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ALDI's epic snow gear sale is back!

Planning a ski trip or a family getaway in the Snowy Mountains? Aldi has got you covered with the return of its popular Snow Gear Special Buys sale set to hit the shelves on May 18. The highly anticipated sale will see more than 70 products on offer with prices starting from just $4.99 and nothing over $100. Rodney Balech, group director for National Buying at Aldi said this year's range is back and “better than ever”. “Whether you’re planning a solo ski trip or a friendly snowball fight with the family, Aldi’s Snow Gear range offers everything you need at an affordable price, without compromising on quality.” “We’re the also introducing more unisex options for kids, making it easier than ever for parents to hand down outfits to save on buying new sizes year after year.”  “While price and affordability are on everyone’s minds this year, we have also ensured that every item in our range meets the highest benchmarks.” He also said that they have worked with their partners across the globe to ensure that they create “high quality products across every layer”. “[And] now in more sizes than ever. Each item is embedded with innovative technology that is built to provide top-of-the-line durability and comfort in all conditions, so you can feel assured that both you and your budget will feel great carving down the slopes in this year’s range.” A lot is on offer this year, including Adult’s Premium Ski Jackets for just $99.99 and Ski Pants for $79.99, which can often cost more at other retailers. They have also dropped affordable new snow hoodie for $49.99, which they say is highly waterproof and "perfect for newcomers to the snow looking to set themselves up with the right gear without having to blow the budget." Gloves, goggles, helmets, thermoboots and kids knitted accessories are also on offer. For those with younger children, Toddler’s Snow Suit will be up for sale for just $34.99 with a few “mini-me” designs on offer for parents who want to match with their kids. The sizing for teens and young adults have also been extended to give more options for those who are growing up or in between sizes. Images: Aldi/ news.com.au

Travel Tips

What is negative gearing and what is it doing to housing affordability?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-cull-340911">Michelle Cull</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Australia’s housing crisis is putting the <a href="https://www.mortgagechoice.com.au/guides/what-is-the-great-australian-dream/">Australian dream</a> to own one’s home out of reach for many. But it’s not just <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/australias-welfare/home-ownership-and-housing-tenure">home ownership</a> that has been affected. Rental affordability has also become a serious issue. This has reignited the debate about negative gearing; whether or not it is fair and whether it holds the key to fixing the housing crisis. <h2>What is negative gearing?</h2> <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/review/tax-white-paper/negative-gearing">Negative gearing</a> refers to using borrowed money to invest in an asset so it results in a loss which can be claimed as a tax deduction against other income. For example, a property investment is negatively geared if the net rental income received is lower than the mortgage interest. The loss is then offset against other income, such as wages and salaries, which reduces the amount of income tax payable. Negative gearing is commonly used for property investments but also applies to other investments (such as shares). Investments can also be positively geared when net income from the investment is more than the interest on borrowings. The attractiveness of negative gearing in Australia is mainly due to its ability to reduce the amount of income tax. For this reason, it can be more beneficial to individuals who are on higher marginal tax rates. However, capital gains tax must be paid on any gain when the asset is sold. <h2>How does negative gearing work?</h2> Let’s look at a simple example of negative gearing. Say an investment property was rented to tenants at A$500 a week ($26,000 a year), and associated expenses (such as agent fees, rates, mortgage interest, maintenance) were $40,000 for the year. This leaves a shortfall of $14,000. The property owner can deduct the $14,000 from their taxable income to reduce their liability. For example if they received $100,000 from wages, they would pay tax on only $86,000 (saving $4,550 in income tax). Individuals on higher incomes and therefore higher marginal tax rates would receive larger tax deductions (for example, someone earning over $180,001 would pay $6,300 less tax). While negative gearing an investment property can reduce tax while it is being rented, it can also result in a large <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/investments-and-assets/capital-gains-tax/what-is-capital-gains-tax">capital gains tax</a> bill once the property is sold (even though capital gains tax is halved for assets held for more than 12 months). For example, if the cost base for a property purchased ten years ago was $400,000 and it sells for $900,000 today, capital gains tax would be calculated on half of the $500,000 difference. At a marginal rate of 45%, the tax bill would be $112,500. <h2>How widespread is it in Australia?</h2> According to the <a href="https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/taxation-statistics-2020-21">Australian Taxation Office</a>, about 2.25 million individual tax payers (21% of all individual tax payers) claimed deductions against rental income for a total 3.25 million properties in 2020-21 financial year. Of these, 47% negatively geared their properties, claiming a net rental loss. This is equivalent to just less than 10% of all taxpayers. Investors with fewer properties were more likely to be using negative gearing with over 71% of property investors having only one investment property. <hr /> <iframe id="Wv9lV" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Wv9lV/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> The largest group of property investors (524,220) had one investment property and a total annual taxable income between $50,001 and $100,000. The chart above shows the proportion of property investors by age group. From 2016-2017 to 2020-2021, the total net rental income on property investments in Australia went from a loss of $3.3 billion to a gain of $3.1 billion (as you can see from the chart below). For the same period, the proportion of investors negatively gearing their properties dropped from 58% to 47%, as lower interest rates reduced losses. <hr /> <iframe id="fXnoe" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/fXnoe/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe> <hr /> Negative gearing is also becoming less attractive with the government’s recent changes to <a href="https://treasury.gov.au/tax-cuts">tax brackets and marginal tax rates</a>. According to a study conducted by <a href="https://www.pexa.com.au/staticly-media/2023/03/Whitepaper-2-Private-renting-in-Australia-a-broken-system_compressed-sm-1679450145.pdf">LongView and PEXA</a>, 60% of property investors would be financially better off if they instead put their money into a superannuation fund. <h2>When was it introduced?</h2> Negative gearing has been allowed under tax laws since 1936. It was thought it would encourage investment in housing and increase supply. However, debate around its impact on housing affordability led the government to partially abolish it in 1985 by not allowing rental property losses to reduce tax on other sources of income. There was a shortage of housing and rents rose during the two years it was abolished. As a result, in 1987, negative gearing was reinstated and capital gains tax legislation was introduced. <h2>Is it used in other countries?</h2> Canada, Germany, Japan and Norway use negative gearing. In Finland, France and the United States, rental losses can offset future rental income only. In the US, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p936#en_US_2023_publink1000229891">home owners are entitled</a> to claim a tax deduction for mortgage interest on their own home. The use and benefit of negative gearing depends upon all aspects of a country’s tax system. So although it may be attractive in countries with high marginal tax rates, other taxes such as capital gains tax, land tax and stamp duties may reduce its appeal. <h2>Negative gearing’s impact on housing affordability</h2> Many factors affect the cost of housing, including interest rates, inflation, employment, the overall taxation system and population growth, making housing affordability a complex issue. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nz-kills-tax-loophole-on-property-to-slow-soaring-house-prices-20210323-p57d9s.html">In New Zealand, negative gearing is being phased out</a> due to its impact on housing prices. However, unlike Australia, New Zealand does not have capital gains tax, making negative gearing more popular and more likely to impact housing prices. In addition to phasing out negative gearing, the New Zealand government <a href="https://www.hud.govt.nz/our-work/public-housing-plan/">increased the supply of public housing</a> and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-25/nz-auckland-house-supply-experiment-results-in-dramatic-change/102846126">relaxed zoning regulations</a> to provide more affordable housing. In Australia, however, there are concerns abolishing negative gearing will cause rents to rise, as they did in the 1980s. More innovative approaches to housing affordability are needed to ensure ample supply of property for first home buyers and tenants. Some consideration could be given to allowing first home buyers to claim a tax deduction for mortgage interest, increasing capital gains tax, limiting the number or type of investment properties held, capping rent increases, or more infrastructure investment from the government for first home buyers and social housing. One or more of these measures would be a step in the right direction. Negative gearing on its own is not the answer to housing affordability. The whole system needs an overhaul, with a combination of measures needed to adequately address affordability, for now and for future generations. Taking no action will put home ownership out of reach for even more Australians.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/223823/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michelle-cull-340911">Michelle Cull</a>, Associate professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/western-sydney-university-1092">Western Sydney University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-negative-gearing-and-what-is-it-doing-to-housing-affordability-223823">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

"Just one snowfall away": Aussie ski resorts dismiss doom and gloom warnings

Australian ski resorts have dismissed warnings about the possibility of a below-average snowfall this season as they prepare for opening weekend. Meteorologists have warned that if a number of climate factors combine this winter, the 2023 snow season could be one of the worst in decades. Although images have shown poor snow coverage at NSW and Victoria’s biggest ski resorts, staff have rejected concerns the season won’t pick up. Michael Fearnside, operations director at Perisher Ski Resort, the largest in the southern hemisphere, told news.com.au it is “certainly not doom and gloom” for the industry. According to Fearnside, only time will tell. “This is my 38th winter working in the snow industry and some of our best seasons have begun with low snowfall at the start,” Fearnside said. “Our business is weather dependent but we’re always just one snowfall away, it’s no different to a farmer waiting for the weather to break.” Similar to other resorts, Fearnside added Perisher had made significant investments in snow-making and as a result, they haven’t had to rely on snowfall, with snow guns ready to be deployed “as soon as the conditions are right”. “Our snow-making covers 53.4 hectares across the resort and sets us apart for having the most reliable ski and board experience all season long,” “It’s certainly not doom and gloom, we’ve seen this before and we’re just waiting for the weather pattern to settle down.” Snowy Mountains ski resort Thredbo will need to rely on its own snow-making, despite it and Perisher being the first to see snow in April. Meanwhile, in Victoria’s Alps, the Mount Buller Alpine Resort has been steadily producing a mass amount of snow since the beginning of May and has a network of 341 snow-making guns ready to “kick into action” when necessary. Resort spokeswoman Rhylla Morgan said it is “all hands on deck” to finalise preparations. “In recent seasons there have been bumper early snowfalls and we’ve been spoiled with plenty of natural snow from the beginning,” she said. “And as much as we love to see snowfall at any time, we are taking comfort in the fact that early snow doesn’t translate to a better snow season.” Morgan noted two of the best snow seasons on record at Mt Buller, 1956 and 1958, “had no snow for the season start in June”. “But we’ll leave the forecasting to the professionals and, like all snow enthusiasts, we’ll be watching the forecast closely and hoping for the best.” Victorian resorts, Mt Buller, Mt Hotham and Falls Creek are hoping to repeat the record-breaking 2022 snow season, the first full return after the Covid lockdowns. Mt Hotham’s general manager of operations Len Dobell said the mountaintop resort had its “best season on record” in 2022. Falls Creek Alpine Resort head of marketing Andrew Eckersley said the resort had “more than 500,000 visitation days” in 2022, and was already expecting similar numbers of bookings in 2023. “Last year there was massive pent-up demand from people not being able to ski as much as they want over the last few years in,” Eckersley said. “The fact there’s not a huge amount of difference shows there’s still the appetite to visit the snow.” Although those numbers could be attributed to earlier snowfalls leading to an earlier season opening, Eckersley said he was hopeful the cold front ahead would bring some snow. Sky News Australia meteorologist Alison Osbourne confirmed that despite there being a cold front shifting across the alpine regions, it is not guaranteed to bring snow. “The best weather systems for good snowfall have the most precipitation after a cool change, so it's cold enough for heavy snow,” she said. “This is the opposite, heavy rain is coming before the cold weather does. The freezing level is far too high. “This rain is very likely to wash away the existing cover and while it remains warm, windy, and wet, conditions for snow-making are unfavourable.” Cooler westerly winds are expected to push over the Alps on June 16, lowering the freezing level in time for the June 10 snow season opening, but not enough for significant snowfall. “The silver lining is that snow-making conditions improve for the rest of the weekend.” Image credit: Getty

Travel Trouble

“Stay awake!”: Incredible bodycam footage of Jeremy Renner rescue

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT - VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. It’s been three months since Jeremy Renner almost lost his life to a horrific <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/hollywood-actor-hospitalised-after-freak-snowplow-accident" target="_blank" rel="noopener">snow plough accident</a>, and new footage has surfaced from the incident. In a gut-wrenching video, medics can be seen desperately trying to save the Hawkeye actor after his 6,500kg Snowcat vehicle ran him over on New Years Day, 2023. Renner was left in critical condition with extensive injuries at the scene of the incident in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The Marvel star was using his snow plough to clear a path out of his home following a massive snowstorm, according to the New York Post. The mighty storm saw over 35,000 people without power in the area. New police bodycam footage from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office showed the scene just moments after Renner’s devastating accident. The footage shows a team of five medics in a desperate attempt to save the star, who suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopaedic injuries. “It was horrible. I thought he was going to die, man. I’m holding him and his colour is just going,” a person at the scene said. Renner’s accident occurred just moments after he stepped in to save his nephew, Alexander Fries, from the path of the snow plough. Police bodycam footage captured Fries explaining what had happened to his uncle. “He went up and turned around, got out to tell me something and then that’s when it started coming at me, like, full force,” he told officers. “That’s when he tried to jump back in there. Right where his blood is at, that’s right where it all happened.” “He tried to jump on it, into the thing, and it took him under,” he added. An emergency call from the incident was also released, which heard the actor’s neighbour telling emergency services that Renner had been “crushed” by the snow plough. On the call, the frazzled neighbour can be heard asking for the emergency crew’s time of arrival as he explained Renner’s “shallow” breaths were “getting shorter” and that the actor had started to “drift off” to sleep. Renner lost a significant amount of blood and underwent surgeries with round-the-clock care from medics after he was flown to Renown Regional Medical Centre in Reno, Nevada. His frantic neighbour, who happened to be a doctor, applied a tourniquet to Renner’s leg to stop the bleeding. Renner was released from hospital in January and has been recovering at home since then. The actor opened up about the chilling events for the first time in an <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/marvel-star-gives-chilling-first-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exclusive interview</a> with US ABC News anchor Diana Sawyer. He shared that he refuses to be “haunted” by the harrowing accident. “I shifted the narrative of it being victimised or making a mistake or anything else,” he told Sawyer. “I refuse to be f**king haunted by that memory that way.” The actor also revealed the harrowing detail of him writing his “last words” to his family as he didn’t think he’d make it through. “I’m writing down notes on my phone. Last words to my family,” he said, holding back tears. Image credit: Instagram/Washoe County Sheriff’s Office

Body

Hollywood actor hospitalised after freak snowplow accident

Jeremy Renner, who stars in the popular Marvel franchise, has lost a significant amount of blood on New Year’s Day following his snowplow machine accidentally running over one of his legs. A neighbour who is a doctor managed to rush to his aid and applied a tourniquet to his injured leg. An air ambulance then took Renner to a hospital near Reno. It has been noted the star’s injuries are “extensive” and other parts of his body were also injured along with his leg, although further details about the injuries were not available. The 51-year-old US actor was loaded onto the chopper around 9:50 am local time on Sunday. Renner was alone and had been trying to clear a path out of his five-bedroom home following a massive snowstorm over the new year. It is said that he is in a “critical but stable” condition after the freak accident. Apparently a safety feature on the machine apparently failed, sending the heavy machinery rolling over him. He lives about 40km outside Reno near Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, and has previously shared photos and videos of himself using his snowplow to dig out of winter storms. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Renner was the only person injured in the incident Sunday morning and the Major Accident Investigation Team is looking into the circumstances of the incident. Image: Instagram

Caring

"It was a pretty nasty bang": Freddie Flintoff airlifted to hospital

Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff is recovering from a "nasty" accident while filming for Top Gear, according to his friend Piers Morgan. The former English cricketer, 45, was airlifted to hospital on Tuesday after receiving medical care at the scene, following a crash at an aerodrome in Surrey. Piers said he had spoken to Freddie's family, and said the TV host is remaining in good spirits. “I’m told it was a pretty serious crash and that Freddie’s going to be OK, but it might be a little bit more serious than first appreciated,” he told talkSPORT. “I’m told he’s going to be OK, which is great news, but I’m also told it was a pretty nasty bang and that he’s had surgery and is recovering now and we’ll have to wait and see." “I’ve been in contact with them privately but I just want to wish him and his family – Rachael, his wife – all the very best and I think we’re all just keeping our fingers crossed that the big man comes through all right.” It is understood that the crash did not happen at high speed, with all health and safety precautions said to have been in place. The health and safety watchdog said it was “aware and making inquiries” after the BBC reported the incident, as was standard procedure. A BBC spokesperson said at the time, “Freddie was injured in an accident at the Top Gear test track this morning, with crew medics attending the scene immediately. He has been taken to hospital for further treatment and we will confirm more details in due course.” Image credits: Getty Images

Caring

740,000km of fishing line and 14 billion hooks: we reveal just how much fishing gear is lost at sea each year

Two per cent of all fishing gear used worldwide ends up polluting the oceans, our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abq0135" target="_blank" rel="noopener">new research</a> finds. To put that into perspective, the amount of longline fishing gear littering the ocean each year can circle the Earth more than 18 times. We interviewed 450 fishers from seven of the world’s biggest fishing countries including Peru, Indonesia, Morocco and the United States, to find out just how much gear enters the global ocean. We found at current loss rates, in 65 years there would be enough fishing nets littering the sea to cover the entire planet. This lost fishing equipment, known as ghost gear, can cause heavy social, economic and environmental damage. Hundreds of thousands of animals <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11160-018-9520-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are estimated to die</a> each year from unintentional capture in fishing nets. Derelict nets can continue to fish indiscriminately for decades. Our research findings help highlight where to focus efforts to stem the tide of fishing pollution. It can also help inform fisheries management and policy interventions from local to global scales. <h2>14 billion longline hooks litter the sea each year</h2> The data we collected came directly from fishers themselves. They experience this issue firsthand and are best poised to inform our understanding of fishing gear losses. We surveyed fishers using five major gear types: gillnets, longlines, purse seine nets, trawl nets, and pots and traps. We asked how much fishing gear they used and lost annually, and what gear and vessel characteristics could be making the problem worse. This included vessel and gear size, whether the gear contacts the seafloor, and the total amount of gear used by the vessel. We coupled these surveys with information on global fishing effort data from commercial fisheries. Fishers use different types of nets to catch different types of fish. Our research found the amount of nets littering the ocean each year include: <ul> <li>740,000 kilometres of longline mainlines</li> <li>nearly 3,000 square kilometres of gill nets</li> <li>218 square kilometres of trawl nets</li> <li>75,000 square kilometres of purse seine nets</li> </ul> In addition, fishers lose over 25 million pots and traps and nearly 14 billion longline hooks each year. These estimates cover only commercial fisheries, and don’t include <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-97758-4_15" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the amount</a> of fishing line and other gear lost by recreational fishers. We also estimate that between 1.7% and 4.6% of all land-based plastic waste travels into the sea. This amount likely exceeds lost fishing gear. However, fishing gear is designed to catch animals and so is generally understood as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X15002985" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the most environmentally damaging</a> type of plastic pollution in research to date. <h2>Harming fishers and marine life</h2> Nearly 700 species of marine life <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025326X14008571?via%3Dihub" target="_blank" rel="noopener">are known to</a> interact with marine debris, many of which are near threatened. Australian and US <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X15002985#bib6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research in 2016</a> found fishing gear poses the biggest entanglement threats to marine fauna such as sea turtles, marine mammals, seabirds and whales. Other marine wildlife including sawfish, dugong, hammerhead sharks and crocodiles are also known to get <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2010.00525.x" target="_blank" rel="noopener">entangled in fishing gear</a>. Other <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/conl.12781" target="_blank" rel="noopener">key problematic items</a> include balloons and plastic bags. Lost fishing gear is not only an environmental risk, but it also has an economic impact for the fishers themselves. Every metre of lost net or line is a cost to the fisher – not only to replace the gear but also in its potential catch. Additionally, many fisheries have already gone through significant reforms to reduce their environmental impact and improve the sustainability of their operations. Some losses are attributable to how gear is operated. For instance, bottom trawl nets – which can get caught on reefs – are lost more often that nets that don’t make contact with the sea floor. The conditions of the ocean can also make a significant difference. For example, fishers commonly reported that bad weather and overcrowding contributes to gear losses. Conflicts between gears coming into contact can also result in gear losses, such as when towed nets cross drifting longlines or gillnets. Where fish are depleted, fishers must expend more effort, operate in worse conditions or locations, and are more likely to come in contact with others’ gear. All these features increase losses. <h2>What do we do about it?</h2> We actually found lower levels of fishing gear losses in our current study than in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/faf.12407" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a previous review</a> of the historical literature on the topic. Technological improvements, such as better weather forecasts and improved marking and tracking of fishing gear may be reducing loss rates. Incentives can further reduce losses resulting in ghost gear. This could include buyback programs for end-of-life fishing gear, reduced cost loans for net replacement, and waste receptacles in ports to encourage fishers to return used fishing gear. Technological improvements and management interventions could also make a difference, such as requirements to mark and track gear, as well as regular gear maintenance and repairs. Developing effective fishing management systems can improve food security, leave us with a healthier environment, and create more profitable businesses for the fishers who operate in it. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/740-000km-of-fishing-line-and-14-billion-hooks-we-reveal-just-how-much-fishing-gear-is-lost-at-sea-each-year-192024" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: CSIRO

Travel Trouble

Devastating reason ski-resort won’t reopen

A ski-resort in NSW won’t be able to open up this winter due to the early snowfall which has now delayed a rebuild that was destroyed in the 2020 bushfires. Selwyn Snow Resort shared the devastating news on Facebook explaining the hurdles they keep overcoming and will come out stronger after this one. The family friendly ski-resort was completely destroyed during the horrific bushfires that blanketed the state in 2020. “We’re deeply saddened that we find ourselves in this situation,” the post read. “Due to unprecedented early snowfalls the Selwyn re-build will not be complete by 2nd July.” Despite occurring during off-season, five of their employees had to be evacuated but with high hopes of reopening. The past seven days has seen some record snowfall and the resort was upset after the builder explained that it would be difficult to complete the renovations and rebuilding on time. “It’s difficult to be here after the hurdles we have faced over the last few years, and we want to thank our guests and the public for your ongoing support. “We know that this is devastating news for our guests, employees and local communities, and want you to know that we share this sadness with you and look forward to a fresh start in 2023.” Guests who purchased products from Selwyn Snow Resort will be refunded in full. Image: Facebook

Travel Trouble

Olympic-level tips to make the most of the snow

With the sudden plunge in temperature, it’s safe to say winter has well and truly started - making it the perfect time to book your next winter getaway. Having recently enjoyed a trip to the slopes in eastern Victoria’s Mt Buller, Winter Olympian and Toyota ambassador Belle Brockhoff has shared ten tips for making the most out of your next winter trip. Wear sunscreen The cold doesn’t stop the UV rays – in fact, the snow actually reflects the sun’s rays, meaning double exposure when on the slopes. Using a sunscreen that’s designed for exercise will keep you protected while you master the snow.   Nappy protection For beginner snowboarders who are more likely to fall back onto the snow, duct tape a couple of nappies down the backside of your pants. If you’ve ever been hit in the tailbone, you’ll know why this might be a good idea.   Road to the Snow Consider the type of vehicle you’ll need to travel to the slopes. We might forget being in warmer climates for a majority of the year that the roads can get icy with snow settling, making it harder to drive. It’s best to drive a 4x4 vehicle, I always drive my Toyota Kluger up to the slopes – it fits all my friends and all our snow gear too.  Don’t forget the snacks! Pack snacks in your jacket pockets. Time flies when you’re having fun, which is inevitable in the snow and hitting the slopes so make sure you’re stocked up for any emergency hunger situations.   Early Birds catch the fresh snow It’s best to set the alarm as early as possible, this way there will be fresher snow and minimal queues for equipment hire and ski lifts.   <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/brooke15.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Snowboarder and three-time Olympian Belle Brockhoff has shared some tips after taking her own trip to the slopes. Image: Supplied Snap the Stacks The funniest moments are the unexpected moments, and when mates (or you) have a blackmail-worthy stack on the slopes it’s a must to document the footage for eternity (or at least submitted to Jerry of the Day and/or Slalom Tokyo drift.) Or simply just take photos to remember the experience.  Mid-week tricks While the slopes are fun at the weekend, travelling up and practising tricks during the week is even better. It’s the perfect time to grab a bunch of friends, hit the quiet slopes and enjoy fewer queues and wait times.  Remote access Now that majority of workplaces are allowing a ‘work from anywhere’ policy, pack up the laptop and head to the snow. Most resorts have great Wi-Fi access and multiple quiet places to take meetings and calls.  Invest in (or borrow) a pair of waterproof snowboarding/skiing pants This means your bum will stay dry and therefore a LOT warmer.   Keep an eye out for a clear night Away from the metro city lights, there’s less light pollution, especially on the hill. There’s always a beautiful sunset to keep an eye out for and an amazing view of the stars. Always look up to admire our starry night sky when it’s a clear night.    Image: Supplied

Domestic Travel

Kyle Sandilands' lavish baby gear

Kyle Sandilands has been surprised with lavish baby products, arriving not long after the announcement of his expected son. "I've never seen anything like this" Kyle said, after being presented with a gold cot, the same high-chair as the Kardashians', a baby basket, and a pram among the many gifts given to prepare him for the birth of his son. As <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/kyle-sandilands-reveals-big-news-on-air" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced in February,</a> Kyle and fiancee Tegan Kynaston are expecting a baby boy together in August. This will be the 50-year-old's first baby. The other gifts include a hand-knitted baby blanket, the same one that is presented to The Royal Family and a stylish baby bag for mum-to-be Tegan. Kyle is half-way to fatherhood and seems to be very excited for the arrival of his first child. Images: Facebook

Family & Pets

Snowed in shoppers spend the night in IKEA

Six IKEA shoppers and two dozen employees have spent the night in an IKEA store in Denmark after being snowed in. Up to 12 inches of snow fell during the blizzard, trapping everyone inside the Aalborg store on Wednesday night. Rather than bracing the harsh weather to get back home, the customers and staff had an impromptu sleepover of a lifetime in the store's inviting showroom. Those trapped inside got to pick from IKEA's extensive range of beds to test out for the night, giving a whole new meaning to 'try before you buy'. Store manager Peter Elmrose told the local Danish newspaper, "We slept in the furniture exhibitions and our showroom on the first floor, where we have beds, mattresses and sofa beds." He said customers were able to pick out which bed they were thinking of buying and try it out for real, as everyone spent the night eating and watching TV. Peter said despite the unusual conditions, the night went "super well" and everyone had "a lot of fun". Denmark's public broadcaster reported that staff from the neighbouring toy shop also joined in on the impromptu sleepover, as they were also stranded too far from home with the bad weather. The toy shop manager Michelle Barrett said, "It's much better than sleeping in one's car. It has been nice and warm and we are just happy that they would let us in." "We just laughed at the situation, because we will probably not experience it again." Image credits: Getty Images / Courtesy of IKEA

Travel Trouble

"Biggest snow event since 2015” on its way

A polar blast set to hit the NSW Northern Tablelands and possibly parts of Queensland is coming sooner than expected. South-east Australia had their own freezing weather, and it looks like QLD may experience their biggest dumping of snow in years. Forecasters have predicted the Australian Alps could bask in a metre of snow or more over the coming days. Canberra may also get a slight dusting. Queensland-based Bureau of Meteorology lead meteorologist Matthew Bass said the Sunshine State could receive snowfall as early as Wednesday afternoon. The coldest burst of air may arrive on Thursday however, with snow down to 900 metres on the Granite Belt. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Snow started falling in the Aussie Alps on Tuesday and plenty more is on the way in the coming days! Some areas are likely to see more than one metre of fresh snow this week. <a href="https://t.co/0Ncg3gdY3G">pic.twitter.com/0Ncg3gdY3G</a> — Weatherzone (@weatherzone) <a href="https://twitter.com/weatherzone/status/1402201968806826011?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2021</a></blockquote> This means Wallangara, Giraween National Park and Eukey could see a flurry of snow. "I think it probably is shaping up to be the biggest snow event since 2015 based on our records here," he said. Stephen Stefanac, meteorologist with the Bureau of Meteorology in Sydney, believes 20 centimetres of snow in the Northern Tablelands could be seen by the end of the week. He estimates a further 50cm to a metre in the Snowy Mountains by the end of the week. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841723/weather.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3916cfd2fb0c42fb892ce4bfdf5f4d46" /> "I can't remember recent times where we'd expect that much snow up there (Northern Tablelands)," he said. "It doesn't happen every year that far north." Mr Stefanac said there was a chance of snow in the hills around Canberra but nothing is guaranteed. "There's a slight risk. I wouldn't rule it out completely," he said. Image: Nine News

News

Postman's disgusting act after finding elderly woman lying in the snow

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Distressing footage has emerged of the moment a postman appears to leave an elderly woman lying on the frozen ground after she had fallen outside of her home. Captured on the neighbour's doorbell camera, the interaction shows 72-year-old grandmother of two Patricia Stewart and the Royal Mail employee as he was delivering a package in Bainsford, Scotland, on Thursday. Stewart was lying on the path in the snow when the postman arrived. In the footage, shared by her niece Sheryl Harkins, Steward can he heard asking the postman for help, before he says: “I can’t help pal, I’m knackered”, and walks away. Thankfully, the grandmother did not face any serious injuries. Harkins says another delivery worker arrived a short time later and called the neighbours for help. “Thank goodness for that girl because this could have been a very different situation if she hadn’t turned up when she did,” she wrote. “I honestly don’t have the words for how disgusting this is, for a human being to treat another human being in this manner. “Words fail me.” A Royal Mail area manager has since apologised to Stewart for the incident. “Royal Mail expects the highest standards of behaviour from our people while out on deliveries and collections at all times,” a spokesperson told local media. “We regularly remind our postmen and postwomen of the important role they play in their local communities. “We were very sorry to learn about this incident, and for the distress this incident has caused. “We are in touch with the customer concerned and will be investigating this incident.” </div> </div> </div> <div class="post-action-bar-component-wrapper"> <div class="post-actions-component"> <div class="upper-row"></div> </div> </div>

Legal

ALDI shoppers furious after retailer cancels its annual snow gear sale

It’s an event that shoppers look forward to each year, as they rush to their nearest ALDI for the annual Snow Gear Special Buys sale. The highly anticipated sale has people “working in teams” as they attempt to score a bargain. But unfortunately, the German retailer has had to cancel the snow sale for 2020, forcing shoppers to put that excitement on hold till 2021. Once a year, the supermarket releases items such as jackets, goggles, boots and thermal wear, helping Aussies stay warm as they hit the slopes. But with the coronavirus pandemic stopping people from travelling, the retailer found that it was inappropriate to continue with the sale. Taking to Facebook, ALDI revealed they are shifting their priorities to the grocery sector, forcing them to make the difficult decision of withdrawing its 2020 Snow Gear Special Buys event. “We’ll be back with our best-ever collection next year,” the post read. “We’re looking forward to sharing our best-ever collection with you in 2021. Apologies for any inconvenience caused.” The post garnered over 1000 comments and shares, but people were torn over the decision. Majority of comments came from those who live in colder areas, saying they rely on the sale to stock up on winter clothing. “Pity about the people who live in the colder areas. I was waiting for this to stock up on clothes to work in the paddocks etc. Typical that they only think people who will go on holidays buy this stuff,” one person commented. “Considering not everyone travels to snowy regions; there are thousands of people who actually live in these areas,” added another. “Winter is still coming – would be great if they still brought out the thermals, boots, gloves, & beanies.” In normal circumstances, the sale occurs each year in May and attracts thousands of shoppers around the country as they hope to snap up a cool saving on snow gear.

Domestic Travel

Bunnings to the rescue!

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> An emergency doctor has said that a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) has led to senior doctors sourcing supplies from hardware store Bunnings. Dr Stephen Parnis said that the lack of PPE is the “number one concern” for Australian healthcare workers on Q&A on Monday night. Dr Parnis is an emergency doctor and former Vice President of the Australian Medical Association and is aware of “department directors” going to Bunnings to get PPE for their staff. He said that others are trying to source the vital equipment from overseas contacts. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> What is the government doing to supply health workers with ample hand sanitizer and PPE? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QandA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QandA</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ykx91yOg0E">pic.twitter.com/Ykx91yOg0E</a> — QandA (@QandA) <a href="https://twitter.com/QandA/status/1247130244361777152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2020</a></blockquote> “It's probably the number one concern for health workers around the country at the moment,” Dr Parnis said. Q&A host Hamish MacDonald was shocked and asked Dr Parnis to clarify what he meant. “Can I clarify? Department heads are going to Bunnings to try and find personal protective equipment,” MacDonald asked. “I've seen examples of that. Yes,” Dr Parnis said. General practitioner Dr Vyom Sharma said that the lack of PPE is “affecting the nature and care” being given to patients. “It’s correct what Steven said, we're very worried about the lack of personal protective equipment and it's been affecting the care we've been offering patients throughout,” Dr Sharma said. “When the criteria for COVID-19 had been changing gradually through February and March, a huge percentage of my (patients) were overseas students and travellers and tourists. “And you're rationing masks even then. And there are people coughing and sneezing one day who come from South Korea or Italy and a few day later the criteria changes and it says these people are high risk and you wonder should I have used a mask on them and I would have if I had enough.” Dr Sharma said that in his own practice, they were rationing out PPE and the number of masks has dwindled to about ten. “We are trying to save them for when we really need them.” The stress of the pandemic has resulted in doctors not being able to sleep. “It's a stressful time for us all … because we're making enormous numbers of changes in our hospitals, but also we've seen what's happened overseas,” he said. “And that's the sort of scenario that really worries us, the risk of being overwhelmed.” </div> </div> </div>

Home & Garden

Grace on the mountain: Crown Princess Mary's adorable ski-holiday snaps

Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has given royal fans a glimpse of the family’s latest skiing holiday via the Danish Royal Family Instagram account. Princess Mary, 48, relaxed against the mountains of Switzerland with her beloved dog Grace, who has been with the family since 2017. Her son, Vincent, 9, was also shown in another photo relaxing in the snow next to Grace. Princess Mary and her four children Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine began a 12-week spring term last month at the Lemania-Verbier International School in Switzerland. It’s clear that the family are enjoying their time in Switzerland, as the Danish Royal Family Instagram account captioned the snaps “A greeting from Switzerland where Grace enjoys life in the mountains and snow.” The snaps quickly racked up 28,000 likes from royal fans who were excited to see the family relaxing with their dog. Scroll through the gallery to see the snaps.

International Travel

Jetstar pilots forgot to lower landing gear on approach

Pilots of a Jetstar flight forgot to lower the plane’s landing gear on approach to a NSW airport due to “a series of distractions”, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau has found. The pilots of a Jetstar A320 aircraft were approaching Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport on May 18, 2018 when they were forced to abort two landings due to the oversight, a report by the bureau found. It was found that on the first attempt, the flight crew “<a href="https://7news.com.au/travel/air-aviation/pilot-of-jetstar-flight-forgot-to-lower-landing-gear-on-approach-to-ballina-airport-report-c-599719">conducted a go-around</a>” because the captain found the plane’s airspeed and altitude were higher than normal for an approach. The crew realised the landing gear was not down on the second attempt, and the flight landed safely on its third attempt. The ATSB found the crew did not follow Jetstar’s standard procedures during the first go-around, resulting in distractions that contributed to the landing gear oversight. “During the downwind leg following the first go-around, the flight crew did not select the landing gear down as they had commenced the configuration sequence for landing at the Flaps 3 setting,” the report said. “Furthermore the flight crew incorrectly actioned the landing checklist, which prevented the incorrect configuration for landing being identified and corrected.” Dr Stuart Godley, ATSB Director Transport Safety Director, said the incident showed how “<a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a191210fmrex/distracted-jetstar-pilots-forgot-to-lower-landing-gear-20191211">unexpected events during approach and landing</a>” can “substantially” increase the flight crew’s workload. “Following standard procedures mitigates the risk of the selection of inappropriate auto-flight modes, unexpected developments, or confusion about roles or procedures that can contribute to decisions and actions that increase the safety risk to the aircraft and its passengers,” Godley said. Following the incident, Jetstar Airways said the flight crew members involved attended debriefings with flight operations management and were provided with related simulator and line flying training.

Travel Trouble

Lowest act: Thieves steal gear to pose as firefighters and beg for fake donations

A NSW fire station has warned residents to keep an eye out as thieves stole firefighter gear from the station and could be posing as fireys to get donations from unaware locals. Wyong Fire Station, on the Central Coast of NSW, was broken into on Saturday night and alerted locals to what had been stolen in a Facebook post. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffrnsw505%2Fposts%2F1990863537726068&width=500" width="500" height="745" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media"></iframe> Yellow fire helmets, bushfire jackets and gloves, ID cards, goggles, shirts and trousers as well as white flash hoods resembling balaclavas were stolen. “All of these items are clearly marked or branded with FRNSW logos and some of these will have firefighters names on them,” the post read. The post ended by saying that FRNSW “do not door knock or go around asking for monetary donations or discounts”. Hundreds have since commented on the post, condemning the thieves’ actions. “What is wrong with these people?” one woman said. “This is just the lowest act,” another person said. “This is horrible, hard to believe that someone could be this low or do something like this. Hope they find the grub!” another wrote. A man commented saying that they saw a ‘solo door knocker’ when driving. “Saw a ‘solo door knocker’ in Gorokan, Dudley St about an hour ago when driving. Was a man, dressed in RFS and holding a bucket. “I have notified the station, maybe keep an eye out if in Gorokan.”

Travel Trouble

High-tech fishing gear could help save endangered right whales

Many fish, marine mammals and seabirds that inhabit the world’s oceans are critically endangered, but few are as close to the brink as the North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis). <a href="https://www.narwc.org/uploads/1/1/6/6/116623219/2018report_cardfinal.pdf">Only about 411 of these whales exist today</a>, and at their current rate of decline, they could become extinct within our lifetimes. From 1980 through about 2010, conservation efforts focused mainly on protecting whales from being struck by ships. Federal regulations helped <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/reducing-ship-strikes-north-atlantic-right-whales">reduce vessel collisions</a> and supported a slight rebound in right whale numbers. But at the same time, growing numbers of right whales died after becoming entangled in lobster and crab fishing gear, and the population has taken a significant downward turn. This may have happened because fishing ropes became stronger, and both whales and fishermen shifted their ranges so that areas of overlap increased. In research that is <a href="https://www.int-res.com/prepress/d03376.html">currently in press</a>, we show that 72% of diagnosed mortalities between 2010-2018 occurred due to entanglements. This comes after a millennium of whaling that decimated the right whale population, reducing it from perhaps between <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12664">10,000 to 20,000</a> to a few hundred animals today. And entanglement deaths are <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/230653">much more inhumane</a> than harpoons. A whaler’s explosive harpoon kills quickly, compared to months of drawn-out pain and debilitation caused by seemingly harmless fishing lines. We believe these deaths can be prevented by working with the trap fishing industries to adopt <a href="https://ropeless.org/">ropeless fishing gear</a> – but North Atlantic right whales are running out of time. Deadly encounters Whalers pursued right whales for centuries because this species swam relatively slowly and floated when dead, so it was easier to kill and retrieve than other whales. By the mid-20th century, scientists assumed they had been hunted to extinction. But in 1980, researchers from the New England Aquarium who were studying marine mammal distribution in the Bay of Fundy off eastern Canada were stunned when they <a href="https://www.canadianwhaleinstitute.ca/habitats">sighted 26 right whales</a>. Conservation efforts led to the enactment of regulations that required commercial ships to <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/endangered-species-conservation/reducing-ship-strikes-north-atlantic-right-whales">slow down</a> in zones along the U.S. Atlantic coast where they were highly likely to encounter whales, reducing boat strikes. But this victory has been offset by rising numbers of entanglements. Adult right whales can produce up to an estimated <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12230">8,000 pounds of force</a> with a single stroke of their flukes. When they become tangled in fishing gear, they often break it and swim off trailing ropes and sometimes crab or lobster traps. Lines and gear can wrap around a whale’s body, flukes, flippers and mouth. They impede swimming and feeding, and cause chronic infection, emaciation and damage to blubber, muscle and bone. Ultimately these injuries weaken the animal until it dies, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsu008">which can take months to years</a>. One of us, <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=DQ-fD1QAAAAJ">Michael Moore</a>, is trained as a veterinarian and has examined many entangled dead whales. Moore has seen fishing rope embedded inches deep into a whale’s lip, and a juvenile whale whose spine had been deformed by the strain of dragging fishing gear. Other animals had flippers nearly severed by swimming wrapped in inexorably constricting ropes. Entanglement injuries to right whales are the worst animal trauma Moore has seen in his career. Even if whales are able to wriggle free and live, the extreme stress and energy demands of entanglement, along with inadequate nutrition, are thought to be <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.2615">preventing females from getting pregnant</a> and contributing to record low calving rates in recent years. Solutions for whales and fishermen The greatest entanglement risk is from ropes that lobster and crab fishermen use to attach buoys to traps they set on the ocean floor. Humpback and minke whales and leatherback sea turtles, all of which are federally protected, also become entangled. Conservationists are looking for ways to modify or eliminate these ropes. Rock lobster fishermen in Australia already use <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeeieRr7sTw">pop-up buoys</a> that ascend when they receive sound signals from fishing boats. The buoys trail out ropes as they rise, which fishermen retrieve and use to pull up their traps. Other technologies are <a href="https://www.wnpr.org/post/innovations-fishing-gear-could-change-lobster-industry-help-endangered-right-whale">in development</a>, including systems that <a href="https://ropeless.org/november-6th-2018-presentations/">acoustically identify traps on the seafloor</a> and mark them with “virtual buoys” on fishermen’s chart plotters, eliminating the need for surface buoys. Fishermen also routinely use a customized hook on the end of a rope to catch the line between traps and haul them to the surface when the buoy line goes missing. Transitioning to ropeless technology will require a sea change in some of North America’s most valuable fisheries. The 2016 U.S. lobster catch was worth <a href="https://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/commercial-fisheries/commercial-landings/annual-landings/index">US$670 million</a>. Canadian fishermen landed <a href="http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/commercial/land-debarq/sea-maritimes/s2016av-eng.htm">CA$1.3 billion</a> worth of lobster and <a href="http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/stats/commercial/land-debarq/sea-maritimes/s2016av-eng.htm">CA$590 million</a> worth of snow crab. Just as no fisherman wants to catch a whale, researchers and conservationists don’t want to put fishermen out of business. In our view, ropeless technologies offer a genuine opportunity for whales and the fishing industry to co-exist if they can be made functional, affordable and safe to use. Switching to ropeless gear is <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/lobster-trap-aims-protect-endangered-whalesand-fishers-livelihoods-180971208/">unlikely to be cheap</a>. But as systems evolve and simplify, and production scales up, they will become more affordable. And government support could help fishermen make the shift. In Canada, the federal and New Brunswick provincial governments recently awarded CA$2 million to Canadian snow crab fishermen to <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/snow-crab-right-whale-fishing-gear-research-1.5143321">test two ropeless trap designs</a>. Converting could save fishermen money in the long run. For example, California Dungeness crab fishermen closed their 2019 season three months ahead of schedule on April 15 to settle a lawsuit over whale entanglements, leaving crab they could have caught still in the water. Under the agreement, fishermen using ropeless gear will be <a href="https://www.nationalfisherman.com/west-coast-pacific/dungeness-drag/">exempt from future early closures</a>. A rebound is possible The <a href="https://www.fws.gov/endangered/laws-policies/">Endangered Species Act</a> and <a href="https://www.fws.gov/international/laws-treaties-agreements/us-conservation-laws/marine-mammal-protection-act.html">Marine Mammal Protection Act</a> require the U.S. government to conserve endangered species. In Congress, the pending <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1568/text?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22H.R.+3729%22%5D%7D">SAVE Right Whales Act of 2019</a> would provide $5 million annually for collaborative research into preventing mortalities caused by the fishing and shipping industries. And an advisory committee to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently recommended <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/team-reaches-nearly-unanimous-consensus-right-whale-survival-measures">significant fishing protections</a>, focused primarily on reducing the number of ropes in the water column and the strength of the remaining lines. Consumers can also help. Public outcry over dolphin bycatch in tuna fisheries spurred passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and led to <a href="https://swfsc.noaa.gov/textblock.aspx?Division=PRD&ParentMenuId=228&id=1408">dolphin-safe tuna labeling</a>, which ultimately reduced dolphin mortalities from half a million to about 1,000 animals annually. Choosing lobster and crab products <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsy194">caught without endangering whales</a> could accelerate a similar transition. North Atlantic right whales can still thrive if humans make it possible. The closely related southern right whale (Eubalaena australis), which has faced few human threats since the end of commercial whaling, has rebounded from just 300 animals in the early 20th century to an <a href="https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/resource/document/southern-right-whale-eubalaena-australis-5-year-review-summary-and-evaluation">estimated 15,000 in 2010</a>. There are real ways to save North Atlantic right whales. If they go extinct, it will be on this generation’s watch. Editor’s note: This article was updated on May 28, 2019 to correct the number of North Atlantic right whale deaths in recent years that were caused by entanglements.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/115974/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-moore-652534">Michael Moore</a>, Senior Scientist, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/woods-hole-oceanographic-institution-954">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/hannah-myers-726400">Hannah Myers</a>, Guest Investigator, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/woods-hole-oceanographic-institution-954">Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/high-tech-fishing-gear-could-help-save-critically-endangered-right-whales-115974">original article</a>.

Family & Pets

Prince Charles gears up for showdown with Prince Andrew

Prince Charles is reportedly furious with his brother Prince Andrew as the scandals surrounding the Duke of York continue to grow. As the Prince of Wales is flying back to the United Kingdom after his tour of New Zealand and the Solomon Islands, he is reportedly furious about his brother’s disastrous BBC interview. According to insiders, the Prince of Wales is furious that the BBC interview overshadowed his royal tour and is planning to speak to the Duke of York when he returns on Tuesday. This comes after Buckingham Palace confirmed that Prince Andrew would be “standing back” from all his patronages as well as his royal duties. “The Duke has over 230 patronages. He will be stepping back from public duty and temporarily standing back from all his patronages,” a spokeswoman told the PA news agency. However, Prince Andrew will continue to work on his Pitch@Palace program, which is a program designed to help young entrepreneurs. The program was dropped by several Australian universities last week after the interview. “(The Duke) will look at how he takes this forward outside of his public duties, and outside of Buckingham Palace. We recognise there will be a period of time while this transition takes place,” the spokeswoman said. A royal insider told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/prince-andrew-election-fears-made-charles-call-for-duke-to-be-removed-39xfn0ntn" target="_blank">The Times</a> that questioning whether or not Prince Andrew was “fit for purpose” on IITV was the final straw for Prince Charles. The questions were posed to Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn during their first election debate. “Prince Charles and his private secretary were determined that this should not be allowed to drag on and on. The question of the election was critical,” they said. Former BBC correspondent Peter Hunt says that the Queen had no choice but to make her son step down after the scandal. “After her error of judgment when she let Andrew do the interview, the palace are keen to show a decisive Queen,” former BBC correspondent Peter Hunt said on Twitter. “But it’s Charles and his people who are increasingly pulling the strings.”

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Kyle Sandilands' lavish baby gear

Snowed in shoppers spend the night in IKEA

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Postman's disgusting act after finding elderly woman lying in the snow

ALDI shoppers furious after retailer cancels its annual snow gear sale

Bunnings to the rescue!

Grace on the mountain: Crown Princess Mary's adorable ski-holiday snaps

Jetstar pilots forgot to lower landing gear on approach

Lowest act: Thieves steal gear to pose as firefighters and beg for fake donations

High-tech fishing gear could help save endangered right whales

Prince Charles gears up for showdown with Prince Andrew

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