• Clayton Oliver made an impressive comeback
• He landed hard after accidentally entering a tunnel
• Oliver's future has been a big topic of conversation lately

By Justin Chadwick for the Australian Associated Press

Published: 11:36 PM EST, February 17, 2024 | Updated: 03:45 EST, February 18, 2024

Asia as a whole is often seen as a mystical, exotic place in the West. Those of us who don't happen to live there, and ignore the fact that the majority of the world does, see it as a continent defined by beautiful holiday destinations, beautiful nature, fascinating history and many strange myths and legends.

Asia is actually a huge area that literally billions of people call home and live their lives as people do in any other place. That said, there is some truth to the mysticism.

From tales of horrific demons to elusive creatures that some locals still claim to be real, there are many scary creatures that Asian people have been talking about for centuries. In fact, they have also warned their children and perhaps even some tourists vacationing in the area.

Regardless of whether you think all the warnings are realistic or not, listening to serious, helpful locals while traveling is never a bad idea, and fascinating mythology is never a bad thing to learn about either.

Related: Top ten ghosts and cryptids based on witches

10 Rakshasas

India is a vast country with a rich, vastly far-reaching history, a unique culture and some of the most fascinating spiritual beliefs in the world. As such, it's probably no surprise that they would also have their fair share of threatening creatures.

A rakshasa, or rakshasi if we are talking about a female individual, is said to be a huge, human-like creature, powerful, quite ugly and full of bloodlust. They are sometimes called 'man-eaters', referring to their nasty habit of eating people in the stories and legends in which they appear.

However, Rakshasas are not simple monsters. Their ability to shapeshift means that many people believe they can disguise themselves as humans, concealing their trademark beastly appearance, the ability to fly and perform magic, and their gruesome true nature. It's easy to imagine how someone might wonder historically. Was that terrible, cold-blooded murder really committed by a human being?

Yet, despite their less than kind description, some legends describe some rakshasas as being more capable of good than evil. A nice idea, but one that only makes them a little less creepy.^[1]

9 Phi Am

A kind of ghost that is real in a way. Phi Am is more than just scriptures and passed down ghost stories, at least at its core.

Originating from Thai folklore, Phi Am is said to be a type of ghost that sits on a person's chest while he sleeps, scaring him and preventing him from moving. In some extreme cases they could even cause suffocation and death.

This may sound familiar to some readers, as Phi Am is actually an ancient spiritual explanation for the very real phenomenon of sleep paralysis. A frightening thing that does indeed happen, but is not dangerous and, as far as we know, not caused by a ghost.

Interestingly, Thai folklore says that Phi Am haunts men more often than women, causing some men to put on women's clothing and makeup before going to bed, apparently in an attempt to avoid the ghost.^[2]

8 Kawahime

Kawahime, Japanese for 'river princess', is said to be a beautiful woman found near bridges, watermills and bodies of water, especially riverbanks.

Not that scary at first glance, but the deception and element of surprise are precisely the terrifying elements of many of humanity's scariest myths. A seemingly normal encounter that could end in someone's death.

It is said that Kawahime seduces men, causing them to fall in love with her beautiful body and follow her into the water, only to lose their life force and consume them. Interestingly, a few sources also describe Kawahime as having some characteristics of Kappa, a creepy, fishy, ​​reptilian uncanny valley effect that clashes only slightly with their beauty.

In certain areas, especially in the past, young men have been told to stare at the ground and quickly walk away if they encounter strange, lonely women in such places. Many scholars today believe that the myth stems from fear of outsiders in small villages.^[3]

7 Jinn

A central part of Islamic culture and areas, a category that happens to include many parts of Asia, are the jinn. Jinn are believed to be like humans in many important ways, and some are even thought to be helpful. Yet interactions between humans and jinn are nevertheless discouraged by most who believe in them.

Often they act as a being or force similar to devils and demons in other cultures, and are said to live in a kind of shadow world, a mirror of our own world, living in both versions at the same time. It is believed that Jinn can change shape, become invisible and appear humanoid, yet distinctly frightening. Much of the fear factor again comes from their believed ability to blend in with people.

They are so widespread that even today in some people they are believed to cause many diseases, mental illness and self-harming behavior. Even some Western medical texts advise taking them seriously as an important cultural belief.

According to cultural beliefs, jinn inhabit dark, lonely places such as caves and graveyards and are capable of possessing people, even causing seizures and speech in a language that no one else can understand. Another example perhaps of linking a fearful demon to the very real things that scare and haunt some of us, like epilepsy.^[4]

6 Tsuchinoko

A reportedly foolish appearance doesn't stop this Japanese cryptid from being the subject of some terrifying urban legends. A snake-like creature with a very fat body and a thin tail and a penchant for alcohol and small creatures – at first glance the tsuchinoko doesn't seem like much of a problem at all.

Considered by some as a type of 'yōkai' or Japanese ghost or by others as a real, undiscovered animal, this creature experienced a surge in popularity after many people claimed to have spotted something similar throughout Japan. The idea of ​​a fat, big, undiscovered creature that looks like a snake might be scary enough for some, but it doesn't quite stop there.

The tsuchinoko is believed to have viper-like fangs and an incredibly powerful, deadly venom, and it is believed to have a loud call that people claim to hear. Whether it's a real creature, an existing species of snake that has been exaggerated, or a creature created purely from myth, it's certain that some people swear by its existence and lethality of it.^[5]

5 Mongolian Deathworm

The name alone places the Mongolian Death Worm as something you would read about in a fantasy novel. However, many locals and tourists claim that it is a real and terrifying creature, and that it poses a huge threat to people who come into contact with it.

A huge worm just over a meter long, dark red in color, and equipped with a poison that attacks and kills everything it touches as if it were a powerful acid. According to some, it even has the ability to electrocute its victims from afar. Overall, it definitely doesn't sound like an encounter anyone would want.

Except for those who tried to find it during one of the many expeditions apparently embarked on for that very purpose. Most zoologists believe that this creature is nothing more than an exaggerated report of real sightings of snakes and worms. Rumors of sightings and warnings about the danger of the death worm continue to circulate through Mongolia.^[6]

4 Krasue

A floating head sounds like it would be quite frightening to see. But the krasue, a type of spirit or demon native to Southeast Asian cultures, doesn't quite stop there.

The head of a woman with intestines dangling beneath it as it floats, krasue is said to fly around at night looking for humans to consume. Some believe it is the result of the death of a sinful, evil woman, or others, a witch's failed magical experiment. It is a prevailing legend in much of Southeast Asia.

Often shared as a ghost story in the area, many locals still believe in it. They continue to warn people not to wander around rural areas at night, hiding any cuts on their bodies so that the blood does not smell. It gets worse.

Those who believe in the krasue also believe that the only way to kill it is to destroy its body, which you can only attempt after finding it. Since it is said to hide at night, it may be best to heed the advice not to walk around alone at night; At least some people certainly think so.^[7]

3 Kumakotok

The Kumakotok is an entity, or rather, a group of entities that many in the Philippines say they believe in. A trio of humanoid creatures in cloaks, one of which resembles a young woman, accompanied by two old men, they knock on your door. night, wandering towns and villages.

Knocks come in threes, and it's not something you could avoid, but it's something you should ignore. It is believed that they announce the impending death of a friend or relative. If you hear the knocking, someone will die soon. An omen… or a warning?

The sound of three knocks has become understandably terrifying to hear in the area at night, as if nowhere unnerving enough. Whether they bring the death of someone close to you or not, if you hear the noise, don't open the door.^[8]

2 Jorogumo

Spiders are enough to scare many, even without a demon attached to them or the status of an unknown, mysterious cryptid, deadlier than virtually any animal we know. The jorōgumo, one of Japan's most famous spirits, unfortunately surpasses an ordinary spin.

The jorōgumo is believed to be a golden orb weaver spider, a true species found in Japan. It is believed that individuals of the species who live to incredible ages are eventually empowered by magic and grow frighteningly large and intelligent, trading their insect prey for humans.

This ghost reappears as a young, beautiful woman, hiding eight terrifying, spindly legs, and is said to capture, poison and consume young men by luring them inside. He is said to be so effective at it that legends say they pile up hundreds of skeletons in their caves, which once belonged to handsome, young men.^[9]

1 Manananggal

Another creature from the Philippines, the manananggal, is most similar to a vampire, a creature that many of us in the West have legends and stories about, except taken much further to the extreme.

Again, it is disguised as a beautiful woman, fitting with the general trend of people being afraid of the thought of being deceived and harmed by something that so seduces them. The manananggal turns into a horrible monster at night. Its favorite prey is apparently pregnant women, which eat their organs, blood and even the fetus they are carrying.

The manananggal is feared as a danger to children, as a creature that feeds on unsuspecting victims who sleep peacefully, and as a vampiric demon that humans have developed many spiritual practices to dispel. But even recently, people claim to have seen these creatures all over the Philippines. When someone dies suddenly in the night, perhaps even violently, some can't help but point to the terrifying manananggal.^[10]

Jodi Gordon made the shocked admission that she has struggled with substance abuse “most of her life” as she celebrated her 39th birthday on Thursday.

The actress shared a raw post on Instagram explaining how going to rehab and getting sober “completely changed my life in ways I didn't think were possible.”

The former Home and Away star completed a 30-day alcohol addiction recovery program at a Sydney clinic in 2022.

“I have battled substance abuse most of my life. At 24 I started recovering, but I could never stop,” she wrote in the post.

“I got sober on April 7, 2022 and have remained sober ever since, completely changing my life in ways I never thought possible.”

Gordon said her mother Bronwyn was her “hero” and “constantly teaches me how to use my own strength to get back up.”

She also revealed how her father, who passed away last year, taught her “acceptance, forgiveness and unconditional love.”

She hinted she had mended her rocky relationship with ex-husband Braith Anasta and thanked the former NRL star for the gift of their daughter Aleeia, nine.

'I always wanted a big family, and I got that with my daughter Aleeia. She is unlike any person I have ever known: so loving, fierce, patient, wise and curious,” she continued.

Gordon's struggles first came to light when she became embroiled in a bizarre drugs scandal with biker and Kings Cross identity Mark Judge in June 2009.

The pair were found by police in the bedroom of Mark's home in Bellevue Hill after Gordon called Triple Zero believing armed intruders were threatening her life, leading to an emergency operation.

Police reviewed CCTV footage and found no trace of intruders; only Gordon and Judge hid in a bedroom.

Gordon reportedly told officers during an interview after the bizarre episode that cocaine had been consumed earlier that evening.

A day earlier, her fiancé, Channel Seven heir Ryan Stokes, had called Kings Cross police to report Gordon missing after a night out. The couple split shortly after the scandal.

After her divorce from Ryan, Gordon started dating the man who would become her husband: rugby league player Braith Anasta.

They married between 2012 and 2015 and welcomed their daughter Aleeia in 2014.

The couple sadly split in 2015, and Gordon had a few romances before meeting British banker Sebastian Blackler in 2020.

But their relationship turned sour in November that year when it was revealed that Blackler was due to appear in court on an apprehended violence warrant issued by police just a week after Gordon made their relationship public.

Police called in an interim AVO, reportedly to protect Gordon from Blackler after he visited her home in the eastern suburbs.

Police were called to Gordon's home in Double Bay shortly after midnight after reports of a disturbance.

“On Friday, November 27, 2020 at approximately 12.30pm officers were called to a unit at Wiston Gardens in Double Bay,” a NSW Police spokesperson said at the time.

“Following an investigation, Eastern Suburbs officers suspended the investigation at the request of the victim. No further action is expected at this time.”

Police then engaged an interim AVO to prevent Blackler from assaulting, threatening, stalking, harassing or intimidating Gordon.

It is understood the couple split in May 2021 but rekindled their relationship in February 2022.

But a similar incident that happened in April 2022 ultimately ended their romance before Gordon went to rehab.

According to court papers, police found Gordon “severely affected by intoxicating liquor” on April 3, 2022, at a guest house in Kurrajong Heights with an injured Sebastian Blackler.

Shortly afterwards, a Windsor Local Court magistrate ordered that Gordon and Blackler not contact each other until April 2024.

Another condition of the couple's arrest warrants, which were issued by police against the couple – and which their lawyers agreed to without confession – prohibited them from stalking, harassing or assaulting each other.

Blackler's lawyer Michael Bowe told Daily Mail Australia at the time that the fleeting romance between the two was now over.

The AVOs related to an alleged altercation in Sydney's far northwest.

NSW Police were called to a bed and breakfast and arrested Blackler, but later released him without charge.

Court documents said that when police asked Blackler about bruising and swelling on his left eye, he claimed his girlfriend had “hit him with a wine bottle” but declined to make a formal statement.

The AVO documents also said police found bruises on Gordon's left eye and lower lip, and three lumps on her forehead, but believed the injuries were days old.

Documents presented to the court also claim that police 'fear domestic violence between the parties, with Gordon's consumption of intoxicating liquor aggravating the violence'.

'There is clearly domestic violence between the parties [but they] are reluctant to disclose how the injuries were sustained,” the documents said.

Officers took out a restraining order against Gordon on behalf of Blackler, who was also granted an AVO against the actress over the same alleged incident.

Since her rehabilitation period after the incident, Gordon has been single and focused on health, fitness and motherhood.

She is often seen enjoying ice baths and exercising at Coogee Beach.

In her post on Thursday, Gordon revealed her new career change, explaining that she is now studying a Bachelor of Counseling and Communication Skills and has recently started her first professional job in mental health.

“I love this tough journey in a new field, working incredibly hard and working my way up every day with diligence, curiosity, wonder and purpose,” she continued.

“The future looks so bright as I walk this path to becoming a counselor and stay down-to-earth to share my journey. Here's to the good fight in reducing the discrimination and stigma that we all know exists.'

She ended by saying how poetry and writing have “helped me through the many dark places of my life.”

“If you've been on this wild ride with me, thank you for seeing my color, when sometimes all I showed was gray. Thank you for loving me and supporting me in your own way. I felt it.'

To answer Juliet’s famous question in Shakespeare’s play, there’s actually a lot packed into a name. A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet, but when it comes to demons and other dangerous creatures, deceptively innocent names can make them even deadlier.

Someone told not to listen to Belphegor, or associate with Mephistopheles, or warn about another creature with a long, strange-sounding name with lots of vowels would probably take it seriously. But try warning them about Amy, Leonard or – God forbid – Furfur. They hardly sound threatening, but it would be wrong to believe it. This list explains why and provides seven more examples of dangerous demons and mythological creatures that hide behind misleading names.

Related: Top 10 Creepy Stories of Demonic Possession

10 The Beans Nighe

Warn a walker in Scotland to beware of the Bean Nighe, and he’ll probably wonder why he should worry about a nutritious heartbeat nearby. But what hikers should really look out for is an old woman washing blood-stained clothes near a stream or stream (and it’s actually pronounced “ben-nee’-yeh”). If she looks hideous and has webbed feet, it’s best not to get too close, as it is the Bean Nighe – the spirit of a woman who died in childbirth – and an omen of death, like her Irish relative, the banshee.

Legend has it that the clothes she washes are those of people who are about to die. It is best not to be seen by her, but she grants wishes to those who approach her properly. That means sneaking up on her and sucking one of her hanging breasts. One must then claim to be the Bean Nighe’s foster child so that she will not harm them.^[1]

9 Lubber Abbey

Death is probably not a concern for someone who has devoted their life deeply to their faith, such as a monk or a priest. His idea of ​​danger is probably the risk of giving in to the temptations he faces during his time on Earth. But it seems that there are folk tales about dangerous demons in disguise who hang around abbeys, trying to distract the monks from their righteous path and tempting them to be greedy, drunk and indecent. These were known as abbey lubbers, and were usually said to wait for victims in the wine cellar.

In some cases they were there to ensure that monks who had already made a mistake actually tried their best to earn damnation. However, many abbeys needed little help in this regard when these stories began to be told in fifteenth-century Europe. In fact, it was the wealth and decadence of the abbeys at the time that probably led to the spread of folktales such as that of the abbey lubbers.^[2]

8 Cat of the Corner

Someone traveling to Ireland instead of Scotland need not worry about encountering the Puss of the Corner, also known as ‘Pus an Chuine’ or ‘Cat-head’. Cat-head, the eldest son of a persistent, nasty old witch who burned the same castle every night after it had been rebuilt during the day, was murdered by the famous hero of Irish folklore, Fin MacCumhail. Yet it was not easy for him.

Cat-head, named for his most distinguishing feature, fought Fin so fiercely that he survived when the flesh was torn from his entire body and his head was cut off. However, Fin had a vision that showed him that he needed the witch’s blood to kill the beast. Fortunately, she was already on her way to save her son. Fin decapitated her after what was apparently the greatest fight of all time, and the whole time Cat-head’s cat head was biting his chest. Finally, Fin smeared the witch’s blood on Cat-head, who died immediately.^[3]

7 The Killakee cat

Another demonic cat that terrified the Irish was the Killakee Cat, also known as the ‘Beast of Killakee’. Those who have seen it have said it is a black cat the size of a German Shepherd dog with blazing red eyes, although it is also said to take the form of a deformed dwarf. The haunting of Killakee House made the house unlivable even after it was exorcised. The house used to be a meeting place for a sinister secret society known as the Hellfire Club. The club’s meetings began with a toast to the Devil, who was said to have even shown up several times, and there are countless stories of the club’s murders and mysteries.

A regular activity was the sacrifice of cats, which were doused with alcohol and set on fire. A popular story is that this ritual was being performed on a black cat one evening when the group was interrupted by a priest, who caused a demon to burst from the cat’s body. Another story says that the group once tortured and murdered a small person, and that the remains of a child or small adult were actually found there in 1971.^[4]

6 Fur

Despite its cute name, Furfur isn’t just another feline, nor is it someone who should ever consider cuddling. He is in fact a fallen angel and is high up in the chain of command in Hell. He holds the title of Earl and commands 26 legions of demons. He appears as a hybrid of deer and human, with the head and hindquarters of a heart – a male red deer – with the chest and arms of a man. He also has bat wings so he can fly, and his tail is permanently on fire.

Furfur has the power to create thunderstorms, but can be quite useful when summoned under the right circumstances. For example, if placed in a triangle when summoned, he will take the form of an angel and will answer questions about secret, divine or abstract things. However, if he is not in a triangle, nothing he says will be true.^[5]

5 Amy

Some demons have names that simply don’t sound scary in modern English, and one thing that can cause this is when the name is independent but widely adopted for other uses. Take the name Amy, which at the time of writing is one of the most popular girl names in the US. But centuries ago it was the name given to a great president of Hell who, if you were unlucky enough to see him, first appears as a fire and then usually turns into a man.

According to the Pseudomonarchia Daemonum, a sort of demonic directory from the 16th century, Amy has 36 legions of demons under his command. He also has a somewhat restless character. The Dutch demonologist Johann Weyer has described how Amy hopes to return to heaven in 1,200 years and take a place among the highest angels. However, Weyer added that he thinks this will be impossible.^[6]

4 Leonard

Most people have heard of Satan, and thanks to Freddie Mercury, many people have probably heard of Beelzebub. They, of course, hold some of the most powerful positions in the hierarchy of Hell. But alongside them stands a lesser-known demon who goes by the humble name of Leonard. It might not be too much of a stretch to imagine that his colloquial name could be the reason why he isn’t included in stories and song lyrics. He does, however, hold a number of important positions.

Leonard is the Inspector General of Sorcery, Witchcraft and the Black Arts, as well as the Grand Master of the Sabbats. In the latter role he would oversee demonic orgies and banquets. It can take many forms, but usually looks like a goat from the waist down, with three horns and flaming eyes. Oddly enough, he is also said to have a face on his butt that he lets witches kiss as a way of worshiping him.^[7]

3 Lilith

Lilith, unlike Amy, is actually a woman, but that doesn’t make her any less terrifying. She is a demonic figure from Jewish folklore, infamous for kidnapping and murdering children and seducing men. According to legend, Lilith was the first wife of Adam from the Old Testament creation story, but after refusing to submit to him, she left the Garden of Eden. Three angels sent by God to find her tracked her down to a cave where she hid and had many children.

The angels killed a hundred of her children every day to make her pay for her disobedience. However, Lilith still refused to follow their orders. In revenge, she kills other people’s children and is said to be responsible for stillbirths and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Although Lilith is still seen by many as a murderous demon, her original crime was simply asserting her independence. Because of this, Lilith has been adopted by some feminists as a symbol of female independence.^[8]

2 The uncle

The relationship of El Tío – ‘The Uncle’ – with the Bolivian miners who worship him is complicated. His name connotes closeness as if he were family, and he is sometimes generous enough to let the miners leave the mine, not only with their lives, but also with a large load of silver. On the other hand, the miners should not fear him, even though the punishment for being afraid is itself a cause for fear.

It is said that El Tío kills those who fear him and eats their souls. He is usually depicted as the devil, with horns and red eyes. Miners can worship him by leaving gifts of cigarettes, alcohol and coca leaves at a statue of him. These are easily found at every entrance to the mine to remind the workers that they are entering its territory: the underworld. They must ask his permission to mine the precious metals, and the price they must pay him is their souls.^[9]

1 Lady Afternoon

Farmers in Eastern Europe had better not forget to take their lunch break, otherwise they will encounter Lady Midday. Also known as the Noonwraith, she is a wandering spirit who believes noon is a sacred time set aside for rest, and she punishes those she sees working through it. Although several versions of the legend exist, it appears in the folklore of several countries, including Russia, Poland, Ukraine and Serbia. Many have one thing in common: a simple touch of her hand is fatal.

Lady Midday is also often said to wear a white robe and use the wind to float through farmers’ fields, although other aspects of her appearance vary from region to region, such as her age, hairstyle, and beauty. Even if someone isn’t working at lunch and they see her, it’s best not to start a conversation. Some versions of her story say that she will speak without ceasing, but will kill those who turn away from her. Others say that she expects her conversation partner to talk about one topic for an hour, or to ask difficult questions. If they fail, they will become seriously ill, injured or dead.^[10]

• Unable to drive after attack on October 12
• Arrested by police on November 16 and subsequently charged
• Will appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 9

By Anna Harrington for the Australian Associated Press

Published: 6:50 AM EST, December 15, 2023 | Updated: 5:45 PM EST, December 15, 2023

Child prodigy Jackie Evancho reflects on the pressure to be ‘perfect’ and fight her ‘demons’ in the music industry 14 years after she rose to fame with America’s Got Talent

By Alesia Stanford for Dailymail.Com

published: 21:07 EDT, Jun 26, 2023 | Updated: 9:14 PM EDT, Jun 26, 2023

By Kristy Williams For Daily Mail Australia

published: 11:49 PM EDT, Jun 11, 2023 | Updated: 03:11 EDT, Jun 12, 2023