Reader s Digest Asia English Edition - June-July 2025
Reader s Digest Asia English Edition - June-July 2025
58 28 72
gender poll
Part 2 – Men
In the second part of
our gender poll, this
month men share
their honest views on
the women in their
lives.
36
exercise
Giggle The
Gloom Away
Combine laughter
64
health
and yoga for a great Paying Attention
stress-reliever. To Adult ADHD
JUDE ARAIM With diagnoses on
46
the increase globally,
more information
is needed about
PHOTOS: (ELE VATOR) GE T T Y IMAGES/IS TOCKPHOTO, GERMAN RD LICENCE;
art of living
We Found A Fix! the condition to
CONTENTS
ILLUS TR ATIONS: (COVER, ADHD) DAN PAGE; (PRISON) SERGE BLOCH.
18 58
drama in real life photo feature
The Race To Save Up And Down
Matilda Forgo confined
metal boxes, these
(YOGA) SHUT TERS TOCK
Attempting to retrieve
her phone, a young elevators will take
woman becomes you places.
wedged upside down DORIS KOCHANEK
between boulders.
ON THE COVER: PAYING ATTENTION TO ADULT ADHD – PAGE 64
HELEN SIGNY
rdasia.com 1
Departments
the digest
14 Health
17 News From
The World Of
Medicine
regulars
4 Have Your Say
84 5 Editor’s Note
8 My Story
12 Smart Animals
72 42 See The World
13 things Differently
Arresting Facts humour
About International
26 Life’s Like That
Inmates
Conditions in prisons 56 Laughter, The
Best Medicine HAVE YOU
vary widely between VISITED THE
countries. 76 All In A Day’s
READER’S
PHOTO: JESS HAND FOR TIME OUT, JUNE 2023; (FACEBOOK) SHUT TERS TOCK
EMILY GOODMAN Work
the genius section
DIGEST
FACEBOOK
78 104 Puzzles
PAGE LATELY?
quiz 108 Puzzle Answers
Magical And 110 Trivia
Our Facebook
Mythical feed offers
111 Word Power
Test your knowledge stories,
of legendary beasts. videos, advice,
KARIN SCHÄTZLE
90 humour,
bonus read quotable quotes,
84 Fresh Starts cartoons, quirky
animal kingdom It’s never too late to photographs
City Gone Wild study. Meet five people and more.
The wildlife boom in who are discovering
urban London. new purpose in their FOLLOW US
ALICE SAVILLE later years. @ReadersDigestAsia
FROM TIME OUT SUSANNAH HICKLING
2 june/july 2025
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
LETTERS
Reader’s Comments And Opinions
Group Therapy
I found ‘The Survivors
Coffee Group’ (My
Story, Feb/Mar 2025)
very touching. It really
struck a chord with
me. I am a Chennai girl
(a city in South East
India), who moved to
Auckland 15 years
back. I have made
many friends of all
ages and nationalities
here, but a few years
ago several of us from my Auckland! For me, it is a quick trip
hometown started meeting to my hometown, as well as to
every couple of months. We call indulge in scones and cappuccino!
ourselves the Chennai Girls in SHOBA
Timely Reminder
relationships with seemingly caring
I was touched by ‘Journey To
men like her ex, only to later discover
Recovery’ (Feb/March 25). I really felt
they are manipulative and abusive. It
for Ines – what she must have been
was a timely reminder for me to get to
going through, especially right before
know a person thoroughly before
her ex-partner threw acid in her face.
getting into a relationship.
PHOTO: SHUT TERS TOCK
Let us know if you are moved – or provoked – by any item in the magazine,
share your thoughts. See page 6 for how to join the discussion.
4 june/july 2025
EDITOR’S NOTE
Attention To Detail
Over the years, we’ve brought to life
countless alarming real life dramas,
portraying in careful detail the events
of someone’s disastrous misfortune.
This issue’s drama, ‘The Race To Save
Matilda’ (page 18), depicts the rescue
of a young Australian bushwalker,
which involved a coordinated TA L K S
response of over 30 professional
paramedics and search and rescue
experts. Sit back and listen to some of
Also in this issue, we explore how the most engaging stories to
Londoners are starting to rethink the have appeared in Reader’s
prevalence of foxes and other wildlife Digest magazine.
in their city (‘London Gone Wild’, page
84), and we share the stories of five AROUND 250 PODCASTS FOR YOUR
inspirational people who achieved LISTENING PLEASURE. FREE!
their life’s dream later than most • Real-life unforgettable crime
(‘Fresh Starts’, page 90). investigations
With all the little dilemmas that life • Dramas in real life
brings, it’s always helpful to have • Amazing survival stories
clever hacks and solutions up your • Inspirational and heart-warming
sleeve. In ‘We Found A Fix’ (page 46), moments
we bring you some tech tricks,
Podcasts that will entertain you, stir
kitchen shortcuts and some financial your emotions and have you
suggestions to make life easier. celebrating the courage of
These stories and so much more in extraordinary people.
this issue for your reading pleasure.
TO LISTEN GO TO:
LOUISE WATERSON www.rdasia.com/podcasts/
Editor-in-Chief
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
ASIA
CONTRIBUTE
Vol. 128
No. 737 RE ADERSDIGESTASIA
June/July 2025
6 june/july 2025
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
MY STORY
Appa’s Crossword
Magic
A writer learns the worth of her work through her
father’s love for word puzzles
BY Mala Kumar
I
have thoughts that shake up When Appa passed away
my simple, straightforward life. peacefully one morning, he left
Questions like, Have I missed the behind a wealth of precious
bus? Should I be more aggressive memories. Part of my priceless
in my career as a writer? Make inheritance from him is a box
my words count for more? Or rather, of yellow pencils. Some barely
should I have earned more for my used, some worn-down, but
work? Not possible, silly, an inner each unfailingly functional, they
voice reminds me, You’re your remind me of his love of solving
father’s daughter. crossword puzzles. Of him sitting
Appa shared a similar feeling by the window, bathed in morning
many years ago. “I wish I had light, carefully filling in their tiny
bought property or invested in boxes. The pencils were always
something that yielded big returns,” sharp, the pens never dry, and the
ILLUS TR ATION BY SIDDHANT JUMDE
8 june/july 2025
My Story
rdasia.com 9
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
10 june/july 2025
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
SMART ANIMALS
Just love to have fun
12 june/july 2025
Smart Animals
rdasia.com 13
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
HEALTH
Stressed And
Worn Down
More and more people are
clenching and grinding
their teeth. Here’s
what to do about it
BY Melissa Greer
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y K AT E T R AY N O R
W
hen my dentist
suggested I get fitted
for a plastic dental
guard, I wasn’t exactly
surprised. I had been waking up with
headaches and jaw pain, symptoms
of teeth clenching and grinding
– a condition officially known as
bruxism. I knew I was holding a lot of
tension in my jaw, but I just took an
analgesic in the morning and moved
on. But when my dentist noted that
I had some gum recession – due to
inflammation caused by grinding
and clenching – I realised how much
damage the habit was causing.
Bruxism is common, especially
sleep bruxism, which affects an
14 june/july 2025
Health
rdasia.com 15
HEALTH
16 june/july 2025
News From The
WORLD OF MEDICINE
DANCING FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS a maximum of 90 minutes at a time
Dancing might be the last thing is the general rule,” says audiologist
that comes to mind when you think Sharon Sandridge. If someone
about osteoarthritis treatment. standing an arm’s length away can
But US researchers have created a hear your music, or if you have
gooey substance made from special to raise your voice to speak while
molecules, nicknamed ‘dancing listening, the volume is too loud.
molecules’, which could be the key Earbuds can foster bacterial growth,
to boosting cartilage production and with the collection of sweat, skin cells
helping to reverse osteoarthritis. The and sebum, so clean regularly.
researchers designed the molecules to
‘dance’ as the moving molecules were DIABETES DRUGS MAY LESSEN
able to engage with cellular receptors DEMENTIA RISK
and incite the human cells to produce A Korean study reports an oral
more of the protein components diabetes drug called SGLT2-inhibitors
necessary for cartilage regeneration. (Jardiance) – prescribed to lower
So far, the molecules have shown blood sugar in adults with type
promise when tested on human cells 2 diabetes – can lower the risk of
in the lab, and on live sheep. The dementia and Parkinson’s disease.
scientists are hoping that human The researchers looked at data
clinical trials will start soon. from almost 360,000 patients over
five years, and found that SGLT2-
EASY ON THE EARBUDS inhibitors reduced the risks of
While noise-cancelling these neuro-degenerative
earbuds help with disorders by about 20 per
focus and relaxation, cent. SGLT2-inhibitors
ILLUS TR ATION: SHUT TERS TOCK
rdasia.com 17
DRAMA IN REAL LIFE
THE
RACE
TO SAVE
MATILDA
BY Helen Signy
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y O W E N F R E E M A N
18 june/july 2025
The Race To Save Matilda
rdasia.com 19
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
A
As she stretched her arm further bout half an hour’s drive away,
into the crevice, Campbell lost her in the town of Cessnock, New
balance and tumbled headfirst into South Wales, Jason Sattler was
the gap. Within seconds, she was at home when his pager went off. The
wedged fast between the massive president of the Cessnock District
rocks, unable to move, with her head Rescue Squad, part of the voluntary
three metres below the surface. organisation VRA Rescue NSW, Sat-
The boulders had bent her up- tler had been helping people out of
side-down body into a banana shape. scrapes both big and small for nearly
Her back rested on one of the rocks, 20 years. Back in the day, it was mostly
with her upper body twisted and people injured in the coal mines that
bent forward. The force of the fall operated in the area; more recently,
had trapped her right arm behind the most common injuries were from
her back, and her left hand was now vehicle accidents. Rescue volunteers
jammed in front of her head. Her legs knew they had to be ready to handle
were pointed straight up above her. anything when their pagers went off.
She could see a few spiders through Sattler called the control centre.
the blackness and hoped there were “There’s someone trapped between
no snakes. She could already feel the two rocks at Laguna,” the opera-
blood rushing to her head. tor said, and gave him the location.
20 june/july 2025
The Race To Save Matilda
Sattler pictured someone wedged be- Campbell’s feet. The two boulders
tween rocks above ground. How hard that formed the crevice were stable,
could it be to get them out? but there were also a lot of loose rocks
He quickly drove to the squad’s that, if disturbed, could fall into the
base in Cessnock. There he met res- gap and injure her or slow down her
cue veterans Paul Hampton and Vicki extraction.
West, who had also been alerted by Sattler, who is also a paramedic,
pager. They loaded the equipment asked Campbell a few basic medi-
they’d need into the squad’s truck cal questions. “Can you take a deep
and headed to Laguna. breath?” he called down.
She said she couldn’t; her chest was
V
olunteers from Laguna Rural wedged too tightly between the rocks.
Fire Service (RFS), the closest “Can you move?”
emergency ser v ice, had al- Campbell told him she could wig-
ready arrived, and a fire engine and gle her toes and move her fingers.
police and ambulance vehicles were Her shoulder was hurting because it
pulling into the field as Sattler and was jammed against a jagged rock.
his colleagues got out of their truck.
S
In all, more than 30 rescue person- attler could tell that she wasn’t
nel had gathered at the scene. West seriously injured. “She was
comforted Campbell’s friends while anxious, but there wasn’t any
the RFS volunteers led Sattler and pain in her voice,” he said later.
Hampton up a steep track for more “That was a really big level of reas-
than 200 metres. surance for us. We knew we could
It’s going to be a challenge to get the slow down and do it right.” They
equipment up here, Sattler thought as had to formulate a plan, but first
he climbed. Sattler and Hampton agreed that
When they arrived at the ledge, they needed to get Vicki West on
Campbell had been trapped for more the scene.
than 90 minutes. Sattler peered into West, who is in her early 70s,
the crevice, and all he could see in the is known as the matriarch of the
darkness were the soles of her feet. Cessnock District Rescue Squad.
“Well, that’s not what I was expect- During her 26 years as a volunteer,
ing,” he told Hampton. she has become the person the team
It was going to be one of the most calls on when someone in distress
complicated rescues they had ever needs to be calmed. With her steady
attempted. voice and solid, dependable de-
Numerous rocks needed to be meanour, she can put almost anyone
moved just to get to the level of at ease.
rdasia.com 21
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
Sattler and Hampton returned to that the tree might fall on the team,
the field and helped West climb up to they spent half an hour securing it
the ledge. She couldn’t believe what with ropes.
she saw when she peered into the
A
crevice: Campbell’s feet and her right s time ticked by, Campbell
hand behind her back, with purple started to become more anx-
nail polish on her nails. It seemed ious. “I was like, I’m not get-
impossible that someone could have ting out. I haven’t said goodbye to
fallen into such a narrow gap. anyone. I haven’t said I love you to
“Silly question, but are you OK?” my family,” she later told the New-
West called down to Campbell. castle Herald.
“Yes, I’m OK. But can you get me “But I somehow knew that I would
out?” be OK from the team, so I think that
West reassured her that the team was really good that I didn’t overre-
was working hard to rescue her, then act.”
started chatting to keep her spirits up. Because Campbell was young and
They talked about handbags and fit, paramedics on the scene were
Campbell’s life in nearby Newcastle, not overly worried about her medical
where she lived and worked. “Her condition. Nevertheless, they knew
spirits were quite good, for being the her situation would become more
way she was,” West says. “I was very precarious with each passing hour.
proud of how composed she was.” People who are suspended upside
While they chatted, the rescuers down will eventually die. Blood pools
firmed up a plan: they would widen in the head and the heart struggles
the crevice by clearing away loose to keep circulation f lowing. Pres-
rocks. This would give them enough sure builds on the brain, causing
room to tie ropes around Campbell’s headaches and dizziness. Breathing
lower body and ease her out of the grows more difficult as the force of
gap. It wouldn’t be easy; many of the gravity compresses the diaphragm
rocks, weighing up to half a tonne, and lungs.
would have to be lifted with a series Rescue and special operations par-
of ropes and pulleys. amedic Nicole Priest was aware of
By now, Campbell had been in- these risks as she sat by the crevice,
verted in the crevice for more than looking down at Campbell’s feet. A
two hours. The wind picked up and, paramedic for 12 years, Priest had re-
above the rescuers’ heads, a gum tree ceived special training to assess and
that had been burned out during a treat patients in difficult conditions.
scrub fire several months earlier be- This was by far the most challenging
gan to groan and crack. Concerned predicament she’d seen.
22 june/july 2025
The Race To Save Matilda
Removing rocks one by one, rescuers worked their way down to Campbell
in the painstakingly difficult rescue
She couldn’t even reach Campbell relief, but Campbell said her pain
to take her blood pressure and mon- was bearable. “When people have
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NSW AMBUL ANCE MEDIA UNIT
C
ampbell asked for water. The West was also getting more con-
team lowered a bottle on a rope, cerned. Campbell was becoming
but she dropped it into the crev- fatigued and wasn’t talking as much.
ice below her. They tried again and After a long period of silence, West
she dropped the second bottle. wondered if she had passed out. “Are
The paramedics considered low- you OK?” she called. “Yes, I’m OK,”
ering a ‘green whistle’, an inhaler Campbell replied. The work of wid-
containing methoxyflurane for pain ening the crevice began.
rdasia.com 23
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
Two weeks after her ordeal, Matilda Campbell (centre) met her rescuers (left to right):
Jason Sattler, Nicole Priest, NSW Ambulance Inspector Howard Russell, Vicki West,
Peter Watts and Kile Nicholas, regional operations manager with VRA Rescue NSW
away using a Tirfor winch, a traction into the opening above her feet.
and lifting device, anchored to the
A
base of a nearby tree. monitor was placed on her fin-
It was slow going. As the rocks ger, which told the paramedics
were moved, fissures would open that she had a good amount of
or boulders would shift. Each time, oxygen in her blood and her heart
the plan had to change to keep the rate was fine. Next, the team lowered
rocks steady. Hours passed; morning a flexible camera into the crevice.
slipped into early afternoon. Its grainy images showed them that
The last rock weighed about Campbell’s right shoulder was bent
500 kilograms. The team put a sling backwards.
24 june/july 2025
The Race To Save Matilda
Pulling her out too quickly could than we would have expected her to
risk dislocating it or breaking her be,” says Priest. “She was a bit sore,
arm. Watts crawled headfirst into but her vital signs were normal.”
t he crev ice a nd slipped a sling Campbell was taken by ambu-
around Campbell’s lower legs. The lance to John Hunter Hospital in
team then attached two ropes to Newcastle, where she stayed for a
the sling – one to haul her up using few days to monitor a small spinal
a pulley, and the second as a brake fracture.
line to prevent her from slipping
T
back down. More than three hours he rescue could have ended
after Campbell had fallen into the very differently. If Campbell
crevice, it was time to pull her out. had been completely vertical,
Very slowly, they eased the rope rather than curved and resting on a
up. Campbell’s body shifted a cou- rock, she might not have survived.
ple of centimetres. Now lying flat on Priest credits Campbell for keep-
his stomach, Watts lowered the sling ing her composure throughout the
a fraction and reset the brake line. ordeal. “She was the perfect patient.
Then they hauled her up some more. She made it so easy for us to do our
Campbell’s legs gradually came into job; whenever we asked her to move
view as she was winched out centi- her body, she just did it.”
metre by centimetre. Sattler lay down The rescuers agree that it was the
by the opening and reached into the most unusual and difficult extraction
crevice. they had ever performed. But Sattler
Grabbing hold of her thighs, he says it was a privilege to have been
helped Campbell wriggle upwards. involved. “She was young and full
“I reached her waist and then her of life; it made all our efforts worth-
shoulders. I’d wiggle her slightly to while.”
get her out with minimal damage,” Matilda Campbell never did get
he says. At around 4pm – more than back her phone – next time, she says,
seven hours after she had fallen – she’ll leave it where it falls.
Campbell was out. As police, am- “It’s safe to say I’m the most acci-
bulance workers and volunteer res- dent-prone person ever,” she later
cuers lifted her onto a stretcher, the posted on Facebook. “No more rock
rest of the team broke into applause. exploration for me for a while!
Campbell was covered in minor “I wanted to give the biggest shout-
scrapes, her face was swollen, and out to my friends, the team who
her legs were pale. When she tried worked so hard to get me out. I’m
to stand, she fell straight back down. forever t hank f ul, as most likely
“But medically she was a lot better I would not be here today.”
rdasia.com 25
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
26 june/july 2025
Life’s Like That
PARENTAL GUIDANCE
REQUIRED
Chip Leighton, host of the TikTok series The
Leighton Show, asked parents to share head-
scratching questions their kids asked them THE GREAT TWEET-OFF:
after leaving home for university. These kids GARDENING EDITION
may need more study time.
It’s back to nature for gardeners
“What’s Grandma’s actual name?” who tweet.
“Can I use the bathroom on a plane?” After six weeks, $140 in supplies, and
daily watering, we’re only three to four
“How often is annual?” weeks away from enjoying a single
“Do we live above or below sea level?” 25 cents vegetable from our garden.
@BIZARRELAZAR
“How do I know when water is boiling?” I don’t know who needs to hear this but
“Pork chops are part of a chicken, right?” you’re a great gardener. That plant
should have tried harder.
“Which one makes noise, lightning or @JOHNJAYVANES
thunder?” I watered my garden and then it rained
“What time is noon?” so I’d like a refund please.
@REALLIFEMOMMY3
Procrastiplanting: when you have millions
of things to do but go to the garden
to plant and tend to flowers instead.
@ANYHOOTY
Pulling up weeds by the fistful is all
the meditation I need.
@PEARLS FROM MYRNA
I’ve found the perfect way to keep
my plants healthy. I leave them at the
garden centre as nature intended.
All Keyed Up @JUSTBEINGEMMA
When I dropped off my car at a
repair shop, the mechanic held out
his hand.
Bemused by this young man
blatantly flirting, I jokingly placed
my hand in his and did a fake
swoon.
He smiled sympathetically and
said, “I need the keys.”
SUBMITTED BY SUE PENZEL
rdasia.com 27
GENDER POLL
Part 2 – Men
rdasia.com 29
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
PRE VIOUS PAGE (ILLUS TR ATION): GENERIERT MIT KI-TECHNOLOGIE ADOBE FIREFLY; OPPOSITE (PHOTO) GE T T Y IMAGES/GERMAN RD LICENCE
and day-to-day-life are concerned and less swagger
– not just on first dates. They also acknowledged
the love and support they get from men. This month
it’s the gentlemen’s turn to offer their perspective.
What is it that they’ve been wanting to tell women
all along? Do they, too, feel that something needs to
change or are they content with things as they are?
“You are a great, solution-oriented, “I’ve always wanted to say, ‘I’ve al-
charming, attractive partner with ways wanted to tell you how much I
whom I am never bored.” appreciate you and care about you.’”
Maximilian, 63, married, Germany Jouni, 63, unclear, Finland
30 june/july 2025
Part 2 - Men
“I know I’m the one to blame for “What I would like to say to women
your departure, for all the lies I told is that we should have experiences as
you, for my hostile demeanour, for actual human beings that are based
my endless drunkenness and for on real life, not on the ideal present-
your messages I ignored. Yet, I still ed in social media. What I like about
wish you would be willing to stand the other sex is that sensibility, affec-
all of this, because I’m a dumbass, tion and care that comes from trust.
because ever y t hing around me, I envy the connection that generally
since I can remember, has told me exists between female friends, the
this is the way it has to be.” warmth and the cuddles.”
Santino Cortés, 21, single, Mexico Venustiano Toledo Mares, 34, single, Mexico
“I REALLY LIKE
YOUR ABILITY
TO LISTEN
AND TO SHOW
COMPASSION.”
TOM, 73, SINGLE, FINLAND
rdasia.com 31
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
“I WOULD
PREFER
THAT YOU LEAVE
THE COOKING TO ME.
I AM BETTER
AT IT.”
FERNANDO, 55, IN A RELATIONSHIP,
SPAIN
... or women?
Who has it better? Men ...
PHOTO: GE T T Y IMAGES/GERMAN RD LICENCE
32 june/july 2025
Part 2 - Men
rdasia.com 33
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
learned.
“Equality on the job is the correct Each of us works from our own
way of doing things and should be starting point and copies what the
promoted. I have always said women culture expects. In this sense, we
make better bosses.” are coded.”
William Egan, 65, married, Australia Tom, 73, single, Finland
34 june/july 2025
Part 2 - Men
“I THINK WE SHOULD
TEACH BOYS TO
EXPRESS THEIR
EMOTIONS FREELY
AND WITHOUT
SHAME.”
FABIEN, 39, IN A RELATIONSHIP, FRANCE
rdasia.com 35
36
june/july 2025
PHOTOS: SHUT TERS TOCK
EXERCISE
BY Jude Araim
M
erv Neal was well known Neal’s condition was so serious that
for his ability to make oth- the diagnosis caused him to reassess
ers laugh, it was what first everything.
attracted his wife to him when they Unbeknown to him, the condition
were 17 and still in high school. had also been working away at his
Laughter and being the ‘fun guy’ brain, causing mini strokes and small
helped him stand out among his bleeds that had, overtime, led him to
friends and colleagues. develop uncontrollable laughter.
So, when at the age of 45, Neal was One week went by, then another
diagnosed with aplastic anaemia – a until seven months after he was di-
blood disorder that occurs when the agnosed, Neal’s specialist reported
body’s bone marrow can’t produce the good news that his brain scans
enough blood cells – the IT entre- and blood biopsies were all clear. His
preneur from Melbourne reacted the medical team viewed the uncontrol-
only way he knew how, he laughed. lable laughter not just as a symptom
The fatigue, bleeding gums, nose of the aplastic anaemia, but also a
bleeds and bruising he’d previous- powerful antidote.
ly brushed off now made sense. But Now a grandfather, Neal turned his
rdasia.com 37
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
personal experience and citizen sci- club. Dr Madan Kataria and Dr Mad-
ence insights into a career by found- huri Kataria started the club with just
ing Laughter Yoga Australia, based four people. Gathering in a Mumbai
on the work of Indian scientists and park, they exchanged jokes to pro-
a growing school of thought on the duce laughter. The club’s success
benefits of laughter therapy in com- quickly grew, increasing to more
plementing the treatment of mental than 50 participants within days, but
and emotional stress. soon dwindled as the tone of some
Laughter yoga combines physical jokes caused offense, and also fake
exercises like stretching and breath- laughter responses.
ing with laughter-evoking exercises While reviewing his observations
to stimulate a response to the im- of the laughter club interactions,
mune system. It’s not about sharing Madan Kataria, a family physician,
jokes, rather the therapy involves noted that the human body appeared
laughter exercises, often in a group unable to differentiate between gen-
setting, that induce a positive phys- uine laughter and false laughter as
ical response in participants. the body reacts the same way – pro-
ducing the same ‘happy chemistry’,
ORIGINS a mix of dopamine, oxytocin, seroto-
The study of the benefits of laughter nin and endorphins.
yoga originated in India in 1995 with He also theorised that fake laugh-
the formation of a small laughter ter had the potential to develop into
38 june/july 2025
Giggle The Gloom Away
genuine laughter. Sure enough, when laugh.” Your diaphragm gets a work-
he tested this theory on the group, out – almost like an ab workout – so
their laughter was indeed contagious maybe we should laugh more instead
– in as little as ten minutes the partic- of going to the gym, she says.
ipants had turned their fake laughter Laughter also regulates our blood
into hearty genuine laughter. pressure, increases oxygen levels,
Inspired by the results, Madan relaxes our muscles, manages pain
Kataria continued his research and through the production of endor-
de veloped laug hter phins, and prevents
t herapy techniques, IT’S STILL cholesterol build-up
and founded Laughing A MYSTERY and hardened arteries.
Club International. He In December 2021,
began incorporating
WHY PEOPLE Merv Neal monitored a
yog ic breat h i ng ex- LAUGH, BUT IT laughter session which
ercises into the prac- DOES RELIEVE was aired in 2022 with
tice, which produced the neurological scien-
stress-relieving results.
STRESS tist Dr Sarah McKay,
He followed up with the founder of Think Brain
book, Laugh for No Reason in 1999, in and director of The Neuroscience
which he explains the importance of Academy. They found that in just half
having laughter as part of a normal an hour of practising laughter yoga,
and healthy daily routine. cortisol levels were decreased by up
Today, there are roughly 100,000 to 65 per cent.
Laughter Yoga Clubs, plus online Laughter also helps the brain focus
laughter clubs, the growth of which on the present, instead of becoming
came about during COVID-19. anxious about what has happened
in the past or might happen in the
HEALTH BENEFITS future. “It shifts our mental perspec-
Scientifically speaking, it’s still a tives,” explains Neal. “If someone is
mystery why people laugh, but one suffering challenges, illnesses and
thing is certain, it gives us relief from diseases, it interrupts their negative
pressure and stress. And as laughter thought processes.”
is usually shared, there’s a “bond- In 2013, Laughter Yoga participat-
ing and sharing capacity that comes ed in a research study to measure
together over laughter,” says social the impact of laughter in treating
science researcher Dr Barbara Plest- depression among long-term kid-
er, an associate professor at the Uni- ney dialysis patients. Under Deakin
versity of Auckland. “Physiologically, University’s Associate Professor Paul
your body does quite a lot when you Bennett’s leadership, Merv Neal and
rdasia.com 39
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
40 june/july 2025
Giggle The Gloom Away
Laughter is a drug-free and non- and nose with your hands. Then smile
invasive therapy that sets off a using only your eyes, and hold this
positive response in the body, expression for five to ten seconds.
easing stress and strengthening 3. Laugh and walk. Stand up, laugh
the immune system. Try these gently, and then pace up and down
simple exercises next time the room ten times. Walking and
you’re feeling uncomfortable or laughing can be quite the workout!
depressed.
4. Try flossing out your
concerns. Think of yourself with
1. ‘Ha’ mantra for stress. Evoke a
dental floss wrapped around two
de-stressing response by thinking of
fingers. Try imagining flossing
a stressful situation and responding to
between your ears to clear out
it by saying: ‘ha, ha, ha’ out loud. Start
negative thoughts that have built up,
with saying it slowly, then increase the
back and forth you floss as you laugh
pace.
out loud.
2. Smiling with the eyes. Stand in SOURCES: THEHAPPYDEMIC.COM.AU AND
front of a mirror and cover your mouth WWW.POSITIVEPSYCHOLOGY.COM
rdasia.com 41
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
42 june/july 2025
SEE Turn
THEtheWORLD...
page ››
rdasia.com 43
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
44 june/july 2025
...DIFFERENTLY
India’s Ancient Steps
The history of the Chand Baori goes back a
long way. The stepwell in the Indian state
of Rajasthan was built during the 8th-9th
centuries, possibly even earlier – according
to legend, by ghosts within a single night.
Over 13 floors on three sides and a total
of 3500 steps lead to the water level at a
depth of about 20 metres. The fourth side
is occupied by a three-storey pavilion with
galleries supported by columns and two
projecting balconies, which was most likely
reserved for the royal family.
The Chand Baori not only provided water all
year round, but also offered the population
a cooler place to stay when temperatures
rose to over 40 degrees Celsius
in the summer.
PHOTOS: GE T T Y IMAGES/GERMAN RD LICENCE
rdasia.com 45
ART OF LIVING
WE
FOUND
Twenty-one creative cures for everyday dilemmas,
from cleaning to cooking to tech and more
BY Caroline Fanning
46 june/july 2025
1 CLEANING
Cast A Sparkling Shower Spell
Keep a dishwashing wand filled with
dishwashing liquid in your shower and
give the tiles a quick scrub while you wait
for your conditioner to set. A 30-second
once-daily buff will keep soap scum from
building up – and keep you from having
to do a full overhaul on cleaning day.
You’ll step away from a cleaning session
smelling fabulous rather than smelling
like a tile cleanser.
SOURCE: CONSUMER REPORTS
IMAGE: EMIKO FR ANZEN
rdasia.com 47
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
2 TECH
Find Out Who’s Selling
Your Personal Info
Let companies tell on themselves by
putting the company name as your
3 HOME
A Sure Tip For A
Smooth Paint Job
Before busting out the
brushes and rollers and
middle name when you purchase or sign applying a new coat of
up for something online. When you Agreeable Grey paint to
receive a message addressed to Jane your foyer, apply a coat of
‘Cheapo Bargains’ Smith, you’ll know lotion to your arms, hands, face and any
who sold your information to other other exposed skin. An oily barrier on
companies that are now spamming your your skin will save you (and your arm
inbox. Then use your discretion when hair) from wayward paint splatters,
dealing with them again. which will wash away with ease.
SOURCE: LIFEHACKER SOURCE: FAMILY HANDYMAN
4 KNOWLEDGE
The Student Becomes The Teacher
Rather than quizzing your kids for their big chemistry exam, have them give you
a lesson. The Feynman Technique, a study method named after Nobel Prize winner
Richard Feynman, hypothesises that you fully grasp a topic once you can successfully
teach it. So, after your child attempts to put the test material into understandable
concepts for you, any lingering questions will reveal which chapters they need to go
back to and study more. If you totally understand everything, then so do they.
SOURCE: COMPUTER SYSTEMS INSTITUTE
48 june/july 2025
We Found A Fix!
6 GREEN
A DIY Moisture Meter
Letting the sprinkler spray for hours over a brown patch
won’t necessarily bring back your lush green lawn this summer,
nor does a brown patch mean that the grass is totally dead.
Determine if your yard actually needs a drink by sticking a
screwdriver into the soil. Only water if the ground is so hard that
you can’t push the metal part more than eight centimetres into
the ground. SOURCE: CALIFORNIA WATER NEWS DAILY
rdasia.com 49
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
7 WORK
The 3-3-3 Method Ups
Productivity
Try planning each workday around the
3-3-3 model, starting with spending the
8 MONEY
Buy In Bulk To Spend Less
There are lots of ways to trick
yourself into spending less, like deleting
credit card information from your online
first three hours to deep thinking on your accounts for an added obstacle while
most important project. Next, complete impulse shopping, or paying in cash so
three other urgent tasks that don’t need you physically see money leaving your
deep thinking, before moving on and wallet. Scott Rick, a professor at the
completing three ‘maintenance’ tasks, University of Michigan’s Ross School of
like replying to emails or scheduling Business, suggests designating one
other work. Designed by time day of the week to make all your ‘want’
management expert Oliver Burkeman, purchases. Having to buy several in
starting the day with a clear, focused one sitting might just prompt you to
head ready for a three-hour block of reconsider some as not so wanted
deep thinking sets the tone for the rest of after all.
your day, while increasing the quality of SOURCE: WALL STREET JOURNAL
your productivity. The idea is that this
method helps avoid burnout by
alternating between intense focus on a
critical task and completing smaller,
potentially more varied tasks.
IMAGES: (LOCK) EMIKO FR ANZEN. (WINE AND CREDIT CARD) SHUT TERS TOCK
SOURCE: LIFEHACKER
9 GREEN GIFTING
One-Of-A-Kind Tags
You’ve been inundated with
cards around the festive season and
your birthday – we get it, you’re
popular. Rather than stuffing them in
a drawer to collect dust (or worse,
trashing them, as glitter, foil and
lamination aren’t recyclable),
10 CLEANING
The Sun Is On Your Side
You store red sauce in a plastic
container one time, and the container
never lets you forget it. Remove that
separate the cover from the note to orange tint by leaving the container in
make gift tags. Cut the already front of a sunny window for a few hours
festively decorated card stock into (or even a few days) after you wash and
squares, then use a hole punch and dry it. The sun’s rays will work as a
ribbon to attach your one-of-a-kind natural bleach and help lighten the
tags to wrapped presents. stains.
SOURCE: LATHE & QUILL SOURCE: REAL SIMPLE
50 june/july 2025
We Found A Fix!
11 COOKING
Be Kind, Re-Wine
Pour leftover wine (we know,
we know) into a sturdy
resealable plastic bag so it’ll
12 HEALTH
Buy Time In An Emergency
Keep essential health
information (name, date of birth, medical
history, medications and dosages,
keep and you won’t have to allergies, blood type, preexisting
break out the corkscrew next conditions, emergency contacts) on a
time you need a sheet of paper found easily in an
splash for cooking. emergency (laminated in your wallet or
Store it in the freezer, stuck to the fridge). Your list can also be
and don’t hesitate to stored in an iPhone or Android’s Medical
marry remnants of ID feature accessible from your device’s
reds, whites and pinks lockscreen; a paramedic will know to
as you taste-test over look for it. Having these details will avoid
time. Defrost and emergency services wasting crucial
deglaze to flavour minutes pillaging through your
stews and braises. bathroom cabinets instead of saving you.
SOURCE: ALISON ROMAN SOURCE: NEW YORK FIRE DEPARTMENT
13 HOME
A Lock Combination You
Can’t Forget
You thought you knew the combination
of your bike lock, safe or locker ... but
have since discovered that your
memory isn’t quite as secure as your
belongings. Here’s a trick to keep you
from forgetting: pick a number, then
write the combination on the lock’s
underside in permanent marker minus
that number. (For example, if a
combination lock’s code is 06-14-24,
and your lucky number is 4, you’ll write
02-10-20). One number is easier to
remember than three. Maths
challenged? Pick an easy number,
like 1, 2 or 10. SOURCE: FAMILY HANDYMAN
rdasia.com 51
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
14 MONEY
Stay Afloat With A Sinking Fund
Create a ‘sinking fund’ to avoid
sinking into debt when large expenses like
holidays or home renovations loom, suggests
financial expert Dave Ramsey. Identify your
goal (say, $2000 for a holiday in December) and
how much you’ll need to save to meet it ($167
per month if you start in January; $333 per
month if you start in July). Then auto-transfer the
amount into an account separate from your
savings so you’re not tempted to dip into it.
When it’s time to pay for a vehicle deposit or to
pay a contractor’s invoice, you won’t break a
sweat.
SOURCE: THE RAMSEY SHOW
52 june/july 2025
We Found A Fix!
15 CLEANING
The Fastest Way To Fold?
Don’t.
Laundry is an endless prison sentence,
but folding is one of our own creations.
16 GREEN
Pad Your Bags
If you need to pack or ship an
item and are fresh out of Bubble Wrap
and packing peanuts, look no further
KC Davis, author of How to Keep House than the plastic reusable shopping bags
While Drowning, realised the chore was a spilling out of your kitchen cabinet
time sinker and gave it up. “We don’t fold (produce bags work, too). Fill them with
clothes but rather hang shirts and then air, tie them off at the top and let them
toss everything else into organised buffer your
baskets,” she told Real Simple. For things shopping
like underwear and pyjamas, wrinkles returns or care-
don’t matter. And other things don’t package snacks
wrinkle as much as you’d think, from the tumult
especially if you lay them flat and don’t of a delivery
overcrowd the baskets. truck.
SOURCE: REAL SIMPLE SOURCE: LIFEHACKER
IMAGES: EMIKO FR ANZEN. (TOP RIGHT) SHUT TERS TOCK
17 TRAVEL
Tilt The Turbulence Balance
Turbulence isn’t any real danger to your aircraft – only to your now-blurry
in-flight entertainment experience. Choose a seat near the wing if it really upsets
you: proximity to the plane’s centre of gravity reduces jostling. “Think of it like a
seesaw. If you’re right in the middle, you won’t feel much movement,” says travel
writer Bailey Berg.
SOURCE: AFAR
rdasia.com 53
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
18 OUTDOORS
A Mosquito Deterrent That’ll
Blow You Away
A strategically placed outdoor fan on your deck
or patio will keep away mosquitoes, which
generally aren’t very strong fliers. Turns out the
hidden weakness of the summer’s greatest and
most notorious pest is not citronella candles,
tiki torches or insect spray, but a stiff breeze.
SOURCE: AMERICAN MOSQUITO CONTROL ASSOCIATION
54 june/july 2025
We Found A Fix!
20 GREEN/MONEY
Get The Most Out Of Your
Old Devices
Your drawer of abandoned electronics
could be worth bucks. ‘Traded-in
devices’ generally means you can
exchange your old electronic device at a
retailer, like a phone company or
19 TECH
The Kindle Swindler
E-book readers store much
more than your A Song of Ice and Fire
fantasy series – like the billing
electronics store, and receive credit
towards the purchase of a new item from
the same retailer, essentially lowering
the price of your new purchase by the
value of your trade-in.
information used for your e-book Companies offering trade-ins for old
purchase. Hackers know that Kindles electronics include Apple Trade In,
and Nooks are off your cybersecurity Samsung Trade Up, electronics stores,
radar and may try to get you to some service providers and resale
download malicious e-book files. platforms. The value of the traded-in
Marijus Briedis, chief technology officer devices is generally applied to credit
at NordVPN, advises only downloading towards the purchase. Before trading
books from verified sellers and library your device, make sure all your personal
apps, and regularly updating device data is wiped from it. Also remember to
software to repair security unlink all accounts. The original
vulnerabilities. SOURCE: NORDVPN packaging can also help slightly increase
sale value.
IMAGES: (OPPOSITE) EMIKO FR ANZEN. (THIS PAGE) SHUT TERS TOCK
21 HOME
Nail Polish To The Rescue
A bottle of nail polish could be one of the most useful beauty products
you ever buy. We found three uses well beyond adding a little glamour. Ease the
upset of accidently chipping your kitchen or bathroom tile by
colouring-in the chip with a matching nail polish colour. The
small brush and variety of colours available will ensure accuracy.
Then try repairing an unravelling shoelace with clear nail polish.
Carefully dip it in the bottle, twist it back into shape and then
allow it to dry. You can also use a clear nail polish to paint the
bottom of a metal can (think insect repellent or hair spray) to
prevent rust from developing and staining your stone or metal
sink or the shelf inside your cabinet or cupboard.
SOURCE: RD.COM
rdasia.com 55
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
LAUGHTER
The Best Medicine
56 june/july 2025
Laughter
them all – says, “My son never went “If you’re a snail, why do you have a
to university, but he makes a million woman strapped to your back?”
dollars a year working as a sports “Her? That’s Michèle.” IFUNNY.CO
repairman.”
Confused, the other women ask,
“What’s a sports repairman?” GROOVY GAGS
“He fixes things,” says the third Capture the vibe of the 1960s.
mother. “You know, horse races,
football games, cricket matches …”
ON THE INTERNET
Why didn’t the hippies get saved
after the shipwreck? Because they
Punny Books were too far out, man!
Look Younger by Fay Slift
Cliff Jumping by Hugo Furst How can you tell a hippy has been
Allegiance To The King by Neil Downe at your house? He’s still there.
It’s Springtime! by Theresa Green
What did one hippy say to another
Archery by Beau N. Arrow
at the bakery? “I knead some
French Overpopulation by Francis
bread, man!”
Crowded
You might be a hippy if...
• You’ve ever driven a school bus with
Plane And Simple a Volkswagen van welded on top ...
I don’t have a lot of notes for pilots, • Any of your children have
but I do think they should cut their ‘Hummingbird’ or a celestial object
use of the word ‘final’ down to about for a middle name.
zero. ‘Descent’ and ‘destination’ • You can fall asleep in the mud
work fine for our purposes out there while it is pouring rain.
in the main cabin. Why do hippies make good
@JOSHGONDELMAN accountants? Because they’re from
a counter-culture.
Going With The Slow
A man with a woman strapped onto “In my youth, the athletes had crew
his back walks into a fancy dress cuts and the hippies had long hair.
party. The host eyes him quizzically Now the athletes have long hair and
and asks, “What are you dressed up the hippies are bald.” Harley King
as?”
SOURCES: PERMIES.COM; GOSSBY.COM;
“A snail,” the man replies, in a UPJOKE.COM
French accent.
The host is thoroughly confused.
rdasia.com 57
58 june/july 2025
PHOTO FEATURE
UpAnd
Down BY Doris Kochanek
rdasia.com 59
S For more than 100 years,
PHOTOS: (CLOCK WISE FROM LEF T) GET T Y IMAGES/GERMAN RD LICENCE; WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/
ships have been using elevators on
the Canal du Centre in Belgium.
The Strépy-Thieu boat lift went into
operation in 2002. It replaces four
lifts and two locks from the late
60 june/july 2025
Photo Feature
rdasia.com 61
R E A DER’S DIGE ST W At a height of 326 metres, the
Bailong elevator in the Chinese province
of Hunan is the highest outdoor elevator
in the world. Among other things,
earthquake sensors ensure the safety of
the tourists it transports up and down a
steep cliff in Zhangjiajie National Park
PHOTOS: (CLOCK WISE FROM LEF T) GE T T Y IMAGES/IS TOCKPHOTO; GE T T Y IMAGES/IS TOCKPHOTO, BOTH GERMAN RD LICENCE;
altitude between the lower and upper city
without any effort on their part. Initially
powered by steam engines, it was soon
electrified.
62 june/july 2025
Photo Feature
rdasia.com 63
64 june/july 2025
HEALTH
PAYING ATTENTION TO
ADULT ADHD
New awareness and diagnostic tools are helping
more of us understand how our brains work
BY Melissa Greer
ILLUSTRATIONS BY Dan Page
66 june/july 2025
Paying Attention To Adult ADHD
rdasia.com 67
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
68 june/july 2025
Paying Attention To Adult ADHD
rdasia.com 69
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
70 june/july 2025
Paying Attention To Adult ADHD
health, which may in turn improve f loor plans make it even more dif-
your executive functioning, making ficult for her to focus, so she’ll use
it easier to manage symptoms. noise-cancelling headphones and
Aim for at least eight hours of try to avoid distractions as best she
sleep and try to eat plenty of foods can.
rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as Dr Joseph is hopeful that, in the
fish and nuts, as well as micronutri- f uture, work places w ill become
ents like zinc, iron and vitamin D. more accommodating for people
Establishing a routine has been with ADHD. She notes that these
an important tool for Crockford. Her accommodations exist for children
psychiatrist recommended cognitive and students but virtually disappear
behavioural therapy as well as some once a person becomes an adult – a
organisational techniques to help time when they’re taking on more
her set a schedule that works for her. responsibilities and need that sup-
After keeping a daily record of how port more than ever.
she was spending her time, Crock- “People in general are now more
ford says she was able to see when aware of these differences in think-
she experienced periods of ‘ADHD ing and behav iours that are not
paralysis’ – the times when she was neurotypical,” says Dr Joseph. “Be-
most overwhelmed, procrastinating cause of that and the stories that
and simply unable to focus. That are shared on social media, it has
knowledge has allowed her to be humanised the differences in indi-
more proactive in planning her days. viduals, and we’re moving towards a
“I rea lised it tends to happen more accepting environment.”
around the same time of day, so now Since getting her ADHD diagnosis,
I make sure that everything I need to Smith is also feeling hopeful about
do that’s important falls within my the future.
productive hours,” she says. “I’m willing to do whatever needs
Crockford is also more aware of to happen,” she says. “I’m 54, but
the types of work environments that that doesn’t mean I’m too old. I want
she performs best in. Open-concept a new life. I’m ready.”
In The Swim
‘SWIMS’ will be ‘SWIMS’ even when turned upside down. This is
an example of an ambigram, a word that retains its meaning when
viewed from a different angle. Similarly, the same goes with ‘suns’
and ‘dollop’. WWW.GRAMMARLY.COM
rdasia.com 71
13 THINGS
1
There are around 11 million peo-
ple across the world behind bars.
But their circumstances are dif-
ferent depending on which coun-
try they are in. In the Netherlands,
which has the fourth lowest incar-
ceration rate in Europe, prisons are
usually small and have low security,
while in the Republic of Congo in
Central Africa, prisons are at almost
617 per cent capacity.
2
The world’s smallest prison is
on Sark, a self-governing island
in the English Channel. Sark
Prison has just two cells, but crime on
the island is rare. Most of the prison’s
temporary residents are intoxicated
seasonal workers and tourists who
ILLUS TR ATION: SERGE BLOCH
3
As for the biggest prisons (in
terms of population), Marmara
Prison, formerly called Silivri
Penitentiary Campus, in Istanbul,
72 june/july 2025
13 Things
the Republic of Türkiye, holds the centimetres wide. Choi was recap-
official Guinness World Record with tured six days later, his escape earn-
more than 22,000 inmates. However, ing him the name ‘Korean Houdini’
a newly built facility in Tecoluca, El in the press.
Salvador, the Centro de Confinam-
6
iento del Terrorismo (CECOT), has Alcatraz, the famed American
a capacity of 40,000. Of course, one penitentiary in San Francisco,
could argue that Australia was the was one of the first prisons to
world’s largest prison: more than feature hot water. This was security
160,000 convicts were transported disguised as a luxury: hot showers
there from Britain and Ireland be- made it harder for the prisoners to
tween 1788 to 1868 while it served as acclimatise to the cold San Francisco
a British penal colony. Bay water surrounding Alcatraz, the-
oretically deterring them from trying
4
São Pedro de Alcântara peni- to escape by swimming away.
tentiary, located on the coast
7
of the southern state of Santa However, the daring prison
Catarina, Brazil, uses geese instead break depicted in the 1979 film
of guard dogs. Officials switched to Escape f rom Alcatraz, star-
geese about 15 years ago, citing low- ring Clint East wood as criminal
er costs: hounds require training and Frank Morris, really took place. In
visits to the vet, whereas geese don’t. 1962, Morris and two other prison-
“It’s never happened,” says prison of- ers crawled out through a ventila-
ficer Marcos Coronetti, “but if some- tion duct after making many small
one tried to escape, the geese would holes around the duct so they could
go crazy. They would get our atten- remove the vent. Meanwhile, the
tion without a doubt.” dummies the three left in their beds
tricked guards into thinking they
5
One of the most unbelievable were still asleep in their cells. After
prison escapes that ever took years of investigation, the FBI closed
place at a police station was in its case in 1979 and legally declared
Daegu, South Korea, in 2012. The es- the men dead. Still, the US Marshals
capee, Choi Gap-bok, a slender yoga Service continues to investigate – just
master who was being held in a de- in case the trio is still alive.
tention cell on charges of robbery,
8
managed to squeeze himself through Another trio executed an es-
a narrow food slot while the officers cape from HM Prison Parkhurst
on duty were asleep. The opening on the UK’s Isle of Wight in
was just 15 centimetres high by 45 1995. Two of the men worked in the
rdasia.com 73
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
prison’s sheet metal shop, where they prisons in the world. A menities
fashioned a copy of a guard’s master such as a supermarket and houses
key after roughly memorising its for weekend visits with family are in
shape. That key essentially allowed keeping with the prison’s commit-
them to open any door during their ment to ‘normalcy’ for the inmates.
escape. But their plan beyond the A New York Times reporter who visit-
prison walls wasn’t as solid, and they ed the prison in 2014 wrote, “The best
were caught just a few days later. meal I had in Norway was made by
an inmate who had spent almost half
9
A man serving a month-long of his 40 years in prison.”
sentence in 2013 reportedly
12
broke out of Östragård prison Prison Blues, a large gar-
in Sweden the day before he was due ment factor y in Oregon,
to be released. The reason: a tooth- US A , employ s i n mates
ache. He had been complaining serving time at the Eastern Oregon
about it to officials for days and just Correctional Institution to manufac-
couldn’t stand the pain any longer. ture denim work apparel. Inmates
After seeing a dentist, the man vol- earn wages that go towards paying
untarily turned himself in and police their own incarceration costs or, in
returned him to the prison to serve some cases, their child support. The
an extra day to make up the time. company’s slogan: ‘Made on the in-
side to be worn on the outside’.
10
The Clink is an English char-
13
ity that trains prisoners to Don’t know anyone who’s
work in the service industry spent time in prison? You
after their release. As precautions, certainly know of celebrities
the walls of their restaurants are who have: Tim Allen, the actor be-
lined with panic buttons, all their hind Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story
cutlery is plastic, and patrons can’t movies, served time for drug traf-
bring their phones inside. The food ficking. A teenage Stephen Fry, the
is so good that three of the charity’s Brit ish intellect and comedian,
restaurants have been rated number found himself behind bars for a few
one in their area on Tripadvisor. months for committing credit card
fraud. And former Beatle Paul McCa-
11
Norway’s Halden Prison, lo- rtney did a stint in a Tokyo prison in
cated southeast of Oslo, only 1980. McCartney served a little more
minutes away from the Swed- than a week on drug smuggling
ish border, is considered among the charges, though he was facing a
most humane maximum-security possible seven-year sentence.
74 june/july 2025
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
CARTOON: BIZ ARRO BY DAN PIR ARO AND WAYNO. ILLUS TR ATION: SHUT TERS TOCK
Career Choices Dispensing Wisdom
Adults are always asking children The theme of the workshop for
what they want to be when they school administrators was ‘trusting
grow up because they’re looking employees to empower them’. The
for ideas. speakers exhorted us to trust our staff
PAULA POUNDSTONE, COMEDIAN and teachers, thereby allowing them
to better develop as professionals.
Sound Advice Nice sentiment, but I questioned
True story: A co-worker once asked if the education department’s devotion
I’d seen her earphones. Noticing she to it when, during a visit to the toilet,
was wearing them, I said, “I think the I noticed small padlocks installed on
boss said he found a pair. Go and ask the toilet paper roll dispensers.
him.” (I’m evil.) @WILLIAMADER SUBMIT TED BY RICARDO SORIA
76 june/july 2025
All In A Day’s Work
Don’t Bank On It
A head hunter on LinkedIn wanted OUT OF INK
me to apply for a job as a bank
manager. That’s quality recruitment
(AND PATIENCE)
work right there. Get the English Remember when old printers would
graduate to run your bank. I’m not cope with running low on ink? They’d
just work and work, creating ever-fainter
entirely sure what numbers are. images and text, until finally it was white
When I buy something, I just hand on white. Modern printers are like,
over an amount of money and hope “I CANNOT WORK LIKE THIS!” and then
it’s right. @WRITEPOP
they email someone, trying to order their
own ink.
@THELOSTBRIDE
What Exactly Are They Selling?
Can you guess what these business A printer consists of three main parts:
the case, the jammed paper tray and the
signs and ads are trying to say?
blinking red light.
Because we can’t. @AMANDABLAIN
For sale on Facebook:
“Antique mid evil chair” My computer has stopped communicating
A sign on a shop door: with my printer and I’m going to
ask the printer to admit whatever she
“Temporarily closed. Sorry for the did and apologise so we can all move
incontinence.” forward as a team.
Online ad: “I have a monogamy solid @SARAJBENINCASA
rdasia.com 77
QUIZ
Mythical
Ten quiz questions about creatures
sprung from the imagination
BY Karin Schätzle
78 june/july 2025
Quiz
rdasia.com 79
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
80 june/july 2025
Email: [email protected]ˏ Contact #: +63 917 848 1025
82 june/july 2025
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
Ana Lapaz-Mendez
with Pumpkin the fox
84 june/july 2025
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Can Londoners
and their local
wildlife learn
to live together?
CITY GONE
WILD
BY Alice Saville
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R E A DER’S DIGE ST
“I
’m sorry, but this is really dan- gardens, rodents that navigate your
gerous,” the irate man shouts, kitchen like they’re auditioning for
gesturing to his pet beagles, a live-action version of Ratatouille. It
then to Pumpkin the fox, walking feels like these animals live so close-
peacefully on a lead. We’re in Lon- ly alongside humans that they’re
don’s Hampstead Heath, and I’m almost tame.
bombarding Pumpkin’s companion, I become fixated on a question: is
veterinarian Ana Lapaz-Mendez, it possible to adopt a fox, squirrel or
with questions about what it’s like to pigeon? Is it a responsible thing to
live with a fox. Evidently, I’m not the do? What are the limits of friendship
only one who needs schooling. between humans and urban wild-
Normally, when beagles and fox- life? The best people to answer those
es meet during a fox hunt, it’s in a questions are the rescuers who bring
horrific bloodbath. But this is dif- injured and orphaned animals home.
ferent. With well-practiced polish, Lapaz-Mendez and I sit in a pub
Lapaz-Mendez tells the man that her near Hampstead Heath as she pets
charge is blind and brain damaged Pumpkin, as docile as any lapdog. For
and has met hundreds of beagles a moment, my fox-adoption dreams
without incident: “Pumpkin doesn’t feel tantalisingly possible. But Lap-
smell like a fox to them because she’s az-Mendez stresses that Pumpkin
PHOTOS: (PRE VIOUS SPRE AD AND ABOVE) JESS HAND FOR TIME OUT, JUNE 2023.
clean and she lives with dogs.” The is hard work. “Foxes are like a cross
man still seems disgruntled but con- between a dog, a cat and a ninja,”
tinues on his way. she says. “They are so intelligent,
How did I get here? It started smart, very cheeky. I currently have
months earlier, when a family of fox fox cubs in my house, and they’ll
cubs was born under my neighbour’s drive you mad within a day – they
shed. I’d watch them as puppies jump to incredible heights and chew
playfighting or sunbathing, round everything. They’re cute, but they’re
and fat. One cub liked to come to wild animals.”
my window and look in at the com- Pumpkin is rare: she’s lost her nat-
forts of my living room. For a fleeting ural wariness of humans because she
moment, I felt like I could let him in has toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infec-
and together we’d sit on the sofa and tion that has reduced her level of fear.
watch television. Lapaz-Mendez is singular too: she’s
Living in London makes for con- a vet who’s built expertise in treating
stant encounters with astonishingly wild animals, while most of her col-
bold wildlife: foxes that appear un- leagues confine themselves to do-
der streetlamps at dusk, pigeons that mestic and farm animals. She’s one of
polish off leftover food in pub beer a loyal band of animal rescuers who
86 june/july 2025
City Gone Wild
rdasia.com 87
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
88 june/july 2025
City Gone Wild
UK law giving medical treatment to cousins. But part of the reason for
grey squirrels and re-releasing them the decline of the red squirrel was
into the wild is illegal. She can only the loss of woodland. “We should
rehabilitate them if she takes them in celebrate the resilience of nature
permanently. “It’s heartbreaking,” she rather than trying to turn back the
says. “If your dog or cat was sick, you’d clock,” Doran says.
take them to the vet. But if squirrels It’s a point Emma Marris made
get sick, they’ll only euthanise them.” in her book Rambunctious Garden.
The law, which is tough on ani- She argues that instead of trying to
mals like the grey squirrel defined return nature to an idyllic state that
as invasive non-native species, re- may never have existed, we should
flects decades-old attitudes that the embrace the plant and animal spe-
only wildlife worth bothering with is cies that thrive in the modern world.
the quaint, endangered rural kind, “The despised invaders of today may
like nightingales or pine martens. well be the keystone species of the
And that state of affairs isn’t helped future’s ecosystems, if we give them
by myths about dangerous London the space to adapt and don’t rush in
wildlife, like the headline-grabbing and tear them out,” Marris writes.
‘crack squirrel’ or the fox that appar- My desire to adopt a fox is dim-
ently bit a baby. The wildlife rescuers ming. It sounds like incredibly hard
I spoke with were desperate to cor- work. Plus, my local fox family is
rect misconceptions. reaching ever-higher levels of ex-
“Every year, people die in dog at- travagance and dysfunction, feasting
tacks, and no one’s saying we should on garbage and crushing flowerpots
kill all the dogs,” says Lapaz-Mendez. during their tussles.
“The problem is that more and more Mea nwh i le, L apa z-Mendez
people are trying to feed foxes by opened Pumpkin’s Wildlife Hospi-
hand.” She explains that this famil- tal in November 2023. The medical
iarity erodes the animals’ caution facilit y and rehabilitation centre
around humans. But if foxes are left treated more than 900 wild animals
to their own devices, they offer huge in its first year. Turning a fox into a
benefits: “They hunt a lot of rats.” pet wasn’t what she planned, but it’s
How about pigeons? “Pigeons have worked out well.
a really bad reputation,” says Lopez. “Hopefully there’s a good reason
“People say they carry a lot of diseas- why you came into the world, huh?”
es, but it’s very, very rare for those to L apa z-Mende z t el l s P u mpk i n,
be passed to humans.” squeezing her close.
Grey squirrels get the worst rap of TIME OUT (JUNE 13, 2023), © 2023 TIME OUT
all, accused of wiping out their red ENGLAND LIMITED
rdasia.com 89
BONUS READ
Fresh
BY Susannah Hickling
I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y D R E W S H A N N O N
90 june/july 2025
rdasia.com 91
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
If
improve their employment prospects
or to change career. Still others do it
just to prove they can.
Here are five older students who
picked up their backpacks and their
you think only youngsters go to class, courage and went back to school.
write essays and take exams, you
might have a thing or two to learn.
The Best Medicine
PHOTO: AVID GARCIA LOPEZ, THE ROMANCE AND CL A SSICAL INS TITUTION OF S TOCKHOLM UNIVERSIT Y
Australian and New Zealand adults
are keen students, with more than Lisa Österlund was puzzled. Usually
50 per cent between the ages of 25 fit and active, she found herself strug-
and 65 resuming education, accord- gling to swim the length of her local
ing to the Organisation for Economic pool. “I just couldn’t move forward,”
Co-operation and Development. recalls the Stockholm resident, 56.
On the other side of the world in “I had no power in my limbs.” Her
Europe, according to the latest Euro- confusion turned to concern when
pean Union statistics, in 2022 nearly she went to her spinning class – she
half of 25-to-64 year olds had par- didn’t have enough strength to turn
ticipated in education or training in the bike’s wheels.
the previous 12 months. More than a Österlund’s doctor diagnosed her
third were aged 55 to 64, and Sweden with Graves’ disease, an autoim-
had the highest proportion of adult mune condition in which the thyroid
learners in Europe – over 70 per cent. produces too much thyroid hormone.
Online learning makes going back Medication should have put her back
to school easier, while retirement on track in two months, but she was
offers more time to do the things allergic to it. Meanwhile, her condi-
you always wanted. In the 65-74 age tion made her eyes swell, giving her
bracket, three per cent of Europe- double vision. “I thought I was going
ans had been involved in education blind,” she says. She had to undergo
and training in the previous four gruelling treatment normally used in
weeks, 2019 figures show. In a sim- cancer care, including radiotherapy,
ilar vein, 5.3 per cent of Australians immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
92 june/july 2025
Fresh Starts
The chemo made her feel exhausted exhausted. “I needed something that
and nauseous for months. would give me energy,” she explains,
Her illness couldn’t have come at a “so I did what I always do – I went to
worse time. It was 2017 and she had university.”
recently landed her dream job: music Österlund already had a bachelor’s
librarian and researcher for Sweden’s degree in journalism and a master’s
public broadcasting service, Sveriges in library and information science.
Radio Förvaltnings, combining her She also had a gift for languages and
experience as a musician, journalist wanted to pursue her love of French.
and librarian. Finally, I’m here! she She had lived in Paris as a young
had thought. This is the job I’m going woman, working as an au pair and
to end my career with. a waitress, and studying music, but
But Österlund just couldn’t con- now she wanted a formal qualifi-
centrate on her work. The steroids cation in the language. In 2018 she
she took for her distorted vision made enrolled in a four-year French bach-
her hyperactive yet left her feeling elor’s programme at Stockholm Uni-
Lisa Österlund: “I was so interested in versity while continuing to work part
my studies I forgot about my illness” time at Sveriges Radio Förvaltnings.
“No one saw me as
a sick person, no one
asked my age or what
I’d done before,” she
say s. I ndeed, t here
were a lot of older stu-
dents at the universi-
ty, thanks to Sweden’s
policy of encouraging
lifelong lea r ning. “I
was so interested in my
studies; I forgot about
my illness.”
He r e y e s i g ht i m-
proved and, to her doc-
tor’s astonishment, her
condition stabilised.
Returning to university
was “the different treat-
ment I really needed,”
Österlund insists.
rdasia.com 93
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
94 june/july 2025
Fresh Starts
teachers could use to make science drums that haunted him. But it was
accessible for children ages four and the animated discussions at a pub
up. It ended up being used world- near the university with the other,
wide. much younger, graduate students
When he retired in 2014, he was that Axten really enjoyed, just as he
working as premises manager for a had 50 years earlier. “We would sit
large primary school and tutoring in the garden and talk and talk and
maths and science students. talk,” he says. “How cool is that?”
rdasia.com 95
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
A New Career
– At 64
W hen Martine Aeschlimann de-
cided to go to university at the age
of 60, she asked her son Cedric for
his thoughts. It was 2016 and the
21 year old was already a student at
the University of Geneva, where she
was about to enrol for a bachelor’s
degree in psychology.
“Would it bother you?” she asked.
“No problem,” Cedric replied.
There was just one caveat: “If you see
me in the corridor when I’m with my
friends, don’t say hello!”
After Aeschlimann started, Cedric
told her how impressed his friends
were with what she was doing. “So,
you told them?” she asked, amazed
and amused at his change of heart.
“Of course,” he replied. He turned
out to be a huge support, calming his
mother’s nerves before exams and
correcting a research project for the
Martine Aeschlimann: “I needed to
master’s she went on to complete,
prove myself”
having passed her first degree with
Axten’s graduation in 2023 was an flying colours. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MARTINE AESCHLIMANN
96 june/july 2025
Fresh Starts
rdasia.com 97
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
be used. So, friends and family were with baking sourdough. He decided
puzzled when, at the age of 35, he to leave Decathlon and set up his
gave up his secure job to become a own artisan baking business using
baker. “It was seen as a regression,” his home-produced sourdough and
says Casaux, who lives with his wife, ancient-grain flours. But in France
Chrystelle, and two daughters near that’s not as simple as it sounds. “In
Hendaye in southwest France. But order to make dough, you have to
to him it was entirely logical. He’d have a diploma,” Casaux explains.
grown up in the rural Dordogne He signed up for the Certificat
region in a family that was largely d’aptitude professionnelle (CAP), a
self-sufficient with their food. professional qualification set by the
“Living is about eating and drink- French Ministry of Education and
ing,” he says. “That was a value that usually taken by 17 year olds follow-
had always been instilled in me. I ing a vocational path. While studying
wanted to work in food production.” the theory of breadmaking at home,
The turning point came during he developed recipes and plans for
the COVID-19 lockdown, when Ca- his new enterprise.
saux and two friends experimented That’s how, in the early summer
Carl Allamby: “My kids look up to me, my community looks up to me”
98 june/july 2025
Fresh Starts
it had grown into two shops with family, he soon decided to skip busi-
11 employees, but Allamby started ness school in favour of the science
yearning for something more. At first, classes he’d need for a new career
he thought it must have to do with as a healthcare worker. Becoming a
rdasia.com 99
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
Knowledge comes to life at Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Lost World of Tambun, where
young participants get hands-on with nature, animals and conservation activities. From
baby animals and reptile behaviour to exploring the science of incubation and plant growth,
each moment is designed to awaken curiosity and deepen environmental consciousness.
Teen rangers have the opportunity to explore more complex and hands-on topics, such as
Emergency Response Training, Environmental Impact Projects, Ethical Wildlife Management
and Career Pathway Workshops with experts from Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway XFarms,
RHB Bank, POS Malaysia and more. By turning learning into leadership, teens walk away
ÆÍç¹ìàçø®ç«¼ÆÍø¿¦Űìçø®ç«ÍÆĊÆŰÙìÜÙÍàÆ¿Ü®Üç®ÍÆ¥ÍÜ
the future.
To meet growing interest and the evolving needs of older children, Season 3
of Explorer Rangers has expanded its reach to include teens aged 13 to 17. In the
Master Rangers class, teens are challenged to go beyond basic knowledge and
develop critical thinking, problem solving and leadership skills.
To make things even more exciting, we’ve teamed up with some of the coolest
Industry Leaders, including Sunway University, Universiti Malaya’s Faculty of
Creative Arts, Farm Fresh Malaysia, Royal Malaysia Police and the Fire and Rescue
Department of Malaysia. These partnerships give Master Rangers the opportunity
to explore real-world careers and be inspired by passionate professionals.
In line with Sunway’s commitment to accessibility Sunway Theme Parks’ Explorer Rangers program isn’t just
and social impact, the Explorer Rangers program preparing kids for school - it’s preparing them for life. Rooted
also provides free membership opportunities to in sustainability, conservation and experiential learning,
selected B40 communities, ensuring that children ç«ÙÜͦÜÅà«ÙàìÜ®ÍìàþÍìÆ¦Å®Æà®ÆçÍÍÆĊÆçŰ
from underprivileged backgrounds have equal access compassionate and capable eco-leaders of tomorrow.
to this transformative Whether you’re 5 or 17, Explorer Rangers ensures your
educational journey. ìÜ®Íà®çþĊÆàÙìÜÙÍàƒÆþÍìÜÙàà®ÍÆŰÙç«¥ÍÜøÜů
Condura
CONDURA, ONCE AGAIN A
GOLD! Condura, the proudly
Filipino appliance brand under
Concepcion Industrial Corporation,
has been awarded Gold at the
prestigious 27th Reader’s Digest
Trusted Brands Awards in the Air we’ve built with Filipino families
Conditioners category – affirming through durable products that
its position as a household name empower them to take control of
built on durability, reliability, and their spaces and live confidently
Filipino ingenuity. – free from worries about
For 38 years, Condura has created performance, maintenance or
appliances designed specifically for unexpected costs.”
Filipino homes and businesses. Its Condura’s commitment extends
award-winning High Wall Split Type beyond products. Its Corporate
Air Conditioner reflects the brand’s Social Responsibility programs
promise: durability and long-lasting promote sustainability, energy
performance with ProtecTibay conservation, and entrepreneurship
system – perfectly engineered for in under-served communities –
Philippine conditions. making it not just a brand, but a
partner in Filipino progress.
Condura creates In today’s value-conscious
appliances designed world, Condura offers more than
appliances – it offers dependable
specifically for Filipino support for every bahay and
homes and businesses. negosyo. Trusted by generations,
recognized by experts, and built for
“This award belongs to every Filipinos, Condura has truly earned
team member who contributed its Gold award. www.condura.com
to our legacy of excellence,” says
Robert Hechanova, Vice President
for Marketing. “It reflects the trust
PUZZLES
Challenge yourself by solving these puzzles and mind
stretchers, then check your answers on page 108.
Crossword
Test your general
knowledge.
DOWN
1 Australian city famous
for country music (8)
5 1 2 3 4 5
WIN!
4 5 4 5 2 +
Number Maze
In this maze, start at the 5 in the top left
corner and move horizontally or vertically
(but never diagonally) to reach the star in
the bottom right corner. At each move,
travel the same number of squares as the CAPTION CONTEST
number in the cell you are currently on. Come up with the funniest caption
Since you are starting on a cell containing for the above photo and you could win
a 5, your next move is either 5 squares to $100. To enter, email
the right or 5 squares down. The next [email protected]
move will be based on your new cell’s or see details on page 6.
number. Can you find the correct path?
rdasia.com 105
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
Puzzle
Answers
PAGE 108
Tricky Tiling
The grid to the left was tiled using only the
two tile shapes shown above, with rotations
permitted. The tiles’ dots are all indicated in
the grid. Using these, can you figure out the
configuration of the tiles?
PUZZLE ANSWERS
From Page 104
Crossword
CROSSWORD AND SUDOKU: CROSSWORDSITE.COM. (FISH): SHUT TERS TOCK; (OPPOSITE) TRICK Y TILING (FR A SER SIMPSON)
Spot The Difference
There are 15 differences.
Tricky Tiling
Number Maze
The correct sequence of moves is: down 5, right 4,
left 2, up 4, left 1, down 3, up 1, right 4, down 2. "Write, Erase, Rewrite"
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
TRIVIA
Test Your General Knowledge
16-20 Gold medal 11-15 Silver medal 6-10 Bronze medal 0-5 Wooden spoon
about four times faster in water. 15. Sulphur.
9. c) 2015. 10. Nitrogen. 11. Pomelo. 12. Jugular. 13. The Battle of Waterloo. 14. False. Sound travels
(Schindler’s Ark, 1982). 6. Farfelle, which means butterflies in Italian. 7. France and Spain. 8. The moon.
ANSWERS: 1. Uniform Resource Locator. 2. Toy Story. 3. Crocus. 4. Tokyo. 5. Thomas Michael Keneally
WORD POWER
Breaking The Ice
Wouldn’t it be ice? In case you hadn’t noticed,
this three-letter sequence is all over the English
language. When the weather gets chillier, raise a glass
to the ice hiding in these choice quiz words. If
one or two skate by you, take our advice and check
the answers on the next page.
BY Mary-Liz Shaw
rdasia.com 111
R E A DER’S DIGE ST
Answers
Go with the Floe
1. viceroy – (A) appointed ruler. How many words
British kings installed 20 viceroys for ice are there?
in India alone. Inupiaq speakers
2. surplice – (A) crossed at centre. in Alaska alone
have at least 120,
Though she originally wanted a
including utuqaq for ice that lasts year
strapless gown, Abigail chose one
after year, auniq for ice filled with holes
with a surplice neckline. and siguliaksraq for the layer that
3. latticework – (C) decorative grid. forms as sea ice freezes. Documenting
One mark of a skilled gardener is this diversity has become difficult, as
when vines grow through woven the population of native speakers is
slats of latticework. fading almost as quickly as the polar
ice itself.
4. licentiously – (A) lewdly.
Partygoers disrupted the cruise, water immediately started to
behaving licentiously at the pool sluice down the trough.
and catcalling patrons.
11. artifice – (C) trickery.
5. serviceable – (B) usable. “Sure, Unfortunately, some salespeople
I’d love a new car, but my old one use artifice to get people to spend
is still serviceable,” Elena said. more than they can afford.
6. caprice – (B) sudden whim. Fresh 12. epicentre – (C) focal point.
off her lottery win, Elaine bought a Thanks to the Beatles, 1960s
boat in an act of sheer caprice. Liverpool suddenly became the
7. beneficent – (B) charitable. For epicentre of a musical revolution.
years, the beneficent grocery store 13. pumice – (B) a volcanic rock. Use
owner has donated her excess a pumice stone to exfoliate your feet.
inventory to a food bank.
IMAGE: DIZOL ATOR/GE T T Y IMAGES/TMBI LICENCE