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Maggie Smith's son reveals her final moments

<p>Dame Maggie Smith's son Toby Stephens has shared details of the last few weeks of his mother's life, and how he wasn't by her side when she passed away. </p> <p>Toby and his brother Chris Larkin announced the death of their famous mother, revealing she died peacefully in hospital in September 2024 at the age of 89.</p> <p>Stephens, who is also an actor, has now opened up about Maggie's last weeks, telling <em><a href="https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/toby-stephens-acting-mother-maggie-smith-zd0979rf8?region=global" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Times</a></em> that he was filming a movie in New Zealand when his mother died. </p> <p>Despite her health troubles, Smith encouraged her son to take the role in the horror movie Marama, as he explained, “She was in hospital. She was supposed to be coming out, but the last two years of her life had been a decline: she would get worse, then she would get better, then she would get worse.” </p> <p>“So I said, ‘Look I’ve got this film,’ and before I could even ask her, she said, ‘Go do it. God, you don’t want to hang round here, I’m fine.’”</p> <p>However, when Stephens arrived in New Zealand, he was informed by hospital staff that his mother’s condition would not improve, as he said, "But it could take two months, two weeks, they didn’t know."</p> <p>Soon afterwards he started filming the movie, his mother stopped being able to communicate.</p> <p>“I’d spent hours and days sitting with her at home and in hospital over the course of two years, and there was nothing I had left unsaid,” Stephens said.</p> <p>Maggie Smith died on September 27th, the day before Stephens finished filming.</p> <p>His wife, actress Anna-Louise Plowman, and their three teenage children were all with her at the hospital the day before she died.</p> <p>Maggie's other son Chris Larkin was at Smith’s bedside for her final moments, as Stephens said, “I was so sad not to be with him.”</p> <p>“I found that very difficult, but she was no longer aware. And it allowed me some space to actually get my head round what had happened.”</p> <p>Elsewhere in the interview, Stephens said he had been touched by the response to his mother’s death and the number of people who remembered her for her earlier roles.</p> <p>He added, “The thing that really got me was: it’s very rare that you have actors that everyone likes."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Colorsport/ITV/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

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Jack the Ripper's identity revealed after 137 years

<p>A major breakthrough in the Jack the Ripper case could have identified the notorious serial killer after 137 years of mystery. </p> <p>Jack the Ripper terrorised the streets of London in 1888, with police believing he was responsible for the brutal rape and murders of at least five women – known as the Canonical Five – but could very well have committed at least six more.</p> <p>The victims, who were all brutally slain between August and November 1888, were Mary Nichols, 43, Annie Chapman, 47, Elizabeth Stride, 44, Catherine Eddowes, 46, and Mary Jane Kelly, 25.</p> <p>Police, historians and crime buffs have long questioned the real identity of the serial killer, and despite a long list of potential suspects, investigators have not been able to definitively pin down a single suspect to the crimes.</p> <p>However, new evidence has emerged in the case, leading to a possible answer. </p> <p>Self-proclaimed ‘Ripperologist’ and British author Russell Edwards purchased a shawl belonging to one of the victims, Catherine Eddowes, which contained blood and semen back in 2007.</p> <p>Years later, the shawl was put through rigorous forensic testing where it was found to contain DNA from two separate people.</p> <p>One of them matched a descendant of the female victim, while the other matched the descendants of a Polish immigrant, who would have been around 23 at the time of the murders.</p> <p>Upon discovering this male’s name, Edwards was able to reveal the true identity of the infamous‘Jack the Ripper’: Aaron Kosminski.</p> <p>“Considering his DNA is on the shawl that was at the murder scene and he was named, I have never considered anyone else to be the Ripper,” Edwards told <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/we-may-finally-know-the-true-identity-of-jack-the-ripper-after-137-years-of-mystery/news-story/14f22046597546a64113567752d972c9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p>“I have, however, looked into every other suspect in order to eliminate them. The DNA work was a huge four-year process. We had to bypass the issue of contamination, plus many other hurdles."</p> <p>“It was a voyage of discovery, with many twists and turns. The adventure was thrilling from beginning to end and I was lucky to experience it.”</p> <p>Edwards said that when he discovered the DNA from the shawl matched, he was absolutely elated to have made such a breakthrough.</p> <p>“When we matched the DNA from the blood on the shawl with a direct female descendant of the victim, it was the singular most amazing moment of my life at the time,” he said.</p> <p>“We tested the semen left on the shawl. When we matched that, I was dumbfounded that we actually had discovered who Jack the Ripper truly was.”</p> <p>Born in Kłodawa in central Poland, Kosminski moved to England with his family as a child and eventually began working as a barber in London’s Whitechapel district.</p> <p>Medical records show that he had suffered from mental illness since at least 1885 and had spent time in various ‘lunatic asylums’ around London, with his condition reportedly taking the form of auditory hallucinations, a fear of being fed by other people, as well as a refusal to wash or bathe.</p> <p>He later died in 1919 at age 53.</p> <p>The descendants of Jack the Ripper’s victims are now calling for police to do an immediate investigation into Aaron Kosminski to make Edwards’ findings official.</p> <p>Karen Miller, the great-great-great-granddaughter of victim Catherine Eddowes, said that it would “mean a lot” to her and her family to put an end to this 137-year-old mystery.</p> <p>“The name Jack the Ripper has become sensationalised, it has gone down in history as this famous character,” the 53-year-old told the <em><a title="www.dailymail.co.uk" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14234461/Descendants-Jack-Rippers-victims-DNA-breakthrough.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em>.</p> <p>“It has all been about him, this iconic name, but people have forgotten about the victims who did not have justice at the time."</p> <p>“What about the real name of the person who did this? Having the real person legally named in a court which can consider all the evidence would be a form of justice for the victims. We have got the proof, now we need this inquest to legally name the killer."</p> <p>“It would mean a lot to me, to my family, to a lot of people to finally have this crime solved.”</p> <p>Despite the excitement over the new evidence, some have cast doubt on the findings.</p> <p>The research has not yet been published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal, which means that the claims cannot be independently verified or the methodology scrutinised.</p> <p>Under UK law, it is up to the attorney general to approve a further inquest into the Jack the Ripper case, with Attorney-General Michael Ellis refusing the request two years ago, saying there was “not sufficient new evidence” to support an inquest.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

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Tiger Woods reveals sad family tragedy

<p>Tiger Woods announced on Tuesday (Wednesday AEDT) that his mother Kultida Woods had passed away at the age of 81. </p> <p>"It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning," the legendary golfer began his tribute shared on social media. </p> <p>"My Mum was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable," he continued.</p> <p>"She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible."</p> <p>The athlete added: "She was loved by so many, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie," Tiger's children with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, before thanking everyone for their "support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time".</p> <p>He signed off the message with: "Love you Mum," and a photo of his mum smiling. </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/DFqGymgRsnY/?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/DFqGymgRsnY/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Her cause of death has not been revealed. </p> <p>Tiger's post was flooded with messages of condolences from stars in the sporting world, including NFL great Tom Brady, and A-List stars including Justin Timberlake and Mark Wahlberg. </p> <p>"So sorry for your loss. I send you a big hug ❤️" former tennis champion Rafael Nadal wrote.</p> <p>"We're so sorry for your loss, Tiger," the official United States Golf Association said.</p> <p>Woods once described his mother as the "enforcer" who was very "tough" on him in a 2017 interview. </p> <p>“My dad was always the person who would plant seeds and give me encouragement but also would say things that would fester inside me that wouldn’t come to fruition for a while,” Woods said.</p> <p>“He was very worldly and deep in his thinking. My mom was the enforcer. My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him.</p> <p>“My mom’s still here and I’m still deathly afraid of her. She’s a very tough, tough old lady, very demanding. She was the hand, she was the one, I love her so much, but she was tough."</p> <p>Over the years Kultida has supported her son through his golfing achievements and career milestone, including in 2019 when he was awarded a Medal Of Freedom in Washington by President Donald Trump. </p> <p>In 2022, she attended his World Golf Hall of Fame Induction, and up until last week she reportedly attended her son's TGL match in Florida. </p> <p><em>Image: SHAWN THEW/EPA-EFE/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p>

Caring

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Sinead O’Connor’s final wish revealed

<p>Almost two years after the Sinead O'Connor's tragic death, the legacy she left behind for her children has been revealed. </p> <p>According to Irish probate records obtained by <em>The Sun</em>, O'Connor left her £1.7 million (AUD 3.38 million) estate to her three surviving children, with ex-husband John Reynolds named executor of her estate. </p> <p>After debts, legal fees, and funeral costs, the estate was reduced to £1.4 million (AUD 2.78 million). </p> <p>The document also contained specific instructions for her children to ensure they get their money's worth out of any unreleased music that she has recorded. </p> <p>“I direct that after my death, and at the discretion of any of my children who are then over 18, my albums are to be released to ‘milk it for what it’s worth’,” she wrote. </p> <p>Signed in 2013 ahead of her conversion to Islam in 2018, the document also outlined her burial requests, where she noted her children may “dispense my ashes as they see fit” and to be buried in priest's robes with a copy of the Hebrew bible and her album, <em>Theology.</em></p> <p>The singer's youngest son Yeshua was given her collection of guitars. </p> <p>O’Connor passed away in July 2023 at the age of 56, after she was found unresponsive at her London home by first responders.</p> <p>Her <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/coroner-finally-reveals-sinead-o-connor-s-cause-of-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cause of death</a> was later confirmed to be chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, after a a copy of her death certificate was obtained by the <em>Irish Independent</em> newspaper. </p> <p><em>Image: Co/ZUMA Press Wire/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Money & Banking

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Husband reveals final text from wife on board doomed flight

<p>The husband of a woman on board American Airlines flight 5342 has revealed the final text he received from his wife just minutes before her flight collided with a US Army helicopter at around 9pm on Wednesday night. </p> <p>Hamaad Raza told <em> WUSA9 </em> that his wife had been texting him while she was on board the flight from Wichita, Kansas to Washington DC before the plane collided with the military helicopter and plunged into the river. </p> <p>She had texted him:  “Landing in 20 minutes” but when his replies failed to send, he realised that something was wrong. </p> <p>“That’s when I realized something might be up”, Raza shared.</p> <p>Raza's wife, who was only 26-years-old, was travelling to Wichita for work had “always had a fear of flying and that she never really was comfortable”. </p> <p>Aviation officials have yet to provide and explanation for the crash, as commercial airlines are supposed to receive a warning  of potential collisions through a Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS).</p> <p>Emergency services have been deployed throughout the night in freezing and icy conditions in attempt to find bodies among the wreckage, with dozens already recovered from the water. </p> <p>“I'm just praying that somebody's pulling her out of the river right now, as we speak," Raza told WUSA9 in the early hours of Wednesday.</p> <p>“That's all I can pray for, I'm just praying to God.”</p> <p>Raza is waiting for answers from officials but has been left in the dark on any information about his wife. </p> <p><em>Image: WUSA9 </em></p>

Caring

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Man reveals what it's like to spend 25 years at sea

<p>Mario Salcedo has mastered life at sea, living on cruise ships for 25 years and completing his 1,000th voyage with Royal Caribbean. </p> <p>Salcedo, also known as "Super Mario" in cruise circles revealed that he spends around  $101,000 on on cruises per year for a cabin with a balcony. </p> <p>The senior funds his ocean-bound lifestyle through investment management work. </p> <p>His loyalty to Royal Caribbean has earned him some recognition among the crew, with some ships creating makeshift offices for him on deck, complete with cordoned-off tables, chairs and signs reading "Super Mario's Office".</p> <p>Salcedo spoke about his love for cruising in an interview with <em>allthingscruise.com. </em></p> <p>"Cruising never gets old," he began. </p> <p>"I'm so used to being on ships that it feels more comfortable to me than being on land."</p> <p>The full-time cruiser began his life at sea after "tiring of the suit-and-tie business world and the long flights to international clients."</p> <p>The Cuban-born businessman went on his first cruise in 1997 and became hooked since then. </p> <p>In 2000 he began living on Royal Caribbean ships, spending only a few days per year on land, and taking a short 15 month break during the Covid pandemic. </p> <p>Salcedo said he spends about five hours a day working and "has fun" for the rest of it. </p> <p>"It's zero stress," he said. "The best lifestyle I can find."</p> <p><em>Image: Wayleebird / Shutterstock.com</em></p>

International Travel

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Expert reveals how to cope with flight anxiety

<p dir="ltr">While thousands of Aussies travel by plane everyday, not everyone is so relaxed about air travel. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to recent Google data, searches for advice on flight anxiety are on the rise by more than 5000 per cent. </p> <p dir="ltr">Thankfully, there is help out there for those who struggle with anxious thoughts around flying. </p> <p dir="ltr">Researcher and neuroscientist Dr Brian Ramos from Simply Nootropics explained why some people are impacted more than others.</p> <p dir="ltr">"People's past experiences, personality traits, and levels of general anxiety all play a role in how intensely they experience flying anxiety, making some individuals more prone to it than others," he told <em><a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/how-to-get-over-flight-anxiety-before-holiday-expert-tips/72ff01bd-8245-4ba9-a440-8a5fa6fa74db">9Travel</a></em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">He went on to offer four ways to combat flight anxiety on your next trip. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Reframe your anxiety as excitement </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Dr Ramos believes that by redefining the physical signs of anxiety as excitement for your holiday, you can fool your brain into thinking differently. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Reframing anxiety as excitement can trick your brain into receiving your nervous system's response more positively," Brian said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Both anxiety and excitement trigger similar physical responses, like a racing heart and butterflies, but the key difference lies in how we interpret them.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Instead of viewing these sensations as signs of danger, you can remind yourself they signal anticipation and energy."</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Think about the facts </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Looking at your situation practically can help calm your anxious mind when on a plane, according to Dr Ramos. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Look around you - is anyone else freaking out? Aeroplanes are one of the safest modes of transportation," Brian said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Statistically, the odds of an accident are extremely low, with air travel being far safer than driving in a car - something we all do regularly and don't bat an eyelid at."</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Keep yourself busy </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">By tapping into mindful activities can help push anxious thoughts to the back of your mind. </p> <p dir="ltr">As Brian says, "Distracting your mind with a good podcast or book is a great way to manage flight anxiety by redirecting your focus away from fear-inducing thoughts."</p> <p dir="ltr">"Engaging with a story or interesting conversation can keep your brain occupied.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Re-centre your brain if you feel yourself spiralling </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">"To calm an anxiety attack during a flight, first, focus on your breathing," Brian said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Practice deep, slow breaths; inhaling through your nose for four counts, holding for four, and exhaling through your mouth for four.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Second, ground yourself using the 5-4-3-2-1 technique: identify five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Finally, use positive self-talk."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

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2025 Oscar nominations revealed

<p>The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards have been announced after being postponed twice due to the devastating wildfires in LA. </p> <p>Aussie actor Guy Pearce has picked up a best supporting actor nomination for his role in The Brutalist. </p> <p>A few other Aussies who were nominated include Adam Elliot,  an Oscar-winning animator, who is up for best animated feature for <em>Memoir of a Snail,</em> and Greig Fraser for his cinematography in<em> Dune: Part Two</em>. </p> <p>This year's early star is Spanish-language Netflix film<em> Emilia Pérez</em>, with 13 nominations, followed by <em>The Brutalist </em>and <em>Wicked</em> on 10 each.</p> <p><em>Emilia Pérez </em>dominated the nominations picking up best picture, as well as best actress for Karla Sofía Gascón, the first openly trans actor ever nominated for an Oscar.</p> <p>The film also landed nominations for directing, original screenplay, two of its songs, and for supporting actress Zoe Saldaña.</p> <p>The Broadway adaptation of <em>Wicked</em> picked up 10 nominations including best picture and acting nods for Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.</p> <p><em>The Brutalist </em>also scored 10 nominations including best picture, best director, and nominations for actor Adrien Brody, Guy Pearce, and Felicity Jones. </p> <p>The 97th Academy Awards will take place on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, which will be around 10am AEDT on March 3. </p> <h3><strong>Here is the full list of nominees</strong></h3> <p><strong>Best Picture</strong></p> <ul> <li>Anora</li> <li>The Brutalist</li> <li>A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Conclave</li> <li>Dune: Part Two</li> <li>Emilia Pérez</li> <li>I'm Still Here</li> <li>Nickel Boys</li> <li>The Substance</li> <li>Wicked</li> </ul> <p><strong>Director</strong></p> <ul> <li>Anora — Sean Baker</li> <li>The Brutalist — Brady Corbet</li> <li>A Complete Unknown — James Mangold</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Jacques Audiard</li> <li>The Substance — Coralie Fargeat</li> </ul> <p><strong>Leading Actor</strong></p> <ul> <li>Adrien Brody in The Brutalist</li> <li>Timothee Chalamet in A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Colman Domingo in Sing Sing</li> <li>Ralph Fiennes in Conclave</li> <li>Sebastian Stan in The Apprentice</li> </ul> <p><strong>Leading Actress</strong></p> <ul> <li>Cynthia Erivo in Wicked</li> <li>Karla Sofia Gascon in Emilia Perez</li> <li>Mikey Madison in Anora</li> <li>Demi Moore in The Substance</li> <li>Fernanda Torres in I'm Still Here<span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;"><br /></span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Supporting Actor</strong></p> <ul> <li>Yura Borisov in Anora</li> <li>Keiran Culkin in A Real Pain</li> <li>Edward Norton in A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Guy Pearce in The Brutalist</li> <li>Jeremy Strong in The Apprentice</li> </ul> <p><strong>Supporting Actress</strong></p> <ul> <li>Monica Barbaro in A Complete Unknown</li> <li>Ariana Grande in Wicked</li> <li>Felicity Jones in The Brutalist</li> <li>Isabella Rossellini in Conclave</li> <li>Zoe Saldana in Emilia Perez</li> </ul> <p><strong>Animated Feature Film</strong></p> <ul> <li>Flow</li> <li>Inside Out 2</li> <li>Memoir of a Snail</li> <li>Wallace &amp; Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl</li> <li>The Wild Robot</li> </ul> <p><strong>Cinematography</strong></p> <ul> <li>The Brutalist — Lol Crawley</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Greig Fraser</li> <li>Emilia Perez — Paul Guilhaume</li> <li>Maria — Ed Lachman</li> <li>Nosferatu — Jarin Blaschke</li> </ul> <p><strong>Costume design</strong></p> <ul> <li>A Complete Unknown — Arianne Phillips</li> <li>Conclave — Lisy Christl</li> <li>Gladiator II — Janty Yates and Dave Crossman</li> <li>Nosferatu — Linda Muir</li> <li>Wicked —  Paul Tazewell</li> </ul> <p><strong>Documentary feature film</strong></p> <ul> <li>Black Box Diaries</li> <li>No Other Land</li> <li>Porcelain War</li> <li>Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat</li> <li>Sugarcane</li> </ul> <p><strong>Documentary short film</strong></p> <ul> <li>Death by Numbers</li> <li>I Am Ready, Warden</li> <li>Incident</li> <li>Instruments of a Beating Heart</li> <li>The Only Girl in the Orchestra</li> </ul> <p><strong>Film editing</strong></p> <ul> <li>Anora — Sean Baker</li> <li>The Brutalist — David Jancso</li> <li>Conclave — Nick Emerson</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Juliette Welfling</li> <li>Wicked — Myron Kerstein</li> </ul> <p><strong>International feature film</strong></p> <ul> <li>Brazil: I'm Still Here</li> <li>Denmark: The Girl with the Needle</li> <li>France: Emilia Pérez</li> <li>Germany: The Seed of the Sacred Fig</li> <li>Latvia: Flow</li> </ul> <p><strong>Makeup and hairstyling</strong></p> <ul> <li>A Different Man — Mike Marino, David Presto and Crystal Jurado</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Julia Floch Carbonel, Emmanuel Janvier and Jean-Christophe Spadaccini</li> <li>Nosferatu — David White, Traci Loader and Suzanne Stokes-Munton</li> <li>The Substance — Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli</li> <li>Wicked — Frances Hannon, Laura Blount and Sarah Nuth</li> </ul> <p><strong>Music (original score)</strong></p> <ul> <li>The Brutalist — Daniel Blumberg</li> <li>Conclave — Volker Bertelmann</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Clément Ducol and Camille</li> <li>Wicked — John Powell and Stephen Schwartz</li> <li>The Wild Robot — Kris Bowers</li> </ul> <p><strong>Music (original song)</strong></p> <ul> <li>El Mal from Emilia Pérez; Music by Clément Ducol and Camille; Lyric by Clément Ducol, Camille and Jacques Audiard</li> <li>The Journey from The Six Triple Eight; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren</li> <li>Like A Bird from Sing Sing; Music and Lyric by Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada</li> <li>Mi Camino from Emilia Pérez; Music and Lyric by Camille and Clément Ducol</li> <li>Never Too Late from Elton John: Never Too Late; Music and Lyric by Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt and Bernie Taupin</li> </ul> <p><strong>Production design</strong></p> <ul> <li>The Brutalist — Production Design: Judy Becker; Set Decoration: Patricia Cuccia</li> <li>Conclave — Production Design: Suzie Davies; Set Decoration: Cynthia Sleiter</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Production Design: Patrice Vermette; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau</li> <li>Nosferatu — Production Design: Craig Lathrop; Set Decoration: Beatrice Brentnerová</li> <li>Wicked — Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Lee Sandales</li> </ul> <p><strong>Short film (animated)</strong></p> <ul> <li>Beautiful Men</li> <li>In the Shadow of the Cypress</li> <li>Magic Candles</li> <li>Wander to Wonder</li> <li>Yuck!</li> </ul> <p><strong>Short film (live action)</strong></p> <ul> <li>A Lien</li> <li>Anuja</li> <li>I'm Not a Robot</li> <li>The Last Ranger</li> <li>The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent</li> </ul> <p><strong>Sound</strong></p> <ul> <li>A Complete Unknown — Tod A. Maitland, Donald Sylvester, Ted Caplan, Paul Massey and David Giammarco</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Gareth John, Richard King, Ron Bartlett and Doug Hemphill</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Erwan Kerzanet, Aymeric Devoldère, Maxence Dussère, Cyril Holtz and Niels Barletta</li> <li>Wicked — Simon Hayes, Nancy Nugent Title, Jack Dolman, Andy Nelson and John Marquis</li> <li>The Wild Robot — Randy Thom, Brian Chumney, Gary A. Rizzo and Leff Lefferts</li> </ul> <p><strong>Visual effects</strong></p> <ul> <li>Alien: Romulus — Eric Barba, Nelson Sepulveda-Fauser, Daniel Macarin and Shane Mahan</li> <li>Better Man — Luke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft and Peter Stubbs</li> <li>Dune: Part Two — Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe and Gerd Nefzer</li> <li>Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes — Erik Winquist, Stephen Unterfranz, Paul Story and Rodney Burke</li> <li>Wicked — Pablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, David Shirk and Paul Corbould</li> </ul> <p><strong>Adapted screenplay</strong></p> <ul> <li>A Complete Unknown — Screenplay by James Mangold and Jay Cocks</li> <li>Conclave — Screenplay by Peter Straughan</li> <li>Emilia Pérez — Screenplay by Jacques Audiard; In collaboration with Thomas Bidegain, Léa Mysius and Nicolas Livecchi</li> <li>Nickel Boys — Screenplay by RaMell Ross &amp; Joslyn Barnes</li> <li>Sing Sing — Screenplay by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar; Story by Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar, Clarence Maclin, John "Divine G" Whitfield</li> </ul> <p><strong>Original screenplay</strong></p> <ul> <li>Anora — Written by Sean Baker</li> <li>The Brutalist — Written by Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold</li> <li>A Real Pain — Written by Jesse Eisenberg</li> <li>September 5 — Written by Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum; Co-Written by Alex David</li> <li>The Substance — Written by Coralie Fargeat</li> </ul> <p><em>Image: Al Seib/AMPAS/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Movies

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Best travel destinations for 2025 revealed

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

International Travel

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Does ‘made with love’ sell? Research reveals who values handmade products the most

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tuba-degirmenci-2291455">Tuba Degirmenci</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frank-mathmann-703900">Frank Mathmann</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-mortimer-1322">Gary Mortimer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p>We’ve all seen the marketing message “handmade with love”. It’s designed to tug at our heartstrings, suggesting extra care and affection went into crafting a product.</p> <p>As Valentine’s Day approaches, many businesses will ramp up such messaging in their advertising.</p> <p>Handmade gifts are often cast as more thoughtful, special options than their mass-produced, machine-made alternatives.</p> <p>But does “love” actually sell? Our new <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cb.2455">research</a>, published in the Journal of Consumer Behaviour, reveals not everyone feels the same way about these labels.</p> <p>Why do some people feel handmade products are made with love, while others don’t really care? We found it’s all about how they approach purchase decisions.</p> <h2>A deeper, human connection</h2> <p>Why do businesses market products as handmade? Previous research has shown handmade labels can lead to higher positive emotions. This tendency is known as the “<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1509/jm.14.0018">handmade effect</a>”.</p> <p>In a world of seemingly perfect and polished products, <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/09590551211267593/full/html">research</a> shows consumers increasingly prefer human (as opposed to machine) interactions, including in their shopping experiences.</p> <p>It’s also been shown that giving handmade gifts can <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11002-024-09722-w">promote social relationships</a>.</p> <p>We often associated handmade products with smaller “cottage” retailers. But many major global retailers – including <a href="https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&amp;node=120955898011">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.ikea.com/au/en/new/handcrafted-textiles-for-a-better-future-pub6fc26570/">IKEA</a> – have strategically introduced handmade products, aiming to connect on a deeper emotional level with their consumers.</p> <p>Our research found not all consumers respond in the same way to these marketing messages.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kYn-xUjv_qs?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">IKEA has previously run a dedicated handmade marketing campaign.</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Who cares about love?</h2> <p>Across two studies, we found that the response to marketing products as “handmade” depends on a consumer’s locomotion orientation – put simply, how they approach decisions and other actions.</p> <p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022435917300155">Low-locomotion individuals</a> take things more slowly. They take their time and can thoroughly consider their purchase decisions. Think of them as the “mindful”.</p> <p>In contrast, high-locomotion individuals are “doers”. They like to get things done quickly without getting stuck in the details. They are the “grab-and-go” shopper.</p> <p>When the way they perform an action – such as making a purchase – matches their fast-paced mindset, something remarkable happens: they experience what’s called “<a href="https://myscp.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcpy.1317">regulatory fit</a>”.</p> <p>This fit boosts their emotions and engagement.</p> <h2>Our first study</h2> <p>In our first study, participants imagined buying a gift for a loved one. They were split into three groups and presented with a photo of the same mug.</p> <p>One group was informed that the mug was “handmade”, one group informed it was “machine-made”, and the last group was not offered any “production cue”.</p> <p>We also asked and measured how much “love” they felt the mug contained – and how much they would pay for it.</p> <p>The handmade mug evoked more love and led to a higher willingness to pay – but only for those with a “low-locomotion” orientation.</p> <p>High-locomotion individuals didn’t react in the same way. For these “doers”, the backstory of how the mug had been made wasn’t as important as just getting a product they needed.</p> <p>For the “doers”, the benefits of marketing the mug as handmade actually backfired.</p> <p>They felt more love for the mug if it had no label at all.</p> <h2>Our second study</h2> <p>By communicating with consumers on social media, marketers can trigger a mindset called “regulatory locomotion mode”. Put simply, this is the mode where we take action and make progress toward goals.</p> <p>Marketers can do this by using <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.79.5.793">locomotion-activating</a> words such as “move” and “go” to encourage active decision-making.</p> <p>To borrow one famous example from Nike: “<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.79.5.793">Just Do It</a>”.</p> <p>Our second study examined the marketer-generated content of over 9,000 Facebook posts from the verified <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Etsy">Etsy</a> Facebook page.</p> <p>We analysed how locomotion-activating words in social media posts for handmade products influence consumer engagement.</p> <p>In other words, we wanted to understand how these words affected social media engagement with the potential consumers reading them, particularly in terms of social media shares.</p> <p>We found the higher an individual’s locomotion orientation was, the fewer social media “shares” for handmade products occurred.</p> <h2>So, does handmade really matter?</h2> <p>As we get closer to Valentine’s Day, understanding these differences can help retailers tailor their marketing strategies.</p> <p>For “mindful” customers, retailers should highlight the story of the craftsmanship, care, and love behind a handmade product for Valentine’s Day. Use emotional language such as “made with love”.</p> <p>But be aware this mightn’t work on everyone. For a customer base of “doers”, keep it simple, leaving out unnecessary details about production methods.</p> <p>There are a range of <a href="https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/">website analytical tools</a> that can help retailers identify how their customers approach their purchase decision-making.</p> <p>Do they browse quickly, hopping from one product to the next, opting for “<a href="https://www.business.com/articles/one-click-purchasing-how-click-to-buy-is-revolutionizing-ecommerce/">one-click</a>” purchasing? Or do they take their time, browsing slowly and considering their product selection?</p> <p>Personalised marketing messages can then be crafted to emphasise the aspects – love or efficiency – that matter most to each group. The key lies in knowing who you’re speaking to.<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/247351/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tuba-degirmenci-2291455">T<em>uba Degirmenci</em></a><em>, PhD Candidate School of Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/frank-mathmann-703900">Frank Mathmann</a>, Lecturer (Assistant Professor), <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gary-mortimer-1322">Gary Mortimer</a>, Professor of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/queensland-university-of-technology-847">Queensland University of Technology</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-made-with-love-sell-research-reveals-who-values-handmade-products-the-most-247351">original article</a>.</em></p>

Money & Banking

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The most turbulent flights in the world revealed

<p dir="ltr">While many travellers have experienced a bumpy ride while on a plane, there are some routes that are rougher than others. </p> <p dir="ltr">Thanks to <a href="https://turbli.com/historical-data/most-turbulent-flight-routes-of-2024/">Turbli research</a>, the most turbulent flight routes in the world for 2025 have been announced for worried flyers to avoid when booking their holidays. </p> <p dir="ltr">All destinations are situated in just two continents and four countries, and all involve flying over high altitudes.</p> <p dir="ltr">Turbulence is measured in Eddy Dissipation Rate (EDR), which describes turbulence levels without regard to aircraft characteristics, meaning the same levels of turbulence may be experienced differently depending on the size and build of the aircraft.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dramatic changes in land altitude, particularly mountain ranges, create eddies, or swirls of disrupted airflow all create turbulence. </p> <p dir="ltr">With 0-20 on the EDR scale is considered light turbulence, these flight paths measure double digits in their levels of severity. </p> <p dir="ltr">Most of these destinations are located in South America, so if you’re particularly adverse to a bumpy flight, maybe take these stats into account before booking your next holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the list of the 10 most turbulent flights in the world below. </p> <p dir="ltr">10. San Carlos de Bariloche (Argentina) to Santiago (Chile). 18.475 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Chengdu (China) to Xining (China). 18.482 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">8. Kathmandu (Nepal) to Paro (Bhutan). 18.563 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Santa Cruz (Bolivia) to Santiago (Chile). 18.598 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Chengdu (China) to Lhasa (China). 18.644 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Kathmandu to Lhasa. 18.817 average EDR. </p> <p dir="ltr">4. Mendoza (Argentina) to San Carlos de Bariloche. 19.252 average EDR. </p> <p dir="ltr">3. Mendoza to Salta (Argentina). 19.825 average EDR.</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Córdoba to Santiago. 20.214 average EDR</p> <p dir="ltr">1. Mendoza to Santiago. 24.684 average EDR.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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World's safest airline for 2025 revealed

<p>The world's safest airline has been revealed, with two major carriers from Down Under nabbing the top two spots in the prestigious AirlineRatings.com rankings. </p> <p>Air New Zealand has been rated the safest airline in the world, with Qantas coming in a close second and only 1.50 points separating the two carriers. </p> <p>Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates came equal third, while Virgin Australia came in fourth and Etihad Airways in fifth. </p> <p>“It was extremely close again between Air New Zealand and Qantas for first place with only 1.50 points separating the two airlines,” AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen said.</p> <p>“While both airlines uphold the highest safety standards and pilot training, Air New Zealand continue to have a younger fleet than Qantas which separates the two.”</p> <p>AirlineRatings.com is the world's only safety and product rating website, and Air NZ also won the title last year and in 2022, with Qantas nabbing the top spot in 2023. </p> <p>The watchdog monitors 385 airlines and takes into account serious incidents, recent fatal accidents, audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies, profitability, safety initiatives, expert pilot training assessment and fleet age.</p> <p>They also shared the rankings for the safest low-cost airlines, with Cathay Pacific-owned Hong Kong Express claiming the top spot and Qantas-owned Jetstar coming in second. </p> <p>“Everyone at Qantas and Jetstar is incredibly proud of our commitment to safety, which will always be our number one priority. The whole aviation industry is focused on ensuring flying remains the safest way to travel through continual learning and improvement,”  A Qantas Group spokesperson told <em>news.com.au</em>. </p> <p>While Air NZ CEO Greg Foran said: “I’m very proud of our entire Air New Zealand whānau for consistently and diligently putting safety at the forefront of everything we do." </p> <p>“Operational integrity is at the heart of our business. We have a strong culture of safety that puts our team and passengers first. I’m proud of how this culture has been fostered over many years and how it underpins every aspect of the airline’s everyday operations.”</p> <p><strong>The Top 25 World's Safest Full-Service Airlines for 2025: </strong></p> <ol> <li>Air New Zealand</li> <li>Qantas</li> <li>Cathay Pacific; Qatar Airways; Emirates</li> <li>Virgin Australia</li> <li>Etihad Airways</li> <li>ANA</li> <li>EVA Air</li> <li>Korean Air</li> <li>Alaska Airlines</li> <li>Turkish Airlines (THY)</li> <li>TAP Portugal</li> <li>Hawaiian Airlines</li> <li>American Airlines</li> <li>SAS</li> <li>British Airways</li> <li>Iberia</li> <li>Finnair</li> <li>Lufthansa/Swiss</li> <li>JAL</li> <li>Air Canada</li> <li>Delta Airlines</li> <li>Vietnam Airlines</li> <li>United Airlines</li> </ol> <p><em>Images: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Travel Tips

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Airline worker reveals the kind of suitcase most likely to get lost

<p dir="ltr">An airline worker has warned passengers of the type of suitcases he believes are "more likely" to get lost.</p> <p dir="ltr">The airport maintenance worker, who is based in the US, shared in a Reddit thread some advice to travellers to avoid losing their luggage during a holiday. </p> <p dir="ltr">The worker pointed out that one airline alone can have "3,000 to 5,000" bags per hour passing through the airport at peak flight times, and one simple design choice can make a huge difference on where your luggage ends up. </p> <p dir="ltr">While he suggests a hard shell suitcase as the best choice for luggage to protect your belongings, the worker warns the colour or pattern of your bag could be a cause for it to be lost.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Mirrored colours and paint schemes with a metallic flake act like reflectors and send the beam back to the sensor. Basically turning the bag invisible," he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Once that happens, it can't be diverted to its assigned location to be loaded on the plane it belongs on.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"We only see it when it passes through the tag scanners again, but with the sheer volume of bags, it gets hard to catch them."</p> <p dir="ltr">The worker also warned against using coloured ribbons, ropes or scarves, as well as decorative bag covers, to identify your luggage, as they can cause widespread delays.</p> <p dir="ltr">"While helpful to identify your bag, it can get caught downstairs and can delay bags," he wrote, adding he once had to cut a bungee cord off a bag that had gotten caught in a roller and affecting operation.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Do what you feel is best to help identify your bag, but just be warned some items can help cause delays."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Travel Tips

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John Lennon's son reveals shock health diagnosis

<p>John Lennon's son Julian has shared the news of another cancer diagnosis, just before Christmas. </p> <p>Updating his fans on X (formerly Twitter), the 61-year-old revealed that he recently underwent an operation after his dermatologist identified a cancerous mole on his arm.</p> <p>This is Julian's second battle with skin cancer, after he had a cancerous mole removed from his back in 2020. </p> <p>Lennon said he had gone to see his same dermatologist who "literally saved y life" before he headed to Los Angeles to do a series of radio and TV appearances.</p> <p>After finishing his talk show gig on <em>Good Morning America</em>, the musician said he "received a message from Dr Tess, with some urgency to return to Los Angeles, as I had 2 locations on My Skin, Shoulder &amp; Forearm, one of which was Melanoma, that should be operated on ASAP!"</p> <p>"So instead of going home to put my Christmas tree up and happily finish the year off, relaxing at home, I flew directly back to Los Angeles, after all my work in New York was done, and went directly from LAX airport, to surgery..."</p> <p>The star said the recommended surgeon "spent several hours cleaning up and operating on me, with large margins, in the hope that we have, at the end of the day – clear margins, which would mean being free from cancer."</p> <p>Lennon said the surgery was successful and believed the surgeon "has saved the day".</p> <p>The musician then thanked his dermatologist "for being able to coordinate this surgery at such short notice, but for once again, hopefully saving my life".</p> <p>"Obviously good news, would be the best Christmas present ever… Which I'm hopeful for," he continued.</p> <p>The star then used his recent health scare as an opportunity to remind people to get their skin checked.</p> <p>"I love life and I want to live for a very long time and this is one way, and a choice, that could determine your future," he wrote, signing off by wishing everyone happy holidays.</p> <p><em>Image credits: X/JM HAEDRICH/SIPA/Shutterstock Editorial </em></p>

Caring

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Tourists reveal dream retirement destination

<p>Many people dream of retiring overseas and Reddit users have shared where they want to spend their golden years. </p> <p>"If you could choose a retirement city among the cities you have visited, which one would you choose?" one user asked. </p> <p>The responses were varied from South Island, New Zealand to Scotland, here are some of destinations:</p> <p><strong>South Island, New Zealand</strong></p> <p>South Island is a dream retirement location for many users on the thread, with "wide open spaces" and "cooler weather" as some of the key reasons why people wanted to retire there. </p> <p>One user wrote: "All the towns we visited [there] were quaint. I could live in any of them." </p> <p>"I loved the ratio of people to wide open spaces. Dunedin was my favourite city, but any of the smaller towns have a lot to recommend them. I also love the cooler weather. Very expensive, though," another commented. </p> <p><strong>Nicosia, Cyprus</strong></p> <p>Others were attracted to the bustling city of Nicosia, with many praising the city's weather and walkability as a plus. </p> <p>"Cypriots are, in general, friendly and down-to-earth people. Nicosia is a capital city with a small-town feel." </p> <p><strong>London, UK</strong></p> <p>While people were divided about retiring in the iconic destination because of the high prices, others praised it for the "metropolitan atmosphere" </p> <p>"Tons of free museums, easy to get around on local buses and Tube, great train links to many places. Free and cheap educational opportunities. Only problem is the cost of housing." </p> <p><strong>Scotland </strong></p> <p>The city's "slow and beautiful" lifestyle makes it a dream retirement spot for many. </p> <p>"I did a house sit in Selkirk, just north of Edinburgh. I could live there very happily. There’s a proper high street with newsagent, butcher, bakery, small grocer. There’s a small loch to walk the dogs around. I left a bit of my heart there," one said. </p> <p>"Any of the little villages on the Isle of Skye. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen. The people are unbelievably warm and welcoming," another added. </p> <p><strong>Singapore</strong></p> <p>For a few people who have visited the city, the food, climate, "convenient life" and "very good public security" were some of the plus points listed by travellers. </p> <p><strong>Annecy, France </strong></p> <p>The Alpine town had a lot of travellers' interest with any praising its beauty and convenience. </p> <p>"Currently in Annecy for an extended period and it has shot up to my number one as well. I had never heard of it before coming here, but it’s got quite the magical charm about it. Great location as well," one said. </p> <p>"The perfection of the edge of a stunning lake and the base of the French Alps. And only 40 minutes from Geneva Airport," another added. </p> <p>A few other locations mentioned in the thread included the southern Mexican city of Oaxaca, praised for its relaxed lifestyle, and San Diego, USA, praised for its city lifestyle and beautiful beaches. </p> <p><em>Image: </em><em>Collection Maykova / Shutterstock.com</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Whoopi Goldberg reveals birth name

<p>Whoopi Goldberg has surprised <em>The View </em>audiences by revealing her birth name. </p> <p>On Monday’s episode of the US daytime talk show, the co-hosts debated the necessity of a new platform that can tell house hunters in the US the political affiliations of their potential neighbours. </p> <p>While they were discussing the topic, Whoopi casually dropped her real birth name, with viewers wondering if they'd heard her correctly. </p> <p>Whoopi made it clear that she was against the start-up, saying: “That is not a good idea because number one, it’s none of your business, and number two, it just fosters more division." </p> <p>Co-host Sunny Hostin said: “I have a multiracial family, my goddaughter is gay, some of my best friends are trans. I wouldn’t want to live next to an extremist that would make my family feel unwelcome.”</p> <p>She then clarified, “But I don’t think that’s a political affiliation thing. I think it’s a behavioural thing.”</p> <p>Goldberg added that there's been a shift in recent years with more people openly talking about their political affiliations. </p> <p>“I was raised, you never asked anybody how they were voting. I would say, ‘Ma, who are you going to vote for?’ and she’d just give me that look. And she’d say to me, ‘Caryn, that’s nobody’s business,’” she recalled.</p> <p>Whoopi’s birth name is actually Caryn - pronounced ‘Karen'.</p> <p>When asked why she changed it, Goldberg replied in an old interview: “Here’s the thing. When you’re performing on stage, you never really have time to go into the bathroom and close the door. So if you get a little gassy, you’ve got to let it go.</p> <p>“So people used to say to me, ‘You are like a whoopee cushion.’ And that’s where the name came from.”</p> <p><em>Image: The View</em></p> <p> </p>

TV

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Nostradamus' 2025 predictions revealed

<p>Nostradamus a 16th-century French Astrologer known as the "prophet of doom" has some wild predictions for the upcoming year. </p> <p>The astrologer has been credited with foretelling the Great Fire of London, Hitler’s rise to power, the September 11 attacks, the Covid-19 pandemic, and last year’s New Year’s Day earthquake. </p> <p>His predictions were published in his book “Les Prophéties” in 1555</p> <p>Last year, the astrologer was credited for predicting the powerful earthquake that rocked Japan on New Year's.</p> <p>A few of his other predictions for 2024 included the abdication of King Charles, war with China, a new pope, and the world getting closer to a climate apocalypse. </p> <p>Now, his predictions for 2025 have been revealed with one of them being the potential end to the Ukraine conflict. </p> <p>He wrote: "Through long war all the army exhausted,so that they do not find money for the soldiers; instead of gold or silver, they will come to coin leather, Gallic brass, and the crescent sign of the Moon."</p> <p>The astrologer predicted that financial ruin and exhausted resources could spell the end of an ongoing armed conflict, which many of his followers assumed is a reference to Russia and Ukraine. </p> <p>However, he wrote that England will be beset by  “cruel wars” and will face an “ancient plague” that will be “worse than enemies.”</p> <p>He also wrote: "Garden of the world near the new city, In the path of the hollow mountains: It will be seized and plunged into the Tub, Forced to drink waters poisoned by sulphur."</p> <p>Some believe the "garden of the world" refers to the Amazon forest, with plunging into a tub and sipping sulphur implying that there will be floods and volcanic activity. </p> <p>While most of his predictions seem bleak, more often than not they miss the mark. </p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Globetrotter reveals the worst places she has travelled to

<p dir="ltr">Seasoned globetrotter Lauren Heavner has revealed the five countries she would never return to, explaining why she will never recommend the popular destinations. </p> <p dir="ltr">Heavner documents her travels online, and after visiting 170 countries, she has formed some strong opinions on what destinations are not worth travelling to. </p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren explained to <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-14137407/worst-countries-world-france-canada-monaco.html">MailOnline</a></em> the reasons behind her controversial picks for her least favourite travel destinations, recounting her experiences in the holiday hotspots that earned them a place on her list. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Monaco</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In a viral TikTok video, Lauren explains that she’s been to the city-state of Monaco “at least 20 times”, but says “it’s not for her”, saying, “It just doesn’t have much of a culture. It’s impossible to walk around the streets and see anything.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She further explained to <em>MailOnline</em>, “The thing about Monaco, the bitter pill you can’t quite swallow, is that it’s unapologetically built for the ultra-rich. Every time I’m there, I’m confronted by my place in the food chain.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite its flaws, Lauren admits that Monaco is “beautiful at night” in the video and said the “view alone” could get her back there, despite the rich destination leaving her feeling like a “peasant”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Ghana</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren explained that she's been to the capital of Ghana, Accra, a few times, but said that there “wasn’t really much to do”, and felt “unease” as she explored the city. </p> <p dir="ltr">She commented, “I wandered the streets of Accra on my own for a while. But it didn’t take long before unease crept in.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“The chaos, the unfamiliarity, it’s not the kind of place that coddles a lone outsider. I felt slightly on guard. Maybe it was paranoia, maybe it was instinct - but either way, I retreated after only a short time of wandering solo.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She went on to tell <em>MailOnline</em>, “What stayed with me most about Ghana was the stark reality of its struggles. The poverty was impossible to ignore. Children working, shops stocked with imported goods far out of reach for most.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite her experiences, Lauren explains that “the lingering regret of not seeing enough” could lure her back. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Malaysia</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Recalling a trip to Malaysia with her friends, Lauren said the destination felt “pretty corrupt” and struggled with the social issues. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was there with a group of friends. It was one of those punishingly hot, humid days where even breathing felt like work,” she said, recalling when she visited the batu caves. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We were all in shorts, naturally. But then came the rules: women had to be covered - no knees, no shoulders. Men? ‘Yeah, come as you are, it doesn't matter’.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She added that the worst aspect of her time in Malaysia was “the lack of things to do in the capital”, which she says “felt like a city waiting to impress but never delivering”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Canada</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren acknowledged that picking Canada for her least favourite destination was controversial, but explained that the country is “really not that exciting for an American”, clarifying to <em>MailOnline</em> that “there aren’t many negative aspects of Canada”, it’s just too “familiar”. </p> <p dir="ltr">She explains, “It’s familiar to the point of feeling predictable. The same big-box stores, the same general vibe - just with better manners and a lot more Tim Hortons (a Canadian coffeehouse and restaurant chain).”</p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren concluded, “Canada is great, but it’s not exactly exotic. It feels too much like home.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>France</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren slammed Paris as “overrated” and said the capital is “the worst part of France”, and urged travellers to head elsewhere in the country. </p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em>MailOnline</em>, she says she has “never felt unsafe in France” but adds that “Paris can be slightly dodgy in certain areas”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Lauren added, “Let’s just say France isn’t exactly known for rolling out the red carpet for outsiders. There’s a certain coolness, a guardedness that can feel like a wall if you’re not prepared for it.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The seasoned traveller recommends heading to “the French Riviera” or anywhere “other than Paris”.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok / Shutterstock</em></p>

International Travel

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From the bed sheets to the TV remote, a microbiologist reveals the shocking truth about dirt and germs in hotel rooms

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/primrose-freestone-315921">Primrose Freestone</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-leicester-1053">University of Leicester</a></em></p> <p>For most of us, staying in a hotel room is either something of a necessity – think business travel – or something to look forward to as part of a holiday or wider excursion.</p> <p>But what if I told you there’s a large chance your hotel room, despite how it might appear to the naked eye, <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/922575">isn’t that clean</a>. And even if it’s an expensive room, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s any less dirty.</p> <p>Indeed, whoever has stayed in your room prior to you will have deposited bacteria, fungi and viruses all over the furniture, carpets, curtains and surfaces. What remains of these germ deposits depends on how efficiently your <a href="http://www.europeancleaningjournal.com/magazine/articles/european-reports/bacteria-that-breed-in-hotel-rooms">room is cleaned</a> by <a href="https://www.today.com/money/hotel-maids-how-much-how-little-do-they-really-clean-1D80287464">hotel staff</a>. And let’s face it, what is considered clean by a hotel might be different to <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/dirty-spots-in-hotel-rooms_n_5ae09906e4b061c0bfa4356d">what you consider clean</a>.</p> <p>Typically, assessment of hotel room cleanliness is based on <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/26330308">sight and smell observations</a> –- not on the invisible microbiology of the space, which is where the infection risks reside. So let’s take a deep dive into the world of germs, bugs and viruses to find out what might be lurking where.</p> <h2>It starts at the lift</h2> <p>Before you even enter your room, think of the hotel lift buttons as germ hotspots. They are being pressed all the time by many different people, which can transfer microorganisms onto the button surface, as well back onto the presser’s fingers.</p> <p>Communal door handles can be similar in terms of germ presence unless sanitised regularly. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25005587/">Wash your hands</a> or use a hand sanitiser after using a handle before you next touch your face or eat or drink.</p> <p>The most common <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/ways-your-hotel-room-could-be-making-you-sick/">infections people pick up</a> from hotel rooms are tummy bugs – diarrhoea and vomiting – along with <a href="https://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-and-flu/surprising-ways-hotels-can-make-you-sick.aspx">respiratory viruses</a>, such as colds and pneumonia, as well as <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/28/3/21-2318_article?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_333-DM72795&amp;ACSTrackingLabel=Latest%20Expedited%20Articles%20-%20Emerging%20Infectious%20Diseases%20Journal%20-%20December%2029%2C%202021&amp;deliveryName=USCDC_333-DM72795">COVID-19</a>, of course.</p> <p><a href="https://ami-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jam.15121">Toilets and bathrooms</a> tend to be cleaned more thoroughly than the rest of a hotel room and are often the least bacteriologically colonised environments.</p> <p>Though if the drinking glass in the bathroom is not disposable, wash it before use (body wash or shampoo are effective dishwashers), as you can never be sure if they’ve been cleaned properly. Bathroom door handles may also be colonised by pathogens from unwashed hands or dirty washcloths.</p> <h2>Beware the remote</h2> <p>The bed, sheets and pillows can also be home to some unwanted visitors. <a href="https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/9/20-1435_article">A 2020 study</a> found that after a pre-symptomatic COVID-19 patient occupied a hotel room there was significant viral contamination of many surfaces, with levels being particularly high within the sheets, pillow case and quilt cover.</p> <p>While <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/dirty-hotel-room/">sheets and pillowcases</a> may be more likely to be changed between occupants, bedspreads may not, meaning these fabrics may become invisible reservoirs for pathogens – <a href="https://www.indy100.com/science-tech/beds-more-germs-than-toilet">as much as a toilet seat</a>. Though in <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/17444370/hotel-sheets-clean-changed-dirty/">some cases</a> <a href="https://www.insideedition.com/investigation-finds-sheets-werent-changed-between-guests-at-some-new-york-hotels-60419">sheets</a> <a href="https://www.frommers.com/tips/health-and-travel-insurance/hotels-dont-always-change-the-sheets-between-guests#:%7E:text=Sheets%20are%20usually%20changed%20between,they%20aren't%20washed%20regularly.">aren’t always changed between guests</a>, so it may be better to just bring your own.</p> <p>Less thought about is what lives on the hotel room desk, bedside table, telephone, kettle, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep17163?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=commission_junction&amp;utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&amp;utm_content=textlink&amp;utm_term=PID100087244&amp;CJEVENT=7cf55981c74311ed82a0034b0a18ba73">coffee machine</a>, light switch or <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hotel-room-tests-uncover-high-levels-of-contamination-1.1160859">TV remote</a> – as these surfaces aren’t always sanitised between occupancies.</p> <p>Viruses such as the <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/17444370/hotel-sheets-clean-changed-dirty/">norovirus can live</a> in an infectious form for days on hard surfaces, as can COVID-19 – and the typical time interval between room changeovers is often less than 12 hours.</p> <p>Soft fabric furnishings such as cushions, chairs, curtains and blinds are also difficult to clean and may not be sanitised other than to remove stains between guests, so washing your hands after touching them might be a good idea.</p> <h2>Uninvited guests</h2> <p>If all those germs and dirty surfaces aren’t enough to contend with, there are also bedbugs to think about. These bloodsucking insects are experts at secreting themselves into narrow, small spaces, remaining dormant without feeding for months.</p> <p>Small spaces include the cracks and crevices of luggage, mattresses and bedding. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/bedbugs/faqs.html">Bed bugs</a> are widespread throughout Europe, Africa, the US and Asia – and are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0278431920301201">often found in hotels</a>. And just because a room looks and smells clean, doesn’t mean there may not be bed bugs lurking.</p> <p>Fortunately, <a href="https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bedbugs/">bed bug bites</a> are unlikely to give you a transmissible disease, but the bite areas can become inflamed and infected. For the detection of bedbugs, reddish skin bites and blood spots on sheets are signs of an active infestation (use an antiseptic cream on the bites).</p> <p>Other signs can be found on your mattress, behind the headboard and inside drawers and the wardrobe: brown spots could be remains of faeces, bed bug skins are brownish-silvery looking and live bed bugs are brown coloured and typically one to seven millimetres in length.</p> <p>Inform the hotel if you think there are bed bugs in your room. And to avoid taking them with you when you checkout, carefully clean your luggage and clothes before opening them at home.</p> <p>As higher-status hotels tend to have more frequent room usage, a more expensive room at a five-star hotel does not necessarily mean greater cleanliness, as room cleaning costs reduce profit margins. So wherever you’re staying, take with you a pack of antiseptic wipes and use them on the hard surfaces in your hotel room.</p> <p>Also, wash or sanitise your hands often – especially before you eat or drink anything. And take slippers or thick socks with you so you can avoid walking barefoot on hotel carpets – known to be another <a href="https://www.rd.com/list/dirty-hotel-room/">dirt hotspot</a>. And after all that, enjoy your stay.<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/202195/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/primrose-freestone-315921">Primrose Freestone</a>, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-leicester-1053">University of Leicester</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/from-the-bed-sheets-to-the-tv-remote-a-microbiologist-reveals-the-shocking-truth-about-dirt-and-germs-in-hotel-rooms-202195">original article</a>.</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Etiquette experts reveals top wedding guest faux pas

<p dir="ltr">While weddings are joyous occasions filled with love and happiness, guests can often be left feeling perplexed over unspoken rules and expectations for what is expected at a loved one’s big day. </p> <p dir="ltr">Wedding etiquette expert Angela DeMaio has shared the five most common faux pas guests can be guilty of committing at a wedding, and revealed how to avoid them.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Ignoring seating arrangements </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While it might seem like not a big deal to switch seats or sit wherever you feel comfortable, this can disrupt the couple's carefully planned arrangements that are in place for a reason. </p> <p dir="ltr">DeMaio said, “Seating arrangements are often crafted with thought, considering relationships and group dynamics.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the expert, ignoring seating plans can disturb the balance the couple has tried to create, so to respect the newlywed’s efforts, it's important to be mindful of where each guest is seated.  </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Getting in the way of photographers</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">It’s the photographer’s job to capture the heartfelt moments at a wedding, and blocking the shot or getting in the way can have major consequences. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to DeMaio, guests should especially avoid stepping into the aisle during the processional or standing in the way of key moments, such as the couple's first dance. </p> <p dir="ltr">Being patient and respectful of the photographer's space ensures the couple gets the perfect shots without disruption. </p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Going too hard at an open bar </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">While many guests look forward to partaking in free drinks at an open bar during a wedding ceremony, it’s important to drink in moderation. </p> <p dir="ltr">DeMaio warned guests to pace themselves with water in between alcoholic beverages, as no one wants to be remembered as the guest who got embarrassingly drunk. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Weddings are joyous occasions, but they're not the time for drunken antics or behaviour that distracts from the couple's special day,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Not saying goodbye to the couple </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">As a wedding night winds down, it's easy to be tempted by an Irish goodbye, or just leaving the event without doing the goodbye rounds. </p> <p dir="ltr">However, failing to acknowledge the couple before leaving can come across as rude or dismissive, as leaving without acknowledging the couple can leave them wondering if you truly valued the celebration.</p> <p dir="ltr">DeMaio suggested, “If possible, thank the bride and groom in person for the invitation, as it's a small gesture that goes a long way.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Posting photos online without permission</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">In the golden age of social media, it's tempting to share every moment of the wedding, but this can lead to unintended consequences.  </p> <p dir="ltr">As someone’s wedding is a deeply personal event, most couples prefer to have control over when and how their wedding photos are shared. </p> <p dir="ltr">According to DeMaio, it's crucial for guests to wait until the couple has posted their own photographs before sharing anything, or asking for explicit permission to post photos online.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Relationships