Innehållsförteckning för 19 August 2019 från New Idea

Chris Hemsworth has a hot body, a stellar acting career and a reputation for being one of the nicest guys in Hollywood. But what impresses me most is that he shares the domestic load. “I’m just at home now, taking the next six months off and spending time with the kids and the wife,” he reveals. “I’m just going to make school lunches and do school drop-offs and pick-ups.” We could sneer. We could say it’s alright for him with his multimillion-dollar house and a mega salary to pay the bills. But ordinary men can’t be what they can’t see and Chris is showing them it’s no less masculine to value your family and home. With a recent survey showing that men do an average of five hours less housework…

A royal insider reveals how deeply Meghan Markle is preoccupied with following in her late mother-in-law’s footsteps and Harry is encouraging this obsession. “Harry often tells Meghan how much she reminds him of Diana, which she loves,” the source says. “Meghan always talks about how Diana would have understood her given they experienced the dark side of fame – with their treatment bearing striking similarities.” Meghan’s desire to emulate the popular and often-misunderstood royal is increasing. “From the moment Harry proposed, Meghan’s been on a mission to emulate his late mother in any way possible – spending hours reading about her, watching old clips and interviews.” She frequently pays tribute to the Princess of Wales by wearing clothes that are strikingly similar to Diana’s. “Meghan has admitted how she’d love…

Life after Karl Stefanovic continues for Cassandra Thorburn, who has just sold the former couple’s lavish home. The three-storey waterfront property in the Sydney suburb of Cremorne was purchased by a local family for over $9 million. “A new chapter awaits,” Cassandra posted on social media, sharing a picture of herself celebrating with real estate agent Piers van Hamburg. The successful sale will set up the 48-year-old financially as she moves on to the next stage of her life as a single mother of three children. Cassandra and Karl originally purchased the property in June 2016 for $8 million.…

Last year Kristy Sellars welcomed her third child, Oliver, only 14 months after giving birth to her second child, Mason – and the mum of three reveals that having two babies so close left her feeling in the worst shape of her life. “I THOUGHT THE SHOW WOULD BE A GREAT PUSH TO GET BACK IN SHAPE AFTER HAVING A THIRD BABY” “After I had the two babies pretty much back to back, I did lose most of my fitness,” she tells New Idea. But, Kristy, 33, who runs the PhysiPole franchise, was determined to lose all her baby weight and perform a pole routine on Australia’s Got Talent only six months after giving birth to Oliver. “I thought the show would be a great push to get back in…

Between August and November 1888, five horrifically violent murders took place in Whitechapel, London. The victims were all poor, working-class women whose throats were cut, and some had their internal organs removed. The case was the first to create a worldwide media frenzy and huge manhunt involving hundreds of police officers. The five victims were: Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly. The police shortlisted 300 suspects, however, to this day the serial killer – infamously named Jack the Ripper – was never found. The unsolved mystery has intrigued criminologists for more than 130 years. Here, we look at three of the top suspects from the case.…

Moroccan Sausage Tagine Serves 4, Prep and Cook: 40 mins 6 herbed lamb sausages (500g) 1 large red onion, halved, coarsely chopped 1 large red capsicum, cut into 2cm thick strips 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 tblsp ground paprika 2 tsps ground cumin 410g can tomato puree 1½ cups chicken stock 2 x 125g cans chickpeas, drained 1 tblsp honey ½ cup chopped fresh coriander Steamed couscous and fresh coriander leaves, to serve 1 Heat a lightly oiled, large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add sausages. Cook, turning occasionally for about 8 to 10 minutes, or until browned all over and cooked. Remove. Drain on absorbent kitchen paper. Cut diagonally into three even pieces. Drain excess fat from pan. 2 Add onion, capsicum and garlic to same pan.…

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Australia: a nation known for loving sports, yet we are raising a generation of kids who are ditching the outdoors in favour of sedentary activities. A recent study by the Murdoch Children’s Institute found that, on average, Aussie kids spend around 11 hours a day sitting still, with boys getting an average of 40 minutes a day of physical activity and girls just 28 minutes a day. “They obviously spend a lot of time sitting at school, [but] the really big item is screen time – they spend an immense amount of time in from of the television,” explains Professor Timothy Olds, from the University of South Australia’s school of health sciences, who took part in the study. Aside from cutting down screen time, getting the kids involved in sport…

QI just moved to a new city for my partner’s job. It’s been a few months and I’m starting to get really lonely. Don’t get me wrong, I’m loving the new environment and jumping out of my comfort zone, however I am so homesick. I have no friends or close family nearby. How can I overcome the loneliness? I want to make new friends but it’s not as easy as everyone may think. ISABELLE, VIA EMAIL. You need to plan to go to places where you’ll meet new people. There are lots of groups that get involved in going to plays, musicals, concerts, ballets. Do you know your neighbours? There could be a like-minded girl living nearby who shares similar interests. How about joining a gym? Has your partner made…

When Matthew Stocks asked Liz Ellis for her phone number at a sports camp 25 years ago, the netball champion’s reaction wasn’t exactly as hoped. “I said, ‘Nah, give me your number instead!’” Liz recalls with a laugh. “He gave it to me, but I threw it out. I then didn’t see him for another year until we both returned to work at the camp again as coaches the following year. He was a bit more persistent and eventually I did give him my number – and we’ve been together ever since.” While Liz, now 46, went on to become one of Australia’s greatest sportswomen, former rugby union player Matthew, 50, is today a beef cattle farmer. Together, they’re parents to daughter Evelyn, 7, and son Austin, 3. But one…

• The Gobbledok What was the scariest thing about growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s? The idea that your chips would be stolen by a weird, wobbly alien with a multi-coloured Mohawk hairdo called the Gobbledok. The Gobbledok featured in TV ads for Smith’s chips from 1987 to 1994, and would often be seen chasing humans while chanting “chippie, chippie, chippie”. • Cate Blanchett for Tim Tams Before she was an Oscar-winning actress, Cate cut her teeth in a memorable TV ad for Tim Tam biscuits. In the commercial, Cate finds a lamp and when she rubs it a genie appears and, as they do, offers her three wishes. A quick-thinking Cate asks for a packet of Tim Tams that never runs out. • Natalie Imbruglia and Twisties Before she was on…

The drama about the rise of criminal profiling in the FBI will continue to delve into the psychology of serial killers in its second season, focusing this time on the Atlanta child murders of 1979-81. Also featuring in these brand-new episodes will be notorious cult leader Charles Manson, played by Australian Damon Herriman, who also appears briefly as the killer in Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.…

This week Sam Mac’s travel guide MONDAY SYDNEY TUESDAY SYDNEY WEDNESDAY BRISBANE THURSDAY BRISBANE FRIDAY SYDNEY SUNRISE AIRS 5.30AM WEEKDAYS Follow Sam & Coco’s adventures @sammacinsta & @lifeofmisscoco…

Princess Beatrice and her multi-millionaire boyfriend are set to marry within months after moving in together at St James’s Palace. Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s eldest daughter is said to be “head over heels in love” with property developer Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, with friends claiming they will soon be heading down the aisle. “They are incredibly happy and already planning the wedding,” a source told The Sun. “Edo has moved in with Beatrice at her apartment in St James’s Palace and spends most of his time there. They can hardly keep their hands off each other and spend every moment they can together. “I don’t know if he has actually got down on one knee with a ring yet, but they are openly talking about marriage and it will either…

Their marriage may be over, but the drama continues for Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux. The former A-list couple have reportedly been dragged into a court case involving a death that occurred on the night of their 2015 Bora Bora honeymoon party. According to sources, the 50-year-old actress in particular has been struggling with the idea of taking the stand in court. “Jen’s riddled with anxiety and is in a state of panic over having to testify as a witness,” a source revealed. “She’s barely sleeping or eating as she works herself up into a paranoid state and fears things could potentially spiral if the jury or the judge isn’t satisfied with her testimony.” The court proceedings relate to an investigation into the death of party attendee Carmel Musgrove. According…

It wouldn’t be a season of The Bachelor without the contestants transforming their looks to be show-ready. Now a source reveals to New Idea that this year many of the women vying for Matt’s affection may have had a little help from a cosmetic surgeon to alter their appearance … and some will surprise you! Dr Anoop Rastogi, a surgeon from Sydney’s Double Bay, calculated the possible cost of the ladies’ collective surgical enhancements. According to Dr Rastogi, the procedures the girls may have undergone don’t come cheap and together, this year’s bachelorettes could have spent over $87,000 on Botox, breast augmentation, implants and lip fillers! HAS MATT HAD BOTOX TOO? While the women vying for his love may have had more than a little help to look their very…

After Bindi Irwin, 21, and Chandler Powell, 22, announced their engagement, the young wildlife warrior confirmed she is planning her dream wedding at Australia Zoo, complete with koalas. New Idea spoke to Sunshine Coast wedding planner Trudy Croad, owner of Lovebird Weddings, who gives exclusive behind-the-scene details of a beautiful but ecological ceremony at Queensland’s Australia Zoo. From recycled invitations using elephant poo to a huge outdoor dance floor, here’s exactly what the experts think Bindi’s 2020 wedding will look like. SUNSET VOWS Bindi and Chandler met at Australia Zoo in 2013 and the park has a very special place in the newly-engaged couple’s hearts, so Trudy predicts the nuptials will take place at the wildlife estate after visitors have gone for the day. “I know they are not going…

THE POET Best known for his poem The Hound of Heaven, Francis Thompson was posited as a Ripper suspect by author Richard Patterson. Circumstantial details of Francis’ life indicate he could be a plausible suspect, including his training at medical college, where he learned dissection techniques, a key feature of the Ripper murders. He was also known to keep a scalpel on him at all times and was described as having “a vacant stare, weak lips, and a usually half-open mouth, the saliva trickling over his chin”. He suffered from an opium addiction and mental ill health and, after the breakdown of Francis’ relationship with a sex worker, author Richard argues that he had the drive and motivation for the brutal killings of the London prostitutes. Richard also believes one…

Hearty Beef and Potato Soup with Gremolata Serves 6-8, Prep and Cook: 2 hours, 35 mins 1.2kg beef chuck steak, trimmed, cut into 4cm pieces ¼ cup olive oil 2 medium onions, finely chopped 2 carrots (140g each), peeled, cut into 1cm pieces 2 cloves garlic, crushed 63g sachet Continental Beef Stew recipe base 1½ litres (6 cups) beef stock 400g can diced tomatoes 1kg brushed potatoes, peeled, cut into 3cm pieces Toasted bread, to serve GREMOLATA ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley 2 tsps finely grated lemon rind 1 Toss beef with 2 tblsps of the oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. 2 Heat an oiled stockpot over a high heat. Add beef in three batches. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 minutes,…

Q My grated Tasty cheese goes mouldy in the bag before I’ve had chance to use it all. Can I freeze it? KIM, VIA EMAIL. A It’s perfectly okay to freeze Tasty cheese, as firmer cheeses freeze much better than softer styles, like camembert. You can use it in your cooking for topping a pizza or a potato or pasta bake. Simply place leftover grated cheese in a large or several small freezer bags. Remove as much air as possible from the bag or bags, then seal, label and date it. Freeze for up to two months, then defrost in the fridge as you need it.…

When it comes to masking, there are so many products and  options on the market, it can be tricky to decipher which formula is suited to your specific skin concerns and needs. We talked to Joanna Fleming of Adore Beauty to help break down the basics of what you should be getting out of your weekly DIY pampering. Why should we mask? Apart from being a little luxury on a Sunday night after a busy weekend, using masks can be really beneficial for the skin in helping to reduce congestion, clear away dead skin cells, and add hydration and radiance. However, it is really important not to overuse them. A lot of masks will contain active ingredients, so I usually only recommend masking up to twice a week depending on…

A new survey has uncovered the naughtiest kids’ names, based on their behaviour. School Stickers in the UK looked at 63,000 school kids and found the top 20 names for mischief makers … 1 ELLA 2 JOSEPH 3 BETHANY 4 CAMERON 5 ELEANOR 6 WILLIAM 7 OLIVIA 8 JAKE 9 LAURA 10 JOSHUA 11 HOLLY 12 JAMIE 13 COURTNEY 14 LEWIS 15 AMBER 16 BENJAMIN 17 CAITLIN 18 ETHAN 19 JADE 20 LUKE The best-behaved children based on their names were Amy, Georgia, Emma, Charlotte, Jacob, Daniel and Thomas.…

LUNCH AT THE LITTLE BEACH BOATHOUSE Nearby Nelson Bay’s newest restaurant, The Little Beach Boathouse, is a must-try. Offering views across the water, they serve up casual fare including seafood and the best modern Australian cuisine. DINNER AT THE POINT RESTAURANT Head to the award-winning Point Restaurant in Soldiers Point for incredibly fresh seafood, including oysters and scallops. A must-try is the lobster, but also sample the pork belly. thepointrestaurant.com.au. VISIT MURRAY’S CRAFT BREWING CO Are you a wine drinker or is beer your favourite beverage? At Murray’s you can have both. Having a pub and beer garden on a vineyard is a genius idea. Their food is great – try their cheeseburger spring rolls, they’re a taste sensation. This is the perfect place to spend a Sunday sampling from…

SILVER LININGS Thanks for providing me with much-needed inspiration on a chilly morning. Your article (NI July 22) on Mark Hughes’ battle with brain cancer was such an uplifting read. What inspires me is that Mark has no sense of self-pity or bitterness. His wife also deserves credit for being an ongoing source of sunshine through tough times. The word ‘cancer’ still sends shudders down our spines, but this family prove it doesn’t have to be all gloom. It can actually signify new beginnings. LINDA NATHANIEL, RIVERVIEW, NSW. MAS-SCARE-HER I was busy putting on my full make-up for a girls’ lunch, watched by my 7-year-old grand-niece. “How do I look?” I asked her when the full ‘war paint’ was on. “Very pretty,” she said, “but you looked stupid when you…

WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S SECRET DOMESTIC SKILL? Matthew: Liz is passionate about cooking, and the kids and I are incredible beneficiaries of that ability. Liz: Matthew’s terrific at heavy-lifting jobs, but I think his best secret domestic skill is that he’s excellent at cleaning up after I’ve cooked. WHAT’S YOUR PARTNER’S QUIRKIEST HABIT? Liz: Matthew’s obsessive about baseball and loves the Yankees … Our 3-year-old climbs into bed in the morning and says, “Watch the Ankees!” Matthew: Liz loves wearing high-visibility work shirts – particularly fluoro orange ones. WHICH ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOUR PARTNER IN A MOVIE ABOUT THEIR ? Liz: An older, more LIFE weather-beaten Chris Hemsworth! Matthew: Penelope Cruz.…

They have been engaged in a war of words since Married at First Sight ended and now Jessika Power has dropped another bombshell about Eden Dally and Cyrell Paule. Speaking exclusively to New Idea, Jess claims their relationship is 100 per cent fake because Eden apparently asked Jess to be with him just for the publicity. “He told me how much money and publicity we could get pretending we were together but I wasn’t interested because I was trying to make it work with Dan,” she reveals. “It must’ve hurt his ego when I shut him down because as soon as I said no he leaked text messages between us – and the real Eden came out.” Not long after that, Jess says he was “suddenly” dating Cyrell, which is…

Former Married at First Sight bride Tracey Jewel has blasted the producers of the Channel Nine show for not looking after the contestants’ mental health – and admits she has struggled with stalkers and harassment since appearing on TV. Speaking exclusively to New Idea, the mother of one says she needed police to intervene when a stalker got her phone number. “Just last weekend I had to go to the police because this lady kept calling me and harassing me. It still goes on to this day. Just because I did a reality show doesn’t mean I deserve this. It keeps happening in my life,” Tracey confesses “The police actually called her. The reason she kept calling me was because she lost her parents to cancer last year – that’s…

It was Princess Diana’s secret dream to give her two sons a sister – now Princes William and Harry are honouring their mother by building a relationship with their ‘forgotten’ sibling. New Idea has learnt that since the arrival of new royal baby Archie in May, the two brothers and their stepsister Laura Lopes, who is the daughter of Camilla Parker Bowles, have decided to put aside past difficulties and finally strengthen their family ties. “The brothers are committed to having a closer relationship with Laura,” a palace insider reveals. “They want her to become a close auntie to George, Charlotte, Louis and Archie.” Now, Diana’s biographer Andrew Morton confirms to New Idea that the Princess of Wales was so desperate to have a daughter that she would mention it…

The disappearance and tragic death of Hollywood assistant Carmel Musgrove has the makings of a murder mystery movie. Unfortunately for Jen and Justin, the situation is all too real. On that fateful night in 2015, Carmel was invited along to Jen and Justin’s Bora Bora engagement party as part of the entourage of her boss, film producer Joel Silver. What happened next remains a mystery. Sometime afterwards Carmel was reported missing and two days later authorities found Carmel’s naked body floating in the water about 450m from her bungalow. Suspecting foul play, Carmel’s parents filed a wrongful death lawsuit against her boss as well as his personal chef, Martin Herold. Carmel was reportedly last seen with Martin and the pair allegedly had a history of drinking together. Complicating matters, Martin…

Could Lisa Wilkinson and Carrie Bickmore’s hosting days on The Project be numbered? According to inside sources, the show has reached a crisis point as both leading ladies are rumoured to be out the door. Sportsbet has just placed Lisa, 50, at short odds of $1.85 to leave The Project by the end of the year. “Apparently all is not well with Lisa and her co-hosts and we’re tipping she’ll go sooner rather than later,’’ says sportsbet.com.au’s Rich Hummerston. Amid ongoing rumours of a pending departure, Lisa has fled to Italy for some reflection and down time. Meanwhile, there are whispers from sources close to Carrie claiming that she’s not handling the return to work from maternity leave, after the birth of her third child, Adelaide, last December. Carrie has…

With a sparkling ring on that finger and a baby onesie in hand, are congratulations in order for Schapelle Corby? Two years after officially being deported from Bali, Schapelle’s new life is a far cry from her previous existence, serving a nine-year sentence inside Kerobokan Prison. While the 42-year-old has maintained a low-profile since, exclusive new pictures of Schapelle reveal her wearing a sparkling ring on her wedding finger. Could this mean her relationship with her boyfriend Ben Panangian is still going strong and he has now popped the question? Schapelle wore the striking piece of jewellery along with a baggy hooded jumper as she wandered around the baby section of a local store in Brisbane, Queensland. The infamous Aussie appeared carefree as she stocked up on baby supplies. She…

Bindi recently said: “Honestly, all I want in life is Mum’s happiness”, and she’ll likely honour her mum and dad’s marriage in her own wedding. Terri wore a timeless, long-sleeved gown for her 1992 wedding to Steve, and speculation is swirling Bindi might even wear the dress for her own nuptials. Bindi also revealed to Entertainment Tonight she’s had wedding plans like this in mind since she was a “little girl”. The dress will be traditional, but Trudy thinks there’ll be a khaki element to the ceremony. “When I think of Bindi, I also think of khaki. We’ve got to have khaki in there somewhere,” Trudy muses.…

Since moving to the Bay with his family a couple of years back, Ben Astoni has been the most stable and dependable of men. But with the beleaguered father of two now facing the very real possibility of jail time after being framed for drug trafficking, everything has changed. “ACTING IS A REALLY HARD THING TO SURVIVE IN, LET ALONE BECOME SUCCESSFUL IN” As Ben’s world has continued to fall apart, the Astoni patriarch has slipped deeper into a dark mindset, impacting everything he holds dear, including his marriage to his beloved Maggie (Kestie Morassi). Indeed, as we will see in upcoming episodes, Maggie will have every reason to believe that Ben is suffering from depression. For Ben’s talented portrayer Rohan Nichol, the compelling storyline is one that is undeniably…

Gennady Sharpe was abused by her violent partner – fat-shamed and beaten to the brink of death – but she has found love again. The 27-year-old from Christchurch, New Zealand, was trapped in a two-year relationship where she was repeatedly bashed by her boyfriend, until one day she finally had enough. And after clawing her way out of the toxic cycle of abuse, Gennady did something extraordinary. Instead of curling up into a ball and hiding from the world, she signed up for a dating show. “I would always make sure I did my makeup before he came over, did my hair, or made sure I looked perfect. And he would always constantly make small stabs at me. Like: ‘Oh, why are you wearing that dress? It looks horrific on…

Apricot and Pecan Strudel Serves 6-8, Prep and Cook: 55 mins 825g can apricot halves in juice, drained 1¼ cups pecans (150g) ¾ cup demerara sugar 10 sheets filo pastry 125g unsalted butter, melted 1 Arrange apricots in a single layer on an oven tray lined with absorbent kitchen paper. Stand for 10 minutes until excess juice has been absorbed. 2 Process pecans in a food processor until finely chopped. Place in a medium bowl. Stir in sugar. 3 Place one pastry sheet on a clean bench. Brush evenly with butter. Sprinkle over 2 tblsps of the pecan mixture. Continue layering with remaining pastry, butter and pecan mixture, finishing with a pastry sheet. Reserve remaining butter and pecan mixture. 4 Arrange apricots down the centre of pastry in a log-shape,…

The kids will love these tasty treats and can even get involved in the decorating! It’s super easy and fun DOUGHNUT COOKIES Cut cinnamon doughnuts horizontally in half. One at a time, roll out between two sheets of baking paper to slightly flatten. Place, cut-side up, on a large oven tray lined with baking paper. Cook in a hot oven (200C) for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until light golden and crisp. Remove. Cool on a wire rack. Spread cut-sides with strawberry-flavoured frosting. Sprinkle with edible coloured sugar strands. TIP We used Betty Crocker Creamy Deluxe Strawberry Flavoured Frosting, also available in chocolate and vanilla. McCafé Coffee! After coping with that morning rush out the door, reward yourself with a McDonald’s 100 per cent Arabica bean coffee, blended from…

YOUR MONTHLY ROYAL FIX! Pick up a copy of our brand new royal monthly magazine to find out about the secrets, scandals, feuds and more! Our insiders have all the latest news from inside and outside the palace walls, so you won’t miss a moment in the lives of all your favourite royals. Plus, New Idea Royals Monthly will bring you the best tips on how to dress, live, and eat like a royal every month. Out now! A GHOSTLY EXPERIENCE Ordinary people. Extraordinary experiences. Hear eerie and haunting stories of encounters from the world beyond. Are you ready to know the truth? Open The Ghost Files. Listen now at newidea.com.au/podcasts LOVE A BARGAIN? WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE LATEST IN STORE? Trolley Watch is your go-to podcast for…

How many times have you diligently written out your grocery list, only to leave it on the table at home? Or forgotten where you’ve parked your car? “It’s not necessarily true that our memory gets worse with age – research shows that people at age 100 are still laying down new neural pathways.  But the brain is a muscle, and like any other muscle, you have to put effort into using it” says Lynne Kelly, Australia’s Senior Memory Champion and author of Memory Craft: Improve your memory using the most powerful methods from around the world. REMEMBER WHERE YOU PUT YOUR PHONE Use the ‘mental snapshot’ technique: If you’re always leaving the house and forgetting things, start by nominating one place to always leave things, say a red bowl on…

Boost your bub’s brainpower with these exercises. EYE-MUSCLE TRAINING Use a puppet and get your baby’s attention – then encourage him to follow the puppet with his eyes as you move it from left to right, up and down and in semicircles. This exercise can help retain a baby’s wide field of vision. PLAY WITH DIFFERENT TEXTURES Expose your baby to the five senses to stimulate the brain and provide them with language – just make sure you’re consistent with the words you use so they understand. If you call something ‘hot’, always use that word, rather than substitute words with the same meaning. Try using comparisons, such as rough versus smooth, or hot versus cold. MEMORY TRAINING From 12 months, start to train the memory. Tell your baby a…

ARIES MAR 21 – APR 20 Changing conditions on the job or ambitious options will keep encouraging you to explore your abilities. Valuable feedback and discoveries along the way will help you. A creative project or absorbing personal interest will prove an exciting challenge. You’ll spare no expense or go completely overboard for a special occasion or get-together. Singles, a flirty encounter could spark some fun romance. LUCKY NUMBERS: 14, 24, 34 TAURUS APR 21 – MAY 21 The more you open your mind and look further for ideas and information with a challenging issue or task, the more you’ll benefit. You may also start to see it quite differently. Revisiting a familiar place will turn back time; something you missed before will become apparent. You’ll do your best to…

Karina Machado is a journalist, host of the Spirit Sisters podcast and the author of Spirit Sisters, Where Spirits Dwell and Love Never Dies, a non-fiction series exploring the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people. Now, on The Ghost Files podcast, each week Karina will introduce a guest who’ll share their personal encounter with the spirit world. Lately, the near-death experience (NDE) has captured my imagination. I must have read at least 50 books by people who’ve travelled to the edge of death and returned to tell their stories. Almost always, the experiencer is utterly transformed by what they have gone through – the after-effects of an NDE are profound and permanent. The NDE features certain characteristics: it happens to someone who is close to death or in physical/emotional distress and…

WHO IS HE? In the early 1990s, it was hard to avoid Tim Shaw – aka Tim the Demtel Man – and his infomercials. He was famous for the catchphrase, “But wait, there’s more”. His TV ads made him an accidental star. “I was on television more often than Ray Martin [then host of A Current Affair],” Tim tells New Idea. HOW DID HE GET HIS START? Tim, who grew up on Sydney’s northern beaches, was ‘plucked from obscurity’ to front a TV ad for pedometers in 1992. “My first commercial was crap,” Tim concedes. “I was wooden as all b-----y.” But his ad was spied by a representative of US company Demtel (short for demonstration television), which needed an Aussie salesman for their ads. WHERE DID HIS CATCHPHRASE COME…

HUNKY HEMSWORTH OUTING Hunky Hollywood brothers Chris and Liam Hemsworth were spotted hitting the surf in Byron Bay last week, much to the delight of fans. The genetically blessed brothers flaunted their rock-hard abs as they carried their surfboards and walked back to their car after their session in the surf. Liam, 29, and Chris, 36, appeared to be having a great time chatting and laughing during their day out in the sun. What’s more, the brother have been working out together while Liam is in Australia on a visit. In an Instagram video taken by a mutual friend, both brothers are seen lifting weights together in the gym. Chris can also be heard poking fun at his brother in the video, saying “put a shirt on”.…