecting <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29393299/">75% of women</a> and the symptom for which most women seek treatment. Others include changes in weight and body composition, skin changes, poor sleep, headaches, joint pain, vaginal dryness, depression and brain fog.</p> <p>While menopause hormone therapy is the most effective treatment for menopausal symptoms, it is sometimes not recommended (such as following breast cancer, as there is conflicting evidence about the safety of menopause hormone therapy following breast cancer) or avoided by people, who may seek non-hormonal therapies to manage symptoms. In Australia it is estimated <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26224187/">more than one-third</a> of women seek complementary or alternative medicines to manage menopausal symptoms.</p> <p>But do they work? Or are they a waste of time and considerable amounts of money?</p> <h2>What’s on the market?</h2> <p>The <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30868921/">complementary or alternative interventions</a> for menopausal symptoms are almost as varied as the symptoms themselves. They include everything from mind-body practices (hypnosis, cognitive behavioural therapy and meditation) to alternative medicine approaches (traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture) and natural products (herbal and dietary supplements).</p> <p>There is some evidence to support the use of <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23435026/">hypnosis</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22336748/">cognitive behaviour therapy</a> for the treatment of hot flushes. Indeed these therapies are recommended in <a href="https://www1.racgp.org.au/getattachment/bfaa5918-ddc4-4bcb-93cc-d3d956c1bbfd/Making-choices-at-menopause.aspx">clinical treatment guidelines</a>. But there is less certainty around the benefit of other commonly used complementary and alternative medicines, particularly nutritional supplements.</p> <p>The most popular <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26224187/">nutritional supplements</a> for hot flushes are phytoestrogens (or plant estrogens). This trend has been driven in part by <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-11915645/HRT-not-supplement-created-experts-women-RAVING-effects.html">supplement companies</a> that promote such agents as a safer or more natural alternative to hormone therapy.</p> <h2>What are phytoestrogens?</h2> <p>Phytoestrogens are plant-derived substances that can show oestrogen-like activity when ingested.</p> <p>There are numerous types including isoflavones, coumestans and lignans. These can be consumed in the form of food (from whole soybeans, soy-based foods such as tofu and soy milk, legumes, wholegrains, flaxseeds, fruits and vegetables) and in commercially produced supplements. In the latter category, extracts from soy and red clover yield isoflavones and flaxseed gives us lignans.</p> <p>Because declining oestrogen levels drive menopausal symptoms, the theory is that consuming a “natural”, plant-based substance that acts like oestrogen will provide relief.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.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/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/528788/original/file-20230529-17-mh3zlk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Soy-rich foods on a table: edamame, soy milk, soy sauce" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Phytoestrogens can be consumed in foods like tofu or soy milk.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/soy-bean-tofu-other-products-187030769">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>What does the evidence say?</h2> <p>In the case of isoflavones, initial support came from <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23562010/">epidemiological data</a> showing <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15919681/">women in Asian countries</a>, consuming a traditional, phytoestrogen-rich diet (that is, one including tofu, miso and fermented or boiled soybeans), experienced fewer menopausal symptoms than women in Western countries.</p> <p>However, several factors may influence the effect of dietary phytoestrogens on menopausal symptoms. This includes gut microbiota, with research showing only around <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15919681/">30% of women</a> from Western populations possess the gut microbiota needed to convert isoflavones to their active form, known as equol, compared to an estimated 50–60% of menopausal women from Japanese populations.</p> <p>Circulating oestrogen levels (which drop considerably during menopause) and the <a href="https://academic.oup.com/humupd/article/11/5/495/605995">duration of soy intake</a> (longer-term intake being more favourable) may also influence the effect of dietary phytoestrogens on menopausal symptoms.</p> <p>Overall, evidence regarding the benefit of phytoestrogens for hot flushes is fairly mixed. A <a href="https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001395.pub4/full">Cochrane review</a> synthesised study results and failed to find conclusive evidence phytoestrogens, in food or supplement form, reduced the frequency or severity of hot flushes or night sweats in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women.</p> <p>The review did note genistein extracts (an isoflavone found in soy and fava beans) may reduce the number of hot flushes experienced by symptomatic, postmenopausal women, though to a lesser extent than hormone therapy.</p> <p>Another <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36253903/">recent study</a> showed marked reductions in hot flushes in women following a low fat, vegan diet supplemented with daily soybeans. However, it was questioned whether concurrent weight loss contributed to this benefit.</p> <p>In Australia, <a href="https://ranzcog.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Managing-menopausal-symptoms.pdf">clinical guidelines</a> do not endorse the routine use of phytoestrogens. <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#managing-short-term-menopausal-symptoms">Guidelines for the United Kingdom</a> note some support for the benefit of isoflavones, but highlight multiple preparations are available, their safety is uncertain and interactions with other medicines have been reported.</p> <h2>Can phytoestrogens help the psychological symptoms of menopause?</h2> <p>Less research has explored whether phytoestrogens improve psychological symptoms of menopause, such as depression, anxiety and <a href="https://theconversation.com/brain-fog-during-menopause-is-real-it-can-disrupt-womens-work-and-spark-dementia-fears-173150">brain fog</a>.</p> <p>A recent systematic review and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33987926/">meta-analysis</a> found phytoestrogens reduce depression in post- but not perimenopausal women. Whereas a more <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9022873/">recent clinical trial</a> failed to find an improvement.</p> <p>Some research suggests phytoestrogens may reduce the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960076015301254?via=ihub">risk of dementia</a>, but there are no conclusive findings regarding their effect on menopausal brain fog.</p> <h2>The bottom line</h2> <p>At present there is uncertainty about the benefit of phytoestrogens for menopause symptoms.</p> <p>If you do wish to see if they might work for you, start by including more phytoestrogen-rich foods in your diet. Examples include tempeh, soybeans, tofu, miso, soy milk (from whole soybeans), oats, barley, quinoa, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, chickpeas, lentils, red kidney beans and alfalfa.</p> <p>Try including one to two serves per day for around three months and monitor symptoms. These are nutritious and good for overall health, irrespective of the effects on menopausal symptoms.</p> <p>Before you trial any supplements, discuss them first with your doctor (especially if you have a history of breast cancer), monitor your symptoms for around three months, and if there’s no improvement, stop taking them.<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/204801/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caroline-gurvich-473295">Caroline Gurvich</a>, Associate Professor and Clinical Neuropsychologist, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jane-varney-963066">Jane Varney</a>, Senior Research Dietitian in the Department of Gastroenterology, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jayashri-kulkarni-185">Jayashri Kulkarni</a>, Professor of Psychiatry, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/hot-flushes-night-sweats-brain-fog-heres-what-we-know-about-phytoestrogens-for-menopausal-symptoms-204801">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Body

When someone living with dementia is distressed or violent, ‘de-escalation’ is vital

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steve-macfarlane-4722">Steve Macfarlane</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p>Today’s <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-18/cooma-aged-care-home-police-woman-in-hospital-taser/102361018">reporting</a> about the alleged tasering of a 95-year-old woman living at the Yallambee Lodge aged care home in New South Wales has brought the issue of behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia into <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-19/advocates-say-taser-clare-nowland-shows-aged-system-failure-/102365442">sharp focus</a>.</p> <p>Over half of those living in residential care <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/aged-care-and-support-services-used-by-people-with-dementia/residential-aged-care">have a dementia diagnosis</a> and up to 95% of those living with dementia will <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551552/#:%7E:text=Behavioral%20and%20psychological%20symptoms%20of,%2C%20and%20caregiver%20well%2Dbeing.">experience such behaviours</a> at some point during their passage through the illness. Common behaviours that might be shown by those living with advanced dementia include agitation, anxiety, attempts to leave care, aggression, apathy, sleep disturbance, aimless pacing, psychosis and aggression.</p> <p>The full circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s events are unclear and they are subject to an <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-19/advocates-say-taser-clare-nowland-shows-aged-system-failure-/102365442">investigation</a> by police. That may take some time. What is clear, however, is that there is much room for improvement in the way behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia are managed in residential care. Situations that end with police involvement should be avoided.</p> <h2>Calling for help</h2> <p>In its final report in March 2021, the <a href="https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/">Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety</a> <a href="https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-03/final-report-recommendations.pdf">recommended</a> “all workers engaged by providers who are involved in direct contact with people seeking or receiving services in the aged care system undertake regular training about dementia care and palliative care”.</p> <p>Currently, it is not infrequent for police to be called to respond to incidents in care homes. While programs have been implemented to better equip police to respond to the specific need of those <a href="https://www.nationaltribune.com.au/police-and-psos-better-equipped-to-support-people-living-with-dementia/">living with dementia</a> this work is still in its infancy.</p> <p>Aggression and agitation are two of the most common behavioural symptoms that lead to referral to specialist support services.</p> <p>Dementia Support Australia is a Commonwealth-funded service that has supported aged care homes and home-based carers in managing behaviours and psychological symptoms of dementia since 2016. There were <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/aged-care-and-support-services-used-by-people-with-dementia/dementia-support-australia">8,702 referrals</a> to the service between January and June 2022. The number of referrals has increased in recent years.</p> <p>As an organisation at the frontline of dementia support, we extend our deepest sympathies to the 95-year-old aged care resident, her family, Yallambee Lodge staff and everyone else touched by this devastating incident.</p> <p>One of the advantages of having a national service such as this is that it has enabled the development of a national database that documents not only the nature and severity of the behaviours prompting the referral, but those factors that are most commonly identified as triggers for these behaviours.</p> <h2>3 leading causes</h2> <p>Aggression and agitation are not diagnoses in themselves, but symptoms. Symptoms have causes, and these must be identified in order to adequately address behaviour.</p> <p>The leading contributing factors we have identified in relation to behaviours are:</p> <p><strong>1. Unidentified or under-treated pain</strong></p> <p>This is relevant in over 50% of the cases we see. Earlier research on pain management in the setting of advanced dementia has shown those with a dementia diagnosis who are admitted to hospital with hip fractures tend to be prescribed only a fraction of the analgesia given to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10799790/">those without dementia</a>.</p> <p><strong>2. Carer approach</strong></p> <p>Care staff receive only minimal levels of training in dementia care as part of their basic qualification and are often unfamiliar with communication strategies tailored towards those with cognitive impairment.</p> <p>Currently, the minimum qualification for a personal care worker involves no compulsory units in <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-us/news-and-stories/news/are-aged-care-workers-required-have-dementia-training">dementia competency</a>. While we do not know the full circumstances from the events this week, the Royal Commission has made recommendations to improve care for those living with dementia. Carer approach is an issue in about a third of the cases we see.</p> <p><strong>3. Over- and under-stimulation</strong></p> <p>In about one quarter of Dementia Support Australia cases boredom and loneliness and/or an environment that does not take into account the specific needs of those living with dementia are an issue.</p> <p>Other common causes of changed behaviour include mood and anxiety disorders, communication difficulties, <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-delirium-194631">delirium</a>, sleep problems and poor carer knowledge of the specific likes/dislikes of the individuals they are caring for.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WE65yrnsrPk?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">People with dementia may react to uncertainty in unexpected ways.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Prevention and calming things down</h2> <p>The best way to manage most behavioural changes is to prevent the circumstances that lead to their development in the first place. Prevention is always better than cure.</p> <p>Once behaviours are occurring, there is no single correct way to <a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/national/support-and-services/carers/behaviour-changes/aggressive-behaviours">de-escalate</a> them. The appropriate de-escalation strategies will always be specific to what has caused the altered behaviour in the first place.</p> <p>Unfortunately, when behaviours have escalated to the point where police attendance is required, the responding officers are unlikely to be equipped with the necessary information about the person and their circumstances. That means they won’t be equipped to respond with effective and specific de-escalation strategies.</p> <p>One case in the United States from 2020 involved the arrest of a 73-year-old woman living with dementia, who had left a local store without paying for items <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/27/us/loveland-police-officers-video-use-of-force/index.html">worth a small amount</a>. A <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/16/us/loveland-lawsuit-use-of-force-arrest/index.html">lawsuit</a> filed following the arrest alleged it resulted in a fractured arm and a dislocated shoulder, and raised national concerns about the way first responders interact with those experiencing cognitive disabilities.</p> <p>Australia needs to learn from yesterday’s events and respond.</p> <p><em>If you are caring for someone with dementia there is help available. <a href="https://www.dementia.com.au/">Dementia Support Australia</a> is a free service, fully funded by the Australian government. Referrals can be made 24-hours a day by calling 1800 699 799.<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/205988/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steve-macfarlane-4722">Steve Macfarlane</a>, Head of Clinical Services, dementia Support Australia, & Associate Professor of Psychiatry, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-someone-living-with-dementia-is-distressed-or-violent-de-escalation-is-vital-205988">original article</a>.</em></p>

Mind

“That is my face”: Harrison Ford takes pro-de-ageing stance

<p>Harrison Ford has come to the defence of the de-ageing technology used in the upcoming fifth instalment in the <em>Indiana Jones</em> series: <em>Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny</em>.</p> <p>The film drew criticism from reviewers over its application of the technology, with many wondering why the studio hadn’t opted to instead support younger actors and cast them in the role, while others simply questioned the “believability” of the tech. </p> <p>But Ford, who has been the face of Indiana Jones since the professor’s first film in 1981, is having none of that. During a press conference at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the actor moved to silence critics, telling them “I know that that is my face. </p> <p>“It’s not a kind of Photoshop magic - that’s what I looked like 35 years ago. Because Lucasfilm has every frame of film that we’ve made together over all of these years.</p> <p>“This process, this scientific mining of this library, this was put to good [use] … It’s just a trick unless it’s supported by a story, and it sticks out like a sore thumb if it’s not honest, it’s not real… I mean, emotionally real. </p> <p>“And so I think it was used very skillfully.”</p> <p>And for those concerned that the 80-year-old’s take might carry across into his stance on the process of ageing itself, he was quick to note that when it comes to growing older, he is “very happy with it, but I don't look back and say, 'I wish I was that guy again,' because I don't.</p> <p>"I'm real happy with age. I love being older. It was great to be young, but s***fire I could be dead, and I'm still working."</p> <p>Despite this, Ford has confirmed that this film will be the last time fans can expect to see him in the iconic role, and he’ll be hanging up Jones’ hat for good. </p> <p>And when asked why, Ford’s answer was simple, with the actor confessing “I need to sit down and rest a little bit. I love to work, and I love this character, and I love what it brought into my life, and that's all I can say.”</p> <p>Fans of the star and the franchise have come out in support of his decision, most recently during a standing ovation at the same festival he’d spoken at - applause that had moved Ford to tears. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Harrison Ford with tears in his eyes during the standing ovation for ‘INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY’. <a href="https://t.co/mJtRv4wLKk">pic.twitter.com/mJtRv4wLKk</a></p> <p>— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) <a href="https://twitter.com/DiscussingFilm/status/1659294979485757486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>However, as one user pointed out, that didn’t necessarily mean smooth sailing for fans, with the fifth film likely to get them talking - de-ageing technology aside. </p> <p>“Oh my god. no bc if HE is crying it means the movie is really gonna be something special,” one wrote. “i'm gonna be sick”.</p> <p>“Thanks for the last adventure,” another said. “Surreal that this moment in cinema is here. The last time we will ever get an Indiana Jones film with Harrison Ford.”</p> <p>And as someone else put it, “seeing him get emotional for getting praise for a role that he loves so dearly has me emotional too.”</p> <p>“And there is proof Harrison Ford loves what he does,” one other declared. “A proper movie star who just wants to act. That's genuine pride.”</p> <p><em>Images: Lucas Film Ltd </em></p>

Movies

Robert De Niro welcomes seventh child at 79

<p dir="ltr">Hollywood star Robert De Niro has revealed that he is now the proud father of seven. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Academy-award winning actor was on a promotional run for his new film, <em>About My Father</em>, and chatting to <em>ET Canada </em>when he made the unexpected announcement. </p> <p dir="ltr">Reporter Brittnee Blair laid the groundwork when she mentioned that she knew De Niro had six kids. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Seven, actually,” he corrected her. “I just had a baby.”</p> <p dir="ltr">De Niro shares his eldest children - 51-year-old Drena and 46-year-old Raphael - with his first wife, Diahnne Abbott. He then welcomed twins Julian and Aaron - who are 27 - with then-girlfriend Toukie Smith, before having 24-year-old Elliot and 11-year-old Helen Grace with ex-wife Grace Hightower.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>ET Canada</em> confirmed the news of De Niro’s seventh addition with the actor’s representatives, although they weren’t able to dig up any more information on who the new baby’s mother might be. </p> <p dir="ltr">Many have speculated, however, that he shares his latest addition with his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen. She drew attention as recently as March 2023, sparking rumours when she was spotted leaving a restaurant in California, with what some suspected to be a visible baby bump. </p> <p dir="ltr">De Niro and Chen first crossed paths on the set of the 2015 film <em>The Intern</em>, and have reportedly been together since 2021.</p> <p dir="ltr">And while seventh time may be the charm, De Niro is the first to note that even with so much practice under his belt, he still doesn’t consider himself to be a “cool dad”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m okay,” he said to Blair. “You know, my kids disagree with me at times, and they’re respectful. My daughter, she’s 11, she gives me grief sometimes and I argue with her. I adore her, but, you know. </p> <p dir="ltr">“And my youngest now, that’ll be more to come. But, that’s what it is.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He also took the time to tell her he believes very much in “being loving” with his children, though he knew the time and place for being “stern about stuff”. </p> <p dir="ltr">As he put it, “there’s no way around it with kids. I don’t like to have to lay down the law and stuff like that. But, [sometimes] you just have no choice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“And any parent, I think, would say the same thing. You always want to do the right thing by the children and give them the benefit of the doubt but sometimes you can’t.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty </em></p>

Family & Pets

Perfect perfume or eau de cat’s bum? Why scents smell different and 4 fragrance tips

<p>Mother’s Day is coming up in Australia and that means a surge in perfume sales. Of course, scents are purchased year-round and not just for mothers. Fragrance sales in Australia will amount to <a href="https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/beauty-personal-care/fragrances/australia%5D">over A$1 billion</a> this year.</p> <p>The word “perfume” is derived from the Latin per fumus, meaning “through smoke”. The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mendeleyevs-Dream-Elements-Paul-Strathern/dp/0312262043">very first account</a> of using perfumes dates back to 1200 BC when a <a href="https://books.google.com.au/books/about/Women_of_Science.html?id=S7DaAAAAMAAJ&redir_esc=y">woman called Tapputi</a> mixed flowers, oils and various plants with water or solvents, then extracted their fragrance. The basis of this technique for making perfume is still used today.</p> <p>But how do we smell? What makes perfume appealing? And why does it smell differently on different people?</p> <h2>The science of smell</h2> <p>A sense of smell is vital to all species on Earth. One <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/elephants-may-have-best-noses-earth">study</a> identified African elephants as having the “best noses” in the animal kingdom, not to mention the longest ones. It can help animals sniff out danger, food and mates.</p> <p>For humans, too, being able to smell is not just for the enjoyment of pleasant odours. It can also protect us from toxic chemicals with noxious smells, such as <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ershdb/emergencyresponsecard_29750038.html#:%7E:text=Hydrogen%20cyanide%20(AC)%20gas%20has,as%20a%20solution%20in%20water.">hydrogen cyanide</a>.</p> <p>When something has an odour, it means it is chemically volatile – vaporising from a liquid to a gas. When we smell a scent, gas molecules enter our nose and stimulate specialised nerve cells called <a href="https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-how-do-we-smell-104772">olfactory sensory neurons</a>. When these neurons are triggered, they send a signal to the brain to identify the chemicals.</p> <p>Humans have around 10 million of those neurons and around <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1905909/">400 scent receptors</a>. The human nose can distinguish at least <a href="https://www.science.org/content/article/human-nose-can-detect-trillion-smells#:%7E:text=These%20are%20only%20three%20of,never%20been%20explicitly%20tested%20before.">1 trillion different odours</a>, from freshly brewed coffee to wet dog to mouldy cheese.</p> <p>The more volatile a compound is the lower its boiling point and, from a chemical perspective, the weaker the forces holding the molecules together. When this is the case, more molecules enter the gaseous state and the smell is more intense.</p> <h2>What makes things smell good though?</h2> <p>Different classes of chemical compounds can have more pleasant or offensive scents.</p> <p>Fish and decaying animal cells, for example, release chemicals called <a href="https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/BridgeValley_Community_and_Technical_College/Fundamentals_of_Chemistry/11%3A_Organic_Chemistry/11.15%3A_Amines#:%7E:text=Amines%20generally%20have%20rather%20pungent,odor%20associated%20with%20dead%20fish.">amines</a>, which don’t smell appealing.</p> <p>Fruits, on the other hand, are composed of chemicals in a class of organic compounds called aldehydes, esters and ketones, which have sweeter and <a href="https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/Sacramento_City_College/SCC%3A_CHEM_330_-_Adventures_in_Chemistry_(Alviar-Agnew)/09%3A_Organic_Chemistry/9.08%3A_Carboxylic_Acids_and_Esters#:%7E:text=Esters%20occur%20widely%20in%20nature,fragrances%20of%20fruits%20and%20flowers.">more pleasant odours</a>.</p> <p>Chemists have been able to identify the <a href="https://jameskennedymonash.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/table-of-organic-compounds-and-their-smells-revised-edition/">specific chemical smells</a> released by substances we encounter in everyday life.</p> <h2>Smells different</h2> <p>So it makes sense that pleasant-smelling aldehydes, ketones and esters are used to create perfumes. However, some perfumes also contain unusual ingredients that don’t smell nice on their own.</p> <p>For example, Chanel No. 5 perfume – the iconic 100-year-old favourite – contains civet as one of its base chemical notes. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1973/04/15/archives/a-boycott-of-chanel-no-5-urged-by-humane-groups.html">Civet</a> is used by perfumers for its <a href="https://theconversation.com/civet-musk-a-precious-perfume-ingredient-is-under-threat-steps-to-support-ethiopian-producers-and-protect-the-animals-193469">long-lasting, musky scent</a>. It is traditionally extracted from the anal glands of <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2012/07/chanel-no-5-a-brain-parasite-may-be-the-secret-to-the-famous-perfume.html">civet cats</a> but Chanel has used a synthetic form of civet <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/99a13235-cdb9-431b-b8f1-e52ce4a10486">since 1998</a>.</p> <h2>Tips for choosing and using perfumes</h2> <p>Our ability to smell a perfume will depend on two factors: how well our olfactory sensory neurons are performing (a virus or infection could affect function, for example) and the volatility of the chemicals in the perfume.</p> <p>1. Try before you buy</p> <p>You can’t really do much about your sensory neurons, but you can increase the intensity of perfumes, such as by warming up the perfume on your skin or applying to pulse points. This will help to give molecules more energy and increase the number of molecules entering the gaseous state.</p> <p>Specific perfumes will not smell the same on different people’s skin because the chemicals in them can be affected by the skin’s type and condition (dry or oily, acidic or base) and even their diet. Some foods we eat, such as garlic, are released from our bodies through our skin. Those chemicals can mask perfume chemicals.</p> <p>So, it is better to buy someone their tried and true favourite scent rather than risking a new one. And those department store sample sprays can be useful to try before you buy.</p> <p>2. Moisturise before use</p> <p>When you spray perfume on very dry skin, some of the perfume’s chemicals – the large organic ones that are similar to skin’s natural oils – are absorbed by the skin and then into the sebaceous glands. When some notes in a perfume are absorbed this way, it can take on a different smell. That’s also why it’s better to moisturise skin before spraying perfume, so perfume chemicals stay on the skin for longer.</p> <p>3. Experiment with spraying techniques</p> <p>To avoid changes in the scent of your favourite perfume and increase the time the perfume stays on you, you could spray your hair instead. Your hair is porous so perfume molecules might remain there longer. However, most perfumes contain alcohol, which dries out hair. Spraying perfume directly onto a hairbrush first, then brushing your hair, might prevent some of this drying effect.</p> <p><a href="https://www.byrdie.com/how-to-apply-perfume">Spraying then walking</a> through a mist of perfume so the chemicals settle on your hair, skin and clothes might work – but you risk losing a lot of precious perfume with that technique.</p> <p>4. Keep it cool</p> <p>Temperature will <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5674095_Effect_of_Temperature_on_the_Floral_Scent_Emission_and_Endogenous_Volatile_Profile_of_Petunia_axillaris">affect volatility</a>. To keep perfumes lasting longer in the bottle, keep them in the fridge or cool dark place and tightly sealed to prevent your expensive, heat-sensitive scent evaporating into thin air.</p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/perfect-perfume-or-eau-de-cats-bum-why-scents-smell-different-and-4-fragrance-tips-203905" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Beauty & Style

Ellen DeGeneres’ surprise wedding news

<p>Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have fallen in love all over again while renewing their vows to each other at home in California. </p> <p>Ellen, best known for her self-titled talk show, was left speechless when her wife pulled off the surprise of the year - a vow renewal ceremony at her own birthday party. </p> <p>The couple were married in 2008 at their Beverly Hills home, with a small number of guests in attendance. It was a similar affair this time around, albeit with a few more familiar faces - the likes of Kris Jenner, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle were there to celebrate.</p> <p>While a full length video was posted to Ellen’s YouTube account, highlights of the day were shared to her Instagram account. </p> <p>“Portia surprised me at her birthday party by renewing our vows,” she captioned the post, “thank you @KrisJenner for officiating and @BrandiCarlile for performing, and Portia for being the greatest gift to me, even on your birthday.”</p> <p>The clips featured Portia in a wedding dress (the same one she wore to their 2008 wedding), walking through their friends and family to reach Ellen with a bouquet of white roses. </p> <p>Portia led Ellen to the front of the room, where they were joined by their friend and reality TV star Kris Jenner. </p> <p>“Welcome to Portia’s birthday party,” Kris opened, “and to the newest home of one of my favourite couples, two of my BFs, and the record holders for the most homes ever purchased in one city, ever.”</p> <p>“These two are couple goals, who continue to amaze me with how cute they are together. A match made in heaven. Two peas in a pod,” she went on, “their love and commitment to one another is amazing, and it makes me so happy that they have each other to love and cherish and grow old with."</p> <p>Kris also took to Ellen’s comment section to share her love for them, writing there that it was the “best day ever!!! What an honour to be there for two of my BFF’s who I adore and who love each other so much!”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CoKnrPQjtFd/?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/CoKnrPQjtFd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Ellen DeGeneres (@ellendegeneres)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Love was certainly the theme of the day, and carried through every word of Portia’s prepared vows for Ellen. </p> <p>"Surprise," she began, to laughter from their delighted guests. "You don't have to say anything at all, but when I was thinking about what would make my birthday really special, apart from being with family and friends, it was reminding you that you're the most important thing in the world to me in front of family and friends. </p> <p>“I was thinking about my life, my accomplishments, as you do with a big birthday, and it all just kept leading back to you, and I just thought, 'What greater accomplishment could I ever, ever, ever have in my life than being loved by someone who is so magnificent, by someone as incredible as you?’</p> <p>“Also I feel like we're on a new journey - this is a new chapter. After 24 houses in 18 years, this is our first home. This is it, and we're settling down, finally, and we're planting roots, and we're taking better care of ourselves and each other than ever before. And I'm just so excited about the future, where we just get to do whatever the hell we want for the rest of our lives.</p> <p>“On our wedding day in 2008, I quoted Walt Whitman. And I said that it is a great thing to be loved, but it is profound to be understood. And back then, after knowing each other for four years I thought we understood each other, but now 14 years later, I can truly say we understand each other, we accept each other. And how lucky am I to be with somebody who accepts me for exactly who I am, who loves me for exactly who I am?</p> <p>“It's you. It always has been. You cheer me up when I'm down. You make me feel seen. You make me feel safe, cherished, loved. I love you. I will always, always, love you. I'm so honoured to be your wife." </p> <p>The wives then shared a kiss to the cheers and celebration of their guests. </p> <p>“I just adore you," an emotional Ellen finally managed, despite her wife’s assurance that she didn’t have to say anything. "I love you and I would not be on this earth without you. You save me every day. Thank you for saving me every day. I'm the lucky one."</p> <p><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

Relationships

Woman caught taking Christmas gifts from Robert De Niro's home

<p dir="ltr">A thief has been caught red-handed stealing Christmas gifts from Robert De Niro’s home. </p> <p dir="ltr">Shanice Aviles was discovered inside the building, using De Niro's iPad and stealing presents from under his tree after making her way into his townhouse on the Upper East Side around 2:30am on December 19. </p> <p dir="ltr">Local police were already keeping an eye on the 30-yeaer-old who is known to be a serial burglar with more than 25 arrests.</p> <p dir="ltr">She eventually led them to the actor’s home where she was arrested with charges pending.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was stealing Christmas presents,” a police official said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sources say that De Niro was upstairs in one of the rooms and his daughter was in her bedroom.</p> <p dir="ltr">It has been revealed that Aviles first started stealing during the pandemic and this year alone was caught 16 times.</p> <p dir="ltr">De Niro refused to comment about the burglary. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We are not making any statements at this time about the robbery at the temporary rental home of Robert De Niro,” Media Strategies Representation Consulting said in an email to The Post. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Legal

Long COVID symptoms not ‘all in the head’

<p>Researchers have found new evidence linking COVID-19 and changes to the brain.</p> <p>A <a href="https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/news/least-two-thirds-australians-including-children-and-adolescents-have-had-covid-19-two-national" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recent survey</a> has shown that at least two thirds of all Australians have had COVID-19 and in the US figures suggest that around <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220622.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">one in five adults</a> will develop long-term effects from infection.</p> <p>‘<a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/is-long-covid-real-numbers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Long COVID</a>’ effects can include lasting neurological issues, as well as changes to vital organs such as the heart and lungs, even when the original COVID-19 infection was asymptomatic. Sufferers of long COVID often report trouble sleeping, difficulties concentrating or thinking, changes in mood (such as heightened levels of depression or anxiety) and complications like headaches, light-headedness, pins and needles and changes in the sense of smell or taste.</p> <p>Now, <a href="https://press.rsna.org/timssnet/media/rsna/newsroom2022.cfm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">researchers have found evidence</a> for significant changes in parts of the brain that may correspond to many of the most common neurological symptoms.</p> <p>Using a specialised type of MRI scan known as ‘magnetic susceptibility’ researchers compared the brains of 46 patients up to six months after they have recovered from COVID-19 with a control group of 30 healthy participants.</p> <p>Magnetic susceptibility is often used to detect and keep an eye on other conditions like microbleeds, tumours and strokes.</p> <p>“Our study highlights this new aspect of the neurological effects of COVID-19 and reports significant abnormalities in COVID survivors,” said study co-author Sapna S. Mishra, a Ph.D. candidate at the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi.</p> <div class="newsletter-box"> </div> <p>Although there have been reports on abnormalities in magnetic susceptibility of the brain post-COVID-19 recovery, there has so far been little research on it.</p> <p>These ‘abnormalities’ include significant changes in the parts of the frontal lobe and brain stem. Affected parts of the <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/news/does-language-born-into-change-our-brains/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">frontal lobe</a> are associated with understanding and forming language, cognitive functions such as attention, motor inhibition and imagery, as well as social cognitive processes, while changes in the brain stem were in regions associated with systems controlling hormone regulation, sensory relay and maintaining circadian rhythms.</p> <p>“These brain regions are linked with fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, depression, headaches and cognitive problems,” Mishra said. “This study points to serious long-term complications that may be caused by the coronavirus, even months after recovery from the infection.”</p> <p>At this stage, the study only provides a snapshot of patients up to 6 months post-recovery, although the research team plan to continue monitoring the patient cohort.</p> <p>“The present findings are from the small temporal window,” said Mishra. “However, the longitudinal time points across a couple of years will elucidate if there exists any permanent change.”</p> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=225622&title=Long+COVID+symptoms+not+%E2%80%98all+in+the+head%E2%80%99" width="1" height="1" /></p> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/long-covid-not-all-in-the-head/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on Cosmos Magazine and was written by Clare Kenyon. </em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

Mind

17 things you need to throw out ASAP

<p><strong>Dangers in the home</strong></p> <p>You wouldn’t think old pancake mix, spices, or makeup could be a problem – but they have the potential to make you very sick. Remove the dangers from your household with this handy guide.</p> <p><strong>Off-brand phone chargers</strong></p> <p>You may be tempted to buy that cheapy model at the airport, but studies show this can pose dangers to your expensive smartphone. </p> <p>Ken Shirriff of How-To Geek took a dozen chargers and put them to the test. He found that most off-brand chargers provided inconsistent power, leading to battery damage.</p> <p><strong>Old pancake mix</strong></p> <p>According to experts at DoesItGoBad.com, packaged pancake mixes (along with many other cake mixes) can be toxic in certain circumstances. </p> <p>It’s a breeding ground for hard-to-spot mould and bacteria, which can be fatal for allergy sufferers. If it is past the “best by” date on the label, toss that expired box or bag right away.</p> <p><strong>Dried flowers </strong></p> <p>Pets tend to chew on things they aren’t supposed to – and that can be dangerous if you have dried flower arrangements lying around. According to The Nest, the issue is twofold: The flowers themselves pose a threat, and so do the materials used to make the flower arrangements. </p> <p>Many plants are toxic to both dogs and cats, and these materials can cause serious intestinal blockages or even acute poisoning.</p> <p><strong>Expired makeup</strong></p> <p>Yes, beauty products do go bad. Even worse – they can cause breakouts, skin parasites, infections, and loss of vision if not disposed of at the proper time. </p> <p>While it may be difficult to toss away our precious samples, old makeup can serve as a breeding ground for germs, harbouring nasty bacteria that can wreak some serious damage.</p> <p><strong>Wire hangers</strong></p> <p>Keeping your clothes on flimsy metal for too long can damage your favourite pieces. Maeve Richmond, a home organisation expert and founder of Maeve’s Method, tells Well and Good: “Wire hangers truly are too thin."</p> <p>"Not only can they cause awkward stretch marks on clothes, but they will bend over time, causing unsightly bunch-ups in our closets, and our clothing to hang at funny angles.”</p> <p><strong>Old dish sponges</strong></p> <p>A study published in Scientific Advances reveals that the most bacteria-riddled thing in your house is your kitchen sponge. Their porous nature and liquid-absorbing abilities make them the ideal living space. </p> <p>Even if you’re practicing proper hygiene – soaping and rinsing the sponge regularly – it won’t be enough. Experts recommend replacing your kitchen sponge weekly.</p> <p><strong>Stale spices</strong></p> <p>Most people choose to believe spices can last forever – they don’t. A report from the FDA notes that common imported spices are contaminated with salmonella at twice the rate of all other imported foods, including coriander, oregano, basil, sesame seeds and black pepper. </p> <p>If you want to avoid an unexpected bout of food poisoning, make sure to clean out your pantry regularly.</p> <p><strong>Cheap jewellery</strong></p> <p>Those bargain deals are too good to be true: A non-profit organisation called The Ecology Centre ran tests on 99 pieces of jewellery that were purchased from 14 different discount stores. </p> <p>They found that over half of the jewellery – all of which cost less than ten dollars – had high levels of toxic chemicals; 27 of the pieces had lead levels that exceeded the safe limit (300 ppm) for children’s products.</p> <p><strong>Air freshener</strong></p> <p>You may be a fan of the way they make your house or car smell, but air fresheners can contain serious toxins called phthalates – and many don’t even list them as an active ingredient. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, those toxins can easily affect hormones and reproductive health, especially in children. </p> <p>Side effects for men included lower testosterone levels, decreased sperm counts, and lower sperm quality.</p> <p><strong>Plastic containers</strong></p> <p>Tupperware, Gladware, Snapware, you name it – everyone has a collection of plastic containers. They’re great for storing leftovers, but studies show these can contain high levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), a toxin frequently found in plastics. </p> <p>Even in low doses, it can have a significant impact on hormonal balance and the brain. Make sure to never use plastic containers in the microwave unless they are labelled microwave safe. Try using glass or stainless steel containers instead.</p> <p><strong>Fabric sprays</strong></p> <p>While they might protect your couches and chairs from stains, many of these sprays contain questionable chemicals that can contaminate the air in your house.</p> <p>The National Consumer Affairs Centre of Japan found fluorine resin in four of seven major spray brands. The size of the particles was enough that inhaling the spray would pose a significant health risk.</p> <p><strong>Old contact lens case</strong></p> <p>If you’re neglecting the case you store your contacts in, you’re risking an eye infection according to optometrist Reecha Kampani, OD. </p> <p>She advises throwing out your solution daily and replacing the lens case once every three months. Using a case for too long can add to pathogen build-up, leading to potential scarring and vision loss.</p> <p><strong>Old electronics</strong></p> <p>How many old mobile phones do you have cluttering up drawers? How about out-dated laptops stacked in the closet? You need to get rid of them because they’re chock full of toxic stuff, like arsenic, lead and cadmium, that erode over time. </p> <p>The lithium batteries in old electronics can also burst, creating a potential fire risk. Just be sure to dispose of them safely – they shouldn’t be placed in your bin.</p> <p><strong>Old bras</strong></p> <p>Bras shift and stretch over time – and this is more than an aesthetic nuisance: You won’t get the support you need from that worn-out underwire. </p> <p>According to the HuffPost, a bra’s lifespan could be only up to eight months. If the band is stretched and not fitting as well as it should, it may be time for a new one.</p> <p><strong>Old non-stick cookware</strong></p> <p>Non-stick pots and pans are made using a carcinogenic chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which starts emitting toxic fumes every time you cook. </p> <p>This kind of cookware is associated with harmful side effects to the liver, thyroid, and immune system in general, according to the EPA. Go for stainless steel, glass, ceramic, or iron pots and pans instead.</p> <p><strong>Oven cleaner</strong></p> <p>Most of these cleaners contain highly corrosive chemicals that can cause redness and burns if they come in contact with the skin. </p> <p>Don’t worry, you can always use alternatives like baking soda paste instead. Simply combine baking soda and water to create a safe oven cleaner.</p> <p><strong>Clogged air filters</strong></p> <p>Some studies suggest that a poorly maintained A/C system can become contaminated and be harmful to your health. Their findings note that moisture-related HVAC components, such as cooling coils and humidification systems, can trigger symptoms like upper and lower respiratory problems, eye and skin irritation, headaches and fatigue. </p> <p>Older filters are more prone to contamination, so be sure to change them every 30-60 days.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/home-tips/17-things-you-need-throw-out-asap?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</em></p>

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